keldanker

Is there a special place in heaven for moms who sit on wet, metal bleachers in the rain at a high school football game for the sole purpose of seeing their dd dance for 2 minutes at half time? I hope so! Anyway, that's where I was last night when you all were talking chocolate. In the middle of catching up this morning. DH just left to run errands. I told him to come back with chocolate. Wonder why? :F_05BL17blowkiss: I think I might be a dog walker for a while longer since I'm better at reading than posting. Lilyshines, I like your tractor picture. :xmas07a:

Interesting discussion today. Since I came late to the internet/message board part of my Clay fandom, my experience with LTS, YWT, etc. were far different. The very first time I saw Clay live was at the NAT. His performance of YWT started that little flutter in my heart. Later that year, I read LTS. The little flutter became a pounding. Sometime around Christmas, I saw a video of WDC from the IT (which I never knew about at all) and the flutter was then a full scale gallop. I was in love with that man! Because I had not been part of the online fans, I knew nothing about any controversy. I just loved him. Sometimes I have to wonder if that was not better than knowing every little thing that goes on and hearing everyone else's concerns, dire predictions, insider (perceived) knowledge, demands, media insults, endless message board gerbil wheels, etc. It was so much more simple when it was only about love.

Now I know I'll be hanging around since xxx is here because I love me some xxx. Football game? tomorrow? Yes, indeedy. I'll be there in my red, white, and black. :F_05BL17blowkiss: You guys are making me hungry.

Well, waddayaknow, alls we had to do was wait a couple days to find out the truth of the thing. What a concept, huh? FWIW (not much), I didn't like the idea but I would have gone anyway, because I'm easy. Since I saw the second blog first, I didn't have that WTF moment. I did spend some time last night reading blog responses. That was my WTF moment. Spent a lot of time just shaking my head. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

muski, sorry about all your troubles. But I just have to tell you that I've been reading your little Clyra tale. Yeah, I know I'm late to the party, but I had given up reading fanfic for a time. Needed to keep my mind on other things, ya know. Well, anyway, holy moley!!! I had to take a break at one point because....well,....I was a little...errr....... That's some good stuff right there!!

I'll be at Washington, DC.

The conversation has moved on, but I just caught up, so just wanted to say that: You can actually go and visit the Field of Dreams in Iowa. Yes, you really can. I've been there. It was NOT my idea.

Nope. It still looks like FCA to me. Hee. Just lots of familiar faces..er.....names. I ain't trying to be deep or nothin'.

Woo hoo, looks like CV in miniature around here. Did somebody say xxx was lurking? :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Here's my story of how I came to be a Clay fan. I saw him on AI2 and liked him from the beginning, but I was not invested. My daughters and I were shocked when he lost, but then I didn't think much more about it. Never looked up anything online. We bought his album and my younger daughter took it off to her room where she apparently listened to it over and over. One day in 2004, she asked me if we could get tickets to see Clay Aiken because he was coming to Baltimore in July. I bought tickets which were high up and way back. I noticed all these young girls and their "moms" (or so I thought) all decked out in Clay shirts and hats and whatnot and just kind of shook my head. There was lots of screaming. He sounded great but I didn't have a real close up view or anything. The moment that really impressed me was YWT (sorry to those who didn't like it). I had tears streaming down my cheeks. After that I realized my dd#2 was hanging out online alot so I had her show me what she was doing. She had found a whole world of Clay. I still didn't do any more but monitor where she was going. Then his book came out and his Christmas album and we went to see him for the JNT. We were still in the upper balcony but this time took binoculars. I said to my daughter, "OMG, look at those feet!" I was hooked. I had her show me where to go online. I started downloading video like a crazy woman. My family was concerned that I had lost my mind. ATCA was my friend. I joined the CB, Claymaniacs and eventually CV. In early 2005 I found a local fan group and joined. By April of that year I was winging my way to Florida and sharing a hotel room with virtual strangers in order to go to the Florida Gala. I went to 6 JBT concerts and 3 JNT05. I discovered fan fiction (waves to muskifest). The year 2006 was like a punch in the belly. I was having such a good time and then..... I was literally sick until I made myself step away from all the endless discussion and private threads. I came to the conclusion that Clay was one of my joys in life and that I could allow him to be a joy or I could allow myself to continue to be upset. I chose joy. My home board is now CV. I like it there alot, but I don't post a great deal and when I do I keep it light. I'm not enough of a deep thinker or a good enough writer to be able to post serious thoughts without getting edited. I don't always understand what is acceptable and what is not. I read at the OFCMB, but almost never post there -- too many conflicting agendas. I check out the CB as well. Sometimes I read at CH but I'm not a member. My name here is different than everywhere else (Cravingclay). Not sure why but I've been thinking lately that I would rather have a non Clay related name. So when I joined here the other day I chose Keldanker since it is a combination of my children's names and one that I use here and there online. This seems like a fun board and I'm happy to be here with some of you who I know and others I don't.

wandacleo, I asked about the eHP earlier. It seems there are some also some tips involved in getting on their good side. I think it involved bling, drinks with umbrellas and giving them front row center tickets. But perhaps a big bag or two of Cheez Doodles would do just as well.

I'd say unless you're a lying and / or incompetent airline or car rental employee, you're probably okay. If you happen to meet KAndre in person (I've never had the pleasure myself) and you compliment her on her tasteful and elegant bling and / or buy her a cocktail involving an umbrella, you're probably more than okay. I'll keep those tips in mind! THAT probably won't happen. Never ever had one of those for myself. You can usually find me in Row M on the side or row X looking through a little triangle of space between the tall person with the fluffy do and the photographer.

Thank you for explaining the eHP. Should I be scared if I should run into you gals someday?

I've been trying to figure it out, but I cannot. What or who is the "eHP"?

Just popping in to say good morning!! I've been trying to catch up. Whew!! Some really great posts. I had lunch with a Clay friend yesterday who was in town visiting family. We had a lovely time. Need to go pay some bills, bills, bills! Later, y'all! :F_05BL17blowkiss: :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Thanks for the answers to my newbie questions. Testing out my avi. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Really?? Ummmm, I might have read a few of your....stories.

Forget the lurking, I have a question. Why is my home board and screen name there listed in my profile info, but I don't see that in anyone else's? It doesn't matter, just curious. One more: do I need to upload my avatar through Photobucket? Pardon the interruption.

Thought I'd say hi while I'm lurking around trying to get a feel for the place. Seems like you all have a great time....and the pictures (one in particular) are nice, too! :medium-smiley-070: I can usually be found at CV but my name over there is CravingClay. Back to lurking for awhile.