sweet dreams are made of this

Fayetteville, NC: My 12 year old inner self would like to inform you of the following:

PEOPLE EXCLUSIVE
New Kids On The Block Stage Comeback
By Eileen Finan and Julie Jordan



After months of speculation and rumor, the Kids are coming back. A well-placed source tells PEOPLE exclusively that New Kids On The Block are indeed getting back together.

The band's Web site, www.nkotb.com, which had been dormant, is now back up and running in anticipation of the official announcement, which the source says will be made in the next few weeks.

The site currently features a television graphic with a fuzzy, flickering photos of NKOTB in their heyday, and a link inviting fans to sign up for info.

The boy band, which made legions of tweens swoon in the early '90s, selling more than 50 million albums, became a worldwide phenomenon before calling it quits in 1994.

Eighteen years later, they're still "Hangin' Tough." The oldest "Kid," Jonathan Knight, now a real estate developer, will turn 40 later this year. Since the band's demise, former members Donnie Wahlberg, 38, and Joey McIntyre, 35, have seen acting success, while Danny Wood, 38, has worked as a music producer and Knight's brother, Jordan, 37, has continued to record.

Eclecticity

Dayton, OH:  As I was watching a video by new artist (to me, at least), Ingrid Michaelson (whom I've been told I look like... girls with glasses often look alike, I guess?), I was thinking of my musical taste.  I've always considered myself more of a pop fan than anything, if you needed a label.  However, the more I am exposed to new music, the more I have an appreciation for lyrics and meaning, versus the feel-good nature or marketing package of a cute boy band.  

I now pride myself in the fact that because of my willingness to listen to all types of music, I have widened my musical taste horizons by simply being open.  There have been people in my life (past & present) who seem to think their musical taste is "better" or they are much more evolved musically than me because of a certain type of music they listen to or a certain artist they know of.  

I'm partially to blame -- I believed them!  But I have slowly come to realize that when it comes to music, there is never a "better" because it's all so different.  There IS a place for pop music, there IS a place for angry/screaming/bitter music and there IS a place for deep thinking/soul searching music.  None of them are better.  What's better is if you can tell me a little something about all of them, instead of having your high brow theories on only a specific portion of the whole musical spectrum.

To demonstrate my point of my ever growing musical catalogue, here are my eclectic music choices from yesterday:

driving to gym:  Radiohead - "In Rainbows"

1st 20 minutes at gym:  Arctic Monkeys - "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not"

last 20 minutes at gym:  old school r&b singles mix including

  Black Sheep - "The Choice is Yours" 

BBD - "Ain't Nut'in' Changed!" 

LL Cool J - "Mama Said Knock You Out"

primping for the day:  Ryan Adams - "Easy Tiger"

work:  mix of Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson songs

dinner:  some Indian music at a nearby Indian restaurant (opening up to new food too!)

end of day wind-down:  NPR (perhaps background music, but the fact that I know where NPR is at is another example of opening up to new types of music!)

So bring on your music!  Let me hear what moves you!  But if you are truly open, you'll pay attention to what I am listening to as well.... even if it doesn't meet up to your "high standards of music critique."

But at least you'll have widened your music knowledge and know more than when you started.....

One other note.... 

Do you think we look alike?

welcome, friend....

Nashville, TN:  I had big plans of writing a "year in review" blog last night, recapping all the highlights and lowlights of 2007.  But as I reflected on the past year, I decided to - instead of looking back on the amazing opportunities that presented themselves and some of the stupid choices I made - I wanted to focus on welcoming 2008 as my new friend.  With the help of my mentor, I was reminded that where I am right now is not my final destination, but merely a stop along the journey.  I've been called to see new things and have new experiences, even if I don't know what they are yet.  I have to believe that where I am - right this moment - is EXACTLY where I need to be and to have faith that each moment will continue to lead me to the place that is truly best for me.  So to those who have helped me -- thank  you for being there and helping me understand the point of all of this.  To those who have hurt me -- thank you for forcing me to look at who I am and know the things I cannot be without.  And to 2008 -- welcome, friend... I will do my very best to let you show me where I need to be.