Carolina Clay

Scarlett, one of the Clay Nation's clack goddesses extraordinaire, and I share the same birthday. However, she is currently 17 hours ahead and already celebrating July 17 in Russia. The new Carolina On My Mind blog honors a good friend with some of her own wonderful clack. I hope you will drop by and wish Scarlett a Happy Birthday. Despite my many questions, she was very surprised about the blog. ("OMG, I've never had a page like this!") I had just asked her when she will be returning (July 20 so she will be at the first Timeless Tour concert!). Then I suggested she visit the Carolina site. HEEE!!! merrieeee posted this link RE Atlanta's 8/1 PBS telecast, as well as an interview next week. Great news about all the PBS times coming in! Thank you for your comments, visits, tweets, retweets, FB posts, links, etc. I see the blog is listed at Google. Have an awesome day, all! Caro

The cartoon is definitely a winner. I am working on a special blog. Besides the Ft. Myers concert when Clay turned her camera on her, what is your favorite Scarlett video or experience? Thnx for your input; PM's will be appreciated. Scarlett doesn't know about this, btw. Have an awesome Friday, all! Caro

The new Carolina On My Mind blog highlights Clay's co-hosting stint on "The View" with video, screen caps, etc. I couldn't embed the roller interview, but a screen cap links to the one on ABC. I am still finding "water cooler" links to add. Thank you for your visits and comments. As you know, they help the Internet Clay blogs duke it out for position on Google. Happy Birthday, jmh! :04: Have an awesome day, all! Caro

WOOHOO -- TBAF #129 with 1,632 votes!!! Go, Clay Nation!!! And go, Clay! Got bleeped right off the bat! Love the "View" screen caps! Happy Birthday, Kimiye! :04: I have to leave soon to teach. Have a great day, all! Caro

WOOHOO, my bass player from Nashville read the material on TBAF and voted! I gave him the better link and hope he passes it around. The numbers are going up, so the new/fixed link must be helping: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/200146446-bubel-aiken-foundation-inc Chase ends at midnight EDT. Caro

That's funny, Fear. Talk about the Aiken Fog! TBAF stands at #198 on Page 10 in the 6:06 p.m. update. Less than six hours to go!!! Caro

Cindy, the comment shows on both IE and Mozilla. Blogspot had problems about a week ago, but they were cleared up. Sometimes it takes a while for new comments to show up. Thnx for coming by. I have read where several fans were sent "gift" votes but they couldn't use them because, like me, they were maxed out. Be sure to ask for eligible recipients before typing in a name. The Inclusion Project is at 1,313 now, but you know other charities are working hard to get the votes in, too. Bottle, I think you are right. Clay does know how to work the camera lens. Ditto with his incredible voice! Caro

Cindy, both are in the Carolina blog (I added an update to my post here). Look in the calendar! And then read what my sweet grandson said. FromClaygary, wish I could help; but I am maxed out -- 20+ votes with reciprocals hopefully coming in. Caro

I just uploaded a new Carolina On My Mind blog that features the five stations airing T&T LIVE on July 31 (less than three weeks from now!) and includes Miami WPBT2's promo, the EPK video, a calendar (with an acapella insert, thnx to dancermom2), graphics by AmazingCA and Fountaindawg, and an "old soul" story about my grandson Kai when he learned about his great-grandmother. The National Inclusion Project is currently ranked #193 (page 10 of the leaderboard!!!). We need to get in all the votes we can in the time left -- 1 day and less than 5 hours. Even if some fans don't understand about casting their 20 Chase votes wisely, I can guarantee that other charities do. I have received tons of FB messages today from various charities who saw from my Saturday posts that I was using my 19 other votes. I am maxed out, but here is one that some of you may help. Be sure to tell them about the National Inclusion Project so they will reciprocate. Many, like the groups below, are eager to do so: Thank you for your support of the Inclusion Project and the Internet Clay blogs. We are in the final hours of hopefully securing the $20,000 for the foundation. Let's go, team! Btw, I can make you a Sendspace video of "Moon River" on "The Stoop." The mp3 file is in my blog. It's gorgeous! UPDATE: The video is there now! Have an awesome new week, all! Caro

The above paragraph was posted by MagicalMusic at Clayversity this afternoon. Below is the part I added. We really do need the all-out effort this Clay fan describes. The Inclusion Project (#149 and #156 during the previous 24 hours) dropped to #167 in tonight's update; and votes are coming in at a very slow pace. This afternoon I used 19 other Chase votes we are allowed by visiting a variety of charities, voting and leaving a comment at each relating the organization to the National Inclusion Project, UNICEF (i.e., EDUCATE UGANDA), Clay Aiken, etc. On each, I provided a link to TBAF at Chase asking for a reciprocal vote. In the process, I picked up two "gift votes" to send to CA fans, who voted for TBAF. (This happens after your 5th and 20th votes). I also sent a note to non-Clay FB friends/relatives in my mailing list asking for a vote. Hopefully, positive results will happen this weekend! Anyone have other ideas? It would be a shame to lose out on two "Let's All Play" camps. Sending good vibes to Fear and Mr. Fear. My left knee keeps trying to cave. This may be from my recent fall, but I am walking very carefully. Have a great evening, all -- but let's get this done! Caro

When I posted about the Carolina blog (right after I was here), the Clayversity M&G winners included susandavis, Lucia, cotton, dowoper, toni7babe, smetterlink, Claymatron, ClayFan2006, Nancela, texwriter, cablegirl, PermaSwooned, ToldForThis, Banshee, Shamrock, Langslowblack, lolacat, and lindy500. I believe more have come in since then. We should have some great reports! Caro

First of all, congratulations to jmh and cindilu2! WOOHOO for our M&G winners!!! :04: Later when you come back down to earth, I posted a new Carolina On My Mind blog this evening. This is from my FB post: Included are UNICEF and NIP graphics (cindilu2, Claystruck, AmazingCA, A Beautiful Mind, Clayquebec1, and CLAYPERFECT), as well as a montage, The Power of the Dream by LovesClaysVoice. Hope you enjoy! Thank you for the comments, visits, FB reposts, retweets, etc. Have a great evening, and congrats again to the winners! Caro

The new Carolina On My Mind blog features Clay's Better TV promo for the Tried & True CD and the Timeless Tour. The photo interlude includes graphics by AmazingCA, SueReu, and Fountaindawg. My mother-in-law, who will be laid to rest Wednesday, was the epitome of the NJU fan. One of her favorite happenings in the Clay Nation occurred in 2007 when the Japanese contingent met Spotlightlover in San Diego. That story is retold in this entry. Hope you enjoy. Thank you for your visits, comments, retweets, Facebook re-posts, etc. I was excited to note that CTMEOoY spins passed the 10,000 mark on the Universal New Music Playlist Sunday night. I have three students today, so must make the living room presentable. Back in a bit. Have a great day, all! Caro

Happy Independence Day! Independence Day 2010 - Graphic by Fountaindawg To celebrate, I added Fountaindawg's wallpaper and clickable to Carolina On My Mind. Because of the Indonesian segment RE T&T being the "album of the day," the blog received a very excited comment from a Jakarta resident: I hope it happens for Clay and his international fans. My MIL, 87, passed away Friday afternoon; and one of my former orchestra students drowned during a family vacation at Ocean Isle. Carter was only 27, and it's been 10 years since I was his teacher. However, once you teach young people in middle and high school, they are yours for life. Have a great day, all! Caro

Remembering great banter is a kewl way to start the weekend. Love all the examples presented. It's been since Monday, but a new Carolina On My Mind blog is up. Not much you don't already know, but I hope you enjoy. Here are the Cliffs Notes: Countdown clocks close in on Timeless Tour of Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard as fans celebrate July's patriotic traditions in Canada and the USA. Also featured are SueReu's latest "Magic Changes" montage; graphics by AmazingCA, CLAYPERFECT, and Fountaindawg; links to confirmed PBS Special telecasts; and my maiden voyage with the ankle-saving express lane shopping feature at Harris Teeter. It's been around for four years, but who knew? Thank you for your visits, comments, tweets/retweets (mine all end up in the "All Friends" column no matter what I do, so retweets are appreciated!), etc. Have an awesome weekend, all! Caro

What a relief! I spent much of today figuring out how to shop with the online express of a Harris Teeter Store. At least two stores have this service available in my city, one in my neighborhood. I was dreading walking through the grocery store on my ankle. Now, all I have to do is drive up in the express lane, give the person my name and order number, pay, and the bags will be put in my car. Of course, I had to call my friendly yard man to see if he could meet me at the house to carry in the groceries. We are on for 11:30 a.m. tomorrow. In the midst of my grocery shopping ("grocery searching" is more appropriate), I taught two students. The first came 40 minutes early, and I fully expected to be logged out of my online grocery venture when I returned; but all seemed to be intact. A belated Happy Canada Day, compliments with this clickable by AmazingCA: Tonight I've been trying to catch up. Thnx for bringing all the news here. Have a great evening, all. Hope to be around more tomorrow -- except during the infamous run through the express line! Caro

Ditto on the last thought -- what the heck of Clay's don't I like??? Glad "Anonymous" worked for you, liney23. Thnx for the comment! I have been waging battle with the OFC. For once, I have time (no students) and nowhere to "run" (LOL!); so I waded through all the Carolina codes to adjust them for the OFC, which would only take a 1/3 of the blog. I tried three times, finally gave up, and provided a link to the Carolina site. It's been fun being in touch with Scarlett halfway around the world. She is Kai's new "Feud" buddy, so that should be something. Have a great day, all! Caro

The new Carolina blog features LCV's 'Home' montage, news about Clay's guest co-hosting gig, new and old graphics from last week (Fountaindawg, AmazingCA, cindilu2), Phineas and Ferb promo, the Diana Levine blog and art, and the latest enlistment in Kai's "Family Feud" fun on FB. Would you believe Scarlett from halfway around the world? Thank you for your comments, visits, retweets, FB re-posts, etc. Thank you, liney23. Several people comment as Anonymous but add their screen name at the bottom of the post. No password necessary. :clay: Have a wonderful week, all! Caro

Last I heard from Scarlett she was in Yuzhno-sakhalinsk, Sakhalin, Russia. She was so pleased to be hitting the Carolina blog from such a distant location. My brother played rugby and probably did everything there is to do to one's body. When I told him the doctor said a week, he just hee-hawed. I figure it will be a while longer, but today is definitely better. Thank you for your good thoughts for Josie and the family. Caro

The doctor said I would be better in a week, but my ankle took until the 10th day to lose most of the "hurt" when walking. WOOHOO!!! The new Carolina On My Mind blog includes that tidbit down at the bottom, but it is mostly about all the new clack we have received this week. One of the most interesting interactions has been with the Terrence Mann fans, who actually are planning donations to Clack Unlimited. They are also anxiously awaiting Scarlett's return because she capped one of their guy's songs. A brand new T&T graphic by cindilu2 leads the blog, and you will enjoy Kai's latest escapades! Lots of clickables from the Popeater pix, too. I need to read the instructions on saving at this site. I just received word that my mother's cousin Josie died today. The past few weeks have been a nightmare for her with head injuries received in a car accident. I am glad Josie is at peace. Her mother, my Great Aunt Lill, was my mentor (I have written blogs about her). I have continued to teach with a measly sprained ankle. Aunt Lill didn't miss a piano lesson when she broke her hip, instructing from her sofa until she was able to get around; and she continued to teach until age 96. Josie was a librarian until retirement, and she kept tabs on when Clay was performing on TV. Many a morning I have received an email to be sure and watch him on The View or GMA. Josie was 84, and our family is glad she is at peace. Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for supporting the Internet Clay blogs! Caro

This ankle business is for the birds, as I can have a string of good days and then a run of the bad. The "bad" hit BBH, so I am a little late to the party with a new Carolina On My Mind blog. Since I am late, I featured Fountaindawg's "This Was the Moment" montage and her two graphics of toni7babe's pictures. The Billboard story is there, too, as are links to clack. I described my first full teaching day, the first time my ankle has been "de-elevated" for six hours straight. One of the coolest moments came when the fourth student's grandmother from WV sat in on the lesson. We discovered we are both CA fans. Since Google picked up the paragraph about her, I emailed a blog link to her son. She is not on the boards; and, according to him, is electronically challenged. Hope you enjoy! Thank you for your comments and visits. Great recap, justclay12! I have enjoyed catching up through the reports and the abundance of clack. That is so cool about the Terrance Mann fans discovering CU. I just may have to add a link in this blog. Have a great evening, all! Caro

Welcome to North Carolina and all who are beginning to arrive for Monday's benefit concert! The heat index will be high for more reasons than one! The Carolina blog pays tribute to Clay Aiken and fathers everywhere, those still with us and those who live in our hearts. Featured graphics are by cindilu2, Fountaindawg, Claystruck, AmazingCA, ClaysTouch, and Sally. These clickables by the first three artists are representative of the blog's pictorial content: Hope you enjoy today's blog. Thank you for your comments, props for the artists, visits, etc. Many have written that they don't know how to leave remarks, so I posted instructions after the sign-off. There seems to be no problem with the Clay Nation's right-click-save maneuver, however. Thank you for the handsome new wallpapers, cindilu2! Now that you are inspired, don't stop! :clap: jmh123, I am scrolling back up to read your detailed recap. Saturday was not a good day for my ankle, and I just couldn't seem to keep up. Today is somewhat better. Wishing the fathers of your life a very memorable day! Caro

I have not been around much, but I have been reading along while doing the hobbling routine. Thank you for your posts of concern. This afternoon I put together a Carolina On My Mind blog that includes the WRAL and Insider interviews, screen caps, and two NJU stories. Thnx for your comments/visits in the Internet Clay blogs. I can't tell you the numbers of people who drop by, right-click, save, and leave. At least I can see the visitors on the Carolina's live feed. :clay: Thnx for the additional caps, bottle! Lilyshine and I were there too, in the balcony, also making "louder than ever' noise. I'm glad to hear he felt the love. I'm glad Clay saw and heard you guys. DITTO!!! For me, the "Crying" duet and Clay's own version of UM are my favorites. It has taken me a while to narrow it down to these. Deep thoughts will have to be reserved for later. Have a fantastic birthday, Couchie! Have a great weekend, all! Caro

Whoever said soreness is worse the second and third day was definitely correct. I am a walking bruise, some in places I haven't felt until now. Thank you to all who have sympathized with the fall, as well as dropped by the Carolina blog, even in its reduced form. claylove, I wish I had my OFC blogs from the original conversion (July 2005 - July 2006). All the entries since July 2006 are at the Carolina site. I do know lots of people who didn't save copies of their blogs and are counting on the "migration." Thnx for your concern. Have a great trip, Idyj! Everyone, have a super week! Caro

FearofH2O, justclay12, cindilu2 , et al -- thank you for your sympathy about my fall and subsequent sprained ankle, not to mention all the blue/purple reminders up and down my left side. I really couldn't concentrate -- or stay awake -- enough to write a real entry, but I did post some of the latest CA news and the unplanned interruption to my blogging routine at Carolina On My Mind earlier tonight. Have a great week, all! Caro