ivy

One tiny insignificant little point is that no one knows how many comments that blogger received or the content of most of them. Yet it threw this fandom into a tizzy. And once again we're off to the races with name calling and lofty sounding posts to put down the great unwashed. Sigh.

The last couple of Broadway-related write ups have been fantastic. Love them.

On the icky side, my apartment has been invaded by flies for the last 30 hours or so. Dozens and dozens of flies. Some really big ones, and many more regular size ones. No evident cause, no idea how they're getting in, but I googled and it's pretty much what I guessed, but apparently it will be passing soon because there's a short life cycle involved, and the causal situation may never be an issue even though I may never find it. It could be a very small creature, maybe even outside nearby. But ick ick ick.

This year it has been odd. We'll get 3 - 5 flies at once. We get rid of them and then it repeats a few weeks later. Last year I had new windows put in and I wonder if there were dormant fly eggs on one of the windows. I've been meaning to do some research. I generally keep the food covered anyway (old habit) but am even more careful now about not setting the table too early even in between episodes.

There was an interesting online article about swatting flies the other day. Essentially they instinctively fly the opposite direction of danger and they are fast. That is the reason they are difficult to swat. So you have to move in the opposite direction at the last second to catch them.

It does look like Clay is leaning back in that picture with Hannah. Maybe he is sitting on a counter in her dressing room. Aside from Clay, I like Hannah a lot. She is talented with a friendly, sweet personality.

I'm so bored by our slick, manufactured talent these days. I watch old movies and the people are so much more interesting because of the variety. I would love to see more quirky, different people in the movies and on TV.

There was so much said here today that I agree with that it is impossible to quote it all. So a huge WORD to all the posts from this morning until now. I don't think I disagreed with one of them.

Some had Clay on a pedestal, some are missing the excitement of new things, some are just bitchy, some got into negative environments and were gradually influenced and I think others like to stir the pot - because they can. Sounds like a lot but I think we tend to notice these types of posts more. I'm a lot happier staying away from them and sticking to the newer boards like this one. It is hard to say how many have left but if you are on one of the negative boards, then it may seem like a lot of people are gone because posts are way down. Maybe a few left but I think it is difficult to assess. I know that I almost left the boards a couple of times myself but would still be a fan of Clay's.

Well that's all I want to dwell on that topic. Off to look a Carolina Clay's new blog.

I wonder if they have any year-by-year comparison for the idol tours where they did some adjustment to allow for the number of shows, which varied, and the ticket prices.

Aw cotton, those emoticons are so cute.

I won't go to the hater's or gossip's sites even if I am dying to see a picture or video. Once it's ripped though, I'll watch.

My reaction is probably most similar to K'Andre's. Even when my grown children make decisions that are different than what I would have made, I have never said anything negative to them about their choices. On the contrary, I have told them that they have different backgrounds and experiences and should not look to me to either validate their choices or to condemn them. I am happy to talk pros and cons about their choices but do not even try to hint that their choices are wrong. If asked, I state what my choice would be. It is their lives they are living, not mine. I think DH and I continually surprise our oldest by not sharing confidences with other members of the family. For example, they are expecting a baby. We did not tell anyone, thinking they would like the pleasure of that themselves. So long after they told us, they were surprised to find that my parents, sisters, brother and other family members had not yet been told. I would not have taken away their joy in telling others themselves for any reason.

Does it upset me that people express disappointment in Clay's decision. No, not at all if it is done with respect. But the extreme negative posts that are dismissive, disrespectful, give religious reasons for being upset, and infringe on Clay's and Jayme's right to make their own decisions do bother me. After these people are done with Clay, will they come after me and mine next? Possibly.

I hear you aikim. After I read you post, I started thinking about family members and friends who are true Christians. They live their beliefs. It is doubtful that I would see any of them writing horrible posts condemning others on the internet.

I don't understand those who call themselves Christian can say the things about Clay and Jaymes they do...I am shocked at how judgemental some of his fans are; fans I never would have expected it from.

My conclusion is that they are not Christians in the true sense of the word. Maybe they go to church but they don't really buy into the precepts of their religion.

The only thing I can come up with is that there are fans who are just green with envy...nothing else makes sense to me. And really, we know nothing of Clay and Jaymes's relationship...what happens if we find out they are really married...will those fans who have condemned him for being immoral be able to admit they were wrong...how do you take back harsh words that have been posted on boards for all to see?

You may be right about why this is happening. I can't figure it out. Harsh words take a toll and are hard to overcome. As OTT as some of the posts were, I can't see these people admitting they were wrong.

I noticed that OMWH is back on AOL. Somehow I missed that they were back but my job is intense right now so I can't read as much as I used to on the boards. I didn't try to play them yet but they were listed again with the length of play time.

I agree with the posts saying that it isn't the disagreements that are so hard to take, it is the insult nature of them and outright rudeness. What seems to be forgotten is that many of us or our family members live lifestyles today very different from those expected in the 1950s. This is especially true of our children and their friends. It is a different world. I actually personally live a very conservative life but know many people who live differently today. I could tell you many stories about people with whom my husband or I worked, friends of my kids, and so on.

I can't imagine that I'm the only one seeing a new society and one that is quite different from when I was young, although I now believe there were things hidden in that old society. I have to say the few extremist posts I have seen don't insult only Clay but many fans as well.

I'm going to have to check out some of those videos. The other night I stayed up playing Clay's songs on YouTube and it was way past my bedtime before I stopped.

Thanks for the tips djs111. I bet the problem is dust. The side of the computer was open for a long time and the inside of the computer is dusty.

I don't care for those last photoshop pictures at all. I find them offensive because they are not of Clay and remind me about the false tabloid stories from two years ago.

I'm looking forward to hearing something about Clay's next project and hope we hear something soon.

My husband and I went for a long walk. We were supposed to go canoeing but put it off until next week. I'm trying to be patient but it would be nice to hear something soon about Clay's next project.

What does it mean when your PC starts to sound a little like a buzz saw? The sound is very low but different. It just started not 5 seconds ago.

I've never been much of a fan of anyone before but there are some songs that I love by Elvis. I thought the 50s & Elvis sections of JBT were brilliant.

My favorite look for Clay may be from when he went to Afghanistan. After that, perhaps the JBT look. What a contrast!

My computer isn't keeping up with the boards lately. It can be slow when there are a lot of pictures. I guess it's time to think about buying a new one.

Point of discussion - Are Clay boards more critical of Clay than other fan boards -

I had forgotten but I used to read some message board about Star Trek. I never joined it People were nice and respectful. There was one troll whom everyone began to ignore and he left suddenly. From knowing people in real life, the percentage of people I know who are decent is very high. Before I became involved with this fandom, I would have guessed that a only a very small percentage of people would be so cruel as I have seen on the boards. I don't see people as just being critical, I see a lot of meanness. Sometimes, I think when reading a post that I am happy that I don't know that person in RL. To say the least, it has been an eye opening experience. I love that in the last year or so, some good message boards like this one have been started so I can keep up with what Clay is doing and participate on a more even keel. So thanks to Couchie, K'Andre, Ansamcw and others.

FromClaygary - Sorry, I have not traveled to Maine.

Web insults close Michael's site

Singer George Michael has shut down his website messageboard because so-called fans had been using it to log disparaging comments about him. ... snip ...

"Those of you that want to carry on the media's work will have to do it somewhere else."

I totally agree with him, by the way. People of course are free to be nastily negative, but they can do that somewhere else. Free speech has nothing to do with it. Free speech only applies for one's own website. Of course, I am one who sees no point in much negativity, as a conversational sort of direction or whatever, it is draining and I avoid it in real life.

Agreed.

So it has happened before to other artists - but is it constructive or destructive?

My guess is that it is destructive. I used to read KCE but left because of the negativity about Clay. Because I didn't follow her career any longer, I never knew when she was on TV, gradually lost interest, and over time ended up transferring the negativity of her fans to her. I knew what was happening but it did not change my feelings. I made sure not to emulate her fans and kept myself more neutral, but it cost her a fan. I realize this is a little different example but I think it applies. I think that when people are overly critical and constantly critical, that it can't help but impact their feelings. Other fans reading that crap, gradually without realizing it become infected. It is like a virus that spreads.

OK, now back to my happy place.

Those mosaics are very, very nice.

Whoo Hoo for Clay's music being played.

Great post djs111.

Playing with all my adminey <tm ansa> tools tonight... thought this was interesting...

number of posts by month:

July 05 - 1129 (probably pin people traffic, setting up the board, etc)

[...]

Nov 06 2425 more refugees, RCA blah blah blah - ripagate

[...]

what does it all mean...? who knows... except we're pretty much as chatty as we've ever been

I was one of the early refugees so I think I know what some of it means. I'm not a prolific poster here but appreciate that we have alternate fan boards these days where people can actually "talk" directly to each other, where being snide and negative did not replace fun snark like it did on a couple of older boards, where Clay is respected and where the discussion is not controlled/censored. One more thing, a place where fans are still trying to have fun. That is what it means to me.

ETA: Looking at my join date, I did not realize how long ago the angst/negativity got to me. Where does the time go?

So I don't think she has issues with being seen, but may or may not have issues with appearing in the magazine.

Kelly once said she thought posing in Maxim could be done in a classy way. Where have I heard actresses say that before? So I don't think she would have a problem with Playboy either. She has said that she walks around in front of her roommates in the nude. That last I think was a quote from an interview.

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 wish I knew where these idyllic families are to be found because I know very few of them. My Dad worked all the time and rarely had any time for the kids. We knew he loved us but he did not spend time with us. When he wasn't working to earn a living, he was working on the house or car as out of necessity he did his own repairs. None of the men in my area spent much time with their families for the same reasons. It may only be recent generations where families take more quality time as a family. One of my nieces is having a lot of children. Nothing wroing with that. I would have loved to have had more kids myself. The only problem is that her husband is holding down two jobs to support them and is repeating the pattern of my parents. He has no time to spend with the family. These stories are nothing because at least the children were safe and happy which is not true of many families. In my mind, the idyllic family is a myth.

Would some of you misunderstand if I say I love you especially to HeidiHo and Iseeme and djs111 along with some others - too many names to call out. I'm still chuckling at a couple of the recent posts.

Ivy - you may want to rethink your title. MongrelMate sounds like another word for bitch!

lol.

Let's see, I belong to CH, CV, ChP, and FCA. I once belonged to BOI, IdolForums, Fort, TTC. Todd's first board, and Heartsomething or other. Trying to join CB never worked out (some registration issue with ezboard). Never wanted to belong to the OFCB.

What does that make me a MongrelMate? Now I think I sound like a 7 year old trying to make a joke.

Will stop now. The above struck my funny bone.