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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 16:27:28 GMT -8
JBT jacket...oh wow....
He is helping again...
40...45...50....52....
omg....54,000....55.....56....holy smokes....
once, twice...
56,000 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*55K - Clay is acting like he's being pulled back and forth - finally was able to zip up the jacket.
*$56000 My Gawd!!
*$56,000 with him in it they said ?? *she wants to know if Clay will come with it!! *omg....56K for that jacket ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spooky won it!!!
The stools are next.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*That's five and a half camps for TBAF! Congrats to the winner!! *56,000 dollars....my goodness...that is some serious cash *It went for $55K - spooky won it!! *Now the stools are up for bid. *CH is reporting that Clay is bringing it to Spooky (the winner)! *He took the jacket off and put it on the winner! *autographed stool now ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Talking about Toni in the bathroom talking to all these people Looking for people to bid online ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*the stool "that i sat on every tour" hee *he talking about us!! *Are they doing the 3 stools together Talking about Toni in the bathroom talking to all these people Looking for people to bid online *CLay talking about how someone "interviewed" Linda Loveland in the ladies room earlier today and broadcast her message to hundreds of people online!! *post your bids ladies will pass it along! *Clay's sitting on the stool $3100 *he was talking about when she told Linda in the bathroom that 500 people on the message board was listening to her ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*Clay is telling each of them that he loves them! *$5,300 for the stools - is that right? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*Clay is saying "I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH TO EACH AUCTION WINNER!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*Drawing raffle ticket winners now. *WRAL has a story up online about the gala ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He is rubbing the Wango Tango shirt all over himself....oh my...
20,000 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*Wango Tango Shirt now, I think! *I don't know what's being auctioned but it's up to $7K. *wango tango shirt - $18,000 *15,000....16,000...20,000 *CH is reporting Wango-Tango shirt *is he saying $21,000?? *WANGO TANGO SHIRT - $21,000 - HE JUST WIPED BODY WITH IT!!!! * Holy cow, $41K for Wango Tango shirt!! *It's up to $41,000!!!! He is rubbing the shirt all over himself!!!!! Spookie again! Or was it $21,000? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*light blue shirt must be the Someone elses star shirt? or somewhere out there? *Wango-Tango went for 20K now the "Someone Else's Star" blue shirt *he is wiping his sweat all over the shirt!! $20,000!!! He's still our lovable goofball ....nothing has changed !!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
From CH stream:
Don't kn ow what is being sold but Clay said he'll bring the winner up on stage and he'll sing a song to them! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
Per CH He's going to "attempt" to put the shirt on and the winner will go up on stage and he'll sing the song to her.
*On the phone with rhustress. Shirt is up to $8200 - Clay has just put it on (it fits!) and says he will sing Someone Else's Star to the winner!!
*haha!! has some of the dinner that he ate that night on it *Someone Else's star shirt up 10,300 and Clay has it on! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*11,000! *he is a tease- singing a little shirt now at 17,000 *Up to $18,000. Clay just sang a few notes of SOmeone Elses STar. *haha!! he's singing little bits..like a line here and there *Shirt bid is up to $28,000 *It's up to 27,000 and Clay is sweet talking the bidders! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*28K the power just went out ... *eeeeeeeeeek Power just went out there *hehe he blamed the message boards for the power going out *The power just went out!! He blamed the message boards for that!!!! Oh that stinker!!!!The mikes are all out! *The power/mikes are out but they're still bidding. 48000 and he'll sing to her *29K ? Sold at 28 K and Clay is going to sing to her *mic's are back on again!! *Spooky got this shirt too - she's going up on stage! *BWAH!!! He asked if someone had a video camera!!!!!! He asked someone if they had one...said what do you mean you aren't ready??? You watch it will be online in 30 minutes... * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*eeeeh!!! hes singing someoen elses star!!! *He's singing a cappella now - sounds gorgeous!! *Looking for video cams ... it's online in 30 minutes .... he's singing now ... "Someone Else's Star" *SES he's singing and it will be videotaped Spooky again *How can he sing so on key with no music? Amazing *awww he had someone video tape it too for her *Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh -- that was beautiful .... He's spent ... Broadway Cares "Sir Robin" Bear -- he signed the butt Given Back to re-auction -- DH Pierce also signed it Doing the Bottle Dance (with the bear) *He sat Spookie on a stool and sang to her...and made sure it was video taped!!!! *He sat spooky down and sang the song to her while someone videotaped it. *OMG!!! BEAUTIFUL!!! SANG TO SPOOKY & HAD SOMEONE VIDEOTAPE IT!! I LOVE HIM!! *haha he is making the bear do the bottle dancewhat a goof
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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 16:33:27 GMT -8
CV Cellstream:
*He's making the bear do the Spamalot bottle dance! *He's making the BC bear do the bottle dance 20,000 *26K *he is pulling the bear's pants downnow at $32,000 *showing the butt again (where it is signed) 32K ... *Sold at 31K ... and she got a kiss (someone from OK) here comes momma ... (Clay says "grandma") -- Hurricanes jersey ... signed by "Clay Aiken"... ("Clayton" )this was a raffle item ... not sure who won *Fan from Oklahoma won the bear - she got a kiss! *$31,000 to someone from OK for the bear *gotclay from the OFC won one of the auctions and got a kiss from clay this next one is a hurricanes jersey signed by Clay *Clay called Faye up to pull the next raffle -- called her Grandma. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*Faye is pulling raffle ticket to win Hurricanes jersey! *someone from Oklahoma got the bear for $31,000 - she got a kiss! He just introduced "Grandma Faye" to pull the raffle winner *Luxury box at Celine Dion concert at RBC up next for auction - Clay plus winner with 9 friends! What a prize!!! *clays favorite thing next because it doesnt involve him disrobing at all luxary box at the RBC center for Celine.jaymes is friends with celine and Ive never seen celine in concert so I want to go with you, and 9 of your friends, and we can sing along with the booth and nobody can hear us cause we'll have our own little roomme and celine and 9 of your friends ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Clay just said that his last day in Spamalot is Jan 4...as planned. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*Auctioning a private box at Celine Dion concert WITH Clay! *Auctioning Celine Dion concert...winner gets to bring 9 friends and watch the concert with Clay in a luxury box at the RBC Center! *Sounds like a guy winning the bidding - up to $21K!! *Zippy won the signed Hurricanes jersey *It went for $26K - awesome! *He is leaving Spamalot on Jan 4th. *Clay just confirmed he's leaving Spam on Jan. 4. *NY package up for bid now - Marriott, B'way tickets, Spam tickets, Sardis, dinner with Clay (assuming you come up to NYC before 1/18). Clay confirmed he will be leaving Spamalot on 1/4 and that it will be closing on 1/18. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*Claym8 won along with someone else! *Spam package ... tickets w/ a HUGE pile of other stuff ... Tiffany stuff, gift certificates St. Johns Hoodie ... (he'll give them his that he wore today) -- dinner with Clay (and a friend IF he can make one)He confirms Spam's closing on the 18th ... he IS leaving on the 4th ... *29K ... 30K Clay says he'll pay for dinner AND dessert too *SOLD at 36 K *$36,000!!!!!!grammarian...he said he would pay for desert too!!!!!!!!!$207,000 total raised in the live auction!!!!Doesn't include the raffle or the silent auction! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spam package ... tickets w/ a HUGE pile of other stuff ... Tiffany stuff, gift certificates St. Johns Hoodie ... (he'll give them his that he wore today) -- dinner with Clay (and a friend IF he can make one) And, he will pay for dinner...36,000
207,000 total raised at auction ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Clay says that they ARE discussing tour plans in the next year....nothing for sure yet.....we will hear when they know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*$36,000 for Dinner in NY with Clay! *Clay is speechless ... adding up 207K so far ... Thank you ... thank you ... thank you .... not including raffle & silent auction .... *infinitely more successful then last year!! *$207,000 plus the raffle, silent auction *Sounds like Lynda Loveland again ... thanking everyone ... *Clay is off getting ready to sing to us! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*if someone asks you "how many children do you have? -- you can say All of them" Now Clay Aiken ... *OMG THEY ARE DISCUSSING TOURING!!! *He just said "we are discussing tour possibilities for next year"!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*AH....they are discussing tour possibilities in the next year!!!!!!!!!!!! But no definite plans..... *setting up the sound ..."Tour" ?? "Spamalot" is it right now .. we are discussing possibilities next year ... nothing definite .. yes California IS a state intro'ing the band *Having some problems getting all the equipment set up. Now he's quoting from Spamalot! *He said they're talking about touring possibilities for next year. Someone apparently yelled out California -- and he said yes it's a state! *speaking in a british accent ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Clay is singing now: When I See You Smile. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*He's doing the English accent ... "You won't succeed on Broadway" he's killing time ... *Now asking where people are from. *Someone came from Azerbaijan *anyone from further then where??he said "houstan may be a bigger word, but its not further lol *Someone says they are from Azerbaizian. He said...sure...what's the capital??? She had the answer. Said she is from Baku. She is in the oil industry "When I See You Smile".... *Just because Houston is a longer word!AND WE'RE OFF!!!! *When I See You Smile!!Said he's going to sing a few things from ATDW and from OMWH! *PERFECTION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*beautiful!! just beautiful!!"Where I Draw The Line" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He messed up a couple of words and then said "It's sad ? that you caught that! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*Did someone just "catch" him with a messed up lyric?? *OMG ...."Where I Draw The Line" !! HE messed up the words *AIken random lyric generator - he said "It's sad that you caught that." *He messed up a couple of words and then said "It's sad ? that you caught that! *oh the bridgeEither your gonna rescue me, or your gonna be the death of me (husky voice) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Everything I Don't Need
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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 16:38:41 GMT -8
There goes the roof!!!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ETIDN and it's WELL NOW!! *His voice sounds so strong! "Everything I Don't Need" *"Everything I Don't Need"!!!EEEEH!!oh...my...GOSH!!Well now ...SCREAMS!! *Everything I Don't Need - this sounds SO good live!!!! *He sounds like he's really rocking out on this. God, I love the growls. *Sounds like the audience is totally "connecting" ..... he still has it .... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ growly and sexy..
oh..stick a fork in me Im done. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OMWH....a little voice wobble and Clay says...You wore me out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*I swear this sounds better than the CD!! *and I love the way he ended that last note on falsetto!!!! *OMWH....... *she said "I think we all need a moment" *OMG!! THAT WAS PERFECTION!! Standing O!!! *On My Way Here. He had a little trouble starting and said "you wore me out." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Clay got a cheer from the audience when he sang "Faith has conquered fear." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*OMWH sounds great! It started out with just guitar accompaniment I think. *Heh - his voice cracked and he said "YOu wore me out." and the cellcerter or caper murmured "Well, you wore US out." *our "certer" wants us to know how gorgeous he is *seriously, that was TEN TIMES better then QVC...ive never heard him sound so hot! *I love how he sang...."before the breakdown starts ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ audience sang faith has conquered fear...and then Clay sang on my way here...to end the song...
I have tears.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ babysitter at home
erin bubel is babysitting parker
Thanks to Jaymes for adding this one...
Right Hear Waiting For you ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*He never left, did he? He is still Clay, our superstar, popstar, humanitarian, sexy guy!! *SOunded like audience sang along to "faith has conquered fear" at the end. *everyone was singing the last 2 lines with him ... beautiful *OMG - everyone just sang 'FAITH HAS CONQUERED FEAR" with him! *Some fans sang "faith has conquered fear". Awwww. *He let the audience sing the "Faith has conquered fear" line. *Next (and last) song was suggested by Jaymes. Mentioned that they have a babysitter at home - Amy Bubel?? *"Right Here Waiting" *one more ...hange at last minute ....thank Jaymes for this ... we are all family ... Amy (?) Bubel is babysitting Parker last 5 years, weeks, days .... he band learned this in 5 minutes"I Will Be Right Here Waiting" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A thank you for our support..the last 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 years
Clay is singing this so gently, he is caressing the words, it has a total different feel than when he sang it before.
Just sublime. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellstream:
*OMG -- just a gorgeous acoustic "Right Here Waiting". *OMG, this is a gorgeous version of Right Here Waiting For You - just Clay and the piano. Beautiful!! *Right here waiting. Awww. For us. *Now, this version I really, really like. This is how he should have recorded it. *I think I hear some in the audience crying. Oh God, the way he sang "with you" and "for you"... I'm toast.
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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 16:43:16 GMT -8
CV Cellstream:
*What a way to end - that song was gorgeous and so touching. *Right Here Waiting was sung with so much feeling. Like a completely different song than during SR&HP when he sang it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ms Marmalade at CH reports:
The BAF Goodie bags had books inside with the 2007 Christmas tour stories inside. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From BFS:
OMG!!! BFS just called me and said that Clay pulled the mic away and sang just to them in the room and she started crying!!! The first time someone has ever brought her to tears!!!! just before we hung up she said she had to go pick some people up off the floor!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellcert:
oh yes, I can hear her now! she managed to get her arm all the way around him,
felt a little bit of the pudginess on the side, the perfect amount
everyone in her row take one step forward, and they did it in perfect percision, when he speaks we listen (hee)
really happy that she's tall cause she was in the back with claysrainbow
Claysrainbow and terter was the bread and clay was the meat
she has never felt more love for a human being then she feels for clay right at this moment ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellcert:
The baby is going to be calling faye meme ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV Cellcert:
christmas story book with the title "remember when" and a picture of clay on the back ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ She wasn't the only one. I doubt there was a dry eye in the room. He paused at the very end and it was almost funny because you could hear all the soft sobs.
More later when I can be coherent, but it was a most magical night and I can only hope the enthusiastic response reminds Clay why touring is a good thing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the CH
I'm being told there is "tons of video" - people taking video "all over". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From SmartypantsSue from the CV:
I have pics. Will start working on them.
He knows we call his clothes FUGLY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From SmartypantsSue from the CV:
toni is loading video but the connection is VERY slow! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CV:
More about the Fugly lol
He brought out the green wango tango shirt and said something like, "I know y'all call this ugly. Well - not ugly, but something that rhymes with ugly." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From DM at the CV:
The band and Jerome are in the bar with Toni and co!!!!! Hee! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 16:48:06 GMT -8
From CV Cellert:
talking to suz now
he was great, he was phenomonal tonight
suz is trying to get some pictures up lol ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You expect me to be that coherent?
I'll try - EIDN OUR Clay complete with growls and wails and instinctive audience thudding. Seriously, you didn't think so much as just react to the sound. It reminded me of vintage NAT Clay.
The crying during RHW was pretty personal and quiet until that last moment. If I'm recalling correctly (and you'll have to excuse if I'm still somewhat hazy) it was after he pulled away from the mic and was singing softly and he paused a beat and in the quiet you could hear all the sniffles and quiet sobs. It actually made me laugh (along with most of the rest of the audience) because it was like one collective sniff.
For the line of OMWH - it was the line faith has conquered fear and he held his arms out and gestured for us to sing it. I think he did it because there had been an audible audience reaction the first time he sang the line. So it was like he was responding to that.
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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 16:52:50 GMT -8
From CV From lindylo:
There is not much left to say. It was an amazing evening--the best ever. The M&G as fun, Clay looked great, was funny especially when he said that we had another word for ugly re the Wango Tango shirt. He also talked about the streaming but referred to cellphones so he doesn't know about Oki ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ashleysgram and Kwhite here! Well, sorta, we are still up on cloud nine somewhere and we really dont ever wanna get off! To say he was amazing is truly an understatement. To say he loves us, would be yet another understatement. If you think the you were tearing up with the sound of him singing "Right Here Waiting" bring a truck load of kleenex for the visual that goes with the words. We will be selling body parts, plazma, kidneys just about anything to get to this next year. Oh and in case your wondering, "Everything I Don't Need", ROCKS!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Did anyone mention Remember When - Stories of Christmas that was included in the goody bags. It's the compilation of stories submitted for last year's Christmas tour. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Gala was beyond expectations. It was a thrilling evening from beginning to end! I haven't had a chance to read all the reports so far, so I'll just report a few items of interest (that may already have been reported). When Rich Donavan, a wonderful honoree tonight (he suffers from cerebral palsy and works tirelessly with corporations to get jobs for the handicapped), took the stage, he received a thunderous standing ovation. In response he thanked us for the "round of applause", and added, "I think you have competition, Clay". The audience loved it.
The CVS Caremark honoree said, "I'm the only one in a black tie----everyone keeps handing me their glasses. When Clay's stool went up for auction, the auctioneer asked Clay if he could sit on it. Clay fired back, "Fine, but it may decrease the value."
Tammy, a darling young gal who was my roommate on the BAF 7 day cruise last year, won the TV set in the raffle. She went up on stage and said she'd donate it back for a kiss from Clay. Clay kissed her cheek and said, "keep the TV". So sweet.
Clay's singing was overwhelmingly phenomenal. Gorgeous! And he was so adorable all night. Every face in the room was smiling throughout his time on the stage, until the last song, Right Here Waiting. Then quite a few gals wound up crying. It was such a touching version of the song. He told us that Jaymes suggested he add it. I felt strongly that he was talking to the fans who have left.....that he was right here waiting for them to return. If they could have been there tonight, they couldn't have resisted returning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Quick recap-an incredible night!
I was in a gold table of 10 fans and we were group #12 for a picture. Jerry Aiken called our group number and we went out into the hallway where Jerome told us to leave our purses and bags on a chair. We chatted with him for a bit until the group ahead of us finished. We entered the room where pictures were being taken and the professional photographer "arranged" us as we came in. Clay was chatted with James and Kristi as we were positioned and then he came over and shook everyone's hand and told us how glad he was we were there and that he recognized some of us. Funny thing, he thought my friend Alice said her name was "malice" and he ran with that! LOL!He was so handsome! Dark hair with highlights and a dark suit with a very subtle plaid design. He stood in the middle of our group and Diane Buble stood at the end (next to me!). The picture was taken and we (reluctantly!) made way for the next group.
We were table 24 in the ballroom. About two rows back and just to the left of the microphone. I could see Clay very well...a very good seat! Linda Loveland was very warm and articulate as mistress of ceremonies. Clay's speech was absolutely from his heart and he's so amazed at what his "experiment" with Diane Buble 5 years ago has accomplished. He noted that his speech was no doubt being broadcast to the fans on the message boards, too! The three recipients of the Champions of Change awards were amazing-parents of a child with a disability, an individual with a disability who is a financial whiz and a company working on inclusion projects. They all received well-deserved standing ovations.
The auction was a hoot!! Clay did everything he could to raise the bid! He tried on the leather jacket and even got it zipped up! He made the Sir Robin bear dance! He wore the blue "Someone else's star" shirt and seranaded the winner bidder. That rendition was so amazing...such a pure, powerful voice. He put an extra autograph on the stool and made a face at buying his "stool"! SO MUCH FUN!
AND then he sang! He killed time while the musicians got ready by finding out which fan had come the farthest. I can't spell the country! LOL! Sounded like the place where the dementors keep prisoners in Harry Potter! LOL! Then he sang YWSOB to us! IN accent! And we all sang the "jews" part and he assured us that he would never say such a thing. Then "When I see you smile"...I hope he could see the smiles on our faces and "Where I draw the line"...hearing OMWH songs in person! Clay is always so much better in person than his albums. "Everything I DOn't need" just about did us in...growling and emoting...I'm still not sure if it's "Well now" or Well, well!" BUT who the heck cares!? OMWH was so poiqnant with recent events and the crowd clapped a bit for "Faith has conquered fear" and he had us sing that to him at the end. Thank you Jaymes for suggesting the final song, a practically accoustic version of "Right Here Waiting for You"....a song from Clay to us and from us to him. There were a lot of "misty" eyes in the audience especially when he lowered the mic and sang just to us.
Incredible. I'm so glad I came. I am so proud to be a Clay fan and to be able to support him and his foundation.
This is a jumbled mess of a report...I hope you can see that I'm still grinning from ear to ear....with a little bit of misty eyes, too.
Can't wait to get home ....the wonders of Clack await! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Terter:
BFS gave me strict orders to sign on over here and give my recap.
I was feeling pretty nervous around 4:30, but by 5:00 after we arrived at the reception I felt a lot more calm and became VERY anxious for the picture taking to begin. The reception was VERY nice! Lots of yummy snacks and beverages . I didn't eat or drink anything then because I was afraid it would end up all over me and my dress.
We were group 13 for photos, so it seemed like forever!!! Finally we got our orders from Jerome and our names checked off the list and we were on our way into the room with THE MAN! I walked directly towards the back wall with the group and the photographer started to get us somewhat organized. I looked up and there he was. He was absolutely stunning! He took my breath away, but what else is new? He turned into teacher Clay for a moment, clapped his hands and said "Ok people organiazation time!" LOL! I love him. So then he asked each of our names and shook hands with us, looking at us all with those deadly green eyes! Then he situated himself between myself and another friend of mine named Mar!!! I could hardly believe that Mar and I were the bread and Clay was the meat in our love sandwich! LMAO! He didn't hesitate to put his arm around me and of course I put my arm around him...ALL THE WAY AROUND HIM!! It was so surreal that I was that close to him, so I had to give him a little squeeze just to make sure it was real. Hee! Then he instructed everyone in the back row with us to take one step forward. I looked down and my feet and waited for him to take a step. His feet are HUGE! Did y'all know that? LOL! Then the picture was taken. I told him thank you and he kind of thanked us as a group. On my way out the door I noticed Jaymes and said hello to her. I didn't even realize she was there until then! She looked gorgeous! She said hello back and it was over. I thought it would go by so fast that I wouldn't remember a thing, but I tried to soak up every second and it seemed longer that I imagine it would be.
Thanks for letting me share! I wish ALL of you could have been here. I was truly a magical night in so many ways. I don't think I could love him any more if I tried! I adore him with every fiber of my being. He's one in a million!
((((To all))))) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 16:56:19 GMT -8
GrandmaJoan and I are the last ones up from our group......we don't want to go to bed!!! Looking at all the pretty pics of Clay....he was incredible tonight!!
This was our first Gala but it won't be our last!!! So many friends we have made this weekend, so many folks we have been wanting to meet. We enjoyed each and every one of you guys!!! It was so nice to be able to speak with Mrs Parker.....she is so comfortable with each and every fan. Jerome looked great, Jamie looked great, and although we could not see Jaymes from where we sat, I understand she looked absolutely beautiful.
Now, to Clay....He gets better looking every time we see him and it was so nice to hear that glorious voice again. It was so cute when he sang the "You won't suceed on Broadway" song, in his British Accent. The mini-concert was moving, exciting and a perfect way to end the evening. "Right Here Waiting" seemed like a lullaby to "us", so gentle and so emotional it was. You could feel the love in the audience and the feeling of "old times" again. I hope Clay misses being in concert as much as we miss him.
"Some of us"......UMMMMM.....are going home with some really great things from the silent auction!!! I'm thinking about how darn happy my hubby is going to be when he sees the 2 foot by 3 foot framed and signed poster of Clay holding the "all done darlin" baby from Afghanistan!!! LOL!!!!! The Gala was well organized and it reminded you of a ClayMate convention....we are so Blessed to have Clay in our lives.....we are so Blessed to have each other, too.
PS..This is Sue, here!! Barbara (flyingstarship) is sound asleep from all the fun of tonight's activities combined with all the fun we've been having since Thursday!! I'm using her laptop and have no idea what the heck I'm doing!!!! Good night everyone....I can't wait to get home to "click and save" on my own computer!!!!
GrandmaJoan says "Good Night everyone, from Raleigh . Hi this is Barbara-I just woke up and saw that Sue posted this on the Spam thread. Sorry! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 17:00:09 GMT -8
From Brightstar from CV:
Well, I'm home and I'm spent. What a remarkable, memorable evening! I don't have time for a big recap, so I'll just post a few thoughts. It was definitely a night of love. Love from us to Clay, love from him to us, and reminders of the need for and benefits of inclusion-and that everyone has the capacity to love. A very moving night from start to finish.
And for those few who feared Clay would somehow change or be changed or seem different somehow-he is exactly the same. The same funny, snarky, beautiful, compassionate, bossy, loving, take-charge, talented guy. I thought I would die laughing when he said he knew that many on the message boards hated his shirt. And that "we" called it ugly-no, a word that rhymes with ugly. Cracked.me.up. His references to cell phones and message boards and videos that would be up in 30 minutes were hilarious and showed that he is quite tuned in to his fans on the boards.
It felt so good to hear him sing again. Singing "his" songs live. His voice, after all these years, still blows me away. Despite the few times he sounded as if he was about to lose his voice, he was vocally so strong-- powerful, beautiful, and moving. Sexily moving in ETIDN and poignantly moving in "Right Here Waiting". One in a million may be really underestimating it. No voice, no performer grabs me and moves me as he does.
And what a perfectly perfect choice of songs to end the night. Right Here Waiting. It was very softly and intimately sung, so personal, so beautiful. It seemed as if he were singing to each of us individually-his heart wide open, singing to many whose hearts were also wide open, but also to those who may have closed themselves off to him just lately. He was not only telling us how much he loved and appreciated us, but also seemed to be sending the reassurance that he would be there waiting for those who had "left" if they ever wanted to come back. I honestly don't know of another man so generous and so loving. What an honor to be there! What a joy to be his fan.
And so I go to bed now, to relive and remember. So many gifts, so much to treasure-it will take weeks to wrap my mind around it all.
Safe travels to all as you go home. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ from karenforclay at clayscornercafe an interesting tidbit
The same lady who originally bought the Sir Robin bear for $17,500.00, donated it to the BAF .....and bought it back for $48,000.00... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 17:12:43 GMT -8
From farouche from the CV:
It was NOT the Somewhere Out There shirt, just to clarify. It was the Someone Else's Star shirt. He went in a back room and disrobed partially (our of our view, alas) and came back in with the shirt on.
As we were leaving from having our pictures taken, I was the last one out. The woman ahead of me said something to Clay. I didn't quite hear it, but my impression was she had given him something that included a note and she wanted him to read it. I don't know what got into me, but I turned to him and said "Well, I gave you nothing, and I don't have anything for you to read." He laughed and then he started talking to me. It went something like this:
Clay: Hey farouche. I've known you all this time but I don't know your real name. (EEEEE. He spontaneously remembered my name. He had said good to see you again when he shook my hand, but he probably says that to all of us. lol) Me: It's Sally, but I don't really like it. Clay: I do. I like the name Sally. Me: Well, then you can call me Sally. Clay: No, I'm going to keep calling you farouche b/c you're the only person I know by their [sic] screen name."
I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From PermaSwooned from CV:
There isn't anyone here that isn't sharing that sentiment tonight. What an incredible, incredible experience. I am so thrilled that there is audio and video. Since Clay joked that this was being broadcast all over the message boards, I'm sure he doesn't mind us sharing.
I was SO proud to be a BAF supporter tonight. What amazing work they have been able to accomplish in just a short 5 years. Clay looks just absolutely amazing. There is absolutely no tension at all in his face. He looks so relaxed, and so happy. His speaking was wonderful, his auctioneering was just hilarious, and the singing was amazing.
When he sang "Right Here Waiting" tonight it was just the most gorgeous version you could imagine. So intimate. So caring. So loving. Just amazing. Hope that comes across in the video clips. When he sang that last bit so softly, and got a bit choked up, everyone there just lost it. I imagine you can hear audible sobbing and sniffling on the video or audio. It was just so moving, it was a moment most of us will remember forever.
I was in a fairly good position for pictures, but the lighting was just too darn low. Suz and I are sitting her bleary-eyed trying to resue a few pictures. They are way too dark, too grainy or too blurry, but we're trying to rescue what we can. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From SmartypantsSuz from the CV:
Besides being an incredible success for BAF last night, the gala proved a number of things...
He's still the sexiest thing on earth.
He still loves us.
He is still going to tease us.
He is still going to sing like nobody's business.
His music will still touch us in a myriad of ways.
We still love him.
He knows we love him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Toni From the CV:
Don't be mad now guys but I got all the songs BUT "Everything I Don't Need" on video and alot of auctions but I just had to watch "Everything I Don't Need" myself and not through the view finder:) SORRY GUYS
I have a cute video of him at his table talking after dinner and a cute one of him at his table watching Uncle Jerry's speech.....god I love him!! Jaime and Jaymes looked great!! Jaymes hair is shorter now.
Clay was hungry last night. He downed that salad as soon as it was in front of him and poured alot of dressing on it haha!! I was close to his table so couldnt help but see HEE!!
Back to uploading video, more pics when I get home. Hope you like them
Talk to everyone later, need breakfast. My flight is not till 8PM tonight ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Pink Armchair From the CV:
Hello...have to pack and I'm not caught up at all, but what an amazing, amazing night. Oh, he was amazing and I was a blubbery mess. I'll post a recap when I get home...
Just wanted to quickly say...if this has been mentioned, I apologize -- the gift bags from last night included the holiday book with the CITH stories from the fans! Nice-looking paperback, glossy cover, title: Remember When: Stories of Christmas, about 200 pages. One of my stories is in it, but surprisingly, not the one I read onstage or was asked to record (and this being Clay, of course he just had to edit out the last line. Ya gotta love him *g*). It looks like in some cases, they wanted to include pieces that were not read that nobody had heard. I don't have time to go through it right now, but at first glance I saw stories in there from anntherese54, idlefan4ca, Carmenl, Marilyn, SmartyPantsSuz, Windtalker, and others. Faye has a story in there, too. I'll take another look when I get home -- I'm realizing that I don't know a lot of people's last names! My understanding is that they'll offer it for sale on the website.
Back later. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From irishbookgal from the CV:
from the Marriott lobby.
We're watching Clack with the bell hop. He thinks Clay sings really good. He also thinks he's hot! He can get in line! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From sassybabe from the CH Observations and tidbits from last night at the gala. First, saw Jaymes in the lobby prior to the gala and she looked terrific. (shallow parts follow) She was wearing a black dress (knee length), wide straps and cut low in the back and somewhat in the front, skirt to the knees, sheer black hose and VERY high spike heel shoes. She is about a SIZE TWO!!!! She chatted briefly with about four people who approached her. She seemed to be on her way somewhere. I was a bit concerned having heard that she might be approached in a not too friendly way but the people who spoke with her were very nice and she to them.
I think Jaymes is really going to be great for Clay. I think she is very careful and watches out for him. I was sitting over to the right of the stage and the sound and lighting equipment was in that direction. Before he started singing she very discreetly came over and talked with the lighting guy and there followed some VERY nice lighting for him and I do think that was on her direction. Also her suggested idea of "Right Here Waiting" for the ending song was a masterful stroke, this lady really knows what she is doing. It is clear that she is/will be working on his behalf and for his success. She has the experience and knowledge and most importantly desire for him to be successful .... unlike some of the other so-called professionals he has had around him. I truly do think the best is yet to come and I think she is going to do her best to see that happen. Most of this is just MO, but conclusions from observation from last evening. I came away feeling very much better about his future. I think he has very good folks in his corner and looking out for his best interest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From FearofH2O From the CH:
I was there last night and the room was packed. They squeezed in so many tables that it was difficult to get through the aisles. I heard the number 450 bandered about for # attending. They said $207,000 for the live auction. Clay said it did not include the lotteries($20. per ticket or 6 for $100 ? I think). I don't believe it included the silent auctions either, they ended near the end of dinner. Some of those were several thousand dollars.
There were quite a few men, although quite a few were with CVS. Lots of young girls in frilly dresses. Definitely more people than last year. Everyone seemed to enjoy the auction and the show. I was talking to a man and his daughter, he had accompanied his daughter from Canada. He said he really enjoyed the evening.
This was one of the best Clay events I have ever attended. Or maybe they just keep getting better. Some things I haven't heard mentioned:
Clay said he hadn't slept since the day before.
Although Jaymes suggested "Right Here Waiting", he was singing it for the fans. He appreciated our support for the last five years, five weeks and today.
Faye looked absolutely gorgeous and was so very happy and outgoing. She wore a beautiful black strapless draped evening gown.
Jaymes was in the room where we had our pictures taken. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I was at the gala. not too much new to report. that is aron's hand w/ the gold ring on it. diane's daughter that was babysitting parker was EMMA. faye was very nice and approachable and chatty. such a proud grandma and mother. jaymes wasn't in the room when my group had our photos taken. actually they took a group photo and we were supposed to be individual. clay took over at that point and directed us for our individual photos. I ended up being first and didn't remember clay grabbing my hand and pulling me back for our photo (he told us to move to the back of the room and that was where I was headed w/ the others). we got copies of both the group photo and our individual photo. the auctioneer and his wife were at our table (very nice people) along w/ debbie the treasurer from the foundation. I was speaking to diane bubel after the gala when clay called her. I started to leave, but she told me to stay so we can finish our conversation. she was on the phone for about 10 mins. I will not post what was said since she was nice enough to let me stand there and listen, but all said was good. at the morning round table jerry tried to speak w/o using a microphone, but ending up using one. everyone applauded and he said "where do you think that he learned it from" referring to clay.
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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 17:37:11 GMT -8
From ncgran4clay from the CV:
Home from the most fabulous week-end with Clay. The Gala was wonderful, he was adorable, funny, snarky, handsome. I don't have enough adjectives to describe him!! My face still hurts from smiling. The auction was fun to watch & he was so excited to see how much the items sold for! His voice was just awesome! I have loved ETIDN from the start & when he sang it last night all I could think of was I wanted to stand up like at a concert & move to the music!! He added growls & really " sang that song". And then "Right Here Waiting". Beautiful, just beautiful!! Sung softly with such feeling. I don't think I have ever been so moved by a song ever!! I felt my eyes fill with tears & my chest felt tight. Probably because I was holding my breath.! ! I could hear others quietly sobbing . When the lights came up there were few dry eyes in the room. Loved meeting other CV's , Cotton, Champion, XXX, cathy4clay,Poison Ivy , Cincy, Marilyn & so many others. It was truly a magical evening. Memories to treasure forever!!
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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 17:44:24 GMT -8
Thought this was cute
From the CV:
toni, ClaysFayevorite, IBG, Perma, Wink, Curiousgladys, claym8, many others that I don't know and even some of the hotel staff are having a Clack watching party in the lobby of the Marriott.
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Post by Aiken4ClayInSeattleWA on Oct 19, 2008 18:06:59 GMT -8
From Claym8 From the CV:
Didn't Clay say something about being up all night? OH! I just remembered. A hotel manager-type guy stopped by our group in the lobby this afternoon and told us that Clay spent the whole day in a suite in the hotel and ordered grilled cheese for a snack. Ben Cohen also told someone in the bar that he and Clay were on the same flight and it left NY at 6:30 a.m. He had a very very long day!
I've also seen a lot of people mention that Clay sang the end of Right Here Waiting quietly. I'm not sure if anyone also said that the last few words were sung with no microphone. It was very touching. I too think he teared up at the end.
That mirror picture is to die for. I've never seen so many copies of a picture of a picture. I've got a couple of them in my camera too.
I was very lucky tonight. The front desk called me a few minutes ago and asked if my rental was a blue Volvo. I had left my lights on!! Tomorrow morning could have been very bad! To me the Volvo lights and wipers are very confusing to deal with.
I had other stuff to say but can't remember it all.
thanks again to everyone for sharing my excitement!
Got it! It was totally wonderful to hear Clay talk about his "family." and when he introduced Faye to draw for the raffle he introduced her as Mom and then revised it to Grandma. Awwwww!
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