claylove

{{{Couchie}}} Sending you a virtual backrub...

Thanks for the great clip, claylove!

So...if you had to pick a de-stressing song for couchie... which would you choose? I like to listen to WTOW and several from the early demos.

I have always liked "Tears Run Dry" for heartbreak... I like it because it acknowledges the angst and yet then goes to "somehow I'm gonna put the pieces back" giving hope things will get better.

For everyday drama and stress, I really like "Weight of the World." I think it speaks to the pressure we all put on ourselves or find ourselves in, particularly the bridge which has been very helpful to me at times:

I know its hard to see from where you are right now

I know its hard to breath, just the let world go round

and round, round, round

But I have to admit, last year going thru someone very close to me stabbing me in the back, I REALLY latched onto "I Survived You." It was rough, ugly and painful. ISY became my theme song. I would blare it in the car over and over again. LOL That and "Everything I Don't Need" and "Ashes" which helped me deal with my pain and anger. Clay put out some good songs to help me through that mess. Thankfully, I have healed and am much better now. Who knew his voice and songs would make such a great therapist???

I think I tend to do the "feel then heal" thing so music really helps me a lot. For an escape though, I'd just watch Livin' LaVida Loca about 100 times. If that doesn't distract you nothing will! LOL

I hope nobody now thinks I am nuts! hee

Hey Guys, I have been doing a bit of Clack Organizing...

Do you remember the YouTube versions of Clay's Unchained Melody at the David Foster & Friends Afterparty? There was one by Glasair02 that was really close up and at the side. I had captured it as flash video around that time but never did anything with it. Tonight I converted it to a mpeg file and was astonished at how good it turned out! Its a full size video and looks awesome, considering it came from YouTube anyway. I have not tried it on my large display but it looks good on my laptop and its clearer and larger than the version in the CV Vault so I thought I would share if anyone wants to see it.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/4b9ola

Couchie... For stress I take hot baths, give myself a bit of pampering and watch Clack. hee Oh, and I also play the games on Facebook!

I am so sorry to hear about xxx4clay. I only met her once, at the Williamsport Christmas Concert in 2007 where we chatted in the hotel lobby for a good while. We compared notes on photographing Clay among other things. She was really nice.

I am arriving Wed evening & leaving Monday morning, but only staying at the Mariott on Fri & Sat nights.

PSA

Southwest has a HUGE sale on right now for just 48 hours. You might want to check the rates for Raleigh or anywhere else for that matter.

ncgurrl!!! I just wanted to offer my BIG THANKS for this PSA! I did not know and was able to go change my Southwest Flight for the gala and saved $187!!! Well actually I had already bought the ticket so its a credit for a future flight which will come in handy whenever Clay decides to tour. I appreciate the heads up so very much!! Now I just have to pray I get a ticket to the gala when they go on sale :-)

I know I am really late to the discussion about ringtones, so if this has already been resolved I do apologize. I think there was some discussion about the "Recognize This Voice" free voice ringtone that was part of that cell phone promo Clay used around the release of OMWH. Anyway, I have this ringtone saved on my laptop as a mp3 in case anyone was not able to put it on their phone or wants to keep it as part of their clack collection. Here is a sendspace:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/jprwbu

Depending on your carrier you may be able to email it to your phone. I have Verizon and they are very lienant about allowing you to make your own ringtones to use on your phone so I don't buy ringtones I just make them myself and email to my phone. I can send them to myself using a pix/multimedia text. I also have free texting so I would be glad to text that ringtone to anyone who does not have it but I can't promise it will work. Some carriers will let the multimedia text thru and some will not. I have not tried it in a while but I had problems sending to a friend on Sprint. I used to have problems with All-Tel but now that they and Verizon are merging their bans seem to be lifted as I was able to text this ringtone to a friend of mine and she could save it as a ringtone on her phone.

If you want me to try texting it to you, just PM me your cell phone number and I will give it a shot. By the way if you do not already know your cell phone's multimedia email address, just create a text attaching a ringtone and put your email address in the To: field. When it arrives at your email you can see the return address for your cell phone. Once you have your cell email address you can email photos and ringtones to your phone. Or at least you can on Verizon. I have not personally tried other networks.

I think I have experienced enough hatred in the last 10 months to last me a lifetime. It has been a real eye opener for sure. I often think about what Clay wrote in LTS... that Vernon's behavior showed him what he DIDN'T ever want to be. That is how I feel when I think about people who have judged, criticized and shunned Clay. They have shown me what I don't ever want to be. And in the end, I think I have gained far more than I have lost. I think Clay has too.

These are from the Cary concert of the SHRP Tour:

Somewhat off topic and a bit of a rant but...

I was bcc'd on a letter that a fan sent to TBAF expressing her outrage about the name change, implying that TBAF is well-known its because of Clay's Fans and how dare you change the name. As a volunteer and a fan I find it REALLLLY embarrassing! Sometimes I just want to know WTF is wrong with people?!?! This sort of attitute just frustrates me because while the fans have indeed helped the Foundation to grow (and even TBAF recognizes this) for it to continue to flurish that growth needs to be about all people with and without disabilities, not just Clay Aiken fans and surely not about Clay. IMO the last thing Clay wants is for the Foundation to be about him. Plus I really think its so disrespectful to BAF and to Clay to take that "how dare you" attitude about anything they do. And I HATE HATE HATE that this kind of behavior gets labeled with that global umbrella of "Clay's Fans" because it surely does not represent a lot of us by any means.

Sigh...

I was okay with "the one who shall not be mentioned" just as a singer. It wasn't until the real person came out in interviews, etc. after AI that I found I didn't much like the person that he is. That is the difference for me. Clay is not just about the singing or the acting. For me its about who he is. And I have a great deal of respect and admiration for him well beyond just being entertained by him.

Oh wait, I have another question, for the more electronically-oriented FCA-ers. (Not Clay-related, bad me... ) I'm looking into getting either a laptop backpack or a neoprene sleeve for my laptop since I lug it to school all the time and worry about damage. I have a lot of backpacks already (though none with laptop compartments) and a sleeve would be cheaper so I'm leaning towards a sleeve, but I was wondering if anyone has either/both and has an opinion.

clayzy, I have a backpack with a laptop compartment which my chiropractor insisted on * insert eyeballroll here*. I'm not from the backpack generation, so that may impact my "enjoyment" somewhat~but honestly, I can't stand it! My laptop is soooooo heavy I can barely lift the whole contraption when it's in the backpack, to get it on. Let alone when I have to add stuff like paperwork in files, and cords and my purse and stuff. I've given it up. Not a good way to carry a laptop IMO.

I have a laptop bag on wheels so I can just drag it which is my fave thing to use. I also have a thinner styled one that goes over the shoulder for short trips or when space is an issue, but the one on wheels is my preference since whether its the back or shoulder the laptop weight is a problem for me if its for very long. Its also roomy enough for other things like cords, an ipod and multiple external hard drives. *g*

I don't go following JP around on the internet but his latest attempts to discredit Clay are about so much more than Clay. Its about trashing an organization that some of us have literally put our blood, sweat and tears into over the last five years. He didn't just blow the surprise about the name change and people outside the fandom, the general public if you will, may very well believe him just like they believe other things on the internet -- because they don't know the backstory. Ignoring him when he trashes Clay is one thing, but in this case the vile lies he said to destroy the Foundation's credibility do have the potential to hurt BAF's reputation outside the fandom and ignoring that it happened does does not change that. I was personally very hurt and upset by all of this and I still am, like someone punched me in the gut. My mistake was posting about it here and for that I do apologize.

Just because you leave the garbage at the curb, doersn't mean the stench can't still make you sick.

There are not enough cuss words to describe just how much I hate and loathe that asshole.

OH.... I am so excited! He is reviewing Christmas Tour video! Dare we hope its cause he is considering a Christmas Tour this year?!?!?!?!

First so there is no misunderstanding this is not directed at anyone on this board....I just have to vent and this is my safe place (TM Tyra)

You know what I am tired of? Thought you would never ask! People who come out of lurkdom to say "I still love Clay" but then go on to say how disappointed/mad/sad <insert you choice of word here> they are of him.

If all you have to post is bad "stuff" then why bother....just to get a dig in?

I also wonder if the folks that were too much of a coward to be honest back in Sept and couldn't admit their real reason for not sticking around (and stayed on the fringes) now have an excuse to come out and say they don't like him any more. Not sticking around because of so called rudeness is so much better than not liking him because ..horror of horrors...he is gay!. OK end of rant....I just want to spit!

I think I'll go talk about the weather!!!

I so hear ya! A number of my "former" Clay friends have done this. Its really hard because its like they stay to torture him. If you don't love him for who he is, BE GONE ALREADY!! Stop trying to steal the joy!!!

Just because it's pretty...

Oh my....

Happy Memorial Day one and all!

From getclayaiken:

Another person posted this yesterday on some random Raleigh forum:

Yesterday, 06:55 PM

Late this afternoon I fell into an enormous pothole while making a turn off one of the local highways. Unfortunately it blew out my front tire. As I slowly inched the car onto the shoulder with my emergency signals on, another car was following me slowly. It pulled in front of me once I stopped, then got back on the road, drove to a spot it could turn around and came back. We didn't pay much attention and just got on the phone to AAA. To my surprise the car drove up next to us and down came it's window. The driver asked if we were okay and if we needed help. I told him what happened, saying we were already on the phone with AAA, and thanked him for stopping. He looked and sounded familiar and when I took off my sunglasses to get a better look I was pretty sure who I was talking to. I said, "Aren't you Clay?" He replied "yes" with a bit of a sigh in his voice. I thanked him again, telling him how nice it was of him to stop to see if we needed help. Yep, it was Clay Aiken folks!

When the tow truck guy came we were telling him the story and at first he thought we were pulling his leg, but then got really excited and said how cool it was. I'm still bummed about the tire and what the repair is going to cost, especially if I find out there's any damage to the rim or axle, but refreshed by the kindness of this local celebrity! Pretty nice of Clay to offer his help when most ordinary people would just drive on by, wouldn't you say?

Thanks, Clay, for being such a good guy!

I just love this! That is soooo... our Clay!

Wholly Crap!!

I can't use the internet at work during the day so I just spend the last two hours trying to get caught up with what has been going on today. Whoa...

You know, there are many singers that have come out of the AI Machine that just "aren't my cup of tea" (TM CA) but I don't go seeking out what they are doing, are saying, etc... nor would I ever even consider paying money to join their fan clubs just so I can bash them. WTF is that about????

The OFC is supposed to be a safe place for Clay and his fans. Even if he knows it will go public, what Clay says there is intended for HIS FANS. The OFC is CLAY'S HOUSE. IMO you need to respect Clay when you are in his house. You don't have to agree with everything he says or does but you do need to respect him. And I think fans and ex-fans who continue to make disrespectful posts about Clay at the OFC are hurting him and THAT makes me livid...

I loved his blogs

By the way Couchie I am sorry you've had such a hard day. You are one of the kindest and sweetest fans I have ever known and you are a great mod. ((((Hugs to you))))

Sorry I am late to the conversation but I thought those of you who can only afford the "cheap seats" at the gala (like me!) would like to know that $50 goes to the meal, facility and other costs and $200 goes directly to the Foundation. That $200 is tax deductible and is not for gala expenses. So it is like you are making a $200 donation to the Foundation.

I attend for both the Foundation and for Clay. BAF gets my time (volunteering) and financial contributions while Clay gets my love, support and enthusiasm. Works for me

Clay is really brave IMO. I also have TMJ and was diagnosed when I was a Junior in HS. They wanted to break my jaw and realign it and still do. But I have elected not to have this done because I don't have the time, the money and quite frankly I am a chicken. I remember the first time they told me about it when I was like 16 or 17 and it scared the crap out of me. LOL This procedure can be quite painful and has quite a long recovery as we have seen with Clay. If I recall correctly, the doctors I saw did say it can change the appearance of your jawline somewhat. I decided I would do it when the pain I was in made going through all that worthwhile and so far for me I am so not there yet! I do hope that Clay's pain is gone now.

I love all of Clay's looks and I'd say his current appearance is a combination of maturing and the surgery. He is still one fine sexy man if you ask me! And I bet his look will change many more times still. I love that about him.

30 Rock - Definitely not enough Clay for me! Thanks so much for bringing over the download :-)

OMG I can't believe you don't like snowflake Clay??? I absolutely love those photos! hee... To each there own :-)

I surely hope he is still bringing Clay back out to do Unchained Melody like he said!

BRING BACK CLAY!!!!!!!!!!! Please.........