ClayManiacs

12-21-07 Friday Omaha, NE -- Slosburg Hall/Orpheum Theater

Concert Time: Start Times :9:00 pm EST
                                               8:00 pm CDT
                                               7:00 pm MST
                                               6:00 pm PST  


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Omaha Maniacs
KSChristian4Clay (Meesa)
luv4Clay


                       

I'm sooooooooooo excited for MEESA!!!!  :shappy :shappy :shappy

Me, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!   :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy

Hi Thea and Debbie! :wave  I am so happy for MEESA.   :clap

I will miss most of the cellcert tonight . . . (I'll be with non-Clay friends) . . but I hope to get here for at least part of tonight's concert!  ENJOY!

                                             I AM EXCITED TO. FOR MEESA SHE SHOULD HAVE HAD IT OR HAVING IT SHORTLY. :clap

                                                BTW, :wave :wave TO ALL.

Hello all. Been thinking about Meesa all day. I'm so excited for her too. Marilyn-Please let us know if you hear from her. Can't wait to hear all about it. :bouncy

I'll be here for the cellcert so see you all later and I'll say something after it's over. :wave

I'm excited for Meesa.  This has been a long time coming, but she is certainly one of the most deserving Clay fans to have a M&G!!

I will check back in to see if Marilyn hears from Meesa.

Have fun!

Hi all! :wave 

I'm thinking of Meesa too and hope we hear something soon!  She must be on cloud 9 right now.     

                                       DON'T THINK HER FEET WILL EVER TOUCH THE GROUND AGAIN. :lmao :lmao

Meesa -  :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy :bouncy Hope you savored every moment.  :bigsmile

I just remembered she said she's doing updates for the CV cellstream tonight so maybe she'll get to say something about it if anyone can hear her. :bigsmile

Five minutes before the concert and the cellstream disappeared. I am going to see if I can locate info elsewhere.

Thanks a bunch, MARILYN!   :hugg

Found at CV:

lindacov just called me from the Orpeheum and said there are lots of men. Lots of couples and as she was standing outside saw 4 men pull up and get out of the car to go in. She had problems getting from SLC to Omaha, but made it finally. The theatre is beautiful and she was just going in. She has 3rd row seat.  

Dear ladies, I hope to be back on a bit later.  I can't believe this the last concert of CITH!!  Which also means Christmas is almost here!  :eek :merryxmas

Thea, tomorrow night is the last concert in Merrillville. One more to go!

Not getting any info- nothing is connecting

                                       I HEAR PEOPLE BUT NO CLAY.

Thea - I think tomorrow night is the last night - if not, Woody is going to be MAD - she has tickets!  :lmao I came on to see if Meesa had called Marilyn - hope she is still able to report back - I would not be surprised if she has  :thud

 :wave Everybody! I have only  2 more presents to wrap!  :clap

Pam is talking to someone -- I think it's Meesa (she had a M&G)

They dragged them all over -- had some technical difficulties (maybe finding a place to meet up in?) -- Jerome talked to them a bit

talked to a guitar guy who toured with him -- from that area ... came back to visit (Daniel ??)

what did he want when he was a kid -- what gift -- he couldn't remember but Faye said he wanted "Teddy Ruxpin"

BAF is halfway to the camps ... but the foundation has too much money right now ... they goal of 100 camps wasn't realistic but they wanted to move forward to the next level

she got 2 pictures because clay closed his eyes  

Capacity is 2600.  

 :wave   Hi Everyone

TGIF and I don't have to go back to work until next Thursday.   :clap

I can't wait to hear Meesa report from tonight.  If it ever happens to me, I won't be coherent enough to say or write a word.

Meesa, I believe, talking about her meet and greet. Explained an answer Clay give about how much $$$ the BAF has raised lately. Faye was at the meet and greet?

Clay's favorite Christmas movie is Home Alone.  

From CV certer:
From M&G Q: What is your fave toy or what you wanted most when younger. He didn't know, so Faye said he wanted Teddy Ruxpin? (teddybear that talks). Q: How close to raising $1 million for camp? Faye said half way there. He said as a foundation you're suppose to give so much money away and right now they had too much money (he gave a big long answer about how this works).  

I think this is Meesa talking

Yeah for Meesa!!!! :yay She got to take 2 pictures with Clay. :thud Those are great questions. Can't wait to hear her full report. I'm so happy for her. :bouncy Thanks Marilyn.

I have the cellstream on but its a bad connection.

O LIttle Town of Bethlehem

Hey everyone  :wave  I'll bet Meesa is floating!  I am so thrilled for her!!

Mary Did you Know?
NO ONE SINGS THIS LIKE CLAY

from CV:

One of the M&Ger's remarks tonight reminded me of something that happened at the readers meeting in Cleveland.

M&Ger tonight said they had to retake her picture because Clay had his eyes shut. Monday night when Clay was standing with one of the other readers, as the reader and Quiana started to move away after the snap, Clay said, 'Wait a minute. I think I looked weird.' then waited a beat or two and said, 'er.' LOL. He then told Jamie he thought he had his eyes closed and she checked and said, 'you do.' so they took another. Clay said, 'Sometimes I just know these things.'

Totally cute and funny.  

first story

Jazzy Medley- I love how he ends this

He's hilarious. :roflmao

     
      Marilyn,
              Thanks so much for the cellcert, we would miss so much without you.


      Meesa,
   Enjoy every minute of your time in the sun.
                                                                                  Betty

wonderlaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand!!


woo hoo!! great ending

CHRISTMAS WALTZ-!!   :dance :dance :dance :dance

second Story

Angela singing Who Would Imagine a King

I really like her voice on this song.

Welcome to our World

I love the way he sings this with such powerful emotion

 :wave

 :wave   Hey Philly

:wave  Hey all!  Reporting in from Merrillville...all ready for tomorrow!  :wheee

Great to hear some of the bits from Meesa's M&G. 

Thanks Marilyn for all the reports and to all of you for being here...what fun!

                                      SO WHERE DID EVERYBODY GO. :bigsmile

Still here Glory. Not going anywhere.

Hey Clandy. You are in Merrillville already. Anyone else with you? Wish I could be there for the last concert tomorrow. Be special. Have fun. :bouncy

We're probably trying to do a little multi-tasking during intermission    :bigsmile

 :wave CLANDY, I sure wish I could join you, WOODY, and the others.  Unfortunately my responsibilities  as choir director for my church this Sunday prevented me from being able to attend.  ~~sigh~~at least I had Waukegan and Kalamazoo.    I hope you all get an amazing performance at the Star Plaza!!!!  Any possibilities of any of you getting a M&G for tomorrow????

If he could only sing one song to be broadcast around the world - BOTW or SOLITAIRE But the way she tells it should be published!

Inch long arm fur - did I really just type that? I need to step away fromthe keyboard! LOL!

Cheeseburger for lunch! She even knows the condiments! LOL  

Toni's on the phone. She's on cloud nine!!! Hasn't come down yet. Hee. Hasn't been able to get any clack yet. Too much security. M&G was wonderful. Carolina sweatshirt. hair all over the place strawberry blond Jamie was there & Jerome. Clay snarking back & forth between Toni & Meesa.  

Yikes! The piano tuner had never shown up! That was the technical difficulties!
Quiana came out in her robe and slippers not knowing the M&Ger's were in there!!!  

Clay almost missed the entrance into "Mary Did You Know?".  

Toni: is on cloud nine. The M&G was wonderful. She hasn't got any clack tonight, nor can Invisible, zippy, He was gorgeous, blue Carolina shirt, strawberry blonde and he was hysterical, He asked if Meesa & toni knew each other, have the phone numbers, how did you get in the same M&G. Her question if you were asked to do a concert and it was broadcast around the world and you can only sing one song. Maybe BOTW or Solitaire. Talked a lot, snarked on Jamie & Mary. Really fun, nails nicely manicured, fur on arm very long. He had a greasy cheeseburger for lunch. and he was aabsolutely gorgeous. Faye talked to them for awhile. The greatest thing are dvd's he can watch them for 45 minutes then shut them off, cause he doesn't have the attention span. Sat with legs crossed and scratched his ankles. Invisible: short coat hair is kinda crazy. He almost missed the entrance to "Mary Did You Know?" and so he flipped his hair and it was even worse. Banter was short. Just mentioned the stories. jerome told some stories about the dog, he's a good dog around people he knows, but is scary around strangers. . may be a little clack tonight and will try toward the end when they won't kick them out...  

Meesa got snarked at. :lol That's funny too about Quiana. :lol Sounded like a fun Meet and Greet.

Thanks for the reports Marilyn. 

Sounds like Meesa had a wonderful time - can't wait to hear what she has to say.

 :wave

I'm still here, too - just doing other things and coming back. Clandy - I wish we were all there with you - it's always fun to go to the last concert of a Tour. Have fun!

THIRD STORY.........

Sounds like Meesa will have lots to report :shappy :shappy :shappy

 :wave

I'm late, but I'm here! :bouncy The M & G seemed like a lot of fun.  Can't wait to hear Messa tell us about it! :wow

MARILYN - Thanks for bringing us this cellcert! :clap

Fourth Story


Clay is wearing glasses and the short jacket. We already discussed his flyaway hair-HAHA!!

A quick :wave to everyone here :hugg

                                         :wave :wave TO MARILYN

WHERE ARE YOU CHRISTMAS?  

Hi again!  I'm looking forward to seeing the last concert of the tour.  Should be fun...I've never been to the finale before.

Tiffany ~ I'm here now with Fran (franniek54).  We are meeting up with Krista (fantasy) and her mom tomorrow about noon.

Thea ~ I wish you could be here too!  I know this is a special place for you from last year.  No M&Gs that I know of from our group.  Our Christmas cantada at church was postponed to this Sunday due to weather last week so I'm going to have to leave here very early Sunday morning to make it back for church.

I'm not liking all these reports from the clackers not getting anything!!  :para

MGUCL

THIS SHOW SEEMS TO BE RUNNING IN FAST FORWARD........

INTRODUCING EVERYONE

                                          IS MEESA SPENDING THE NIGHT IN OMAHAH.

YEP ITS A 5 HOUR DRIVE HOME

:wave  Everyone!!

Just caught up on the cellcert!  Had to read the scoop on Meesa!  I cannot wait to hear all the details.  Sounds like she had a great M&G! I am so happy for her!  She certainly deserved one and it sure was about time!!  

SHE WOULDN'T HAVE TO DRIVE . . . . I'LL BET SHE COULD "FLOAT" . . . . :bigsmile

CINDY  . . :wave   You made it for the encore!  :hugg

WOW!! NO ALL IS WELL TONIGHT??

THEY ARE THINKING ITS A TIME PROBLEM. JESSE LEFT THE STAGE AND THE CURTAIN CAME DOWN

WHAT??????? Feel bad for the people that won't get to see him sing it if it's their 1st concert. That stinks.

Is it over?

I hate that he didn't do All Is Well for all the people there waiting for it.  Hopefully, it was just a time problem.

Marilyn, thanks so much for the cellcert tonight.

I'll be back here tomorrow night for the last show of this tour.   :sad     :sad    It was such a good show and it went by way too fast.

Everyone have a great day tomorrow.

yES- THEY FINISHED EXACTLY AT 10:00 THEIR TIME- MUST BE A TIME LIMIT LIKE HE HAD AT A COUPLE OF SHOWS LAST YEAR

SO- ENJOY YOUR EVENING AND THERE WILL BE ONE MORE CONCERT TOMORROW!!

Bah humbug!!! No encore? Maybe there were too many flashes...........

 :wave  everyone!!!

Would anyone believe that I found two "All is Well" at a WalMart today? It's true. Grabbed them quickly, then put them back so someone who hasn't heard it could buy them. Had to move some other person's cds out of Clay's slot and put the All Is Well in front.  :blush

Going to go back and read the thread now.

                                                  well thank you marilynI REALLY ENJOYED THIS TOUR EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT GET TO GO. CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR FROM MEESA ,WELL GOODNIGHT ALL.

Thanks so much Marilyn for your updates. :hugg So happy for Meesa. :bouncy Can't wait to hear more about her Meet and Greet. Sounded so fun. She'll be be an Aiken fog for a long time. She so deserved this.

Can't believe the last concert is tomorrow. I loved this tour. Clandy, Woody, Fran, Krista and anyone else going, have a wonderful time. Hope he can sing All Is Well tomorrow.

See you all here tomorrow night.

CLANDY, WOODY, KRISTA & FRAN  . . . Enjoy the final CITH concert!  Safe travels. I love Merrillville and I wish it would have worked out for me this year! 

See everybody else here tomorrow night . . . including MEESA!  :bigsmile

Thanks, MARILYN ~ :hugg

Good-night, everybody!

Let me start this off by saying my learning of my M & G couldn't have come at a better time. I had only had electricity back for two days after being without it for nearly a week due to an ice storm.

Fast forward to the night of the concert .....

PuddinsJoy, Erica & I drove in from Kansas arriving at our hotel across the street from the Orpheum about an hour an a half before the 5:30 M & G time. Thank goodness they were there to help me get ready! I was so nervous.

As I glanced out the window before we left the hotel, I saw toni7babe who had just arrived.

We made our way across the street and a nice man from the Orpheum opened the door and asked if I was there for the M & G. I told him I was and he let me in. There were a few other winners there including toni7babe. We hugged and began chatting. By 5:45 we were all there and a lady from the Orpheum came and told us they moved the M & G to 6:30. We could leave if we wanted, but all chose to stay. Everyone showed each other what we brought to have signed. I brought an 11 x 14 print of Clay from Kimmel.

At about 6:20 or so, Jerome came out and asked if we had our passes. We said no and they didn't have them at will call. He called back to Mary and another person from the venue brought our passes to us. She passed them out and by that time Jerome was gone again. She said she and another runner from the venue were taking us back to the M & G location backstage. She took hrystya another way that was accessible for her wheelchair and the other runner took us outside and around the side. We walked down and began to round the corner when Jerome came and said they weren't ready it would be another 20 minutes. He had them take us to the theater so we stopped by a few deserted dressing rooms for everyone to have a bathroom break. We went up a lot of stairs and to the theater and we sat in there for awhile. He told us that the piano tuner didn't show for either of the two appointments they had made for the day and they were waiting on a different piano tuner to show up. He also told us he ordered Clay a greasy cheeseburger with ketchup, mayo & mustard (in that exact order).

Jerome came in and talked with us for awhile about his dogs and Durham. He said he worries about Durham when he's around people he doesn't know. He loves people he doesn't know but Jerome's afraid he'll bite. He had bitten Jerome a few weeks earlier. We also talked about his daughters. His older daughter and two grandkids were there for the Cleveland show and he said they had a great time. He also joked about how his youngest daughter knows how to work on her daddy to get what she wants. Presently for Christmas she wants a Macbook. Jerome joked that even Clay couldn't afford his daughter.  :lol He also apologized several times for us having to be moved around so much and the M & G being delayed.

They were practicing the lighting for the evening and even practiced the special All Is Well lighting even though at the concert we didn't get All Is Well.

Right before it was time to go back he told us the three rules.

Rule #1 - The only person who can take pictures is Jamie.

Rule #2 - Please have whatever you want autographed ready. If it's a book, please turn it to the page you want signed.

Rule #3 - No inappropriate touching of Clay.

The only other thing Jerome suggested were to make sure our questions weren't interview type questions. He said to make them fun. He said, "For example, don't ask : 'If you had only 30 days to live, what would you do in those 30 days?'"

He asked Mary if they were ready and then we all headed backstage.

As we walked down the hall, the rooms had signs on them. The first was wardrobe, second was Quiana, third was Angela. Quiana opened her door and walked out as we walked past. She was wearing a robe and had her hair up ready to get dressed. She said, "You all would have to walk by while I'm dressed like this!" She said hi to us and rushed over to Angela's room. The next room was a room with 6 chairs and a table with a few more chairs and a laptop. There was a guy sitting there who introduced himself as Joe. He worked with Clay up until last year. He was touring with 311 and had also toured with G & R recently and was visiting with Clay as he lives in Omaha. We all sat down. I was on the end closest to the door and toni7babe was next to me.

Jamie walked in and had the camera. She chatted with toni7babe who complimented her on her new haircut. Mary came in and got on the laptop. As we all chatted amongst ourselves, the door swung open and in came Clay with Faye!

He was wearing his Carolina hoodie, gray pajama pants and black slippers. His hair was blonde and he was wearing glasses. He walked up to each of us and we all told him our names. He sat down and asked us where we were from. He got down to the end of the row and Faye said, "Raleigh."

"I know where you're from, Mom!" he laughed.

At that time, Jamie was passing out post it notes to put the correct spelling of our names down for Clay to autograph our items.

Then he told us where Jerome, Jamie and Mary were from. As he told us where Mary was from, she turned to the side and said, "Don't believe a word he says!"

We all laughed and toni7babe said to Mary, "You're not from Alaska?" He looked at me and said, "What? You don't believe me?"

"No! I believe you. It was Sam." (Pretty nice of me, huh?)  :lol

She said what Mary had said and he asked Mary where she was from. She told us and Clay turned back around to us and said, "Thank you!"  :lmao

Then he told us it was time for questions. He asked if anyone had a question and toni7babe raised her hand.

"Not you. You didn't believe me."

By that time we were all busting up laughing.  :roflmao

Then we started asking questions. These might not be in the right order, but these are what I remember.

What was one thing we wanted most for Christmas as a child?
Clay told us Brett was into Power Rangers as a child, but he couldn't remember what he wanted. Faye told him he wanted a Teddy Ruxpin. He said, "Oh yeah! You all remember those?" while looking right at me. I'm an 80's child (born in '80) so of course I did!

What is your favorite board game?
He said he doesn't play a lot of board games, but Faye said he used to like to play Concentration. One M & G'er asked if he liked the game Apples to Apples. Jamie said they had played it not to long ago. That apparently was the M & G'er's gift to Clay and he said he'd give it to Jamie and said not to tell her.  :lol

If you were going to sing in a concert to be broadcasted nationally and could only sing one song, what song would you sing?
This was toni7babe's question. He asked, "One song?" She told him yes. He said if it was only one song, he wouldn't do it.  :roflmao Then he asked where it was being broadcasted from. She told him China. He was thinking and asked Faye. Faye said it would probably be BOTW or Solitaire. He said they like the sappy songs.

What is your favorite Christmas memory?
He said he was going to let her think of another question because he didn't really have an answer. He had special memories of family things.

What do you think about while you are singing?
He asked if we really wanted to know and then when we said yes, he went into this talk about how 25% of his brain is focusing on the song and 75% is focusing on something else. He said something about how he thinks of food and other things. He asked Jamie or someone to get Quiana. Apparently they all have different things they think about. We told Clay we had just seen Quiana and she was in her robe. He said, "Oh. Never mind!" and gave us this funny look. He said when the 75% of his brain which is focused on something else goes up to 76% or higher, that's when he forgets the words. Then toni7babe said, "Like in 'Mary Did You Know'?" He nodded and laughed.

He asked if I had a question and I asked ...
How close are we to reaching the million dollar fundraising goal for the foundation?
He said, "Mom?" Faye told us we were over half-way there. Clay said that it wasn't a realistic goal to reach that high of an amount by year's end. They were pleased at where we were at and that it was just something to push the fundraising forward when Jerry Aiken come aboard. He said at their last executive meeting they actually had too much money and were figuring out how to use some of the money before year's end.

At one point, Clay noticed that toni7babe and I were smiling at each other and tapping each other on the arm when he said something funny. He asked, "Do you two know each other or something?"

We both said yes. He asked how we managed to get into the same M & G. I said it was just luck. I had just posted I had won mine and she posted right after me. He asked if we knew each other's real names? Where each other lives? Each other's phone numbers, because "if you didn't that would be really freaky!" He laughed with us. Then toni7babe told him we didn't know each other before him. I told him since we lived in the same area of the country we attended pretty much the same concerts. He said, "Gotcha!"

Someone asked about him going to the movies.
He said Faye goes to the movies nearly every weekend but other than I Am Legend, he hadn't seen anything really recently. Jamie said they saw Dreamgirls, but Clay told her that was a year ago. Ha! He also said that he saw Dan in Real Life with Steve Carell from The Office, but said it was just okay. He said TV shows on DVD were the best invention ever! You can watch a whole show in 45 minutes and go back to any episode whenever you want to.

He signed all our items as we asked the questions. He remarked how different the spelling was of hrystya's real name which is Khrystyna. He asked if that was really how she spelled her name. She said “I’m originally from Ukraine, so it was my parents. Pretty funky spelling, right?”

He said, “No, it’s very interesting!”

As he told us how the picture taking process would work he got the last question.

What is your favorite Christmas movie?
"Home Alone. That's a Christmas movie isn't it?"

Mary had assigned us all numbers and #1 (who was toni7babe) was to line up against the wall and while they were getting that picture #2 was to be "on deck". I was #2 and when Clay pointed where I should stand I got right there. I was not going to disobey Teacher Clay.  :wink

He made a goofy face right before he and toni7babe took their pic and we all laughed.

My pic had to be taken twice since Clay closed his eyes the first time. Jamie said the second was better.  :smile

After the last picture, Clay told us all Merry Christmas and strolled on out of the room.

We all walked backstage and out to the theater where we got a little fangirly and had a group hug before we went to our seats.

It was an amazing experience and I'll be sharing the pic later (of me & Clay). I am so happy that after 4 years, I finally won a M & G!

(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a265/KSChristian4Clay_4/IMG_71101.jpg)

(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a265/KSChristian4Clay_4/IMG_71191.jpg)

(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a265/KSChristian4Clay_4/IMG_71211.jpg)

                                                   GREAT RECAP MEESA I WILL BE HEADING YOUR WAY TOMMORROW IF YOU SEE A RED HEAD IN A CAR WITH SCREAMING KIDS, RESCUE ME PLEASE. WHEN I F;Y HOME I WILL GIVE YOU A SHOUT OUT.. :roflmao :roflmao

:clap  Meesa!!  GREAT recap!  I'm so glad you have such a good memory even AFTER the clayfog.  Sounds like an amazing experience...it was great to live vicariously through you!

Thanks for sharing with us.  :hugg

Thanks for the recap Meesa.   :wow  I'm totally jealous.

Meesa, greap recap Missy :clap :hugg so glad you had your moment with Clay :hugg