spikesmom

You know, I was going to skip going over to the OFC to read Jaymes' posts, but after reading here, I had to mosey over there and check it out. Thanks to those who posted the number for the long one, it saved me tons of time! And man oh man, I think, no, I know I'm a little in love with her too! I know the line is pretty long now, but I'll wait my turn... Good for her for laying it on the line and speaking her peace! Wanda - love your post about lies... so very, very true... funny how some people can't seem to put it into perspective, huh? He never should have been asked those personal questions but apparently nowadays, anyone can ask anyone else anything and be entitled to the answer, doncha know? What a world. And cindilu2 - I went to NYC in 2007 and earlier this year for Spam, both times going to Ground Zero. It was just as moving an experience this year as last. Very, very moving. My son and I just watched a special (I think it was last week) that had video of 9/11 from people "on the street" - it was very powerful, very moving, and brought back a lot of the feelings I remember from watching the whole thing unfold on 9/11. I was actually traveling that day for work - it was a surreal experience - something that you just never forget... stuff like that sure puts the drama at the OFC even more into perspective for me...

wanda - I love that you are a woman of few words but that they are always meaningful... and this? Just made me laugh out loud very loudly!!!

Eh, tell them to get over themselves...

BWAH!!! I usually get my copy on Thursdays which is the day I believe it hits the stands...

Yeah...me too. But I also accept that it is was always his decision to say, that I would believe what he chose to tell me about himself until he chose to tell me differently. Yes, me too.

Yup, this would be me also. I don't mind hearing about it (the facts, not the extrapolation ad nauseum) but since I can't control what's happening with it, I'm also not going to beat my head against a wall if it doesn't sound "perfect" and it won't make him into "rock star superstar most popular entertainer of all the ages Clay Aiken"... Clay can be in charge of his own life and where it goes. I'm just along for the ride.

Cotton - OUCH!!! So glad to hear that you're OK. Even though it doesn't sound like it was much fun, it could have been so much worse. And it sounds like something I would have done too! Happy Birthday aikim!!! Yup, I think it will be safest to stick around here those two days... It will be dangerous out there I do believe. It will be interesting to say the least. I don't know that I have any expectations as to what he'll talk about - I think I'll go into it expecting nothing and let it be whatever it will be. Definitely keeps me saner (that does not look right! probably should be more sane?) and my fandom in a happy place...

I thought James' blog was fine. I've read his blog on and off since it was first discovered and I didn't see anything in this one that was much different than how he's reported on other things. I actually enjoy his blog when I take a minute to read it. He makes a point to find out about the city he's in, visit some sites and shares pics and info with you. He always gives props to his dresser. He seems to be a thoughtful man. And I wouldn't be surprised to hear that some Clay fans don't realize that there is anyone else on the stage.. ;-) In my two shows, I was a bit surprised at the screaming for every little thing Clay did or said... at one point, I really did think it was overkill. Hard to hear the next line... Yes, bring enthusiasm - absolutely - but scream for e.v.e.r.y l.i.t.t.l.e t.h.i.n.g - not so much. JMO I did have a chance to see James' Sir Robin when he was here in Milwaukee and it was the same month that I saw Clay (Clay early April, James end of the month). James' take is different which is to be expected. I actually thought he did a fine job. His scream was very abrupt - forced - not as natural, but overall, I thought he did fine. If I hadn't seen Clay first, I probably wouldn't have thought anything about James' performance to be lacking. I do feel that Clay is a better Sir Robin - maybe it's his facial expressions - how he plays the character - he brings a joy to the part that shows. So I imagine, as Cotton said, it's probably hard to see someone else play your part and do it well - especially someone who is not Broadway born and bred. A thin-skinnned performer might not have been as nice in their review. Hey, aikim, glad the wedding went so well - thanks for sharing pics - they are lovely. I went to my niece's wedding shower this afternoon, wedding is next month (Gala day). I just don't know where the time went and how she grew up so fast to be 26 and getting married... dang I feel old!

Amen!!! Life is way too short to waste time on people who simply do not matter. And man, that's way too expensive a trip to waste like that!

I've read a lot of his earlier work and I do like him but then I didn't read much when my son was little/growing up (well, besides reading his kind of books to him!)... not a lot of time when you work full time... so I put my reading aside for quite a few years (and I really missed it)... I need to go back and pick up some of his stuff and catch up with him... and I'd have to say the only book I've read so far that I really didn't care for was Wicked... I made myself finish it but I just didn't enjoy it... can't even really say why, it just didn't do it for me... but I love to read and can spend waaaaay too much time buried in a good book... usually several a week now... God bless our library system because I'd be living in my van if I had to buy all the books I read...

Well... I like baseball, but I have to admit, it's not my favorite sport. I am a fan, they're the hometown team for me after all, and I follow what's going on but not "closely"... I much prefer to crawl into a comfy chair with a good book...

I'm in Milwaukee. And yes, flowers! If I'm going to indulge, I'm going for broke!!! And love the pics - he looks good...

Happy Birthday ldyjocelyn!!! Happy Anniversary aikim and Mr. aikim!!!! And that cake sounds yummmmmmmmy!!!! Send a piece to the north please!

you are freakin' kidding me. I mailed on Saturday. Couchie - got my pins today too! Verra verra niiiice!! Thanks!

Jaycee - you said a mouthful here... and I totally agree with you. I've always admired that Clay wasn't willing to sell himself out for a "cool" career. Twenty years from now, he still has to be able to look himself in the mirror and he should be proud of who he sees (and IMO, he will be). I don't think being cool and having fame are worth much when it comes time to take an accounting of one's life and how it's been lived.

DANG!!! TOO LATE!!!!

{{{{{muskifamily}}}}} Cotton - good for you! Very well written letter... it's really sad how things have changed... I find that I don't watch many, in fact, rarely any, of those shows any more... First "gray" hair... 13... Mom found it and thought it was hysterical (she was coloring her hair at the time!)... when I was in my early 20s, I ran into someone I went to HS with and she wondered how I had it done - she thought I was highlighting or some such.... didn't start coloring my hair until I was edging right up to 40... now I'm starting to think about going natural again, whatever that may actually turn out to be... my "gray" hair was actually silver so I'm hoping it might actually look nice if I let it go... it's figuring out how to gracefully go natural versus having the skunk stripe cuz that would be soooooo attractive!

Ho ho's, oh yes!!! And sometimes, snoballs... mmmmmm..... especially the colored ones... yes, I'm still 12....

Welcome to all the new members!!! Cop a squat and stay awhile!!! You'll like it here!!!

djs and cotton - I'll just WORD your posts - it's so much easier when someone else says it first!!! Hee. couchie - cute doggie!!! Fear - I agree with aikim - Wicked is amazing! I've seen it twice (both times in Chicago) and am planning to go at least once more some time (no date set just know I want to see it again!)... while I love to read, I didn't care for the book, it was excruciating to read for me, like pulling teeth, although I made myself finish it... but the show = fantastic!!! and yes, the little connections to the Wizard of Oz are a hoot! Kandre - congrats on your "big" win... and to you and Scarlett - love your posts on your trip - they're fun to read and the pictures have been great too.. it's so much fun to see Hong Kong, et al, thru your eyes! Thanks for sharing!!

Got my e-mail and it didn't even hit my spam folder!!! couchie - the ordering was so easy!! Thanks for making it that way!! cindilu - love the pins - they look great! and let me second merrieeee with a BIG ME TOO!!! K'Andre and Scarlett - love your trip re-caps and pics - thanks and keep 'em comin'!!! And thanks to all who posted pics today... what a nice place to be... :F_05BL17blowkiss:

(((((iseeme))))) so sorry to hear about your mil... I do hang up some things on hangers and I have one of those little drying stands so I can "line dry" some stuff but I do it all indoors... no outdoor lines at our house and I've been too lazy to even give it more than a passing thought... I didn't grow up with the habit so I think that has something to do with it... and there's only one neighbor that I know of who does hang things outside... I agree with claytonic - putting it up wouldn't be so bad, but remembering to take it down... I like throwing a load of towels, socks, etc. in and just going to bed... it will be there when I get to it next! Forgot, I just got back from our local farmer's market - it's set up at the lakefront every Saturday a.m. - I either had something else going on, it was raining or I just forgot, but finally made my way down there today... wow, it was nice... quite a few farmers out with some good looking stuff - much better than what I've been seeing in the store lately - and the prices were fair... also several local coffee houses, some bakeries, honey/jelly/soup people, a couple of local restaurants making breakfast (pancakes, paninis, etc.) and one with tamales! - it was like a fair! Lots of dogs and a couple of cute older women with a "dog watering" station - lots of dog bowls and water for our four legged friends... a really nice crowd of people and a constant flow in and out...

cindilu2 - I definitely want two! Verra nice!!!

{{{{{Cotton}}}}} so sorry to hear about your job... I was almost 31 when my son was born and I mostly remember being tired a lot the first eight weeks... I slept when he slept, and I had him in our bed too - sometimes I was just too tired not to... I felt like I slept, nursed, slept, nursed... I know I did more than that, but dang... some days it took extra energy to drag my butt into the shower... I do remember holding him A LOT... I just loved holding him in my arms and rocking him and singing to him in a voice that only he could have loved... I never believed that you could spoil your baby by holding them too much... didn't compute to me... I think I was a more mellow mother by being older because I know me... but I can tell you, it might have been easier to be younger energy-wise... I might have gotten more showers in!!

And this one makes me bust out laughing too because even if this is snark, I think if anyone could get away with it, someone would sure try!!!