Dream A Little Dream

There are dreams, and then...there are dreams.

You know, the dreams you have as a 13 year old girl. The dreams that seem to be impossibilities. The fantasies, the what ifs, the "that'll never happen to me"s.

When I was 14 or 15 I had a dream that one day I would meet Donnie Wahlberg and he would fall madly deeply in love with me.

Then I grew up. I fell in and out of love with "real life" guys, and let go of that dream.

But my love for Donnie stood the test of time. Always in the background I would follow his career, watch whatever movies or television shows he was in, and anxiously await the day when he would announce the reunion of the New Kids On The Block.

And then it happened.

I'm going to spare you the details of my love affair with NKOTB and the FIVE (yes five) concerts I went to on their reunion tour. Although, if you would like a taste, click here.

I had a mission at the end of 2008 to get a "Donnie hug" and I succeeded in that goal. But that just wasn't enough for me. I wanted to have a real, honest to goodness conversation with the man.

Through a series of events, and the goodness of my coworker, last night I had that opportunity, and you better believe I took it and RAN with it.

There was a Charity Poker Tournament taking place in a neighboring town last night, and my coworker invited me (and my friend BFF) to join her and her boyfriend (who through his work has a lot of involvement with particular celebrities, events, etc.).

This Poker Tournament was being hosted by none other than Donnie Wahlberg.

So, we went, BFF and I. All the while holding in our 14 year old squeals of delight and excitement and acting like civilized adults on the outside.

Shortly after arriving we located Donnie, and pretty much took up residence near his poker table. Co-worker and boyfriend were playing poker elsewhere, so it was just BFF and I (and a gaggle of what I dubbed "Donnie Girls" with their boobs exposed, their excessive make-up and their non-concealed squeals of delight and excitement).

BFF and I stood off to the side a bit and just watched. (and maybe snuck a picture or two with my phone).

And then Co-worker and boyfriend joined us and Boyfriend asked "do you want to meet him?" uh...does a leopard have spots?

So, Boyfriend takes us over, and introduces us. Donnie is cordial, shakes our hands, offers to take a picture with us, and then hugs each of us.

As he is hugging me, his next hand of poker is dealt, so mid hug he leans over to check his cards. I start pulling away and say "I don't want you to lose your game because of me" and he pulls me back into the hug and says "no, don't worry about that sweetheart". Melt into a puddle right there...le sigh...

So, then we did leave him to his game, and proceeded to mingle and hang out for a few hours. Co-worker and Boyfriend left in the meantime, and BFF and I were left to fend for ourselves.

And suddenly I looked around and realized that the Donnie Girls were nowhere to be found (Donnie himself had left the room a while back).

So, we decided that wherever the Donnie Girls were, that's where Donnie would be, so we set off in search. We found them all in another room, hanging out at tables, so we took a seat ourselves. Donnie was off in the corner of that room with his "entourage".

Then he started make his way out, obviously getting ready to leave, and the Donnie Girls took turns pouncing on him for hugs, kisses, photos, etc.

BFF and I sat back and waited.

When the insanity had died down, and it looked as if he was saying his last goodbyes to his friends, I said to BFF "come on, it's now or never". And we walked over to him. I waited politely for him to finish a conversation and then I tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and I said "Hi, I have a story to tell you".

He grinned that famous Donnie grin, and said "oh? Tell me".

At this point I'm pretty sure I rambled something about our last meeting, me getting the hug, him signing my wrist which I was supposed to tattoo (check that link above for that story) and he looked at my wrist and said "but you didn't?" I smiled apologetically and said "but I didn't" and he sort of laughed. Then I told him that I was a lifetime fan, and wanted him to know that I appreciated him because of who he is, the way he carries himself and interacts with and appreciates his fans, and because of the way he lives his life and his outlook on life. I told him "I have the same outlook on life, so I appreciate that in you". He looked humbled for a minute, dipped his head low and said thank you. Then he hugged me and said "I love and appreciate you too". PUDDLE, melting...le sigh.

I may or may not have been asleep on his shoulder at this point...at any rate, I'm certain I was dreaming!

We got a few more pictures with him, discussed Twitter, and the fact that he's not following me "Send me Tweets about tonight, and I promise if I see them, I will follow you" he said, and then he had to go "I'm going to miss my flight". And he was off, and so were we.

Once safely esconced in my car BFF (who had her own private conversation with Donnie as well) and I screamed like little Justin Bieber fans.

And that, ladies and gents, is my story of how I have to come up with a new impossible dream.

The End.

Year End Meme - 2008

It’s time for the end of the year meme!

I saw this a few weeks ago at Bleeding Espresso and I thought this would be a perfect way to wrap up 2008.

So here we go:

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? OH, so many things. Got a tattoo, went to Fort Lauderdale, met Donnie Wahlberg, lost 20 lbs., wrote 50,000 words in 30 days, became a youth group leader…we’ll stop there.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t really believe in “resolutions” but I make plans. I think I did fairly well this year, and I have LOTS of plans for 2009, you can read all about those here.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Hmm…one of my coworkers, but I’m not really close to her, I don’t think anyone else did though…

4. Did anyone close to you die? Friends of friends and relatives of friends mostly.

5. What countries did you visit? Didn’t leave the U.S. this year. Must remedy that next year.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? You know, I didn’t lack much this year…but, how about a few good dates? I could go for that.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? As far as “specific” dates, Thanksgiving weekend for the youth retreat, November 8 because that’s when I met Donnie Wahlberg and got my Donnie Hug (what?)…that’s it for “dates” though.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I don’t know that I’d call it an achievement as much as a personal step, but I’d say reconnecting with my faith. Also, writing those 50,000 words in 30 days is pretty amazing. And then there’s the 20 lb. weight loss. Oh, and actually getting that Donnie hug? Yeah, that was an achievement! Ha

9. What was your biggest failure? Hmm…nothing is jumping out at me.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Just the common cold and stuff

11. What was the best thing you bought? Besides my tattoo? Maybe the HDTV and HT Tivo, kind loving those. OH, no wait, I take it back, best things I bought were my tickets to see NKOTB…twice.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My mom’s for getting me to join Jenny Craig with her, so we could do the weight loss thing together.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Besides the obvious political and media ones? Yeah, those were mostly it.

14. Where did most of your money go? Toward cost of living expenses mostly. No fun.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? It seems I spent most of this year, or at least the second half of this year really, really excited about everything. The youth group stuff, my faith, my tattoo, the NKOTB reunion, taking a trip to visit “Traveller” in Ft. Lauderdale, my weight loss…yeah, it was a really exciting year.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Well, it sort of goes without saying that any of the NKOTB new songs will, but besides those, that annoying Lady Gaga song “Dance” and Katie Perry’s “Hot and Cold”.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? Happier, thinner and richer (financially as well as spiritually).

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Travelling, writing and organization…I spent a lot of time overwhelmed and confused this year, I need to work on that.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Hmm…procrastinating. I REALLY need to stop doing that.

20. How did you spend Christmas? With my family, having the best time EVER.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Yes, but not romantic love. I fell in love with God and with my friends and with the youth who give me great hope for our future. Oh, right, and then there’s Donnie Wahlberg. ;-)

22. What was your favorite TV program? Hmm…You know, I watched a lot of tv, but I can’t say I watched anything that really excited me. I don’t think I have a favorite.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don’t believe in harboring hate toward people, so no.

24. What was the best book you read? I really didn’t read very much this year, and I really can’t even remember almost any books I read, so I definitely can’t pick a “best” book.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Just recently discovered Straight No Chaser (an accapella group) and I think they’re pretty amazing. Hmm…there was a lot of music in my life this past year actually.

26. What did you want and get? To get back in shape and look and feel good about my self-image.

27. What did you want and not get? A new car.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? I didn’t really watch a lot of movies either, and I can't think of one that stood out for me.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 33, and I don’t remember what I did. Uh…not good. ;-)

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I really don’t know how I could answer this. This year was amazing, I can’t imagine asking for anything else.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Well, the first half of the year was “whatever fits that doesn’t make me cringe”. The second half was more of a “self-discovery” of what looks good again. I’ll be back in full “fashion diva” form now though.

32. What kept you sane? God, my faith family, my mom and the blog world.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Do I really need to tell you this one? AS if I haven't turned this whole meme into a NKOTB love fest already? Okay, here's Donnie in case you were wondering...standing MERE inches from me...sigh...

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Well, this was the year of the presidential election that will go down in history, so it was hard to not be politically stirred, wasn’t it?

35. Who did you miss? I missed my grandma a lot this year. There were just a lot of times that I really wanted to talk to her.

36. Who was the best new person you met? There were a few people I met at the end of 2007, but really got to know in 2008 that completely changed my life. I also “met” myself all over again in 2008, and you know what? I’m pretty awesome. Haha. But actual, real people that I met in 2008? It was really cool to meet Frances in person, she’s awesome. Also, my new boss and all the folks at my new job are pretty cool. And then there’s the youth.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Here's one: Lifehouse - Everything: You are the strength, that keeps me walking.You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.You are the light to my soul.You are my purpose...you're everything.How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Let me know if you do the year end meme!

Oh What a Night...

No time for an elaborate post this morning...but I promisse full details later on. In the meantime, I'm asking for your votes in a poll on my sidebar.

A little quick background story before that...I was a die hard NKOTB (That's New Kids on the Block for the un-initiated) fan back in the day. WHen they announced their reunion this year, I was all over it. Last night I went to my second concert of the tour, had a blast, and then after the show, met Donnie Wahlberg, who was always my favorite. (MERE INCHES from me here...my hand might or might not have been on his arm at this point).He was, basically, THE teen idol of my lifetime, the one celebrity I still sort of melt over whenever I see him anyway (yes, I'm in my 30's, AND?)

So, yeah, met him last night. More on that later, but he did this:

So, here's where the poll comes in, to tattoo, or not to tattoo? Check the sidebar, let me know...

Photo Hunt #33 - Together

The Photo Hunt theme today is "Together". In light of the fact that I am once again going to see my favorite "Boy Band" from childhood tonight, a band that is "together" again after 15 years, I figured what could be more fitting than a few pics from the concert I attended in September.

Yeah, okay, whatever, call me silly, call me a groupie, whatever...I'm having fun. That is all!

Because I won't be at a computer all day today, I won't actually be signing onto the Photo Hunter site with my entry this week, but you can still check out other entries by clicking on the logo above.

Later, I'm off to Mohegan Sun to get my Donnie hug.

And then he kissed me!

SHAMELESS! That’s what I am for such a teaser title with absolutely no basis in reality.

SHAMELESS!

Okay, let me back up a bit. Friday night was quite possibly one of the best nights of my life so far. That’s saying a lot, I’ve had some great nights in my life. But on Friday night I attended a New Kids on the Block concert with three of my girl friends, and we had the most amazing time. I’ll spare you the details of a concert review, but I have done a full review for your reading pleasure at Cafe Karina, so feel free to pop on over if you want to know more. Also…there are pictures and video (that's here).

However, besides the fact that the concert was fantastic, my girls and I had a great “girls night out”.
We started partying early on, getting ready together at my house, and kept it going until the WEE hours of the morning. Spirits were high, the energy was through the roof, and we were on cloud nine.

I had gotten all dolled up for the occasion, even wearing my contacts, which I only do about once or twice a year now, and was feeling good. Wearing my “hoochie” gold boots and skinny jeans, I figured I had the “groupie” look down pat. It was the first time in a VERY long time that I actually felt pretty good about how I looked.

The underlying plan, of course, was to somehow sneak backstage and make newly divorced Donnie Wahlberg fall madly deeply in love with me. The back-up plan was to have a kick-arse time and just enjoy the fact that I didn’t feel fat and old for a change.

Thank goodness for the back-up plan, because the Donnie plan? Yeah, that didn’t exactly go as expected. Sigh…

But you want to know about the kiss, don’t you? OH, you’re so going to hate me. It’s so not that exciting.

When we arrived at the concert arena we pretty much made a beeline for the bar, we needed to get our drinks before we took our seats, because we knew once the boys were onstage we would NOT be getting up again. Standing in line for our beer I look up at the bartender and HOLY CRAP if it isn’t a guy I haven’t seen in 10 years. A guy who was once a bouncer at a club I frequented regularly in my 20’s with BFF. A guy who I flirted with shamelessly all that time, even though at the time I was very much in love (and very faithful to) The Soulmate (who also happened to be a bouncer at the same bar). This guy, we’ll call him “Missed Opportunity (MO)”, used to always tell me I needed to lose “Soul” and get with him. We joked, because he was friends with Soul, and we never would have acted on it, but there was incredible chemistry between us always. Once Soul and I went our separate ways, I stopped frequenting that bar, so as not to run into Soul, and never saw MO again. Until Friday night. When I reached the front of the line, MO reached across the counter and gave me a huge hug and kiss on the cheek. Genuinely happy to see each other we chatted for a few seconds, before he invited us to another club after the show, where he also bartends. He gave us the “super secret password” to get on the VIP list, and said “I’ll see you later”.

Now, as I was well aware that Plan A of meeting Donnie wasn’t exactly full proof, I was excited at the prospect of a Plan B.

I’ll spare you the gory details, but let’s just say that after walking for about an hour, the girls and I were unable to find said club, and gave up and went to another bar instead. Yours truly is still pretty damn disappointed that I missed a chance to reconnect with MO. I’m a firm believer in the “Everything happens for a reason” phenomenon, so I believe that if I was meant to have re-connected with him further, we would have found the damn place. Yet, I’m still kicking myself. DAMN!

Still, it was nice to see him, and much much needed boost to my ego that he seemed as happy to see me, and even invited us out to come see him later. And it might have just been on the cheek, but he did kiss me. I didn’t completely lie to you, did I?

Photo Hunt #31 - View

The Photo Hunter theme this week is View. I could have gone in all different directions with this one, but since my girls and I just went to the New Kids On The Block Reunion Tour concert in Boston last night, and I haven't yet come down off my high from the amazing show they put on, I figured I'd give you all a few shots of our view of the show last night.

The main stage:

At one point in th show the boys moved to a smaller stage in the middle of the audience, so close we could almost reach out and touch them:

If you're interested in hearing more about this show, or seeing more photos, let me know in comments and I'll keep you posted because there is a concert review coming up, and I will share the 200+ photos I'm in the process of uploading right now with anyone who asks.

Also, if you're doing Photo Hunt, that means you love taking photos...I ask you to visit Creative Karina and check out the new meme I'm launching, I'd love for yout to be a part of it with us.

Happy Hunting Y'all!

The Power of Music

The power of music.

As I type this I’m listening to a greatest hits CD from NKOTB. That’s New Kids on the Block for the uninitiated. New Kids on the Block, who 15 years after disbanding have come together for the mother of all reunions. Obviously, if you read me, you know that I was a serious “Block-head” and this reunion has been the source of much nostalgia and laughter and joy for my friends and I. We are giddy 13 year olds all over again any time one of their new songs come on the radio. We realize how silly this all is, but the truth is, we don’t care.

For me personally, it’s an opportunity to bring back some of those sweet, innocent, naïve feelings of my youth. Back when daydreaming about Donnie Wahlberg meeting and falling in love with me wasn’t as unrealistic as it sounds now. Back when the sound of his voice on a song could send me into tizzy of swooning. Back when my bedroom walls were practically wallpapered with posters of the “5 hardest working guys in show business”, the boys from Boston. Back before my first real heart break, before work, before responsibilities, before reality hit.

But this post is not, believe it or not, about NKOTB. It’s about the music. Or more accurately, about the emotions behind the music. Listening to this CD I find myself with goosebumps as each new track begins, and a flood of memories rushing back to the surface. “Remember when…what about that time when we…and how about when they…” It’s about the feeling invoked somewhere so deep within that I can’t find the words to do them justice.

When I tell you that each and every time I hear their new song on the radio I can’t help but let out a girlish giggle, EACH AND EVERY TIME, I’m not explaining it well enough even then. For me, with NKOTB, it was a huge part of my adolescence, so it ties in with a large chunk of the time when my personality was being formed. These songs remind me of those times, remind me of those defining moments in my development.

Nostalgia is one hell of a thing, ain’t it? I wish I could bottle up the feel good feelings this music produces and sell it. I’d be a millionaire. But then, NKOTB are already doing that. With this CD they’ve “packaged up” nice and neatly, those feelings in thousands of former fans, and made it accessible once again. And are likely making millions all over again.

But it’s more than just the New Kids and their music. Music in general has a magic in it that goes beyond any explanation. Different people are moved by different art forms, for me, music has always been the ultimate. Not being musically inclined myself in any way, my involvement has always been limited as the spectator, the listener, but that does not make me any less avid of a lover of the art form. Maybe it makes me even more so, because I’m not limited with knowledge of how things are supposed to sound. For me, it’s not about the rules, it’s about the end result and how it reaches in my heart and holds on tight.

I could easily name you a song for each vital moment of my existence. The ups and the downs. The first time I fell in love, the first time I had my heart broken, the day I moved to a new country, the day one of my friends was killed, moving out on my own, feeling lost and alone, struggling to accept my place in the world, finding faith all over again. Each moment with its very own defining soundtrack.

To this day, the Bette Middler song, “Wind Beneath My Wings”, which was my 8th grade graduation song, can reduce me to tears instantly. As can “Friends” by Michael W. Smith, for more personal reasons, “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boys II Men, which played on the radio regularly when a very good friend passed away, and a slew of others. At the other end of the spectrum, are songs that always elevate my spirits, no matter what. Among them are “Celebration”, “Everything” by lifehouse and “Hotel California” by The Eagles, because of the memories it brings back of good times with girl friends in pool halls.

More than just the memories, however, for me music is also a sweet escape, a form of meditation. They say that to sing is to pray twice…to listen to music for me is to hear God speak. At times, just the right song will come on the radio and tell you everything you need to know. If I’m angry, I have a soundtrack of songs I can play to vent my anger, let it soak up in the drums and guitar riffs, and purge it at the top of my lungs. When sad, the right tracks can either lift my spirits, or allow the tears to flow freely, releasing the toxins and soothing the soul. And at this point in my life, when I’m in the midst of a spiritual renewal of sorts, music has been my constant companion, guiding, encouraging, clarifying…and just providing the background music that I need to survive.

I’ve said more than once that I don’t know if I could live without music in my life. I don’t really know that I could. I know I wouldn’t want to try.

So, as I sit back and enjoy my CD, and smile at the opening beats of every song, I wonder, what has music done for you? What songs bring back those indescribable feelings for you? Does that need to hear music consume you as it does me? Tell me, I want to know.

And in case you’re wondering? I still believe Donnie Wahlberg will meet and fall in love with me. Hey, it could happen.

Trip to NYC and Meeting the Blog Queen

As most of you know, I spent this past weekend in New York. My good friend Mrs. B, who I met via the internet about 7 years ago, lives in Queens, and we try to visit each other a few times a year. This trip spawned out of an idea of Mrs. B, that we should camp out and wait for the New Kids On The Block to perform on the Today Show this past Friday. However, as time drew nearer, Mrs. B realized she wouldn't be able take the day off work, and realized that by myself, it would be no fun to camp out. Still, the idea for the trip was in motion, and I'm not currentl working, so I decided what the heck, a trip to New York would do me good.

In the meantime, one of my favorite bloggers ever happen to live right in NYC, so I figured it would be a good opportunity to meet up with her for lunch. So, the trip was on.

I arrived in New York on Thursday evening via GreyHound bus, and Mrs. B met me in Manhattan, where we had a fantastic dinner at an Ethiopian diner. I'd never had Ethiopian food, so I was excited to experiment. I'm happy to tell you that the food was fabulous, but even more fabulous was the Ethiopian Honey Wine we ordered. Mrs. B and I polished off an entire bottle during dinner. YUM.

Friday Morning I decided to head back into Manhattan, but decided against going in super early for the NKOTB concert. The evening before I'd learned that people were already camping out (in the rain no less), and I just knew I wouldn't get anywhere near the concert, so I decided against it. By the time I made it into the city, the show was over, and there were still hundreds of crazy New Kids fans fleeting around. Just walking around a bit and seeing the barricades, the cops, the blocked off doors, etc., I knew I'd made the right call not going in early, I wouldn't have made it anywhere near the show.

Still, I hung out with the crazy fans for a bit, reminiscing about the old days, and in the process, got to see American Idol winner Taylor Hicks as he walked past us and into the Today Show building. Hmm...Taylor Hicks v. Donnie Wahlberg? Okay, not much of consolation prize there. Anyway, I will say this, the camera really does add 10 pounds, at least. Because Taylor Hicks looked much better in person than on the show, bits of which I caught on my Tivo.

As for the New Kids? This is about as close as I got to them:


Ah well, there's always the concert in September.

So, I did a bit of sightseeing, and then it was time to meet up with my blog buddy Frances. Frances, she of a thousand blogs. Okay, not exactly a thousand, but even she doesn't know how many she has, so don't ask me! ;-) Frances, the fearless leader of SheWhoBlogs. Frances has been on of my favorite bloggers since the first time I stumbled upon one of her blogs, so I was certainly excited to finally meet her in person.

Because I was drifting around Times Square, and it was pouring rain out, we met at Applebee's for lunch. Not one of Frances' usual "off the beaten path" haunts, but we've already agreed that in my next trip out, we'll hit that path instead.

I arrived at the restaurant, and we immediately knew each other. From the moment I sat down, it was nonstop conversation, laughter and fun. We got along as fabulouslyas I knew we would have. Two mochatinis and about 3 1/2 hours later we had gone from being blog buddies, to being friends.

I could tell you all the silly things we chatted about, but really, it was 3 1/2 hours of non-stop chatter, and I have to run out in a few minutes. I can, however, tell you we had an absolute blast.

I could show you photos of our meeting, but if you visit any of Frances' blogs you will see that she does not post photos of herself, so I respect that privacy, so there will be no photos of us. However, I do have a photo for you.

See, we had the FUNNEST waiter. His name was Ike, but his coworkers call him "Ikeypoo". And he wears that name proudly on his nametag. You've got to love it, right? Ikeypoo was a fantastic waiter, lots of fun, and we just loved him. And he was kind enough to pose for a photo:


Frances got a close-up of the nametag, so I'm sure she'll share that one with you on one of her blogs. I'm sure there is more I could tell you about my meeting with Frances, but it all escapes me now. I can't wait until the next time I'm in NY and we get to hang out again.

Frances, I had a blast, you are absolutely fantastic!

Isn't the blogosphere wonderful?

A little bit of New Kids

So, today I am attempting to get a glimpse of the NKOTB concert on the Today Show live in NYC. I'll report back with the full scoop next week, once I'm back in front of my computer. But in the meantime, I thought I'd leave you with a bit of the OLD New Kids on the Block:



And a bit of the new:



Enjoy!

Attack of the Teen Idols - Fun Monday

Before we jump into Fun Monday, I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who stopped by over the weekend to offer words of support after I announced that I lost my job on Friday. THANK YOU. I posted a more detailed account of the whole situation yesterday, if you're curious.

Okay, now, to:

Fun Monday this week is being hosted by Jo Beaufoix. The challenge we were issued couldn't have come at a more apropos time. The challenge?

"I want to know about your first ‘celebrity’ crush. You know, the one you fancied from that band, or that film, or who read the news, or who won Gold at the Olympics.Did you have their pictures on your wall or in your locker? Did you dress like them, style or colour your hair like them, follow them, meet them, marry them? (It could happen.) Photos of THEM would be good, photos of YOU at the time you liked them would be even better. Also, if you have time, I’d like to know whether they had any influence over your life, the person you became, or if they were just an embarrassing blip you would kind of rather forget about.”

Well, if you read my blog at all, then it should come as no surprise that I could have gone one of two ways with this. I could have waxed poetic about my love for Corey Haim, who was my first real celebrity crush. But I've already devoted at least two posts to my dear Corey.

Or, I could have gone with my other crush, the one that last through my most impressionable teen years, and the one I've n0t-so-secretly kept into adulthood. The one I was telling you about just last week. Yes, we'll go with that one. None other, of course, than Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block fame.

Donnie then:Donnie now (ish):

Yep, still hot.

I was a faithful Donnie fan from day one, and never wavered from my choice of the band's resident bad boy as my favorite member of the original boy band. Once the band split up, and they all went their own ways, my love for Donnie never disappeared, it just went into hibernation for a bit. But when Mr. Wahlberg entered the world of acting my dedication to him returned, and I've watched practically everything he's been in, except for those creepy "Saw" movies...Even Donnie can't get me to watch those. Well, you know...unless he wants to watch them with me..uh...WHAT? It could happen.

Back to reality here folks...I want to answer some more of Jo's questions, she asked if we dressed like them: No, but we "Blockheads" had our uniforms of t-shirts, buttons, and denim jackets with their names and pictures stitched right into them. Followed them: No, because I did not have the means, but, along with my two cousins PM and M&M, we created our own fan club for them, we had 100's of pen pals with whom we exchanged photos and posters and stories about them, and I even met other NKOTB fans from as far as Germany, all because of our love for the boys. Met them? Not then, and I have never had the chance to meet Donnie, but I did meet Joey McIntyre about 10 years ago, when he was doing the play "Tic Tic Boom", and he was a very pleasant and gracious.

Did he have an influence over my life or on the person I became? I could say no, because in a general sense, no, he didn't. But in a smaller sense, yes, he and the rest of the New Kids absolutely did. The height of their fame was during a prime time in my life, therefore, a lot fo my most powerful memories from that time include them in some way or another. I have fantastic memories of people I met, places I went, and experiences I lived that happened solely because of my love for The New Kids...so without a doubt that shaped me. In another small way, Donnie influenced me in a way I realized only recently...being the "bad boy" of the band, he was my first "bad boy". He wasn't the last. This propensity to fall for the "bad boy" could definitely explain why I'm still single, so one could say it's all his fault. Or not.

Jo also wantes us to share photos of "US" at that time...I've actually shared these before, and really, should be too ashamed to share them again, but....how could I not, she asked so nicely...

(That would be yours truly in the hammer pants, some boy whose face I've sort of disguised because I no longer know him, and my cousins M&M and PM, with my "wall o' New Kids" behind us. You know you're jealous).

So there you have it, my celebrity crush. Oh, and in case you're wondering, unlike Jo, I have no shame about this crush, and I DO plan on going to see them perform live now that they have reunited. Call it what you want, but just the feeling of nostalgia that seeing the five of them together again has brought up in me is worth it. I leave you with this:




Go to Jo's to check out what other Teen Idols had the Fun Mondayers dreaming of their wedding days.

And be sure to visit the Nekked Lizards, they are hosting next week.

We Interrupt our Regularly Scheduling Programming...

I know I promised to tell you all the story of how I came to be birthed in Africa...but we have breaking news folks. This is something that normally would be saved for Cafe Karina, my pop culture blog (and in fact will be posted in there as well), but the news are too major to contain in just one blog...

We'll return to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow...but today...well...today I give you:

A few months ago I posted about the rumors that the New Kids on the Block were staging a reunion. Well, ladies, grab your old t-shirts and buttons because it appears the rumors were indeed true.

This Friday at 7AM NKOTB will appear on the Today show...ALL FIVE members, together in public for probably the first time in at least 15 years. A big announcement perhaps? A performance perchance?

Click here, to be taken to a page with some more information and links to videos of interviews with some of the guys. In one of the videos Joe alludes to time in the studio...a new album in the works?

Call me silly, tell me I'm acting like a teenager, but I don't care. I'm giddy with excitement and yes I will be standing in line for tickets if they go on tour. We've discussed before how there's a certain amount of nostalgia tied up with certain icons of our childhoood, and for me, none hold more than NKOTB. So go ahead, laugh at me, but I wore their buttons proudly back then, and I'll do it now too.

Well...okay, no...I won't really wear the buttons this time around, but you know what I mean.

UH, right...okay, well, go on about your business...I...uh...I'm going to go back to work. Yeah...I'm a mature adult...I...uh...right.