Hi! I'm home! Miss me? lol. Wow, I have quite the story to tell you about my weekend away, I don't know where to begin, but I guess the beginning would be a good start!
First and foremost though, I want to thank EVERYONE that wished me a happy birthday, whether by email, in here, by greeting card, told me, yahoo group, message board, etc. LOL. I don't want to leave any of you out. Thank you so much, it means a lot to me :o) I couldn't get back to everyone, but I really do appreciate it!
Anyway, so I got to Lexington at 10 am Sunday morning. Both flights were smooth and on time, so I was happy about that, I hate flying. The second flight was only 10 minutes long! That's the way to go, lol. Up and down. Basically Sunday was spent sightseeing. I don't live in the South, so I had no idea on Sunday's almost everything was closed or opened up late. We went to the big mall and got there at 11:30 and nothing opened till 12, some stuff didn't open at all, and I was just amazed. In NY everywhere is BURSTING with activity on Sunday. We visited a lot of souvenir shops, etc. The population is either really small, or really quiet because no one is on the streets or in any of the shops! Maybe they were in church. ;o) After shopping, we were horribly bored at around 4. Stacey wanted to sleep so I laid on the bed. Not even 15 minutes later I was out cold. I didn't want to sleep, but I guess I needed it, waking up at 3 am and all and flying most of the day. We had dinner at Denny's lol. I had pancakes. Odd craving but it was good! Only thing that stinks is that the cabs are RIDICULOUS. We easily spent $200 on cabs alone the whole two days. It's insane. Sunday night we got a movie on the hotel TV "How to lose a guy in 10 days" SO cute! Then we went to bed, lol. Had to be up early the next morning!
Wake up call at 6:45 started off the day. After arranging for an (expensive) taxi, we set off to the middle of NOWHERE for this event. The guy at the gate says to drive all the way up to the club and that's where the event was. When you first got in though, I saw HHC signs on the tent. But, the cab driver insisted it was further. Well, he was wrong, and guess who had to WALK a mile back to the tent. Oh yes, were we fuming. At this point it was 7:45, the event began at 8:15, we made it back at 8:10 barely, but wow, what a hike. Stacey was peeved as anything and was all saying we should never have come, it won't be worth it. BOY was she wrong. And I'm still bugging her about it.
Registration starts, and I notice on the list, my name is the ONLY one bolded. I was quite confused that maybe I was in trouble, lol. But, the lady told my happy birthday as I checked in. Interesting. Stacey said maybe they would do something for me, but nothing happened, lol. Anyway, we get in. Stacey is starting to calm down a bit, and we told Brandon what had happened. He was very apologetic, but I didn't care anymore because our table was RIGHT in front of where Brian would be! I was getting excited. We took pics with Brian's mommy as she walked around hugging everything in site, lol. Then, she thanked us for coming, Brandon thanked us for coming, and told us to read the itinerary. It didn't look that promising, but looks can be deceiving. It had said a table photo with Brian and Leighanne. Most people took that to mean that there would only be about 8 pictures, group photos of the table you were at. But, lets see what happens. No need to be mad cause then Brandon introed the man we all wanted to see!
Brian walked in with Leighanne, and he was holding Baylee. He is SO precious. Looks JUST like his daddy! He has fair skin, blonde hair and bright blue eyes. And he has Brian's nose, lol. He was very well mannered, considering it was his first "audience" as Brian put it. What a happy baby! Brian's grandma held him most of the day, but I went up and touched his little face and talked to him :o) He is too cute for words! I MAY post a pic, but I don't want it getting out, though 74 other people with cameras are bound to put this kid on the net. Brian and Leighanne didn't say anything, but Jackie told a few girls by me she was afraid the pics would be all over. But, honestly, they did bring him at their own risk. I probably won't share the pics of him (which will be hard since he's in the back of all mine, not on purpose, it's where he was sitting) but you'll probably see him.
Anyway, Brian thanked us for coming and said "Okay! Lets get started!" And then he paused and said "Oh, wait, I forgot to introduce someone important. Boner, you wanna come out?" I swear the place freaking erupted in screams! Oh my goodness! It was none other than AJ McLean! Stacey (who LOVES AJ and has never met him) about died on the spot! She was SO happy! She told me later she would have walked that mile twice and swam in the creek had she known AJ would be coming. I was so happy for her, and so happy for me! I would now meet all 5 BSB!
We now move onto the question and answer session. I'll sum it up, Brian says the best thing about being a parent so far was when Baylee was born. He said when he came out he yelled "Mama!" lol. And the doctor held him up and Brian said he couldn't believe he was here! He said he held him and smelled him and was just amazed at what he had created. Leighanne answered one question about what was the hardest thing about being a parent, and she first said "The skin doesn't go back so fast..I mean Brian's" lol. but then went on to say that sometimes when she was so tired of the feedings and the middle of the night teething problems, etc. all he had to do was smile and it made everything better. Of course, they were asked about BSB and they told us that they had been in the studio, when Nick's solo put a damper on that. Honestly, right now they are in 5 different places (yeah, I know we've heard all this already) But they swore they aren't going anywhere and that all 5 would be back and be stronger than ever when the time was right. They said seeing all of us makes them want to run to the studio today because it's been a year and a half since they performed and they miss it. Behind me, a fan asked AJ if next year he'd be her prom date, LOL, In Toronto. He said well he didn't know what he was doing, but how bout a hug? After her hug, Stacey literally GRABBED him by the arm and said (I tried to stop her) "AJ! I have been waiting me whole life to meet you! I have a monkey named after you!" His face was priceless! And he was right next to me. I just chose to stare at him, lol. He gave Stace a hug, and promised her a pic later. About 10 minutes passes, and Stacey turns to me and says "Did I just tell him I have a monkey named after him?" LMAO. After the Questions, someone asked them to sing. AJ broke into I'll Never Break Your Heart (*dies*) and he sings "From the first day" And Brian says "You're singing in the wrrrrrong keeeeey!" So they try a few more times, and we got a few verses. Heaven, I tell ya.
We then heard a BRAND new song! Brian had sang some of it in NY and asked if the ones there remembered. I *think* it's just his, for his album but it is SO pretty. It's called, "Love Saved The Best For Me" I believe. It was just a demo playing, but wow, I can't wait for it to be released!
Breakfast time! Could you eat with 2 Backstreet Boys sitting 20 feet away? Yeah, neither could I. Mrs. Littrell yelled at me because I had an empty plate, LOL. Honestly I tried a muffin and it was just bad.
Now it was time for the meet and greet! EACH boy came up to every person and you got a pic with them! So, Brian started at table A, and AJ at B, where I was. I gave AJ a BIG hug. He smells delicious! lol. I told him that it was my birthday and thanks for coming! He said "Really! Happy birthday!" We took 2 pics, cause the first one didn't flash. And NEITHER came out :'( I had wonderful seats, but because of the tent opening, there was a BIG glare and it ruined a lot of my film. I won't complain though, I had no heads in front of me and it was a lot better than sitting in the way back! Stacey went up to AJ next, and apologized about the monkey, lol. He said "Don't worry! My friend has a turtle named after me!" Hoo boy, lol. She got a big hug and kiss from him and I was just so happy for her. Her pic came out thank goodness.
Next, Brian came around! Don't ask me why but I was WAY more relaxed this time. He started with me and I just threw my arms around him! He gave me a long hug and then pulled away with his hands on my shoulders and I just went right back into him, lol. He is so huggable! RAH! I just gazed at him and didn't say much of anything, lol. I did say it was my bday and he said "Oh, how wonderful!" We took a pic (THIS one came out! YAY!) and then I told him I brought a gift but they had stolen it from me. He said "Stole it? Oh no!" lol. He's such a silly boy. Then I had to let him go, but Stacey grabbed him and said "I'm NOT letting you go till you tell me AJ's hotel!" He cracked up and said. "Sure!" Sadly, it wasn't the Hyatt, it was some inn. She said we were at the Hyatt and then she started blabbing about how we were on the 16th floor and I was scared of heights. He looked at me and went "Me too!" Then he proceeded to tell me about his recent vacation to FL where he was on the 15th floor with open balconies and he was hugging the walls. LOL. So, random conversation with Brian, but nice :o) He was kind enough to take a pic with me and Stacey as well. And he had the giggles. He said "You're tickling me!" and pointed to her. So she grabs his side and he almost fell over in laughter. What a goon. ;o) But he is so much fun. I couldn't have asked for a better encounter.
After that I basically wandered around and talked with some other fans. AJ finished meeting fans first and went outside to change his shoes. Stacey and I were out there and we walked up to him and began chatting. He told us he was coming to NY tomorrow (that would be today!) to meet with Jive about his solo album. :o) He told us about his silly hotel saying "Rok put me up in the sticks!" lol. Earlier, Brian had mentioned that after him and AJ had gone golfing the day before, and after, Brian was going to bring him to the hotel and AJ said he wanted to go to the mall! Brian was kidding around saying, well that cat's out of the bag now! LOL. So, we asked AJ if he was at the big one. He said Yeah! Were you guys? We said, "Yes, we left at 2:30" to get the answer. "Oh! I got there at 3:00!" *sigh* lol. He said he had no trouble with fans anywhere! I said well look at it here! I'm from NY and there wasn't much to do! He said we were in a quiet area and the whole Blue law thing where nothing opens on Sunday. He said "It's a lot different from where you and I live, in NY and LA." So I said, I've never been to LA. he responded. "You're not missing anything." LOL! He is so blunt sometimes, his face was priceless. Overall, I'd say we chatted with him about 10 minutes alone. He is so easy to talk to and he's very affectionate. :o) We took a pic with him together (it came out!) and he signed my visor I got in the gift bag, lol. I was kinda happy in a way I missed him at the mall, because the surprise of him was indescribable. I was so excited. I luff him!
Moving onto the auctions. Just like last time, Brian started stuff at a low price and things went through the roof! I put my hand up until about $50 lol. The first thing he had was a signed pic of the Boys in Japan, him and AJ were arguing over where is was from. AJ said "Maybe it's capetown south AMERCIA!" and everyone laughed. Don't know if he'll ever get that right. ;o) But like I said, stuff was going for high!
All of a sudden, Brian holds up his sunglasses and says "Who'll give me $10 for these?" I JUMP out of my seat and say "I WILL!" and he goes "SOLD!" Yay! He handed them to me and said "Since it's your birthday and all." Oh, my, I love him. That was the only thing he gave away for under $500. So, I feel very lucky to have them. The next pair of sunglasses went for about $550, if I remember right.
They gave away a build a bear (SAME one as mine) and a Leighanne Bunny which she told Brian to sell together, they couldn't be separated... So those went for $900. Some clothes of Bri and AJ's was sold. And they auctioned off AJ by taking the shirt off his back! When he stripped, everyone yelled and the baby started to cry from the noise. Leighanne said "AJ! Put your clothes on you're scaring my son!" So, AJ had to golf in his undershirt after that, ;o)
The golf clinic was funny, but a little boring and VERY hot, since we went outside the tent. Brian's dad was acting funny and neither Brian or AJ could get the ball in the hole. They try hard though, lol. I have great pics of them golfing since I was outside and it was clear.
We went back in and Stacey won the centerpiece on the table, lol. Then, it was time to say good-bye! Brian thanked everyone for coming and Leighanne spoke again. He headed to the car and while Leighanne talked to some fans, I approached him. It took guts, but like I said, I had loads of confidence and I figured if I could talk with AJ, I could talk with Brian. He was putting the baby bag away in the car and I told him "Thank you for making this birthday the best day ever" he said "Aw, you are VERY welcome." And I help out my invitation since I had nothing signed from him and asked if he would sign it. He wrote "For Kathryn (yeah I spelled it for him LOL) on the front and then inside it says "Happy B-Day! Brian" I thanked him again and as he was climbing the car he said "And by the way... happy birthday." To say I almost melted would be appropriate LOL. He is just so amazing and him and AJ made my year. They are SO funny and the inside jokes they cracked with each other made me happy to see that they were still great pals. AJ said had he still been having problems (He's right now 9 months sober, he fell off the wagon 9 months back) he would have blown Brian off. But he loves that "Little dork" ;o)
Random observations: Brian gave away his shirt from "Not For Me" and he said it was the dance where they looked like Michael Jackson and everytime they performed it, Howie fell in the hole. You'd hear "No, no, uh uh... BAM!" lol. Poor Howie ;o)
Brian had AJ's vest from "The Call" video and AJ said "That's mine but it somehow wound up in BRIAN'S closet!" He called him a klepto. He also said he was too slow in the auctions, lol. Brian told him too bad ;o)
I hardly saw Leighanne the whole day. While Brian and AJ were meeting with fans (she was supposed to be too) she vanished. She may have been in the back, but she never came to my table. Stacey took a pic with her later and she randomly blurted out that her friend had my pants. Oooook, didn't get that one, but yeah, lol.
Wow, I think that about covers most of it. I may add on shall I think of more. I know that was long, but SO many of you wanted every detail, lol. I came home to be BOMBARDED with IMs. I have pics, I need to scan them, but right now, I'm wiped from typing it all up! There's over 100 pictures, plus Stacey's so make that 200. I'll only show the really nice, clear ones though. And of course Brian and AJ :o)
My dream has come true in more ways than one. I met Brian again, and I met AJ whom I've been wanting so badly to meet. He is my 2nd fave BSB and will now always be. He's a sweetheart and I had so much fun with him. I wasn't a VIP, but I left so happy. I got more than I could have ever wanted from them and the memories I take away no one can put a price on.
One girl read a speech she had prepared for the Boys on how they touch people's lives and how they may not know that they are so incredibly special to us. By the time she finished both Boys were in tears. She then proceeded to ask if they could sum up this 10 years experience in one word, what would it be. AJ said "Effortless" and Brian said "Blessed" And to see their faces as they gazed out at the crowd that were all in tears as well. I think, that was my favorite moment of the whole weekend.
Thank You Kat for allowing me to use this account and Pics.
