ldyjocelyn

The Clayboard had the original picture up (it was linked to the CH in the middle of September), but the CB thread is long gone. Just thought this might help someone find that picture....which I don't remember seeing either.

cindi, I like the red and black printing myself, but that's because they are my favorite colors in combination. I'll just invest in a new Clorox bleach pen to get rid of the coffee stains I'll inevitably get on the white shirt. *g* Just checking, though, with two more things -- in order to get around possible copyright violations, I think "a thousand different ways" shouldn't be capitalized. Also, "everything I have" should be "everything I had," both to get around copyright again, and also because I think "everything I had" fits grammatical tense correctly with the rest of the sentence (but then I'm not an English major either...).

Hmmmm....I guess I've always assumed that Jaymes and Clay have a working relationship, and not a lot else. I know it seems strange to some people that they are seen in close proximity fairly frequently, but in many of those instances they could be considered work places. For example -- Jaymes was a person who contributed ideas for many of his tours, and so it doesn't seem strange to me that she attends more than a few shows. keepingfaith, I think I'm not quite sure what you mean by "close personal relationship" -- if you're talking strictly work too, or if you could be hinting at more than that.... I dunno...I get the feeling that there are some fans who WANT to ship Clay and Jaymes, just to fuel some fantasies that Clay could possibly be interested in THEM as an "approaching middle age" woman. (keepingfaith, I'm not talking about you here -- please don't take it that way!) And sure, if Clay and Jaymes are having that kind of relationship, more power to them. I guess I just have never seen it. Most of the things I've "heard" are simply that -- things I've "heard," from who knows what channels. And we all know how reliable those things are, right? As for David's relationship -- mentor all the way. I think Clay's learning a LOT from the guy, both musically and in a business. Do I want a full album of ballads? Nah....but I wouldn't be totally surprised that we get one. Totally depends on that working relationship, and how much of a give-and-take David and Clay would allow with each other. Oh, and don't forget to work Clive in on this too. *g*

For those who missed the two chat sessions Friday and Saturday, just go to this post right here and keep reading! 18 pages worth of stuff....and luckiest1, sounds like you had a grand, adventureful weekend! Too bad Clay didn't hang around just for you guys.....

Right profile? Love it! Left profile? Love it? But how about a few pictures of the shoulders and the butt?

Puddins, thanks for posting that BAF story...*sniff* What a great way to give back to the community in a totally different way than the normal BAF mission. I was raised in a town about the size of Greensburg, so I totally understand how that tornado would wipe out the town and basically make everything a nightmare for them. Good for you and the BAF. And now I'm crying because I'm watching "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" which always gets me emotional.

Hey laughn! Glad to see you here, and I look forward to getting to know you better. Listen, if you know bottlecap, YSRN, and jmh -- you're allright in my book.

It's Russian. The resolution is so poor I'm having a little trouble reading it. Which wouldn't help anyway because, although I can still read Cyrillic, I don't know what it means. I've blown up the image and sent it off to a Russian speaking friend. We'll see what he has to say. My husband is fluent in Russian, so I had him look at it (thanks for the tip artquest). He said something in Russian, and then said it translates to "Congratulations!" Why we have that in Russian, I have no idea. Hey cindilu2, Ms. Smilie queen -- maybe something in English?

PuddinsJoy, I certainly didn't say WTF. Instead, I smiled....because I'm glad to have a new person here! I think you'll find that people have opinions here -- strong opinions, in fact. But, in the end, I find that the overriding feeling is to enjoy Clay. I hope you enjoy it here. I had a great time with the chat over the past few nights. The thoughts were fast and furious and opinionated and yet respectful. Love it. I think I'm still dealing with the haircut change...AGAIN [tm Rocky of "...and Bullwinkle"]. I really don't care about the hair in so many ways, and yet I just have to laugh at how quickly and frequently it changes!

Welcome puddinsjoy! How great to see you, and I'm in awe of your pursuing your dream of working with kids with autism. Good for you, and I look forward to getting to know you more!

I've always wondered what some fans "blowtorched puppies" would be. What could Clay do to get you to leave the fandom?

The "insider" information crap bugs me, and I'm sad if it will be starting again. Frankly, it's none of my business, and besides -- a third cousin of the chauffeur of the baby sitter of Clay's producer is soooooooo reliable. *snort* Unless it comes from Clay, I don't need to hear it. Perspective -- it's what's for the fandom. OK, the chat is officially over for the evening. I'd like to thank you all for attending and "using your voice." It's been a great time, and I've loved every minute of it. You guys rawk!

That's a good point....and something I think I do forget. But I think there are some fans that purposefully blur the line between the two. For example -- people who think that Clay reads their words on a message board. While I do think he has someone on his team who peruses the boards, Clay just doesn't have time for that. But there is a sense that I get that some really believe he's hearing them and will be taking his words to heart.

The fans....ah, the fans....and their involvement in his career. Bad idea. Really bad idea, IMO. I liked the idea of the CD release parties, especially in the original 2003 state. It was a good way to get buzz for Clay and enjoy him with friends. But the 2006 version lost some innocence. It just felt as if it becamse more about the fans than it did Clay, and that bugged me. There are several in the fandom that have studied the music business, even before Clay. I like reading opinions from these people, and I've never gotten the feeling that what they say is "fact." That's the key -- several in the fandom feel that they have the facts, and I just can't believe that. I just can't. Amen, Sister Claygasm....

No couchie -- don't go!!! Final topic of the night (and one we've kinda touched on already): 6) The fans: should they be involved in Clay's career? If so, how much? If not, why?

I think the thing that fascinates me the most about his looks is that he can change from a boy to a man and then back to a boy again. The pictures today was making me say "how adorable is he?" while other pictures say to me "what a hot man!" The chameleon aspect is so cool. 2 more minutes on this topic.

Heh, I was just getting ready to ask where CG was too, but then saw in preview that she posted. And her post makes sense to me, even if I don't really agree with it (except for her last paragraph). I guess I'm really like couchie in that I don't "get" hair. I just don't. It's still Clay, no matter what he looks like. Now his clothes -- for the most part I love his stuff. Every once in a while, though...man, there is an outfit or two that I'd love to burn. (And there would be people that would burn ME because they LOVED the outfit....) But, as CG says, what he looks like doesn't define my fandom. I can imagine not going to a show just because I hated his hair, or his outfits. Can we say OTT?

I think one of the things that just hit me this past week is this: some people are just extremely visual. They react to the first thing they see. I'm not that much of a visual person, IMO -- more of an audio person. I also don't tend to go with my immediate gut reaction on many things -- but some do. Clay's hair seems to be as much of a "signature" for him as his voice. He realizes that, I believe -- and thus likes to play around with it to get reactions.

Question 5: 5) Why are people so fascinated with Clay's hair?

Oh God, I used to buy each and every freakin' magazine, even if it just mentioned Clay in one paragraph. No more....although I still buy and keep a LOT of magazines. Just not in multiples. I'm even weening myself from clack too -- I don't need to keep all those Insider text message poll results that mention Clay, do I? 3 more minutes.... Nelle, isn't this wonderful? There are people in my life who are my friends. THey are not just my Clay friends. I am so fortunate in this regard. Tomorrow I'll go see Muski's daughter pitch. I have another friend near me who I love dearly and her wonderful husband. I would never have met them if not for Clay. ALso Nelle, we are so lucky to live in CA with so much Clay happenings and people to hang out with and enjoy!! I'm so jellus in that regard. Which reminds me -- I need to find another time to go visit atinal.... jmh, I understand what you mean. The overriding worry about Clay on some boards overtook the fun, didn't it? Fortunately, other boards sprang up, ones that still knew how to have a bit of fun.

Yes, that is me too -- although I know realisitically, no more than 2 or 3 a tour is for me, just from the financial standpoint. Yes, that's it! I'd also add to that if I don't find out about something Clay did until, say, the next morning, I'm not totally upset. I don't have to know everything IMMEDIATELY. My "short attention span theater" has been tempered. I can deal with not knowing stuff right away. If nothing else, there's usually clack. CG, loved your entire post. And yes, I've likened my "relationship" with Clay like a marriage -- IMO we're now in the "after the honeymoon" stage, and things just aren't as passionate. Again, I feel like some people are thinking that things should be hot and heavy forever. Sorry, it just doesn't happen that way!

Great point about the internet, Nelle.... My fandom, and how it's involved? Well, shoot -- I'm an admin at a Clay board. Never thought that would happen. *g* Seriously, I think my fandom has settled down to an acceptably intense level. There's a clear boundary between me and Clay -- I don't mess in his business, he don't mess in mine. I just buy stuff with him on it, and talk about him a lot with my friends. I think the biggest change for me though is from this past year -- from considering one board the only place I would EVER post into a place where, while I still liked many of the people there, the attitude just dragged me down and I had to pretty much give it up. Bummed me out for a few weeks. As I said, I still like many, many people in the fandom -- but I just needed to step away for a while and find something that was less stressful. And isn't fandom supposed to be fun instead of stressful?

OK, I'm calling it. Question 4: 4) How has your fandom evolved in the past 3 years?

3 more minutes.... I think, many of these topics boil down to some fans thinking that Clay needs protection -- big bad AI, the pesky gnats. I'll say it along with couchie -- Clay is a man, and he'll be fine, no matter what is said or done to him.

That Kelly was still involved with AI this year just proves to me that Clay will never be able to shed the label. I think it will be on his tombstone. I'll have to work on that wording, though. *g* Incredibly good point. And I think his connection with AI will also influence a lot of his future marketing. (ACK!!! I said the "m" word!!!)