wandacleo

All I can say about the ET and Insider picture: If they insist on giving us full frontal, they should at LEAST focus lower.

Interrupting this much more fun topic to ask for some positive vibes to be sent my way. Just got some vibes myself at the workplace that it might be quite smart of me to look for another job. No direct request or specific thing---just more confirmation of a sneaking feeling that 'the writing's on the wall' , you know?

Can you say "being set up for failure"?

I thinkyacan!

Losing my job would not only put us in the sights of various creditors who've been breathing down our necks, but would obviously jeopardize any and all plans to DO CLAY in NYC (or anywhere else, for that matter)....

And honestly, I'm not sure THAT is something I could deal with at all.

If anyone who is setting you up is male (or lesbian would work too), go to Human Resources and file a claim of sexual harrassment. Then, it's damn near impossible to fire you.

Sorry to be post-hoing and totally off topic, but this (probably politically incorrect) Gyne-obstretrican answering machine is SO funny.

Anwering machine message

I usually hate anticipatory angst (MINE, not yours) (well, yours too), but in the case of the CD, I don't think I care to know what's on it or what the exact theme is in advance because the sheer JOY of spending 10 minutes getting the cellophane off of the CD case, downloading it into the computer for 5 minutes, and loading it onto my IPod for another 10 minutes before I can finally hear it just leaves me breathless!

Life is so complicated, but so worth it.

As I posted above, I can't post the link to the article because it requires membership to access anything but the summary. I haven't told a lie since I stole a pencil in the 2nd grade and suffered years of agony over that one sin.

Is that snippy enough?

ETA: Here's a link for ANOTHER article about the subject of CD sales for Mother's Day, but it must be lying too since I think Michael Buble is a pop singer.

Variety article about mother's day sales

Claygasm, you're probably right. Music Week probably made up those statistics and my friend smoked marijuana 30 years ago and probably fried his brain.

I'm SURE you are absolutely correct that NO one gives his/her mother a pop CD for Mother's Day.

You see how agreeable I am.

Mother's Day is one of the BIG sales pushes for CDs. I found a market article that says CD sales increased 53.1 percent the week of Mother's Day. Plus, my friend used to work in a music store and TOLD me they sold mountains of CDs for Mother's Day.

I rest my case.

ETA: Source: Music Week. I can't post the llink because it requires membership.

I think the CD will happen on time! RCA would be nuts NOT to take advantage of all the press and exposure from Spamalot and AI Rewind AND Mother's Day!!

Just the thought of my hands on that nice round piece of joy.............!!!!!!

Oh! May SIX...

how embarrassing

Shameless hussy.

Whenever he's ready, I'm ready for whatever he's ready for.

I'm confused wanda....are you talking about the CD? Or something better?

CD or better? I have a choice???????

OK!!!!

Whenever he's ready, I'm ready for whatever he's ready for.

Now, you all know how I start frothing at the mouth when people begin the bashing RCA routine, but I do have to say this ONE little thing.

If Apple ever starts to produce CDs, I hope to God the company signs Clay.

I've seen that commercial for the new skinny Mac so many times I'm singing the damn song in my sleep!

hey I'm a Nielsen family for the week..what do I have to watch besides Idol Rewind LOL.

JERICHO!!!!!

I just love that picture in the UNICEF album of Clay sitting on the airport floor with his family looking bored and like every other stranded passenger.

At the New York TImes, there's a list of the most highly rated shows. Spamalot is currenlty #14, so those who have seen it might want to go and rate it. Here's the link for the first 10--you have to scroll down and hit the "next" button at the bottom to get to #14 (unless it moves up).

Rate Spamalot for the NY TImes

Honestly, I just feel so lucky.

We have virtually daily Clack between Rewind and Spamalot. Pretty pictures everyday.

Good press.

Did I mention pretty pictures?????

I'm living for the day when I can go to messageboards without the daily dose of "RCA is evil."

Drives me berserk.

wandacleo I felt the same way about meet and greets before the new format. I would love to participate in the new format one of these days.

Oh, absolutely, if my M&G had been in a line passing by a table, I would have signed up again in a heartbeat, but I was lucky and got to chat! I hope everyone gets this opportunity at some point.

XXX Big WORD.

I guess I, personally, have a hard time with the concept of jealousy although I understand wishing I could have what others have, but their bank accounts, front row tickets, free time, ambition, whatever, don't in any way impact mine. People are at different places in their lives. I distinctly remember a time when I was so broke I ate crackers for week. Now, I'm retired, my daughter's grown, and I have more disposable income (I just love that term!) I try for good tickets, and I bought tickets early for Spamalot, so I GOT good tickets. I'm thrilled, but I'm also thrilled for everyone else who did and thrilled for the people who can go 20 times. I just wish I could!

As for doing things over and over--that's individual. I had one M&G and I don't intend to sign up for another one (well, maybe in 10 years), but I know people who bid on M&Gs and have gone to meet Clay over and over. I couldn't care less. It makes them happy, and they must have a need for this that I don't have, but this doesn't mean there's something wrong with either of us. We're just different. I wish we could all just accept that because I think some of the finger-pointing and tsk-tsk-tsk-ing over what people have or are doing is very hurtful--not only to the individuals but to the fandom.

JJ I'm going 3 times to see Spamalot, and I'm planning to go to the stagedoor each time and hope I'm lucky enough to get signatures all 3 times because I have friends who can't go and would LOVE a Playbill with Clay's signature. i think it's possible to think the best of people instead of assuming that people are just selfish.

Cha CHa How about baking the guy a pie or some bread?

My friend brought me an article that a friend had clipped out and given her because she thought it was so funny. My friend, recognizing the name Clay Aiken in the New York Magazine article brought it on to me. Here's HER evaluation as a person who listens to opera and news radio, has never gone to a pop concert or read a tabloid in her life: "This article is so funny. He must be a really interesting man."

So.....there you go. A legitimate NJU response to the Huckster article that got so many knickers in knots.

I didn't realize, by the way, that the picture took up a whole page and is sexy in a weird sort of way.

Gibby, have you tried acupuncture? That works like a miracle for me.

RCA: I think that record companies are more interested in sales than in radio play. Sales bring money in: Radio play takes money out.

There are really successful artists out there who are rarely heard on the radio. Jimmy Buffett hadn't had a radio hit for YEARS before he sang a duet with Alan Jackson, but he has wildly successful tours and rakes in about $30 million dollars a year. The only time I listen to radio is in the car. I think there are a lot of people like me. If a record is trying to attract a teenage market, then maybe radio is important, but teenagers are notoriously fickle. Famous one minute, dead the next.

I'm just not going to worry about it.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE yeah!!! article...LOVE....Clay...LOVE MORE!!!

Karen eh...what an interesting story. thanks for sharing. I know that the few times I have been to concerts it has been really interesting to watch the fans when Clay is not there. I love the people that are just having fun...but for some people... being in the concert seem like work. Too much worrying about what NJU's say...or trying to see which fans are behaving or trying to get a better view of Clay or trying to get his attention.

Ok things I love about the article...

the quote from Hannah...EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I love how this writer characterized the New York article as snark and mentioned the exaggeration in the way she imitated his accent.

The way the guy confirmed that Mike Nichols does not do stunt casting...Mike Nichols isn't known for stunt casting. And in any case, you are a natural at this. ....EEEEEEEEEEE

His characterization of his relationship with Simon Renshaw...that shows respect in both sides.

his answer about radio...what a great attitude...

Awww he has another family in this cast and I heart patsy...what a fun quiz

how truly grounded he is...

what he said about Simon...

How intelligent he sounds...

I like his answer about where he is on the spectrum...

Love his answer about the bitter kid from topeka...

I als found his answer about the work in idol really interesting

Oh, God, ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!

I'd sit in the front row for every damn show if I could.

Honestly who wouldn't?

(Although, I'd probably wear wigs and dark glasses so Clay wouldn't think I was stalking him.)