Shannon: I'll do my best to be home by 5 on Wednesday. If you get to my house first, just hang in your car. I'll be home shortly!

Thanks, Shannon! We'll see what happens. Have you thought about where you'd like to eat Wednesday night? You mentioned Mexican. Any restaurant in particular?

I felt it was time for a change, ladies. Welcome to our new layout! Military inspired, wouldn't you say? Enjoy :-)

I'm a geek. I know that. Here's proof: A letter I wrote to Adam Brody, the actor who plays Seth Cohen on Fox's "The O.C." (Again, I know I'm a geek!) I sent the letter last Wednesday. We'll see if he replies!

-Wendy-

She awoke that Tuesday morning, flipped on her PowerBook G4 and logged on to the World Wide Web.
She checked her e-mail and surfed the Web for a few moments, making a familiar stop at “The O.C.” portion of Fox’s Web site. The first graphic caught her attention: The transcript of last night’s online chat with Adam Brody was available.
“Let’s see what Adam had to say,” Wendy Townley thought to herself, while glancing at the clock.
6:32 a.m.
She needed to wrap things up soon, shower and be out the door for work at the Bellevue Leader, a weekly newspaper where she works as a features reporter.
She scanned the paragraphs carefully, reading the questions from whom, she guessed, were girls in their early to late teens.
She certainly wasn’t anywhere near the probable demographics of the show. She wore her naturally curly brown hair short, because it’s easier that way. She loves calf-length skirts and cardigan sweaters, and wouldn’t be caught dead in one of those “belly shirts” that seem to have taken the fashion world by storm.
A month away from turning 25, she has a college degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She cut her journalistic teeth in 1997 on the college’s student newspaper and never quit writing.
She craves the honesty that journalism provides and is lucky to have a career she’s so passionate about.
While the questions from last night’s chat didn’t appear that earth shattering, Adam’s responses made her smile, made her laugh out loud.
“He’s such a wise ass!” she said to no one in particular. “I love that.”
She continued to read the transcript, until a question about music caught her eye. Bands she recognized, musicians close to her heart and home, were listed in Adam’s response.
Rilo Kiley. Bright Eyes.
Both bands on the Saddle Creek Record label, based in Omaha. She lives in Omaha.
She likes these bands. A lot. She even has their albums on her iPod.
Then, it hit her. This was her “in,” her way to make introductions yet hide her geeky nature. This was her chance to write to Adam Brody in a roundabout way.
I’m a fan of yours, think your curly hair and sense of humor are adorable. But, I come bearing gifts. Medium Magazine, a monthly culture magazine I write for in Omaha, put both artists (Conor Oberst and Jenny Lewis) on the cover. I figured you’d be interested in learning more about Conor and Jenny.
That’s it! That’s it! It wasn’t even 7 a.m., but she was wide awake now, excited with her idea.
“I can send him copies of the magazine.”
She pawed through the oversized purple crate where she keeps each and every newspaper and magazine she’s been published in for the past six years. It was a messy affair, but she eventually unearthed the two magazines.
“OK, now I have the magazines,” she thought to herself. “I should probably include a letter.”
She ran upstairs and launched Microsoft Word on her Macintosh. But, where to begin? She didn’t want to come off as a dewey-eyed Adam Brody worshiper, someone who didn’t have a life outside Wednesday nights at 9/8 Central on Fox. (She did, thank you very much.)
She never wrote a “fan letter” before, but she felt more than just a fan. From what she could judge, she and Adam would be good friends if circumstances were different. They’d crack the same jokes in that dry manner and listen to the same music. They’d even eat the same foods: cheese goldfish, granola bars, chocolate chip cookies and fruit snacks.
In fact, after the show’s premier, several people approached her, saying, “There isn’t a boy more perfect for you than Seth Cohen.”
Secretly, this made her smile.
For good measure, she put together a mix CD for Adam, naming it “Songs in the Key of Adam Brody.” She included songs by artists she thought he’d like: The Jayhawks, Beck, Jem, Damien Rice, the Dave Brubeck Quintet, Everything But The Girl, the Propellerheads and Rufus Wainwright.
She signed the letter, including her e-mail address (wendy@wendytownley.com), Web site (www.wendytownley.com), mailing address (12135 “N” Street, Omaha, NE, 68137-2024) and phone number (402-850-5166). She considered including a photo of herself, but decided against it. If Adam really wants to see what she looks like, he can check out her Web site. Her favorite photo is on the homepage.
She put the care package together and addressed the envelope. She found a mailing address for Adam on an Internet message board and hoped the package would find its way to him.
True, she felt a little silly at the post office; but, what did it matter?
You miss 100 percent of the chances you never take, she heard somewhere. What could she lose?
She hoped not for a glossy autographed photograph or prewritten response on Fox stationary, but a quick letter. Maybe even an e-mail from Adam.
Time would tell. Until then, she was looking forward to tomorrow’s episode.