annabear

Columbus JBT "God forbid the Clack skip around"? Oh yeah!

Hee, I think you mean Clio. And yeah, that ranks right up at the top for me, too! Or how about "playing with the wood" from the JNaT 06? And Chautauqua DCAT/SRHP tour, when the easel fell down? That was hilarious!

I know he talked about the Clack in Columbus! That must have been where he said, "Yeah, I know your words." Whatevah! I think I've laughed at every concert - he's just so damn witty and CUTE!

And speaking of "playing with the wood" there's that clip from the David Foster gala where he ends up putting his head down because he was laughing so hard!

Oh YIKES!

Oooo, that reminds me of something I saw on Food Network one time, a shop that sold nothing but Pomme Frites -- French name for French fries, and they had all kinds of spectacular sounding sauces for dipping. This place was in NYC, wish I had found it when I was there.

Me too! Sort of!

See?! Yeah - ya'll are proving my point! Can't pick a single funniest Clay moment 'cause there are sooooooo many!

Vermont as a 'city' making choir-boy Clay bust a gut? Oh yeah!

The Leno McDonald's & twistie chronicles? Oh yeah!

Charlotte NAT ornery, humping Clay? Oh yeah!

The Asheville bats & bugs? Oh yeah!

Columbus JBT "God forbid the Clack skip around"? Oh yeah!

Philly DCAT/SRHP "Now I'm a man!"/puberty? Oh yeah!

OMG!!! "Ah shaved mah leg for you..." from Kimmel - CMSU!!!

Um... I'm feeling for ya, Couchie... especially because I'm in the same boat. I'd lost 8 lbs. between my first & second helpings of Spam, but have now gained back 11.

In fact, all my discipline seems to have flown out the window lately.

Mine too. I think maybe I pushed it off the plane without a parachute.

Must.get.busy.

Narrowing down the funniest Clay moments is just about as difficult as narrowing down favorite Clay songs!

Who knew?! (tm King Arthur)

But are we still in sync? Or nomadic? Or even omnivores?

Of course. We're also passionate!

Bella

Re. the Musicpass, it's supposed to be a better quality digital download than Amazon and iTunes. And I'd also like to know what the deal was with the texting & voting for the songs that went on, of which I couldn't be a part of... *sob*

And Clay is fine. He's just fine. He's a strong, centered, balanced guy. He can handle it.

I personally do not see Clay as suffering, miserable, needy or unhappy. I think he has great spiritual strength. I think he has his priorities straight, and I think he has a great attitude about what is important in this life and this world. He has the love of family and friends, and a satisfying, fulfilling life. I think he's far better at handling the negative aspects of his life and career than many of us are at accepting these things. This is in no way intended to criticize. I just felt the need to say it.

I think Clay has progressed just fine. In fact, I'd say he's very fine! For me, part of the excitment and joy is seeing and hearing what he does next. The wheels in his mind always seem to be turning over something new. I'm willing to hang out, enjoy what we've got so far - which is more than I could ever have imagined 5 years ago! - and be surprised once again. Isn't there a lyric that goes "the best hasn't happened yet..."?

I love OMWH! To me, this is a "classic Clay Aiken song" and I mean that in the BEST way possible. I think I might have over-played it a bit while waiting for the album (hee!), but am now able to really listen & enjoy it again. I can relate to the "Standing still can make a lifetime disappear" line... Need to remember that... But I think this song really represents Clay's journey:

I’ve seen the best

I’ve seen the worst

I wouldn’t change what I’ve been through

I’ve touched the sky

I’ve hit the wall

But I did what I had to

On my way here

Where I am now

I’ve learned to fly

I have to want to leave the ground

I’ve fallen hard

But I’ve been loved

And in the end it all works out

My faith has conquered fear

On my way here

Yep. I'm not running away, but rather to, to wherever the next there might be!

I'M ALIVE!

Glad to hear it.

Thinks real hard about the FCA organization:

I think it should be:

FCA - An cynically anarco-syndicalist commune of cyclically in sync nomadic omnivores.

Yeah. I think that covers it.

There we go!

Wanted to make a correction to one of the thread title choices:

FCA - An anarco-syndicalist commune of cyclically in sync nomadic omnivores.

The term is actually "anarcho-cynicalist" -- and it's one of those things I know for no good reason.

This is funny because I've heard & seen it both ways and both make sense. Although "cynicalist" seems to be the term used most often with reference to the Holy Grail, while "syndicalist" seems to be used mostly when not necessarily related to Python. From Wikipedia:

Anarcho-syndicalism is a branch of anarchism which focuses on the labour movement.[1] Syndicalisme is a French word meaning "trade unionism" – hence, the "syndicalism" qualification. Anarcho-syndicalists view labour unions as a potential force for revolutionary social change, replacing capitalism and the State with a new society democratically self-managed by workers. Anarcho-syndicalists seek to abolish the wage system, regarding it as "wage slavery," and state or private ownership of the means of production, which they believe lead to class divisions.

Just something to fill my time this morning! Maybe we can change "cyclically" to "cynically"!

But, yep, as luckiest said, things could be worse - at least I have a job! Btw, good luck with the big boss being in town.

Thanks. Based on the way the day has already started, I'm going to need it.

Uh oh! :chair:

While I believe there are people who are sincerely troubled and sympathize, I feel there are also people who are just around to stir the turd - in the name of snark. When bitter foul insults became snark, I missed it. Guess that is why I am just not funny. There are people who hide their issues under some form of humor and there are people who feel the need to control the fandom, I think there are some who do not buy a single album and haven't for years. I have never heard them say a nice thing about a concert or a song - Did you know that some artists are better than Clay? Gasp!

There is one fan I know who finally realized that her issues with Clay had to do with her ex-husband. To her credit, she admitted it on the boards but it was hard to read her comments over the years. Another fan, a person I used to admire, was gone for several months (don't know why), but returned bitter. The tone of her posts changed from fun and up beat to not liking much if anything about what Clay does. She doesn't just state her opinion once or twice but posts repeatedly her dislike of certain things. If someone posts something positive about a song this person hates, she pops up shortly thereafter with a negative comment. These are only two examples of why I agree with your comments. People often seem to be hiding their own issues or have become obsessed with the negative. Some don't hesitate to say that they aren't buying the product. What a slap in the face to the rest of us. I would not mind them not buying something but it is often repeated and it is the repetition that seems so in your face. I'm trying to ignore those posts but sometimes they are excessive.

Talking trash or taking swipes at Clay Inc. is more fun and a better use of time than being fangirly over another entertainer!

Apparently.

I'm going to try to look past them and to continue to enjoy this fine entertainer. Hooray for #1 on AOL.

I too have seen this happening, especially lately. Word, word, word to your last statement, ivy. That's all we can do as individuals.

OMWH - - > I think it can! I think it can!! I think it can!!!

ETA: Good grief! I keep forgetting - Thank you, Scarlett, for all the goodies! YUM!!!

Good morning! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

It's going to be a looooong week... something possessed me to work "summer hours" this week, which means 4 - 10 hr. days so I can take Fri. off without having to count it as vacation time. I can barely get through an 8 hr. day!! But, yep, as luckiest said, things could be worse - at least I have a job! Btw, good luck with the big boss being in town.

R.I.P. George Carlin.

Bringing over a post from just last week in the Family Matters-Laughter the Best Medicine forum:

Some "words of wisdom" from George Carlin

Always do whatever's next.

Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Dusting is a good example of the futility of trying to put things right. As soon as you dust, the fact of your next dusting has already been established.

Electricity is really just organized lightning.

Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it.

I'm not concerned about all hell breaking loose, but that a PART of hell will break loose... it'll be much harder to detect.

If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little.

Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town.

May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.

Not only do I not know what's going on, I wouldn't know what to do about it if I did.

One can never know for sure what a deserted area looks like.

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.

People who say they don't care what people think are usually desperate to have people think they don't care what people think.

Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don't have time for all that.

Standing ovations have become far too commonplace. What we need are ovations where the audience members all punch and kick one another.

* Note to self: watch out next time CA tours...

The reason I talk to myself is that I'm the only one whose answers I accept.

The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done.

There's no present. There's only the immediate future and the recent past.

When someone is impatient and says, "I haven't got all day," I always wonder, How can that be? How can you not have all day?

Oh, well of course, you consulted muski, CG! I love it! Hee!

Droopy & Lacey are cute, too! I'd love to have a dog again, but 2 cats in an apartment is my limit. No doggie until I have a condo/house with a little more space and a yard.

I love kitty cats too and it is almost a year since mine died after 23 years. I still miss her and I don't think I could possibly have another one or I should say let another one have me.

{{{merrieeee}}} I know what you mean. I had a terrible time when Abigail died. I'd had her since high school and she'd been my roomie through college, first job, moving away from home, etc. She'd mellowed out as she got older, was much more huggable and loved to "talk" with me when I got home at night. It was so strange to come home to an empty apartment.

ETA: Bwah! Leave it to muski! The only thing I noticed was that the boy was wearing yellow overalls. Bright yellow overalls!

I'm loving all the furbaby pics! They're all sooooo cute!

Iseeme, seeing your Siamese reminded me of a friend I had growing up. Her mom raised Seal points.

Do 3 year old perfectly spoiled cats even want to have a friend??

My experience with bringing in new cats has been mixed. I had one (my poor Abigail, who developed diabetese and died in 2005 at age 14)

who never get along with other cats - at.all. Then I've had others who tolerate each other fine.

I originally got Gidget with the idea that Gabby might be lonely since she had been living in a home with other cats... I think Gabby's initial reaction to Gidget was, "WTF?!" But that could have been the age difference. They get along OK now. Occasional sibling rivalry.

Waldo, huh?

I'm kidding! Let me down! Let me DOWN! LET ME DOWN!!!!

Too cute!

Does the duck work at the YMCA??

*g*

Hee! I see a resemblance...

Aww - cute kitties, lal.

Here are my furbabies:

Gabby - She's around 10-11. I got her from the Humane Society when she was about 5. I had gone into the pet store just to pick up a bag of cat food....

Gidget - She's a little over 2 now and was the first kitten I've had in about 15 years. I don't think I can go through another kitten-hood! She was (still is!) a WILD one!

And the view I often see when I look behind me while sitting at the computer:

Gidget loves her cat tree and she likes to use the chair back as a latter to get up there & keep an eye on me.

claygirl9131

Where did the weekend go?!

This is why God created SOY milk.

anna - yeah, and soy milk even comes in flavors! Chocolate and Vanilla!! Both are really good in coffee!

Thank you both! :F_05BL17blowkiss: My mom drinks soy milk and I have tried it and like it, but alas, my soy allergy is quite a bit worse than my dairy allergy, so absolutely no soy milk for me! I've tried rice milk, too. YUCK! Especially in coffee - just.not.good. I need to get to the point again where I only drink coffee on the weekends. Then the little bit of half & half won't be such a big deal.

Thanks to those who have posted their thoughts on the "Get Smart" movie. I love catching that show in reruns now & then - LOVE it! I think I'm going to see it next weekend. Still want to go see SATC, too.

Morning!

[whine] I neeeeeeeed coffee!! [/whine] But I'm really trying to cut out dairy, so I have no milk. Can't do coffee without milk. I may have to re-think this healthy thing!!

Scarlett - there's a "Feta cheese place"?? That's oddly intriguing...

Have a great vacation, 00lsee! :F_05BL17blowkiss: We'll try to make sure everything's cleaned up before you get home. Heh.

Cotton, your story about the lyrics to LAA and your niece was very touching. As some others have mentioned, sometimes this song feels almost too personal to me. I love it, but it can really hit me hard if I'm in a certain frame of mind. I'm also glad we got it as the iTunes bonus 2 years ago - I remember sitting up at midnight, downloading and listening to it over and over. But I'm also glad it was included as a regular track on this album and I think that gives more feeling to it this time around. I've always felt this song was like a stream of consciousness set to music. And I love, love, love the way Clay's voice and the cello become one... Thanks for the link to vzubie's Syarcuse video, Perma! GAH.

Wow, ldyj - it must have something to hear that in person! Thanks for the link.

OK, off to try to accomplish something else today. Didn't get much of anything actually done yesterday...

Good morning! :F_05BL17blowkiss: Off to accomplish *something* today, but dropping off a pretty I've been playing with.

Original - He was quite yummy during the JBT...

"Old photo" treatment - He really is timeless...

"Charcoal drawing" treatment - Hmm... a bit washed out, but highlights the pants nicely...

ETA: So glad you found Carrie safe & sound and are working through things, {{{muski}}}.

Posted by iadoreclay at CV:

I just bought Clay's music pass tonight at Target in Indiana and Walmart doesn't have any music passes of anyone. I didn't think this was suppose to come out till Tuesday but it's out.

The bonuses are:

Invisible video

The Way video

A Thousand Days video

Digital booklet

No new song.

You've got it, {{{muski}}}. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Also *waves* to Jazzgirl!

It's in Every One of Us

Interesting where different minds go......

The first time I heard Clay sing those first 6 words, I immediately pictured a perplexed Sir Robin contemplating the swallowing of the Holy Grail.

It took a while for me to erase that image and really listen to the song <snip>

That never entered my mind, but next time I play that song, it will! And I'm sure it'll be there a while!

ETA: Ooooooo - this was my 1,000th post! Next one takes me from managing Clay's person to "Executive Producer"... a title that now carries with it a whole new meaning... IIT, IIU, AATJ, etc.