So, the guys finally arrive and to my shock, they walk RIGHT into the crowd. I look up and there's Kevin with his hand out. By the time they say down, I had shaken all 5 of their hands. I knew this was going to be a good day. So Cubby starts the interview and I'm not going to recap that. On the commercials though, we were mingling the most with Brian. When the guys had walked in and Brian came over, I told him to sit at the end of the sofa closest to me, which he did... good man. Back to mingling, Stacey handed Brian a letter she had written him about how the HHC inspired her to lose weight and get healthy and he opens it RIGHT there. So he reads this short letter (and it took him about 2 minutes!) and he told her how much it would mean to Brandon. So Stacey explains Brandon knows and he looks at me and goes, "You must be Kathryn!" Since my name was in the letter. And then tells Stacey he wants to give Brandon the letter himself. Stace asked for a pic with him then and she goes, "Can we kiss you?" and he goes "Sure, KISS ME!" in this funny voice. So that explains the last pic when we are kissing him. He's so sweet. He talked to us for awhile about a lot of stuff, the songs that would be on the album, etc...

       

Back to the interview, they asked if anyone didn't have tix to that night's show, I raised my hand the first time, but some other girl got them since she was already asking a question. Even though she got the answer wrong (and I knew it by the way!) So the second time, I started to really wave my hand around and Cubby goes, "I think you should pick this girl, she looks like a die hard fan!" And Brian goes, "Yeah, I'll pick her!" So off I go to the mic. Now, I hadn't raised my hand on purpose before this because I didn't want to be in front of ALL FIVE of them and answer Backstreet trivia. But, tix were on the line here... the last pair! So I went up. Cubby asked my name, where I was from, etc... you can hear it all. Everyone tells me I sounded Calm, but inside I was nervous they were going to ask me something impossible! Anyway Nick tries and tries to think of one and goes "Uhh, what was... one of our videos?" And I gave him this look like "WTF?" and you can hear it on the audio - Brian, AJ and Kevin CRACK up at the look I give him. Then they made fun of his question and told him to think up a harder one. Then he asked me about where they got their name. Dur, easy. I practically cut him off I answered so quick. And yes, I won! Then Cubby's all, "You have a question for the guys?" And I freeze lmao. I said "My friend does," but Stacey said she'd be next (which we ran out of time for anyway) so I finally said, "No, I don't. I'm just happy you're back and congrats on everything." To which they thanked me and I flew back to my place. But yay for Backstreet Good Luck lately!

       

After the interview, we went to stand in line for our group pics (which we had to take with 3 other people... and I have no idea how I get this pic since they didn't take any info... hmm) and we were last. As we're standing in the hallway (the guys had to tape commercials) Kevin comes out of nowhere, literally wandering down the hallway. The hall was shaped like a big L and the people on the long end of the L couldn't see him, since they all rushed to be first for pics (see, here my logic was be last - longer with Boys!) So Stacey got him to talk to her friend and I gave him a letter Mare had written for the guys, telling him to please read it, and he said he would. Then off he went and Howie appears. Stacey wanted a pic with him so I fought with her camera and managed to take one. Then the security told them to stop coming to the fans. Whatever. Moving on, I was very last in line and since the people with me all had different faves, we all ran to them. Marissa to Nick, Janet to Howie, Stacey to AJ and me, finally, at the end of the line, Brian. I talked to him for a bit, about a lot of stuff, and he suddenly grins and says,"I'm so happy you won the passes!" I was floored. I thanked HIM for picking me. And he winked and said,"I wanted you to be there." So, of course, I hugged him...TIGHT! He is such a sweetheart and he is so happy to be back. His fan interaction has gone up a TON! They were bugging us to hurry so after taking the pic, I rushed back to AJ to hand him something I had written him and the second I looked into his eyes, I basically blanked. He has the best eyes. I got out what I wanted to say, about how proud of him I was and everything since every time I see him, I forget to say it. He got all mushy and said, "Thank you so much, sweetheart. It's because of all your support I was able to do it!" Then he hugged me and then the Z100 dude told me I had to get out because I was taking too long and Cubby had to take a pic with them. Outside I realized I hadn't asked Nick for an individual picture so Stacey waves him out and he opens the door and goes, "Whassssup?" lol. So I ask quickly and he says, "Okay but just one. I'm breaking the law here!" So I got my Nick pic FINALLY. My collection is now complete. Down the elevator we go (36 floors!) and we wind up walking out with them, lol. They thanked us again and got in their cars to go off to sound check!

       

Irving was amazing. I won't ruin it for all of you who are going, but they do all the hits off Ch 1 and 7 new songs: I Still (which I LOVE) Beautiful Woman, Climbing the Walls, Weird World, Shout, Poster Girl and Incomplete. Stacey and I left halfway through the show since we were so tired, but we're staying for the whole thing tonight. I heard all the new ones live except PG and Incomplete so I am looking forward to them. There were people camped out there since like 5:00 Sunday and Stacey and I had will call cause of Z100. I put down my ID and in they let us. We didn't wait on line at all! LOL. We still stood in the back though, since the place was a nuthouse. We wound up next to Johnny Wright and he was teasing us since the guard kept telling me I couldn't lean on the barricade and I'd do it every time he walked away. LOL! The set list was right in front of me too so no surprises. I had a ball though. They were SO HYPED on stage. I think they were amazed at the response. I have never seen them dance better, sing better or have more energy. Especially Brian! He was breakdancing all over and interacting with the crowd like it was 1997 again. And towards the end, when all the hands were down and the house lights were up, he spotted me, pointed and blew a kiss. That made my night complete.

I can't thank Z100 enough and I can't thank Stacey enough for being my buddy yesterday and tonight. Even if our feet hurt and we're going on 4 hours of sleep, Backstreet is definitely worth it and they are definitely back!

All photos are copyrighted to Kathryn and were used with permission. Please ask her if you wish to use her photos.