PuddinsJoy

Just in - looks like Clay's going to do Waukegan again for his holiday tour!

Clay Aiken

Genesee Theatre, Waukegan, IL

Thu, Nov 29, 2007 07:30 PM

Internet Presale Info

GENESEE VIP PRESALE:

Start:Fri, 06/29/07 10:00 AM CDT

End:Sat, 06/30/07 09:00 AM CDT

Internet Onsale Info

Onsale to General Public:

Sat, 06/30/07 10:00 AM CDT

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/07003ED6...mp;minorcatid=1

eta sorry to post-ho, trying to catch-up!

Well, I ain't no mod here (and don't you even THINK about it, couchie!... :medium-smiley-070: )but from my experience at FCA, there's no such thing as post-hoing, is there?

Posthoing is encouraged!! :lmaosmiley-1:

Well, in that case, here I go again . . .

I could have gone without knowing but am going to as suggested

Me too, and btw, what a cute emoticon! Is it new or have I just missed it with my images turned off at work?

I snagged it from another board and saved to my Photobucket account - couchie can have it if she wants *g* I seem to enjoy collecting the "blah-blah" and "la-la" emoticons - there's a lesson in there somewhere, just not sure what

Speaking of Jacob....I noticed something yesterday while watching the AC JBT....Clay came out on stage during Jacob's solo in the Motown medley. He usually doesn't come out until after Jacob is done, at the beginning of Reach Out (I'll Be There). He seemed to be laughing and having a great time up there, dancing in the background, but none of the clack gatherers focused on him...they all followed Jacob. Does anyone who was actually there think he just came out early by mistake? Or did he want to watch Jacob? I just thought it was cool...because it was out of the ordinary.

Clay did jump the gun - If you listen to the banter after the Motown Medley (or maybe even a bit later than that? not certain) Clay mentions how he accidentally came in early during Jacob's song - he was a little sheepish & apologizes.

eta sorry to post-ho, trying to catch-up!

Clay and his very own member for that matter

Not going there, not going there, not going there...

Oh hell, I give up. I've been trained by muski...

.......annnnd now I know what the thread was about. I'm so glad I don't do OFC.

Giving Clay gifts - I love the idea of giving pins but tend to agree that Clay remembers faces and circumstances more than physical gifts - which is truly a gift for us!

I like that Kimmel said thank you - I don't always agree with the fan's methods, but I'm glad he appreciates our attention. But I'm happier that he enjoys Clay and knows he'll brings good stuff whenever he's on his show - and by that I mean engaging conversation, sarcasm, silliness, and intelligence - not the literal "stuff" fans seem to want to send.

Edit to clarify: When I mention the fan's methods, I'm referring to the gifts that have been sent in the past when Clay's been on the show that have been, imho, somewhat OTT. I don't know if any get well gifts were sent to Jimmy, but if so, that's actually pretty cool, cause I love the Climmel.

I forgot in my massive missive yesterday to talk about allergies -- and to say I really can't help. I've been an allergic mess since I was a kid (Hey! Clay and I have a connection!), and I take prescription strength Allegra D every day. I'm also subjecting myself to a round of allergy desensitization shots. I think after 6 months it's starting to work. (This is a LONG process).

Another allergy-sufferer steps forward - ldyjocelyn we share a decongestant-connec-shun (does that sound like Schoolhouse Rock to anyone but me? *g*) My sinuses were np until my early 20's until my allergies kicked in and because of the freakish narrowing of the bones in my nose (I know, TMI, sorry ), I am really susceptible to sinus infections if I don't take the Allergra-D daily. They want to do shots but the $10/month I pay for the Allegra-D is so much less painful, literally, than the shots. I am an admitted shot-wienie.

Dayton NAT: ISY. ‘nuff said. (And if you need it, I’m sure YSRN will be more than happy to post the YouTube link. *g*)

Hee. What on earth would give you that idea?

It was a really long session and we went to bed at 4:00 am!!!!!!! At various time we would stop and look at each other and say "OMG it's 10 days". and then we would ee and break into fits of giggles...just like real 12 year olds.

To say we are excited is a gross understatement. I don't know how keepingfaith is keeping sane before her first experience. We were trying to explain to her what a first Clay time is like and we kept coming up with words like undescribable, unbelievable, inexplicable and we could never put into words exactly how we felt. The one thing we agreed on is we all felt the same about this man.

It is such a wonderful experience to have friends that love this man as much as you do and to be able to talk about it and know that they "get" it! I am so glad I became a fan of Clay Aiken. He has made my life so much richer.

Bring us this tour Clay - I am so ready!!! :Tour3: :TourExcite:

10 more days. EEEEEEEEEE! Let the countdown begin! :Tour3:

In the attention ho category, thought I'd mention that I posted a new J&C skit HERE

Thank you to all ye lip-pic-bringers - what those 2 little freckles still do to me after more than four years . . .

Hoping for the very best news Play - thinking about you!

Jacob, eh? OK, I’ve got a few questions/observations. Firstly – since PuddinsJoy mentioned being involved with the candles at KC – was that planned after Jacob left the show in Iowa, or was that something that had been planned for a while? I’ve always wondered that. I thought it was just fortuitous circumstances – that the fans in KC planned the lights, but then timing made the whole situation that much more interesting for Clay. But, I’d love to hear if my intuition on that was correct or not.

The candles were planned and ordered in Sept - so, yes it was just an amazing coincedence.

Just to jump in a little on the Jacob discussion - jmo, but I don't think Clay had any inkling that Jacob was going to leave during the CBluffs concert, or even after it, because of a couple of veiled remarks he made during his DSIAFCD banter. The first was after he forgot to intro Andy, saying we should be nice to him (A) because he had worked "pretty hard today, if I do say so myself" and again, when he intro'd Q & A, when he said they had both "worked their rear ends off today". No, I didn't remember the specific quotes, I just checked Scarlett's clack at 3:00 and at 6:48

Beautiful banner cindilu2 as always - I'm a big fan!

Popsicle? I'm sickly sweet cherry :lies:

eta -

Mostly, I remember we lost the sexy GROWL on one "Home" song I particularly enjoyed but he compensated for that by giving us the etherial Emanuel. WAAAAAAaaaaahhhh!!!!! I wanted BOTH.

yeah clayzedover, but we got one heckuva GROWL at Council Bluffs the night before - brought me right out of my seat! and yes, Emmanuel was glorious

Favorite concert moments - has to be a tie between 9-1-05 JBT in Atlantic City and KS City JNT05. In Atlantic City, I could not believe the energy! As Claygasm said earlier, he was so ON! It was the first Clay concert I'd ever been to where I wasn't thinking "Come back Clay!" as he walked off stage - of course, that came later *g* but as it ended, all I could feel was the pure joy and energy from everyone else there. BFM was totally rocking and his signed thank you after TRD was so special - and I loved it as we sang along during ANMHE and he just sat down and let us sing

The KS City JNT05 means a lot to me because I'm a member of the fan club that planned and put together the holding up of candles during DSIAFCD - which turned out to mean a lot to Clay after what had happened the night before at Council Bluffs, when Jacob left the tour midway through the show (I was there for that show too and another amazing concert moment - Clay's first performance of Emmanuel - 3rd row - incredible!!). To see him tear up, and grab Quiana and Angela's hands when they saw the candles, made us feel like we had really done something right. I know it was controversial for many of the fans, but in the end it meant a lot to Clay, so it meant a lot to us too.

So many good things said here today - at another board, not so much - I just wish common sense would prevail - oh well, my scroll key is getting a good workout

I guess it depends if you are looking at it from a fan's standpoint or a marketer's standpoint...and honestly....why would 99.9% of fans look at it from anything other than a fan's point of view? Why should they?

What if Clay's next album is all orginals, but those originals are songs in the vein of "Moon River", with lots of symphonic arrangements? I am not saying that is my preference, but think about it. Clay seems to love singing with a symphony (as he himself has said). He seems to love pretty songs. He seems to love singer's songs, as he has put it. What if his next album, all orginals, is more in the vein style and sound-wise of ATDW or "Moon River"?

I wouldn't mind a bit but then I'm very easy when it comes to Clay - I'm just waiting for a certain segment of the fandom to try to assign a genre to the infamous "Phone Book" we all want to hear him sing so they can bitch and moan about that too

I can't speak for others, but for me it's become less a discussion and more a directive. *shrug* I am online to celebrate and enjoy Clay, not to fix him. (Though I would consider tying his shoelaces. Not the same thing?)

About shoelaces - I wouldn't think twice about doing them - as a matter of fact, I've been known to think about doing nothing but that for hours on end

A directive and/or extrapolation based on opinions presented as facts and based on nothing but wishful thinking. Anyone who dares to disagree with some posters are treated as if they are ignorant and don't know what they are talking about. Plus, its the same "discussion" over and over and over and over and over again. Its just gets tiresome.

I agree Claygasm - great post! Not only are those who disagree treated as ignorant, but are often ignored completely -- but I don't think I need a marketing degree to do that - nope, see, here I go . . wheeeeeeeeee!!!!!

The other thing that bothers me is instead of rejoicing in the tour we are about to experience, we get the same rehashing of the RCA did Clay wrong "discussion" and the covers suck "discussion" etc. I would be much happier with a discussion that focused on the tour

There are many instances where it's been attempted but they seem to enjoy the hand-wringing more - I guess their definition of fun is different than most. Instead of posting reaction to their angsting, I think we should ignore them completely and post away with our eeeeeeeeeeeeeee's and our :Tour3: :Tour3: :TourExcite: :TourExcite: It will absolutely drive them shit-batty

So I want to just pipe in on the music thing. Ya know, that thing that the fans are suppose to be most interested in. Well anyway, I find myself thinking long and hard and sooo agonizing over what his next CD will sound like and what his next concert will look/sound like and and and.....

Only SO NOT! wtf? ITA that some of this fandom (some) is lost in some hot a/c radio world that quite frankly is never going to exist for our guy if were completely honest with ourselves. So who gives a rats ass anyway. Few folks listen continuously to radio anymore. Unless they are rap, talk radio or college stations, they are listening to CDs and ipods and the net! That's a fact jack and there's no goin' back sfar as I can tell. Sooooo....

treenuts, can I be you when I grow up? :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Let the man record, perform, promote. produce whatevah he desires. I trust him to know his own talent and to also listen and take under consideration that which he feels comfortable & good about. If I felt a need to angst over that part of his career then I would be on the payroll Not the other way around.

Okay, if I can't be you when I grow up, can I be your firstborn?

WORD!!

With that said.....I read several thoughts on this up thread and just wish to echo:

CLAY

STOOL

CROTCH

SPOTLIGHT

LAA

ahhhhhhh..... :Tour3:

That's IT treenuts - we're gettin' married!

Oh I don't mind marketing discussions. I am really fascinated by them...when they are really discussions and not a pseudo experts attempt at viral marketing of what they think Clay ought to do with his career. Its just that some so called marketing discussions are more propaganda for a certain way of thinking in the fandom because nothing new is really added to that gerbil wheel.

As I said, so much to WORD this morning! couldn't agree more Ansa - moreover, as has happened from the very beginning, those that complain/expound the loudest are often those who get whiplash the worst when they 180 - why do they just keep repeating the same behaviors over and over? How much of the "over and over" is because they just love to see/hear themselves spout - their market mumble is only so much babble/bs to me

Oh yeah...I know where my scroll button is...I even know when to just close the damn window and leave certain boards because I know what is to come, someone is just going to use the opportunity to give everyone a marketing lesson.

...what some fans are not getting is that they want Clay to sing different stuff to a different audience - Real Clay does not exist for them...and I agree. Some fans seem to be hanging on until Clay will become the Clay they think he should be. They are missing out on simply enjoying the man that is right in front of them.

Ansa, you're my hero. I might have to re-think that marriage thing to treenuts - is bigamy legal at FCA couchie?

Good wishes going your way Muski!

edited cause I do know that polygamy is one and bigamy is two *g*

I've been buying clothes for this concert since May.

May, 2006.

bwah artquest! the man has kept us waiting a bit hasn't he? i have no idea what i'm wearing to tulsa - it'll come to me when i go to pack

comforting thoughts being sent your way (((((couchie and mom)))))

Happy Birthday Ansa!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

ldyjocelyn - thank you for bringing the beauty- have mercy - where did that Grand Rapids ass go? it was divine!

Happiest of birthdays to our Couch Tomato - I don't get a chance to say this often, but I am SO PROUD OF YOU! You've created this wonderful place full of personality and pluck - where we can mush and smut and discuss and debate and r.e.s.p.e.c.t. in a safe haven - thank you so much for that!

I hope your day is as special as you are!

:00003653:

Speaking of getting excited.....

I meant to comment on that beautiful montage PuddinsJoy posted yesterday. It was gorgeous. Love using the black and white, AND my God, where did this picture come from?It is mesmerizing! And its also now my new desktop.

Jumping in here late - was clacking with Clay friends all day - rough day lol

Thanks to everyone for the compliments on the montage - I'm glad you liked it!

Glad you like the pic Claygasm - it's one of those that had gone through several transformations even before I found it on the Clayboard. Here's the version I snagged, which was created from one of KarenEh's gorgeous Grand Rapids pics gahhhhh

and here's the same pic after I took it to b&w and played with the contrast

Sometimes I surprise myself - it did turn out nice didn't it?

I know not everyone cares for the b&w effect montages, but it's definitely my preference. B&W let's me see Clay as stark and stunning - you don't have to focus on the pink or orange lighting, or what color his hair was (pink or orange? *g*) or his clothes - you just see the man. He's so freakin' beautiful he makes my heart hurt - I cannot get enough of him - stark and stunning.

and because I know it's a sensitive subject, as it should be, I want to make sure everyone knows that KarenEh's tag was already removed before I snagged the pic. I am really careful to never remove tags when I work with pics - I have way too much respect for the photographers to ever do that.

Yay for M&G buttons! I clicked my one lonely little button *sigh* - clicked the link and had a confirm email a minute later :Tour3:

As a diversion - my timing seems to always stink, but I'll give this a shot anyway *g* - here's my latest montage, Ordinary World. Hope you enjoy even though there's M&G's and producers and passports and only 3 weeks to go!! to think and talk about *g*

My montage buddy dreamlarge encouraged me on this one - most I create just clutter up my hd and never see the light of day cause I'm a big weinie - not comfortable putting myself out there much - but she told me to go for it.

Anyway, if you like this sort of thing, here it is!

youtube: http://tinyurl.com/3adkjh

sendspace: http://tinyurl.com/2lgz7z

Carrie, I didn't like on American Idol...thought she had the personality of a turnip.

Saw her at our State Fair last year and she was still working the turnip angle . . . but the look was working with the audience...she'll be a big radio and video star. This year we get Bucky - geesh - so glad we got Clay when we did. Wichita got Daughtry in May - awesome show - I like him a lot.

I had no favorite from AI3 (maybe LaToya), Bo from 4 (I'm still pulling for him), the hair from 5 (oh? a contestant - then Daughtry I guess), and yeah, I'm a Blaker Girl /(snerk) from 6

I saw one IT show and really enjoyed whats-her-name-who-came-on-before-Clay (j/k) - it was the 2nd to the last show (KS City) and I'm sure her stage presence was more polished - happy and waving and actually looking at us. I don't remember the bass bothering me but I do remember her really powerful vocals - I don't remember yelling at all. Loved slow Beautiful Disaster on the piano - thinking all along (duh) of Clay. Haven't seen her since then - haven't needed to since I could hear her on the radio every 2 mins. I loved all the angsty songs on Breakaway - the videos not so much - except the one where she wore Clay's fedora

and I see that Kim Locke's "Change" is in the top 5 on the AC charts - cool! Her sales are poor - but she's got huge radio play. How many get both anymore?

I think Claygasm is my hero - not only does she offer this, which I WORD:

I hate the way so many Clay fans hate Kelly. What did she ever do to them?. . . They are obviously very close friends . . . You would think Clay being so close to her would be good enough for them. ... You know, we always applaud Clay for following his heart, for standing up for what he believes in. Well, I applaud Kelly. If she "fails", at least she failed on her terms. I am sure she could have made another "Breakaway" and been all over the radio again. But in her mind I suspect that would be selling out. I admire her for not doing that.

But she also re-set my hormone levels with this old friend, which I hadn't seen in such a long time -

Maybe we could even use something like this:

So now I ask you to please leave us alone, while we become reacquainted . . .

uhm 'kay

I think he's been to Australia---don't remember when, but I remember the suit he was wearing. Brown, with a thin stripe. He flew over with Rupert Mudoch. Ruben too???? 2003 or 2004??? Please tell me I'm not the only one that remembers this. There was a newspaper photo, or wire service??

Close, but no cigar. I remembered it too...but he and Ruben attended an Australian-American Association dinner in NYC in September 2003. Here's the picture you're remembering:

bwah ldyjocelyn! I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one who references Clay events by what he was wearing - the suit, the tie, the hair.

Let's see who's here - pop quiz - ready?

Color of Clay's tie when he sang at the Atlanta charity event attended by Rosalyn Carter? Suit?

I know - this is an easy one

eta ding ding ding! we have a winner - great job jmh123! I just love this fandom

Here ya go!

Just let me allow my fangirly self to eeeeeee for bf's blog - wasn't that wonderful? Look at all the questions that have been exploding heads right and left lately that he answered oh so simply. Kinda takes some of the steam out of the angsting - yay for that! Still with RCA, support from Clive, Q & A touring with him, some new songs, upbeat. Because I am the biggest sap in the world, the title "My Angels!" nailed me to the wall - damn him

KeepingFaith - GLORIOUS post! I love reading your thoughts as a new fan and I'm so excited that you're going to see him for the first time this tour - can't wait to hear all about it. Although I bet if we jumped back into archives anywhere we'd read the same thing - there is absolutely nothing like seeing/hearing this man live - especially for the first time - I remember forgetting to breathe. Well, I still do that - and hold my hands over my mouth the whole damn concert - But I don't cry when I see him anymore - oh stop! most of you probaby did too! Didn't you? okay, just me then

Couch tomato - the Paris blog wench is Cameron Diaz - Ms Marm at CH had it 20 mins after the blog hit - I do love this fandom - I really do. I want to hear the story of how Clay split your name - do you ever couchie anymore?

Muski, I swear woman! The tongue I was handling just fine - the package - okay, doin' okay - I literally was thinking - "okay, I'm going to make it through these as long as she doesn't put up the . . . !!!" But you did - and I died - lord those fingers are lethal weapons. I was clacking with Clay friends out of town one evening and I swear we watched that mic clip 30 or 40 times in a row and felt it every.single.time. The people in the room next door probably thought there was one hot group thing going on. Have mercy *deep breath - wipes sweat from brow* Thank you M- it was all realy quite lovely

Welcome new posters - I do love this place and know you will too!

BIG St Louis Cardinals fan here! Albert P is da man!

27 days 'til Frisco - my cellcert scripts are paid up and I am ready! and only 30 days 'til Clay for me!

:Tour3:

Oh, and just to see you all smile (or weep) first thing in the morning:

Good grief! Power was out here at home all day yesterday and look what I missed!

WORD to especially PlayBiller and Luckiest1 and rcknrllmom and couchie and kandre

oh never mind - just everyone Love it here!

I'm on a private board that is chock-full of Clay love - take today for example

We started out this am talking about Paris' house arrest and are now talking about Clay and handcuffs . . .

Private boards can be all kinds of fun ya know

Just a side note to the pic of Julia D with Clay - the fan who has her hair done by Julia, Claymaniac113078, is the fan who won the OFC's poetry contest.

He really didn't feel well that night, did he? But if I remember the Hartford clack, his voice was spectacular. For audio clack alone, it was my favorite AIW of the whole tour (Merrillville is my favorite video - duh ). Those who were at Hartford have said that even though to look at him you could tell he was sick, you would never know it to listen to him. If people wonder why we want to go to as many concerts as we can, there's your answer. There really is nothing like seeing this man in person.

But when that's not possible, thank heavens for clack - we are spoiled

Love this little guy cindilu2! and Yay for colors! :ura:

and a special :F_05BL17blowkiss: to the guy who's the biggest and bestest tease ever - I can just see him blogging, then running over to the OFC to watch our reactions - awwww, I think he misses us too Bottlecap - he's such a little shit *g*

I unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how I look at it, am only going to get to go to one. That is Tulsa.

Me too Clayzorback - only one concert for me this tour and Tulsa is it

I AM SO READY!!

:TourExcite:

So glad that Jamie's husband materialized. Wish he wasn't wearing that hat. I'd like to see what HIS hair looks like. Hee

Speaking of hats - anyone else think the fedora on the table might have been sitting on a certain popstar's head? There he goes again lookin all hawt and stubbley and mussed up :medium-smiley-070: Wonder why his pants are rolled up - wading? washing the car? sailing with Jaymes? *g*

Here's my BAF Story - since this went up yesterday I have some of the pics we took for TBAF of people with shirts and blankets, etc. It was startling to see their smiling faces, holding up their t-shirts, with total and I mean total destruction just behind them.

Here is the original post -

From KSChristian4Clay at CM via CV:

Quote:

As everyone probably has heard, I live about 80 miles from Greensburg, KS, a town which is pretty much a pile of destruction right now due to an F-5 tornado leveling the town. Our club, KC Clay Fans, got an e-mail from Aron at the BAF asking if there was any way they could help us help our neighbors...the BAF sent us over 100 shirts and blankets ...The seniors graduated about 3 weeks ago and each graduating senior received a BAF blanket. Two car loads of shirts and blankets have been distributed to families there by PuddinsJoy from CH

and here's my additional post at CH -

Thanks for bringing this over MsMarmalade - I was going to post something later and you beat me to it Aron did email me about 2 weeks ago as I am our BA Chapter contact. As you can imagine I was overwhelmed when he said they wanted to donate over 100 blankets and over 200 t-shirts (slight correction to above - they were all in my garage *g*). I was able to distribute nearly everything as I know several families affected directly and was able to get them to those who needed them most. Most of the families were still living out of rubbermaid containers at this point (and still are) but the blankets were a big hit and everyone needed the t-shirts. They had a lot of questions about Clay and about the Foundation - which I gladly answered *g*. Because I have a child with developmental disabilities I was also able to connect with several families in that regard, which always brings me joy.

TBAF's offer was completely un-solicited and really blew me away. My mind-set has always been "what can I do for TBAF?" and here they turned the tables. It was also a win-win because it helped them get rid of some older inventory.

I have emailed Aron with several heart-tugging stories but there are so many more there to be told - stories of the out-pouring of support and love from all over the world, of the citizen's resolve to rebuild a town 90% destroyed - of those who are heartbroken and moving on from Greensburg - of the pride in these devastated Kansan's eyes. I will never forget it as long as I live and I will be grateful for just as long to TBAF for giving me the opportunity to represent them and help fill a few hearts back up in the process.

I think the emoticon says "I Wanna Do Clay in Russia" I'm definitely going with that

Thanks for all your welcomes and the lovely toaster - and thanks for the lusting visual materials Claygasm - the really big Clay pics and the really big Clay package pics. I have an enormous clack collection, but I had not seen the 2nd package pic - it's a little blurry - was the camera moving, was the pkg moving - which way? and why? and for how long? and how long? I need details people

I will post my BAF story (thank you to Clayzorback and jmh123) They are a wonderful bunch of folks - but since I've already smutted here, I hesitate to mix my hormones as it were - they are confused enough as it is. It will be up a bit later

Speaking of exploding ovaries . . . Muski, you needn't introduce me - I'm a minion of yours and your talent from the very beginning. I can not get enough - I live at Eayor and the Bookshelves and the Woodshed. My clack collection contains a kajillion stories that I have copied page by page into Word. I should open a library - hardbound editions

Luckiest1 - great KLo recap - I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'm not a big big fan but out of curiosity I did catch Celebrity Fit Club for the 1st time after hearing about all the nasty Dustin Diamond stuff last week (what a complete jerk). When she was crying on the phone in the dressing room it reminded me of the Elle article - remember when Clay had to interrupt an interview with Alison Glock because Kim came on to the tour bus and was upset/crying and said she needed him now?

Loved the Toronto recap too - thank you!

Jumping in with my first post to let out a huge sigh of relief at the common sense and wisdom I'm finding here. Love it already! :F_05BL17blowkiss: Sorry I missed chat - I'll definitely make the next one

My week: as someone very wise said up-page, opinions are just that, opinions - I respect everyone's - but after this past week, truthfully, I was feeling pretty beat-up because of mine. You can read between the lines, I'm 45 mins from Wichita, I was one of those who was thrilled to break the news that a certain popstar would be performing there at a certain venue during his holiday tour - uh, okay - agree to disagree and move on - no beating that horse here Thought 2006 had thickened my skin - but for a few days this past week it was touch and go with me and the fandom.

But then came Vancouver and Calgary and clack! and ahhhhh...all is well - his mussed self and those packed jeans do work well in returning the balance - puts things back in perspective - he totally owns me - totally. Finding this place helped too.

BTW, I apologize if my first post is somewhat disjointed - perhaps my goal is for all of you to finish reading and say wtf did she just say? so, how did I do? *g*

Glad to be here - look forward to getting to know you!

One more newbie chiming in!

My name is Jen and I love Clay Aiken (where's Clay's "well, duh!" emoticon?).

My home board is the Clackhouse where I am PuddinsJoy and I'm JenKS over at the OFC. I belong to several other boards but mostly lurk - started in 2003 at the Clayboard. My CH board name comes from a nickname my mom gave me, that she picked up from a nursery rhyme (no, it's not because my favorite is Jello instant chocolate). So "Puddin" is me - my "Joy" is Clay - and there ya go.

I've known couch tomato since 2003 when we were both members of a small Clay board and she was just beginning FCA. I remember she'd post a link and be so excited - we'd all rush over and check it out - we were so proud of her! Still am

I'm 49, live in Kansas and work as a paraprofessional in an elementary autism classroom. I've only been doing that for a year - the prior 25 years were spent as an Accountant - quite a change, huh? But it was always my dream and now I'm living it - yay me! I volunteer for TBAF and am president of the KCClayFans - a fan club of about 60 members in the KS City area, though I live about 3 1/2 hours from there.

My "Take" was Buttercup although his voice grabbed me from the beginning - but that night - the shimmying, the well-fit suit, the long legs, and that smile ..ah - he squished my heart. Then Solitaire came along and absolutely laid.me.out. I wanted to crawl into my TV and . . . well, it was the beginning of many impure thoughts that continue unabashed today.

Love the site Angela - glad to see so many familiar names too and hope to get to know new ones!