Ansamcw

Can I ask what is probably a very dumb, but is, at least to me, a very serious question? My past relationships with the opposite sex have been pretty limited. I dated one guy before my husband, but not until I was 20 years old. I never had a lot of male friends when I was growing up. To those of you who have- was it possible to have a really close relationship with a male friend, without having it turn romantic? I guess I'm feeling that if I was that close to someone emotionally, I'd want the relationship to be romantic as well. How is/was it possible to separate the two?

I think its pretty possible to have a close platonic relationship with the opposite sex...specially if there is not much physical attraction. But if there is physical attraction I think its pretty tough to keep it in the friends level when people get emotionally close. I had a lot of close male friends growing up...only one ended up romantic...my hubby, but I always thought he was hot.

I also think its possible to have a platonic relationship with someone after a romantic relationship didn't go far. My daughter has a close friend like that...he was her bf for a week, hee. Then they realized it was easier to be friends so now there is no longer any chance of romance between them, just friendship.

eta: I think Clay has had a lot of practice having female friends. He had female roommates in University...he had more female classmates...he is surrounded by female friends, Kristy, Quiana Amanda in the early days...I do not add Angela to this list cos I do think that Clay has a different type of chemistry with her. There is more attraction there IMO.

YAY!!! Cindy was already making a banner when I hinted!!!

Welcome Parker and congrats Clay and Jaymes!!!

Thanks Cindy!!!!

BWAH Bottle!!!

I think we will get baby stories in concert, too, and maybe some acknowledgment of becoming a father in an interview. I wouldn't hazard a guess as to how much he will talk about the baby other than that. Sometimes it's hard not to, no matter how much you don't want to.....kind like me when I'm buying tickets for my 9th show on the Feast of the Epiphany Tour.

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I bet fatherhood hasn't affected its appearance in anyway.

:cryingwlaughter:

Yeah...I guess this comes with the territory of having kids...just wanting to share stories and share the joy.

I do wonder if they will be spending some time in Vancouver too...hopefully this means more tour stops in Canada...

So y'all think the baby will travel with them on the tour bus?

Oh so do we need to add babysitter on the members designation???

Dang - we should've had Mo Rocca's statement in the thread title noms.

Someone take the measure of that man!

Oh put it in the thread title suggestion...we can still use it for the next thread.

So will we get baby inspired banners??? hint hint :F_05BL17blowkiss:

FWIW, I'm thrilled for him. He's clearly happy about the child, and everything I've seen of him suggests that he will be a very good father. True, he has not followed the traditional path to parenthood, but he's always been one to forge his own way.

I realize this situation has lead to all sorts of speculation, and with many different assumptions. There are concerns about what this means for his personal life, for his career. I understand why some worry. Personally, I'd rather just share his joy. It seems a whole lot easier.

Hey Jenna...how's it going...

yup...I totally agree...I think he will be a great father.

sigh you are right...better concentrate on the joy this birth brings to him and to his family. If some fans cannot accept his decision and cannot share in the joy that only hurts them really. If some people cannot be fans anymore...that is their choice.

I really can't wait for his first live interview. I hope his first visit will be on Jimmy Kimmel...I bet they will have lots to talk about....I do believe Jimmy has kids.

sorry but I just added the he's a daddy and joy on a stick...

there were 3 votes when I edited it...so if you guys want to change your votes just let me know...

see I am an amateur with this poll thing...don't tell ldyJ... :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Thread title poll!!!

Its been awhile since I did this so I hope I got all the thread title suggestions.

There were also a lot of thread title suggestions even from before the announcement. We would've had like 12 to 15 choices if I placed all of them...so I think we can just reserve those made before the birth for the next thread and concentrate on thread titles celebrating Parker. I know some are pretty long but I will just figure out how to shorten them.

ok...so look up and make your choice!!!

oops damnit I forgot one...

CG, as others have indicated, there is a history there...it really is tough to read your posts without perceptions being colored by your own words in the past.

If you do not want to explain where the disappointment comes from...that's cool.

CG ...I think a lot of message board communication is about perception. Right now what I get from your post is that you have a problem with Jaymes and Clay and Parker. What I do appreciate is your recognition that its not your business but its still clear from your posts that you are bitter about this...not just about the baby but about Clay and Jaymes. I do believe you are right...it is that bitterness that comes out from your posts that makes your use of the term "the kid" more meaningful and grating. Also its that bitterness that colors your posts and makes it sound really bitchy to a lot of readers.

I kinda feel your opinion about no shipping and no talking about the baby is based on your own aversion to the Clay and Jaymes relationship and the fact that it has produced a child. I do think that it is up to Clay to share what he wants and clearly...from his blog...he does intend to share some of his family life with us...just on his own schedule and based on his and Jaymes own comfort level. I for one would be very happy if he shares some anecdotes and pictures with us.

Now you will probably come back and say that is not how you feel and not what you intend to say but that is what I have perceived. I think it would be good if you can go back and reread your posts with an objective eye if you think people are constantly misinterpreting your intent.

Shipping Jaymes and Clay is judgmental??? even if I agree with you that his use of dear friend indicates that it is a platonic relationship...I still don;t get how hoping they have a romantic relationship and thinking that means that people are judging them...that is a fairly huge leap IMO and I think is pretty much influenced by your own feelings about them as a couple.

I really don't get why people will be disappointed with the fact that Clay and Jaymes have this baby. Disappointment to me indicates that you didn't get the outcome you wanted... So I can see being disappointed in a product if you didn't enjoy it...but his choice of mother to his child? even his choice to have a child? Why should that be disappointing? Why? what kind of future did you want for him? Does that really affect our life in anyway as to make a person bitter and angry about his choices?

Sigh.. I have a feeling I am the lone admin today. Both LdyJ and Couchie are out doing family stuff in RL. SOOOOO that means I need to put up the poll for the title thread.

Any suggestions that is related to this happy event? I hope to put this poll up by this evening so please make your suggestions by then...thanks

Don't forget that true Christians ran the inquisition. We all interpret Christianity in different ways, much like we interpret all versions of religions differently. I have a friend who is the most liberal of the Conservative Jews. She breaks food rules all the time, but believes in the core of the religion.

I don't consider them true Christians either...they are just power hungry people that tried to control how people think. In my view...true Christianity is following Christ example...the guy that made friends with prostitutes and tax collectors.

Disappointments....Its ok to posts about disappointments about Clay...its ok to post about disappointments about fans. These posts will naturally bring about reactions from the readers, its inevitable.

CG...the reactions you were reading are about posts from all over the board. As you said you haven't been reading around the boards yet so maybe you don;t know how vile and ugly some posts have been but I can totally see how they can make a lot of people angry. That is what I can see here...honest reactions. We are all entitled to that.

My reaction... after all the different controversies in this fandom's history, I think the negative reaction to this news is the one that most angered and disappointed me. Not just the reaction to the news itself but the lack of understanding and tolerance some fans had on the way this was handled. I think Clay made it clear why he didn't say anything earlier...he didn't want to tempt fate. That means there was some anxiety about this pregnancy. Its also clear that he wanted to follow what the Foster family wanted...they said they will make a statement after the baby was born. The fact that Clay blogged two hours after the birth of his child is not enough to satisfy people and to me that is disappointing.

WORD to Couchie...the fact that the fans started fighting about this is not really the responsibility of Clay. That is on us...and I think it is sad that this happy news should create such a conflict among his fans.

I would love to see a picture of the happy family but I hope it will be something from the OFC... officially sanctioned by Clay and Jaymes and not something from the paparazzi.

(((aikim)))

hope as you get to know the grooms family that things will get better for the wedding. But you are right...as the brides mom you should have a bigger role but it seems like this was not just a bridal shower but a shower for the couple.

Ivy...word...the world is such a different place right now. People should be more open minded specially when the situation really does not affect them.

Heading out ya'll. While I'm incommunicado Clay will blog and show a picture of his baby. Count on it. heee

RIP Bernie Mac

Bernie Mac? He isn't very old is he...too bad...RIP

((((Perma)))) good thoughts for you and Hubby...

love your summary of his blog...my thoughts exactly.

I only peaked at one other board that had some members going ballistic. I do believe that the issues people have are quite complicated and are pretty much driven by their personal issues and needs and wants from Clay. I do hope those struggling with this will be able to accept this in time cos this is not going to change and really not going to change what we are here for...this wonderful talented singer. I suspect he is not really thinking of his career right now but that does not mean he will be giving that up altogether. So many other artist has been able to integrate a career with family life and I do believe that it can enrich him and his artistry. So for people worrying about his career and his future...I just look at how much coverage he got with this news and how positive mainstream media has been I think this is just going to help him not hurt.

yeah my mom scheduled my birth to coincide with a holiday. Unfortunately after I was born they stopped making it a non working holiday..hee

Hee, Ansa. Can't figure out what holiday that was....

hee it was Jose Rizal's birthday. It used to be a national holiday until the year I was born.

Apparently it's a cultural thing but really, people who have a good relationship with their specialists do ask for these things and I just want to point out there really is nothing wrong in saying that you're "hoping for 8:08" am on August 8. It might not happen -- an emergency can occur 2 hours before or even the night before, so it is a gift any way you look at it. It's not a guarantee. However if it's going to be close, why not? It's perfectly ok. A healthy baby is always a blessing and a miracle.

I do think this would be more vital for Chinese people that put a lot of significance to the number 8. But who knows...maybe Jaymes is into numerology.

Okay, maybe the time was just luck. Actually, I hope it was. It makes it a better story for it to not be planned. I have no facts, just conjecture.

I'm just so damned happy. :twinklewhore:

Its a fun thing to speculate about though. I'm so happy too.

Yup Sydney games was fantastic. I also liked Spains lighting the Cauldron with an arrow.

Unless Clay and Jaymes show up on an episode of A Baby Story (can you imagine!), I guess we will never know!

Kim

oh I bet this birth will be a topic of discussion the next time he appears on a talk show. I am looking forward to hearing some funny baby stories.

I would bet someone like Jimmy would ask him about this date.

I'm just not seeing ANY doctor planning to do a C-section to correspond with a particular "good luck" time. I sure wouldn't trust a doctor that would do something so irresponsible. I don't think that just being 50 means a woman can't have a vaginal delivery

This happens all the time. Brittney Spears picked when she wanted her kids born. She was afraid to go through labor, so she had a planned c-section before her due date (or so I heard). Many women and doctors plan deliveries based on their schedules. They give you a time frame in which it is safe to deliver the baby and you pick the date and schedule the OR.

Oh a lot of doctors are used to requests like those. Check out the birth rate in Hong Kong today compared to yesterday. If it's going to be a scheduled CS anyway, there's nothing wrong with picking a good date -- it's a gift of choice.

My mom was an ob-gyn in a Catholic Asian country and in August, she was always busy on the 8th and the 15th (The Feast of the Assumption of Mother Mary).

yeah my mom scheduled my birth to coincide with a holiday. Unfortunately after I was born they stopped making it a non working holiday..hee

I'm just not seeing ANY doctor planning to do a C-section to correspond with a particular "good luck" time. I sure wouldn't trust a doctor that would do something so irresponsible. I don't think that just being 50 means a woman can't have a vaginal delivery

This happens all the time. Brittney Spears picked when she wanted her kids born. She was afraid to go through labor, so she had a planned c-section before her due date (or so I heard). Many women and doctors plan deliveries based on their schedules. They give you a time frame in which it is safe to deliver the baby and you pick the date and schedule the OR.

Well yes...they could've planned the baby for 7:30 or 8... but there are several factors to consider when you have the baby. My two scheduled C section were scheduled the same time but the actual birth time was still different cos there are factors to consider like the anesthesia...and just how fast or slow the procedure would be based on the condition of the mother and the baby.

hmmm not sure when they timed my babies birth...all I know is they told us the time. If its the cutting of the cord I don;t think they would wait too long to do it. It would still have to be pretty close so 8:08.

I'm just not seeing ANY doctor planning to do a C-section to correspond with a particular "good luck" time. I sure wouldn't trust a doctor that would do something so irresponsible. I don't think that just being 50 means a woman can't have a vaginal delivery

Well if its C section I can see the date being planned cos I was given a choice of dates for my second and third baby, (the first was emergency C section)..within a certain time frame of course. But the timing...that was just luck. They certainly couldn't have planned to have the baby that exact time.

How do we know Jaymes had a c-section...neither Faye nor Clay mentioned it...or is it just an assumption because of her age.

Kim

As far as I know no one is saying that...just relating stories about our experiences. Someone just mentioned their C section and I responded.

We do not know how she gave birth. If they are worried about complications...there is a higher probability for a C section. I think the discussion just evolved from wondering if Clay changed dirty diaper yet.

cha cha The opening ceremony was unbelievable. i wish they would re-broadcast it. It was just amazing.

I am trying to finish Emma tonight for a bookclub tomorrow. But between the Olympics and another major distraction today, I am too distracted.

OMWH is now #377 on Amazon.

he no problem of that here in Canada...they showed it this morning...and several times through the day in the CBC news channel...

Awww Claymatron what a lovely thought that Canada and US will be sharing this baby...

I had c section for all three babies...and each time they gave me the option of having the baby with me the second night. That first diaper change...not very pleasant...hee.

I remember my biggest challenge was always trying to get that breast feeding going. It was not easy...I always end up doing a mix of breast and bottle.

It does not matter how prepared parents are..that first few weeks are always chaotic...going around sleep deprived...