ldyjocelyn

Well damn, my decoder ring is malfunctioning today. *throws ring against wall* *dunks it in Cheez Doodle crumbs* Ah, much better. Claygasm, you are so right -- I can see Clive Davis' evil fingerprints all over these orchestrations. So, are the boards raising bail money for Clay's left-behind pooch? And of course, forcing people to donate? *g*

From the blog that Claygasm brought over, a symphony spokesman says: I don't know why, but this quote struck me as really, really cool. It also struck me as -- heck, Clay must like this music *coughATDWcough* to be spending the big bucks for orchestrations. *g* As far as the rest of her post...ITA with her...no one should be forced or coerced into making a donation to something. Sure, I'd love to see the BAF get high numbers, and make it to number one even, because I think it would please Clay. But I don't NEED for this to happen, and I think Clay would be just as happy with number two, or number 5, or number 5230. *g* Also -- think back to his banter at the end of the JNaT2006 shows. While he did plug both the BAF and UNICEF because they are dearly important to him, he also stated several times that people should follow their hearts with their charitable giving (and their tax write-offs.) He knows that people are pulled in many directions with their financial resources, and that people have choices to make. But, I truly think he wants people to GIVE, no matter where. If it helps the world, it's good giving. JMO.

CG, please don't feel badly about bringing that post over at all. I understand the spoiler-ho thing too, even though I'm really not one. I have been for other things though, so it makes sense. You did NOTHING wrong.

But -- you could find a friend or two or nine and get a table. But I understand too...

Personally, we all know the orchestra will know the set list before the concert. They would have to. What I think this means is "STOP CALLING AND EMAILING US!!! EVEN IF WE DO KNOW, WE CAN'T TELL YOU!!!" But that will go in one eye and out the other, or else it's too subtle, even by Clay standards. I've heard now that people are thrilled that he's doing Invisible -- because it rocks out. Well of course he's gonna do Invisible, it's his "signature song," IMO. I think people are gonna have to know every detail of this show before it even happens, and I think Ansa's reasoning is exactly why: There's got to be some reassurance that Clay is actually going to be that rock star, even if it's just for one song. I'm a kid that did search high and low for my Christmas presents during the month of December. But for some reason, with Clay -- I have no desire to know much ahead of time. I think it's because I'm pretty positive that whatever he does, I'll enjoy it. Period. End of sentence. End of paragraph. End of post.

You know.... In a way, I like hearing about things like what he's going to be doing ahead of time. There sometimes is a bit of "mental preparedness" when going into a Clay Aiken show that just needs to be done. IMO, it's just so that when you're blinded by the pretty and wowed by the voice, you'll remember thinking about this stuff before the show. *g* But at the same time.... I'm getting more than a bit freaked by fans emailing and emailing and calling and emailing some more, just to get details and information on these shows. I liken this to fans who took to emailing and talking to the CD distributors after ATDW was released (which bugged the snot out of me). Can't we, as a fandom, just go into the show and ENJOY what is given to us? Or does it have to be analyzed like there is no tomorrow, and judgements made about the show, even before walking into the theater? Besides -- the shows are just over 3 months away! There's plenty of time for publicity to come out that will tell more of the story. Sorry -- I'm venting here, but the impatience of this fandom really makes me see red sometimes. (And yes, I was one who with MOAM, MCWL AND ATDW, waited until actually getting a copy in my hand before making pronouncements....and most people call me weird for that.) Carry on.

Big push for Aiken tickets

Big push for Aiken tickets As much as I don't always like to give the fandom too much power....it's nice to know that there is still some fans who want to see the man and are willing to flood ticket offices like this. *g*

Via playbiller: Heh. And we could add to it from the emoticon she posted with it:

I just finished watching the episode on the DVR. As much as Mirna and Schmirna annoy me, they are funny too, and they are proving to be decent racers. I totally love Danny and Oswald -- so much fun. I'm gonna miss Teri and Ian, even if I thought it was their time to go. Eric is a first class prick. I'm very glad Uchenna and Joyce are still in this thing, and was really surprised that their 3rd place held up. The BQ's must have gotten lost....again. As for Mirna and Schmirna leaving when Guidos were arriving -- I'm betting on it. This is the most I've ever seen a group spread out, except for the Guidos again, during their first race. I'm wondering if they were having flashbacks.

Now that my heart is back in the proper place after this morning's ticket buying frenzy (can I just say that I want to marry KAndre?), and I've got some time after actually doing some real "work" in my office, I'm gonna go back and quote some of my favorite things from the past 24 hours or so... This? Bloody brilliant! Thank you so very much Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for both the pretty picture and rcknrllmom's great montage! :F_05BL17blowkiss: No, I don't think your memory is faulty at all. Sure, Clay's in the business to earn money, and it seems like he does a pretty darn good job of it too. But I really believe that much more important to HIM is him sharing his talent with his fans. AND -- he's gonna share with them what he likes, with maybe some stretching on his part. You know, "pick a lane and stay in it, but don't be afraid to swerve a little." I also think he knows that there is no pleasing each and every fan he has...so what to do? Do stuff that pleases HIM. Very simple, really -- IMO. I know keepingfaith was writing about the OFC here. (I salute those of you who try to keep the sanity and rationality to that place. You're braver people than I am...) But, I've discovered that this also holds true at many of the other fanboards as well. It's like atinal talked about a few days ago -- the "drug" high only lasts a few hours at most, and then things settle back into quagmire. If I could chuck my job today and do something different, I'd study this fandom as an academic persuit (I know, not good when I'm also PART of the fandom, but work with me, OK?) and try to figure out why exactly this phenomenon happens. Clay makes me happy, and I'm usually smiling for a few days after a good appearance, or even just a decent article. So why is it different for others? jenna, this entire post was magnificent. Bravo. The one thing I'd add to it is that people will bitch/moan/complain like crazy before their show. Then they go -- and have the time of their lives. But then something very interesting happens, IMO -- they seem to forget the glow and immediately go back into their routine of bitching/moaning/complaining. Again, WHY? I think it is like playbiller said with the JNT2005 -- Clay's really not cool enough for them. These are supposed to be "hip, with-it" women, and yet they believe the media's representation of Clay as being "not cool" and deride CLAY for that. Honestly -- I don't care about "cool," I just really, really, really like Clay. The question really becomes -- who is to blame? The people who state the things over and over, or the people who believe it? As a librarian, one of the things I teach is information literacy -- thinking critically about sources before using something for a paper, for example. My biggest headache is Wikipedia. It LOOKS like an entirely credible source, and so students use it all the time (and unfortunately, many teachers let them get by with it). But -- since anyone can edit any article in it -- it's a LOUSY source, and teaching students to think about what they read there before using it is a skill they need to learn. I think of the same thing in the fandom. What's a credible "source" about Clay? Well, to me it's Clay. Yes, there are editorial licenses all around with interviews with him...but I feel better about trusting a newspaper source more than a fan source. *shrug* If you find out the answers, let me know. I like rocking Clay. I like ballad Clay. I like Clay, period. So yeah, I'm easy. EEEEEEEEEEEE! Love it! Hugs to the Pala ticket buyers today. OK, now I've got to do more work again. *g*

If you want to see the "other side of the coin," see the documentary "Shut Up and Sing." Toward the end of the movie, the manager of the Dixie Chicks (who also happens to be Clay's manager *g*) was with the Ticketmaster people, watching the orders try to go through. I thought it very funny, having been on the side of fighting TM trying to get tickets. *crosses fingers for Claygasm and muski*

View from Row G, seat 110, according to the Jones Hall website: So that should give everyone a pretty good idea of what their seats will be like.... EEEEEEEE! 00lsee!!!!!!!!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss: Can't wait to meet you! And I love that I'll be getting to see all the eHP, Invisible, and so many others! Oh, and that Clay guy too. :Tour3:

BWAH! But I was thinking that Clay will get that orchestra PUMPED during "Invisible." Wonderful posts overnight. I'll try to post more later when I have time, and my adrenaline has gone back down after the ticket thing for Houston this morning.

No more of :Tour4: for me (until the Dallas tickets go on sale....)! For KAndre and Scarlett: :TourExcite: :TourExcite: :TourExcite:

KAndre, do you have any idea when you'll know what tickets you get? My group is wondering if they should still try the phone route as well.

First of all, PerusingOne -- get your butt over to the Main thread and introduce yourself! The more the merrier! Secondly, I just discovered that I'm in a teleconference meeting at 9:00 a.m.! CRAP! I may not be able to dial in right at 10:00 a.m. CRAP! Did I say CRAP?? :Tour4:

georgiaclay, glad to see you among the living. Hope you feel up to getting to Texas, because I'd love to meet you! And if you can't make it -- that's OK too. We'll meet someday, and dream of Clay. Thanks play for the AI1 episode. I remember Kelly blowing me out of the water with SLTT, and now I can relive it, along with the rest. And cindilu2, that was a wonderful montage! Thanks! 'night all.

OMG. I think I need a cigarette. Best. Description. Ever. Welcome to all the newbies! I'm so loving this place today...unfortunately, I've just had to skim a bunch, becuase I'm dead tired! 6 hours total in the car to visit my Mom (she's doing well, although she's of course not happy to be in a nursing home). Dinner time was great though, because I got to eeeeee and squeeee over Clay, lament the fact that Clay hasn't played St. Louis in far too long, and roll my eyes over the poddie theories with atinal! She is a sweetheart! (Dearie, we'll see Clay this summer together, I have high hopes for that....) This must have been FCA get-together day! Hope the NoCal girls are having a great time! Happy birthday JennaZ! :bday2: Off to download the montage... Oh, and to the newbie who posted that adorable picture of Clay after singing Mack the Knife (was is keepingfaith or lightmyfire....I'm too lazy to look at the moment)...THANK YOU. Totally cute, and I loved that performance.

EEEEEEEEEE! Newbies! Welcome keepingfaith -- we'll have to try and meet sometime during the Texas concerts! And welcome to lightmyfire too. I can tell from both your introductory posts that I'm gonna like you guys. A lot. Looking forward to getting to know you so much more, and sharing the fun known as Clay Aiken with you!

One more thing to add before I leave for Mom's (and seeing atinal, EEE!).... You know, Clay singing Moon River could be exactly as some are worried it to be -- lush strings, phrasing as Andy Williams would do it. Heck, he may even wear the sweater. He may also change it up, as he did with HYCA on ATDW. The thing is -- WE JUST DON'T KNOW. There's lots of worry about what COULD happen. Why do this? I mean really, it's just a song people! If someone is THAT worried about how Clay will be singing songs, I just feel that maybe, just maybe, they need to re-examine how invested they are. And I say that as someone who is pretty damn invested in Clay -- but I'm also invested in having Clay be happy, and thus, around for a long time to come. Gotta run....

Claygasm, thanks for those YouTube links. I'm a fan of REM, and didn't realize that they'd sung Moon River! Stipe's voice really isn't quite up to singing a song like that, but the simple arrangement was outstanding, and I'd love to hear Clay sing that song like that. More on this later... Put SOME country back into the mix, and you're me. I love stuff like the soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Could we add this as the tag line to our next thread? So very true. And I think that's why I love him so -- I love him messing with my head like that. He likes curve balls, designed to make people say "HUH?" And I frequently get whiplash from the way he changes gears, especially in his shows. But that's OK, I have good insurance. This would be a great tagline too....because I think it sums up the feelings of a great number of people here. Fantastic rant. And this series of sentences is perfect. As is this series of sentences. Do I get in trouble if I just follow people around and WORD them? Oh wait, I'm an admin. I suppose I could get by with that. *g* :TourExcite: :TourExcite: :TourExcite: :TourExcite: :TourExcite:

Yes, I agree with you that the man seems to be an "old soul." (I think that's diva's line..) He's said time and time again that he likes to sing songs with good melodies. Well, Moon River certainly qualifies to that definition for me. Are there "rock" songs that fit that definition too? Sure...but not this time, it sounds like to me. I'd love for this, but sadly, I think that is not to be. I think there are plenty of people who are buying up tickets to as many shows as they can, and with certain expectations. If those expectations are not met -- they'll still go to the shows, but they'll also piss and moan a lot too. Unfortunately, as Jenna said the other day, the addiction to Clay Aiken is just too strong for some people. Off to bed. Visit with Mom tomorrow and then I get to have an early dinner with atinal! EEEEEEEEEEE! ETA: Claygasm, your post immediately above this one of mine

Going through his blog for thread title suggestions... How about "Best friends of a pasty white boy." couchie and KAndre will probably vote for that one. Here's another one: "Anyone got a Stetson or surfboard we could borrow?" muski got her laptop!! EEEEEE! Ladies, have a great time tomorrow.

j4clay, welcome, and thanks for pointing out that I have a terrible time keeping dates straight! I've made the correction. Thanks as well for hotel information!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEE! Those sound like some good deals!