#21: "Surprisingly, the ice did not melt."

[Couch Tomato]

Yep Atinal..and I truly believe he read every single one. LOL... you don't get that exasperated in the blog if you're delegating

YAY GIBBY...whoot See you in Omaha Baby!! and you can't blame me later since I didn't enable heee

[YSRN]

{{Diva dahling}} I'm sad and depressed that I didn't get to come to your party!

I have to admit that if I were smart and practical, I would not take my trip this month. But I just have to see Clay this Xmas cuz I missed him last Xmas and I'll just deal with all the consenquences. So yeah I understand how this pop star can touch one so much. And really, that's what you're saying.

That's not helping! /sybil

Ok, so step 3 in the Root Canal from hell procedure. Get fitted for a crown and get a temporary put on.

4:00 Install Temporary Crown

5:30 Swallow same

Did ya'll see the rest of clayamour's recap? The bolded parts made me laugh out loud!

Here is my M&G recap:

I remember everything except exactly what it felt like when he touched me because we were having an animated conversation! I loved talking to him so much. He really did put everyone at ease right away. We were in a crappy little back room with a soda machine, a folding table and they brought in some mismatched chairs. We made a semi-circle out of them and Clay's chair was in the middle facing the semi circle. We all had a great view and were close. So Jerome brings in Clay who comes in with Sean the drummer and Clay says "Guys, Ah'm runnin late so Sean is gonna do the meet and greet with you tonight, just ask him your questions and Clay pretends to be walking out! Heh, funny Clay, he gave us all a heart attack for a split second. Then we had all stood up because we wanted to shake his hand standing up and be able to look him in the eyes and he yelled "SIT DOWN, why are ya all standin?" We all sat obediently down. Dominant Clay is hot. Clay was in makeup and we saw no freckles (awwwww) but his hair was either hat head or nap head and the bangs were a mess. Still, he was cute! I love that he doesn't care about that. The color was lighter than I expected, blondish red and his hair was very thick and had nice waves and movement as he moved about., as if he had no product in it. He was wearing baggy jeans, black Nikes with a purple swoosh and a purple collared shirt with an argyle sweater over it. Clay starts out by saying OK, who is the crazy one? Jerome pointed out the lady next to me who was from NC and had met his Mom. Clay launched into a speech about how everyone from NC thinks they know him and they think they can just hug him and be all familiar with him but "Nooooo." And he waggled his finger at her. She was nice but it turned out that he had her number down because later she asked a question that was based on knowledge she had obtained from his Mom and it irked him. I had a typed list of questions on my lap and he said "You're prepared, ask me a question." I used one that I liked from Corabeth because it was something I didn't think he had ever been asked and I was right. The question was which would he choose if he was offered both but could only choose one; a supporting role in a good movie or a 3-4 episode story arc on a quality TV drama? Well, he seemed really happy to get a new question and this is what he said:

Clay-What do you mean by a good movie?

Me-Good director, quality writing, good cast

Clay-Who is the writer?

Me-It's pretend, Clay.

Clay-Is it eligible for an Academy award because I really want to go to an awards show!

Me-Maybe, both are top quality productions.

Clay-Is it 3 or 4 episodes?

Me-OK, 4 episodes

Clay-OK, then I'd do the TV show for 4 episodes but not 3, and I really want to go to some sort of award show!

I loved how he kept asking me questions about my question! He was definitely a little hyper and we knew he was under a time constraint. So then he moved to the lady from NC. She asked "Clay, if you used oil diffusers in your home what would your favorite scent be?" Now, I realize that this recap might find its way to other boards and I don't want to hurt her feelings but Clay did get a little rankled. He said "Well, you obviously know I use them so you must already know the answer." She said, "Yes, I do but I just want to hear you say it." Now I know why Clay gets annoyed at the NC connection stuff. I found that a little creepy and invasive. Clay actually looked at the rest of us and explained about the little jar of oil and the wick you have to put in it. He was pantomiming it out, so cute. His Mom sells it and he buys all her stock. He really likes the smell. His fave is "orange-honey." And he moved right along to the 21 year old next to me who was crying before he came in but really pulled it together. I had told her if she cried she wouldn't remeber any of it but if she pulled herself together she would be able to recall it all and keep the memories forever. I held her hand because she was shaking. She asked "Clay, since Idol so much has happened in your life. If you could go back and make a change would you do it?" He liked that question and said "So much good came out of that but there was bad too"(he furrowed his brow for 3 seconds as if remembering something unpleasant.) "but I wouldn't change a thing because the bad did make me who I am along with the good." Next question was another young lady of 20 who doesn't post on any boards but is an OFC member. She asked this: Clay, when you appear in Spamalot are you going to use an English accent? He gave us the answer and then asked us not to tell anyone. He said "If I see it on the boards I'll know for sure it was one of you and then he said each of our names again with emphasis (nice!). So as many of you know, I spilled the beans basically because I teach preschool and don't allow any secrets there, so I sure am not going to start playing "I've got a secret" with grown-ups. I love this fandom but I have seen it ripped apart by people with secrets, connections, insider info, and special status, so call me a good fan or a bad fan, I am just unwilling to play. Enough people have the answer now anso if you need to know, you can probably get it from a friend at this point. pM me for details if you like. Next question was from an older fan who was lovely and she asked "Clay, you say you are sloppy and then you talk about being so meticulous about your kitchen, so which one is it?" He thought that was funny and tried to expalin that he was really more neat than a slob. At this point, Sean, and Jaime jumped in to argue about his piles of clothes on the floor. (I've thought about that myself!*g*) So he said "I just needs the kitchen to be neat because I am totally anal like that." OK, Clay said anal and I almost started to lose my mind. But I held it together because at this point he started signing stuff that Jaime had collected and I knew it was getting close to the end. I jumped in with another question since everyone had had a turn. I asked "Speaking of Spamalot, can you reveal any other Broadway roles that were offered to you but you turned down?" He said "I can not." Then someone asked why he chose a Border Terrier and he said "I know I was going to take the dog on tour so I didn't want a tiny yappy dog and I couldn't have some big smushed face dog (Then he made a face like a demented Shar Pei, so cute and so Clay)so a Border terrier just seemed like the right fit. He then said that "Durham barks and will bite people and Durham totally dominates Raleigh but that is OK because Raleigh totally dominates me, like we live in a wierd little triangle." I said he needs to get with the Dog Whisperer. Now it was my turn for my pic. As I approached him I asked one more question and we talked the whole time we were taking the pic so I have no idea how it will come out. I can remember every detail of the conversation but I guess there really is an Aiken fog because I can barely remember how he felt when I was in his arms in the prom pose. I just loved being able to have a friendly conversation with him. As we took the pic I asked him. "When you gave David Foster 'Lover All Alone' what was his reaction?" He shrugged and said "David doesn't get excited about anything." I asked if he had to do any rewrites on it after David heard it and he said "No, it is just how it was." And then my time was done. The whole thing was 20 minutes, about the same amount of time that you have been reading this!! He thanked us for coming and told us to enjoy the show and he was gone. Jerome walked us up to the lobby and I thanked him for taking such good care of Clay. He said it was his pleasure and that Clay was a great guy. OK, was that detailed enough for ya?

Aww... JennaZ, keldanker, atinal... I think it's very cool that Clay read so many stories and got more than a cursory glance at his audience. I would imagine "we" look fuller to him now than ever before. And I don't mean because I've been sitting on my ass for 4 years either.

eta... loved your DC Sample vid, Chach! It's nice to view him from overhead for a change. His cheeks really stand out.

[jumpingjacks]

:cry4:

I got my hopes up too soon....thanks to our lovely administration who obviously think people try to slip out early the day before a vacation!!!!

Ummmm, yeah....well, except for me, of course.

I'm so sorry Gibby, you have no idea.

[Divayenta]

I love you guys. That is my greatest gift from all of this. Girl power!

I've been getting very insightful theories from you and at the CH- all good ones. I, too wrote from the heart, fully expecting not to get picked, I mean the HOlocaust, you know?

But the man has me by the short hairs and I, too got greedy for face time after reading the reports.

And that is the most disgusting sentence I have ever written!!! I will let you ponder that awful image as I get ready for bed!

Next time: Jamma Party!

[merrieeee]

Next time: Jamma Party!

Can I wear my Spam-a-Lot PJs? Can I ? Can I?

[YSRN]

Next time: Jamma Party!

Can I wear my Spam-a-Lot PJs? Can I ? Can I?

Mine have penguins. I wonder how many fans have Clay-related jammies?

Oh yeah, THAT was worth top-o-the-page!?!

[Couch Tomato]

Next time: Jamma Party!

Can I wear my Spam-a-Lot PJs? Can I ? Can I?

Mine have penguins. I wonder how many fans have Clay-related jammies?

Oh yeah, THAT was worth top-o-the-page!?!

hee I still have my JNT05 nightgown...

but I have other stuff because of clay

like pink laces in my tennis shoes hee

[Bookwhore]

Oh cool! I have a JNT05 nightgown, too. Are you talking about the white cotton nightshirt with pictures of Clay in all the Christmas balls on it? I can't remember if that was '04 or '05. I do know I was in Chicago at the time. Surprisingly, my DH has no objections to my wearing a nightgown with another man's face all over it.

[Couch Tomato]

I just looked...it was 04... the only thing I could buy due to the ugly mohawk picture heee. Too much other stuff on this for me to notice it. hee

bwah..you go girl..you wear it to bed with hubby?

ok ya'll ..confess... i mean is anything more pathetic than my spider solitaire confession? I think not.

[jazzgirl]

Diva, just think of how many people read your story via the CH and this board, even perhaps worldwide lurkers, many, many more than would have just heard it in DC. You, your dad, and the sound of that bell are now occupying space in a lot of people's minds.

IMO, and evidently in Clay's opinion, his intentions regarding this project exceeded his grasp. By repeating stories, he already has an idea how they work and how the audience responded to them, so he has a known product. I do agree that his first priority is putting on a good show and I don't think he thought through all the implications the selection process would have for those fans who weren't selected. It will be interesting how many stories in total he uses; my guess is quite a bit less than he originally planned.

[Divayenta]

Spider Solitaire? Musta missed that one. (not yet in bed, and i ain't got no clayjammas). I do have my Zombie Horde tee, though.

Is that some guy you dated, couchie?

It sounds like that porn star name game, you know- your first pet + the street you grew up on.

I would be Sasha Fleetwood. Oy.

And just for merriiee: "PLease Sir , I wish to join the few."

"Sorry, there are far too many!"

eta: Thankyou jazzgirl, and I think you nailed it.

[ldyjocelyn]

Oh cool! I have a JNT05 nightgown, too. Are you talking about the white cotton nightshirt with pictures of Clay in all the Christmas balls on it? I can't remember if that was '04 or '05. I do know I was in Chicago at the time. Surprisingly, my DH has no objections to my wearing a nightgown with another man's face all over it.

I have that one as well, and decided this year that it needs to be retired. It's getting quite faded and stretched out in the neck. I'll keep it in one of my clack boxes, but it will probably never be worn again. (I have a few other Clay shirts that are getting the same treatment....)

I AM surprised your husband doesn't care that much. Mine does sometimes. It kind of depends on "mood," if you know what I mean. *wink wink*

YSRN, thanks for bringing over the recap of the M&G. Poor Raleigh, tormented by Durham. Poor Clay, tormented by both of them. And do ya think he likes award shows?

Diva, just think of how many people read your story via the CH and this board, even perhaps worldwide lurkers, many, many more than would have just heard it in DC. You, your dad, and the sound of that bell are now occupying space in a lot of people's minds.

IMO, and evidently in Clay's opinion, his intentions regarding this project exceeded his grasp. By repeating stories, he already has an idea how they work and how the audience responded to them, so he has a known product. I do agree that his first priority is putting on a good show and I don't think he thought through all the implications the selection process would have for those fans who weren't selected. It will be interesting how many stories in total he uses; my guess is quite a bit less than he originally planned.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[keldanker]

I wear my Clay nightgown to bed with hubby all the time. He can't see it in the dark. I lurve that nightgown. I got me some Clay boxers, too.

Oh, and Couchie, I am also a Spider Solitaire addict. Meant to confess that the other day after you posted. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

[Couch Tomato]

I wear my Clay nightgown to bed with hubby all the time. He can't see it in the dark. I lurve that nightgown. I got me some Clay boxers, too.

Oh, and Couchie, I am also a Spider Solitaire addict. Meant to confess that the other day after you posted. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

are you talking abou the cute pick shorts

ETA: LOL..porn name heee no spider solitare is a computer game that I'm obsessed with. To make it more interesting for myself I get to take 5 people to a private clay concert for every game I win in under 100 moves..

Oooh and on my new laptop the Spider Solitaire is SOOOOOOOO much better. It even keeps stats...which can be depressing. You have lost 5 games in a row heee.

[keldanker]

I wear my Clay nightgown to bed with hubby all the time. He can't see it in the dark. I lurve that nightgown. I got me some Clay boxers, too.

Oh, and Couchie, I am also a Spider Solitaire addict. Meant to confess that the other day after you posted. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

are you talking abou the cute pick shorts

Yup! Pink.

[Claygasm]

He then said that "Durham barks and will bite people and Durham totally dominates Raleigh but that is OK because Raleigh totally dominates me, like we live in a wierd little triangle."

For some reason this totally cracks me up!

I am so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. I never even got a chance to say how lovely it was to meet duckyvee and jmh and karma4clay (another fellow heathen!) and 00lsee and others my feeble tired mind cannot remember.

And how wonderful it was to spend time once again with esteemed members of the eHP - the Queen of the Stilettos, KAndre, adorable Miss Scarlett, Solo, PursuingOne and of course the darling merrieeee. I missed seeing Karen Eh? and keepingfaith again though.

And of course, spending time again with my dear friend muskifest who knows me well enough and cares about me enough to tell me like it is.....

As much as I love Clay, what makes me stay in this fandom at the level that I do are the people I have met and the friends I have made.

As to the stories, I admire Clay's dedication to reading all of them. I admire many like Diva (who somehow I missed meeting yet again!) who told such intimate stories. Diva, I am glad you wrote what you wrote and I am glad you shared it with us and I bet Clay was glad he read it - even if it didn't fit whatever he was trying to do. I am sure there were many stories that he loved but didn't chose for whatever reason and I am sure if he had the time he would contact every author and tell them how much he loved them.

I guess the stories in DC just hit me wrong. They were to me depressing. I found myself not even looking at the stage and trying not to listen. I know some may listen to those same stories and find them inspirational and inspiring, but I just found them reminders of sadness and pain - something I for one do not need any reminders of. And I know I am not alone.

But as I have said many times before, this is Clay's show and he must tailor it to fit his vision. I wonder, though, if sometimes he shouldn't step back and view the show as his audience does, taking into account the diversity of his audience, and acknowledge the fact that for many, this is not a merry time of year. I just wish in DC there had been more of a balance with the stories. Stories like Jemock's and Pink Armchair's would have been welcomed comic relief.

The one other thing I did not like about the stories in DC were the segues into them. They seemed jolting and interfered with the flow. For example, that wonderful, peppy, fun jazzy medley ended and immediately we were listening to the story about the woman whose son was killed in the car accident! It was like being cut off at the knees! I do think he could have been more careful with which stories followed which songs.

On the other hand, the segues out of the stories worked very well. There the flow was almost seamless.

It was funny. I left that show last night feeling weird. I was sad. I was perplexed. I wasn't ready to celebrate Clay and eeeeeee and such. I didn't feel as if I had seen the artistic masterpiece so many were loving. But one thing I did know. I wanted to see it again to see if maybe it was the stories I heard that evening that made me feel that way.

Clay's voice was sublime and his AIW was about the best I had ever heard. He was beautiful (well, except for those damn glasses....). I do think that the show visually is a bit too static. I don't think it would detract from what Clay is setting out to accomplish if it were staged a bit differently, allowing Clay to move more while singing. I think that would make it a bit more interesting to view. The girls sounded wonderful and I was especially struck by the subtle beauty of Angela's song - so different for her and one that I am afraid is overshadowed by everything else.

I think seeing it for the first time, unspoiled, it was jarring to experience so much sadness. Maybe the next time I see it, knowing what may come, I will be able to detach myself a bit more from the stories and let the beauty of Clay's voice lift me up.

And I hope the next time I see it, he won't be wearing those glasses!

And now I am going to bed before I fall over.....

[keldanker]

M&G emails have apparently gone out for the next group of shows. Winners for Red Bank and Mohegan at the OFC.

[Couch Tomato]

CG... thanks for sharing and I'm so glad you're open for a different experience at your next concert. And I'm also glad you got the sublime voice and a chance to meet or see again so many board friends including your ok for now I'll let you have her Muski.

I need help... if you know who the story tellers were in south bend (other than pink) and DC (other than clayamour) can you tell me who they are and where they post... Please PM me. I'd like to contact them to see if I can use their stories at FCA. Thanks.

[merrieeee]

Right now I am stating my claim on all and any glasses Clay may wear. I love the glasses . (Hi CG)

I am now too tired to sleep...Help!!!

[duckyvee]

I think this show takes some adjustment. It's a departure. The mood is solemn, almost somber, so different from what we've become used to. But the music..... wonderful. I found the stories a bit of a downer, too, although I thought they were well done. I'm just not into that sort of thing. I think Clay accomplished his goal, though, and I can appreciate that. I've had so many discussions with Clay friends about our Christmas memories, and most of us never submitted anything. Clay got us talking, reflecting, appreciating. I have to think that one of his goals. The man is powerful.

Highlights for me last night in DC:

The end of the Jesus medley with that beautiful harmony that got suddenly quiet - very effective

O Little Town of Bethlehem - the show's unexpected gem, in my opinion

That little piece of Silent Night - surprising, interesting (I really don't like the MCWL version)

Welcome to Our World - such purity

The Sentimental Medley - my favorite, love wistful Clay

Don't Save it all for Christmas Day - Clay unleashed

All is Well - powerfully confident

Religious songs? Secular songs? I don't even notice the difference. It's all music to me.

I'm starting a companion to my Favorite Clay Syllables collection - Clay's ooooo's. There were so many great oooooo's last night. I wish they'd find their way inot his recordings.

[Gibby]

I'm starting a companion to my Favorite Clay Syllables collection - Clay's ooooo's. There were so many great oooooo's last night. I wish they'd find their way inot his recordings.

Oh, yes, this show has so many lovely oooooo's. The 'oooooo' vowel naturally leads to really good vocal placement and resonance, and Clay takes full advantage of it. I've been listening to clack through my really good noise isolating ear buds, and those oooooo's make me tingle all over!

[YSRN]

CG... thanks for sharing and I'm so glad you're open for a different experience at your next concert. And I'm also glad you got the sublime voice and a chance to meet or see again so many board friends including your ok for now I'll let you have her Muski.

I need help... if you know who the story tellers were in south bend (other than pink) and DC (other than clayamour) can you tell me who they are and where they post... Please PM me. I'd like to contact them to see if I can use their stories at FCA. Thanks.

This thread at the CH (thanks to the amazingly organized MsMarm) is filling up with readers and board names and their stories. It should help. There is a similar listing in that same forum listing M&G reports.

[JennaZ]

((Claygasm)) I'm glad you had a great time with the gals, even if you had mixed feelings about the concert itself. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Good luck to all of you with the M&G's.

Porn names, huh? Mine would be Misty Baltic.

[cha cha trusty]

Next time: Jamma Party!

Can I wear my Spam-a-Lot PJs? Can I ? Can I?

Hey, where'd you get Spamalot PJs!!??!!?? I have one like this? that I wear to bed, among others.. (hubby would rather see me out of it tho!) he's usually asleep when I go to bed!

Of course they were out of the scarves last night - I wanted to get one! And the "What's New" page at OFC is totally empty. I hope they order LOTS! Cause everybody wants one! And before winter runs out!

Diva, I was a little depressed today too, sorry you are down. These wonderful ladies have given you excellent reasons not to be tho. This is a fantastic group!!

I really enjoyed meeting a bunch more peeps this weekend and seeing some I'd met before and was able to get to know better.

Merrieeee - you are super and I really enjoyed squeeeeeing with you!! KAndre was a hoot as always - introverted my pootootie!!

Compared to what?? Please forgive me for not mentioning everyone else by name but I had a lot of fun with all of you!!

I'm sorry I missed CG and muski but I am hoping that I will meet up with a couple others in Williamsport! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I am particularly "chuffed" [TM merrieeee] that my vids have been so well-received. They were made to share!! They are BTW, up in the vaults now!

duckyvee - this deserves a big fat WORD:

Highlights for me last night in DC:

• The end of the Jesus medley with that beautiful harmony that got suddenly quiet - very effective

O Little Town of Bethlehem - the show's unexpected gem, in my opinion

That little piece of Silent Night - surprising, interesting (I really don't like the MCWL version)

Welcome to Our World - such purity

The Sentimental Medley - my favorite, gotta love wistful Clay

Don't Save it all for Christmas Day - Clay unleashed

All is Well - powerfully confident

[muskifest]

So have you heard the one about the meeting planner who was doing site visits in Memphis and ended up getting lost on the way to the hotel in Mississippi where she was staying? (rim shot, please...)

You know...Mapquest didn't do THIS venue any favors! Took me forever to find this place from the Memphis airport and for once I wished I had a Morticia or a Damien or whatever to help me out! Finally got here just in time to change clothes and then try to find my way back into Tennessee for my first site visit appointment. And guess what...

(insert Queen intro: dun dun DUN...another one bites the dust! Oh another one falls, another one falls, another one bites the dust!) After the hotel sales manager and I had spent a few minutes chatting (and thereby, of course, sharing our life stories) I mentioned that I'd just come from DC and a Clay Aiken concert. She gasped! And rolled her eyes and said, "Oh...my whole family loves him!"

Well! Of COURSE, I had to catch her up on some things. She was aware of his UNICEF work and knew that he was 'active in charities', but didn't know specifically about BAF. She'd seen his picture somewhere recently so knew how different he looks from AI days, but hadn't heard him in a very long time. I told her how much his voice has matured and how much fun his concerts are--how witty and quick he is and how freakin' funny he is and she was SHOCKED! She said she'd never have suspected that he'd be particularly funny from seeing him on AI...I told her how he'd enabled so many new friendships all over the country, how we've gone to concerts together thousands of miles away from home and how he's added such a wonderful dimension to many lives. Etc.

She interrupted me and turned to her desktop computer and said, "Okay...you've made me HAVE to Google him!"

BWAH! So I eagerly pulled up a chair next to her and guided her first to YouTube, hoping that last night's AIW had been uploaded there. Didn't find that but we did watch Kalamazoo's AIW and she just sat there quietly appreciative during the whole thing. At one point she murmured, "He really does have a magnificent voice."

At the end I showed her the clackunlimited.com site and she was stunned! She giggled and said, "OOOh...I'm going to have fun with THIS!" and when I left, she'd made me promise to let her know if Clay ever has a concert in Memphis and to take her with me/us if I happen to go to that one! She also thinks he's 'grown up quite nicely'...heh..

So even if my two appointments tomorrow downtown don't offer more opportunities to Clayvert, my work here in Memphis is already done, ain't it? Next stop on my Clayversion Tour? New Orleans!

Diva, I'm soooooo sorry I couldn't make your party. I'd already made my flight plans to Philly before I knew about your 'event' and just couldn't do it. And I can't believe I didn't even get a chance to see you at the concert! Where were you sitting? As for your story....what others have said already makes mucho sense. I'm so with you, though, about the feeling of rejection. It IS tough to bare yourself through creative expression, but brave, too. I like the idea described earlier upthread about how just the fact that Clay read so many stories is a wonderful thought---he spent private moments with your story, you know? Cool.

Couchie, I miss you, too! Let's make sure we hook up for a brew or two next week, okay? :F_05BL17blowkiss:

00lsee...a big :F_05BL17blowkiss: to you...I never intended to get into such a serious discussion at our French dessert place, but you were a sweetheart to listen and offer suggestions... (Ooooh....did I just hint about a 'secret' conversation? Trust me, friends, you didn't miss anything---I was just bitching and moaning about work... :yapyapyapf:

Oh and just for future reference: I've always told my friends that if they ever need to get a 'secret' off their chest, I am the PERFECT person to tell one to! I have a shit-for-brains memory, folks. Your secret's safe wtih me!

Night, all! Got an early appt. in the morning, then two more then on a plane again to New Orleans. I'm already wanting to be back home....Claygasm, :F_05BL17blowkiss: I did hear you and then I didn't! Went right back to sleep after Clay woke me up singing "Touch!" Of COURSE, you got pulled over by a cop! You didn't think you were going to get back home incident free, did you?