James is super entertained by his toys since he hasn't seen them in two weeks so let's get started!
We left Thursday at noon bound for Albany. The ride was about 4 hours and went very quickly. I had pricelined the Hilton Downtown Albany two blocks from the show. I just bought tickets from stubhub. They were originally $37 but as I was checking out a message came up that said "The owner of these tickets changed the price to $35. Do you still want to make this purchase?" Yes, please! Score! They were on the side 5 rows up in the section that Joe comes out into.
We got ready and headed out to find some food. We ate at Dallas Hot Weiners next to the arena. The food was decent and cheap. The waitress had an addition problem but we rectified it. Thankfully I can add! She gave us a handwritten slip for $24.60. But our food only totaled $15.60. You could tell she just made an error in her addition and wasn't trying to scam us.
Next we made our way to the arena and found the after party check in. While we were waiting in line we started chatting with the girls behind us because they loved Shelby's dress. They asked us if it was just the two of us and where our seats were. Then they told us they had found closer seats and asked if we wanted the seats they weren't going to use. I wanted to make she I understood her right so I said "We can't pay for these." And she said, no, she wanted to give them to us. Ummm yes, we'll take 7th row floor seats! Turns out they are from the Orlando area too. I told her when she asked if it was just the two of us I thought she was going to ask if we wanted to be in an after party photo group with them. We laughed and decided to be a photo group together.
We found our seats. You know how there are 3 sections behind the stage? Well we were in the section to the left (the same section as Orlando and Manchester incidentally) on the aisle next to the center section. Security was awesome about keeping people out of the aisle so we had a fantastic view! At this point we still didn't have tickets to Buffalo, just AP tickets. The selection on stubhub was not great and I knew we could not sit in the nosebleeds for two reasons: 1. We're spoiled and 2. I am terrified of heights so I would be sitting the whole time and wouldn't be able to see anything. Out of curiosity I checked the venue website to see what they had available. They had 3rd row in the same section we were in. So what does any self respecting NKOTB fan do during the 98 Degrees set....they buy tickets to the show the following night on their cell phone. So much for cheap seats!
Anyway, the show was great in Albany. Danny pointed out Shelby's dress from the stage and said he liked it!
We made our way to the after party and that's where things go exciting for me! A little back story first....In 2009 when NKOTB did the Christmas show I met Donnie. I stood there frozen, could not even utter a word or even move. In 2009 I met Donnie at Foxwoods and again, I let other girls get in front of me for a picture, I didn't say anything to him, it was awful. It's been part of why I am hesitant to do a cruise. Why pay so much money and then just stand there if I happen to see one of them?
We were in line for our photo for the after party and somehow I made my way to the front of our little group of 4. I decided I wanted to stand with a New Kid, any New Kid. It's only Donnie and BoyzIIMen guaranteed but typically a few other New Kids come. Shelby had claimed Donnie. When it was our turn I walked in and saw Jordan. I went straight to him, said "Hey. I'm going to stand with you," put my arm around him and got ready for the picture. I felt someone touching me to the right and I turned and it was Donnie! Just like Melody, I had accidentally ended up in a Jordan Donnie sandwich! After the picture I turned to Jordan and thanked him and then turned to Donnie and put my hand on his arm and thanked him.
WAIT A MINUTE....did the girl who just stands there take control, go right up to Jordan and then CLEARLY and COHERENTLY just speak to TWO New kids? Who am I?
Shelby ended up between Jordan and Wanya. Wanya loved Shelby's tattoos and would rub them each time he saw her over the next two days.
The after party was fun. The guys stayed on stage but we didn't get into the mob in front of the stage. The music was super loud since we were in a basement so we stood back more and just watched. Stanley, their drummer came over and complimented Shelby's eyes. Patrick, their stylist, complimented Shelby's dress and said he liked her look.
As we are standing there who appears...Wanya! So like the newly reformed in control girl I am I toss Shelby my phone and tell her to take a picture of Wany and I and I just walk over to him, put my arm around him and ask him for a picture. Again, who am I? Well he looks to the camera and sees Shelby is taking the picture and drops me like a hot potato and runs over to her before she can take a picture. He hugs her and rubs her tattoos again (on her arm and back by the way). Like the good friend I am I grab the camera and start shooting some pictures. When he is done Shelby, like the good friend she is, says don't forget to take a picture with my friend so he comes back to me. He takes me into the biggest hug I have ever had! Then, he kissed me.
I told him we'd see him at Epcot in October, because truthfully, I normally see Boyz II Men free at the Food and Wine Fest.
I had a cold this whole time and my ears hurt and the music was making it worse so we went outside the party where the guys have to leave from. We watched Donnie go but there were too many fans and security guys around him. We stayed to see who else would come out and we looked down the hall. There was "that guy" from 98 Degrees. I looked at Shelby and said, What the heck! Let's get a picture with him!
This whole encounter was hilarious! He had a bandaid on his elbow that was falling off. A fan was standing next to him trying to put it back on while he was taking pictures with others.
She was also trying to talk to him. She kept asking him questions and he tried to answer but he was busy. Finally she says in a loud annoyed voice "Well, you're obviously busy." Uhh, yes, he is busy! It was so awkward. It was like she thought it was just herself and him in the hallway and that the other 50 girls did not exist. I got a picture with him. By that time the party was over so we left and went back to our hotel.
If you're keeping count at home I initiated contact with 2 NKOTB members, a Boyz II Men member and a 98 Degrees member!
I'll be back later to share the Buffalo show. And our debacle getting there!
but he lives to perform. I think Jordan is the goofy dork in real life and is kind of shy. Jon, like you said, funny and dirty. Danny, family man, but a player 
Yep, I'm a total loser and I am okay with that!
and the Donnie/Jordan sandwich! 
. He said he'd go again.
