-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
2006 photo tribute to Clay
Hello everyone,
I have never done a photo montage, a video or anything of that sort. My medium is the written word, not so much images... but when it comes to Clay, how can I resist? I felt like playing around with a montage function and ended up making a montage of Clay's new look, from pictures taken throughout this past year (not by me though!). Many thanks to scrpkym, zippy888 and ImFeelingItDawg for your pictures. I hope my memory is correct in that I can use them, as long as I give credit - if not, please let me know!
-- ClayKat
I have never done a photo montage, a video or anything of that sort. My medium is the written word, not so much images... but when it comes to Clay, how can I resist? I felt like playing around with a montage function and ended up making a montage of Clay's new look, from pictures taken throughout this past year (not by me though!). Many thanks to scrpkym, zippy888 and ImFeelingItDawg for your pictures. I hope my memory is correct in that I can use them, as long as I give credit - if not, please let me know!
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Merry Christmas Clay Aiken and Claynation!
Hello everyone,
My goodness it has been a long time since I blogged here! Incredible how time flies these days. And it's not because I haven't been thinking of Clay. It's just that I have been working on my other blog and busy with end-of-year stuff at work, as well as preparations for Christmas celebrations with the family.
I have also been following the cellcerts (CELL-phone con-CERTS) provided by other Clay fans live, through the chat room of Clay's official fan club, as he has been joining orchestras in the U.S.'s northeast in their Christmas concerts. Check out Clay's official Web site to find out where he has been belting out Christmas tunes to fans old and new! His last concert will be this evening, in Greensboro, North Carolina - apparently, quite close to his home town of Raleigh. So he will then be able to go home, rest and enjoy the holidays with his family. I'm very happy for him, because he had a few days of being quite sick during this tour, with an inner ear infection which made it very challenging for him to go onstage under bright lights and sing. But sing he did, our sweet man Clay! Apparently the concerts were all nevertheless true to Clay form, wit, talent ... and snark!
I'm not sure I'll have time to blog again before Christmas, so here's wishing all of you, including you, Mr. Clay Aiken, a wonderful, peaceful holiday season, full of love and laughter!
Here's a little card I made for us all:
Happy holidays!
-- ClayKat
My goodness it has been a long time since I blogged here! Incredible how time flies these days. And it's not because I haven't been thinking of Clay. It's just that I have been working on my other blog and busy with end-of-year stuff at work, as well as preparations for Christmas celebrations with the family.
I have also been following the cellcerts (CELL-phone con-CERTS) provided by other Clay fans live, through the chat room of Clay's official fan club, as he has been joining orchestras in the U.S.'s northeast in their Christmas concerts. Check out Clay's official Web site to find out where he has been belting out Christmas tunes to fans old and new! His last concert will be this evening, in Greensboro, North Carolina - apparently, quite close to his home town of Raleigh. So he will then be able to go home, rest and enjoy the holidays with his family. I'm very happy for him, because he had a few days of being quite sick during this tour, with an inner ear infection which made it very challenging for him to go onstage under bright lights and sing. But sing he did, our sweet man Clay! Apparently the concerts were all nevertheless true to Clay form, wit, talent ... and snark!
I'm not sure I'll have time to blog again before Christmas, so here's wishing all of you, including you, Mr. Clay Aiken, a wonderful, peaceful holiday season, full of love and laughter!
Here's a little card I made for us all:
Happy holidays!
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Happy 28th Birthday, Clay!
Dear Clay,
Along with all your other fans, I wish you much happiness, peace and lots of love today and for the coming year. Happy Birthday to you, my favourite singer ... and one of my favourite people !
Along with all your other fans, I wish you much happiness, peace and lots of love today and for the coming year. Happy Birthday to you, my favourite singer ... and one of my favourite people !
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Clay's CD release party in my city - what a blast!
Hello everyone,
I know this could sound a little ridiculous, some six weeks after the fact, but hey, better late than never? At the time, soon after September 19th, the release date of Clay's latest CD - A Thousand Different Ways - I wanted to share the fun I had at the CD release party which took place in my city. But as life would have it, that was not possible until now.
We were just under 20 people, which is a nice group size. A few Clay fans had organized the evening, and what a great job they did! A second-floor room was reserved in a popular downtown café, and it was lovely and private. As I climbed the stairs to the second floor, I heard Clay's rich tones, then saw at the top of the stairs, a poster montage in Clay's likeness. I knew I was in the right place, and I realized I was smiling from ear to ear! Finally I was to meet fellow Clay fans in person! G. and H. met everyone at the door with a friendly greeting and a personalized name tag. The table was decorated with blue and silver balloons specially inscribed to celebrate Clay's release of ATDW. Posters, pictures, DVDs and CDs were all around, decorating the room. A recording from Clay's 2005 Jukebox Tour was playing softly in the background.
I chose a seat towards the middle of the long table - I like to be able to be part of any conversation going on around me, on all sides, and being in the middle allows one to do that more easily than being on the end. Not surprisingly to me, the group was almost entirely made up of women (just 2 men), but women of all ages and all walks of life. Two teenagers, a number of twenty-or-thirty-somethings, a few middle-aged women and at least one in her 70s. I enjoyed the company of each and every one I was able to speak with. We shared about our lives, and our experiences with Clay - his music, concerts, his charitable work. We were students, professionals, sales people, artists, businesswomen - all touched, and brought together by the love which comes through Clay.
We played a fun elimination game, where we had to answer multiple choice questions (about what and whom, you wonder?). I knew all the answers but one - something about Clay's appearance on a TV show in 2004 - a show one gets on cable, so I haven't seen it... But like most everyone, I knew all the other answers about Clay's life. We were a touch bunch to stump!
G. and H. had prepared door prizes and much more, which was so sweet of them. I now have a beautiful poster of Clay, a large collection of fridge magnets, a Clay-faced clock and I don't know what else... So unexpected and generous.
And of course, on the way over to the café, I had stopped by the music store to pick up my copy of ATDW, which we played during the evening. Pure Clay, soft and rich! I'll write about the album another time.
-- ClayKat
I know this could sound a little ridiculous, some six weeks after the fact, but hey, better late than never? At the time, soon after September 19th, the release date of Clay's latest CD - A Thousand Different Ways - I wanted to share the fun I had at the CD release party which took place in my city. But as life would have it, that was not possible until now.
We were just under 20 people, which is a nice group size. A few Clay fans had organized the evening, and what a great job they did! A second-floor room was reserved in a popular downtown café, and it was lovely and private. As I climbed the stairs to the second floor, I heard Clay's rich tones, then saw at the top of the stairs, a poster montage in Clay's likeness. I knew I was in the right place, and I realized I was smiling from ear to ear! Finally I was to meet fellow Clay fans in person! G. and H. met everyone at the door with a friendly greeting and a personalized name tag. The table was decorated with blue and silver balloons specially inscribed to celebrate Clay's release of ATDW. Posters, pictures, DVDs and CDs were all around, decorating the room. A recording from Clay's 2005 Jukebox Tour was playing softly in the background.
I chose a seat towards the middle of the long table - I like to be able to be part of any conversation going on around me, on all sides, and being in the middle allows one to do that more easily than being on the end. Not surprisingly to me, the group was almost entirely made up of women (just 2 men), but women of all ages and all walks of life. Two teenagers, a number of twenty-or-thirty-somethings, a few middle-aged women and at least one in her 70s. I enjoyed the company of each and every one I was able to speak with. We shared about our lives, and our experiences with Clay - his music, concerts, his charitable work. We were students, professionals, sales people, artists, businesswomen - all touched, and brought together by the love which comes through Clay.
We played a fun elimination game, where we had to answer multiple choice questions (about what and whom, you wonder?). I knew all the answers but one - something about Clay's appearance on a TV show in 2004 - a show one gets on cable, so I haven't seen it... But like most everyone, I knew all the other answers about Clay's life. We were a touch bunch to stump!
G. and H. had prepared door prizes and much more, which was so sweet of them. I now have a beautiful poster of Clay, a large collection of fridge magnets, a Clay-faced clock and I don't know what else... So unexpected and generous.
And of course, on the way over to the café, I had stopped by the music store to pick up my copy of ATDW, which we played during the evening. Pure Clay, soft and rich! I'll write about the album another time.
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Thursday, November 02, 2006
I have to admit it: I now love Clay's new look!
Hello everyone,
Well, I have to say that I now take back what I wrote way back in May about Clay's new look: I now love it! That was during the American Idol 5 finale show, when Clay made a surprise appearance, now infamous as one of the most hilarious moments ever of AI, what with Clay wannabe Michael Sandecki's emotional reaction to seeing Clay join him on stage.
Clay showed off his new look at that time and it was talked up all over the Net, with "Clay Aiken" being the most-searched term on blog search engine Technorati for a number of weeks. His hair was longer, straight and dyed fairly dark - no longer did we see the fair, spikey look we had come to love. The majority of those of you who voted in my poll at the time said you loved the new look, many finding it smoldering and more mature than his former look.
I didn't like it so much as his former look (my favourite ever being his hair during 2005's Jukebox Tour); the dark look made him look pale to me, and I didn't like the stringy, plastered-bangs-falling-in-the-eyes thing going on - it hid his beautiful eyes...
What won me over? Since May, he has lightened the hair, added some soft blond highlights, shortened the bangs, so now we see that sweet face, framed by soft, fair hair - all Clay! It was his September 22nd appearance on ABC's The View that sealed the deal for me and won me over. You can watch the interview on YouTube.com in two parts: Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
Now I can actually say that Clay's new look is hot! And that is not a term I use often... Even my teenage stepdaughter, who usually rolls her eyes when I mention Clay, says that now he is "almost hot".
But take a look and make up your own mind: there are lots of videos and pictures out there. I suggest checking out these sources for great Clack:
- Hartford Symphony Orchestra web site - Clay will be participating in their upcoming Christmas concert. Check out especially the five great pictures of Clay in their Media Photos section
- Clay's Daily Double
- pictures on Clack.unlimited
Here is one of my favourites:
Enjoy!
-- ClayKat
Well, I have to say that I now take back what I wrote way back in May about Clay's new look: I now love it! That was during the American Idol 5 finale show, when Clay made a surprise appearance, now infamous as one of the most hilarious moments ever of AI, what with Clay wannabe Michael Sandecki's emotional reaction to seeing Clay join him on stage.
Clay showed off his new look at that time and it was talked up all over the Net, with "Clay Aiken" being the most-searched term on blog search engine Technorati for a number of weeks. His hair was longer, straight and dyed fairly dark - no longer did we see the fair, spikey look we had come to love. The majority of those of you who voted in my poll at the time said you loved the new look, many finding it smoldering and more mature than his former look.
I didn't like it so much as his former look (my favourite ever being his hair during 2005's Jukebox Tour); the dark look made him look pale to me, and I didn't like the stringy, plastered-bangs-falling-in-the-eyes thing going on - it hid his beautiful eyes...
What won me over? Since May, he has lightened the hair, added some soft blond highlights, shortened the bangs, so now we see that sweet face, framed by soft, fair hair - all Clay! It was his September 22nd appearance on ABC's The View that sealed the deal for me and won me over. You can watch the interview on YouTube.com in two parts: Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
Now I can actually say that Clay's new look is hot! And that is not a term I use often... Even my teenage stepdaughter, who usually rolls her eyes when I mention Clay, says that now he is "almost hot".
But take a look and make up your own mind: there are lots of videos and pictures out there. I suggest checking out these sources for great Clack:
- Hartford Symphony Orchestra web site - Clay will be participating in their upcoming Christmas concert. Check out especially the five great pictures of Clay in their Media Photos section
- Clay's Daily Double
- pictures on Clack.unlimited
Here is one of my favourites:
Enjoy!
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Today is ClayKat's one-year anniversary
Hello everyone,
It has been one year today since I started this blog. Time sure flies when you're having fun! Already one year - but then, it also feels like a very big, long year...
After all this time, I'm amazed at how I always find something to write about, which relates to Clay - Clay as I know him - and my own life experiences and thoughts. He is big enough, full enough and rich enough of spirit to be an inspiration and a source of hope for me in so many aspects of my life.
I have only grown to respect and care more and more for this incredible and talented young man over the past year, in part through contact with other Clay fans. You are an amazing bunch! Thanks for sharing the love of OMC! And helping others know about this blog.
So I dedicate this first year to my(our) Clay and those of us (so many) who love him. I expect there to be many more years of life to the ClayKat blog!
-- ClayKat
It has been one year today since I started this blog. Time sure flies when you're having fun! Already one year - but then, it also feels like a very big, long year...
After all this time, I'm amazed at how I always find something to write about, which relates to Clay - Clay as I know him - and my own life experiences and thoughts. He is big enough, full enough and rich enough of spirit to be an inspiration and a source of hope for me in so many aspects of my life.
I have only grown to respect and care more and more for this incredible and talented young man over the past year, in part through contact with other Clay fans. You are an amazing bunch! Thanks for sharing the love of OMC! And helping others know about this blog.
So I dedicate this first year to my(our) Clay and those of us (so many) who love him. I expect there to be many more years of life to the ClayKat blog!
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Right-wing governments, lack of social solidarity ... and Clay
Hello Clay fans,
Well it certainly has been a very long time since I have posted - the longest ever since I have been blogging (almost one year). I can't believe it has been just over a month... Actually, I guess I can, because it has been a very intense month, on all fronts: work, family, personal life, political environment, etc. Lots of sadness, some happiness and joy, plus quite a bit of anger. The latter has mostly to do with Canada's current federal government, lead by Conservative leader Stephen Harper, which slashed one billion $ worth of funding to Canadian programs in late September.
The Harper government has gutted many social programs which were there to help all Canadians advocate for their rights. Why? Because their philosophy goes something like this: all Canadians are equal and have equal chances in life. Those of us who are discriminated against or disadvantaged in some other way, have just got to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and struggle, individually, to move beyond these injustices. Only 20% of Members of Parliament are women? Too bad - women just have to get themselves elected. There is poverty in Canada? Tell people to just get a job. Almost half the Canadian population has trouble with functional literacy? What a shame - but don't look to government to help them learn to read better. This is a ridiculous, paternalistic, right-wing way of looking at social inequalities and their solutions. Mr. Harper, you are George W. Bush's baby brother in every way - and I bet that makes you very happy. I am ashamed, personally.
I feel like this government has betrayed Canada and turned the country on its head, reneging Canadian values of solidarity with those who are discriminated against and marginalized: among others, women's organizations, literacy and adult learners, Aboriginal peoples, organizations and individuals advocating for their rights. I am angry with all those who voted for this pathetic government.
And I bet Clay would be too, since he is a left-wing person committed to working for inclusion and advocating with those who are pushed to the margins of our societies: in particular for him, children with intellectual disabilities. Clay would have supported those social programs, which were there to support efforts to achieve real equality and social justice for all citizens.
If you would like to know more, and participate in some of the organizing and activism which is taking place in reaction to the Conservative cuts:
- Women's groups' call to action
- Save the Court Challenges Program of Canada
- Actions against adult learning and literacy program cuts
-- ClayKat, not a proud Canadian right now
Well it certainly has been a very long time since I have posted - the longest ever since I have been blogging (almost one year). I can't believe it has been just over a month... Actually, I guess I can, because it has been a very intense month, on all fronts: work, family, personal life, political environment, etc. Lots of sadness, some happiness and joy, plus quite a bit of anger. The latter has mostly to do with Canada's current federal government, lead by Conservative leader Stephen Harper, which slashed one billion $ worth of funding to Canadian programs in late September.
The Harper government has gutted many social programs which were there to help all Canadians advocate for their rights. Why? Because their philosophy goes something like this: all Canadians are equal and have equal chances in life. Those of us who are discriminated against or disadvantaged in some other way, have just got to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and struggle, individually, to move beyond these injustices. Only 20% of Members of Parliament are women? Too bad - women just have to get themselves elected. There is poverty in Canada? Tell people to just get a job. Almost half the Canadian population has trouble with functional literacy? What a shame - but don't look to government to help them learn to read better. This is a ridiculous, paternalistic, right-wing way of looking at social inequalities and their solutions. Mr. Harper, you are George W. Bush's baby brother in every way - and I bet that makes you very happy. I am ashamed, personally.
I feel like this government has betrayed Canada and turned the country on its head, reneging Canadian values of solidarity with those who are discriminated against and marginalized: among others, women's organizations, literacy and adult learners, Aboriginal peoples, organizations and individuals advocating for their rights. I am angry with all those who voted for this pathetic government.
And I bet Clay would be too, since he is a left-wing person committed to working for inclusion and advocating with those who are pushed to the margins of our societies: in particular for him, children with intellectual disabilities. Clay would have supported those social programs, which were there to support efforts to achieve real equality and social justice for all citizens.
If you would like to know more, and participate in some of the organizing and activism which is taking place in reaction to the Conservative cuts:
- Women's groups' call to action
- Save the Court Challenges Program of Canada
- Actions against adult learning and literacy program cuts
-- ClayKat, not a proud Canadian right now
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Thursday, September 14, 2006
If he had known Clay...
Hello everyone,
This has been a sad 24 hours in my city. A lonely, paranoid and violent 25-year old young man entered a college in my city yesterday and gunned down students. One young woman died and many others are in critical condition, some on life support. A true tragedy.
My thoughts turn to Clay at this time, strangely enough. But perhaps it is not so odd, considering what a ray of sunshine Clay is: optimistic, full of love and hope for life and those around him. That deranged young man yesterday - who was killed by local police officers within minutes of their arrival on the scene* - truly needed someone like Clay in his life: another young man with such a different outlook on life, to be a model of hope... He needed love.
I cry today for the young woman who died, her family and loved ones. I pray for those still in the hospital, their family members and friends who are in such anguish. I feel great sadness for the depths of despair in which that young man must have lived, as well as for his parents and family members who must now grieve his loss - as well as what might have been. I wish for a non-violent society, in which all children and young people would be loved, would feel included, part of the world around them, with a constructive purpose to their lives.
I wish for a society with more beautiful people like Clay, beacons of love and hope in a world which for too many, contains nothing but darkness, suffering and pain.
As we celebrate Clay's new CD release next Tuesday, I will be paying tribute especially to OMC's inspirational spirit, and I will try to be more and more like him - in honour of those who have died, and those who are suffering yet in the hospital, or quietly in their homes, from the trauma of this horrendous experience...
Hug your children and other young ones around you today.
In peace,
-- ClayKat
* at the time I wrote this post yesterday, this was the information available. We later learned that although a police officer shot the perpetrator in the arm, the young man actually took his own life, turning one of his weapons on himself. - ClayKat, Friday, September 15th, 2006
This has been a sad 24 hours in my city. A lonely, paranoid and violent 25-year old young man entered a college in my city yesterday and gunned down students. One young woman died and many others are in critical condition, some on life support. A true tragedy.
My thoughts turn to Clay at this time, strangely enough. But perhaps it is not so odd, considering what a ray of sunshine Clay is: optimistic, full of love and hope for life and those around him. That deranged young man yesterday - who was killed by local police officers within minutes of their arrival on the scene* - truly needed someone like Clay in his life: another young man with such a different outlook on life, to be a model of hope... He needed love.
I cry today for the young woman who died, her family and loved ones. I pray for those still in the hospital, their family members and friends who are in such anguish. I feel great sadness for the depths of despair in which that young man must have lived, as well as for his parents and family members who must now grieve his loss - as well as what might have been. I wish for a non-violent society, in which all children and young people would be loved, would feel included, part of the world around them, with a constructive purpose to their lives.
I wish for a society with more beautiful people like Clay, beacons of love and hope in a world which for too many, contains nothing but darkness, suffering and pain.
As we celebrate Clay's new CD release next Tuesday, I will be paying tribute especially to OMC's inspirational spirit, and I will try to be more and more like him - in honour of those who have died, and those who are suffering yet in the hospital, or quietly in their homes, from the trauma of this horrendous experience...
Hug your children and other young ones around you today.
In peace,
-- ClayKat
* at the time I wrote this post yesterday, this was the information available. We later learned that although a police officer shot the perpetrator in the arm, the young man actually took his own life, turning one of his weapons on himself. - ClayKat, Friday, September 15th, 2006
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Monday, September 04, 2006
Going to an ATDW release party?
Hello Clay fans,
Well it's the month of September and the final countdown begins! If you look in the banner of my blog you will see a counter (I know, I know - it's black on navy blue, hard to see... I couldn't change the default colour...). There are only 15 days left until the release of Clay's upcoming third album : A Thousand Different Ways (ATDW)! Goddesses, please give this broad lots of energy that week, because I have an incredible week leading up to September 19th! Lots of amazing events (non-Clay-related), then on Tuesday, September 19th: an ATDW release party, where I will be joining Clay fans in my city as we get our CDs and party together, celebrating the incredible young man and talent that is Clay Aiken! I hope you will join us - or some group of Clay fans somewhere around the world, gathering on that day to share our admiration for Clay.
Are you looking for information as to where a party might be held in your area? Check out the Clay Aiken CD Release Parties Planning Board and you will likely find what you are looking for. If not - set up a party in your town and let people know about it on the CD release party planning board!
As we wait for the next two weeks to go by, we have the great fortune to have access to some 30-second snippets of all 14 songs on ATDW, thanks to the quick thinking of our friends at Clay's Daily Double, who downloaded the partial tracks when they were (temporarily) available online. They have since been removed, perhaps because we Claymates crashed the source system with our download requests!
Check out the songs by going to this page on Clay's Daily Double. Another item to check out, in celebration of ATDW: a montage by Clay fan "Brandilyne" called ATDW Snippets... not a montage...: a beautiful montage of recent Clay photos, done to the song snippets from ATDW. Watch it here:
The video is on YouTube, a great source of clack: search for Clay Aiken videos on YouTube to find many more.
Enjoy! See you on September 19th!
-- ClayKat
Well it's the month of September and the final countdown begins! If you look in the banner of my blog you will see a counter (I know, I know - it's black on navy blue, hard to see... I couldn't change the default colour...). There are only 15 days left until the release of Clay's upcoming third album : A Thousand Different Ways (ATDW)! Goddesses, please give this broad lots of energy that week, because I have an incredible week leading up to September 19th! Lots of amazing events (non-Clay-related), then on Tuesday, September 19th: an ATDW release party, where I will be joining Clay fans in my city as we get our CDs and party together, celebrating the incredible young man and talent that is Clay Aiken! I hope you will join us - or some group of Clay fans somewhere around the world, gathering on that day to share our admiration for Clay.
Are you looking for information as to where a party might be held in your area? Check out the Clay Aiken CD Release Parties Planning Board and you will likely find what you are looking for. If not - set up a party in your town and let people know about it on the CD release party planning board!
As we wait for the next two weeks to go by, we have the great fortune to have access to some 30-second snippets of all 14 songs on ATDW, thanks to the quick thinking of our friends at Clay's Daily Double, who downloaded the partial tracks when they were (temporarily) available online. They have since been removed, perhaps because we Claymates crashed the source system with our download requests!
Check out the songs by going to this page on Clay's Daily Double. Another item to check out, in celebration of ATDW: a montage by Clay fan "Brandilyne" called ATDW Snippets... not a montage...: a beautiful montage of recent Clay photos, done to the song snippets from ATDW. Watch it here:
The video is on YouTube, a great source of clack: search for Clay Aiken videos on YouTube to find many more.
Enjoy! See you on September 19th!
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Friday, August 25, 2006
August 25th: 25 days to ATDW and one year since JBT
Hello everyone,
Today is August 25th, a day to celebrate in many ways! One year ago today, I was at my very first Clay concert: the Jukebox Tour. You can read here, here and here, my three-part experience of that amazing concert.
And it is 25 days from today that Clay's new CD, A Thousand Different Ways, is due to be released - I'm looking forward to it! It seems that these days, the Clay fandom is in a constant state of excitement, of eager expectancy - and I count myself in there! We can't wait for September 19th, when ATDW will be ours! Plus, so many of us will be getting together around the world to talk about the voice, the music, the joy... the man. I will be joining a group of fans getting together here in my city, and I hope you will be too!
In the meantime, check out a lovely thread on The Clayboard. The thread is entitled "*When I See You Smile* a picture thread!", and are there ever some classic sweet Clay smiles to be found there. Enjoy!
-- ClayKat
Today is August 25th, a day to celebrate in many ways! One year ago today, I was at my very first Clay concert: the Jukebox Tour. You can read here, here and here, my three-part experience of that amazing concert.
And it is 25 days from today that Clay's new CD, A Thousand Different Ways, is due to be released - I'm looking forward to it! It seems that these days, the Clay fandom is in a constant state of excitement, of eager expectancy - and I count myself in there! We can't wait for September 19th, when ATDW will be ours! Plus, so many of us will be getting together around the world to talk about the voice, the music, the joy... the man. I will be joining a group of fans getting together here in my city, and I hope you will be too!
In the meantime, check out a lovely thread on The Clayboard. The thread is entitled "*When I See You Smile* a picture thread!", and are there ever some classic sweet Clay smiles to be found there. Enjoy!
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
What are the thousand different ways in which we love Clay Aiken?
Hello fellow Clay fans !
I was thinking about how to spend the next month, week and four days until ATDW comes out (besides my full-time job, family life, housework, volunteering, etc...) ;-)
Suddenly it came to me: why don't we make a collective list of the 1000 different ways in which we all love Clay Aiken. And have it ready by September 19th, the release date for ATDW. Sounds ambitious? Yup. Impossible? No way! Not with the power of the Claynation.
Join me? Add your own ways in a comment to this post and I'll add yours to the list, along with your (nick)name if you like.
-- ClayKat
p.s. Only Clay-positive and family-friendly items will be included in the list.
A thousand different ways in which we love Clay Aiken
1. that incredible voice (ClayKat)
2. the glory notes (ClayKat)
3. his smile (ClayKat)
4. his humility (ClayKat)
5. the microphone stroke (ClayKat)
6. the dancing (ClayKat)
7. the love of children (ClayKat)
8. the sensitivity (ClayKat)
9. his compassion (ClayKat)
10. the vibrating richness of the lower notes (ClayKat)
11. the way he gives me chills - through his words and his song (ClayKat)
12. how tears come to my eyes so often when I hear him sing (ClayKat)
13. how tears were cursing down my cheeks when I finally saw Clay in concert at the JBT (ClayKat)
14. how proud he makes me in all he does (ClayKat)
15. the awe he inspires in me as an amazing man (ClayKat)
16. the thoughtfulness (ClayKat)
17. his trueness to his values (ClayKat)
18. how he lives his faith instead of just preaching it (ClayKat)
19. the way Clay makes it his business to reach out and see people with disabilities, with weight issues, those who are not so "beautiful", etc. - those who are so often neglected, unseen and/or mistreated (ClayKat)
20. the courage he shows in overcoming a challenging childhood, and not being afraid to share about it (ClayKat)
21. the way Clay focuses on the positive, the beauty of life, rather than the problems (ClayKat)
22. the striped socks (ClayKat)
23. the sweet eyes (ClayKat)
24. the enthusiasm and affection he shows for his fans through his blog (ClayKat)
25. Solitaire (need I say more?) (ClayKat)
26. his purity of spirit in a world where artificiality and superficiality reign (ClayKat)
27. those cute lips (ClayKat)
28. "Take..." (ClayKat)
29. the way in which Clay inspires his fans to be better people (ClayKat)
30. his snarkiness (ClayKat)
31. his wacky quirkiness (ClayKat)
32. his commitment to use his fame consciously, as a role model for young people (ClayKat)
33. when the world was dark...there was Clay - he got me through a tough time (anonymous)
34. Still Loving Clay ATDW in Cape Town (Maylon)
35. His modesty in describing his celebrity (lakecat)
I was thinking about how to spend the next month, week and four days until ATDW comes out (besides my full-time job, family life, housework, volunteering, etc...) ;-)
Suddenly it came to me: why don't we make a collective list of the 1000 different ways in which we all love Clay Aiken. And have it ready by September 19th, the release date for ATDW. Sounds ambitious? Yup. Impossible? No way! Not with the power of the Claynation.
Join me? Add your own ways in a comment to this post and I'll add yours to the list, along with your (nick)name if you like.
-- ClayKat
p.s. Only Clay-positive and family-friendly items will be included in the list.
1. that incredible voice (ClayKat)
2. the glory notes (ClayKat)
3. his smile (ClayKat)
4. his humility (ClayKat)
5. the microphone stroke (ClayKat)
6. the dancing (ClayKat)
7. the love of children (ClayKat)
8. the sensitivity (ClayKat)
9. his compassion (ClayKat)
10. the vibrating richness of the lower notes (ClayKat)
11. the way he gives me chills - through his words and his song (ClayKat)
12. how tears come to my eyes so often when I hear him sing (ClayKat)
13. how tears were cursing down my cheeks when I finally saw Clay in concert at the JBT (ClayKat)
14. how proud he makes me in all he does (ClayKat)
15. the awe he inspires in me as an amazing man (ClayKat)
16. the thoughtfulness (ClayKat)
17. his trueness to his values (ClayKat)
18. how he lives his faith instead of just preaching it (ClayKat)
19. the way Clay makes it his business to reach out and see people with disabilities, with weight issues, those who are not so "beautiful", etc. - those who are so often neglected, unseen and/or mistreated (ClayKat)
20. the courage he shows in overcoming a challenging childhood, and not being afraid to share about it (ClayKat)
21. the way Clay focuses on the positive, the beauty of life, rather than the problems (ClayKat)
22. the striped socks (ClayKat)
23. the sweet eyes (ClayKat)
24. the enthusiasm and affection he shows for his fans through his blog (ClayKat)
25. Solitaire (need I say more?) (ClayKat)
26. his purity of spirit in a world where artificiality and superficiality reign (ClayKat)
27. those cute lips (ClayKat)
28. "Take..." (ClayKat)
29. the way in which Clay inspires his fans to be better people (ClayKat)
30. his snarkiness (ClayKat)
31. his wacky quirkiness (ClayKat)
32. his commitment to use his fame consciously, as a role model for young people (ClayKat)
33. when the world was dark...there was Clay - he got me through a tough time (anonymous)
34. Still Loving Clay ATDW in Cape Town (Maylon)
35. His modesty in describing his celebrity (lakecat)
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
We have a date! Clay's ATDW to be released on September 19th
Hello everyone,
Yay! We finally have word from Clay, through the online fan club, about the release of his upcoming album, A Thousand Different Ways. As suspected/rumoured, it will be on September 19th. Thanks to Clay's Daily Double for the heads-up.
I'm so glad it will be then - and not later. It will be great timing for me (thanks Clay!), right after a big event I have the weekend of September 15th-16th, so I will be freer to celebrate with other Clayfans on the 19th.
I figured now would be a great time to post the results from my last poll, asking you what you thought about the release of Clay's album, in terms of timing. As you can see below, half of you predicted right: "September". Over a quarter of you answered "Soonnn, pleeeaaassse!" ;-) Ten percent said "July" - we know that didn't happen. Another 10% guessed "August". Finally, 4% thought it might come out "In time for the holidays". Thank goodness we'll get the album before then after all!
So I'm going to be looking to join a CD launch party in my hometown of Montreal - can't wait. I'm off the check out The ClayBoard and the Clay Aiken CD Release Parties Planning Board to see if any info is already up!
-- ClayKat
Yay! We finally have word from Clay, through the online fan club, about the release of his upcoming album, A Thousand Different Ways. As suspected/rumoured, it will be on September 19th. Thanks to Clay's Daily Double for the heads-up.
I'm so glad it will be then - and not later. It will be great timing for me (thanks Clay!), right after a big event I have the weekend of September 15th-16th, so I will be freer to celebrate with other Clayfans on the 19th.
I figured now would be a great time to post the results from my last poll, asking you what you thought about the release of Clay's album, in terms of timing. As you can see below, half of you predicted right: "September". Over a quarter of you answered "Soonnn, pleeeaaassse!" ;-) Ten percent said "July" - we know that didn't happen. Another 10% guessed "August". Finally, 4% thought it might come out "In time for the holidays". Thank goodness we'll get the album before then after all!
So I'm going to be looking to join a CD launch party in my hometown of Montreal - can't wait. I'm off the check out The ClayBoard and the Clay Aiken CD Release Parties Planning Board to see if any info is already up!
-- ClayKat
Poll on the date of Clay's next CD launch:
“When do you think Clay's sophomore album will be launched?”
DATE GUESSED | NUMBER OF VOTES | PERCENTAGE |
| September | 50 | 50% |
| Soonnn, pleeeaaassse! | 26 | 26% |
| July | 10 | 10% |
| August | 10 | 10% |
| In time for the holidays | 4 | 4% |
| TOTAL: 100 votes – 100% | ||
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Of fathers, sons, Clay and life: "The Kite Runner"
It has been quite a while since I have blogged! I am on vacation, and away on-and-off, so away from the keyboard too. Clay is of course still on my mind, but I won't bore anyone by repeating the details of what the Claynation already knows: Clay's upcoming album will be called A Thousand Different Ways, and is strongly rumoured to be coming to stores near us on September 19th. Check out clayisouridol's cool poster announcing the (more-and-more-sure) upcoming event.
So I certainly do not have any Clay news, but I would like to share something Clay-related: part of my summer reading. I am now reading - for the second time in a row - The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini:
.
I know, I know - Clay blogged about this book on the Fan Club site back in April... What can I say, I'm a little late. Better late than never! In the meantime, friends and colleagues of mine had also recommended the book very highly.
Now, you might have noticed that I said I am now reading the book for the second time in a row. Not that I'm slow, but I just love this book so much, plus a big twist is revealed at the end, such that I wanted to re-read the early chapters in light of that information. I am discovering new layers of meaning and emotion in my second reading. It amazes me that this is the author's first novel, because it is truly a work of art - moving, passionate, perceptive, well-written, sensitive, rich, with many layers of meaning. Although set in pre-Taliban Afghanistan, followed by the U.S.A., the messages and feelings conveyed by the author are timeless and universal. I can see why Clay loved it when he read it. Plus, it is a story of fathers and sons - of love and tensions between men, which is an important thread of Clay's life, since he didn't really have a father/father-figure truly validate who he is, as a man and as a person. I always remember from Clay's own autobiographical book, Learning to Sing (see my post on the book), when he described how his stepfather, on his deathbed, asked every family member to come into his room to say goodbye, one by one. But he never invited Clay in to say goodbye; I felt so bad for Clay - and for his stepfather, who missed out on that moment of potentially intense closeness with his stepson before moving on to the other side of this world... In The Kite Runner, the protagonist also spent his childhood seeking closeness with his father, as well as his father's approval, but rarely receiving it.
If you haven't done so already, I highly recommend The Kite Runner, whether you are a man or a woman! It includes important life lessons for us all...
You can order the book at Amazon.com (U.S.) or at Chapters-Indigo.ca (Canada), among other places.
So I certainly do not have any Clay news, but I would like to share something Clay-related: part of my summer reading. I am now reading - for the second time in a row - The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini:
.I know, I know - Clay blogged about this book on the Fan Club site back in April... What can I say, I'm a little late. Better late than never! In the meantime, friends and colleagues of mine had also recommended the book very highly.
Now, you might have noticed that I said I am now reading the book for the second time in a row. Not that I'm slow, but I just love this book so much, plus a big twist is revealed at the end, such that I wanted to re-read the early chapters in light of that information. I am discovering new layers of meaning and emotion in my second reading. It amazes me that this is the author's first novel, because it is truly a work of art - moving, passionate, perceptive, well-written, sensitive, rich, with many layers of meaning. Although set in pre-Taliban Afghanistan, followed by the U.S.A., the messages and feelings conveyed by the author are timeless and universal. I can see why Clay loved it when he read it. Plus, it is a story of fathers and sons - of love and tensions between men, which is an important thread of Clay's life, since he didn't really have a father/father-figure truly validate who he is, as a man and as a person. I always remember from Clay's own autobiographical book, Learning to Sing (see my post on the book), when he described how his stepfather, on his deathbed, asked every family member to come into his room to say goodbye, one by one. But he never invited Clay in to say goodbye; I felt so bad for Clay - and for his stepfather, who missed out on that moment of potentially intense closeness with his stepson before moving on to the other side of this world... In The Kite Runner, the protagonist also spent his childhood seeking closeness with his father, as well as his father's approval, but rarely receiving it.
If you haven't done so already, I highly recommend The Kite Runner, whether you are a man or a woman! It includes important life lessons for us all...
You can order the book at Amazon.com (U.S.) or at Chapters-Indigo.ca (Canada), among other places.
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Monday, July 03, 2006
Online fan club contest: find the acronym for Clay's upcoming album
Hello everyone,
Just a few days ago, Clay's online fan club posted an invitation to participate in the NANA (New Album Name Acronym) Contest. It seems that the title for Clay's upcoming album has been chosen, and it consists of four words. We are asked to guess the acronym of that title - that's the contest. Deadline: July 12th (here's hoping that means that a launch of either a single, or the album itself, is in the works for July!).
For my part, I feel sure there will be an "L" in the title (for "love"), considering two things: (1) we're talking a Clay Aiken album - and he is so full of love; (2) Clay himself has said it would be an album of favourite love songs...
I'm hoping for a "K" in the title (for "Kat"!), but perhaps that would be too much too ask?? ;-)
So here are my guesses for the acronym of Clay's new album:
- W.T.R.D.:
When
Tears
Run
Dry
- O.L.I.F.:
Our
Love
Is
Forever
- F.M.T.Y.:
From
Me
To
You
- C.L.K.F.:
Clay
Loves
Kat
Forever
(okay, I admit, that last one is a joke!)
Now, I won't actually send in any of my guesses, because according to contest rules and regulations, I'm not eligible, being in Canada. :-( The contest is "Open to legal residents of the U.S."... There are so many of us Claynadians, it would be nice if the fan club contests could be open to us too. If anyone wants to use my acronym suggestions above, feel free to do so and God bless! They won't do me any good if I can't participate in the contest. But if you win a personal meeting with Clay, pleeeaaassse take me with? :-)
-- ClayKat
Just a few days ago, Clay's online fan club posted an invitation to participate in the NANA (New Album Name Acronym) Contest. It seems that the title for Clay's upcoming album has been chosen, and it consists of four words. We are asked to guess the acronym of that title - that's the contest. Deadline: July 12th (here's hoping that means that a launch of either a single, or the album itself, is in the works for July!).
For my part, I feel sure there will be an "L" in the title (for "love"), considering two things: (1) we're talking a Clay Aiken album - and he is so full of love; (2) Clay himself has said it would be an album of favourite love songs...
I'm hoping for a "K" in the title (for "Kat"!), but perhaps that would be too much too ask?? ;-)
So here are my guesses for the acronym of Clay's new album:
- W.T.R.D.:
When
Tears
Run
Dry
- O.L.I.F.:
Our
Love
Is
Forever
- F.M.T.Y.:
From
Me
To
You
- C.L.K.F.:
Clay
Loves
Kat
Forever
(okay, I admit, that last one is a joke!)
Now, I won't actually send in any of my guesses, because according to contest rules and regulations, I'm not eligible, being in Canada. :-( The contest is "Open to legal residents of the U.S."... There are so many of us Claynadians, it would be nice if the fan club contests could be open to us too. If anyone wants to use my acronym suggestions above, feel free to do so and God bless! They won't do me any good if I can't participate in the contest. But if you win a personal meeting with Clay, pleeeaaassse take me with? :-)
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
When do you think Clay's sophomore album will be launched? A poll...
Hello everyone,
The talk of the online Clay fandom these days is: when will Clay launch his new CD? So of course, I had to set up my own Blogpoll poll to see what you think/predict.
As usual, you will find the poll at the top right-hand column of my blog, with these 5 possible responses:
- July
- August
- September
- In time for the holidays
- Soonnn, pleeeaaassse! (I couldn't resist this one!)
I'll keep the poll up until Clay releases his new CD next week... oops! Next month... Uhhhhh... Well, we'll see how long! ;-)
Have fun.
-- ClayKat
The talk of the online Clay fandom these days is: when will Clay launch his new CD? So of course, I had to set up my own Blogpoll poll to see what you think/predict.
As usual, you will find the poll at the top right-hand column of my blog, with these 5 possible responses:
- July
- August
- September
- In time for the holidays
- Soonnn, pleeeaaassse! (I couldn't resist this one!)
I'll keep the poll up until Clay releases his new CD next week... oops! Next month... Uhhhhh... Well, we'll see how long! ;-)
Have fun.
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Monday, June 26, 2006
Life after ATCA - featuring ClackUnlimited.com
As I mentioned in a post last May, All Things Clay Aiken (often referred to as "ATCA") closed down on May 31st. Among other things, ATCA was an incredible source of clack (Clay-related downloadables such as MP3s, videos, photos, links to interviews on TV and radio, etc.).
When one visits ATCA's Web page now, one sees the following notice: "The ClackHouse has stepped up to take over for ATCA and has opened a public clack site at ClackUnlimited.com. Yay! It is quite amazing: one can find MP3s from Clay's AI2 days, pre-Idol days, his numerous concerts in many cities, videos, fan montages and much more.
I had no idea, but learned that it costs thousands of $ per month to run and maintain such a Web site. So please contribute when using ClackUnlimited.com - one can make a monthly donation or a one-time donation, through PayPal. It's easy: find out how on the home page of ClackUnlimited.com.
Congrats and thanks to the ClackHouse for stepping up and taking over, making so much great Clay material available to the fans!
-- ClayKat
When one visits ATCA's Web page now, one sees the following notice: "The ClackHouse has stepped up to take over for ATCA and has opened a public clack site at ClackUnlimited.com. Yay! It is quite amazing: one can find MP3s from Clay's AI2 days, pre-Idol days, his numerous concerts in many cities, videos, fan montages and much more.
I had no idea, but learned that it costs thousands of $ per month to run and maintain such a Web site. So please contribute when using ClackUnlimited.com - one can make a monthly donation or a one-time donation, through PayPal. It's easy: find out how on the home page of ClackUnlimited.com.
Congrats and thanks to the ClackHouse for stepping up and taking over, making so much great Clay material available to the fans!
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Saturday, June 24, 2006
"How do you feel about Clay's new hairdo?" - Poll results
Hello everyone,
If memory serves me well, it has been exactly one month since the American Idol 5 finale where we first saw Clay sporting his new hairdo. Soon after, I posted a Blogpoll to gauge your reaction - although from what I had seen and heard in the days following, I was already pretty sure of the answer. :-)
To the question "How do you feel about Clay's new hairdo?", I offered four possible responses:
- I love it!
- I don't care what his hair does - I love the man no matter what
- I like it, but it'll take some getting used to
- I hate it - bring back the spiky dirty blonde locks!
As I expected, the majority (64%) of the 228 respondents indicated that they love Clay's new hairstyle. Although I thought the percentage would be higher. You can see the complete results below:
In my case, I notice that my opinion has changed over the last month. In my post about the new haircut, I said that I didn't like it much and that I preferred his natural, lighter colour and spiky, short hair. But I have to say that Clay's new look has been growing on me... In any case, it doesn't matter to me what he looks like, because his heart and soul always come through his smile, his voice and his sparkling eyes, regardless of his hair!
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
If memory serves me well, it has been exactly one month since the American Idol 5 finale where we first saw Clay sporting his new hairdo. Soon after, I posted a Blogpoll to gauge your reaction - although from what I had seen and heard in the days following, I was already pretty sure of the answer. :-)
To the question "How do you feel about Clay's new hairdo?", I offered four possible responses:
- I love it!
- I don't care what his hair does - I love the man no matter what
- I like it, but it'll take some getting used to
- I hate it - bring back the spiky dirty blonde locks!
As I expected, the majority (64%) of the 228 respondents indicated that they love Clay's new hairstyle. Although I thought the percentage would be higher. You can see the complete results below:
| Choices of responses | Percentage | Number of votes |
| I love it! | 64% | 146 |
| I don't care what his hair does - I love the man no matter what | 19.3% | 44 |
| I like it, but it'll take some getting used to | 14.9% | 34 |
| I hate it - bring back the spiky dirty blonde locks! | 1.8% | 4 |
| Total votes | 100% | 228 |
In my case, I notice that my opinion has changed over the last month. In my post about the new haircut, I said that I didn't like it much and that I preferred his natural, lighter colour and spiky, short hair. But I have to say that Clay's new look has been growing on me... In any case, it doesn't matter to me what he looks like, because his heart and soul always come through his smile, his voice and his sparkling eyes, regardless of his hair!
-- ClayKat
Monday, June 19, 2006
Will Clay attend game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs in Raleigh tonight?
Hello everyone,
Tonight, my hubby and I will both be watching the seventh and final game of the Stanley Cup hockey playoffs - but for very different reasons. He will be watching the action on the ice (the game pits the Edmonton Oilers against the Carolina Hurricanes). Although I will undoubtedly also be drawn into the excitement of the game itself, given the series is at 3-3, I will particularly be watching with the hope of catching a glimpse of Clay Aiken in the audience! :-)
He attended game 5 last Wednesday night in his home town of Raleigh, North Carolina, and tonight's final game is back in Raleigh... Here's hoping, right, Clayfandom!
As far as who I'm cheering for - that's a toughie! I'm Canadian, so I would go for the Oilers, but on the other hand, the Hurricanes are Clay's team, plus they are the underdog, never having won the Stanley Cup (correct me if I'm wrong). And I always root for the underdog in life (that's one of the reasons I love Clay, because he does that too).
For the one or two fans who haven't yet seen Clay's pix at last Wednesday's game, you can find them in this article on Clay's Daily Double. Very sweet! I have to admit, the new haircut is growing on me. :-) But then, no matter what his hair looks like, Clay will always be a cutie in my eyes, because of his big, gorgeous smile and his bigger heart!
-- ClayKat
Tonight, my hubby and I will both be watching the seventh and final game of the Stanley Cup hockey playoffs - but for very different reasons. He will be watching the action on the ice (the game pits the Edmonton Oilers against the Carolina Hurricanes). Although I will undoubtedly also be drawn into the excitement of the game itself, given the series is at 3-3, I will particularly be watching with the hope of catching a glimpse of Clay Aiken in the audience! :-)
He attended game 5 last Wednesday night in his home town of Raleigh, North Carolina, and tonight's final game is back in Raleigh... Here's hoping, right, Clayfandom!
As far as who I'm cheering for - that's a toughie! I'm Canadian, so I would go for the Oilers, but on the other hand, the Hurricanes are Clay's team, plus they are the underdog, never having won the Stanley Cup (correct me if I'm wrong). And I always root for the underdog in life (that's one of the reasons I love Clay, because he does that too).
For the one or two fans who haven't yet seen Clay's pix at last Wednesday's game, you can find them in this article on Clay's Daily Double. Very sweet! I have to admit, the new haircut is growing on me. :-) But then, no matter what his hair looks like, Clay will always be a cutie in my eyes, because of his big, gorgeous smile and his bigger heart!
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Friday, June 16, 2006
Oh no! I missed a supper for Clay fans in my city!
Double darn! I discovered late this evening that yesterday, there was a supper gathering of Clay fans here in my city!! The invitation had been posted on The Clayboard and I learned of it from a post on Clay's Daily Double - Ads/News June 15th.
I missed it!! :-( If I had known in time, I could have made it - would have cancelled what I had planned for yesterday evening. Oh well! That'll teach me to check the Clayboard more often... I just registered officially for an EZboard account, so I'll get into the habit now.
There will be a next time to meet Claymates in person, I'm sure. And I'm looking forward to it, because although a number of you have written to me through comments on my blog, I have never actually met a fan of Clay Aiken in person! Amazing eh? Except of course my fellow Jukebox Tour concert attendees, last summer (you can read here, here and here my three-part post describing my first and only - but not last I hope! - Clay concert experience).
I can't wait to meet other Clay fans, because people around me, including my family, just don't get it... They don't get Clay's "IT factor", so they find my passion about the man and his music quite mysterious. But I know that other fans will understand, as I understand them in their devotion to Clay.
Here's to meeting some of you sometime soon! A CD launch party in the Montreal area, perhaps? :-)
-- ClayKat
I missed it!! :-( If I had known in time, I could have made it - would have cancelled what I had planned for yesterday evening. Oh well! That'll teach me to check the Clayboard more often... I just registered officially for an EZboard account, so I'll get into the habit now.
There will be a next time to meet Claymates in person, I'm sure. And I'm looking forward to it, because although a number of you have written to me through comments on my blog, I have never actually met a fan of Clay Aiken in person! Amazing eh? Except of course my fellow Jukebox Tour concert attendees, last summer (you can read here, here and here my three-part post describing my first and only - but not last I hope! - Clay concert experience).
I can't wait to meet other Clay fans, because people around me, including my family, just don't get it... They don't get Clay's "IT factor", so they find my passion about the man and his music quite mysterious. But I know that other fans will understand, as I understand them in their devotion to Clay.
Here's to meeting some of you sometime soon! A CD launch party in the Montreal area, perhaps? :-)
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
"Good News" - let's smile, The ClayBlog's here!
Hello everyone,
My goodness it has been a while! Usually I try to post once a week, but what with my hubby's birthday last weekend and crazy amounts of work recently, plus the multiple events in a few teenagers' lives that keep me busy... well, it was impossible before today.
In my occasional few free minutes here and there, I have been touring the blogosphere and the net in general, though, especially - of course - on the lookout for anything Clay Aiken. And there is lots!
I would like to share with you a blog which for me is what I would call here in Québec a "coup de coeur" (literally, a "blow to the heart"), which translates as something like: "favourite" or "special hit". That is The ClayBlog. Yesterday, the author posted "Why I Care about Clay". I truly enjoyed reading her post - and I get it! She writes "...the first thing that hit me was The Voice. THAT VOICE. Words cannot really describe it. If it hits you, you know. It's a voice that drills a hole into your soul and touches you." Let me say: "I know"! I so know about that feeling, which I get time and time again when, after listening to other singers, I come back to Clay and just feel so much love and peace in my soul, through his voice and his spirit which reach out to all.
The ClayBlog did her own montage on Clay, to music by Jewel - and it is great! She said it was her first montage - hopefully not her last! I won't embed it here since it is her own creation and I think due credit should be given, if only by visits to her blog; check it out by going to this post on her blog, or you can see it here on YouTube.
What I will embed below is the video of Clay singing Good News - I had heard fans raving about this song, but had never really heard a version of the song which spoke to me until this video. Thanks for putting it on your blog, TheClayBlog! Here it is - enjoy! I love it more and more each time I view it. :-)
-- ClayKat
My goodness it has been a while! Usually I try to post once a week, but what with my hubby's birthday last weekend and crazy amounts of work recently, plus the multiple events in a few teenagers' lives that keep me busy... well, it was impossible before today.
In my occasional few free minutes here and there, I have been touring the blogosphere and the net in general, though, especially - of course - on the lookout for anything Clay Aiken. And there is lots!
I would like to share with you a blog which for me is what I would call here in Québec a "coup de coeur" (literally, a "blow to the heart"), which translates as something like: "favourite" or "special hit". That is The ClayBlog. Yesterday, the author posted "Why I Care about Clay". I truly enjoyed reading her post - and I get it! She writes "...the first thing that hit me was The Voice. THAT VOICE. Words cannot really describe it. If it hits you, you know. It's a voice that drills a hole into your soul and touches you." Let me say: "I know"! I so know about that feeling, which I get time and time again when, after listening to other singers, I come back to Clay and just feel so much love and peace in my soul, through his voice and his spirit which reach out to all.
The ClayBlog did her own montage on Clay, to music by Jewel - and it is great! She said it was her first montage - hopefully not her last! I won't embed it here since it is her own creation and I think due credit should be given, if only by visits to her blog; check it out by going to this post on her blog, or you can see it here on YouTube.
What I will embed below is the video of Clay singing Good News - I had heard fans raving about this song, but had never really heard a version of the song which spoke to me until this video. Thanks for putting it on your blog, TheClayBlog! Here it is - enjoy! I love it more and more each time I view it. :-)
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Poll results - What moves you most about Clay Aiken?
Hello everyone,
You might have noticed that every so often, I put out a Blogpoll. You will find the current one in the top, right-hand column of my blog: "How do you feel about Clay's new hairdo?"
I have decided to present the results of my last poll as a table - at least, I hope it will work (still learning my HTML codes!) In the last poll, I asked you what moved you most about Clay Aiken, whether his voice, his charisma, etc. I closed off the poll at a total of 120 votes. Here's the tally:
Clearly, Clay's voice wins hands down as what moves my respondents most - 83% said so. No surprise there! For the next greatest perceptage of people - 14.2% - Clay's charisma is what moves them the most.
After that, the same number of people participating in this poll - 4.2% - chose one of three responses: either Clay's community and humanitarian involvement, his faith, or "other". I asked people to explain if they chose "other". One reader said that it was impossible to choose one factor over another. For her, it is all of the characteristics together which lead to the wonderful person that is Clay Aiken! Kudos to her for that insight!
2.5% chose Clay's look as what moves them the most. His friendliness moves 1.7% of respondents most of all. No one chose Clay's education as what moves them the most. Wish I knew what those who chose "other" were thinking of, but they mostly didn't leave comments to explain.
I'm not surprised about the results; I was sure Clay's voice would dwarf other results. However, I expected that Clay's community and humanitarian involvements would equal his charisma, in the minds of many respondents. But the latter got three times the votes that the former received.
Let me just say that of course, this poll is not scientific in any shape or form! I just put polls out there for fun, from time to time.
So don't forget to answer the current one about Clay's new look (read: hair)!
-- ClayKat
You might have noticed that every so often, I put out a Blogpoll. You will find the current one in the top, right-hand column of my blog: "How do you feel about Clay's new hairdo?"
I have decided to present the results of my last poll as a table - at least, I hope it will work (still learning my HTML codes!) In the last poll, I asked you what moved you most about Clay Aiken, whether his voice, his charisma, etc. I closed off the poll at a total of 120 votes. Here's the tally:
| What moves you most about Clay Aiken? | Poll results | |
|---|---|---|
| Reply | Percentage of votes | Number of votes |
| his voice | 69.2% | 83 |
| his charisma | 14.2% | 17 |
| his community and humanitarian involvement | 4.2% | 5 |
| his faith | 4.2% | 5 |
| other (write me a comment to tell me what) | 4.2% | 5 |
| his look | 2.5% | 3 |
| his friendliness | 1.7% | 2 |
| his education | 0% | 0 |
Clearly, Clay's voice wins hands down as what moves my respondents most - 83% said so. No surprise there! For the next greatest perceptage of people - 14.2% - Clay's charisma is what moves them the most.
After that, the same number of people participating in this poll - 4.2% - chose one of three responses: either Clay's community and humanitarian involvement, his faith, or "other". I asked people to explain if they chose "other". One reader said that it was impossible to choose one factor over another. For her, it is all of the characteristics together which lead to the wonderful person that is Clay Aiken! Kudos to her for that insight!
2.5% chose Clay's look as what moves them the most. His friendliness moves 1.7% of respondents most of all. No one chose Clay's education as what moves them the most. Wish I knew what those who chose "other" were thinking of, but they mostly didn't leave comments to explain.
I'm not surprised about the results; I was sure Clay's voice would dwarf other results. However, I expected that Clay's community and humanitarian involvements would equal his charisma, in the minds of many respondents. But the latter got three times the votes that the former received.
Let me just say that of course, this poll is not scientific in any shape or form! I just put polls out there for fun, from time to time.
So don't forget to answer the current one about Clay's new look (read: hair)!
-- ClayKat
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
AI5 finale results show and Clay Aiken ...
Hello everyone,
Well I have been resisting, but it seems to be next to impossible to resist weighing in on the American Idol 5 finale results show which was held last Wednesday evening - and in particular, Clay's appearance on the show.
Goodness knows, everyone else has written and disseminated everything going through their mind (good and bad) about the "Clappearance" on AI5, so why not me, I figured, since I'm a true-and-true Clay fan?
Just check out this graph of Clay mentions on Technorati (the oft-called "Google-of-blogs"): posts that contain Clay Aiken per day for the last 30 days
Get your own chart!
"Clay Aiken" is currently the most-often searched term on Technorati... it's incredible, but well-deserved and a long time coming for our friend Clay!
Seems that Clay made the evening, perhaps even more than AI5 winner Taylor Hicks himself! Not fair for the guy, but I have to say that I mostly watched the finale with the hope of seeing our man Clay once again. And see him I did! What an appearance! I knew him right away when he appeared in the background behind the parting curtains - those big feet turned outwards gave him away. :-) A true Clay stance. The male fan's reaction to seeing the real Clay come out and join him onstage was both cute and annoying at the same time. But I was peeved when he kept on belting out his out-of-tune imitation of Clay - I kept mentally begging him to be quiet and let Clay shine. Shine he did of course - because Clay always does. I felt so proud and happy to see him again, live and in front of our eyes. He has become a true star, needing no introduction, no explanation, just Clay with his huge heart, his smile and his incredible voice.
But... here goes. I know I'll get a few (many?) disapproving comments on this, but I have to say that I don't love the new haircut, in fact I don't even like it. It makes him look way young and immature, with the bangs in his eyes and plastered to his forehead so one can't properly see his beautiful eyes:
Clay AI5 Flickr.com pix, posted by "Friend of Faeries"
Quite unappealing in my opinion, nothing like his natural strawberry-blond short locks sticking up in the air, which I love. I think his hair was at his best when he performed during last summer's Jukebox Tour. I really love the photos of Clay which fans posted online of the JBT05 concerts. One of my very favourites can be seen here:
It shows true Clay emotion, plus I love his hair at that time. Guess I'll have to post a hair-poll to guage my fellow fans' appreciation of Clay's new hairstyle. But then, I already know most love it - just see the results of a current poll being taken by Clay's Daily Double. In any case, it has sure created a buzz around Clay, such that now would be a great time to release your new album, Clay! ;-)
Well I have been resisting, but it seems to be next to impossible to resist weighing in on the American Idol 5 finale results show which was held last Wednesday evening - and in particular, Clay's appearance on the show.
Goodness knows, everyone else has written and disseminated everything going through their mind (good and bad) about the "Clappearance" on AI5, so why not me, I figured, since I'm a true-and-true Clay fan?
Just check out this graph of Clay mentions on Technorati (the oft-called "Google-of-blogs"): posts that contain Clay Aiken per day for the last 30 days
Get your own chart!
"Clay Aiken" is currently the most-often searched term on Technorati... it's incredible, but well-deserved and a long time coming for our friend Clay!
Seems that Clay made the evening, perhaps even more than AI5 winner Taylor Hicks himself! Not fair for the guy, but I have to say that I mostly watched the finale with the hope of seeing our man Clay once again. And see him I did! What an appearance! I knew him right away when he appeared in the background behind the parting curtains - those big feet turned outwards gave him away. :-) A true Clay stance. The male fan's reaction to seeing the real Clay come out and join him onstage was both cute and annoying at the same time. But I was peeved when he kept on belting out his out-of-tune imitation of Clay - I kept mentally begging him to be quiet and let Clay shine. Shine he did of course - because Clay always does. I felt so proud and happy to see him again, live and in front of our eyes. He has become a true star, needing no introduction, no explanation, just Clay with his huge heart, his smile and his incredible voice.
But... here goes. I know I'll get a few (many?) disapproving comments on this, but I have to say that I don't love the new haircut, in fact I don't even like it. It makes him look way young and immature, with the bangs in his eyes and plastered to his forehead so one can't properly see his beautiful eyes:
Clay AI5 Flickr.com pix, posted by "Friend of Faeries"
Quite unappealing in my opinion, nothing like his natural strawberry-blond short locks sticking up in the air, which I love. I think his hair was at his best when he performed during last summer's Jukebox Tour. I really love the photos of Clay which fans posted online of the JBT05 concerts. One of my very favourites can be seen here:
It shows true Clay emotion, plus I love his hair at that time. Guess I'll have to post a hair-poll to guage my fellow fans' appreciation of Clay's new hairstyle. But then, I already know most love it - just see the results of a current poll being taken by Clay's Daily Double. In any case, it has sure created a buzz around Clay, such that now would be a great time to release your new album, Clay! ;-)
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Monday, May 22, 2006
Clay Aiken fan blogs
Hello everyone,
I am just amazed by the recent explosion in Clay fan blogs. It's great! Mine has been going since last October, which I thought qualified for pretty recent. But in the last few weeks - count 'em, weeks! - I have noticed a marked increase in the number of blogs not only mentioning Clay, but, like ClayKat, devoted exclusively or almost exclusively to this incredible singer. I figure fans are so eager to hear Clay's upcoming album, and see him once again in the public eye, that they are creating blogs to at least share our love for this young man and make the wait less difficult!
To find some of these other fan blogs, see the "Links" section in the right-hand column of my blog. Under the sub-heading "Search tools for finding Clack", you will find the following entries, which I comment below:
- Fan blogs about Clay Aiken on Technorati - these blogs focus exclusively or almost exclusively, on Clay;
- Blog posts mentioning Clay Aiken, referenced by Technorati - this link leads one to posts on any blog referenced by Technorati and which mention Clay, no matter how small the mention;
- Blogs and blog posts mentioning Clay Aiken, referenced by Blogger: this takes one to posts and blogs referenced by Blogger (my blog host and one of the main, free blog hosting services).
Unfortunately, along with the good, you will also find the ugly: posts and blogs full of hate, slander and discrimination, spreading rumours and nasty accusations about Clay, which I believe to be ridiculous. I guess freedom of expression has to dominate, so all one can do is ignore them and pass on by, while heading towards the pearls of life which celebrate and affirm Clay in words and music. Like ClayKat! Happy blogging! :-)
I am just amazed by the recent explosion in Clay fan blogs. It's great! Mine has been going since last October, which I thought qualified for pretty recent. But in the last few weeks - count 'em, weeks! - I have noticed a marked increase in the number of blogs not only mentioning Clay, but, like ClayKat, devoted exclusively or almost exclusively to this incredible singer. I figure fans are so eager to hear Clay's upcoming album, and see him once again in the public eye, that they are creating blogs to at least share our love for this young man and make the wait less difficult!
To find some of these other fan blogs, see the "Links" section in the right-hand column of my blog. Under the sub-heading "Search tools for finding Clack", you will find the following entries, which I comment below:
- Fan blogs about Clay Aiken on Technorati - these blogs focus exclusively or almost exclusively, on Clay;
- Blog posts mentioning Clay Aiken, referenced by Technorati - this link leads one to posts on any blog referenced by Technorati and which mention Clay, no matter how small the mention;
- Blogs and blog posts mentioning Clay Aiken, referenced by Blogger: this takes one to posts and blogs referenced by Blogger (my blog host and one of the main, free blog hosting services).
Unfortunately, along with the good, you will also find the ugly: posts and blogs full of hate, slander and discrimination, spreading rumours and nasty accusations about Clay, which I believe to be ridiculous. I guess freedom of expression has to dominate, so all one can do is ignore them and pass on by, while heading towards the pearls of life which celebrate and affirm Clay in words and music. Like ClayKat! Happy blogging! :-)
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Friday, May 19, 2006
Proud to be a Clay Aiken fan
Hello everyone,
I just read a blog post which I really enjoyed - and can relate to! Thought I would share it with you. The author of the blog entitled Show Me Love, Show Me Life says: "Yes, I'm a Clay Aiken fan.......Why do you ask?" She got me at the title!
The author writes about how she discovered Clay - like me, at his first audition in January 2003, when jaws dropped across North America at the sound of that voice coming out of that body. In my case, I actually had tears in my eyes, he pulled my heartstrings so much. The blogger writes about Clay's so-called "It" factor, which fans of Clay all recognize, but which is so difficult to explain to those who don't see it (and how come they don't see it, anyway - it's so obvious to us?!).
The post goes on to describe how she became involved in the online fandom after going to one of Clay's concerts - just like I did. I loved Clay from that first moment in AI2, bought his CD's, DVD, book, looked out for him on TV etc. But for some reason I never really explored the Web world of Clay until after I attended the Jukebox Tour last summer.
I love that the blogger describes how she began to write through online fan fiction, meeting other writers and Clay fans, developing her skill, honing her talents. Who knows if that would have happened had she never known Clay? Here is yet another example of the positive effect Clay has in our lives!
I just read a blog post which I really enjoyed - and can relate to! Thought I would share it with you. The author of the blog entitled Show Me Love, Show Me Life says: "Yes, I'm a Clay Aiken fan.......Why do you ask?" She got me at the title!
The author writes about how she discovered Clay - like me, at his first audition in January 2003, when jaws dropped across North America at the sound of that voice coming out of that body. In my case, I actually had tears in my eyes, he pulled my heartstrings so much. The blogger writes about Clay's so-called "It" factor, which fans of Clay all recognize, but which is so difficult to explain to those who don't see it (and how come they don't see it, anyway - it's so obvious to us?!).
The post goes on to describe how she became involved in the online fandom after going to one of Clay's concerts - just like I did. I loved Clay from that first moment in AI2, bought his CD's, DVD, book, looked out for him on TV etc. But for some reason I never really explored the Web world of Clay until after I attended the Jukebox Tour last summer.
I love that the blogger describes how she began to write through online fan fiction, meeting other writers and Clay fans, developing her skill, honing her talents. Who knows if that would have happened had she never known Clay? Here is yet another example of the positive effect Clay has in our lives!
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Sunday, May 14, 2006
All Things Clay Aiken Web site will be closing down on May 31st
Hello everyone,
I learned of some sad news recently. The well-respected Clay fan site known as "ACTA", All Things Clay Aiken, will be taken down as of May 31st. Webmaster KCClaymate explains that this is "due to personal reasons of [her] own as well as financial ones regarding the site cost."
In my occasional series of posts featuring great Clay fan sites, I blogged about ACTA last November.
I want to thank KCClaymate for her devotion and commitment to Claymates - and Clay! - since 2003 when she started her site. And I would invite fans to go check out All Things Clay Aiken soon - before May 31st anyway!
There is amazing clack to be downloaded there, for example: photos, fan montages, MP3s, videos, etc., from American Idol 2 days, before and after AI2... and much more! An incredible Clay-fan reference and resource which will be sorely missed from the online clack horizon!
I learned of some sad news recently. The well-respected Clay fan site known as "ACTA", All Things Clay Aiken, will be taken down as of May 31st. Webmaster KCClaymate explains that this is "due to personal reasons of [her] own as well as financial ones regarding the site cost."
In my occasional series of posts featuring great Clay fan sites, I blogged about ACTA last November.
I want to thank KCClaymate for her devotion and commitment to Claymates - and Clay! - since 2003 when she started her site. And I would invite fans to go check out All Things Clay Aiken soon - before May 31st anyway!
There is amazing clack to be downloaded there, for example: photos, fan montages, MP3s, videos, etc., from American Idol 2 days, before and after AI2... and much more! An incredible Clay-fan reference and resource which will be sorely missed from the online clack horizon!
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Saturday, May 13, 2006
My del.icio.us Clay Aiken hotlinks
Hello everyone,
Has anyone noticed the new section in my right-hand column? Entitled "My 20 most recent "del.icio.us" Clay Aiken hotlinks", it is just below my Technorati blog search tool - scroll down the right-hand column a bit to see it. Look for this symbol:
What is that, you are wondering? I bet some of you are thinking lascivious thoughts, because of its title: "del.icio.us"! Well, no folks, that's not the way I'm thinking! Let me explain.
del.icio.us is an online social bookmarking tool (free, too!) which allows one to save and tag bookmarks one wants to keep for further reference and access from anywhere one has the Internet. I love it! Among other things, it has allowed me to build up an interesting collection of Clay Aiken bookmarks, which, instead of being saved on just my personal computer, get saved onto the Internet, searchable through the del.icio.us
search tag: "Clay Aiken". And once I save a bookmark, anyone, anywhere in the world, can access and save those bookmarks too.
I decided to integrate into my blog, an evolving list of my 20 most recent Clay Aiken online finds (including Web sites, blogs, forums, listservs, etc.). As soon as I save a new bookmark into my del.icio.us account, it automatically appears at the top of the list in that space on my blog. And if you click on the title text: "click on this title to access all of the hotlinks", you will be directly taken to all the del.icio.us hotlinks tagged Clay Aiken (there are currently over 100 of them so far!).
Social bookmarking tools such as del.icio.us are one of the hallmarks of the so-called Web 2.0 phenomenon, where the Internet is evolving towards a more interactive, dynamic, people-centered, accessible media for all. That's the way I like it! If I find something fun and useful online, I want to share it with others, and Web 2.0 features allow me to do so.
How can you benefit from these new Clay hotlinks? Here are some of the many ways:
- you can check out my blog often and see if there are any new hotlinks added to my del.icio.us 20-most-recent list
- you can save the RSS feed to my Clay links so you will automatically be alerted when a new hotlink is added to my list
- you can check out del.icio.us' Clay Aiken hotlinks on a regular basis
- or save the feed for all Clay Aiken-tagged bookmarks in del.icio.us
And there are undoubtedly other ways which I haven't yet figured out! I'm still learning about this wonderful adventure that is the Web, and how to use it to improve myself, contribute to others' lives and have fun in the process, particularly to share my admiration for Clay!
Has anyone noticed the new section in my right-hand column? Entitled "My 20 most recent "del.icio.us" Clay Aiken hotlinks", it is just below my Technorati blog search tool - scroll down the right-hand column a bit to see it. Look for this symbol:
What is that, you are wondering? I bet some of you are thinking lascivious thoughts, because of its title: "del.icio.us"! Well, no folks, that's not the way I'm thinking! Let me explain.
del.icio.us is an online social bookmarking tool (free, too!) which allows one to save and tag bookmarks one wants to keep for further reference and access from anywhere one has the Internet. I love it! Among other things, it has allowed me to build up an interesting collection of Clay Aiken bookmarks, which, instead of being saved on just my personal computer, get saved onto the Internet, searchable through the del.icio.us
search tag: "Clay Aiken". And once I save a bookmark, anyone, anywhere in the world, can access and save those bookmarks too.
I decided to integrate into my blog, an evolving list of my 20 most recent Clay Aiken online finds (including Web sites, blogs, forums, listservs, etc.). As soon as I save a new bookmark into my del.icio.us account, it automatically appears at the top of the list in that space on my blog. And if you click on the title text: "click on this title to access all of the hotlinks", you will be directly taken to all the del.icio.us hotlinks tagged Clay Aiken (there are currently over 100 of them so far!).
Social bookmarking tools such as del.icio.us are one of the hallmarks of the so-called Web 2.0 phenomenon, where the Internet is evolving towards a more interactive, dynamic, people-centered, accessible media for all. That's the way I like it! If I find something fun and useful online, I want to share it with others, and Web 2.0 features allow me to do so.
How can you benefit from these new Clay hotlinks? Here are some of the many ways:
- you can check out my blog often and see if there are any new hotlinks added to my del.icio.us 20-most-recent list
- you can save the RSS feed to my Clay links so you will automatically be alerted when a new hotlink is added to my list
- you can check out del.icio.us' Clay Aiken hotlinks on a regular basis
- or save the feed for all Clay Aiken-tagged bookmarks in del.icio.us
And there are undoubtedly other ways which I haven't yet figured out! I'm still learning about this wonderful adventure that is the Web, and how to use it to improve myself, contribute to others' lives and have fun in the process, particularly to share my admiration for Clay!
Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
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