December 6, 2009 - Cammy retired! |
| I discovered Cammy in the fall of 1993 when Super Street Fighter II was released, and I immediately 'fell in love'. However, back in those days, there was no internet, so there wasn't too much info, art, community of fans, etc. So although I liked her a lot and found a little bit of art + info here and there, there wasn't much to do :( |
| I really became a huge fan and collector when I went to Japan in the summer of 1996. My 1st night in Japan was spent in the airport, and during my very long layover, I found a Capcom arcade! In that arcade was a life-sized cardboard Cammy display (which I own ^_^) and an extremely cute little keychain figure. I got that figure and loved it so much that I started carrying it around in my pocket... and I've been doing that for the 13+ years. She's been my 'luck charm'. However, after losing and re-discovering her for the 3rd time, I thought it was time she retired! |
| The 1st time I lost her, I was pretty upset. I looked everywhere... nothing. Then I thought back about everywhere I'd been that day and figured out that I probably lost it in the parking lot after dinner. I didn't get to go look for her until noon the next day... and sure enough, she was right there on the ground where I parked the night before. I was so happy and lucky!! I vowed to be more careful. |
| The 2nd time I lost my lucky Cammy figure was at the mall. I spent the day there shopping and people watching with Jenny (girlfriend then, fiancée now, wife after Feb 13, 2010). We were in the car going home when I checked for her... it became 2nd nature to pat my left pocket to make sure she was safe. But she was gone! I figured there was no hope, so I tried to get over it. After all, 12 years in my pocket was pretty good. But Jenny noticed that something was wrong and pestered me until I told her the truth. I had to go out that night, so I left Jenny, but stopped by the mall to check The Gap where I thought I probably lost her. It wasn't in the dressing room, and it wasn't where I thought I dropped it in the store. I figured I might was well ask somebody there if anybody had found her. While I was waiting to ask, there was Jenny. I knew she'd look for it even though I told her not to cuz it was a waste of time. Anyhow, somebody had found my Cammy and all was good in the world! Again, I vowed to be even more careful... |
| The 3rd time was 2 weeks ago I went to a St. Louis Blues Hockey game. I had so much junk in my pockets, I meant to leave Cammy in the car where she'd be safe. I forgot. So the entire night, I was EXTREMELY careful. I remember checking on her after the game ended. But then when I got home, she was gone! Of course I fruitlessly checked everything. I was mostly mad because I'd been so damn careful and still lost it! But I've been expecting to lose her for a long time, so in a way it was kinda nice to finally just get it over with. I have a few extra Cammy figures, so replacing it wouldn't be hard. But that was the original. |
| Anyhow 2 nights later I happened to get tickets to another Blues game. Just for the hell of it, I parked in the same spot as I had 2 nights prior. She wasn't there. And she wasn't in the parking garage or anywhere along the route to the arena. After the game, I looked again the whole way back. This time I checked window sills and stuff where somebody might have set her after finding her on the ground. No luck. I was 20 feet from my car when I happened to notice a trashcan... and guess who was lying on top of it? Yes, my lucky Cammy!! It was a miracle. |
| This time, I didn't vow to be more careful with her, I retired her after 13+ years. Now she was much too special to lose, and I'd really be devastated when I did. Almost everything I've done done since I got her in Japan has been with Cammy in my pocket... graduating college, travelling the world, meeting my wife, etc. Silly, I know!! Even after all these minor miracles, I'm not the least bit superstitious, but it's been fun having her around and that stupid little thing has really given me a lot of comfort and some really exciting memories. |