The Bout of the Boy Band [9.23.08]

Today I entered my friend's room with the intention of getting down to business. I was focused, determined, and ready to cram for the big exam that was fast approaching, no thanks to my chronic procrastination. Unfortunately, what started out as a study group turned into a stroll down memory lane - all because of VH1 and it's "Top 100 Songs of the 90's". Apparently my friend's study regimen consists of studying during commercial breaks, which leaves the majority of time for what I classify as "non-academic goofing off". Of course it took a mere three seconds and N'SYNC's debut at #38 for me to jump on the bandwagon. In an ideal world, I would have studied during the commercials, but that flew out the window once we started discussing stirrup pants, pogs, scrunchies, and boy bands. By the time the top ten songs came around, there were two camps of thought: the BSBers and the N'SYNC fans. An invisible line was drawn in the middle of the room as we debated why N'SYNC's "Tearin' Up My Heart" should pulverize BSB's "I Want It That Way". The controversy escalated and I found myself exiting the room in order to take a hall poll and see what other people thought. As the votes were tallied, I realized the obvious fact: when it comes to N'SYNC versus the Backstreet Boys, there would never be a winner. Followers of both groups are just that - faithful followers, devotees, disciples, if you will. Regardless of the title, no one was about to bend and therefore, no compromise would ever be reached. I will forever stay on the straight and narrow that is N'SYNC, while my friend will eternally preach the BSB way. I obviously didn't agree with her, and it showed through my scoffs and groans. Her nasal rendition of N'SYNC's greatest hit was a blatant violation of agreeing to disagee, and I in turn, refused to take the high road. I took my strongest ammunition to combat: AJ McLean's rehab life. My plan backfired, and our spat turned into a figurative hand of poker; she saw me to my BSB bash, and raised me Lance Bass's coming-out interview. Her raise was too rich for my blood, and I bitterly waved my white flag of defeat. I had been schooled by a BSBer - and all because Lance Bass was gay. How did this happen? When did I run out of BSB bullets? And why did I freeze in the midst of battle?