Rollin' 5* at NKOTB Palladium!!! 04-18-09

How this all came about...

A few months ago, my girls and I were anxiously awaiting the release of tickets for the NKOTB show at The Palladium in Hollywood. With my recent engagement and job hunt into a new career, I was doubtful that I'd be able to go, unless the tickets were under $90. As soon as the tickets went on sale, and I found out that they were over $100, I said "Nope! I can't make it! Have fun, ladies!!!"

Brenda was calling and texting me like there was no tomorrow. We kept missing each other, so she ended up leaving a message saying "I am buying your ticket. Don't even think aboutpayingme back. Think of it as an early bachelorette party present!" Whaaat?!? Unbelievable! Too sweet!!!

The very next day, she called me again, but I had missed her call because Andrew and I were touring the Queen Mary as a possible wedding venue. So, I called her back when I got home, and she said that she had a "guest speaker." Well, it turned out to be Shala! So, we were talking on three-way, and they're asking me what I'm going to wear to the show. I didn't know! I had only received the information 15 hours ago that I would be going to the concert, which was about 3 months away! Silly girls. They urged me to wear something HOT. Oookay ~ that's a can do! But it was gonna be tough cuz we were gonna have to stand in line for a long time and possibly camp out since it was a General Admission show. Then Shala said "Can I tell her Brenda? Can I tell her?" Brenda told her to go ahead. Shala said in a suspenseful style "Girl, you won't have to stand in a long line all night cuz you're gonna be rollin' in 5-Star!!!!"

[note: For those who aren't in the NKOTB loop ~ 5-Star is 5-Star VIP, and from this point forward will be noted as 5*...it includes a meet and greet with the guys, a photo op, gift bag of goodies, and seats within the first 10 rows.]

5*?!? Whaaaaat?!? I was SPEECHLESS! And I am forever GRATEFUL to my wonderful friends who pitched in on my ticket and gave me this AMAZING experience. I never knew I could have friends who are so generous. Love them!!!

And so it begins...

The week comes to get ready for our show. Brenda and I had joined a group formed on the NKOTB Community Board. They wanted to form this group so that at the meet and greet, we would each be able to stand next to our favorite guy for the pictures. They wanted to come up with an idea to make our group stand out from the rest. One of those ideas was to make beauty pagent type sashes. Each one ended up reading "This ____ Girl <3 NKOTB." The blank being filled in with our ethnicity. I worried that I didn't have anything to put in that blank because - what exactly is my ethnicity? I usually check that box that says "other." This Other Girl <3 NKOTB. Awesome. Actually, I considered putting in "Mutt," but didn't like the look of it. Suddenly, it hit me. Duh! When filling out college applications back in the day, I'd always fill in that "other" blank with "Eurasian." This Eurasian Girl <3 NKOTB. MUCH better!

Along with the sashes, the group wanted to give the guys a "fan appreciation award" and card. Sounds cheesy to outsiders, I know. But the trophy looked AMAZING. We left it in the box it came in, and one of the girls printed out a slick poster to go on top of the box, which included our names.

The card was made by yours truly. It became a "scrapping" project for me, as opposed to using Photoshop. I felt that making it all by hand would make it more personal. The wording came to me one night when I had a bit of insomnia: "To the guys who 20 years ago crooned us and swooned us... and still do today!" After laying that out and printing our pictures, it took me another couple of hours to come up with a concrete design concept. So, without going into more detail, I was up until 5am Thursday night/Friday morning finishing the card. I bled over it, as well, with the paper cutter slicing my finger. mmm...

One More Day!!!

5 hours later, I woke up and got ready to meet up with Brenda, her boys, and Shala for breakfast at Vivian's Cafe in Studio City (my favorite breakfast place here!). After breakfast, we headed over to the Palladium to check out the line and set up our chairs. I had never been to the Palladium before, and couldn't believe it was SO close to Arclight Cinemas, where Andrew and I generally go to for the movies.

The line wasn't very long, and we found out we were the first 5* group there. You may wonder - just as the other girls in line did - WHY were we lining up when he have 5* tickets? Well, even 5* was first come, first serve. Our plan was that we wanted to be one of the first - if not THE first group there - so that we could go in, meet the guys, go straight into the venue and claim our spots in the front row. Our plan worked!!!

The girls on either side of our chairs were super sweet and were cool with watching our chairs until we got back that night. When we returned, our chairs were still there, and new girls were there for their shift. It was a chilly 50-something degree evening, so we bundled up in our blankets and hung out. Thank goodness we didn't have to stay all night! Brenda had to leave around midnight or 1am, so we left with her...and the rest of our group took shifts through the night and next day.

Concert Day!!!

The next afternoon, I met Brenda and Shala at the House of Blues, where the guys were having an after-party. Before leaving, we scouted the inside of HOB. We found someone who works there to ask if we could possibly leave my car there till the evening. Sadly, the answer was "no," so, I was forced to circle the blocks surrounding the Palladium. We gave up after a while and temporarily parked in a shopping center lot, shopped in Rite Aid, then moved our chairs from the line (since they started the 5* line on the other side of the building). Time was ticking, so we had to get changed and glammed up in Brenda's car. Once done, we moved our cars AGAIN.

I found a spot a couple of blocks away in a neighborhood ~ woohoo for FREE PARKING!!! Then skadattled my tooshie to the 5* line. And I was STRESSING!!! The pictures I had attached to the card were falling off ~ the double sided stickers and even Elmer's glue weren't strong enough!!! I had purchased glue sticks at Rite Aid to fix this problem, but didn't know if there would be enough time. I rushed glueing everything on while we were standing in line, with the other girls' help.

Apparently, while we were standing in line, one of the guys - I think Danny - pointed to us girls with the sashes and waved. I missed it...I may not have even been there when it happened. I was too nervous and stressed about getting the card straight (and my toenails painted 0:-)) to care. We were going to see them SOON!!!

The event staff checked us in, and what should happen, but they put us in Group B because a few of us were distracted by talking to one of the staff members. The staff at the check-in table were rude and not helpful at all. When we got inside and up to the mezzanine level, we let the staff member (who we were distracted by) know what happened, and she was totally cool with it, and said to just exchange our Group B lanyards with the girls who got the Group A lanyards, so we could stay with our intended groups. It all worked out!!!

Meandering, we looked down at the stage and noticed that Joe and Jordan were down there. We all yelled out and waved. Jordan waved backas he was leaving. Joe was tinkering on the piano, and the band was there tuning their instruments.

Brenda realized that they hadn't checked our bags for cameras, so she wanted to get her camera back from Shala...who was outside standing in the 4* line (4* = first 20 rows and gift bag). As we headed down, the event staff stopped us and asked what was up. Brenda told the staff member that she had her friend's 4* ticket and wanted to give it to her. The staff member asked who it was and said that she knew who we were talking about, so she'd give it to her. Brenda went on to say that it was actually someone else...and then said that our friend had her camera, too, and she wanted to get that. The staff member said "ohh okay. Well, I'll walk you to the door and wait for you." WHEW!!!

When we returned, the staff member wasn't right at the door. So, we walked a little ways (and gazed at Joe at the piano), and Security (I think Earl) asked "what [we were] doing down there, ladies." Brenda started to explain, then the event staff member said that it was okay, we were with her, and she escorted us back to the stairs. Dang! Security drama!

Back on the mezzanine level, I had the girls sign our card to the guys, and then Joe decided to try out his new song, "5 Brothers and A Million Sisters," on us. We LOVED it! Of course! ;-) LOOOVED the private performance. *swoon*

As we waited, the guys tweeted away backstage. Joe tweeted "It's official. I'm doing a new song I wrote tonight. Just did it at sound check and I'm feelin' it. All acces fans loved it. We'll see=)"

There was also a "private party" for us with a buffet of hors d'ouevres from Wolfgang Puck and drinks. We chugged down a couple of drinks, prettied up, then it was time to line up! Four Altoids later, the guys came up the stairs and into the meet and greet room. We cheered and they waved as they passed by...Donnie decided to make it more "exciting" by picking up handfuls of the wrapped Lifesaver mints and throwing them in the air. Yyyeah. That's Donnie!

A few minutes later, in we went! And we had a plan. Instead of going directly to our guys, we would stop in front of them and say "Hey guys, we have something for you." Katia would take out the award, and Trish was sneaking in the card for me...and we would hand it over. Well, it didn't quite work out like that.

The guys came to US, and as soon as the card and award were handed over to Donnie, Donnie passed it on to the event staff. Boooo!!!

The first New Kid available to me was Jordan. I gave him a hug, said "Hi Jordan! How are you?!" He said "Hiii ~ how are you?" I replied "Good!!! And how are you???" He said "Gooood!" I said "gooood!" again. LOL I think he said something about our sashes, then said "Well, you all look very nice!" I graciously replied "Thanks!" and moved on to Danny.

I hugged and said "hello" to Danny, and he looked at my sash and immediately asked "What's Eurasian?" I proceeded to tell him the European and Asian blood in me. Right about that time, the event staff told us "Okay! Get together for the picture!!!" WHAT?!? I JUST got here!!! WTF?!? I don't even remember how I ended the little "convo" with Danny. All I knew was that I had to get to JOE!

I meandered my way over to him, gave him a hug and said "Hi Joe!" He said "Hiiii..." When we parted from the hug, he took my sash and said "What does yours say?...Eurasian...what's that?" Talking with my hands, I explained "It's a mix of European and Asian. I'm half Filipino and half Canadian, with some Irish, Spanish, German, [a little Chinese?]...you name it, I've probably got it!" I don't remember if I mentioned the little Chinese part. He raised his eyebrows and cocked his head back in surprise and said "Wow! Well, you're one good looking mutt!" I laughed and said "thanks!"

Brenda came in right then to settle in for the picture and said "Actually, we have a question we'd like to ask you." Joe said "Sure, what's your question?" I was supposed to pick it up from there, but I think I was either (a) so enamored by Joe to talk again, or (b) recognized that he was still
looking at Brenda to continue, so I let her. "We were wondering if we could give you a kiss on the cheek for the picture." He answered "Okay. Only because you're SO SWEET!" Before they snapped the shot, I asked "First or second picture?" Although I didn't hear her, Brenda said "First picture, no?" And Joe said "Let's do the first picture." NICE!!! We took our positions ~ lips right on him, and the picture was taken. In between shots, I started to wipe the lipstick of his cheek, and Brenda was doing the same thing! Joe said "Don't worry about it ~ I'll get it later." He was a little scruffy. :-)

Again, after the picture was shot, I have no idea how we left. Goodbyes? Don't remember. I wanted to get to Donnie and Jon really quick, since I didn't get to say "hi" earlier...but Brenda was already at Donnie getting her sash signed. I didn't even know it was her! I just saw Donnie, and saw that he was signing a sash. So, I got to Jon, who was at the end by the door. I said "Hi Jon! I just want a quick hug! Thanks!!!" I got my Jon hug. :-D

When we were out the door, Brenda and I squealed "We kissed Joe on the cheeeeek!!! EEEEEEEEeeee!!!" Yeah, we're grown up, engaged and married. 0;-D

One thing I noticed in meeting the guys in 2-inch heels was that they are shorter than I remember from meeting them at the CD Listening Party! Maybe it was because I was in such shock in meeting them for the first time back then that I just didn't notice... but this time, I really noticed. I spent time talking to Danny and Joe and really stood next to them...that's what it is. It's a good thing I didn't wear my 3-4" heels ~ they REALLY would've looked short!!!

We got down the stairs as quickly as we could in our heels and went straight to the front of the stage!!!The Jaborwakees from America's Best Dance Crew had set up and were on stage doing a quick rehearsal. What else can I say about them, but yeah, they were fantastic! They certainly pleased the crowd when they did an 80s/90s mix that included "The Right Stuff."

The guys (I'm amused with myself in calling them "the guys" more than "NKOTB" or the like) got on stage a little after 8:30pm, and it was cool to see a new song line-up since I had last seen them at Nokia Theatre.I have to say that the BEST part of being front row was all the eye contact. I think the first definite eye contact I got was from Danny. It could've possibly been Jordan, but he had sunglasses on, so I really couldn't tell for sure. The next was Joe. Brenda had asked me "What is on Jon's belt buckle?!?" I looked over, tilted my head to the side, and made an inquisitive face as I tried to figure it out. Right then, Joe looked at me! Brenda exclaimed "OMG! Joe just spotted you!!!!" Okay, I wasn't imagining it! LOL And everytime Joe looked at me, Brenda couldn't stop herself from saying "You bitch! I hate you! ;-)" She got eye contact, too, though. I wasn't the only one looking hot. ;-)

Jordan, surprisingly, kept looking my way A LOT as soon as he took off the sunglasses. Jon with the eye contact - not so much - and we know why. ;-) If he did look at me, it would be for a second or two, then he'd look somewhere else. It's all good. I would have a hard time keeping that eye contact, too...being on the audience side, though, it's easier to hold that gaze. I finally got Donnie's attention when he came to our side of the stage. We locked eyes, I waved, and he winked back. And Joe...the looks continued through the show. *sigh*

The HIGHLIGHT: They started on "Click Click Click"...Brenda kept saying "oh my gosh, look at Joe! Look at Joe!" I'm not exactly sure why she kept telling me to look at Joe because everytime I looked over, he was looking at the stage, tapping his foot or snapping his fingers. I just assumed she was saying it because he was just being himself and cute. Then she said "Oh my gosh, he is SOOO gonna serenade us!!!" Sure enough, as soon as it got to his verse, he came over to me, looked right into my eyes and sang "Damn you look so good, it hurts me / The design of your body is PERFECT / oh oh oh oh yeah...baby / I don't deserve you, girl." mmm...DYING!!! And "baby" was completely ad-libbed.

Jordan came around at one point and touched the fans' hands, and mine was the last one he touched from one round. It was a very firm hand grab!

At the end of the show, Jordan and Donnie went for the touching-fans'-hands again. Donnie got my hand that time around, and he wouldn't let go! THEN he went for and attacked my necklaces! I was SO confused ~ what did he want? What was he looking for? He finally got to my longest and heaviest necklace, which has a Fleur de Lis pendant. He looked at it, his face suddenly changed to one with no stage persona, so real, and like we were old time buddies, and he said "That's so fuckin' COOL!!!" He smiled his huge smile and nodded. I just said "yeah!" and smiled.

I took this pic after I bought the dress ~ Brenda & Shala wanted to see my outfit!

The After Party

The party wasn't over after the show was over! Thank God for that!!! Brenda's husband, Jason, and his friends had gone to the House of Blues to stand in line for us and buy tickets. I know ~ she has a great husband!

When we got inside, we waited a bit for the guys to perform. We were originally told that they wouldn't be performing, but as our tickets were scanned, and we got wristbands, they told us to "enjoy the show!" Fans were gathered in front of the stage, and there was movement behind the curtain.

I don't know how long it was that we waited, but they finally opened the curtains! Shala, Brenda, another friend - Christina, and her friend - Shannon had found spots by the stairs next to the stage. We were pretty close!

It was a MADHOUSE!!! More so than any other NK event I've been to. Nothing violent, but there was a lot of pushing to get closer, dancing, and nasty sweating.

Only Donnie, Jordan, and Joe were there for the after party, but they rocked it! They performed "Full Service," "Dirty Dancing," and ended with "Sexify My Love" ~ the first time they've performed this in public (that I know of)! It was HOT.Donnie and Joe decided to go crowd surfing during "Dirty Dancing."

And again, Jordan and Joe kept looking our way. There's no telling WHO they were looking at since there were so many of us clumped together, but at least I know for sure that there was look-age during the full concert! ;-)

We hung out on the dance floor and danced a bit. We laughed at this old man dancing with all the ladies on the floor. And we laughed as girls took pictures with Jason's friends, because they thought the guys were famous!

A trip upstairs to wander was necessary. No one even questioned us or asked to see ID/wristbands/passes to be there. One of their roadies, Kevin was up there (who's been featured in one of their vlogs), and Shala went to go say "hi!" We ended up hearing through the grapevine that Jordan and Joe had left, and that as soon as Donnie was done talking to whoever he was talking to, he was leaving."

So, not too much action that happened afterwards. As we decided to leave ourselves, we heard screams outside, and we followed those screams. Donnie had just hopped into his SUV and took off.

At that, we took a couple of pics, then ended our night at IHOP. Yummy! A nice ending to an extraordinary night. :-)

Thanks to Christina R. for the HOB group pic!