ldyjocelyn

And I got mine this morning through the website, it went through without problems. YAY!

Now I just have to see if I have any co-horts in crime who are willing to be crazy with me.

He's so adorable in that video. Hell, he's so adorable, period. I love hearing him talk.

And so PERFECT -

"People don't care about you all the time"

It's a message to us people! He wants us to have LIVES!

Hey! Maybe this was his William Shatner moment [/star Trek reference].

I actually don't think the gala hair is "gone" -- it's just combed a different way. If he combed it down into bangs, I think it would look very similar to what he had then.

I do miss the beard though.

And yes, the picture looks skewed to me too. I think the shirt just puffed in the front (ie., FOLD! Hee). As for his face -- well, he's getting older. It's gonna happen. (Yep, he's gonna have new comedy fodder for the tour with this...)

Clay Aiken: The ET Exclusive!

In an exclusive ET interview, CLAY AIKEN shows his support for fallen "Idol" SANJAYA MALAKAR, saying, "I rooted for him. I was disappointed when he got cut."

Sanjaya's attention-grabbing tactic of dramatically changing his hairstyle every week proved to be a good move for the controversial contestant, who managed enough votes to make it into the final seven.

"Good for him," Clay tells our JANN CARL. "He carved a niche for himself."

He adds that Sanjaya's bold style choices got his respect.

"Anybody who is comfortable enough to go in front of millions of people on TV with a Mohawk has my vote," he says.

The 28-year-old North Carolina native has gone a long way since his days at "American Idol" -- literally! He just returned from Afghanistan as part of his work as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

But even though he grew out a beard during his trip, the facial hair did little to disguise his famous face.

"Some of the girls giggled just a little bit," he says. "But they're very shy. Everybody who we met were just really hospitable and totally welcoming."

The trip was not without some drawbacks, however.

"I would be lying if I said that I was not nervous," Clay says. "I was very nervous before I left. I hugged all my family, said goodbye." His stay proved to be an eye-opening experience.

"It was interesting," he says. I was actually in Kabul at the same time DIANE SAWYER was and she was at a hotel less than a mile away from where we were. We were trying to get together for dinner, but we couldn't because she couldn't leave her hotel and I couldn't leave mine [at night]. That's the situation in Kabul."

For more of our Clay Aiken exclusive, watch tonight's ET!

Clay Aiken: The ET Exclusive!

In an exclusive ET interview, CLAY AIKEN shows his support for fallen "Idol" SANJAYA MALAKAR, saying, "I rooted for him. I was disappointed when he got cut."

Sanjaya's attention-grabbing tactic of dramatically changing his hairstyle every week proved to be a good move for the controversial contestant, who managed enough votes to make it into the final seven.

"Good for him," Clay tells our JANN CARL. "He carved a niche for himself."

He adds that Sanjaya's bold style choices got his respect.

"Anybody who is comfortable enough to go in front of millions of people on TV with a Mohawk has my vote," he says.

The 28-year-old North Carolina native has gone a long way since his days at "American Idol" -- literally! He just returned from Afghanistan as part of his work as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

But even though he grew out a beard during his trip, the facial hair did little to disguise his famous face.

"Some of the girls giggled just a little bit," he says. "But they're very shy. Everybody who we met were just really hospitable and totally welcoming."

The trip was not without some drawbacks, however.

"I would be lying if I said that I was not nervous," Clay says. "I was very nervous before I left. I hugged all my family, said goodbye." His stay proved to be an eye-opening experience.

"It was interesting," he says. I was actually in Kabul at the same time DIANE SAWYER was and she was at a hotel less than a mile away from where we were. We were trying to get together for dinner, but we couldn't because she couldn't leave her hotel and I couldn't leave mine [at night]. That's the situation in Kabul."

For more of our Clay Aiken exclusive, watch tonight's ET!

He shaved! Let the angsting begin!

He talks about Sanjaya! Let the angsting begin!

He's gonna be on my TV! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I haven't tried to call the Tulsa hotel yet, but I did try the online reservation system, and it told me that nothing was available with the passcode and special room rate. pkmiller, will they be willing to consider opening more rooms? I would venture a guess that 40 rooms went FAST.

Billboard for the Pala show...

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Wow, that's cool. I remember arriving at Merrillville last year, and pulled around the bend as I was exiting the interstate. Lo and behond, a HUGE billboard of Clay announcing the show that evening. It's pretty thrilling. This picture does similar things to me....

See, now this is why it is so hard to do a calander of Clay - I was looking for the beard - the man never looks the same two days in a row - so poto shoots are so yesterday by the time they are done.

ITA! And the thing is -- calendar photo shoots are usually done about this time of the year, so that would mean -- beard and really good hair highlights. I'm not saying that would be bad (because I really like the look right now, even if it took me a few minutes to get used to the beard), but by the time the calendar would come out in September, he'll probably be clean shaven and a totally different shade of hair color. Mr. Chameleon.

I know “we”, as in royally, love the princely hat but….but…you know when I saw it I thought….. Davy Crockett and his coonskin cap and then the next thing I heard inside my head was “Turn around Davy and show us your tail!” I know off with her head and all that, but……I won’t miss it that much, anyway. It does stupid uncontrollable things sometimes.

I really do think he looks cute in the hat…really. I’m just confessing to having a…um…rare….inappropriate thought and I’ll blame it on last month's visit to the Alamo, where things most certainly would have been different if the volunteers' supply of hot glue sticks had gotten through in time.

Heh. I actually had similar thoughts with that hat. He looks cute and all, but at the same time....I don't know, it looks like the hat is about 3 sizes too small, and yeah, it looks as if their should be a racoon tail in the back. I just keep telling myself, though -- "he's being a hawt humanitarian. Not the time to be talking about clothing and hair." Heh.

I'm really hoping the ET thing is about his UNICEF work. I was pleased to see the Access Hollywood, on their website, put a blurb about it. This gives me hope. Also -- TC doing the publicity? UNICEF? A combination of both? (The last option is the one I'm going with....)

Latest UNICEF Fieldnote

Afternoon update on Clay Aiken's Afghanistan Appeal

Here's our afternoon update. As of an hour ago (1:34 p.m.), we've raised $150,802.31 for UNICEF's work in Afghanistan. Thank you!

Today's Day 7 and we're already more than $50,000 ahead of the goal. Three more days to go . . .

Thanks diva. I'm feeling a little better about the situation now that I'm out of the meeting, but I still think it's going to be crazy for a while. Anyway -- good luck with your "open mike night!"

Tulsa? Sanity? Tulsa? Sanity? Hmmm....

I read that line too muski...and figured you were just the person for the job to comment! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Experience LA

The Greek Theatre is proud to host an evening with multi-platinum recording artist Clay Aiken on Saturday, August 4 at 8:00 PM. Aiken’s latest album, A Thousand Different Ways, released September 2006, offers fans 10 cover versions of love songs spanning the last three decades, as well as four brand-new songs that are destined to become Aiken classics in their own right. "This album is very different than my first, Measure Of A Man, in that I had a lot more say in how I wanted things to be," says the singer. Debuting at number 2 on the Billboard chart, it made Aiken the 4th artist ever to have his first 3 albums debut in the Top 5 and scan over 200,000 in the first week. Though his fans have come to expect him to knock each song into the heavens with his transcendently powerful voice-which he does here quite masterfully, particularly on Harry Nillson’s "Without You," the Bad English hit "When I See You Smile" (written by Diane Warren), and the Foreigner classic "I Want to Know What Love Is" his latest album also shows off a more mature Aiken, one who is able to add beautiful vocal nuances to such unexpected choices as Bryan Adams’s "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)," Paul Young’s "Everytime You Go Away" (written by Daryl Hall), and Dolly Parton’s "Here You Come. Don’t miss An Evening With Clay Aiken on Saturday, August 4 at 8:00 PM.

I like this description....a lot. To me, it tells exactly what this show is going to be about. I also have my suspicions that there's some PR going on in the background here... *g*

Oh, and they've included a tiny picture -- a full body shot of one of the pictures we've seen before:

Boy, I'd sure like to see that one full size. *g*

OT venting: my workplace is going to hell in a handbasket. Guess what? I'm probably going to be the boss pretty soon -- except I'm getting all the headaches and none of the perks (such as money, rank, etc.). My current boss (the one who is retiring within the next year or so) feels terrible about it, but her hands are tied, because it's HER boss that's instigating the changes. In a way, I feel honored, because they think I'm the only person on staff who can do the work and get it done. But do I want it? And the extra stress it involves? There's a meeting this afternoon with all involved that will start to hash out what exactly will be happening, and I'm not motivated at all to attend. I could go in and try to fight the whole situation -- but I don't think it will do any good. Or, I could go in like a good employee and try to figure out how to make it work. Either situation makes me feel like crap, really. OK, I'm done now.

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken vists Afghanistan

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken visits Afghanistan

NEW YORK, USA, 18 April 2007 – UNICEF National Ambassador Clay Aiken has visited central Afghanistan to see for himself how UNICEF is trying to improve life for children in the region.

“We met a number of young women who have an amazing outlook on their future now in post-conflict Afghanistan,” said the US pop star. “There is an amazing sense of hope, an amazing sense of promise, not only in the country but in the youth as well.”

At the Sadat Health Clinic near Bamyan, Mr. Aiken saw lifesaving measures in action and even administered the oral polio vaccination to a newborn baby. Besides providing immunization, the clinic offers family planning services and midwives to advise mothers on breastfeeding and good hygiene practices.

People from other villages sometimes walk up to four hours in order to reach the clinic.

UNICEF supports Sadat Health Clinic by training health staff in hygiene education, vaccines, integrated maternal and child health, and nutrition. The organization has also assisted with the construction of water points and latrines to provide safe drinking water and sanitation.

Literacy for girls and women

During his two-day stay in Bamyan, Mr. Aiken also visited the Said Aabad women’s literacy centre, which UNICEF helped to establish last October. He heard from girls and women aged 16 to 50 about how they were learning to read and write for the first time, and the subsequent impact on their lives

In Bamyan Province, the literacy rate is 6 per cent for women and 44 per cent for men. UNICEF currently supports over 95 literacy courses in the province and is working to create 30 new literacy centres there due to high demand.

“Educated women can contribute effectively to the reduction of child and maternal mortality rates,” said UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan Catherine Mbengue, who joined Mr. Aiken on this visit. “Educated women will be able to voice their concerns and also make better decisions in regard to family planning.”

Ms. Mbengue also urged government officials to make adult literacy initiatives a priority and to ensure the active involvement of women in training programmes and activities.

Rebuilding schools, training teachers

Despite challenging, bumpy paths in the mountainous region, the delegation members continued with their visit to meet hundreds of girl students at Shirin Hazara School in Foladi Valley, west of Bamyan. There, Mr. Aiken spent time with students and the teachers in their outdoor classrooms.

“As a former teacher, I recognize that spark of hope and excitement all children possess when given the opportunity to learn,” he said. “Rebuilding schools, training teachers, providing essential supplies and teaching materials are just some of the advances UNICEF and its partners have made to keep that hope flourishing.”

Still, girls’ school enrolment in Bamyan remains low at just 38 per cent, compared to 62 per cent for boys. Although Mr. Aiken witnessed positive moves to address this situation and make lasting improvements for young people, at least 30 per cent of the province’s school-age children – over a million in all – are not even enrolled in school.

That fact alone shows there is still much work to be done.

In case you missed it, there is an article on the UNICEF website that ties to the video....

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken Visits Afghanistan

Full text in the Fast Forward News Section There's also two new small pictures with the article, I will guess that larger ones will come soon.

Glad your surgery went well merieee! Looking forward to meeting you in Texas!

Hugs to the Clayzorback family....

Will you settle for a stirring rendition of "If You're Happy and You Know It" instead? New updates on the UNICEF Afghanistan page, including a link to a video. EEEEEE! Afghani Clack and a new song!!!

Oh. My. God.....on so many levels.

No kidding. I think, in the past week, my heart has burst with pride for Clay and UNICEF about 50,000 times. This man, this humble man, has done so much, in so little time. I'm floored.

And he looks hawt too. Damn, I hate when those shallow moments sneak up on me.

Frisco is definitely out for me, I think I'll be coming back from a family visit that day. I'm still debating on Tulsa, but I think I might be crazy enough to try that one. Spending 8 hours (or 7, depending on speed *g*) with the eHP could be a whole lotta fun.

Latest UNICEF Fieldnote

We've heard from hundreds of you today. Thanks for your comments here on Fieldnotes, your emails, posts on your own sites, and of course your donations. Again, congratulations on exceeding the $100,000 goal.

Want to know what the new total for Clay Aiken's Appeal for the Children of Afghanistan? As of 5:15 p.m. tonight, we're at: $145,902.31 here in the US. We'll post a total from Canada soon too.

WOW! I'm wondering if the total may hit over $200,000. And it looks as if the Canadian funds aren't even included in this total!

___

CG, I wouldn't worry too much about hecklers (although I understand that reaction totally). Just looks at your avatar, and imagine that Clay will be doing that to anyone that heckles him. He'll be good to go!

Honestly, except for the orchestra, it sounds like that early show of the NAT in Wisconsin. Wasn't it held on a baseball field?

And sure, orchestras can play on soccer fields, especially on the fourth of July. They can pull out "Stars and Stripes Forever" to play during the fireworks.

Actually sounds like it might be fun, even if the heat would probably be opressive. But hey -- sweaty Clay!

:F_05BL17blowkiss: georgiaclay! I always like seeing your name out there. And this:

He is a man of mystery that I would like to figure out.

Is so, so perfect.

For anybody who has made a $50 donation to UNICEF, did you get your PDF link yet to his Afghan report? I'll probably do mine today...

No, I haven't gotten anything yet (I did my donation last Sunday). I think the donation form said they would send out the report link by May 15, so they've got time. Hope they do it quickly, though -- there will be some fans who will go Clay Aiken on UNICEF if they don't get their stuff soooooooooooon.

Yeah, guess I am shallow, I think lay is growing intohis looks. I have come to the conclusion that the AI make up people made him cute, but he had the look of a really handsome man inside him all the time. Now, he looks best in his natural self.

People are always a work in progress. I find Clay fascinating for exactly that reason -- I've loved watching the changes in his look and his demeanor over the past few years. He's really grown into a fine man, and I'm so happy and proud. The comfort levels he has, and the confidence he has -- it's always been there, I'm sure, but it's developed and grown. I love it.

Claygasm, I am very glad that your friend is OK, and what he wrote hit me pretty hard. I can agree with your sentiments about living life to its fullest, because things can be very fragile. And yet, I look at my life sometimes and just think that I'm wasting it away. It's tough.

But that's where I like the example that is Clay Aiken. I know I'm gonna sound all angelwingy here, but it makes me feel so very glad that there are people out there like him -- one that tries his best to give all he can to his life, and to the lives of others.

I also think things like the incident yesterday in Virginia, or learning more about the troubles in other countries, makes me realize that arguing over marketing plans, and ticket screwups, and things like that are so very minor in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes, I've just got to let go.

Wow that just has me in tears. I KNOW that life is fragile....lost my father at age 4. Ran across a book once that was called The Loss That Is Forever...about how losing a parent affects your whole life. Since I learned about mortality so young and how someone you love can be taken at any time my whole world was changed. When I faced my own mortality almost 5 years ago , with 4 young children, I have decided to live my life. To have fun...to find the JOY!! I have to sometimes remind myself to not sweat the small stuff because none of it really matters in the end!!

{{{{{{{{rcknrllmom}}}}}}}}}}

And I SURE HOPE that isnt the last of the dates to be announced...I MUST go see this tour...Clay live just replenishes my soul...and I need a bit of that right now!!!!!!!!!

I've always believed in "where there's a will, there's a way." If this is the last date of the tour, people will figure out how to get to a show, somehow. I know the other possibility is painful, but there are cellcerts and reports that can help a bit.

muski, your story is one of the reasons why I don't have children. I couldn't deal with that kind of situation. It's funny, though -- two of the non-parents (me and CG) both agree that the parents shouldn't be contacted. As Ansa said, the parents might be OK with it. (I know, boggles my mind too....)

Welcom claylily! Enjoy your time here!

Yaya for Clay!!!

BWAH!!!!

Go Clay! Go UNICEF!!! Loved reading about the power of his suggestion....

I haven't seen this anywhere so far...........

PEOPLE MAG AD FOR AOL MAG WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Has anyone bought this magazine?

I did, read it on the flight last week. I knew the "history," knew that many fans were upset about the write up. Frankly, I didn't think it was that bad. Yes, it mentions the "scandal," but unfortunately, that's part of his history now too. I thought the pictures were great, and there are several side mentions and pictures that were cool. The only true WTF moment for me was in the article on Barry Manilow, talking about his being a mentor on Idol. He mentions his joke in his show about Clay looking like him in a few years (fat chance, Barry *g*), but then says "I never worked with him." I HAVE to assume he was talking about not working with him in an Idol capacity, or else Barry is really getting senile. (Of course, most of Clay's fans tend to want to forget ACAC too, as I've found out here. *sob*)

Hubby came home last night and pulled out the wetvac to clean up the basement. Doh on my part!

Did everyone go and grab their OFC presale code yet? I did -- saved as a word document!

Karen Eh?, you crack me up!

muski -- great news for you!

I'll just bring a blindfold and a wad of cash. Oh, and Cheez Doodles. *g*

ldyjocelyn

As I always say the more the merrieeeer*g*

:F_05BL17blowkiss: :F_05BL17blowkiss: :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Rather bonnie, eh?

Oh my. That's a pretty damn good picture, if I do say so myself.

So....I was planning on camping out in front of the TV with the laptop tonight, switching between Dancing with the Stars and American Idol. Go into our laundry room to find a flood! My husband had left our kitty litter pans to soak, and one of them was over the edge of the sink in that room. Faucet -- left dripping just slightly. Well, in 24 hours, that made a flood. So, I'm in the midst of cleaning up the room. My husband is going to get some of the clean up when he gets home though.

Back to putting on my waders....

As long as you bring enough bail money for all, and have no objection at driving a teensy bit over the speed limit...

I'll just bring a blindfold and a wad of cash. Oh, and Cheez Doodles. *g*

Shoot, I was hoping that the Tulsa show was going to be on the fourth, and that Dallas was back on for the 7th. Hmmmm....hey KAndre, does the eHP have room in their car for a wayward minion? My traveling companions to Houston may shoot me, but I'm seriously thinking of finding a way to get to Tulsa for another show. I'll keep ya'll posted.

Hooray for the California meers. Maybe I should have tried for that one instead.....*sigh*

Back to work.

muski, couchie's latest blog is on the front page of the new FCA homepage: www.findingclayaiken.com BRAVO Miss Couchie!

muski, I love your daughters....

Nothing more to add, other than I come back to work and everything's shot to hell already, and the rest of the week looks to be hellish too. Why do I have to work? Oh yeah, to pay for my Clay Aiken habit....

Sorry bottlecap, but when you're back at work after being gone for a week, dancing bananas is the LAST thing on my mind. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

This Tulsa/Dallas/Houston thing couldn't get more confusing if it tried, could it? *continues to be Zen*

Everyone have a great day!

Clay's Fieldnotes Blog for UNICEF

It's not that fun being wrong.

Fortunately for me, I don't have to do it very often! HA HA!

Okay... I'm kidding. I spend plenty of my time on the side of inaccuracy. But, few of my misdirections or misconceptions could possibly compare to how far off of the mark I was in my assumptions about my trip to Afghanistan.

I doubt it would come as a surprise that my mother was none too thrilled when I told her I would be traveling with UNICEF to a country that many consider to be one of the most dangerous in the world for Americans. My brother had just returned from his second tour as a U.S. Marine in Iraq when I let my mother know, so her blood pressure probably stayed high even after my return. I wasn't so at ease about it myself. Hostage takings, suicide bombings, and insurgent attacks are all seemingly daily occurrences in many parts of the country. At least that's what we see on TV and read in papers and magazines.

I couldn't have been more wrong about Afghanistan. And I couldn't have been farther off target about the Afghan people. With the exception of maybe my grandparent's house, I have never felt more welcomed. The Afghan people are some of the most gracious and inviting people on Earth.

After centuries of having their land filled with travelers and explorers, I guess they have hospitality down to an instinctive science. Everywhere we traveled we were greeted with warmth and welcome. Even on the streets of Kabul and the rugged hills of Bamyan. But nowhere as gracious as the schools and UNICEF programs that we visited. Despite the most meager accommodations, we were always invited in and shown every simple resource with the utmost of pride.

And, why shouldn't they be proud. Until a few years ago, most of these students were forbidden by the Taliban regime from going to school. And now?.... Now over 6 million children are piling into broken down buildings and UNICEF tents everyday to catch up on the lessons that they have missed out on for years. That's if they are lucky. Many, if not most, haven't even the luxury of a tent. Just a dusty ground outside in one of the world's most beautifully scenic landscapes. And still, they come to class. Many walk for miles; for hours.

With frankness I'll tell you, there is little to show off at these schools. The schools I visited had such limited resources that most made the average American 3 year-old's bedroom look like a learning lab. I can remember my own collection of books as a 2nd grader, and it looked liked the Library of Congress compared to the school library I saw at a school for over 2000 students. (And, I doubt I ever read half of them.)

Yet, the hunger and desire to read and to learn is so strong that, despite no enforced laws making schools compulsory in Afghanistan, children are clamoring to go to schools.

As I saw on my trip, UNICEF is there. UNICEF is providing tents so children can study away from the elements. UNICEF is struggling to provide school supplies to every young boy and girl in Afghanistan who wants to learn. UNICEF is providing literacy courses for women who have been forbidden far too long from a right of education that so many of us take for granted. But there is so much more that needs to be done.

Afghanistan is so far from the "lost cause" that I had expected to find in the rugged hills of south Asia. It is, I believe, one of the world's countries with the most potential. The people are perhaps it's most valuable natural resource. They are determined to break through the years of oppression they have endured. They are sponges for knowledge, and poised for success.

Winter is over in Afghanistan. It's time to get ready for amazing growth in Afghanistan's spring.

The people... make that the COUNTRY of Afghanistan showed me and my fellow travelers such AMAZING hospitality despite meager means.

As a people of substantially more means... we can help UNICEF return the favor.

God, I couldn't be more proud of him, and UNICEF as well....

I leave for a half hour to take my car in for service (thankfully my car dealer has computers with internet access), and new pictures arrive?!?!? Gah! I love the first one with the baby. Wait -- I love the second one, with the hands of the kids on his. But then, that third one, with him teaching the class....*sigh*

What does he have in his other hand in the third picture, though? ETA: Nevermind....with the huge download, I can see that it's a camera. Maybe we'll get some pictures taken by Clay soon?

He's such a good dude.

New thread title poll! See the top of the page for choices and voting!

{{{{{{{{{Those involved in the Virginia Tech shootings}}}}}}}}}}}}

Man, they got me with this episode. I really loved the scene with Juliet standing up to Sawyer and Sayid -- it couldn't get more perfect than that. And yes, I fell for her being a good person, only to be shown as (possibly) a bad guy. I agree with most of you though that I think she'll come around again.

Awww, Sawyer actually melted my heart a bit when Kate showed up. They're gonna make me like him yet, aren't they?

Looks like Locke is coming back -- that should be good. Plus, I'm guessing that Jin and Juliet have a connection....

Hey couchie -- I'm going to be watching ER on my DVR soon! Ready to talk about it?