Clay Aiken's book, Learning to Sing - Hearing the Music in Your Life is one I have to read or listen to the audio version at least once a year. In fact, I was reading it when Clay opened the great thread of Questions for Clay at the Official Fan Club.
LTS is educational, funny, and sad. No matter what the age of the reader, there is something you can relate to. No wonder it debuted at #2 on the New York Times Hardcover Non-fiction best-seller list and stayed on the list for many weeks after. It was republished in paperback form the next year (2005).
"It doesn't really matter to me how I make a difference, I just want to make sure that I do." Clay Aiken
"There's probably no better way to change the world and promote peace than to improve the lives of children. " Clay Aiken for UNICEF
April has gone out with a bang with a super week! It started out with Clay "talking" with us at the OFC, answering questions every day and his wonderful blog with the awesome gift of "Just You". Then we got the treat of new photos, and news of Clay to participate in David Foster Concert Celebration on Saturday, May 9 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Congratulations to everyone able to attend!
Something new and something old. Thanks to Robyn428 and lisajluvsclaya for the new wonderful photos from the FEC Awards of smiling Clay Aiken! The old is a favourite video of Clay singing When I See You Smile by dlh7777.
When I See You Smile Pala 07 video by dlh7777 SRHP Clay Aiken Tour
Who or what are Clay, Angela and Quiana singing to? We catch a glimpse at the end of the video. I found a picture in my archives to solve the mystery.
The following is not for a smile, but as a reminder on the 'Troll" problem that's never ending on the internet. Trolls are bullies looking for attention, they crawl web pages, blogs, and now Twitter. No matter where they turn up these tips help to discourage them.
Trolls post things for the sole purpose of getting people riled up. They might post something really obnoxious, maybe using profanity, or wild fabricated rumors, or something that will serve no purpose other than to offend or get people angry. It be hard not to respond; but a response is what they are after. The only way to get them to go away is to completely ignore them.
A troll isn't someone stating an unpopular opinion in a reasonable tone. A troll is someone deliberately saying whatever they can to get people all upset. The goal of the troll is the upset, not to state an opinion.
What to look for:
- ridiculous statements about anything that are designed to get a rise out of people - deliberately, really hurtful statements about a person. - name calling - swearing
Remember, you must completely ignore them...no faces, no words, no nothing. Saying anything to them ensures they'll stay. Don't read their post, and don't pass it on to others.
THANK YOU for your visits and comments! It's wonderful to see you here.
He sings and his voice tells a story with every song. Like a good writer of words in a book that can take me to another place or time, so does listening to Clay sing.
He has the "IT" that warms hearts.
The human heart, At whatever age, Opens to the heart that Opens in return. Maria Edgeworth
Everything I Have song by Clay Aiken new montage by Ashes
Thanks for showing me that Even on the darkest, rainiest days The sun is still there, Just behind the clouds, Waiting to shine again. Albert Schweitzer
NEW! Clay puzzle from Bsrefong~Sally "Man Of Character"
April 21, Clay received the Equality Circle Award for his commitment to loving families of all kinds, taking a stand, and sharing his journey to parenthood proudly. Family Equality Council is proud to honor Clay for all of his work on behalf of children and for all that he does to make the world a safer place for his own child and the children of LGBT parents everywhere.
Did Anyone Ever Tell You Just How Special You Are. The Light that You Emit Might even Light a Star
Did Anyone Ever Tell You How Important You Make Others Feel. Somebody out here is Smiling, Because of something you said or something you did!
"One morning as I wound an old clock, I thought about the nature of time. We can't see it, we can't touch it, yet it is there for us every moment of our lives. What we do with it, how we use it, is ours to choose. One thing is certain -- we can turn the clock back, turn it forward, even stop it, but time we can't alter. All we can do is to fill it in the best ways we can find." thank you BC for this.
This photo of Clay by Fivegoldens is so intriguing to me.
Carolina in My Mind 2004
The following article isn't anything to do with Clay Aiken. The connection is his talent and charismic charm help me in dealing with the mysterious Fibromyalgia syndrome. Avoiding stress and being able to relax are major factors, and Clay's music and videos are a huge help to me. My blogs are part of my Clay therapy too.
I wrote about fibro in a blog a few years ago. Many Clay fans wrote me for the first time, and became great new friends. Some have FMS too, some have a relative or friend with it. Some are just interested, and that is a good thing. A lot has happened as to the awareness of Fibromyalgia since then, as well as developments of medication. So far there is no magic pill for me, but who knows what the future will bring!
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition of widespread pain and profound fatigue. The pain tends to be felt as diffuse aching or burning, often described as head to toe. It may be worse at some times than at others. It may also change location, usually becoming more severe in parts of the body that are used most.
The fatigue ranges from feeling tired, to the exhaustion of a flu-like illness. It may come and go and people can suddenly feel drained of all energy – as if someone just “pulled the plug”. Fibromyalgia Syndrome (fibromyalgia or fibro or FMS for short) is a common illness. In fact, it is as common as rheumatoid arthritis and can even be more painful. People with mild to moderate cases of fibromyalgia are usually able to live a normal life, given the appropriate treatment.
If symptoms are severe, however, people may not be able to hold down a paying job or enjoy much of a social life. The name fibromyalgia is made up from “fibro” for fibrous tissues such as tendons and ligaments; “my” indicating muscles; and “algia” meaning pain.
(Some day I'm going to get this printed onto a T-shirt!)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FIBROMYALGIA
1. FMS is not the newest fad disease. In fact, it isn't a disease at all, and it isn't even new. In 1815, a surgeon at the University of Edenburgh, William Balfour, described fibromyalgia. Over the years, it has been known as chronic rheumatism, myalgia and fibrositis. Unlike diseases, syndromes do not have a known cause, but they do have a specific set of signs and symptoms which, unfortunately for the patient, take place together. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are also syndromes.
2. The many physical and emotional problems associated with FMS are not psychological in origin. This is not an "all in your head" disorder. In 1987, the American Medical Association recognized FMS as a true physical illness and major cause of disability.
3. Syndromes strike life-long athletes as viciously as they do couch potatoes. They can be disabling and depressing, interfering with even the simplest activities of daily life.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ME
internet article sent by a friend
1. My pain - My pain is not your pain. It is not caused by inflammation. Taking your arthritis medication will not help me. I can not work my pain out or shake it off. It is not even a pain that stays put. Today it is in my shoulder, but tomorrow it may be in my foot or gone. My pain is believed to be caused by improper signals sent to the brain, possibly due to sleep disorders. It is not well understood, but it is real.
2. My fatigue - I am not merely tired. I am often in a severe state of exhaustion. I may want to participate in physical activities, but I can't. Please do not take this personally. If you saw me shopping in the mall yesterday, but I can't help you with yard work today, it isn't because I don't want to. I am, most likely, paying the price for stressing my muscles beyond their capability.
3. My forgetfulness - Those of us who suffer from it call it fibrofog. I may not remember your name, but I do remember you. I may not remember what I promised to do for you, even though you told me just seconds ago. My problem has nothing to do with my age but may be related to sleep deprivation. I do not have a selective memory. On some days, I just don't have any short-term memory at all.
4. My clumsiness - If I step on your toes or run into you five times in a crowd, I am not purposely targeting you. I do not have the muscle control for that. If you are behind me on the stairs, please be patient. These days, I take life and stairwells one step at a time.
5. My sensitivities - I just can't stand it! "It" could be any number of things: bright sunlight, loud or high-pitched noises, odors. FMS has been called the "aggravating everything disorder." So don't make me open the drapes or listen to your child scream. I really can't stand it.
6. My intolerance - I can't stand heat, either. Or humidity. If I am a man, I sweat...profusely. If I am a lady, I perspire. Both are equally embarrassing, so please don't feel compelled to point this shortcoming out to me. I know. And don't be surprised if I shake uncontrollably when it's cold. I don't tolerate cold, either. My internal thermostat is broken, and nobody knows how to fix it.
7. My depression - Yes, there are days when I would rather stay in bed or in the house or die. I have lost count of how many of Dr. Kevorkian's patients suffered from FMS as well as other related illnesses. Severe, unrelenting pain can cause depression. Your sincere concern and understanding can pull me back from the brink. Your snide remarks can tip me over the edge.
8. My stress - My body does not handle stress well. If I have to give up my job, work part time, or handle my responsibilities from home, I'm not lazy. Everyday stresses make my symptoms worse and can incapacitate me completely.
9. My weight - I may be fat or I may be skinny. Either way, it is not by choice. My body is not your body. My appestat is broken, and nobody can tell me how to fix it.
10. My need for therapy - If I get a massage every week, don't envy me. My massage is not your massage. Consider how a massage would feel if that charley horse you had in your leg last week was all over your body. Massaging it out was very painful, but it had to be done. My body is knot-filled. If I can stand the pain, regular massage can help, at least temporarily.
11. My good days - If you see me smiling and functioning normally, don't assume I am well. I suffer from a chronic pain and fatigue illness with no cure. I can have my good days. In fact, the good days are what keep me going.
12. My uniqueness - Even those who suffer from FMS are not alike. That means I may not have all of the problems mentioned above. I do have pain above and below the waist and on both sides of my body which has lasted for a very long time. I may have migraines or hip pain or shoulder pain or knee pain, but I do not have exactly the same pain as anyone else.
Now to carry on with good things from Clay!
Laughter is the best medicine and this video never fails to make me laugh.
Clay Aiken Classics Medley Sterling Heights video austinclaymate
