myclaystation

I think I must be a cup half full person. Not that I don’t have my bad days or wretched moments, but overall I try to look at life through my rose-colored glasses. I’ve been around a while now…in other words, I’m older than dirt and I like to think that in my life I have learned at least a few lessons.

Chiefly among those lessons is respect. Somewhere along the way in today’s society there seems to be a great lack of respect for one’s fellow man. When I grew up I was raised that if I couldn’t say anything nice…umm, then just don’t say anything at all. Hmmm, interesting idea? Hold the thought.

As a devoted Clay Aiken fan I participate on several message boards, or at least I try to participate. I’m not a prolific poster and I tend to “lurk” quite a bit. But the message boards opened my eyes to an incredibly diverse fan base for Clay and there are some very, very intelligent, quick witted and just plain old great people on the boards. I have been fortunate to make some real life friends with several members from the boards and it has enriched my life abundantly. I wouldn’t trade a moment!

The message boards discuss, debate and devour all things Clay. There are wonderful and oftentimes heated discussions where everyone can express their opinion in an orderly and civilized fashion. One of the rules on most boards is that you must respect your fellow poster and you may certainly never tell someone else how to think, what or how to post. Doing so results in flying fish and tomatoes thrown in your direction. For the most part 99 percent of the time the rules rule, so to speak, and everything is great in the Clay Nation.

We’re on the brink of Clay’s new album. The Clay Nation is abuzz and excited awaiting the official press release. Clay blogs and his executive producer blogs and the eeeeeee’s abound. We’re in hog heaven on the boards…until…wait…ugh. Wouldn’t you know it…a very tiny segment and I do mean just a very few posters have to sucker punch everyone. The negative Nellie’s come out in full force. Frankly, I don’t get this at all. Again, let me state, everyone is entitled to their opinion and the right to state it on a message board. But here’s the rub…they seem to forget about respect. Not just for their fellow posters, but…hello, excuse me…respect for the man we all gather together to celebrate…respect for Clay.

This is the part that is just beyond my comprehension. My son is a music critic and we certainly don’t always agree, but would I, in a public forum, disparage him, disrespect him? NEVER! What it comes down to is the manner in which one expresses their opinion. There is something called common decency and a way in which to state an opinion without disrespect. At least there is in my house. Anything else is completely unacceptable. There is no excuse for rudeness. End of the conversation. I think you get my drift.

I treat Clay like I would any other family member. In many ways the great Clay Nation is like a big family…heck Clay even said we’re family. Just as I would not disrespect a family member, I would never disrespect Clay, ever, and especially not in a public forum. It just boggles my mind and I don’t understand at all. Again, I want to reiterate that these posters are in the minority and frankly they are generally shot down by other posters. But they insidiously do what the poster intended, or at least what I think they intended. Hey world…look at me! It’s all about what said poster wants Clay to do/be/sing/say. And if Clay doesn’t do/be/sing/say just as they expect, well, woe is Clay because that poster is off and running. They upset a happy board and try to derail the conversation. Frankly, I think the sense of entitlement by some fans is deplorable. And this isn’t about the good fan/bad fan nonsense. There is no such thing in my opinion. We are all just fans. It is just how we chose to behave. And as such, all I feel we are entitled to is the best album Clay can deliver and when seeing him perform live in concert, the best performance he can give. Clay has never failed to deliver on either count for me. The rest is all gravy and we get lots of gravy. Sometimes it’s like Thanksgiving and we are swimming in the gravy.

I’m all about the EEEEEE! This Clay fandom is something I’ve not ever experienced before. Sure, I’ve been a fan of others in the past, but not in such a proactive fashion. I have a wonderful family, a full and active life, but in addition, I am, quite frankly, deeply invested in Clay Aiken. I can’t always explain it, but I am. I’ve had some of the best times of my life being a Clay fan. And I'll tell you, being a fan of this amazing young man has in many ways given me back my youth. I smile and laugh practically all.the.time. So perhaps after reading this you may or may not understand my dismay when anyone tries to take away my EEEEEE. Maybe I overreact and perhaps this is the norm in any fandom, but…I don’t have to like it nor condone it. So my EEEEEE’s are firmly in place and no one is going to take them away from me. Not gonna happen. Not ever! Do I make myself clear. No one is going to take away my joy in being a Clay Aiken fan.

So, while I’m sure there are those who are poo-pooing my little rant and think I’m being ridiculous, I would just like to ask everyone to please think before putting their fingers on their keyboards. We are constantly enforced on the boards to be respectful of one another. Let’s give Clay a break, ok. Let’s show him the same respect that we give to each other. Let’s celebrate the joy that is Clay Aiken!

Well, now that I have that off my chest, in the spirit of celebrating the joy that is Clay Aiken, as I promised, here are the first two montages from the JBT by the masterful dreamlarge. These are seriously great! Enjoy and celebrate!!!!!

First...the 50's Medley



Next the 50's Banter and Unchained Melody


Thank you again dreamlarge for your amazing talent.
Thank you Atlanta MM for the beautiful blend.

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Clay Aiken

Still here, still waiting for news of Clay's sophomore CD. I know it's coming soon, or quite soon or very soon. Yesterday isn't soon enough for me, but I will wait as long as it takes. Clay Aiken is worth the wait! Clay blogged! He said the time is drawing nearer...so I will wait and hope nearer is soon or sooner or very soon or quite soon...cause I want that CD now!

In the meantime I watch clack which includes some incredible montages. I would like to share with you two from another one of the Clay Nations premiere montage makers...dreamlarge.



I'm Glad There Is You Clay Aiken


Got To Get You Into My Life


Dreamlarge...thank you for sharing your incredible talent.

Next blog I'll start sharing the amazing Jukebox Tour compilations by dreamlarge.
In the meantime...enjoy watching, I know I do! I can never get enough Clay Aiken!

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Clay Aiken
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