Your Weekly Townsend Fix Column 26

Well, I don't know when you're getting this anymore. I am so sorry you haven't had this reading in ur mailboxes. I'm sure you haven't missed me writing and babbleing have you? Well, I'm out of school AMEN. I am going to skip to the chase here k? This column is going to hit the taboos that have been going on. Yes I will talk about what's on your minds but you're not talkin. I'll talk about it and if you don't like it, stop reading.

Lately, the orginals and the long time fans have been asking me about the guys. They haven't been asking the norm of regular questions but have been asking out of concern. People think that the guys have changed or lost their heads. I'm going to settle this in MY opinion and what I think. Here's the thing, let's face it, the guys are getting big on us. To the originals, it's not just Planet Hollywood Luncheons...heck Planet Hollywood SF doesn't even exist anymore. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, the change amongst the guys, is dramatic. They went from the guys next door to the guys more like 6 doors away. I mean for us, we're trying to adjust to the fact that the guys have a hectic schedule. It's a hard transition because as much as we knew it would happen, part of us wish that it could've happened with a one month notice so we could be ready for it.

The guys have lives, let's face it. Unlike me who have potato chips when I get home and some homework to keep me occupied, these guys have way more. We know that without even asking. Look 2 shows a day, 5 days a week, when not performing they're in a meeting, studio, photo shoot, promotional thing, or something like that. It's funny how we have a harder time with that transition than they do if you think about it. I know that the guys are still the same. They still have the same hearts and the same intent when they hug me (even though I haven't gotten one of those in months) but they also have a schedule with the only slots of time left open is to get some well-deserved rest. I mean can you imagine what it must be like to not sleep in your own bed and not see your family for weeks at a time? I would personally be in therapy by now or some sort of mental institution. When they first went on tour, I'll admit, I was kinda like "Well, they'll still be as present as they have been." I mean I thought I"d still see them online, talk to Matt, and all that, but it got harder for them to do that. I kinda had to sit back and look at the situation. I was kinda sad that Matt wasn't on to talk to after a long day or Dom wasn't on for me to spill a good thing to. I figured this is what happens to rising stars and I was able to accept the fact that the response to emails might take longer, the screen names on the buddy list may not show every night, and the contact may not be as annual. First, I was totally like "Why did they have to go?" That was the selfish part of me speaking. I mean I even was talking to Holly about it, I must've vented like the ice queen. But then after I had time to lay in bed and sleep on it, I figured out that I need to be happy for them. We all do. I mean the fact is, that they're acheiving their dreams. That's what this club is for, that's what any club is for, that's what any fan is for, that was our quest, our reason! Hey it comes with the territory. Part of me wonders what the outcome of this will be. There's no doubt in my mind they will be successful but I still wonder what's going to happen when this generation has kids. Will the next generation pick up where we left off with Townsend? If we talk about the general age range, we go from about 14-21 (with the exception of others of course, the guys are a group for every age...my Gramma even likes them), think about it, the next generation and the future is RIGHT THERE.

My intent here isn't to sound negative, heck, I love those guys. But I need you to know that the way I felt was wrong. I was selfish and I can accept that, all of us are in one way or another, face it, if you weren't at any time selfish your heart would be made of stone or you'd be a saint. To the new fans, the guys probably will take a long time to respond to an email or something, but luckily you don't have to go through that transition I went through. The guys are still the guys though, their schedule is packed but they're still Matt the new guy, Todd the leader, Rye the youngin, and Nick and Dom the twins. Each of us personally still have our original views, I still love Todd like a big brother, Nick and Dom always tend to be my voice of reason, Rye's always my informer, and Matt's just the guy that makes my day if I talk to him.

One thing I will never have to worry about is if they'll ever COMPLETELY GET LOST on an ego trip. I"m never going to have to worry if they remember who they are or not, I"m never going to have to worry if they're going to over work themselves, I'm never going to have to worry if they're putting their morals on the line for their career. I will worry about their saftey and well-being. If I didn't know any better I'd think I'm worrying about them like a mother or something. The further they get into this journey the more I like to remenice. The more I like to remember the beginning, it's something that makes me feel like I'll always have this personal piece of Townsend with me. Don't you do that too? Don't you remember that time the twins picked you up for that picture? Or when Todd gave you that hug? Or when Ryan smiled at you? How about that time Matt winked at you? Things like that, the little things that can make you smile when you're really tired, the moments you can remember that make you laugh while you're staring out the window in the car, that's what makes it worth it for me. I think that's my job as a fan. Just to never question when or where or how much it'll cost to see them next time but it's important if I keep them close to heart and remember as much as i can about the times before. If I do I figure it'll be my drive to continue doing what I'm doing. Townsend is a big piece of my heart, to me they're not Townsend, I mean they're individuals with individual personalities...yes even the twins are different, and I'm not talking about hairlines. It's funny when Holly and I talk about the guys, especially Ryan. I tell her all these things that happened or I tell her what I think and how I feel and it's like the spirit never dies. I'm always going to miss Ryan's smile, Matt's winks, Todd's hugs, Nick's facial expressions, and Dom's mannerisms. I'm going to miss seeing them physically and materially there but I'd miss them even more if they came back one day and weren't the same as when they left, and that's not a thought I even want to think about. I have a feeling that a lot of you right now are wondering if every column is going to be like this, don't worry it's not, I'll feel all jokester like again soon but this is just totally something that's been brought up and kinda something I've been wanting to talk about but never had the right time to do it. Well, I've just made the right time. This is it.

So if you think Townsend as individuals and people have changed, don't worry they haven't. The only thing that's changed are their schedules, the number of fans, and the number of shows. They're still the guys you know and love, just you're going to have to believe that without an email or instant message to prove it. If I didn't believe that they were the same. This club wouldn't exist anymore. I think everyday about the guys. There's not one day that goes by that I don't wonder where they are, or what they're doing, who they're talkin to, what they look like, and what they're talkin about. There's not a day that goes by that I don't wish that Todd could hug me. Really, when finals were in season if I got hugs from Todd I probably would be less stressed. I truly truly missed my "Big Bro." In fact I almost missed Todd so much I almost cried not too long ago. My friend and her big brother were hanging out and I was with them and I saw her big brother come up behind her and pick her up. He scared the daylights out of her but it was a good scare, it was the kinda scare where it caught you more off guard but at the same time you weren't scared for your life because it was your brother and if it wasn't your brother would be there to protect you. I saw that and almost missed Todd more than I had. My friend asked me what was wrong and I had to shake my head before I bawled like a stupid idiot. It was that second that I realized, "Wow, who would've ever thought you can love someone that you don't share blood with that much?" Can someone tell me what makes Todd so lovable? (Besides his eyes...I know those are great too) I think it's his family that really keeps him that way. His family is the best, I really don't know of a lot of people who would do everything that they have done for Townsend and the guys. Think of it all, T-Shirts, webspace and domain, hours of dedication, endless meetings and other responsibilities that probably take another life. It's not like money grows on trees, it's not like time is something you can freeze to get more accomplished, it's not like patience is easy, it's not as if there isn't anything better to do. Think about it, Bob & Wendy both have jobs outside of the Townsend thing and they do it anyways. Bob told me that he could never not help his kids and the fact that you could see how proud he was in his eyes really made me believe that Todd's family is the reason of Todd being Todd. You've got a loving dedicated father, a helpful and faithful stepmom, a sweet and supportive sister, and a loving family. You wanna know the secret to a great life? That's it. I'm trying to picture Todd in his rocking chair 70 years from now remenicing with grandkids but that gets in the way of me still seeing him wear a backwards cap and wrap sunglasses. Either way, I have a feeling he still will remember. No, I know he will still remember. When another group comes into the scene when he has kids and they remake "Pour Some Sugar On Me" or "Tonight is for You" he'll still sing or rap along with it. Haha ok mental picture right there. I guess the point I"m trying to get across is, Todd and the guys are deeply rooted to their families. I think that the guys really truly have a lot going for them, but the family is the trunk of the tree, if ya feel me on that.

I think I'm babbling now what do you think? I don't know, I'm really trying to not totally go on and on too much since I know I should be working on other things. It's funny because I've actually attempted the whole "Let's not talk about Townsend for a day" and I was probably in the worse mood in the world. My mom asked me what was wrong and I screamed "Townsend" haha she asked me if I was mad at them or something because i hadn't talked about them all day lol. Anyways yea I think I'll post this now. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take part in the survey!!!! OK that's it. So happy holidays from RPCC!!! Keep coming back! There's going to be a lot of stuff going on!

Stay Safe & Stay You,
Love Always,
Kristen

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