#11 I love me some Clay Aiken! He (soft) rocks *g*

[Clayzorback]

Hee....I found some great black and white photos of MsMia's. I will leave you, this morning, with them.

[Carolina Clay]

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. 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.

PuddinsJoy, I totally agree with you about photographer-graphic artist credits and have written blogs/posts on the subject at the OFC. Clayversity passed around the link for your wonderful montage, and Irishbookgal provided the original:

Clickable

Awesome montage, btw. I left you a comment at YouTube.

Hello, Karen -- awesome pix!

Thanks for the youtube link to the AI5 finale. What a week that was. Clay's going to be on the finale- No, it's just a rumor - Nigel said no - There are pictures of the finale rehearsal on this radio station's website. If that guy in the sweatshirt Clay? No, I think it's a crew member. Then the OFC finally posted a confirmation that Clay would be on late in the afternoon. <snip> Good times!

Great memories, Bottlecap and Laughn! There was also another aspect that I learned via Sally's sister, who heard Nigel Lythgoe interviewed on KTLA. I posted this in my blog in a 2006 recap of the AI5 Finale, as well as this year's anniversary look back:

Lythgoe Reveals Secrecy Plan

In a local interview on KTLA-TV's Morning News Show one year ago Thursday, Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe revealed that details of Clay's appearance and performance were kept secret from almost everyone, the judges and Ryan included. Clay arrived at an obscure entrance in an SUV with tinted windows.

Sporting a new look and attracting no attention whatsoever, he walked in unnoticed with wardrobe personnel and the garments they were transporting and secretly watched the show in a nearby building before being escorted to the stage just in time for his grand entrance.

Also from Bottlecap:

My Dad died 14 years ago this month, and I still miss him very much. :F_05BL17blowkiss: For you, Dad.

The graphic you used in your post is a quote attributed to Anne Geddes -- "Any man can be a father but it takes someone special to be a Dad" -- and is the way I opened my Father's Day blog at the OFC and Carolina On My Mind in which I honored three Dads: my own, my FIL, and my daughter's father.

Thnx to all who have shared experiences and memories of your fathers in the comments.

Have a wonderful Dad's Day, all! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Caro

Edited June 17, 2007 by Carolina Clay

[jamar1700]

apropos of nothing really and everything sort of ...

No matter how much the cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

:F_05BL17blowkiss:

[muskifest]

apropos of nothing really and everything sort of ...

No matter how much the cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

:F_05BL17blowkiss:

Ok....luckily there was no milk in the fridge when I looked 'coss had there been, I would've been able to have cereal I'd already poured in a bowl and added bananas, blueberries and raspberries to, and then when I read this Abe Lincoln quote, said milk would have spewed all over the freaking monitor!

Mornin! and speaking of WDC....I found myself watching Mrs. Loki's famous slow WDC grindage from Worcester IT last night. godallmighty....go find it somewhere and get some...

That made me hungry for more grindage and I remembered that one I discovered and that never seemed to get much publicity long ago---it's a Spokane one by waudio, I think. Anyway...the thing that makes it...er...stand out to me is the expression on Angela's face when he turns her around and yanks her butt back against him....she seems honestly poked! Guess he was serious that night.

Go find a download for some.....fun.

Off again to watch softball....if the girls don't play any better than they did yesterday, it'll be one game and outta there...we'll see.

:F_05BL17blowkiss:

[Claygasm]

Ever since the first video clip on the internet, I still find comfort and all kinds of positive things whenever I watch Clay. No matter what's going on in real life...just randomly clicking on some video of a concert or tv appearance or interview...it just doesn't matter. I always feel better afterwards.

He's really amazing....what he brings, what he 'puts out there' in the world. I've been lucky enough to see him many times, be pretty close to him more than once and even have had his arms around me briefly in an unexpected hug. And I can tell you that he really is...special. THere's something uniquely wonderful about that man. Like an aura...

In the chaos or emptiness that real life sometimes offers, he's never failed to lift me up.

I love that man.

Muski, this was beautiful - and very true. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

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.

PuddinsJoy, you know, I had a feeling it was one of Karen Eh?'s GORGEOUS pictures from the Christmas tour. They were some of my favorites ever (Big MWAH to her wherever she is for her help in my making my iPhoto very, very full!). I actually have that picture saved, but it looked so different in B&W the way you did it. It truly is mesmerzing. The very black background, the way his eyes almost seem as if they are tearing up at the sight of you. Then in the montage he is moving closer and closer to you, the look on his face is of such love.... It makes my knees go weak.

**Sigh** Just beautiful! Thanks to Karen Eh? for her photographic genius and to you for you magic touch!

apropos of nothing really and everything sort of ...

No matter how much the cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

:F_05BL17blowkiss:

BWAH!!!!!

OMG, that was hysterical!!!!

Father's Day - I have had an often tumultuous relationship with my father and I can't say he has been a great father. I see other fathers (Mr. Muski comes to mind) who spend time with their kids, communicate with their kids, are a real part of their kids' lives, and I know I missed out on all that. But with age comes wisdom and I realize now that even if he didn't always show it or say it, my father has always loved me. And that's a lot.

This year has been a trying one for him and for our whole family. Health issues, business issues, life changes facing us all have brought my father and I closer. We still butt heads - a lot - and he still makes me want to tear my hair out with some of the things he does and says - but he has a good heart and he's a good person. And that's something.

I'm just glad I have learned to appreciate him - warts and all - while he's still around to butt heads with!

[laughn]

When I finally fell asleep last night I dreamed that we found out at one of the concerts that Clay was going to be a daddy soon...in the next nine months...(what? if he gets any closer to Angela this summer than he did in those pictures up there it could happen!) It was a screwy dream (no pun intended) and sort of sweet and I remember watching security or somebody walking Raleigh and Durham after the concert as we all speculated as to who the mom was.

There is no point to that, just thought I'd flop my brain out here for all to dissect...My Father's Day dream perhaps

Speaking of dissecting brains...scroll now if you don't want to read some somber thoughts...For all the jokes Clay made about being afraid of going to Afghanistan and saying 'good-bye', and how when he arrived he found how safe he really was, ya-da ya-da, I couldn't help but think of him as I read the news about the huge bus bomb going off in Kabul yesterday. More than 35 killed on downtown streets. Maybe brought a little more realism to all those jokes about watching for people with more padding in their vests. Yes, I know anything can happen anywhere, and I don't mean to dwell on that. I was thinking more of how he used his wit and humor to downplay a situation that was, and still is, very serious.

muskifest...hope your daughter's team kicked butt.

Edited June 17, 2007 by laughn

[Couch Tomato]

Clayzor: thanks for the Clangela pics..very nice to wake up to

PuddinsJoy - loved your montage...I know photographers have all sorts of opinions on how their work should be used. If i could take such wonderful pictures I wouldn't mind if they were used with love the way our montagers do. At my first Clay concert I had a camera..tried to take pictures for the first ten minutes -- then I put it up and never pulled another one out again. People like Karen Eh are just too good!!

Muski: You're making me schmoopie today.

Laughn: I was also up at 4am..bathroom ..heee and I took a detour to see if anything new had been written since I went to bed. I saw your post about it being 4am and went back to bed laughing.

Claygasm: You're a wise woman. I really have nothing to do with my dad and he lives 40 miles away. I just find my life all the better that way. I envy those that have good relationships with their dads or have learned to accept what you do have.

Back to my American Gothic marathon!!

[bottlecap]

When I finally fell asleep last night I dreamed that we found out at one of the concerts that Clay was going to be a daddy soon...in the next nine months...(what? if he gets any closer to Angela this summer than he did in those pictures up there it could happen!) It was a screwy dream (no pun intended) and sort of sweet and I remember watching security or somebody walking Raleigh and Durham after the concert as we all speculated as to who the mom was.

Is he looking for volunteers to be his baby mama? Just out of curiosity, is there a line or a sign-up sheet or something?

Speaking of dissecting brains...scroll now if you don't want to read some somber thoughts...For all the jokes Clay made about being afraid of going to Afghanistan and saying 'good-bye', and how when he arrived he found how safe he really was, ya-da ya-da, I couldn't help but think of him as I read the news about the huge bus bomb going off in Kabul yesterday. More than 35 killed on downtown streets. Maybe brought a little more realism to all those jokes about watching for people with more padding in their vests. Yes, I know anything can happen anywhere, and I don't mean to dwell on that. I was thinking more of how he used his wit and humor to downplay a situation that was, and still is, very serious.

I must admit there were times in the last year when I felt a little guilty about worrying over Clay's well-being when Brett and so many other service people overseas were in such constant physical danger, not to mention the citizens of the war zones who face such turmoil. When I thought about that, some nasty gossip doesn't seem very important at all.

[muskifest]

Well, the Blaze fizzled out. They actually did start out in a BLAZE---6 runs their first time up at bat...Eventually they scored 9 and were ahead all the way until the last two innings...the other team just found their groove and caught up with some awesome hits of their own...and we ran out of time before we could get another time at bat. Lost 11-9. It was a heartbreaker...Carrie didn't pitch until last out of the last inning. She did okay, but it was too late. Too many other things just didn't work.

But the girls were all silly and having fun together afterwards in the incredible park where this tournament was held, and they'll start all over tomorrow with practice for next weekend's tournament, which determines who goes to regionals and nationals....

Carrie's off with a buddy and the rest of us are going to see Ocean's 13 and munch on some popcorn.

Fathers? Hmmm...this day only means something because of my husband. My 'sperm donor' was a womanizer and deadbeat dad; my stepfather was an alcoholic. Nope. The first one? Don't even know if he's still alive; the stepdad died over 20 years ago. So I ordered some TastyCakes for Ken and some awesome headphones for him...

Funny thing, though. The headphones are MUCH bigger in real life than they seemed in the picture online. Heh. With his semi-bald head, he looks like he's trying to commuicate with some other galaxy! He's pretty 'whatever' about appearances, but even HE'S hesitating wearing these monsters in public!

Ok. Off to the movies...later! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

[bottlecap]

The graphic you used in your post is a quote attributed to Anne Geddes -- "Any man can be a father but it takes someone special to be a Dad" -- and is the way I opened my Father's Day blog at the OFC and Carolina On My Mind in which I honored three Dads: my own, my FIL, and my daughter's father.

Thnx to all who have shared experiences and memories of your fathers in the comments.

Caro, great blog! And Sally - what a knockout of a lion graphic you created! I know rcknrllmom's daughter Kayla is also a creative whiz. I've been remiss in the past about not checking out more of the fabulous graphics the fans create, and I'm going to be more diligent in seeking them out.

[ldyjocelyn]

Ever since the first video clip on the internet, I still find comfort and all kinds of positive things whenever I watch Clay. No matter what's going on in real life...just randomly clicking on some video of a concert or tv appearance or interview...it just doesn't matter. I always feel better afterwards.

He's really amazing....what he brings, what he 'puts out there' in the world. I've been lucky enough to see him many times, be pretty close to him more than once and even have had his arms around me briefly in an unexpected hug. And I can tell you that he really is...special. THere's something uniquely wonderful about that man. Like an aura...

In the chaos or emptiness that real life sometimes offers, he's never failed to lift me up.

I love that man.

Thank you. Beautiful, just beautiful, and so, so very true.

And then, I read your "never failed to lift me up..." and my brain actually went to "on the stage...." (Remember the AI2 TV special? keepingfaith, have you sen that clack? OMG, that was so much fun....)

muski, sorry that the BLAZE didn't do so hot.

apropos of nothing really and everything sort of ...

No matter how much the cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

:F_05BL17blowkiss:

BWAH! I might have to steal that for a signature on a few message boards....

When I finally fell asleep last night I dreamed that we found out at one of the concerts that Clay was going to be a daddy soon...in the next nine months...(what? if he gets any closer to Angela this summer than he did in those pictures up there it could happen!) It was a screwy dream (no pun intended) and sort of sweet and I remember watching security or somebody walking Raleigh and Durham after the concert as we all speculated as to who the mom was.

There is no point to that, just thought I'd flop my brain out here for all to dissect...My Father's Day dream perhaps

I think I've only dreamt of Clay once -- he was playing my town, near the waterfront. It was JBT time, because I remember the jukebox on the stage. BUT -- floodwaters were overtaking the stage. And yet, Clay was playing! Am I trying to cure him of his water phobia or what?

But, get this -- my husband dreams of Clay every so often!!! *sigh*

Speaking of dissecting brains...scroll now if you don't want to read some somber thoughts...For all the jokes Clay made about being afraid of going to Afghanistan and saying 'good-bye', and how when he arrived he found how safe he really was, ya-da ya-da, I couldn't help but think of him as I read the news about the huge bus bomb going off in Kabul yesterday. More than 35 killed on downtown streets. Maybe brought a little more realism to all those jokes about watching for people with more padding in their vests. Yes, I know anything can happen anywhere, and I don't mean to dwell on that. I was thinking more of how he used his wit and humor to downplay a situation that was, and still is, very serious.

Thanks for pointing this out to me, for I had not heard about this. My thoughts and prayers are with ALL the soliders fighting in the world. And yes, I tend to worry about Clay the most when he goes on these UNICEF things.

Caro, great blog! And Sally - what a knockout of a lion graphic you created! I know rcknrllmom's daughter Kayla is also a creative whiz. I've been remiss in the past about not checking out more of the fabulous graphics the fans create, and I'm going to be more diligent in seeking them out.

There is SO much talent in this fandom, I'm so floored by it. Thank you ALL for creating what you do. I enjoy the montages, the wallpapers, the photoshops, and so much more.

Celebrity Fit Club is on now!!!!!!!

[Claygasm]

Did you know Clay had his own orchestra?

Sounds like Glen Miller and his Orchestra or something!! :lmaosmiley-1:

The picture just doesn't fit that phrase!

How much longer before we can do rock hard Clay Aiken??? :Tour3:

[jmh123]

I love it. Don't you love it? (I'm sure it isn't the case at the moment that he has an orchestra, mind you; it's just that no local orchestra from that venue has been signed up yet, or the venue committed an act of omission, or whatever. But someday? Hmmmmm.)

You know I read somewhere that 'between soft rock and a hard place' was secret code that he'd like to be a rock star but can't because Clive mandated covers and Clay's stuck with them for this tour. Alrighty. My interpretation is that he meant what he said--he's going to put a little rock into it (a large little rock of course, cause Clay's rock is large). It won't be boring, that's for sure. I love to see Clay breaking down every possible stereotype.

[playbiller]

Really, I thought that Clay is between a rock and a hard place thanks to some of his wonderful fans, wait that did not come out really thewait I meant it.

I need to go read a book or something or maybe finish the Texas reservations.

Edited June 18, 2007 by playbiller

[Couch Tomato]

Yeah I think there's been a lot of sentiment that this would be a boring concert or lots of wistful longing for pop concerts of old. I just don't think Clay Aiken does boring. I'm glad he reassured those that needed it.

I hope everyone had a good day. Listened to ATDW today... blown away by the voice as always.

Some templates are ready for tshirts etc Here's the latest info.

And people are draggin on the I did Clay at blah blah blah shirts...basically, if you want one of those you need to say which saying you want so that YSRN can make the template. Talk about that here We've turned it into a more individual thing. We'll make the templates available but you'll have to order what you want on Cafe Press. Cindilu and I will be ordering different shirts so we'll give some feedback for how they turned out.

[bluebunny]

he sure can pack lots

from ldyjocelyn

and

Blow-out Pre-Doing Clay who is Rock Hard party

from Claygasm

Ah.....I love good smut in the morning.

Hi all thought I would drop in I know I dont come in that much and I will try cant wait for concert! my first!!!!!!!

[bluebunny]

he sure can pack lots

from ldyjocelyn

and

Blow-out Pre-Doing Clay who is Rock Hard party

from Claygasm

Ah.....I love good smut in the morning.

put pic up all

[playbiller]

I think the probelm isthat I am going to too many concerts. I don't want to get a different shirt for each one, and I never where thee Tshirts anyway, the only ones I wear arethe ones I got for 5 bucksfrom the OFC and Iwear them as a cover up on the beach or a night shirt. I got the largest size they had and hey are huge.

The rest of the shirts are packed in archival paper and in a vacuum bag.

[Totally]

Long day with my whole family over. I feel very lucky to have been blessed with a very loving, even if not perfect Dad. But even more blessed to have married a wonderful man who has been the most wonderful father to our children that I ever could have hoped for.

Couchie Thanks so much for explaining how you all do multiple quotes and just delete everything but what you want to quote. I had tried that once and thought, "There must be an easier way, and I just don't know the trick." But now I know that you all just put a lot of work into your posts.

I love the Clangela. My first fanfic was all about the Clangela during the 2003 tours. At the time I found WDC fascinating to watch because Clay was so..... surprisingly different? naughty? nasty? playful? Again it was chameleon Clay telling us that we couldn't put him in a box, and that he was full of surprises. That is one thing I love about him, even though I have recently complained about not always liking the surprises, lol.

Yes, Muski, your kids have an awesome dad.

As for Clay's name for the tour, I agree that he was trying to reassure his fans that it wouldn't be boring, and he was also smutting a bit, cause he knows us so well.

[Ansamcw]

I wanna be the first to greet my good good friend Couch Tomato :bday2:

[muskifest]

So. Ocean's 13....uh...it was what it is....a pleasant enough way to pass some time muching on popcorn and looking at FIIIIIIne men---I'm telling you that George Clooney has some of the most GAH-worthy eyes I've ever seen. I remember an older movie with Jennifer Lopez "Out of Sight"...they were sitting in a bar, candlelight, sipping on a drink...looking at each other and I could.not.breathe. looking at his darkest of brown eyes between lush, long lashes...

gah.

Brad's okay, but George....

gah.

[playbiller]

So now people have claimed to have heard the missing album? Must be the same person who saw the really hot video or the good reviews

I am not sure why I feel so mean on this beautiful day. I was not even nearly productive today as I was yesterday, when I fixed things, sewed, and replaced a screen. Maybe it is a sugar thing, it was so warm tonight, I did go for some ice cream. That was before I had a fight with my dog. - yes, I do argue with her, she is a demanding little thing. Making me her personal doorman - in out in out in out ad infinitum. Then when se finally decides to come in, she has to sleep on my lap on this warm evening, when my laptop is in my laptop. dogs nearing 50 pounds are not lap dogs, she does not fit and ends up hanging off in odd directions.

OH no the massivebirthday season has begun?

Edited June 18, 2007 by playbiller

[Gibby]

So now people have claimed to have heard the missing album? Must be the same person who saw the really hot video or the good reviews

Hmmmm, I must have missed something. Where is is being posted that people are saying they heard the missing album?? I wanna know!

And I understand that birthday greetings are in order for Couchie. Happy Birthday!!

:00003653:

Edited June 18, 2007 by Gibby

[roseviolet]

Hi! I have added quite a few new songs on Rose Radio. They include tracks by Kimberley Locke, The Police, Michael Buble, No Fixed Abode, Eva Cassidy, Enya, William Joseph, Kurt Nilsen, Taylor Hicks, Lauren Wood, Kelly Clarkson, Melinda Doolittle, Keane, and John Stevens. On Tuesday you can read more about this week's selections on the Rose Radio blog.

:me0:

[bottlecap]

TO