ncgran4clay

Wow, I just read on another board that Wrapping for Inclusion brought in over $41,000!!! FearofH20 & georgiesmybaby, you should be so proud of all the hard work you put in ( and any others who contributed as well). The dedication & committment I observed when working with these ladies is just awesome!!

Here's what I'm finding. Not exactly the end of the Enquirer:

AMI Near Bankruptcy

American Media Inc. — publisher of the National Enquirer and Star magazine — is near bankruptcy after missing a Dec. 1 deadline to make a $21 million interest payment on its $1.1 billion debt.

The company has retained bankruptcy lawyers, sources told the New York Post’s “Media Ink” columnist Keith Kelly.

But a bankruptcy filing may be avoided if bondholders agree to take a large stake in the company in return for reducing its debt load.

A restructuring deal would turn over 95 percent of the stock to those holding the debt, leaving the old shareholders with just 5 percent of the company.

The bondholders and bankers involved in the negotiations have until Dec. 15 to reach an agreement, according to Kelly.

AMI’s other publications include Shape, Men’s Fitness, Globe and Country Weekly. The company also owns Distribution Services Inc., the nation’s leading in-store merchandising firm.

Earlier this week the media conglomerate Tribune Co., publisher of the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and other newspapers, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

It just means they want to get out of paying their bills (because they can't), so they want to give themselves to the people they owe money to. Filing for bankruptcy is a way to stay in business, in some cases. Wonder if Congress will bail them out. No discussion of discontinuing publication at this time. Sawwy.

Well poo!! That's what you get for skimming. I can still hope & . Would love to see the downfall of all the smuts! They deserve all the bad karma they receive!!

Thanks for the recaps. Sounds like a great time was had by all. Safe travels luckiest and son , thankful and Scarlett.

I want to publicly thank ncgran4clay and her friend Cam for working at WFI yesterday. They are fantastic wrappers, not to mention very nice people. We are so greatful for their help. And I finally met some FCAers in my area.

We loved meeting you, Pam & Terra as well. It was fun!! We really have some dedicated Clay fans that support his causes. Can't wait to help out again!!

Saw on another board that the "National Enquirer" is going belly up!! This includes the "STAR" & several others. I'll be sending baby Jesus a few prayers for this to happen. Boy, karma can be a bitch!!

FCA'ers at WFI yesterday!! :thbighug-1:

ETA Cam, I see you up there!!

Regarding the Star mag

That's all I'm going to say about that!!

ldyj, I make my own too. But this sounded so much easier....and it benefits the BAF, so I figured, why not? Heh, I doubled the volume? Who knew I had so much power.....wonder what else I could do.....::evil grin::

luckiestdaughter is heading home today (hopefully ahead of the snowstorm they are forecasting) and we are going to see Twlight tomorrow. Already have our advanced movie tickets. Anyone else going? (or did anyone go last night?) Just wondering what the reactions are going to be.

Happy Birthday, Cotton!

I love the Twilight Series. My daughters & I have tickets for tonights premier!! I can't wait!! If the movie is half as good as the books they will be awesome!! I downloaded the soundtrack off itunes & burned one for each of my girls. Let me just say, they hated all the songs but one!! ( Linkin Park).

Hopefully they will sound better used as background in the movie. I'll let ya know what my review is later!!

Happy Birthday Cotton !!

Shae

Good grief!

Where are these ranters and raving continuing their mess!?

Oh, good morning!

I woke up thinking about Clay this morning. I don't know why. I don't even remember what about actually.

I'm looking forward to seeing him next weekend. I wanna see him smiling and being his usual self. Goofy, sexy, sweet, funny. All the smorgasbord of yumminess he always is. I hope he has fun at the gala and that TBAF makes a bundle of $$ even though I won't be one of the ones making much of that happen!

Don't I wish.

I covet that JBT jacket with a purple passion.

ETA:

BTW, I stole borrowed used some of your thoughts as a jumping off place for my last post in that support thread - which I have now edited for my blog over at OFC. Thanks for the inspiration!

Well, I want the Wango Tango shirt!! I've tried to gently coerce my Clay buddy Cam to go halfers on the shirt. We can share joint custody of it afterwards. We can take turns keeping it to sniff, sleep with etc. But I think Cam is scared my cat Morris who has staked out his territory in my bed would piss on it for the hell of it out of jealousy!! :Kolobok_Laie_haha: Somehow I don't think the change I've been saving would be enough anyway!! Oh well, I've been known to have very vivid dreams so maybe I'll dream I can smell it, feel it etc. ( too bad the jeans he had on don't come with it, they were some real LOWriders). :013085001176249046:

Hee! that is too freakin' cute. What's the Parker equivilent of the silly Aiken grin? Cuz that's what's on my face at the moment. (where's Big Red gone?????)

Awwww! Me too!

Yep, it's got to be an IPG. Or an ICBG - Involuntary Clay Baby Grin.

Hee - ICBG. Perfect!

Gotta admit, the boy has got him some musical genes!

Yep, he sure does!

Oops, we were talking about Parker, huh?

Thanks for the "Tarheels" info! I never can remember who said "God bless the Tarheel boys"....George Washington or Robert E. Lee so I interchange the stories! LOL! And sometimes it's Tarheels and other times Tar Heels.

Love all the NC ladies! I've lost my traveling companions after Clay's coming out so I may be asking to join you on that hopefully potential tour! The ladies coming to the CV party...come give me a hug!

So sorry you lost your travel buddies ( this really does sadden me). Cam & I love to follow Clay when he tours & love to meet fellow Clay fans. We'll be at the CV dinner Fri. night & would love to give you a hug!! :thbighug-1:

This UNC girl (well, I WAS a girl once!) loves this picture!

HippoGA....now wait just a danged minute, here! Tread carefully....I'm from Demon Deacon country! GO DEACS!

Sincerely,

Muskifest, Proud Wake Forest Alumnus!

Another Wake Forest Alumnus here!! Graduated from Baptist Hosp. Sch. of Nurs, but with a minor in Biology from Wake- Still live in Deacon country!! But was born in UNC country!!

This UNC girl (well, I WAS a girl once!) loves this picture!

HippoGA....now wait just a danged minute, here! Tread carefully....I'm from Demon Deacon country! GO DEACS!

Sincerely,

Muskifest, Proud Wake Forest Alumnus!

What a small world!

I have to share a funny story! My hometown is Salisbury, NC. My grandmother and mother took me to Wake Forest for a college visit. As we parked, my grandmother saw a single solitary beer bottle behind a bush! She looked me straight in the eye and told me I should not go here, that I should go to "the university"! LOL! I've only been back to Winston-Salem once since then...for the Independent Tour!

I will always be "A Tarheel born and a Tarheel bred" but I'm also very loyal to the University of Georgia...they sign my husband's paycheck! Clay content? Remember when he thanked us for "spending our money to see him" and "spending our husband's money"?!! Money well spent!

Wow, what a small world indeed!! I live about 10 miles outside of Salisbury!! ( wedged between Salisbury & Winston-Salem) My Mom lived there until last year!! As to the " tar heel" I was taught it comes from 2 sources. Years ago "tar was a huge export from NC derived from the numerous pine trees the state is known for. 2nd, during the Cival War it was said NC soldiers "stuck" in their fighting lines like they had "Tar on their heels". The nickname has become increasingly popular in the state esp. after UNC picked it up years ago as part of their school nickname. UNC- Tarheels"

:013085001176249046:

Had a fun day catching up here!

Random thought..."Run to Me" was my ringtone, now it's "Right Here Waiting for You" which I consider kind of prophetic after Clay's "news" since I'm not going anywhere...except where he is as often as possible!

I have not posted at the OFC since his People cover. Told him I'm proud of him and proud to be his fan. I have lost some friends from the fandom. I hope we can stay "just friends" but our reason to see each other is gone for them.

AND he is looking mighty fine at the stagedoor. This UNC girl (well, I WAS a girl once!) loves this picture!

I don't think I'll be able to attend the Gala breakfast. I'll be taking my traveling buddy back to the airport around that time. Is anyone going to the CV dinner Friday? I sure hope I get to meet some of you!

Off to download the "Catchy song".....

Myself & Cam552000 are attending the Fri. dinner with the CV folks. Can't wait to meet all of you as well!! :013085001176249046:

I've decided the support thread at the OFC is like a really bad car crash on the side of the road. You know its there, you know you shouldn't look, you know its going to upset you to see it... but for some reason you just can't help yourself from looking anyway.

HAH!! Love the analogy....and so true, unfortunately!

OK, so I've gone ahead and made the reservation....here is the restaurant website again for those who didn't have a chance to look earlier. The gentleman I spoke to (who sounds remarkably like Aron on the phone LOL) was not able to definitely confirm, as the banquet manager is not in today; but at this point, he sees no problem. I should hear for sure latest tomorrow.

I'll add a thread in the TBAF news forum HERE but it may not be right away~that work thing again!!

The reservation is for 9:30 and their preference is that we do the buffet (obviously cuts down on the wait staff needed).

The list I have so far, please do let me know if you would like to be added or are bringing someone.

FromClaygary

claylove

Sammie

georgiesmybaby

fearofH2O

luckiest1

cotton

cindilu2+Karen

jmh123

claymatron

sassafras

scarlett

solo

perusingone

goldarngirl (just in case )

REALLY looking forward to seeing you all!

I think you can add Cam552000 & myself. As soon as she gets back with me I'll let you know.

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And 2 weeks today I leave for the gala! whhheeeeeeeeee!!!!11!1!!1!

Make that WE leave for the gala, Lady! What am I, chopped liver??

:F_05BL17blowkiss:

Me too!!

:013085001176249046:

I think we definitely need to plan an FCA get together. Maybe lunch somewhere on Saturday before the gala? Or a dinner Friday night? Or a brunch Sunday? Hee, I'm easy.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up about Jaymes & Parker being at the gala, but you know....it's a possibility. Last year EVERYONE was there. Both Faye and Jaymes stopped by our table to chat (and we weren't even in THE dining room, the one where Clay was). This year I have heard there will only be one large dining room. YEAH.

Cam & I will be at the Gala & would love to get together with fans from here. Sunday brunch sounds

awesome. :013085001176249046:

All the prying and speculation elsewhere about timelines and lies and every utterance in an interview and expecting apologies has got me more down about the fandom than I thought it could.

Picking apart song choices, assigning motives and thought processes - to be honest, if I was Clay, I'd chuck the whole fan thing - the intrusiveness would be too much for me.

This post resonated with me as I have been so sad this last week reading the hate filled post mostly at the OFC. I tried to post there for a while to counter some of it, but the same people come in & spew their hate over & over. It is a cesspool. I won't be going back until the "blast me all you want period is over." l I feel for the ones truly struggling & hope they "come out on the other side" accepting & we can get back back to talking about ass- lips- Waldo etc. He hasn't changed. He is still hot as a firecracker to me!!

I can only imagine what a rite of passage this has been for him. The ugly vocal ones are still "but' it's all about me". I'm sorry, but it is not about us. It's about a wonderful man full of integrity who has been maligned, denigrated, & hounded by the media etc for 5 yrs now. I don't know how he has stood it. And I have feared he would just walk away. But after knowing he has the balls to come out in such a public way I am no longer in fear of that. I know he will lose fans over this but I think he will gain new ones. I've only had one family member who is fine example of a homophobe, say sneeringly to me " I told you he was a queer". I let him know emphatically that I would not tolerate ANY negative comments from him. That he is family & I love him & respect him & he should do the same for me. He apologized & said it would not happen again.

I love Clay unconditiontally & I mean it ( well, unless he was an axe murderer), and look forward to hearing great music & attending concerts & hopefully other wonderful endeavors for years to come.

Shae

Maybe they took all the goodies home before the baby. When our first grandchild was born we took all the flowers & balloons etc home the day before so our daughter & SIL could just deal with the baby!!

I have found the discussion regarding Clay & Jaymes relationship interesting, everyone's opinions etc. I thought I would relay a conversation I had last PM with a male friend who loves to tease me about my Clay love but in a respectful way. He is highly intelligent & has a razor sharp wit. I told him about the birth of the baby & he asked if they were married. I said not that we know of. He asked if they were would he tell. I said I don't know. A part of me says if he was in love with her he would shout it to the world, but I'm not sure. He then said maybe they are a couple but one or both of them have commitment issues. I then relayed the way Clay referred to her in his blog as "dear friend" so that must be what she is. He was quiet for a few minutes then said well, if they are a couple & not married what is he supposed to call her, my lover, my f--k buddy, I would call her a friend too!! Just thought I would relay how someone on the outside looks at the use of Clay's words. I just want Clay to be happy. They certainly seem to be in a loving committed relationship no matter what type of love it is.

My grandson weighed 2 lbs at birth @ 28weeks. Luckily they were able to delay the birth until they were able to give her the steriods necesary to mature his lungs. He was only in NICU for 10 days & we brought him home weighing 3 lbs but doing well. The main criteria today is the infants ability to maintain his body temperature, & take in adequate formula or breast milk to continue weight gain as well as other factors. Today he is nine & very healthy but is still quite small. They really can do so much with preemies these days, miracles indeed!!!

Wow, that young Australian's performance was awesome. Someone was speaking to the percussion part of his performance.( beating the hand on the body of the guitar) When I watched the movie August Rush, the percussion used in the guitar scenes was awesome. I couldn't wait to get home & download the songs from itunes. Good stuff!!

aikim

I've been trying to compose my thoughts for days to post and you just took the words right out of my mouth!!

Shae :F_05BL17blowkiss:

It's so nice to come here & read where people are reasonable, not negative Nellie's etc. I knew the minute that blog came out yesterday the shit would hit the fan. The same people on the other boards that are usually negative were. Surprise! Surprise! I agree with playbiller that some of these fans really need to "cut the Clay umbilical cord" so to speak & walk away. All their angst & negativeness just becomes pervasive in the fandom. Its obvious the Clay THEY want is not going to happen-example- Mr. Rockstar Clay. Yes he can rock out when he wants to, but obviously that is not where he leans musically. But no, these fans will post over & over about how disappointed they are in him, the label- etc ad nauseum. Rant over!! I know I'm going to love this album & probably every song, & no I don't NEED to know how he connects to each song to enjoy it. I just know I love the hell out of him & always will!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I liked the blog- her writing style was sort of cryptic but we got a lot of information. I was not disappointed about no summer tour. I really think the man needs a break. Some time to feed his soul & keep those creative juices flowing- We will reap the rewards of that in the end. Glad to hear there are "rocking songs"- but I like ballads as well so I'm easy when it comes to what Clay sings. Can't wait to get my hands on this CD I know I'm going to love it!!

I have to agree with whoever said it has to do with where we are in our lives. I'm lucky that Clay came along at a time in my life when my nursing career was finished. ( retired after 30 yrs) & our children were grown & gone. Hubby & I worked hard & saved liked our lives depended on it to hopefully have a comfortable retirement. When he died in 06 it was really a wake-up call for me & how I wanted to live my life. I still work hard, long hours running his business. But I MAKE the time now for what is important. My family always comes first. I love spending time with my grandchildren- they have been such a blessing. They are fun & help me stay REAL belive me!! I find time for my FRIENDS & my volunteer work. And then there is Clay. He is my hobby. I've never really had hobbies. Didn't have time for them. But my computer time on the boards, & traveling to see him when I can brings me so much joy! After losing darling hubby it brought home to me just how fragile life is. I'm not putting off til later what I can do now. I'm blessed to be financially secure. I travel with my bestest Clay buddy & we share expenses. My children support my Clay hobby , even encourage it, & sometimes participate. I took them with me to Spamalot for opening night & they loved it. I sincerely wish everyone had the time ,resources, etc to enjoy Clay like they want to. But if there's one thing I've learned it's that we don't always get what we want when we want it but it's how we make the best of what we do have. So while I'm able I'm going to enjoy the hell out of my Clay time & hopefully there will be lots more of it in the future!!

I'm from the South & we love our cornbread stuffing around here!! I take a shortcut & use the Stovetop but add finely chopped onions & add chicken broth to it instead of water. Yum!!

I didn' t watch AI during season 1 & only started watching when my husband called me into the room because some buy from Raleigh ( my birthplace) was singing his face off. I was smitten from the get go. I waited with anticipation each week to see his performance..I really fell when he sang TLS. I remember going to the store & got home too late & missed his performance. I cried like a baby. The look on hubby's face was priceless. He was beginning to think he had created a monster!! As it got closer to the end I began to feel AI wasn't going to let him win. The Ruben pimping was just too obvious. After it was over I was depressed for weeks. Hubby said I needed an intervention. He found me one. 2nd row seats to the AI concert in Charlotte. I was really a goner after that. Didn't know about the boards during the show. I learned about them from the lady sitting beside me that there were boards on the net solely for Clay.

OMG!! I couldn't find them fast enough!! I never saw the sexxy when he was on the show. Just thought he was adorable. Don't remember exactly when it hit me, but Oh Mama, when it did, I jumped from the frying pan into the fire!! It has been a wonderful ride, even with all the ups & downs along the way. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.!! Especially the Clay friends I have made along the way. I hope we are all sitting here years from now still waiting with anticipation as we continue on this wonderful journey with Clay!!

I have 2 tickets I need to get rid of for the Holiday Skating Show- They are FREE!! Just pm me with your address & I'll mail them to you asap!! I posted this at CV this AM & so far no takers. Come on you know you wanna go, somebody, anybody!!

Just catching up there's been so much to read these days with all the wonderful news!! I wanted to chime in regarding those who feel bad because they can't attend concerts, Broadway etc do to whatever reason. Yes, it seems like "everyone" is going when you read the boards & you can feel the excitement but feel left out when you can't go. My DH died April. 06. He required a lot of care due the nature of his illness. He encouraged me to go see Clay as we live in Clayland & it didn't mean days away etc. I rarely went because I felt like I needed to be home as every moment left with him was precious. I had to share my Clay joy thru those who attended, wonderful clack etc. Sometimes real life just has to come first. I had to put my big girl panties on & do what was right. After he died I found a birthday card he had bought in advance & the only words inside were " I hope you dance". This is my wish for Clay in regard to his career. Yes, I'm able to go see Clay when I want to now, but what I wouldn't give to not go to concerts because the reason for not going still existed.