zena

Doing a quick driveby as I stop in at my sons' apartment to have dinner with them. It's nasty out and soon all my shopping waiting in car will be frozen solid. Nice to know I was on the right track this morning by introducing my theory that Clay Aiken is a real human being. And Thanks for this vision, playbiller. My tundra radio woke me up this morning with an oh so wonderfully familiar Giddyup, Giddyup, that could only be our collective boyfriend. What a way to start the day. Back to my sleigh to hit some more stores!!!!!

Good morning everyone! Today was supposed to be the last day for me to travel to Winnipeg (about an hour away) and finish my Christmas shopping. Alas, I woke up to a nice friendly raging Manitoba blizzard and they have closed all the major highways. Maybe I'll be baking cookies instead...... Although I'll admit I'm feeling rather sad about missing the massage I had booked mid afternoon. It actually is really quite beautiful outside. K'Andre, Scarlett, Couch Tomato, as you anticipate Minneapolis, just repeat this little mantra; Snow is beautiful, snow is beautiful, snow is beautiful....... Incidently, K'Andre, if you start giving me a hard time about my beloved tundra, I'll have to challenge you to a duel. I've been polishing up my Dollarama sword; make sure you're in top sporking form. In the past few days, I've reconnected with some local fans after a longish period of silence between us. My roommate at the Hilton and I talked for a hour about Clay yesterday and it was just fun. Other than the boards, I hadn't done that for a long time. It was somewhat reassuring to me to rememeber that there are more fans of Clay out there who actually don't care to run Clay's life, who just want to enjoy him and all that he so generously offers us. It seems to me that the ridiculous, the inappropriate, and the extreme so often generate popular attention; subsequently morphing into pages and pages of round and round the mulberry bush. This tendency can and does overshadow the quieter joys and the long awaited thrill of others exeriencing the opportunity ( as in this latest fiasco) to meet Clay and talk with him. I often wonder what changes between the elation of before: " OMG, I just won a Meet and Greet" and after: Clay was "bossy" "demanding" or "insulting". If only perception would not overshadow reality so often and so persistently! The words we use to communicate with one another are all read and understood through our own personal filters. I heartily applaud the back and forth dialogue here that attempts to clarify ( but not necessarily justify) the words we understand differently than others. This, I believe, does help us to move toward meaningful communication without the nastiness of polarization. I guess I could not pass up the opportunity to win a Meet and Greet just because Clay might turn out to be a real human being. I admit, I am very fond of my "fantasies" but I much prefer real people with all their assorted foibles. I am a very human type person myself, and honesty is my best worst fault. This is pretty cool, posting in the daytime. I feel so alert!!11! I'm not going to "WORD" anyone in particular for all the wise words I've been reading cuz I :F_05BL17blowkiss: every last one of you!!!! Safe travels to all the concert goers!

There is very little I can add to to this interesting and multifaceted SpamClack discussion. I often think, well now, the topic of the day has been pretty well examined from all possible angles, but then after a few lovely gifs, the darn thing rises out of the murk again. Thank God for the lovely gifs. ( with especial thanks to muskifest whose intuition seems to sense when we need a distraction) The chances of me getting to Broadway are teeny weeny. I would love to 'see, hear, taste, experience' Clay as Sir Robin but I think (says the one whose hard drive is groaning with Clack of nearly every flavour) I am going to use my excellent imagination to taste the Spam vicariously through what I hope will be very detailed reports. Just a warning though, if someone says but you really had to be there I may feel compelled to use mah sword. Having never been part of a fandom before, I just don't have a lot of experience with celebrities, fans, or reviewers for that matter. I mostly try to keep things simple and go with my gut ( which luckily is synonymous with the spirit of "big girl panties".) Although Clay and I have never actually been introduced, I do care about him. People I care about get respect; it's part of the package. This Broadway show is obviously important to him. I haven't ever felt as though I need to 'obey' Clay Aiken, but I do understand his concerns about clack being taken during this show. Somehow my respect for him and thankfulness for all the joy he has brought to my life rises (slightly) above my need for even this very special download. And somehow, my "very little" has become three paragraphs...........sorry.......

playbiller, welcome to my world. And another thing, when ya write these long ass posts nobody reads them properly, and if ya have a 'burning question' or two, the poor things just burn themselves out and and you know, just kinda "go up in smoke" I give you Exhibit A: :icon_smile_feedback: I would of quoted the whole quote but I'm sure you read parts of it cause you're nice folks and all. hee. Nothing much else going on up here except my hair is nice and short and shiny and bobbing around my old face. *g* Thank you, thank you, thank you, muskifest, and Bookwhore and all you other darling procrastinators out there.....for a minute there i thought, as I was reading ( not scanning, mind you) all those shopping, cleaning, decorating efficiency reports that i did not belong here after all. Note: I just used this emoticon here cause I thought it was cool, not because it was appropriate or anything. I really should say something about Clay. Hmmm. I really love Clay. Well, duh. Oh I know. These last four years, going to a Clay Aiken Christmas concert has become an important and cherished part of my own preparation for this Holy Season. Each series of concerts have been different, but I have taken home special memories of each one. I am looking forward to that unique blessing that the concerts in Minneapolis will uncover for me. It probably won't have anything to do with how Clay parts his hair, or if he wears his glasses or not, or what mood he's in. (not that I don't have preferences or anything shhhhhhhh) Until the 19th, it will remain an expectant mystery that is yet to unfold in the magic of that evening; when the culmination of the happiness of meeting old and new friends, of hearing the cry of violins, of experiencing the beauty of the darkness and dancing lights, and finally, of letting that clear pure voice soar through my very soul with the message of Christmas, enfold me and fill me with joy. Then, I know, I will once more have something exquisite to remember and take home with me. Maybe you'll think I set my expectations way too high. Maybe so, but Clay exceeds my small hopes every time. Regarding long posts; This post has been brought to you by two loads of laundry and one dinner preparation.

Only EIGHT days left to do all my Christmas shopping, clean and decorate all the visible parts of my house for when DH's entire family comes over for Christmas dinner, and make large amounts of festive food. Trouble is I've barely started with any of the above. Sigh. :xmas07a: Oh well, Christmas will come whether I'm ready or not. I had this idea in the beginning of December that I would have time to read and post every day. :thsigns053: But even when I was reading the very interesting and intellectual stuff on here lately, my brain just nodded and went blank. My pastor talked me into writing some vignettes for church. Hee, maybe that's what stunted any creative replies...... Anyway, I haven't been a very faithful FCAer; even the forum kept logging me out and calling me a guest. No wonder no-one has called me about any pre-parties for Minneapolis.. Back to the matters at hand: CLAAAAAAACK: I confess that I am a downloading fool. Even way back when I was only on dialup, I'd be hitting right click and save every chance I got. I think I was seriously deprived of pop music and green-eyed men in my youth. My policy is download now; discriminate later. And pictures......... well, I have a very poor memory that needs to be constantly refreshed......... Most likely any heretofor restrictions in Clack would be very good for me my computer, since I have no self discipline whatsoever. If Jerome knew how much I had backed up Clay , I would be on his list. He won't find me in all the snowbanks up here though. Next burning question..... What pamphlets?????? I lurve pamphlets!!!!!! My Clay box under the bed is pretty full already but a pamphlet doesn't take much space. I'm really embarressed to ask this, but I feel I should know. Here goes...... What....is....sporking??? If this is eHP super secret language please forgive my forwardness and deduct three spaces. JennaZ, you said this so well. My concerts will be here before I know it if I keep trying to put in these crazy 10 work days. But I am so glad I have them to look forward to. At this point, it hardly matters where my story submissions even ended up; writing them was fun but I had never intended on entering them. So, all is well. I have listened to some wonderful audio and feasted my eyes on Christmas 2007 Clay photos but otherwise left the rest of the clack for later. Great question, Diva!!!! And btw great Claynation opera singing as well!!!!! I was very entertained !!!!! Did you hear me applauding and giving you a standing O? Last but not least, I want to say a huge THANK YOU for those darling little pins that arrived in a snowstorm this week. I think I'll wear one on my coat to church tomorrow....now which one shall I choose....doing Clay Aiken or sans doing..... hmmmmmm See ya all later; I'll be busy gettin' in the speerit..........

I missed another cellcert. And I'm not sure i can make it another 17 whole days til Minneapolis surrounded by all this nasty white stuff I think I need some hugs. Diva, you are the sweetist flautist........is there audio anywhere? ChaCha, I loved your stage picture. playbiller, I totally agree that if Clay wants to keep something a secret he shouldn't tell a fan. I think I remember reading something recently in a meet and greet recap that Clay didn't think the story tellers were keeping it quiet beforehand. When he was reassured that they were, he was surprised. I don't mean to offend my gender or anything, but Clay has lived around women all his life. He knows secrets are kinda tough to keep for us cause we just "share" things. hee. I have this niggling suspicion he just puts things out there to test his theory ,belief , idea that we can't keep our mouths shut. I figure I'm pretty good at keeping secrets, and if I do tell someone, I make sure they know it's in the strictest confidence. My sister is really bad; when she knows a secret, she either tells it to everyone or she forgets it completely. Hey, YSRN, that scar looks like a little smile!

Can I sign up for the mythical pre-party, pretty please? (References available on request) I'm not much of a shopper and wanted to have lots of free time just to meet people and make some nice memories. I signed up for the Minnesota Clayfans dinner before the Wednesday concert, and the trolley tour on the Thursday from 3 to 4:30. Other than the concerts that is the sum total of my organized planning. Couchie, K'Andre, FromClaygary, and whoever else is brave enough to come this far north, I'd love to call you by your real names and regale you with my fascinating personality. Well, I'll try to keep you warm, at least!!! Please pm me if any of you wants to arrange anything. I'm staying at the Hilton; arriving early Monday morning (I hope ) and flying back late Friday evening. Just a warning though: You will be dealing with a brand new 50 49 year and 365 day old so expect mood swings. :Boss: :29: Well, you get the idea, right?

Wow, that was an amazing "story telling" experience 2old4clay posted. Thanks for the link, playbiller! I wish it was possible for all of us to experience concerts live, and even, (seein' as I'm wishing) for those who really would like that "moment" with Clay to have it. But the temptation to let the wishing become wanting, and then needing, can really become overwhelming if I gave it permission. It's funny, isn't it, how a memory that became a story because of Clay's blogging was sent in the single hope that Clay himself would read it. And now I find myself planning to have a laptop with me in Minneapolis, just in case. Zena steps away from the wishing well before she falls in. to Divayenta and all the partygoers!

Wow!!! It's been NINE whole days since I've posted. Did ya miss me? I've only had a chance to read here and there in the last while, and I was sorely tempted to jump into the conversation a whole bunch of times, but there just wasn't time for making what I was trying to say sound credible so I just However, it's December now and MY official Clay Christmas concert countdown month, so if you'll excuse me, I'll be bugging you a least once a day. Thank you so much for all the wonderful concert clack, and recaps. I alternate days when I choose to be a concert virgin and when I choose to be an downloading fool. It makes my heart glad that Clay appears to have created the kind of concert he had envisioned. The stories, written and read by fans are an integral part of that, and somehow, to me anyway, have only deepened the respect and love we have for Clay. Perhaps, his taking the risk in asking us to participate is an indication of his trust in us as well; he has certainly gotten to know more of us through our stories. Duh! Is 'gotten' a word? I am wishing myself out of my sticky floury kitchen tonight where I am surrounded by windows white with swirling snow, into a little corner of the couch in Divayenta's living room. I am pretending I can hear her playing the grand piano while I get to know all of you there. Sigh. Seventeen more sleeps....... til Minneapolis. :2:

It's so much fun to read about all the feasting. In a former life, my kitchen was my kingdom and I did lots of happy cooking and baking and eating there...... I probably own the most cookbooks on the Canadian prairie, and I can't bear to part with any of them. It's a bit like buying a CD for one song.....*g* I have drawers full of clippings and recipes I've brought home from somewhere. I don't know nuthin' about okra, succotash, or lima beans. Sweet potatoes are yucky and I give those golf balls called brussel sprouts a reeeeally wide berth. :chair: Broccoli and I are friendly. But GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! I looooove green bean casserole, ( thanks for that link, JennaZ), and turkey with dressing, mashed potatoes,pumpkin pie, chocolate pecan pie, cranberries, and good wine. Yum.. Here's my GB recipe for posterity..... Green and Yellow Bean Bake ( this is an equal opportunity casserole) Cook fresh beans until tender. Saute some onions in a little butter. Add some red and green pepper strips,and sliced fresh mushrooms if desired. Set aside. Make a white sauce using 2 cups of milk and a little flour. Salt and pepper to taste. Add 1 tsp. soya sauce. Combine the sauce with the onions, peppers and mushrooms. Put beans into a casserole dish. Stir in sauce and vegetables. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes. While the casserole is baking fry about 8 strips of bacon until crisp When the casserole is done, take it out of the oven and stir it. Top with toasted bread cubes, crumbled bacon and put back into the oven for five more minutes. ta da! From Claygary, I'm having pizza too; out of the freezer. You know what I wish today? I wish all of us lonely people lived within hugging distance. Crazy I know, but all the same, I'm glad Finding Clay Aiken helped me find all of you. I betcha Clay is lonely too; slaving away in that little office of his. Here's a hug for you Clay!

Well, I didn't really have "engaging my brain" on the agenda tonight. I just wanted to indulge in a few little delusional thoughts about black uh....back stage christmas instructions, and long pre-concert rehearsals, and a..nunciation and :music-smiley-023: stuff like that. But dang it all, 'keepingfaith', you always make me sit up and take notice! (Bolding done of kf's post done by zena) I didn't know what my musical direction was until Clay Aiken sang it. And that is my expert opinion.... hee.

Oooooooooooooooheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How does Clay know these things? He is such a sweetie!!!!! Maybe I'll finally get to wear that little black dress, with my black ski mask that is. What??? Black is very slimming, y'all...

It's good to be back! I've been so busy ducking all the nasties life seems to be throwing at me these days that I've missed a lot. I see we're officially on ice....hey, welcome to my winter white world..... and Clay's talking about the album, and doing shows every day and twice on Sunday......... and it's only 28 days to my Meet and Greet, Story Reading, concerts with Clay. Can you tell I'm in a good mood? :00003653: to Cotton. The day still has an hour or so left in it where I am. I will always you remember you very fondly cuz you did me the incredible favour of capturing my very first real life encounter with Clay on your camera. Wishing you much joy!!!!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss: HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FRIENDS SOUTH OF THE BORDER. I started my Christmas shopping today. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr....... See you all later !

:00003653: TO KARENEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 I know it's past midnight but Karen and I stay up late, and I'm thinking she's still celebrating and eating cake and looking at Clack and all that good stuff. I've been doing some hard time in emergency with my 85 year old father in law these past two days and we just got things to the point of manageability tonight. Wish I could have been partying instead, but I have this feeling this is only the beginning of many more of these vigils to come. Sigh. Thanks for the wonderful pictures, Karen, and for all the life-changing enabling you've done for me this summer. I don't think I can ever thank you enough!!!! Waves to the eHP, some of whom I was lucky enough to meet this summer!!!!!

There are days when the bravest glimpse I take of the outside world is a click on the FCA Forum thread. And even though I am painfully aware that there is much more to life than words on a computer screen, the courage, the honest candor, and the empathy I see expressed here by so many of the people who post has often helped me to restore my own shaky equilibrium and bring perspective to the path I am on. :F_05BL17blowkiss: to ALL of you at FCA!!! And very special to both wandacleo and jumpingjacks!!!!

Hi everyone, I've been missing you the past few days. It's been either mountains or deep dark coal mines the last while, and this girl is starting to lose her grip.... I finally got home to my computer this afternoon, and the power had gone out due to some freezing rain and high winds. And then the #@*X keyboard wouldn't work. I felt like a princess without a sword. I did get caught up on all my FCA reading though. I found the AI2 discussions very interesting. I missed all of the behind the scenes board stuff; heck, I just sat there like a happy fool every week to hear the cute NC guy sing. I couldn't vote way up here in the middle of nowhere so my opinions didn't go further than our family room. I was in the cyberdarkness until halfway through the summer. And I didn't see the "sexy" at all, :21: nope, not me, until I took the full immersion LFBCA course at what the Broads so fondly call "the ranch". Let's just say they opened my eyes. It's like you develop an extra sense or something; you know like learning how to truly appreciate fine art.... Anyhow, as long as I'm hangin around the Claynation, my learning curve keeps moving on up. After quickly reading Clay's last blog re Chapter 56 of the AchyBreaky Heart Stories at my son's house, it was nice to check in here and see that the sky hadn't fallen. I knew I could count on you all to hold it up there. I did send a story in with many many misgivings. It is unfortunately very much a groaner, although I'm not sure met the quota on redemption. *g* I cannot believe why I am so consistently compelled to say, "How high?" when Clay says , "Jump!". I really did try to completely block out the fact that he was asking for these stories for an audience larger than just himself curled up on the couch with the puppies. It made me a little nervous when he added that ps for Minneapolis. Come on, FCA'ers send some more choices to Minneapolis, puleeeezzzz. My kind of story definitely needs some, (what did Clay call it? ) oh yeah, Balance..... The day before Chapter 56 Blog I decided to write another one; just much funnier and lighter. And, eeeeek, it had a donkey in it. Thank God I didn't have a working keyboard or it would have landed in the poop pile. hee. Never a dull moment with Sir Clay.... Sometimes his "ideas" are a little hard for me to swallow; at least whole. Just cause someone's sincere and means well doesn't always mean they're right. And I think that goes for Clay as well. I figure he's in way over his head with these stories but he's stubborn enough to see it through. And it'll all be good; just interesting another chapter in this intriguing man's life. Before long there will be something new. Fortunately for me, I don't have to agree with Clay to keep loving him. I know, he always brings it the best that he can with his whole goofy magnificent heart. HEADS UP CLAY! ZENA IS COMIN' TO MINNEAPOLIS!!!

Wow, there's nothing like a little American Idol Clay to brighten up a sleepless night. Thanks, keepingfaith, I'm going to take those lovely images back to my pillow to dream on... This one's my favorite of the night... .....the smile, the eyelashes, the sparkle; it's just all there. It just goes to show somehow that whatever anyone tried to do to tweak his "image", that light from inside just comes shining through. That light called 'beautiful' that is. Yeah, I know I got it bad. Insomnia does it to me every time. I hope you'll still respect me in the morning. hee. 'nite fca eta that it's only 3:30 am here....so I actually have five whole hours to dream before that alarm goes.

:nana: AI Rewind for me in 15 minutes....... and do I ever need a break from this pile of bills on my desk. ooooooh nice pic, bottlecap....

I really do have at least a dozen on topic FCA things to say now that I finally have time to post. I have been reading and keeping notes and stuff not to mention soaking up the steady stream of Clack which I seem to have an insatiable appetite for. BUT if any of you remember me mentioning that my DS #2 had his debut in a lead tenor role in a short opera on Thursday, here's a little followup from a usually parsiminous music reviewer in today's Winnipeg Free Press. Waves at 'Toots'!!!! "The dashing (Christopher) Enns did deliver with a resonant voice and natural acting ability that bely his 22 years of age. Playing the pigskin-toting varsity champ with goofy sincerity, the faculty of music voice major generated excitement every time he came onstage. His desperate aria "I can't believe this is over" was a joyful highlight." If you're interested, the link to entire review is here. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscribe...p-4675473c.html Isn't that just the coolest thing!!!! This is the boy who dragged me to the television week after week to watch AI2 until I was smart enough to come on my own. We couldn't vote but the two of us cheered Clay on faithfully. We haven't stopped yet. Yeah, I know a music career is no easy road; it'll take hard work, grit, confidence, over the top talent, and a bunch of lucky breaks, but I figure there's always room in the world for another handsome big-hearted tenor, don't you? :clay: Back in a bit to resume normal FCA programming.....hey i bought a C pin cause it stands for CUTE, and Clay, and Christmas, and Couchie, and Christopher....oh, yeah, I'm going....

(zena is remembering she was NOT there) (zena wants ansamcw to understand that she understands that beautiful masterful notes absolutely need cheering; it's just a question of 'when'. You know, like it's speshshul or something to wait. hee. Gibby, you know, I do believe you've broken through my foggy back and forth thoughts on this topic. Your words, "it felt right" reminded me of the times when I've been listening to a particular performance that spontaneously prompts the audience to act, or not too. Sometimes the response is everything we can give. Sometimes it can be an awed silence; a speechless recognition which can also feel right at the moment, and completely appropriate to the artist's interpretation of the song. Clay's reverent and triumphant presentation of both the music and the words of All is Well is, to me, awe inspiring. And though I will admit that silence is rather rare for me, :yapyapyapf: my "well done" to Clay's All is Well is a deep surge of feeling that has or needs no audible voice. And I truly believe the artist/performer feels and appreciates this type of recognition as well. keepingfaith, I want to add my vote of gratefulness that your son will not have to go overseas into the muck of war. This post has been sitting here now for over two hours while I've been on the phone, and I'm sorely tempted to just hit delete. However, it's not often I don't mess up the quotes, and I do want to thank you all for the good wishes for my particular tenor tomorrow night. I'll be crossing my fingers, and holding my breath too, and probably clapping and cheering at completely inappropriate moments. :chair: DS #1 has already threatened to smack me if I try to take video. Rest assured I'll do whatever feeeeeels right!

'laughn' I'll match your CUTE, and raise you a "MAGNIFICENT"...from da skatin' singin' man last night. Lift up your voice and sing!!!!!!! Indeed!11 Thanks for these comments keeping faith and 'Toots'; I'm not always sure what my reaction should be to the reaction. Duh. My take on things like this is usually fairly specific to the song and the occasion. Maybe it's just me, but for AIW especially I wish individuals audiences would just hold their noise until the song was complete. Granted, there is this big note that he missed (once), and now it seems like there will always be the collective holding of breath, the predictable "Will he make it? Will he make it?" murmur, and the gasp and/or shriek of relief when he does. Why is this such a surprise? It is as if he is walking a perpetual tightrope to the inevitable glory note, and if he falls, Oh MY, what would happen? The world would keep on turning and Clay Aiken would just keep on singing. There will always be time for that total body applause we do, our (enthusiastic) screaming, shouting Bravo, and thunderous palm tingling clapping, but the song; each amazing note being born into creation out of the breath and body of the artist deserves our utmost attention; our emotions receiving each exquisite tone. Learning to hear it; especially live and in the moment, as a whole entity takes us away from what we need to say and brings us to what the artist is trying to tell us. Okay, that's all I got. :clay: And all you FCA'ers, I want to share a proud mother moment with you. Tomorrow evening, my DS#2 will be singing the lead tenor role in a modern Mozart opera on the stage of the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg. Although he has sung solo on the stage many times, Thursday will be his debut lead role in an honest to goodness opera. He is only twenty two years old and my favorite classical tenor in the world. And wouldn't you know it, the best I could do on TM was the 11th row. And I wish I had some quick lessons in taking subterfuge Clack or in this case Chrack for Christopher so I could save a few moments of it for posterity sake, but alas, I'd probably get thrown out of the concert hall, and wouldn't that make the lead tenor proud? Or not. bye now....

There's a great pic of the stage at CV if someone knows how to bring it over.

I will be in Minneapolis for both shows even if I have to walk there.

Eh, bee, see, dee, eeeeeee, efff, ....oops went a bit too far... I'm just sitting here all by myself in my frosty dark little corner of the world voting singing the alphabet song.....when, at this very moment, I should be stepping off the Westjet flight from Winnipeg into the nice balmy air and bright lights of Las Vegas. Kicks self for selling prime Skating Show tics. Instead of three hot days and nights in Vegas with my boyfriend and my buddies, I've got a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment, yoga, a massage and laundry. Oh, and did I mention it's still snowing here? :20: Yeah, I'll be skating too, but not in a good way. But it's all good. At least I can better afford the two Minneapolis concerts now, and staying home has definitely given me some points with my DH. Wishing everyone in Vegas a GREAT TIME, and a special gentle hug and good wishes for smooth paths for playbiller :F_05BL17blowkiss: Just don't forget; SEND CLACK..... :thgimme: we can't survive without it.........