One More Day Til NKOTBSB!!!

I left off my countdown a week ago. I really had every intention of blogging daily, but life got in the way. I spent three days at USC learning new ways to be an even more effective teacher, and by the time I got home, I was beat. So here I am, a…few…days late in getting back to writing, but I’m here.

So buckle up people…here comes the rest of the NKOTB journey.

After the American Music Awards, the rest of the week was a combination of the most fun week of my life and the most sad. I could try to write this blog without mentioning the sad part, but I can’t imagine leaving it out.

I wish I had pictures but you can’t take in cameras or cell phones. I can’t tell you how hard it is to be without a cell phone for 6ish hours. And then, when you get in and see all the celebs texting and talking away, it totally sucks. I guess that’s one of the many perks of being famous–you can take your cell phone anywhere you want.

Anyway, we saw the taping with Warren Sapp, Lance Bass, and Brooke Burke. I can still picture Brooke’s pink outfit that night. We had a blast. We watched the pre-taped performances of Miley Cirus (yawn) and Alicia Keys (on the edge of my seat). Alicia is gorgeous and very humble, sweet to all those around her. Umm…Miley…not so much. Warren Sapp sat behind us during for a minute during one of the show, and I was amazed at the man’s size and his smile. He was adorable. My sister told him, “You’re the shit, man!” and proceeded to shake his hand. He just cracked up.

My crazy ass sister also got nods from Bruno and Len during the show. What you don’t see live is all the interaction  between the fans and celebs. During a break, my sister kept shouting to Len to give out a ten. And when he finally gave his first ten, he looked up at my sister and held up his paddle to her.

On our way home, we called my cousin to check in on my uncle. He was at the USC Norris Cancer Center, a place we frequented often. My uncle had stage four pancreatic cancer for four long years (when they said he wouldn’t make it four months) and his battle was coming to an end. That night we had planned to stop in and check on him on the way home, but we were told he was feeling well and was sleeping so we went home.

We all piled in my sister’s Explorer: Monica (my sister), Amy (my sister-n-law), Lyndsi (my bestie), Paula (my good friend), Liz (my friend & Paula’s daughter), and one of Liz’s friends…and me, of course. We had to stop somewhere in Corona, and debated on whether to go the rest of the way. My cousin called and said my uncle wasn’t doing to well and might not make it through the night. We were ready to turn around when my brother called. He told us we had to go, that my uncle would want us to see the concert and there was nothing we could do at the hospital but sit. After a lot of deliberation, we pushed on and went to the concert.

This isn’t even zooming in.

The concert was great and security wasn’t that great. When the guys moved to Stage B, I ran from the top of the arena to the bottom and almost made it on the floor. Instead, I got to see that part of the show from the bottom step. The guys were so close and passed right in front of me on the way back to the main stage. I was able to take a ton of great pics, and even had to switch out the memory card on my camera. I was way too click-happy. Lol.

When the concert finished, we dropped everyone off and headed to L.A. to the hospital. My uncle was doing fine and he was chatty.

It was a long day at the hospital, taking whatever chance we could get to rest on the chairs in the waiting room. But once again, I had another big decision. Should I go to the concert? After the San Diego show, I packed all my things and brought them to the hospital with me. And yes, I did go. When I got back from the concert, I went in to see my uncle and he asked me, “How is my little new kid on the block?” The tears, oh my. I loved that man so much!

The concert was amazing. We had 4-star tickets, the closest we’d ever been to the stage. I went with Shani and Carissa. We were able to see the guys come in before the show. A friend of ours kissed Donnie’s cheek. The rest of us stayed back. Why? I know.

The show was great, but I was exhausted.

We had a picnic at the hospital.

My Uncle Pete passed away. He was a wonderful man, and our hearts were broken but we got to share many special moments with him. Trips to Vegas, banana pudding at Lucille’s, lots of family get-togethers, etc. We definitely aren’t lacking in the memories department. We can all tell story after story. Nonetheless, my sister still has her “Fuck Cancer” gear.

Okay…no more sad thoughts. Let’s move on…months later.

Ha, another night of sleeping on the street. This time Cindy shared the sidewalk with me along with hundreds of other crazed lunatics. Shani and Carissa met up with us later. The show was so much fun. Jason Mesnik was a guest too (the Bachelor who picked Melissa then changed his mind on married Molly). I booed like crazy. Ugh. Thankfully, Melissa got her HEA with a man who was a little more decisive.

Anyway, being just four or five squashed people back from the stage was amazing. I got a lot of pics on my cell and you could see my wrist on TV (lol).

Liza and I in Vegas. Had to take a pic in front of the billboard at the Palms.

This was a cool show! A fellow Blockhead joined me all the way from Canada. Liza was going to the Vegas show, and was flying in to Vegas while I was there for my daughters’ dance competition. I convinced her to drive back with me for the Irvine show and then another Blockhead took her back to Vegas for that concert. How cool is that? Very!

I can still picture her face when she took her first bite of an In-N-Out burger…haha. Did we eat them again after the concert? I can’t remember, but wouldn’t be surprised.

Joey Mac tearing it up!

The Jabbawockeez were great, especially their MJ tribute, and Jesse McCartney was too cute. He said, “I know what you’re thinking ladies. But I’m legal.” Haha. Love it. I heard someone shout, “Oh, mama will show you a thing or two.” Haha. And there were plenty more shout-outs just like that one. I didn’t say anything, I just thought, no way dude, I’d break you. Lol.

The showstopper for the night though was Joey Mac singing Popsicle and Five Brother and a Million Sisters. The energy flowing out of that man was unstoppable. He was on fire and I loved every minute of it. Almost made me want to be a Joey girl. Emphasis on the “almost”.

And now, two years later. Wow, I can’t believe it’s been that long. Thankfully TV appearances and Blue Bloods have given me a NK fix over this long break. But now it’s time. What am I going to wear? I need to make a shirt. What’s it going to say? I have a lot of work to do.

Tomorrow…

Here are some random pics for you to enjoy:

BTW…I called this shit! In Double Threat My Bleep, which I wrote several months before NYE, Meg says the only thing better than Ryan Seacrest in Times Square would be Ryan Seacrest AND New Kids On The Block in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. How crazy!

So here they are, along with the Back Street Boys.