I'm a Blockhead and Guess What? I'm Damn Proud.

Today is April 2, 2013, a day that fans of New Kids on the Block have waited five years for. We begged them for new music. I think they kinda didn't want to do it at first ;) but luckily for us, they've finally put out a new album. And it exceeded all expectations. A totally different sound for them but it works. Please put aside your prejudices and at least check it out. As Joe McIntyre once said, "If you don't like us after you look, then that's fine. But don't boo for no reason." People are still unfortunately booing. I guess some see me tweet about buying the album and they chuckle and roll their eyes, thinking I'm stuck in some nostalgic bubble, wishing I was still a teenager. Guess what? I don't. I wouldn't go back to my high school years for anything. I suffered non-stop ridicule because I liked a freaking music group. In what world is that okay? Apparently, this one. Like it or not, it's still a form of bullying. I guess it'd be a little different if this was Justin Timberlake's album. He was in a boyband, too. Why is his music okay and my choice isn't? Why is he cool to like and New Kids aren't? N*SYNC wouldn't have existed if someone wasn't trying to recreate what NKOTB had (and still have whereas all these other boy bands have lost members over the years or completely fallen apart).

You may wonder why I feel the need to write this blog today. Well, I'm sad to say when I tweeted from my "professional" writing Twitter about how proud I was, that I bought 10, I got a few tweets that rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sure these people meant it as good-natured teasing. I'm not gonna call anyone out but you struck a nerve. This is a day I've looked forward to for a long time and I deserve to be excited, happy and proud of these men for the great work they've created. Instead, I find myself defending them like I'm 15 years old again. My escape back then was writing. I'd write my book in class, as soon as I got home, at night when I was supposed to be in bed. And you know what inspired that book, what inspired me to become a writer? New Kids on the Block. So when you insult them, you're insulting me. They were the first ones to show me that dreams could come true. I could escape the teasing in my writing world, where the band you like is cool. I know you didn't mean anything by it, but imagine if someone insulted you for the books you like to read. If someone implied you were an idiot for a book you thought was a masterpiece, how would that make you feel? Or god forbid, the book you wrote. I know I need to have thick skin as a writer and I'm getting better at that, at taking criticism. I guess I just didn't expect this today, on my writing Twitter. So I'll most likely not be on much today. I'm going to my NKOTB fan Twitter where everyone else is excited and listening to our fabulous new album. I'm gonna put this behind me and move on with a smile.

But if you're still reading, I ask you to please give #NKOTB10 a listen before you judge. If you still don't like it, like Joe said back in the day, that's fine. And you ain't gotta tweet about how much it sucks. I don't like Suit and Tie AT ALL but I have politely not voiced my opinion because I don't want to offend anyone. :D It's possible you might *gasp!* like at least some of the songs. I recommend "Fighting Gravity" and "Survive You" if love songs are your thing. "Crash" and "The Whisper" if you like the party tracks. "Back to Life" and the hidden track, "Let's Go Out With A Bang" if you like pure awesomeness (it's pretty obvious I'm a Joe girl). The guys are actually very talented, especially Joe and Jordan Knight. Their voices are AMAZING and I don't think they've ever gotten the recognition and respect they deserve. From us fans, yes, because we've been open to it. We get it and always have. But it seems like the rest of the world closes their minds and ears.

Anyway, I've gone on long enough and I feel better now. :) Fellow Blockheads, let's relish in the awesomeness and enjoy this long-awaited day! Everyone else, please respect me, my choices and my band. I've been a fan for 25 years by the way and always been proud. Always will be, even more so now. The Block for Life baby!!!!
Throwing this in just 'cause it's awesome: