Bubel/Aiken Sets 2008 Gala

TAKING FLIGHT -- Samuel Habib sits on his father's lap behind
the controls of his grandfather's sea plane, as the two
prepare for a flight. Photo by Dan Habib.

Spotlight on 'Including Samuel'

TBAF Champions of Change

Before his son Samuel was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, photojournalist and 2008 Champion of Change honoree Dan Habib rarely thought about the inclusion of people with disabilities. Now he thinks about inclusion every day.

Shot and produced over four years, the 58-minute award-winning documentary film, Including Samuel honestly chronicles the Habib family's efforts to include Samuel in every facet of their lives. The film also features four other families with varied inclusion experiences, plus interviews with dozens of teachers, young people, parents, and disability rights experts.

Dan Habib and wife Betsy McNamara will be among four honorees presented The Bubel/Aiken Foundation Champions of Change Award at the organization's 2008 October gala in Raleigh.

Co-founded by singer Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel in 2003, TBAF serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with special needs and the world around them by supporting communities with inclusive programs and creating awareness about the possibilities that inclusion can bring.

A 12-minute trailer of Including Samuel can be viewed at this link. In addition to a special screening at TBAF's Champions of Change Gala on Oct. 18, an ongoing schedule of film screenings is planned throughout the country. Screening locations are being updated here.

A slideshow of photographs and downloadable video clips are available at this media link.

My modest goal was that it would become a tool within New Hampshire to talk about inclusion in a more informed and innovative way. My secret goal was that it would serve that purpose nationally and internationally and would cross over to the mainstream.

"Including Samuel" quickly gained notoriety and national media attention after additional premieres in Boston and Washington, D.C., making Habib's secret dream a reality in less than year.

The above graphs are from Jim Fennell's excellent article for the Concord Union Leader. The complete story is available at the link.

Including Samuel has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, as well as Good Morning America NOW and in the Washington Post and the Boston Globe. Including Samuel is a "must see film," according to Exceptional Parent magazine.

The film won the Positive Images in Media award from TASH, an international group committed to the full inclusion of people with disabilities. The film was also screened at the Sprout Film Festival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC) and named “Best Documentary” at the Somewhat North of Boston Film Festival.

PHOTO INTERLUDE: The graphics in this collection feature TBAF and UNICEF collages, as well as Clay Aiken's philosophy for making a difference. Artists include Clayquebec1, photos by Invisible926, 1 and 5; Amazing_CA with photos by dc4clay, 2; ClayIzzaQT, 3 (from 2007 Gala); and Tasapio, 4.

TBAF Gala To Celebrate Year 5

TBAF Champions of Change honorees will be presented awards at the gala benefit dinner Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Marriott City Center Hotel in Raleigh. The event also will celebrate the foundation's fifth anniversary.

In addition to Habib and McNamara, TBAF Champions of Change honorees include Rich Donovan and CVS Caremark (corporate).

The Foundation selects Champions of Change for their substantive efforts to extend the boundaries of the human experience to children of all abilities, in keeping with the Foundation’s mission of supporting communities with inclusive programs and creating awareness about the possibilities that inclusion can bring.

Rich Donovan is being recognized as a Champion of Change for applying his world-class business acumen to creating means of empowerment for people with disabilities. He was a key to Merrill Lynch’s diversity strategy.

As CEO of Integrated Process Solutions, Rich provides large corporations and governments with ready-for-action profit opportunities as a "return on disability."

Rich, who has cerebral palsy, is Board Chairman of Lime Connect, showing real-life solutions - and real financial advantages - to hiring, working with, and providing products and services for people with disabilities.

In serving children, he is an advocate of education as essential to the future economic and social success of individuals with disabilities.

CVS Caremark Charitable Trust is being honored as a Corporate Champion of Change for their outstanding efforts to improve the lives of children with disabilities.

The five-year, $25 million CVS Caremark "All Kids Can" program supports nonprofit organizations helping children with disabilities in school, in recreation and in developing skills for successful lives, all within an inclusive environment.

The gala benefit celebration will feature a special performance by Clay Aiken, as well as dinner, plus silent and live auctions in support of the Foundation’s programs providing children with disabilities the opportunity to play, learn and grow side-by-side with their typical peers.

For more information, stay tuned to TBAF website.

Happy Labor Day Weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, Champions of Change Gala, Diane Bubel, Dan Habib, Betsy McNamara, Including Samuel, Rich Donovan, CVS Caremark, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Aiken Fans Reprise Spamalot Pins

SPECIAL EDITION: Order Spamalot 2 Pins!

HE'S BACK - Clay Aiken is returning to Spamalot! - Graphic by cindilu2

A Reprise Wardrobe Must

Aiken Fans Order Spam 2 Pins

Brace yourselves, Claymates! The wig masters at the Shubert are fluffing those glorious red tresses in preparation for Clay Aiken’s sure-to-be-triumphant return as Sir Robin on September 19.

And it's a good thing too, as the crooner has quipped that life post-SPAMALOT has been seemingly devoid of meaning. Tasteless food and hue-free grass. Have no fear, Clay. Only a few more weeks until the skies turn blue again!

Excitement hardly describes the euphoria on Broadway and throughout Clay Cyberspace as preparations are in full swing for Clay Aiken's reprise of Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot on Sept. 19.

Ticket purchase reports, lodging, travel, and party plans are a common thread throughout posts at message boards devoted to the North Carolina-based entertainer.

The opening paragraphs above are from a newsletter theatergoers received on Wednesday.

Perfect Spamalot Accessory

Commemorative pins designed by cindilu2, the ultimate accessory for the Spamalot devotee's wardrobe, were unveiled at Finding Clay Aiken this week. Orders for the "Finding Sir Robin" and "Doing Clay" pins should be placed at the FCA message board by Monday, Sept. 1.

Finding Sir Robin Pin

Doing Clay Since 2003 Pin

Friday Deadline for Pin Orders

The Finding Sir Robin/FCA Spam pin redux looks like a coin and is 1 inch in circumference, while the Doing Clay Since 2003 pin, 1.25 inches wide, has more of an antique feel.

The 2008 FCA pins (in any combination) are priced at $4.00 each with shipping/handling fees in accordance with the number ordered. International orders are welcome.

An order form is available at Finding Clay Aiken, and a contact link for further information is also provided. Paypal, as well as other forms of payment, are accepted.

Couch Tomato, who is in charge of this season's pins, anticipates orders will ship before the end of September.

Time is of the essence, as the number of orders received by LaborDay will determine the total run.

For more information about Clay's Sir Robin reprise, see Aiken Will Return to Broadway's Spamalot in September from Playbill.

Happy Spamming, Clay Nation!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, Monty Python's Spamalot, Spamalot Pins, Broadway, Finding Clay Aiken, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Aiken Artists Use Their Voice

USE YOUR VOICE -- Clay Aiken, UNICEF Ambassador, uses his voice to tell others about his recent Somalia mission. Graphic design by Amazing_CA.

In Olympic, Political, Social Arenas

Montages Link Others to OMWH

After complementing athletic achievements in the Beijiing Olympics, tracks from Clay Aiken's On My Way Here CD are back in the spotlight of current American political arenas and ongoing charitable endeavors.

At back-to-back conventions in Denver, CO, and St. Paul, MN, Democratic and Republican delegates will adopt their respective party platforms and officially nominate presidential candidates and running mates for the November elections.

Since a May release, OMWH songs have accompanied montages about presidential nominee-elects Barack Obama, Democrat, and John McCain, Republican.

Several OMWH songs enhancing videos about tragedy and triumph around the globe, will be listed in this entry. Readers are welcome to recommend montages this current collection missed.

Tribute to the Obamas

An Obama Love Story, set to "Something About Us" by Hotshortie one month after OMWH was released, continues its popular run on YouTube. Use the link or the player below to watch this montage.

An Obama Love Story

Other Obama-related videos created with OMWH songs include Obama Against War (Grace of God) by Starfishhome; Barack Obama - Weight of the World, Itispersonal; and Obama for Change (Grace of God) by AshFoals.

Tribute to John McCain

In July, Lacy704 created John McCain Tribute: Rising from the Ashes. The montage features the "Ashes" cut and can be viewed at YouTube or with the player below.

John McCain - Rising from the Ashes

Montages Highlight Charities

Clay Aiken, who co-founded The Bubel/Aiken Foundation in 2003, was named a UNICEF Ambassador in 2004. Listed by song, the OMWH montages below underline the singer's projects with these organizations, as well as other global issues.

AS LONG AS WE'RE HERE

As Long as We're Here by Aspiegirl

UNICEF - As Long As We're Here by SueReu

ASHES

Rising from the Ashes by IUGurls

Rise up from the Ashes -- UNICEF by SueRue

GRACE OF GOD

UNICEF Survival Project by Gerwhisp

Earthquake in China by Renegade79

Somalia by Brolio42

Somalia Awareness by Yollie950

ON MY WAY HERE

Cancer Tribute (On My Way Here/I Survived You) by Yollie950

IT'S IN EVERYONE OF US (OMWH Bonus Track)

UNICEF Finds a 'Heart of Gold' by Emerson032

It's in Everyone of Us, (UNICEF/TBAF) by Iampmstar

PHOTO INTERLUDE: This clickable interlude features OMWH and UNICEF graphics by Amazing_CA, 1, 3, 5; Ashes, 2; and Claystruck, 4.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

FOX Fri, Aug 29, 8:00 PM: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

TVLAND Mon, Sep 1, 8:30 PM: Scrubs

TVGN Sat, Sep 6, 6:00 PM: TV Guide Close Up Record

'Hey! Nielsen' Rates Celebs' Impact

CA fans are adding to their regular online destinations Hey! Nielsen, a real time indicator of a topic/celebrity's impact and value in which users play a major role in determining the rankings.

As opinions and commentary are submitted, the score for a celeb rises or falls based on a number of factors: user opinions, comments, user ratings, news coverage, Internet buzz, and raw data from Billboard, Hollywood Reporter, and Blog Pulse. Scores are calculated daily.

An opinion counts the most toward the HN score, followed by written comments on another poster's opinions, and, thirdly, reactions to other opinions. You are allowed to write one opinion per topic every 24 hours and one comment per any single opinion (including your own).

To participate, create an account, sign in, and begin. Posting an opinion every day is important. See music rankings, as well as complete searches for Clay and/or the Clay Aiken Official Site, at this link.

Season 7 American Idol runner-up David Archuleta's "Angels" have definitely discovered this site. Go, Clay Nation!

AOL Sessions cap by ClayIzzaQT

OTHER BOOKMARKS OF NOTE

My Space/Clay Aiken features OMWH tracks: "On My Way Here," "Everything I Don't Need," and Ashes.

AOL Sessions: View five performances of OMWH songs, including "Ashes," "Everything I Don't Need," "Where I Draw the Line," "On My Way Here," and "Something About Us."

AOL Top 11 Music Video Countdown: "Where I Draw the Line" and "On My Way Here" are currently in the countdown.

Below is a clickable of the lead graphic by Amazing_CA:

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, montage, UNICEF, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, Barack Obama, John McCain, Something About Us, Ashes, Grace of God, It's in Everyone of Us, Weight of the World, Everything I Don't Need, As Long As We're Here, Hey! Nielsen, AOL Sessions, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Clay Aiken's OMWH 'Medals'

ONE WORLD, ONE DREAM -- Final festivities in the Beijing National Stadium (the "Bird's Nest") conclude the 2008 Olympic Games. Photo by Shaun Botterill.

Festivities, Montages Celebrate Games

Beijing Olympics Remembered

Memorable heights in athletic achievement and spectacular ceremonies are coming to a close today with the final curtain of the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

For those in China, the Aug. 24 festivities have already concluded while telecasts of the magnificent 8 p.m. "One World, One Dream" bow are gradually wending their way through time zones around the world.

The official Beijing Olympics website contains medal totals, a complete photo gallery, and much more. Below are three photos from the Aug. 24 closing ceremony.

Acrobatic artists perform on the memory tower in the finale. - Xinhua


Double decker bus honors London 2012 games. - Michael Steele


Colorful fireworks mark the Beijing closing ceremonies. - Xinhau

OMWH Montages Honor Olympics

Several tracks from Clay Aiken's On My Way Here album naturally lend themselves to montages about the Olympics, especially the lead single and "Ashes."

These videos, favorites among sports enthusiasts and CA fans throughout the Summer Olympics, can be viewed at YouTube:

Congratulations, Michael Phelps! ("On My Way Here") by SueRue

Olympians on Their Way by Hosaa

Olympic Dreams - On My Way Here by SueRue

Shawn Johnson - Beijing Dream ("Ashes") by Yollie950

8-08-08 On My Way Here by Yollie950

A blog in the Indy Star linked Clay and gymnast Shawn Johnson in this Final Thoughts entry:

Shawn Johnson could be to gymnastics what Clay Aiken was to American Idol. In other words, finishing second, and having stage presence, can be as good as finishing first. Aiken is the singer whose career skyrocketed while that of the Idol winner, Ruben Studdard, did not.

All-around gold medalist Nastia Liukin will be a popular figure, but in a country that usually only embraces winners, silver medalist Johnson could be an exception. (She did win a gold on balance beam.) Johnson's publicist told a Des Moines, Iowa, reporter that shawnjohnson.net received 2.3 million hits on a recent weekend.

OMWH is featured on 'Super Hero' CD. - Graphic by Amazing_CA

OMWH Anchors Olympics Album

Clay Aiken's "On My Way Here" is among the songs featured on the album "Super Hero," jointly released by Sony BMG and MBC Sports to celebrate milestone moments and victories of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The "Super Hero" story is highlighted on the Korean website Yes 24 with "OMWH" playing in the background.

A Sony/BMG executive said, "In order to find appropriate songs for the Olympics, we have gotten recommendations for songs from online users who love pop and executives from major labels around the world.

In the process, 19 famous artists from around the world allowed their songs to be featured on the album. There are many excellent pieces in the album, so I dare say that this is the best compilation album yet."

An alluring musical extravaganza, "Super Hero" will let you relive the moments of jubilation as some of your favorite athletes set out to make history in the world of sports.

The "Super Hero" playlist, which opens with Clay's "On My Way Here," also includes songs by John Mayer ("Say"), Scorpions ("The Game of Life"), Krystal Meyers ("Make Some Noise"), Mario Frangoulis ("Here's To The Heroes"), Donna Summer's Stamp Your Feet, the Backstreet Boys ("Something That I Already Know"), Sara McLachlan ("Angel"), among others.

Fans can purchase "Super Hero" at Yes Asia for $17.99 plus $3.99 shipping. Upon completion of name and address info, there will be a "Shipping to United States or Canada?" question. This link pulls up a page with a "Fly cart to US" tab, which takes the buyer to a North American website where the order can be completed with Paypal.

Clay's song has been played as backup in several MBC-TV promos for Olympic programming, giving him lots of excellent exposure in Korea. One such video -- Olympics On My Way Here -- has been uploaded to YouTube by olympicsdream.

Several bloggers have featured Korea's use of "OMWH" during MBC-TV Olympic coverage. SEE Clay Aiken Ruminations, Clay Aiken News, All That Is Clay Aiken.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics are over. Undoubtedly, memories will continue on indefinite replay for the athletes who competed and those who cheered them on.

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Technorati Tags: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, Beijng Summer Olympics, montage, Ashes, Super Hero Album, Yes Asia, MBC-TV, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Clay Aiken Goes to the Movies

ON MY WAY HERE - Tracks from Clay Aiken's new CD harmonize with romantic, historical, and social themes from movies and television. Graphic by Amazing_CA.

Pass the Popcorn, Please!

Eons ago when I was a kid, Saturday afternoon meant a bus ride downtown and 2-3 hours filled with the latest Hollywood magic playing in our local movie theatre. Cost was minimal for the bus token, picture show, and buttered popped. Definitely eons ago!

Today I didn't even have to leave my computer to grab a couple of movie clips set to two favorite tracks from Clay Aiken's latest CD, On My Way Here.

The first, a photo/video montage by SueReu, is dedicated to the turbulent love affair between Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler in the 1939 classic "Gone with the Wind." Clay's "Everything I Don't Need" is the perfect accompaniment to scenes by Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.

Grab some popcorn, and enjoy this look back at the famous film set in the South during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Afterwards, you may just want to rent the whole DVD. You can read more about GWTW here.

Scarlett - You're Everything I Don't Need

Posted by NeverLetGo414, the second montage features scenes from Titanic, a monumental film made a decade ago. Directed by James Cameron, the story centers on a ficitional romantic tale of a rich girl and a poor boy who meet on the ship's ill-fated voyage.

Leads in the 1997 film are Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. A full summary can be read here.

Titanic - As Long As We're Here

For a mini-concert, stream the five OMWH video performances by Clay at AOL Music. The popular Clay Aiken Sessions include "Ashes," "Everything I Don't Need," "Where I Draw the Line," "On My Way Here," and "Something About Us."

Sessions cap by ClayIzzaQT

Have a great weekend, and pass some more of that buttered popcorn!

Caro

RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, movies, montage, Everything I Don't Need, As Long As We're Here, AOL Sessions, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Aiken Celebrations Past & Present

MY FAVORITE THINGS -- Clay Aiken performs during 2007's Soft Rock in Hard Place Tour. Graphic by Amazing_CA, photos by Pink Cocoa.

TBAF Announces 'Change' Honorees

SRHP Reprise a 'Favorite Thing'

Although ticket gathering is in full swing for Clay Aiken's September return to Spamalot, the reprise of the 2007 Soft Rock in a Hard Place Tour would be incomplete without the enjoyable review a special fan provided.

In the third of four "My Favorite Things" compilations, SmartyPantsSuz assembled memorable video and photo highlights of the summer tour with a classic montage based on the classic song from the Rogers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music.

In addition, Suz has also provided clickable versions of the video's 12 photo grids, each containing 20 pictures. That's high math, diligence, and 240 visual rewinds of Summer 2007 memories.

Many thnx to Suz for creating such an amazing medium for looking back. View the montage on the player below, or see My Favorite Things SRHP at YouTube where members can leave comments and rate the video.

My Favorite Things SRHP

If you would like your own copy, download the 40MB 2007 "My Favorite Things SRHP" montage with this Sendspace link. These are the 12 double clickable photo grids (1023 pixels each) from "My Favorite Things SRHP":

So Many Memories


Jackets, Jeans, and Rivets


Fun-Filled TV Medley


Newest Clack Gatherer


Bugs, Serenades, 'n Spotlights


Jesse Comes Through


Letters from the Fandom


Cool Songs for Clay


Bringing Sexy Back


Antics, Laughs Galore


Measure of a Voice


Because You Loved Me

More 'Favorite' Remembrances

For fans who haven't seen the previous MFT montages or would like a review, here are links to the other three compilations by Suz: My Favorite Things 2007, My Favorite Things 2006, and My Favorite Things Original.

"MFT 2007" covers the calendar year beginning with the Jimmy Kimmel Live Valentine appearance. Clay's surprise performance on the American Idol 5 Finale kicks off the "MFT 2006" montage, and the original version commemorates special moments dating back to American Idol 2.

TBAF To Honor Champions of Change

Earlier this week The Bubel/Aiken Foundation announced the 2008 Champions of Change honorees who will be presented awards at the gala benefit dinner Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Marriott City Center Hotel in Raleigh. The event also will celebrate the foundation's fifth anniversary,

This year’s honorees are CVS Caremark (corporate), Dan Habib, Betsy McNamara, and Rich Donovan.

The Foundation selects Champions of Change for their substantive efforts to extend the boundaries of the human experience to children of all abilities, in keeping with the Foundation’s mission of supporting communities with inclusive programs and creating awareness about the possibilities that inclusion can bring.

CVS Caremark Charitable Trust is being honored as a Corporate Champion of Change for their outstanding efforts to improve the lives of children with disabilities. The five-year, $25 million CVS Caremark "All Kids Can" program supports nonprofit organizations helping children with disabilities in school, in recreation and in developing skills for successful lives, all within an inclusive environment.

Champions of Change Dan Habib and Betsy McNamara turned their personal goal of educational and social inclusion for their son Samuel into a universal goal of ensuring that all children have the tools to reach their full potential.

The result is the film Including Samuel, which tells their son’s story of inclusion, along with the trials and triumphs of four other subjects. Dan is an award-winning photojournalist, director and producer of documentary films. Betsy, a fundraising consultant and an inclusion advocate, is the mother of Samuel, who has cerebral palsy, and Isaiah, who is typically developing.

Rich Donovan is being recognized as a Champion of Change for applying his world-class business acumen to creating means of empowerment for people with disabilities. He was a key to Merrill Lynch’s diversity strategy. As CEO of Integrated Process Solutions, Rich provides large corporations and governments with ready-for-action profit opportunities as a “return on disability”.

Rich, who has cerebral palsy, is Board Chairman of Lime Connect, showing real-life solutions - and real financial advantages - to hiring, working with, and providing products and services for people with disabilities. In serving children, he is an advocate of education as essential to the future economic and social success of individuals with disabilities.

The gala benefit celebration will feature a special performance by Clay Aiken, as well as dinner, plus silent and live auctions in support of the Foundation’s programs providing children with disabilities the opportunity to play, learn and grow side-by-side with their typical peers.

For more information, stay tuned to TBAF website.

Below is a clickable version of Amazing_CA's opening graphic:

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, A Thousand Different Ways, 2007 Summer Tour, Soft Rock in a Hard Place, My Favorite Things, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, TBAF Champions of Change, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Aiken's 2007 SRHP Finale Special

ORLANDO 2007 -- Amazing_CA graphic, photo by Invisible926.

2007 Summer Tour Finale

Recollections of Orlando Concert

A beautiful duet that evolved into a magnificent trio, the moving Measure of a Man reaching emotional pinnacles, and the predictable, playful antics of a final show marked Clay & Company's closing bow of the 2007 Summer Tour in Orlando on Aug. 19 of last year.

The venue, Hard Rock - Orlando, was packed with faithful fans and newcomers alike, while thousands around the globe listened via cellstream to an entertaining but emotional Soft Rock in a Hard Place Tour finale.

Throughout the tour, Quiana [Parler] and Angela [Fisher] had cleverly teased Clay as to which of the two would be his singing partner on the "I Want To Know What Love Is" duet. Each night of the tour Clay had to guess which backup vocalist would answer his opening phrase.

In Orlando, they both did! As soon as he committed to singing to one, the other picked up the next phrase. In the end, Clay improvised low register riffs with Quiana and soared higher altitudes with Angela.

Photo by Irishbookgal links to Orlando IWTKWLI.

Irishbookgal's photo links to IWTKWLI, posted at YouTube by kb0326. In this rendition, Singerman renamd his backup singers "Heartache" and "Pain."

The photo below links to Spotlightlover's Orlando video of the memorable "Measure of a Man" performance.

Toni7babe's photo links to Orlando MOAM video.

Goose Bumps in Any Language

In the long line waiting to get into Hard Rock-Orlando, Platinum spoke with a Jamaican foreign exchange student who had attended the concert alone. He had seen Clay on American Idol, thought he had a fantastic voice, and wanted to see him in concert.

Later in the handshake line, she met fans from Venezuela who had come to the US specifically to see Clay. The wife didn't understand English, so her husband translated.

He told me his wife downloads all of Clay's videos off the Internet and watches him on YouTube, too.

Through her husband, the wife told me she loves Clay and thinks he is beautiful. I asked what she thought of the concert, and she grabbed at her arm in an up and down motion. This must be the universal sign for goose bumps.

She only has "A Thousand Different Ways," so I got her e-mail address and will send her some of the extras I have at home. I can't tell you how thrilled she was to get a handshake!

Photos Highlight Special Moments

The clickables of this photo interlude are snapshots of special moments during the tour's finale in Orlando. Included are photos by Okie4Clay, 1; Invisible926, 2 and 4; Claysmelody graphic, photo by Toni7babe, 3; and Brightstar, 5.

The fourth photo captured the "switcheroos" on "A Thousand Days." Sean [McDaniel] played piano, Jesse [Vargas] became the drummer, and Quiana did a fantastic imitation of Clay as he stepped into her backup role. The final picture was taken after Clay sang "Because You Love Me," his special thank you to the fans.

NC Fans Fly Home with Clay

Icing on the FOURIDA for three North Carolinians arrived seconds before take-off when Singer Man bounded onto their Delta flight home. This is the story of three fans -- Cindydoe, NCClayfan, and MAL -- who politely allowed Clay much-needed space but still managed to express their appreciation for the summer tour.

Back home, Cindydoe and NCClayfan told their tale in back-to-back posts at Clayversity. Minus the emoticons, here is their commentary:

CINDYDOE: Clay was on our flight home!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

As we sat on the plane, NCClayfan had just said to me, "As long as that door is open, there is still hope." Ten seconds later, there he was! Of course, we didn't say anything, but he had to notice the difference in cabin pressure as the three of us gasped for breath at the same time.

I'm sure I'll have a bruise on my arm and leg tomorrow from the two Mary Ann's. He sat four rows behind us and across the aisle with Jamie. He was in the window seat. We did not turn around to stare; and that was hard.

Trio Sends 'Off the Chain' Note

When the stewardess arrived with drinks, the excited fans quietly asked if they could have Clay Aiken's cup. She said, "So that was him? I thought it looked like him!"

We wondered if he would be at baggage check, what should we say to him, if anything. We decided we would get off the plane as usual and give him his privacy. But,we did write a note on our Delta napkin:

"Thanks for the tour. It was Off the Chain!"

We got off the plane and asked the stewardess if she would give the note to Clay; she said she would. We got to where he couldn't see us, and peeped though a tiny window and watched as he stood in the door of the plane and read "our" note.

Yes, we are 12 years old!!! That was certainly the icing on our sweet cake of a weekend!!!

NCCLAYFAN: He was on our plane, he was on our plane!!! We breathed the same air for two hours!!!

One ticket to see Clay Aiken -- $100.00
Four days of Clay in Florida -- Over $1000.00
CLAY AIKEN on your return flight home -- PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!

I was looking out the tiny peep hole giving a play by play, "He's in the doorway. She handed it him. He's reading it!"

After Clay read the note, he looked up, and I am pretty sure I saw a smile. He held the note in his hand as he went over to claim his bag on a rolling cart beside the plane. As he headed to the awaiting car, he still held our note in his hand!

Photo by Invisible926 links to Orlando Slide Show.

The Orlando Slide Show features photos from Sunday's closing concert. Photographers represented include Invisible926, ClayGlo, Toni7babe, and Brightstar. Invisible's photo links to a show with a choice between gallery and fading views.

Below is a clickable of Amazing_CA's lead graphic:

Orlando provided a perfect ending for the Clay Train's amazing ride during the Summer of 2007.

CALENDAR NOTE: The Rachael Ray Show (syndicated) of May 16 will rerun Thursday, Aug. 21. Check your local listings.

Besides the fact that I enjoy hearing from readers, your comments in the Clay Blogs give them credibility and keep them near the top of Internet searches. A special thank you to all who take the time to leave a note.

You don't have to be a member of Blogspot to do so. There are several "Anonymous" readers who add their message board screen name at the bottom.

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

RELATED TAGS: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, A Thousand Different Ways, 2007 Summer Tour, Soft Rock in a Hard Place, FOURIDA, Orlando SRHP, Hard Rock-Orlando, I Want To Know What Love Is, Measure of a Man, A Thousand Days, Because You Love Me, Quiana Parler, Angela Fisher, Jesse Vargas, Sean McDaniel, The Rachel Ray Show, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation