Foreign Policy and Boy Bands

what could those two things possibly have in common?  They both contributed to the best couple weeks of 2008! 

On Sept. 19th, Former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, came to campus for a talk on our institution's place in the world.  She was, in a word, amazing.  I even got to ask her a question about the importance of colleges and universities in promoting America's interests abroad through international education.  Her response confirmed my personally held belief that what I do in promoting study abroad and cross-cultural education is an important part in making the world a better place.  

She also thanked me for what I do, and told me I have an important job.  ::sigh:: how awesome is that.  she also signed my book, Madame Secretary.  Nothing like a little "thanks" from the highest ranking female governmental official during the 90's to motivate you.

Now for the boy band.  If you didn't know it already, New Kids on the Block have reunited, released a new album, The Block, and are touring the U.S. and Europe this fall.  They also happen to my all time favorite group Ev-ah and are heads and shoulders cooler than Backstreet, N'Sync or those goofy Jonahs Brothers.  In fact, without NKOTB, there would be no Backstreet, etc. 

All summer I had been counting down to my Oct. 3rd trip to Cleveland to see my true loves (that mostly refers to Jordan Knight, but Donnie Wahlberg seems to have caught my eye as well).  I met up with my BFF from grade school (we've known each other 25 years. w00t!) and a couple of her friends in C-town, and proceeded to have the best.time.EvaR!

Before the show, Christie (my BFF) brought up a "sealed" box identified as "New Kids stuff."  It was dated August 1999, the year we packed up Christie's parents' house in preparation for a move, and apparently put all of her New Kids stuff inside.  

We had to open it together, and what better time to do that than right before our 2nd ever NKOTB concert.  

Inside were very well preserved teeny-bopper mags, posters, and even a couple of t-shirts and "hubcaps."  The t-shirt from the No More Games Tour '90 even fit Christie, so she wore it to the show!  

For realsies, 14 years later and not a missed step, harmony, scream or squeal.  They played at the Quicken Arena (home of the Cavaliers) and the place was PACKED!  It was like every 30 year old female in a 500 mile radius had made the trip.  Every woman my age was wearing some sort of NKOTB paraphernalia and on her way to a screaming frenzy of old skool hits, and new skool kicks! 

New Kids on the Block, Cleveland, 10.03.08 from John Soeder on Vimeo.

the guys looked great.  they sounded great (at least they sounded great when i could hear them in between screams).  it was amazing the hold they had on the whole crowd, and how crazy everyone was through the entire show!  2 songs into the concert i was worried i wasn't going to be able to sustain the booty shakin' and singing along (ok, screaming like a 12 year old girl) the entire 2 hours.  but they rocked the house so hard we left the arena sweaty and half deaf.  the 2nd encore was Hangin' Tough, and the crowd went INSANE!  seriously, this was probably the most fun I've had in a long long time.  

The show got a great review from myself and Christie, as well as the Plain Dealer.

So there you have it.  Some of the best couple weeks ever.  Now all i have to do is worry about turning thirty next week.  At least my inner 12 year old got a chance to come out before i'm officially untrustworthy.