T minus 9 days and counting until the publication of An Abundance of Katherines. Also, T minues 11 days and counting until my brother Hank's wedding. You should really either preorder my book or buy him something from his wedding registry. I'll leave the choice to you.

Here's a sentence you'll never hear out of me again: There are two reasons to pick up this month's issue of Teen Vogue. First, there is an ad for Katherines in which I dish out relationship advice to girls (my advice in the ad, and also my advice to girls generally, is to date more nerds). Second, Rachel Bilson, the not-unattractive star of The O.C., reveals that she has read Looking for Alaska (and found it to be "a heartfelt story"). I'm not sure if heartfelt is a compliment, but I'll take it.


(You might have to click on that photo to get the full effect.) Thanks to myspace friend Lydia for bringing this to my attention.

The other news is The Today Show. As you will see if you watch Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, I participate on a panel of men, who are ostensibly telling their relationship secrets. There was a relationship expert (whom I liked a lot) named Ian Kerner; there was the very funny Sherrod Small from VH1's Best Week Ever, and then there were three other guys, and then there was me. Hopefully they will edit me so that I seem funny and charming. Admittedly, that will require extensive editing, which is why I'll probably be on screen for eleven seconds.

(The best part about the entire experience was that about five minutes before the reporter showed up to start asking us questions, I spilled water all over my shirt, because I am an idiot. If you look closely at the start of the interview, you might see it. So here are a bunch of burly film crew guys, and a bunch of guys who are about to be interviewed regarding the secrets of real men, and everyone is huddled around me, suggesting ways to help dry the shirt quickly. All of which goes to show once more than men are from Earth and women are also from Earth.)

Contest results for the two remaining contests should come tomorrow.