Clay Aiken and Assorted Hobbies

Clay Aiken Returning to Spamalot

2008-08-28T00:29:00.008-04:00

Spamalot has sent out this email

No Fakin', Aiken's Back in Town

Brace yourselves, Claymates! The wig masters at the Shubert are
fluffing those glorious red tresses in preparation for Clay Aiken’s
sure-to-be-triumphant return as Sir Robin on September 19. And it's a good thing
too, as the crooner has quipped that life post-SPAMALOT has been seemingly
devoid of meaning. Tasteless food and hue-free grass. Have no fear, Clay. Only a
few more weeks until the skies turn blue again!
For more info click here

Clay Aiken and Jaymes Foster, new parents

2008-08-11T00:16:00.004-04:00

Clay & Jaymes in Dec 2006

Clay has spoken many times about wanting children.

Before American Idol he worked as a substitute teacher for a class of elementary school children with Autism. He was so inspired he decided to go to school for Special Education. He was just 6 credits short when he appeared on AI. During the summer in 2003 he toured with the other cast members & completed his degree through an independent study project. The project was to create a fictional foundation that served a special education population. That project turned into the Bubel Aiken Foundation, BAF.

The BAF works to help include children with disabilities into the life environment of children without disabilities. This summer the BAF has given many grants to Lets All Play camps all over the country.

Clay has continued to worked to benefit the lives of children all over the world through his work with Unicef & here in the US through the BAF.

On Friday Clay's dream of becoming a father came true. August 8th, 2008 at 8:08am Clay Aiken & Jaymes Foster (sister of David Foster) had their first child, a son. His name is Parker Foster Aiken. He was 6lbs 2oz & 19in long. Clay said, on his blog, "the little man is healthy, happy and as loud as his daddy. Momma Jaymes is doing quite well also."

I look forward to pictures of the happy family.

Clay Aiken Becomes a Daddy!

2008-08-08T16:09:00.003-04:00

Clay Aiken, Unicef Ambassador, while in Somalia earlier this summer.

'American Idol' crooner Clay Aiken now a father
15 minutes ago
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken is a father.
The 29-year-old crooner from Raleigh announced the birth of Parker Foster Aiken on his Web site's blog Friday
"No hyphens. One first name," he wrote. "One middle name. One last name."
Aiken's mother, Faye, told Raleigh TV station WRAL the child was born in North Carolina.
Aiken was a favorite of fans during the second season of "American Idol," where he finished second to Ruben Studdard. His album "Measure of a Man" went double platinum in 2003, and he made his Broadway debut this spring in "Monty Python's Spamalot."
The baby's mother is Jaymes Foster, Aiken's friend and record producer whom he met while performing on "American Idol." Their son was born at 8:08 a.m. Friday, and weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces and was 19 inches long, according to the statement on the Web site.
"The little man is healthy, happy, and as loud as his daddy," Aiken wrote. "Mama Jaymes is doing quite well also."

www.clayonline.com

UNICEF spotlights forgotten humanitarian crisis in Somalia

2008-07-09T18:06:00.002-04:00

Celebrity Ambassador returns from visit to one of the poorest and most volatile countries in the world and shares his impressions, frustrations and concerns for the children he met there.

read more digg story

UNICEF USA Ambassador Clay Aiken visits Somalia

2008-07-02T19:35:00.005-04:00

NAIROBI, Kenya, 2 July 2008 – During a five-day visit to the self-declared republic of Somaliland in north-west Somalia, UNICEF USA Ambassador Clay Aiken was moved by the work that UNICEF is doing under challenging circumstances.

For more info go to

Clay Aiken On My Way Here

2008-05-14T00:16:00.003-04:00

The new Clay Aiken album On My Way Here was release 5/6/08.

The first single is the title track.

I love seeing the old pictures of Clay from the last 5 years. He certainly has matured nicely.

Clay Aiken, On My Way Here

2008-04-09T21:07:00.005-04:00

Clay Aiken's new cd On My Way Here

Available May 6, 2008

You can hear the first single On My Way Here

at www.myspace.com/clayaiken

2008-01-29T02:32:00.000-05:00

Aron Hall, from TBAF's message:

Dear Friends and Supporters,

The Case Foundation and Parade Magazine have presented an incredible opportunity to non-profit organizations to not only reach out to friends and family and get them involved in what we are passionate about, but also to maximize the effect of our monetary donations. America's Giving Challenge will conclude on January 31 at 3pm EST. Only 3 Days Left!!! The four US-based charities that receive the most donations ($10 minimum) will receive a $50,000 grant from the Case Foundation. The winners will also be featured in Parade Magazine which has a weekly readership of 72 million people!

The good news is that we have had over 1000 donations and the almost $14,000 that we will receive through the generous support will fund at least one camp that will open its doors to all children and give them the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer. The bad news is that after a week of being in fourth place and thus in the running for the winning grant, we have been passed and are sitting in fifth—71 donations behind as I write this. We must be in the top 4 to receive the additional $50,000!

Why is it important that not only you but also your friends and family participate? You can make a difference in the life of a child like Adam who had been kicked out of every program he had ever attended until he came to a Let's ALL Play program where the extra staff gave him the attention he had been craving. He has now had 4 successful summers in our programs as well as seeing marked improvement in his school performance. You could open a door for a Lee who came to his first summer with almost no verbal or social skills. You can now find him playing kickball and talking at lunch with all his new friends.

So how can you help?

1. Make sure you've donated. There is no need to delay. Again, the deadline is this Thursday, January 31 at 3pm EST. Click on this link Network for good or copy and paste it into your browser to visit our badge and make a donation. Again, $10 is all you have to give.

2. Get the word out! Email, blog, and put the badge on your webpage! There is information on the badge about how to share it.

3. Phone-a-Friend—We believe that the charity that has surged to fourth may be doing a phone-a-thon or phone-a-friend type of campaign. So many emails (especially charity forwards) get deleted, that a friendly voice may make a huge difference!

"The Giving Challenge provides each of us the opportunity to magnify our impact on the lives of children. Thanks for all that you do!" TBAF Co-Founder Clay Aiken

Please join us in taking a tremendous opportunity to open doors for ALL children to participate fully in their communities!

Sincerely,

Aron Hall

Director Services

Click here if you want to read more about Let's All Play

America's Giving Challenge for Clay Aiken's BubelAiken Foundation

2008-01-25T22:34:00.000-05:00

There is a current challenge by Parade Magazine to see who can get the most individual donors for their favorite foundation. The top 4 winners foundations will receive $50,000. The minimum donation is only $10.00.

The BAF is trying to raise money for their summer camp program called Let's All Play. The camps are for both children with disabilities & children without to experience camp together. Both sets of children benefit from this experience. It costs the foundation about $10,000 for each camp. Please help the Bubel Aiken Foundation win $50,000 to fund 5 Let's All Play camps.

Click on the link in the sidebar to donate. If you use paypal you must make sure the paypal fees are added to your donation if you are giving the minimum $10.00 for your donation to count.

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Clay, Aiken. Bubel Aiken Foundation, donations

Clay Aiken Surprisingly Fearless as Sir Robin in Spamalot

2008-01-24T01:56:00.000-05:00

Ex-Idol Clay Aiken Slips Into 'Spamalot'
Jan. 23, 2008, 1:34 PM EST
The Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Clay Aiken is trying to become the next American Idle.

The singer, who burst to fame during the second season of "American Idol," has made his Broadway debut in "Monty Python's Spamalot" — in creator Eric Idle's old role.

"There's a lot of pressure," Aiken says. "To think about how many people dream of doing something like this and to have the opportunity is pretty humbling."

Humbling, and possibly a little bit puzzling: What's a nice North Carolina boy with scant theater background and a penchant for pop lite doing in a scatological English stage comedy?

Exactly.

"One of the reasons that it intrigued me was that it was so different. Nobody I think would have expected me to show up in 'Spamalot,'" he says, laughing.

"It's very irreverent. ... I mean, my character soils his pants on stage multiple times."

This also is different territory for Aiken, who hasn't really acted much and was even cut from his high school's production of "Guys and Dolls." Just nailing the stage lingo has him rattled.

"I'm having to learn a whole new language. Upstage, downstage. I'm like, 'Upstage? What's that mean? Behind? Oh, got it. Why didn't you just say behind? ...' It makes me crazier than I already am."

Aiken, 29, has taken over the role of Sir Robin, the cowardly knight that Idle once played on film and David Hyde Pierce originated when the Tony Award-winning musical debuted in 2005.

"I think I'm probably just like the character — kind of chicken, afraid of everything and likes to sing. This particular character becomes a knight because he really just wants to sing and dance. He's so surprised when he finds out there's fighting involved. That kind of silly stupidity? — yeah, that's me."

Aiken, a performer who has sold 6 million CDs and continues to draw fans to his concerts, confesses to being sore and exhausted as he prepares for his debut. Aiken's first performance was Friday.

"Probably more preparation has gone into this than anything I've ever done," he says. "It's not just learning music and lines and even steps. It's mentally preparing yourself to do all of it at once."

Associate director Peter Lawrence says Aiken has been no idle diva; the singer asked to be treated like any other company member and has been surprisingly fearless.

"Clay really surprised me. When you meet him, he's this sweet kid from North Carolina with an accent. And you think there's no way he can do Cambridge material. And then he does," says Lawrence.

"It's been a total delight and a surprise for me and everyone in the company to work with Clay because he can do things you'd never imagine he could do."

The show is based on the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," which came out in 1975. The film, in turn, grew out of the success of the cult BBC comedy series.

Aiken, it turns out, was a stranger to both.

"Until three months ago, I thought Monty Python was a person," he says, sheepishly.

Not surprisingly, the Python-Aiken partnership started poorly. After being courted by "Spamalot" producers a year ago, Aiken went to see the show and left befuddled.

And why not? He was expecting something like "The Phantom of the Opera" and instead saw characters slapped with fish, dancing plague corpses, a killer rabbit and cow tossing.

"It was, in my opinion, the stupidest thing ever produced," he recalls. "There's no plot."

Persuaded over the summer to return, Aiken finally got it. "It's just completely off-base. So I went in and realized that. You have to go understanding that they even advertise it as being the silliest thing ever. It really is."

That's something Python purists will be happy to hear. Even so, Aiken is bracing for criticism from die-hard fans who can be more caustic than Simon, Randy and Paula.

"I'm anticipating and expecting some sort of fallout. I think it's a little bit different when someone who's never done Broadway before, who may be more well known in the pop world, comes in to Broadway," he says.

"There's always this skepticism that they've been brought in for the wrong reasons or they didn't play their dues or they're not going to do their part well," he says.

"So I even told the choreographer and the director ahead of time, 'I don't want you to go easy on me. I want to do everything that everybody else does. Don't change things and make them easier for me,'" he adds, laughing. "I've since changed my mind."

Aiken, who got a degree in special education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, was teaching grade school kids with autism before he tried out for "Idol" in Atlanta. He was a former member of the Raleigh Boys Choir, and occasionally sang at weddings and at church.

"There's not really a market in North Carolina to sing for a living. There's not that career path for people. So I never really assumed or had any dreams or aspirations to sing," he says.

That changed in the seventh grade when his mother took him and a friend to a local production of the musical "Big River," starring Martin Moran as Huckleberry Finn.

"It was the first time ever that I looked on stage and saw people — you know, adults — singing. And I thought, 'Wow, wait a second. You can actually sing for a living?'" he recalls. "From that point on, I kind of allowed music to be a part of my what-I-want-to-be-wh en-I-grow-up scenario."

After finishing second to Ruben Studdard on "Idol," Aiken went on to release his debut CD "Measure of a Man," which went double platinum in 2003. His other albums are "Merry Christmas With Love" and "A Thousand Different Ways." He's currently working on his fourth CD, due possibly by May.

In one of the weirder twists of Aikens' Broadway debut, he looked down at the Playbill while catching a "Spamalot" performance before he officially signed on and saw a familiar name: Martin Moran as Sir Robin.

"So I'll take over Robin from the same person who you could say kind of inspired me to actually make music something that I would do," he says. "It's a very small world — kind of a full-circle thing."

msn.com

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Clay, Aiken. Broadway, Spamalot

Unicef Ambassador Clay Aiken in Chiapas Mexico

2007-12-25T13:25:00.000-05:00

CHIAPAS, Mexico, December 25, 2007: UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken celebrated Christmas at a flood shelter with the children of Ostuacan, Chiapas. In one weekend last month torrential rains in produced the worst flooding the region has seen in more than 50 years. More than one million residents from Chiapas and the adjoining state of Tabasco have been affected, one third of which are children. (PRNewsFoto/U.S. Fund for UNICEF)

CHIAPAS MEXICO

Clay Aiken & Family Celebrate Christmas With Survivors of Mexico's Floods

CHIAPAS, Mexico, Dec. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- UNICEF Ambassador andcritically acclaimed recording artist Clay Aiken today wrapped up the firstleg of his trip to the flood affected areas of southeast Mexico byparticipating in a gift exchange and "sing along" with over 300 childrenand their families at a camp erected for flood victims.

Aiken, who is traveling in the region with his mother and youngerbrother, a Marine on leave from Iraq, will also be part of a UNICEFdelegation scheduled to visit the state of Tabasco over the next two days. "The situation in Chiapas and Tabasco has really become a forgottenemergency," said the U.S. pop star who became an ambassador for thechildren's agency in 2004. "Telling the story of these brave people,especially the children, to a U.S. audience is the reason that I am here.Sharing this experience with my family during this time of year makes iteven more special." In one weekend last month torrential rains in Tabasco and Chiapasproduced the worst flooding the region has seen in more than 50 years. Morethan one million residents of the two states have been affected, one thirdof which are children. While an integrated humanitarian response lead by government and U.N.agencies has stabilized the emergency in Mexico, thousands remain homelessand displaced. According to UNICEF officials in the region, children arethe most vulnerable in these situations. Hundreds of them are at risk ofpsychological trauma and many more are out of school due to extensivestructural damage to school buildings. Today's event, also attended by Hon. Isabel Aguilera de Sabines, FirstLady of the state of Chiapas, was held in the city of Ostuacan where 19deaths were recently reported after a series of mudslides engulfed thesmall mountain community of Juan de Grijalva and the search for six missingresidents is ongoing. Chiapas is bordered on the north by the state of Tabasco, on the southby the Pacific Ocean, on the east by the Central American nation ofGuatemala and on the west by the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz. Chiapas has111 municipalities. Its capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, lies near the center ofthe state. Tabasco is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Mexico, to thesouth by the state of Chiapas, to the east by Guatemala and Campeche and tothe west by Veracruz. Villahermosa is Tabasco's capital city.

How to help:

Please visit Clay Aiken and UNICEF, helping children everywhere

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Clay, Aiken. Unicef, Mexico

Solitaire sung by Clay Aiken

2007-10-27T17:41:00.000-04:00

Neil Sedaka was honored last night, October 26, 2007, in New York City. There were many wonderful performers singing Neil's songs. One of the singers who brought the house down was Clay Aiken. In 2003, Clay Aiken performed Neil's Solitaire on American Idol.

This performance brought Neil to tears.

I would not have expected Clay to be able to improve on Solitaire but last night shows he has.

All I can say is WOW!

Technorati Tags: Clay, Aiken. Neil, Sedaka Solitaire

The True Measure of a Man

2007-10-19T19:42:00.000-04:00

ABC News has an interesting article about celebrities helping to draw attention to humanitarian organizations needs around the world.
Paris to Rwanda: Socialite Becomes Latest Star Hitched to Charity

There is some great information about UNICEF & Clay Aiken, one of the UNICEF ambassadors. Clay Aiken is an Ambassador for Education.

The article does question whether celebrity charity activists have ulterior motives & it uses Paris Hilton's upcoming trip to Rwanda. Whatever her motivation is remains to be seen but it's obvious what Clay Aiken's motivations are from the many quotes in the article.

Clay Aiken's first trip for UNICEF. Banda Aceh several months after tsunami.

"Celebrities have the ear and attention of the public," said Szarkowski (Lisa Szarkowski heads the ambassador program for Unicef). "They tend to command more attention than talking heads from our organization."

Attention that leads to big bucks. Aiken asked fans to donate money to Unicef to help the children in Lebanon and raised more than $75,000 in 24 hours.

So getting involved in causes may help celebrities draw attention to a specific need in some other part of the world as well as get their names in the spotlight -- but just how involved are they?

UNICEF sets high standards for their celebrity ambassadors

It's not easy to be selected as a Unicef ambassador. The group sets high standards for celebrities to live up to.

"In terms of becoming an ambassador, it's definitely a process," said Szarkowski. "We like to work with people who are committed to the cause and the mission and to align themselves with us for the long term."

Aiken made the cut when he was named a Unicef ambassador in 2004. The organization approached Aiken after hearing of his involvement with his own charity, the Bubel/Aiken foundation that helps young people with special needs.

Aiken said he felt obligated to help those in need.

"One of the most important responsibilities that you have if you're answering to the public is that you try to use that position in a way that serves the people you're trying to entertain," said Aiken. "I think you have a responsibility when you realize you have kids watching you. ... You can set an example to have kids doing drugs, or you can set an example to have kids helping their communities or their world."

Clay Aiken's trip to Uganda for UNICEF

UNICEF preparations for trips. They are not just photo-ops.

Despite some common misconceptions, celebrity representatives don't just jet set off for a photo-op; they prepare for months before taking a trip.

"We prepare them pretty well," said Szarkowski. "People don't become ambassadors or supporters of ours unless they go through a process of learning about us and engaging with us."

Celebrities sit through classes to learn about Unicef and all the various issues that threaten children's survival around the world.

"We study as much as we possibly can before we go," said Aiken. "And I study after I go, because I want to be an expert on it. I think it's a disservice to the country you're going to and the children you're trying to help if you don't know what's going on and can't speak knowledgably about your experience.'

Aiken said the preparation is necessary in order to meet with health ministers and other officials on these trips.

"It wouldn't behoove anyone if we just went in to take pictures and came back," said Aiken. "The goal of all these visits and the reason we sit through extremely long sessions sometimes is so when we come back we know what we're talking about."

Uganda Night Commuters.

Where do the celebrities stay?

Aiken didn't know what to expect during his first visit to Uganda. He walked into the minimalist community center, where he expected nobody to know his name. Suddenly, he was greeted with bows from the crowd.

"When we walked in, they kept calling me your excellency," laughed Aiken. "I think both visits we've been on there have been misconceptions about how important I am."

All joking aside, no matter how famous -- or infamous -- a celebrity is, celebrity support is essential.

But with so many problem areas across the globe, how do celebrities decide which country they want to visit? For most, the decision is made based on where the greatest need is at that time.

"The celebrities we work with want to go where they can be most helpful," said Szarkowski. "We're fortunate to have that caliber of people who basically say to us, 'Tell me where you want me to go.'"

In her eight years at Unicef, she said she's never had a celebrity refuse to go where they were asked to go. And the places they're asked to go certainly don't come with luxe accommodations.

"It's usually a tent somewhere.That's our standard accommodation," said Szarkowski.

In Afghanistan giving a baby a polio vaccine.

Who pays for celebrity ambassador trips?

Aiken and others pay their own way when they travel on behalf of Unicef. However, once they reach their destination, they don't have the need for many expenses. Most nights they're sleeping in tents on the ground.

In addition to the bare bones travel accommodations, celebrities must cope with extremely dangerous situations. In order to avoid conflict, Prendergast said every minute detail of the trip must be mapped out.

"These trips have to be planned very well to ensure maximum impact and security," said Prendergast.

Clay Aiken answers why he only supports his own foundation & UNICEF publicly.

But, Aiken cautions, a focus on one organization or charity is important to the public.

"I get requests from every organization to come and do this or that," said Aiken. "It's not that I don't have a passion for kids with cancer, because I do. I feel like you can dilute your message if you talk about too many things."

Clay's bottom line

"I look to Angelina Jolie as a prime example of someone who is doing an amazing job," said Aiken. "She really has a passion and she goes in and makes a point to educate herself about what's going on and that's the only way to do it."

Whatever one believes about Angelina Jolie she is obviously passionate about her work with UNICEF and has been for years. I see Clay Aiken as following her good example.

Excerpts from:
Paris to Rwanda: Socialite Becomes Latest Star Hitched to Charity
How Involved Are Celebrity Charity Activists, and Do They Have Ulterior Motives?
By BLAIR SODEN
Oct. 19, 2007

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Clay, Aiken. Angelina, Jolie Unicef Paris Hilton

Clay Aiken to Make Broadway Debut in Monty Python's Spamalot

2007-10-16T16:47:00.000-04:00

Playbill News

Clay Aiken to Make Broadway Debut in Monty Python's Spamalot

By Ernio Hernandez 16 Oct 2007

Clay Aiken joins the cast of Spamalot.

"American Idol" finalist Clay Aiken is scheduled to join the Broadway cast of the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python’s Spamalot in the role of Sir Robin.

Aiken will be making his Broadway debut in the role originated on Broadway by David Hyde Pierce. His stint begins Jan. 18, 2008, and is scheduled to continue through May 4.

"Clay Aiken is amazing beyond that glorious voice. Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character," said director Mike Nichols in a release. "People will be surprised by his wide ranging talent, since the first impression is of great country charm and a singer to remember. This guy is not only a star, he is a lot more. We are lucky to get him for Spamalot."

Aiken — who was bested by Ruben Studdard during the second season of "American Idol" — has gone on to sell more than 6 million albums, co-author a best selling book ("Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life") and play six sold-out concert tours. He was a focus of the short-lived Off-Broadway musical Idol: The Musical and has appeared on "Ed," "Saturday Night Live" and "Scrubs."

Monty Python's Spamalot, which celebrated its 1,000th performance Aug. 9, opened at Broadway's Shubert Theatre on March 17, 2005, following previews from Feb. 14.
Mike Nichols ("The Graduate," "Angels in America") directed and Casey Nicholaw (The Drowsy Chaperone) choreographed the show that was inspired by the 1975 feature film comedy "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

The musical tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest from God for the Holy Grail - with a short stop in the dazzling Spam-filled land of Camelot.
Spamalot earned the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical and took home honors for direction (Mike Nichols) and one of its stars (Sara Ramirez). The musical still plays on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre and currently enjoys runs in London, Las Vegas and a national tour. An Australian production is slated to play Melbourne in November.

For information on all Spamalot incarnations, visit montypythonsspamalot.com.

Buy tickets through telecharge

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Clay, Aiken. Broadway, Spamalot

Hoax perpetuated against Clay Aiken

2007-10-08T16:10:00.000-04:00

In a recent article published by a tabloid journal it was claimed that John Paulus never recanted his story about Clay Aiken. This is absolutely untrue. In the spirit of fair and complete journalistic reporting I am presenting proof that John Paulus actually did recant his fable about Clay Aiken:

I'd be willing to have a press conference admitting that this was all a lie and that Clay and I never met nor did he ever solicit me for sex and that as far as I know he is straight.

Are you saying Clay is not gay? And the evidence they had, was that Clay with a man or a woman? And where did you get your inside information? Like before going on GMA in Sept. that he was on meds?

When we started the blog there were people who disliked Clay's saying that LA had rotting guts and they were willing to share information on Clay. Clay pissed off some powerful people by not playing ball.

Percocet is just a numb front person. It's the others on there that are behind this whole thing. When I had my blog I would occassionally post and that's why you say different styles and why it appeared on was on all night. There are a group of 8 people. I was recuited back in July of 2005 from bigmuscle.com. They saw me there and that I was muscular, attractive, and from NC. and persuaded me to help them. So we worked out this scheme over 6 months and put it into place going over ever detail. I even took 3 prior lie detector test so that I could pass one by any media that gave me one.

Oh what about the cumrag? Used a prop.

And the cell phone calls? They were calls made by "haters" to my phone.

And the hotel room? There was really a room 207 and I really did check in and I did walk with someone into the room.

So who is revoles?

I am told that it's a guy with a close connection to 3 of these women. I do know that he is rich.

Were you paid?

My only compensation was that they would get me in touch with Lucas to do porno.

He did all this for a shot with Michael Lucas.

And all my bills paid for an entire year. Why do you think I had to start working again in December?

So, why after you were put in contact with Lucas... did the porno and hated it, did you continue the lie? Was it because of the contract with Lucas and your image as the 'guy who had sex with Clay Aiken'??

Because Claymates pissed me off and it was fun messing with them. I sort of forgot about Clay in the mix not until he called did I connect with him as a real person.

On Sept 28 2007, Paulus admitted that he had not spoken to the real Clay Aiken. He was fooled by an impostor and blogged about the fact that all of his saved Instant Messenger transcripts were with a Fake Clay.

Some may think that I am disappointed to learn that the person I was communicating with for nearly a year turned out to not to be Clay Aiken. I am not. I was greatly relieved to have learned that Clay Aiken and Ms. Parker were NOT using some single mother in order to manipulate me and the fans. It would have been easier for me to ignore the truth and to continue to post IM conversations from "Clay Aiken", but I would have compromised my integrity as a person. I will readily stand before you and admit that these perpetrators have fooled me as well as many fans than to continue to publish conversations which I have now learned weren't with Clay Aiken. My apologies to all those that were affected and I hope that the person(s) responsible will be sought out, found, and prosecuted.

In your e-mails to Perc, where you call him a pathological liar and so many other bad things, what was that all about?

That Jonahcruise@yahoo.com email is access by more than just me. I wasn't the one who sent those to her.

I have admitted that this was all a lie and that Clay and I never had sex. What's the problem. Time to move on. Clay has been a victim of a really evil scheme and I know that he is grateful for having such devoted fans who always believed in him. It's over Perc. The Claymates and Clay have both won. I hope they will forgive me for playing along with this ruse as Clay has.

Perc-
You want me to name names, but I have family I need to be protective of. IF these people are crazy enough to destroy Clay, then imagine what they might do to my family if I start naming names. The only protection I have is threatening to take them to the police.

They already know where your family is jackass.

I won't reveal who you guys are, If you just leave them alone then.

I knew you wouldn't name the names, John. Anytime I call you on ANYTHING you never come through. Real stand up guy. (rolls-eyes)

Why did you emerge here all of a sudden. I thought you were DONE with me? Something to hide or should I say protect? It's over with. I'm not playing. Leave Clay and his fans be and just enjoy Kelly and Ruben.

Percocet is a victim of the "haters" influences. When I started defending Clay they became unhinged. Clay and I never met nor have we ever had sex. To my knowledge he is straight or bi curious. I will share more about this scheme put together by posters on the 411 over the weekend.

I've called my friend at the N.E. He is very interested in hearing this was all a hoax. He will be contacting you tomorrow!

Great, I'd be more than willing to share.

And then, just last week he LIED to the National Enquirer.

Technorati Tags: John Paulus Hoax Recant Clay Aiken

Day 8 Update : Clay Aiken's Appeal for Afghanistan

2007-04-20T14:30:00.000-04:00

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken visits Afghanistan

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Our new total is $161,798.82 as of 9 a.m. this morning. This total, in US Dollars, now reflects the donations made in the U.S. and in Canada.
Speaking of Canada, I had a conference call with my colleagues from UNICEF Canada this morning. They heard from UNICEF Canada Ambassador Ben Mulroney, host of Canadian Idol, and asked me to pass along this message:
"We were excited to see Clay’s Canadian fans join this campaign with such enthusiasm and generosity," said Ben Mulroney. "Thank you so much to Clay and all his fans for your support!"

http://fieldnotes.unicefusa.org/mt/mt-tb.cgi/60

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Day 7 of Clay Aiken's 10 Day Appeal

2007-04-19T16:37:00.000-04:00

Fieldnotes Update

Here's our afternoon update. As of an hour ago (1:34 p.m.), we've raised $150,802.31 for UNICEF's work in Afghanistan. Thank you!

Today's Day 7 and we're already more than $50,000 ahead of the goal. Three more days to go . . .

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Update on Clay Aiken's Appeal for Afghanistan

2007-04-18T13:21:00.000-04:00

Clay giving a baby a polio vaccine

From fieldnotes

Clay Aiken in Afghanistan:
$139,778 for kids in just one week!

Hello, we have some big news and a big number to share this morning. Together we've raised $139,778.60 (as of 11:04 a.m. this morning) for Clay Aiken's 10 Day Challenge for the Children of Afghanistan. Congratulations and thank you for your amazing support of this program!

Clay Aiken's Fieldnotes post from Monday told us about the great need he saw first-hand in Afghanistan. Schools are struggling to provide school supplies to every boy and girl who wants to learn. Your gifts will make a tremendous difference in the lives of these kids.

Today is Day 7 of the challenge. We've got three more days left and we've already exceeded Clay's $100,000 goal.

Clay's goal was $100,000 but the need far exceeds the goal. If you haven't donated yet please consider donating today.

Link to donate.

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$100,000 in 10 Days

2007-04-13T21:50:00.000-04:00

Clay Aiken is making an appeal for $100,000 in 10 days for Afghanistan.

UPDATE: Clay Aiken's Appeal for Afghanistan

Let's aim high and work together to raise $100,000 in 10 days
Give Online with Confidence

For original hi-res images of the pictures above visit: flickr.com
Flickr 1
Flickr 2
Flickr 3

For more information visit:

US Fund for UNICEF

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Clay Aiken, Unicef Ambassador in Afghanistan

2007-04-11T22:46:00.000-04:00

This picture was taken at a BAF Gala on 3/31/07. I imagine he grew the beard for his trip with UNICEF.

UN News Center

‘American Idol’ star and UNICEF ambassador Clay Aiken spotlights Afghanistan

11 April 2007 – United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador and singer Clay Aiken is currently on his first visit to Afghanistan, aiming to raise awareness about the hope and promise he has seen in the young people of the war-torn country.

“The people here are very strong and they are very proud of their country,” Mr. Aiken told reporters in Kabul today, (UNAMA Press Briefing) praising the “strength and conviction of the Afghan people and their ability to make sure that this country returns to its glory after such a long darkness.”

The singer, who gained a name on the televised talent competition ‘American Idol,’ has been a Goodwill Ambassador since 2004, has been in Afghanistan for the past week to see first-hand the grassroots health and education projects being delivered by UNICEF.

“It has been a long winter for Afghanistan and it is Spring time finally,” he said, adding that he is “thrilled” to be associated with UNICEF’s support for the country’s rebuilding efforts.

Traveling with UNICEF country representative for Afghanistan Catherine Mbengue and his high school teacher Mary Props, Mr. Aiken has visited schools in Kabul and in Bamiyan.

In Kabul, he met young women at Macfee High School who “have an amazing positive outlook on their future now,” he said.

Mr. Aiken called Bamiyan one of the most beautiful places he has ever seen, and mentioned one school he visited there in particular where boys and girls were being educated together. He also visited clinics where he had the opportunity to administer polio vaccine to a newborn baby.

“I have never in my life seen such a thirst and an excitement for learning,” he said, joking that his former teacher, Ms. Props, was very jealous of how eager students in Afghanistan are to attend school.

Calling the people of Afghanistan the country’s “greatest natural resource,” Mr. Aiken said that he also hopes to inform people in the United States, who he said too often associate Afghanistan with conflicts, troops and military activities, of the genuine desire on the part of children to learn.

“If we did see more about the kids [in the media], we will see more positive support and help,” noted Mr. Aiken.

If you follow the link you find this statement from Clay

I just want to go back to your question about comparisons of the countries I have visited. Afghanistan’s terrain is very tough and is also full of so much promise. It has been such a key part of travel, dating centuries back. It is such a valuable country in so many ways. As you fly in or as we flew into Bamiyan and when we were flying to Kabul it is dark, rough and dusty. And as we were approaching Bamiyan on the plane I was told of the promise of the grass and the promise of green. When the summer comes there would be grass over the hills and that it is so beautiful and lush in the summer yet I didn’t see that and some were skeptical that any grass grew in Bamiyan. When we flew out today and I looked out of the window and I saw a little grass peeking through. And I think that has been a kind of capstone experience for me here in Afghanistan that there is so much promise and it has been a long winter for Afghanistan and it is spring time finally. I think that is what UNICEF is excited about doing and being a part of the rebirth and re-growth and part of the spring time here in the country and I am thrilled to be associated with them for that reason.

Clay Aiken Appeal for Afghanistan

"I've just returned from Afghanistan and see that the need is urgent. Let's aim high and work together to raise $100,000 in 10 days. Join me in standing with UNICEF to help these kids."

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Closing out the Jukebox Tour

2006-08-29T15:55:00.000-04:00

With 9/19 and the release of Clay's 3rd album A Thousand Different Ways fast approaching it's time to bring a close to the JBT.

The 2000's medley includes 3 of Clay's songs. I Will Carry You, The Way & When You Say You Love Me. Montage Tsunamimommy

There were 4 new songs tested during the JBT.

Just You montage by Tsunamimommy

1000 Days which we now know is on A Thousand Different Ways montage by Tsunamimommy

Tears Run Dry montage by Tsunamimommy

Back For More montage by Tsunamimommy

The Jukebox Tour closed with Invisible, montage by Tsunamimommy

Since all of these videos are montages by Tsunamimommy I thought I should include the final video credits as well.

And Just incase you have already forgotten that Clay's new cd A Thousand Different Ways will be here in 3 short weeks here's another reminder.

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Concert Montages cont. Band Intros & Stump the Band montages by Tsunamimommy

2006-07-17T14:51:00.000-04:00

The next part of the JBT allowed for lots of ad libbing from Clay.
Band Intros montage by Tsunamimommy

A couple of weeks into the tour at a few venues Clay said that this was afterall a 'jukebox' tour so he let the audience pick a song to "stump the band." This was probably my favorite part of the show.

Tsunamimommy did an amazing job with this montage which I had to cut into 3 parts (to fit the youtube limits.)
Stump the Band A

Stump the Band B

Stump the Band C

You can view other wallpapers at:

Best of Clay Gallery

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Concert Montages 90's, I Can't Make You Love Me & I Will Always Love You

2006-06-28T17:24:00.000-04:00

For the Intro to the 90's Clay makes fun of both the type of clothing they wore & the dancing. Angela, Quiana & Jacob dance to Can't Touch This. They even try to teach Clay some of the dancing. Lots of Clay cracking himself up & dancing badly. Very funny stuff.

Can't Touch This montage by Tsunamimommy.

90's Medley including Iris & Livin' La Vida Loca montage by Tsunamimommy

As the show continued S'von plays a long jazzy intro to lead into I Can't Make You Love Me. This song quickly became a favorite for the fans. Montage by Tsunamimommy

I Will Always Love You montage by Tsunamimommy sung by Quiana Parler

Here's another wallpaper made by Sapphire of Best of Clay.

You can view other wallpapers at:

Best of Clay Gallery

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Concert Montages cont. When Doves Cry, 80's Medley & Sailing. Montages by Tsunamimommy

2006-06-23T16:36:00.000-04:00

Heading into the 80's the drummer, Felix, came out in choir robes & did a great monologue about things from the 80's. It includes one of the funniest moments of the entire tour. Felix ended his intro in Vermont with "And Vermont is a wonderful city." When Clay came out to sing When Doves Cry, he couldn't stop laughing. He tried but gave in & said "Or state!" It really didn't help him get it together. He shoulders shook & he tried to start the song a couple of times but gave up & said he had to start over. He walked off stage & came back out. I wasn't sure if he was going to be able to sing because he was still grinning. He had 1 more false start. When he finally was able to start he was amazing.

Preacher Intro by Tsunamimommy.

When Doves Cry montage by Tsunamimommy.

80's Medley montage by Tsunamimommy.

Sailing montage by Tsunamimommy

Here's a wallpaper made by Sapphire of Best of Clay.

You can view other wallpapers at:

Best of Clay Gallery

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Concert Montages cont. 70's Medley, Mandy & Bridge over Trouble Water montages by Tsunamimommy

2006-06-21T11:46:00.000-04:00

After Intermission the show opens with our willing/forced audience member dancing with the back ups to Car Wash. All of the dancers were wonderful & very funny. The rest of the 70's medley includes Clay actually dancing to September. It was great.
70's Medley Part 1 medley by Tsunamimommy.

70's Medley Part 2 & Mandy montage by Tsunamimommy.

During the banter for the 70's Clay had a lot of fun asking the audience for things of national importance that happened in the 70's. He also takes the oportunity to tell us that "I am NEVER wrong people." He also seriously scolded the people who have been to the show spoiling his punch line. I was there & it was a riot.

70's Banter & Bridge over Trouble Water. Montage by Tsunamimommy.

Of course I have to include a photo of new Clay. This was taken at the Hurricanes Hockey game on June 14th.

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Concert Montages cont. Pip Search & Ain't No Mountain High Enough

2006-06-16T11:06:00.000-04:00

After the Motown Medley Clay went on search of a "Pip." Actually what he was looking for was a man who didn't really want to be there to help open the second half of the show by dancing with his back up singers. This gave lots of opportunity for Clay to show off his quick wit & sense of humor. I had to break up the montage into 2 parts.
Part 1.

Part 2

Ain't No Mountain High Enough closes out the first half. Montage by Tsunamimommy.

Of course I have to include a photo of new Clay. This was taken at the Hurricanes Hockey game on June 14th. The girl with him is Kristy Barnes.

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Concert Montages, cont. 60's & Motown

2006-06-14T09:43:00.000-04:00

Moving on to the 60's. Clay & the girls really seemed like they had fun cutting up on the end of this medley which I loved. What I was really blown away was Clay doing Paul McCartney's head bobbing during Can't Buy Me Love.

60's Medley montage by Tsunamimommy.

Clay's AI2 performance of Solitaire brought Neil Sedaka to tears. I've heard it said in the internet Clay fandom that the more Clay lives with a song the better he sings it. I can't imagine how Neil would react to Clay's version of Solitaire now.

Solitaire montage by Tsunamimommy.

Clay's friends from before AI have said that Clay loves to sing Motown. During the JBT Clay use to say that he had his backups do alot of the singing in the Motown Medley. I think Angela, Quiana & Jacob do a great job but I still think Clay outshines them all.

Motown Medley montage by Tsunamimommy.

Part 2 of the Motown Medley

Of course I have to include a photo of new Clay.

This is a wallpaper made by Sapphire. You can see more of her wallpapers here:Best of Clay

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Concert Montages, cont. Unchained Melody & Elvis

2006-06-10T17:18:00.000-04:00

Well, that was the 50’s medley. Next is one of my favorites of the JBT.

Unchained Melody montage by Tsunamimommy.

A little Elvis part 1 montage by Tsunamimommy

Elvis Medley Part 2 including Suspicious Minds montage by Tsunamimommy

Of course I have to include a photo of new Clay.

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Concert Montages, Intro & 50's Medley

2006-06-08T15:30:00.000-04:00

One of the most amazing things I've seen during the last 3 years of my Clay hobby is the amazing talent & creativity among Clay fans and their incredible willingness to share
those talents with other Clay fans.

One of my favorite things is concert montages. There are several extremely talented people who go through all the video available for a specific song for a specific tour & put together a montage for that song. During the Jukebox Tour Clay allowed videotaping. This created a massive amount of really great video. It is mindboggling. The amount of work it takes to put together just one of these montages well is extremely time consuming. To make montages for an entire concert takes an incredibly talented & dedicated individual.

Over the next few days I will be sharing the Jukebox Tour concert montages made by Tsunamimommy. Some of the montages had to be broken into multiple videos because of YouTube restrictions. So without further ado here are the first 2.
2005 Jukebox Tour Introduction

Jukebox Tour 50's Medley Part 1

50's Medley Part 2

Of course I have to include a pic of the new and improved Clay.

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I Can't Make You Love Me

2006-06-05T19:05:00.000-04:00

There was a time that Clay Aiken seemed to sing every song by hitting it out of the ballpark. It seems to me during the last 3 years Clay has learned to tone it down when appropriate.

For example, during the Jukebox Tour, last summer he sang I Can’t Make You Love Me accompanied only by S’von on the piano. At the beginning of the tour he only sang the first verse. About half way through the tour he added the second verse. I don’t know what it is about that second verse but it really does something to me. I liked the song before he added the second verse but after he added it I became addicted to it, but that’s beside the point.

It is such a heart wrenching song & he sings it incredibly. Sure there are some power notes but the parts of this song that get me are the almost whispered lower notes. Gah! There really are no words to describe it.

Fortunately for you, thanks to Tsunamimommy & Youtube you can hear & see it for yourself.

montage by Tsunamimommy

For another amazingly subtle video go to The Clay Blog and take The Clay Aiken Video Challenge.

And since I really love Clay's new look I just have to share another pic.

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Clay Aiken: Humor, Wit & Practical Jokes

2006-05-30T17:28:00.000-04:00

I so love Clay’s sense of humor & quick wit. Last Summer Clay showed his sense of humor throughout his banter during the Jukebox Tour. A very talented Clay fan (sn simonschnzr) made a montage of some of the funniest moments. I had to clip it into 3 pieces for youtube.
You need to know a few details about how some of these moments came to be. In the middle of the tour Clay started a bit he called Stump the Band. Basically he asked for people to request a song from the 50’s – 90’s & they would try to do it. They took a couple of minutes with the mic’s off & then would perform the song. Sometimes they were amazing. Like this one:

Sometimes they were just ok. Because they were impromptu they allowed Clay’s quick wit to come out in force.

You have to understand that Clay LOVES practical jokes. Several of the songs during the show became fodder for upping the ante between Clay & his back up singers, Angela & Quiana. The main one came at the end of the 60’s medley Clay tormented the girls during that song & even when they tried to ‘fight’ back he usually won, until the final night of the tour. The final night of every tour that Clay has done is usually full of practical jokes. That night the girls got him back royally. They covered him in silly string. It was priceless!
Part 1 of 3

Part 2 of 3

Part 3 of 3

During the AI5 Finale, Clay got to take part in a joke or surprise. The show gave a Golden Idol award to a AI audition reject, Michael Sandeki, who looked a little like Clay did. Ryan asked Michael to sing & he began singing Don't Let the Sun Fo Down on Me. After a few lines in the song the backdrop opened & Clay walked out. The audience began screaming & Michael has said he thought the screams were for him. He eventually looked to the side & saw Clay & nearly went in to seizures. He was obviously thrilled & has since said so during several interviews. While I suspect AI wanted Clay to do this for the joke, what made the moment almost magical was that Clay managed to turn the 'joke' into a treat for Michael. I'm sure Michael will remember that moment forever.

The real practical joke is what Clay did to all of ClayNation. Somehow Clay managed to keep his new style a total surprise to his most involved internet fans. There had been a few small sitings with Clay with longer hair but he let it grow long last year during his down time. I doubt that any Clay fan expected Clay to look the way he did that night. I love the playfullness that shows when he does pull a practical joke. I can just hear him laughing while reading the response to the surprise on the message boards. So as Clay begins his 4th year in the business I can know without a doubt Clay will always be trying to surprise his fans.

I just have to post my favorite screencap from AI5 capped & posted originally by Permaswooned.
For a facsinating read try Permaswooned'sThe Pitfalls of Perception.
Since my blog is supposed to be on hobbies here's another great read Hobbies Part 1

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Great Hair Clay!

2006-05-26T12:19:00.000-04:00

36 hours later & I’m still loving Clay’s new look. I’ve watched the clip from AI more times than I will ever admit to. But what I really want to see is portions of the Jukebox Tour from last summer with Clay’s new hair. Specifically ‘Can’t Buy Me Love.’ Clay managed to find an early Paul McCartney persona complete with Paul’s head bobbing when performing Can't Buy Me Love. I want to see this:

Video courtesy of hockeydonna.
The Clay Blog

with Clay’s cool new hair!

This photoshop is just too funny. I love it

For a great commentary on some of the reactions to Clay’s new look read this:Clay Aiken Hangover

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Wow, Clay's new look!

2006-05-25T17:10:00.000-04:00

What a fantastic day to be a Clay Aiken fan.

I watched the AI5 finale last night. It was a pretty good show. I still think the group from AI2 could harmonize better than this year but at least the contestents can harmonize. Last year & the year before were the absolute worst. The kids those years may have been decent singers but not one of them could harmonize with each other.

Of course as a Clay fan I was watching for the rumored appearance of Clay. Members of his fanclub knew that something was up because we got an email just a few hours before to make sure an watch. That after 2 days of tons of buzz about whether or not he'd appear or sing or just sit in the audience. I had seen pics of Clay doing an appearance at a middle school for UNICEF fairly recently. He had quite long hair in those pics so I was really wondering what he would look like. I loved the long hair pics but I'm not all that picky about how the man looks. It's his voice that draws me in. So after 1 1/2 hours the segment begins. I knew as soon as they showed the kid who tried to be the next Clay Aiken (hate to tell you there will never be another one) I knew that Clay would be part of the skit. My first reaction was oh, no people are really going to be disappointed. Then they had the kid start singing & the doors opened up. I knew immediately it was Clay & I think I might have squealed 'He kept his LONG HAIR' After my reaction my hubby is now wondering if he should grow his out. Hee.

I loved this appearance because it was so like Clay. He made this kid's dream come true. He got to sing to his fans. He is a huge jokester so I'm sure he got a charge over the surprise. Even Ryan Seacrest said that he didn't recognize Clay when he first walked out. If you watch the clip you can see all three judges react. Randy claps, leans forward to talk to either Paula or Simon, Paula lept to her feet & stayed there for the duration, even Simon clapped when Micheal stumbled back in awe of Clay. It was a wonderful moment for me as a Clay fan.

Today has been a blast. All the entertainment shows are talking about Taylor's win but Clay('s hair) stole the show. Bottom line though, if Clay didn't have that voice it wouldn't matter what he looked like.

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Road to Baja 500

2006-05-19T19:06:00.000-04:00

It’s probably a good thing for me that Clay Aiken does not have his new album out yet & therefore no new tour to spend money on. Last summer was my turn to spend a ton on concerts, travel, & spending time with Clay buddies. This summer is my hubby’s turn to spend a ton on off road motorcycle racing.

He is an avid off road motorcycle racer. He raced motocross in his youth but gave up the sport in his early adult years. He bought a dirt bike in his 30’s & a racing bike for his 40th birthday. He’s been racing in hare scrambles & enduros for the last 8 years. Hare Scrambles are races over a track laid out in the woods. All the cyclists start at the same time and ride several laps around the track. They tend to be shorter races than enduros. Enduros are much longer races through a track laid out in the woods. The riders have differing start times & have several checkpoints through the course. They can lose points for arriving too early or too late at any checkpoint. Enduros are on a course that is usually about 60 miles & can take around 3 hours. They are run through very tight trails & are extremely challenging.

This year my hubby is riding in the Baja 500. It’s a 500 mile race throughout Baja California, Mexico. He & a buddy (he met on the internet) will be driving from the east coast to Baja the last week of May. The race takes place on June 3rd and they will be driving back on June 4th. This race is grueling as it is a continuous 500 miles but through some of the most incredible terrain imaginable.
He's been rebuilding his motorcycle since it was severely damaged when our sons rolled our truck with the bike on a lift. He actually tore the bike apart completely but it is back better than new, well almost.

My hubby is currently in China on a business trip. We have had a steady delivery of motorcycle parts & gear. You almost can’t walk through the garage for all the stuff he’s bought for this trip. I can't wait to see his face when he goes through all the stuff that has arrived. He'll be like a kid in a candy store. This trip really is an opportunity of a lifetime. I’m almost as excited for him as he is.

He has told me that he supported my Clay hobby because of all the years I’ve supported his dirt bike hobby. I actually got the sweetest Mother’s Day present this year. He went on the internet & searched for something Clay related. He ended up getting 2 AI2 Coke Bottles. I have always been a collector but I never bought the coke bottles. He is not usually a great gift giver. Not that he doesn’t care, because he is wonderful to me & our family every day; he just doesn’t really think about gifts. The gift this year shows me how much he appreciates my support of his racing.

I am a bit nervous about this race but I trust him to know his limits. I can’t wait for the stories he will have to share with me.

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Jaded Journalist

2006-05-17T10:50:00.000-04:00

Well, I've finally decided to try uploading video & sharing it here. Since I mentioned the Jaded Journalist interviews I thought I would share them here. The Jaded Journalist is an interviewer from the old idolonfox website who kept his identity secret. His interviews were usually somewhat mocking & most of his interviewees (victims) couldn’t keep up with the biting sarcasm. Not so for Clay.

Losing my Clay Buddy?

2006-05-11T14:00:00.000-04:00

Today is an odd day for me. I have 4 grown children. The youngest one is turning 19 soon & is moving back to Florida tomorrow morning. We moved from FL to PA in 2004. He misses his friends and has decided to try to make a go of it on his own. Well he really won't be on his own, he will be staying with some friends of ours until he can get out on his own. Our 2 oldest kids currently live in FL but they have both decided to move up here with us in the next couple of months. So we left FL with just our youngest and by July we will have the 3 oldest living with us & the youngest on his own. Though he knows the door will always be open for him he just really has to find out for himself if he will be happier in FL.

It's odd for me because I have a different kind of relationship with my youngest son. He has always been interested in my Clay Aiken fandom. He's not a fan himself as he is really into classic rock but he does love Clay's sarcastic side & he likes watching the funny concert videos. It was this son who discovered the Jaded Journalist interviews with me. The more I learned on the computer the more praise I got from this son. In fact, the day I had my vhs to dvd set up (before the instant push button machines you can get now) this son walked in the room, looked at all the equipment, examined what I was doing & pronounced "Mom, you rock!"

We also love watching Gilmore Girls together. The dialog drew us both in.

I suppose it sounds like he is a momma's boy but he is anything but. His favorite activities usually involve knives, guns, explosives & fire. Fortunately he does have a good sense of right from wrong. He is 'all boy' as the saying goes but he is a good friend, too. I know I will miss him alot!

Clay Aiken

2006-05-06T20:56:00.000-04:00

I am a hobbier.

I have lots of hobbies.

Currently my biggest hobby for the last 3 years has been being an internet Clay Aiken fan. I can now do more things on the computer than my 2 computer geeky sons. Really it's all their fault I discovered this hobby. You see, in 2003 my only daughter went off to college & I was left with my wonderful hubby & 2 teenage sons. The three men in my life took over the TV & decided Fear Factor was the best show EVER. I swear it was on all night long. I started out playing around on the computer because Fear Factor is not a show I'm interested in. I don't mind the scary challenges it's the gross ones I gag over. I discovered listening to that show was almost as bad as watching so I started looking for music/videos on the internet. I happened to catch AI & was blown away by Clay. I did a google search & discovered a web site that I could download video of Clay from the show. I started downloading like crazy & then I wanted to watch the videos on my TV. I took a weekend to figure out how to make VCD & SVCD discs. It wasn't long before I had to learn how to make DVD's. Of course I had to learn how to deal with cleaning up the pc & deal with trojans & other crap that you can pick up on the internet.

My hubby likes my hobby because it has had non-Clay related benefits, also. I learned how to transfering VHS tapes to DVD's so the old home movies are now on DVDs (well at least some of them are.) He is a off-road motorcycles racer & I record & burn dvd's of his races. I've taught him how to make DVD's also but he usually just lets me do it for him.

I love my Clay hobby & I plan on loving it for as long as Clay wants to sing!