Ever get lost in your calendar and become convinced it’s another day? Several weeks ago I spent an entire Thursday sure it was only Tuesday. Every time I remembered, it was like this little bonus. Today, however, it didn’t work out so well, as it was Friday in my mind while everyone else was slogging through another Wednesday. Every hour or two something would happen to remind me that I was the one who was confused. The frequent jolts back to the Land of Reality were unpleasant at best.
If anything, this evening’s activities made the condition worse. Nothing says the weekend has arrived like an evening get-together on a friend’s back porch, complete with margaritas and snacks. I’m now at risk of not going in to work at all tomorrow morning, and have instructed one of my coworkers to call me if I don’t show up. I almost hope she doesn’t; I could use the sleep.
Please understand — I really like my job, and I love most of the people I work with. But, Lord help me, I do despise my alarm clock. And so I yearn for the weekend with every fiber of my being, just so that I can wake at dawn out of habit instead of obligation, which probably explains my confusion about the days — it is my body’s way of telling me I need a Saturday, no matter what the calendar says.
The chronological confusion has only worsened since our evening margarita consumption, not just because of the alcohol but because of an incident that occurred shortly afterward. Now I’m not even certain what year it is. 1989? 1991?
Here’s why, and this one’s really embarrassing, so be gentle. Turns out there’s a New Kids on the Block, version 2.0, complete with a group blog wherein each member signs his name with an exclamation point. (Yes! You, too, can read blog entries from Danny!, Jonathan!, Donnie!, and Joey Mac!! Isn’t it exciting!) They even have new music, which is where my chagrin kicks in, because to my everlasting shame I found myself almost sort of kinda tempted to tap my foot to “Summertime” when it played on the radio a few minutes ago. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not about to go buy the cassette tape and listen to it forty-eight times in a row like, uh, some people I know did during their first round of popularity. (Hey, I never claimed to be proud of my middle school years.) But it was kind of catchy. It also whisked me right back to the late eighties, a time I try not to visit all too often.
Before being reintroduced to NKOTB this evening I still knew what year it was, even if I couldn’t always pinpoint the day with 100% accuracy. Now I can’t even be certain of that much. At least I have music and margaritas to console me. Sing along with me, will you?
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Pam said,
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Okay, you know each member of NKOTB, their songs, and have linked to their new blog but you haven’t ever watched Buffy? Lord above, woman–I am going to have to stage an intervention!
And I totally hear you with the mixed up days thing. That happens to me more than I’d like to admit. You are the only person I’ve heard of who’s gone backwards though–I usually think it’s Friday when it’s Thursday, but no, not Caryn–you think it’s Tuesday when it’s really Thursday. I don’t know if you need more margaritas or less!
Caryn said,
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 8:43 pm
If it helps, I actually got their names from their blog, since I couldn’t remember. And everybody knows “Hangin’ Tough” if they were older than, say, five in the late eighties and early nineties. Though the answer to your question is more margaritas, not fewer! I need the consolation.
Kyle said,
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 10:26 pm
LOL… I only do that when I have nothing reminding me of the days. I woke up the other day completely convinced it was Monday and that I had forgotten to call my mother for Mother’s Day, got up in a panic and, in a kind of Christman Carolesque moment, realized it actually WAS Mother’s Day and that I hadn’t missed the joyous day after all! Praise the lord!
I’m 22 and don’t remember NKOTB much. I’m sure I would recognize their songs if someone played them for me, but I just never listened to them when they were around the first time, let alone the reinvented 2.0 version. You want to know what’s sad? I just saw a commercial here in Boston saying that, because of overwhelming popularity, they had to add a SECOND concert date in the area! I was floored! I didn’t realize a NKOTB reuinion tour would be as popular as the Spice Girls (who, by the way, I DID listen to!).
P.S. Cassette-tape? You really MUST be stuck in 1989! CDs are already going out of style, darlin’!
LOL…
Cynthia said,
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I can lose the days without even trying. I think there’s something in the air lately too. My Aunt spent all day today thinking it was Thursday – even went to two appointments only to be told they are both on Thursday not Wednesday.
NKOTB, yeah there’s a flashback I’m barely comfortable remembering. Oh and Danny is much more attractive in person. What? Don’t look at me like that. It’s not like I stalked him all over Boston or anything. We just happened to be in the same vintage clothing store once. But yeah, they are all a little old to be signing their names with exclamation points. I should know, I’m the same age as most of them.
Robin said,
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 1:07 am
I so could have gone for a margarita tonight! I often mistake my days too – must be a perpetual wish it was the weekend thing. Hang tough, Caryn!
The weekend’s almost here!
Have a great Satur…I mean Thursday!
Barrie Summy said,
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 1:28 am
Today was Wednesday?
May Thursday treat you gently….
Z said,
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 5:03 am
I totally do the mistaken day thing (and actually, with some frequency…) – AND I’ve been known to write the wrong year for the entire month of January, not by writing the old one (aka 2007 in 2008) but by subtracting a year instead (aka 2006) – I still don’t quite get that one…
Erica Orloff said,
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 5:39 am
Oh my . . .
SO not a fan.
But you go ahead and enjoy them. (And aren’t they a little old to be called NEW KIDS?)
lainey said,
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 6:44 am
Why’d ya go and make me listen to that? Now I need a margarita and its not even eight o’clock in the morning!
LOL, Erica. Don’t they say everything old is NEW again! But yeah, they certainly aren’t ‘kids’ anymore.
Caryn said,
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 7:04 am
Good save on the Mother’s Day thing, Kyle! And, yes, it’s worse if I’m, say, on vacation and have nothing to remind me what day it is, too. As for the cassette tape, I just don’t think it’d be the same on an iPod. Of course, procuring a cassette tape is the problem. Good thing I’m not planning to!
Loved the “hang tough”, Robin! I will certainly try. Happy Thursday!
LOL, Barrie! My sources say that it was. But it’s Thursday now, so we’re one day closer to sleeping in.
Z, I’ve done that, too! And sometimes I can’t remember exactly how old I am, and I add or subtract a year. I think I’m too busy sometimes not trying to overcompensate that I undercompensate, or vice versa. I had a coworker, though, who subtracted about twelve years after January first of this year. They still have no idea why.
Erica, I think you’re right. They need a completely different name. They’re probably better off not clinging to the past anyway. Sometimes it’s better just to start over and hope that no one remembers the first time. And, no, I definitely not about to go buy the album, or even download the song. I just thought it was embarrassingly catchy.
Lainey, now you get to sing it all! day! long! Lucky you.
virginia said,
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 9:48 am
hey, there’s no shame in the New Kids game!
I loved them then and i’m beyond excited for their reunion now!
Robin said,
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:37 am
*News Flash* Caryn, the NKOTB are performing on The Today Show tomorrow…in case anyone’s interested.
Ilana said,
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Oh, I remember them. But it was mostly my little sister who listened to them.
And have you noticed the 80s fashions popping up in all the stores lately?
Caryn said,
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 3:38 pm
That’s great, Virginia! I hope you get to see them in concert.
Wow, Robin. I had no idea. I’m so out of the loop when it comes to television.
Ilana, I’ve seen that, too! It is NOT a good era to remember, fashion-wise. Remember leg warmers? Jelly shoes?
Katie said,
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I actually have that ‘what day is it’ problem frequently. It’s a bummer, because I usually think it’s a day earlier than it is, which means I have extra catching up to do! UGH.
Jessica Nelson said,
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 1:39 am
Thanks Caryn for stopping by. Wow, it was fun to see a comment there. I hope to have tons of fun in the Keys!! Even with three kids under four, lol.
Cute post. I used to love NKOB, sighhhhhhh.
Jessica from BookingIt
Joanne Rendell said,
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 5:55 am
so weird. i was watching the BBC world news last night and you know the part where they show the stock market closing and goofy people banging the hammer and ringing a bell? they often have celebs do it and last night it was NKOTB!
Nilsa S. said,
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 6:01 am
You had me going with you, giving you a “right on” through the alarm clock issues and then you lost me at NKOTB. Oh my. So, about those alarm clocks. I hate them, too. Especially since mine goes off sometime between 4:45-5:00, depending on the day (and yes, that is A.M.!). As you can imagine, I cannot wait for the weekend either.
BTW, thanks for stopping by at my little blog. I always love getting comments from new readers. And then trying to figure out how they found my blog. Usually it’s not so tough – our blogrolls have at least one thing in common. You, though? You’ve got me stumped. Congrats!
Stacy said,
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 10:23 am
That blog is quite the find. I’m so proud NKOTB seems to have grown up to model suits for JC Penney (only explanation I can come up with for that look). Do they pose in Penney’s undies too?
Caryn Caldwell said,
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 11:43 am
Katie, I actually like it when I think it’s earlier than it is — as long as it’s a weekday. Then I get to keep reminding myself that I’m closer to the weekend than I had suspected.
Jessica, thanks for reciprocating the visit. I’m jealous of your trip to the Keys!
Joanne, that’s crazy! Sounds like they are making a big-time comeback. I never would have expected it. And at the stock market closing on BBC world news, no less?
Sorry, Nilsa! If it helps, I’m not exactly running out to get their newest CD (or whatever). I just didn’t think it was as awful as I would have expected. And thanks for reciprocating the visit. I think I clicked over from one of your comments on another blog — maybe I Blog, Therefore I Am.
Stacy, I was so curious that I had to go to their actual website, and when I saw the blog link at the top I just had to click. And I loved the Penney’s comment!
Melissa Blue said,
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 11:55 am
Wow. Thanks for the heads up. I will now not watch MTV for the next 6 months, because of course they are bound to promote, promote, promote–until your eyes are bleeding from the song being played a million times.
Am I evil to hope this comeback will crash and burn? Well, if it is then so be it. I can sleep well at night knowing another boy band will not make a comeback. I’m still recover from Immature. *shudders*
bookmom said,
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I saw NKOTB in concert when I was a teenager.
And yeah, you would think homeschooling I would be able to keep the days straight, but sometimes…….. *G*
Alyson Noel said,
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Oh, I never know what day, month, or year it is– seriously!
But I do know that video is just downright depressing!
Just sign me– ALYSON!
Caryn Caldwell said,
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 8:34 pm
So true, Melissa! Sounds like they’re grabbing every promotional opportunity, so beware.
Bookmom, you were one of those girls who was crying in the Hangin’ Tough video above, weren’t you?
Sorry to depress, Alyson! And, yes, I quite often have to stop and think about what day it is. It makes me think that the calendar has no bearing on how people really operate. It’s like time and structure are forced on us.
Marilyn Brant said,
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I’m embarrassed to say, I watched the WHOLE YouTube video…all! of! it! Clearly, I’m regressing
.
Caryn Caldwell said,
Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 11:11 am
Marilyn, don’t tell anyone but I did, too. It was worth it just to see the fangirls sobbing because they were actually watching their heroes on stage.
Katie Alender said,
Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 5:51 pm
O.M.G. My husband is so disgusted with me right now, because I had to sing along with that song and remember hating all the girls in the video (b!t@h in pink!)… and then go find other NKOTB songs on Youtube and tell him about how I used to sit in my bedroom alone and dance and sing to their first album… and color-coordinate my posters… and decimate issues of Tiger Beat to have 4 inch square pictures of Joey…
Oh help. I need a glass of wine.