Monday, August 20, 2012

1990s boybands bliss

Spice Girls World Tour t-shirt from 1998

 I had one of the  most epic weeks of my life. It started with driving cross-country. It included driving through the craziest storm of my life. Then, I went to the beach with my family (literally allowing me to drive coast-to-coast in less than two weeks) for a day. After the Spice Girls performed at the Olympics Closing Ceremonies, I decided to flashback to 1998 by wearing this little number on the left

New Kids on the Block tour tee from the 1980s








I got up early Friday morning and drove back to PA to get ready for  the MixTape Music Festival in Hershey. It was amaaaazing. Friday night was good. It rained, a lot. But we sat it out to have good seats for Kelly Clarkson (who Lindsey has been wanting to see in concert for a loooong time). I wore a New Kids on the Block tour t-shirt that I had held onto. I'm pretty sure my cousin had given it to me ages ago. At that time, I wish I had kept the other one I used to have. Pretty sure I used it as a PJ shirt when I was little. Aaron Carter opened on Friday. I was all excited to see him again but then he only sang three songs. There were some other bands before The Fray, New Kids on the Block, and Kelly Clarkson. Like I said, it was good but Saturday is what I had been waiting for.

Brian! 
First, Brian Littrell (from BSB) was signing autographs at his wife's boutique booth. I won't even start on how awesome I think that is. He's smart though and waited until after the doors opened and bands had started to play. Not as many people to attack him. When he said, he'd be there, I thought he'd just be in the background, behind a table, or something where people could see him, talk to him, etc. but never did I imagine him walking around and signing things for everyone. It was so cool. I got him to sign my ticket stub and my newly purchased BSB shirt. He looked at me in the eyes when he said something to me while giving my shirt back and (this is cheesey) I felt like I had known him for years. It's weird how someone you had never even met can play such a huge role in your life.

Holding my new (and signed) BSB tee while wearing one of my old ones
While I was getting Brian's autograph, I missed The Ready Set and The Wanted. Heard Carly Rae Jepsen. Half listened to LL Cool J while I worked to figure out my brother's camera. I was impressed that I could see his biceps in my pictures. Then, the moment came...98 degrees reunion concert! I swear I had seen Nick walking around but I wasn't positive and I wasn't a big enough fan to bother him. Their concert was good though. They sang all the classics, sang happy birthday to Nick and Drew's mom (after pulling her out from backstage). I bet she's one proud mother.

NKOTBSB was just as good as in Vegas. New Kids pulled The Wanted up to sing their hit song "I'm Glad You Came." Then later, while New Kids and BSB were talking on stage, they pulled out 98 degrees to give them another thanks. I thought my heart was going to stop. As a teenage girl, my dream was always to have BSB, 98 degrees, and 'NSYNC on one stage. This was close enough. So many memories.

I found the ticket stub from my first BSB concert in 1998. That's when I realized that the t-shirts I've been wearing all weekend are just as old (if not older) than I was when I bought them. Crazy. I can't find my Hanson or 'NSYNC t-shirts though. I must have gotten rid of them. :(
First BSB concert in 1998 



Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Treasuring the friends who understand what I need

Someday, I'll expound on my thoughts but for now, I just want to say how much I treasure those friends who have exhibited patience and taken a large amount of time to understand more about me. Lately, I've been feeling stressed by my environment...the push to always be with people and doing something. I'm grateful for the friends who understand that after a long day, going out with a large group or to a loud place is added stress on me. I either need alone time or a small group situation to recharge. I need my gym time. I need to take care of me.