When I was 14 years old I asked my mom for tickets to the NKOTB concert for my birthday…she came through with tickets to the Cincinnati show on July 10, 1990. I had turned 15 on the 6th of July. I totally thought that Jordan Knight was going to see me dressed in my polka dot shirt, matching leggings, lycra mini skirt and BIG hair and fall head over heels in love with me. Alas, when I got to my seat I realized it was in the VERY LAST ROW of the venue. I was CRUSHED…none the less, when the boys took the stage I was transported to a different time and place. I was blissful. That was one of the BEST birthdays ever….
Cut to 19 years later…I’m turning 34 and the BLOCK is playing close to Columbus…my girlfriends and I splurge on 5* tickets. Mind you, this is not my first 5* but by far the most special to me. I blubbered on Jordan at my first M & G – I doubt he understood a ¼ of the words that came out of my mouth. It was memorable and quite special to me as I did share something very personal with him and he was very kind and deeply touched. My 2nd M & G was more for my son than it was for me and for HIM it was amazing. But this one, THIS ONE, I wanted to actually TALK to them and not be dumbfounded…AND IT WAS MORE THAN I EVER COULD HAVE IMAGINED.
I always have a gazillion things I want to say to each of them. Do I ever manage to get it out of my mouth? Usually the answer is no…it usually ends up with me getting two wordsout of my mouth, if that. Once again I had rehearsed all of the things I wanted to say, expecting full well to get in there and freeze. As we were standing in line I was chit chatting with Earl, the big burly bodyguard with a heart of gold and I wasn’t nervous at all. They finally allowed our group to go in. Did I go to Jordan first? Nope. Danny? Nope. Jon? Nope. Donnie? Nope. Joe? Nope. I went to ARMONDO – the bodyguard. I walked up to him and said…”I told you to remember this face, that you would see it again.” And he said “And I do, 4 heads in a door.” (Which is what the bodyguards referred to the 4 of us in our cabin on the cruise). I then said “Get used to it because you are gonna see me quite a bit this week” He said “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” I say “That remains to be seen.” LOL!
Next I made a BEELINE for Jordan. Stood in front of him and said “Jordan, I can’t talk to you so just read my shirt.” He did, smiled and opened his arms wide for a hug. I stepped in and just about died. BEST Jordan hug I have ever gotten. It was then picture time. I got lucky and got myself another Donnie/Jordan Sandwich (Yummy). The first picture Jordan is hamming it up as usual but the second one I wrapped my arms around him and LAYED my head on his shoulder. That was BLISS! He felt so good. That is the safest and most content I have felt in so long (why am I just realizing this?).
I then turned to find Joe. I walked up and said “Hi Joe. My name is Kelly. I’m your Sinatra Girl.” And he said “As in YOU ARE MY SINATRA?” I MELTED – Joe McIntyre REMEMBERED ME. HOLY SHIT! I said “Yep, that’s me.” He said “Thank you!” and opened those arms of his for a hug. I then had a lengthy conversation with him about the book drive in Cincinnati. The bodyguards were hovering but Joe kept putting his hand out to them so they wouldn’t interrupt us.
Finally I decide it’s probably time to go. I turn and am face to face with Donnie. I salute him. He salutes back. I say “Permission to grab your ass sir.” And he says “Grab it baby. Grab it with BOTH hands.” When he said “Grab it” I grabbed with my right hand…as soon as he said both hands it was like “BAM”. I grabbed and squeezed a couple of times. It was GREAT. Joe even looked over, eyes all big, and said “DAMN”.
On my way out I pass Jon. I say “Hi Jon, I’m Kelly and I gave you a napkin on the cruise.” He looked at me for a moment and then recognition set in and he said “Yes. Yes you did. THANK YOU!” and gave me an infamous Jon Knight hug.
Not until it was all over did I realize that I never saw or spoke to Danny. *sigh* I guess I have a new mission…
The show itself was absolutely amazing. They top themselves every time. I got some great photos; made some great new friends. Experienced a little girl’s first concert and saw first hand how much the guys care about the young ones. They don’t HAVE to pay attention to them but they seek them out and make them feel like they are very special.
Can’t wait to do it all again.
Special thanks to my girls for going with me again and helping make those memories even better (and for being able to verify that “things” actually happened and I wasn’t just making it up. ;)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
"The Family"
Sometimes I forget – that you are different. You let us in. You allow us a glimpse into your lives. How honored we are to be trusted with “Real Talk”. For YOU are not just a group, and WE are not just the fans – we are FAMILY!
I don’t think one can truly appreciate the love we have for each other. Some of us have never met face to face and probably never will. But, these “strangers” are our brothers, sisters, best friends, confidants…they cry with us, laugh with us and celebrate with us. These are the people we can count on when times are tough and when we need an ear to listen or a shoulder on which to cry.
This “family” represents some of the happiest times of our lives. We have shared so much, even if we didn’t know it. We all LOVED these 5 guys from Boston with all of our hearts. They were our first boyfriends. Our secret keepers. They were everything we needed exactly when we needed them to be.
How blessed are we to have them in our lives again?
How amazing is it that they don’t treat us like fans but as friends?
How amazing is it that the “BAND” wants to be friends with us too?
How did we get so lucky?
To you, my new FAMILY, thank you for coming into my life and for allowing me into yours…thank you for sharing your troubles and for listening to mine. Thank you for your advice and for your tough love. Thank you for wiping my tears.
To you , my boys from the Block – thank you for allowing us a little peek into your lives. For feeling comfortable enough to share your quirky sense of humor with us and for treating us as more than just your fans. But most of all, thank you for bringing into my life some of the most amazing women I have ever known – some of which I consider some of my best friends.
So far the ride has been amazing…I can’t wait to see what’s around the corner…you guys are entirely too good to us…
I don’t think one can truly appreciate the love we have for each other. Some of us have never met face to face and probably never will. But, these “strangers” are our brothers, sisters, best friends, confidants…they cry with us, laugh with us and celebrate with us. These are the people we can count on when times are tough and when we need an ear to listen or a shoulder on which to cry.
This “family” represents some of the happiest times of our lives. We have shared so much, even if we didn’t know it. We all LOVED these 5 guys from Boston with all of our hearts. They were our first boyfriends. Our secret keepers. They were everything we needed exactly when we needed them to be.
How blessed are we to have them in our lives again?
How amazing is it that they don’t treat us like fans but as friends?
How amazing is it that the “BAND” wants to be friends with us too?
How did we get so lucky?
To you, my new FAMILY, thank you for coming into my life and for allowing me into yours…thank you for sharing your troubles and for listening to mine. Thank you for your advice and for your tough love. Thank you for wiping my tears.
To you , my boys from the Block – thank you for allowing us a little peek into your lives. For feeling comfortable enough to share your quirky sense of humor with us and for treating us as more than just your fans. But most of all, thank you for bringing into my life some of the most amazing women I have ever known – some of which I consider some of my best friends.
So far the ride has been amazing…I can’t wait to see what’s around the corner…you guys are entirely too good to us…
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Donnie F*cking Wahlberg
Donnie Wahlberg – The 2009 CRUISE Edition
Now, I’ve had my fair share of FACETIME with Mr. Wahlberg. You could say I’ve been one of the “lucky” ones. Do I seek him out? No, can’t say that I do. I am just usually in the right place at the right time.
For instance, on the cruise, I happened to be standing on the upper level of the deck, taking pictures of some of the guys on stage. I was oblivious to the fact that Ddub was leaving the stage. All of a sudden there was a commotion behind me…I turn to see that Donnie is making his way, flanked by bodyguards, from the lower level to the upper level. I walk over to the top of the steps to get a good picture. Without notice, D starts passing out hugs. He reaches out and grabs me, pulls me in and lingers there for a minute with my head resting on his neck. Now I’m sure it was over in an instant but DAMN, when he’s holding you, it feels like FOREVER. He goes on down the line leaving me there dazed and confused. I love the aftershock of a D-Dub Hug! Oh, did I mention that I was so out of it that I never got a picture? I’m an IDIOT!
Ok, then there was the time that I was looking for Jordan. It was Sunday and he was rumored to be headed up to the casino, after the concert, to play some Blackjack. Me, wanting to catch a glimpse of my man headed that direction. OH MY GOODNESS, the place was packed. I had forgotten that Donnie was set to play his heads up poker game. People had staked out there spots already to catch a glimpse of D. I walked through the entire casino, no Jordan. I even peeked over towards the mass of people waiting for Donnie; didn’t see him. I turned to leave and ran smack dab into DONNIE FUCKING WAHLBERG. He smiled that smile that only D smiles. He reached out and grabbed my arm at the elbow and slid his hand down my arm, stopping at my hand and lingering there (that man ALWAYS lingers). The whole time his eyes were locked on mine. Once again, I’m left dazed and confused…I look at him and say “Well, you’re not the New Kid I was looking for but that’ll do.”
*Sigh*
All of my D-Dub encounters have been WONDERFUL…thing is, I STILL don’t have a picture with him. That’s on my list though.
Oh, is it just me, or is Donnie Wahlberg acknowledging your existence in this world just the best thing ever? He makes you feel like you are the only person in the room…like he only has eyes for you. It’s quite an amazing feeling. I do adore me some D-Dub but my heart remains Jordan’s.
Now, I’ve had my fair share of FACETIME with Mr. Wahlberg. You could say I’ve been one of the “lucky” ones. Do I seek him out? No, can’t say that I do. I am just usually in the right place at the right time.
For instance, on the cruise, I happened to be standing on the upper level of the deck, taking pictures of some of the guys on stage. I was oblivious to the fact that Ddub was leaving the stage. All of a sudden there was a commotion behind me…I turn to see that Donnie is making his way, flanked by bodyguards, from the lower level to the upper level. I walk over to the top of the steps to get a good picture. Without notice, D starts passing out hugs. He reaches out and grabs me, pulls me in and lingers there for a minute with my head resting on his neck. Now I’m sure it was over in an instant but DAMN, when he’s holding you, it feels like FOREVER. He goes on down the line leaving me there dazed and confused. I love the aftershock of a D-Dub Hug! Oh, did I mention that I was so out of it that I never got a picture? I’m an IDIOT!
Ok, then there was the time that I was looking for Jordan. It was Sunday and he was rumored to be headed up to the casino, after the concert, to play some Blackjack. Me, wanting to catch a glimpse of my man headed that direction. OH MY GOODNESS, the place was packed. I had forgotten that Donnie was set to play his heads up poker game. People had staked out there spots already to catch a glimpse of D. I walked through the entire casino, no Jordan. I even peeked over towards the mass of people waiting for Donnie; didn’t see him. I turned to leave and ran smack dab into DONNIE FUCKING WAHLBERG. He smiled that smile that only D smiles. He reached out and grabbed my arm at the elbow and slid his hand down my arm, stopping at my hand and lingering there (that man ALWAYS lingers). The whole time his eyes were locked on mine. Once again, I’m left dazed and confused…I look at him and say “Well, you’re not the New Kid I was looking for but that’ll do.”
*Sigh*
All of my D-Dub encounters have been WONDERFUL…thing is, I STILL don’t have a picture with him. That’s on my list though.
Oh, is it just me, or is Donnie Wahlberg acknowledging your existence in this world just the best thing ever? He makes you feel like you are the only person in the room…like he only has eyes for you. It’s quite an amazing feeling. I do adore me some D-Dub but my heart remains Jordan’s.
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