In these arms

Now that I'm home from Bamboozlefest, I have some time to write about my experience.

In These Arms has been one of my favorite Bon Jovi songs for more than 15 years or so? How has that much time gone by?

I also think that the line "I need you like the poet needs the pain" is quite possibly one of the worst lyrics he's ever written, but at the same time... so very true. Corny, but true. 

That's just the kind of dork that I am. 

Nothing in my life has been consistent over the last almost-30 years. Except for one thing. My absolute fandom/star crush of Jon Bon Jovi.  Sometimes when I tell stories about my life, I'm told that my life sounds like an old 80s song, or a Jon Bon Jovi song... well, yes. I became a Bon Jovi fan in 1986 when I was 13 years old. I grew up with him, crushing on him, following him around on too many tours to count.

I really view being told that as a compliment.

You see, I'm Gina.

Literally. 

I grew up in the Midwest. I'm not Italian, but I look like I could be (dark hair, dark eyes), and there were NO other Ginas. Just me.

When Tommy and Gina became regular subjects in Bon Jovi songs, I was hooked.

I wanted to be Gina, I wanted to find my Tommy.