They always get it right.
They be my dad and stepmom.
They too are travelers. And they know of my black T-shirt collection.
My black T-shirt collection, on which I have blogged. My black T-shirt collection built over the decades. A selective group of 16 shirts – Each with a Story – that will be with me until the end. And outlive me. See, once you’re in, you’re in for life.
A misguided conception is that being black is sufficient to gain entry into this esteemed group.
Oh how foolish be he who so perceives!
Entry into the esteemed pool is determined by qualities tangible and intangible that I’d dare not attempt to articulate. It is sufficient that the Great Spirit of Black T-Shirts and I know.
And, evidently, my stepmom and dad.
Who get it right every single time. No easy feat, that. And an indicator that they really get me and my style.
For example. On exceptionally rare occasion – and frankly, I’d have it no other way – they return from overseas with a gift of a black T-shirt.
Through many years, they’ve gifted me with four, each of which made it into the group. I share that to highlight their skill, the exceptional state of the collection and the tortoise-like pace at which it grows.
In other words, they’re not returning from their every jaunt with another shirt landing in my lap!
That’s not how it’s done. That would be wrong.
So. A few weeks ago, on the occasion of my birthday, the newest member arrived. Soon as the shirt was out of its wrapping and presented before me hanging in midair between the fingers, I knew. It was a shoe-in. Uh, a shirt-in?
Behold. Now I ask you, can you state from where the shirt, with its uniquely cool reflective silvery swirls, hails? (Answer to be revealed after all votes are in.)
Barefoot Blogger 
Apr 04, 2011 @ 16:11:46
My guess is it must be from their fabled trip Down Under from some time ago, as it looks remarkably like NZ on that shirt (a worthy addition, BTW; I dig that shirt).
Apr 04, 2011 @ 16:49:15
@B – Your guess is logged and the answer shall be revealed soon. It’s a keeper all right. Didn’t wear another shirt for like a week after that bday!
Apr 04, 2011 @ 16:45:04
Cool shirt. It looks like an upside down Italy (the boot) but I am quite sure that is wrong, so I will lazily await the answer.
Apr 04, 2011 @ 16:53:38
@bizmom – Stay tuned. In the meantime, perhaps bone up a little on geography? ;-D
BTW, you might wanna follow the link to view the cool collection (sans one too personal to air). Included is a Rolling Stones T-shirt from their 1981 tour (which I didn’t attend) that would no doubt generate some interest and bucks on E-bay. Which’ll never happen. No shirt will ever be for sale. And that one, because of its worn delicate condition, is donned only for the most special of occasions.
Apr 04, 2011 @ 19:33:54
New Zealand. Love it.
Apr 05, 2011 @ 02:40:09
I *know* where that shirt is from. What a cool welcome back to blogging, and I’ll bet it’s synchronicity. Yay. (And hi again. 🙂 )
Apr 05, 2011 @ 12:55:46
@klopp – Welcome back! I knew you knew. I considered inserting a disclaimer excluding you, like that applied to certain employees in a public contest. But that’d only potentially be a clue to others.