gbmifan

I agree the Gala was wonderful. This was the first year going to the Friday night activity, and I loved it. Our table was right next to Clay so in able to see DJ I had to look in Clay's direction. My friend who was not going to attend because of financial situation was gifted a Sat. ticket and loved it. Now to save enough to go next year. I am committed two weekends in Oct/Sept. so I am hoping it does not fall on either one. I loved the songs and knowing I will probably never be able to go to a private concert I was so thrilled to hear him sing. The last song made me tear up. I miss the voice so much!!

Just enjoying all the photos that were posted. Still reading here everyday just not much to say. Went on my bike tour(the 4th one this summer) and only rode the first two days. It rained alot and if I do not have to I will not ride in the rain. Was feeling lost because of no wifi so my husband felt sorrow for me and used his phone as a hot spot. At least I was able to keep up with anything going on.

Getting anxious for the Gala, really miss his voice and for the first time I am going to the Founders night on Friday. I know he is not singing but it will be great to hear him talk and get my picture taken with him. I have only been that close and that was when they did pictures for Broadway Cares during Spamalot. I have never had a M & G. I saved all year to go and this maybe the only time I can.

• merrieeee's: Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
  

Just saw on CV that merrieeee's husband is NOT doing well at all. I'm sure she would want any spare prayers/good thoughts headed her way...and I'll be the first to send them....

I am here reading everyday and am so sad to hear about her DH not doing well. Will keep her and her DH in my prayers.

Still here, loving all the articles and pictures.

I will be attending the Gala this year. Anyone else going?

My friend who usually goes with me will not be going unless she can change her DH mind. We always have such a great time and I will miss her.

I was in Vermont skiing all week when he announced. We had taken Wed. off because of the storm and because we were in the condo all day I was able to follow along all day. My internet came and went over the week but I got to see most of the video and articles.

The blog tonight was so touching. I know I will miss the voice so much but I am so proud of him and still love him abunch

Woke up to the announcement in my e-mails. I am excited for him but still a little sad that I will not hear that voice again.

He sounded so sincere and knowlegeable on the video. Hey! Can I say he looked wonderfull.

Gosh I need a drink! Oh wait I don't drink!

Ok I'll pop some popcorn.

Well, I do not usually drink but I think I could use one. I have no problem with the private concerts. I can not afford it but do not take away from those who can. I really believe if he could of pulled off some concerts that all could attend he would have. Then again no matter what if he could only had done a handfull not everyone could of made it and we would of heard how he did not go to the right areas. I think no matter what he does people will complain. I am easy and know that even if he had done something for all with my work schedule I probably would not be abel to attend. I would not be upset at him. Some of the posting has been very selfish and childish. I understand wanting to see him again because he may never sing to us again but it is what it is. I so not want closure at this time because I am leaving myself open to the thought that if he does not win maybe he will sing again. We just do not know what his plans are. I am here and not going anywhere.

Merrieee so sorry to hear about your husband. Hospitals suck. Hugs.

Spent the entire day packing up my house. Geeze, it's not fun and my mom is under the weather so she's no help. Besides I'll have to look through all of her boxes as she seems to be trying to take a lot of junk to our new place. Me on the other hand I have been quite good at letting go of stuff. Remember I was a major soap opera junkie at one time and I finally tossed the last remnants of that fandom. So it's now 5 days and counting. I'm off New years Day and I'm taking off Friday so I'm feeling good about getting everything done after almost having a melt down today. My sister and brother in law came over this afternoon and helped me get things a bit more organized.

As for Clay when it is all said and done I will finally know what my favorite stuff is. 2 Clay drawings (one of him in Good News mode), my autographed Spam poster which I will finally frame and hang, page of clay stamps, all the tour books, one of each cd and my autographed LTS and my hundreds of pins. My beautiful display case ull of Clay pins broke so I had to remove them all and I'll have to buy a new one. Once I replace I'll have a bunch of duplicate pins whch I'll give away as well. The one thing I haven't been able to find is the taped Broadway Cares easter bonnet show that I attended. Hopefully it will turn up.

If you find the Broadway Cares and want to get rid of it let me know. I ordered one with my concert friend and either it never arrived or her hubby got the mail and misplaced it but we never found it. I have always wanted to see it. If you decide you want to keep it I understand. At this point if I had to get rid of some of my things I would have a hard time. I do not think my family has any idea how much is in my desk and around it in a cabinet. I think they would really think I lost it (I have enjoyed every minute of my crazyiness!!)

I am not worried at this time about Clay, whatever he is going to do I will support. I still feel that alot of his fans are overreacting.

If I can the Independent Tour Book, Not a Tour Book 2004, and People X-tra about Season 2. Whatever postage is let me know and i will send you a check.

Had to split up our Christmas celebrations this year so it was different. Could not get the kids on the same page. My oldest and family were here on Christmas Eve mid day. We had a lunch then open presents with them,then my son drove his family to the airport to go to Florida to have Christmas with her parents. My son had to stay home and work. My DIL called later to say the two little ones ages 4 and 2 did great on the plane. She also commented you can fit three in the planes bathroom and it is necessary. Yesterday we went to my youngest sons house and we talked my oldest son to go with us. I told him he was not spending Christmas alone. It was great and their little one was having so much fun. My middle child is in Denver. He called last night after he got back from snowboarding. He had dinner at my nieces house who has relocated their with Southwest. I was glad he had somewhere to go. His girlfriend went home to Arizona but he had to work so could not go. Now we are both off work for the rest of the week. I think we are going skiing today.

Hopefully will hear from Clay after the new year. I miss him. Have been watching clack. Love my Christmas concerts.

I also am missing some things since I came into the online fan stuff not until late 2004

Is it just me who is completely addicted to watching the Arsenio performance? I think I watched it 4 or 5 times yesterday. It's still running around in my head, it's the first thing I hear when I gain consciousness in the morning. I've read that some people (gasp) disliked it! I think, for me, it's always been about the voice, first & foremost, and it's seriously like a drug, I go into withdrawal if I don't hear it. So that little hit just got me going again the other day. Now I want more. I may have to break out some clack later on today when I finally sit down again.

This is me. I have watched it many times. I loved his singing and I do not get those fans who are so critical and have made statements how he did not sound good. I for one would love one appearance where everything is not picked apart. I was looking forward to this and it did not disappoint me.

Going to wrap presents this am and watch one of my Christmas videos probably Kalamazoo. I watched St. Charles last week and loved it!

Still reading here everyday, just not much to say. It is cold outside and we started skiing already, so I have had patrol plus working full time. I have gotten most of my baking done and placed in freezer. Telling my husband to keep his fingers off of the cookies. My son from Denver came home for 1.5 days. Came in late Tues. night, home for Wed.(we had Thanksgiving that night), then my hubby and him went to the Lions game, and afterwards my hubby dropped him off at the airport. He could not stay longer because he manages a Verizon store and had to be there for early morning opening. He called us at 10:15pm and said he had just landed in Denver. He follows the Lions like I follow Clay. He has seen over half of their games live this year. My husband commented the apple does not fall far from the tree and he now know were he get his craziness. I reminded him I only see Clay once or twice a year if he is touring and maybe the Gala.her My son told us if the Lions make the playoff in January he will be traveling home again. His Birthday is in January, maybe we can help him out a little. Oh, to be single and not to have many other financial responsibilities.

My family calls me Laura Engles, Little House on the Prairie. I have two tv's both on digital converter boxes and an outside antenae. I do have DSL, but I do not have a smart phone, and do not do facebook. I also have a phone that does not text. We just decided we do not need all the expense if we are going to retire soon. I keep up with most things and my sons know that if I call them they better answer or call back.

I guess reading around I do not feel what alot of the fans feel as far as the last song being goodbye. I was there and the beauty of his voice was so great and I was emmotional when he was singing but because I thought it as a thank you to us. The fans pictures above him was going, even though I was looking more at him then those. I also am not a negative person so I am in the wait and see car. I am thinking positive because that is just me. I so not want to lose that voice but it is not my life and wish him well. I have to say my friend did not see it as a goodbye but was so angry he only sang one song that she turned to me and told me he hates his fans because he did not deliver what was promised. I tried to reason with her and did say he never said how many songs he was going to sing, we just expected them.(It did not help that the only Gala I was at was in 2011 when he sang many). I told her I rather have one beautiful song then three I have heard many times. We finally agreed to disagree and leave it at that. I had such a good time with the people I met(It was a great girls weekend). It is the only time that I am not with my hubby, we do everything else together.

Reading some of the posts that are being made elsewhere I am bouncing between sadness and just plain anger..I cannot believe how self-important and arrogant this fandom has become..yes the fans provided the seed money for the Foundation and should be proud of that fact, but the sense of entitlement that some have because of that is just wrong. The Galas are not Clay Aiken concerts..they are events to celebrate the NIP and its accomplishments and as a bonus you get to hear Clay sing. This year in particular was special because it was the 10th anniversary and they wanted to make that extra special and have the focus on the NIP and not Clay..i do not know why fans cannot understand that. Whether the changes they made were just for this year or are going to implemented for future Galas I have no idea.

I can totally understand Jerry's frustration especially if he was bombarded with e-mails or comments from fans complaining about the music part of the Gala and I know I have seen posts since Saturday from fans complaining about that.

I agree with you, some fans are really going overboard with their comments and angst. I was there and had no problem with the songs Clay sang. I much rather have one new song then three I have heard many times. My roommate though did not agree with me. She came away really mad and said right to me that Clay must hate his fans because he did not give us what was expected. I had heard on Friday only one song and though I love to hear him I was really moved by the rest of the Gala and the fact he emceed and was on stage alot that I was ok with it. My friend kept reminding me of all the money we spent elsewhere(plane, room, meals) and I send to her if I had gone on a girls weekend I would of spent the same so the difference was the price of a ticket and I could live with that.

Even if I could bid on the hot air balloon I wouldn't..I have such a fear of heights even for Clay I couldn't do it.

Kim

It is not bad up there. I do not like being up high. I had to get up on the roof once to help my DH. Climbed the antanae and I did ok while up there but paniced when I had to come down. It took along time. I went hot air ballooning in the Rocky Mtn. and loved it. It is so beautiful from up there. We short ones do not have to worry. The basket almost came to my chin. No worry about falling out.

I don't believe that the fans bring in that much money to the NIP that if they all disappeared it would fall apart...they have to have other sources of income. It just seems very arrogant to say that "we are the NIP". I think that is problem with the fandom (not everybody) but some have gotten way too full of themselves and their importance to Clay. Yes we are important to an extent but we are not the be all and end all and I doubt that he spends 23 hours a day thinking of us. He cannot build his life and career around the fans and their wishes..sometimes those have to be put aside and decisions made that are right for him no matter what we think.

I agree with this. I know it is the majority of fans at the Gala but if Clay has a change in careers, I think they have thought of this, and maybe in the future Gala may be gone but their income will be from other avenues.

If you want to preserve your sanity do not go to CV. I have been zen about the blog, believing something good will happen and he will not be gone. Most of them are into him leaving and NIP going down the tube. I am so glad they have a crystal ball!!

After doing some reading this morning, I think I'm going to just avoid some of the boards today. Mercy!

Just back from niece's wedding and was checking the boards before we head to the reception..wish I hadn't..just makes me sad to see people who 6 weeks ago were loving Clay in Joseph and now are just so angry and bitter. He doesn't deserve that..the poor man is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

I am so sick of hearing how unclear the blog was..I thought it was pretty clear and he gave us a lot of information..I am grateful he blogged so there wouldn't be 3 months of complaining about him being in his "Man cave" (can I tell you how much I hate that phrase) and not talking to us.

It so nice to have this place to come to where there is some sanity.

Kim

I am with you. I am so tired of the negativity. How they are so mad at him and how their feelings are more important. What gets me is the ones who keep saying that their will be a cloud over the Gala and they are not sure even if they want to go. I really do not know what is wrong with them. Whatever he has decided to do we have to accept. I am praying for something I can attend but if it is not entertaining I am glad he is following his heart. I have had a great 10 years and hope it continues.

Ok I'm done. I've said my piece, but the panic is so widespread that I feel like I'm just speaking to myself. I'm going to stay here for the next little while. Please bring over anything pertinent, those who venture out!

That is what I feel like doing. I think the negativity just breeds more negativity, and I also am tired of the same people stating over and over their opinion. I refuse to believe he is gone until he comes out and says it. I am not going anywhere and will continue to support him. I am hoping for Broadway and I will figure how to get there. If he leaves us I will be thankfull for all the great times I have had and the people I have met. This has been a great 10 year ride and I am hoping for more!

Just catching up after being on my bike tour for 5 days. We did 295 miles in 5 days. We had one rain day and only rode in the afternoon and did only 36 miles. The rest of the days I did 60-72 miles.

I love that last picture of Clay and the boys. He looks so young! He has looked so happy lately.

I know I do not post much but am here everyday. Now back to laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning the motor home. Sometimes it is more tiring when you get back from a vacation.

That promo video is THE BOMB!!!!! OMG I may not get any work done today for watching it on repeat.

NEVAH!!! GUARDS, SEIZE HIM!!!

I love that line. I love the video. So feeling down because I can not go. My work schedule was already out and I could not figure out enough time to get there and back. I so hope by the end we do have some clack. I want to see this so bad.

Thanks for the Birthday wishes. Not doing much today, going to what is called a Taste of Grand Blanc tonight. About 30 different restraunts with samples. It only cost us $30 so I told my hubby he got off cheap tonight. Food is usually good.