00lsee

I am way behind today, but I saw this and had to laugh...

It's like 'Pyow! Pyow!' Introducing the newest Charlie's angel pose...

Well, I thought it was funny.

Aw...his arms are just so...fuzzy wuzzy.

I'm a kitty cat!!! And I dance, dance, dance, YEAAHHHH!!!

Jus' feeling the spirit, yo.

Cat, I'm a kitty cat...and I dance, dance, dance, d-dance, dance, dance!

Jerry talking about starting the auction. Acknowledging how well Joe (the auctioneer) and Clay did during the Raleigh Gala, and Jerry will try to do his best.

Drawing for a flatscreen TV.

Somebody else can talk too! I'm tired of seeing only my avi!

Bwah! It's called the edit function. LOL

Anybody else think it is funny that couchie is getting rid of a sofa? LOL

We have something called 'big trash day' about once a quarter in my neighborhood. I find out when it is by calling my solid waste pick up service. If the sofa is in reasonable shape, there are many organizations that will pick it up as a donation. Purple Heart is one in my locale. A local school might accept it (or band hall, for example, has several used, mismatched couches for the kids to sit on between classes). If all else fails, put it outside and maybe someone will steal it.

Glowsticks - fundraiser for Bubel/Aiken Foundation - Clay Aiken

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=hPx7yHxihFc

These are the battery operated Glowsticks that are being sold for the benefit of The Bubel/Aiken Foundation. This is a charity dedicated to help all people with disabilities. This Charity was started by Clay Aiken

Send an email to Georgiaclayfan@aol.com if you are interested in purchasing some of these.

They are being held by the Sir Robin bears made by a Clay Aiken fan in remembrance of Spamalot.

Calling kandre!!!!

http://www.mirasolclub.com/clubHouse.asp

It's a ritzy CC in Florida or as 00lsee says

Heh...I thought of KAndre, too....I was also musing to myself that some Clay fans I know are pretty well set on all things battery-powered. And some other things that aren't, but which make a pleasant, musical tone when jostled.

*smirk*

What's Mirasol? A resort?

I think it might be a reflective umbrella.

Maybe.

Oh my. "Prayers for Bobby" was amazing. I'm so glad I didn't miss it.

Oooh! Pretty, pretty kitty!

Okay, cindilu, please tell me how you made your adorable avatar? And does it come any larger?

*envy*

Periodically during the day today I've been peeking at those photobooth pictures again and again.

Whether I had the 'right' to see them or not, I'm so grateful they ended up in my greedy hands. There is so much to enjoy about them. The goofy faces, the close proximity of their bodies, all those long limbs tangled together...the hugs, kisses, and smiles...And I can so easily imagine either of them, in the course of that celebratory evening, glancing over at the other...only to find a warm gaze already looking back. It does my heart so much good.

Granpa Aiken and His Broadway Bear

Oh, wow! It's huge! I mean, that thing is enormous! It's super-size! It's...it's...really BIG!!!

*blinks*

The bear, people! I thought it would be, like, you know...a beanie baby.

Really.

That's what I meant.

Ahem.

Okay, Captain Obvious speaking, but I think a major aspect of blog-gate is people wanting/demanding 'what they paid for'. If I pay for the guarantee of dependable periodic blogging from a professional website and the owner does not fulfill that agreement, I doubt I would continue to pay for that service. Had the fan club never made an initial 'promise' of monthly blogs (wasn't it worded 'monthly' the first year?), the level of dissatisfaction with Clay's sporadic blogging might be different. Not for some, but for others. In my real life, when people say 'it's not about the money', it often IS. May not be the main concern, but it certainly exacerbates already charged situations.

The thing is, according to the advertising NOW, he technically fulfills the agreement by blogging exactly...um...twice. It does say 'personal blogs' (plural). Beyond that, since it does not specify a quantity or frequency, it seems to me each individual's level of satisfaction with 'what they paid for' is entirely their own responsibility. Spending my time analyzing, ranting about, or hurting over Clay Aiken's decisions regarding the fan club is not high on my list of priorities.

Intellectually, I understand the desirability of Clay remaining visible and 'in communication with' his fans. I even understand the frustration with Clay's choice not to utilize this self-promotional tool. But emotionally, I guess I'm not deeply invested in how or when or if he runs any aspect of his life or career the way I might prefer or want. Do I have ANY CONTROL OVER the weather? Same deal.

In other words, I'm always delighted when Clay blogs, but rarely unhappy, sad, angry, irritated, or (insert negative emotion here)...when he doesn't. I have enough real pain and problems with people I, you know, actually interact with, to expend emotional energy on whether Clay Aiken disappoints anyone, including me.

Nasty comments on youtube or elsewhere on the web? Par for the course. There is a segment of the internet population who treat commenting like a blood sport. They seem to thrive on nastiness and on others' reactions to them. Kind of like the type of person who spends their hours concocting a computer virus. It's a mentality, a mind-set. Has nothing to do with Clay Aiken, though he has been a popular target. Eh, doesn't matter. I look away from that kind of word gore.

Aw, toni still has her beautiful long hair, I see! (((hugs))) Clay looks mighty fine there, too.

Oh, I can almost feel all those hugs. I am so grateful Clay has found such loving (and fun-loving) companions.

*laughing*

Those big paws just...

Oh, my!

Cute pictures! So, were the hearts and 'so in lurve' already ON the photos? Or did someone add those? I'd love to see the images without the words, if they are available. Couple of hams, both of them!

OK OK 00lsee I'll listen the next time you come over.....I promise

Bwah...I thought of you last night at Kroger when I saw they now have canned "Pudding" and "Spotted Dick". LOL

couchie

Of course even if there is a thread doesn't mean he read it.

True!

Oh, speaking of presidential stuff, I got something interesting via email this morning, too:

I definitely understand all the positions on the fan club. I kinda figured out what I was going to get from it in year 1 so every year I go into it kinda knowing what I'm gonna get. I think he has lost fan club members and he has to know not blogging more is one of the reasons why.

Did I tell ya'll mom is home. You wanna know the weird part. Before she left she was walking with a walker. She had some very scary days last week. But since she came home yesterday she has been walking withot her walker. HUH? LOL. The body is a wondrous thing. It's like she's better after this stroke then she was before it once she got through it.

Congrats, couchie, that is good news!

Okay, dumb question: How do I know that 'he has to know'? Has there ever been a front page complaint thread about this at OFC? Where he might actually have read it? (Told you it was a dumb question). It seems to me that repeated conversations about this and other OFC issues 'on the boards' isn't really addressing the intended audience: Clay. A whole lot of choir-preachin', in other words.

I mean, some people in my life have no good excuse for 'not knowing' certain things because they have been told over and over and over. They can tell me I'm crazy or I didn't get their full attention first or that I'm imagining we talked about it or that I was unclear...but...I was in the room when the conversations took place, you know? I can postpone anger and be endlessly patient and just gloss over these 'misunderstandings' again and again, using one of the listed reasons...but...at some point, I have to trust my reality: We talked. They really do know. Finally, I feel justified acting on that information.

But, with Clay...as obvious as the issues are to me and as obvious as they maybe 'ought to be' to him, I've never been in the room...

Does that make sense? I don't go to the OFC enough to know if this has ever been permitted to be a front page issue. Anyone know? It matters to me to KNOW that he knows before I decide whether or not to be mad about it. Not sure it should matter, but it does. I've got a little too much practice rationalizing away the negative, I guess.

I mean, I'd still rather just blame Ray. heh

Oh, that blue shirt picture. Yum.

In First Family, A Nation's Many Faces

This is so very cool. An article in the New York Times (a colleague emailed it to me) about the ethnic contributions to Obama's bloodline...truly 'multi-racial, multi-cultural'...Not to get too political here, but I love how the leader of our diverse nation actually IS of a diverse heritage--moreso that the extremely large majority of past presidents, for sure! (that we know of, of course...

What?

Oh...that....

I'm done with the other topic du jour...

You mean, he really IS

heeee!!!

(((couchie))) abd (((couchiemom)))

Condolences to ldyj and sis. Sorry to hear this!

liney, hoo and also ray! I'm so happy and proud for you! I'm on my way back down the scale again, too...but it will take a lot more than 55 pounds to get into those size 10s! I was so annoyed the other day at Kohls when I asked this skinny clerk where the plus/women's department was...and she glanced at me, waved a hand and said, "In that little corner over there." In that little corner? I smiled and said thanks, but as I walked away, my still slender brain said, "beyotch!" Makes no sense, because so many women are 12 and above...why relegate the plus sizes to a little corner of the store? More motivation to get out of that size, eh? I'm almost back into misses, which is a major deal...Totally opens up the options. I mean, I refuse to wear the same fricking clothes AGAIN this summer. I was sick of them LAST summer! hee

If I have missed someone who needs kudos or hugs, forgive me. I am behind on the board and you tend to miss things reading backwards through the thread.

GOOD MORNING FCA!

HAPPY INAUGURATION DAY!

It's an exciting day here in the Nation's Capitol and the Nation in general!

My two older daughters are downtown handing out fill-in-the-blank signs that say:

PRESIDENT OBAMA - I HOPE FOR _____________.

and the individual who carries it will fill in the blank.

Let me know if you see any!

~~

Can't wait to see pictures from tonight's concert!

eta: I just got this in email.

PHOTOS OF INAUGURATION PREPARATIONS

I've got the ceremonial day set to TIVO, so I can skip through the commentary to watch the bits that interest me. All week, there have been presidential specials on the history channel. The one I watched concerned transportation, including a look inside Air Force One.

I will look for those signs, cha cha. How fun!

Hm...I hope for...NOODLES!

I mean, regardless of administration, I'm likely to be disappointed in what I hope for. But noodles? Noodles are within reach...Warm and satisfying, cheap and tasty.

So, yeah. That's my hope.

NOODLES FOR ALL!!!

Y'all have a great day.

*checks watch*

Too early for lunch?

Well, well.

Okay, but that mouth is all Clay...and I still envy that finger against his lips, whoever they belong to.

Gah and also guh!

That looks just like Clay Aiken and his various parts to me.

And...yum.

Clayzorback, sorry to hear your husband is not well. I do not label myself a feminist, but I do have hot buttons. Marital bullying is one of them. Glad to hear you chose the word "ordered'. Take care.

Putting my Christmas stuff away today, if that makes any other procrastinators feel any better. heh

As for the earlier discussion about education and intelligence and all that, I thought this picture said it all:

I've been ordered to get rid of and to stop all the Clay memorabilia collecting. Per husband.

((((Clayzorback)))), just goes to show we never really know what's going on with someone in their private lives. I'm very sorry to hear this, not because you're parting with 'things', but because you are feeling pressured by your husband to do so. This touches a flaming raw nerve for me. If you really don't want to part with what is rightfully yours, maybe a friend could store these items for you temporarily. I may pare down my 'things' in the near future...but if I do, it will be my preference and choice, not because a domestic tyrant put his heavy foot down.

Culture? Book learnin'? Genralzashuns?

Ah don't know nuthin' 'bout nuthin', y'all. Excep'n mebbe 'bout them Rednecks. Ah've herd sumpin' 'bout them folks. Unfort'ntly, them's me. Ah mean us. Us is me. We is Redneck. Rednecks. Redneckian.

Aw, hell.

Y'all carry on, tho'. Ah'll jus' go see 'bout the dawgs. Got oursevs a possum hunt t'night, ya knows. Them's goooood eatin'!

/levity

Okay, teacher, I and my invisible friend don't have as much trouble with pronouns at the beginning of a sentence. It's their use at the end of sentences that seems to trip her and me.

Wilbur went with John and me to ride the ferry. (or is it John and I?)

Wilbur forgot his money, so John and I paid for his ticket. (or is it John and me?)

Wilbur laughed when he pushed John and I into the water. (or is it John and me?)

Wilbur did not offer to help me and him. (or what else?)

Wilbur got his snout punched by John and me.

Some of these problems can be solved by putting those pronouns at the beginning of the sentence. Instead of: Wilbur got his snout punched...I could write: John and I punched Wilbur in the snout.

It used to bug me when Mr. Rogers would say, looking out the window, "Oh! That is she now!" Was that actually correct? He would sometimes say, "did such and such with he and I" Shouldn't that have been "him and me"?

It is a puzzlement! (tm The King of Siam)

Also, who knew merrieeee could do the