NKOTBSB Are In Sync

Maybe I am a bitter *NSYNC fan, who secretly wishes they were reuniting, but Justin Timberlake's superstar status prevents any reunion hope.

Maybe the brainwashing to dislike New Kids on the Block worked. (I would like to thank the neighbors, who lived next to me in Jersey, for teaching me about common sense.)

Or maybe I just find something odd about a mutant boy band with an average age of 37 still performing. Coincidentally, both band names imply at least one member would be under 18.

My skepticism has the best of me, and I have lingering questions about this NKOTB and Backstreet Boys aka BSB formation.

1. Did they remember their old dance moves or did someone have to teach them?
2. Did they remember their old lyrics?
3. Did anyone ask *NSYNC if they wanted to participate? Or did the lack of a "b" in their band name stall any potential negotiations?
4. Did they ever think they would be performing again?

Several members are used to reviving their careers. Joey McIntyre and Jordon Knight of NKOTB had solo careers in the late 90s. They actually competed with BSB for some top spots on MTV's TRL.

Nick Cater of BSB tried his hand at reality television with "House of Carters" in 2006. I believe he revealed brushing his teeth every day is not something he practices.

Together these men form a mega band called NKOTBSB, and they proved at the 2010 American Music Awards that they still have appeal and fans. They even added an additional Chicago tour date in June 2011.

I am sure the lethal combination will generate lots of money so the members will not have to file for bankruptcy.

Many screaming fans will break out their old concert t-shirts and relive their younger years.

I wish I could do the same. Congrats, NKOTB and BSB fans. The time you waited for as finally come.

Jimmy Fallon Follows Me...

Jimmy Fallon follows me. I guess my Twitter is more interesting than my non-updated blog. I'll work on that...

Ugh. Work.

Most people spend 40 hours a week at work. People probably see their coworkers more than their family and friends.

Working with people you like can change the dynamic of an entire team. People work harder when they have colleagues they respect.

If you are lucky, you will find coworkers, who help you grow. If you are really lucky, you will find coworkers, who become your friends.

I didn't expect to form these kind of relationships professionally. I was fortunate to find a great team during my first post-college job.

Unfortunately, company structure trumps personal relationships. I learned the hard way that losing a member of your team can be heartbreaking. It feels like a loss, and you start to question your position and company.

I said goodbye to some great coworkers, who no longer had a place in our department.

Their departure taught me to treasure those relationships, don't make it just work and be thankful you are employed.

You Can Put it on the Board.......YESSSSSSS! or No.....

After a little more than a week of baseball, the Chicago White Sox are developing a pattern.

Home runs, leaving guys stranded in scoring position and allowing guys to score with two outs and two strikes are contributing to this dismal 2010 start.

The White Sox 3-5 record leaves them tied for third place with the Kansas City Royals in the Central Division.

Many say the season is young, but if I know my guys like I do, I know the worst is not over.

They let the losses, lack of hits and other mistakes affect their playing, which contributes to more losses, lack of hits and other mistakes.

The one thing they don't lack - the home run. During the off season the team was revamped so the home run wasn't the only scoring method.

Power hitters like Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye weren't resigned to the 2010 White Sox in favor of guys who can score runs and drive in RBIs.

Well the home run was not lacking in those three White Sox wins.

Home runs

• Outfielder Andruw Jones hit two during the 8-7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on April 12.
• Paul Konerko, first baseman, had six hits this season and three of them were home runs.
• Third baseman, Mark Teahen has one home run out of four hits.
• Three home runs, courtesy of Mark Kotsay, Gordon Beckham and Konerko, sailed into the stands of U.S. Cellular Field during the 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins on April 11.

"We interrupt this broadcast of small ball to bring you back to the White Sox home run derby: 4 runs all off the long ball," Scott Merkin, MLB.com reporter said on this Twitter account.

I like to Eat, Eat, Eat

As I get older, cooking is essential. My mom no longer makes dinner while I watch TV during its preparation.

When I was younger, my mom always made a hot dinner served promptly at 5 p.m. I fully intend to maintain this lifestyle so I am forced to enter the kitchen.

Ingredients, laziness and good recipes presented a challenge that I was determined to overcome in 2010. I wanted to save money and eat healthy.

I spent some time on FoodTV.com, talked to friends and made my own concoctions so that I could come up with a recipe arsenal.

Looking up recipes at the beginning of the week was helpful in planning my grocery list. I always try to find recipes that require few ingredients so I don't spend a lot of money on items I won't use again.

Here are some of my successful recipes.

Portobello Lasagna Rollups
This was my first recipe success. Ellie Krieger, a Food Network personality, created this easy dish. It is healthy and the leftovers freeze well.

Orange-Balsamic Glazed Chicken
Rachael Ray, who I credit for my food addiction, featured this recipe on 30-Minute Meals. I plan to make a few tweaks in the future, but my best friend found this chicken to be delicious. I will probably leave out the rosemary because I don't really like the taste and hold back on the chicken stock so my glaze is less runny.

Salsa Chicken
I didn't realize the popularity of this recipe until chatting with my friend Ross. This is a great, low-calorie way to satisfy a taco craving. Plus you don't have to chop up a bunch of lettuce and tomatoes. I paired this with a side of farm stand salsa courtesy of Tyler Florence.

Tortellini Soup with Mini Italian Meatballs
This recipe is my own creation. I had some delicious tortellini soup at a restaurant and wanted to create my own. I added a bunch of canned tomatoes, a can of V8 because I still thought it lacked flavor, white beans, spinach, garlic and onions. I took ground Italian sausage to make my own mini meatballs, which I cooked in the soup. I added cooked cheese tortellini and never looked back.

I always make my mom's chili during winter, pasta salads, tacos and steak, but now I have some additional flavors for my mouth.

I hope this inspires some of my friends to cook some meals.

My tummy is full, my savings account is larger because I am not eating at restaurants and I feel accomplished.

P.S. Nothing tastes as good as when someone else (especially your mom) makes it. I don't think I am ready to tackle my mom's spaghetti sauce.

Remembering a Decade

This is the first decade where I was old enough to form memories that will last a lifetime. Here are my top 10 memories - good and bad.

10. The Chicago White Sox won the 2005 World Series. My Eastern friends and I spent hours at the bar watching. My friend died of ovarian cancer the same day the White Sox won. I will never forget those mixture of feelings.

9. I fell in love for the first time and felt my first heart break four years later.

8. Sept. 11, 2001 - This was the first historical event my generation experienced. My dad stood on the ferry as he watched clouds of smoke and debris fill New York City.

7. In 2008, I went back to New Jersey for the first time since 1993. I saw old friends, neighbors and my dad. This visit confirmed Landing, NJ will always be my home.

6. I discovered a love for music that extended beyond 'Nsync. I have seen more than 70 bands perform, visited every Chicago venue and discovered new friends because of the influence of an unknown basement band.

5. Attending Eastern Illinois University was my best lazy decision. With applications to Syracuse University, Rutgers and Northwestern University sitting in front of me, I applied to the only journalism school that did not require an essay. Luckily I was accepted because I did not have a back up plan.

4. Seeing my byline printed in the newspaper was the exact moment I knew attending Eastern was the right decision. Writing for The Daily Eastern News was a gratifying experience that led to great friends, great memories and a great internship.

3. I went skydiving with a bunch of friends in 2008. We jumped out of an airplane at 14,500 feet and fell 100 mph.

2. When I was younger I thought you lived your life, died and came back to live it again. I was wrong. I realized time goes by quickly. Along with this realization, I learned to not burn bridges and appreciate every friendship. I will use this lesson for the rest of my life.

1. Appreciating my family is not something that came easy. My heart is filled with a lot of pain and anger. I am finally letting go so I can enjoy time with my growing family.

Thankful Thursdays

I have not done one of these in a while, but this week really tested my ability to live. I’ve experienced everything from missing a train, being late to a meeting, being stranded with a broken car and using a stranger’s toilet (Thanks, Rock Band people!)

I will be thanking the people, who help keep my sanity during stressful times.

1. Amelia – Without her to chat with at work, work would be horrible. We try to keep our sanity in check. We share awesome music, movies and TV shows to help pass the 8-hour day. I’m totally stoked to have her in my life for at least 40 hours a week.
   
   
2. Andriana – She drove all the way into Chicago to pick up two stranded friends. She also engaged in some light, midnight drinking with me after a stressful night. Bestest best friend EVER!
   
   
3. Andy – He is my Kuwait husband. He is neither Kuwaitian nor my husband, but he is pretty rad. I appreciate the effort he puts forth into chatting with me daily and making me more Korean.
   
   
4. Bryce – I’ve known this guy since I was 16. He was nice enough to take me to a (not-so-free) concert at one of my favorite venues, Logan Square Auditorium. Passion Pit was awesome live! He even bought me a beer when he found $20 on the ground. We had an excellent adventure.
   
   
5. Colin – I haven’t seen him in a few months, but this guy is still an awesome friend and photographer. FACT.
   
   
6. Gable – He may be a broken bagel, but at least I get to talk to him more. He chatted with me until 3 a.m. after getting back from my Chicago adventure. Plus, he lets me pimp him out for a small fee.
   
   
7. Gingerman bartenders – They are friends and therapy wrapped into one.
   
   
8. Jilly – I am so thankful to have her as my cousin because my hair always looks awesome. Congrats to her and her husband on their baby Kian. I can’t wait to meet him.
   
   
9. Pete – He gives me the best hugs, free AMP energy drinks and plays with my hair. He also listens to all of my problems, and I always know where to find him.
   
   
10. Ross – I’ve known my fake ex-husband for three years. He always listens and gives me advice. He also reminds me when new music is released.

Thanks everyone for helping make life a little easier.