The "O"stonishing World of the Opii...: "Take that and Rewind it Back..."

“Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads…” Doc Brown

Yes, a few weeks ago I hopped into my DeLorean, and traveled back in time not once, but twice. The first trip was back to 1990 for the New Kids on the Block Magic Summer Tour. My god-mother, Shirley, bought me four tickets to the show at Foxboro Stadium for my 10th birthday! To say I was excited was an understatement. I remember doing cartwheels up and down the front yard when I received her birthday card in the mail. My lucky (poor) mother got to bring my best friend, Erin, my little sister Julie, and me to the show. Fortunately, one of her girlfriends was taking two of my other friends, so we all got to pregame together. This consisted of us having pizza and pasta at a local Italian restaurant, and chugging Mountain Dew and Coke - no beer pong, flip cup, or other drinking games. It was my first concert, and I remember everything. My friend Erin sticking tissues in her ears because it was too loud, the teenage couple in front of us making out, Marky Mark dancing on stage in his underwear (OMG), Another Bad Creation performing Iesha, and of course being decked out in head to toe NKOTB gear while jamming to all my favorite songs. I had everything from a giant Jordan Knight button, to a New Kids jean jacket, earrings, scrunchie, tee-shirt, and socks on. It was insane! I tried looking for a picture last time I was home, but couldn't find my mom's early 90s albums.

Fast forward 21 years (jeez I'm old)...this year New Kids on the Block joined up with the Backstreet Boys to form NKOTBSB, and decided to tour. Of course I had to be there, and luckily for me, so did one of my best friends, Natalie. Our pregaming for this show consisted of two of our favorite things - wine and sushi at Sei. After a few glasses of wine, we headed into the crowds at the Verizon Center for a little boy band action. It was so much fun! The New Kids played all their hits: Hangin' Tough, The Right Stuff, Covergirl, Please Don't Go Girl, Tonight, etc. The Backstreet Boys didn't disappoint either. They performed Larger than Life, Everybody, Quit Playing Games, and I Want It That Way just to name a few. I was always more of an N'Sync fan (obviously I had / and still have a HUGE crush on Justin Timberlake), but the BSB were quite entertaining. We had pretty good seats, and at one point they even roped off our section so that AJ and Howie could walk down the aisle to the stage. Natalie got to touch AJ's arm!! Ahhhh! Even though my ears were ringing until the next afternoon (I probably should have followed Erin's lead from 1990 by putting tissues in my ears), it was totally worth it. Heck, I almost bought tickets to one of the Boston shows. I apologize now for the crappy pictures. For some reason I brought the new point and shoot camera to the show instead of my trusty Canon with the super zoom. So sorry girls, there aren't any good close-ups of your former teen idols.

Natalie & me (excuse my fat arm and awkward pose)

New Kids on the Block :)

The Backstreet Boys

Jordan a few rows away...ahhh!

AJ and Howie are in OUR aisle...

AJ is saying, "Oh my gosh, Natalie Williamson just touched my arm!!!"

Joey looking gorgeous as ever and Brian...

NKOTB representin' Boston <3

Until we meet again boys...

My second trip back in time was the following day, at my little brother's high school graduation. The day was eerily similar to my high school graduation, which was 13 years before. As I sat in the bleachers, which I'm pretty sure should be condemned because they are the same set from when I went to school there, I saw the podium where Mr. Deftos spoke, the bridge we crossed when we were handed our diplomas, and rows of green and white graduates resembling my peers and me, sitting on the football field. I looked to my left at the James G. Anderson field scoreboard, and memories of cheering at all my youth and high school football games popped into my head. Principal Deftos retired, and was replaced with Mr. Kuether, so there was no "matriculating" going on at this graduation - haha (inside MHS joke)! It was extremely surreal to be sitting there in the stands watching my little guy graduate. When I graduated in 1998, he was still in diapers, and now he is leaving Marshfield and heading to George Mason for college. Where has the time gone??? Here are a few pictures from Anthony's graduation from MHS, along with one from my graduation day.