A Wholly Uplifting Experience in Van Nuys

I haven’t waited in line at an opening for a decade (hey, I work for that privilege), but like other fervid fans, I wanted to be the first to boast, “Oh, I’ve been there.” For four days, I cruised Van Nuys, waiting for the moment to strike, but the lines had grown exponentially since the spot’s Sept. 28 debut. So my mom and I creeped out the door on Saturday at 4 a.m. with a vat of coffee and lawn chairs. Surely, no one else would be dopey enough to bum rush Krispy Kreme two hours early. But there were dopes aplenty: a bus driver, an insomniac, a rodeo rider, a new poppa and a homeboy who just liked doughnuts. We bonded, took group photos. Hundreds lined up behind us and, boy howdy, did we look smart. You see, it wasn’t just about the doughnuts, it was the privilege of being the first to say, “Been there, don’ut.”