Thursday Thirteen: Gifts

Last year at Valentine’s Day, I talked about why our favorite fictional band, ShapeShifter, doesn’t write love songs. If you missed it, or just would like to remember, visit it here.

Once again, Valentine’s Day is on my mind. This year, I thought I’d focus on the gifts that ShapeShifter fans have given the guys over the years. Now, I’m not talking about the bras that grace the famous Wall of Fame. Nor am I talking about the panties that are flung at the stage or tucked into a jeans pocket.

Nope, I’m talking about the things that have real meaning to the fans. Things they have to share.

Things like…
1. The matching plaid flannel boxers each band member was given one cold December night.

2. The scarf knitted by a woman who worked for the band’s record label. It was an odd color, with enough black and grey to make Mitchell happy but with enough green, Louise said, to bring the green out of his hazel eyes. He wore it for a long time, until it disappeared. He tore apart the band’s dressing room. He tore apart the band’s tour bus. He tore apart Trevor’s suitcases and bunk on the bus, but in the end, it was decided that it must have escaped with Mabel the tenth. If you know the fan who might have the scarf, please ask her to return it. She can keep Mabel, though.

3. One fan, knowing of Daniel’s love of current events, gave him a book. Not just any book, it was a history book. An alternative history book, which some people hold as the truth. It scared Daniel so badly, instead of keeping the bus awake with his snores, he kept them up with the screams from his nightmares — and then his need to talk through them, usually with Eric.

4. This band’s love for home-made baked goods (Key lime pie notwithstanding) is legendary. Some fans think home-made treats are a great way to show affection. Unfortunately, management is more worried about the few who’ll sneak something harmful into those cookies and brownies. The baked goods can’t be eaten.

5. Fans love to express their love for their favorite band member through drawings. Of their favorite band member. Which they give to that band member. According to Trevor, not even Mitchell is vain enough to hang them in his house.

6. Jewelry is a popular gift! While there’s the legend of the girl who removed Mitchell’s dragon earring with her teeth — and then kept it! — the part of that legend that’s not told is that it had been a gift from a fan. Earrings and rings with skulls and dragons are the most popular gifts, but there have been all sorts of things, including a dangly thing for Eric’s unpierced nipple, which was believed to have been pierced and ready for the dangly thing. Ever gracious, Eric said thanks and didn’t raise his shirt to show that nope, there were no piercings there.

7. A small stone bear fetish was once pressed into Eric’s hand, so quietly that he never saw who did it. It hung out on the band’s bus for the rest of the leg of the tour, then got lost during the week-long break before heading to Europe.

8. One guy brought his bass to give to Trevor, hoping it would help make him a better bassist. He wasn’t allowed inside with it, so he mailed it to the band’s manager, JR. It didn’t get any farther than that.

9. One guy gave Eric the knife he was going to use to slit his wrists with. He claimed ShapeShifter’s music saved him. While the band doesn’t doubt he feels that way, they also believe that the guy chose to save himself.

10. One clever girl brought Mitchell a new set of grill tools, including an apron and hot mitts. He shipped those home immediately.

11. The band lost track of who it was originally for, but when a ten-gallon hat was handed over during their first big tour of Texas, it got worn on stage that night. Then they left Texas and it wasn’t cool to wear anymore. It’s since vanished.

12. Girls like to hand over stuffed animals, especially bears, and ask that the guys sleep with them. They get donated to hospitals.

13. One quiet girl said nothing but handed each band member a red rose, solemnly. It was Valentine’s Day, and for once, our four favorite blockheads got it.

This is where I act like all the other bloggers and ask what item of meaning would YOU give to YOUR favorite musician. And, of course, who that musician is. But… since this is me, I’m simply inviting you to do what you want. Just remember, if you don’t leave a comment, I won’t know you stopped by, and I won’t be able to return the visit!