Cellcert: Morris Auditorium South Bend IN

[PHILLYLUVSCLAY]

THAT'S FANTASTIC! 

[Tiffany]

I was right. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE for Marilyn!!!! Can't wait to hear the details.

Thanks for the updates Meesa.

[ChrisieD]

OMG! The 3rd reader was Marilyn!  

OMG !!! How did she keep that a secret ???? 

[wisconsinmaniac]

OMG! The 3rd reader was Marilyn!  

GREAT NEWS !   YAY MARILYN !  

[KSChristian4Clay]

I just left her a voicemail. I'll let you know what she says.

[PHILLYLUVSCLAY]

OMG! The 3rd reader was Marilyn!  

OMG !!! How did she keep that a secret ???? 

SHE PROBABLY GOT THE E-MAIL THIS MORNING...

[KSChristian4Clay]

OMG! The 3rd reader was Marilyn!  

OMG !!! How did she keep that a secret ???? 

SHE PROBABLY GOT THE E-MAIL THIS MORNING...

She told me about the initial e-mail and calling in but not that she won. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[PHILLYLUVSCLAY]

I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR HER RECAP!

[clayharmony]

Hi you all...I'm here for just a moment...just wanted to add my congrats to Marilyn...I thought she'd be picked...first, she's a great writer...funny and highly entertaining...and second, there was a vibe to one of her posts awhile back...and of course, she had to keep it a secret...  ...after all it was for Clay!...  ...good for her, I hope she had a fabulous  and memorable time.

[Tiffany]

She's probably meeting Clay now. 

[KSChristian4Clay]

She's probably meeting Clay now. 

She is. Erica is waiting for her. Erica (our friend from Dallas) said she was looking at Clay and then saw Marilyn walk up to the mic and nearly jumped out of her seat. 

[Prissy]

I am so excited for Marilyn!!  She is a great writer and funny.  I hope she will print her story here for us, too.

At the Wichita concert, I think Clay mentioned that the readers had come in to practice their stories before the concert.  So, maybe that's when they got to meet Clay.  Also, he knew the four names of the Wichita readers without lookinig at a card. So...

Like you all, I can't wait to hear the details!!

             

[ChrisieD]

I read that Clay gives them an outgraphed printout of there story and they get a pic with him too !!! I'm soo happy for Marilyn. 

[KSChristian4Clay]

Re-cap from Marilyn :

She got to the venue and Jesse, Mary and Jamie were there. They printed up their story, handed each one a book and told them to read. Clay wasn't there at their rehearsal. They showed them how to adjust the mic stand.

Jamie was giving them their cues to go on. She and Jamie found some crew guy sleeping backstage. Marilyn said Jamie is a sweetheart.

She wasn't as nervous as she thought she would be.

After the concert, Clay came backstage and they each got a copy of their story signed by Clay. She got to shake his hand twice and got a pic with her, Clay, Angie and Quiana.

When Clay was talking to her she said, "What's the matter? You didn't like my cockroaches?" In her initially submitted story, Marilyn included how on their first night in America, they were staying in an apartment. She had hit the wall and cockroaches went everywhere.  Clay said he had to cut some stories because they were too long.

She is still on Cloud Nine and is calling me back after she finds smitten.

[lorilovesgolf]

Marilyn - good for you!!  How did you keep that a secret??  Why doesn't anybody get video of the storytellers???

[fhmmany2]

Congratulations, Marilyn!    Can't wait to see your picture!!!!!! 

[Marilyn]

Hola folks!! What a night!! I am so sorry I had to leave you flat in the middle of a conference call!!
As Meesa said, we were asked to not say anything to preserve the freshness of the reading (sounds like bread, huh)
Of course we were told to be at the box office at 4:45 and Mary came down after 5:00 and said Jamie would bring us backstage. Basically, we were shown how to adjust the microphone due to our varying heights. You just grab ahold, squeeze, and push it up or down.
Now THOSE instructions I found easy to remember! <I'm a BAAAAAADgirl!!!>

Anyway, Jesse needed us to read so that he could play a little music during our stories. We went in order, I was third. After we were finished, Jesse stood up and applauded us.  I applauded him back. Then Jamie got me a bottle of water, as I was thirsty. We were told to meet her at the door after intermission.

Pink armchairs story was hysterical, and she told it in a very enthusiastic way. 2OldforClay at Clayversity was next-her story was about her son giving up Santa's visit
After the intermission, when I cut you off, we went backstage and hung out with Jamie. She was whispering something to me about someone snoring. Turns out one of the stage hands was laid out on a piece of equipment taking a nap-he was a rather large man  and he did NOT wake up while I was there.
When it was my turn,  Jamie told me to go out. Now, Clay was finishing his song, so I sort of sidled out onto the stage until he was done. And then it was my turn. I really was not nervous, surprisingly enough. When I completed my story , I walked back to Jamie and managed not to trip on anything. However, she told me that while I was talking, Seans plexiglass shield started to topple, and made a big bang. I must have been really into my story, because I heard nothing. They carried it off the stage during my talk!!

After the show, Jamie again met us at the side door (fortunately right by the ladies room, so I was able to take care of whatever- luckily then I did NOT need depends when I saw Clay!!!)

He brought Quiana and Angela with him- and then he tried to guess our names and shook our hands- firm grip-long long fingers!! He talks a bit with his hands, and you know he talks fast. Then he talked a little bit about why he cut a couple of our stories a bit- he said one story last night ran rather long, so he wanted to keep it brief to keep up interest.
So when he called my name <sigh> I went over to him and said So you didnt like my cockroaches, huh?? He then proceeded to explain that wasnt the reason, it was just to shorten the stories a bit (Mine was two pages)
And I got a picture with Him, Angela and Quiana-he put his arm around me and I did around him. Then he said that wait- I have something for you- ran into the other room and came back with our stories typed up nicely (And the original story was intact) He had Put a nice little note on each and signed them. What a sweetie

Then, after another handshake, he was gone..........poof!! He looks wonderful- hair combed a little different to show forehead, and he was wearing his vest without the jacket.

I love the way he is changing up the songs a little- and tonight there was a lot of deep resonating voice Clay-and he nailed those notes!!
My favorite song OHN-he was singing it when we came up behind the curtains- I told Jamie it was my absolute favorite song- especially sung by him.
We also spoke briefly with Angela and Quiana at the buses- Clay just came out, waved, and got on the bus. I have a feeling there wont be bus lines this year. No waves as he left, either.  He was watching CNN, we could see through the window.

And YAY!! the Broadway strike is over!!! Spamalot, here we come. Toni7Babe at Clayversity saw it when we were in the restaurant. She announced it, and the whole place cheered!!!

Tired and going to bed- will post more tomorrow!!
If anyone can retrieve from Clayversity, toni has posted some yummalicious pics. She even got a couple of me. I sure do need a facelift!! yech

G'night!!i

[wisconsinmaniac]

MARILYN!   Great re-cap!  You are one cool lady. I heard you say "intermission - I'm turning my phone off" . . and the  rest is history!

This time, you weren't holding someone else's coat or anything.  It was YOUR turn!

It was great that you were with Jamie and got to meet Jesse, Angela and Quiana! And you got to talk to and touch The Man!

You described your backstage experience with Clay so well.  Loved hearing about it!

Now get some sleep, you're headed to Waukegan!

[clayMaine-iac]

Marilyn!!

Phillygirl!  Meesa!

Can't wait to see the pictures!!  I have to download some clack soon.

[Her]

Marilyn, I would love to read your story...would you PM?

Thanks and congrats...can't wait to see your pix.  You lucky woman!