Step Five: Don't You Know That The Time Has Arrived?
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Step Five: Don't you know that the time has arrived? That sums up my evening perfectly. The time has arrived for my tour to be over. :( Shanna was able to score a pair of M&G passes for the Denver show. Her cousin Tasha flew into town from DC for the concert, so they had to be to the venue by 4p for checkin. She thought maybe she could sneak me in if I just came along with her -- it didn't work, but it was worth a try. While they went in, I went & waiting in the car (for about 90 minutes or so).
Here's me killing time in the car while they're meeting the guys:
Our tickets were in the 4th & 5th rows. Thanks again to Ben at MIX 100 for them (he's not even there anymore ... but then again, neither is Shanna). Here's the 4 of us waiting for the concert to begin.
The show was nothing short of amazing. It was nice to end the tour up close w/the guys. It really is amazing getting to see the show from that close up. You can see them giggle at each other and all those little things that you'd never even know were going on if you had a *normal* seat. I snuck my video camera in, so I was able to get some decent pics from the show. I really need to find myself a camera that takes great "concert" pics. I saw tons of girls at the show taking millions of pics that looked WAY better than mine. But, if you can get just a few good ones by taking 150, then I'll do it.
Labels: Denver, MIX 100, NKOTB
posted by SARAH @ 1:38 AM,
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Last Stop
Friday, November 14, 2008
It's Friday - aka the last stop of my NKOTB Tour.
The drive from Omaha to Denver was long. Really long. I know it's about the same distance as going from Cannon Falls to St Louis, but this felt much longer.
We left Omaha around 9:30 or so. Off to Lincoln we went! We stopped in to see my fav Lincoln lady, Ami Graham, at the stations. Connie, my dad's cousin who lives in Lincoln, joined us at the stations for a quick tour as well. She's a fan of KLIN. :) Before we left, Ami gave me a Froggy t-shirt!
What's better than a New Kids Road Trip + meeting all your fav station people? Going on a New Kids Road Trip, meeting all your fav station people, AND having lunch at Carlos O'Kellys.
We're going to spend today being tourists in the Denver area. I think we're going to try & make it over to the Coors Brewery to do that tour. Also, we're going to head over to Boulder to stop in to see Luke at his restaurant (I went to high school w/him).
Tonight's the last show of my trip. Shanna's got our tickets, so I'm not sure how things will work tonight since she's not at the stations any more. I'm sure we'll get it figured out this afternoon. Her cousin Tasha flew to town for the show too!
P.S. We woke up to snow this morning
Labels: Boulder, Coors Brewery, Denver, Lincoln
posted by SARAH @ 9:25 AM,
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Step Four: I Can Give You More
Thursday, November 13, 2008
I'm in Kearney, NE right now stealing Wi-Fi from an Econolodge, so this will have to be quick. Our ETA to Denver is around 8:30p right now.
Once again, I will scream it from the top of my lungs, CHANNEL 94.1 ROCKS!!!!!
Labels: Channel 94.1, Kearney, NKOTB
posted by SARAH @ 3:05 PM,
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Welcome to one of the best days of my life
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
I finally got one of the magical green bracelets!!! I've only been talking about them for, oh, MONTHS now! Although this fancy piece of plastic doesn't get you what it used to (in Chicago it was basically an all-access pass to the guys), I still am SO, SO, SO thankful that I was able to experience it.
Mom was going to go to the M&G with me. But at the last minute we found out that "management" wanted a smaller group, so my station gal Steph asked if mom would give up her pass to someone else. She was fine with it -- and in doing so she made a girl named Larkin very, very, VERY happy.
This meet & greet was somewhat simliar to the ILAA 5* passes. BUT, it was better because we got our pictures taken in groups of 4 instead of groups of 10. This meant everyone was guaranteed a New Kid to hang on. Ha,ha.
The bummer of the day goes to the fact that Jon didn't make the M&G. No one said what was up, but then again I don't think anyone asked. I talked to him last night & he didn't seem sick or anything -- maybe he just didn't feel like coming out. It seemed like everything was kind of running late.
The "what made up for Jon not being there" of the day was the fact that before the M&G started, Donnie came down the row of people (I'd say "row of girls" but there was a boy there) & gave everyone hugs. He was wearing a bathrobe. (Kate, are you still breathing?)
So it's my turn to go up to the guys. I always seem to be the last one in the group no matter what kind of M&G I do. Again, not complaining. Just stating a fact. Joe & Danny didn't have any girls by them, so that's where I headed. I told Joe that I'd seen him last night & he was all "Oh yeah! You stood next to me for the picture, right?" Um, yes I did Mr McIntyre.
After my 2 secs with Joe I hugged Danny. This time it was a proper, full-on hug (the first I've gotten from Danny). I told him "I wasn't able to get to you last night." That confused him, so I added "I was at the 5* last night." Still confused. So I just went about my business.
Picture time! I'm in a Danny/Joe sammy. Nice.
Jordan was busy, so I went over to Donnie. I got a nice hug from him (the first *real* hug I've gotten from him since the tour started -- not counting the MOA in August). He liked my FaceTime shirt, so he pulled out a marker to sign it. Well, the shirt is black with silver writing ... and his pen was black ... so he had to sign on the silver part ... which was located on my boob. Hey, never turn down a Wahlberg offerring to sign anything near a boob.
I didn't get to see Jordan this time around. That's okay, I've had plenty of Jordan time in my other NKOTB encounters.
I can't wait to see the pics. My Omaha promotions bud Steph is the one who was taking the pictures, so I hope they turned out nice! Steph, if you're reading this, one million thank yous to you & the whole Journal group. You really did make this trip more special than I ever thought possible.
I'll leave you with a shot of the "B-Stage" from tonight. I really did like these seats -- the venue was smaller than the others & we were able to just sit back & enjoy the show.
Labels: Channel 94.1, NKOTB, Omaha
posted by SARAH @ 11:32 PM,
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Step Three: It's just you & me!
I find step 3 fitting ... cause my Omaha stations just informed me that I'll be attending tonight's meet & greet before the show. SHUT UP!!!!! A big thanks to Channel 94.1 in Omaha!!!!!
Labels: Channel 94.1, Meet and Greet
posted by SARAH @ 2:24 PM,
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St Louis or KC?
I had my last NKOTB Meet & Greet of the year tonight. I was looking forward to being an "organized group" this time around. I met a bunch of girls on the chat boards and we all agreed to act like adults while meeting the guys ... and we also pre-arranged who would be standing next to whom. Well, it only kinda sorta worked out. I ended up going into the room last (AGAIN!), which meant I didn't have much time with the guys (AGAIN). We had a bunch of Donnie hogs again (REALLY??), but I did manage a half-hug this time around. I also told him my friend back home says she loves him & misses him. He said "Tell Kate I Love HER!" Seriously, his words. I know Kate is dying in a happy way right now, even though she wasn't there to see it herself.
I got to get a few hugs from Jon. He had written a blog on the NKOTB.com site about some craziness in St Louis & how he was unhappy with how a bunch of "fans" were acting after the show. I told him "Well said! I'm sorry that happened!" He said thanks & I got another hug. All the other girls were basically out of the room at that point, so I know I wasn't being a Jon-hog. LOL!
Jordan gave me a hug & told me I smelled like strawberries. I guess I had strawberry gum ... I suppose there are worse things Jordan could have told me I smelled like.
The "PICTURE TIME!" announcement came quickly. I got my spot next to Joe. I had planned on actually telling him my name this time around ... nope, as soon as I looked at him I drew a blank. Shocking, I know! I thought I'd gotten past this stage! HA,HA!
Once again I did not make it to Danny.
I am pretty happy about something though: I got a Robo hug! He's a kinda scary dude, but he must've liked me enough to humor me when I asked him for a hug ... for those of you who don't know, Robo is the New Kids bodyguard from back in the day & for this tour. If you'd like to see a picture of him, just do a Google search. I bet something will come up.
My seat was in the 16th row on the left side of the stage. I was next to some 10 year old girls who had come to the show with their moms. They were really sweet & very much looking forward to the show. I feel kind of bad because they were really too short to see much (and hello, their moms paid $90/ticket!).
Everyone asks me if I see any difference in the shows. Yes, there are small differences ... but for the most part I know the set list & whatnot by this point. Well, tonight was a little different. I don't know if the guys were just a little off or what, but I noticed a bunch of little mistakes -- and one BIG one. Donnie forgot which city they were in. He gave a big shout out to St Louis. Whoops! Joe tried to cover for him, but it wasn't fooling me.
Going to the show solo was interesting. I'm a pretty friendly gal, but I found it kind of difficult to make friends in my area of the floor. Perhaps they were jealous of my fancy 5* pass? LOL!
I did meet some really fun girls at the 5* party though. I never got their names or any contact info -- but they were such fun. There were also some German girls at our table that were very cool. One used to live about 15 miles away from Ramstein (which was the only German thing I was able to come up with to talk to her about).
Tomorrow is Omaha. We're meeting up with the Journal Broadcast Group Radio folks for lunch, so our wake up call is set for 7am ... approx 6 hours from now ... perhaps I should go to bed now. :)
Labels: 5*, Kansas City, Robo
posted by SARAH @ 12:53 AM,
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Step Two: There's So Much We Can Do!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Made it to Kansas City! We checked into the Q Hotel & I'll be catching the shuttle in about 30-40 minutes so that I can get to the venue for the M&G. It's raining here. Not downpouring or anything ... just a heavy mist. It does wonders for the hair.
Labels: Kansas City, rain
posted by SARAH @ 3:05 PM,
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Get Your Mind Right!
As Donnie would say, "Get Your Mind Right!" :)
The concert last night was amazing. As always. The guys sang "Didn't I Blow Your Mind" ... I don't remember them doing that in other cities .... but maybe they did?
Mary & I were directly across from the stage. It was interesting to see the stage & show from up there. We were almost in the last row of section 311. Those MN people who've been to the Xcel -- the Scottrade looks almost the same. It's actually the home of the St Louis Blues.
We went to meet Natasha, but then were turned away at the last minute (GRRR) because I only had my CD insert. I guess the dumbass security people were only allowing her to sign the actual CD. WTF? I was all "Um, this is from the CD." And the (underpaid & in need of a new perm) security chick was all "Well where's your CD" ... to which I replied "Um, in the car." And then they said "No M&G for you!" Blah. Maybe I'll try again in Omaha.
Mary & I went to The Hard Rock after the show. We met a Cubs fan named Chris who bought the whole bar a round of shots. Mary thanked him & then he bought us another one. Note to self: SoCo Lime shot is not for you.
I walked back to the Sheraton (in the rain) with my "I Love Joey" sign that a radio station gave me.
So we're off to KC in a few minutes. I'm looking forward to see all my NKOTB Chat Board girls there!
Labels: Natasha Bedingfield, Scottrade Center
posted by SARAH @ 9:50 AM,
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Step 1: We can have lots of fun
Monday, November 10, 2008
We went to visit Mary & Ben today at the stations. We went out to lunch & had pizza (it was really good AND named after a St Louis DJ - Cornbread from WIL-FM).
After we left the stations we checked into the Sheraton (I've got some complains) and then headed over to The Gateway Arch. The last time I was there was 1991 ... I was due for a revsit. We got free passes from Mary (thanks again Mary!), so we got to ride to the top for free.
Mary's meeting me in the Sheraton lobby at 7 & then we're heading over to the concert. I can't wait!! The Scottrade center is right across the street. That's handy.
Labels: Gateway Arch, Scottrade Center, Sheraton, WIL-FM
posted by SARAH @ 5:29 PM,
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Pit Stop: Hannibal, MO
Sunday, November 9, 2008
We made it from Minnesota to St Louis safe & sound. With a quick pit stop for lunch in Iowa City ... and then a few minutes in Hannibal, MO (home of Tom Sawyer), we were on our way.
A big thanks to Troy & Megan for letting us stay with them tonight. Tomorrow we're off to see the Bonneville St Louis bunch!
Labels: Hannibal
posted by SARAH @ 9:37 PM,
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My new partner in crime!
posted by SARAH @ 6:11 AM,
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Leaving in less than a week!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
It almost doesn't seem real ... the road trip I've been planning for MONTHS is going to happen in less than a week. I was really bummed out when Kristi told me she wouldn't be able to come. Doing something crazy like this with your best friend is a once in a lifetime thing. I understand why she's not able to come .... I just wish the timing had been better.
That being said, I'm VERY happy to announce that my new partner in crime for the week will be none other than my mom. :) She's volunteered to ride shotgun with me. She said she won't be going to any of the concerts though(we'll see about that -- don't you think she should come to atleast one?).
I'm SO looking forward to going in to see all my fav radio station peeps. It's always fun to put a face with a name. And really, without them this NKOTB Road Trip would not be happening.
As Joe McIntyre would say, "Peace, Love, and Rock & Roll!"
posted by SARAH @ 3:49 PM,
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