Thursday, November 6, 2008

The New Kids on the Block are back!


The Kids are back y’all!

I am a New Kids on the Block fan, and darn proud of it! I would not say that I was ever not a fan. There was the moment when they were so big that the kids I was babysitting for became fans, and then they tried to get tough with Games and I lost interest, as did most of my friends, and shortly after, they broke up.

Over the years, I still kept my cassette tapes, and eventually purchased the CD’s and their music made its way into my iPod. Occasionally a song would play and I would ponder, “What are they doing now?” “Why don’t they get back together and play a reunion tour?” The thought seemed far fetched. Getting all 5 members of a band back together, hoping they would all be interested in going back to sing Hanging Tough one more time? I kept telling myself “why not?!?” Surely they would not mind the extra cash once again?

Then, it started to happen. I saw my favorite gossip web site announce that rumors were starting to float around about a reunion. Sure enough (after a lot of denials) they were back! The NKOTB web site was re-launched, and press photos were being posted. I was so excited. They still looked good! A little more mature, but nonetheless, pretty darn good. Besides, I am in my 30's now, if they were younger than me, that would be creepy, right?

I recorded their first television appearance since they got back together. A bit surreal for me, and it did not manage to raise too much excitement in me; perhaps it was too early in the morning. Their new CD was released, and I waited awhile to purchase it. Then it was time to gather my peeps for a New Kids on the Block hype session. Wait, where were my peeps?!? My friends (all but one) had a dwindled interest in the original boy band. What?!? Why???? I started to question my loyalty. Was I being silly? I knew other ladies interested in seeing them again. My co-workers wife, my husband’s co-workers were interested, yet my close friends did not seem to care. Why would they pass on the chance to dress like fools and relive some great childhood memories? My husband gave me the look of I rather have a tooth pulled without Novocain than see the New Kids in concert. So I had my doubts. I must be crazy if none of my friends are interested. Then, bless my favorite gossip web site, for posting this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rjJa3nspZw

The rest is history, as they say! I was still a little unsure, but as we walked into the arena, the ladies around my age all had on their NKOTB gear, and I felt as if I were at home. Once the show started, the opening video really stirred back the old memories, and they were onstage once again, and their I was, screaming and jumping up and down like I did when I was 12. It felt great. The show was amazing, and I am ready for more! I can’t stop talking about it. I did not have YouTube when I was a kid, I sure do enjoy it now.

The best part is, I remember when I was teenager, and all that life threw my way had me down and depressed. And I could turn on my radio or VCR and watch 5 cute boys smiling my way and life seemed better. And here I am 20 years later, with my corporate job, husband, life’s problems, and I can listen to NKOTB on my iPod in my fancy new car with 8 speakers, and smile and remember to not take life so seriously and be a kid again! Thank you New Kids on the Block. We all thank you!