MTTMB Series: ''La la la Tonight''

We all know the story by now, in the summer of 1989 I fell in love with a blue eyed boy from Boston and the group he was in NKOTB. I spent hours talking about them, my room was covered floor to ceiling with pictures from BOP. My Dad took me to see my first concert that winter and I cried the whole time especially when Joe sang, '' I'll Be There''. I fought over him with my cousin Rissa and friend Christena. I bought their first album and any other that came out. It was heaven!

Halloween, I dressed up like Joe with my friends dressing up as their favorite New Kid. I even took a BOP picture of Joe on my 8th grade Washington D.C. trip! I wore a New Kids shirt everyday my 8th grade year only to be mercilessly made fun of but I could've cared less. I was a girl in love......

Fighting a boy to not steal my Joe picture!

NERD!

When their second album came out, I was already in high school and slowly moving on. I still went to see the Magic Summer Tour with my friend Jackie and Kelli at Dodgers Stadium. Somewhere there are pictures of that...Jackie? Kelli? I know one of us has them. Anyways, I was in high school and didn't wear the shirts much anymore. I was never really a pop music fan anyways and slowly moved back to my roots of New Wave and Alternative.

Fast forward to 2008 and the triumphant return of NKOTB. Giddy tweeting back and forth with my best friend Andrea about the return. Sadly facing the fact I may never see them again or so it seemed. Then as we all know last year that all changed. I got to meet NKOTB not just once but twice! I got to see them in concert now three times.

Each time was so special. The one thing I love is the song, '' Tonight'' originally released on the Step by Step Album in 1990. It was a song to their fans about the past few years of touring and their relationship with fans. At the time, it was a hit and was a great song even then. But for me and I think many other fans, the song means so much more as a 30 something woman. How prophetic were those lyrics? a song written in 1990 would mean so much more in 2013. A lot of life was lived by them and their fans, the relationship became so much more for so many.

I have met some wonderful fans who've had the most amazing experiences. I have made wonderful friends all around the world. I have come to respect these five men from Boston, who love their fans like no other band I have ever loved ( well Curt Smith from Tears for Fears is the exception, he is wonderful to us Kooks) They really go the extra mile for fans and sacrifice so much of their family life.

When I first heard them sing this song again at the Mixtape Festival, I got the chills and cried. ''Remember when we said, ''Girl Please Don't Go'' and how I'd be ''Loving You Foreeeeever'' taught ya about ''Hangin Tough'' as long as you've got ''The Right Stuff''



The lyrics incorporating their old song titles and talking about remembering when? now as an adult it takes me back to junior high and the wonderful memories. As a young girl, I could've never imagined being friends with other fans and traveling all over the country to see the band. I met them in California for the first time but have only seen them in concert in Pennsylvania and Georgia.

I would say  not only does this song mean more to me now than ever but this band means more to me than ever. It has become so much more than just a girl loving five bad boys from Boston. It has become about friendship and love with a group of amazing women. This is for all my Blockhead sisters around the world. It's been 25 years and I don't see a thing ever changing for me. I am a Blockhead for life.

25 Years Later

 True to my luck since the reunion, this wasn't the year for them to tour and me be able to go. We just relocated cross country to Tennessee and Marty isn't working. There was no way that I could try to go to a show. I was sad more about missing out on going to shows with my best friend and fan friends than anything.

 For me, being a New Kids fan has always been about loving them with friends. From my oldest friend Christena, my cousin Rissa, my friend Tanya to my best friend Andrea, I've always have loved seeing them with friends.

A little over a month ago, I got a message from a fan friend that I made on Twitter via AB and A2. She asked me what I was doing on June 20th? I said, '' I don't know? What is June 20th?" She told me, '' You're going to see NKOTB in Atlanta!'' que the screeching record................

She had an extra ticket and wanted me to have it as a gift. I was floored, humbled, honored and blessed by the gesture. I couldn't believe that I was going to see a show this year. After all that last year held, I had been fine missing out this year. Like I said, I was sadder to be missing out on the friend aspect of things.

Yesterday, I drove to Atlanta giddy and excited. I was going to see New Kids once again. I was going by myself which worried Marty. I explained to him that there is a sisterhood in NKOTB world, I wouldn't be alone and had several people going that I knew.

My seat was amazing!!! On the floor, eight rows back on the aisle. That was the closest seat I've ever had for a New Kids show ( I've only been to two in 90'&91) with seating. So I was thrilled, my benefactress asked if my seat was good? ''AMAZING'' I told her as I hugged her before the show.

Me and Flat Andrea!

Happy Jules wearing a necklace given to me by my friend Lindsey aka LL Fancy

I sat down next to a pretty blonde girl named Christina, who explained to me that she was alone as well. Her friend was unable to come with her. We chit chatted a bit before the show started the usual ''Who is your favorite?" "How many shows have you been to?" fan pleasantries. Funny how God works those things out isn't it? Suddenly I didn't feel alone at all!

It was during this time, I also saw my local Blockhead friends Melanie and Sheree. They came to check on me and make sure they kept me company. They are so sweet, we've only met in person for lunch once but I already feel like they are dear friends.

In the 90's after NK's split, I was a punk rock grunge girl. So I never was a Boyz II Men fan, going to high school in the 90's meant I knew their songs regardless. What an amazing show they put on truly should have been longer than it was.

98* played. They aren't favorites of mine, I actually laughed hysterically causing my seatmate to ask me what was so funny. There is a long inside joke story with that, sufficient to say it has caused me to laugh everytime I see Drew and Nick Lachey.

Hey lookie, I got my picture with Drew and Nick too!

After their show, I was able to run upstairs and see the famous Mandy Young. She's a wonderful girl that Andrea introduced me to. We are friends connected by a common friend of many friends. She is amazing, I could see her from my seat on the floor and loved watching her joie d'vivre from afar.

On my way back to my seat, I ran into a tweep of mine Sarah ( @auntsay), to say I was happy to see her is an understatement. I nearly started bawling!

Finally it was time for New Kids. There are some former teen bands that play and just look paunchy and embarrassing.

 NKOTB, they are only getting better with age. It is like they've got their own fountain of youth on their bus!

I loved the opening to the show. They have a pledge that flashed across the screen, really some amazing words encouraging you to have fun for the next two hours.

In a truly wonderful piece of fate, I happened to be sitting on the side that Joe performed on for most of the night. As a ''Joe Girl'', I was in heaven watching him be the showman that he is.

 During ''Please Don't Go Girl" I started sobbing. I missed my friends and suddenly felt very alone in a room of thousands.

As an adult, this song always makes me cry. It was the song that made me love New Kids

Then one of my favorite moments of the show happened, Joe sang ''I'll Be There'' a song that I first heard him sing at my very first NKOTB show in 1990. It was then my moment of self awareness happened, the first time I ever saw Joe was on MTV by myself at home.

 I was a New Kids fan before I had friends that were fans as well. This night was for me to celebrate being a fan for twenty five years, getting to watch them live again something I didn't think was possible this year.

The New Kids and their fans have a special relationship that has been described as ''not normal''. They love their fans as much as we love them. Over and over Donnie kept repeating '' This night is about celebrating 25 years.''

 The rest of the show, I celebrated right along with the crowd.  It truly was a night of celebrating the new album, old songs, and even them covering some popular 90's songs. Joe singing ''Faith'' by George Michael was amazing as was Jordan singing ''Kiss'' by Prince.

It was like it was ''my'' own personal time with the band. Just me and them in a room of thousands, it was my memories flooding through my head to the songs and remembering all the band has brought into my life.

In the last year, I've become a Danny girl too!

The whole show was amazing, the singing, the lighting, the songs and the showmanship!

I love watching Jordan, he reminds me of my friend A2

Christina and I chit chatted, jumped up and down, sang, screamed along with the crowd. At the very end of the show, when the band was saying their goodbyes to the crowd, they were walking around the stage waving, shaking hands with the crowd before exiting the stage. Joe walked over to our side, as he walked over I waved to him.

It just so happened to catch his eye, he looked right at me and blew me a kiss! If I could have fallen over, I probably would've. I blew him a kiss back and the moment ended. I wondered instantly, ''Did that just really happen?'' only to be grabbed by my seat mate, ''That was amazing, it was like the seas parted and you were the only two in the room!!! I am so happy for you!! I hope someone got that on video!!!'' while grabbing me in a giant hug.

It was the perfect ending to a wonderful night! I am a lucky girl, so many of my friends haven't seen them, so many they haven't seen them since the reunion. I not only have seen them but had mountain top experiences to boot. It was also a huge learning experience for me personally, I can go alone and have fun. This move is about making new friends while learning to live apart from old friends. In the end, it was about a girl who loved a band since she was twelve and loves them even more at 36.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N

Thank you to my ticket giver, you're a wonderful women with a kind heart. I will never be able to express my gratitude. My only sadness from last night is we didn't get a picture together!

Christina, I truly believe you were a blessing! I loved watching the show with you and chatting throughout. What a wonderful memory!

Sheree and Melanie, How lucky was I to move and become your ''neighbor''. You two are the best, I absolutely adore you. Thank you for coming to check on me throughout the night and making sure that I had a good time. I cannot say enough about you.

Sarah, I am so thankful for you and your smiling face. Thanks for checking on me too!

AB, Thank you for everything this week. Thanks for riding home with me and listening to my after show incoherent babble!

LL, Thank you as well. Thanks for listening to me and always giving a kind word when needed.

NKOTB Town Hall Los Angeles 4/14/12

Dear 12 year old Julie,

24 years from now, you will meet New Kids on the Block in the most unimaginable way ever. Sometimes you may think it may not happen and you will have to go through a lot of really hard stuff to get there. Don't give up because dreams really do come true. Love, your 35 year old self.

13 year old Julie. Yes, its the worst picture ever posted on Facebook! courtesty Jackie  Moulton

A week ago, I wrote Andrea a email telling her we wouldn't give up our dream of meeting Joe together. On Thursday via the kindness of the Twitter Blockheads our dream was suddenly a reality once again. I left my home yesterday morning at 11 am and drove 220 miles to Andrea's house full of adrenaline and anxiety, would this really happen?





We quickly made a sign in hopes we could catch Joe's attention and set off to meet up with our hostesses for the night Andrea the second and Lindsay. Needless to say, our husband's were leery of us meeting strangers off twitter. We got to the hotel and my instincts were correct, these were great ladies. Andrea and I were immediately excited to find out Lindsey was English because we are both huge Anglophiles!

 We drove to Umami burger in Santa Monica for a quick dinner before hand. I highly suggest going there, the food is amazing!

Joe, There's always room for you in our  Full House...

front to back, left to right: Julie, Andrea, Lindsey and Andrea the second

We arrived at Santa Monica high school at a quarter to six and quickly lined up. This was when two things happened both Andrea's started getting swarmed and Lindsey and I became purse/picture takers.  Which was hilarious because Lindsey a Brit had no clue who Andrea was! Apparently, Andrea the second is very well known in the Blockhead Nation and we had absolutely no clue. We couldn't have been more fortunate in who picked us to go with them. You know when you meet someone and just click? The four of us clicked immediately.

 We had fun meeting some new people in line ( Hey, mswrightstuff) and had fun people watching. We were let in at 6 pm and quickly found aisle seats on the rightside in the center aisle. It was held in the Santa Monica High School auditorium which  holds 550 people. Andrea the second told us where to sit and why. We also had been given great tips by KTsummer via her blog on the Greenwich Town Hall. After sitting down, Lindsey and I quickly realized we picked the wrong seats, the two Andrea's kept having people come up and want to talk with them! We met a lady from Andrea B and I's hometown which was really cool. During our wait, they handed out posters, buttons and large signs

Yes, it got trampled

The nervous wait began. Finally around 8 pm, Joey Mac took the stage as Campaign manager. This event was held for the Block Nation members, it was a thank you and a way to hear feedback on what these ladies would like to see at concerts and events. Joe immediately informed everyone that he had two margaritas and was a bit tipsy. He introduced Jordan as ambassdor, Donnie as candiate for president, Jon as secretary of housing and development and I can't remember what he said about Danny because there was so much going on at that point! Each one gave a speech before sitting down.

They next fielded questions from the audience. Lots of questions about different topics ranging from lots of cruise related questions to a cute 13 year old boy asking them for tips on picking up girls! Our friend Andrea asked for more events like Brunch with Jordan on the cruise. When she asked her question, Jordan said, " Hey, I know you, your my mistletoe girl. Hey guys, do you know who this girl is?" and then leaned down to give her a hug then Donnie said, "Yeah, I know who she is!" Apparently, even the band knows her!  As they were fielding questions they were hugging the fans and signing various items. One fan asked for more fan interaction on stage during the concert and Jordan called her up and broke out in a  "I'll Be Loving You" duet with her. It was so sweet! The lines were pretty long and I was a bit sad we didn't try to go up and felt like we may not meet them. These Blockhead ladies spend lots of money and travel all over the world to see them. So nice the band respects that and wants their input.

Next they said they had something special and started playing the Fenway concert video. They started up the aisle to the left of us. Joe started heading our way and we were waving him down. He pointed to his friends waiting and went down the aisle in front of ours. I literally shoved Lindsey and Andrea, " GO!! GO!! Let's GO down there." as the seats were empty. We ran/walked and immediately he saw us! I smiled and stuck out my hand and said, " This is my first time meeting you, a twenty four year old dream come true." Then he hugged me and I said, " I haven't seen you since 1990" and he said, "Wow, that's cool" and then proceeded to hug Lindsey who had never met him either and Andrea. We sat down right behind him and started watching the video. Andrea the second stayed in our seats with our stuff which was trampled in my mad dash for Joe!

Andrea and I were hugging, overjoyed our dream had come true. We met Joe together!! It really happened!! Then out of the corner of our eye, Jon Knight walked up behind us, sat down long wise across the arms of the chairs and started talking to a couple of fans. He talked to them for about twenty minutes with us anxiously peeking back to make sure he didn't leave before we talked to him. I had fans crowding me on the left trying to get a glimpse of Joe in front of me and Jon behind me. We sat and watched Joe watch himself on screen. It took every ounce of energy we all had to not reach out and touch him, for some reason we all felt compelled to do so but didn't want to lose our sense of decorum. He didn't move or interact with any other fans for the entire video. We sat and watched him watch it the whole time. In fact, two fans came in front of him and he wouldn't even speak to them. He had people he knew with him and was enjoying watching!

Jon eventually turned my way and I stuck out my hand and said, " Hi, this is my first time getting to meet you" and he shook my hand and leaned forward to hear me. He flashed a huge grin and listened to me tell him how I hadn't seen them since Dodgers Stadium 1990 which he said "Wow. That's crazy. Next year is your turn!" and then I told him he should meet my sister Andrea. He said to her, " Where do I know you from?" and she proceeded to explain. He was so excited to meet her and asked her what she had been up to which led to a conversation on college and he discussed the weather in London with Lindsey. We have always been strict Joey girls but Jon stole our hearts with his kind, intelligent, caring personality. One of those people who is just good people.

After that we saw Donnie quickly going up the aisle, I called out "Hey Donnie, I've never met you!" and he stopped and shook my hand then the other girls hands. He said, " I would stay but you are surrounded by New Kids and I am going to talk to other ladies." Then Andrea the second came and sat down by us and we watched the video.

10 minutes later, Jordan comes and sits right next to Andrea. So we had Jon behind us, Joe directly in front of us and Jordan at the end of our aisle. Jordan waved to us and we waved back. Then we finally settled in to enjoying the Fenway concert video. Watching Joe watch himself sing "Please Don't Go Girl" was really touching and I was starting to get emotional.

In the video when Jordan sings "I'll Be Loving You" I looked down the row. He is singing out loud, Andrea the second is beaming and I lost it. I started bawling and clearly heard, " Remember all those times you had to say "No" you couldn't go see New Kids and your heart was broken? You did the right thing and took care of your husband and this is your blessing" Dreams really do come true and sometimes your wildest dreams come true. Lindsey saw me crying and she started crying, I hugged her and told her, "Thank you, I am remembering all the times I said no" Andrea asked if I was okay and I told her I was so happy.  It was a beautiful moment, I will remember forever.

Andrea the second motioned for me to come over. I then proceeded to throw caution to the wind and crawled over my friends Andrea and Lindsey. I had my posterior in their faces as I shook Jordan's hand and he turned his head for me to talk to whisper in his ear. I told him this was a dream come true and thanked him for this night as I was talking he was holding my hand tightly. I crawled back over Lindsey and Andrea, groping my way back to my seat ( sorry ladies) and literally was in a daze. I don't remember them meeting Jordan which they later assured me they did. The video ended and I dragged Lindsey down the aisle trying to reach Danny. We got about two feet from him when their bodyguard said they had to leave.

We made our way out of the theater with more Andrea and Andrea mobbing. Then we happenstance walked into the area the boys were getting into their cars. Donnie drove by and called out, "Goodbye Mistletoe girl" to Andrea the second and waved to us. Then Joe walked right by us and got into his car. We then floated back to our car and drove off. We spent some time over coffee discussing the evening with huge smiles. We parted, forever friends bonded together by a truly magical experience.

I am proof, dreams really do come true. When you do the right thing, you reap what you sow and blessings abound. Meeting Joe was the cake and meeting the other three was the icing. I never imagined meeting them, let alone sitting in a dark theater watching them watch themselves sing. It's hard to believe it truly happened!

Thank you Lori for tweeting Andrea. Thank you Andrea and Lindsey for the kind gesture of letting us be your plus one's. Thank you Andrea for saying you wouldn't go without me. Thanks Marty and the kids for letting mom go out! Thanks NKOTB for putting on such a wonderful event for your fans!

four very happy, excited women, forever friends!

A/N NKOTB fans, if you would like more details leave a comment and I will answer back. Or find me on Twitter @MomCycFan.
*I've been asked Why I said "no" all these years to the reunion? My husband had renal failure and was on the transplant wait list since the reunion began. Thanks to a our donor Jerry and his mother Debbie, I am now able to say "yes" once again! Donate life and be a hero!

The Kindness of the Twitter Blockheads

Tomorrow, I will do something I haven't done in 23 years. At the same time, a 25 year old dream of mine will come true all because of the kindness of a complete stranger. If you haven't learned the power of pay it forward on this blog, you hopefully will after reading this. Also, if you haven't learned the power of Twitter by reading this blog, maybe you will once again see and learn the amazing nature of that site.

I have been a New Kids on the Block fan for almost 25 years as well documented on this blog. The last time I saw them live was in September of 1990 at Dodgers Stadium with my friend Jackie. Of course, as a young girl I could only dream of meeting the band. When they reunited in 2007, I was beyond giddy ( there's a blog on that) at that time Andrea and I had become friends and discovered our common affection for Joey Mac. Sadly, Marty had just been diagnosed with Renal failure and our life was in turmoil. Andrea bought extra tickets for my cousin Rissa and I to go see the first reunion show with her and I had to turn her down. There was no way I could even travel 200 miles and leave Marty. He promised us that once he was well, we could have a zany adventure.

Last summer, Andrea once again had a opportunity to get tickets with a friend. Unfortunately, she missed out on getting me a ticket by hours. These tickets came with backstage passes too! We were heart broken. Then the day of the concert, the person who got "my" ticket backed out. Unfortunately it was only four hours before the show, I was a sweaty hot mess, had plans with Marty and couldn't make it in July 4th traffic. I sadly had to say no. We were heartbroken but determined to make it happen someday.

Last weekend, Andrea and I had another shot at meeting Joe together at the marathon. Unfortunately, he was just too sneaky and fast and we missed him. It doesn't even matter, given meeting Joe or just cheering on Andrea, I would pick Andrea time and time again. We met a wonderful blockhead Trish outside the Hard Rock Cafe. She kept telling us about this "Town Hall" the next weekend, Andrea and I were stumped as to what she was talking about. Step in Lori aka Blanco Diddy on Twitter yesterday, she is a huge source of NKOTB info and asked Andrea if she was going to the Town Hall and did she want to go? Very sweetly my SotH said, " I can't go without Julie, sorry ladies" and we highly doubted my husband would be up for this after following me to LA last weekend. Within twenty minutes, two sweet girls Andrea and Lindsey had offered to take both of us with them!

I asked Marty and he very kindly agreed to let us have this zany adventure! I was so emotional. Blown away by the kindness of these strangers. Within minutes I was flooded by replies from Blockheads all over the country. Just thinking about how far we had come? When Marty was sick and we had to say no to thing, people would tell us "Someday, you will be able to do those things. Someday it will happen." in the darkness sometimes it was hard to believe that. They were right, thanks to Debbie our donor mom and Jerry our donor, I can leave and do this. Thanks to Andrea and Lindsey, we can go. All strangers with big hearts and giving spirits. This is the second time, via the power of Twitter I have been able to do something extraordinary. That also doesn't count my Fit Tweeps who are helping me lose weight and encouraged me to do my first triathlon.

So tomorrow, not only my dream but Andrea and I's dream together will come true. This is a Q and A that New Kids are hosting for their fans. It's very intimate with around a thousand people. We are told they walk around and this is like a huge meet and greet. I just can't believe this is happening! Dreams really do come true.

I will update you with the outcome on Sunday!

MTTMB Series: "Please Don't Go Girl"

The summer between 7th and 8th grade was a defining moment in my life. One sunny summer day, I was watching MTV and the cutest boy came on the screen. Joey Mc Intyre singing "Please Don't Go Girl", I was in love.

I was finally out of the record stage, no longer owning a record player, I moved up in the world to buying cassettes from Music Plus or Sam Goody. I bought every issue of BOP and Tiger Beat, lining my walls with every picture of the New Kids that I could get my hands on. I wore a New Kids shirt to school everyday and even dressed up as them with a group of friends.

My Dad bravely took my friends Christena, Stacy, and I to see them at the Universal Amptheater. My very first concert, I was in heaven. I kept begging him to buy me a New Kids Tour Jacket to no avail.

I owned the giant button, pillowcase and a million other tchotchkes. I think this is my favorite phase of my musical history, the boy band phase. There were other greats from this time such as Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and the good looking Tommy Page.

Still, Joe held the highest place in my heart for many a year. My next phase would bring a grand departure from pop music. New Kids faded into oblivion and I faded into all things KROQ, New Wave, Punk and Grunge.

I have re-visited NKOTB fever in the last few years with their grand return. I am still trying to talk Andrea into going on the cruise with me next year. We will take Di as our chaperone. I wonder if Marty and Jeremy will go for that?

To be continued........

A/N be sure to check out my New Kids Hysteria posts

Because I am nuts and I crack myself up

When my NKOTB fever was at it's height I would wear a New Kids t-shirt everyday and carry a giant button with me to school. Once at school I would take it out of my uber cool Espirit bag and place it on my desk. Poor Carrie who didn't like Joe would have to sit there staring at the giant button during homeroom. We took a trip to Washington DC in eighth grade and my Joe pic went with me. I rode around the East coast with my boyfriend Joe at my side.


As a wedding shower gift my cousin Marissa gave me her giant Joe button and doll. It was the best thing and made me cry because it brought back such sweet memories. Needless to say, you can only imagine my excitement when last month I was gifted with a giant NKOTB button and concert program. I could have kissed my beautiful friend who gave them to me and slobbered everywhere I was so excited. I thought I might take a picture for posterity and proof that I am crazy.

Crazy kids

The kids have been doing great, I thought I should update everyone on them.  It has been a different sort of summer for them. Not the usual running, here and there with summer activities for them. They have been going to lot's of different people's houses to stay while we go to doctors appointments.

Elizabeth~ is growing like a weed, she is so tall and her face has changed so much. I love the new little freckles that are cropping up across her nose. She has been taking gymnastics for the summer with her friend Huntar. She was really excited last week to watch "The best of both world's" concert on TV. I know how my parent's felt when I watched my New Kid's tapes over and over. She has gotten to spend some time with her two best friends Huntar and Tasha over the summer.

Conner~ has been such a big help to Marty and I. He has really done a lot of things around the house to help out. He is getting so big and I hardly can believe he will be 11 in a few months. He still makes us laugh everyday with his crazy little sayings. He has been able to have two friends over this week. His face never changes much, still freckles all over, I just think they are so cute. Marty and I never had them so we just love seeing our kids with them. Conner was really intrgiued by the earthquake and spent time calling my parent's yesterday to learn all about it. One big thing is he took apart a bike we bought him and switched the part's out from another bike. He put it all back together and it rides great, we were really proud of him.

Here's a few pictures to make you smile

Pure self indulgence

I thought you might enjoy watching these with me:




The video that started it all, I was 11 years old in the summer of 88' sitting at home in Fullerton. I was watching MTV and this video came on and the world stopped, I spent the rest of the summer trying to wait for the video to come on. This is my first favorite New Kids song: