keepingfaith

OK, keepingfaith, you have GOT to come to one of our little lunches (you don't have a problem with 5 hour lunches, do you? And wildly ranging discussion on anything that crosses our minds? And how are you at making crafty things? Or excuses?)

Will there be a Houston contingent in Frisco? I've got a strong feeling that Frisco will be a real deal first concert, and not a limited pre-fireworks performance. Don't most fireworks displays last about 20 minutes? Most intermissions last 20 minutes ... so I'm thinking maybe Clay will be back on stage for the second half after the fireworks. I just know he's going to be electric that night.

Saturn has gone direct (out of retrograde) and things should lighten up for all of us- it was a tough period of introspection and rethinking all of our plans.

Diva, how long has Saturn been doing this retrograde thing? This could explain a lot .......

Are there party plans for Houston? Chick, you clearly don't know us. Much of our planning is being done in the CH Houston tour thread and in my head...pre-party will be at Birraporetti's, lot's of people are staying at the Hyatt Regency (where lots of us will gather post party). You sound like the type of person who may be at home to the eHP (evil Houston Posse, but the evil is relative. Very relative. As long as we have alibis.)

KAndre, thanks! Birroporetti's is a good place. I used to hang at the Birroporetti's on West Gray until they discontinued the Amaretto Freeze. So I quit going there ... and then they discontinued the West Gray location altogether. Connection? I can't prove it. Birroporetti's and Marfreless ... I did some damage there in the 80's. And that's all I'm going to say about that (except that alibis are a beautiful thing).

To the Houston fans and those traveling for the July 6 concert: Are there meet up/dinner/party plans in the works for Houston before/after the concert? I've met 0 Clay fans from the boards and really look forward to meeting some of you. Also, is there an unofficial headquarters hotel, because even though I live here, I'm 25 miles out of downtown and may want to book a room if there are some serious parties going down!

Tulsa may be too tempting to miss. In addition to the allure of the Magical Mr. Aiken, it's on 07/07/07 -- and that's got to be lucky! Also, the three 7s adds up to 21 and 2+1 = 3 and that's my personal lucky number, which is reason enough to travel to Tulsa. And, while there I can commune with my Cherokee heritage. I've got a feeling I'm going to talk miyself into Frisco and Tulsa before this is over.

:TourExcite:

And I'm thinking about Cary, too. And the Biltmore would be fantastic ......

Well, Clayzor, you've really got me thinking about hot, sweaty Clay shedding clothes in Frisco. I'm wavering on this one and that just may be a determiner! But in my heart of hearts, having never seen Clay in concert before, I may be leaning to having second row in Houston for my virginal experience. I've been thinking about what Clay will be doing on July 5th. Could there be an Austin or San Antonio concert possibility?

The UNICEF totals are wonderful. I'm so proud of and for Clay. His reputation at UNICEF must be sky high after the Lebanon appeal last summer and now this. What a beautiful thing.

And .... I see that the new thread title is from one of my posts. What a nice surprise for a newbie, FCA! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Just about every night I come on here to catch up with the only intelligent conversation going on in the fandom that I have found. This place is a depository of stuff worth knowing, and I love the good humor. I haven't given up on OFCMB yet ... but it's not a compelling or fun place to be unless Clay blogs or there's other big news in the fandom. I'm disgusted with OFC posters who take a sanctimonious tone while proliferating crappy logic, far-fetched fantasies and exercising what I consider to be piss poor judgment, but even more put off by the people that predictably Word! Amen! and Ditto! their incessant regurgitations of indigestible CRAP, sayeth the Raven.

I feel almost grateful that I've been so overwhelmed with a current work project that I'm unaware of the fan controversy over IGB, or AI altogether. It sticks in my mind that Clay said on Larry King Live last fall regarding AI that he would be on that show every week if he could -- that he loved every minute he was on AI. Hey, I loved every minute he was on the show, too! And especially the last time -- the two minutes seen round the world. I hate to be a bore about it, but I just can't overemphasize what the finale last year did to me. I was already a Clay lover, but it put me way over the top. It was strange to find so many jaded fans on the OFC when I joined up, but none of them have ever affected my feelings. Shoot, I was ignorant enough to think I could infuse some enthusiam in some of the naysayers. Silly me, little did I realize at the time that they were fully invested in being negative, in expecting the worst, and in jumping to wild conclusions. I was accused more than once or twice of insinuating that others were bad fans ... but actually I think they were insinuating that about themselves. Otherwise, why the defensiveness? So there I was revved up to the max and reading a lot of whining that Clay is done and the fun is over. My opinion is .. stick a fork in 'em ... they are the ones that are DONE. Clay, however, is another story completely, and a fantastic story he is. In my eyes, he's still unfolding and every layer revealed makes him more interesting than before. He's a paradox, a steadfast chameleon, a man who revels in change yet is unwavering in his principles. He's a man of a 1000 faces and all of them are great to look at. I do have my preferences with his hair and beard, but anymore I just can't wait to see what he's going to do next. Because it will be interesting.

It feels good to stretch out and enjoy my Clay love here at FCA, without angst, paranoia and delusions hovering about. One of these days, soon, and by soon I mean in about 10 days, I'm going to wrap this project and have a few less stressful months to enjoy being a fan, exulting over the chance to see Clay live for the first time ever in Houston this summer, and just enjoying the level of discourse at this forum, participating more, and using some of these cool emoticons.

Did I mention that my job is driving me nuts right now?

Heh. I am such a northerner. I don't think I ever heard the phrase "had my picture made with _____" until I started reading it on the boards. It seems like almost every recap I read includes that phrase. Don't y'all ever just "have your picture taken with ______"?

We Southern girls fix our faces before we get our pictures made, and then we go get a bite to eat. Never more than a bite. And we don't put stuff away either, we put it up!

Gee, keepingfaith, this wouldn't be a certain hand waving song where the voice was not used strongly, would it?

Amazing how somepeople forgot hwo they hated it and now it is the best thing since sliced bread.

Hmmm, I have no idea if it was a hand waving song.

The irony of this is that the label liked ATD and Clay was the guy pushing for HYCA == pretty bassackwards from what many assumed to be true! There's that ass-umed word again.

I agree with what KAndre said about the instinctiveness of music appreciation. I like what I like because I like it. I'll not like Clay's favorite songs any more or less than I did before I knew they were his favorite songs.

I really don't like dissing a song because I know someone somewhere loves it and it means a lot to them. The songs I love are so special to me that I know I don't want to hear anybody say, "That sucks!" about them. I take my music very seriously, but realized early on that I'm at odds with the fan conventional wisdom about some of Clay's music. There is one nameless song that seems to be almost sacrosanct among the fans, and the love for it is so great that it's becoming legendary. I literally can't stand the sound of that song, and I guess I'm the cheese standing alone. But I have never felt the urge or the need to tell anyone that I don't care for it. I like to think maybe it sounded better live. But, my point is, I don't know why there's a need to tear down things we don't appreciate, or create imaginary scenarios to rationalize them. I don't really give a ratz if Clive forced Clay to record love song covers, if Clive suggested it and Clay thought it was a good idea, or if Clay was dissatisfied with the original songs they had and asked Clive for help -- what difference could any of this make to me when I think ATDW is a gorgeous album that I've yet to get enough of after obsessive listening for six months. I love the sound of it. I love the way it begins and the way it ends. The first time I heard it I had tears during RHW and EID, and chills for Broken Wings. It hits me, and that's all that matters.

Yeah, Clive is more evil than we ever thought. He has telepathic powers. He knew he could easily manipulate Clay into that Box of Doom by having him sing songs to which Clay felt connected. And poor Clay doesn't even realize it.

Sorry, couldn't resist! :medium-smiley-070:

This is a great find and I'm stunned that it's been sitting out there unnoticed. I can't wait to tell my sister that Clay loves TOA. It's been her favorite since the snippets. She thought it should be the single.

It's so much easier once you accept that being a Clay fan will never be "cool," and why would anyone expect that it would be??

Absolutely! And to quote Lester Bangs from Almost Famous in one of my favorite movie lines of all time:

“The only real currency in this bankrupt world is what we share with each other when we're being uncool.”

I can hardly wait, Jenna! I'm so excited about it I don't think I'll sleep much tonight. Tomorrow at 10 I'm going to be a case! My first concert and Clay is coming here -- I think I'm still in shock from finding out on Friday, and now tomorrow the pre-sale. I'm getting a spinning feeling in my brain.

I don't know how you guys stand the OFC. I go there for Clay's blogs period. I'm so sorry it's probably one of the first places a new fan will land.

I don't know how I've stood it for 10 months. Oh yes I do. Because there have been a few, including me, that don't want to see Clay's own fanclub messageboard just turned over to the Pod. And because I think it's necessary to provide a sane alternative to new fans who show up there. Because I know how it affected me. And you're so right, it's just about THE first place most newly inspired fans will land. All the newbies who bought the Best Buy Fan Packs were immediately introduced to the conspiracy theories and complaining that's business as usual over there. There's no celebration, no joy -- only when Clay blogs, or good news goes up, or an hour or two after a concert. The rest of the time it's a cesspool, but I guess I'm stubborn because I'm still not ready to give up on it. Especially with what lightmyfire did tonight!

I try not to let anybody jerk my chain ... I tend to walk away after I've said what I have to say. But the constant drip drip drip of Podjuice can be damaging to the psyche. And that's the truth!

Go quick to the OFC in the 'For Once In My Life' thread!

lightmyfire just outed Momo as Bets!

OMG I just read it LCV! She nailed her. No way out. The Proof. WOW.

lightmyfire, you are amazing!!!!!!!!

Oh, the latest thing I read were "fans" threatening to leave if Clay goes easy listening - But... but.... but.... Don't they want him to work with David Foster? And... And.. aren't most of David Foster songs easy listening and doesn't he encourage his proteges to sing with Orchestras?

Oh yes, and Clay doesn't mean what he says in interviews and articles, and he's only touring for the money, he doesn't care about the fans. Oh, there is some sad stuff going on there today.

Oh, LovesClaysVoice, that is superb eye candy. Thank goodness you've come over here too. :F_05BL17blowkiss: This has been a much more exciting weekend for me than usual and it's because I'm pumped being here at FCA. It's a deep breath of fresh air for me.

Of course, some of this excitement could be the extreme ticket anxiety that I'm experiencing in the maximum right now. I am nervous as a cat. :Tour4:

Girlfriend, I'm so happy you're here.!!!! :Tour3:

Well Keepingfaith..I don;t know if you have the clack of Clay singing a snip of moon river. He sang it to Diane Sawyer during his first primetime interview...since then that is one of those clacks that people always saye they would like to see...the complete version of Moonriver...I know I am very excited for it. But now some of the same people hate the idea that he is singing it...just because it does not fit what they think he should sing.

Thank you so much, Ansa. I downloaded the PT promo today and the voice was oh so sensual on that snippet of Moon River. Count me as one who was ambivalent about it before, and now I really look forward to hearing Clay bring a sexy Moon River back. Why didn't I realize that in the first place? Duh!

EEE Welcome keepingfaith! You are just down the road from me! I am at work right now getting ready for the Shell Houston Open golf tournament ( want any tickets?)and I snuck in to see what was happening! I'm glad you joined us ...the antipodes! No wait that is the term for Australia for us Brits...I mean anti-poddies!

I pm'd you once at the OFC because I agreed with something you wrote. You're going to like it here.

The eHP can always use an extra minion! We are all about having fun! There are only two stated requirements one is loving Clay and the other is not stealing Cheez Doodles from Kandre!

merrieeee, yes we did exchange a couple of PMs a few weeks ago. Hey Girl! It's great to be here and I look forward to being among the Houston minions. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

And it sounds like I'll fit right in with the requirements--- I love and adore Clay Aiken, and I don't eat Cheez Doodles!!!! YAY!!!

When you see Clay live he has such charisma it radiates throughout the audience. He glows, literally. He's mind-numbingly beautiful in person. He's incredibly charismatic, and pheromones just slough off of him as if he were going to impregnate the entire audience. He moves, oh how he moves--he feels the music in every cell in his body. He snarks, and he makes you laugh so hard you cry. He looks right at you even though you're in the balcony and your heart goes into your stomach and you blush--I'm not kidding. But the voice, the voice!! OMG. It resonates throughout the venue. It resonates into your body. It makes you vibrate all over. It makes your girly parts vibrate. You leave at the end of the concert in a daze, like you just had the best sexual experience your life, and you think, "I just have to do this again," and you do all kinds of crazy things to make sure that you can. And the joy--oh the joy. Your face will hurt from smiling so much, and you'll have that shit-eating grin on your face for hours.

Wow, jmh, I think that's the best I've had in a while. :kos:

You will have such a great time this summer in your first concerts...you really should hook up with the eHP and the other FCAers going ...cos nothing like sharing the concerts with other fangirly fans who just wants to enjoy Clay and not judge him...

I guess the eHP will have to find me ... because I don't know where they are! But it sounds like they must be really something, because you're the second person to mention them to me today.

I would hate to be the person charged with compiling the set list for any of Clay's concerts. How to choose? He can sing whatever he wants to sing.

I was never so pleasantly knocked off my feet as when I watched the Motown clack -- the first clack I ever downloaded last summer. I mentioned loving Clay singing "Can't Help Myself" and somebody, I don't remember who, directed me to download JBT -- Columbus -- Jojoct -- Motown. I've burned that clack to several different DVDs, watch it often, and it still makes me just glow -- all of it.

When Clay sings "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" I'm ready to dive into the monitor. The way he moves, his facial expressions, but most of all The Voice. I'm not even going to go to that place that says, "Imagine if you'd actually been there" because I don't think I can even wrap my head around that now. But anybody who's reading this, and was at JBT and saw it and heard it live and in person --- just tell me it's everything I think it is, okay?

If Clay sings IYDKMBN this summer, I'll need to be slapped.

Welcoming presents for keepingfaith:

She's got a bit of a foot-on-the-boot-heel fetish, I hear.

So you're reading minds now, too? I'll be good on my first day, but I'll just say I could give that man a foot massage he'd never forget ... and let's leave it at that. Like I said, it's the first day and all.

I'm sure that there are so much Clay fans out there that have lost touch with him...I'm sure they will be pleasantly shocked by the guy right now...he certainly looks different from the spiky haired guy on AI...

That's so true. I know a few, including my sister. She insisted, demanded even, that I watch AI2 because of Clay and I first watched for Wildcard. We were the eeeeeeeeeeing, squeeeeeeeeing Clay loving sisters throughout that season. When Clay came out on the AI5 stage last year she called me screaming OMG it's CLAY, OMG it's CLAAAAAAY!

My sister is not on any fanboards -- and never will be -- but she'll be sitting next to me for the concerts this summer!

I think that clack has reached far and wide and done more for Clay's career than millions and jillions of dollars of promotion could ever have done. Because downloading and watching clack, you don't just like it, or appreciate it, or enjoy it, you go CRAZY for it. At least I have.

Regarding Clay singing Moon River. All I can say about that is I remember the sinking feeling I had for Top 3 when the judges (Paula) selected Mack The Knife for Clay to sing. I was not happy ---- until he starting singing, and then he surprised me once again. Now that's one of my all time favorite Clay performances. He was nothing short of spectacular. And the look on his face when he finished is in my heart forever.

Thank you all for the immediate and warm welcome! Wow, this feels good. All I've wanted is a safe place to play without having to dodge the cars!!!!

jmh123, I've always been a huge fan of YOURS. From the first day I was on OFC, I found myself agreeing with and loving your posts. For the longest now I've wondered what happened to you!

I assume you have spent the last year in a downloading haze - you must come to the boards and share your downloading favorites, I love talking about old clack!

If you are interested, I and others are hosting the AI2 entire shows on certain boards and would love to share them with you, if you want.

OM Goodness! Playbiller, you have assumed correctly! You definitely know the progression of the Clay fan psyche --- fall under the spell, find the websites, start downloading!!! I look forward to lots of clack chat.

Thank you so much, YSRN! I've always appreciated and enjoyed your posts at OFC. So many great fans are here! Hooray!

And lightmyfire, WHAZZUP BABY!!! Looks like we showed up at the same time.

luckiest1 -- just MMMMMMMMMWAHHHH