#13 The Aiken Experience. There's nothing else like it.

[bottlecap]

Pala M&G recap from wandacleo at CV:

This is also a bit late and I haven't read other M&G reports, so you may have already read this--feel free to scroll. I'll try to tell you what I remember. We were supposed to pick up our badges after 3 but the Casino staff had no clue and finally one woman went off and told us where to go at 5, but then we waited another hour. There were eventually 10 of us--4 OFC and 4 auction winners. I know that some of the auction winners would have preferred not to go with the rest of us, but I was happy as a clam regardless of the number as I just wanted to take a good look at Clay up front and didn't figure I'd be establishing a lifetime relationship.

Jerome came (and he's looking GOOD) and herded us to the elevators and to a room upstairs. Then he led us into a room to give us our "don't grab Clay" lecture and counted us and there were 11 of us. Some woman saw us and just followed along, figuring we were Claymates!! Jerome escorted her out. I don't think she was stalking Clay. I think she was just trying to join in a Clay gathering.

Mary (who is quite slim these days) and Jamie, who is cute as a button, were in the room and went and got some extra chairs so we were sitting on 2 sofas and some chairs in a circle. Then, Clay came in and immediately walked around the circle and asked our names and shook our hands. His hand was warm and soft but it went fast. He was wearing those butt-ugly tan shorts with the frayed seam at the bottom and the purple shirt (I think he'd slept in them from the night before.) He was actually quite cute in that outfit--it somehow seems to fit him. He had on those brown crisscross sandals. Toes long and pedicured. Didn't see the ring that we noticed at the concert. He said right off the bat that he didn't have much time because we were running late. However, we all had time to ask a question or two. In no particular order these are some of the things discussed (and I've probably forgotten some).

Someone asked what she'd have to do to get him to play scrabble with her online (just reporting here) and he said there was nothing she could do because he hated scrabble, at which point there was some discussion as to him having said he liked it (I don't think so)and his asking Jamie and Mary if he liked scrabble and they agreed that he didn't. He said that Kelly liked scrabble but he would never play with her.

Someone else thought he recognized her because she had been at a M&G before and he was like "You think I recognize you???" Then ensued a discussion about how he can't remember things and someone said that he said he had a good memory and he said the person lied and then someone said he said it and he saidf he lied.

THAT out of the way:

I asked if there was a chance that "Lover All Alone" would be on his next CD and he said that Jaymes really wanted that to happen and that he didn't think it was possible, but apparently it is so there's a chance that will happen.

I asked if he was pleased with the reorganization at the TBAF and if that was going well and he said that he's not really active in the managing of it and missed the last board meeting but that he trusts his uncle and his mother trusts him.

Someone asked if the songs he recorded for the CD that didn't come out would be released and he said that only 3 had had the final mixing: "A Thousand Days", BFM, and JY and that we had "A Thousand Days", but the others couldn't be leaked or released because it wouldn't be fair to the songwriters who couldn't then market them as originals.

Someone asked him how much control he has over touring and he said basically none, but sometimes they might give him a choice of a venue or two, but he really has no say. He also talked about how someone rented a theater and wanted to back a show but that tour companies want to work with promoters that they know and tend to use the same ones. He said he thought the furthest East he was going was PA, and I said he was going to CT, but that was news to him and he said not to believe everything you hear, but he sounded pleased at the possibility. He said he thought the furthest West he would be was Omaha, NB. (HOWEVER, we do have the November 6 show in the West so all is not lost).

One lovely woman (who doesn't post) had won a M&G and instead of a question thanked him for what he does with TBAF and said that she has a 19-year old autistic grandson. He asked her a little about that and she said that her grandson was doing very well, thanks to her daughter, and (I'm so sorry I can't remember his exact words) he said something to the effect that her daughter was able to do that thanks to HER. It was quite touching and thoughtful even though it was a quick statement. I noticed it.

Someone asked him why he had his teeth done (again, just reporting) and he said, "I was bored!" and sort of threw up his hands, but then said that his front teeth went in and he didn't like them. (What could he say?)

Someone asked if he would work with David Foster and he said that he couldn't because he worked for Warners and Clay worked for RCA and didn't want to leave his label (out of his own mouth) but that he could record a song that DF wrote but DF couldn't produce for him.

Someone asked if he planned to write songs for the next CD and said something like, "Don't you guys talk to each other???" He said that he gets the same question at every M&G and has no plans and if it happens, it happens.

When it came time to sign pictures and stuff, he talked and said he wasn't very good at multi-tasking but he would try to talk to us while signing. He didn't ask how to spell my name, but I guess there aren't too many possibilities with "Wanda." Oh, yes, he did ask us where we were from and when I said Carmel, he said it was up the coast, so he knew where it was.

A couple of people had those pictures by that person who draws (Huber? or something like that) with the bangs. Clay looked at the first one and said there was no way that was drawn that she must have traced it or something. (My suspicions as well!!!) I had him sign my sheet music for Invisible. I'm just so happy to have that to frame and hang by my piano. Three people, I think, hadn't brought anything and Clay said they'd try to find something for him to sign (don't know if that happened) but one woman said that he'd signed everything she wanted before.

Pictures were quick. There was no way in hell I was going to hug or touch Clay, just not in me to touch strangers (even Clay), so I just stood there and he came up and put his arm around me (I think) and his face by mine. It went really quickly.

At some point Jamie collected gifts and cards. When we left, the auction winners were asked to wait, so maybe they got a little more time (which I'm sure made them happy) but I was completely satisfied. I don't ever need another M&G, but I hope that everyone has the opportunity to have one. I felt that if I knew Clay, I'd like him. That was a good feeling to take to the concert.

My overall impression of Clay.

I wasn't at all intimidated by him or even nervous once I got there as he was gracious, but businesslike. He didn't waste any time. I think that if he weren't someone I knew as famous and I just met him, I would think he was a pleasant young man, reasonably attractive, and probably wouldn't give him much more than a passing thought. Interesting. (To me, anyway). He looks pretty much like his pictures. His spray tan is long gone, and I'm blind as a bat so couldn't tell without putting my nose down by his legs if the hair is growing back. (I thought that might be inappropriate, so I restrained myself.) I felt that if I knew Clay, I'd like him. That was a good feeling to take to the concert.

[YSRN]

Someone asked if the songs he recorded for the CD that didn't come out would be released and he said that only 3 had had the final mixing: "A Thousand Days", BFM, and JY and that we had "A Thousand Days", but the others couldn't be leaked or released because it wouldn't be fair to the songwriters who couldn't then market them as originals.

That's interesting. I suppose that means BFM could be released by someone else. That would be weird, no?

And I guess the boy doesn't like Scrabble. That strikes me as amusing somehow!

Edited August 4, 2007 by YSRN

[cindilu2]

Someone asked if the songs he recorded for the CD that didn't come out would be released and he said that only 3 had had the final mixing: "A Thousand Days", BFM, and JY and that we had "A Thousand Days", but the others couldn't be leaked or released because it wouldn't be fair to the songwriters who couldn't then market them as originals.

That's interesting. I suppose that means BFM could be released by someone else. That would be weird, no?

And I guess the boy doesn't like Scrabble. That strikes me as amusing somehow!

Just You? There's a recording of Just You out there in the world and I can't have it????

DAMN! %$^&&$^%%.

I can't believe somebody asked him 'why' about his teeth. Well actually, yeah I can believe it, but ugh.

Edited August 4, 2007 by cindilu2

[laughn]

The classics medley may be less spontaneous now than it was early in the tour, but I feel that's because he knows what sections got reactions early on and is now building on that knowledge. (See: "party all night.") Maybe he's going too far with some of that. Maybe. But yet, it's still getting a reaction, so he's gonna keep doing it IMO. Another point of "entertainer:" his acting at the end of the classic's medley when he "finally feels cool." It's schtick, to be sure....but it was perfectly executed schtick (or at least it was last night). I found it wildly entertaining.

I was thinking while I was watching the Pala Classics how he's morphed the JT/Sexy Back bit from a place where some thought he was dissing Timberlake to one where he's dissing himself, clearly wanting people to laugh both with him and at him. Same with LAV. The evolution of the whole schtick from 'songs you wouldn't expect to hear with a symphony' to 'songs to make me cool' enforces that. He knows how to laugh at himself and that's not only entertaining, it's sexy.

eta..hey, aren't those the Diesel jeans, aka rivet jeans? If so, I can't see the rivet. Hummm, maybe he did sit there and cover it with permanent marker. :glare:

Edited August 4, 2007 by laughn

[bottlecap]

hey, aren't those the Diesel jeans, aka rivet jeans? If so, I can't see the rivet. Hummm, maybe he did sit there and cover it with permanent marker. :glare:

The permanent loss of THE RIVET truly would make my tears run dry.

[playbiller]

Did you ever think you posted a comment her and not be able t o find it later?

It is riveting to me to see how obsessed ahem some posters are with those jeans.

Hoping joy for all Greek attendees, I'm Jellous (tm CHG)

[YSRN]

Totally different pants.

The Diesel's are the lowriders. The Rivets... aren't. But then they really don't need to be do they?

Did I see my sunsunnysunshine join the board??? Weeee! Come out, come out!

Edited August 5, 2007 by YSRN

[jmh123]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! Sun!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

[JennaZ]

Here in LA laughing it up with Ansa, Claygasm, Muski, and Couchie. We've all had our drinks and are having a wonderful time. Wish you were here!

We'll post more later!

[bottlecap]

The Pala post-Classics reaction to becoming "C to the O O L" is just too funny. It's like Pinocchio being granted his heart's desire and discovering he's a real boy.

[Divayenta]

cindilu, perfection, perfection, perfection as Mr. Sedaka said. You have just described Mr. A to a T!

:F_05BL17blowkiss:

Remember "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe"? I'm gonna top Spike's fan "memoirs" and write "The Rivet, The Rings and the On-Ramps! A Fan's Guide to Appreciating the Aiken"

Edited August 5, 2007 by Divayenta

[jmh123]

Here in LA laughing it up with Ansa, Claygasm, Muski, and Couchie. We've all had our drinks and are having a wonderful time. Wish you were here!

We'll post more later!

WAH!! We wish we were there too. Have a blast!! :TourExcite: :TourExcite: :TourExcite:

[playbiller]

CB is looking for a cellcerter for tonight - do we have anyone who can help them out?

[ldyjocelyn]

Here in LA laughing it up with Ansa, Claygasm, Muski, and Couchie. We've all had our drinks and are having a wonderful time. Wish you were here!

We'll post more later!

Have fun ladies! I'm not jellus at all!

:TourExcite: :TourExcite:

[sunburstoflight]

Did I see my sunsunnysunshine join the board??? Weeee! Come out, come out!

*does as told*

Hi!

I hope anybody seeing the concert tonight has(had) a great time!

Edited August 5, 2007 by sunburstoflight

[YSRN]

Did I see my sunsunnysunshine join the board??? Weeee! Come out, come out!

*does as told*

Hi!

I hope anybody seeing the concert tonight has(had) a great time!

Hee! Welcome obedient one!

[muskifest]

Greetings from Post Concert Coital bliss! Couchie, CG, Ansa, JennaZ and I are now sitting in our hotel room eating snacks and drinking various beverages containing various types of alcohol..Couchie refuses to post, preferring to drink...I, having already been awake since 4:11 am Pacific Time in order to get a couple of flights (both of which were disgustingly late) to get here, am sitting on one of the beds

CG, on her usual rampage against Clive, jumped immediately on Clay's strategic use of THAT WORD!

MANDATE! MANDATE! MANDATE!

Mandate got GELUS that ULTIMATUM was taking too much spotlight...and had to return....

The MANDATE RETURNS!

(and now I've been instructed to have another beer....heh...excuse me a moment...)

[muskifest]

Oh, I forgot to say: Two friends of mine told me they saw Kelly arrive at the Greek tonight! THey think she went backstage...we didn't see her, but it makes sense that she would be there....I imagine other "Hollywood" people were there, too...and they saw a very, very entertiaining Clay Aiken! Some favorite things:

Clay moved over next to Angela and kidded around about just 'wanting to sit with her"...he gave goo-goo eyes and all and then looked at her family filling up an entire row and said, "Surprise!" OMG! It was a hoot! CMSU!

And later the light guy kept taking the spotlight away from Quiana. Clay joked that he'd be nice and move over next to her so that they'd put the spot back on her...She said, "C'mon! You KNOW I'm black! You can't see me? Smile, Angela, so they can see you!"

:lmaosmiley-1:

And during "I Like Big Butts"...right before he inches up behind Angela, he looked at Angela's family again and in the middle of singing, said, "Oh God, DAD, please don't kill me!" and then slapped her butt!

BWAH!

[bottlecap]

It's three in the morning on the west coast and 6:00 am here. Why is there no Clack posted yet? Whine, whine, whine...

[bottlecap]

EYELASHES...

[

[bottlecap]

EYELASHES - PART DEUX

[ldyjocelyn]

Went to bed early because of my headache....woke up a 4:00 due to nerves because of my solo performance this morning at church.

However, this has started my day right...

And some more assorted cool pics IMO:

Welcome sunburstoflight!!!

[laughn]

Your bells will ring beautifully ldyjocelyn, I do believe. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Yes, bottlecap....eyelashes....and every other stubbly, unmatched socks, wrinkled coat, shirt-tailed thing on him. Isn't he lovely? Yum.

my favorite...

sun!!!!!! *waves*

[cindilu2]

EYELASHES...

Oh.

My Lord.

He is fiiiiiiiiiiiiine. I could swear somebody said no stubble in the cellcert last night. Phew!

[cindilu2]

Went to bed early because of my headache....woke up a 4:00 due to nerves because of my solo performance this morning at church.

However, this has started my day right...

And some more assorted cool pics IMO:

That's some beautiful music right there, yes it is. Rings my bells ldyj, so it must be good luck for yours!