A Day Late... : (

And I made this weeks ago!

Sounds like you had a great one!

I'm Not Changing My Blog Name Just Yet but...

Seriously, my schedule is so absolutely crazy. But I took the time to watch this.

At least twice...




Technorati tags:
Adam Lambert, American Idol Season 8, Tour

So Where In The H*ll Have I Been?...

A really good question for just about everybody these days...

But anyway... I've been taking this art class. For some reason it's required for a Graphic Design degree...

I hate art.

I mean, I don't really "hate it" hate it. I just hate going to class 3 nights a week from 5:45 until 10:00 after working all day. It pretty much computes to Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. until Friday evening at 5:00 without much time for even a squat.

But I'm learning alot, I guess. I'm on week four of weekend projects too (in addition to the above mess.) All sorts of weird and funky stuff too that I've never done anything like before. I promise to share it with ya'll someday. Anyway, surprisingly I finished up early tonight. Usually I'm glue gunning things on the poster board at 5:00 on Tuesday in the restroom at work...

So I did this little extra credit project. Worth 10 points. *g* I figured I might need it.

Task: Take a black and white image and scale it up by 50% using a grid...

Here's the random image I chose:



And then I drew it bigger...



And no, I didn't cheat like by tracing or anything... I just took it one little box at a time...

Have I said lately how much I love art?

So Why In The Heck Didn't WE Ever Do Something Like This?...

I mean, it really does beat all the junk that Jerome always had to haul backstage, especially in the beginning, or all the heavily weighted red and purple bags of Christmas cr*p that he'd receive year after year that he probably had to end up leaving for the stage hands hands to pick through anyway. And remember the Purple Roses project in Raleigh where they actually walked the aisles handing them out to everyone because there was such a frickin' boatload of them?

Makes me sad somehow.

But this really makes me happy... for some odd reason. Especially for Kris.



Ok... enough schmoopiness.

Thinking caps back ON peoples!

ETA: I'm kidding! Shoot, the creativity and love that's been extended to that man could have powered him to the moon and back... 10,ooo times. But STILL what a very, very cool idea this was!

Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Kris Allen

Another Obligatory Father's Day Tribute?...

I mean, when you grow up without one (for all intents and purposes) that third Sunday in June always just sort of sneaks up on you somehow, sort of like a (well, like pretty much anything else in life that sneaks up on you at the most inopportune or inconvenient of times.) I could list several of them as examples but I'll just let you use your imagination.

Disclaimer: Yay, I Finally Got One! Even if I DID have to wait until years after I'd left home. So anyway, I've pretty much always since then thought of it as "Grandpa's Day" or "Son-In-Law's" Day.

But I have this very real sneaking suspicion that Parker will always welcome this day for years and years to come... with open arms.



Ok... so that's about the best I can do for now. But please feel free to check out these links below for some far more inspiring perspectives...

Carolina On My Mind
Clay The Man
Clay Aiken News Network
Clayspots

And a beautiful essay from Ideal Idol!

Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Fathers Day

Wasn't That Amazing... Grace?

And no, that wasn't a comment overheard out in the lobby after the show... But it probably could have been.

Me? Well, I didn't get to see it, or at least not until now. Not that I wasn't invited or anything...

A bit of history.

The Charleston Opera House... the place my kids pretty much grew up in during their summers as kids. Kind of like little tagalongs with their director dad. Mascots of sorts I guess. Though from what I know they loved every single minute of it and have wonderful memories of those times. And seriously, what a way to spend a summer right? Especially with such beautiful beaches so close by. So I never had to feel sorry for them being tucked away in some stuffy old theatre all summer long or anything. And it always gave me a really good break from the six nights a week... carpooling to and from ballet class.... after working ALL day... and then driving up hill, BOTH WAYS. Haha. So, I think it was definitely always a win-win-win.

Anyway, this was also where they met Quiana. Some of you might remember her? Well, back when she was 15 or 16 or something like that she was already 'amazing.' And I remember them coming home after summer breaks and her name already being a household word. But that was back in the "Serenade Show" days, which has long ago since been retired (and which I never saw either) and way before she went on to "other things."

But shows with other names still LIVE ON and are kept fresh and alive with each season! And there's still a TON of talent there! A ton.

But as I said before, I'm typically don't go out there during "dad's week" *mumble mumble mumble*. However, FORTUNATELY since my kids are all SO technologically savvy they always find a way to send me the videos anyway.

And dad's "week" this last time around was really ALL the time they had to put this one together. So I'm really sort of glad I "decided" not to go anyway.



But what a thrill though to finally see her perform on that stage after all these years! And I know it was a MAJOR thrill for her. It must have been like homecoming! And for me to be able to see her on stage with her dad. Well *schmoopies!*

My kiddo!.. and then an incredible piano solo by Tommy Gill!

I never did get any actual permission to post these but I'm hoping it'll still be ok. Because shameless Mom-Ho's with good intentions can pretty much always whine their way out of anything. And isn't it always just SO much easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission... anyway?

And there's something to be said for Positive.FREE.advertising. I mean really. Seems like another win-win-win to me.

Thanks SO MUCH for the video Aaron!

Technology Baffles My Mind Usually...

I can't even tell you how many weekends I've spent in an attempt to get a relatively simple thing to play in a format I want it to. Somehow it always works out! But last weekend was way easy!

Because I found this cool tool Fair Use Wizard that allows me to take all those wonderfully special DVD's that my daughter always sends me of her dance performances and convert them into a format that I can actually play with. I know... some of you probably have no need or interest in "playing" with DVD's, but if you do, then that ^^ up there is your tool. Totally free with no gimmicks!

And now, I can fiddle to my hearts content... and then sit back and enjoy.

Here's Whit in a 2004 performance with her Contemporary Dance Team at BYU Idaho. YOU may not be able to pick her out, but me, I have no problem. Not even when I shut my eyes... And besides, I'd be pretty proud to call any one of them mine.

Technorati tags:
Contemporary Dance Team, BYU Idaho

So Who's Idea Was It To Call Me J'nut?

So here's the thing... I'm in the grocery store checkout line when I suddenly realize that my money is in the glove compartment of my car. So I ask the pretty little checkout girl if she can hold my order while I run out and get it. She smiles and says "sure."

When I come back with the money I completely apologize and tell her how I'm just getting use to all this... being on the Dave Mattthews plan and all... using cash in envelopes instead of just "ching chinging" my debit card.

She stares at me blankly...

The Total Money Makeover?... I SO swear it works! ... pause... You've heard of Dave Matthews right?

*Lights on* Oh no, of course I've heard of him!... and I just LOVE him!

We nod and agree. *bonding moment*

I leave the store feeling extremely happy that there are youngin's out there who actually get it...

This seriously happened. And just today!

I have no idea where that came from. But even so... my budget is working great! And so I guess a rose by any other name can still smell as sweet.

I cannot believe I'm actually admitting this...

Props To Clay...

“What are your thoughts on the Prop 8 ruling today?”

Loaded question. Hope I don’t get myself in trouble here again…

I will say that I am QUITE disappointed that Prop 8 passed in the first place. I could argue all day the myriad of reasons that I believe the US Constitution provides for equal rights for all people. And, as much as it is their right to have a differing opinion, I think that some of the arguments coming from the anti-gay side are stupid, hypocritical, and even contradict themselves.

That said, I can’t say that I am too upset by the CA Supreme Court’s ruling. While it is disappointing that same sex couples in CA will have to wait longer to have equal rights, at the same time I worry that a different ruling from the court would have caused far more trouble than good.

The bottom line is… no matter how much I hate it…. Prop 8 passed with the majority of the public vote. I don’t agree with them. I don’t think it is right, but it happened. I don’t think I would be comfortable allowing the courts the power to override the will of the people. Yes, I know the argument can be made that had the courts not struck down segregation in the south we may still have Jim Crow laws in place. However, (A) segregation was instituted by the states based on public opinion and not necessarily by an official vote and (B) the US Supreme Court struck down the practice of segregation. It didn’t overturn a specific vote.

I strongly believe that the next time that Californians go to the ballot box to vote on legalizing same sex marriage, the tides will turn. I truly believe that the majority of CA voters will support the equal rights of all people next time they are given the chance. While the CA Supreme Court may now be composed of justices who believe that same-sex marriage should be legal (remember they are the ones who made it legal in the first place), what happens when the public votes for same-sex marriage to be legalized, yet the CA Supreme Court is made up of justices who feel it should be illegal? Will they then have the power to overturn the vote? Its not a precedent I want set.

As much as I disagree with Prop 8, I don’t want to give the courts the power to ignore the will of the people. Because I expect that one day, even in North Carolina, the majority of voters will allow me the right to get married, and when that happens, I don’t want nine justices being able to change the outcome.

We can’t only agree with the system when it agrees with us.

That said…. Way to go Ohio, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and (fingers crossed) New Hampshire… and, bring on the next ballot California!

I love that answer... and I love Clay Aiken.

*Unscrupulously Posted* But hopefully, for Good.

Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Proposition 8

Composing My Thoughts...

This is how I wanted Season 2 to end!.. *huge snip*

Clay... Ya know I really love ya to death man!.. don't you? But I seriously think you probably could have just left it at that...

Congratulations Kris!

Congrats Adam!

I think we've seen these pictures before...

heh


Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Kris Allen, Adam Lambert

Clay's Parts...

So even though we had over six months to anticipate his appearance on the "30 Rock" finale I still don't think any of us could have been completely prepared.

Because just Check THIS out.

But still. I mean, really. For him to have appeared so indiginously alongside the likes of Elvis Costello, Mary J. Blidge, Norah Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Wyclif Jean, Moby, Ad-Rock, etc, etc. (of whose names I mostly recognize...) But anyway... and seriously... that must have been quite an honor for him.

In a recent MTV Interview he says that it was.

He also goes on to share his always enlightening and prolific opinion.

'30 Rock' is not only the funniest show on TV now; it's also the smartest," Aiken told MTV news in a statement. "Things that you see or hear on that show start popping up in everyday life all of the time. I don't think any show since 'Seinfeld' has been able to do that."

Like "Seinfeld," these days Liz Lemon and her motley crew leave the "American Idol" alum in stitches every week. " 'Seinfeld' had 'yada, yada, yada' and 'master of your domain.' '30 Rock' has "That's a deal-breaker, ladies' and many more. I find myself saying 'What the what?' all of the time. They've really broken into the zeitgeist like no other show has."

And in case you failed Vocabulary 1001 right along with me... or failed to realize that it was even required...

Zeitgeist is (pronounced ˈtsartɡarst is a German language expression literally translated: Zeit, time; Geist, spirit, meaning "the spirit of the age and its society". The word zeitgeist describes the intellectual, cultural, ethical and political climate, ambience and morals of an era (similar to the English word "mainstream") or also a trend.

So yay, another new scrabble word!

Just Give A Kidney can be downloaded on iTunes... with your 99 cents proceeds going to the National Kidney Foundation.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And just recently discovered (6 years later!)...video and audio.

David Foster and Friends...

And Family!


Last evenings performance at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas did not disappoint! The Peter Cetera medley was incredible!

And you can listen to the audio of his performance here! While looking at all the pretty pictures!!! Ok, nevermind... iMeem decided it wasn't that important...

v v v v v

SLIDESHOW


*sigh*

As another fandom collides...


Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Peter Cetera, David Foster

So... Who's Cuter?

And trust me, this will be tough!

Him?...


Or Him?...


Ok, let me make it a bit easier...

So Who's Cuter?

Him?...


Or Him?...


Ok, well then... nevermind.


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY Jaymes!!!




Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Jaymes Foster, Mother's Day

Fickled...

And I mean totally!

I just can't seem to make up my mind!!!













Ok... so that was a little bit easier than I thought it would be...



Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Clay Aiken Official Fan Club, Bubel Aiken Foundation,

My Boyfriend's BAACK!

And is he ever!!!





Clay Aiken presents the Excellence in Media Award to Tyra Banks at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on March 28, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and the issues that affect their lives.





I am so proud of him!

*slurp*


Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, Tyra Banks, 2009 GLAAD Awards

Idle Idol?...

Ok, so I'll admit it. The fishing hasn't been that much fun. (see previous post)

And if truth be told, I was really just trying to call his bluff. Like maybe if I said I was going fishing he'd like do some big kamakazee plunge off the bluff, like directly into my fishing hole, and like scare all those fishies away. Like, right...

But I guess we still have a couple of things to look forward to. Like that Top Model stint, and the Tyra award, and that 30 Rock thing... (So thank goodness for the thems. I guess. : )

But really... I just want him to sing. And tour. Again.

So today I tossed my fishing pole and donned my scuba gear and went diving into the depths of the past. And what I came up with was this...

That I really need to cop him a little bit of a break... or two. Cause in truth, he seriously DOES deserve this little time off.

Anyway...This is not so very original, nor is it so very well done IMHO... But it WAS heartfelt. And somewhat a necessity...





Technorati tags:
Clay Aiken, UNICEF, Bubel Aiken Foundation, It's In Every One Of Us

No, Seriously... And This Time I Really, Really Mean It...

Swear!

Because I've just got just a few more classes (ok a few more than a few) left before I'll FINALLY have my degree and I just hafta do everything I possibly can right now to totally focus.

And besides, it just feels like a rather opportune time to do that, ya know?

So please don't give up on me, ok? I'll be back. Just followin' his lead...

In the meantime, please don't hesitate to leave a "Hey" every once in a while... if you want to. I LOVE hearing from you guys!

*glub glub*

Not Just Us...

This was just brought to my attention by a good friend who frequently surfs the web. *Not that I don't... but probably just not as frequently as she does.*

And it made me sit up in my seat a bit... and maybe even pout a little. But either way, it for sure took me back to 2003. Big time!

And what a grand time that was!

Anyway, here goes: Courtesy of Bitten By A Cougar...

Arm Porn: - David Cook's arms shown off in a short-sleeved shirt, especially a t-shirt. Can cause 'plosions.
Audition Fauxhawk: - the red-streaked quasi-mohawk David wore at his first audition with the judges.
BAD: - Beleaguered Advocates of Debedazzlement. DC fans who prefer DC wearing less bling.
Bling: - necklaces, crystalline belt buckles and other shiny accessories worn by OABO.
Blingtrance: - Inability to look directly at or speak to David Cook because you are blinded by the shiiininess of his bling.
Bouffantom of the Opera: - Somewhat bouffant hairstyle David wore when he sang Music of the Night on Top 6 (Andrew Lloyd Weber) week.
Bromance: - describing the relationship between David Cook and Michael Johns.
Bus-stalking: – When an Idol fan waits patiently, often for hours, hoping to see and meet their favorite Idol.
Bus-throwing: – Simon Cowell’s gratuitously cruel criticism of David Cook’s performances (especially The World I Know) on Top 2 Night.
Cookified: - (a) What happens when David rearranges a song. (b) David's skills as a hairdresser in the Best Week Ever skit. (c) The assimilation of countless relatives, friends, strangers, nonfans, cats and budgies into being willing adoring slaves of David Cook after having heard/seen him perform.
Cookie Neutron: - David's hairstyle on Top 2 Night and during some concerts on the Gratitewer. So named because it resembles the fabled 'do of cartoon character Jimmy Neutron.
Cooklective: - the collective fandom; those who have been assimilated by David Cook's talent and persona. Resistance is futile.
DC=42: - (Inspired by The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams) At the end of the day, everything starts, runs and ends with David Cook. Used when a fan sees direct or oblique evidence of David Cook in everyday life.
DC Drinking Game: - A game in which a David Cook fan must take a drink of an alcoholic beverage any time David says any of the words listed at the end of the glossary.++
Double Boiler: - the Mavid dances or anything involving gawking/ogling David Cook and Michael Johns at the same time.
Elf Boots: - Type of long, pointy-toed, often ornately decorated cowboy boots that have 'uplift' on the toe end. David Cook favors and often wears elf boots.
FlashDance Dave: - a reference to the performance at which David poured a bottle of water on his head and then shook it out of his hair, causing his ear monitors to short out and inducing spontaneous ovulation amongst his female fans. Caused consternation amongst TPTB.
FlexiDave: - David performing a deep bend backwards similar to a yoga move known as "The Fish" while playing his guitar. Responsible for sprained MCL ligament, not to be seen again on the tewer until Grand Rapids, probably due to euphoria from having been on Oprah.
Gratitewer: - gratitude tour; the 2008 American Idols tour, during which David Cook is expressing his gratitude to his fans 165 times (53 tour stops x 5 songs).
Hair Cut Heard Round The World: - the new hairstyle David had for his performance of Little Sparrow during Top 9 (Dolly Parton) Week. Acronym: HCHRTW.
Hairvolution: - The evolution of David's hairstyle(s) through the course of the season 7 Idol competition.
Hollywood Curl: - David's hairstyle during "Hollywood Week" auditions.
HT Flatiron: - The flat-ironed hairstyle David had when he sang Happy Together
Locktopus: - David's hairstyle for several of the earlier finalist rounds, when he sang ARN, Hello, Day Tripper, Eleanor Rigby and Billie Jean.
Magic Rainbow: - Cringe-inducing lyric from David's first single, Time of My Life; now a nickname for that song.
Mavid: - nickname for the duo of David Cook and Michael Johns. Also for The Dance that takes place during Please Don't Stop the Music.
MOABO: - (pronounced moh-AH-boh). M is for Minions. DC fans who prefer him with bling. See: OABO.
Milk 'n' Cookies: - David Archuleta and David Cook.
Our Accessory Bedazzled Overlord: - (a) Nickname for David Cook when he is fully regaled in an array of necklaces, belt-buckles, scarves, sunglasses, etc, especially on the Gratitewer. Acronym: OABO. Original phrase: "I, for one, welcome our accessory bedazzled overlord."
'Plode: - (a) A word David coined when talking about Eta Carinae, a bright star in the galaxy. He wasn't sure if it would implode or explode so decided on 'plode. (b) The effect that David Cook has on women who are charmed by his voice, his looks, and his size 13s.
Size 13s: - (a) the size of David Cook's feet. (b) Innuendo for DC's manly bits.
Snickerdoodle: - A more subtle (heh) reference for DC's manly bits.
Soggy Cookie: - refers to David's tendency to tear up/get emotional onstage or off.
Skittles: - a nickname for David Cook. See Magic Rainbow.
Tewer: - how David pronounces "tour"; rhymes with sewer.
Transporter Accident: - David's hairstyle for Top 5 (Neil Diamond) week (and possibly for HLTW and Baba O'Riley?)
TWIK'd: - Becoming very emotional or soggy in response to David becoming very emotional or soggy.
Wardrobe malfunction: - David losing his belt in Grand Rapids,flashing his belly in KC, and otherwise sending females into various stages of 'plosion.
What Happens in Vegas: - David's hairstyle the weekend the Top 4 visited Las Vegas. Possibly the father of Cookie Neutron.
Word Nerd: - (a) David's own description of himself, as a lover of word puzzles and games. (b) Generically, a David Cook fan. (c) A DC fan who has obtained an "official Word Nerd number" from the Cook forums at AmericanIdol.com.

Anyway, I just don't know quite what to think about all this.

Except that think I like mine better...
Omg! So just how embarrassing is THAT??? hahaha

By the way... I actually saw him in Grand Rapids and really, really liked him! But not nearly enough to try and learn a whole new language...

Preparedness... It's Important!

Ok, well first of all. I really have no idea what this blog below has to do with Clay Aiken. Absolutely nothing at all really. So I feel kind of bad, in a way, using a blog with a name like "Clayigraphy" to sort of pimp my off topic and utterly random thoughts.

Oh well.

I guess he can't really expect for me to go out of my way and create a whole new blog for that purpose.. just because he decides to take a little time off. Can he?

Alrighty then.

So anyway.

I have this little assignment for my Telecommunications class that I have to do. As if the class itself isn't difficult enough. Trust me! It covers all of the super important techno-savvy things that you will never, EVER need to know to be able to get by in life.

Still, the assignment is, to research what life was like in the 50's and compare it to life in the new millennium, technology-wise, with the suggestion that we interview someone who lived "back then" to get their point of view. Bwah. So luckily I won't even have to leave my house for this one... or even pick up an antiquated phone. But I did browse the internet for a few secs just for schnicks...

And well, I found out a bunch of stuff that I never knew or realized... or more likely just simply didn't remember. The progression of it all came at such a snails pace back then that we could hardly sense it happening. But so much, SO MUCH has occurred in even the past few years in this realm that even reading it made my head spin.

So after hyper-speeding my way through the past 50 years in this one afternoon I'm actually very excited about this project. In fact, it's pretty much already written itself. And maybe I'll even share it with you when it's finished.

But haha... my sharing that with you wasn't really the main purpose of this blog!

What the main reason was to ask... OMG!.. "How did the baby boomers even survive their formative years without just completely committing mass suicide?"

What follows is an actual educationally approved filmstrip which was being shown in schools country-wide right around the time that I was still feeling fairly safe and secure in my snuggly little blankie.

Watch this! You won't believe it!



And now, we're advised to moniter our children's television exposure?

Moral (I guess?..) Advancement is good!

And ALWAYS be prepared and completely ready for anything! As in saving up that little extra stash of cash in that safeguarded cookie jar just "in case" the word "TOUR" should ever flash blindingly across your screen totally unexpectedly one of these days! And also... the fingers should be excercised and limbered to the max at all times, for whatever actions they may ever be asked to perform at any given moment...

Whew...Thank goodness I was somehow able to bring this one back around...


Technorati tags:
Civil Defense, Atomic Bomb, 1950's, Technology

Love Means...

Never having to say you're sorry... (or at least I heard that once...)

So why do I feel such a need to say it?

Because there has never been, nor will there ever be again such a bright spark of love in my heart for someone who I have never or will ever know. And I don't really see the spark burning out any time soon... or probably ever.

But having said that... I still have a degree to pursue, a job to uphold, a family to re-acqaint with and SO much else that I've let completely slip under the rug these past few years. And trust me, there's a lot of junk under that rug...

(And also... i really can't stand ANTM!!!... I think it's absolutely the most cheeziest show ever!!! ugh! ack! and ok *breaths*)

I am just hoping, in my heart of hearts that, in the meantime, he's having a the most blissfully wonderful and well deserved time off! And though I don't really have much of a knack for fishing... perhaps it's yet another skill I could learn during this yet another down time... or as soon as this dang ice melts.

Or perhaps ice fishing could be a new and interesting challenge as well!

But anyway... *grimaces*



Please trust however that I WILL definitely be back... The very "next" second that he is...

And... look to your left for some wonderful blogs from peoples who are obviously WAY better fans and probably much less fisherman wannabees than I am... and {{{hugs}}} to all of them for taking up the slack...

Anyway... just please don't anyone trout me.

Oh wait! This is MY blog...

*No tags*