ldyjocelyn

{{{{{muski}}}}}} Good luck with your decision smitten.... Regarding the latest rumors: eh. It could be true; probably not, but almost everything can be true or not. For me, this is just another "file it away" and go on my merry way. So...what would you like to talk about? Suggest something... How about -- your dream collaboration for Clay. Mine is easy -- I'd love for him to record a song with either Don Henley or Sting. Great, distinctive voices -- and also men who believe in this world and making it a better place, like Clay. Those collaborations would make me swoon. I've always believed that Clay has balls of titanium. He's proved it to me more than a few times. However -- I'm now beginning to believe that being a Clay Aiken fan also takes balls of titanium (which is funny, considering that most of us are women...) This fandom has survived a LOT of divisions over the years. There's been a lot of "gates." And many of us have moved on from one board to another because of personality/philosophical differences. Yet -- we're all still part of this fandom. We are strong, you know. We are invincible. We are woman! Whoops. Helen Reddy snuck in here. I think the key for me is learning to not take things so personally, either FOR Clay, or for my own opinions. I can deal with what others say about my fandom. I can also ignore so much -- I don't need ucky blogs, or some of the tabloids. (I said "some" -- sorry, can't help it sometimes). This fandom has lasted, for good or for bad, for almost 6 years. I'm planning on continuing to be part of this for a long time to come. And no rumor mill will drag me away....

The picture of Clay and Jaymes is from the David Foster Honor dinner; Dr. Phil and his wife are edited out of the picture. Link to original picture. There was a rag mag that reported this story several months ago. Who knows? *sigh* Back to IIU, IIT. *g*

Honestly...I think there's a balance that can be struck between a celebrities personal life/privacy and acknowledging things such as homosexuality. I totally get both sides of the issue, and I appreciate justclay for bringing it up. I personally would have hated being Rock Hudson, in the 1950's, having to marry someone when he just wasn't all that interested, just to keep the "image." I find that incredibly sad. I think the key phrase to merrieee's story is this: "where I grew up." I think where I grew up, the rumors would have been flying! That's what happens when you grow up in a small town, fairly conservative area. (I've hopefully shed most of that...) And this whole idea sparked something in me, and so, being the librarian, I had to Google. Gossip magazines aren't a new idea; not by a long shot. You might want to check out a few of the headlines from this page: Hush-Hush magazine. Scandals were being "tittered" about back in the 1950's as well; it's just that today, the "tittering" is much more public, thanks to the World Wide Web. As much as things change, much also stays the same. I wish I knew why we as a society are so interested in celebrities and their "scandals/secret lives"; maybe there's a sociology paper in there somewhere?

I'm going to see Spamalot with Clay in NYC On December 29. Not three weeks later, the touring company is here in my area. And yes, I'm going! Actually, I have friends who want to see it, and I'm certain I'll enjoy it (except for maybe missing Sir Robin). While I'm thrilled that I'll get to see Richard Chamberlin :::dreamy sigh:::, in a way I'm sad that I won't get to see Jonathan Hadary as the King. I really enjoyed his performance in March.

{{{{{{{{{couchie and mom}}}}}}} If you need anything, holler -- OK? Congrats to Fear son on his Master's Degree!

I'm almost late in saying -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY WANDACLEO AND KELDANKER! bottlecap, you are cracking me up tonight. Those knights could sing me a carol any old time, especially the one with the long red hair... BWAH! If he is Clay's boyfriend...sounds like he got a guy who is just as snarky as he is. Good for him.

You know, it's weird...because while I still love reading about Clay, and following the boards, and share the excitement when a new picture is found, or some lost interview -- my feelings of "missing" a JNT aren't really there this year. I really can't explain it, because I was one who truly thought that Clay would have a Christmas tour until the cows came home. I think I'm just happy for the way Clay is at the moment, with his life going the way it is, and his career as well. I also don't normally read a lot into his body language and his "look" in pictures, but for some reason, I get a sense of peace from him, especially from what all has happened in the past 4 months. Parker. Coming out. Returning to Spamalot. I do find it funny that many fans, who last year were saying "ANOTHER CHRISTMAS TOUR?" are now saying "man, I miss the Christmas tour..." (BTW, I don't think that is anyone on this board.) I think I'm just incredibly grateful at all the things Clay Aiken has given me in the past 5 (almost 6) years -- friendship, fun, drooling over him. And I will cherish all this for the rest of my life.

vanislandgirl at the OFC won the "sit with Sean" auction, and her story is really cute. I'll post this in three parts, as it is really long... Dec 13 & 14: Orchestra Pit with Sean Winner Posted with permission Continued...... Continued......

Great news annabear!!! I'll keep thinking of you and your Mom... I just got back from the bank -- they will split the difference on the overdraft charges I accidentally did late in November. Whew. And it's freakin' cold here too. It was 50 degrees yesterday at noon (which is balmy for this time of year) -- today it's 10 degrees, with a massive wind chill. Sometimes it sucks to be a Midwesterner. I just realized...two weeks from tonight, I'll be seeing Sir Robin! WOOHOO!!!!!

Shag me, baby!

Ever have one of those days? The morning started off OK, with breakfast and the paper. The project for the day is making home-made cheese crackers, which is becoming a tradition at our house. Everyone makes cookies at this time of the year -- why not make something a bit different? Anyway, I pulled out the food processor to shred the cheese (yes, it tastes better to shred the cheese fresh, rather than buy pre-shredded stuff)...only to have the processor die on me. So, off to Bed Bath and Beyond for an early Christmas present, a new food processor. Everything now works like a charm. Hubby and I had just started baking crackers when the mail came. Hmmmm, letters from our bank. Overdrawn? WHAT?!?!?!? Sure enough, looking through the check register vs. the online statements -- I spaced out and didn't transfer money from savings to checking. In late November. Yes, almost 2 weeks of paying bills and Christmas shopping will now be overdrawn. I'm going to have to go to the bank on Monday morning and see if I can talk them out of most of the overdrawn fees. This has happened only one other time to us, so I hope they are forgiving. I'm glad luckiest1 had a fantastic time last night, and all the FCA people will enjoy themselves today as well! Anyone got a smiley Clay picture to make me feel better? *g*

Via the CH: Two from gerswhip (tonight's show?): And from Nov. 1, by clayheaven: Have fun, justclay! Thank you CG and Desertrose for the restaurant suggestions! ETA: JEANS!!!

Great recap Thankful! Congratulations on getting so close to the man! *counts the moments until luckiest1 checks in*

Good Lord, I forgot to give jmh a hug! My bad... Anyway... This is kind of how my job feels sometimes. I guess I haven't mastered this skill yet, but I think others may feel the same way around here. From The Onion, one of my most favorite sites ever: Manager Achieves Full Mastery of Pointless Managerial Jargon

Can you tell I'm off work today? And my cookies are out of the oven? Heh. You may be waiting a while. We have no idea. Here's how I see things in this fandom at the moment...I think there's a few extremists that as soon as a picture of Clay within 10 yards of Reed surfaced, they had them married (even though gay marriage is only legal in a handful of states) and in an apartment in NYC with a white picket fence overlooking the alleyway below. I also think there are a few extremists that will see a picture someday of Clay and his boyfriend (whomever it might be), sitting on each other's laps, sucking face like there's no tomorrow...and someone will demand that the picture is photoshopped and still won't believe a thing. Then -- there's the whole wide middle section. Those who think Clay and Reed may or may not be an item, mentally keeping in their heads "IIT, IIU," and having fun with the whole thing. That's certainly where I fall, and I just have to remind myself to ignore the extremists. And to not take everything on a message board so personally. I know I've been guilty of that... For the record, Fear, I am NOT saying you are one of the extremists -- you have every right to want to wait for some more proof. But for some reason, your post sparked my soapbox. ETA: this extremism I see also happened before Clay's coming out. It happened with every woman around him too. Not to mention the extremism over RCA... It just seems to happen as part of this fandom. Maybe it's a message board culture thing? Now this? *sigh* Whatever. BTW, if you want to read what I feel is a great article on gay marriage, read Newsweek's latest cover story. Finally -- EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I heard Clay's version of OHN on the radio! First time to hear Clay this season! What was cool is that this is a station that frequently doesn't say who the singer is...but this time they did, and mentioned that he was finishing up his run in Spamalot. This made me very happy!

Don't look at me, I'm usually the last to know anything. I must be going to the wrong boards, and I apparently have no connections. Hell, I'm one of the admins on this board, and I have zilch connections. Don't tend to stray much away either. And that's fine by me. I like having no connections. Way less pressure. bottle -- BWAH! *adjusts tin foil hat for better reception*

Sometimes getting Google blogs alerts works really well... According to this blog, there's a new website coming called Speakaboos. It's an online story site for kids, with readalouds done by celebrities. Clay is on their list of celebrities but his page says "Coming Soon." I don't think they are going to be using "The Ugly Duckling," because they already have that done by Cady Huffman. It may be the Arthur story he did, though. Something to keep an eye on, it MAY be some new clack.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Fear, that salad deal sounds really good, and I'm thinking that I may be able to convince my husband to have the sushi (because we can't get sushi around here). Are we on a new page yet? This is for annabear, and me too -- he looks so adorable in this picture, I can't stop looking at it...

luckiest1 -- ITA on missing concert Clay and yet knowing how much has given us in the past. I'm just thankful that I can go to NYC in a few weeks (WHEEEE!). For those who can't, just know that I will send Clay as much love as I can from me FOR you. Truly. Anyway, luckiest, I'm so glad you're having a great time, and you give good recap! I know we have a thread for this already...but can people recommend places to eat in NYC (along with locations)? I need to look up John's Pizza -- do I need reservations? How close is it to the Shubert? The cheesecake makes Juniors a given, and I do know where that is. Hubby and I are staying in Times Square (got a decent deal through Priceline -- still more than I've ever spent on a hotel though), and will be looking for other places to eat. couchie, why do you like Carmine's so much? How close is it to Times Square?

aikim, try this website and see if it helps... luckiest, I'm so glad you had a great time last night! WOOHOO! Sending you virtual warmth... Have fun this weekend Thankful... I guess I didn't read the OFC thread carefully enough. I still think it's probably rather harmless though... Defenders? Oh no -- the Mommies will be out in full force again!! AACK! OTOH...by US discussing the...uh...hour long waste of TV time tonight...damn, it's a whole circular thing. I'm including me in this, just because yeah, I'm discussing it here just by bringing this up. As much as it's hard to ignore the people who can't ignore what Clay said -- I think tonight will be one of those nights when I will have to try my darndest. And if anyone understood that last paragraph, please let me know. I'm not sure if I did myself, and I wrote it. :::need more coffee:::

I don't think Clay has any concerns or fears about us "approving" of any relationship he may or may not be in. At least i hope not!! "We" should not enter into anything involved in his personal life! That's true. But, let me ask a question: how many of us have gone home to our parents, long after we've gone off and established our lives, only to worry about what Mommy and Daddy, or our friends from home, think about us? It's happened to me a lot. So as much as Clay shouldn't worry about what some of his fans (whom I sometimes call "his collective group of Mommies," because more than a few have nothing to do but worry about HIM) think about what's going on his life, I would think that it's only human for him to feel that way. And wanda makes a very good point about his comment about his being afraid to be booed after coming out. Speaking of which.. That just needed to be posted again... Again, true...but I've sure seen quite a bit of IIU, IIT around here. Besides, this fandom isn't real patient for "facts." I guess I just don't worry about it all that much in this instance, just because it's a very happy rumor. And seeing a picture of them making out? :::dies::::

That's pretty much me too...right down to the OFC news. *shrug* Sure, there are some fans that are probably going to take the IIU IIT to new highs (or lows). But speaking for me personally...I DO want happiness for Clay, whether it be part of a relationship or not. So I see no problem with wishing him happiness. I agree with Fear on one thing -- I'd sure like to see new pictures of Parker soon.

Well, crap. *scratches Star magazine off shopping list*

Heh. I think my drummer is Felix. kf, would you like Sean? Love ya!

I was going to do a big post with lots of quotes, but then discovered that I really don't have the time. So, here, without quotes... Welcome claylaughs! Hope you enjoy it here! I do understad, to a point, where CG is coming from, especially in regards to the fans. Now, I don't mind people looking at Reed's MySpace profile as much (true confession: I just went to his MySpace page), but I'm not into becoming his "friend" just because of the connection to Clay. At all. At the same time though, as much as it does throw me a bit that this whole story is considered "news" -- well, maybe that is one way that Clay will break down some walls in regards to the freedom for gays. Just to be seen out together has got to be liberating for him, and I seriously think that some who weren't as accepting will now understand that this SHOULD be considered normal. Another true confession: I will probably go out and buy that issue of the Star. This one seems like such a happy thing, and besides...if there's pretty pictures... kf, I think in times of economic troubles, gossip rags take on a bigger focus in people's worlds. They want the escapism. While most of my day yesterday was reading about how I happen to live in a state who can't seem to elect someone as governor who can't stay legal (and in yesterday's case, rather stupidly at that), I would come to the boards to drool over Reed and Clay as a relief. Fear, I used that phrase just yesterday in an email to someone -- except my Dad's version was "s**t or get off the pot." And I agree with you -- it's been almost 3 months now, I feel decisions could be made in regards to someone's fandom, especially if the object in question has pissed you off (or disgusted you) that badly. IMO, though -- I think for some, their lives are so intrinsically entwined with the goings and doings of Clay Aiken (for the past 5 years, no less), that they can't let the "habit" go. They thought they knew Clay; they thought they really had a relationship with him; and now, they are almost like jilted lovers. I don't get it either, but that's the way I see it. HAVE FUN LUCKIEST! Gotta run...work calls. *sigh*