#18: He has always had the VOICE! But, boy has he ever learned to use his instrument!

[laughn]

WooT... Go Cleveland!!

Oh, and never believe laughn when she tells you she's going to bed. She lies!!!

Don't give me a hard time woman, I gave it a shot . (sleep is apparently highly over-rated )

as for Cleveland.... :3: whoo-hoo!!!

[Ansamcw]

BUT, buying a ticket to a show there doesn't lock me into buying into their beliefs either, so it's gotta come down to personal choice... as always. Yep, still not going. But I hope a few people learn a thing or two. I'll hope for the best. And try to remember that every person there in an individual, not a group of one mind. I hope.

Yup this is the crucial thing...personal choice. I totally respect anyone that decides not to go...but I also understand why Clay can perform in this Church and I hope y'all will understand why I would go to this concert if I lived in this area. I definitely do not agree with all their stance...but I can understand where it is coming from and why it hasn't changed. Growing up in the Catholic Church and in a very religious family...I can understand how strong the indoctrination can be. I also understand that the church is made of many people...and the feelings of a few are not always shared by all.

[playbiller]

I love Clay's poochy tummy but he could stand to lose just a few pounds and maybe some situps. I'd hate to see him get all thin again though, because I like the way his face, chest, arms, thighs and rear end look with some weight.

See, I don't get where he could stand to lose a few pounds - he doesn't look particular fit - but he really does look on the lower end of an acceptable weight range for his height. For a 6' 1" guy with a medium frame anything from 151-182 is good according to Weight Watchers. If he weighed 160 at his chunkiest I'd be shocked. I tend to really like how Clay doesn't seem to really worry about his hair or poochy tummy or pasty skin or occasionally nonexistant eyebrows. I think he has enough food issues with the allergies - I'd hate to see him get all male modelish about his lack of a six pack.

The guy still is stick thin, tummy or not. Here is the thing, most people (not all) say they admire that Clay is not shallow, then they state that he should do things that would be shallow, like be obsessed by his looks or try and sell out to have a sexy rock song radio hit. The fact that he has a sense of humor about all this amazes me. I just pity his mate. Hair is bad, to thin, too fat (simultaneously), not pretty enough, too pretty and shallow, trophy wife, bad clothing choices, etc. I do like that some things are off topic to me. Others may write about it or suppose about it, but I just can't ship, and I can't make expectations about Clay's life, I kind of like being just an observer, not a director.

[Gibby]

WELCOME, Perma! I'm thrilled that you're posting here! I LURVE drooling over your pictures.

Well, I'm going to the Wichita concert, and the reason is this: I live in Colorado, can't afford to do a lot of traveling at Christmas, and can drive to Kansas. I'm going to the skating event in Las Vegas, and other than that, a lot of flying around isn't an option. Hubby and I both have large families, and have a ton of people to buy for at Christmas. So December has to be a little on the frugal side at our house. For me, it's either go to Wichita, or not attend any CITH concerts at all.

I don't think that having a concert in a church implies that Clay agrees with their beliefs, any more than having a concert at a casino with an open bar implies that he is a proponent of gambling or drinking. It's just a place to have a concert. I'm not going to the concert to hear about the church's beliefs; I'm going there to hear my boyfriend sing and entertain. I doubt that the little bit of profit the church will make from my ticket will do much to further their agenda. After all, my ticket was only $40.00.

That said, I fully understand and respect those that couldn't go to a concert at a church like this, and I regret that the venue is problematic and offensive. Hopefully, when it comes time for the concert itself, we can still enjoy the first concert excitement, joy and clack, without worrying too much about the venue. After all, the focus should be on our hawt singer man, what he's singing, whether the fan stories are distracting, what he's wearing, whether the pants hug him well enough, and - most importantly - how his hair is styled!!

[Gibby]

as for Cleveland.... :3: whoo-hoo!!!

Congrats to the Cubs fans! But watch out - they'll probably be playing the Rockies, who are in a winning streak. Right now we're in the bottom of the 6th, and the Rockies are winning 6 to 1. Looks like we're heading to the World Series. Wooo-hoooo!!

:3: GO, ROCKIES!!! :3:

[wandacleo]

I'd go see Clay if he were giving a concert in hell.

I have no standards.

[YSRN]

I don't ever even ponder that Clay should change a thing based on anything I think or post. I just reserve the right to express myself about what he has or is doing. He's my topic. All of him.

He has a poochy tummy... I want to rub it for good luck. And stuff. That doesn't mean I think he needs to do anything about it.

Yep, Ansa... I can and do. I'm not not going to make a point; I simply personally wouldn't be comfortable or enjoy it. And it's not because it's a "church"; I like churches just fine. I was raised Catholic too. And I can appreciate a beautiful cathedral and the reverence within. Heh, I just noticed this is my 666th post. Creepy, no? LOL! I better stop now. Hee.

And thanks, Gibby. I see your point too... While Clay's not singing gambling songs when he performs in a casino, I guess from the Casino Owner's perspective, he's there to bring people into that casino in the hopes they'll toss a few nickels in the slots on their way in or out. A performer performing is an event to attract people to the place no matter what I suppose. I mean, that's why KLo and Guarini played at that mall in El Paso, isn't it?!

I love it when teams clinch at home! So exciting! Go Rockies!!

Hee, wanda!

:4: < --- Look twin! We have our own emotie!!!

[jazzgirl]

I'd go see Clay if he were giving a concert in hell.

I have no standards.

This could start another "Green Eggs and Ham" parody.

I would see him in Hell,

I would go there with bells.

I would see him in a casino,

I would even imbibe the vino

In vino veritas

In Hell there would be heatus

But I'd go

I'd go

Cause I'm a concert ho.

[Ansamcw]

I'd go see Clay if he were giving a concert in hell.

I have no standards.

This could start another "Green Eggs and Ham" parody.

I would see him in Hell,

I would go there with bells.

I would see him in a casino,

I would even imbibe the vino

In vino veritas

In Hell there would be heatus

But I'd go

I'd go

Cause I'm a concert ho.

BWAH...this is too funny!!!

[jmh123]

Hey couchie, I think I've come up with a couple of ideas for our next chat:

1. Cousins: What exactly does it mean to be a cousin?

Are Clay & Jamie 'cousins' in the traditional sense, or contemporary sense?

Are they cousins-with-benefits?

Have you ever had impure thoughts about your cousins?

At what level of consanguinity does the squick factor set in?

Is doin' your cuzzin a regional custom? Is it ok in the south, but not in the west or north?

I was reading fast and thought this was a list of questions for Couchie's cousin.

Someone else actually knows who Christine Lavin is!!!

Welcome PermaSwooned!!

We talked about Christine on another board once, and you ended up finding a concert in CA that very week! And yes, I've even seen her twirl her baton!

But perhaps the part that angers me the most is the statement that as long as he's not gay by Christmas he'll still perform.

As for the Lycos thingie - it's not like not being a drunken, foul-mouthed womanizer is a bad thing. The not gay by Christmas? Sounds like a smart-assed joke. I laughed.

I laughed.

Me too. But I'm the only one who laughed at all those Blender descriptions, aren't I?

I laughed too. I thought it was choice snark on the church. Reminded me of the "Are you gay yet?" skit I wrote once for a hypothetical SNL appearance: "No, Tina Fey, I'm still not gay."

I'd go see Clay if he were giving a concert in hell.

I have no standards.

Not only would I, I think I may have already done so.

[zena]

I just realized that if there's one kind of good karma I have it's good weather karma...I'm sure it will hold over to winter too LOL.

I'm pretty sure Clay coming up north is gonna melt a few snowbanks for you in his wake,Couchie . It really can be lovely and mild up here too (as well as unpredictable and nasty).... our anniversary is on December 29th, and we took all our pictures outside surrounded by beautiful hoarfrost. I stood in a snowbank with open shoes, and wondered why my lovely rose bouquet was completely dead the next morning. The pictures turned out great.

I can't believe I feel compelled to click on pictures of the back of Clay's head, like there's going to be some major revelation from making dark and grainy pictures just a little bit bigger.

:clay: oh, goodie someone else has the same obsession, , sickness, weakness,

??????? I dunno, is there even a name for this state of mind....

And am I the only one who grew up referring to their dog as their pooch? LOL

Couch Tomato, I am putting in an official request to have my designation changed to "pooch walker"

[ Others may write about it or suppose about it, but I just can't ship, and I can't make expectations about Clay's life, I kind of like being just an observer, not a director.

zena sighs....and realizes sadly she will probably be 50 before she ever makes it to fifty posts.......

"clayobserver" would make a nice intermediate designation too.....just sayin'

[Kareneh]

I'm back alright! Thanks for noticing. Miss me? Did it seem like I was gone? I thought my dry run went rather well. I'll be out of here come mid-January. John is going right after we come back from Vegas and we'll meet up in Halifax for the holidays. The plan is for me to come back to Houston after New Years, spend a couple of weeks getting ready, and then leave from here. John is going to come back the last few days to help get everything into storage and to help with the meat.

Yes, the meat. I was told that a 48 quart Igloo cooler when filled with frozen meat and duct taped together will remain frozen well past the 20 hours it takes to get to Baku. Apparently that cooler makes the Lufthansa baggage weight restrictions and Azerbaijan has no qualms about any kind of food coming into the country. I wonder what it's going to cost to ransom my meat at the airport....

BUT! I won't have to import from Dubai....I would expect that the only meat I could afford to import from Dubai would be bologna, but I doubt that a stick of bologna has ever been seen in Dubai. I saw a $9 bag of Tostitos the other day, though.I should have taken a picture of them. I think they were special ones and were able to apply their own salsa and cheese dip......oops! I mean queso! (location location location....arrrrgh!)

I spent the afternoon uploading some pix they are here in this Smugmug album if anyone is interested in having a look.

Baku

I posted some pictures of house number two in a private gallery, if you're interested just send me a PM and I'll send you the link. This is the one we decided we wanted and just sent the requirements list off to the agent, tonight.....because everything is possible and everything is negotiable. This is the house we want, if we can get it in under the budget with all the furniture and stuff. The thing is, the house is huge.....might be bigger than Clays, if you don't count all of his garages or if he keeps his garages and I can count my little 2 storey house for the gardener/security guard/dog sitter/drunken husband. At 7500 square feet sans the little house, it's too big for the two of us but it has the best set up for the dog and it is closer to being finished than the last one. Only some minor things are left to be done, like lighting and balcony railings....stuff like that. Also it's walking distance to the US embassy which is about 2 short blocks away in another house. There is a family of Canadians living next door. I hope it works out but if not we have back up plans, and we have Vugar. Everyone should have a Vugar.....he knows that the other embassy down the street is paying less rent than this guy is asking and it's well under our budget. I have the feeling that Vugar knows lots of things.

Enough of that stuff. I'm home and still kind of jet lagged. It didn't help that when we got off the 11 hour flight from Frankfurt we had to wait in a 3 hour line up at US customs. Not fun! John realized as we got to passport control in Azerbaijan that he had no more blank pages in his passport to stick visas. He didn't think it would be a problem it was.....so he had to fly up to Halifax today to go renew in person tomorrow. He can't come back to the States until he gets it back. They say less than 2 weeks, I hope that's right. We have Vegas in a few weeks and he's up there, in the same city as his mother, who is ready to kill him for taking this job. The woman is possessed with anger right now.......she was very unhappy with us when we moved to Houston but this is beyond the pale I'm afraid. You'd think we hadn't lived away for 21 of the 25 years we've been married the way she's carrying on.....and in the 4 years I did live in the same city, she came to our house 6 times, some birthdays and some Christmas. ***Shakes off bad vibes and gets down to the real nitty gritty.***

It's so hard to believe that the skating special is only a few weeks away! My head has been spinning in a hundred directions lately and I am so looking forward to getting out and having some Clay time in the midst of all this. As for the poochy tummy, I will always maintain my position.....and if Clay maintains his on his back, there will still be a nice hollow there from which to sip champagne.

As long as Clay is still not gay by Christmas, he will still be scheduled to perform.

I thought that line was funny. I viewed it more globally as stating that he is not gay and by Christmas he will still not be gay, in the same way that he won't turn Martian by Christmas. As for not drinking, smoking, swearing, or womanizing, Clay may still not do these things, depending on how strictly or liberally someone construes those terms.

I thought that line was funny, too. Total snark on the church and the idea that it felt the need to circulate such a letter.

I think I feel a Seuss coming on.....

I would see him in the shower

In a lovely Ivory Tower

I would see him, raise him ten

Oh, sweet Clay remember when...

That I time I seen in you in Toledo

Leather jacket and a Speedo?

What's that you say?

T'was no bikini?

Someone is a great big meanie!

*Slinks away because this really went no where and it's too late to fix it.*

Uncle!!!!!

I kept telling myself that I need another Clay message board to post at like a hole in the head.

I told myself that it was enough that I had found the message board and with it some of my favorite cyber-friends that I thought didn't post anymore.

I told myself it was enought to just read and laugh. Yup. That's what I said.

I give up. I don't post enough to worry about one more board anyway.

EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Perma's in the house!!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Whoopee! Perma's here!!!! Sounds like you were thinking like me about 6 months ago.

Totally agree! He looks so....so....content and happy on that stage with the kids. *sigh*

This reminded me that I have to get that freaking DVR back to Comcast this week, it isn't recording anymore. I cannot miss this!!

He has a poochy tummy... I want to rub it for good luck. And stuff.

If you get really lucky......see above paragraph with reference to licking sipping.

Do ya think the bubbles would be ticklish? :smiles_141:

Happy Belated Birthday to laughn .....

and {{{{hugs to you}}}}} zena, for you and for your friend.

I hate it so much when I post instead of preview! Did it again tonight.

[Gibby]

Welcome back, Karen!

I enjoyed your Baku pictures! The architecture there is beautiful, and the markets are very colorful. The Pizza Hut cracked me up.

Best of luck on gettting the house you're wanting. Sounds like a great location!

[laughn]

Karen Eh? I love your pictures and the recaps of your move. I think I'm in awe of the magnitude of what your move involves! (I thought it was stressful duct taping a sewing machine to take through an airport recently, and I didn't have to worry about it defrosting) I wish your hubby speedy results with his passport.

He's starts the show singing Christmas Waltz and finishes with What Are You Doing New Year's Eve.

I.CAN.NOT.WAIT!

[luckiest1]

See, I don't get where he could stand to lose a few pounds - he doesn't look particular fit - but he really does look on the lower end of an acceptable weight range for his height. For a 6' 1" guy with a medium frame anything from 151-182 is good according to Weight Watchers. If he weighed 160 at his chunkiest I'd be shocked. I tend to really like how Clay doesn't seem to really worry about his hair or poochy tummy or pasty skin or occasionally nonexistant eyebrows. I think he has enough food issues with the allergies - I'd hate to see him get all male modelish about his lack of a six pack.

ITA. Thanks for saying it better than I ever could.

I know that is not representative of all Christian thought and I know this church isn't either... But I'm not thrilled with this particular church's documented "politics". Nope, not thrilled at all. BUT, buying a ticket to a show there doesn't lock me into buying into their beliefs either, so it's gotta come down to personal choice... as always. Yep, still not going. But I hope a few people learn a thing or two. I'll hope for the best. And try to remember that every person there in an individual, not a group of one mind. I hope.

Exactly. I'd be going if I lived anywhere near there. And the "not gay by Christmas" line? Total snark, IMO. But this

I'd go see Clay if he were giving a concert in hell.

I have no standards.

and this

I would see him in Hell,

I would go there with bells.

I would see him in a casino,

I would even imbibe the vino

In vino veritas

In Hell there would be heatus

But I'd go

I'd go

Cause I'm a concert ho.

made me laugh out loud this morning. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Did anyone else get a notification from Clique in their inbox? Sounds like Oct. 30th has now been chosen as our final OFC renewal deadline. So hopefully that means site changes and new stuff are in the works, finally!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEe for CW and WAYDNYE!!!!!!!! Two of my favourites!

[merryclay]

When I saw the slo-mo-video of Clay entering the concert area, I knew he really hadn't gained much weight. I think there are layers ans he was a bit slumped. I can't wait till we see him again so we can check on these important things. Tabloids are always saying he's FAT and than whenwe see him in person, everyone says --oh , he's so thin. If he didn't wear three shirts and not fix them properly, he's probably lose 10 pounds immediately. LOL!!! I thought he looked the best ever at Ruben's concert. He's really coming into his looks as a grown man. I'm easy. I don't think the church was far off about things Clay had said about his habits.

[aikim]

Good Morning Everyone,

10 Days until Clay is Live at Lincoln Center!

16 Days until Clay is on AYSTAFG!

21 Days until Clay Tapes The Skating Special!

41 Days until The Christmas Tour Starts!

67 Days until Christmas in Merrillville!

70 Days until The Skating Special is Aired!

83 Days until The BAF Golf Outing!

Everyone have a great day!

Kim

[aikim]

Jamar To answer your question, yes we do have a Network Administrator and he also happens to be my boss. He is a pretty laid back kind of guy and as long as the work gets done, he doesn't really pay much attention to what else is going on. He has actually come up to ask me a question when I have been checking out the boards and has not said anything. I figure if it had been a problem in the last 4 years he would have mentioned it. They are actually more concerned about what is being looked at on the public computers than the staff computers.

Kim

[jamar1700]

yes we do have a Network Administrator and he also happens to be my boss. He is a pretty laid back kind of guy and as long as the work gets done, he doesn't really pay much attention to what else is going on.

Doesn't mean it isn't still being tracked somewhere, just in case.

---

Oh the church thing?

I plan to go and enjoy, just like any other Clay show I've attended. I don't feel a need to explain or defend my decision to do that to anyone...so I won't.

:F_05BL17blowkiss:

[Gibby]

Oh the church thing?

I plan to go and enjoy, just like any other Clay show I've attended. I don't feel a need to explain or defend my decision to do that to anyone...so I won't.

:F_05BL17blowkiss:

Cool! Hopefully I'll get to meet you!

[luckiest1]

He's starts the show singing Christmas Waltz and finishes with What Are You Doing New Year's Eve.

I.CAN.NOT.WAIT!

Are there any other skating fans here? My daughter and I were looking at the list of skaters on the Disson site this morning, and trying to figure out who might skate to the other 6 Clay songs. I think these two are well chosen as group numbers. But we figure Caryn Kadavy, Yuka Sato, Sasha Cohen, Meno & Sand, Todd Eldredge and possibly Steven Cousins or Dubrueil & Lauzon are likely to skate to Clay. I can't really see Shae Lynn Bourne (as a solo skater) or Philippe Candeloro doing it - they tend towards more upbeat numbers. Doesn't matter, anyways, because I know that my eyes will be glued to the stage when he's singing, but it's kind of fun for us, as skating fans, to imagine the different possibilities. It's all starting to seem more real this week. I had a peek at our hotel's web site this morning, and even started my "to bring" and "to do before I leave" lists. Wheeeeeeeeee!

[Couch Tomato]

When I saw the slo-mo-video of Clay entering the concert area, I knew he really hadn't gained much weight. I think there are layers ans he was a bit slumped. I can't wait till we see him again so we can check on these important things. Tabloids are always saying he's FAT and than whenwe see him in person, everyone says --oh , he's so thin. If he didn't wear three shirts and not fix them properly, he's probably lose 10 pounds immediately. LOL!!! I thought he looked the best ever at Ruben's concert. He's really coming into his looks as a grown man. I'm easy. I don't think the church was far off about things Clay had said about his habits.

To me the problem is that they are using these things to justify bringing him there. I think that's idiotic. I'm not going to quibble on these things as they aren't important to me. I don't think he does any of them in excess but I have to say I love his innuendo and he's damn good at it....although sometimes I admit it's more his audience's dirty mine lol. Poochy tummy doesn't equate fat. We've seen stomach skin this summer...it's a bit poochy heh. But cute. The tabloids are calling him fat LOL. I think he's down to 1 shirt now, sometimes 1 that doesn't even fit

Welcome home Karen Eh!

[ldyjocelyn]

YSRN, I love you. As I said, I hope that just one person at that church may see things differently. It may be naive of me to think like that (it wouldn't be the first time I've been told that), but IMO, I've got to keep a glimmer of hope.

Welcome back Karen Eh? and good luck to you and your husband in the next few months as you transition to a new life!

He's starts the show singing Christmas Waltz and finishes with What Are You Doing New Year's Eve.

I.CAN.NOT.WAIT!

EEEEEEEEEE!!!! NOW I'm pumped about this show. I think WAYDNYE is my most favorite song of Clay's EVAH! The first time I heard the song, I was in my car, and I almost had an accident because I was floored by the whole thing. I'm so glad that songs on the Crooner's CD. Anyway, I'm jellus of you people going to the skating show -- it sounds like a blast!

See, I don't get where he could stand to lose a few pounds - he doesn't look particular fit - but he really does look on the lower end of an acceptable weight range for his height. For a 6' 1" guy with a medium frame anything from 151-182 is good according to Weight Watchers. If he weighed 160 at his chunkiest I'd be shocked. I tend to really like how Clay doesn't seem to really worry about his hair or poochy tummy or pasty skin or occasionally nonexistant eyebrows. I think he has enough food issues with the allergies - I'd hate to see him get all male modelish about his lack of a six pack.

Amen. As women, IMO, there's a bit of a double standard -- it's not cool to be bulimic, and it's not cool to be overweight either, and I think that standard is (hopefully) starting to change. And yet, many also want their men ripped and looking good at every moment of every day. I'm glad Clay doesn't fall into any mindset like that.

Did anyone else get a notification from Clique in their inbox? Sounds like Oct. 30th has now been chosen as our final OFC renewal deadline. So hopefully that means site changes and new stuff are in the works, finally!

Got mine this morning. Can't wait to see what is next up.

I added some information about the St. Louis show in the correct concert thread. The OFC presale is tomorrow -- love the password. *g*

To me the problem is that they are using these things to justify bringing him there. I think that's idiotic.

This, I totally agree with. While he's not a major party hardy guy who is all over the map with his escapades -- he's also not a saint either. This place shouldn't have to have justify him being there period. Unfortunately, it happens all the time.

Finally, I saw this on Yahoo this morning, and thought it quite interesting. Their study may not be using a huge number of people, but I think many of us can add our own experiences with this:

Gossip Trumps Truth

People are influenced by gossip about others, even when it contradicts what they see with their own eyes, suggests a new study.

Past research has found that gossip—those juicy tidbits of supposed fact we share about a third party—serves many purposes, including strengthening social ties, spreading social norms and helping others avoid double-crossers and other risky partners.

Hearsay can be the most reliable source of information about situations with which you have no experience. But when you hear gossip that's incongruent with a person or incident you are familiar with, you'd be smart to throw that chitchat out the window in favor of your own direct knowledge, right?

The new study, published this week online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals individuals sometimes place so much stock in gossip that they accept it as true even if their own observations and experiences suggest otherwise.

[lightmyfire]

Clay joins Spamalot!

[ldyjocelyn]

It's Official -- on the front page of the OFC for members only!!!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Off to bribe husband....