claytonic

aikim At my local library, I've noticed fewer and fewer people browsing the bookshelves. Now they're at the computer section, browsing the net.... spikesmom When I discovered audio books, I couldn't get enough of them because it meant that I could "read" while I was doing tedious things like cleaning or ironing or even taking the laundry out to my solar-powered clothes dryer ... Bookwhore Thanks for mentioning that, it is definitely on my WANTED list but I am not in a hurry for it yet because I still love turning the pages of a "real" book! I feel rather "sorry" for today's kids, some of them consider reading a chore, something they HAVE to do as homework rather than something to look forward to. I won't tolerate literary snobs either - I spoke two other languages before I spoke a word of English and Enid Blyton just so happened to be the author of the first book I read in English and, after that, there was no stopping me. I am grateful to EB for making a difference at a time when it counted. As a child, I was not able to fall asleep unless I had something to read first. oh and Bookwhore, this remains my favorite post in the LAUGHTER thread: When I hear the saying "the best things in life are free", I always think of the library, it is the most wonderful environment and in my next life, I am definitely coming back as a librarian. ETA: For anyone who doesn't like dogs, look what you're missing... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB0R0yYww_c

Do you mean that there are actually some fans who still believe the FBM? :o Surely not!!! That would be totally bizarre! For fans of The Beatles and Rolling Stones New pics found

...and what if the kitchen catches fire...? OUCH! Got any pics of you with a can of paint on your head? I tried my best to be a good Clay fan by watching ANTM but I hated every moment of it. I couldn't stand those plastic looking wannabes. I don't mind Tyra's show, at least I loved the interview Clay did (boy did she ever fancy him) on The Tyra Show but I just can't stand ANTM. I'd rather watch paint dry... on Fear's head ... OK, hope you have that camera ready to record that landmark event in his life, when he lifts his leg for the first time to let the world know he's a BOY! For Leonard Cohen fans. He told Bob Dylan it took him 2 years to write Hallelujah, but that was a porky-pie because he was embarrassed to tell Dylan how long it really took!! Hallelujah - a song with a life of its own ETA: HM, interesting, the FOUR I chose were in the Top 6. EATA: PerusingOne

Oh look, headoverheels is actually posting! :laola0: Hey I should be thanking you for being the reassurance that someone other than myself is actually using the Glossary. I am truly hopeless with acronyms and so hopeless that even though I update the Glossary, I am frequently having to quietly refer to it. The person who should be thanked is annabear ... I've often had to ask her what this and that means or stands for and she never fails to reply in a flash, so quickly that sometimes I wonder if she really does have a full-time job + studies + being a single mom to two cats and now a new puppy that's the cutest thing on earth. Either she's telling "porky pies" about all that or, more than likely, she's the perfect example of the saying "if you want something done, ask a busy person. The others don't have time". Porky pies? Sorry, that's not in the Glossary but it's popular Aussie rhyming slang ... it has absolutely no relation to either pork or pie. For example, if someone says they're on the dog and bone, it means they are on the 'phone. LOL yes, I have to admit it is weird and I don't get it most of the time either! For anyone ELSE thinking about expanding their family, lookee lookee what I got in an email today... http://todaysfunnybone.googlepages.com/2questions

I thought the two sisters getting Clay's autograph tattooed on their shoulder was a bit extreme... until I saw this:

Last week, I was at the library and while waiting for someone, I browsed through the DVD shelf and borrowed a couple of old I Love Lucy DVDs. One episode in particular was so funny, I couldn't stop laughing. My favorite was probably Mary Tyler Moore and, dare I admit it.... The Brady Bunch!!!!! I also loved Father Knows Best and Marcus Welby MD. There are probably a few more that will come to mind later but I truly loved those shows. Not sure I could watch them all again as I am now easily bored with many sitcoms but some of them were very entertaining back in the day. One show I still love to watch re-runs of is The Nanny. I thought their scripts were hilarious and what a great cast, especially Sylvia the mother and Niles the butler and CC! Oh and I loved grandma Yetta too! ETA: Gibby, thanks for the pics, I particularly love the last one. I love them all really. If I am to have a least favorite, it is probably the album cover for OMWH. I didn't recognize Clay when i first saw it or maybe it is the blond hair!

I am a sucker for a puppy, any puppy. Although I hate seeing puppies and kittens in a pet shop window because I hate it that they are sold that way, I cannot resist going up to them to have a peek, even if they are fast asleep. I have also received tons of cute pics of puppies and kittens over the years on the net because everyone who knows me knows I love them. Now, having said that, I honestly and truly cannot remember a single pic of any puppy (including my own) that is as adorably cute as your Gnocchi. Really and truly, those eyes, that face absolutely melts me! I had sneakily saved the one of him watching sports on TV because initially THAT was the cutest pic, the expression on his face.... but now I steal all these as well. Um, is there any copyright breach.... If I were one of you cats, I'd be pretty miffed about sharing my space with something that cute...

Another reason for inclusion rather than segregation. Worth watching, very inspiring. I wish Clay could watch this, I am sure he'd love it. Watch the video here: http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunday-night/video/-/watch/12266004/

Lotus, thank you so much! I love Leonard Cohen even more now, I'll never forget what he did for Australia. It always seems to take a tragedy to show up a person's true colors, it's sad fact of life.

Oh, the horror!!!!!!! To have to explain something to a child instead of waiting until that child gets his opinions and feelings shaped by strangers, like other people's kids at school!And one of the comments on the page - Oh, how DARE a person with a disability appear as just part of life! They should only take jobs where they are hidden away, so as not to offend! Accepting disabilities is a social issue? WTF????? And to force a parent to actually have to shape a child's opinion! Hope Clay ends up with a great name for TBAF- and I honestly had never ever thought that an issue for inclusion would be that parents wanted to shield their children from other children with disabilities, so they wouldn't have to talk about it. That father is a complete idiot. Every parent needs to be ready for all the "difficult" questions raised by children WHEN they raise them, and for opportunities to answer or address important issues as they arise, just as it did with this situation of a person with a disability, although I don't much like that word. The answers don't have to be detailed, simply age-appropriate. This father doesn't seem to realize the real world doesn't operate on his schedule. These days, extremely young kids are seeing things on TV and/or in their immediate environment that is way beyond their grasp, but that's the world they live in now, and they have to be prepared for it, just as they are sooo prepared for the level of technology that was unheard of just 20 years ago. Of course you can't really compare social issues to technological advancement but the point is that you can't raise a child of the 3rd millenium the same way as a child of 20th century. I love HYCA. Clay gave it special mention in something I saw, can't remember what but I felt he loved the song. I always loved Dolly Parton's version but I now prefer Clay's.

That is so true, people are too quick to make ASSumptions about people they don't know, and when unsure, should be given the benefit of the doubt. However, when it comes from someone who has no excuse, absolutely no excuse to NOT know what's totally inappropriate, then she should not be allowed to get away with it. e.g. Carol Thatcher - a woman of her age and background, she needs to be taken to task. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/artic...--BaSk0RQgApmFQ I know an older woman who sometimes longs for the good ol' days where everyone could say what they wanted without having to worry about being politically incorrect and ending up in hot water, in other words, she longed for days when ignorance was bliss. I tend to agree with Wayne Dyer who likes to use the orange analogy - if you squeeze an orange, you get orange juice. Carol Thatcher's squeeze produced her "true colors", so to speak.

Fear losing weight slowly is the healthiest way to do it, no doubt you know that! Looks like you have a sound plan though, i.e. knowing how to save calories to earn your treats!!!! I know someone who has just quit drinking and smoking at the same time, and to my utter amazement she has lost weight simply because she was very conscious of her calorie intake. I don't do any special exercises because I am physically active and I consider that my exercise.

I have always wanted to spend time in the middle-east. I had a stopover years ago and have thought about it ever since. I am not religious but I am fascinated by its spiritual hub, and the very irony of it. The only other place I would like to visit again is Phnom Penh, yet I am not sure why. I have very vivid memories of it. I received an amazing .wmv file showing the 24 hr World Air Traffic. I looked for it on YouTube, and here it is: Watch it for the full 1.12 minute duration, look at the amount of traffic between the USA and Europe!!!

Did you see the news about the latest findings regarding alcohol being carcinogenic, particularly for women? Apparently, men metabolize alcohol differently to women, and for a woman, even drinking a glass of red wine per day to benefit her heart health will present a risk to cancer. The show I saw said that a woman was better off finding other ways to protect her heart health. If you Google alcohol+cancer you will see a ton of stuff from the last 24 hours or so. Suits me since I don't drink at all, even though I did try the one-glass-of-red with dinner until I started to really hate it. (I have never been keen on alcohol, and it never ceases to amaze me when someone says "oh, you haven't tried good wine". I had the best imported French wines from when I was fairly young, I just didn't care for the taste or effects of alcohol, and I am sure glad about that!

I used to be really good at remembering everyone's birthdays, anniversaries and even other people's dog's birthday. Years ago, I shocked the parents of an old school friend when I sent them flowers on their 25th wedding anniversary. They couldn't get over how I remembered as they lived in another state and I hadn't seen any of them for years. (It was a special effort as I just never forgot their hospitality and kindness when I stayed with them to attend another school friend's wedding). I still remember many birthdays but only by email. I create the emails and have them in a folder and finalise it to send a day or so before their birthday. Sometimes I forget to check the folder but that's because of a senior moment**. I don't send flowers anymore, if someone has died, I tell the family I have made a donation to (say) the Heart Foundation, that's whether or not they ask for it instead of flowers. I don't care, I refuse to spend money on flowers when it can be used for medical research. Sorry to people in the floral business but paying a lot of money for something that lasts for a couple of days, and then is thrown into the trash, I just can't come to terms with that, and i can barely hide my annoyance when someone gives me flowers (unless it came from their garden). **Nearly forgot to say.. if I forget to check the birthday folder and am late for their birthday, I simply tell them I remembered their birthday twice, once too early and once too late.... FromClaygary I hope you don't mind... I have included your explanation for Clack Unlimited's downloading rule in the Glossary. If you check it (top right of the screen) and look for CU and click on more, you will see what I put (just added a little bit of formatting) and I have credited you for the explanation. It is a good explanation so I figured it was a keeper since there will always be someone who may not quite understand "what and why". I am a 'why' person as well, because I find it hard to remember something unless I understand why it is so.

luckiest1, in summer, I freeze portions of ripe banana, mango, etc and toss them frozen into a blender with soya milk for an ice-cold smoothie. (I add other goodies like lecithin, nuts, flax and chia seed, if I need it to be a healthy meal). I also freeze grapes and use them instead of ice-cubes, they don't water down a drink, and are great to use in a glass of white wine, to keep it chilled in warm weather. That's if you drink. I don't drink 'cos I'm a freak. But I eat chocolate so that makes me normal... but then chocolate is a health food .. I also make a terrible mess and that is why I like to cook in bulk and freeze portions because that's just one mess and it takes care of multiple meals.

Fat-destroying ice cream? :nana: Watch the video here: My meal doesn't taste quite right if I don't have a lot of chillies with it. Maybe that's what's allowing me to have my Tim Tam binges without gaining weight.

YES.... in fact I only just checked with a friend on Skype and he is also having the same problem. This is the first time I've had a problem with Gmail in all the years I have used it... I had one of the early Beta accounts. ETA: Gmail is back up again. It was down for about 20 minutes or so, I think ... at least that is how long I was trying for, periodically. Was Beyonce Lip-Synching At Oscars? SNIP <While Jackman's breathing and laughter could be heard at times during the performance and he appeared to be singing live (as did the rest of the cast), Beyoncé's vocals seemed to be mimed.> Someone told me the only reason he watched the Oscars was for Beyonce. The only reason I watched Beyonce singing was because she was in the same "frame" as Hugh Jackman. Otherwise I would have been messing around on my laptop while she was on, like i was doing when the ads were on. The one good thing I can say about her (and Jennifer Hudson and Q Latifah) is that they are proud of their bodies and are fabulous role models as a result. I personally think they look miles better than those stick-people strutting the red carpet.

Happy birthday, Tribeca... Click here for your message from Clay I was under the impression that CU wanted us to download rather than stream. Is this correct?

OMG Sean Penn won!! Haven't seen the movie but he deserves it anyway!!! ETA: That's only the second time EVER that an Oscar has been awarded posthumously (Heath Ledger). Ironically, the first was to Peter Finch, also an Aussie, for the movie - Network. I knew I was missing someone ... and I suddenly realize it is Tom Cruise. Both his ex-wife and ex-GF were on stage but he was nowhere to be seen.

I've been watching as well, I wasn't going to miss these awards. I couldn't stop crying when Heath's family accepted the award. I feel so sad about him, they may be celebrating his career as they SHOULD but I keep thinking about his daughter who will only ever know her father from his performances and of course from what the family tells her. Did you know Baz put together that tribute to musicals? Well, the record companies would be in crisis. The economic downturn is temporary (however long that is) for most industries but record labels have to change their terms with artists because they just aren't making money in record sales without massive, costly marketing - I believe that is how Leona Lewis was able to achieve the success she has had, and she isn't naive, she knows that without Simon's marketing machine, it wouldn't have happened quite at that level, Simon spared nothing for Project Leona. She said as much about Alexandra Burke who won XF 2008, she said with Simon in her corner, Alex can't fail. Touring/live music is what will thrive when the economy recovers and they are going to want to get their 'cut' somehow otherwise they'd go out of business. Perhaps they will get involved in concert promotions and co-ordinate and manage the tours rather than have independent promoters continue to do it. I am speculating here, I've been wondering how they would survive in the business in a general sense, not even anything to do with Clay. Technology is so sophisticated now that artists are recording their own music, for example, in someone's spare bedroom that has ALL the equipment, and churning out high quality CDs, designing their own label and inlay, and marketing directly via itunes and MySpace, accepting PayPal and CC for direct purchases etc. Clay could do the same, he'd have access to everything he needs to produce music. It's the mass marketing that is a challenge because it involves expensive advertising and being seen/heard via various mediums. And if Clay isn't interested in attending all the parties and events that industry people go to, that doesn't help. Many true artists don't have the Paris Hilton's gene, they simply need to perform the way they need air to breathe, they aren't interested in parties and getting their faces all over the media. It's a crappy industry for people who simply want the artistic aspect without having to do the BS stuff. Now, I have no clue what Clay does or doesn't do but that's the gist of how the business works. It's a very visual business and the "product" (i.e. the artist) needs to be visible because music fans, more than ever, have so much to choose from. There are still artists making pots of money and those artists are the ones that tour extensively with massive productions, it isn't just their voices, every gig is an event. That's why Simon wanted Alexandra Burke to win XF, he said she was more versatile than Leona; who doesn't move much on stage. Alex sings and moves on stage like Beyonce, Kylie, Madonna etc. Alexandra has signed a 4.4 million, 5 album deal with Epic, which is part of Sony. Alex will be recording in the USA when she is finished with the XF tour. Oh gees I got carried away but there you go, that's what I been wondering about the industry in general, not just Clay.

When y'all are watching the Oscars shortly, please don't forget that the host, Hugh Jackman, is officially the current SexiestManAlive and... Unlike Mel Gibson who was actually born in the USA Unlike Nicole Kidman who was actually born in the USA Unlike Olivia Newton-John who was actually born in the UK Unlike Russell Crowe who was born actually in New Zealand Unlike the Bee Gees who were born actually in the UK ....this hawt, sizzling babe was actually home-grown Down Under ETA: Baz Lurhman (who has been helping Hugh Jackman) just told our guy (covering the red carpet for Oz) that Hugh is doing a couple or so numbers, and one of them is with Beyonce. If you don't know who Baz is, he made "Moulin Rouge" and also the recent movie "Australia". His wife - Catherine Martin - is nominated for best costume design for "Australia". They were just saying that much of the audience won't know the extent of Hugh's talent... I don't know if any of you saw him on Broadway - The Boy from Oz. He won a Tony for that. Heath Ledger's family are in the audience. If he wins the Oscar for Supporting Actor, they will accept the award and keep it in trust for his daughter.

Have you read the book "Dreamgirls" by Mary Wilson? I couldn't put it down, I then read everything I could find on Berry Gordy. Of course, the book is from Mary's perspective, but some of the stuff about Florence Ballard was... interesting and scary... even if only half of what Mary said was true, it painted a certain kind of picture of Gordy. Of course, Berry's very close friend Smokey Robinson (who named his own son after Berry) was furious at the way the Berry Gordy character (played by Jamie Foxx) was depicted in the movie Dreamgirls. Anyway, if Clay's happy, I'm happy. Maybe I will forever remain the only person in the fandom who has never seen him live but I can live with that because I have his CDs, I have his YT stuff on tap and I have all those DVDs you sent me which are more carefully stored away than anything else I have on disk. Que sera sera ... djs111: Maybe the word "stubborn" has stronger implications to you than it does for me. As a stubborn person myself (albeit less so now that I am older), I just think it is part of my personality that works in my favor sometimes, and doesn't at other times. When it isn't my friend, I just think about it and learn from it. It's just a part of life. I don't think anything I have been stubborn about has resulted in something terrible. I just made bad decisions at times. We all do.

There is no thought on my mind that he would have seriously compromised his career due to that level of stubbornness, but I understand stubbornness, yet I couldn't have done what he did even as a teenager, the worst time of my stubbornness. Maybe you're right and he exaggerated his stubbornness, but I can't speculate on that, I can only go by what he said happened. And yes, every single person in this fandom is subjective to varying degrees, because that is what people do if they are "attached" to Clay the way we are. For my part, this is all just hot air blowing around and we can analyze all we want because if that is what gets us through another day in this fandom, then so be it, it isn't going to kill anyone and those who are annoyed by it, don't read it, no one is forced to read another person's post. Besides, none of this analyzing is going to affect or influence Clay, he has a mind of his own and he has a network of people who will guide and advise him. His experience in teaching special needs children has been, I believe, invaluable to him. It would have given him the tools to deal with unexpected situations. I think it also gave him the capacity to deal with the kind of people who are much more difficult to handle than any special needs child. He's not perfect but he can take care of himself. At the end of the day, he's still singing to me, and not worrying me at all, because I am not conceited enough as to think that he needs me to worry about him.

Bureaucracy is idiotic, it needed to be publicized so that it could be given special consideration. It was overturned, they now have permanent residency. Now, I loved meat, I ate hamburgers all the time. But because she challenged me, I snottily announced that I was, in fact, a vegetarian. And here's the stubborn part, I didn't eat meat for two years. Clay Aiken, LTS. Clearly that was a long time ago, when he was still a minor, and no doubt he has matured but having a "stubborn gene" can sometimes be "disability". I know that because it used to paralyze me as a child and a young adult. I am obviously much better now about compromising but when I am not the mood, old habits take over! It is a weird thing, being stubborn, you KNOW it is dumb, but you can't quite budge, as least that was how I used to be.