S.S NKOTB!

Friday, October 31, 2008

Meet and Greet Recap....try to contain yourself!



(that try to contain yourself line was for me) :) just wanted to clarify. In case you didn't know,

I DONNIE!!


For those that are anxiously awaiting the Meet and Greet portion of our night--well hang on a few more minutes, cuz I have to say that our friend Vanessa had a great idea today to make a blog all about Stalkerfest! Seriously, do great minds think alike or what!?
Anyway--on with the story! (Oh also I'll be PINK from now on and I (Stacey) will be blue so you can tell when I'm talking and when Stacey's talkin'...okey-tay?!)


We left off last with rushing out of the hotel room with our signs in hand. Hair was fixed, make-up touched up, half a lunch eaten (thank KG for the Mickey D’s run!!) and of course teeth brushed and double brushed, cuz you just never know what may happen!! *WINK WINK* (hee hee)

We head over to the Venue, we had 5* VIP so parking was included, heck why not drive the 2 blocks if parking is free…oh wait, cuz KRYSTAL is driving. (Side note: this girl could get lost trying to find her way out of a paper sack!) We love that about her, it’s great fun--just plan ahead and leave yourself plenty of time!! I can’t quite recall if we got lost on the way there, for some reason I’m thinking we did (but only by a block or two, someone remember and refresh my failing memory) We didn't exactly get lost but Rebecca forgot her CDs that she wanted signed so we dropped her off on the wrong side of the building and she got her daily workout running halfway around the building....her going in the wrong door is another story.

Anyway in the Cool-mobile (aka mini van) is KG, Vanessa, Stacey, Me and Rebecca….we’re stoked…in approx. 2 hours we’ll be meeting New Kids!! *EEEEKKKK* *THUNK* ß that’s me passing out…fyi. "Stalker-mobile"

We arrive early (around 3:30) at the Venue and hang out on the steps. (oh I got a pic of us loitering…see…)


Stacey...Waiting for the M&G

traditonal self-portrait!

But it was fun…we did lots of people watching and very little talking. I think we were all lost in our “what am I gonna say” thoughts and just really cherishing the moments and savoring the anticipating. Then KDWB showed up with a ton of girls and they lined them up and went in…we’re thinking for the sound check…but grrrr…whatever. Not biter (too much) after all we’ve been waiting for…oh, I don’t know…EVER!!!!!!!!! To meet them and these girls just prance on up to the front and walk on in! AS IF!

So we line up where the sign is posted---being so organized ILAA (that’s I LOVE ALL ACCESS for those that don’t know) the line isn’t really where they line says “ILAA line up here” It’s the other entrance so we went from 3rd in line to like…30th in line. Whatever, again not a biggie---I guess. *grumbles* LOL. Actually it worked out really well for us cuz after we checked our camera’s, got our goodie bag and all that we realized we were GROUP A! *Breathe….Breathe!!!!!* GROUP A! we’d be first to see them!!!! (along with our goodie bag we finally got our seat assignments) we were a little disappointed initially with our seats cuz dang we ordered the tickets EARLY and they were still 4th row and off to one side…little did we know that they seats were AWESOME and pretty much as perfect as you could get! Shame on us for doubting. But anyway--that’s later after we do the meet and greet so let me get back on track.

Stacey stops off and buys a tour book (this is a tradition of mine at a NKOTB concert. I have 3 of them now. I have everyone in our group sign my book each time), I buy a tee shirt (property of Donnie…of course! :D hee hee I think next time you need to make a Property of Janelle for him)) and then we head back after a short wait. We enter a little, quaint room with wood walls and a rustic feel. We find a table in the back corner and watch as the room fills up. We’re all freaking out, Vanessa starts crying (and she hasn’t even meet anyone yet!!!) I mean the room was nice, but come on!? LOL. Hee hee…j/k Vanessa..you know we love ya!
Finally we realize that we have drink tickets. OMG that’s what I need cuz I’m about to throw up all over the place…the idea of seeing them is killing me!! So we get a glass of wine, then head off to the potty to freshen up one last time. *Butterflies are going crazy in my tummy*
We return to the room and Robo-Cop comes in (that’s their body guard…Robo, but I like to call him Robo-Cop, cuz I’m cheesey and lame) He tells groups A, B and C to line up…I about RUN up to the line with Rebecca yankin’ on my hand the entire way…which was totally ok cuz I finally wiggled myself between Rebecca and the doorway at the end of the line. (we actually got a private room to have our time with them in) The rules are spoken, not that we’re listening…all we can do is fidget with our hair, smash our lips together to make sure our lip stick looks fresh and glossy…I mean really were we expecting them to take one look at us and think “There she is! She’s my one and only!!!” (HELL YEAH we were!) My stomach no longer has butterflies but rather elephants running rampant inside. I had been able to remain fairly calm up to this...It really didn't start to hit me that I WAS going to meet NKOTB...I must have been getting teary eyed because at one point Janelle turns around and goes "Oh....don't cry".

Suddenly cheers go up and in steps the guys one at a time in a single file line.
When I saw them start to walk in the room Jon was first.....I instantly started to shake. But I do have to tell you he looked nervous. Once he got in the room where the pics were going to be taken he seemed to loosen up. Donnie was last. He jumped up on a table, mega phone in hand and started acting goofy…*SIGHS DREAMILY* I hardly notice (sorry Donnie) cuz while he’s doing that I’m giving “five” to the other guys as they pass by. Then Donnie came walking by and I gave him “five” and he grabbed my fingers and slowly (Oh-so-slowly and oh-so-softly) grabbed my hands and held on to my fingers as he walked by until my hand wrapped around the doorframe and I had to let go. *I could die happy now!!* but wait….it gets better!! (Yeah I know!!!)

We get the rules one last time, Robo-cop tells someone to crank up the music and he starts letting us in. *THUNK, THUNK, THUNK* yeah passed out there 3 times!!! (not really) but we walk in and Jon’s taking pictures with the ILAA camera as we enter, I probably look like I have glazed donuts for eyes and a stupid-ass grin on my face with my tongue hanging out! But WHO CARES!!! It was me and 5 of my childhood crushes (shhh, don’t tell but they’re still my crushes!) LOL.

I see Donnie is texting someone on his phone and in that split second I veer off thinking “I don’t want THAT kinda Donnie time” LOL..and head to Jordan. Now here’s where my idiotic self shines through and it’ll continue through out--- I stick my hand out for a handshake….??? (told ya, IDIOT!!) he’s got his arms out waiting to hug me and I’m standing there with my hand out like “Duh…I’m a MORON!!!” So I open my arms to hug him just as he’s sticking out his hand to give my hand a shake…(wanna dance?!) finally he grins, takes my arm and yanks me to him and says “oh just gimme a hug” *SIGH* “Duh…ok!!!” *Cheesy grin* LMAO!!! I told him thanks and moved on to Joe. Who read my shirt and grinned and rolled his eyes (but in a teasing manner, not mean) and I gave him a hug and said “Awe I like you too Joe!” then I told him thanks, and congrats on his new baby--he is adorable…(stace we need a pic of the newest Kid on the Block…..can you scrounge one up?!) He’s so cute!! Anyway I had to hunt down Danny--all I could think of was I had to get to all of them before they were shooing us out of the “magical room”. So I see Danny wandering around in front of the camera al by himself…so I cut him off and ask for a hug, he gives me on and I move on….sights set on DONNIE…Oh yeah…DONNIE….Donnie…Donnie…DONNIE!!! (his name I could say forever) unless I’m standing in front of him. Cuz there I was…standing there in front of him as he’s reading my shirt….(which seemed to take FOREVER!!!) it was on the tip of my tongue to ask if he was lookin’ at my chest but I totally chickened out….and then oh-so-slowly he looked up at me…*DREAMY SIGH* and was like “AHHHH” Then pulled me into a hug that lasted for an eternity…rocking me back and forth and saying “ahhh” in my ear..mixed in with a grunt or two. When we finally parted it was cuz ILAA was screeching “PICTURE TIME!!!” (could they not see this was a ‘moment’?) LOL..so Donnie, who wasn’t as star-struck by me as I was by him…placed me firmly at his side, and anchored me there with his arm around my shoulder. *Hyperventilating* Just before the picture snapped I feel him pull be closer and lean his head down towards mine. *Jumps Donnie…hahahah, yeah right…in my dreams!!!* The ILAA team was announced “ONE MORE” but Rebecca was talking to me so HELLO (another idiotic moment) I lean forward to hear her (WHAT THE HECK!? I’m in Donnie’s arms and I’m worried about what REBECCA is saying! (no offense girl, you know I love ya) but HELLO!!?! So they take the pic and everyone was like ‘AWE MAN!! No wait I wasn’t ready!!” So Jon (right?) says to take another one (I didn’t hear this but have since heard it was spoken) so I snuggle back against my boy and continue to rub his uber-soft jacket…(3rd idiotic moment…can you stop petting Donnie, Janelle?! No I don’t think I can!!!) and the picture is taken…it then dawns on me that Rebecca was telling me to lean up and kiss his cheek when they took the pic…listen my mind wasn’t functioning at full speed….sorry Becca!!

Well I had one more little gift for Donnie, a “kiss’ token…so the only words I spoke to him were “I have something for you” then I handed him the token, he read it and looked in my eyes again *THUNK* *CAN’T BREATHE* *MUST SPEA---* And he was grinning and oh-so-slowly (the man moves in freakin’ slow-motion I swear!!!) and I remember thinking I wanna be part of this kiss. I don’t just want it to happen and be over before I realized that it happened…so I lean in too…we sort missed but not really---his amazingly soft lips met mine and then it was over….and Rebecca was intruding on my dream with “I need me one of those too!” and he turned away. I heard ILAA telling people it was time to go and I still needed to talk/meet Jon…so I waited while Stacey *FINALLY* (hee hee) finished up and then asked for a hug…got one, thanked him and moved on out with my glazed donut eyes and dopey grin, I promptly went to the corner table and burst into tears. It was the best night ever!!!!!!!

Okay so now I am gonna tell my 5* story....I didn't want to interrupt Janelles. I walked in to the room and up to this point I had always said of course I would love to get a hug from them all but my main goal was to get some time with Jon....so as I walk in the room the first thing I notice is Vanessa going straight towards Jon. (Thanks Girl!) So my plans changed and I look over and Danny is walking towards me with his arms open. I give him a hug and say thanks...next I move on to Joe. Joe is talking to Rebecca and Janelle is patiently waiting her turn. Joe is trying to listen to Rebecca but he is also trying to read my shirt and Janelle's all at the same time. He reads my shirt and just smiles and gives me a hug. Just as I am waiting my turn to give Jordan a hug and turn and look over my right shoulder and I see Jon coming towards me....I of course stupidly say..."I will be right there"...and he smiles and says..."Oh no" and he comes to me and gives me a hug. AAAAGGGHHH JON KNIGHT JUST HUGGED ME!!!! Okay so....I give Jordan a hug and then give Donnie a hug. I move down the line to where Jon is standing. I look up and he is trying to read my shirt....he stands back a minute and then he reaches in grabs my lanyard and throws it up and over my shoulder and then reads my shirt again and just starts to laugh. You see my shirt read Future Mrs. Jonathan Knight...Just don't tell my husband. He looked at me and then pulls me in for a nice tight hug. As he lets me go he looks at me and says "So your married?" Are you kidding me? He did not just ask me that.....my heart which was already racing is racing even faster now.....I smile and go "uuuummmmmmm........Yes I am" he was laughing at how I answered that. Okay than I hear that it is picture time...we start to move towards the rest of the group and I see Janelle standing next to Donnie. Way back in the beginning when we heard that there was a photo op Janelle had always said that it would be cool if we could get a pic of the four of us (Donnie,Janelle,Jon and me) together. When I saw that there was no one on Janelle's left side I started to go towards her. Jon started to do the same thing and I just kind of pulled him to my left side so that I could stand next to Janelle and also I saw Gerri coming towards him too and I wanted her to have her picture next to him too. Well they took the first pic and then they took the second one which we were not ready for at all and after they took it I said "oh no" actually really quietly and Jon heard me and "Wait....one more" and he is telling/yelling at Joe to get back down because we are taking one more pic. I whispered thank you to Jon and he just smiled and gave me a little squeeze as if to say no problem (I actually just remembered that that had happened ;).) So after the pics were taken I told Jon that I had something for him. I had bought a stone that had BREATHE engraved across the top. For those of you who do not know me my son was very ill when he was 1 1/2 and my grandmother always told me to "Just Breathe" that no matter what all you have to do is breathe and you will get through anything. So I told him this story and gave him the stone...he gave me a hug and said thanks. Lets see that is 3 hugs now. So then I had this burst of courage and had one of the Kiss tokens in my pocket (like I had given Janelle for Donnie) All I will say about that is......I am one happy girl and.....I got the token back! ;) I do want to say THANK YOU to Jon for being so nice to me and making that night everything I had hoped for and more and to Janelle for doing this with me! You ROCK!

This story is true as I remember it and may NOT BE REPEATED IN ANY WAY! (got that other Donnie fans!!!) :oD

~Janelle
PS on a NON-NK's note, I finished a peasant top today! LOL



Tuesday, October 28, 2008

WELCOME TO NKOTB STALKERFEST!!!

Video from "Cover Girl" on October 21, 2008 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN





NKOTB STALKERFEST!


































Our boys!! Jon Knight and Donnie Wahlberg!
*THUNK*



Some of you maybe asking....What is Stalkerfest?





STALKER:

Stalking is the obsessive following, observing, or contacting of another person, or the obsessive attempt to engage in any of these activities. This includes following the person to certain places, to see where they live or what the person does on a daily basis, it also includes seeking and obtaining the person's personal information in order to contact him or her.

(From Wikipedia)




FEST:

Also, a festival. A festival is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on some unique aspect of that community.

(From Wikipedia)







NKOTB: (if you don't know this you should just exit out now)

shortened version of New Kids On The Block




NK's ARE: (L-R)
Jon Knight, Danny Wood, Jordan Knight, Joe McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg

(EXAMPLE OF NKOTB)




So it's simple you see. Stalkerfest is a group of New Kids on the Block Fans that are ready to party and meet the guys. Meeting the guys is what we all want, but honestly the hunt is just as fun (I think..they've always eluded me, little turkeys!!) because we just hang out, get to know each and really just become really good friends forever. So while our main objective is to meet The Fab Five, we, surprisingly DO have a life!


How did the term of stalkerfest come about.....well let me tell you. In our numerous daily conversations (Yes we litterally talk at least 5-10 times daily....No Joke) we of course were talking of our plan of attack on what we were going to do...how we were going to "stalk" them out and Janelle mentioned calling it Stalkerfest. I sent out invitations to Janelle, KG and Van for the Stalkerfest 2008 and that is how Stalkerfest came about.

Our first Stalkerfest was held last week, October 20-21st. The New Kids were rolling into St. Paul, Minnesota so that's where we needed to be.






*Xcel Center Photo*












*Stacey and Janelle*







*TOUR BUS PHOTOS*











*PIC OF THE TOUR BUSSES FROM INSIDE THE XCEL CENTER*











Let's rewind and give a little history, shall we?

I'm Janelle. I'm from Texas and when I heard New Kids were getting back I tried to round up my old friends for some good ole fashioned fun! I found one! Hey all! I'm Stacey from North Dakota....I am gonna interrupt Janelle's post here and add my little comments in where they need to be put.

My bestest buddy Stacey wouldn't let me down, so she and I began planning. Since we had previously seen them in Minneapolis in 1990 (Yes, for those doing the math that's 18 years ago!!!) And we decided that the St. Paul show was the one we were going to go to. (Oh yeah I even waited until I got to Minnie to see the show...which after 3 shows in texas JUST BEFORE Minnesota, was a difficult task!!!)

So the plans began. April of 2008. The concert was MONTHS away!! Tickets weren't even on sale yet, but the thrill was very real and very RIGHT NOW! we were going to see NEW KIDS AGAIN!!!

Airfare, hotels, tickets, were all booked and ready to go, pennies were pinched, phone calls were made. Eventually we found nkotb.com and the online community there. We happened upon a board that read Xcel Center and low and behold other fans that were going to the same show as us!? *GASP!* we're NOT the only fans left out there?! amazing! :D

After communicating with some other fans for a while we became fast friends with two other ladies named Krystal (KG from here on out) and Vanessa (Van). We decided to open our hotel room and our hearts and let the rest fall as it may. While posting on the boards and over IM with these gals I jokingly called our trip Stalkerfest. It stuck. Now and forever more will our little one day in time be known as Stalkerfest 08! Some wanted to call it "grown man hunt" but that always bugged me. It reminds me of that Movie "THE CONDEMNED" (check it out, it's pretty good)














(it's got "STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN---lol it's gotta be good, right?)









Anyway, you watch that and you won't want to call "Stalkerfest" GrownMan Hunt anymore. *Shivers* yuck...the very thought. *Shudders*

So STALKERFEST it is. Finally after the countdown (no, really...we had a countdown with tickers and everything...) we met up with our girls!! And they were all FANTASTIC!!! and most *Ahem KG and Van* remembered that Donnie was mine! :) (as a stalker I have the right to be possessive) I too can be a little possessive....but I do share....to a certain point.




From Left to right:
Stacey, Rebecca, KG, Janelle (that's me!), Emily, Gerri and Van



Oh wait! I do have this pic of Kristin (far left), then Me, Stacey, Van, KG and Gerri the night before the big show eating dinner, hoping that donnie will just stop by and grab a piece of my pizza maybe?! LOL. (oh please those that are reading this, don't tell me that never crossed your mind, I saw you peeking into that room curtianed off behind us!!)

There are other cool girlies that are missing but I don't have their pic :(






ARE YOU READY
FOR THE
STALKERFEST 08 RECAP!?!

DAY ONE...Monday October 20, 2008

THE ARRIVAL

Stacey and I left Fargo, North Dakota after the kids got to school and dropped off at day care. The party was about to begin, we had to hurry we were late, late, late!!! It's all good, a quick but worthless stop in Detriot Lakes (grrrr), and we were back on the road. Just like 15 years ago, we had the music blasting, the laughter rolling and we were on our way. With a few on and off calls or texts *my fellow blockheads, please be smart about texting and DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!* seriously people ya'll scare the crap outta me!!!* Guilty as charged......yes I was texting and driving at the same time. Sorry Janelle....I am ready for my punishment.

We finally arrive in the cities, head over to meet up with some of our superstars from the boards and hang out at the Mall of America. Plans were loosy-goosy but it was all good. We met up with Kristin and Gerri first. Of course Gerri stakes claim on Jon right away.....not a good first impression there Gerri.....Just kidding girl. They were stuffin' their faces---but dang it looked yummy!! We left them to go shopping (necessities for any MOA-go-er) after all it's a HUGE mall and I couldn't miss out on Lego Land (I have a boat load of kids) Finally after getting lost (yeah I'm telling KG) crossing the highway, we meet up with Vanessa and Krystal. All our shopping was finished and we found Kristin and Gerri again (again...EATING! lol...but dang that ice cream looked good!!!) we all decided for KG's sake we needed to follow people to get over to St. Paul and our hotels. There's no tell what state KG would have landed in if we didn't.

Oddly, though she managed to stay with Kristin who was driving like Dale Jr through the streets and we lost them some where along the line. Thankfully we had a back up...MAP QUEST! We basically got pushed onto the exit for the airp
ort so after picking up the boys from the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport we headed to the hotels. We only got lost once and technically it wasn't "lost" since the directions were to the Xcel Center...and we ended up exactly there. While we turned around to find our way to our Hotel Stacey spied a TOUR BUS! I was shaking so bad I could hardly drive...Janelle says you shouldn't text and drive...you shouldn't spot tour busses and drive. So we quickly flipped a U-turn and followed them all the way to The St. Paul Hotel. *SIGH* talk about a heart racing moment...we were dying!!! We called for back up. KG, Vanessa, Kristin and Gerri..."We have tour busses, TOUR BUSSES, you coming?!" So after we realized their hotel we quickly cancelled our reservations (with 15 minutes to spare) and made reservations at The St. Paul. (now I can't say with a certianity that they were there, because honestly we never saw them. I know the some people affiliated with NKOTB and the tour were there because we saw tour jackets and shirts that proudly proclaimed it---however, it was Monday and New England Patriots were playing Monday Night football, and I've been around my fairshare of sports-crazed boys and I know sometimes NUTHING will pull them away from a game they wanna see) that's all, no more about it...were they there?? who knows! They certianly were HIDING OUT (like Donnie promised he WOULDN'T DO!) all night.

After dinner with the girls, a couple drinks in the bar and a quick but very entertaining ride to Walgreen with Woo
kie? (was that his name Stacey?!) we settled down for some serious sign-making. OH yeah 18 years later---that's a sign moment!


Day One...3:30 am

Finally finished the signs they look AWESOME!!! and we crash for 3 hours before the hotel wake up call rings in the new day! *EEEEEKKKKK* WHOA.....back it up sista......I need to clarify here. All signs were not done......my sign was not even started yet. My sign was being made as we were getting ready to walk out the door....No Joke....Seriously....Janelle was standing in the bathroom using the blow dryer to dry the glitter on my sign as we were literally walking out the door at 3 p.m.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

DAY TWO
Tuesday, October 21, 2008


Stalkerfest continues, only now we move to the Venue!

We arrive at the venue by 9 am...we're the only one's there, it's freezing and there are three busses parked and unloading things. I'm feeling like a naughty girl being caught doing something wrong so we wait around the wall and half-way out of sight. We're so obvious it's stupid. But we're not moving! We are there about half hour and more people begin to show up. We take a lap around the Venue and see if we can see anything/anyone...no luck! We arrive back at our starting point to find even more people. Still cold. around 10:30

there's about 30 of us standing around. The security for the Venue tells us no-one is coming in this enterance...to wait by Gate 1 (OMG! i just realized the guy was telling the TRUTH!) hahahahahahahahhaha, how hysterical (now!) I look at him and say "Gimme a break you and I both know that New Kids won't go in Gate 1 with a ticket stub in hand" he laughs and is probably STILL laughing...cuz that's EXACTLY where they went in...in the parking garage by gate 1! What a moron I am!

We head over to Starbucks for coffee and hot chocolate and there's Joey's bus...with a cute little sign on it stating that they don't want you to knock, or enter the bus, if you have any gifts or what-not---something-something-something...I can't remember...but he signed it Love, The Macs. I spill my hot chocolate all down the front of my shirt right in front said bus. Nice huh!? what an idiot. So after getting totally dissed by the boys---we're not very good stalkers huh!? we need to get ready for the Meet and Greet...we're all about ready to burst with excitement. We have to switch hotels so we head over to the Crown Plaza and check in then head up to our room where we rush to get ready because our morning stalking lasted longer than we anticipated!!!



Finally we are ready to go!!! The best is about to come!! Meeting the boys and then the show!!!

(but that's another post)