Cotton

Get your scroll bar ready - this is my Not-a-Recap!! It's a tome and I apologize in advance! ********* Champions for Change Gaga Gala, Raleigh 10/18/08 When word came down about this year’s gala, I was disheartened. With individual tickets more than twice the “cheap seats” of last year, I didn’t feel I could justify the expense. I had been privileged to see SPAMalot in March and it just seemed more than I should spend. But when I remembered last year, and the shenanigans of Mr. Aiken, I decided I would really regret it after the fact if I didn’t go. I was right. I am so glad I decided to go. I find that, not only am I endlessly entertained by the man, Clay Aiken, I always learn something. Like Clay said of the honorees, I have learned more from the honorees and the videos and presentations than I learned in any of my years in education. I didn’t learn much in my college classes, for sure, as learning about special needs has increased in recent years, unless you were a special ed major. I learned little in all my recertification classes and workshops, sadly. Hearing the real life stories of Rich and Samuel and the work of CVS adds a little understanding, as have the stories of some of our fans and their own family struggles. So I’m glad I was there. It was also nice to see so many fans gathered in one spot in one time. SPAMalot gave me the chance to reconnect with a few. But our SPAM attendance has been so spread out over time, it’s hit and miss. Even at concerts, you see more folks gathered, even with geographic separation! But Saturday night, we were gathered from all over and it was so much fun to smile and laugh and EEEE!!!! and reminisce together. So I’m glad I was there. And this time was so special because of the chance to see Clay Aiken, as many have said, as Clay Aiken, not Sir Robin. (Though I LOVE Sir Robin!) This young man impresses me so much. True to himself. So accepting of others. So talented. So welcoming and inclusive of his audience, as well. There is always a special “conversation” between performer and audience. But somehow, Clay does more listening and has much less of a one-sided conversation than many. And I love being part of the conversation! When he held the microphone out to us to sing, “Faith has Conquered Fear”, it felt almost like a Wilkes-Barre MOAM moment. One of those moments that you will always remember. That you know is a special event in the Clay lexicon. So I’m glad I was there. This setting also lets us see just a little of his family. I don’t mean relatives. I mean Clay Family. I mean Lynda Loveland, Aron, Kristy Dr. Brame, etc, as well as Jaymes, Faye, Jamie, Jerry. It gives me a warm feeling to see him surrounded by folks who have been with him from before we ever “knew” him. And Jerome, of course. I was actually surprised that Clay was still in the room after the power outage. I felt sure that before we could even see it, that Jerome had his hands on Clay ready for anything. By his side. Protecting him from possibilities I’m sure we have no clue of. So I’m glad I was there. And then there’s I’m Selling Myself for the Chirren Clay! Anyone who claimed Clay Aiken would no longer be the flirt he has always been was proven dead wrong! Though there was no ring-tonguing; Flirty, Sexy, Seductive, Silly, One-Minute-I’m-HOT-Next-Minute-Y’all-Are-Crazy-Clay was out in full force! Undressing and redressing for us! Dancing the Sir Bear’s Legs in the Bottle Dance Choreography! Singing a cappella AI Clay! Being so proud he could still zip the JBT Jacket Clay! He is the same man he has always been. As I expected him to be. So I’m glad I was there. Back to the “conversation”. Yes, there was the performance “conversation”. But Saturday night was to me part of a larger conversation. I know fans have been at SPAMalot and the stage door since the People cover and the GMA interview. But there could be no mistaking Saturday night - people were there to see and support Clay and his mission of inclusion. There was no doubt that they may be Python fans. Or just people seeing a Broadway Show. This was Clay’s night. And I think it was maybe even more important to him (at least just as!) than to us to have that conversation. I never cry anymore. And I must have teared up at least five times Saturday night. The videos. But the videos all came about because this young man stood on a stage in 2003 and claimed he wanted to make a difference. And he has. The speeches, whether Lynda Loveland or Diane Bubel or the honorees. But they were all there because Clay Aiken didn’t just make empty promises with that claim. He lived inclusion. He took a “project” and found a way to make it a reality. A program. A living, breathing mission. But even more than all of that, there was the reality that he is still the same person. And that most of the fans see that he is still the same person. That his message of inclusion includes him! And I felt him feel that acceptance and love and he blew that message right back at us - like blowing kisses. The breathing in and out of love’s energy. We left him no doubt that he has not lost by opening up. By being true to himself. So I’m glad I was there. And then, there was Daddy Clay. He shared how much more his path of inclusion means to him now than ever before because he and Jaymes want Parker to grow up in an accepting world. And then the little tidbit he shared when he told us, “Speaking of Family - Emma is baby sitting for Parker”. I knew he would never be “mum” about Parker. But he showed us he can respect his “little man’s” privacy, yet still include us a little in his world in tiny ways. He is already, such a proud Daddy. So I’m glad I was there. This is so not-a-recap. And it’s longer than it should be. And yet it still doesn’t cover those three days in Raleigh. I understand if you’ve scrolled and I thank you if you managed to get through it. Succinct, I’m not. But I’m so glad I was there. And I plan on being around for as long as Clay Aiken is willing! I’ll be Right Here Waiting for what’s next on this ride!

I didn't talk to the guitarist, but this is Rich Mercurio, the drummer. (I capped it from shineinnc's video!) He spent quite a while talking with some of us in the lobby at the end of the evening. I think he was fascinated with the fans. He was very sweet and friendly. I told him that now that he had appeared onstage with Clay that his myspace and facebook hits would go up. Y'all don't make a liar out of me, mmmKay? I have to say, there's not much at his myspace. Unless I missed something. He said he played with Iglasias a couple of nights ago. And he was supposed to be playing for Joan Jett the night after the gala! So - I'm hoping all the sleuths will do their thing and find out more than I could in a brief look. And, if I have time, I'm gonna comment on his myspace or facebook. I just haven't had time, yet. What a great weekend! I have a lot to catch up on!

Nightie Night, my schmoopies!!!

Karma! It was good to see you again!

Thanks! Scarlett, you looked lovely! Someone said your dress came from Hong Kong? Is that right? Mine probably did, too, but I bought it in the Bahamas in 2002, I think! And if Solo comes around, I meant to tell you I loved your dress, too!

Is there a mod around who could take down the picture for Scarlett? TIA

I don't know if Claygirl's still here, but if she's like me she probably doesn't know how to find the members only area?

Thanks for the picture, Terry!!! And speaking of HAWT . . . did y'all see this?????!!!!1

Gee, muski? What could it possibly be that is making you in that picture?!! Is it possibly something that is HUGELY attractive to you?? Huh? Huh?

That guy behind us looks astounded at the sheer beauty!!! :Kolobok_Laie_haha:

Not quite $5, but NC has the highest gas prices in the nation - and Raleigh's pretty bad. I stopped for gas this afternoon and left with none at my first stop - it was $3.69! I tried again closer to home and found gas for $2.95. Our gas tax is high but that doesn't totally explain it. If you subtract the NC tax and then subtract the SC tax, NC gas is still higher than it is in SC!

BTW, do y'all know that Scarlett and I were twins last night??!!

jmh123! I can't believe we didn't meet till on the way out the door! I really hate I missed breakfast with all of you! I am looking over CV and here and realizing that though I did get to meet and reconnect with LOTS of people, I also missed meeting some folks I really wanted to!! But - I am so glad I was there! I missed Wilkes-Barre, but I was there for "Faith as conquered Fear"! He really knows when to call on his All Female Chorus, doesn't her?!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Hi, Honies! I'm Ho-o-o-ome!!!! And what a fabulous weekend it was! Lots of meets and re-meets and fun times with one HAWT Mr. Aiken! More later, but I just wanted to say it was great to see so many "old" and "new" friends and witness the great success of TBAF and the Gala! I apologize for missing the breakfast this morning. My two local gals who I spent the night with last night *g*, wanted to hit the road and go to McDonald's (whatever!) for breakfast instead of paying $9 for oatmeal at the Marriott! So I missed seeing you all! I haven't seen much of the local gals in a couple of months and wanted to catch up with them, too. (Local is kind of stretching it as we are much more spread out than we used to be!) I picked up my Powerbook G4 from Crabtree Apple Store on my way out of town and and just now checking it out. I have a feeling I'm gonna be a downloading FOOL!!! Oh - I have a girl crush on Linda Loveland!

Hello, All! I'm at the Marriott in the room with ashleysgram and kwhite! EEEE !!! It's gray and foggy and we're in rarified Mecca Air! hee

Not Faye. Here's my theory . . . I still say Clay is throwing something warmish over his sweaty body, still in the underarmor part of the costume we saw in James' blog about the costume. So - he still has on part of his sweay costume. It's getting cooler outside. So he throws on a sweater or vest to get from getting chilled. I don't think the vest is awful. I think when he wears it with what he would normally wear it with it will be quite GQ! It looks soft. I'd like to run my hands down his back to feel the softness. Hey - Je--ro-o-o-o-ome? Could I? could I? Huh? huh? Pleeze? heh :pfft: on E! I'm gonna go back and try to sleep with the knee wrapped and the ankle wrapped and iced! And me with a little extra pharmaceuticals! ETA: Tried to find the post from Beaman's blog about the costume and can. His site is <http://www.jamesbeaman.com/welcome.html> but I didn't find the page with the underamor. Maybe someone can. I gott get to bed and hope to sleep with one ber ber BAD leg in cahoots with a already ber ber BAD ankle! My body is repeating my age at me and laughing!!! But I just - - - -

yes I posted these at CV, but they are all mine! I had a mental limerick attack. Well, since my brain decided a bum knee wasn't enough hassell, I now have a swollen, blue-turning ankle! Ack! It's now wrapped and iced and I'm taking an extra sleep assist!!! My body loves to hit me with these surprise pile-ons!!! and Sheesh!

Awwww! I guess it's a good thing the board is GREEN! :cryingwlaughter: Still, I'll have my turn being jealous when you guys are back at SPAM2! I'm aiming for 10AM departure. It's 3 hours and a little bit for a normal person with a normal sized bladder. :Kolobok_Laie_haha: So for me, 3 and 1/2? or more? hee I look forward to seeing everyone, but mostly hee Have a good sleep! Don't be too GREEN, but if you rilly rilly wanna - there are some last minute tickets being sold at CV and prolly some other places, too! In the meantime - here's a little something to drive somebody crazy!

There's a tune to this stuck in my head - can't figure out what the real song is though! I got my dress I got my shoes I got my bag and earrings, too! I’m ready to move I’m ready to groove I’m ready to party I got no blues! So get your dress And get your shoes Get your bag Come party, too! Da doo too too Ba doo be boo Ba doo wop doo Da doo be boo I got my dress I got my shoes I’m ready to party No singing the blues! I hope y'all will pardon me. The EEEEE'ing has turned on my silly parts!

Okay. I printed my mapquest directions. I printed the Gala Agenda. (heh no other agendas need apply!) I printed my hotel confirmation info. I'm semi (that's sem-I, to all you yankee people!) packed. DH gassed up the car. ( :F_05BL17blowkiss: ) What'd I forget? ETA: Oh, yeah . . . EEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!

Burt Bacharack. But I probably misspelled it!

Let's see if I can remember. Clay, what do you think, in your past performance experiences, best prepared you for your performance in SPAMalot? You definitely meshed with the veteran cast when I saw you in March. Or something pretty close to that. There are pics at CV. YUM!!! Here's a screencap I made!

I asked a question! How cool is that? I think Broadway loves them some Clay Aiken!!!