2013....Did That Really Happen?!?!

As I sit in my new apartment if you would have told me at the beginning of the year that I would move back across town I would have laughed. That is just how 2013 has been lots of unexpected events that all lead towards much better opportunities. I guess this really started in 2012 when I got my new job that was the start of lots of changes all for the good.

The year started off with news that my brother's crew Doomtree received a Proclamation that Dec 14th would be Doomtree Day In Minneapolis that was an honor and really exciting to see the document he sent home for Mom to keep safe.    

 

Jan 8th was a pretty special day my dear friend Tammi went into labor a month early and gave birth to Ryder Logan...who is now my favorite little baby! It has been awesome to watch this baby grow into the cutest baby in town! Hes crawling around now!!

  February came and Beyonce killed it at the Superbowl!!! I couldn't tell you who played but I do remember her performance and it was amazing! My favorite cousin Nassir had his 30th Birthday that was fun cause he had no clue his wife planned it!

March nothing really exciting happened. April was Connie-Marie's wedding which meant I would be spending the day with many ex-coworkers. It was a beautiful wedding and the reception was lots of fun. Saw a few old faces I missed! April also got to see the Lakers at the Staples Center!!! 1st game ever at Staples for me and my cousin Nassir! We had a blast that was mission cause we left town right after I got off work but made it in time to see the start of the game.

  Something huge that happen in April was Backstreet Boys were honored with a Star on the Walk of Fame.2013 they celebrated 20 years together and still going! Here's to to the next 20!!! (Photo Credit: Times Live) 

May came and I was all about Relay for Life...I ended up raising 300 dollars for Cancer research! It was awesome! Can't wait to get started on the next years. I also started talking Cake decorating classes at Micheal's craft store. After about 4 months I am not a certified Wilton cake decorator. 

June-July I took my yearly Vegas trip met my cousins from Chicago there had a blast It was my 1st time staying at the Rio and I loved it! Played a little on the craps table...So I used my winnings on getting tickets to see Jay Z and J.T. Legends of Summer Tour! It was so much fun and the killed the stage that night sold out the Rose Bowl! Crazy fun as you can see in the pics below with Star. It was also nice to catch up with her since our schedules are so busy now.

 August was my birthday month and that was when I decided to buy a meet and greet for my Backstreet Boys show the following month. I was in Anaheim laying in bed after a 12 hour day at Disneyland surfing the web and I saw VIPs were still available for the day I was going so I decided to treat myself. I woke my mom up out of her sleep to tell her I was going to buy a VIP for the concert when I got back to town. That's exactly what I did I got to work early that Friday and bought it online and printed out the information.

September came and I was nervous after being a Backstreet Boy fan since I was in grade school I was finally going to meet them. I already felt like I knew them they just did not know me yet. The day comes we go down to LA wait in a line with fellow fans get to see some girls I saw the fan club. I met Justin who did the check in. We get taken into the Gibson Amphitheater since I was Gold VIP I was in the second row during sound check which was awesome. I took video of a few songs before Mike asked me not to record with my flip cam. Then after a few questions it was time to line up to meet the boys. It seemed like it was taking for ever for it to be my turn there was a lot of bronze VIPs. This actually worked out in my favor because I was able to ask the girl behind me to capture the moment when I met them. I also made sure I added a little lip gloss and put on some yummy smelling lotion my signature scent Rio Rumberry from Bath and Body Works. I get to the front of the line and I took a few pics of them meeting other fans Brian caught me and started posing for my pics hes such a goof ball! I loved it then Q offered to hold my purse for me while my picture was taken. I walked up and Brian gave me an awesome hug and complemented my "I Love BSB" shirt I made the night before. Kevin was next his hug was awesome and Hes so tall. Nick was in the middle of I gave him a hug and went to Aj he told me "Hello Sweetheart" and I melted. Last but of course not least was Howie...my favorite I could barely say his name when I said Hello...not sure if words even came out my mouth but he smiled and said "Hello Sweetie" It was awesome and I told them thank you took the pic and it was over!

October-Nov.-December was a chill month I went to Club 33 with Tammi,Carter Ryder and My Mom that was my 3rd time being able to dine there its awesome cant wait to go back next year. November came and so did the cold I caught! Most of the month was spent trying to feel better.  Then BSB announces Holiday Shows in select cities I was slightly bummed when none were in Cali. One day I was sitting at work and I saw a tweet from BSB saying two more shows had been added Sacramento and Chicago. Tickets went on sale on Halloween I got my tickets and another VIP cause at this point I was determined to start doing more VIPs I work hard and I deserve to treat myself here and there. The show was amazing the After Party was ever better. I met 3 of the most awesome girls that are now my BSB BFFS and Cruise-mates for BSB Cruise 2014.

                                   RIP Q 

I was fortunate to get to meet Q the times I met the boys and He was part of the reason I had a blast at the After Party for that I will be forever regretful. His passing has saddened the BSB Army and his family will remain in our prayers. 

Now with only 3 more days left in this year I can honestly say I wouldn't change anything & I can not wait to see what 2014 has to bring. 

BSB Cruise 2014!!

Well it looks like BSB has announced the cruise for next year. Its happening in Oct I have roommates in mind just trying to confirm who can afford what. I'm stoked its been 3 cruises in the making for me! Ready to get my cruising and boozing on! lol

Its Christmas Time Again...BSB at Santa Slam & After Party

Well...last time I blogged I was trying to decide if I wanted to go to BSB's After Party....well I went alright, but we will get to that in a bit. :D

Dec. 4th started off like a normal Wednesday I got up at 5:00 am like normally for work but instead I was getting up to leave for Sacramento!!! It takes about 4.5 hours to get there from Bako so I had to get an early start. My Mom was down for the road trip so she came along for the drive as well as our pastors wife to be who works in Sacramento. We left town around 7:00 got on the freeway and only got 1 exit away from my place when I realized I left my card I planned to use to pay for our hotel room! Eekk We had to turn around!!! After getting the card and breakfast we hit the road. I was semi nervous because I wanted to make sure we got into town by noon so I could check-in early at the hotel and jump in line...(The show was General Admission) Plus we had to drop off the the 1st lady to be at work.

We get about 45mins out and decide its time for lunch I knew I needed to eat now because I would be standing in line for a while and food would be scares.We grabbed a bite at In & Out and took a stretch break then got back on the road. Once we reached town we dropped off Anita at her beauty salon and lucky us it was only 10 mins away from our Hotel.

We get to our hotel and found out parking will be crazy! I picked Quality Inn which had a reasonable price and it was only a few blocks away from Ace of Spades and Assembly where the show and After Party were being held. The only down side was the hotel had a limited amount of parking. So we grabbed a parked I tried to check in early and was told they didn't have my room ready yet and come back in 2 hours! I wanted to get in line so I went over to Ace to check out the line around noon it was about 8 people deep. I felt a little worried but I figured there wasn't much I could do till I was able to check in. I said a small prayer that the line didn't get longer till I was able to go back. Since I had two hours to kill we went back to the hotel I took a nap in the car since I knew it was going to be a loooooong night! The alarm I set woke me up I saw the hotel manager counting how many parking spots they had I got out the car and asked if I was able to check in now since I had some place to be he was really cool and let us check in.

Got my hotel keys took my bags up stairs did a make up touch up and got back in the car to head to the club. I decided it would be easiest if I had my mom drop me off and I could taxi to the after party and back to the hotel at the end of the night.

I arrived at the venue and now two lines had started to form....I walked up to the shorter line cause I assumed that would be the Ground Control Will Call check in line...I was correct I spoke to a group of girls in front of me they did not have VIP Lisa but who was in front of them did. I had spoke with Lisa on the BSB fan club site and she confirmed I was in the right line. The 4 girls who did not have M&G had to get in the will call line which by now was going around the block. I also saw Justin across the street in front of Ace of Spades so I felt reassured. I chatted it up with Lisa and she introduced me to Monique and Erica whom she met at the Concord In a World Like This Show. All four of us soon became BSB BFFS lol

We had a blast sharing stories and they told me the rushed experiences they had during the Concord Show. Time flew by which was nice because it was about 40* degrees outside. We could also hear the boys doing their sound check outside. That was awesome also saw the boys leave the venue to go change for the show Kevin waved at the fans standing in line.

4:30ish came around and It was time to check in Justin and a helper came with our limited edition Holiday VIP laminates.

  

 There was slight confusion about the radio station winners and Ground Control VIPs we ended up having to meet the boys after all the radio station winners got to meet The Fray. A few fans complained but since the radio station was the ones putting on the show there wasn't much that could be done. I could care less I was having to much fun meeting other fans. 

The time came for us to meet the boys we had to get in a single file line and cross a street which was funny cause we literally held up traffic!!! The meet and greet was held in the back of the club in between a restaurant and an exit to the club. Monique and Erica had awesome gifts to give the boys and Lisa was rocking her awesome Permanent stain shirt she made for Brian, I tried to take pics of all 3 girls meeting the boys to make up for their bad experience in Concord. While waiting for my turn I saw Q told him Congrats on the baby girl hes expecting with his wife. Drew dropped a packet sugar from his pocket and looked at me like I was going to pick it up for him I told him "that's all you hommie" Then he pretended it was painful to bend over and pick it up we had a good laugh!

 Next thing I knew Q came over and took my purse I walked to Brian gave him a hung told him it was good to see him again..then Kevin (Love his hugs) I told him whats up Kev...and then *heart melts* It was Howie's turn I made sure to make eye contact with him and said Hey Howie he told me " Hello Sweetheart" I pretty much melted in his arms...I forgot how cold it was. I almost skipped over Nick cause I saw A.J. I went back and gave Nick a quick hug and then AJ. I jumped back in the middle next to Howie.(So glad he was already standing there I didn't have to move them around like I at the Universal show during my 1st M&G) I got in place put my arms behind Howie and he placed his arm around me we all looked toward Justin and he snapped this awesome picture. 

 

I told the boys thanks and Aj told me "Enjoy the show" I told him Oh Yeah! and got my purse from Q and got handed my BSB Christmas Card with the boys signatures. 

We got lined up again and had to wait for doors to open to the club. The radio station winners got let in then 1st we got escorted across the street back inside the club. We tried to stay calm and walk fast but no bum rush to get to the front of the stage. We found ourselves center stage smack in the middle now we just had to sit through The Frays set till BSB came on. The Fray did an awesome job...I knew a few songs from Greys Anatomy and the new song that's been played on the radio. 

The time came the boys went on at 10 and all craziness happen It was so loud the club I could feel the bass from the speakers in my chest! The boys did a smaller version of the "In A World Like This Tour" type show and added "Its Christmas Time Again" Here is the set list:

 It was by far one of the best shows I have been to..I loved being so close to the stage

It was a great show and the night was still young!!! After BSB rocked the house we had to made a mad dash to the After party...little did we know that mad dash wouldn't be very fast we got caught in the parking garage and missed an hour of the after party right when we arrived the guys had just gotten to the stage. Nick was playing awesome music Howie and Aj were getting glow sticks ready to toss out to the fans. I had a bucket list of stuff I wanted to do.
1. Get a glow stick
2. Get On Stage
3. Get a Shot from Howie and or take a selfie with Howie.

My BSB Bucket list was complete!!! I had a blast at the After Party It was fun having a few drinks and dancing the night away with the guys but the best was yet to come...since we were late we didn't get our M&G pic taken. Erica told Drew and he let Justin and Q know by this time all the fans were on stage security told us the After party would be ending soon so Monique and I decided it was time to get a drink!!! We head over to the bar and are getting our drinks when a young lady comes to us and tells us your friend needs us at the stage....we head back to the stage and Justin and Erica are there telling us to go with him to have our picture taken. Nick is still spinning and Kevin and Aj are helping fans down into the crowd. I walked across the stage behind the guys and realized no one else but us 3 were still on stage!!! We hung out on the side of the stage and Justin asked us how we wanted our pic taken. We took pics with Q told him congrats again...he told Erica he show her pic she posted of the lasagna she made and asked her why she didn't bring any with her. LOL

 I took a video from the side of the stage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH9ZSS842RA

Then the finale song of the night "Don't Stop Believing" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScNC8bjOTk4 

Aj came off stage first we talked to him for a good while.... Monique tried to hook up her son with Ava he told us hes glad his daughter already has admirers. Then Nick came off stage with his laptop passed it to security Justin told him they had a few more pics to take before leaving. Howie came off stage we told him how we missed our pics cause of the crazy parking garage....We started to get ready for the pic and I said Where's Kevin?!?! Then Howie and I started yelling KEVIN! and Aj said No you have to say it like in Home Alone "KEEVVVVIIINNNN!!" Kevin being the professional he is was still saying goodbye to fans!! He finally makes his way over and looks at me and says "What had happen" "Why were y'all late" We tell him we got stuck in traffic and I told him get in the pic Lol!!! Then Justin takes the pic below! It was by far the BEST NIGHT of my Life!!!! Thank you boys and ground control for making my nite epic!!! Countdown till the next time!!!