Nothin's Forever In This Crazy World...

Over the past three weeks, I have had several reasons to blog, but after reading a post in "Pop Culture and Caffeine" by a fellow Backstreet fan, I was compelled to write one in response. This blogger passionately lists the fees for Backstreet events, including cruises, Nick Carter solo shows, MixTape VIP and BSBBQ to name a few and adamantly states that the Boys have lost sight of the state of the economy or the fact that fans cannot dish out this type of money on a regular basis to "get close and have a 2.2 second interaction with guys who claim that they love their fans when, in reality, they see us all as dollar signs."

As I was reading this blog, I began to think about the amount of money I have spent on BSB adventures, starting from the BSB Cruise in 2011. (I honestly cannot come up with an accurate quote, but I know that I dropped over $3000 on Cruise 2.0 alone. Mind you, I spent 3 extra tourist days in Miami and did plenty of shopping for my MANY wardrobe changes while on board.) I attended 4 NKOTBSB shows in 4 different states, all with VIPs. I went to Nick's show in Philly. I went to MixTape (GA was enough for me) and the BSBBQ... and the softball game. And I just got back from my last minute trip to Good Morning America, which also included the Sneak Peak and Meet and Greet the night before. I think about all of this and I am incredibly blessed to have the ability and opportunity to travel and attend these events. BUT I do realize that they have not been inexpensive.

A shirtless AJ and me at the BSBBQ-- Every AJ girl's dream.

So the question is, IS IT WORTH IT? My fellow blogger says no. And I have a feeling that there is a large portion of the population that would say the same. HOWEVER, I have a dissenting opinion.

I, personally, have NEVER had a negative experience at any of the BSB events I have attended. I have never finished a soundcheck or a cruise or a concert and said, "Wow, I really wasted my money. That was not worth the time, travel or effort. I will NOT be doing that again." In fact, it has been quite the opposite. I feel that the Boys have gone out of their way, gone above and beyond, and neither the security nor Ground Control has EVER been anything but courteous and wonderful to my mom, sister and me.

Brian writing out song lyrics for me to turn into a tattoo. He didn't HAVE to do that. I adore him. And his beautiful, photobombing wife. ;)

While I do travel to events for the Boys (and that is why I pay for Meet & Greets), I get to turn these trips into mini-getaways with my girls. These are friends who I have made BECAUSE of the Backstreet Boys, and they understand the music that makes my soul dance. So Cruise 2.0 (and my extra time in Miami) was spent with girls I was meeting for the first time but had been talking to online for years. I made memories that you cannot put a price tag on. And that goes for the trips I have made recently as well. Both in Hershey and in NYC, I was able to spend a couple of days with friends from across the US who I get to see once or twice a year. Backstreet events are SO much more than that handshake and a smile you get during a Meet and Greet. (Which, by the way, NYC was the FIRST time I was with AJ and did not hug him. Josh asked nicely, so I did as he requested. But our time was far from rushed, I got to speak to each of them, and Brian and I had a full-on dialogue before and after the picture.)

Some of my absolute favorite people at Wet Willies in South Beach before BSB Cruise 2011.

We all have to make choices as to how we spend our disposable income. Some of us don't have as much of a disposable income as others-- times are tough. And then there are other factors: multiple jobs, significant others, kids. Six months ago, I was working 2 jobs and busting my butt to make everything work. But you better believe that if I wanted to attend a BSB event, I picked up extra shifts, planned ahead and made it happen. Those events, those moments, those memories-- they are irreplaceable. And the people-- the FRIENDS-- I have made along this journey are just as precious to me. Without these adventures, I would have never met them. I would not have these memories or these wonderful women in my life that I can turn to at any moment. Without knowing, they have gotten me through the toughest time in my life just by being there with a song lyric, a story or a good laugh.

Danielle and me in Times Square, during our photo shoot. <3 We met in Hershey, in ponchos, looking like drowned rats.

So, is it all worth it? All the plane tickets, the hotel rooms, the concert tickets (sometimes from stub hub at 3 times face value), the VIPs, the cruises and the new outfits that we buy because we HAVE to be cute for the photo shoots in front of the food carts. My answer is a definitive YES. And I will keep attending the events that I can until this ride comes to an end. We are going 20 years strong, but our Boys taught me that nothin's forever in this crazy world...

I thought that I was going crazy, you took me to another place...

Let me start with this preface: I am an AJ-girl, and I always have been. (I mean, what's not to love?) Growing up, my sister was the one with all of the Nick posters in her room. As a teenager, I just wasn't interested in fitting in and gushing over the blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby of the group.

As I have gotten older, and the Boys have become less "untouchable" and more in touch with their fan base, I have had the opportunity to meet them a few times. Nick has always been a mystery to me. At soundchecks, you can always expect Brian to be all over the place, unable to sit still; AJ will oblige any fan and do just about ANYTHING we ask of him (bless his heart); Howie tends to keep to himself, sipping his tea, but chimes in at just the right moment with a corny joke. Then there is Nick. I just can't pin point him. And because of this, I have never known how I really feel about him... until now.

My favorite VIP pic so far... What up, GANGSTA?

This past weekend, Nick took his "I'm Taking Off" tour to Philly. I live nowhere close to Philly, but decided it would be a great weekend get away. My sister and I hopped a plane, bought VIPs and decided to brave the cold to see what Nick was like outside of the "Backstreet Box." We met up with a group of nine other girls (also not from Philly) and camped out before the VIP, getting to know each other as we tried to keep our hands from going numb.

Nick's VIP consisted of him performing two cover songs (Lenny Kravitz's "Fly Away" and Tom Petty's "Free Fallin"), answering a couple of questions from the crowd (Mary's question about the Twitter app was the best one I have ever seen at any soundcheck. Hey Nick, what was it called??), and taking pictures with each of us. My sister and I ended up toward the back of the pack for the photo op, and I watched Nick Carter greet every female in that room with open arms, followed by a big hug. He spoke to each of us, accepted numerous belated birthday presents (sorry, Carter, I missed the memo that we were bringing gifts; I owe ya one) and smiled relentlessly. During my individual experience, he gave me a huge hug and tried to make the moment personal (something that I, for one, appreciate more than you will ever know). He was genuine, sweet, humble and gracious to everyone who came out to support him. I was completely blown away by my VIP experience; Nick Carter is a FABULOUS man. It's been confirmed first-hand.

He looks like a Ken Doll... =)

I never thought I would say this, but that concert was one of the greatest shows I have ever seen. Nick is amazing as a part of the Backstreet Boys; however, the energy and emotion and connection he has to HIS music is astounding. He made me (as I am sure he did every other fan in that crowd) feel SPECIAL. It takes an amazing artist and performer to have that kind of power. In one evening, Nick Carter turned me into a fan-- not just of the music, or of him as a performer, but also of him as a person.

Credit: EvergreenBSB

I have to dance like a mad woman everytime I hear this song... #blameNickCarter

That Philly weekend turned me into a Nick Carter fan-- not of Nick Carter the Backstreet Boy, but of Nick Carter the solo artist, the entertainer, the vocalist... the PERSON. This weekend also brought a handful of amazing women into my life, who are now a permanent fixture. The time we spent together, including the hours after the show when we laughed until we cried and made memories for a lifetime, was just what my life needed. There is nothing better than making great friends who understand the music that makes your heart dance... it also helps that they are willing to travel outrageous distances and spend their life savings to participate in the same activites I am. The next girls' weekend cannot come soon enough!

Credit: April May
The women who now make me laugh on a daily basis-- THANK YOU. =)

So, thank you, Nick. You turned me into a believer. You are an absolute ROCKSTAR for doing what you do, despite all of the obstacles you face. I, without a doubt, have the utmost respect for you. Now, regardless of what you do, I got you (pun intended).

I fell in love and now I'm totally screwed...

Today, I would like to take a moment to say happy 34th birthday to the man who always knows the right words to say, at the right time, in the right key-- my favorite bad boy, AJ McLean.

Sixteen years ago, when I was in elementary school, I fell in love with a teenage boy with big brown eyes (often hidden behind sunglasses) and a raspy voice that was unmistakeable. I, along with thousands of girls around the world, feel that we have (in a sense) grown up together. I have watched AJ go from being a brunette, to a blonde, to a red-head, to having blue hair, to having corn rows... I have watched him slowly break out of the "boy band" image and develop his own personal style. Now, AJ is as gorgeous as ever, with a slight rocker's edge and colorful tattoos all over.



The AJ I fell in love with over a decade ago...

...And the AJ I love even more now.



AJ's decision to live a substance-free lifestyle, as well as the courage he has displayed by sharing this journey with others, continues to inspire me. I am so incredibly proud of the man he has become. Less than a month ago, AJ walked down the aisle as a sober man to marry his soulmate. (SO excited to have Ro in the BSB family; she is wonderful.)

No words could do this picture justice... He found his lobster. <3

So, here's to AJ- the man who keeps getting better with age. May this year be even better than the last, may you enjoy every moment of being a newlywed and may you find strength in times of temptation. Thank you for sharing your gifts, thank you for sharing your life, thank you for sharing your love and your passion. Happy birthday, to the man who will always be #1 in my book. You rock! #ProudSkullee