cindilu2

Hee - I'm hoping maybe a close[r]-up version will surface cuz there's a super-cute point/wink there that kinda gets lost.

The boy defines adorkable.

This one is just for you bottlecap ;-)

(clipped from Scarlett's Chautauqua 70's medley in which Clay is quite proud of hisself for copping a kiss from Ms. Casey)

Is there some back story to the Devin video? You have to remember that some of us only read here and this is the first time it's been mentioned. Is there speculation that Clay is the camera man? I don't think I hear him.

Don't know about the cameraman thing, but most definitely hear him harmonizing after about the 3 minute mark (on the original sideways version anyway)

Last night I burned deborah760's two part Biloxi audio files to CD for the car, because I had to drive out to Toronto to pick up my son. Wheeeee! I love that we have full audio clack, it's so much fun to listen to. But then when I got home, I had to watch a bunch of the banter videos so I could see what the hell was going on!

I was thinking that this would be a cool tour to do a 'best of audio' collection.....we could split it into the 4 medleys, and then all the solos. Would anyone be interested in helping out?

I would! Sign me up for the 80's medley. Maybe we should wait a bit though as (I think) there is still more clack to come from those who were on the road, etc.

I may have spoken too soon - the button for Orlando was taken down and apparently there were some issues... Currently holding my breath to see if our (surprisingly) good seats really exist, lol.

I'm not worried-- the issue is "holds". I remember thinking 20 minutes was a long time to hold seats, and it was ten minutes for the other venues I looked at. I think they just need to change that variable, and probably have to talk to the ticket server admin to get it fixed.

Ahh - good thinking, kimiye. I remember thinking it was a long time, too.

I may have spoken too soon - the button for Orlando was taken down and apparently there were some issues... Currently holding my breath to see if our (surprisingly) good seats really exist, lol.

On the bolded - I can't recall the exact wording (eta: I re-listened) but the interviewer said something like 'you have to endure having your own quotes thrown back in your face years later.' This is something I think about often - how would I fare if everything I said when I was 25 (or 35, or in some cases, last week, lol) was recorded for posterity and then used against me later. Oh boy, I don't think I'd do so well. (Just to clarify... I'm not saying you are doing that kf - your post just made me think of this).

It was the interviewer who was throwing his words back at him, and Clay was responding with "updates" -- I loved it. You can't box him in. So often I read that fans "assume" Clay didn't mean what he said in the past, and I think he did. I also think he's an evolving person who embraces change. My favorite type of person, actually.

And, cindilu , we've never met, but for future reference you can be assured I never take comments personally. People that have tried to insult me with all their hearts and minds have failed miserably, because I'm neither thin-skinned nor particularly observant, so shooosh, right over my head most of the time!

OMG, school has started. Big-time. Life changes again.

That's good - I am just paranoid after all these years.

I must say that ground[ctrl] and Team Clay did good - perhaps the smoothest presale I've encountered, and some really good seats coming up (not that I got the really good ones, but I've read others did).

Presale info has been added to OFC News page now. The sales will take place directly through the fanclub site (not Ticketmonster, etc).

Please pray for we Canadians.

I watched the Memphis PBS interview last night, and I found it interesting in a few respects. Number l, Clay looked and sounded really fine. Next, the interviewer did his homework by reading Clay's book. So many of the questions were straight out of Learning to Sing. But the funny thing was, Clay countered the premise of just about every question he asked, from his mother, to Johnny Mathis, Claymates, and so on. The Unicef footage was the best part for me. Lots of new footage. And I love that Clay loves to tour. How fortunate for all of us!

I really liked this guy's approach - he did his research. Even if some of it was a little outdated it was a great overview of Clay's life post-idol for those who lost track of him. And what a life it's been! UNICEF, NIP, Learning to Sing, Broadway, touring (thank god he loves it!).

On the bolded - I can't recall the exact wording (eta: I re-listened) but the interviewer said something like 'you have to endure having your own quotes thrown back in your face years later.' This is something I think about often - how would I fare if everything I said when I was 25 (or 35, or in some cases, last week, lol) was recorded for posterity and then used against me later. Oh boy, I don't think I'd do so well. (Just to clarify... I'm not saying you are doing that kf - your post just made me think of this). I think the Clay of 2002/3 got a whole lot of life-lessons he never could have dreamed of and those lessons changed his (if not narrow, then perhaps a little naive) perspective on a lot of things. He is ever evolving and endlessly fascinating to me. It is both wonderful and terrible that we've been able to see him 'grow up' before our eyes. He may not be everyone's idol but he sure is my hero.

Somebody better get busy between now and tomorrow afternoon! Only two of those shows are even listed on ticketbastard. Ought to be an interesting day!!

That Memphis PBS interview is amazing. Almost a full half hour of him talking - and very few fluff questions. Excellent!!!!

Coming hesitantly out of lurkdom. . . . When I first joined all you lovely folks here at FCA last year, many of you were so welcoming (thanks !) that I shouldn't feel at all shy about returning!

What a fabulous couple of concerts--in Milwaukee, and best of all, a few days ago in Hammond !! Hi, thanks, and hugs to my friend and travel director buddy, Grape4CA, who made it all possible !

Also, it seems I've forgotten (no surprise there !) how to reply to parts of multiple posts--hence, this low-tech reply !

Cindilu, it was so great to finally meet you !! And you do give the best bigass hugs ever ! Muahhh to you !

I had been looking forward to your M & G almost as much as you were, I think (ridiculous, I know). To be able to share the anticipation beforehand was lovely--waiting for the passes and waiting for you to go in to see The Man himself were nicely nervous-making. And your face afterwards !? That's what I had hoped most to see for myself !! May I say you looked like you had swallowed the sun ?! So much joy and so many smiles are rare in life, and I feel privileged to have shared yours and to be able carry the memory with me for a long time!

Also, I had been hoping to meet more of you at the concert, so the bonus was that we did get to meet you too, luckiest1 ! Thanks for the greetings, and I hope you're feeling much better !

I love Clay !! Forever and ever !

*staples headoverheels to the board*

Muahhhhhh. Now stay here!! (and stop making me sniffle, k? )

I got the same tweet, excited to see when the St. Louis date, which was rumored, would be. Didn't find it. This makes me think that the list isn't TOTALLY complete.

I'm also not real thrilled that the Chicagoland show, in Waukegan, is on a Wednesday evening. Really tough for me to get away for that one. Hmmmm.

Nothing less than 5 and a half hours drive for us Claynadians (at least those in my neck of the woods). That's a long drive at that time of year. I don't want another Erie scenario. Good thing I grabbed those Charlotte tickets when I did....at least I can get to an airport in 2 hours.

Yeah, but Cleveland is a Saturday. Just sayin :clay:

So now we only want him touring on weekends? Heheheh.

:3: to headoverheels. "you looked like you had swallowed the sun" is a great line.

cindilu2: So - you've changed your profession because of Clay, were prepared to disrobe at your M&G, and were persuaded to be a lesbian for a free breakfast on a Clay trip? Did I mention that Clay has an inheritance waiting for him in a Nigerian bank, and if you send me your bank account and credit card information, it would be instrumental in helping him get access to at least $5,000,000? :26:

Yep, that about sums it up.

(for the record though... it was to impersonate a lesbian (not that I dont' love ya, luckiest1)

Found this great Hammond M&G recap by Banshee at CV:

Finally getting a chance to post my Hammond M&G recap!

Be warned, it is rather lengthy… (This post may travel) [snip]

We made it to the venue in plenty of time to find the box office and scope out The Venue (yes, the name of the venue at Hammond is: The Venue………sort of reminded me of a Laurel and Hardy skit…..)

As we were waiting and chatting, the lovely Nicki503 was introduced to me. She took me aside to ask me a favor regarding the M&G. Seems her good friend Cathy, aka Pennyb30 (WISCathylovesClay at the CB) also had a M&G. Actually, Cathy had PMd me a while back when we found out we both had won one, and introduced ourselves that way. It turns out that Cathy had not seen Clay live since '04. Her life was interrupted by a brain aneurysm. She had surgery (at least one) which had some lasting after effects on her brain function and left her with a titanium plate in her head. She was thrilled to win this M&G. Her daughter and daughter's friend had brought her to Hammond. Cathy was very concerned that she would not remember anything about the M&G and also that she would be too emotional too function, which was somewhat of an after effect of her surgery. Nicki503 asked if I would keep a special eye on Cathy, which I was more than happy to do. ....... Clay was going to ask everyone's name, he walked over to Cathy first, looked at her, waved his hand at her and said "you're crazy" in a dismissive tone. (Remember she had her hands over her mouth, her eyes were huge and she was probably chanting oh my gosh, oh my gosh). Of course this was Clay being snarky, I patted Cathy's leg and said, he's kidding you know. Clay went down to the opposite end or the row of us and then started there with names and handshakes. He then asked where we were from, he remembered one of the ladies from a previous meeting and knew where she was from. I told him I was from Michigan, and no, he didn't hold up his palm and ask me which part…. : When Cathy was telling Clay where she was from, she explained her health issues, and that she was emotional and would have trouble remembering things due to them. Clay listened attentively, when he found out that her daughter and a friend had brought her, he asked where they were. Cathy told him they were waiting out by the box office. Clay turned to Jerome and made a circular motion with his hand indicating for Jerome to go find them. We all looked at each other and grinned. First class, compassionate Clay at work right in front of us. Alas the girls could not be found, at least not right away.... [snip]

This story about Cathy is what I was referring to in my (very brief) recap of the M&G. I was so hoping her story would be told because for me, it was really something special to see unfold. The subtle change in Clay's demeanor once he realized the situation was beautiful to watch. He was still teasing, snarky Clay, but just that much more gentle. I really did fall in love all over again in those few moments. The other very cool thing was the silent communication between Clay and Jerome (when indicating that he should go find the daughters). Jerome really never takes his eyes off Clay and there is no doubt in my mind that it wouldn't take more than that crook of Clay's finger for him to take you out.

Also the 'take your t-shirt off' thing was me. OMG it was funny - I would have sworn that was what he said. In fact I actually leaned back out the door and asked him (laughing of course) to repeat it. I said dang, didn't realize it was that kind of meet and greet. He said 'you're gonna get me fired.'

Congratulations, Kim!!

:kirtsun_05:

So... what time's the cellcert tonight?

Oh.

Yeah.

Right.

::sob::

Come back, Claaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

Well, when we came out of the restaurant in Dewitt, MI (where cindilu2 did a bang up job of impersonating a lesbian BTW ) we were walking to the car and a little, plastic, kind of crushed-by-a-car Pinocchio doll literally fell at our feet. We have no idea where it fell from....a plane? a spaceship? a hot air balloon? ha ha. It's nose no longer grows, unfortunately. But perhaps it was a sign that cindilu2 should stop 'lying' and come out of the closet...as straight. *rim shot*

Apparently we now know my price - a free breakfast coupon at Bob Evans.

ETA: I don't see any clack of the opening FWW/TITN for Hammond. I SO hope it was recorded somehow (even just audio) as Clay really ramped up TITN.

Hee, I didn't forget, but I'm thinking maybe you had to be there.

What?? It's not every day Pinocchio falls out of the sky at your feet! It's a sign I tell ya! Not sure exactly what it's a sign of, but it's a sign!

- -

I can't believe it's almost over.

Thanks, Clay and Ruben and company for making this another summer to remember. It really was about damn time, and we really are so damn lucky.

I honestly did have the time of my life.

luckiest, how could you forget about Pinocchio???

I fell in love with Clay, the man, all over again. He is a genuine good heart and my respect for him grew even deeper after this experience. For my own part, I finally got a coherent sentence or two out of my mouth - and I am going to be smiling for a long, long time. He asked us each what we did for a living and I told him that I was now doing graphic design, thanks to him. He asked 'why thanks to me?' (with a slightly skeptical arch to the eyebrow) and I explained that my interest in it started by 'playing with him', lol - and that I learned I loved it and had gone back to school and changed careers (and thus my life) thanks to him. He said 'all that in the last seven years?' (all the skepticism gone). He seemed to be genuinely impressed and flattered and I was over-the-moon thrilled to finally have been able to tell him that without any sappiness or pretense. I'll never forget it!

Hee - sidenote: When I said 'graphic design' - he immediately said 'oooh, what kind of design?? We need...' and then he got distracted by something and never came back to it. Damnit!!! (If you're reading, Clay - call me!!) BWAHAHAHAHAH!! [snip]

I wish we could be in Biloxi tonight, but I am 100% grateful and happy for the past 10 days - truly a highlight of my seven+ years of fandom.

Cindy, you know I have to share this with Sally. She will be so pleased for you. How awesome! Thnx for the recap.

Caro

Please do, Caro! He did say something like 'good for you' but I can't remember the exact words. The Aiken Fog is a powerful and brutal thing. I wish we could record these things. I really, really hope the other gals tell their stories.

Ditto to luckiest1 - the show has been well recapped. I'm sorry I didn't get to see the FCA peeps - I did see the back of ldyjocelyn's head though, lol. I did get to meet two wonderful lurker friends (as luckiest also mentioned), Grape4CA and headoverheels. Lovely ladies, both and ((((bigasshugs)))) for making a special day ever moreso.

I had my fanclub meet & greet last night, and I have to say it was wonderful. A whole different experience than seeing Clay and Ruben together. Both were amazing, but Clay was so much more focused when it was just him and us (and Cheryl and Jerome and security, lol). The other ladies' stories are theirs to tell - and I sincerely hope they do, because it was really wonderful. I fell in love with Clay, the man, all over again. He is a genuine good heart and my respect for him grew even deeper after this experience. For my own part, I finally got a coherent sentence or two out of my mouth - and I am going to be smiling for a long, long time. He asked us each what we did for a living and I told him that I was now doing graphic design, thanks to him. He asked 'why thanks to me?' (with a slightly skeptical arch to the eyebrow) and I explained that my interest in it started by 'playing with him', lol - and that I learned I loved it and had gone back to school and changed careers (and thus my life) thanks to him. He said 'all that in the last seven years?' (all the skepticism gone). He seemed to be genuinely impressed and flattered and I was over-the-moon thrilled to finally have been able to tell him that without any sappiness or pretense. I'll never forget it!

Hee - sidenote: When I said 'graphic design' - he immediately said 'oooh, what kind of design?? We need...' and then he got distracted by something and never came back to it. Damnit!!! (If you're reading, Clay - call me!!) BWAHAHAHAHAH!!

ETA: My question was whether he saw any Spam Fam when he was in NYC and he said yes, three of them came to the show. I said we knew about Tom... and he said the other two people there with Tom were also from the cast. I wanted to ask specifically about David and what he was up to, but didn't get the opportunity.

I wish we could be in Biloxi tonight, but I am 100% grateful and happy for the past 10 days - truly a highlight of my seven+ years of fandom.

The reports are that Clay received a resounding and very loud SO when he came on stage!

I'm a little verklempt.

Moi aussi.

Also reports that someone from Decca is there, and someone from MTV as well? And Tom Deckman, who had a hard time finding a seat but Jerome found him one in the end.

Aww, I lurves me some Tom. How cool that he's there to see his Spam Fam.

Oh boy! I can't even imagine the confusion that would bring on. Yikes.

Good luck to all the attendees!

I hope that members of Clay's Spamily and other NYC friends get to see him blow the roof off the venue tonight! Plus I hope that the news jeans get thrown in the washer and shrunk a bit in a hot dryer before the tour hits Hammond on Friday and I get to see them in person again.

NYC peeps: Have a great time! And if the venue is selling the tour t-shirts, I'd still love to get one of the black ones with the microphone on the front (L or XL), and I'd be happy to paypal someone who could pick me up one. I read that the tour merchandise didn't make it to Windsor, so I couldn't get one there. I'm a little nervous about waiting until Friday night.

They were selling merchandise in Chautauqua after the show - but I'd be amazed if many people even knew about it. It was in the small booth outside and behind the amphitheater and we very nearly walked right past it without realizing. They only had the white tees with Cluben on the front and the dates on the back. Not sure if they just didn't have any more with them or if they are sold out altogether.

Have a great time tonight, wanda (et al). D101 - like you wouldn't.

New jeans!!

I can't believe we're coming to the end of this tour already. Five consecutive shows this week (starting last night) - They ought to be primed by Saturday!