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!

I will take my bored husband!

Years ago when I believed that men should ride up on white horses and rescue women from the fate and tragedy that is their parents, I believed it was “cute” and “romantic” that men went shopping with women. Men traditionally, don’t like to “shop.” Although, my Dad, can out shop the best of them. Now, I am not a big shopper. Perhaps if I had endless dollars to spend, the killer body for the cute clothes, and stores that sold things with a remote sign of taste, I might be interested. So, for the most part, I run in, grab a few items, run out. (Repeat). I should mention that the foresaid habit has me returning a lot of items since I don’t try anything on. ANYWAY . . .

There I am shopping at the local JC Penney, which has a great section for work clothes for petites like myself (not a shameless plug, just a reality!). Now, I was on a mission, I had to find some work pants and a dress or two. While I am trying to super shop and get it over with, I am fighting through the tight rows of clothes with men. What are men doing the petite women’s section at JC Penny? Why, they are picking out clothes for their women. What? Yes! Problem is, the women are also shopping a row or two down. Not only do I have one shopper getting in my way, now I have two! And, I have to hear the arguments between the two about the garments they have picked out. The woman insulted that her man picked that out for her, so he runs me over between racks of clothes to pick out something she will approve of (I won’t even begin to discuss what happens if he might have picked out something that could make her look fat) Gasp! I look over at the bench near the dressing room with one man sitting there looking bored and I thought “smart man” for getting out of my way so I can shop. Oh wait, did I just think that? If my husband were here, I would be so annoyed that he was sitting there looking so bored asking “when can we leave?” On the other hand, do I want my husband picking out clothes for me? Examining a pair of pants deciding if my ass would fit in those? I think not. Would I want my husband getting in the way of another women’s mission to shop and he is scanning clothes having no idea what he is doing? You know what? I will take my bored husband over the shopping husband any day.