Hey there,
It's PhillyluvsClay AKA THERESAK923 or Philly for short.
So, let's begin recapping.
I'm going to start at the very beginning, including heat and humidty that greeted as I waited for my pass to the meet & greet. ( The founder of Philadelphia decided to put us between two rivers, so, go figure!) And of course I had such a chuckle looking at that pass!
This is how it when between the time of 5:45 P.M. and 6:10 P.M.
Sweating while looking at my watch...
Sweating while looking at my watch...
Sweating while looking at my watch...
Um, did I mention I was sweating? No one came to get us. An event staffer came to the gate and told us we had to over through the main gate. We went through the main gate and still didn't see anyone. Luckily, I saw Jerome and we ran over to him. He smiled, " There are my ladies" And he counted us and led us to the back where there was nice patio furniture and us to stay right there while he got everything prepared for us. He chuckled " I have to closed a few doors."
We decided to sit on the patio furniture and within a few moments, Jerome came back and led us through the back of the Mann center to a beautiful room with luxurious brown leather sofa and two matching chairs and a covered piano, a great spread of food and beverage. The room was nicely air conditioned. Gwenn and myself were seated at the leather chairs. One of the other contest winners sat at the piano chair while the others sat on the sofa. As Gwenn said, Jerome gave us the no hugs rule and told us Clay would be in five minutes. But in the same breath also said " It was more likely about another fifteen mintues"
During this second period of waiting we all was relieved that all of us were nervous wrecks and joked about that Clay was probably still sleeping on the bus. And also the room was partially mirrored, looking in the mirror, we redid our makeup too! ( anything for Clay, right?)
Finally, at 6:50 Jerome entered again, followed by Jaime and Clay!
When Clay enters the room his smile electrifies everything that touches it's path! He was humorous from the very begining! He immediately snarked at Jamie. " Where is my seat?"
Then Clay grab the end table and said "It's okay, I'll sit on this" I sat to the right of him..
He started with me ask where we all lived..
After we all told him where we lived , he immediately pointed to the meet & greet pass that was on my shirt and said " We decided start with this particular pass with the Philadelphia group. That is my grandfather's tractor and I took that picture on his farm" Then He looked to see that everyone and their pass on, and one of us didn't and gave the teacher look. She did quickly put it on.
Then he as if we go on the internet and if we knew each other. Both Gwenn and myself raised our hands, and said we knew each other, then Gwenn said "Clay, my very first phone call about you was from Theresa. Then Clay snarked me. " Did you know her before you called her about me?" I shook my head no and then gave me very snarky look and said " So you just randomly dialed 10 digits?" I laughed, and basically said "yes"
Clay did say he arrived on Monday, and mention how awesome thought the Mann orchestra was and marvel at the sax player that he was really good. Then I can't remember who asked if Clay visit the King Tut exhibition that is currently in Philadelphia? He said "No.'
Then he asked us to blog and sent out the message that he wanted the next meet & greet winners to wear purple tops, he was very curious if we could get the message out.
At this time Gwenn's cell went off and Teacher Clay gave her a look, we all laughed and said we turned our phones off, then Clay said his cell would probably go off too and it did and we laughed.
He also talked about a nasty letter a fan gave to Quianna, and whispered a cuss word ever so slighty, and he plan to read the letter tonight, I wonder if he's going to use that letter through the concert tour.
Then Clay mention his favorite song to sing on this particular tour was " These Open Arms" And then he turned to Jerome and asked if what was his favorite song? Jerome replied "The Way." He also said " He never get tried of singing Invisible"
Then I meekly raised my hand to ask a question . (Yes, I know everyone would be highly amused me being meek, Ha!) As everyone knows, I have often written about my sister Cathy who is mentally retarded and has cerebral palsy. So I asked "Will the BAF, branch out to offer adult programs?"
Clay replied, " At this present time no, but as Michael Bubel progresses to adulthood he wanted to the BAF to grow with him in the future and provide work programs for adult inclusion."
Then I asked a lightheart question. Well, first I must mention that being born and raised in Philadelphia, I know one of two things, We basically vote Democrat and we're addicted "Tastykakes" Yes, this is our way of being addicted to refine sugar.
So, I decided before the meet and greet that I would give Clay "A Taste of Philadelphia" and give him a basket of "Tastykakes" So, getting back to my light hearted question. I asked Clay, "Have you ever eaten a Tastykake before?" He look down took a big gulp and said. "No" Then I gave him the basket and said "Here's your opportunity!" He sternly looked at me and said "You know, I'm allgeric to Chocolate and Tree Nuts , did you look at the fine print?' And I said "There's no chocolate or nuts in there" Then he went through all the cakes checking the labels, he said. " You know it's by law that a factory must list all the ingredients of their packages, you really have to check the fine print" Then he show us this does state it may have peanuts in their product, but he said he could eat it becuse he's not allergic to peanuts. Then he handed the basket to Jamie.
Then it was time for signing our one item, I choose my "official" Clay Aiken Club picture from year one, I was the last one to have it sign and I said " I'm Theresa with a "H"
As Clay signed my picture I nevrously mumbled out I had two pictures of my sister and article I had written about her, He told me to hand it to Jaime and he would read it on the bus.
Then after everything was signed, He popped out and said "Time to take our prom pictures ladies!!"
I was the third one, I place my hand in his, and melted like chocolate, he does have the softest hands and we were cheek to cheek too. * Thuds*
Then after all the pictures were taken, He thanked us all and then quickly shook our hands!
I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to meet Clay personally and share it with Gwenn, it was beyond perfection!
And inclusion, I would like to say..." Yes, I think Clay Aiken's tractor is pretty darn sexy!"
Love ya
Philly
Users: 0
Author
