# 8 My titanium balled, taking his life into his big hands,

[Divayenta]

Just came back from the grocery where everyone is sad and talking about the horror. In the background over the PA system was "lift me up, in your eyes..."

[ldyjocelyn]

muski, couchie's latest blog is on the front page of the new FCA homepage: www.findingclayaiken.com BRAVO Miss Couchie!

muski, I love your daughters....

Nothing more to add, other than I come back to work and everything's shot to hell already, and the rest of the week looks to be hellish too. Why do I have to work? Oh yeah, to pay for my Clay Aiken habit....

[Claygasm]

Speaking of that Clay Aiken habit.....

The OFC Tour page has been updated - again. It now lists the Pizza Hut place for July 4th and Tulsa for July 7th.

Ok, well, I am still going to believe the Pizaa Hut thing is not the REAL first concert. I am still going to believe that it will be an abbreviated show and he'll throw in some patriotic songs. After all, they have to fit him in between a soccer game and fireworks, so he can't do his whole show. So the REAL first concert will still be Houston.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

I have been thinking constantly about my old friend who teaches in the Va. Tech theater department so today I went to their website and found his email address. I am sure he's fine, but I just felt like I needed to touch base with him.

People keep asking why. I suspect that is something we'll never know for sure. I just feel that the gunman probably was someone in pain and holding on to sanity by a thread and it just snapped. I feel for his family as I feel for the families of all his victims. They must carry the additional burden of wondering why their child did this, was there something they could have done to prevent it, are they somehow to blame.

I also can't help thinking that if guns weren't so easy to get in this country this tragedy could have been avoided - at least to some degree. It seems to me this should be a very loud wake-up call to toughen up our gun control laws. Unfortunately, I suspect it will fall on deaf ears.......

One thing just keeps hitting me when I think of what happened at Virginia Tech and that is for all the darkness in the world - and there is so much - there is also so much light. Sometimes it may seem the light has disappeared but the one thing I am sure of is no matter how dark it may seem, dawn will come and the light will shine again. There is so much beauty and good in the world. We cannot ever lose sight of that.

[playbiller]

I'm game to go (like to be sitting in a room with windows shut on the 4rth, but what can you do) as long as I don't have to eat Pizza.

OK, I have to grouse again - why do people have to harp in AI and their charity thing as if it diminishes Clay? Isn't the big picture that more people will take part and learn that they can give back? OK, done.

I am sitting here looking at insurance rates (yes, my extended Cobra is runing out) - how can insurance be 1500 or more per month - who pays that kind of money? My doctor bills don't equal nearly that and they geta fee break! Apparently I live inthe one state that does not want to insure people - houses - yes, cars, maybe - people -no. They don't even ask questions about me, like how old am I or what sex am I.

[luckiest1]

The OFC Tour page has been updated - again. It now lists the Pizza Hut place for July 4th and Tulsa for July 7th.

Well I'm glad they finally sorted it out, so people can start making their plans. Wait....maybe I shouldnt' be so hasty. I'd probably wait until I had my tickets in hand if I were planning to book a flight or anything....

I do think the Pizza Hut Park concert on the 4th will be a "real" concert. I hope that it attracts a lot of local people, because I'm not seeing too many fans talking about going. Wonder if there'll be clack, considering it's opening night and all....I sure hope so!

They also put the Sterling Heights concert up on the Tour page. Yay! Considering the venue is telling people that the OFC presale is next Thursday.

:Tour3:

Edited April 17, 2007 by luckiest1

[Claygasm]

ANOTHER TOUR DATE!!! ITS NOW THE CALIFORNIA 4-FER!!!

08/05/07 Indio, CA, US Fantasy Springs Casino

[KAndre]

luckiest, I think you're right, the Pizza Hut one will be a real one - I just wanted Houston to be first...dang it, this is awkward - driving 250 miles to Dallas, back to Houston, then a frickin 500 miles to Tulsa and back to Houston? And horrors of horrors, my hindbrain is trying to convince me that it's reasonable.

Demmit.

[Couch Tomato]

whoo hooo.. where the heck is that and I knew I didn't buy my return flight from LA for a reason!!

[Claygasm]

whoo hooo.. where the heck is that and I knew I didn't buy my return flight from LA for a reason!!

Palm Springs. Here's the link: Fantasy Springs Casino

ETA: luckiest1 and KAndre - don't mess with my delusion!! The Pizza Hut concert will NOT be the REAL first concert!!!!!

Edited April 17, 2007 by Claygasm

[rcknrllmom]

Just came back from the grocery where everyone is sad and talking about the horror. In the background over the PA system was "lift me up, in your eyes..."

how perfect.....

[muskifest]

I don't get it...really. I looked at these four So. Cal. locations on a map and they're so close to each other! I'd really love to know how the venues are selected, you know? Must be a fascinating process.

A four fer? God, I just don't know how much my family can take.

[pkmiller]

Just a quick post to let you all know that preparty and hotel arrangements for Tulsa have been made and will be announced in a day or two.

:TourExcite:

[ldyjocelyn]

Shoot, I was hoping that the Tulsa show was going to be on the fourth, and that Dallas was back on for the 7th. Hmmmm....hey KAndre, does the eHP have room in their car for a wayward minion? My traveling companions to Houston may shoot me, but I'm seriously thinking of finding a way to get to Tulsa for another show. I'll keep ya'll posted.

Hooray for the California meers. Maybe I should have tried for that one instead.....*sigh*

Back to work.

[Couch Tomato]

I don't get it...really. I looked at these four So. Cal. locations on a map and they're so close to each other! I'd really love to know how the venues are selected, you know? Must be a fascinating process.

A four fer? God, I just don't know how much my family can take.

Side benefit of being single...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! But wow, I'll be driving in a circle almost... and I thought I was done with the ticketbastard tango. And another casino..lord help me...or Ansa or somebody.

Play-- isn't it ridiculous how much insurance is. I recently looked into long term care insurance and not even an option for me. Lord knows what I'm going to do when I'm old. Or how much health insurance will be when I retire. Depending on medicare scares me to freakin' death. The one way I am blessed right now is that my mom, for all of her myriad of heath issues has FREE health care. Thank you Kaiser for that incentive for her to retire early. The 3 or so years she didn't get in pay has more than been made up in free medical/medicine costs.Even if we had to pay a portion of her medicine it will doom us cuz she's on like 8 of them.

[KAndre]

As long as you bring enough bail money for all, and have no objection at driving a teensy bit over the speed limit...

[ldyjocelyn]

As long as you bring enough bail money for all, and have no objection at driving a teensy bit over the speed limit...

I'll just bring a blindfold and a wad of cash. Oh, and Cheez Doodles. *g*

[Couch Tomato]

Waves to JennaZ -- which CA shows are you hitting?

back to work

[muskifest]

I was reading profiles of the victims of the VaTech shootings and the way one young man was described really, REALLY struck a familiar chord:

Ryan Clark---a senior only one month from graduating; a resident advisor; 4.0 grade average; triple subject major.

Arielle Perlmutter posted on MSNBC.com that she had been friends with Ryan for a decade. "Ryan and I worked at Camp Big Heart, a camp for children and adults with special needs for part of every summer since I was in high school," she posted. "Ryan was one of the most amazing, loving and caring young men I have ever met. He went into every day of camp, trying as it could be, with a smile and a open mind. I rarely, in the years I knew Ryan, saw him frown.

"Ryan directed the music/dance program at camp and brought cheer to all the campers around him. He was constantly smiling and dancing, signing and cheering. The campers would gather around Ryan and hug him. We have a picture of a year that Ryan was at camp on his birthday. All of the campers were surrounding him, hugging him, and all you could see of him was his head sticking out above the crowd. They all loved 'Mr. Ryan'. Camp will never be the same and we will all bear the scar of this tragedy for many years to come. Ryan will never be forgotten, and always be missed."

[JennaZ]

Waves to JennaZ -- which CA shows are you hitting?

Hi Couchie!

Right now, I have plans for Pala and Los Angeles. I don't think I'll go to San Diego, but Indio may be an option if the situation is right. I'd only go if I had someone to drive back to LA with that Sunday night. I just can't justify a hotel night at Indio, or a day off the next day.

Wow, though. Suddenly Southern California has an abundance of dates. I hope we do see more dates in the west and midwest.

Edited April 17, 2007 by JennaZ

[Clayzorback]

muski I'm glad you are back home. Sante Fe is a little over rated and veeeeery pricey IMO. It's someplace that is nice to say you've been too once. Hubby has a brother who lives there. Not much house for the money. Yowza.

playbiller, hope the dentist appointment went well and good to hear that it isn't a plumbing problem. Your neighbor sounds like the responsible party.

Thanks to everyone for posting all the drool worthy pictures and wallpapers of our man Clay. His UNICEF blog? Well, it just makes me swell with pride all over again. They sure picked a winner with Clay. I was right there with his mother in the worry car, for his safety.

This weather is ridiculous, claygasm. Snow in the middle of April? It is starting to warm a bit here in Arkansas. Hope your back is feeling better. I didn't feel well myself yesterday.

Coming home from work and hearing about the VA Tech mass murder spree, just took the wind out of my sails. I was riveted to the TV. Didn't feel like posting much. Why do these cowards always take their own life and deny the victims family the right of seeing them be fried? At the very least let a cop kill you. What goes so horribly wrong with someone's life that they find them selves capable of such horrific crimes? My heart aches for those families.

Idyjocelyn, hope your hubby has his feet looked at. Mine is suffering from a huge swelling underneath his tongue. He has an appointment tomorrow to have it looked at. Why do men always wait until the problem gets worse before they break down and take any action?

Neil Sedaka. What a lovely gentleman. I remember when he gave such good props to Clay for his version of Solitaire. I looked him up and read that he wasn't in the Hall Of Fame and I wrote them a letter and suggested other Clay fans do the same. I wonder if that helped? I see it says he is now inducted. Hee I doubt I had anything to do with it personally, just reflecting back. I'm glad he is there he deserved to be and I was surprised he wasn't at that time.

Nice blog luckiest1......I've heard him at T.J. Maxx and Kirklands and at some other places too.

Couchie I loved your blog too. Especially this part.

"Oh the hecklers are still there, filling up blogs and comment sections of any place that dare tell the world about his goodness - but his grace renders them insignifcant."

rcknrllmom what a little postwho*re you are.

Horray for Tulsa being finally added to the tour list. I wish everyone could get what they wanted. I wish I could do Frisco, Houston, and Tulsa but I can't. Idyjocelyn I hope if you & kandre are going to Tulsa that we all get to meet up.

I just found the first Clayfan in my back yard last night. I got a Pm from someone on OFC, who lives right here. We will plan to meet up for lunch and get to know one another. I have been so all alone here. I met one lady who is about 45 minutes from me. However she stopped coming around or calling or emailing. I guess maybe I wasn't her cup of tea. Too bad. I thought we got along well. Maybe I will have better luck with this one. I'll let you know how it goes.......Wow. I think I am caught up.

I forgot to thank pkmiller for posting about the party plans. Those OKlahoma people do a good job. Thanks..........Looking forward to it.

Edited April 17, 2007 by Clayzorback

[merrieeee]

I'll just bring a blindfold and a wad of cash. Oh, and Cheez Doodles. *g*

ldyjocelyn

As I always say the more the merrieeeer*g*

[muskifest]

May I just say how much I love my job? My boss just cut a check made out to me for the entire amount I paid for my replacement laptop!---not the much smaller amount I'd paid for the one that got stolen from my office, but the amount I paid for the better, newer replacement! I thought they were only going to pay for my original one at most and maybe just the difference between the insurance deductible and the price I paid for it.

OMG.

We can SO use this right now. OMG.

Edited April 17, 2007 by muskifest

[Kareneh]

Great blog, Couchie! What a man, indeed.

If this should happen, I have a plan....

All I know is I better hear Broken Wings or I'm gonna go ClayAIkenFan all over Clay Aiken. heee JK, I wouldn't hurt the hawt humanitarian.

You can hurt me, instead. I'll need a distraction from my abject misery if he doesn't sing it...deal?

Clayzorback, I see you got your new avatar!

Seems likeI just got some more temptation tossed into my path. **Happy Wistful Fully Resigned Sigh** Booked a hotel in case I can still afford to sleep in one by August 5th. Seriously, I'm beginning to think a really good tent might be a wise investment. One that will fold up to fit in my laptop case, and sleep four would be perfect. Do we know any tent pitchin' experts? Will it be hard to find one out on tour?

**Whistles and moves on to the next bit of bizzness.**

I don't get it...really. I looked at these four So. Cal. locations on a map and they're so close to each other! I'd really love to know how the venues are selected, you know? Must be a fascinating process.

I think I DO get it, muski. I mean....everytime I play darts I always seem to hit the same spots over and over again. Not sure why but it seems to work out that way.

Shieldmaiden from the Broads has been making Photoshops of Clay in kilts forever. Three of her passions are Clay, J.R. Tolkien and all things Celtic. She was inspired, by the new chops that turned up at the CH this past weekend, to create a new one of her own with bearded Clay. She posted it here in the LBFCA Photo Thread since she can't post at the CH. I found it this afternoon and thought she did a pretty darn good job of it. Scroll down a wee bit, lassies..

Rather bonnie, eh?

Editing to note....that this is the 8th post by member no. 888...Hee!

Edited April 18, 2007 by Karen Eh?

[Claygasm]

May I just say how much I love my job? My boss just cut a check made out to me for the entire amount I paid for my replacement laptop!---not the much smaller amount I'd paid for the one that got stolen from my office, but the amount I paid for the better, newer replacement! I thought they were only going to pay for my original one at most and maybe just the difference between the insurance deductible and the price I paid for it.

OMG.

We can SO use this right now. OMG.

YAY!!!!!!!

:nana:

Now that's a great boss!!!

But then again, he has a great employee! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

[ldyjocelyn]

muski -- great news for you!

I'll just bring a blindfold and a wad of cash. Oh, and Cheez Doodles. *g*

ldyjocelyn

As I always say the more the merrieeeer*g*

:F_05BL17blowkiss: :F_05BL17blowkiss: :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Rather bonnie, eh?

Oh my. That's a pretty damn good picture, if I do say so myself.

So....I was planning on camping out in front of the TV with the laptop tonight, switching between Dancing with the Stars and American Idol. Go into our laundry room to find a flood! My husband had left our kitty litter pans to soak, and one of them was over the edge of the sink in that room. Faucet -- left dripping just slightly. Well, in 24 hours, that made a flood. So, I'm in the midst of cleaning up the room. My husband is going to get some of the clean up when he gets home though.

Back to putting on my waders....