BSB Trip Experience

 

February 21^st, 2001

 

                Today was the day I was to leave to drive three hours to Calgary to meet up with my traveling companion Sarah Thompson.  I was planning on leaving at around ten but ended up having to take James into the clinic.  The doctor told him that he had pink eye and was to stay home from work.  So he did and I finally left around eleven.  So only an hour out of schedule.  As I was driving and I hit the two hour and thirty minute mark I ended up having to stop and wait for about a half and hour while some guys moved a rig across the highway.  Thank goodness that my plane wasn’t leaving until the next evening.  Things from there on in were great.  I got to my friends apartment and settled in until she came home.  She got home with her fiancé just in time to watch the Grammy’s.  Both of us knew the Boys weren’t there and were already in Vancouver.  So we waited and watched the show until the end.  Then went to bed to get a good nights rest before our big journey began.

 

 

February 22^nd, 2001

 

The day started off beautiful and sunny.  I basically had the entire day to sit around and wait and to get ready…which is exactly what I did.  I took a long bath and thought about the task that would be presenting itself as soon as I stepped off the plane in Vancouver.  Ah shoot at around four in the afternoon the fire alarm started to go off.  At first I didn’t know what I should do.  Sarah has a cat and do you think I could find him anywhere.  So I called Sarah and told her what was going on and I headed down sixteen flights of stairs.  side note: after about twelve flights my legs started to get wonkey and I thought I was gonna fall the rest of the way.  Finally the time came to go and pick Sarah up at her office and head to the airport.  We reached the airport at about six at night and our flight wasn’t scheduled to leave until eight thirty.  So we went and ate and then said goodbye to Jeremy, Sarah’s fiancé and their friend Greg who was nice enough to drive us to the airport. 

 

As Sarah and I sat waiting the anticipation was growing.  We knew that in less then two hours we would be where Backstreet Boys were.  We would be meeting Linda for the first time.  When they called us for our flight we could hardly wait.  It was the beginning of a very exciting and tiring time for both of us.

 

We arrived in Vancouver at around eight forty local time and headed to see if we could find Linda.  She was the first person I saw when we entered to pick up our bags.  Side note:  Linda and I have known each other for a little over two years and this is the first time that we have ever met each other.  After getting our luggage we headed out to her car, which she had driven up from Tacoma Washington.  We found the car and proceeded to look at the map to try and find where our hotel was.  It was actually very easy to find.  It was on the corner of Howe and Helmeckin in downtown Vancouver.  We checked in and them our mission began.  We asked someone at the front desk where the hotel that we thought the Boys were staying in was.  And low and behold it was right down the street from us about four blocks.  So we went there and there were a few people out front.  But a reliable source told me that the boys would be there…(Source to remain nameless…you know who you are…lol).  So we walked around the entire hotel trying to see some buses but later learned that all the buses were at GM Place and the boys were coming and going in white vans.  So by this time it is now eleven at night.  So we head over to a Burger King on Robson St. to get a coffee.  We make it just before they close and are now good to go for another three hours.  As we head back to the hotel we notice that the amount of people has lessened since we were there.  So we go and mingle with the fans that are there. 

 

They begin to tell us that Howie and AJ are out again.  They were at a strip club the night before and then out again tonight but nobody knows where.  So we wait…and wait…and wait some more.  It is now two am and we are tired so we decided to head home.  None of us can sleep because tomorrow is the day that Sarah and I had been waiting for, for over two years. 

 

 

February 23^rd, 2001

 

Today is the day.  We wake up after a restless five hours of sleep to a cloudy rainy day.  Sarah is going to spend about three hours with her friend from Vancouver sight seeing.  We all leave the hotel at around eleven.  Linda and I head down to the hotel where the Boys were.  There is a shopping mall attached to the hotel and we head in there to eat.  Where you ask…Taco Time.  Soon we head back up to the hotel and wait.  It was raining so we stayed inside and decided to call some people that we needed to call.  (1. Fiancé’s birthday had to call him after all he did let me go off to Vancouver and Tacoma to see BSB, 2. Lindz to see where in Vancouver she is at.)  After we made those two calls and realized that Lindz is standing outside at the hotel we head out to meet her, her sister Janet and Jenny.  All of them are frequent chatters in Tommy’s Chatroom.  And no sooner do we get outside then the ‘wheelchair guy’ from the TV show Dark Angel comes out.  He is very good looking and waves and smiles at us all.  Then he leaves in a van.  But don’t think that is the only person we see.  Traffic outside the front doors seems to be getting a little heavier and soon out comes Marcus with AJ close at his heels.  He waves and greets some lucky girls that somehow managed to stand on the opposite side of the barricade.  Then he and Marcus are off to GM Place.  At this time I learned that only Howie and AJ were in town.  They had been out the night before at a club and we missed them by an hour or so.  The rest of the Boys were flying in that day for the show and were probably on their way to GM Place even as we were standing there.  So we leave and take a picture with the girls form Tommy’s chat.  (Lindz you are a real sweetie and I am so very glad to have met you…keep in touch baby.  And don’t forget the undying love of AJ…ever {sorry inside joke}).  And where is Sarah when all this is happening you ask…she is off shopping.  But returns ten minutes after AJ had left.  Was she a happy camper…no…in her own words “I DON’T DESERVE TO LIVE”. 

 

So we head back to our hotel to get ready for the show.  It starts in three hours so we head to GM Place.  And when we arrive we see a friend of Linda’s…Melissa David.  (Melissa you are such a sweetheart…thanks for all the fun and if you see this hope you have or had fun in Las Vegas).  We decided to walk over to where all the other fans are to find Lindz…we do.  But in the process I run my hands along the back of a bus and end up with dirt all over them.  Later that night we learn it is Kevin’s bus.  Time passes and we all begin to freeze.  But things soon start to heat up when Nick comes out and goes onto his bus.  Sarah, Linda and I get a prime spot to watch the action and soon out pops a head from around the corner of the bus.  Low and behold it is none other then Mr. Bob Carter.  So he and I are waving at each other and smiling and mouthing hi…then I yell out, ‘Hi Mr. Carter.’  He waves back and soon there are a million fans running towards him.  Did I ever feel bad…looking back I am sure that I could have walked over to him and talked to him…but hindsight is always 20/20.  “Sorry Bob.”  So we wait there for a bit longer and see Nick’s best friend Brent get on the bus.  No one knew who he was…well I did!!  (Does that make me obsessed because I knew who he was?).  Apparently Kevin had come out and was signing autographs before hand for some people.  MISSED HIM YET AGAIN!!! 

 

Ok so enough of this waiting we head up to get in line to go inside.  In the process I realize that they are checking bags and taking cameras so I put mine in my bra.  Thank god I was blessed with small breasts.  So we get to our seats and they are ok…a little high but right in a good spot.  We bought our souvenirs too, Sarah bought a tour book, Linda a fake backstage pass and a Howie picture for me and I bought two key chains.  Ok back to the fun now.

 

We wait…and my anticipation is building and I have no clue what I am going to do when I see Howie or any of them on stage.  Lord help me.  Sarah bought a pair of binoculars and they were awesome.  The best 20 dollars spent.  I watched, as Krystal got ready to go on stage.  She was standing with her manager Mookie and they were deep in thought and perhaps meditation.  Then the lights went down and the whole place went nuts.  She came out and performed for about thirty minutes or so and wowed the audience.  She can really wail…what a voice.  Just like Kevin’s friend that found her says…’the voice of an angel’.

 

Then the big moment arrives…there is a small teaser before and I lost it.  Literally.  I didn’t want to be like a teenybopper but I had been waiting for that moment for over two years.  I didn’t know what to do.  It was the most intense feeling I have ever experienced.  Soon the Boys intro was starting and I couldn’t stand it.  I was bawling like a baby.  I felt like an idiot but it was so worth it.  Then I saw him…he looked so good in person.  They all looked great.  It was as if I was dreaming and he and the rest of the Boys weren’t in front of me singing.  Even now when I look at my pictures it doesn’t feel real!!!

 

For those of you who have yet to see the show I won’t give anything away.  But I want to tell you what my favorite songs were.  I loved them all but my faves were ‘More Then That, WMYDMYB, HDIFILWY, Get Another Boyfriend and The Call’, it was awesome!!!  And just know that you are in for a real treat.  And for those of you who have…’does Kevy eventually find his boot…if so where was it?  Did Nick have it after all?  Did Howie finally finish his hair and get it perfect?’  During the last song…’Shape of My Heart’ Howie was sitting out on the edge of one of the wings and the bodyguards and roadies were trying to distract him from singing by running their hands up inside his pant legs and trying to undo his shoes…he never lost a beat.  Just kept on going…only stopping to swat at them.  It was priceless. 

 

Well lets just say that during a few songs I had tears streaming down my face.  It was the roller costar ride I was expecting everything from the highest high to overwhelming pride.  The show was in fact everything I had imagined it would be and more.  So as soon as the show ended we headed back over to where Kevin’s bus was parked with Nick’s.  We waited and out comes Nick.  He blows some kisses to the crowd and gets on his bus.  Only to be followed by some lucky winners who get to go on his bus…although only for about a minute.  Then he leaves and we start to leave but as we are leaving we realize that there is still one bus there.  And guess who’s it was.  It was Kevin’s…he gets on and waves to us all and honks the horn to us all.  He was wearing an orange toque and a black leather jacket.  As we were heading to get a cab we ran into Mookie and I told him how wonderful I thought Krystal was and he said thanks.  Soon they were all gone and on their way to Seattle.  Which was next on our tour stop.

 

 

February 24^th, 2001

 

We get up and check out but not before we eat what would be one of four sit down meals that we had in a span of five days.  Just running on pure clean adrenaline.  We head out on to Interstate 5 all the way to Seattle…wait at the border for about an hour and a way we go.  We pull into Seattle a little after oh two or so.  And head for the Space Needle…go to the top and then head down to spend three hours in Experience Music Project.  Side note: If you can get to Seattle go there…it is AWESOME.  And after that it is around oh…seven maybe.  So we decide to head down town to see if we can find the hotel where the Boys are…again I know they are staying here because of a nice little birdie…*wink* Do you think we could find it…heck no.  So we decided to go home…the breaks on Linda’s car weren’t working great anyhow and we had a big day a head of us the next day.  We went to Jack In The Box to eat and then to Linda’s house to see her roommate, cat and her roommate’s son Spencer.  Finally we decide it is time for bed around midnight and get up the next day at ohhh eight or so...actually for me it was earlier cuz I was way to excited to see the Boys.  We had a better chance of seeing them this day then any other.  Or so we thought.

 

 

 

 

 

February 25^th, 2001

 

The second biggest day of my life was about to begin.   Got up and ended up watching ‘Say What Karaoke’ with Joe McIntyre only because Sarah and I loved him when he was in NKOTB…well we still do kind of.  Then we got ready and headed over to the Tacoma Dome at around oh noon or so.  And we thought we would be able to see the Boys heading into the arena but noooo security had it roped off and we weren’t even allowed to stand in the parking lot, we had to be way up the hill at the top.  I guess they were doing it for our protection, but everyone went across the street at held out their signs and stuff.  It was pretty boring.  The only one we saw was Nick…well we saw his bus.  But since we had such a great parking spot we decided to stay there.  So we waited…and waited…and waited.  And finally they were supposed to open the doors at 6 but didn’t…so we stood inline to get in for over an hour.  But it was all worth it when we found our seats.  They were in the middle of the arena…well thirteen rows up from the floor.  On the end.  WOW… WOW… WOW.  I was supposed to meet a friend outside but we had problems meeting and then there she was beside me inside…Lesley (You lucky bum…you know what I am talking about with the Magic Word).  Now…when we sat down we looked over to see where the little stage was…and omg it was right beside us.  We basically freaked out. 

 

Now onto the show.  Krystal started again and she was amazing.  The piano wasn’t working so she ended up doing her last song acapella…it was beautiful.  It was amazing.  Can I call myself one of her first fans…I can but I can bet that I’m not.  LOL!!  I think my favorite song of hers is ‘Angel on My Shoulder’ for being nineteen she has one heck of a voice…a ‘gift from God’ as Kevin puts it.

 

The Boys performance was much better the second time.  So like the old adage…’like a fine wine the concert only gets better with age.’  It seemed as if all five of them were having more fun this night then the night before.  Brian was joking with the audience and did my favorite thing…he said hello to the crowd.  If you are a diehard BSB fan you know what I am talking about.  They just all seemed to be able to let loose a little bit more.  Which I loved. 

 

So by the time they were doing the last three songs I was crying again.  Crying for many reason…one that I knew my vacation was coming to an end, two that I wasn’t going to see Howie again after that night.  It was the end of all the anticipation that I had been feeling since I found out I was going in December.  I felt like an idiot again but Sarah knew exactly how I was feeling and she was feeling the same way. 

 

We left after the Boys were done bowing before they left the stage to get out to the buses.  They let us back but by the time we got there only the dancers were left.  But two of them came over and talked to all of us.  By the time we got back to Linda’s house we were so tired all we wanted to do was sleep because we had to get up super early to pick up the rental car we were taking to Seattle. 

 

 

February 26^th, 2001

 

Last day of fun…it was a sad day but also a day of anticipation.  We were headed back into Seattle to find the Boys hotel.  And did we find it this time.  Yes we did.  And unlike Vancouver they let us walk right in and sit in the lobby.  There were about ten or so more fans there all sitting quietly waiting for the guys to appear.  Remember Melissa from Vancouver…well she was there.  She also hung out with us for the entire twelve hours that we were at the Tacoma Dome.  (Diehards I know).  She told us that we had missed Kevin again by five minutes.  He and his brother Jerald were heading over to the Space Needle to do some sight seeing.  Howie and his brother were already over there, or someone said.  So we sat in the lobby.  Soon more of the band and dancers started to come down.  I was going to go over and talk to one of them but got a little shy and missed my chance.  (YES I know kill me now…)   Finally things in the lobby begin to get a little busy and I could tell that something big was about to happen.  And I was right…a security guard asked us if we were guests of the hotel…and we weren’t so we were asked to leave and go out a back door.  This door he assured us was where the boys were going to come out and sign some stuff.  There were only ten of us out there.  But soon we knew the old rule…’never trust what a security guard tells you…do the opposite’.  AJ and Brian ended up going out the front door and we missed then yet again.  Our hopes were starting to get squashed and we were hungry.  So someone said to try Planet Hollywood…that they saw catering trays going in there…so we go there and no luck.  So needless to say that was the end of the BSB stuff.  We shopped at FAO Schwartz and Old Navy.  Then at five we decided to head up to Vancouver.  We knew the Boys were all in Tacoma and that made us sad.  I wish we could have seen the second show…but oh well. 

 

When we got to Vancouver we ended up staying in a beautiful hotel attached to the airport.  It was a room that would normally cost over 200 dollars but it was free.  Oh the fanfics one could write with this visual.  The floor was marble the countertops granite…the shower had a glass door; the tub was almost a six foot long tub.  After all the long hours in Vancouver and Seattle and Tacoma I decided that I needed to take a bath, relax and take it all in.  And that is exactly what I did. 

 

All in all even though we didn’t see the Boys outside of the concert setting I had a very good time.  I became closer with two of my best friends and who could ask for more.  Here’s too best friends and Backstreet Boys.

 

OH WE MISSED THE EARTHQUAKE BY TWO DAYS!!!!!

 

               

 

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