Thursday, December 1st, 2011
Charlene and I made the quick walk over to CAMEO Nightclub. When we got to the entrance, as to be expected with any Backstreet event, there was a bit of confusion. There was general admission, there was VIP tables and then there was the VIP which included a photo. We all seemed to be in the same line, which didn't make the most sense. We were eventually broken up into more specific lines, and after waiting in line for nearly an hour we were escorted into the nightclub. 
I don't visit nightclubs frequently, especially nightclubs in a city like Miami, FL. I don't have a long list to compare this nightclub to, but CAMEO was something I had never seen before. There were two floors, and the decor was interesting. In my opinion, I don't know if it was the best venue to use when the majority of the crowd is trying to see the exact same thing. The second floor was useful. That gave you a bird's-eye view of the festivities, but if you were on the main floor there were plenty of obstacles to try and see around. The prices of a mixed drink were outrageous! I'm glad I don't drink. Char bought one drink, and that was it. I also heard it was impossible to even get a glass of water. It was definitely an experience!
When we got into CAMEO, we were escorted to the second floor. All of the girls who bought the Hey Sailor VIP Package were stored in what appeared to be a VIP area of the top floor. There were places to sit and a bar to get beverages at. I was surprised by the number of girls. Because of how quickly the packages had sold out (even with a second bunch released), I figured there would be a smaller number of girls. We waited quite awhile, and it was clear - for the next few days, we were officially on Backstreet time.
When a line-up started to form, we decided that the photo session had started. We chose to wait and be closer to the end of the line. The line-up was long - which reinforced how many ladies had purchased the VIP package. We were finally in line, and could see the boys. It had been an amazing few days in Florida, but the idea of being on a cruise ship with the Backstreet Boys wouldn't be real until I saw them in person. And there they were! It was only my third time meeting the Backstreet Boys, so naturally I had the usual butterflies. This photo session felt more intimate - as intimate as you can be with hundreds and hundreds of girls screaming at the same four men you're trying to have your picture taken with. I think it had something to do with the close quarters of the setting, instead of a giant empty arena. It was a fantastic way to begin an extraordinary trip.
This would be meeting Brian, Nick, AJ and Howie. And yes, that is my arm around Nick's waist.
(Thank you to Charlene for the photos!)
One of my favorite pictures!
After our picture was taken, we were ushered down to the main floor. My main priority was to find Cortney and her mom. It was clear that the general admissions had been let in during the time we were up top. It was a nightmare trying to find Cortney in that sea of girls! We walked around the outside a time or two, and then sort of gave up. Charlene and I had taken a spot at the back of the crowd when Cortney and her mom appeared. They had just gotten in. Cortney mentioned that while they were walking to CAMEO, they had passed Nick and Howie being dropped off - nearly an hour after we were suppose to start the photo session. Those boys are lucky they're so darn cute!
When the boys had finished with the pictures, they took to their microphones to welcome us to the pre-cruise party. It all started to get very surreal for me at that moment. Not only was I in a nightclub with the Backstreet Boys, I was about to board a giant cruise ship with them.
Since this was the last time we'd see AJ as a 'single man' it was basically a bachelor party for him. Conveniently there was a stripper pole located in the center of the club. The boys decided that's where AJ needed to be - and I fully agreed! One of the highlights of my LIFE was when AJ McLean took to the stripper pole. Seeing him wiggle to I'm Sexy & I Know It - and take off his shirt - was almost too much for this AJ fanatic. He'll always been my bad boy!
Not my video, so thank you to Youtube user babbler2000.
Throughout the night, both Nick and Howie visited with fans. Nick went up top, while Howie moved his way to the VIP dance floor. AJ did more on the microphone, and Brian hide towards the back. Char, Cortney and I decided to rearrange. We manoeuvred our way through the crowd, and stopped along the side so that Char could snap a few pictures of Nick playing DJ. As we stood there, someone was trying to squeeze past us. Cortney and I made room, but Char was entranced by the tantalizing Nick Carter. Cortney and I noticed immediately that it was Howie D trying to pass between us! Cortney and I just looked at each other like, "That's Howie!!" Charlene didn't even notice. Howie sweetly wrapped his arm around her waist, said excuse me and passed by us. Cortney and I had to tell Charlene after the fact what had just happened. She had no idea!
I am not a morning person. I knew the next morning we'd be getting up early, and as it got later and later I started to dread the morning more and more. From up top, we watched Howie dance with fans - where he had been for awhile. We hadn't seen Brian or AJ in quite some time, and Nick was just DJing. Cortney and I were both thinking it might be time to head back to the hotel and get some sleep. On our way out of the club, we bumped into Nick - which reinforced the notion that it was time to call it a night. He appeared to be leaving, so we felt less guilty about leaving. Tomorrow was going to be a big day.
We had been wrong. The boys weren't finished yet. Although we didn't know what we were missing until we had gotten home and the videos started going up. I wish I had still been at CAMEO to see the Get Another Boyfriend vs If You Want It To Be Good Girl debate. The video is one of my favorites - and I wasn't even there!
Not my video, so thank you to the Youtube user backstreetsisters.
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