If you have followed my blog at all you will know that I am a not-so-closeted New Kids On the Block fan.  Back in May I went to see them live in NYC for the Today Show and then when they came to Ohio in October I made sure that I got a ticket ASAP.  Because I was so deprived as a child, I opted to go for the 5* VIP package they were offering through I Love All Access which included a meet and greet, photo op (which was laughable, you’ll see the pic and agree) and a ticket for the front 10 rows.  I’m glad that I did this as seeing the concert that close was amazing!  I also can’t sneeze at meeting them all either and getting heartfelt hugs from all 5 guys (oh and a New Kid sandwich for the pic).

When I say I was a fan, I mean I was a FAN.  The walls were lined with posters.  I had the dolls.  I had the ‘Joe Hat’ without a top.  I performed concerts for the neighbors.  I forced most of my friends to become fans.  I had all the albums on tape, the VHS tapes and even the sheet music.  I even kissed my Joey poster a time or two.  Now you all know way too much about me, but I bet you all laughed as well (and you fellow girls from the 80’s are ducking their heads knowing they were JUST as bad or worse).  That’s the level of fan I was.

Now mind you, they weren’t my first crush.  Oh no, I was in love with boys very early in my life and that special first crush goes to the dreamy and oh-so-sexy Patrick Swayze.  If I ever meet him, you will find me on the ground where that happens.  Next up was the fantabulous Jonathan Crombie (Gilbert in Anne of Green Gables) whom I HAVE met a few times and is the absolute SWEETEST thing ever – and so talented.  If you get a chance to see him in the touring Drowsy Chaperone broadway play – you MUST see it!  So – maybe it’s because of of my other crushes that I was able to keep my cool when meeting the guys and I never went quite as boy-crazy over them as other girls did.  I was a fan of the music more than anything.  I’m a pop lovin’ girl until the end.  However meeting the New  Kids is definately something I will remember for my life.

We were not allowed to have SLR cameras in the show so these are all taken with my point and shoot Sony (the last image is from I Love All Access).  I probably could have tried for or got a press pass but I didn’t want to work this show, I wanted to just enjoy it.  I’ve also included a hilarious video I took that just amuses the heck out of me.

So fellow 80’s girls – which one was YOUR favorite???  I was a Joe girl but Jon is a close runner up.

The obligatory ‘selfie’ before the guys came on stage.

..and it begins!

oh-oh-ohhh-oh-oh!

Gotta have a shot of the old school oh-oh dance!

Not the best shot but Jon was so sweet blowing kisses to girls all night, I had to post it!

Donnie talking to the crowd about how humbled they are and thankful they are for the fans and their enthusiasm for the reunion.

They go to a Stage B for 3 songs, this gives you an idea of just how many 30ish year old women there were there!  It was LOUD and all kinds of awesome.  There were very few kids or teens or really anyone under the age of 21.  Also lots of guys in the crowd with their wives and significant others.  It is so nice to go to a concert without a bunch of kids running around being idiots (I’m sure you have ALL been there a time or two!).

Joe singing Stay the Same

The ‘Pose Off’ they do at the end of Click, Click, Click.  It’s always pretty amusing what they say I guess about the poses afterwards.  Joe is quite the entertainer.

Put your hands in the air and wave them around like you just don’t care, Hangin’ Tough!!

The End!

I’m the one on the left in the pink shirt between Donnie and Jon.  This is their PROFESSIONAL image which I cleaned up quite a bit from its original state.  It’s still pretty awful.  Ah well, at least the memories are there!