Happy NKOTB Day!!

Today is the 35th annual New Kids on the Block Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as first decreed by then- Governor Dukakis.

 In celebration NKOTB has released "A Love Like This," with Jordan on lead vocals, from their forthcoming new album.

The 2023 NKOTB Cruise - arrival day

Wednesday, after months of planning and stress, Lisa and her friend JJ departed to Miami to embark on the 2023 NKOTB Cruise. This was to be the second such trip for Lisa and the first for JJ. 

As we learned from our own cruises together, it is always best to travel to the port city the day before embarkation, not only to avoid any travel delays that make you miss the ship, but just to de-stress and unwind. 

(Update: the next day a bomb scare in Baltimore delayed/canceled many flights and yes, some fans missed the ship and lost out on their vacation)

I dropped them off at O'Hare for an 11am flight and they were on the way!

Once I got to Miami they went to a merchandise pop up for the cruise where they were excited to see and take a photo with Danny Wood!

And they met Danny's Dad!

They eventually met up with Carina, Lisa's European friend and her roommate last year on the cruise.

Officially the vacation I hadn't even begun yet so there was a lot more to come . . .

Joe McIntyre at the Turner Hall Ballroom

Saturday night Lisa and I went downtown to the Turner Ballroom, right across from the Fiserv Forum, to see Joe McIntyre. This was the 3rd time I've seen him perform solo, and Lisa - I don't know if she can even count the times, given the cruise, the convention, etc. 

There was of course merchandise, and my lady bought - and looked great - in a t-shirt from the stand. 

This might be one of my favorite pictures of us, ever: 

This picture is from well before the show started. The main floor was sold out (400 seats if I heard the guard correctly), but the balcony, where we bought tickets, only sold 20 or 30 seats. I think that had to be by design, because what the heck otherwise? Yet why turn down revenue; tickets were being offered for $100 on the secondary market, so it isn't like the demand wasn't there. 

(even though Harley's 120th birthday party was in town) 

That pic too was well before the show but even so, we were front and center to the stage, had a table to ourselves, and best of all (hey, I'm almost 50!) there was a restroom only 25 feet away. It was like we lucked into a private suite LOL!

Now Joe, of course, is a member of New Kids on the Block, and idgaf if you like the group or not, as I do, but the point is moot at a Joe solo show. He performs a couple of NKOTB hits, some of his solo stuff, and covers.  He leans traditionally to the standards of the Rat Pack era, and included a few, but this time around it was largely covers of rock artists. 

He performed accompanied only by backing tracks and a single guitarist/pianist who also co-wrote a song Joe performed. 

I will not come up for excuses for his bright red sequin suit. 

 Turner Hall was built in 1882 and wears its age on its sleeve as a badge of honor. This includes netting to prevent any stray chunks of ceiling to crash into the crowd - something that Joe mentioned between songs, along with a few other friendly jabs to the appearance of the venue.  I don't believe it was said with anything other than affection; Joe is a sarcastic and blunt performer. Case in point: two women insisted on standing in front of the stage, in front of all 400 seats. He sarcastically called them out: "I appreciate you coming and standing there, but you know, you can see the same thing sitting in your seat"

It was a fun show, full of the talent and natural theatricality of Joe. Here's a setlist from a PRIOR show on the tour (none was available for this one yet.)

Like I said. A great show, a great time, a great night with a great woman!

She's so excited!

48 Hours to Go! (Before flying out)

On her cruise's Facebook page:  

2417 door decor is a bit interactive. Add a star sticker  to the shows u were at that one of us was at too :). Also fcfs misc cozies, condoms and candies. Might not be a room to go specifically ...but if you happen to see us, play along!  :) 

- Lisa  

Raising em right...IYKYK LOL - Lisa

 

Farmhouse Fixer

 Can’t wait! - Lisa

NKOTB Cruise

 #booked...My bday is the day we set sail! Meant to be! - Lisa

NKOTB

Iykuk....lol...watch out craft stores here I come lol tagging old and new nkotb sisters

Ps...I'm finally on the boat this year!!! Can't wait to share how bday #46 goes with you all as I spend it on the boat with ya'lls men lmao

PPS thx Carina for getting a divorce lol - Lisa

RIP Alma Wahlberg

 RIP Alma Wahlberg, matriarch of the family that produced Donnie and Mark. You'll be missed.

Cancelled

Cancelled! #DamnYouCorona

 I preordered the new NKOTB EP last week.

I wuz fooled!

I asked this woman's permission to photograph her shirt, thinking she was a NKOTB fan - turns out it's a play on words and actually the name of her kickball team! Either way, a great t-shirt lol

My Day

YaYa & I went to Marquette to buy two books for the upcoming semester. Cost? Around $300, plus the cost of a parking ticket. Then we picked up Smiley and went to visit Louise, followed by a stop at Toys R Us, where I ran into Mike C. The kids were shocked I knew someone, because I am, of course, a social leper. Finally a stop at Walmart, where the last scooter was taken by a huge woman with no cane/crutch/brace, which certainly gives her priority over the guy hobbling around on a crutch and a surgically repaired hip.

But - Joe McIntyre is on Angel from Hell on Fox!

Junie sees NKOTB!

On their way to see #NewKidsOnTheBlock in Chicago! All four kids of #TeamSlap will now be able to say their first concert was NKOTB - a tribute to the group's longevity. Have fun ladies!!

Not Impresed

NKOTB, TLC (minus Left Eye), and Nelly on tour together? I like them all individually, but collectively they're a nostalgic but sad State Fair headliner. #unimpressed

Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg are engaged! Congrats!

25 Years of Hangin' Tough

25 years ago today the monumental NKOTB album "Hangin' Tough" was released. Please, bow your heads in awe of the occasion. :)

Coming to Summerfest!

 

Remix

Just listened to the new New Kids on the Block single "Remix (I like the)". Maybe it'll grow on me, but I don't think it's their strongest effort. On the other hand, it's Joey and Donnie centric, which was an unexpected and pleasant surprise.