Insider Guest Column by Kristen
Townsend Insider GUEST COLUMNOctober 1, 2001
Hey Everyone! I'm Kristen Ramos. Lots of you know me as different things: K-Angel, Kris, Graceful Runner, Lucky, K, all those and more are nicknames, I don't even answer to plain 'ol "Kristen" anymore. Wow, first, thanks to Bob &Wendy for letting me write this, it's an honor! For the Rye's Party Crew Club (R.P.C.C.) members, they already know how self-critical I am of my writing, so we'll see how this one turns out...I know about 24 hours after this column is all said and done in my mind I'll be thinking of 5 million things I forgot to say. I think it's one of my bad habits. One thing thought that I won't really write about is the September 11th tragedy. I'm only in high school and inexperienced in the aspects of any event like this. I don't plan to preach about what my country should and shouldn't do, besides I can barely handle my biology class.
Wendy mentioned that Bob feels he's putting too much "Bob" in the column lately. I'm sure I'm not the only one that loves reading the Insider's Column regardless what the contents of it are. Hey EVERYONE loves it, heck, my Mom and dad consider it "good readin'" over a cup of coffee in the morning. Sure beats out the Examiner if you ask me.
OK, I'll be honest with you, honesty is my middle name (and sometime it gets me in trouble) and I'll tell you right now, I've been diagnosed with "Townsenditis." The diagnosis is pretty darn cool though if ya ask me, I join a bunch of other beautiful people in this epidemic. But how did I come to this point? Let me explain.
I've told this story five million times, now for five million and one. The story always comes after the question ,"How long have you been a fan of Townsend?" Well, it's hard to explain actually, for the long time fans, I guess you could stay I share half of my love for Townsend and half of it for Team Pretty Boy. I was a fan ever since I first laid eyes on Team Pretty Boy (what the boys were called at the radio station before taking on the name "Townsend") Well I don't even think they were called "Team Pretty Boy" when I first saw them, you might wanna check with Todd or Rye, but it was at the *NSync concert in Berkeley in I think '98. Man I looked out my car window and yea, I saw 2 of the hottest guys I had ever seen. What were their names? Nope, not Justin Timberlake, no not JC, try Todd Dolci and Ryan Torres.
The straw that broke the camel's back was on July 7,2000, at the All That and More Concert. By now, all my concert trips were about "Wu-Todd," "White Rye," and the infamous "Tarzan Twins." After years of watching from afar and being too shy, I finally mustered up the courage to do something I had never done before, talk to them. Well, I got them to sign a shirt for me and that's all that mattered the rest of the concert. I kept one eye on the T-shirt and one eye on the concert, besides the fact that Dream, Mya, and Take 5 were on stage, the concert was a dud. Nothing mattered more than the shirt that Todd Dolci, Ryan Torres, and Nick & Dominic Restani had signed. To me, it was a big sign that talking to them couldn't been this "out of the blue" thing. I don't know maybe it was the way I was feeling, I'll tell the story another time in the club for you guys to read.
Over a such a short time of being TOWNSEND, they've opened up a lot of doors to me. I take account all of the blessings they have given me. Meeting so many incredible fans, with a lot who I share special friendships with, meeting some of their families which are so awesome and I love seeing just as much as the guys, and the opportunities of seeing them use the talent of music to touch me when I'm up or down. I can honestly say the boys Townsend are my angels on earth.
Last year, my grandfather was diagnosed with his last diagnosis of Cancer. (I'm beginning to realize this should've gone at the beginning of my story.) I was such a wreck. This was my "Grampa," my hero and the biggest influence in my life. The diagnosis came about a week after the All That concert. I lived like a zombie for about two weeks. Go home, shower, eat (if I could), go check the email, and sleep. A couple of times I talked to Todd, it was uplifting because for a couple minutes I was talking to someone who could really change my mood just by talking to him. I don't think he knew my grandfather had cancer for a while. At that time we didn't know what was wrong with my Grandfather so I gave everyone I talked to the impression it was nothing huge. I was wrong. I called him one time from the hospital and remember smiling for a while. I went to go spend time with Grampa in his hospital room, after that. At that time, about 2 weeks past and Gramp's health had not improved and we had a couple clues that it MIGHT be cancer, we didn't want to admit it though, (I was feeling a big guilt because I went with my Gramps to EVERY doctors appointment except for the one that put him in the hospital at this point. It was because my Mom told me I needed to "relax" and take a load off to relax at home. I felt so bad, I still do if I really think about it.) I sat and talked to him and told him I worried about him. I also told him about Todd and "these guys that are a group." It was then that I was reminded of "Angels." Today, I not only have 1, I have 5 on earth, and 1 in heaven. I must be the luckiest girl alive to have that.
After that whole experience, time has past and things have changed, including me. My first impression of all of the guys were like "WOW THEY'RE HOTT!!!" Naturally, I think that's what any girl living up her teenage years would think. But with all my past experiences, when a guy's hott, he's got no personality, no brains, and no talent except to stand, breathe, and look nice. Townsend is certainly one in a million. They've got it all. The second I got to talk to them I realized that they're not "normal." No, I'm not saying they're weird, they're nice weird. They're the kinda weird that makes ya think, "Wow, they're cool." (So in other words, I meant "Weird" in the nicest, possible way.) It's so nice to know they haven't become total Divas over this whole fame thing. (Or would it be Divo?)
If I could tell you one word that describes them it would be "well-rounded." Never have I met a group of guys so dedicated, sweet, grounded, kind, funny, and talented. And VERY talented, I swear they're giving a lot of artists out there a run for their money! Sometimes I look at how fast things are progressing and I'm just amazed! They're this Super group of guys that is just bursting into the music scene. But honestly, it's well deserved, they deserve all this and so much more. I'm looking forward to the Townsend action dolls, lunch boxes, trading cards, posters, candy, and lip gloss! But really never is an ego big in this group. I've already written in the club my take on each guy but here it is summed up. For every guy I have a different point of view...
TODD: My big bro, seriously, I wish I had a big brother, I USED to tell my parents that I wish they had a big brother before they had me and Melanie. Then Todd came along and I find myself really looking up to him as a big bro. I do miss the lost years of wedgies, mud pies, fights, punches, and the "I'm telling" moments though...well no I don't. Todd's great, while he's got all the leadership qualities down to a science, he also got the humor part. He's a very special guy, and like any little sister I'm proud of him and look up to him greatly. Everyone looks at me funny at school when I refer to "my big brother." During prayers over special intentions I'll pray for one of the guys sometimes and instead of saying "Todd" I'll say, "My big brother" and everyone wonders why we don't look "related." Until I tell them what I mean. Some guy was like "So you're adopted?"
DOM: He's the genuine guy. If there's one guy in the world that knows how to judge a person by the content of their heart and not their appearance, it's him. For some reason, he's the guy that can pin point the moments I need hugs or a laugh. It's awesome because amidst all the "deep thinking" that you must have to do that, he's really funny, I don't think he knows half the time he makes people laugh, it just comes naturally. I think that Dom manages to make so many people happy at once that he only realizes it half the time he's doing it. He also is one of those guys that you can just be straight up with and be honest with because he'll have some good advice to offer...of course with humor in it. He's cute and charming, he has a way that is hard to explain but most of you that have met him know what I'm talking about.
NICK: He's so funny. If you ever need a diversion from an issue you're having, Nick's your man. I can't think of a time he didn't keep his cool and panicked. You'll just have to trust me on this one. He also has this thing, I'm not sure what to call it but when NICK teases you it's different you're like "bring it on" but when someone else does it you get into the "back off buddy" mode...when Nick teases (playfully of course) it's always welcomed...could it be some sort of hidden talent? I think so. Melanie (my 12 year old little sister) would go for it any day, Nick asked her if I had any "secret" I wasn't telling him (in other words, who I'm crushing on) and Melanie nodded and smiled with an "OH YA." I'm telling ya, if I didn't cover up her mouth and moved on Nick would've gotten an EAR FULL.
RYAN: He's the shy "mysterious" one. Rye's awesome though, for anyone taking a look, you see that "mystery" to him. It's intriguing, but he's the kinda guy that after you get to know him, it's great. He always knows what to say at the right time, do at the right time, and go at the right time. When I first met him and I realized how shy he was and worried about the way I acted. But it's because of Ryan that I'm comfortable with who I am. It's just the way he is that makes me feel comfortable with me, I don't have to pretend to be someone I'm not to be his friend. Pretty cool huh? Though Rye's the "youngin" of the group...he's ahead of his years, my Mom has noticed it too, and my Mom never notices ANYTHING about guy friends either, she still mixes up Joe and Dan, a pair of twins that I've known my entire life, she's even Joe's Godmother and still calls Joe, "Dan" even though you can tell them apart, she's still awful at stuff like that and she's noticed Ryan.
MATT: He's such a sweetheart! My Mom has met all the guys and I wanted her to meet Matt at the airshow so much. I would always talk to her about him saying all these things. Finally, I had a chance when the guys weren't busy to introduce her to him. He was so sweet to her and my family! He's definitely sweet. I've told more things to him than I've said to my friends of 15 years. I don't know what it is about him but I have an instant trust and liking with him, I feel secure about my feelings with him. When girls say "Guys just don't understand" I don't think they took Matt into consideration because Matt really is awesome. My volleyball team, I swear, were stuck on this whole "bopper" mode when I told them about Townsend. Who ever knew 6th grade girls were boy crazy already? I can't even remember my 6th grade year but I don't remember swooning over any guy like they swoon now.
That's how awesome they are! We're all truly blessed to have them. I know I am, when I pray at night, I thank God for Townsend and all they've given my family and I. The airshow, wow, that was such a blessing. I go into full description on my Review and if you want to read it it's at http://cruzin.to/ryantorres. You can find which messages it is on the first page. But that airshow was actually significant to me, Grampa passed away on the18th of June and the airshow was on August 11th. It gave me enough time to grieve and to finally smile without sadness lingering in my heart. Even though I cried like a baby, it really made me happy. My Mom cried too but I know it was good for her too. Before we would sit and cry while looking at pictures from the past year, we could only see Grampa's health deteriorating. We went to the cemetery a lot too and cried. But after the airshow, even though we still shed a tear, we're able to smile because good memories are always brought to mind. I think the airshow was really good closure for the sadness. I knew if I looked at Dom especially I would bawl like a baby. While I held Todd's hand I think if I let go any sooner that Niagara Falls would find its way through my eyes. In fact just writing about it now is making me teary eyed. I'm serious, I'm having a Hallmark moment over here, but I get like this whenever I talk about the airshow, I get it from my Mom.
I can't believe how much time has past since the *NSync show, since anything pre-Townsend. Look at how much they've evolved! Look at the fan base. Last I heard they had a club in the UK and hits for this website all of the globe! The fans are awesome! We all share Townsenditis. I remember one particular night in particular. October 15, 2000. I had gone to the PH luncheon and after yet another blessing, went to the Christina Aguilera concert that night. That night was I guess you can say "magical" in many ways. After getting over my first "high school breakup" only 2 days before (really it was a big deal...at least I thought it was) I was still in this mode of, I'm not sure what to call it, anyway, the ordeal meant piddly next to the fun I had. That night was so full of memories, I remember going back to Ryan over and over again to get more business cards to hand out to people. I would just talk to random people that night, it was funny! because I got so much joy out of talking to random people hyping up Townsend popularity that I would be like, "I want you to promise me that you'll visit this site," and they'd say something like "Ya ok." And I said, "Heyyy I can't hear you!!!" as if I was on stage or something, I think it was the sugar I had earlier in the day. And I would have this hysteria going in a line to the snack bar. It was so much fun! I also met a lot of people who I'm friends with today, I look back and I'm just amazed it hasn't been even a year yet! That night was so much fun, I wish I could relive it. Sorry Scotty, but that night meant more to me than all that went on behind my back.
I love the fans! I don't mean to go all Valley Girl on you but...OMG YOU GUYS LIKE RULE! Or in the words of Trex, "You stink!" Really, I've had so much fun with all of you, it's amazing how much more relaxed I've come. I love seeing such a wide range of fans, there are no gender, race, religion, age, or diversity barrier holding back Townsend fans. We're all shapes, sizes, colors, and different in every aspect with one major link holding us all together, Townsend. It's amazing how there can be so much hate in this world but when we all come together in the chatroom, the world around us isn't as bad anymore. We use each other to cope and heal I guess you can say. Townsend has certainly broke the age barriers for me, in both directions. My Gramma loves them. She always asks how "my Townsend boys" are. She listens to their songs, one time I had to ASK for my CD player back. And when I say in both directions I mean in the younger end too.!
The 6th grade volleyball team I coach loves them too. Townsend is on our Warm-up mix that I played for the first practice, it got our team starting on the right foot this season so that the girls can keep their City title that is so special to us. I simply mentioned the website and at the game this past week they brought back the topless black and white picture that they printed up...FROM COMPUTER CLASS. I almost had a heart attack. They're trying to kill me at a young age! They go to the school I graduated from and live only across the street from! And on top of that it's a very Private Catholic school (I'm talking rosaries, bibles, mass every month and all), I don't want to even think about what might happen on Monday if I go to their school. For once I, Kristen Ramos, don't start Townsend hysteria, it's a 10 year old who still is learning the art of long division. So Townsend has really broken down barriers in both directions for me.
Oh ya, another barrier that Townsend has broken done it the "bored in class" barrier. I'm finding that I can make a Townsend association out of ANYTHING. In world history last year we were studying China history and there was an emperor named, Wu-Ding (I think that was it..). When writing my notes, I of course wrote, Wu-Todd.In English all characters in my creative writing projects have a name like Ryan, Dominic, Nick, Todd, or Matt. In my drama class when doing improv, when I have to spit a name last minute, one of their names comes out. In Church history, the highlights are when we read the book of Matthew. Even in Geometry! When I have to give names to planes or lines, it's always got four points, R, Y, A, & N or I'll have plane DN. And on top of that it doesn't happen just in school, I will go into a major turbo mode in the car when we drive up ! to Santa Rosa because we have to drive under 2 signs that say "Todd Road." (No joke, I took pictures of them.) Or whenever I see 3rd Watch on TV and the EMTs or Firefighters come on I'll just go "NICK AND DOM!" loud enough to get told to sit down and be quiet. In Spanish in all the "Me gusta" sentences the first is always, "Me gusta Townsend."
My Melanie, Mom, and Dad, even extended family has noticed that I get excited about things like that. I think my aunt was trying to make conversation with me at the dinner table one time and I guess I must've been focusing on my cinnamon roll (Auntie Gail makes killer cinnamon rolls every get together) because I must've come back to earth when Jennifer, my older cousin said, "Townsend, Ryan, Nick, YOAKUM!" because I snapped back into it and said "Huh?"
The diagnosis is bad I tell ya. School dances excite me but Ryan's smile with teeth is a major attention clincher and so are Matt's eyes...Townsenditis, what can you do. I think one day we should hold a Townsend Anonymous Meeting. "Hi, I'm Kristen, and I have an addiction to Townsend." The only twist is that you don't get rid of the addiction, you share in it! Haha me and my imagination. If I had a penny for every time I thought of them I'd be the richest girl alive.
OK, I'm sure you're tired of me by now. I know it's long but when I said one thing about them, it always lead to another thought that I couldn't leave out! (Sadly enough I know that there's probably like fifty-thousand more things I'll think of AFTER I send this column in.) But thanks for reading it, I really appreciate it! I love all of you! Thanks to R.P.C.C. for inspiring me so many times and giving me confidence to do this. And most importantly a HUGE thank you to Wendy and Bob for letting me express this novel of a column, which is probably unbearably long for a lot of people. And thank you to Townsend for blessing my family and I in so many ways, keep up the good work and most importantly, keep being you! All of you have my 200% support, I haven't gotten off this ride since the beginning and I don't plan to any time soon!
Note from Mrs. T Rex: I'd like to thank Kristen for taking the time out of her busy week to write up this column. I think the writing is super - straight from the heart - and I think Townsend is blessed to have such wonderful friends and fans. Hats off to you, Kristen...
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