Precision Decision

Hmmm....should I get a new job? Should I stay? If I stay, I won't have to worry about my concert hopping plans. If I go, I may not get the job if I reveal my concert vacation plans. Hmmm....

Whatever shall I do? Well, I am an adult. I should be able to solve this dilemma. I'm not happy here but who cares? I'm happy elsewhere!!

Guess I'll just have to wait until the holidays & see what happens. Sacrifice my concerts? What? Are you out of your goddamn mind?!?!

New Sounds at Bindlestiff Studio

This is the first week of Bindlestiff Studio's Stories High Show. It's a show that is a Bindlestiff tradition where there are these writing, directing & acting workshops that culminate into this show. So the writers in the writing workshop create stories in script form and those scripts get handed to the students in the directing workshop. Then the directing workshops folks get their actors from those in the acting workshop and the results are always amazing. I love the Bindlestiff community. Yes, it has its ups & its downs but I doubt you'll ever find a community that is always on the up & up.

On the plus side, this gave me an opportunity to expose NKOTB's music to different people who might have never heard their sound before. I'm always entertained when non-fans groove to their jams. To folks who don't know Bindlestiff Studio, let me just tell you that its musical forte usually walks along the lines of local rock, hip hop, grunge, punk, indigenous, & heavy metal. Once in awhile, pop, house or R & B may pop their head every so often but not quite. So, for me to hear New Kids on the Block within THIS community? Well, let's just say that I never held my breath that it would happen. However, productions allow you to do things you never thought possible.

So, I'm directing this play called "Non-Sequiturs" by Cathlin Goulding. Somehow, I found a place to insert "Click Click Click (Remix)". This song was written by Nasri, an up & coming Canadian R & B singer/songwriter. He originally sang Click and after Donnie got a hold of his demo tape, well, let's just say if it weren't for Nasri, there would BE no reunion. (The thought of that would stop my breath!)

Here's a peek at NKOTB's next single, coincidentally titled, "Single".

Girl Behaving Apprehensively

I'm at work right now and I don't know why but this morning, I was so nervous. A mixture of feelings swallowed me whole & I was forced to take an early lunch to go home, just for a bit. You're going to think I'm silly for telling you why but I'll tell you anyway.

Today, on the msg boards, some folks posted a couple of videos of Click being performed at the CD Listening Party and I wanted to see it. No one, and I mean NO ONE had seen it performed before by NKOTB and the folks at that party got to see it first hand. I wanted to see it so badly but I knew that song was not released yet and I was afraid they were going to ask that the youtubers take it down. I debated whether or not to take a long break from work or to just go during my lunch break.

I messaged the owner of one of the videos to send it to me due to my paranoia and she sent me the link but I still could not see it from work. (It's events like these that are compounding and contributing to my want & need to quit my job) I was paranoid because I am so anxious about seeing every little thing that it is affecting my work, my mentality, my writing, my behavior, my priorities, and my personality. Crazy. But I got to see it and my nausea went away, my headache stopped forming, and all is right in the world. lol!

If you compare my writing at the beginning of when I started this blog, you'll see how different it is. I just cannot seem to get back into that writing mode that I used to have. No regrets though, just an observation. I had a conversation last night with a friend. Maybe I'll start writing for a sex show. We'll see. Sex show? Well, I gotta get some inspiration, which will have to happen after the concerts. After all, New Kids on the Block concerts do have a reputation in the past for being "the most sexually charged" shows of all. Why do you think I wanna go so bad? ;)

Today reminds me of Tracy Peluso's NKOTB Hunt

Today was NKOTB's CD Listening Party!! One of the fans, Katie, got to go since she won a contest and she kept us all updated on what was going on. I'm excited to hear that they do read the responses to the blogs they put up on http://www.nkotb.com. Did I ever have any doubt? Of course not. Why wouldn't they want feedback? That's going to be a surefire way of knowing what the fans want! Those 5 geniuses have been running around in my mind all day long. Katie said that all the songs they played were uptempo and she liked Big Boy/Big Girl the most. I cannot wait to hear this album!! I've been waiting for it for soooooo long! Today, I pre-ordered 2 copies of the Deluxe version of The Block, their new album. It's a 2-disc album. So, now I have on pre-order, 2 copies of The Block, 2 copies of The Block Deluxe Version, and 2 copies of the Greatest Hits album...I think. I can't even keep track anymore!! Ah well, guess I'll just wait for my little surprises in the mail.

Katie also said that she got hugs from Joe and 2 kisses from Donnie. Wow. This time around, we relly have matured. I'm sure if this were to happen 20 years ago, whomever Donnie kissed would have been beaten up! Hahaha!! Can't believe the immaturity we went through back then. Of course, I was never a violent person, just have an ugly green monster called "jealousy" that would rear its head out every once in awhile. I spent all day waiting for updates on the party. Lately, my life is being consumed by this reunion and honestly, I couldn't be happier. I mean, yes, I'm still living my life, working, and I'm in the middle of a Bindlestiff production but at the same time, I feel like I'm living a double life: one that exists in the real world and one that thrives in the virtual world.

At night, I get suited up with my armor, ammunition, and rage and I go to youtube to the Summertime video from the user "universalmusicgroup" to fight my battles. The negative comments that catch my attention are the ones that hear my wrath. Of course, I am never mean, foul-mouthed, nor negative. I just tell them, plain & simple, that this reunion is for the fans and non-believers are not invited. Besides, what's the point of their negative commenting anyway? Who does that? Who goes out to look for a band they don't like, listen to a song they think sucks, and make the effort to come up with something impertinent to say?? Losers, that's who. I do this so often that I've had people come to my page and apologize to me! One person apologized to me twice!! I was pretty surprised I must say.

Anyway, next time you hear something dumb and you want to fight back, don't get to their low level and use foul language. Put them in their place with wit & candor. I often tell them to calm down because really, do they need to get so excited? No. No need at all. And if they get out of line, I will call them out. DO IT! You'll feel better! :)

Raised by New Kids on the Block

A fellow fan posted some videos on youtube that shot me back to 1989 and made me realize where the roots of my "cleanliness" derived from.

Donnie's interview with Jordan on Youthquake. Jordan's words ingrained into my head forever:
"New Kids say no to drugs, we stand against drugs and we want all of YOU to say no to drugs too and lead a drug free positive life."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wm5VUtWN4xc

Joe & Danny being interviewed on ET. When asked what Joe's family taught him, I did the same:
"Be a nice person, be kind, that was the biggest thing that my mother & father always, to be positive, and just to live a good life, to try as hard as you can."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q1GmpMY6EtI

New Kids on the Block Hangin Out from Hangin Tough video. Donnie's voice: "We came here to do a job and that's to be good role models to every kid in the country and in the world...that's what we want to get across to the kids. We want them to know that it's cool to not do drugs and it's cool to not be in gangs and stuff and it's cool to just basically be yourself. Pretty much all we can hope for, just to create a better environment for the kids cuz they are the future..."
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5jY5UK0zHpE

Yes ladies & gentlemen. These videos are evidence of my so-called "cheesy" & "corny" roots. I was 13 years old and I was so "moldable." I needed someone to tell me that it's okay if I don't want to start smoking or doing drugs or whatever. I needed someone to make me feel like there was nothing wrong with me being me. I needed someone to make me feel loved all around when my family was falling apart at the seams.

I know I've said it before why New Kids are so important to me and that they were really the ones who raised me but to view the actual evidence of where the "parenting" came from was a very powerful moment for me. It made me think about all the kids today and how they don't have any band like this to tell them how wonderful they are if they could just be themselves. It made me cry just a little bit for the memory of all those harsh moments I had in junior high when NKOTB was considered "uncool" just because they were drug-free. It reminded me that I am a result of their positivity and I am proud to call myself a bonafide Blockhead!! :)

I pray to God that the younger generation of today get to witness at least SOME of the influential phenomena that went on 20 years ago. It's important to me that fans & non-fans alike understand that NKOTB are not here to prove something to anyone. They're just here to have fun, to reconnect with the fans, and to make some good music!! The next single is called "Dirty Dancing" and I heard it's got an incredible hook! I can't wait to hear it. Only 12 more weeks until I meet Donnie Wahlberg. I hope I will be able to lose some more weight!! :P

In 15 hours, I will be meeting some other NKOTB fans in my area and I'm very excited to be united with fellow Blockheads. Who knew that this mania would bring like-minded individuals together? I'm anxious to hear stories, share pictures, take pictures, and make new friends. We're all supposed to go in our New Kid gear in order to represent. I think I'll wear my NKOTB denim jacket. I love it to death though and I'm afraid it may get dirty. We'll see.

New Edition & New Kids on the Block UNITE!

Does anyone remember the New Edition reunion back in the day? I remember a little bit of it. I remember it was BIG! It was awesome! All six of them together again! I remember thinking, "Sigh...I wonder if New Kids on the Block will ever reunite." Well surprise surprise. Not only is New Kids on the Block reuniting, they recorded a song with New Edition!!! This was posted from people.com today.

My first thought was "HOLY SH*T!! This album is gonna HIT THE ROOF!!" I've been hearing haters say things like, "Sorry but New Edition was the original boyband. New Kids can never compare." Well, I cannot wait to see another one of those textbook comments on youtube so I can say "Sweetheart, if you love New Edition so much, then check out NKOTB's new album. They're ON IT!!" *Imaginary foul finger shoots up*

I don't like to fight but lately, my might NKOTB reinforced armor has been taking a lot of hits. One shot almost hit me in the heart. I just thank GOD that the New Kids are able to validate all my arguments. Without their incredible genius, I would never have been able to fire my NKOTB-edcuated missiles at these disrespectful & unnecessary remarks. Thank you NKOTB, for being you, for loving us, and for giving both of us (you and the fans) the chance to reminisce, to reconnect, and to recollect. See you guys in October.

Peace, Love & Hang Tough

Deciphering New Kids on the Block Haters

I'm starting to notice that a lot of the younger generation, the teenagers, the untainted minds, are starting to wonder why so many people are making rude comments on youtube for the "Summertime" video from New Kids on the Block. Well, since they weren't really there for the drama, I'm going to explain this as best that I can since I was there.

First off, who are the haters? Let's quarantine them. Most of the haters tend to be:

A) Around the ages of 27 - 36ish, more or less.
B) Fairweather fans
C) Those who don't know the meaning of "living life to the fullest"
D) Smug, self-proclaimed music experts
E) Ex-boyfriends of diehard NKOTB fans
F) Jealous smartasses who won't admit they wanted to be like them
G) Conformity fanatics
H) Those who take life too seriously
I) Those who ran with the majority crowd
J) Easily influenced followers who wanted badly to fit in during school days and last but not least,
K) Brats, snobs, anti-pop music fans, grunge advocates, selective metal heads, 80s/90s hater mentality maintainers, those who can't think outside the box, and cynics, critics, pessimists, devil's advocates, wise guys, and bullies.

I'm sure there are plenty more but for now, this is what I see. If you know a hater, they most likely fit one of these categories. How did they manifest into an NKOTB hater, you ask? Hear me out.

Back in maybe 88-89, when NKOTB started getting big, they were very popular and they were cool among the kids age 2 - 17. They were everywhere! Merchandise came out with their faces all over t-shirts, books, board games, bedsheets, pillowcases, lunchboxes, it was CRAZY! So many millions of girls swooned over these guys because they were hot, talented, & were dubbed the "hardest working kids in showbiz." They really were. They toured the world and everybody, or should I say, every young female fan, tried everything they could just to get a glimpse of these 5 heartthrobs.

By then, people who were not fans did not see what the big deal was and started to ridicule the fans for being so head-over-heels in love with the the New Kids. They didn't see the connection NKOTB had with their fans. They didn't see how NKOTB had influenced their fans to grow up right. They didn't see the attachment the fans had to the band as positive, but rather, illogical. As a result, it became "uncool" to like the New Kids on the Block because they were now old news. Ridicule sounds like a word that describes innocuous teasing & joking but when you have fans who have their lockers burned, belongings stolen, been beaten up, ridicule hardly justifies the hell we went through to stay true as a fan. So today, the name "New Kids on the Block" is associated with being "cheesy," "corny," "lame," "boyband," "lip-synch" and countless other derogatory synonyms. Many former fans find themselves feeling "embarrassed" to have been a fan. (That, ladies & gentlemen, would fall under category B, G, I, & J.

As immature kids, we tend to make fun of others simply for no reason, for our own selfish pleasure, or for the sake of trying to be funny. However, as you age, it is only appropriate for one to mature into a grown-up personality. You stop fighting, you stop making fun of others at their expense, and you start appreciating humanity for what it is. In this day and age, the NKOTB reunion has brought back fond childhood memories for the diehard & loyal fans while for haters, bullies & cynics, it has brought immaturity, condescending personalities, and irresponsible journalists/critics/bloggers/attention hoggers who think they're qualified to lecture us on how their musical tastes are far more superior than ours. You will continue to hear these types of comments but if you're strong-willed, you will not let their stuckup sarcasm, foul-mouthed slurs, and smartass unfunny jokes persuade you from enjoying the music you want to listen to.


NKOTB raised a generation full of tough, independent, and full-of-life individuals. Because of them, I grew up right. I stayed in school, I took their message to heart and I stayed away from drugs. I purposely sought out people like me and we became lifelong friends. If it weren't for them, who knows what type of person I may be today? I feel really lucky to have found them to admire, to appreciate, to raise me, and to turn to. At times when I was down, I remember turning on their music and it was as if they picked me up and cradled me until I felt whole again. The non-fans can never understand the connection we have with the New Kids. Their favorite band will never return the kind of love they show them and they're just jealous that the New Kids and their fans have this special relationship. I stand behind the boys & I will defend them no matter what a hater throws my way. Since I am a fan, I actually know what I'm talking about. I have plenty of ammunition to throw in the faces of the non-believers and there's nothing they can criticize that I cannot counter.

Haters like to make the assumption that NKOTB fans have the musical tastes of an 8-year old. However, their assumptions are invalid, erroneous, and subjective. Personally, my music tastes span far and wide. Besides New Kids, I also enjoy music from BONE Thugs n Harmony, The Cranberries, Evanescence, Boyz II Men, Jodeci, and even up & coming artists such as Power Struggle, Golda Supernova, Girlas, and Paula Fuga. I know it's crazy to imagine that we actually have music tastes outside of the boys but it's TRUE! Believe it!


The following are a list of questions that have surfaced from the haters:


1. Why do you still like them? They were a teen sensation. Grow up.
2. Why are they reuniting? Their heyday is over.
3. Shouldn't they change their name to "Old Men on the Block?"
4. Aren't they too old to be dancing around in matching outfits?
5. Weren't they caught lip-synching back in the day?
6. Has the world of music gotten so bad that we had to resort to recycling old boybands?
7. Aren't you too old to be liking New Kids on the Block? Cmon! Their music's so dated!


*Sigh*


Relax. The guys are just having a good time. Why are you so focused on their age? Since when are you restricted to being under 30 to have fun? If you think this reunion is ridiculous, try listening to yourself. You're getting all worked up over something you're not even interested in so why even bother complaining? Why rain on our parade? Is it really that important to you that you have to be negative, condescending, and disrespectful? Next time you want to comment, try editing. Think outside of the box.

My personal opinion is that you only think this is ridiculous because you are unable to see its profundity. Get deeper and you'll find where the love for this band lies within each and every diehard fan. Not only did the New Kids help us discover our passionate side, but they also brought us up to be just like them. They were idols who made a positive impact on our lives even when our parents dismissed the phase for a temporary "puppy love" crush. We strived to imitate them. We learned to dance, were inspired to sing, learn instruments, volunteer for communities, donate to charities, treat others with respect, keep our heads up when times are rough, be drug-free, stand up for yourself, and have fun in life! What is so wrong with that?


To the haters, be cool. Is that possible?


To the younger generation, don't trip off the haters. If you choose to be a fan, be prepared to face negative feedback. But know that their opinion is worthless because you have a mind of your own.


To the skeptics, age has no impact on their music. They are in an untouchable category.


To the ardent, diehard fans, you're not alone. We are everywhere and anywhere. This is the biggest "pop band" reunion to date. Let's party. ;-)