Get Well Soon, Nick!

Just wanted to send Nick some get well wishes and to let him know that us fans support him and want him to get better.

Thanks for working hard for us and I want you to have some time to relax and take it easy.

I know it sucks that a BSB show had to be cancelled, but Nick and the guys never cancel a show unless there was no other way.

I'm glad he didn't force himself to perform and something terrible could have happened like he would have collapsed on the stage or something. That would be terrifying.

I just want to hear that Nick is feeling better and is all the way well. We love you, Nick!

Staying Positive

Thank you to everyone who listened and prayed for my mom. I was able to pick her up from the hospital Thursday and she is now at home. I also have to thank BSB because their music and the memories I've had with them and will have with them in the future keeps me positive and strong. It's a tough, time consuming job to take care of my mom but she does best at home and a nursing home can't be an option because of financial reasons and because they don't take care of her correctly.

I'll just keep trying to do the best I can and at the same time try to live my own life. It's hard with working as well because it's like having two full-time jobs, but it is the way it is. I wish I had more me time, but hopefully that will get better. The only me time I have is my workouts, which I do in the garage with youtube videos for about an hour. I've been seeing results so I'm pleased with that.

As far as BSB news goes, Nick is sick from severe bronchitis and they had to cancel a show. I'm worried about Nick and want him to get better as soon as possible. He is working so hard and never seems to have a break, so I'm hoping he finds time for himself to relax more. I hope all the fans realize that his health is first priority. Of course it sucks when a show is cancelled, but the guys never cancel a show unless it's absolutely necessary. We want our Nick to get well.

In happier BSB news, we'll get an announcement Monday from the guys. I'm thinking that since they tweeted each BSB's pictures who were born in the 70's and a link to a 70's Spotify radio channel, that the announcement will be that there will be a 70's theme on the cruise. I think this is a good theme, but I think I'm more excited about other cruise theme ideas.

I also thought that a navy theme, fireman theme, cop theme, and any theme involving them wearing tuxes would be cool just because I can only imagine how sexy they would all look lol. *Imagining Nick in a fireman costume hosing us fans down* lol. Here's a visual if you need some help. Just pretend it's Nick haha.

I really, really, want a foam/bubble party but I just don't think that is possible because we'd all be slipping around and fall right off the ship lol. Maybe one day I'll be able to somehow have a foam/bubble party with the guys. How about incorporating this idea for the afterparties? I like bubbles lol.

As much as I loved the bachelorette party last year, I don't think that should be done again because I want it to stay unique to those of us who were on the last cruise. Plus, how different could they make it?

I'm so excited for the cruise and also for Nick and Knight in September. What's going on with that second Chicago show?

A Tough Week: Highs and Lows

This has been a very tough week for me. My mom has been a smoker most of her life and after being in the hospital and on oxygen, she finally forced herself to quit six years ago. However, she has been having severe health problems ever since and has to use oxygen all the time. Recently, her breathing complications with COPD and other health issues has made her breathing get worse and she has been in and out of the hospital a lot lately.

This past Sunday, she had to go to the hospital again and she is still being taken care of with a week gone by. After hearing one of the doctors say that she might need a tracheotomy to live or she would pass away in the hospital, I was terrified and a nervous wreck because I would have to be the one to make that decision. I was trying to keep my mind off of it when I could no longer take thinking about it, but feeling guilty at the same time that I wasn't thinking about the situation. So many difficult emotions.

Thankfully, today she was able to get off of the breathing machine and is now using just oxygen again. She's not out of the woods yet, but I'm just so thankful that she is improving little by little. Now they plan on doing some breathing therapies with her.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for her. I truly believe that prayer is power.

This all happened four days after having such a wonderful, incredible, awesome time with BSB in Chicago for their soundcheck, show, and afterparty. It was nice to be able to have those moments to keep me going during this tough time, but bittersweet that it had to be so close to something so terrifying. Whenever something scary or difficult happens, I always use BSB's music, Nick's music, and my memories with the guys to make me feel better and it always helps. I'm so thankful to them for this reason. It's always been BSB and Nick that can pull me through.

So a day after my mom is admitted into the hospital, I find out that I won Nick's vip contest for Chicago! I couldn't believe it! I was and am so happy and thankful! It was just what I needed to keep me going and I took it as a way of Nick being there and supporting me. Now for the first time, I'll be able to take someone to the soundcheck/vip with me. Thank you so much Nick and I am so excited to be able to see you that day and hear you sing!

I also seen the tweet Nick sent to someone who wrote him a letter saying to them, "I read your letter and want you to know that no matter how hard it gets there will always be better days ahead. Stay strong" and I used Nick's inspiring words to keep me going too. I can only imagine how many more people he influenced and helped with that tweet and doesn't realize it. He is such an inspiration to me and so many people and the cool thing is that he's still just an ordinary cool guy that isn't stuck up. That's what makes him so special.

Highs and lows. Glad I have highs, but I despise the lows in life. Guess I wouldn't know how good the highs are without the lows, but it's tough and sometimes-well, most of the time-I feel like it's all up to me and I have no support.

And because of all of this going on, I felt the need to find a way to connect to Nick in some way so I picked up a copy of Doctor Sleep, the Stephen King book Nick is reading, at work (I work as a children's librarian) and I'm about half way through the first half. It's keeping me interested so far and that's always a good sign, especially since I tend to read a lot of nonfiction. I haven't been able to read it at night though lol. I'm wondering why it took Stephen King this long to write the follow-up to The Shining. The librarian in me thinks it's cool Nick likes to read during his downtime and it would be a fun idea to have our own bookclub through Nick's fanclub. Here's a picture Nick posted with the book and as something fun for me to do, I took my own picture. I'm wondering what page Nick is on.

In the meantime, I'll be praying for my mom, working, and trying to keep up with all things BSB. Thank you for your prayers and for reading.

In A World Like This Chicago Review

Intro
So the day finally arrived and is sadly now over. My fun filled BSB day in Chicago was this past Wednesday, June 11^th. I am always overly excited, happy, and nervous anytime I have a BSB event coming up and this one was no exception. I had a silver VIP pass for soundcheck, a 200 level seat for the show, and after the BSB tweeted me back about the after party I got a pass to get in! I wanted to blog about this as soon as I could, but I had to work the next two days so I wasn’t able to write about it until now. Hope everyone enjoys reading my long review. Thanks for reading!


Getting to the Show
I could hardly sleep the night before because I was so excited for everything, but when I woke up it was pouring rain. That bummed me out for a bit, but I decided I wasn’t going to let anything ruin this day and eventually the rain stopped. However, for most of the day it was cloudy and cold in the upper 50’s. It’s supposed to be June, Chicago! Because of this, I changed my outfit from a sundress to jeans and a t-shirt and I’m so glad I did. I would have been freezing and wet if I didn’t.

I ended up taking an early afternoon train to get to the city and after eating some McDonalds, I started to make my way to the bus stop to get to the museum campus where the venue is located by. The only thing weird up to this point was some oil was leaking on the other side of the train onto people’s clothes. Glad that didn’t happen to me. Also, there was a guy around my age that was asking people for money in McDonalds.

Anyway, I walked to the bus stop and avoided the pigeons. The bus I needed to take took 20 minutes to come by and when it did, it just zoomed right by our group waiting. What the hell, right? Well, I ended up taking the next bus and it was better that way anyway because I had the whole bus to myself. I got dropped off at the Planetarium and walked from there to the venue.

Now it seems like every time I go on one of my BSB adventures, something very out-of-the-ordinary and goofy happens. Well, no exception on this day. So I’m walking on a sidewalk with trees on the side of it to get to First Merit Bank Pavilion and I kid you not, a bird, probably a crow, attacks my head! LOL I let out a piercing screech and shooed it away and then was like wtf! I was pissed at first, but quickly laughed it off. My head still hurts though. Damn. I remember when my friend and I were there last year for the show, we seen signs saying, "beware of the birds" or something along those lines and didn’t think nothing of it. How crazy lol. Once again my curly hair sabotages me. I’m guessing that had something to do with it or I walked past a nest and its protective mother lol. I was NOT going to let a bird stop me from seeing the BSB! haha!


VIP Soundcheck
After getting attacked by a bird all for the love of BSB, I made it to will call and was told to stand in a line for VIP. I was towards the front of the line and made it there around 4 p.m. and we were told to be there by 4:30 p.m. so it worked out. Could have been there earlier if the bus didn’t blow me off. I seen a lot of the same fans who come out so that was nice and met a girl named Jen and two other girls. One of the girls had silver VIP too. Her name was Lindsey and she ended up being in my group picture. Her favorite BSB is Brian and I think she said she became a fan last year. I was surprised that an early fan like that would do all the extra stuff, but she did VIP, the pit, and the after party. It’s always nice to have new fans in the Backstreet Army.

So once the line started moving, we got our VIP passes from Justin. I asked him if he was feeling better because him, Nick, and Howie got a bad stomach flu. He said he was doing a lot better and that it was the worst thing he ever had. I told him I’m glad he’s better.

Once we got our passes, they had us line up in separate lines depending on which VIP pass we had. Platinum and Gold VIPs were in front of our line. When we got to the stage, I was third row center. Awesome seat, but probably one of the reasons why I didn’t get to ask a question, being in the middle.

The guys arrived pretty quickly, with Kevin and AJ coming out first. Nick followed next, then Brian and Howie. It was so awesome to be able to hear them do their soundcheck and perform some songs and answer questions. I was only able to do one other soundcheck with BSB and it was at the same venue for the Never Gone tour and one of the bodyguards that no longer works for BSB let me in. That meant so much to me. Brought back memories about when Brian and Kevin said they liked my Sphynkter shirt. It was just cool to be at the same place with the same wonderful group of guys. Here's two pictures from my first BSB soundcheck:

 

 

Back to this soundcheck. So it was nice to see the guys sing and play some songs up close. Nick started playing Pharrell’s "Get Lucky" and they started singing the words. Fun stuff! Then they sang "Trust Me" and "10,000 Promises." They sounded perfect!

 

 

Next were the questions from fans. AJ said we could ask them anything lol. I made a list of questions to ask the guys, but wasn’t picked. That’s okay because I think most of the questions asked were pretty decent.

Someone asked about their favorite moment from any of the cruises, which they were asked about before, but it was nice to get them commenting about the cruise since I’ll be going! Nick said that it gets dirty on the cruise and AJ said it’s Vegas times 10. Lindsey wished me luck with that lol. Brian mentioned the deck parties and Nick teased him about his accent saying "Did you say deck parties?" because it sounded like something else lol. AJ said he likes the beach activities.

Someone asked them what has been the funniest moment on this tour. They mentioned how during one concert, Kevin’s pants ripped. Poor Kevin lol.

Sad to say, I think the first question that was asked was boxers or briefs. Nick looked a bit annoyed and disappointed lol. Me too. Come on with that already. At the beginning, Justin said ask good questions, not "can I have a kiss/hug?" etc. He should have added that question to those not to ask lol.

The question of how they decide who sings what part during a song was asked again. This was asked on the cruise. Oh well.

The question I was going to ask was if there was a song that came to mind where they would want to change the lyrics to. I thought this would be an interesting question because even though I think all their lyrics are perfect, I wonder if they feel the same. I thought about if they were to ask me the same question I would make a joke out of it and say "Madeleine" should have been called "Denise" lol. Not enough syllables. Oh well, maybe one day I’ll find out the answer to my question lol. Here are some other questions I thought of asking:

What are your favorite songs right now on the radio?

If you guys were going to do a cover song for the next album, what would you choose?

Describe each of your personalities using a BSB song or song lyric?

What would you say is the worst idea Jive had involving you guys?

Who has been your favorite opening act to tour with?

What has been your most memorable interview and why?

What was the most fun talk show to be on?

Has there been a cruise theme that wasn’t picked but you guys really wanted to do?

Is there a favorite youtube video of yourselves that you like to watch to bring back memories?

What is the best thing about not having Jive around?

What was the hardest song to record in another language?

What were your very first impressions of each other?

Other highlights of the VIP soundcheck: Nick in cargo pants. I actually heard a few fans don’t like this look on him. Are you crazy?! I find it manly and sexy. The guitar also adds a few sexy points too. Even though Nick looked incredibly hot as usual, I also noticed he was tired. He’s doing so much, but I hope he gets some more time to relax in between.

Another highlight. AJ mentioned how the last In A World Like This show was cut short in Chicago because of a sound ordinance and that over his dead body would that happen again. The guys thanked us all for coming again and it was so sweet and genuine of them to do so. They also commented on the shitty weather. So cold. Burr!


VIP Picture!
This is always my favorite moment of the VIP experience considering you get one-and-one time with the guys and you get your picture. It’s also the most nerve racking because it goes by so fast I feel like I don’t even have time to think.

I would say I was about halfway through the line with the Platinums and Golds going first. The nerves were building up the closer I got lol. I asked Josh where we could put our purses and jackets because I don’t want that in my picture. Plus, the only windbreaker I have looks dingy. Thankfully, there were a couple of guys from the venue there to hold stuff.

So onto the best part! First, I was able to say hi to Howie and get a hug! Then I was able to say hi to Nick and got a hug! I gave him this little alien toy I used as goodies for one of my outer space library programs because I just thought it would be something cute to give him and I know he likes aliens. It was funny because I think he asked what it was and I said an alien and then he showed it to AJ and they started playing with it. I wanted to mention that it jumps in the air with the suction cup, but no time and I couldn’t really talk lol. They are all so cute and nice like always! I was about to greet the other guys when Nick said something like, "No babe. You’re standing here with me" and pulled me to his side. Teenie moment alert. Okay, so I just about died lol. Nick called me babe. Eeek! I feel like I’m such a dork around them but I can’t help it haha! I wanted to stand by Nick so bad for the picture, but I thought we were meeting each of the guys first so I wanted to make sure to say hi to AJ, Kevin, and Brian but when Nick said that, I was ecstatic! I don’t think the guys realize sometimes how something so small like that makes us fans so happy. So if you don’t think I’m a babe, take it up with Nick lol. He’s so nice. Makes me smile :D

Right about this time the picture was taken. I couldn’t even remember what I was doing, where my hands were, or what so I was a bit worried on how it would turn out. It goes by too damn fast and I think that’s one of the reasons I’m so dorky because of the lack of time. Thankfully, Justin posted the pictures the next day and I was able to see that Nick held up the alien and that my face looked nice. Thank God lol. The picture turned out great! Nick and I are also both wearing green, even though they are different shades of green. Last picture, we were both wearing red. Just got a kick out of that.

After we took the picture, I said hi to AJ and gave him a hug! He called me sweetie and I died again lol. Then I went to Kevin and said hi and gave him a hug too! It was funny because at this point I’m on cloud 9 and I wanted to say to Kevin that I’ll be at the after party. Well, the first time I couldn’t get it out so well lol. Dorky me again. Then I said it right the second time and then said, "I can’t talk around you guys lol." We both laughed and Kevin said "That’s okay" and gave me such a sweet smile. I feel like the easiest for me to talk to would be Kevin and Nick. All the guys are awesome, but Kevin is such a nice listener and there’s just so many things I would like to talk to Nick about.

Then I was able to say hi to Brian and get a hug really quick before I had to go. I was so happy after this that I just wanted to hug everybody I seen lol. They are so kind and fun! Love them! Thank you BSB for everything!!!!!

 

It was around this time that I took a bathroom break, got my BSB t-shirt and picked up my after party ticket. I should have asked where to go for the after party, but I was so happy about the moments with the guys that I just experienced that I didn’t even think of asking duh.


Baylee Sings
Brian came out with Baylee and Baylee sang "Fantasy" by Mariah Carey and one of the Jackson 5 songs. He is so talented and cute just like his dad. He sounded fantastic! I think I would pee in my pants if I had to get up in front of a crowd that big and he is just so natural with it. What a cutie pie!


Avril Sings
I would say Avril has been my favorite BSB opening act because I like her music and her rocker attitude. My favorite album of hers would have to be "The Best Damn Thing" because Travis Barker plays the drums on the record. She sang a song or two from that album and she was fun to see perform live again. Last time I had seen her was when Nick hosted a Kiss Star Party in Chicago and she was one of the performers. I liked her red guitar and it was fun hearing some of my favorite songs by her being sung live. A few of her songs remind me of Nick just because of the lyrics.


BSB!!!!!
So I was a bit worried because a really tall lady was two rows in front of me, but she ended up moving after Avril. I was however, smooshed between two girls and the one girl asked me to move over. Uh girl, I don’t know if you were ever at a concert before, but there’s no room to move over lol. Anyway, time to see BSB!!!!!!!

It was such a great show and I was able to enjoy it more this time around than last time, which is a shame because I paid more money last time to be up close. It was awesome to see the light show they put on.

During the acoustic set, Brian was hugging all the fans on stage and Howie said we could get our refunds from Brian lol.

Speaking of Howie, that crazy boy was shaking his booty! It was a collaborative effort with Nick playing guitar and AJ singing "Shake yo ass, watch yourself" lol. That Howie is a wild one ;) I also remember seeing the Navy Pier fireworks during the acoustic set, but it didn’t effect the show.

During "Don’t Want You Back" when Nick sings "don’t wanna be another victim of your sexuality" he grabbed his crotch lol. Oh Nick, you naughty boy! You got me screaming!

When they sang "Incomplete," AJ said he loves Chicago and it just came out so genuine. We love you too, AJ!

At some point during the show, Nick was introducing the rest of the group and made a comment about when we go back to work tomorrow how our voices are going to sound like and to tell everybody we went to a Backstreet Boys concert. I did somewhat lose my voice, but that’s part of the fun, right?

Nick is so personable on stage. They are all so good at what they do! Nick was sexy during "Everybody, Backstreet’s Back" with the camera getting a close-up of his crotch action haha!

At the end of the show, AJ said "I told you they wouldn’t cut us off!" Yeah, you tell em’ AJ!

There were some heartfelt moments in there too with "Show Em’ What You’re Made Of" and remembering Q.

Overall, a spectacular show thanks to BSB!!!!!


Onto the After Party!
BSB ended the wonderful show with "Larger Than Life" and then it was time to figure out where to go for the after party. Thank God the after party was at the venue because it’s more convenient for everybody.

I asked someone from the venue where I go and they told me to check by merchandise. Well, the line was packed for buying stuff so I wasn’t going to put up with that. I started to walk towards the exit of the venue, but quickly thought that it doesn’t seem right to have to kick us all out and then let those who have after party passes back in. Thankfully, I heard some music and that lead me to the tent where the after party was in. I was towards the front of the line. At this point I was so happy I wore my gym shoes because my feet were starting to hurt. I had to pass the tour buses before I got inside.

I was let in pretty fast so I took a quick look around before I got a spot up in front! I couldn’t believe it. Right by the left of the stage and Nick’s dj booth was a spot. I thought it was weird everyone was standing on the other side and no one took the spot, but I’m so glad no one did lol. I think their strategy was to see the guys when they walk in, but that only lasts a few seconds. I couldn’t believe I was right up in front! They did have a rope blocking off some of the front for those who had gotten higher after party packages, but it didn’t matter because when the after party began, the rope came down and I was able to get pretty much right up there!

So I was looking around and enjoying the music (they played "If You Want It To Be Good Girl!") while I waited for the guys to come out. They had a bar, but I knew I wasn’t going to drink. I normally don’t and I’m alone so I just don’t think that would be a smart idea. Plus, I want to remember everything and keep my awesome spot! They had some fun lighting and I was looking at the ground to make sure if there was anything to be aware of in case someone gets pushy. There were electrical cords right on my left side, so I made sure not to trip over those. Can you imagine? The dorky girl who tripped on the electrical cord and stopped the music Nick was playing. Thank God that didn’t happen lol.

BSB came out around 11:30 p.m. I want to say and it lasted until about 1 a.m. I would have stayed there forever lol. It was so exciting to finally have the guys come out and I absolutely love when Nick djs…so sexy! I was in Heaven!

 

 

The first song Nick played was Katy Perry’s "I Kissed a Girl" and AJ’s comments during this song were hilarious.

One highlight of the after party was when I got a glowstick from AJ. I kept holding it in my hand and it accidentally got caught in a girl’s hair in front of me because it had a hook on it and she cussed me out. It was an accident. Maybe that wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t wear Snooky hair with the big ol’ poof lol.

Back to some good stuff. AJ signed the BSB tweet to me about the after party! He was reading some of it and that was a cool moment. Thanks AJ!

At one point, we all celebrated one of the crew member’s birthday who does the boys’ wardrobe and is from Chicago. I want to say her name was Charity, but it was loud so I don’t know if I heard right. We all sang happy birthday to her and cake was passed out. Kevin said to blow out her glowstick candles and AJ said that sounds bad lol. She was cute putting icing on her face and kissing the boys so that it would go on their faces. That whole moment was worth it just for Nick eating the cake, which smelled just like angel food cake to me, and he kept licking his fingers. I could have helped him with that lol. It was funny because someone gave him a napkin and I was thinking, is that really necessary? lol It wasn’t really that pushy until Nick started passing out cake. I wish I could have gotten some. Nick played Rihanna’s "Cake" song during this moment.

Some of the other music Nick played was Usher, Michael Jackson, Kanye, Jay Z, and The Killers. Nick always does a great job djing!

Overall, all the guys were really good with interacting with the fans and it was so much fun! At the end of the show Nick told us we should go home and find somebody to sleep with lol and Kevin said to go home and "love somebody." My favorite moment has to be watching Nick eat his cake and dancing to House of Pain. I had a blast and I’m so glad I went. Thanks to BSB for talking me into it!

I was so excited that I just experienced such an incredible BSB day that I couldn’t sleep and I had to go to work. I ended up looking at some of my pictures and video and tweeting to BSB that I had such a wonderful time. They retweeted and favorited my tweet! I love my boys!!!!!

 

 

 

Nick and Knight Contest!

At nickcarter.net, they are doing a contest to win a vip upgrade to the Nick and Knight show of your choice. Go the website and become a Nick fanclub member so you can enter too. Hope to see everybody at the Chicago shows and keep checking out my blog because I'm going to post an entry soon!