Its all perfectly normal ... right BH's?

I'm a mom.  But don't stop reading because you think this will be full of mommy talk.  I'm not her.  I don't associate well with other moms.  Sure, I love my kids and who I am, but there's nothing I dislike more than blogs full of parenting blah blah blah.  I have interests - my husband calls them hobbies - but I'm not sure that's the right word.  Hobbies include things like sewing, playing cards, or hiking ... sure, i'm doing those things, but I'm not blogging about them.

Its my little secret.  Its not dirty ... most of the time.  Nor is it illegal.  It costs a lot of money.  It consumes a great deal of my time.  And it makes me giddy, like a little girl.  

I'm a boy band fan!  Before you judge me, I'm not saying that I inappropriately fawn over younger men.  I'm very specific in my obsession and it goes back 25 years.  I'm a Blockhead.  What is that?  Its the word that has been given to fans of New Kids on the Block.  I hate the term.  But thanks to a cyber world full of acronyms and shortened words, we now refer to ourselves as BHs - fans of NKOTB.

This world of crazy fans is an interesting place to be.  I, like many others, have convinced myself that I AM NORMAL.  I have control over myself in the presence of the band.  I don't publicly wear my concert merchandise, and I don't force my children to listen to their music.  When you exist in a bubble full of others just like yourself, a place where so many others have taken their obsession to the highest possible level, its easy to pretend that you're normal.  But if you were to ask my husband, or my parents, or my close friends what they think, you would see eyes rolling, heads shaking, and tsks of disapproval.  Its okay. They're just jealous. Maybe.

What exactly is it that they disapprove of?  Maybe the three (soon to be 4) NKOTB cruises that I've sailed on.  The countless concerts with, not 'average' seats, but awesome closer-than-close seats.  Attending events just because one of the band members might be in attendance.  Purchasing merchandise with their photos and logos on it, not because I'll ever wear them, but just because I can. Listening almost exclusively to their music in my car.  What?  Are you shaking your head too?

There are crazier fans.  Really, there are.  Thank goodness for those women.  They make this justifiable in my warped brain.  They also make for some hilarious stories and laughs. Its okay to be a little nuts.  Life is hard, and being a parent is the most challenging job in the world.  I'm a better person and an even better mom because I've learned how to take breaks and do something for myself. I've made new friends with amazing women.  I've learned how to channel my inner 12 year old.  And I've learned that it feels good, really good, to smile from ear to ear!