Sunday, July 24, 2011

NKOTBSB(IIMen)


Months ago- we were still in Ithaca- I found out that New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys were planning a joint tour in the summer of 2011.  Needless to say I was pumped and declared immediately that I had to go.  The only problem....  where would we be in the summer?   I was sad to not be able to buy tickets, but once we moved back to Florida in June, I figured it would be safe to buy tickets for a late July show.

Michael graciously agreed to go with me, and we bought pretty decent seats.  Friday was the big night and it did not disappoint.   Matthew Morrison opened for them, and he was a little boring when he was just singing.   Definitely needs to keep the dancing as a focal point in the live shows.

But we were really all there for the main event....  NKOTBSB.   They performed for about 2 1/2 hours a lovely mixture of NKOTB and BSB trading off, changing outfits, etc.  I sang along at the top of my lungs along with the other women in the crowd aged late 20s to early 40s.   (Needless to say the lines for the lady's restrooms were UNREAL)

Both bands made a point of reminding us that BSB got their start in Orlando so they were in their hometowns.   At the end of the show, NKOTB said the [big] group decided they wanted to do something special for the homecoming show.   Everything was quiet, and the audience just kind of hung out, waiting for an announcement.

Then, all of a sudden, I heard a chord and the familiar 10,9,8,7...  indicating that Motown Philly was starting.   And that means one thing......
BOYZ II MEN WERE THERE!
Anyone who knows me knows that I live for Boyz II Men.  Own all their albums, have seen them live several times, etc. etc.  As soon as I heard the '10' I turned to Michael and shouted at the top of my lungs NO! FREAKING! WAY!  I was pretty pumped to see New Kids and BSB performing live after all these years, but to see BIIM performing to a sold out arena was pretty damn awesome.

**ADDENDUM**
Pannie sent this article on the NY Post complete with a VIDEO in case you are crazy and want to see it. I found another video from a decent angle where you can see them all singing together.  Very cute.

Had NSYNC or Zack Morris been there, it would have been the ultimate 90s time capsule.


Side note: BoyzIIMen will be at EPCOT in November.  Yes I am going.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Highs and Lows

No, I'm not taking about the temperature.  In Florida, it's all highs in July anyway!

I work in sales.  This is a mixed blessing in that the months you are good, you are GOOD.  Super good.  Amazingly wonderfully good and you impress your entire team, and most importantly, your boss.   June was one of those months.   I sold more than $100,000 worth of programs, and was second on my team of 10.  Not bad for someone who has been selling for less than 6 months.  It was really fun and actually pretty awesome to need to work that many hours.

But the months that are slow?  They are torturous.   I am in one of those months right now.  My usually packed 10-hour days that whiz by are dragging on slower than a hog in quicksand.   

The good news?  This is normal for my programs in July.  
The bad news?   I still have to deal with it.

One of my colleagues is so optimistic, I love her.  I have been a bit panicky and annoyed about the situation, and she offered this sentiment: This month is really giving us a chance to get creative.

This week has offered us that opportunity for sure.   Hopefully by the end of next week the work will have paid off and I will have made a bunch of sales to close the month.  Fingers crossed!