Today's hangout.

This was the scene in my bedroom shortly after my husband got home from work:

It's funny, because we have, I don't know, 1300 or 1400 square feet in this house, yet everyone wanted to be together. (Yes, Dwayne is sleeping with his legs all up like that. And, no, he doesn't know I've taken this picture, much less posted it. I don't think he'll mind, though.)

By the way, we have four cats. And they are all pictured here. See the bump under the mess of blankets between the two grays? That's Oz, doing this:

(Can you tell I'm (sort of) figuring out how to use the new camera I got for my birthday? Now I'm posting without actually having anything to say, just so I can put up photos!)

Inflammatory T-shirts.

Over the weekend, one of the bands my husband plays drums for had a gig at a place . I did not wear this shirt:

This was a gift from my grandma several years ago. Back when I first received it, I thought it would be funny and adorable to wear it to one of Dwayne's shows. Our friends all agreed that it was, in fact, funny and adorable when I wore it to one of Dwayne's shows. The general public, however, reacted less favorably. I had strange guys coming up to me all night saying stuff like, "You're with the drummer, huh? So which one?" When I'd point to the tall, hot guy dragging his gear on (and later off) the stage, or even playing his drums on said stage, they'd start drilling me for details that only someone who really is with a drummer might know. Even when I'd answer the questions correctly, I could tell they thought I was making it all up. Apparently, a T-shirt that makes a claim such as this is not to be believed!!!!

Hey, so speaking of T-shirts that get people all riled up! [/SUPER-SMOOTH SEGUE]

While I was at the bar for my husband's show last weekend, chatting with a friend (while wearing something other than my "I'M WITH THE DRUMMER" shirt), some random guy -- probably in his early 50s -- came up to Friend and said, "So, you like AC/DC, huh?"

She said, "I sure do."

I thought it was a strange start to the conversation, but then I realized Friend was wearing an AC/DC T-shirt. Random Guy then asked her further questions in a really aggressive tone: "Then, what's your favorite song of theirs?"

"'Back in Black,'" she said without hesitation.

He rolled his eyes. "Oh, Jeez. Tell me the name of the band member who sings it."

She had no idea, and things sort of escalated into ugliness from there. Random Guy kept going on and on about how AC/DC was the music of his youth and it just wasn't right for her to not know about them, especially if she has the nerve to go around wearing the shirt. Friend wasn't in the mood to put up with his crap and said, "You're right. I'm a complete a**hole. I'll definitely think again before I dare to wear a shirt without knowing everything there is to know about it."

She pointed out to Random Guy, he was wearing a green shirt, probably because he likes green. But he doesn't know the science of what makes the pigment appear green to our eyes. He doesn't even know the exact name of the shade of green he was wearing. What gave him the right to wear green?

Somewhere in the midst of things, Friend's Husband got involved in the discussion and suggested that Random Guy 1) stop putting his hand on Friend's arm and shoulder and 2) "just walk away."

I said, "Yes, please. Good bye."

There was very nearly fisticuffs, but Random Guy finally left. We were all a little rattled having just been involved in such an obnoxious scene. And the whole thing really made me think about how protective people can get over things they love. Particularly music. Like, Hard-Core Fans need to protect the band from and/or show up the Casual Fans at all cost, suckahs.

I don't wear a lot of band merch, all things considered. I have one t-shirt for the Ramones (it was a gift), two for the Doors, one for Blind Melon, and one for Nightmare of You.

In the case of the Ramones, I am such a Casual Fan that "I Wanna Be Sedated" is the only song title that comes to mind at this moment. And that's mostly because Jordan Catalano sang it on an episode of MY SO-CALLED LIFE. I think that actually makes me Someone Who Only Vaguely Knows There is a Band Called "The Ramones." (I'm kidding! Mostly.)

But with the other three bands, I have the shirts because I am (or was) very into the bands. Like, super-woah into the bands, knowing the first and last name of every band member, which instrument they each play/ed, the titles and lyrics of all (or most) of their albums and songs, etc. (In case you want to get in my face in an internet way and start quizzing me, just know that my memory isn't what it once was. Nightmare of You is the only one of these at present that I can list off lots of trivia with ease.)

I'm trying to decide if, upon encountering a Casual Fan wearing a shirt which advertises one of my favorite bands, I'd try to get into a debate or make them think that they are a loser for not being as knowledgeable about the band as I am. I seriously think not. But, you know, that just generally isn't my style anyway.

Striped socks.

On Thursday, I wore a skirt with striped socks just like these:

Let me tell you, wearing socks this bold really get people's attention. I wasn't, like, trying to get attention. I  bought them because they were super-cheap ($3.00) and different from plain old black.  It was crazy and unexpected how much coworkers and strangers alike noticed and commented.

Everyone stared.  One woman pointed and laughed.  (Really!  Right in front of me.)  One said that I was just proving the age-old argument against wearing horizontal-stripes because "they make even your legs look wide!" (Um, thanks?)  One was very enthusiastic and said, "Girl, you are working those socks!"

So, yeah.  Striped socks on a generally conservative-ish dresser seemed to throw everyone off kilter.  I'm almost afraid to wear them again. 

Also, apparently these are "witch socks."  Is that just because of the the Wizard of Oz and the shriveled feet under the house?  Or is there more to it that I don't know?  When I bought them, I was thinking they were more like old-fashioned jail clothing.

A week in pictures.

Stephanie Perkins and I must be each other's dopplegangers. Not only do we have many, many things in common (such as husbands who are drummers and love for the movie ACROSS THE UNIVERSE), but we also accepted offers of representation from agents on the same day. Yay! Here's a little of what I did during the last week:

Tuesday. January 6, 2009:

3:30pm-ish. My sweet husband brought this home for me about two hours after Jim McCarthy telephoned offering representation. I haven't quite figured out my new camera (still!), so please ignore all the blurry and pretend it was all for, you know, a cool effect or something.

5pm-ish. This is what I looked like--all day--the day I got the call from Jim. (Yes, those are Hello Kitty pajama bottoms.)

Saturday. January 10, 2009:

5:30pm-ish. This was taken right before my husband and I left for my company party. I'm looking away from the camera so I won't close my eyes like I usually do when flash is involved. Also, my expression is somewhat miserable and tense because I'm anxious about the party, and about the fact that I still have to wait until freaking MONDAY to call Jim. Oh, the humanity!

Monday, January 12, 2009:

7:30am-ish. This is me right before leaving for the office in my new "I'm going to have an agent in less than two hours!!!!" outfit. (Actually, it's a cute little dress that I ordered for myself online on Christmas. This was the first time I could wear it because I had to buy the black turtleneck separately. I got a bunch of compliments on it, by the way. More than I have for any outfit in recent times.)

4pm-ish. This is me at the clinic where I work, chilling in the supply closet. By this time, I've already had an agent for seven hours. I look less excited only because I'm tired, my boots are killing me, and I'm trying really hard not to keep from closing my eyes for the picture.

Tuesday. January 13, 2009

2:45pm. Look, I am sending away my signed agency contract! I'm also holding the envelope in front of my chin so no one will see the zit that showed up yesterday!

Agent news!

So... I received an offer of representation last week. I am pleased to be able to say that I accepted that offer this morning. I will be working with Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management!

I'll have time to post more details about how it all went down, but for now, I just wanted to be able to let you all know that it happened. And that I am very, very happy!