Being a fan

I am definitely a fan of many things -- people, music, TV shows, movies and, yes, even sports. Not all sports, but being a Yankees fan is a whole different animal.

Here's how it began -- my brother in law Rajiv is a lifelong Yankees fan. I have known him since I was born, and he started dating my sister at a young age (they first held hands at age 12, but their story is for another time). Anyway, ever since I was a little girl I was surrounded by Raj's love for the Yankees. Picture this. I'm 12, maybe 13, living for Donnie Wahlberg (you're surprised that I loved NKOTB?) dying to listen to the radio on every car ride to hear more of my man, but Raj would be in the car. And no matter what, he won the radio battle. SO I spent years of my life listening to Yankees games on the radio. Then I moved to NYC for college and the Yankees became the modern legends they are -- league champions, world series champions, honking cars outside my dorm room -- Yankees win -- the Yankees WIN!

Soon after, we started a family tradition -- every year my family went to a game. We sat in the nosebleed seats and my nephew and nieces ate tons of cotton candy. There is nothing like going to a game at Yankee stadium -- the energy, the songs, the chants -- it is awesome. Even from REALLY high up in the stands. This year I got to meet Derek Jeter at an event and then met some friends who work for the Yanks and this weekend I went to a game and sat 20 ROWS BEHIND HOME PLATE. It was amazing. The close action, the tension, and of course, even in VIP seats, the drunks. There were two guys in front of me and Cin who were ordering Buds and Johnny Walker Reds on ice (really? on a Saturday afternoon?) One of them got up to use the restroom, and when he came back he couldn't find his seat. I watched him amble down the aisle, start talking to people, move into a row, sit down, look around, try to make friends with the people next to him -- I think he almost forgot that he wasn't in the right seat. Almost, that is, until his friend started throwing spit balls at him to get him back to his seat - love it - people are so crass.

Despite losers one and two in front of me, the game was great and the view was really great. Here is my shot of Jeter warming up before going up to bat -- there is probably a proper baseball term for that, but I'm a fan, not a baseball expert :)

What most people who know me would be surprised to know is that I do know who plays what position, who is what number, how the game is played and even lots of tidbits on the politics or behind the scenes situations -- for instance, no matter how good A-Rod is as a player, there was no reason for his wife to wear a tank that said F**K You to a game. That is just wrong!

What most people won't be surprised to know is that I love Derek Jeter. Yes I have a serious interest and knowledge in the game of baseball, but I also have a crush -- I am, after all, a fan.

Don't be ashamed of your obsessions...

Summer Concert Series

Here it is -- the blog that I have been talking about since the end of Idol last season. With the TV season over, I wasn't inspired to start posting, but after this week, the words are flowing again. My pop culture madness is in full swing because this week was my official Summer Concert Series week. Two men in one week -- Keith Urban and Justin Timberlake and both, in Jersey.


Let's begin with Justin. My friend MC and I went out to Continental Arena (very easy bus ride from Port Authority) for JT. We skipped the Good Charlotte opener (who cares about them?) and got there in time to down a hot dog and beer and go to our FLOOR seats. I shouldn't have been surprised, but most of the crowd was under 25 and unusually short. Justin was awesome -- he is very charming, a great dancer and his voice was in really good shape. Highlights? Cry Me a River which became this anthem of anger and Love Stoned which always reminds me of the Victoria's Secret show. But the best was when he came out at the end in a navy tee, sat down at the piano and sang D*ck in a Box -- it is a really catchy melody.

The downside? He KEPT referring to Jersey City as if the concert was in Jersey City. "Hey Jersey City!" Ummm, Justin let me get you a map -- the arena is not in Jersey City - it is in East Rutherford. He said it about 20 times and as a Jersey girl, I was offended. He is a very good looking guy, but number one rule in touring -- learn what city you are performing in -- doesn't he have anyone who can help him with that?

Then 2 days later, back at Continental Arena - KEITH. For those of you who don't know, I love him. Simple as that. Cindy, MC and I had awesome seats and the stage was set up so that he would come down a runway into the middle of the arena. He played every song I wanted. And I totally called that his opener would be Once in a Lifetime. He even played Got It Right This Time which is this cool synthesizer song that sounds like he recorded in a bathroom. He looked amazing and he likes to use the words "mighty fine" a lot in his Australian accent. "Mighty Fine singing Jersey!" By the way, he did not think he was in Jersey City! I was singing like a lunatic and managed to squeeze in an "I love you Keith" during a quiet moment. I have never done that before - not even for Bon Jovi.


The highlight (as seen left) was when he ran off the stage down the aisle and got up on a platform about 10 people away from us. (MC, I apologize for completely shoving you out of the way). It was amazing. Best songs are really hard to name, but I always love when he does You'll Think of Me and gets seriously angry at the end of it and Faster Car was really fun. Hit single in the making. And for those who criticize country, first of all, don't bother reading this anymore and second of all (AMY) he is a serious rocker who is a great musician, writer and one mighty fine looking man.

Well that's it for today. First posting is officially complete. Next posting? My Yankees love and the conspiracy against Kelly Clarkson - someone is out to get her and we need to all join forces to fight the power.

Til then -- don't be ashamed of your obsessions...