Tijala

It's been difficult choosing for me as well. My choices don't often win, but I love seeing pics that I haven't seen for a long time!

aikim, I honestly don't remember those Jaded Journalist interviews. I guess I'm going to have to search them out and decide for myself. I do remember reading about it and that some found them funny, and others not so much.

Scarlett, thanks for the explanation about I missed it somewhere along the way, but glad I know now!

idyj, I'm really loving the photo contest. It's fun to see some of those old photos of Clay that I've forgotten about. When I see the progression of the older photos to the new, it's clear that Clay is maturing fabulously! He looked so, so young back in the day and now he's certainly grown into a fine, handsome man.

Hope little Parker had a wonderful day yesterday! I'm sure his daddy spoiled him rotten!

To all those trying to purchase Gala tickets on Tuesday...the force be with you! It's gonna be a bloodbath for sure. I can't attend this year, but I'll send good Karma to all who are trying for tix!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Well crap! I love both photos so much...I'm so torn between the two. I must think about this for awhile.

As adorable as he looks in #2, I just had to vote for #1.

Definitely #1 for me...Good Lord, those eyes!

I'm having a fun time with this everyday...it's brought me out of lurkdom a bit, which could be dangerous.

I had to go with #2. Such an emotional moment for him.

Happy Birthday Annabear!!

Cindilu, your calendar is great!

I haven't been here in so long...I wouldn't be surprised if no one even remembered me. Well, I know at least 2 of you do...FromClagary

and Annabear. I do read here often even though I don't have much time to post. You guys CMSU!

I thought I was going to be able to go to the Gala, but alas it's not to be...too many car repairs. Hoping for next year!

FC, you're not alone in your Facebook opinion.

My condolences to all those who knew xxx4clay. I never met her, but I know there are many who loved her.

Just thought I'd pop in to say hi...I'll try to be better at stopping by.

Hellllooooo! Gosh I haven't been here in ages...I think for awhile I forgot I was even a member.

As long as I'm here I'll put my two cents in about the dinner. Someone at CV pointed out that it seems to be the ones with the big bucks that always get the "time" with Clay, thus making the others feel left out. The discussion included the OFC and Clay's seemingly lack of communication with the fans who can't afford to go to Galas, Spamalot, etc. I almost had to agree with that, but at the same time those lovely ladies paid a LOT of money for probably one of the most phenomenal experiences of their lives. I was just thrilled for them, but I'm absolutely appalled that they are receiving such nasty PM's. Unbelievable. I loved all their recaps...they were so good it almost made me feel like I was there, and I truly hope that the "nasties" don't take anything away from their joy.

Anyway, I'll stop back in when I have a little more time.

Happy Birthday YSRN!

:bday:

Hugs for all who need one...

Hi everyone, thank you for the birthday wishes! I've been AWOL for awhile, as I've been trying to to the piano thing and babysitting. Well, the piano study had to stop because my beautiful full-size keyboard decided to fry. So, today I finally have the whole entire day to myself. :nana:

I need to get caught up here badly...

I've been gone for so long I'm not even going to try to get caught up. I did pop in once in a while to see what was going on.

Anyway, the houseguests are gone...they stayed an extra day than I expected them too, but I'm glad in a way...probably won't see them for another 10 years. We all had a great 4th.

With all the music and song analysis going on here lately I decided to try to take up piano again...we'll see how it goes. So far, so good!

No email from my BF either...can't afford to donate right now anyway. We have 2 cars in the shop being repaired!

Love the AMA pics! God, he looked good in those...

Happy Birthday Claygasm!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I have no idea what this means but I'll post it anyway... Is it smutty?????

If anyone reads the CB, this is a cute thread!

Clay, Then and Now

cha cha, very cool car!

That's the only problem with Clay and "dark" hair.......his skin is so pale(whiter than white)..it makes him look ill sometimes. I'll take him anyway I can get him but I do love his hair when it's lighter. Most of the shots of him with lighter hair are amazing(IMO)........then again there are some shots with the darker( not dark, dark) shoter hair that look great too.

OK...I'm torn here. Did it look like he had a goatee and a moustache to anyone else but me and aikim????(in the new UNICEF picture , I mean) Maybe it was just because the shot wasn't clear. Naw....can't be..huh?

YOWSA!!! My phone has internet access, and that's where I first saw that beeee-utiful picture. Problem was that I kept drooling on it...yeah, bad thing. I couldn't wait to get home to see it up close! The dark hair is BACK! And it does look like he could have a goatee...if not, then maybe it's just lots of stubble...oh Lord help me. I'm just glad to see him. He looks absolutely gorgeous! Can't wait for a frontal shot...heh.

Lovely calendars and wallpapers as usual!

Iseeme, glad your first day went well!

Couchie, I feel exactly as you do about ALAWH. It just makes me want to siiiiiing! (tm Prince Herbert)

Fairytale weddings...mine was not exactly a fairytale wedding per se. It was very lovely albeit an economy wedding. I borrowed the dress, got my reception hall for free, and my friends contributed all the food. We had a blast!

My daughter called tonight crying because she broke up with her boyfriend of 2 years...she initiated the breakup. She hasn't been happy with him for a long time and it was a long distance relationship...very difficult. She was trying to explain what happened today and my phone went dead...no battery left...most likely from me staring at that picture all day. I did charge it up a bit and left her a voicemail apologizing. She's coming home tomorrow so we'll have a good visit over the long weekend.

Houseguests are coming too...gonna have a housefull! Heaven help me...

Well, this newbie wasn't scared off...just not home!

I can't possibly add anything...really I can't. I don't know the man. All I know is what I think I know of him from what he's chosen to reveal to us. I've been re-reading some of Clay's blogs. One in particular made me a little sad. It's the one dated 01-08-07 For All of Us. I wonder why he didn't continue to post more "words of wisdom"? If he thought his words were being picked apart back then, it's no wonder he hasn't blogged regarding the current rumors.

Is it just me, or does that photo of Jaymes when compared to the earlier one, look photoshopped in the chin/neck area to make her look older? It just doesn't look quite right to me.

Whatever the truth is, I just hope Jaymes is healthy and happy and I pray for a safe delivery for her and the baby. I hope Clay is happy too...wherever he is/whatever he's doing. I really miss him.

I have always felt that comparing Clay to other Idols is like comparing apples and oranges...totally different career paths and definitions of success. Clay has always said that he did not get into this business for fame and fortune but to make a difference, and since he has done that, I would say he is successful.

The biggest problem in the fandom is that the career the fans want for Clay may not necessarily be the career Clay wants for himself and I think a lot of people have trouble accepting that. I think there is this sense of entitlement...we supported Clay after Idol, bought his CD's, attended his concerts; supported his charities, so now he needs to do something for us...sing the songs we want; put out the single we think is the best...in short...take our career advice and have the kind of career that we can be proud of and brag about and prove to people that we were right all along and that Clay should have won.

But Clay; how dare he, has other ideas and doesn't want to be stuffed in the "pop singer" box and that doesn't sit well with some because they know better...even though they don't know crap about the music industry, haven't sat in on any meeting with Clay, RCA, etc.; and because it really is all about them and their needs and wants.

I have a real problem with that kind of self-centeredness in the fandom...I think we all have a choice, either accept Clay for who he is, what he stands for and his life choices or move on..never have seen the point in bitching about something you have no control over.

I have no worries regarding Clay or his career, because he is a smart, madly talented man; knows what he wants and how to go about getting it and is open to any and all opportunities that come his way...he will be around long after the Kelly's, Carrie's and Daughtry's of the world have left the stage.

Kim

Thank you for expressing my thoughts better than I ever could have. Some of the sense of entitlement in this fandom is insane. The Clay owes MEEEEEEE! mentality...Clay will do what he thinks is best for his career and I trust him. He hasn't disappointed me in the least.

Tijala, thank you SO much for that picture!! I lost a computer to a power surge about 2 years ago, and with it all my older pictures, so I'm very pleased to once again have a picture of this one!!

FC, so sorry to hear you lost your pictures. I'll take a better picture of the quilt for you. At the time I didn't have a good place to put the quilt for the picture, but I do now. Hopefully in a day or two, I can get that for you.

I'm sooo far behind...long day and I'm verra, verra sleepy.

Though I gotta admit, I can't picture a situation where it wouldn't be convenient to be a Leo...

When you're bored and feel like just chucking it all and taking a left turn.... then it's convenient to be a Saggittarius.

oooh! Wallace and Gromit!

OMG...Wallace and Gromit! My favorite episode is the one with the evil penguin. That one still CMSU!

Oh...I'm a Leo too.

I GOT THE JOB!!!! I'm soooo excited!!! I know this isn't earth-shattering news but I'm really pretty happy about it.

WINY - I like this song but every time I listen to it I think about Clay singing it in concert and hamming it up! I will say this though - it sounds better than the original recording.

Yeah baby!!!! I'm so thrilled for you! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Couchie, I hope you can get those allergies controlled soon...I'm having a terrible time this year for some reason.

Favorite phrase sung by Clay...I'm Not Supposed to Love You Anymore...But I can't hide this hurt inside my broken heart... Just KILLS me. I'm hopelessly in love with Clay's pre-AI stuff.

WOTH...just meh for me. I know lots love it to pieces, but it just doesn't grab me. I agree the production is great, but it's not my cuppa.

WINY...ummmm, I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. My GD got ahold of it and I can't find it.

Happy Belated Birthday to Fear!

All the quilting pictures are just beautiful! And the Clay ones too...

This is the quilt made by FromClaygary that I won. I couldn't find a good place to take a picture of it, so I hung it from my kid's top bunk. I'll always cherish that quilt.

Must sleep...nite nite.

*Gulps down now-melted frozen daquiri* Thank you Iseeme! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Welcome Poison Ivy! If I've missed someone, I'm sorry...LOTS of newbies lately!

Some family came over from out of town...we had a nice visit.

Hmmm...favorite phrase? I'll have to sleep on it. I love the way Clay sings so many phrases, it will be hard to pick favorites.

I loved that Youtube of Clay and the talk shows. I'd nearly forgotten about the very early Leno and Kimmel shows. So many good memories. He seemed like a different person to me on that first Leno...

Off to bed....

Welcome Tay and gothedistance!

Ooooh, body guard!! Oh YES!! (tm Sir Robin) He's not to leave the room until I come and get him.

What?

BTW, it's pushing 100 degrees here and I think I could really use a frozen daiquiri...PLEASE!

Mainly I'm pondering the value of a Music Pass that you have to go to a brick-and-mortar store for and then download from an online store (2 different events/trips!) vs one of these preloaded with OMWH, priced at probably $20-$25 in a nice little gift box. Apart from the download culture today, I think gifting CD's has a bit of negativity to it --> on a special occasion, it's a "cheap gift" and when there's no occasion, it's "pushing my taste in music".

Today I had an exterminator in to discuss termites!! Yes I have them in a small section of my kitchen (see what I get for remodeling) and he gave me a quote........when I got up of the floor I said yes do it. I don't have much choice. As he was filling out the paperwork he said "I notice your screensaver is Clay Aiken"! I told him I was a huge fan. He said his wife was also a fan, had been since AI2. She kind of followed his career, knew he had a charity and worked with UNICEF, liked his singing etc but had not bought his new CD! Well I just happened to have a spare one (or was it keepingfaith's*g*) and I gifted him one to give her! Scarlett was that pushing?

By the way that pic up there...one of the best evah!!!!!!! (IMHO)

Oooh...sorry about the termites! Yikes! If the exterminator's wife is a fan it isn't pushing IMO.

It's a little early for me to party, but I hope I get to partake later on tonight.

Hope everyone has a nice day!

Hey, I'll take one of those slushys...might as well since I'm sitting on my butt watching YouTube all night! I'm enjoying this immensely.

This one is particularly relevant this week:

It's In Every One Of Us

Apologies if this was already posted.

Couchie, she's just adorable!

I just got back from YouTube myself...that place is addicting! I'll have to check that one out Cotton.

Oh Cotton, what an exquisite picture! I don't think you look terrible at ALL! I think you look positively lovely!

Forgot to add... while I think anything can be discussed...dont' really understand why every single Clay diss is brought to the boards and discussed ad naseum. Who gives a shit what Craig Ferguson has to say or some blogger with two readers before Clay Nation and the haters descended up on it. I think often times the perception of just how bad it is out there is skewed because we have to see every single thing. It's like there is heartbreak on the board every single day because of what some idiot said. No wonder the joy is sucked out of this thing that should be fun.

Awww geez, isn't that the truth!! I hate it when I read about Conan said this and Craig Ferguson said that. It seems some days I read the boards and there's nothing but the same shit rehashed over and over and OVER. I just don't want to read it. I hardly click on any Clay links or blogs anymore unless it's Unicef related or something that shows Clay some respect. I won't give hits to sites that mock him. The fandom for me anyway was supposed to be fun. It was a blast meeting new folks and watching the boards for news...remember the Dotcert?? :00000462: I don't like feeling depressed, defeated and angry when I read the boards...and I'm NOT referring to this board AT ALL. I love this board! I just have too many issues going on in RL without reading all the garbage.

muskifest So I do believe the "young" fans are the ones who have it the roughest. Just admitting you're a Clay Aiken fan is probably a courageous decision!

2 years ago at a fan dinner at the DF Star Search I was talking with a couple from Bellingham or Seattle who had driven their Clay fan daughter to the Gala. They were telling me what a rough time their daughter was given by her peers in high school because she was such a Clay fan. Yes..for many young fans it is rough.

Jaycee I don't think that Clay reads any of the fan boards but we do know that he reads at the OFC and I am sure that what he has read since the baby news hasn't made him happy. It really doesn't matter if it is true or not it was the way HIS FANS reacted without having any REAL facts.

I really hope that TC read fan boards other than OFC. I know I wouldn't be an internet fan of Clay's if the only on-line place I could read about him was the OFC.

I have decided to come out of the cell phone stone age and get a ring tone for my phone.

Where is a good place for me to get a Clay ring tone? Anyone? I don 't know anything about how to go about it.

I hope Clay and TC know that the OFC is not representative of the fandom. I'd love to see quite a few "fans" removed from there permanently, as I believe some there are indeed trying to split the fandom. I think the OFC is a cesspool, and I don't want it to be. I want Clay's fan club to be a place where Clay is respected.

Ringtones? If you have Verizon, they have a lot of Clay's songs as ringtones and ringbacks. OMWH though for now, is only ringbacks. Whoever calls me will either hear Falling, I'm Not Dead Yet, or the theme from Looney Tunes.

Has anybody read about, and have an opinion on, the vote in a House Judiciary Subcommittee this week that would force radio stations to pay royalties to artists and record labels? This is aimed specifically at terrestrial radio -- it's already a done deal for satellite. No doubt the National Association of Broadcasters will fight this tooth and nail when it moves to the full Judiciary Committee -- but over in the Senate, where this goes next, both the Judiciary Committee Chairman (Pat Leahy) and the opposition ranking member (Orrin Hatch) are supporting it. Maybe this is the answer to the dismal plight of the record labels. Considering everything I've heard on the Clay message boards for the last couple of years about payola, this is really through the looking glass now -- pay TO play instead of pay FOR play!

From yesterday's news:

House Subcommittee Passes Royalty Bill, NAB Girds For War On House Floor

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property met TODAY and approved a bill requiring radio stations to pay royalties to performers and record labels. The vote came while Representatives, often of the same party, were sending letters to their colleagues , advocating one side of this issue or the other.

Cue The Happy People

The MUSICFIRST COALITION's Exec. Dir. DOYLE BARTLETT was pleased with the House vote. “Subcommittee passage of H.R. 4789 is a major victory for America’s artists and musicians and a major triumph for fundamental fairness. ....

“A loophole in the law lets AM and FM music radio stations earn $16 billion a year is advertising revenue without compensating the artists and musicians who bring music to life and listeners’ ears to the radio dial, he continued. "It’s not right, it’s not fair and we are going to make sure it is changed. All other music platforms – satellite radio, Internet webcasts, and cable television music stations – pay artists and musicians to use their music. It’s only fair that terrestrial radio be held to the same standards."

Sen. PATRICK LEAHY (D-VT), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will take up the bill next, gave it his full endorsement: "Members of the House Judiciary Committee today took the first steps in moving forward legislation to provide fair performance rights to artists. Since I joined with Sen. HATCH and our friends in the House last year to introduce performance rights legislation, I have heard from both performers and local radio stations about this legislation. The House Subcommittee’s mark today has continued the debate on how best to protect the rights of performers and songwriters, and the needs of noncommercial and small commercial radio stations .... I hope the Judiciary Committee might be able to turn its attention to this issue before the end of the year."

I'm assuming that terrestrial radio is AM/FM? This is interesting. Iseeme is right...if you don't like what you hear, don't patronize the advertisers. Radio is a nasty, nasty business.

I think leaving the online fandom, and leaving the fandom, are two very different things.

Amen to that. My fandom of Clay Aiken is stronger today than it was five years ago.

The boards for the most part have become toxic to me - I have almost no desire to get involved. Sure the 'friends' part - the hugs and prayers and my-dog-has-fleas part of the board-dom is as strong and wonderful as ever, but sadly those things don't seem to extend to Clay. Somehow being a fangirl became a bad thing; excited, optimistic enthusiasm rendered opinions invalid. That's how it feels to me anyway, and at this point I can't be convinced otherwise.

He's been out of Spamalot less than two months. Six weeks since his last tv appearance. And yet to read the boards you'd think he had disappeared from the planet (while giving the finger to his loyal fans on the way off). After he told us time and time and time again he was taking some time off. After he told us what their expectations were for this CD and radio play. Fans-as-experts have once again convinced a portion of the fandom that they know better than Clay. His blog might as well never have happened. Even his humanitarian endeavour is generating bad-will and angst from some people. The mind boggles. I'd use the words entitled needy fuckers, but that has gotten me in trouble in the past, so I won't.

I still believe (and will until time or Clay proves me wrong) that there are things in the works for Clay and OMWH. Plans that have been in place all along. (However, I don't kid myself that there will be any self-examination or apologies on the parts of the know-it-alls when it does.) Until then, that mean green mother from outer space will continue demanding blood. Meantime, I don't work for Clay - marketing and promotion is his business. Enjoying his product is mine.

Heh, I was a DS9 fan but foundthe boards too ingtense, somewhat like Clay fan boards. I started out on political boards an thenI found TVclubhouse, still like that place, although it is almost impossible to read. The big brother board complained about the editing and maipulation of the show, but after the second year it was not so interesting because the manipulation just became too much and the casting went from real people to models and actors from Boogie's restaurant. I love the Amazing race butprefer real people, some of the casts come from Boogie's restuarant. (reality casting central - see top model real world and several other reality shows)

Bumped off the beach because I can't find my 40 badge have to buy a new one when I dry off - it is 10 miles from here.

My theory is that many of the positive fans were driven from the on-line fandom because of the influence the Fake Clay people had with board moderators. I have told this story before but I was modded with the exact same oddly worded message from 3 different board moderators - think they talked to each other much? You could not claim ATDW was not going to destroy Clay's career and Clay had to get out of the RCA contract. After I would get edited, I would get a bunch of PMs from people wanting to know what I said or congratulate me for saying what they thought but did not have the nerve to post. Of course there were people who PM'd trash to me as well, so be it. But some people who mostly lurked just left because they were not happ. Don't now if they follow Clay anymore. I did notice that one person who told methey were leaving because Clay got fat is back, so maybe some will come back, but not if it is not fun.

I am waiting for the second wave, and hopng it is there.

But he crap has doe it's damage as well, I am talking to a 16 year old on another board that was upset about Clay and said that it is hard to be a teen fan of Clay because of how he makes the news each time and she wanted him to stop. I told her it was not his fault, but I know where she is coming from

cindi and play, I agree with both of you. It's a shame that trying to be positive gets you in trouble these days. I got in big trouble via PM with a mod over a certain negative poster and was told I had to respect this person. And I think also that not being allowed to discuss various "messes" and being treated like children have contributed to this.

At this point, I'm not sure there's going to be a fall or Christmas tour. I think we'd be seeing some ticket pre-sales by now...but who knows. I like being fan-girly and I'm not going to let anyone or anything prevent me from doing so. I'm not always going to like Clay's hair or something he wears from time to time, but I'm his for life. I'm certain that Clay has projects in the works of some type or another. Maybe he's planning to tour after the first of the year...or another stint on Broadway, or even a movie role. Whatever he chooses to do, I'll be right there with him.

That's just nuts that HD corrected anyone's spelling. I think I saw on some board somewhere that someone's grammar was corrected too...