ON MY WAY HERE - Amazing_CA and other graphic artists have designed a variety of album covers highlighting the proposed title track of Clay Aiken's upcoming CD.
Very Special Journey
Clay Aiken's New CD Hits Home
In interviews about his soon-to-be released CD, Clay Aiken has indicated that "On My Way Here," the possible title track, embodies his journey to where he is now, musically and in life.
Thursday morning the track became this grandmother's new theme song as a I received the exciting news that my daughter and her son Kai will be "on their way here" in May for a month-long visit.
The first meeting of Kai and his grandmother, as well as a whole slew of Carolina aunts, uncles, and cousins, will occur a few days after his eight-month birthday and my students' spring recital. Too bad Kai will miss our Brandenburg Concerto #2 because his mother would be a welcome addition on cello.
At their end, plane tickets have been confirmed while in Carolina, the clan has already begun rounding up baby gear and aligning schedules for the four-week visit.
Meanwhile, a thorough spring cleaning suddenly shares my teaching agenda. The next two months promise to be some kind of busy!
'On My Way Here' in two months, Grandma! - Graphic by Sally
Claying It Forward Stories Shared
Marie Drummond's "Claying It Forward" experience in this blog's March 9 entry inspired much head nodding and several reader remarks about similar incidences. OFC member Melisqueen secured permission and posted our segment in her March 11 Find Your Grail journal entry.
I long ago opted to use my "Spamalot" money for the upcoming initial meeting with my grandson. However, Clay friends Margaret5828 and Sally have sent me mementos from their "Spamalot" trips to the Big Apple -- a poster, the playbill, the New York City guide, and a pin that certifies "I'm Not Dead Yet."
Below are other "Claying It Forward" examples shared by readers, beginning with Melisqueen. Give this fan some hits/comments; and if you have a similar CIF story, I hope you will add it to this collection.
MELISQUEEN: 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 I know in Connecticut. I opened it and found a Spamalot playbill.
A lady on our 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 since I would be going to New York later. This lady made my week! I now have the playbill in my cubicle at work preparing me for my trip to NYC.
CLAYANGEL53: I've been one to "Clay It Forward." I had three tickets to a concert, gave one away to a fan, who was very grateful. It made me feel amazing. Of course I had mine and got to see him as well. It’s wonderful!
GRAMS4242: Here’s my "Claying it Forward" story. In today's mail was a package from Marlyne. She told me she picked up the NYC Guide with Clay’s picture on it for me, but also in the envelope was a Clay Spamalot magnet from the night she went to see Spamalot.
When I showed these to my husband, he said, “They can say what they want about you Clay fans; but from my experience you are the most loving fans in the universe and are really generous and kind with one another."
He definitely got that right - Clay has the best fans in the world!!!!
GALADRIEL: I love the "Clay It Forward" stories. That is just the way Clay Land should operate.
PHOTO INTERLUDE: This clickable interlude incorporates scenes from "Spamalot" and an early St. Patrick's Day greeting. Graphic artists and photographers featured include MNmeesh, photos by Scrpkym, 1; Amazing_CA, photos by Toni7babe, 2; Amazing_CA, photos by Joan Marsh, 3; Amazing_CA, photos by Snix, 4; and Artz11, photo by ClayChristina, 5.
On March 11, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation announced over $500,000 in grants to support programs nationwide as part of the organization's Let's All Play program:
This is an exciting development in The Bubel/Aiken Foundation's goal to expand Let's ALL Play. The Foundation will support over 30 recreational programs in 2008. Programs receive a program model and Foundation training in addition to grant funding. Because of the Foundation's support, children across the country will participate in inclusive programs for the first time.
Let's ALL Play brings an inclusive recreational experience to children with disabilities by giving them the same experience as children without. Children come together to participate in activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, community service, and physical fitness. The Foundation is also excited to partner with Best Buddies International, The Dancing Wheels Company and School, and LA's BEST After School Enrichment Program.
The complete press release can be read at the above link or at TBAF website.
Clickable by Amazing_CA
Tar Heels Win ACC Tourney Title
The Carolina Tar Heels, Atlantic Coast Conference regular season champs, beat the Clemson Tigers, 86-81, in Charlottle Sunday to win the tournament title, too. To get there, the Heels beat Florida State, 82-70, in the tourney's quarter-finals on Friday and Virginia Tech, 68-66, in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Clay continues to cheer for the Heels by wearing Carolina shirts and hoodies in stage door gatherings with fans following "Spamalot" shows. The above clickable graphic by Amazing_CA features photos by Scrpkym.
Congratulations to Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina's All America junior forward from Poplar Bluff, Mo, who has been named National Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News.
"By winning this [The Sporting News] award, Tyler qualifies to move into the front row in the rafters and have his jersey retired whenever he decides to leave the University of North Carolina," head coach Roy Williams said.
"There will never be another one just like him. I am so lucky to be his coach. For the rest of my career, I will be able to look up into that first row and see his jersey hanging next to the other retired jerseys and I know that will bring a big smile to my face."
Carolina Blog Greets 7 New Countries
Little red dots are keeping Ron Kanipe, my geography "coach," busy. Today the Carolina blog welcomes new readers from Guam, Egypt, Morocco, Estonia, Tasmania, Puerto Rico, and Panama.
Representing all continents except Antarctica, the 54 countries on the Carolina On My Mind ClustrMap include the following:
Asia: Israel, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, India, Oman, Micronesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong-China, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Guam
Africa: South Africa, Egypt, Morocco
Europe: Lithuania, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Greece, Germany, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, Estonia
North America: Canada, United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Panama
South America: Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Columbia, Chile, Paraguay
Australia: Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania
This corner of the Internet is glad you are quite often "on your way here" to read Clay Aiken news ... and then some!
Below is a clickable of Amazing_CA's opening graphic:
May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!
Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation ... and Go, Heels, Go!!!
Caro
RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, Spamalot, Broadway, On My Way Here, Claying It Forward, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, Let's All Play, Carolina, Clay Aiken, Tyler Hansbrough, Carolina On My Mind ClustrMap, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation
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3 comments:
Hi Caro,
Very exciting news indeed about your grandson and daughter coming home! This is very, very good news! I am almost as excited as you. It's great that they are staying for a month as this will give you lots of time to enjoy Kai. I have to laugh about you talking about getting the place all spiffied up for their arrival. You do know that the minute they walk through the door that you will say to yourself "why did I do all that hard work for". LOL! You can tell that you haven't had a little one in your place for awhile. Connor is like a little tornado when he arrives!
I am going out for the evening so will stop by again soon!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs,
Sandy :)
Don't know how to send this to Clay It Forward stories so here it is from Marilu of Woodburn,OR
02/27/08 at 05:23 PM
I had my super fun time today, thanks to JOANNE aka crazyglue91152 of NYC.
Two weeks ago I told JOANNE about one of my NWCF gals who has been going through a rough time. Last year she had tickets to see Clay in Florida and was going to spend time with her brother who lives there. Five days before she was to leave, she had an obstruction of the bowel and had to have emergency surgery. She was laid up for six weeks. Her husband has asbestos poisoning and her daughters had worked out a schedule of people to come in and take care of him. All those plans went down the drain and it has been harder for her to get over the loss of her plans then the surgery.
Just before Christmas the doctor noticed a mole on her elbow. He removed it and it was cancerous. Then he had to do more surgery to make sure that he had gotten all the cells around it. He thought he did and so far everything looks good.
When I got my WONDERFUL package from JOANNE, I asked her if she would buy a Clay shirt for Sharon. Monday the package came. I emailed Sharon and asked if she could meet me some where because I had a huge surprise for her. She said she loved surprises and we agreed to meet at a restaurant in St.Paul.
Gary and I beat her there. When she came in and sat down, I could hardly wait to give it to her. I first pulled out the shirt. I was afraid she was going to faint. She kept running her hands over Clay's face. When she recovered, she saw the button, then the magnet and the CD of the original SPAMALOT. Then I pulled out the signed Playbill. It was a good thing that she was sitting because she would have been on the floor. Then I handed her the souvenir book. Tears welled up in her eyes. They flowed when I gave her the signed poster. She could hardly talk for ten minutes. Then she gushed and told me to thank JOANNE but she immediately said she was going to write to her.
A few years ago when Clay was here for the JOYFUL NOISE our group wanted to give Clay a gift. SHARON made a pair of penguin jammies bottoms for him. Nadine works at a college who's mascot is a penguin. She got a penguin shirt that was the same color as the bottoms. That was the gift we gave him. It has been in print about someone seeing Clay in the pajama bottoms and Sharon's husband guessed that the surprise was going to be a picture of him in them. In her wildest dreams did she ever think she would have Clay's autograph.
JOANNE you may be short but your long arms and generous nature has spanned the continent and made a lot of people happy. Thank you!
I think you need to contact some arctic research group in Antarctica and tell them about your blog. No continent should be left behind!
Love and hugs,
LIz
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