strummer6

This is a really great notion. Yup, I think I'll be setting up some Google alerts.

Peeking in at lunch time. And I see that reviewing of audio quality is going on! First, thank you all for doing this. Secondly, I'm sorry RL has me a bit tied up so I wasn't here to volunteer. I haven't ventured anywhere else today in terms of boards, so don't know what's out there yet. Looks like there's so much to look forward to. [/snerk] Also didn't see the FNL mention. But if it was a gay mention, I'm now in meh land. As long as there's no tabloidy crap or pissy behavior stuff, I no longer care. I obviously have no idea if Clay cares or not, but if you take a look at his MySpace page, I'd guess not so much as some think. It's like a big 'ol middle finger to stereotypes. As in "Can I be straight and have gay friends? You bet your ass I can!" Geez, I just love him. Amen to what Ansa said on the way we hear music. It's all subjective. I get comments on both cheese and noise. Some tell me Matchbox20 and Clay = cheese. Others tell me Linkin Park and Wolfmother = noise. My parents are still ragging me that I have the Dandy Warhols version of Little Drummer Boy on my holiday mix, along with Clay, Bing, Andy, BNL and a few Celtic Christmas songs. I like it! Thank goodness it's not a cookie cutter world when it comes to music. Top 40 radio, and AC too a little, may act like it. But in the end, I think they will either have to change or lose out to the internet. It's becoming the new radio, IMO. And they don't get that. Hi all! Hope everyone had a good holiday!

Yes, I'm repeating it. This is my favorite new picture. scrypkym's got some wonderful shots. But that half-lidded eyes, parted lips look? Holy crap. Agreed. Happy Holidays indeed. I'm having family in tomorrow for a late Christmas. Why do I keep prowling the house, looking for something out of place? The food is done, just needs to be reheated and the appetizers are in the fridge, ready to set out. Why do I think I'm forgetting something? Geez, I'm neurotic. Think I'll just go back to staring at that picture.

Stopping in very early on Christmas morning to wish all here at this lovely, lovely place a Merry Holiday! It was a grand tour, was it not? Made all the grander by reading everyone's recaps, finally reaching Kandre's latest. And perhaps greatest, I think. If only for the fact that she got bamboozled into a White Castle experience. Ha! (I'm sorry ... hope you're okay. I'm not sure those things actually get absorbed into the system. Yes, the name slider is sooooo apppropriate. And that was TMI, yes?) And also including cheese doodles and bucket hats - that's just a grin from ear to ear post. Thank you! Hope everyone is well! Life's been a little off lately and I've been off the computer for more than I would have liked, especially during the last half of the tour. Catching up on the recaps has made it better, though I'm so far behind I can't even begin to pull out quotes so I'm not even going to try. I'd miss too much goodness. Plus a few hugs to the beautiful ldyjocelyn. A perfect example of how Clay brings people together -- I've never met you, but I think of you as a friend. (She's thinking restraining order about now ... as well she should.) And a couple more for YSRN. Don't worry about wedging. These guys are cool. In the nicest of possible ways, even to occasional drop-byers like me! (Hoping to rectify that ...) And, Muski ... I know how you feel. I have a board home, and it's warm and funny. But it took a bit to find it, back in the early days. For me, I seem to fit in where it's smaller, the humor is rooted in love and affection, and there are really no set agendas. Well, except to enjoy the music and the laughter. And pictures like the one I just saw you post in the preview box. Guh. Now that's an agenda I can work with. And it's been heartwarming to watch (yes, I've lurked at times, when life is rushed) a community like that forming here. This place, and a few others like it, make me feel happy and optimistic about Clay's future. And that's all I'll say about that. Well, off to get some zzzzzzz's before I have to continue preparing for the family Christmas on the 26th. Yeah, we're all behind over here in my neck of the woods. Again, Merry Christmas to all and I'm raising a glass of eggnog to the citizens of FCA. Each and every one of you here makes me smile, and you cheer me up when it gets a little crazy out there.

That smile, up there? ^^^^^^^^ Is the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. ldyjocelyn -- I'm so glad you were there!

He sounds beautiful. And so relaxed. Me likey. Now -- have we heard anything about the pants?

muski -- I think I love you. So much word to that post. Looking around at comments tonight reminded of a Bono interview I read a while back -- I think it was Rolling Stone, but not sure. So I'm going to have to paraphrase. He said that the live experience might include his voice cracking, that he might miss notes and show other vocal flaws. He's a man, not a machine and he would never lip synch to take that element away. He also said that the concert stage was not a studio. It's about the crowd, the energy of the music, and the live experience that everyone shares for the night. That if people wanted studio quality, buy the CD. He'd be fine if they preferred that over a U2 concert. Because he'd be nothing but human, always, while on stage. And he'd be damned if he would ever do anything to hide or cover up the his own voice while performing, flaws included. I listened to the cellcert tonight and Clay was so on. Almost 90 minutes of beautiful singing and lots of laughter in between. A couple of bad notes or whatever you want to call them at the end doesn't take away from that, not for me. I dunno -- maybe people were bugged because it was the end, and it was the last thing that happened. But I don't understand how that would color the entire experience. But again, that's me. The big thing and a reason for celebration -- Clay was back on stage tonight, a place I think he was born to be. That makes me so freaking happy! Thank you, Clay! Though, hon, you almost killed me with Emanuel. I think I stopped breathing, it was just so beautiful. It was so nice to have this tonight -- work has been a nightmare. I missed the first 20 minutes of the concert because my boss called. Ten o'clock on a Friday night! WTH? Me thinks I'll be screening the calls this weekend ...

Good Lord, do I have a headache. Yeah, I fell into old habits and gave it too much thought. Way too much. Can't seem to stop feeling badly for him though. It's all so WTH? The fact that he's in the news over some kind of celebrity feud scenario is just freaking surreal. Arghh. Now I'm back to Clay probably just wanted to help put on a good show and have some fun while doing so. I don't get it. I mean, why wouldn't he think Ripa was all about snarking? I did. Before today, that is. And my head still hurts.

Number 1 - Fold. Number 2 - So not a fold. Yes, Muski has a one track mind. Thank goodness. I'm jealous of the NoCal and PA folks. They seem to have regular get togethers, people within a few minutes of each other and so on. I know there are other fans in the DC area, but to my knowledge no one is really interested in actually meeting except to say hi at concerts. Or they do so without telling me ... Paranoia! Podness! Oh my! Okay. I shook it off. And on those notes, Muski smutting, Couchie getting soft on The Clorilla (You do know you'll hate yourself in the morning, right? Ha!) and Jenna acknowledging the crazy, I'm going to bed. Tonight, for the first time, I got that Sawyer can be hot. I'm slow. And WTH? On hiatus until February? Good luck with that. Night all.

Want to know a really stupid reason I'm unhappy my Sony order will be canceled? Confession coming ... Warning! Warning! My silly, one little order was a pathetic way of showing that you can't classify a fan of Clay Aiken. I bought 2 AIW, Citizen Cope's Every Waking Moment, Pete Yorn's Nightcrawler and Foo Fighter's Skin and Bones. All CDs that I have previewed and want to get. And free shipping! Course, if an order fulfillment person even noticed, they would probably think I bought Clay for my blue-haired Momma or my 11 year old kid. Not that I have either. Sad, huh? Somebody needs to get bottle another drink. I want to see where she's headed to in emoticon land. Coz I think she's about to smut. Couchie: Oh, do I hear you. I haven't been to that many concerts - a grand total of three. No AI2, no JNT04 and no JBT (was supposed to but real life got messy.) But that summer of the JBT, for Wolf Trap I ended up with four house guests I had never met before. And even though I got sick and they had to go the show without me, most of the weekend was fanatastic. It was so worth it to meet each one. And we represented almost every age - 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's. Five women from nearly three different generations laughing and talking about the same things. And not just Clay; all kinds of things. I can't begin to explain it. There isn't a post long enough to say how much fun I had, or to explain Barbie doll stories, squirrel condoms or singing balloons. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Heck, I'd probably invite all or any of them again even if there wasn't a concert involved. Great group of women. (*waves to Mandler, Skorpie, Loyal and laughn who are out there somewhere ... and jbmarie too for being a great concert buddy for the NAT and JNT05*) But after meeting such wonderful people, when the Clorilla awakens, it's something I just try and shrug off. The strange Aunt indeed. I think I'll also squish ldyjocelyn for good measure. Whatchoo talkin about, girl? You got me LAA that night! Not fast enough, my ass. ;c) Dear God, that's a beautiful cover. ^^^^

KAndre: Bwah! I like that one! And I won't be needing to get on a list. My cry was heard and come Nov. 28, AIW will be heading my way. (Thank you, laughn.) You know, for the most part, this really is a nice community. At least the parts I end up seeing. Or I'm lucky that way. [/goopy]

So I'm cancelled. Crap! I don't have a nearby Walmart. Play, in the last thread you mentioned you might be doing buys for people; I may have to take you up on that and get on a list. Which I hate to do, becasue I so prefer self-sufficiency. That, and I already took help from ldyjocelyn when my iTunes was out of whack on the old computer and the new Dell didn't get here until October 9. (Bless her, that lovely lady -- I was dying to hear LAA. Like gasping for air and flopping around like a fish outta water, people!) Big sigh. Yeah, it was a Sony mistake. And people might not have gotten their orders anyway. Still, I would have liked to have had more time to eeeeeeee and squeeeee and stuff. That's all I really want in life. Lots of squeeeeeeeee-ing. Is that too much to ask? Cool on sales. That's basically no drop, still Top 100 and now he has other appearances coming up. Slow and steady is good. Very good. I'm really late on mentioning it -- but great banner. There were so many pretty ones to choose from, I was half expecting a three or four or five way tie. I'd love to enter a contest, but I don't parody and I don't montage. However, I so love and appreciate those that do.

muski wrote: O.M.G. No need to comment beyond that, really.

Oh the drama -- I am so torn about ACAC. I liked it because it was completely without guile and they passed on silly comedy skits. I thought the set was pretty, and I liked Clay's, Yolanda's and Megan's solo songs. The group sings not so much. Now I never argue with anyone, or try to change their mind, when I hear them say that Clay gets on their nerves or they don't like his music. It's just a reaction and it happens sometimes. I'm like that with Manilow. I know he has a gazillion fans and they love him, but I don't get him. (I'm sorry, luckiest1!) So I don't know whether to eat Cheetos in the corner or stand in the middle of the room feeling awkward. Yeah, I bought a copy. Checked out the behind the scenes extras and it was all Barry. I don't know where it is now. On the bright side, my Mom loved it. Adored every minute and she has it on tape. That's not a bad list. But I have no idea who Adam Lopez is and he's all the way up there at #3.

ldyjocelyn: I know! Me too! Most times I am just sooo easy, but I can't stop watching it! So free and loose and shiny. He's beyootiful. And Golden, baby. Oh yeah. *Grabs YSRN and staples her to the board.* Don't even try to get away! Ooh -- questions. I want to play too. What's your name? : strummer6, but the 6 is only there because EZ board said strummer was taken. I had another name at RHT, before I realized that Todd was batshit crazy (big IMO here), which was holeinmypocket or pocket. So if I ever met you at RHT before I jumped that ship in 2005 -- hi. What's in your iPod (or CD player)?: Looks at iTunes Um -- 5,843 songs. I'll list them later. Top Ten played: Lover All Alone - Clay, Warmer Climate - Snow Patrol, Numb - Linkin Park, Down Like Disco - Dandy Warhols, Holiday - Green Day, Plan B - Mute Math, Store Bought Bones - Raconteurs, Desecration Smile - Red Hot Chili Peppers, Strain - Carbon Leaf, Fishing- Widespread Panic. What is "your song" at karaoke? : I've never tried it. But I know I'd be bad. However, I am willing to lip synch. What's your favorite time of day? : 2am. What book are you reading right now? : Moo by Jane Smiley What's your favorite website? : YouTube What's your favorite old movie (DVD)? : Notorious or most Hitchcock flicks. What's your favorite current movie? : I haven't been to the movies in a while. I fall behind and catch up with DVDs. Most recent ones seen that I liked - Transamerica, Good Night and Good Luck, Love Song for Bobby Long. (Recent to me is anything from the last few years.) What is set on your television DVR: If I had a DVR-- Studio60, Boston Legal, Lost, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy and Trading Spaces (Don't say it. I love the craziness that is Hildy.) If you weren't in show business, what other career would you consider? : Bohemian salon hostess and writer of strange short stories. What is the strangest job you've ever held? : Investigator for the Public Defender's Office. What was the exact moment you became an adult? : December 16th, 1992. If you could trade places with one person for just ten minutes, who would it be? : My Mom. I so wanna know what's in that woman's head. What was your last purchase? : Down vest and yet another pair of black pants. What's in your carry-on bag? : Everything. It's bottomless. What's under your bed? : Old shoes and dog hair. What's your guilty pleasure? : General Hospital. (Laura's back! Eeeeeeeee!) I love questionnaires and surveys. I've been waiting for Gallup to call, but they never do. Today's ATD performance -- I think it's my favorite I'm all about the bridge on that song and on MM it kicked ass! And when he leaned back and took the mic stand with him I may have done a real swoon. If the mix was off, I didn't notice. I've watched it about five times. Maybe I need to check it out again. That Sutherland picture scared me.

Exactly! Well, not all that primitive, really. When I suggest a commune, it's a given there will be hot tubs and a wet bar. And CAC. And chocolate truffles. (We can grow those, right?) And the all important resident masseur. This would not be your mother's commune, people. Though ldyjocelyn baking sounds nice. Do you do croissants? Yes, Kandre should be in charge. She has minions and seems to be very decisive. I'm more of an idea person; all concept, no action. Completely unsuitable for even the most relaxed version of an HOA. Or whatever the ruling body of a commune is. Plus I like to sleep in. I love that People picture of Clay. It's now one of my favorites. He looks good in a reclining position, the hair is gorgeous, the jeans are perfect and there's that beautiful smile. I hope he's in the print edition. I want to spend more money on Clay. Speaking of more money; I'm bummed that AIW is no longer an online option. I have no Walmarts within 40 miles, and I'm not expected to be cleared to drive until early next year. No, I did not get a DUI; it's a health thing. I should of jumped on that sucker when it had no picture and was listed as having 0 songs. How could I let 0 songs stop me? It's Clay! But I'm expecting them to change their minds. Online shopping is a Constitutional right (The 19.99th Amendment) and they need to respect that. ETA: By golly, I think we may have a winner here. Jenna, that makes more sense than any CT I've read. A lot more. As far as radio goes -- on AC, Clay gets it at Christmas. MDYK was pretty big last year and I think it will get even more play this year. He's had at least four Christmas songs in the top 10 - 15. TPTB can than ride the back of that airplay with a stronger single than WY, since he's slipped into the AC consciousness during the holidays. Hmm ...

OMG. Those flowers are perfect. Perfect! I love bright colors and jewel tones in flower arrangements and am always talking florists out of carnations and baby's breath. That's the bouquet I've always wanted to get. That one right up there. Down to the vase and the water rock. (So zen.) Clay sends perfect flowers. Darn him. This is the cherry on top of my fandom. *Sigh* I guess I'm in the cult for the long haul. So, like, when are we moving to Idaho and setting up the commune? We could raise goats. Zoe1, Zoe2, Zoe3 ... We'd sell goat cheese, till the earth, and on Wednesday nights we'd have a combo sing-a-long and burning Clive in effigy party. Anybody have the lyrics to the Peanut song? Tomorrow is Wednesday, after all. I wanna practice. ;c) Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

Tour? Oh, he'll tour, unless someone ties him up and throws him in a dungeon somewhere. After three years of watching Clay live, whether in person or one of the videos, IMO it's his favorite thing to do. Plus it's part of his job and the one area of that job where he can actually earn some money. Need to keep boyfriend with a roof over his head. ;c) My last three pieces of Clack. So hard! 8 - The JBT Happy Together where he bites Angela's hand and and then headlocks Q & A, all the while happily bopping his head and singing Ba ba bah bah bah. The twinkle in his eyes was to die for. Plus I love me some Turtles. 9 - The NAT where he wears the backwards pink hat during YGAF and does his rap move on Jacob, and none of them could sing anymore from laughing. Except Clay. Cos he can most always sing. 10 - This was hard. Do I go goopy with Wilkes, sexy with Miami blue-shirt-of-clingy-goodness-WDC, adorable when pulling yellow roses out of a piano bench the last night of the IT (and fedora!), or stay in my fun zone? I opted for fun zone. Hey, on a desert island, why would I want to cry? I could dehydrate. And if I'm alone, too much sexy would be more than I can bear. (Course, it could motivate me to build a boat ...) Anywho -- Decided on Little Humper Boy. Embarrassed, laughing, how-do-I get-out of this Clay? And he still sang purty, despite his "nasty dancin'." Can't believe I have two with WY Version 1.0 when I don't even like the song. Dang. I didn't count my CDs (40+) and DVDs in that 99 GB. But still, Kandre made me feel downright normal. I'm much obliged. And thank goodness for the Maxtors, both of them. The first one I bought, I thought 80 GB would be enough. Hahahaha! BTW -- the Clack lists -- this is aside from audio, yes? We can have the actual CDs with us? Please don't say no, or I'll hyperventilate.

Ten favorite pieces of Clack, huh? Geez, I'm glad you upped it from five! 1 - The OMG, OMG Invisible. Piece of Clack Number One. It started a movement, y'all. That, plus he was so happy, he was practically flying. Add in that last shot, with both him and the jumbotron in the frame -- I had never seen him look so beautiful before. 2 - Clay and Brianna. One of the cutest kids ever and he's glowing. 3 - Pitt Ovation, AI tour. I love that -- it goes on and on and on and he just lowers his head, blushes and laughs. There was blushing! 4 - Oprah IWCY. The 'Home' kills me. Well, the whole thing kills me, but especially the home. 5 - Canada AM with Ruben. God, they were having fun. 6 - The most recent Kimmel. Clay shows leg and let's loose with a belly laugh. I could not want for more. (Okay, I could. But I won't go there.) 7 - The first Kyrie entrance. It was just so exciting. Where is he? Where? He's ... here! With us! The last three, I must think on and will likely post tomorrow night. This is important stuff. And ... um ... I just clicked on properties in my video directory. It says I have 3,169 files. 99GB. Some of those must be duplicates, right? Right? How am I going to pick ten? The more important question -- how in the hell did I get all that? Yes, I'm in shock. muski -- I see you are headed out of town, but when you came back and if you need replacements for some of your lost video, let me know. I seem to have quite a bit here ...

I missed the party. *pouts* Real life got in the way. But now that it's quiet, I'm going to read this thread and pretend it's happening now. Looking forward to reading what was said. And thank you, ldyjocelyn. Again, this was a fantastic idea.

Aw, I think the hair looks okay in that cap. His head is tilted and it's an itty-bitty picture, but I'm kind of like ldyjocelyn. I don't focus so much on the hair. I've also never seen more people -- boards, media, whatever -- focus on a guy's hair so much. Is it still the AI makeover thing? I mean, what's up with that? I've never heard anybody do a Brad Pitt-what's up-with-his-hair? comment. (Substitute celeb of choice.) Did the audience really gasp? So much so that he was actually uncomfortable? Ew. That sounds so ... mean. If I entered a room and people did that to me, I'd be having a flee in tears moment. I hope the crowd sound wasn't that bad. Poor guy. Maybe they did his hair differently to make it look like it was taped on two different days, along with the change of clothes, since it sounds like it will be shown on a separate episode. I wasn't trying to be mysterious, honest. I was just repeating the 'nothing.' And I had to use an online English - Russian Dictionary to do it. I tried to learn some Russian once upon a time; back in the day of roommates, I had one from St. Petersburg. The alphabet alone gave me a migraine. It had like six characters for different types of silence. Plus everytime I said something, it came out in a Spanish accent. Very strange, since I'm a pasty Anglo of German descent. Yes, she laughed at me. Actually brought her to tears one time, trying to say "Good Night." Uh -- Where was I? Oh ... Yay! for Clay finally showing up on the Tyra site! The recaps have me really excited for this one. ETA - Muski: That's great! I'm so glad you found him. Just thinking about a lost dog ... *shudders*

Me thinks KAndre does not really get the concept of "EP." Course, I also think she doesn't care. Not only do I have a lot of love for the Russian review, but the prices in U.S. Dollars -- album downloads are $1.62! Yes, I read the FAQ and it sounds like you can download from anywhere. They even give tips on how to circumvent international credit card fees (not in these words, mind you) and how to finagle in by using a Pay Pal conduit. I may have to think about this one ... So if Clay goes number one in Russia this week, I'm telling you right now I had nothing to do with it! ничто!* (*Yay for online translators.) So that's Couchie! Cool! I've met very few people from the boards, so it's great to be able to link the faces to the names. You gave me a big old grin, you and the centerfold. You represented well! Hi, Aspiegirl!

Claygasm - Hey! You're me! I doubled in English and theater. I still have my journals. The poems too. (Mine were sooooo bad.) But, still, very cool. And I'd be more peppy about it if Ansa hadn't made me cry some more ... Ansa, that was beautiful. I should stop listening now, shouldn't I? God, I love this song. Night all. What a wonderful idea this was.

ldyjocelyn - I think I'm both. I love a good hook, a a good melody or a wonderful lilt. Every so often you get both, where the music fuses perfectly with the lyric and they almost can't be separated. The guitar or the piano is almost whispering the words in tandem. And I think this combination makes heart songs. Usually I feel that the best lyrics are the most plain. The most simple. Fancy metaphors and clever can be good (To play Double Dutch with the real Double Duchess somes to mind ...) But straight and true makes for the best, IMO. One of my old favorites: I get the urge for going But I never seem to go. - Joni Mitchell Foster wrote a beautiful melody and Clay found its heart. Or gave it his.

Earlier, on another board, I wrote this post about LAA (modified for more lyrics): Damn. I think I might cry again. Did I mention on my playlist I follow this with 'Alone' from the JBT? Do you guys think I'm a glutton for punishment? (Rhetorical.)