The End of the Road...

A lot of people asked me if I was going to blog about my last week “on tour” with New Kids on the Block and my answer was always a big fat "No!"  I thought I was over the blogging, but alas I couldn’t stay away.  "One more for the road" never sounded so good.  To all of those who have been reading along from the beginning, I thank you for joining me in my adventures and (hopefully) laughing along with me.  If you’re only starting with this entry, welcome and enjoy!

In Good Company :)

This adventure was set to last for a week and a half, starting with a 6 hour car ride by myself.  The longest ride I was going to take by myself, but ya know what? I am pretty damn good company.  Singing along to a little Alexis Babini, Dion Roy, Jesse Ruben amd The Click 5 (check them all out) was a blasty blast, but I finally made it to Virginia where I would be meeting up with Jen to start our journey.

After spending the night in Virginia, we were off to Greensboro, North Carolina.  I thought it was hot in New York, but that was NOTHING compared to the heat down south.  Thank God I didn’t pack pants, because I would have melted.  Sundresses for the win.  We stopped at little gas station where I made the best purchase of all time.  A straw fedora.  It was love at first sight.  I put the hat on and never wanted to take it off…and I didn’t.  I think I got a compliment on that hat everywhere we went and it became the running joke, “Hey, I like your hat.”  I wore it practically every day; it really is the best travel accessory.  Wait, why am I going on about a hat?  Moving on.

After a relaxing day of lounging, laying by the pool and eating my way through all the southern fast food chains (seriously…I have no will power), it was finally the show day I was most excited for…Greensboro.  I never went to a show in the south, but I heard those were always the best.  Thank GOD I went to this one.  It was definitely one of the best I have ever attended.  We had a little bit of luck on our side with this one too.  Jen’s seat was nonexistent, so they decided to move us to better seats…and that they were.  We were then placed in the 100s section, row A, right in the middle of the shaft (or catwalk if you don’t want to be diiiirty about it).  I loved those seats. 

It's so lame it makes me laugh.

Thanks to my lame “MacPack <3s Joe” sign (sidenote: I made it, because in Baltimore there were a ton of “I <3 BSB” signs and I wanted to be just as lame…for a New Kid) I was spotted quite a bit.  My favorite was during “If You Go Away” by a landslide.  Dear baby Jesus, I have to thank you for giving me the seat right where Joe’s mark was during that song.  He sang a whole verse to me and I wanted to punch myself in the face I was so excited.  That is my faaaaavorite song of all time.  All time.  Words can’t even describe that moment.  So freaking sweet.

This happened.

God was toying with me when all of a sudden security put a big box right in front of where I was standing.  My mind flashed to “Tonight” and where Wahlberg stands during that song.  Yup, he was going to be right in front of me. Lord, give me strength.  When the time came, I just put my hand out and he grabbed it super tight and wouldn’t let go.  He held my hand as he was touching others and used me as leverage to get closer to them, where he inevitably tumbled a little…bringing me with him.  Pretty sure he messed up my thumb, thanks Berg.  It was really sweet when he got to the girl next to me and gave her a hug.  She’s loved him since she was little, it was her birthday and she hasn’t seen the Kids since she was 12.  Pretty sure she had a heart attack.  I was too worried about Wahlberg falling on his ass or getting raped (not by me) that I didn’t even think I’d be on the jumbotron, but it happened. Slightly mortifying, but also amazing. 

I completely lost my mind when these 5 assholes started walking down the shaft to “Hot in Herre”…get the fuck out of my life and never come back.  I L.O.V.E that song, but who doesn’t?  (Another moment with this song will happen later which will put me in my grave *does the sign of the cross*) They were right though, I did not want to wear any clothes, because of the heat. The rest of the concert went by in a blur and it was onto a Waffle House.

Now, whether or not a Kid showed up to enjoy a delicious meal of waffles with me, I did not care. This fatty was happy to consume a waffle, two eggs and some bacon.  I was staaaarving, plus I had some of the best palsies with me!  I found my Brooklyn girls (who I see more out of state than in state) and loved hanging out with them for a bit.

Favorite quote of all time.

Jen and I had a few days to kill between our next show and we took a little detour to Wilmington, NC….the home of One Tree Hill.  I have been in love with that show since I was 15 years old, so it was kind of like a mecca for me. When I got to the River Court, it was like a dream.  So surreal.  I, of course, had to write my favorite quote on a light post and mark that I was there.  Being in the land of Lucas Scott was super exciting and I would recommend it for any One Tree Hill fan.

Back to New Kids…

Hi Jordan, like my hat?

We were up early that Friday, because one Mr. Jordan Knight was doing a signing at a local Best Buy and we thought it would be best to be there earlier rather than later.  As usual, we waited…and waited.  My Brooklyn girls were going to be meeting us in line and I was freaking thrilled.  They make me laugh until I cry and I loooove it.  Finally it was 1pm and Jordan arrived.  He is walking sex.  Plain and simple.  I love Joe, but Jordan was my first New Kids love.  Since I was a kid it was always Jordan.  I was about 8 girls back and he was sort of calm with all of them, but when I went to stand with him he started woo-ing.  Seriously?  Being me, I became real awkward real fast and woo’ed a lame one with him.  He signed my CD as I was staring at his chest hair, because his shirt was undone and I couldn’t help but drool.  He looked at me and I asked if I could be on his left side, because that’s my better one.  Yes, those words actually came out of my mouth to him.  Such a goober.  He looked me up and down and said, “You can be on any side you want”……………….really now? I snuggled into his left side and we took the picture.  As I was about to walk away he said, “You look cute today! Very summery!”  Being the biggest nerd on the planet, I looked at him and said, “Well Jordan, it is the Summer time!” He giggled and winked and said, “Yeah and it’s fucking hot too.”  Because I didn’t want to go to jail for rape, I took that as my cue to say goodbye and get the hell out of there.  He was simply lovely.

Niiiick, piiick meeee!

The Land of Chocolate was up next.  Our seats were AMAZING, second row on the right side of the tip.  The MacPack sign was out in full force and Joe found me immediately upon his arrival on the tip (sounds so wrong, but oh so right).  While the stage was rising, he pointed down at me and belted out those “ohhhhh ohhh”s and I began to cream my undies. Without fail that part of the concert always gives me chills.  As much as I love McIntyre, my goal for that night was Nick Carter.  Yes, I said it. Nick Carter.  I wanted more than anything to be the girl he brought on stage.  You may judge me, but I really don’t care…have you seen his moves? *fans self* Unfortunately, he saw my sign, but did not pick me.  I like to think I am just too cute for him.  Oh well.

I would like to say that “Hot in Herre” is an all time favorite guilty pleasure of mine, so when they busted that out again and came in my direction, I died.  Little did I know I would soon be slaughtered.  You’d think I was wearing a band-aid on my face and a St. Louis baseball hat, calling myself Nelly the way I was singing.  This fucker, named Mr. Joseph McIntyre, spotted me, sang with me and started to take his clothes off.  Was he serious? Be hotter, McIntyre.  I dare you, just try to be hotter.  As a result, I was buried alive under that football field and the ghost of the girl who was once Kerri finished the roadtrip. 

As a sidenote, can I say Hershey had THE worst parking situation I have ever experienced?  I had to park about 3 miles away on grass and gravel.  What’s that about?  I didn’t mind the walk there, but I was exhausted after the show and people are obnoxious.  This parking situation also ruined the suspension in my car, which now sounds like a motel bed on wheels the way it squeaks.

We left Hershey before 8am and that wasn’t a good look.  Way too early and I was way too anxious to be driving.  After a few (almost) mental breakdowns and 3 ½ hours later, we were back in my town.  I had to stop and get the eyebrow situation taking care of, so I told the lady I was going to be seeing my boyfriend later that night and they needed to be perfect.  I later disclosed it was Joe McIntyre of NKOTB who I was talking about and she giggled.  Pretty sure she had no idea who I was talking about and categorized me as a crazy person.  C'est la vie.  Thank goodness we had time to just get ready and relax, because I was a wreck.

I wasn’t as nervous to see the guys in 5* as I was being able to stand with THE guy (if you didn’t know…that’d be Joe) in 5*.  Jen and I didn’t have a group, so that was what was getting me a little antsy.  Turns out I had nothing to worry about.  We got the first 2 spots in our line and the rest of our group seemed to have no idea what was happening.  The worst part is the wait, especially when you watch the group before you having their moments knowing you’re next.  I was standing there trying to remember everything I had to say, even though I knew I would forget most of it.  Finally it was our turn….

The line up went Danny, Joe, Donnie, Jordan, and Jon.  I had every intention of saying hello to everyone, but as I went to give Danny a hug I heard someone say “Joe Mac!”  My inner Joe girl kicked in and I simply raised my hand in Danny’s face and said, “Hey Danny.”  So rude, but I needed to claim my spot.  When I saw Joe I think I actually gasped for air.  He looked gorgeous in his blue plaid making his eyes fucking sparkle.  He opened his arms real wide and let out a big “MAC-PACK-410!” and engulfed me.  That was possibly the best hug I have ever received.  Good Lord.  We broke apart and this asshole goes, “Now…what’s the name of this guy?”  He was talking about this singer/songwriter I adore, Alexis Babini (if you’re reading this you should probably look him up- or just ask me about him *ending shameless plug*).  I sounded out his name, even though it really isn’t that hard.  I actually wanted to talk about him with him and snuck one of Alexis’ promo cards in my cleavage, so I whipped that sucker out and we chitchatted about him.  Now, looking back I feel horrible for everyone in that group that wanted to talk to Joe, because it didn’t happen.  I was dubbed “The Joe Hog”…and I accept it.  I am. 

Before we took the picture, I looked to my left and noticed there was a big space between Jordan and I…someone was missing.  As I turned to Joe to say, “should we move down?” the curtain hit me and Wahlberg came flying into the room.  Of course.  He looked to his left, then me on his right and he said shly, “Hi MacPack” and grabbed for me.  I was .2 seconds away from having a Mac and Cheese sammich picture!  My insides were flipping, my arm was grabbing for him, my smile was widening…until Dove mentioned there was a girl without a New Kid.  Awesome. Sadly, there was no Mac and Cheese sammich, but instead a gorgeous Mac and his Pack picture (if I do say so myself).

We're kinda cute together.

We took our picture and I may have asked for a solo one, because I am greedy (I’ll be the first to admit it)!  They apparently aren’t allowed to take solo shots anymore…I called bullshit.  This love muffin took me by the shoulders and started reassuring me another picture we took together was the best it would get.  I personally loathe the picture he was talking about and let out a big ol’ “ewww!”  He was shocked.  I explained myself and then it was time to move on, but not before I got a big hug.  By now Victor was physically pulling me to get out of the room, but I didn’t get to the other guys yet! Even as I was in the same little room with him, my heart was breaking, because I knew I wasn’t going to see him for a while.  I physically missed him and he was 2 feet from me.  That’s creepy…right?  Probably, but I love hiiiiim!

I moved over to Donnie and shyly said hi, to which he responded with a light “Hi MacPack” and gave me a hug.  I mentioned I had one to give him from my friend and he gave me an even bigger hug and a moan.  Oh ok, but when it is just me I don’t get a hug like that though?  I see how it is. *sideeye* I got to Jordan and Victor was trying hard to get me out of there…I just ignored him.  When I was finally in front of Jordan I simply said, “Hi Jordan! Bye Jordan!” and as he was giving me a big hug he giggled and went, “Hi…bye!!!” So cute.  He put the same enthusiasm as I did into it.  I always see Jon last, I pulled the same drive by hug I did to Jordan and that was it.  I was done.  It was all over.  I was on cloud 9. 

The concert was spectacular.  I had 8^th row (the seat snob in me thought they were meh seats), but who cares?  It was my last show, in my hometown, where I saw them perform for the first time almost 3 years ago, where I was the first one on the Baby Daddy Bus, where I graduated twice…it was a truly special concert for me.  However, the show became downright epic when BBD came out.  Like…what…the…fuck?! Seriously?  They rocked the house.  What I found even more special than a surprise guest was that the show was sold out.  If you looked around everyone was standing, everyone was singing along whether they were fans of NKOTB or not, we became united.  I think that is when I finally came to peace with this tour.  I was against it for a while, but I truly fell in love with it.

Since this is my last entry (maybe for now, maybe forever), I just wanted to send a big thank you to one special man who has made these past few years quite memorable.  Joe, I blame you for setting the bar for all men so high that I will probably end up alone.  I love ya, you goober! J