Carolina-Duke in Final Showdown

DEAN DOME -- Carolina hosts Duke in the regular season finale in the Dean Smith Center, affectionately known as the Dean Dome. - Tarheel Blue Photo

Heels Honor Hansbrough, Seniors

Carolina, Duke Close Season

CHAPEL HILL - Tyler Hansbrough scored 17 points in his final home game to help North Carolina beat Duke 79-71 Sunday and win the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title. Carolina led most of the second half for its sixth win in seven meetings.

Among the Carolina faithful on hand were alums Michael Jordan, Raymond Felton, Sean May, Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown, former Senator John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth.

March Madness is here!

Tyler Hansbrough, National Player of the Year as a junior and one of the most decorated basketball players in Tar Heel history, closes the regular season chapter of his college career as Carolina hosts Tobacco Road rival Duke in an Atlantic Coast Conference showdown Sunday.

The second of two regular season games between the two teams alternately embraces tradititional Senor Day festivities for one of the schools. The 2009 finale unfolds at 4 p.m. in the Dean Smith Center, home court of the Heels (26-3, 12-3), who hold a one game lead over the Blue Devels (25-5, 11-4). NOTE: Senior speeches can be viewed at Tar Heel Blue.

The ACC title is on the line, and a win would clinch the top seed in next week's league tournament in Atlanta's Georgia Dome.

Sunday marks the final game for one of the winningest classes in Carolina basketball history that also includes regulars Danny Green, Bobby Frasor, and Michael Copeland.

Typical Hansbrough dunk in Louisville game.

Special Celebration in Chapel Hill

In A national title would seal legacy, David Ely, senior writer of the Daily Tar Heel, describes the afternoon's events and goal of a national championship.

When Tyler Hansbrough grabs the mic for his Senior Day speech after North Carolina’s game against rival Duke on Sunday, it will mark a celebration of the rarest order.

A once-in-a-lifetime player, Hansbrough holds nearly every record of substance at UNC. Most points in a career, most double-figure scoring games, most free throws made in the NCAA. And that doesn’t even include the UNC career rebounding title and the ACC career scoring mark he’s about to claim for himself.

The list of his statistical accomplishments could go on forever. But there is one small hole in his otherwise over-packed trophy shelf. A hole that, if filled, would cement Hansbrough in the Mount Rushmore of the college basketball world.

A national championship.

Just another day at the office.

Jersey No. 50 Slated for Rafters

Tyler's No. 50 jersey will eventually hang in the rafters with those of Lenny Rosenbluth, Michael Jordan, and James Worthy; but his goal is to win a national championship like these Tar Heel legends.

At the beginning of his sophomore season, the most decorated freshman in Carolina basketball history was asked why he decided to return to college instead of opting for the NBA as so many do.

After explaining to the reporter that he wants to accomplish more with his team and individually, he added, "I've never really known a player to spend another year with Coach Williams and get worse."

Network Still Beams to Popular Bluff

In 2006, I wrote a blog about Tyler's hometown radio station, KAHR-FM, which picked up the Tar Heel Sports Network feed and broadcasted UNC basketball to their native son's supporters. In Year 4, the Poplar Bluff crowd is still tuning into games 634 miles away from the UNC campus via KWOC-AM radio.

Like many North Carolinians, I will be watching the 4 p.m. televised game from Chapel Hill. A 4:30 p.m. flute choir rehearsal almost played havoc with my plans, however. Fortunately, my sister, the director, is trusting me to practice at home and join the group for next Sunday's performance.

That's a good deal. I doubt Carolina and Duke would have changed today's game time, LOL!

Season 7 American Idol David Cook will sing "Heroes" before the ACC Tournament games at the Georgia Dome later this week. A Clay Aiken fan, I would have preferred Singerman; but I'll be there cheering David on.

Have an awesome week, all! Go, Tar Heels!!!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGS: Carolina Tar Heels, Duke Blue Devils, Atlantic Coast Conference, Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Green, Bobby Frasor, Mike Copeland, Roy Williams, Poplar Bluff, Clay Aiken, David Cook, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Cyber Countdown for Aiken CD

The Very Best of Clay Aiken 2009 - Montage by Yollie950

Wildcard, 300th Blog Celebrated!

Fans Spread News of TVBOCA

Accompanying fan excitement and Cyberspace countdowns to the 3/31 release of "The Very Best of Clay Aiken" are sharp upturns in plays of the singer's previous performances of the 14 tracks at YouTube and via audio/video links throughout Twitter, Facebook, and the blogosphere.

Yollie950 featured concert and TV performances of the 14 songs in her new montage TVBOCA 2009. The video can be viewed in the above player and on YouTube where it is being rated, favorited, and shared in a whirl of emails spreading the word about the upcoming album.

Popular with fans, the playlist will be loaded with remastered highlights from Clay's mainstream and holiday albums -- Measure of a Man, A Thousand Different Ways, On My Way Here, Merry Christmas With Love -- and singles. They include:

Ashes
A Thousand Days
The Way Bridge Over Troubled Water
On My Way Here
This Is The Night
Solitaire
Here You Come Again
Measure Of A Man
The Real Me
Something About Us
Invisible
On The Wings of Love
Mary, Did You Know

Readers Choose Top Tracks

As soon as the CD was announced, the Carolina blog set up a sidebar poll for fans to vote their favorite choices for the new CD. Overnight the tracks were revealed, and our unscientific survey became even more inconsequential, ending at 7 p.m. Tuesday with 68 participants.

Many thnx to all who voted in the Carolina poll, the results of which are quite interesting and support the choices made by Clay and Sony-Landmark. Seven of the Carolina survey's best vote getters are also on the CD playlist. In order of popularity, they are "Solitaire," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Ashes," "Measure of a Man," "Something About Us," "Invisible," and "This Is the Night."

The seven tracks completing the new CD's playlist include "A Thousand Days, "The Way," "On My Way Here," "Here You Come Again," "The Real Me," "On the Wings of Love," and Mary Did You Know.

Carolina pollsters would have completed TVBOCA playlist with these seven songs: "Lover All Alone," "Everything I Don't Need," "Where I Draw the Line," "Broken Wings," "Lonely No More," and "Falling."

You can pre-order the CD at Amazon for $9.49 (eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25; Target, $9.49; and CD Universe, $9.00, among other sites.

If you want to know just how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds remain until the CD drops, a countdown widget now graces our busy sidebar. The art is cindilu2's graphic of the cover photo.

Here's to the "very best" of Singerman ... SOON!

Graphic by Amazing_CA, photo by PermaSwooned

NJU Associates Discover Clay

Always fan favorites, "Not Just Us" stories usually appear like a dessert near the end of an entry. This one, however, serves as an excellent transition between the current CD excitement and a 2003 event we honor this week. Chenoa shared this NJU incident at Clayversity last week:

I've just returned home after dropping at the airport three ladies who attended a three-day seminar here at our corporate office. I had picked them up at the airport Sunday night and while getting reacquainted with them on our 40-minute drive to their hotel, I had forgotten that my On My Way Here CD was still playing softly in the background.

It wasn't until one of the girls said, "OMG, who is that singing? He has the most beautiful voice. Please play that song again. It was "Sacrificial Love," and she commented that she was at that very point in her life.

She knew of Clay but had not followed his career and had never bought any of his albums; in fact, none of the girls had. They were all aware of his success on Broadway, his trips abroad for UNICEF, his Christmas album, but knew very little about his other albums.

Every time we got in the car to go to dinner or back to their hotel, we had to listen to "Sacrificial Love" and "Ashes." Just before boarding their plane I handed each one an OMWH album (which I was fortunate to find at WalMart) and encouraged them to follow Clay's career because, in my view, great things are on the horizon for this talented young man.

Clay performing at AI2 Wildcard Show in 2003.

Wildcard Returns to Idol Stage

A magical ingredient of American Idol and one CA fans hold dearly returns to center stage this week with Season 8's version of the Wildcard Show. Dropped for the past sevearl seasons, the Wildcard will be revived on the Fox show Thursday night.

Were it not for the Wildcard Show, in which selected contestants are given a second chance to make AI's Final 12, the planet would probably not have experienced the singing and acting talents, as well as the worldwide philanthropic endeavors, of Clay Aiken from Season 2 and Jennifer Hudson from Seasons 3.

In Clay's season, he came in behind Ruben Studdard and Kim Locke in his group and was sent home. As a Wildcard selection, Clay was invited back, returning to the AI stage where his rendition of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" earned him the American public's vote to continue in the competition.

The rules are a little different; but Thursday night when AI reinstates the Wildcard Show, I'll be watching ... and remembering Clay's Season 2 performance of DLTSGDOM:

Clay advances to finals in AI2 Wildcard Show.

You can read more about American Idol's Wildcard phenomenon in these blogs: Clay Aiken News Network, There Was a Man, Truth Rules, and Shyeyewitness and Friends.

This marks the 300th entry of the Carolina On My Mind journal. Since the initial post on July 13, 2006, visitors from 105 countries have found their way to the blog. Thank you for your visits, the many kind comments you leave, and those who follow or link to the Carolina journal.

Below is a clickable of Amazing_CA's graphic:

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, The Very Best of Clay Aiken, countdown, montage, poll, On My Way Here, A Thousand Different Ways, Measure of a Man, Merry Christmas With Love, American Idol, Wildcard Show, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Aiken PSA Lauds Music in Schools

WHY MUSIC? -- Singer records PSA for "Music in Our Schools Month" festivities. Graphic by Amazing_CA, photo by Katy4Clay.

Weather Aids Movie Marathon

Clay Aiken Celebrates MIOSM

Throughout much of North Carolina, March is roaring in like a lion as students -- and teachers, too --are reviewing rarely used snow dance steps in hopes that schools will be cancelled on Monday.

Thnx to my recent intallation of DIRECTV and the oncoming weather pattern, my weekend movie marathon has a "3-5 inch" probable chance of a one-day extension. More on this in a bit.

Learning music opens up the mind like nothing else. -- Clay Aiken

That is really the lead, and this musician/private instructor could not have said it better: Learning music opens up the mind like nothing else.

A former band and orchestra teacher, I am proud that North Carolina singer Clay Aiken is helping in the March celebration of Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM). One of four new spokespersons for 2009, Clay has joined a host of pop, country, and classical musicians recording special radio messages -- Why Music? -- that remind all of the importance of the arts.

Other newcomers to the roster include Steven Van Zandt, singer, songwriter, producer; Mark O'Connor, fiddler, composer, author; and Mary Stuart, platinum mandolin artist.

Download/listen to Clay's PSA at the above link. Here is what he says:

Wanna know one of the best ways to help your kids do better in school? This is Clay Aiken from Monty Python's "Spamalot." I visit a lot of schools both at home and when I'm on the road, and I hear too many students say school is boring. But what about music class? You know, learning music opens up the mind like nothing else.

Performing in a school music ensemble is fun and challenging for kids. It encourages creativity while instilling self-discipline. And learning music even develops something called spatial I.Q., which helps students tackle the challenges of other subjects like math and science.

Some night this week sit down as a family and play your kids some music you really love. Then listen to what your kids like and compare notes. Even better, sit down at the piano and sing some songs together. Help your kids learn to love music.

Like those of the many participating artists, Clay's bio is compressed but impressive:

Born in Raleigh, NC, Clay Aiken sang his way up from school choirs to the American Idol stage. Since then, Aiken has released five well-received albums, and has appeared in the role of Sir Robin in the Broadway musical Monty Python’s Spamalot.

A current ambassador for UNICEF, Aiken has pursued his mission of bringing primary education to all children. Throughout his career, Aiken has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for children in need.

World Concert Highlights MIOSM

First celebrated in 1973 by the state of New York, MIOSM has expanded into a national month-long occasion raising awareness in the importance of music education for all children. A cornerstone MIOSM event since 1985, the World's Largest Concert (WLC) is a sing-along linking up to six million students around the world in recent years.

Slated for 1 p.m. EST March 12, the 2009 WLC can be viewed on most publc access TV stations. In the Age of Technology, teachers link to downloadable sheet music and mp3s to teach students the songs. For more info and the 2009 song list, see this WLC link.

Coming from a long lineage of music teachers, I believe the artist PSAs and MIOSM emphasis are wonderful reminders to the public -- parents, young people, and school board members quick to slash arts programs -- that participation in music class is key to a student's education.

Ancient Greek philosophers believed music to be essential and beneficial in learning other subjects. In addition to the joys of singing or playing an instrument, music class is where students discover their own creative voice, learn about cooperation and how it feels to make real harmony.

Creativity, cooperation, harmony, and beautiful music -- what the world needs now!

PHOTO INTERLUDE: Graphics by Amazing_CA (1, 3, 5) and cindilu2 (2, 4) are featured in this clickable set with photos by PermaSwooned, 3, and Katy4Clay, 5. Widescreen versions of cindilu2's March calendar and graphic are available on her Yuku page.

Potholes of a First Time Pollster

When I posted the previous blog entry, the March 31 drop date for The Very Best of Clay Aiken had just been announced. Based on past history, most longtime CA fans agreed it would be a while before fans learned the album's tracklist.

Never having created a poll with Blogspot's gadgetry before, I decided this might be an excellent first time. To establish a consensus of "favorites," I asked a few friends to send me their wish list, the most popular titles of which made the poll.

For spacing and an assortment of other double-checks, I always test a new entry in a private duplicate blog before uploading the post to the Carolina site. True to form, I set up the poll on the dummy site, too. Everything worked like a charm ... until I routinely moved the works to the Carolina site.

One Little Check Mark

Even before I could ping the blog, frustrated readers began commenting that they were only allowed one choice rather than the stated multiple votes. Unfortunately, I inadvertantly missed checking that option in the final upload.

I immediately learned you cannot change a poll once participation begins, so I promptly posted that voting was on hold until I could replace the survey, this time with the multiple vote option checked. After that, everything clicked along smoothly with a steady stream of song selections in the side bar.

Around midnight, tradition broke rank and the actual playlist for TVBOCA was released, making the Feb. 24 Carolina poll somewhat obsolete. The saving grace is that voting, which continues in the sidebar song list and via reader comments, will provide a comparative list on March 3, Blogspot's pre-dermined closing date for the poll.

Reckon I will think twice before setting up a poll again? Knowing me, probably not!

Movie Marathan Rolls On

Even if there is no snow day in this area Monday, I have certainly enjoyed a weekend of back-to-back movies. So much so that I received several emails and PMs asking why I wasn't online.

I like a wide variety of genres -- drama, mystery, comedy, romance. I think I have even programmed a western. So far, in my short time with DIRECTV, some of my favorite films include:

The Great Debaters
Freedom Writers
The Touch
21
The Visitor
Bounce
Mad Money
Miss Potter
No Reservations
Music of the Heart

Among those recorded but not yet viewed include:

The Bucket List
Beyond the Sea
Becoming Jane
The Producers
Resistance
Taking Chance
Mrs. Brown
Copying Beethoven
A Mighty Heart
Babel

Most often, once-viewed movies are not immediately deleted from my cache. Perhaps that's the reason my DVR scheduler is already down to 75% available space. Oops, there goes another orange light -- make that 74%!

Below is a clickable of Amazing_CA's opening graphic:

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, Music in Our Schools Month, MIOSM, Why Music? PSA, Music Educators National Conference, MENC, World's Largest Concert, WLC, The Very Best of Clay Aiken, poll, DIRECTV, movies, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

The Very Best of Clay Aiken

'The Very Best of Clay Aiken' CD will drop next month.

IT Anniversary, Playlist Update

Aiken Album Slated for March 31

On the heels of Sony Legacy's news about the March 31 release of remastered favorites for The Very Best of Clay Aiken, the singer's fans today are commemorating the anniversary of the opening concert of the very popular 2004 Independent Tour.

February 24 may be Fat Tuesday to Mardi Gras enthusiasts; but for the Clay Nation, it's an all-day rewind of the Charlotte, NC, IT show, accompanied by speculation about the TVBOCA.

The Sony Legacy label promises that each gem is given high quality treatment, "insuring as complete and compelling a package as possible."

By combining state-of-the-art remastering technology with comprehensive liner notes, track information and rare and historic photos, the Legacy name and moniker have become synonymous with musical excellence. Our work is recognized by critics and fans alike as top notch..

Not Just Reiussued ... Reimagined!

What fans know about the upcoming "very best" CD are pre-order sites, prices, and the fact that the tracks are remastered songs versus the compromised sound of MP3 files.

But what everyone wants to know is which songs will be included on the "very best" playlist!

UPDATE: Just one day after setting up the sidebar poll, we now have an official playlist. Still, it will be interesting to see how closely the Sony Legacy choices match those by fans. Our "very best" poll results will be posted following the March 3 end date.

Here is the TVBOCA track list released to Amazon:

Ashes
A Thousand Days
The Way
Bridge Over Troubled Water
On My Way Here
This Is The Night
Solitaire
Here You Come Again
Measure Of A Man
The Real Me
Something About Us
Invisible
On The Wings of Love
Mary, Did You Know

What are your 10 favorite tracks from Clay's mainstream albums -- Measure of a Man, A Thousand Different Ways, On My Way Here -- and singles? With the assistance of some CA friends, the Carolina blog created a sidebar poll to determine the 10 songs readers would most like to see on the TVBOCA playlist.

To start our very unscientific survey, friends Ashes, Barb55, and Amazing_CA shared their choices with very little duplication. Hopefully, your 10 songs are listed. Once polling begins, no additions to the list are allowed. However, I will keep tabs of songs listed in the comments and include them in the final tally on Tuesday, March 3.

You can pre-order the CD at Amazon for $9.99 (eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25; Target, $11.98; and CD Universe, $9.00. Also, if you need a reminder of the songs on Clay's previous CD's, see the titles on his Amazon page.

Here's to the "very best" of Singerman!

Double clickable IT
wallpapers by Fountaindawg

Looking Back: IT Opens in Charlotte

From Feb. 24 to April 16. 2004, Clay and Kelly Clarkson criss-crossed the country with their Independent Tour, kicking off in Charlotte, NC, and ended in St. Paul, MN.

Singing "Kyrie Eleison," Clay entered the arenas from a different point nightly. During the first concert in Charlotte, the audience could hear him; but only the backup singers were visible onstage. When fans finally spotted Clay singing and making his way to the stage, they cheered madly, reaching out to touch him as he walked by. "Rock Star Clay" had arrived!

After the first concert, the "surprise" entrance was expected with Clay and Kelly alternating as the show's opening act. However, with each venue, the exact entrance location was anyone's guess.

Making the media rounds, the co-headliners shared a bus, as well as backup band and singers. After performing their separate sets, the duo closed each concert with Journey's "Open Arms."

In addition to the popular opening and closing songs, Clay performed tracks from his Measure of a Man CD, an acoustic medley, "Without You" duet with Quiana Parler, and "When Doves Cry."

Clickable by Amazing_CA

Independent Tour Set List (Charlotte)

Kyrie Eleison
Perfect Day
I Will Carry You
All About Love
No More Sad Song
I Survived You (Atlanta, but not Charlotte)
When You Say You Love Me
Without You (duet w/Quiana Parler)
Invisible
Run to Me
Measure of a Man
Fields of Gold
Carolina on My Mind
When I Need You
When Doves Cry
The Way
Open Arms (duet w/Kelly Clarkson)

For more information, see Independent Tour at the Clay Aiken Kids site.

Atlanta IT: Kyrie entrance and final bow.
(Clickable photos by Sally, 2/25/04)

Thank you for sharing your top 10 selections in "The Very Best of Clay Aiken" sidebar poll and/or in a blog comment.

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, A Thousand Different Ways, Measure of a Man, The Very Best of Clay Aiken, Sony, Legacy Recordings,Independent Tour, Clay Aiken Kids, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Clay Aiken Leaves RCA Label

ALL SMILES -- The Clay Nation is celebrating their singer's departure from RCA. Graphic by Amazing_CA, photo by PermaSwooned.

Fans Celebrate News

Clay Aiken Leaves RCA Behind

Clay Aiken fans have known for months that something was up as they detected the gradual disappearance of their singer's presence on the RCA website. Friday in an exclusive release to People Magazine, Clay officially confirmed a parting of the ways with his record label.

Clay Aiken is setting the record straight: the former American Idol has parted ways with RCA Records, Aiken's rep has confirmed exclusively to PEOPLE.

"We were unable to come to terms in a recent contract negotiation, and decided that it was best to move on," the rep, Cindi Berger, said Friday.

Upon the official announcement, Internet fan celebrations commenced immediately with the virtual uncorking of spirits; parades of favorite photos, memorable performances, montages; and elated expressions via posts and emoticons.

Saturday a similar story with a four-picture slide show appeared on the Access Hollywood site.

RCA Makes Critical Missteps

Most fans feel RCA has not supported Clay's recording career in several critical career steps from the lack of promotion and weak follow-up single selections to radio play that has been practically nil.

Despite the lack of backing, the man has sold almost six million albums -- three mainstream CD's debuting in Billboard's Top 5, plus a hugely successful Christmas CD and EP.

The follow-up to the double platinum Measure of a Man was A Thousand Different Ways, a beautifully sung collection of covers when "new" is what counts in today's music scene. Despite that strike, the CD went gold and is beloved by many.

Clay's third album, On My Way Here, contains an extraordinary variety of original songs with outstanding arrangements and exquisite interpretations. However, with very little follow-up promotion, the CD only sold 159,000 units in the US.

Clay has an incredible voice and is blessed with a quick wit and comedic timing, making him a masterful entertainer in live performances and on the Broadway stage. With a mic in his hand and new backing, the world should be able to experience the talent the Clay Nation has enjoyed for the past six years.

Clay with Michael Bubel prior to his AI2 run.

Expanded Stage for Charities

Since the summer of 2003 when Clay, a special education graduate, and Diane Bubel, mother of a son with autism, co-founded The Bubel/Aiken Foundation to promote inclusion for all children, the singer has used his celebrity to advance philanthropic causes around the globe.

In addition to his projects with TBAF, Clay was appointed a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in 2004 with an emphasis on children and education.

His charitable endeavors are outlined in an article by Dr. Karen Steinberg -- Celebrity Educational Activism: Spotlight on Clay Aiken -- posted at EDUPINION Thursday.

Many celebrities, however, include education in their philanthropic activism. A relatively recent newcomer to this arena is former American Idol singer Clay Aiken, who has been unusually active in furthering educational missions.

As he explains on his website, "My music career has allowed me to do the same thing I was doing before -- work with kids. It has just given me a bigger stage, so I can enact change on a grander scale." [snip]

Through the generosity and activism of celebrities like Clay Aiken, important aspects of and initiatives in education can progress.

The complete article is well worth the read.

Bloggers Applaud Announcement

The ConCLAYve is one of countless blogs weighing in on RCA's loss of Clay Aiken with the current Come Sail Away entry:

The best voices will not be silenced. His voice soars in a recording studio, a television studio, on the concert stage, on a Broadway stage and on the world stage.

Below is a partial listing of other bloggers writing on the topic. Watch the Carolina sidebar for more.

Marhaven Musings: Clay Aiken: Free at Last
Clay Aiken News Network: A Toast to Clay Aiken
The Life and Times of a Clay Aiken Fan: Clay Aiken Leaves RCA
There Was a Man: Free Bird
Hosaa's Blog: Art and Artists
gerra730: Clay Aiken Free From RCA
Chexxxys Pearls: Clay Aiken Says Adios
Clay Aiken News: Clay Aiken Leaves RCA
Shyeyewitness and Friends: Clay Aiken Leaves His Record Label
Truth Rules: Clay Aiken: Rembering Fantasy
All That Is Clay Aiken: Clay Aiken Leaves RCA
Clay Aiken Ruminations: Has RCA Dropped Clay Aiken?

Clay sings 'Fantasy' during AI3 telecast.

In 2004, Clay returned to the American Idol stage to sing lead on Earth, Wind, and Fire's "Fantasy" with the four finalists as backup.

As most videos go, this one from YouTube definitely shows its age. Undeterred, the last verse is resounding throughout Clay Cyberspace this weekend:

As you glide in your stride
With the wind as you fly away
Give a smile from your lips and say
Are you free yes I'm free
And I'm on my way!

Below is a clickable of Amazing_CA's opening graphic:

Looking forward to the next chapter! Have a great weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, A Thousand Different Ways, Measure of a Man, RCA, People Magazine, The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, UNICEF, EDUPINION, Dr. Karen Steinberg, Fantasy, American Idol, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

A Late Leap into 21st Century

Everyhing I Don't Need (Clay Aiken) montage by Gerwhisp

Adventures, Missteps Abound

A Late Leap into 21st Century

After diving into the Twitter social networking medium last weekend, I took another leap into the 21st century Tuesday with the installation of DIRECTV's seemingly limitless channels and my first ever DVR receiver.

Admittedly late to the party and college degree aside, I have discovered there is a learning curve for both. My fledgling missteps even have a theme song: Clay Aiken's "Everything I Don't Need." Featured in Gerwhisp's montage above, the EIDN video includes the singer's Sessions performance and can also be viewed on YouTube.

Since there's no right or wrong way to Twitter, I'm pretty safe there. However, every now and then I try to send a message and notice the board is way smarter than I. Has anyone else hit ENTER a second time only to read "What are doing? Tweet already sent!" or "Recipient not following you." Oops!!!

Scroll to the previous entry, "Twitter Mania Takes Over My Life," for a host of helpful links about twittering.

Somewhat appeasing is the knowledge that I'm not alone. This is a PM from another new "twitterer" I met on a Clay Aiken message board:

Just need to update you on my mental state. I have been too busy to concentrate for long -- that's my excuse! -- so yesterday I decided to give up for now. But THEN this morning in the Toronto Star, a columnist wrote about her learning agony on Twitter.

She told step by step how to "Tweet," so I tried again. Now I know how to post, but I never know where it's going to show up. Its hilarious; all of a sudden I find a post of mine where I didn't know anything existed.

I commented in the Star column and explained that because of her I'm trying again, but am doubtful. She replied, "If I can Tweet, anyone can Tweet!" Even thought I am having a mental and emotional meltdown, I'm having fun. Thanks for getting me started on my downfall. Just as I figured out Facebook ... now this. Oy!

So we're all in this together, LOL! If you get a chance, send @maddie99 a tweet. Also, here is the link for the columnist who convinced my friend to try again. Read Twitpics, retworts, hash tags and twicks by Antonia Zerbisias. You can also tweet @AntoniaZ at Twitter, or visit her at the Star.

I am following lots of interesting people on Twitter, none more helpful than a representative from my new TV supplier. Ten minutes after I tweeted that I was having a time figuring out what was playing on all the new channels at my disposal, @DIRECTV posted this Tweet:

@CarolinaClay we have an online guide at directv.com/guide. If you are registered, you can also set DVR recordings at home from this guide.

That's what I call service!

Now, my friend Sally, who ever so slightly twisted my arm to upgrade to the trial movie channels-DVR package, literally programs her daily recording schedule while exercising on the treadmill.

I'm definitely not that adept. This morning, sitting on a sofa, I double-booked and overlapped movies while missing a live report about President Obama's visit with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. I knew MSNBC's @David Shuster would replay major segments on MSNBC's 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and he did.

Meanwhile, I am streaming "Everything I Don't Need," my new theme song, as well as the title track and "Ashes" from Clay Aiken's On My Way Here CD, at his MySpace. The sound is fantastic, so give these songs a whirl.

No doubt many more 21st century-related adventures await me. A day early, but have a wonderful weekend, all!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, Everything I Don't Need, On My Way Here, Ashes, montage, MySpace, Twitter, Tweet, Retweet, DIRECTV, Antonia Zerbisias, MSNBC, David Shuster, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation

Click to stream CLAY AIKEN's MYSPACE

Twitter Mania Following Me!

Stuart Goldenberg (New York Times)

Tips from First Three Days

Twitter Mania Takes Over My Life

Three days ago I was successfully juggling a crazy mix of music lessons, two weekly blogs, and passable housecleaning results while staying in tune with the latest news about Clay Aiken, politics, Carolina basketball, and global happenings.

Then my friend Sally casually introduced me to Twitter, the very interesting, very addictive messaging utility for staying connected in real-time; and the kilter of my life has been off balance ever since.

On days I teach at home as the final student departs, I rush back to the den where my laptop is chirping away. TWEET!!!

Talking on the phone with my computer-less friend, I was asked about my new "bird." Try explaining Twitter to someone who is not on the Internet. Another asked me about the submarine sounds coming over the phone. TWEET!!!

I even hear "tweets" in my sleep and catch myself trying to bring up TweetDeck. TWEET!!!

I'm sure experienced "twitterers" know what I'm talking about. It's the newbies like me I'm addressing. In fact, perhaps some of the pro's on this online community can add to this piece.

The local newspaper, discontinued long ago, has lost its last vistage of hope to ever darken my doorstep again despite a two-year campaign of special offers. I am perfectly content with Twitter, cable TV, and a host of online sites.

That's really a shame since I got my start writing for a local daily at age 16. Sunday I sent my former editor an invitation to join us at Twitter. LOL, we'll see.

Logo by Visha Gaikar

A Twitterer's Initial Tweets

Since joining Twitter, I have enjoyed chatting and exchanging links with people around the globe. Cable news anchors are communicating with audience members via Twitter, and I think that's pretty neat. Sunday I followed the give and take of Davids Shuster and Gregory with their audiences.

There's quite an active Clay Aiken fan group on board, posting links to the singer's music, concert performances, and video montages. A fan from the beginning, I'm not about to pass up those links, LOL!

In the short weekend we have been on Twitter, my friend and I have located several sites that include helpful hints for others just coming aboard. Be prepared for everything else to go to pot. Sunday afternoon I even forgot a flute choir rehearsal that I had promised the director, my sister, I would attend.

Twitter Love by Collective Thoughts

If you're still game, here are some informative, helpful links:

Twitter? It's What You Make It" by David Pogue of the New York Times. Great read!

Twitter, in other words, is precisely what you want it to be. It can be a business tool, a teenage time-killer, a research assistant, a news source — whatever. There are no rules, or at least none that apply equally well to everyone.

USE IT HOWEVER YOU LIKE: I’ve finally harnessed Twitter’s power for my own nefarious ends. I pass on jokes. I share little thoughts that don’t merit a full blog or article post. I follow links and track buddies. I un-follow people who are boring or post 50 times a day.

And I query the multitudes. Last week, I was writing a script for a TV segment, and needed a great example of “an arty movie that a teenage baby sitter wouldn’t be caught dead watching.” My followers instantly shot back a huge assortment of hilarious responses.

Other people plug their blogs, or commiserate, or break news; the first report of the plane in the Hudson came from a Twitterer. It’s all good.

How to Become a Twitterer

To get started, open a free Twitter account. Click on "join the conversation." Select a username and password, enter your e-mail address, enter the codes on the screen, and click "I accept."

A great start-up walk-through is outlined here: Getting Started with Twitter by Kirsti Scott.

Twitter is a site where you can create a microblog, which isn’t a teeny, tiny blog, but a blog consisting of teeny tiny posts. Each post or “tweet” can be no more than 140 characters. Each of these tweets answers a simple question: “What are you doing?”

Your answers can be about your personal life, your work life, an interesting article you just read online, a funny video, a shout out to a friend, or anything you’d like. It really couldn’t be easier.

After setting up a free account, members are encouraged to post frequent updates about what they are doing, seeing and feeling. The messages, known as "tweets," are limited to 140 characters (YIKES!!!) and can be sent from a computer or a mobile phone.

Although the updates are available for anyone to see, Twitter users usually set up their accounts to monitor the tweets of people they know or admire. These "followers" are automatically fed tweets from the people they are shadowing.

Another excellent "how to" guide was posted by C.G. Lynch earlier this month here. Covered are the sign-up routine, who to "follow," what you can gain and share with Twitter, etc.

Twitter Network by Nathan

Go Viral with Twitter

Check out 25 Tips for Going Viral on Twitter by Rodney Rumford, whom I now "follow."

One of the great benefits of Twitter is that it allows for content to spread rapidly and virally across the network and allows for many people to easily discover and share your Tweets.

Who Tweets? A Tweet Census from Digital Arts describes the community you are joining.

10 Twitter Tips for Bloggers by Andrew Stark. Great ideas for non-bloggers, too!

Some nitty-gritty tools include:

TweetDeck. Download this immediately after signing up. The deck splits the main Twitter feed into manageable columns.

Real-time Twitter Search -- Just what it says.

Twellow -- Great place to find others who share your interests.

How to Re-Tweet -- Scroll down for several other helpful newbie links.

Who Should I Follow? -- Analyzes your choices and recommend others you might be interested in.

Twitpic -- Allows one to upload/share photos and videos.

Be a DJ with Blip -- Broadcast your favorite music clips with Blip.

Tweet Smarter -- Tweet with easy icons, add a retweet link to any tweet!

Twitscoop -- See what's buzzing right now!

Twitter Tips -- A practical guide to getting started on Twitter.

Mr. Tweet -- Discover and get discovered by relevant people. Make him your personal networking assistant.

Tweet Grid: Amazing Race -- Fans of AR -- and other shows -- can watch and chat in real time. Locate others via the SEARCH mechanisms.

Tweet Tees -- "Eat. Sleep. Tweet." broadcasts your Tweeter addiction on these custom tee shirts and hooded sweatshirts.

Every time I start winding down this blog I find something new. Here are a couple more quick tips:

Hashtags: Be sure you use hashtags -- keywords preceded by the hash sign, "#". Over the past few months, hashtags have become a great way for other users to find content quickly. Example: #Carolina

Clickable Screen Names: Put the @ sign before a user's SN to create a link. Example: @MissSallysPC

As David Pogue wrote in the above NYTimes article, Twitter is "powerful, useful, addictive and fascinating" but it is OK to close the site. Sometimes you just have to.

A special arrangement for my string students and planning the next day's music lessons await my attention. However, see you on Twitter ... SOON!

Caro

TECHNORATI TAGS: Twitter, TweetDeck, Tweet, ReTweet, networking, viral marketing, hash tags, Clay Aiken, On My Way Here, A Thousand Different Ways, Official Fan Club, Clay Nation