Just Plain Disaster

Dear readers, please be warned that this story may cause you secondhand embarrassment. You may find yourself awake at three in the morning, reflecting on why the forces of the universe allowed you to be such a disaster of a human being. Or maybe that’s just me. But please do consider this as my preface to the most cringe-worthy moment of my life. The moment was made worse by the fact that it occurred in front of famous people.

You may have heard of a band called the Plain White T’s. Some of their most popular songs are “Hey There Delilah” and “Rhythm of Love.” They are one of my absolute favorite bands. With such beautiful and creative songs, its hard to imagine anyone who wouldn’t love them.

You could imagine my excitement when one of our friends explained that she had won a contest on the radio and the prize included tickets to a Plain White T’s concert AND passes to meet the band at the House of Blues in Houston. She was able to take three people and my mom and I had the great honor of being two of those people!

For weeks, I looked forward to the moment, imagining how amazing it would be to meet them and how cool I would act while talking to the band. At the time, I was sixteen. Therefore, I was still in high school and the concert happened to be on a day I had school. So, we made a dentist appointment super early that day so that we could have an “excuse” and be able to still make it to the concert, which was few hours away.

As the days grew nearer, I found myself growing more and more excited. The concert was all I could talk about to my friends. I was going to meet the Plain White T’s.

When at last, the day of the concert arrived, we were all pretty hyped up. I kept reminding myself to be cool. Just be chill when you meet them. Don’t be weird. I even told my mom, multiple times, that I wouldn't freak out.

The band delivered an amazing concert. It was such a wonderful experience being able to hear them in person. I can honestly say, they sound even better in person than they do on their albums! It was a great performance, but I couldn’t stop thinking about meeting them. I began to get butterflies toward the end of the concert. I knew it was almost time.

After almost everyone had exited the area, we handed our passes to one of the managers and they went back to talk to the band. I honestly don’t even know if the band was informed about the contest, but now was the time for them to find out.

We were led to the area where the band was. With each step, I reminded myself to act normal.

Be cool. Be cool. Be normal. Don’t be weird.

Well, let me tell you, friends, “cool” does not happen in this story. So, please, don’t put your faith in me.

After taking all of about three steps in their direction, all of the band members began waving excitedly to us. Then, all of the logical parts of my brain hit self-destruct. It was like that episode of Spongebob where he dumps most of the information out of his brain and its just one big cluster of chaos inside his head.

Be cool. Please.

*That was the last we ever heard from the logical part of my brain*

Tom, the lead singer, made eye contact with me and I found myself literally jumping up and down and screaming with excitement. Cool was gone. No hope for that now.

Luckily the whole band was really nice! They were amused, but very sweet about my uncontrollable enthusiasm. They even told me that they wished more fans were like me, which made me feel awesome (despite the fact that I was literally shaking).

Tom actually grabbed my hand for a fun photo and I think my soul left my body. I felt a tear come out of my eye. That’s right folks, I was CRYING. I was just as surprised as you probably are. But don’t worry, that’s not the embarrassing part.

The event that truly keeps me up at night to this day occurred when the band was autographing our T-shirts. I shudder to think of it, even as I write this.

They were all writing their messages on the shirts and making small talk with us. Well, while they were writing, they happened to ask my name.

Well, in my information-less, logic-less, and completely moronic brain (at the time), I took that as they were going write something like, “To: Maegan, our biggest fan” or something of that nature.

WHY? WHY DID I HAVE TO THINK THAT?

My response when they asked me my name?

Spell it out. And also shout. Apparently.

“M-A-E-G-A-N,” I yelled, excitedly.

*Moment of silence for my dignity, before we continue*

The band members looked at one another, confused.

“Oh…uh.. do you want us to write your name on the shirt?”

It was at this moment that I realized just how possible it is to completely loathe yourself as a person.

They were only asking my name to make small talk. And then I got to make everyone feel awkward by shouting at them how to SPELL it. Why? Why on earth was that immediately what my brain went to? Why did I even care if they spelled it wrong if they did happen to be writing it?

After a few moments of silent hatred for myself, I responded with a stutter.

“Uh…no. Sorry. I thought…um. I am SO sorry.”

Everyone around me shared a laugh, while I silently stood in disbelief at my own astounding stupidity.

While time passed in slow motion for me, everyone else went on with their conversations. The night continued and we shared more laughs and took more photos with the band. While I still cringe every time I think of that day, I also reflect on how grateful I was to be able to meet the Plain White T’s and to have such an awesome memory. They were so incredibly nice and despite my inability to speak to people I admire without being the most awkward creature on the planet, I had a great time that night.