The ebb and flow of tides are like time as the outgoing merges with the incoming, the old with the new, the past with the future.
As events of 2011 wound down on New Year's Eve, the strains of "Auld Lang Syne" gave way to the heralding of the infant 2012 with traditional New Year greetings by the media, online websites, friends, relatives, and associates.
Similarly, Clay Aiken fans are at once in retrospective mode while greatly anticipating the singer's 2012 agenda. Two events circled on Clay Nation calendars around the globe are slated for February:
Feb. 12 - May 20: Celebrity Apprentice, NBC-TV, 9 pm ET Feb. 20 - Reflections of Life - Distinguished Concerts International, Carnegie Hall, 7 pm ET
Clay's new single, "Bring Back My Love," a bestseller on Amazon and iTunes, will be sent to AC radio stations around the nation. In his blog today, Clay hinted that a 2012 tour is in the offing. He also suggested that fans watch the Today Showon Wednesday. Donald Trump will guest on Tuesday, so most are planning to watch both days.
For the inevitable rewinds on Clay Cyberspace, click on the retrospective graphics by Clayscience (2011) and Fountaindawg (2003 - 2011). Both are expandable.
The New Year's wish below links to a special Jacquie Lawson greeting for Carolina On My Mind readers. Quoting from Fountaindawg's graphic: 2012 -- Bring it!
Clay Aiken will be joining Season 5 of Celebrity Apprentice, reports People. The American Idol Season 2 runner-up will join Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice, funny man Arsenio Hall, and ‘80s sensation Debbie Gibson.
The leader of Clay Nation will no doubt put up a tough fight in the boardroom. As a top-selling recording artist, proud dad, and one of the only contestants with a college degree, Clay’s resume is the most well-rounded of the bunch.
In the process, the Carolina singer will raise awareness as well as funds for the National Inclusion Project, the charity he co-founded with Diane Bubel in 2003 to promote inclusion of children with special needs in activities with their non-disabled peers.
Whole segments of the population are about to learn what the Clay Nation has known for years. The Aiken is intelligent, witty, talented, personable, snarky, and very dedicated to his cause. Coming in second is not on his radar.
The show, which begins taping Monday, will be televised in 2012.
Carolina Site Changes Pace
To complete a fall project, I recently pushed the pause button on the Carolina's every- three-days-no-matter-what blogging routine and, to my surprise, I liked it!
Since July 2005 when my friend Sally talked me into writing a blog at the OFC and then a year later when the articles were also re-coded for the Carolina On My Mind site, I have spent much of my free time gathering info, editing art, and penning these installments.
But I have learned there are other things I want and need to do during my day. In addition to teaching 16 music students weekly, I look forward to reading again. In November, I am finally purchasing a Kindle like everyone else.
I began reporting for the Wilmington Star-News papers when I was 16 and have worked on several newspaper staffs since. Writing is an important part of me, so I will still blog -- just not on such a rigid schedule.
Expandable graphic by Fountaindawg, photo by Curtis Brown.
Carolina Blog Topics Inclusive
Since its inception, the Carolina blog has embraced a number of my passions -- family, music, Clay Aiken, the National Inclusion Project, Tar Heel basketball, movies, recipes. Now I look forward to adding reading to that list.
For five years, I have appreciated the response from readers all over the world. At last count, you represent 170 countries. I especially thank those who stop by and leave comments not only for the writer but also for the visual artists featured.
Among the graphic artists spotlighted during the five-year Blogspot run are Sally, Fountaindawg, AmazingCA, cindilu2, A Beautiful Mind, claystruck, and Ashes.
The site has spotlighted videos and montages by countless CA fans, some of whom are Scarlett, Aspiegirl, SueReu, LovesClaysVoice, and Hope.
Countless fan photographers are represented in the Carolina editions. You can always search for visual artists and topics in the rectangle next to the orange B at the top of the blog.
The original OFC blog in 2005 was short and sweet:
Hello, Clay Nation!
It's opening night, and the curtain is going up. Just this much feels like a four-movement symphony. Much more to come as I study the score ... I mean the blog tutorials.
Have a great day, all!
Caro
First Post Parallels 'Real Rebels' A year later, the initial Blogspot entry outlined the personal and professional parallels of Sonny James and Clay Aiken: The Real Rebels of Country and Pop Music.
The headline was inspired by my husband's declaration following an early road trip as Sonny's drummer in the 1970's. The real rebel of country music, he said, was the "southern gentleman," not the Nashville rabble-rousers in the newspapers.
Thank you for stopping by through six years of 600+ blogs. I hope you will continue to do so as the discussion explores an array of topics on a slightly different schedule.
Clay Aiken - New photo from Curtis Brown shoot. Expandable image edited by Sally.
Clay Nation Celebrates Designs
'Aiken' for a New Screen Saver? Last week Clay Aiken changed his profile photo at Facebook and inspired a flurry of artistic activity throughout the fandom.
The photo leads countless message boards across Clay Cyberspace, while fans easily may have set a record for photo reposts at the social networking site.
You have to look closely to detect the minute alterations by Sally. One step removed the contact lens circle in the singer's eyes. Can you locate another slight edit?
Fountaindawg created widescreen/regular graphics of the photo, and longstanding computer screen savers were promptly changed. Both thumbnails of the Curtis Brown photo are clickable:
Anyone for a new screen saver?
DWTS Couples Waltz to Aiken Favorite
It was a very good week for Clay Aiken montages, too.
Dancing With the Stars fans can always count on LovesClaysVoice for exquisite montages of the current season's contestants accompanied by a variety of Clay Aiken songs.
The one below features three Season 13 couples waltzing to the singer's rendition of "She Said Yes."
Dancing With the Stars: 'She Said Yes' by Clay Aiken. View montage by LovesClaysVoice full screen at YouTube.
Season 13 dancers in the above montage include Chynna Phillips and Tony Dovolani, David Arquette and Kym Johnson, and Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
To view LCV's montages from past DWTS seasons, check out her YouTube Channel. Among Clay Aiken songs featured are "Suspicious Minds," "Those Magic Moments, "Unchained Melody," "Everything I Have," "Touch," "When You Say You Love Me," and "Sacrificial Love."
UNICEF - 'It's In Every One of Us' by Clay Aiken. View SueReu's montage full screen at YouTube.
Montage, Song Speak to Human Race
Appropriately, David Pomeranz's "love song to the human race" backs SueReu's montage about UNICEF's "Believe in Zero" campaign. Clay, a UNICEF Ambassador since 2004 and one of many artists who have recorded the inspirational song, included the track on his On My Way Here CD.
In just half a century, child mortality rates have been cut by 60%. However, there are still 21,000 children who die every day due to preventable causes.
With innovative programs focusing on nutrition, education, immunization, health care, clean water and protection from exploitation, UNICEF is leading the way to cutting that number to zero.
In 150 countries around the world, UNICEF is on the ground, working daily to meet the needs of children.
Translated into numerous languages and recorded by a long list of artists, It's in Every One of Us has been heard around the globe through recordings, concerts, churches, synagogues, school choirs, hospitals, charities, corporate/personal growth seminars, the Olympics, you name it.
In the blog, the UNICEF Ambassador outlines the famine and water crisis in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa.
More than 2.3 million children are acutely malnourished, including half a million at immediate risk of death. Thousands of families are crossing the border from Somalia as emergency therapeutic feeding centers are being set up by UNICEF and other humanitarian agencies in neighboring countries.[SNIP]
UNICEF is using every means possible to reach these children. Their unrivaled expertise in responding to the unique needs of children affected by emergencies of all sorts is precisely why they have saved the lives of more children across the globe than any other humanitarian organization.
But they are entirely dependent on donations. They urgently need more than $300 million over the next six months alone to meet the basic needs and save the lives of countless children.[SNIP]
The average family spends about $100 a month on watering their yard in the spring and summer months. That $100 dollars can feed a child for 100 days! Three months!
I challenge us all to consider reallocating our watering allowance to a cause so much more important than fescue.
I'm sure we can all agree that we would rather our grass die than a child.
Rise Up from the Ashes - UNICEF Montage by SueReu can be viewed full screen at YouTube.
To lend your assistance, text "FOOD" to UNICEF (864233 to give $10, which can feed a child for 10 days, or visit Help Save Children in the Horn of Africa at the UNICEF site.
Canadians donating for Somalia should do so through UNICEF Canada as donations through that site are being matched dollar for dollar by the Canadian government.
A Week for Special Birthdays
The National Inclusion Project celebrated its eighth birthday Thursday. Today we not only commemorate the Inclusion Project's anniversary, but also the birthday of Sally -- friend, CA fan, photographer, graphic artist, and mentor for many whose designs are published in this blog throughout the year.
For me, Sally is a sister-friend. To my grandchildren, she has become a "fairy godmother," spearheading an online baby shower and celebrating Kai and Lia through creative graphics and photo edits.
Sally's party continues below the fold with five of her classic Clay Aiken graphics.
Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel, Inclusion Project co-founders.
Aiken, Bubel Form Foundation
The National Inclusion Project, originally The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, grew out of the relationship between Clay, Diane Bubel, and her then 13-year-old son Mike, who had been diagnosed with autism.
While pursuing a career in special education at the University of North Carolina - Charlotte, Clay met the Bubels with whom he shared a vision of a world where children like Mike could be fully immersed in society.
Having witnessed children with disabilities repeatedly turned away from activities open to others, they believed that with the right support system, doors could be opened to these youngsters and an organized effort would facilitate community inclusion and empowerment of individuals with disabilities.
Diane Bubel and son Mike in 2003
The goal became a reality when Clay and Diane co-founded TBAF. The official announcement was made on July 28, 2003, in New York City. For a timeline and much more, see TBAF Events at the Clay Aiken Kids site. Below is a clickable wallpaper by Fountaindawg commemorating the foundation's beginning.
The Inclusion Project serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with special needs and the world around them, supporting communities with inclusive programs and helping to create awareness about the possibilities that inclusion can bring.
We are, as they say, the product of the choices we make. I challenge each of you to make the choice that leads to full access, celebrating the human rights we all deserve. When you see a child in a wheelchair, will you choose to see the child? Or the chair?
When you stand in the presence of someone who cannot speak, will you choose to hear only silence? Or will you choose the tapestry that is found in the language without words?
When you’re facing parenting or teaching a child with a disability, will you choose to be overwhelmed by the challenges? Or will you choose to recognize a different kind of hero who brings you one of life’s most precious gifts – hope?-- Clay Aiken
In the past eight years, the NIP and its supporters have participated in a variety of fundraising and volunteer projects to insure a world of inclusion for all children.
Currently, you can register, login, and vote five times daily at TWBE The Best Charities Ever to help the Inclusion Project earn funds.
In previous years, Sally shared her talent for graphics and photography in an OFC blog. On occasion, she included instructional entries about how she obtained certain effects.
A couple of years ago we surprised her with a birthday bash in her journal. I "picked the lock," and several graphic artists supplied the decorations. The above birthday banner was created by ABeautifulMind.
Sally also started the Paint Shop Pro Forum at Clayversity in which her step-by-step lessons for various aspects of photo editing and creating designs provided excellent references for many novice graphic artists.
Students Make Teacher Proud
A teacher, I understand how proud Sally is of her "students." In some instances, she opened an AIM account just to guide novices through the initial steps of graphic design. She proudly admits that some long ago surpassed their teacher.
In other entries, the Carolina blog has featured examples of Sally's floral and landscape photographs. Today I thought it would be an exceptional treat to let her bring her own party decorations.
The five graphics below represent earlier Clay Aiken tours and performances -- Jukebox, Joyful Noise, and Singerman's "confetti moment" at the AI5 Finale. In addition to screen caps, photographers represented include Tasapio, 1, and Invisible926, 3.
Thank you, Sally, for being such a special friend. Everyone, enjoy the party!
Happy Birthday to Sally and the National Inclusion Project! Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!
Caro
Today's entry is #600 for the Carolina On My Mind blog, which began withThe Real Rebels of Musicto July 13, 2006. A year later, ClustrMapandFeedjitwere added to note visitor locations.
To date, you have come to this corner from 169 countries. Thank you for your visits, comments, and support of this blog.
Clay Aiken sings 'O Canada' in Toronto Concert. View montage by Ashes full screen at YouTube.
'O Canada' a Fond Memory
Fans Embrace Canadian Festivities
As Canadians celebrate the anniversary of their country's confederation, Clay Aiken fans recall fondly the night the singer -- and 18,000 fans -- spontaneously sang their anthem A capella during the Toronto Concert of the Jukebox Tour.
Officially, the federal holiday celebrates the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act. The Constitution Act of 1867 united two British colonies and a province of the British Empire into a single country.
Formerly known as Dominion Day and Confederation Day, the July 1 holiday officially became Canada Day in 1982. The weekend will be celebrated with fireworks, festivals, cookouts, and concerts.
In the opening montage, video footage by canfly172 rewinds Clay's Aug. 25, 2005, Jukebox performance at Toronto's Molson Amphitheater. Lyrics are provided in the expandable graphic by Ashes from her last Canada Day blog.
The singer's impromptu rendition of "O Canada" came during the "Stump the Band" request segment by the audience. As you can hear, the chorus of Canadians joined him.
Below, Clay Nation graphic artists spiff up the Carolina blog's Canada Day festivities with designs commemorating the occasion and recalling the Toronto Concert. Featured are expandable graphics by AmazingCA, 1, 2, 4 and Fountaindawg, 3, 5.
Happy Canada Day, Canadian friends! Happy Weekend, all!
Knights on Broadway - Montage by SueReu View video full screen at YouTube. Download Retro Part 5 here.
Part 5 in Retrospective Series
Memorable Walk Down Broadway
"Knights on Broadway," Part 5 of SueReu's retrospective series of Clay Aiken montages, spotlights special performances by the singer with Heather Headley and Hannah Waddington, as well as his stint in the hit musical, "Spamalot."
Among the highlights are "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," duet with Heather Headley, Broadway Cares, May 24, 2004; the Easter Bonnet Competition, duet with Heather Waddingham, April 29, 2008; "Home," Broadway Backwards, Feb. 7, 2011, video by Scarlett; and a variety of "Spamalot" scenes/songs as Sir Robin, Brother Maynard, and guard.
Who can forget the shy Robin predicting he would become the "Idol of his Age"? The clips SueReu merged also showcase the singer's extraordinary vocal range, his dramatic but forgettable piano technique, the Russian bottle dance, and such memorable tunes as "Find Your Grail," "He Is Not Dead Yet," "You Won't Succeed on Broadway," and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."
For other Clay Aiken retrospective montages by SueReu, see the following:
Below are clickable graphics from Clay's Spamalot run by AmazingCA, 1 and 3, and cindilu2, 2.
Clay appears in the Musicians' Real Names slideshow on the MIX 96.5 website. Link to the station's site by clicking on the graphic below. Arrows on either side of Clay's photo will take you to the real monikers of other entertainers.
Graphic by Ashes links to 'Real Names' at MIX 96.5.
TRIED & TRUE - Fans celebrate the many hats Clay Aiken wears -- singer, actor, humanitarian. Graphic by cindilu2 with photos by Diana Levine.
Round-the-Clock YouTube Rewind
Fans Document Clay Train Ride The next best thing to Clay Aiken "live" is clack from past concerts; so while the Carolina singer is not on tour, performances from the past decade are in round-the-clock replay in a smorgasbord of clack at YouTube.
For the novice, the term "clack," a play on the words Clay and another highly addictive substance, has been a part of the CA fandom since its inception in 2003. Clack quickly became the byword for video, audio, photos, etc., from the singer's concerts and other appearances. Featured in this blog are montages by Hope (Wowzers4Clay) and SueRue that celebrate Clay past, present, and future. Some even incorporate pre-American Idol performances with the more familiar events of the past eight years.
Clay Aiken Still the One 1999 - 2010 View montage by Hope at YouTube.
'Clay Aiken Still the One 1999 - 2010' spotlights the singer's performances at the JCC Country Music Show (1999), the Solo/NAT Tour Raleigh Concert (2004), and the Timeless Tour show in Lancaster, PA (2010).
The montage incorporates video/audio clips by Shellyfish, Scarlett, Solo, SecretlyLovesClay, Deemer and Canfly172 and photos by MBLovesClay, Tasapio, Suzieq977, VO5Clay, and PatriciaLuvsClay.
Decade of Unchained Melody - Clay Aiken View montage by Hope full screen at YouTube.
Personally, I think 10 years of Clay Aiken singing "Unchained Melody" is pretty hard to beat.
In the UM montage, Hope highlights the decade with clips from the singer's Redefined demo, American Idol (2003), the Jukebox Tour (ImAllEars, 2005), Starch Search with David Foster (Scarlett, 2006), and the 2010 performance on the The View promoting the Tried & True CD.
The Real Me - Clay Aiken New montage by Hope can be viewed at YouTube.
"The Real Me," a fan favorite from the singer's On My Way Here album, received a one-time only performance on March 1 in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the 2011 Tried & True Tour.
Hope's montage features clips and screen caps by videographers LauraQ, ClayIzzaQT, Goldarngirl, Lissical, and Scarlett. The audio is from ClayIzzaQT's video.
Clay Aiken - A Simple Thank You (Finale) View montage by SueReu full screen at YouTube.
The final video in SueReu's "Thank You" series, this montage, like its predecessors, rewinds many memorable vocals and humorous moments from Clay Aiken tours.
To download videos and montages, visit Clack Unlimited where you can also donate to support the site. In addition to searching for Clay Aiken clips on YouTube, you can link to many at Unlimited Clack on Facebook.
Visual Artists Chronicle Clay
Also documenting the eight-year Clay Train ride are the talented visual artists who photograph and create graphic designs from an array of images.
The handsome graphics below are a sampling of the countless designs that have graced Clay Aiken message boards since 2003 and the Carolina blog since 2006.
To locate visuals by a particular photographer or graphic artist at this site, type the person's screen name in the top left search box beside the orange B just above the Carolina masthead.
Featured below are graphics by AmazingCA, 1, 2, 3; cindilu2, 4; ABeautifulMind, 5, 6; Sally, 7, 8; and Fountaindawg, 9, 10. Photographers represented include PermaSwooned, 2; Scrykym, 5; Tasapio, 8; and Jim R. Bounds, 9, 10.
Designs capsule CA concerts, interviews, the singer's activities as a UNICEF Ambassador, and his charity work with the National Inclusion Project. Some are double clickable, and some are not.
Join this celebration of clack by linking your favorite montage, video, photograph, or graphic design in the comments below. A special thank you to all artists who share their talent with the Clay Nation!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN -- AmazingCA created a Halloween setting for this Timeless Tour photo of Clay Aiken by kareneh. Click to enlarge.
NIP Rallies Votes for $50k Grant
Goblins Invade Clay Cyberspace
A brief tour of Clay Aiken message boards, blogs, and Facebook walls reveals that ghosts and goblins this Halloween Weekend have once again possessed the Internet landscape as well as real life terrains.
The same talented graphic artists who treat fans to handsome designs year round have taken the lead in decorating Clay Cyberspace for Halloween 2010. Seasonal decor in Clay Land features creative banners, avatars, as well as graphic designs.
Fledgling composers have blossomed within the ranks of my music students as many have created spooky songs for their instrument. High tremolos abound in songs by violinists while pianists have utilized the lowest and highest ranges of the keyboard, minor modes, and generous helpings of the damper pedal.
Text & Treat for Inclusion Project
Amidst all the Halloween fun, the campaign for a $50,000 grant for the National Inclusion Project is still top priority as supporters continue reciprocal voting with other charities in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge and enlisting new votes from friends, family, and associates.
A key project this weekend is to download the PDF version of the above Text and Treat fliers to hand to eligible voters (US citizens 13 and older) all weekend, including Sunday's bewitching hour for trick-or-treaters.
The October campaign closes at midnight Sunday ET, and the Inclusion Project needs every vote -- Internet, Facebook, and text -- foundation supporters can rally.
Register and vote through the National Inclusion Project website for a chance to win a new iPad if the foundation is successful. You can also vote for the NIP, alliances, and several reciprocating partners with the widget in the Carolina sidebar.
Origin of Holiday Customs Varied
Ever wonder where this October celebration originated? The word Halloween comes from a contracted corruption of All Hollows Eve (or "All Saints Day"), a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints.
In 5th century BC Celtic Ireland, the holiday marking the official end of summer, Oct. 31, was called Samhain (sow-en), heralding the Celtic new year.
The Romans adopted Celtic practices as their own. In the first century AD, Samhain was assimilated into celebrations of other Roman traditions, among them their day honoring Pomona, Roman goddess of fruit and trees.
The symbol of Pomona is the apple, which may be the precursor for the modern day Halloween tradition, bobbing for apples.
From Souling to Trick-Or-Treating
The custom of trick-or-treating is thought to have originated with a ninth-century European practice called souling. On Nov. 2, All Souls Day, early Christians walked from village to village begging for soul cakes. The more soul cakes the beggars received, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the donors' dead relatives.
From Irish folklore comes the Jack-O-Lantern custom. Jack, an evil, fun-loving man, made a deal with Satan that backfired; and when he died, he was denied access to both Heaven and Hell.
To light his way through the frigid darkness, Jack was given a single ember, which was placed inside a hollowed-out turnip.
Though some cults have adopted Halloween as their favorite holiday, it is important to remember the tradition did not come from evil practices. Today many churches sponsor Halloween parties, traditional pumpkin patches, as well as pumpkin-carving events and "haunted houses."
Halloween is as evil or as festive as we choose to make it.
HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS: Selected for their spooky themes, these clickable graphics are just in time for this weekend's ghosts and goblins. Featured are designs by Claystruck, 1; Clayquebec1, 2; AmazingCA, 3; Ashes, 4; and Fountaindawg, 5. Thank you for giving the visual artists a shout-out in the comments below.
Ghost Stories a Carolina Tradition
As a North Carolinian, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the plethora of famous Tar Heel ghost stories.
Even the titles are scary: Blackbeard's Queen Anne Revenge;A Colonial Apparition; Buried Alive; The Scull Hangs High; Bells, Books, and Rafters; The Headless Haunt; The Peg-Legged Ghost; The Greensboro Hitchhiker, The Devil's Tramping Ground.
Clickable
For this Wilmington native, The Maco Light easily tops the list of favorite ghost tales. Visiting the Maco Light was the theme of many an autumn hayride in my youth. Maco is located in Brunswick County, 12 miles northwest of Wilmington and in the past was a stop along the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.
Briefly, in 1867 conductor Joe Baldwin was riding the last car of his train when it somehow became uncoupled from the engine.
As he watched another train fast approaching his slowing car, Joe wildly waved his lantern back and forth in warning; but his efforts were in vain. The oncoming train barreled into the car, and Joe was decapitated in the accident.
Just seconds before the crash, Joe's lantern was hurled away by a mighty, unseen force, landing in an upright position. Shortly after the horrible accident, the Maco Light began appearing along the tracks. To this day, Joe's ghost "appears" swinging his lantern and searching for his head.
Thank you for your visits and remarks in the Carolina blogs. To leave a comment, scroll to the bottom, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided.
I appreciate your props for the contributing visual artists. Have an awesome Halloween Weekend! - Caro
This blog is about my passions: family, friends, music, teaching, journalism, Carolina basketball, and Clay Aiken. Since 2007, visitors have dropped by from 170 countries, the most recent being Cuba, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Nicaragua, and Aruba. Hope to see y'all again soon! - Caro
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