FromClaygary

My sincere condolences to Clay and his family.

In Memoriam

Hi Alison! Haven't seen you in ages...how are things in Red Deer?

I think this thread is a great idea. I'm sure there are lots wondering, from the warmer climes. What we do for Clay!

I travel for business, so feel qualified to mention a few things:

I'm from Western Canada as well, although I now live in Ontario. I would definitely agree with the layer, layer, layer approach. As Alison suggested, a polyester fleece jacket (which you can wear as a sweater inside if necessary) and a windproof, waterproof outer layer are a good choice and really versatile. You may need gloves and a scarf but they'll be readily available in Minneapolis (you can buy excellent fleece gloves for $1)...and if you don't need 'em, just don't buy 'em! They're also bulky to pack if you don't really need them.

Airlines~most airlines now base their fares on the popularity of the flight...more people booking, the more expensive the flight is. I've flown NWA and liked them, but as Alison said they've had some problems lately.

I've never flown or even heard of US Air (but I do live in the east...it may be regional SW).

Best piece of advice ever? Do . not . even . THINK . about flying the same day as the concert! It's a recipe for disaster.

Packing~pack in "outfits" so you can just lift them all together out of the suitcase. Longest item (pants, skirt) goes on the bottom, then the coordinating top or two folded like you see in the stores for presentation (someone in your favorite store will be glad to demo for you). The tops then get placed inside the folded edge of the pant/skirt so that it stops them from creasing. This is hard to explain in writing, but it works great! You should end up with a "package" with the bottom om the bottom, and the tops inside the folded-over length of the skirt or pant.

All heavy items (rechargers, makeup bag etc)go in the WHEEL end of your bag so they don't crush other stuff when you lift the bag to wheel it.

Stuff socks etc in the corners of the bag.

A sock makes a great "case" for anything you don't have a case for~camera, GPS, rechargers etc.

I travel enough that I just keep an extra makeup bag stocked with travel sizes of my favorite stuff and just throw it in the bag without having to worry I'm missing something. And on that note~GRAB those sample sizes of your favorite lotions etc when "gift" time comes around!

An extra pair of headphones for your Ipod (or Zen in my case) and an extra recharger for your phone always in the suitcase means you don't have to worry about those either.

Oh yes...and remember!....NO LIQUIDS IN CARRYONS over 3 oz. I don't want to be the person in the security line behind you!

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Minneapolis!

Wow. Gosh. Well....

I've read everything from today, and that's about all I can come up with. Can't even find an emoticon that works...maybe this one.

:xmas07a:

Cuz I could use some giggles.

So, I'm just going to say this...Scarlett, you don't know me, but I know you. And I love you. :F_05BL17blowkiss: I promise I won't stalk you or post raunchy pictures of you on the internet.

I have lots of opinions on what down between Kim and Clay as well, but that's all they are. I used to be a fan of Kim's. I'm still here. And that's enough of that.

And THANK YOU for that adorable pic of Clay and Jolene! Looks like it might be a M&G pic?

I am soooooo behind, as I want to read every . single . word of what went on here over the last couple of days....VERY interesting and thought provoking posts, and thanks so much for the great responses to my questions!

Crap, I hope I'm not screwing up these quotes...if I've misquoted you accidentally because I pressed so many buttons, forgive me!

with regards to talking about the bords on the boards...ITA with couchie..I think there is a point where things need to be hashed out or else wounds are allowed to fester. I do respect other boards rules, but I think its the height of hypocrisy to edit people for being judgemental of other posters yet post after post disrespecting Clay and his friends are allowed to stand. I think the line between criticism and outright bashing or disrespect towards Clay has become more and more blurred.

I definitely agree with both of the above points...really, really agree with the bolded. Nahh....really agree with it ALL.

It's too far gone now to go back and clarify my 'EW blurb' post, but I did want to add that, yes, I think that was a catalyst, but it was the reaction, especially by some of the most venerated (right or wrong) online fans that fanned the flames. They not only validated the anti-covers sentiment (which inevitably became anti-ATDW sentiment), they encouraged it, albeit at first mostly through PM and back channels. There are some I will never forgive for it. This is of course, only my opinion.

Nope...it definitely is not only your opinion. There is still one of the "venerated" fans who probably will run over me in an alley if she ever meets me, for telling her the exact same thing at that time. In no uncertain terms. I do not enjoy hurting people's feelings, but sometimes you have to just tell it like it is. Consequently, I get "modded" at that board continually, for stuff the next poster posts without comment or interference.

Just needed to mention....love broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts...even without the cheese. Don't really care for chocolate. And I clap off-beat too.

I'm the same way love all the vitK veggies and can live without chocolate, but give me some candy corn or good and plentys and I'm happy. To add one more disgusting thing about food, we used to fight over the chicken heart, stomach and liver when my mother cooked chicke. Cooked of course.

:F_05BL17blowkiss: Oh, DEAR GAWD!! I think we were separated at birth! Although....the good and plentys....I dunno...

That know-it-all expert fan is seductive, though. It frustrates and embarrasses me now, but there was a time in this fandom when I was "so gullible" and bought into some BS artist's bill of goods. I guess maybe I was more "Pollyanna" than I realized at the beginning of the fandom, and it didn't immediately occur to me that not everyone loved Clay in the fun way I did. It was beyond my comprehension that someone would go to such lengths and use other people to get what they perceived as "closer" to Clay. I think those sorts of people can sense the vulnerabilities of others. And, unfortunately, my vulnerabilities were exploited. Lesson learned and no permanent (I hope) harm done, but it drives me crazy to see the same thing happen to other people.

Me too...in a slightly different fashion. At at time when I was struggling trying to support my kids on my own, it just about put me out for the count. Consequently, I have NO tolerance when I see it happening to others today. None. Zero.

PS Why does my homeboard show up and no one else's does? I just answered the My Control questions- I tried to delete it and it won't let me.

One of the Admins might come along and explain it better, but I understand that was set up recently to help in screening out spambots trying to register at the site - it helps ensure you're a "real" person. As a mod, I can see it for everyone, but I think the regular members only see their own.

Thanks for asking and answering that! I wondered the same thing....and once again, I MUST head off to bed to be able to get up tomorrow and get to work. Thanks for the good time!

Just needed to mention....love broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts...even without the cheese. Don't really care for chocolate. And I clap off-beat too.

In my opinion? The decline began the day that covers blurb appeared in EW. Things have never been the same since that day. And no, I don't think we can go home again.

Again, I think I agree about the timing...but do you think that caused it? Or was it just an ignitor, somewhere to place the anger? Where did the anger originate? And why?

(If I'm starting to remind anyone of their three-year old, just scroll)

I've been frustrated, sad, amused, and angry many time before, but today I feel deep and abiding shame at this fandom. Going off half-cocked is nothing new, rushing in defense of Clay is old news, hyper-criticism of Clay likewise, but to participate in deep analysis of a news item that was presented as a "maybe," and then to turn around and blame a single individual for it with no benefit of the doubt--it's disgusting. The strong voices should have been saying, "hold off," "give this a little time," "wait and see if it's true," instead of joining in to energize and shape the discourse of criticism of Clay for agreeing to the tour. Then some of the same people are ripping Kim to shreds now that we know he did not, giving her no benefit of the doubt when we of all people should be aware of the complexities of media and PR actions. The cruelty towards Kim as a performer and a person, the smug self-importance of statements implying that "Clay is too good for them," or "their fans should be thrilled that they have this opportunity to tour with someone so superior to them," are simply offensive. The face of this fandom has become bitter and ugly and off-putting. If it is affecting some of us, who are huge fans of the man, so deeply, I can only imagine how it must look to outsiders. Maybe I've just been blinded to some extent, for all my prior fussing about it, but today it has really hit me hard.

I'm behind, as you see, and just catching up...

I am endlessly fascinated by people, their motives, their reactions to things. I'm kind of a fish out of water, I think, in this fandom as most of the people I see on the boards are numbers people ie they love to extrapolate the relative position of Daughtry or Kelly C. on the Billboard 200, given the exposure from their appearance on...yatata yatata.

While I can appreciate these people's dedication to keeping track of this shit...quite honestly, I personally couldn't care less.

But I DO care, and am fascinated by, comments like jmh's above. I tend to agree with you somewhat; I might agree more if I had ventured to poke my nose out of here (which I did not).

But I'd LOVE to hear~why you think that is? What has caused the huge turnaround from the days of wine and roses....to the days of whine and noses out of joint? And do you think we'll ever get it back?

I suppose it would be too much to hope some of the people who have been ranting and raving about how Clay doesn't care about his fans, his career, etc. and how they are giving up on him are choking to death on the crow feathers that are lodged in their throats.

I would have been thrilled with the reunion concert. However, I will be thrillled with whatever he does instead.

It's his career. He gets to choose.

Clay thrills me.

Bottom line.

Nodding....me too.

One of the things I admire about Clay is his ability to keep on doing the backstroke while everyone else is in the 500m Freestyle

Love the analogy!

Well, I'm crying a small, silent, selfish little tear over here for the lost green-eyed soul tour....but hey, I'm easy! I'll love whatever Clay ends up doing next Spring.

BUT for those of us who would lOVE to see Fantasia in NYC but don't have Clay's budget....can we ask him if he brought us back Fack??

PS to Kareneh...I had forgotten you were here!...hope your trip back to Houston (one of my favorite cities) was a good one...and you know, seriously??...we probably passed one another on the highway to the airport! Now, how cool is that?? small things..

All my stress over getting lost in downtown Halifax worked out fine...I had GPS AND good directions...and once I got from the area that is new, that GPS and mapquest knows not...I got to the hotel with no problem.

Off to work!

Good God! I just realized there's noone around because it's....5:35 AM EDT! WTH do I book these flights at this time of the day? Oh yeah...it's because I gotta go to work when I get there, and I get lost in Halifax in the dark....waah! If you never see me again, someone look in all those windy roads around the McKay bridge in downtown Halifax!

Clay.... :F_05BL17blowkiss:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/Iris...pg?t=1189467508

Cover art on Crooner's Christmas CD.

I'm listening to Clay sing WAYDNY. He is one of the greats on this CD. I'm so proud he's included.

Thanks for scanning that! I'm proud he's included as well.

Berk's schmoopy post? :F_05BL17blowkiss: Loved it!

Nightall...have to be up at 4 AM to catch a flight to the Maritimes...WHAT am I doing here??

OK, having gone to work and put some thought into this (yes, I have kind of a mindless job sometimes)...I'm excited! Now, if it doesn't happen, I'll suck it up...but, if it does....

I love the sound of this:

My dream scenario...

venues similar to the DCAT venues.

the band will consist of the usual but may have string quartet and some woodwind and some brass instruments. (still hoping we get some BW)

the format is rather informal...the three of them start the show with one song or even a medley. Then they take turns in doing solos duets and trios...interspersed with just chatting among friends. I think this will be the best way to make sure the fans stay in their seats for every performance.

I am hoping we get a segment where the three of them simply sit on stage and jam on some songs and chat with the audience.

Ooooh...yes! Yes!! The bolded! ^

And I totally agree that much of this could simply be him saying "I like touring. Hey kids, let's put on a show!!!"

Indeed!!

At one of the venues this summer (likely SH, now that I think of it) he commented that they had discussed a tour where people just sat around and "jammed". Maybe this is the tour! I would LOVE that. Adore seeing him use his instrument! :19:

I'd also enjoy seeing a mix of new and old (ie, stuff from AI); I still play some of the group medleys on my Zen and thoroughly enjoy the ones I have.

In any case and I hope it comes to a stop near me if it's happening.

I keep hearing that Kim and Clay are not friends anymore like it's some big truth I forgot to notice. Didn't Clay just mention Ruben and Kim and Kelly as his friends not so long ago.

I think this might be in reference to my comment, so I'll post-ho. I definitely think they are friends now. I definitely think there was a time when they were not speaking, likely because of some hurt feelings. Keep in mind, I know absolutely nothing beyond my observances, so don't take it as gospel from me!

I am very pleased to observe that they seem to be friends now.

My daughter got it the day it came out, from an HMV store. So it's definitely in their catalogue...perhaps you can go into your local HMV and special order it? And yes, I do like it. I traveled to Dayton, OH in June to see Kim perform in a club, and she sang a few songs from it. In fact, she had the #1 song on the dance charts with her single, and the club just went nuts when she sang it!

I'll give that a try! I had someone in Calgary that would actually talk to me at an HMV store, but not here. I'll have to cultivate a new acquaintance. I tried to find it in Buff as well, but no go.

*knocks softly on FCA's doorframe...cause I can see the door is open*

Could I come in? I been bad... :eusa_whistle: I been over at that place I've called home for a few years. Don't wanna be there any more.

DO wanna be here with happy people! I think I love you guys. I've realized once more that I don't do well with: a)large boards b)negativity.

So...I'll just wade right in, if I may?

The Clay/Kim/Ruben thing? Don't know if it's going to happen...but if it does, I'll be there with bells on!! It's CLAY!! SINGING!! Does there NEED to be another reason??

I loved, loved, LOVED the three of them together on AI and am glad to see that it appears that Kim/Clay have made it up...and I know Ruben is a good bud. I suspect that Clay would have a blast doing this, and so would the others. Do I see it as a "6 hour tour"? Probably. But if I can get to one of those six hours, I'll so be there!

I have Kim's first CD, which I play very frequently and still love, and would love to have been able to get the second (luckiest where did you get yours? It was apparently not released in Canada, I couldn't find it in the US, and even Amazon doesn't have it. And, BTW, do you like it?).

I don't care for Ruben's work on his CDs, just not into that type of music, but hey...if he's duettin' with Clay, let me repeat....I'm there!

In fact, and because that gives us a "look forward to" for the Spring, when he is normally out of sight doing UNICEF stuff...and I miss him.

I'm tha-rilled and I hope it happens!

Oh.... sorry.....can I come in??

And I always want to be Angela!

Ooooh! I never saw this pic before!!! Why is Angela touching his hair like that? That looks SO sexy! GAH!!

Couldn't bear to remove the picture tags, sorry!....and how could Angela NOT touch his hair like that?? Sometimes I don't know how either of them keeps their hand offa him onstage!

ETA Wheee, can I post a pic of my puppy too? Actually, she is my grand-puppy, but she has moved in. Her name is Jersey and she just had her first birthday!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/crimsonice/pug.jpg

This was taken when we were camping. Judging from her expression, she wasn't too happy about something....I think it was the constant rain.

OMG, luckiest, she's adorable!!

Off to work in the rain...we sure need this rain, but it's kind of depressing.

but...but...what was your comment and what was his comment about your comment?

Sorry, folks, I didn't really intend to post and run but it was WAAAAY past this old poops bedtime.

Honestly, it was nothing to anyone but me...I had been reading "Teacher Man" by Frank McCourt, and added a comment that it reminded me of Clay the whole time, and I thought he would find it interesting. I also asked if he still had time to read, as I knew he was a BIG reader earlier in life. I said I would love to hear every now and again what he was reading.

A friend posted after me, and meaning to quote something in my post, instead "reported" it accidentally.

Apparently he sees those, 'cause I doubt he would have noticed mine otherwise.

The result? The blog about "The Kite Runner". It couldn't possibly have been a coincidence.

Everyone but me hated the blog....but hey...this was me

And I still grin every time I look at my Claymate card. :-)

Oooh!! Oooh! I'd forgotten about that! Me tooooooo...

Once, he actually responded to me...I've never forgotten the thrill.

OMG I would have died!!! Did you believe at first it was from him? I would have wondered, I know.

Oh, no, no, no!! Sorry, I was obviously not clear! He didn't email or PM me...he just responded directly in his blog to a comment/question I had added to it just before he wrote the next one.

Sorry, I didn't mean to get you all excited for nothing! I wish!

It WAS very, very nice though....I went around like this for days...

I will add one thing about re-joining the fan club. As soon as they announce you can renew I will be there! I will not be re-upping to support Clay or for the message board, but for the feeling I get when I see the words "He Blogged"! I click on the link quicker than you could ever possibly imagine. I get such a rush being able to actually read what he posts that to me that is worth far more than any dollar amount! I cannot explain it but I don't want to give that feeling up.

As others do, I completely agree. Message board? Haven't been there in ages, though at first I tried. Fan pack? More stress to get it than I'm up for at this point. Meet and greets? Not unless he gets "invited" to Toronto again, I guess. Blogs and messages from him? Priceless. Worth every penny and then some...I will SO be there. Love him to bits and love being able to see a little corner of his mind, in person. Once, he actually responded to me...I've never forgotten the thrill.

Yep, about two weeks after JP made his appearance I took myself out of the loop on the Clay message boards and I've barely heard a word about any of it. I don't even know all the salacious details. And why do I need to know them. I know he's a crazy mofo stalker and really that's all I need to know. My life was much better off by refusing to let the filth into it. I don't understand engaging him in any way. IGNORE.

Exactly. My M.O and reasoning precisely.

The Tampa fax......

Thanks for the clarification!....and can you hear my eyeballs rolling back in my head from over there?

lightmyfire I'm so sorry you feel that not re-joining OFC would be supporting Clay. I can't sign up fast enough.

I may not like the MB for the most part but I just love, love, love his blogs and love being able to post occasional words of support to him. Plus, I want one of those cozy M&G's in the years to come. Gah! I can't imagine how much fun that would be. I also visit the "Tour" threads for helpful information. I found them great during SPHR for tips. I would prefer him to shut down most of the MB because it gives me a headache if I ever go there and I'd love it if they would add some kickass videos or maybe a "member's only" downloadable single. That would be so cool.

I also get embarassingly giddy when the signup pack arrives in the mail.

Can't snip a durn thing. Must be a Canadian thing, as we're apparently related.

Oh, man, I can't stop looking at Clay's torse. I used to be all about the shoulders, but his torso has overtaken my shoulder fascination. Guh, what a picture. It's now my desktop wallpaper so I can stare at it for all eternity. Damn that tee shirt for being in the way.

Heee.....do you suppose at some point there'll be a GIANT ex-hale and all our screensavers will explode??

Yer all so smart! Ah think I'll just keep on nodding and shaking my head and let y'all just GO!

What's the Tampa fax?

Yeah....that! Although, let me rephrase...if it has something to do with John Paulus or Perez Hilton....I don't care, and I don't want to know.

I have no interest in policing other fans (OK, I lied--I would throw the boo[e]r's ass right off the boards), but I wouldn't feel BAD if some fans decided that they are so unhappy that they found someone more to their liking. Someone they could be happy with.

I think I define "unconditional" also a bit liberally. I love my daughter unconditionally. However, I think she wears her jeans too tight, she looks better with her hair to her shoulders than too short, she should vacuum to corners of the rooms better, and she should polish her son's shoes. Do I tell her these thing?. HELLL NO!!! I respect her as an adult. She could pick my life apart if she wanted to, but she doesn't. Loving unconditionally doesn't mean being blind, just being kind.

...but especially the above!!

OK, actually, I changed my mind! The OTHER ones I would like to boot in the ass are the ones who take advantage of others' good nature...cadging free tickets, transportation, asking for people to bring and send them "stuff" which they never intend to pay for....it just makes me crazy, and I feel for the disrespect to those who fall for it. End rant.

Hope everyone's having a good Labour Day!

I've really enjoyed reading what everyone has to say. I have little to offer as I have no profound thoughts regarding Clay and am privy to nothing in Clay's life. However, I do want to say that when I read that people are refusing to buy ATDW or won't be a fan IF Clay....[fill in the blank], I say "Good riddance!" The world is chock full of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlakes. Move on.

Leave me and my unconditional devotion alone.

Ooooh, Couchie, I would have loved to have heard Clay rap those lyrics!

I don't know exactly what Clay was doing here, but sure is a yummy picture. He looks really hunky, and it looks like Ms. Mic Stand is even luckier than usual!

That was his response to the "letter". WHAT . A . BOD!!

Great convo tonight!

Eeeeh! Do I get to be a first-pager with 87 posts? Am I allowed??

Didn't you ever go out with a guy that was super handsome, sexy and hott, only to find out that he was dumber than a box of rocks and shallow as a rain puddle? And then he wasn't so handsome and sexy anymore? With Clay, he just keeps getting sexier and handsomer as time goes by, each time he lets us glimpse another layer of himself.

Could you hear my head rattling "Yeah, yeah!" from way over there? In fact....I married him! No worries, peeps, he's long gone.

Hee...ldyjocelyn

But sometimes I do look at him up there on the stage and marvel that only 5 years ago he was just another someone...someone's neighbor, someone's friend, someone's co-worker, someone's nephew. It makes me look at the people around me and wonder which of them could handle having that sort of massive seismic shift happen in their life? And how many hidden gems are there in my very own life that maybe I'm overlooking?

Love all of this thought, but particularly the bolded part...maybe I need to look harder on a day to day basis.

I too have my moments of looking around at a Clay event and thinking "Wow"...Wow at the people's faces I can see, and their rapt attention to the man on stage....Wow at where we might be, and how we all were drawn there by him, often to somewhere we never dreamed we would visit. Wow to the love in the air.

Wow that I'm sitting there with good friends I would never have known if it wasn't for him.

Just....WOW.

I have this happen at least once every tour. And ever time it just blows. me. away.

And I think I'll go straight to my sister's house where I'll park my dirty nasty cluttered car and then go inside and play with the kids. My bil will undoubtedly see said car, and spruce it up better than any professional detail guy. It works every time.

I need that man's address! I barely recognized my car when I walked out to it in the hotel parking lot this morning. Barrie to Timmins to Sudbury to Sault Ste Marie...to Barrie tomorrow will do it to ya everytime. Currently sitting in Sault looking fondly across the water to sweet memories of Interlochen.

And I cannot TELL you how happy I am to see Clay's gorgeous ruddish arm hair coming back....GAWD, I did.not.like. that slick, white skin on his forearms ...gave me the willies.

Me, too. I also noticed when I was going through photos, here, that the little curls at the neck opening of his shirt were missing, too! What was he thinking? My His little curlies? Ripped out right out from under my fingers his throat? Yes, Clay, some things hurt….not just you. I’m glad to see that they’re back, too.

What the h* did he do?? Dunk himself in a vat of bathtub cleaner?? ...and WHY? Was there every any consensus?

Oh how I wish he would be accepted singing soul--like 50's, 60's soul--it would be so, so fine.

Heeeee's so fine...*cough*...oh YES, I'll have some of that!

Pick me! Sure hope I'm not alone in the hall! :xmas07a:

Wait...maybe I DO hope I'm alone in the hall!

So....can't get color etc to work, there's no dropdown. Just me? Do I have to do something to my profile to enable them?