#46: Avoid the crazy, enjoy the good, and chill.

[cha cha trusty]

So... O/T poll-ish question here...

I made the mistake of telling one of my friends (the one featured in my signature, actually) that I had listened to the single of TITN 72 times, plus assorted other versions of it for a total of listening to TITN 94 times, which makes me wonder... Does anyone else have a Clay Aiken song that they just can't get sick of? (I might get sick of it though... she's proposing locking me in a car and making me listen to it all 94 times, which would be, like, four hours straight of TITN.) If you do, how many times have you listened to it?

That's all. I just want reassurance that I'm not, y'know... nuts...

ETA: You know... 94 is actually on the really low side since I listened to it on CD so many times before I got my iPod...

When the single Solitaire first came out, I put 3 copies of it on a CD and listened to ONLY THAT in the car on my 1 hour commute to and from work. I also had another CD like it in my clock radio. I never counted how many times I listened to it, but I'd wager it's more than 94.

WHAT?? I watch Tv/movies for 3 hours and I'm 6 pages behind!??!??! (and I'm not even finished watching "The Devil Wears Prada!")

[wandacleo]

I'm watching the Golden Globes while I wait for Clack.

Am I the only person who thinks the Jonas Brothers are weird little dudes?

W.E.I.R.D.

[Gibby]

Alright, I wanna see the clack!! Where de clack??? I'd love to see a pic of Clay and Reed together. Hopefully someone took one . . . I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

In the meantime, here's a pic of Clay and Reed together, originally posted by pensnpaper over at RHT. It's a clickable thumbnail, because posting a pic of Reed pressed into Clay should be done with a bit of discretion.

Ready?

Really?

Here goes . . .

[merrieeee]

Paraphasing from the OFC:

Lighter hair, Clay came in with Jerome and Reed. He went up on stage and stood in the back and hugged everyone.

Now it's on CV so here is the whole thing:

From Carolecooke at OFC:

Just a quick post - Clay was in the house tonight! I nearly bumped into him when he came into the theater with Jerome and Reed. Clay looked great (its looks like he lightened his hair to a gorgeous light brown)and, can't miss that smile!

Spamalot started a little late and kept the audience in stitches.

Clay sat not far from the front in an aisle seat. A few fans came over to speak briefly with him and were respectful. The play was as always, hilarious. Martin Moran is a great actor and played the part quite well. He doesn't have Clay's powerful voice and I have to say that Clay played the part with more "pizzazz"....you know, more emotion and feeling.

I wonder how he felt watching someone else play "his" part. When everyone was on stage, (I forgot the gentleman's name who was giving a little speech) called Mike Nichols on stage and also said David Hyde-Pierce was in the audience. I didn't hear him mention Clay. However, he asked all who had been in the play to come up on stage and Clay went up. He went straight to the back of the crowd on stage and hugged everyone. When they sang ALOTBSOL, he came forward, but not directly out in front. I think that was Clay not wanting to upstage the rest of the cast. That's Clay, always being thoughtful of others.

Sooo, goodbye Spamalot, I'll miss you.

[tribeca]

I must have played the You tube concert clip of Clay singing I Survived you at least 5 x a day for a while

also listen to the song every morning for about year while getting ready for work

My niece still listens to song Invisible over & over & over again.

MOAN is the CD I still listen to the most

OMWH Where I draw line I listen to too many times to count

and Right Here Waiting from the Gala at least 94 times

[justclay12]

Gibby, that was completely mean. I got all worked up for nothing.

So no clack yet, huh?

[Gibby]

Heh, justclay, I was just trying to add a little levity.

But I'd seriously LOVE to have a good pic of Clay and Reed together. Twice as much to drool over! And looking at a pic like that would make me all happy for Clay, and Reed, too!

[Clayzy]

No Clack yet? Aww...

Has anyone else seen this? AI where are they now? Clay gets mentioned four times, but nothing too exciting. I just thought it was funny that they used such an old picture and, well, they seem to need a new fact-checker. Spamalot didn't close until tonight, y'all, he left last week but it wasn't closing...

*lols at Gibby's Reed/Clay picture*

I thought you were going to give something like a photoshopped Clay/Tyra picture.

[tribeca]

Fantasia's picture was pretty old too

but at least it was a good old picture and a mostly postive article.

[justclay12]

Heh, justclay, I was just trying to add a little levity.

But I'd seriously LOVE to have a good pic of Clay and Reed together. Twice as much to drool over! And looking at a pic like that would make me all happy for Clay, and Reed, too!

I knew you were kidding Gibby. And I definitely agree with you about getting a pic of Clay and Reed together. Two hot men can't be beat, even if neither would be interested in me.

[Clayzy]

It was a good old picture. I liked it--Thinking about it, it seems like they used old pictures for most everybody (except Carrie "Mega-Star" Underwood, perhaps) which is probably because that's how most people who aren't avid fans think of them...

Isn't that picture Lotus' avatar? Also, check out the guyliner on "I'm too cool to have a first name anymore" Daughtry!

[Couch Tomato]

speaking of guyliner..had to laugh because my cousin was over and had the tv on channels I never watch including the Fox reality tv station. And when she saw a commercial for the repeat of last years idol she said about Cook (forgot his first name)... "that was then, now he's wearing guyliner." It just reminded me of recent convos here.

Didn't know that was a common term..thought it was a clay thing..but I guess it would have been cleyeliner. hee.

[Clayzy]

Cleyeliner makes me lol.

It's David. Both he and the runner-up were named David. Which Ryan Seacrest really loved, I think...

Ryan: AND.... THE....... WINNER......... IS................ DAVID!............................................................................

..........................................*commercial break*....................................COOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tribeca]

Cleyeliner makes me lol.

It's David. Both he and the runner-up were named David. Which Ryan Seacrest really loved, I think...

Ryan: AND.... THE....... WINNER......... IS................ DAVID!............................................................................

..........................................*commercial break*....................................COOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it wasn't that great if you tivo the show

because it ran out before he actually gave the winner's name

[cha cha trusty]

OK - now I know what all the pages were about....

I am joining the "We Want CLACK" chanters.......

Nothing yet?????

[Lotus]

With all the talk there has been lately on the boards about Facebook and My Space, I thought those of you with those pages would be interested in this 5 minute video put out by the Privacy Commission of Canada

Privacy on Social Networks

and this information from UBC which is a tutorial called Your digital tatoo

Just saw this over at CH

Neon Limelight.com

AI Countdown: Revisited: Clay Aiken - To love Somebody

Think back to season two of American Idol with me. We had Carmen Rasmusen, the blonde kid with the shaky voice that somehow kept making it through week to week with unsavory performances. Kimberly Caldwell, probably best known for her TV hosting duties and dating current Idol David Cook than her stint on the talent show. The velvet teddy bear, winner Ruben Studdard, who oozed soul and made you just want to hug him!

And then there was Clay Aiken. He resembled the guy from high school that would get stuffed in the lockers. But like your mother used to always say, don’t judge a book by its cover. Clay opened his mouth to sing and the incredible voice that poured out amazed everyone.

One of his strongest performances came from the Bee Gees theme week. With so many amazing songs to choose from, Clay opted for To Love Somebody and gave one of, if not the best performance of the night.

The video of Clay singing TLS is posted on the site.

[aikim]

Good Morning Everyone,

8 Days until The Celine Dion Concert!

14 Days (2 weeks!) until Golfing For Inclusion!

Everyone have a great day!

Kim

[Scarlett]

via CV,

this was bigappleforclay's recap at getclayaiken:

The afternoon just snowballed. I had returned from Hawaii one day late because of the snowstorm, and although was very jet lagged, the trooper in my got me to the Shubert...only to find the show completely sold out. I first called Laughn just to tell her Clay would be seated in the center of the orchestra section, but I may not get in. Then I called her to say Craig the Ticket Guy pulled through for me with an orchestra ticket (little did I know then it would be one row behind Clay). As Laughn mentioned I watched earlier Spam cast members greet and hug each other outside, and felt a small thrill that Chris Sieber stood in line right behind me (overhead him chatting with friends, what a nice guy). Once inside the lobby, a few fans were gathered at the top of the aisle waiting for Clay to walk in and, and soon enough, there he was, smiling, followed by Reed who looked a bit "sheepish" (but he's very handsome and his body language is "humble"). This was the moment I'd been hoping for: to see Clay and Reed, with mine own eyes, as a couple. They are a couple, no mistaking that. They waited a few seconds before being escorted to their seats, and a small group in the audience (probably Clay fans) applauded.

Once in my seat, I watched Clay out of my right eye, and the other Sir Robin--David Hyde Pierce-- who was a few rows in front of me, out of my left eye. Kinda nice symmetry there. But I did watch most of the show:-) As has been reported, Clay and Reed ducked out right before intermission, and returned just after the lights dimmed. I watched them quickly take their seats, Clay first, then Reed. Both did not have their jackets on. I couldn't see Clay clearly, but it was easy to recognize those long arms and fingers as Clay reached up to applaud the YSOB and Diva numbers. Also saw him clapping for Claylily, when she was chosen as the peasant.

But tonight (except for a few whispers of "oh, there's Clay Aiken") wasn't about Clay at all. It was all about Spamalot. There were more guys at this show than any of the previous ones I've been to. People were clapping along with the music. (Btw--I have to say Merle really has grown into the role, and I didn't miss Hannah at all.) The show flew by. Clay was one of the first to jump up with a standing ovation. Then so did everyone else so I lost sight of him. The curtain call momentum kept building...when Eric Idle took the stage, the crowd went wild. I called Laughn hoping she could hear it all, but my phone kept disconnecting. Then Mike Nichols--one of the most brilliant directors ever--came on stage. The original cast members were called up, followed up 'whoever else has been in the show'. At this point, I saw Reed look over at Clay (as if to say, 'go up there!'), and Clay slowly moved up to the stage. But he was just one of the huge ensemble cast--past and present--and it took me a while to spot him. ( I got some clack but nothing clear; I really wasn't prepared). With an emotional cast on stage, the entire audience singing and swaying, and confetti falling everywhere, the atmosphere was both exuberant and bittersweet. When the curtain finally came down (with everyone remaining on stage), I thought: what a monumental professional and personal experience this has been for Clay.

Clay left the theatre early. Most other performers (except for David Hibbard who rushed off), came out briefly to do siggies. My thrill was to get Eric Idle's (and earlier had gotten David Hyde Pierce, who was so gracious in his seat--I think he did like the attention), and what the heck, I got everyone else's one last time. Tom said he still doesn't have a gig--may be going to Europe instead. Rick said he's seeking some time in the sun. Sean is probably the only with with a job--doing "Nine to Five". He's a sweetheart. They all are. With 70% of Broadway shows closing, something is just not right in this world.

I'll close by saying I feel relieved to have seen Clay with Reed. Now I know it's real (maybe not forever lasting, but the out-in-the open, 'what a nice couple' kind). It was a happy night.

So good to see happy times in the fandom again! :04: :EmoticonRingAround:

[Scarlett]

via CV,

from BigAppleForClay at CH! :biggrin:

Blame it on Mercury in Retrograde, but this is the only cap I could retrieve from the final curtain call tonight. See if you can find Clay (and not the look-alike Rent guy)!

maybe a link is more appropriate!

[keepingfaith]

Waiting for clack, I was recalling the hilarious DCAT concert in Tampa, especially when Clay was talking about being proud of your instrument ... and putting your "reed" in --- somehow it seemed appropriate today so I pulled out the pertinent two minutes and made a sendspace. I think it's rather wonderful to watch this again -- first time was center, row 4 I think, dancing through this show with KAndre ... good times ...

http://www.sendspace.com/file/hosdyj

[luckiest1]

A couple of butterflyshine recaps that I didn't see brought over here:

He had a bow tie on. But it wasn't jeans...it was a gray flannel.

Clay went up on stage and they all hugged and kissed. They only introduced the original cast members by name. Merle was crying. Mike Nichols took the stage before any of the actors. And then the people who were in the play in the audience came up on stage to sing ALOTBSOL. Chris Sieber had a shirt on that said SCHLAPP. Clay and Chirs exchanged punches. By the time the confetti came down Clay was in front and so was David Hyde Pierce.

Rick took 5 min to to the Knights of Ni. He did the Midnight train thing...ended with I"ll be okay...I just got my Real Estate license. It was hysterical.

It was pure joy..

When Clay liked something he held his hands above his head to clap....she remembers he did it for Merle, Rick and dancing girls. He showed so much love. He hugged and said to hello to everyone when he got up on stage.

One of the chorus guys just left out of the stage door with his Finland boots over his shoulder....

People just stood and clapped and clapped...lots of love.

She is waiting by the Stage door to see if anyone comes out and will post a huge recap when she gets home.

She said people were taking pictures all over the place at the end of the show. She didn't take any since she was in SRO and the security guy was right near her.

Okay, so I got to the theater and it was sold out...yippee,

It's start to get crowded and Chris Sieber standing in line to pick up tix...he is so gracious...I asked about his new role and his knees, and he said it isn't as bad as it looks, he has shock absorbers for his knees...

Then I saw Jerome come in and pick up tixs from the ticket window...eeee...

Got into the theater, and saw Jerome come into theater to check out the seats....

Next I saw Steve Rosen, original Bedevere, also reprised the role toward the end of Clay's first run...I also thought he was sooo funny....

Okay, so I had gone out to the lobby to wave good bye to the tix dude and I see Jerome...I look the down the aisle and see Clay and Reed taking their seats. Clay had on his long dress coat, the biege topcoat from Mike and Juliet. He had a blue dress shirt on sweater vest, and grey flannel trousers, I reported dark jeans, but they were grey trouser. And later I found out a bow tie. He received some applause when taking his seat....His hair did like lighter and was combed and parted to side.

the lights go dim and the crowd claps wildly...they are ready for this night...

DHP was also there...

Huge applause for Tom...acknowledged with a node

I look behind me and people are standing behind me, and I am in SRO

Finland...fish fight...everyone is laughing....

Huge applause for King

Martin Moran appears in the window...huge applause...btw his bio appears after Wally Dunns

Martin does not play the part as brightly or as big as Clay, Clay commands the stage...

The guard scene ...Martin is not as sarcastic but is very funny...

Rick's entrance receives nice applause...

Martin plays bring out your dead a bit more wearily ...but still very funny...

The cart guy is adjusting the dead...

Oh good with a pumped arm...it was cute...

During the Excalibur scene...David was pointing to Excalibur...

King grooving on the side during the Arthur chant...

Marty holds the chix by the neck

Marty sings the "People we don't like" line and not David

Marty is much shorter than Clay and shorter than Rick

During the singing around the campground...Rick stands next to King...

Marty didn't get any special spotlight or lighting...

Not as flirty as Clay, but held his own in the flirting department

Rick and Brad each caught LOL's gloves

Matt got really nice applause for his flying nun part...

LOL-drop it likes it hot during her riff

Robin -does the pray and quake scene pretty much Clay...not as big, but very similarly...

Jenny continued to captivate Bedevere with her assets...

LOL ...really letting loose...

Martin is not afraid of the mountain, climbs it with ease and throws a salute at the top....

The girls fight in slo motion during the horse scene...the audience roars....

Martin is much more comfortable dancing and therefore his dancing is springer and a bit more lively...

I don't think any ponies got tied up tonight...Shubert Alley beware

Rick ..did the I throw my shoes at you line....the audience roared...the audience was thrilled with everything tonight...

When Bedevere brought out the rabbit he was pulling hard and straining it was very cute...

Martin checked out the rabbit and gave it some kicks....

Rick and the other French guards were hysterical tonight...the taunting was hysterical...not as bad as last week, but it was still very funny...

Martin does not receive nearly as much harassment as Clay does during the Run Away Scene....

John DuPrez and Chris Seiber were standing behind me during intermission. Chris had on a sweatshirt on that had a fish and the word schlap on it...hee...

Clay and Reed bolted right before the lights came up at intermission and came back just as the lights dimmed...

Audience clapped along from beginning to end of ALOBSOL ....and David got great applause...

Martin was good at pooping his pants...much different than Clay, but still effective and funny...

Rick's Knights of Ni was hysterical...he started with My baby takes the morning train and continued the riff for 4 or 5 minutes ....the audience was dying laughing...including dinner, tv watching...going to bed ....throwing a vase...and then the sorry state of broadway...ended with I'll be okay I just got my real estate license..(which isn't true, but he threw it in...said at stage door the whole thing is improv)...I could see Clay from where i was standing he gave Rick a huge applause was clapping over his head...

One of the little Ni's was doing I am not worthy bows to Rick....

Martin starts the YSOB solo in a very Clay-esque manner...but is more dancey...he mimics that tapping jewish girls...

mouthed "don't have any jews" right before playing the piano...not a bad piano player at all...

Martin doesn't have Clay's range...so his Oy's were just not there...but the crowd loved him...

did a tunic flip ala Clay...

This was really funny...instead of Papa can you hear me...he said Nichols can you hear me...

Clay gave him an over the head applause...

Like I said Clay plays the part bigger, and shinier...

Tower Scene was funny, but not as funny as last night..

Martin doesn't really play the guard very drunk, it was cute, but it wasn't as good as Clay...

Brother Maynard did a kind of sing songy amen...not at all up to Clay quality...

Claylily was the final peasant...

I forgot to say that Clay gave above the head applause for the Diva's Lament...and for Merele, and the girl and guy ensemble curtain calss...

Rick and Tom did a final slow dance...awww...

David took his hat off for Curtain call...

Eric Idle took the stage...

Merle was in tears, she gave him a kiss...

Eric was very funny and witty mentioned that he would miss......the money....he could go back to feeling insecure...

Introduced John DuPrez...who had been standing behind me for most of the night...

Mike Nichols...who said he had a few notes for the performers...

Casey Nickalaw was introduced...

Todd Elison the conductor got a stomp on the stage...

DHP brought on stage

Then the rest of the actors who had performed on the stage...

Clay took the stage...hugged everyone...stood in the back while Eric continued to speak...

When they started to sing ALOBSOL he was up front...punched Chris on the shoulder and Chris returned the favor...

did his confetti kopow hand...picked up confetti and blew a final confetti horn...

the curtain was a bit delayed, but the cast didn't care...

It was a wonderful and fabulous night...

Some case waved and left and some did stage door with autographs...

Stage door pix (no Clay):

butterflyshine wrote:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/but...09/IMG_2572.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/but...09/IMG_2518.jpg

John DuPrez...a fly by....

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/but...09/IMG_2521.jpg

Steve Rosen

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/but...09/IMG_2525.jpg

Mike Nichols

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/but...09/IMG_2520.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/but.../IMG_2558-1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/but...09/IMG_2534.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/but...09/IMG_2544.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/but...09/IMG_2551.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/but...09/IMG_2564.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/but...09/IMG_2529.jpg

Eric Idle

Gosh, I would have loved to see Eric Idle in person.

And this just in:

bfs just posted that there were NO PHOTOGRAPHERS there!!

Let's hope there were some at the post-party.

[luckiest1]

From CH:

From the blogs via CV......apparently these were taken this afternoon:

Confetti

More Confetti

Sir Robin and the Minstrels

Bring Out yer Dead!

Run Away!

The Knights

Not sure when these were taken:

Clay as Sir Robin

Rick & Tom

[claylove]

I want a picture of Clay and Reed too and I think we will eventually get one, but I also think we may have to be a little patient. If you think about it, last night was a really big deal for Clay. Heck the last several months have been a big deal for him! But last night was the first time he has gone with Reed (and just the two of them plus Jerome, not Clay's usual entourage) to an event together that he knew the fans and general public would hear about. And as much as I am sure he is comfortable with Reed and being with him around friends and people in the industry, the fans and general public are something else all together. Clay has come a long way in the last few months. I can't help but think what a sweet and patient guy Reed is to have given Clay the space and time to get to this place on his own schedule. I also think Reed making a new public myspace page where Clay's fans can join his friends list while maintaining his original one as private for friends and family speaks volumes about how what's important to Clay (in this case his fans) is also important to Reed. We all know Clay is a private person but he has also always shared bits and pieces of his personal life and his personal self with us, when he is ready and comfortable doing so. So as much as I would love to see a posed photo of them together, I also want it to be when Clay wants to share that with us. And in time, I think he will.

Now on a more selfish note, perhaps some candids from the after party will eventually turn up because while I want to give Clay his space I really want to see this outfit he was wearing. Professor Aiken and glasses??? just kill me now!

[annabear]

to Scarlett & luckiest for bringing over the recaps!

And a BIG to claylove - you took the thoughts right out of my head! I knew there was a reason I felt like I already knew you when we met last weekend!

Back to school today.... I'm enjoying it, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit to loving the time off since Christmas.

[FearofH2O]

I want a picture of Clay and Reed too and I think we will eventually get one, but I also think we may have to be a little patient. If you think about it, last night was a really big deal for Clay. Heck the last several months have been a big deal for him! But last night was the first time he has gone with Reed (and just the two of them plus Jerome, not Clay's usual entourage) to an event together that he knew the fans and general public would hear about. And as much as I am sure he is comfortable with Reed and being with him around friends and people in the industry, the fans and general public are something else all together. Clay has come a long way in the last few months. I can't help but think what a sweet and patient guy Reed is to have given Clay the space and time to get to this place on his own schedule. I also think Reed making a new public myspace page where Clay's fans can join his friends list while maintaining his original one as private for friends and family speaks volumes about how what's important to Clay (in this case his fans) is also important to Reed. We all know Clay is a private person but he has also always shared bits and pieces of his personal life and his personal self with us, when he is ready and comfortable doing so. So as much as I would love to see a posed photo of them together, I also want it to be when Clay want to share that with us. And in time, I think he will.

Now on a more selfish note, perhaps some candids from the after party will eventually turn up because while I want to give Clay his space I really want to see this outfit he was wearing. Professor Aiken and glasses??? just kill me now!

Loved your post. I too can wait for Clay to tell us about his personal life if he will. I think last night Clay was giving Reed a lesson in what Clay's life is like and why he might need security and some privacy. I'm happy to hear that he wasn't mobbed. No doubt Jerome scouted out the area for potential OTT fans or nonfans before Clay and Reed sat down.