I have a very eclectic taste in music.  It may not be as eclectic as some, but I don’t seem to stick to one genre more than another; it just all depends on my mood.

Until I was in high school, I didn’t really listen to music.  Before that, my older sisters always had control of the radio so I was forced to listen to their music.  Although I have fond memories of 80s hits, that genre isn’t my favorite; it seems too corny now.  In fact, almost all things 80s seem that way, which includes some of my favorite movies … unfortunately.

Once I got into high school, I started to listen to four styles of music: movie scores, religious music, Broadway show tunes, and The New Kids on the Block.  Now, I still love movie scores, religious music, Broadway show tunes, and even NKOTB, but my preferences have broadened and I also like alternative, punk, indie, industrial, rock, and some pop.

When I first liked NKOTB, they played in concert in Utah.  I wanted to see them so badly, but I wasn’t able to go.  Other than that one time, I had never had an itching to see anyone else in concert.  Particularly, bands like Green Day and Nirvana (when they were still around), even though I love their music, because of the unwanted “high” factor.

In recent years, however, I have wanted to go to a concert more and more just to experience one.  I tried to get tickets to the NKOTB concert in Utah last November, but they sold out way too quickly.  I almost saw Linkin Park, but I didn’t know about the concert until the tickets were sold out or too outrageously priced.  All my attempts to be one with the “cool” crowd has gone unrewarded … until now.

I really like Muse and I’ve really wanted to go to their April concert since I first heard about it in December, but I didn’t think I was going to be able to.  First, it’s on a school night.  Second, it’s the week of my niece’s wedding.  And third, the cost.

After I heard that a lot of my friends and even my boss and three of his kids are going, the draw to go became too unbearable.  I threw caution to the wind and bought tickets yesterday! (Okay, I really didn’t throw caution to the wind.  That’s not something I’d do.  I checked my syllabuses to see if anything pertinent is due on April 5. I only have an English paper due on April 6 so I’ll just have to get that done early.  I decided my niece’s wedding didn’t matter as far as the concert was concerned because she’s getting married April 8, and the only reason I was worried in the first place was having to take more time off of work.  I realized I don’t need to take time off for the concert so that relieved a lot of the unneeded stress.  And, Corey and I figured out a way to do it financially and I’m considering it my birthday present for this year.)

I’m so excited to go! I think it’s going to be great fun and I’ve heard that Muse puts on a fantastic show.

My last post was about rumors regarding the New Kids on the Block getting back together. … It’s been confirmed. After 14 years apart, NKOTB is reuniting. They’re returning to Today on May 16 to perform live for the first time since 1994. … I’m quite speechless. I never thought this would happen in a million years.

I’m not sure how I feel about this. There’s a part of me that’s super excited because I really loved them. But, then there’s a part of me that’s asking why. I guess I’ll have to check out their new album when it comes out to see what I think. I may even purchase their old albums on iTunes just to reminisce about the old days.

My co-worker Erin just sent me a link with a picture of what the New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) look like now. It was quite unexpected as I didn’t think I’d ever hear about them in the context of “now.” But, I guess there are rumors they might be getting back together. Whatever. However, everyone will know on Friday as they’re appearing on “Today” to address those rumors.

As I looked at their picture, a rush of memories went through my mind. If you know me, you know I was obsessed (understatement of the year) with them when I was in my teens.

• I used to always think I’d marry Joey McIntyre or Jonathan Knight. After all, they’re only six and ten years older than I am, respectively.
• I had all their albums and some of their music videos.
• I had a couple of story books about them, a puzzle, and millions upon millions of magazines featuring them.
• My bedroom walls were plastered with posters and pictures from magazines. You couldn’t see the paint on my walls.
• I still remember each one of their birthdays and Joey’s, Jonathan’s, and Jordan’s middle names.
• I even wanted to name my daughter after Jonathan–Rashleigh Marie.

Without further ado, here’s a picture of what they looked like then and what they look like now.