wandacleo

I know that I should probably go back and re-read and try to figure this out for myself, but I'm just too damn lazy. WHAT is eHP?

You will read criticisms of Clay's hair or a performance, etc., here if you stick around--just so's you know. We just don't make it into a blood sport. Oh, well, I don't take that personally--it's only when it's taken as some kind of moral failure on his part that it bothers me.

I feel as though I've died and gone to heaven. You have NO idea how long I've been looking for a place that doesn't trash Clay but just accepts him as he is. Honestly, I feel like dancing. I might!

Hi, I'm Wandacleo, and I'm new here, but I recognize an awful lot of names, so I feel right at home already. I have been a Clay fan since AI, when my staff started coming to work and talking about "Clay." When I first saw him, I saw him next to Ruben and thought he was about 4 feet tall. When he sang Solitaire, I completely lost all perspective and have been a goner ever since. I'm now retired (was a nurse, English teacher, and director of a college English center) and work as a medical writer, so that combines my various professions. I took an early retirement because my Mom (who is 98) has had Alzheimer's for the past 8 years or so and needs constant care. I have a daughter and 2 grandsons. Clay helps me to forget the realities of my life for awhile--and that's a great blessing sometimes.

My screen name is my first name and middle name because I like to take the easy route in all things. LOL. I found Claymaniacs first and then CB, but I left CM after there was a complete name-slinging battle. I liked RHT until it disintegrated. I still check CB everyday and post there occasionally because it's easy to see what's new. CV has been my "home" for the past year or so, but free discussion is severely constricted there, and I'm just so tired of Clay being picked to pieces. It's just not me. I want to celebrate Clay! I don't care what he does, what he wears, what he sings, whom he dates. I don't think he owes me one damn thing, so I feel no sense of ownership whatsoever. I'm not into conspiracies and doubt that RCA/Davis is out to get Clay even though I might have plotted a different course. I just want to be happy in my love of all things Clay and enjoy this one little bit of madness in my life.

Just wanted to comment on this; CV is a great board and I have a lot of friends there; and while I can appreciate the family atmosphere there, when you are consistantly made to feel like the black sheep of the family, then it isn't so much fun. Guidelines are great and I have no problem with them, but when they become so restrictive and open to such broad interpretations that it makes posting a challenge and stifles the flow of conversation; then you have a problem. Unfortunately; for me, I don't see the problems I am having there ever being resolved and there are too many personal feelings; on both sides, that can't seem to be let go. I still post there, but I keep it light and fun and just resolved myself to the fact that If I want to get into deeper discussions; I need to go to boards that are less restrictive and allow me to be me. Kim Amen

Banter? BANTER?? I LOVE banter. I download that first, before any of the songs!! I can't tell you how many concerts I've been to where the singer barely mumbles a few words and just sings one song after another (usually for about an hour, I might add). Banter keeps Clay on the stage and we really get to see a whole different side of him (kidding, joking, sometimes pissy), and I'm crazy for that. Just a little passing note about people bossing others around in line. It AINT just Ethel. Honey, I have been pushed, shoved, ordered around (and I hesitate to add I may have done a bit of that myself as I had to be held back from tackling an obnoxious witch-with-a-b who insisted she was going to stand to the side and just take ONE flash picture of Clay as he went by). Some people just stand out more for obvious or less than obvious reasons, and they may be annoying, but they're not alone!

I've always known this about you! Me too! :xmas07a: Please take notes so you can give a complete recap.

I just want to say hello as this is my first day here. JaMar told me I would like it here, and (by George!) I think she's right!! Very interesting discussions going on. And Aikim (who also just joined and informed me she's already up to 14 posts while I'm just putzing around reading), IYDKMBN isn't one of my favorite songs, but I have no standards whatsoever when Clay opens his mouth and starts to sing. Re: Orlando and the booing. I was there and as a non-Southerner in the deep south with white folks making complete fools of themselves all around us, yelling and waving signs, when Clay turned his attention to Ethel and Toni (whom I personally had not heard or seen making fools of themselves during that concert) and the booing started, I was completely horrified. I felt it was blatantly racist. Now, I'm willing to admit that perhaps I carry some historical bias that affected my reaction, but just the idea that someone would boo while Clay was talking was bad enough. Aiming it at 2 black women seemed egregious. I felt sick to my stomach. Ethel may be more exuberant than some people like, but I'm damned sure that she has never said a negative thing about Clay and loves him completely, more than can be said for the booer (and that word would be more appropriate with the "e" removed.)