Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Being a part of the Claynation
I love this story and wanted to share. I post this with permission from both the writer CarolinaClay and Mariedrummond.
Claying It Forward on Broadway
When Clay says he has the best fans in the world, he’s not kidding—and he’s right. Everyone in the fan community has either participated in or read about the “Claying It Forward” incidences that take place almost daily. Sometimes it’s a CD or a DVD of performance clack; other times it’s passing along an extra concert ticket.
You may have read about just such an incident at Spamalot in February. After seeing a nutshell of the chain of events, I looked up the original post at the OFC. With permission, this is the extraordinary experience of Canadian fan Mariedrummond:
On my birthday weekend, Feb. 16-17, I saw Spamalot four times. While I was waiting for the Sunday matinee, I met several Clay fans, and one introduced me to Scarlett. I just discovered Clay last December, and I thanked her profusely for all the great clack that has allowed me to reconstruct Clay’s journey of the last five years.
Incredibly, Scarlett invited me, a total stranger, to sit with her for the evening show in seat A111. The ticket had originally belonged to Toni7babe, who had to fly home before the show that night.
I gave my E6 ticket to Michelle, a fan I met that weekend and who had a row K seat. Then I met Nikki, who had a row Q ticket, so I gave her the K seat.
Still holding the Q ticket, I went back to the SRO (standing room only) section and asked a mother and her young son if they would like to share the seat. It turned out that this was her son’s 12th birthday, and he became very excited and started jumping up and down.
“Spamalot” on Feb. 17 turned out to be one amazing “Claying It Forward".
---
I post this story to share a little about the Clay fandom that I’m so thankful to be a part of. Being a Clay fan does not just mean being a fan of Clay. Obviously that is a big factor, and why the Claynation exists, but there is so much more.
When CarolinaClay mentions that these types of “Claying it Forward” incidences happen daily she’s not kidding. For example, during tours the Claynation has a website set up for ticket donation for those occasions where you suddenly have six tickets to a concert that just you and your roommate are going to. I don’t know how it happens because I’ve never had it happen to me, *cough*, but it does. And then when all of the upgrading of tickets finishes and you end up with however many extra tickets you have *cough* you can donate your tickets to The Way We Make A Difference site, who then works with places like Best Buddies, Special Olympics, YMCA, Ronald McDonald houses, etc. to allow people with and without disabilities be able to experience the joy of attending a concert together. It’s fantastic.
There are many other opportunities for fundraising and donations which I won’t go through.
And then there are the people I’ve met. I don’t really spend much time on the Official Fan Club, but there is one thread on The Clayboard that I frequent. I’ve met ladies from all around the country, all around the world in fact! I’m definitely the young[er] ones out of the group but we all have such a great time. No matter what age, no one is left out. I truly hope I have the opportunity to meet up with everyone during the summer concert series.
I came home recently and found a small yellow envelope addressed to me. It’s so exciting to get things besides bills. But in this case I had no idea who the person was. I stood there for a minute wondering who the heck I know in Connecticut. Yeah, nothing was coming to me. But whatever, it was mail and it was addressed to me! I opened it and found a Spamalot playbill. And then I let out a squeal of excitement. A lady on the message board had inquired if anyone was interested in one, as she had scooped up a bunch after the show that people had left behind. I provided my address just in case she had an extra but said I would be going to a show as well, so don’t worry about it if she ran out. This lady, who I had never before talked to, made my week! I now have the playbill in my cubicle at work preparing me for my trip to NYC.
Anyway, I will not take any more of your time. For anyone who wonders what the heck I see in that Clay Aiken guy, make fun all you like but I’m not leaving the Claynation anytime soon!
I love this story and wanted to share. I post this with permission from both the writer CarolinaClay and Mariedrummond.
Claying It Forward on Broadway
When Clay says he has the best fans in the world, he’s not kidding—and he’s right. Everyone in the fan community has either participated in or read about the “Claying It Forward” incidences that take place almost daily. Sometimes it’s a CD or a DVD of performance clack; other times it’s passing along an extra concert ticket.
You may have read about just such an incident at Spamalot in February. After seeing a nutshell of the chain of events, I looked up the original post at the OFC. With permission, this is the extraordinary experience of Canadian fan Mariedrummond:
On my birthday weekend, Feb. 16-17, I saw Spamalot four times. While I was waiting for the Sunday matinee, I met several Clay fans, and one introduced me to Scarlett. I just discovered Clay last December, and I thanked her profusely for all the great clack that has allowed me to reconstruct Clay’s journey of the last five years.
Incredibly, Scarlett invited me, a total stranger, to sit with her for the evening show in seat A111. The ticket had originally belonged to Toni7babe, who had to fly home before the show that night.
I gave my E6 ticket to Michelle, a fan I met that weekend and who had a row K seat. Then I met Nikki, who had a row Q ticket, so I gave her the K seat.
Still holding the Q ticket, I went back to the SRO (standing room only) section and asked a mother and her young son if they would like to share the seat. It turned out that this was her son’s 12th birthday, and he became very excited and started jumping up and down.
“Spamalot” on Feb. 17 turned out to be one amazing “Claying It Forward".
---
I post this story to share a little about the Clay fandom that I’m so thankful to be a part of. Being a Clay fan does not just mean being a fan of Clay. Obviously that is a big factor, and why the Claynation exists, but there is so much more.
When CarolinaClay mentions that these types of “Claying it Forward” incidences happen daily she’s not kidding. For example, during tours the Claynation has a website set up for ticket donation for those occasions where you suddenly have six tickets to a concert that just you and your roommate are going to. I don’t know how it happens because I’ve never had it happen to me, *cough*, but it does. And then when all of the upgrading of tickets finishes and you end up with however many extra tickets you have *cough* you can donate your tickets to The Way We Make A Difference site, who then works with places like Best Buddies, Special Olympics, YMCA, Ronald McDonald houses, etc. to allow people with and without disabilities be able to experience the joy of attending a concert together. It’s fantastic.
There are many other opportunities for fundraising and donations which I won’t go through.
And then there are the people I’ve met. I don’t really spend much time on the Official Fan Club, but there is one thread on The Clayboard that I frequent. I’ve met ladies from all around the country, all around the world in fact! I’m definitely the young[er] ones out of the group but we all have such a great time. No matter what age, no one is left out. I truly hope I have the opportunity to meet up with everyone during the summer concert series.
I came home recently and found a small yellow envelope addressed to me. It’s so exciting to get things besides bills. But in this case I had no idea who the person was. I stood there for a minute wondering who the heck I know in Connecticut. Yeah, nothing was coming to me. But whatever, it was mail and it was addressed to me! I opened it and found a Spamalot playbill. And then I let out a squeal of excitement. A lady on the message board had inquired if anyone was interested in one, as she had scooped up a bunch after the show that people had left behind. I provided my address just in case she had an extra but said I would be going to a show as well, so don’t worry about it if she ran out. This lady, who I had never before talked to, made my week! I now have the playbill in my cubicle at work preparing me for my trip to NYC.
Anyway, I will not take any more of your time. For anyone who wonders what the heck I see in that Clay Aiken guy, make fun all you like but I’m not leaving the Claynation anytime soon!
A trip to celebrate Family Day
Yesterday was the new Ontario holiday “Family Day”. Do you realize how many more holidays they have in Canada over the US? I’m thinking of moving to Canada for that reason not really. But yesterday was Family Day, and I thought I would celebrate it with my friend Lynn who by chance actually lives in Ontario. It was Family Home Evening (FHE) at my church and I was definitely going to go in celebration. It started at seven. I attempted to primp and prep and get beautiful, which didn’t work out so well, and headed out.
As I was leaving it started to snow. No big deal. It snows in Ohio, I’m used to it. However, as I pulled out of the parking lot a torrential downpour hurricane of a snowfall started. Holy mother of snow batman. But it was Family Day dang it and I was going to go celebrate! About a mile up the road I decided that I definitely lived in the US… Family Day whatever I’m turning around!
Now when I say a torrential downpour hurricane of a snowfall I’m not kidding. You couldn’t see two feet in front of you, headlights were useless, and I just happened to be on a road with no streetlights. That worked out well. As a special added bonus you could no longer see the street names because snow had magically fallen in such a way that it was stuck to the signs covering them up. Wheee! This was fun! I had driven this road many times though so when it was time for me to turn onto the street heading into my neighborhood I signaled in plenty of time and turned left onto the correct road. Or not. Turns out they moved my street and in its place there was a newly formed apartment complex. Hmm. Ok then. This complex was also poorly designed because the parking lot did not leave ANY room for turning around. An attempt was made, but I figured the parked cars would not appreciate me sliding into them. Yes, the roads were already very slick. I would have to drive around the complex to the exit. Upon finding this exit I headed out and back towards the street I was supposed to turn on. But not really. The exit seemed to land me in the opposite direction and I slowly drove into the unknown.
I found a street sign that was pointed opposite from the snow so it wasn’t completely covered yet. It looked familiar so I thought I’d take that route. Although when I say familiar it really means I’ve driven by the sign many times so the name looked familiar but I didn’t exactly know where it led. At this point I thought it best to get help. I pulled over and called my roommate Laura. I figured she lives in the same house as I do, she would know where I live! From the cozy confines of our sometimes warm house, Laura directed me home. Phew.
Looking back I realize I should have used my vznavigator to get home. The nice lady would have given me precise directions and when exactly to turn. Well, maybe. She might not have been able to see through that snow either. At least she wouldn’t laugh at me because I couldn’t find my own house.
Yesterday was the new Ontario holiday “Family Day”. Do you realize how many more holidays they have in Canada over the US? I’m thinking of moving to Canada for that reason not really. But yesterday was Family Day, and I thought I would celebrate it with my friend Lynn who by chance actually lives in Ontario. It was Family Home Evening (FHE) at my church and I was definitely going to go in celebration. It started at seven. I attempted to primp and prep and get beautiful, which didn’t work out so well, and headed out.
As I was leaving it started to snow. No big deal. It snows in Ohio, I’m used to it. However, as I pulled out of the parking lot a torrential downpour hurricane of a snowfall started. Holy mother of snow batman. But it was Family Day dang it and I was going to go celebrate! About a mile up the road I decided that I definitely lived in the US… Family Day whatever I’m turning around!
Now when I say a torrential downpour hurricane of a snowfall I’m not kidding. You couldn’t see two feet in front of you, headlights were useless, and I just happened to be on a road with no streetlights. That worked out well. As a special added bonus you could no longer see the street names because snow had magically fallen in such a way that it was stuck to the signs covering them up. Wheee! This was fun! I had driven this road many times though so when it was time for me to turn onto the street heading into my neighborhood I signaled in plenty of time and turned left onto the correct road. Or not. Turns out they moved my street and in its place there was a newly formed apartment complex. Hmm. Ok then. This complex was also poorly designed because the parking lot did not leave ANY room for turning around. An attempt was made, but I figured the parked cars would not appreciate me sliding into them. Yes, the roads were already very slick. I would have to drive around the complex to the exit. Upon finding this exit I headed out and back towards the street I was supposed to turn on. But not really. The exit seemed to land me in the opposite direction and I slowly drove into the unknown.
I found a street sign that was pointed opposite from the snow so it wasn’t completely covered yet. It looked familiar so I thought I’d take that route. Although when I say familiar it really means I’ve driven by the sign many times so the name looked familiar but I didn’t exactly know where it led. At this point I thought it best to get help. I pulled over and called my roommate Laura. I figured she lives in the same house as I do, she would know where I live! From the cozy confines of our sometimes warm house, Laura directed me home. Phew.
Looking back I realize I should have used my vznavigator to get home. The nice lady would have given me precise directions and when exactly to turn. Well, maybe. She might not have been able to see through that snow either. At least she wouldn’t laugh at me because I couldn’t find my own house.
Plastic frames, wire frames, no frames oh my!
There are many things in this world that I can be decisive about. Asparagus or green beans? Do I want to go to work or stay home? Should I wait to buy tickets to Spamalot or buy them two seconds after they go on sale even though I have no money for food, no money to get there and no idea what it costs for a Manhatten hotel? These things are very simple decisions to make.
And then there is the process of buying glasses. Now I’ve been wearing glasses since second grade so I’ve had some experience in that department and I will admit that I’m not as decisive when the occasion arises. This time however I was ready. I went to lenscrafters.com and looked at all the frames. All of the modern and trendy and office and old lady reading glasses. I knew what was there and I was ready! But funny because when we got to the store none of the glasses looked familiar. Had I gone to the wrong website or was I in the wrong store? Either way it was a new search, and all preparedness was lost. Back to being indecisive. Thankfully my roommate Laura was there to help me out and tell me which was best, afterwhich I had to ask every single employee there what they thought just in case Laura was wrong. But I had found the perfect pair and it was time for my eye exam!
1 or 2? 2. 1 or 2? 1. 1 or 2? They look the same. 1 or 2? 3? 1 or 2? Oh for the love of…
Exam done and it was time to decide on how I wanted my insurance to be applied. Indecisiveness returns. But wait! My glasses will cost 500 DOLLARS OMG WHAT?!?
I’ll just get the contacts kthanx.
There are many things in this world that I can be decisive about. Asparagus or green beans? Do I want to go to work or stay home? Should I wait to buy tickets to Spamalot or buy them two seconds after they go on sale even though I have no money for food, no money to get there and no idea what it costs for a Manhatten hotel? These things are very simple decisions to make.
And then there is the process of buying glasses. Now I’ve been wearing glasses since second grade so I’ve had some experience in that department and I will admit that I’m not as decisive when the occasion arises. This time however I was ready. I went to lenscrafters.com and looked at all the frames. All of the modern and trendy and office and old lady reading glasses. I knew what was there and I was ready! But funny because when we got to the store none of the glasses looked familiar. Had I gone to the wrong website or was I in the wrong store? Either way it was a new search, and all preparedness was lost. Back to being indecisive. Thankfully my roommate Laura was there to help me out and tell me which was best, afterwhich I had to ask every single employee there what they thought just in case Laura was wrong. But I had found the perfect pair and it was time for my eye exam!
1 or 2? 2. 1 or 2? 1. 1 or 2? They look the same. 1 or 2? 3? 1 or 2? Oh for the love of…
Exam done and it was time to decide on how I wanted my insurance to be applied. Indecisiveness returns. But wait! My glasses will cost 500 DOLLARS OMG WHAT?!?
I’ll just get the contacts kthanx.
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