**My 2014 Wish List**
I know I have so much catching up to do from 2013 still (not to mention everything Backstreet that has happened to me before I started this blog), but I can't help but feel that with 2014 here that I need to sit down and think about what I would like out of this year. I've already discussed the year that was 2013 with my
Top 13 of 2013 post, so why not look into the future, as well?
I will tell you that 2013 has probably been on of my best years yet, overall. It will be hard to beat it. So, what would I like for this coming year to bring that might, in fact, make an even better year than last year???
1) Earn a Cliff Dweller Shirt - When you attend three games at Cliff Hagan Stadium to see the University of Kentucky Wildcats baseball team play, you earn a white "Cliff Dweller" t-shirt. There is also a blue and black one as you attend more games. I just want one of some sort, I don't care what color it is. I plan on fulfilling this wish during my Spring Break by going to see the Bat Cats take on my alma mater, Ball State. Then I will follow the team to Bloomington to see play at IU as I visit my best friend.
2) See Corey Littrell (former starting University of Kentucky pitcher, now with the Red Sox organization) pitch - I was able to see Corey's
minor league debut in 2013. Now, I am just waiting patiently to see to which team he might be moved within his organization to see where I might be traveling in order to see this. Then, I have to hope that he actually pitches in the time frame that I am there seeing him.
3) See Tim Peterson (former relief University of Kentucky pitcher, now with the New York Mets organization) pitch - The last two years (
2012 and
2013), I have attended Brooklyn Cyclones games as a part of my Baseball Bonanza trips. Because I have only attended one game each season, I have not been able to see Tim pitch. I am bound and determined to see him pitch this year! Again, I am going to have to wait and see which team he will be assigned to within the organization. And this year, I will have to attend more than one game to increase my chances of this actually happening.
4) Do a "Mini Tour" Road Trip - My very first blog post back in 2011 pertained to my ultimate dream of following the Backstreet Boys on tour, also known as
Mega Tour. Obviously due to money and scheduling issues, this might be a bit unrealistic for many years. However, I would love to get some practice by following the group for a week. While a second leg of the
In A World Like This Tour has been confirmed, no dates have been released at this time. So I'm just sitting here waiting to see if this might be a possibility.
5) BSB Cruise 2014 - I guess this isn't so much a "wish" as something that I already know will be happening in 2014. I will be on that ship. I've been on every BSB Cruise thus far, and I am not about to break that streak. Let's hope this year's includes a Pre-Cruise event to make the week even more filled with Backstreet fun. I also see a post-trip vacation like we did after this last cruise.
6) A "Just Ask" Event - I know it is really a long shot to get a "Just Ask" (formerly Healthy Hearts Club) event this year, as no new news has been released about Brian's newly formed charity since its announcement in October of 2010 at the last HHC Event. The 2010 event has been the only one to which I have been able to travel but I have heard nothing but good things about the other past events for the charity. Now, I know I will never be able to miss another of Brian's charity events in the future. If only there will actually be one this year......
7) A Wylee Event - Two years ago I had a birthday that I will never forget because I spent it talking about life with Brian Littrell at a Wylee Party. In 2010, I attended the Wylee Party after Brian's HHC event and met some great new people and got to see Brian in a different atmosphere. I have had two great experiences when Leighanne has had Wylee Parties down in Georgia that haven't really been related to having her trailer outside of the venue before a concert. I would love for there to be another stand alone Wylee Party this year.
8) Visit a new state or two - I'm hoping that between my wished for "Mini Tour" and hopeful "2014 Minor League Baseball Bonanza," I will get to add one more pin to my travel map. It would be even better if I could add a few more pins. The Midwest and the west coast are looking a little bare on the map.
9) A Backstreet Reunion - For the past two years, I have been able to meet with my girlfriends throughout the year, other than for the cruise. In 2012, we all met in
Washington D.C. for some fun in the Capitol. Last year, we were able to meet not once, but twice in the year. Our reunions took us to Connecticut for Big Time Rush and to Vegas to celebrate my birthday together and with the Backstreet Boys. There has been talk that many of them want to visit me in Chicago for a show. Even if we can't make Chicago happen, I would love for the tradition of a reunion to stay alive.
10) A 9th University of Kentucky Championship - When Kentucky won it's
8th National Championship in 2012, I was in New Orleans to witness it. I decided to head to the Final Four that year because I just had a feeling that if Kentucky were going to win a Championship, it was going to be that year. What started off as a promising season for the 2012-2013 because of its recruiting class (we had lost all of the Championship players to the NBA draft), turned to disappointment very quickly. This year's 2013-2014 team, has shown much more potential and growth in a short while. Do I feel as confident as I did with the 2011-2012 team? Not even close. At least not yet. I may as the season goes on but at this point, if they were able to make it to the Final Four down in Texas, I don't know that I would try to go because of the doubt that I have. However, this is a wish list so them winning that 9th championship will be on this list.
I think that wraps up my 2014 wish list. I will be excited to see what the year brings and how many of these wishes might actually occur. I hope you all have a good 2014.
*Title Credit - "Where Can We Go From Here?" - Brian Littrell -
A Night Out With The Backstreet Boys
BSB Cruise 2014.......I'M THERE!!!!
