In Honor of the Sixth Anniversary of "Take"...

It's funny, because FOR YEARS I was really confused.

The broadcast and re-broadcasts and montages and videos of the first time he opened his mouth in Atlanta always began like this:

Simon: So what are you going to sing?

Clay: Singin' "Always and Forever"

Simon: Ok..

And THEN when he opened his mouth to sing... out came "TAKE time to show me, Yoooou really care...yada yada"

So yeah... I never really GOT that.

It's all in the editing folks! And what I'd call a major "glitch" in some very important lines of communication...

But Hosaa's Reconstruction of it finally set the record straight.



When I first began making montages, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. So when I go back and watch this second effort of mine I am always pretty much shocked and surprised. Because I think it has to be (hands down) the favorite one I've ever made... or at least my second favorite. I think I was just so completely and hopelessly IN LOVE, yet at the same time realizing the complete futility of those feelings. Remember those days? Crazy.

And even though those feelings have splintered off in many different directions over the past few years they have always circled back (and thankfully on a much more realistic level.) But This One...for me... well, it just keeps continuing to remind of why I came in the first place... why I keep coming back... and why I'm still here.

SO, in honor of this sixth anniversary of "Always"... heh



I just love him, that is all. And will probably continue to do so, well, for a good, long time. Or as long as he'll have me. *g*

**Note: Though posted on the 27th, the actual anniversary date is the 28th.

Enough Water for Children...and well, for everyone.

This is something I admittedly have rarely had cause to think about.

That there could be people in this world who seriously lack for the most essential and fundamental of needs. Like water.

And I was so touched by this blog from The Clays News Network that I'm gonna try to do something about it too! Please go back and click on that link! I don't want to reinvent the wheel here and there is SO much good information there. So much thirst. Yet so much we can do.

So what can I do?

For starts... I can ask my local restaraunt to participate in the cause. Would you donate $1 for that "freebie" glass of tap water so casually placed at your table if you thought you could save a life? I probably would.

But here's my biggest beef...

I pay something like $20 a month for the mere privledge of just having the service. Versus the $2 a month that I actually consume. So I wonder if they would consider taking $1 of my service charge and contributing it to a very worthy cause which could help attack a serious definciency which exists in so many countries on our planet. I guess ya never know until you ask. Hmmm. I feel a correspondence coming on...

And if you missed the first link, here's yet another one. The TAP Project.

I would never have even known about this effort if it hadn't been for this guy.

Thoughts... Outside the Box.

So yes... I realize this may be controversial.

The pictures themselves?.. No. Hopefully the fans, my co-workers, my neighbors, my 12th grade anatomy teacher, my mail carrier, the world and my grandmother have all managed to move way beyond that by now. But just in the fact that they're being posted pretty much ALL over the Internet...

So didn't want to seem behind the times... ya know?

And besides they make me really happy... and make me want to SING!.. and also grin like an idiot.

Especially this one...



And you KNOW they must have both fully realized what the outcome of all this would be going in.

To the box I mean...

So, though perhaps, shame on us for peeking... I'm still just so very happy for them!

No tags for now.

It's Montage Time!... 2008

Ok.. well, so that didn't rhyme. But it will next year!

I have to admit that I've stopped collecting them obsessively. Life just get's so busy. But here are a couple of last year's offerings that I simply don't want to forget... though I still have a lot more of them on my hard drive!

August Rhapsody ... by Aspiegirl

On My Way Here ... by dreamlarge

There You Are ... by LovesClaysVoice

A 2008 Year In Review ... by dreamlarge

Something About Us - An Obama Love Story ... by Maplestik

Scheduled to be presented at one of the upcoming Inaugural Balls!

Need more? 2006 and 2007

Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Montages, 2008 Review, Music

Whitney's MS Walk... 2009

I am really looking forward, once again, to participating in the annual walk for MS. This will be my daughter's 4th year walking and her 3rd year as a Team Captain for this great cause. She is so amazing! And what's funny is... I am quite certain that even if she didn't have to deal with the disease herself... she'd be right out there in front leading a team for somebody she knew who DID. Because well, that's just her.

Last year, Whitney's team received recognition at the Idaho Falls, Idaho Chapter event for not only exceeding their goal but for having the hightest total contributions. This year, we hope to do the same OR MORE in Boise! Especially since this year it falls on her birthday!

But unfortunately "the walk" isn't just an afternoon event...

Here are a couple of pictures of Whit just a couple of months before she was diagnosed. (She's the one with the joyful appendages.. *g*)







I'm sure that anyone who's ever received news that either they or their child has a debilitating disease will completely understand. It's a difficult bit of news to take in..

But really, she is doing great! And sometimes I even forget that she has it. I mean, she's got the most perfect little family and pretty much a perfect life. And she's still dancing! So everythings good! And normal!



Then, every so often... I remember the REASON that everything is so perfect and normal... and what it is she has to go through in order to keep it that way. But I'm sure she thinks about it all the time.



So anyway... I pray for the day when she, along with countless others, will finally be able to be free from their "normal" routine. The National MS Society is working really, really hard to do... just that.

Thank you so much to family and friends who have already donated to this year's Walk. Your love and support is MOST appreciated!

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn't.

And please... Even if not for this... just walk for something. Because well, walking is just really, really good for you!




Technorati tags:
Multiple Sclerosis, MS Walks

Enjoy Your Time Away! Clay.

We'll be right here.

Waiting.

..with open arms.

And lest we ever forget what we're waiting FOR... Here will always be a little reminder (or at least until YouTube takes it down...)

Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, These Open Arms

Break Time...

If Clay Aiken can take one then so can I.

Except not.

There's still a house to clean, studies to attend to, a job to keep, socks to darn... and miles to mow before I sleep.

But I found a little something to help make the chores a little lighter.

I think it's mindblowing that someone(s)was able to take these random (yet remarkable) songs and string them together in a way to create such a fairly seamless plotline. I applaud the collaboration!

Anyway, one thing I know for sure is... I wanna be Meryl Streep when I grow up... or at least in my next lifetime.

Whichever comes first...


Technorati tags:
Mama Mia, Movie, Soundtrack, ABBA, Clay Aiken

A 2009 Prediction...

On May 4th 2008 Clay brought down the roof on Part 1 of his Spamalot journey.

Here's a picture of him on the roof...

Six?

And on January 4th 2009 he bid us farewell from Part 2 like this.

Five?

So what do these dates and numbers signify? Apparently they mean something to him!

Parker Foster Aiken was born at 8:08 a.m. on August 8th 2008.



So I guess the question here is... do I need to have these baby booties finished by September 9th 2009 by 9:09... or what?

Just kidding! Sort of...

We'll miss you Clay and hope to see you again soon! But please do whatever it is that makes you the happiest in the meanwhile. You so totally deserve this alone time!...

I just love this interview given by Clay about his Spamalot experience.

Once again... not tagging. Even though the above was, of course, meant for entertainment purposes only...

A New Year's Wish...

So...

Here are my very meaningful and heartfelt hopes for Clay in the coming year...

May you immensly enjoy this sweet and precious time of diapers and bottles and wonderous firsts... These moments last for such a very short while.

But THEN... as "soon" as you can... couldja maybe just lose the diapers and join us on the road again? *g*

Please?



Ok, so that was teetering on the edge of classlessness, I know. But nonetheless, it just seemed apropos somehow... and was merely a labor of love.

And besides, it made me smile a bit...

Hope it made you smile a bit too.



No Technorati tags on this one... no sireee.

Some wonderful Year-In-Review Blogs:

Clay Aiken Ruminations

Truth Rules

Clayspots

...

It's Official!

Clay Aiken... Broadway Star!

Yesterday he got his framed caricature installed at Sardi's. That's the Big Apple equivalent of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

While Matthew Blank of Playbill News says...

"American Idol" finalist Clay Aiken, who currently portrays Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot, was honored Dec. 23 with a caricature that now adorns the walls of the famed eatery Sardi's.

So where's the picture???

Let's see if you can pick it out from the plethora of artistic renderings below.

And before 'those of you' most likely to be reading this blog chuckle... remember that there are actually SOME people out there (like the vast majority of the world's population) who may not actually know! LOL

Click on a thumbnail to see if you're right!

Heh, that was fun!

But I am just SO proud of him!... as this is an honor reserved for only a very select few.

And I am also moved to tears (with an exuberant smiley face) by the way he signed it...



Finally I'm first at something...

For further interesting details and FAR more enlightening information, please check out the following blogs:

**The ConClayve

**Carolina Clay

Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Sardi's, Caricature, Broadway

Merry Christmas With Love

As Christmas Eve dawns... I just want to take a moment to wish all of my family and friends, old and new, a wonderful and peaceful holiday season.

The video is a couple years old... but the message is timeless. The soundtrack is fairly timeless as well. So Enjoy! And again, Merry Christmas... with love.





Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Christmas Songs, Holiday, Greetings, Merry Christmas With Love

Christmas Present...

So this Christmas will be a little bit different from Christmases Past. Not that I haven't spent the holidays alone before because I have... But those were in the years where my children would sometimes spend the holidays with their dad and I always knew I'd have them here again with me the next year. And so, I pretty much would just use those times as opportunities to sit back, relax, listen to some music, watch a few videos, all the while thinking of everyone else hurriedly bustling with last minute wrapping or stocking filling and drowning in the mess of Christmas Day clean up, etc, etc. And well, to be totally honest?... I rather completely enjoyed it.

This year, not so much.

So why? What makes this year different???


BECAUSE THIS YEAR, WE DON'T GET A CLAY AIKEN CHRISTMAS TOUR!!!

So yeah, ok, I'm partially kidding here kids... However, this blog IS called Clayigraphy, so it's, afterall, rather obligatory that I mention that fact. And, for sure, it hasn't in ANY way assisted in helping to get me out of this seemingly endless holiday funk. So there you go.

But the REAL truth is... this year I just really kind of miss the mess! Not that there ever WAS much of a mess after we got through all the "Barbie" years, so I guess that's not really it. Or maybe I just miss the traditions. The Christmas Eve Disney movies... or decorating the tree to Amy Grant (which I think in 2004 became the compilation which we now lovingly call "Amy Aiken")... Or hiding Christmas gifts in the most clever places until they could be wrapped secretly in the basement, very late on Christmas Eve after the girls had gone to bed(even when they were teenagers) because everyone knows that though there isn't a Santa Claus, there STILL really IS. I miss the challenge of tiptoeing into their rooms and setting out those packages of jamies and slippers next to their beds without waking them up (though I'll bet sometimes I did, and they just never let on)... I miss the anticipation of their excitement when I was finally able to fall into bed. And I guess most of all, I will miss all of those maticulous and well organized little piles of stuff on Christmas morning. *sniff* I guess I trained them well.

But now, they each have their own wonderful, new little families... and I couldn't be more grateful for that!... but they are so very far away. And so I told them "No, please don't spend your money to travel out here this year"... and "Shoot, my vacation time is all used up!"

Yadayada...

Christmas Future: Let's don't EVER let this happen again!

In the meantime... I made this Christmas Card. Which is something I probably wouldn't have had time to do otherwise. So see? I guess there is always somehow a bright side...



So now, I'm gonna sit back, relax, listen to some music and watch a few videos. Here's one for starts...




Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Christmas Tour,Family,Traditions

Twelve Days Till Christmas... Redux

And though I realize that THIS one doesn't really have anything to do with Christmas...

It sorta does...


Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Christmas Tour

An Early Christmas Present for Daryn and Jon...

So, I guess this is Jon and Daryn's song now...

Her daddy sang it at their wedding which I guess pretty much solidified it... especially since while they were dancing they realized they didn't even have one yet!.. and so decided this one would probably be as good as any...

And then they asked me if I could make one of "those montages"... and use this song.

It seems to take me a long time to do these things. Daryn and Jon were married in July, so let's see...

Dilemma: I had another idea for a song. So which one do I use? I mean I really love them both! The second one maybe just a teentsy bit more for sentimental reasons... but she prefers the first. And I suppose it was HER wedding...*sigh*



Isn't it amazing all the different things you can do with the same pictures...



Can you choose?

Luckily Daryn and Jon never, ever check my blog, so I think I'm still good to go on a Christmas present... or two.

Technorati tags:
Wedding Songs, Daughters, Sons, Clay Aiken, Steven Curtis Chapman,

Happy Birthday Clay! You're 30!

Heh.

For some reason that seems to be a difficult thing for him. Or at least that's what he says... But I think he's probably kidding. Because he has grown into it beautifully and wears it so well.

It's hard to believe that it's been only six years since we first saw this young man.



And now he's pickin' out gray hairs...


But in those six short years has given more to this planet in the way of goodness, kindess, charity and joy than most people will ever do in a lifetime. Or fifty.

I can only imagine what his next fifty years will bring us. Acck... I know, don't worry Clay. Just one year at a time.

Heck, when I was 30 I still had a 1/3 of my life to go before I got to the best part...

Anyway, I searched around everywhere and couldn't figure out who created this wonderful gif, but I think it's pretty amazing. And it seemed rather appropo somehow. If somebody can clue me in, I'd really like to credit it.

Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Birthday, American Idol

I Am Thankful...

...for so many things.

For my family and friends, my home, my job, my kitties... for the many new hobbies I've found lately to fill up all that free(?) time.

Oh, and also, I am very thankful that my Photoshop class is now over. So, I have only like 20 more credits to go!


clickable

Have a wonderful holiday everyone!

Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Thanksgiving, Spamalot

They Found A Beautiful Way...

I adore this new family picture.



And Parker is getting to look more and more like his daddy every day!

But I have to be honest.

I guess I really didn't think this family of his would ever happen quite so suddenly or in exactly this way. And I'm trying to go back to the place where I was when I very first imagined exactly what or when it would be.

And I'm not sure what I expected. I just love that word... expected...

What I do remember easily enough though is how my hormones would twitch a bit at times and my overies would all but scream out to me "Dagnummit! Don't you dare dig us this grave quite yet!!!" when I would see various and sundry pictures of him, like these...



But, of course, I'm navigating perilously close to off topic here...

So yeah, at risk of being reduntant... I really don't know what I expected. Until now. Because hind site is always 20/20 of course. And I think I can honestly say, now, that this is all really sort of perfect. As David Foster said on the Dr. Phil Show the other day... "They found a beautiful way." And they did.

I can't imagine a human being better suited or deserving to be a daddy. In fact my eyes tear up, and yes my ovaries still twitch, at even the thought of it.

I believe they will be the most wonderful family, even through any of the thicks or thins that may cross their paths which I imagine may be many. Still, I think that baby Parker may just be one of the luckiest little boys ever.

And anyone who doesn't agree with me must not know Clay. Not that I know him that well, per se. But I think I know him, well... enough.


Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Family, Daddy

Clack-O-Lantern

I know... same ole, same ole... You'd think I could be a little more inventive than to just revert back to the "same ole" Halloween pic I've used every year since... well, back in the day.

But it was just so hard that I figured it was worth a couple of repeats.



HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Last Song Maybe. But Definitely Not Last Call...

It’s been a whole week now since we were blessed with the magnificent Champions for Change gala and I have still not yet fully recovered.

And I wasn’t even there…

But thanks to the many, many tireless Clackgoddesses I felt like I was.

And so… of course, (of course) I had to make this montage… Or perhaps I should say "this compilation." Because there were so many great videos of this song that I just couldn't make myself choose between them.

But there’s a disclaimer to it. Which is... that Clay does not lipsynch. Never has and he never will. So please don’t let any of my video editing fool ya.

See, the problem is that I’ve never made one before where I actually had to ‘synch’ the singing. And trust me… It was Hard!!!

Hee, I said Hard.

Again.

So I guess some things... like being a Broad, or like Clay still just being Clay... will simply never ever change.


Beautiful Song. Beautiful Man.

And though there have been SO many incredible comments across the boards during the past week, in fact way too many to mention... I just wanted to include two of them that really got me.

I did read Brightstar's recap which was brought over. Her recap IMO is right on in all aspects--the emotions (love being the predominant emotion of the night, I think), Clay's cognizance of the message boards (fugly...too funny!), the still and forever indescribable beauty of his voice, the intimacy of the message conveyed and received in his rendering of "Right Here Waiting". I too will be wrapping my mind, heart and soul around the depth and beauty of last night for many weeks to come. Not to mention the sheer fun and joy. Yep, he done did it to us again! (Please don't ever stop, Clay, 'k ?! )

Just a couple of (disjointed) thoughts I wanted to share.

About midway through "Right Here Waiting for You", I thought I was the only one with tears streaming down my face and sniffling, but then I realized I was hearing sniffling and sobbing all around me. In case you're wondering, the little ripple of laughter at the very end of "Right Here Waiting" was slightly embarrassed laughter at ourselves as the sobbing was just as audible as Clay's tender voice as he sang the last phrase of "Right Here Waiting" without the mike. (And the beauty, purity and texture of his unamplified voice...truly every bit as beautiful and transcendent as the finest instrument ever made).

For me, it felt like we had gone back to our roots. Clay even looked so much like he did back in 2003/2004 when he first mezmerized us and cast us underneath his spell. I saw so many of those early gestures and nuances and passion. It reminded me of why I first fell in love with him. (Yep, I said, "in love"...deal with it!). It was so eerie but so right. Whatever the degree of wondering each of us may have gone through about "is Clay still Clay", I say the answer is a blessedly, resounding YES! Even for those who didn't have that doubt or concern, what a treasure it was to be reminded and be able to relive that magic again. Last night was like the perfect mixture of Clay of the past AND present...old look, new songs. Totally cool, freaky and somehow right.

Personally, I've given up the battle of trying to find the words which accurately describe the emotions Clay, both the man and the voice, evokes from the very depths of your soul. In total seriousness, I don't think the words exist in the dictionary. Maybe because he makes me feel so much. Maybe because when your heart is that full to overflowing, no words could ever be adequate enough. The closest I can come, broken down into the simplest terms, is: He's back. We're back. We're home again.

How lucky are we?
posted by Micky7129 from the CDB


The icing came for me when I realized that I’d left my jacket on my chair some good time later (nearly an hour or more I think—but it’s a bit fuzzy) and went back to retrieve it. I ran into Faye coming out from somewhere, carrying some things and just started talking to her about the evening and how special it was. She then said to me:

“Y’all make him feel so special.”

*Karma is now all kinds of verklempt of course* I said something to the effect that I hoped so, and something about all the emotion in the room and how fortunate I felt to have been there and she talked about all the tears she’d seen (she looked a bit like she’d might have had a moment or two herself) and I verified that I’d experienced the same and then we smiled at each other for a second and said good night. It was the perfect thing to hear at the end of this incredible evening. “Y’all make him feel so special.” I hope so with all my heart.
Posted by Karma4Clay at the Clackhouse


Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Bubel Aiken Foundation, Champions for Change

In Honor Of National Coming Out Day 2008...

Ok, so I'm a couple of days late...



I love him. I do.


Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken