Before Clay, I NEVER ...

[aikenismyidol]

LOLOL No Prob!  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  ::  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  ::  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :

[clayadmirer]

aikenismyidol,

Wow! What a story! That was quite elaborate! They must really like you to go to all of that effort! Definetely post some pictures when you get them!

[Pauluka96]

Before Clay
I never bought a CD
I never listened to a CD
Never posted on a forum
Never heard of a forum
Never wrote a fan letter
Never went to a concert
Never burned a CD
Never got mad at my daughter just because she didn't like someone I did
Never had one of 'those kinda dreams' about anyone
Never spent so much time on the puter
Never voted for anything besides political
And on and on and on, since Clay my whole life has changed----for the better

[shaikeninseattle]

Aikenismyidol What a wonderful list and great story! You have a gift for writing! You made me cry with all the heartfelt and positive influences that Clay has made on your life. You go girl and never forget that you're special too!  8)  8)  8)  :D  :D  :D

My list would include so many that others have already mentioned, but I'll jot down a few.
Never had I got a lump in my throat when a young man sang on a talent show and had to leave the room before my daughter and son-in-law saw the tears streaming down my face from the sheer emotion he projected.  

Hid a poster of a young man on my bedroom wall (behind my closed door) so people wouldn't think I had totally gone banana's. (Even though I have)

Never in my life have I had thoughts of any celebrity constantly every day at any given moment and choked up just hearing about some special thing he has said or done for someone.

Wake up thinking about them in the morning, hurried to get to work so I could get on Claymaniacs and check in with my new  friends to see if there is any news about HIM.

Never have I been in a chat room and what a joy it is!

Never have I lived vicariously through someone else's experiences and got so caught up in them that I felt almost as if it were my own, as I have these past weeks reading the concert reviews.

Never have I formed a bond with a friend that was based on a common infactuation with a celebrity.  

Never have I bought more than one copy of a CD, let alone ten, and listened to it for months on end.

Never have I downloaded clips of anything, and now my desktop screen is full of Clay Clips.

Never have I listened to the same radio broadcast, over and over and over again, just to hear a special laugh from a very special kind of guy!
He makes my heart sing!  :  :  :  :

[/quote]

[TakenByClay]

Before Clay, I never....
listened to one CD over and over again
cut out pics of Clay from a mag so I could hang them up on my Clay Shrine.
Kiss pictures
Spent all my money on concert tickets
talked to my friend about Clay on the phone for hours
voted for TRL and then watched it
Cried whenever Clay came on TV, or when I saw him at Jingle Bell Bash 6
had my teachers call me & Ashley "Claymates"
Had pics of Clay ALL over my binder
spent hours on Claymaniacs.
started the "Aiken's Diet"(ask my bout this if ur courious)
had Clay dreams!

[TakenByClay]

I forgot to say...
yelled at someone is they called Clay gay
said "O Clay" in the car by mistake instead of "OK"
argued with a radio station DJ at 4am about OBC and his sexuality while Ashley was rollin on the floor laughing
talked to my HUGE poster of Clay and kissed it every night before bed, every morning, before school, and when i got home from school

[redhead]

Before Clay I never:

-even LOOKED on a discussion forum
-bought a CD the day it was released
-considered myself  a fan of anyone
-admired any kind of celebrity
-had anyone invoke the feelings he can
-downloaded ANYTHING
-road-tripped to a concert (I will next month)
-been truly concerned about a celebrity's well-being
-had a voice stop me dead in my tracks by it's sheer beauty and power
-checked into a celebrity's foundation (generally stick with favorite  
  charities that I know a great deal about)
-been proud of a someone famous  
-had someone remind me of what I wanted to be before life got  in the way
-seen one person, by the mention of the word "autism," bring about so
   much awareness, concern, and movement for change
-saw any celebrity make so many others want to be better people
-been proud myself of being a tiny part of helping him get to this place
-wanted to remember what I can do to bring out the best in others  
-Prayed for what is best, and for him to continue to
   handle his success appropriately
-had a part of me like to meet him some day to tell him so, even though I
   know it'll never happen
-thought I'd see so many others post man of the same thoughts
Quite a list, especially considering the things I left off

[ClayBuf]

What FUN! :)

Before Clay I never:
-- could play a CD over and over and over and over and........
-- stopped singing along with songs so that I could still hear the vocal
-- voted on TRL for a video
-- requested songs on radio stations other than those in my city
-- spent so much time downloading - even stuff I already have on tape
-- bought Billboard just to have the Hot 100 Chart when MOAM
   debuted at #1
-- bought magazines that I normally don't read just because there is a  
    picture of him or article about him
-- have actually been proud of a celebrity for the kind of person he is
-- excused myself from the dinner table to run down to the computer to
    start the next download
-- signed up for newsletters or news alerts all over the internet for any
    tidbit about Clay
-- I never have been so deeply moved or my heart so profoundly touched
    by someone's singing voice
-- felt so much joy and had so much FUN in being a fan :D

~Buffi

[tessie]

Before Clay...

I never loved red jackets
Thought striped ties with striped shirts were ugly
Never watched Saturday Night Live
Loved to see someone wink
Found giggles to be so heartwarming
Counted the number of "babys" in all the songs on a CD
Had tears running down my face seeing someone in person
Watched Leno, Kimmel, and Letterman
Looked at Teenage magazines in the grocery store
Cared about going to a concert
Could hardly wait for Solitare to come out
Slept out in the street waiting for a TV show
Drove 500 miles a month after flying 500 miles the month before just to see someone
Asked for tapes for Christmas and didn't want anything else
Joined a fan club
Talked to people online
Bought a portable CD player to take MOAM on my walks with me
Been such a fan of anyone

[aikenismyidol]

Aikenismyidol  What a wonderful list and great story! You have a gift for writing! You made me cry with all the heartfelt and positive influences that Clay has made on your life. You go girl and never forget that you're special too!

Thanks babe. I try.  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :?

[Ms. Hip Shake]

I think that everything in the book has been covered here in my new habit department....from the teen mags (hubby thinks that I have lost it) to the online chatting....to the installation of the video channels.  All strange...yes!

The strangest of the strange:  the visiting of the record store every single time that I make a trip to the mall....to see how Clay is doing (err selling).  I have a friend that works there, and he keeps tabs for me.  His conclusion - "the dude must be good because he is jumping off the shelves".  Yeah, the dude (Clay) is real good!  Why do I care about sales?  Because I love him and I want him to sing/ make records F-O-R-E-V-E-R!  I need not worry...Clay is selling very, very well in our town.

Also - Gramma said it best:  When she said "she never got hot thinking about a guy 35 years younger before", I tend to highly agree.  Everytime I see, hear, or think of Clay, I have to fan myself off!  The first time I saw WDC-Miami, I looked like this  : ! I can't remember the last time I thought twice about a celebrity....now I go into hot flash mode at the very thought of Clay...I'm 35 (I don't need those things yet DANG)!

We have all gone mad...but we are happy in our madness :D !

[liney23]

Kelly made a statement on the TRL visits to the Tour.   She said Clay doesn't sound like anything out there, that he is unique.  

Never was a truer statement made and I like her for making it, on TRL no less!!!

Clay's sound is unique, his gifts are unique, what he brings to the world is unique, therefore all our responses to him are unique.  

What is the most wonderful is the choice he is giving young people.  He wanted to show them that you could be cool and not be naked or shocking and boy, is he doing a great job of it!!!

We've never experienced this before.  We're surprised at ourselves and our relatives and friends are very puzzled and sometimes concerned and definitely surprised.  

I used to read for my escapism.  At meals, before bed, always had a book with me.  Now, I am watching Clay videos and talking on the internet to a REAL great bunch of claymaniacs.  

The difference:  reading sometimes made me laugh, sometimes cry.  Clay ALWAYS makes me smile and feel happy!!!!

We are discovering the joy of reaching out to others like never before.  I got tears in my eyes reading about someone else's joyous experience at a concert.  It has made me a better, more loving, more giving person.

My feelings on all this stuff I've never done before....  It's fun so I'm gonna keep doing it!!!!!!!!!!

What I told my kids when they expressed their concerns:  If you have a problem with me being so happy and having so much fun, you'd better look at why you have a problem with that.  I don't have a problem, you do.  They didn't have an answer.

[claynadian]

before clay I never,
LOVED a singer
Prayed for a celbrity to win something
Prayed for a celebrities health so much
Whent on a forum
Posted on a forum
Joined a fan site
Bought a megeziene
Had Dreams of celebrities
Watched a show for a particular person
talked so much to my sister
Smiled so much
Wrote to a celebrity for an autograph for myself (I Wrote to Daniel radcliff for an autograph for my sister, total Harry potter Fan)
Cared so Much for a person i never met
Got star struck
bought a cd the day it came out
go out in frezeing weather to walk across town for a cd
bought a cd with out any hits on the charts yet
yelled at the tv  :oops:
went on a web site so much
thought about my future
thought about life and relize how lucky Iam for having such a great family
owned more than one copy of a cd (I bought one, sister bought me one)
burned a cd with only one person
made a copy of a demo even though there was lots of pace left on th rcd
looked on e-bay (still never bought)
wrote a song for a celebritie
wrote a love song or a pop song
watched a talent show not school related
read luann comics
submited Vote-o-matic ideas (much music)
voted for a song for a chart (ytv)
read teen people
read j-14
thought of qualities I wanted in a boy friend, for when I turn 16
bought a single after buying the cd (march 16 soon)
read thank yous in a cd
knew the appearances of celebs. before the show aired.

and the list goes on and on and on and on. so i'll stop now.

(someone in the back round yells Finaly!  :  :D )

[aikenismyidol]

I've got some more. :D  :roll:

Before Clay I NEVER,...
Went to church more then one week in a row

Ripped my shirt when he lost American Idol (Literally)

Smiled whenever I heard his name

Prayed for a singer

Talked to my bedroom door

Played pop music on my flute (yes I play Clay Aiken on the flute)

Sang in the shower

Made a band

Had an airbrush T-shirt made


Theres a few more. By the way. I ripped another shirt last night!  :[/b]

[4EverClayton]

Before Clay I never--

Even heard of TRL!!!

Called my daughter at work to give her the TRL results (TW-#1)

Saw my mother enjoy a singer other than Frank Sinatra.

Got out of the drive-thru line at Wendy's so as not to be distracted while listening to a song on the radio.

Went to a concert with my kids.

Ignored a ringing phone because a certain person was on TV.

Posted to --- or even visited a message board.

Had the guts to put a singer on the prayer chain at church.

Followed a celebrity's daily activities.

Referred to someone 25 years youger as HOT!!!!

Spent my lunch hour on the internet ---- eating yogart.

Spent more time in the grocery store looking at teen magazines than buying groceries.


Had my daughter recognize my voice on the radio requesting a song.
   (Never even listened to said radio station before!)

Programed my cell phone with the # of a local radio station.

Refused to talk to anyone while watching a self made video for the 50th time.

Re-arrange CD's and magazines at Wal-Mart.

Hung a picture from POP Star magazine in my closet.
   (My kids don't know how out of control my OCD really is)

Talked about someone I don't even know like he is a member of my family
   (My grandmother used to talk about soap opera stars that way and it
     really got on my nerves!)

Never loved someone I had never even met!

Leslie

[patti]

Before Clay:

I Never-
    Pre ordered CD's
    Had a favorite singer
    Posted messages on a fan board
    Gave any thought to someone 25yrs old
    Went to a concert
    Watched TRL - or knew what it was- or cared
    Wanted a celebrity to succeed in everything he chooses to do
    Day dreamed about meeting someone famous
    Listened  to the same CD everyday
    Talked to anyone who would listen about my favorite singer
    Get angry when nasty remarks are made against my favorite singer
    Felt connected to someone I will never know personally

[nerdy4clay]

What a cool idea!

Some of these may sound odd for a 19 year old to say......

Before Clay I never.....
really bought cds
spent so many hours online looking something up
had a favorite singer
prayed for a celebrity
wore out a cd
preordered anything
cried over a television show
watched american idol
obsessed over anyone
had someone to look up to
had any direction in my life
downloaded videos
voted on trl
SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY when someone walked 9 rows in front of me
cried when a concert was over
thought I would be one of those silly girls I saw on tv going crazy over  a  celebrity, i always thought they were crazy, now look at me
downloaded so many pictures in my life
watched jay leno
cared what kind of influence i had on someone
had dreams about meeting someone famous
cared about what kind of underwear someone wore.....by the way what kind does he where????

there are many more, but i'm tired that was really fun!!!!

[songbird457]

I know I probably posted on this already pages ago, but:

Before Clay I never:

made more than one countdown to a concert

agreed to have someone come stay with me from TX (or anywhere) just so I oculd meet them and see Clay

felt so many emotions at the same time listening to one person

was able to realize who I was and who I truly wanted to be

could forgive some people from my past as easily

realized the power of friendships - new and old


There are so many more and so many have been named for me as well. He really has helped open my eyes in seeing more in myself and others.  I still thank God every day for bringing him to our attention, I pray for his health and safety. He is just a blessing and I really hope I can see him face to face and try to tell him. Thank you Clayton.

[AdoringClay]

:D nerdy4clay...

He said he is a "boxer" man (on the Ellen Show)...Ellen gave him some "Ellen" briefs and he had them on and hinted to her that they were very uncomfortable...Sue G.

[aikenismyidol]

There are so many more and so many have been named for me as well. He really has helped open my eyes in seeing more in myself and others.  I still thank God every day for bringing him to our attention, I pray for his health and safety. He is just a blessing and I really hope I can see him face to face and try to tell him. Thank you Clayton.

AMEN Renee! Well said! Love you babe!