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#59: Forget life -- It's CLAY time!


ldyjocelyn

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36 members have voted

  1. 1. What should be the next thread title at FCA?

    • My life has been so enriched by knowing this Clay Aiken guy!
      3
    • I love Clay !! Forever and ever !
      0
    • It's About Damn Time for the Spaghetti & Meatball Show.
      2
    • Let's do it again, girls!
      1
    • Clay is hilarious and lickable at the same time
      3
    • I l.o.v.e. my hawt humanatarianactivistsingersongwriterambassador boyfriend
      11
    • Brad Pitt, Johnny Dep move over, way over, here comes Clay.
      1
    • It's always like the first date all over again with Clay, and I always end up falling in love.
      1
    • Whoever shrunk those jeans... thank you!
      8
    • He branded me for life.
      4
    • Clay Aiken: I am me.
      2


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I know it's too late to wish those going to Hammond a great show but I'll wish it anyway. Also those of you going to Biloxi, "Bon Voyage" and get up and dance if you can.

We had a great time going to NYC and Verona. Ended up with great seats in NYC but the stage seemed a mile away from the front row. We stood up quite a bit, danced, sang and gave the Decca people quite a show. I think Clay and Ruben were shocked that we cooperated so well. I don't have a lot to add to what has been already reported but there was a woman with a huge lensed camera going up and down the aisle taking pictures of Clay and the troupe, but mostly Clay. Also a man in the front row kept standing up and directing the crowd, not that we needed it or followed them. :cryingwlaughter: He was dressed in a blue blazer and I at first thought he was an usher. I don't know who he was. Despite whatever the MTV guy reported there were people of all ages and quite a few men, all of whom were dancing. The place rocked figuratively as well as literally. The floor was a little soft.

Clay and Ruben were in great voice. Quiana seemed to have her own fan club.

I talked to an older woman , probably in her eighties. She took the subway to the show alone as she loves Clay. I was a little worried that she was going home alone after the show too, but I forgot how New Yorkers think nothing of hopping on the subway at all hours. She had no computer, no dvd player, no cd player. I tried to get information on the PBS show and also the Long Island show for her. Since she was in the wrong seat she eventually got kicked out of it.

The theatre was quite frightening. I had no idea what we would do in case of a fire. When Clay lit up the lighter I wanted to run on stage with a fire extinguisher.

Turning Stone was a gorgeous place. Beautiful landscaping and wonderful water features. Four of us headed up there early Wednesday morning: playbiller, running free, claytome and myself. We stayed at the Fairfield, which was sold out, and took the shuttle to Turning Stone. playbiller and running free were picking up their tickets at will call. I noticed that theirs looked different from mine so I asked at the box office and turns out I brought the receipt and left the ticket home. They reprinted it for me.

I had a great seat again in the center not too close. Talked to a woman and her son who went to concerts here but hadn't seen Clay before. After the show she said she could have stayed another two hours. Loved it, particularly Clay. In front of me were some young women from Toronto, who told me before hand that they were going to stand and dance the whole show. I would have gotten up but there were people in back of me and I didn't want to block their view. So I missed a lot of the show. My choice.

Clay spoke to them during the show and asked if they practiced the steps. :smack: He also teased that one was out of step from the other two. :hahaha: Than he congratulated her for being an individual.

Amazingly Clay's voice was again perfect. The evening before he could hardly speak. I don't know how he does it. Did I tell you how handsome he is?

We waited at the buses but according to Jerome, Clay was too tired to come out. I was too to tell the truth. :claydreaming_ClayIzzaQt:

Okay you can wake up now.

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Caro... loved your blog! I was rockin' here at home to that youtube. Footloose has to be my fave of the show! I love that movie and just watched it last month, so it was very fresh in my mind. I cannot think the new footloose could ever be as good.

Ya know, I'm usually a full frontal kinda gal but....

post-1277-128173080927_thumb.jpg

This pretty has been causing some serious discussion of "profiles" around the boards.... :hubbahubba:

post-1277-128173003476_thumb.jpg

Let's ask Clay what he thinks shall we :whistling-1:

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tree... N.I.C.E. and then some!!!!!

Five more days of work until the proposal is on its way and I can have a life again... except I can't cause I'll be in front of the computer every night trying to catch up with all the clack I have missed. LOL Oh, poor me, right??? NOT!

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Wow.

Just wow.

The Hammond show was on FIRE! Everything really "clicked" tonight, IMO. My husband and I had fantastic seats, 6th row, "Clay's side" of center. We also had a very energetic row of Ruben fans directly behind us. The fun part was that they cheered as much for Clay as for Ruben, and most of the Clay fans cheered for Ruben energetically as well.

Best joke of the night: when Clay came out in the new Hammer pants. (OK, they were new to me -- at least it's a different pair than what he had in Reno!) Ruben was giving him a hard time about finding them deeply in Clay's closet. Whereas, Clay then says "well, when I came out of the closet, I brought EVERYTHING with me!"

They did Footloose twice, via a gentleman who was almost directly in front of bottlecap. Clay noticed him dancing up a storm, and after they finished up the first time, Clay asked him his name (which I don't remember), and his age (84). Clay was like "man, I hope I have half his energy when I get to be that age. Let's seem him do this again." And they tore into the encore of Footloose!

The Pastor Studdard Revival was full throttle. To me, part of it is Quiana's selling of the bit as well as the two guys. And then, when Ruben gets to her with the "come to my office later," everyone was cracking up! The band especially seemed to be really enjoying the bit.

Clay and Ruben didn't attempt as much to crack each other up as I noticed in Reno. The only time is was noticeable to me was at the very beginning, after The FWOW/TITN medley. Clay was in Ruben's face, and Ruben could NOT look him in the face back. It was hysterical.

As for their voices...magical. Everyone sounded fantastic to me. I simply can't pick a highlight -- too much good stuff, IMO. Clay sings the shiznit out of More Than a Feeling...and then does the same for Mandy. Bring It On Home to Me is sooooo good from Ruben -- and then I like Everything I Do as well. These musical decades are so diverse, and to me, vastly enjoyable.

It was great spending time with bottlecap, laughn, Mandler and her Mom. Wonderful ladies all of them. I also got to talk briefly to aikim, plus the Pink Posse from the CH. Good to reconnect with people.

aikim, how did DH like the show? Mine thought it was really good. He seemed to enjoy most everything, although he did say that some of the 80's reminded of things he'd rather not remember. He really enjoyed the band, and laughed out loud many times at the jokes.

I'm sure I'll remember more later. Now it's time for sleep, and dreams. And to rest my tired voice.

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Oh man, how could I forget the theme song stuff? That was a hoot! I can't remember the first suggestion for the title; the second was "Salt and Pepper;" and then the third, final, and suggestion used: "It's about damn time." Really great. Then they asked for the musical style. First up: polka. Clay: "Ruben's not that white." And then -- reggae. OMG, the band kicked in, Ruben started, it was great. "It's about damn time, it's about damn time, for Clay and Ruben to sing across the USA."

Ruben did so great with that. And Clay was having a blast with it as well.

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Two things:

1) lrdjocelyn does not have a big plastic Burger King head.

2) I managed to get my Tour T-shirt, so YEAH!

Three things: Clay's spikes kind of looked like a beak this evening. Oh, and Casey had her hair straightened, which I liked very much.

Just forget that numbering thing, 'kay?

An animated signed advertising the show at the Hammond venue:

th_HammondSign1.jpg th_HammondSign2.jpg th_HammondSign3.jpg

th_HammondSign4.jpg th_HammondSign5.jpg

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Thanks for the recaps, ladies!

We waited at the buses but according to Jerome, Clay was too tired to come out.
And I read from the cellcert that he had been coughing tonight as well, poor baby :hug: I hope he makes it through tomorrow night.

Mandler at GCA posted this after the show tonight -

I sent this text after the show: "He is the most beautiful man ever. I could look at him forever. *sigh*
Which I thought was just so damn precious! :wub::wub:and of course I fully concur
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Hammond Recap:

First of all I have to mention how great it was to see ldyj again...so nice talking to you!

I think I mentioned we only live 30 minutes from the venue so I figured leaving at 5:00 we give us plenty of time to walk around the casino, look for fans, etc....well...the best laid plans, etc. Hubby decided not to take the expressway because of the time of day and thinking it would be backed up so we ended up taking a back road through southern suburbs into Indiana. Bad move...road was under construction all the way and a 30 minute trip took an hour and 15 minutes.

First people I saw when we got to the venue were Ashleysgram, Kwhite and Claikendee; had sat in front of them in Sterling Heights so it was nice talking to them again! Momof3boys and another friend showed up soon after and we entered the theater. Talked to P'ivy and Jazzgirl briefly..it was great seeing them again! We had pretty good seats...left side with a jumbotron right to my left.

The show did start late...do not remember hearing the opening intro in Ashville so that was new to me. Good crowd, not sold out but they made up for in enthusiasm.

Someone mentioned Clay looking tired...I did not notice that and I only saw him cough once during Mandy.

Ruben sitting on his lap was cute and the limping and talking about his "broken leg" was a joke and Ruben did not put all his weight on Clay.

They were both in fine voice and this show seemed to have much more energy than Ashville, but then you didn't have the heat issue.

Quick kiss to Casey during DGBMH but they were facing away from me so I really didn't see it; just the back of Clay's head but I could tell it was a kiss.

Ruben held Clay's hand during the My Buddy song.

I think "When I See You Smile" was done with a much rockier beat than when he sang it on the last tour..maybe because of having a band rather than an orchestra? Anyway I really liked it...there was even a bit of growl towards the end.

MTAF was amazing!

Footloose have everyone up and dancing...one encore and then Clay stopped to talk to Arnie? and asked him how old he was and he said 73 and Clay talked about him dancing and he was "breaking it the hell down!"...then a reprise of Footloose!

End of the Road is another of my favorites from the show,,,when Ruben was doing his diva moment...Clay was timing him on his watch.

There was a lady behind me...white hair...probably in her 70's who laughed through the whole Revival. Unfortunately, I had a hard time hearing what Ruben was saying at times...he was holding the mic close to his mouth and a lot of it was muffled...so the audience would laugh at something and I had not idea what.

Mixed crowd...older people and a quite a few younger people...two girls in front of me had homemade shirts...one said "If I was Invisible I'd Sneak Backstage" and the other said "I support Clay's "?"...never saw the rest but I assume it was something about the Foundation (or not).

It was a fun evening and I enjoyed it more than Ashville. Unfortunately my husband did not...no Clayversion; although he did say he enjoyed Casey and Quiana. So guess he won't be going to anymore shows with me...but I tried.

Funny thing is my husband loves that kind of music and as soon as we got in the car he turned on the oldies station...first song we heard "Shotgun" and then a BeeGees song, LOL!

We took the expressway home and were home in about 20 minutes.

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As they close out the Timeless Tour at Biloxi tonight, I have to believe the title of the final song really does describe the experience that Clay, Ruben, and crew had this past month: I've Had the Time of My Life. Two highly talented men who genuinely love and respect each other and who just seem to radiate joy when they're together on the stage. I loved watching them joke and laugh at each other off-mike almost as much as watching them sing and dance (or try to in Clay's case).

:flirtysmile3: :flirtysmile3: Thanks, guys, for making this such a fun summer. :thbighug-1: :thbighug-1:

Chaut_DD1.jpg

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Via CH - Wire Images photos from Hammond (there were two professional photographers there last night, so there might be more pics to come from somewhere)

http://www.wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?igi=447152&nbc1=1

And yes, that was what Clay's hair looked like at the beginning of the show last night - kind of like a duck's bill. :coolchicken:

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O...M...G...

The Quarter in the Big Easy on a kicking Friday night.

Two wild and crazy women (I personally did my best to keep them nice and civilized but a struggle it was - I stayed my normal introverted self, but there was alcohol, loud music, wild dancing, good food, sweaty men...what could I do?) and I had a good time. We have GOT to hit this again!

And I get to close out with my boyfriend and his adorable buddy tonight? My summer of 49 is rocking so hard!

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Woohoo for all the Biloxi peeps this evening. I hope KAndre and crew have recovered enough from New Orleans to make an impression on boyfriend!

Sadly, I'm going to be missing the final cellcert this evening. I'll be checking my cell phone furiously during the party for updates!

Has anyone mentioned the new "running joke" of last night? Ruben's healing of the boy with bad breath involved breath that smelled of "onions and garlic and dog food all mixed together." So later, when Clay was struggling to get his microphone out of his pants (ha), Ruben offered his mic. Clay said, "no, yours smells of onions and garlic and dog food all mixed together." There was one other instance of that phrase later in the show, but I sadly can't remember the context.

The Time of My Life, indeed. Now on to Chicago in October (for me)!

ETA: yes, the hair was a bit scary last night....but by the end, I have such a huge grin on my face from the show, that I just don't care.

ETA2: the affection between Clay and Ruben is palpable. It makes me a bit verklempt whenever I think about the looks they would give for each other. Also, their playfulness together is so sweet.

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Thanks for all the wonderful recaps.

I just have one thing to say -- LadyJ has met Bottle and I haven't. The world is just not fair. OK, Bottle, tell me where you will be for Tried and True and I will crawl over broken glass like Bruce Willis in Die Hard

LOL at finding the Hammer pants deep in the closet. He's a keeper.

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Got home yesterday from my first Clay roadtrip it was an exciting, wonderful, amazing time!!!! can't wait for next trip! Enjoyed the 3 shows enormously and seeing other clayfans. Such a fun time, now back to reality today but I'm still on vacation, going to Quebec city for 4 days with hubby, a getaway just the two of us!! he will benefit from my clay trip lol!!!

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Oooh, pretties! We are home from Hammond in one piece. Actually that is a pretty sweet drive, 6 and a half hours almost straight west of here. Border crossings were easy, just a bit of construction and no traffic to speak of. Thanks to cindilu2 for the help driving!

Sounds like the show has been pretty recapped already. I'll do up a trip recap later but I just have to say it was a bonus to have Hammond as the final show of my 3. And very lucky that I switched my plans from Verona too, since Wednesday and Thursday this week I was sick, off work and mostly laying on the couch, trying to get rid of a fever. However, Clay is the cure, y'all. I had a blast, and 11th row centre wasn't too shabby, either. Other than the Amazon woman in front of me whose head I had to deke around, the view was fantastic.

Off to get ready for my son's house warming party. Perhaps I will manage to catch the tail end of Biloxi tonight, not sure, but I hope everyone there gives Clay & Ruben a great send off!

*waves to lurking Grape4CA and headoverheels*

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:helloFCA:

Caro... loved your blog! I was rockin' here at home to that youtube. Footloose has to be my fave of the show! I love that movie and just watched it last month, so it was very fresh in my mind. I cannot think the new footloose could ever be as good.

Thnx, liney23! Scarlett did her best to get one up at YouTube to match the three concerts of the previous blog, but she kept running into slow connections. I downloaded one of her videos that has the "Footloose" encore, but it hasn't made it to YouTube yet.

Meanwhile ....a new Carolina blog -- Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard Chart Fun-Filled Finale -- is up. I had to stop and eat some lunch before coming here. :)

Thank you to mrbaconclayaiken17 for the wonderful montage, Fountaindawg and momo for their Timeless Tour slide show/research at Clay Aiken Kids, Cotton for the band member names, and to all who support the Internet Clay blogs with vistis/comments. :flirtysmile3:

If you ever feel inclined to retweet the Carolina blog, mine always end up in the "All Friends" column on Tweet Deck. :whistling-1:

I linked the Front Stage request for concert reviews by fans. So far, some of the comments in the Carolina blog -- and recaps I have read on the boards -- would be great additions to that site.

Looking forward to a wonderful tour finale. Have an awesome day, all! :yahoo:

Caro :listen:

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Ditto to luckiest1 - the show has been well recapped. I'm sorry I didn't get to see the FCA peeps - I did see the back of ldyjocelyn's head though, lol. I did get to meet two wonderful lurker friends (as luckiest also mentioned), Grape4CA and headoverheels. Lovely ladies, both and ((((bigasshugs)))) for making a special day ever moreso.

I had my fanclub meet & greet last night, and I have to say it was wonderful. A whole different experience than seeing Clay and Ruben together. Both were amazing, but Clay was so much more focused when it was just him and us (and Cheryl and Jerome and security, lol). The other ladies' stories are theirs to tell - and I sincerely hope they do, because it was really wonderful. I fell in love with Clay, the man, all over again. He is a genuine good heart and my respect for him grew even deeper after this experience. For my own part, I finally got a coherent sentence or two out of my mouth - and I am going to be smiling for a long, long time. He asked us each what we did for a living and I told him that I was now doing graphic design, thanks to him. He asked 'why thanks to me?' (with a slightly skeptical arch to the eyebrow) and I explained that my interest in it started by 'playing with him', lol - and that I learned I loved it and had gone back to school and changed careers (and thus my life) thanks to him. He said 'all that in the last seven years?' (all the skepticism gone). He seemed to be genuinely impressed and flattered and I was over-the-moon thrilled to finally have been able to tell him that without any sappiness or pretense. I'll never forget it!

Hee - sidenote: When I said 'graphic design' - he immediately said 'oooh, what kind of design?? We need...' and then he got distracted by something and never came back to it. Damnit!!! (If you're reading, Clay - call me!!) BWAHAHAHAHAH!!

ETA: My question was whether he saw any Spam Fam when he was in NYC and he said yes, three of them came to the show. I said we knew about Tom... and he said the other two people there with Tom were also from the cast. I wanted to ask specifically about David and what he was up to, but didn't get the opportunity.

I wish we could be in Biloxi tonight, but I am 100% grateful and happy for the past 10 days - truly a highlight of my seven+ years of fandom.

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we're here..........jellus?

I can't speak for anyone else, but...

I hate you. *g*

luckiest, you sure that Amazon woman was not me? Oh wait, cindi may have me in front of her instead! Gald you had agreat M&G, and cool story about your career change!

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I fell in love with Clay, the man, all over again. He is a genuine good heart and my respect for him grew even deeper after this experience. For my own part, I finally got a coherent sentence or two out of my mouth - and I am going to be smiling for a long, long time. He asked us each what we did for a living and I told him that I was now doing graphic design, thanks to him. He asked 'why thanks to me?' (with a slightly skeptical arch to the eyebrow) and I explained that my interest in it started by 'playing with him', lol - and that I learned I loved it and had gone back to school and changed careers (and thus my life) thanks to him. He said 'all that in the last seven years?' (all the skepticism gone). He seemed to be genuinely impressed and flattered and I was over-the-moon thrilled to finally have been able to tell him that without any sappiness or pretense. I'll never forget it!

Hee - sidenote: When I said 'graphic design' - he immediately said 'oooh, what kind of design?? We need...' and then he got distracted by something and never came back to it. Damnit!!! (If you're reading, Clay - call me!!) BWAHAHAHAHAH!! [snip]

I wish we could be in Biloxi tonight, but I am 100% grateful and happy for the past 10 days - truly a highlight of my seven+ years of fandom.

Cindy, you know I have to share this with Sally. She will be so pleased for you. How awesome! Thnx for the recap. :flirtysmile3:

Caro :listen:

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I fell in love with Clay, the man, all over again. He is a genuine good heart and my respect for him grew even deeper after this experience. For my own part, I finally got a coherent sentence or two out of my mouth - and I am going to be smiling for a long, long time. He asked us each what we did for a living and I told him that I was now doing graphic design, thanks to him. He asked 'why thanks to me?' (with a slightly skeptical arch to the eyebrow) and I explained that my interest in it started by 'playing with him', lol - and that I learned I loved it and had gone back to school and changed careers (and thus my life) thanks to him. He said 'all that in the last seven years?' (all the skepticism gone). He seemed to be genuinely impressed and flattered and I was over-the-moon thrilled to finally have been able to tell him that without any sappiness or pretense. I'll never forget it!

Hee - sidenote: When I said 'graphic design' - he immediately said 'oooh, what kind of design?? We need...' and then he got distracted by something and never came back to it. Damnit!!! (If you're reading, Clay - call me!!) BWAHAHAHAHAH!! [snip]

I wish we could be in Biloxi tonight, but I am 100% grateful and happy for the past 10 days - truly a highlight of my seven+ years of fandom.

Cindy, you know I have to share this with Sally. She will be so pleased for you. How awesome! Thnx for the recap. :flirtysmile3:

Caro :listen:

Please do, Caro! He did say something like 'good for you' but I can't remember the exact words. The Aiken Fog is a powerful and brutal thing. I wish we could record these things. :cryingwlaughter: I really, really hope the other gals tell their stories.

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Hee - sidenote: When I said 'graphic design' - he immediately said 'oooh, what kind of design?? We need...' and then he got distracted by something and never came back to it. Damnit!!! (If you're reading, Clay - call me!!) BWAHAHAHAHAH!! [snip]

I wish we could be in Biloxi tonight, but I am 100% grateful and happy for the past 10 days - truly a highlight of my seven+ years of fandom.

Cindy, you know I have to share this with Sally. She will be so pleased for you. How awesome! Thnx for the recap. :flirtysmile3:

Caro :listen:

Please do, Caro! He did say something like 'good for you' but I can't remember the exact words. The Aiken Fog is a powerful and brutal thing. I wish we could record these things. :cryingwlaughter: I really, really hope the other gals tell their stories.

Sally was thrilled with your report! :yahoo:

Caro :listen:

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we're here..........jellus?

we're here..........jellus?
I can't speak for anyone else, but...I hate you. *g*luckiest, you sure that Amazon woman was not me? Oh wait, cindi may have me in front of her instead! Gald you had agreat M&G, and cool story about your career change!

Count me in in the so jealous-I-could-spit club! :badmood:

Of course I bet you all are jealous of my freshly written speeding ticket and power crazed design review committee who say yea or nay on my new house ! :crying1:

What? No? You mean you'd rather go to fun concerts and kick your heels up? With Clay looking his best ever? And sounding, well ,like himself?

Dunno...theres no figuring out some people.....:crying1:

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