Clay Aiken Fans Recruit Thanksgiving Voters

MERRY THANKSGIVOWEEN: Seasonal celebrations collide.
Cartoon by Mike Thompson of the Detroit Free Press.

Group Texts Before Turkey Dinner!

Holiday Commemorations Merge

Due to their proximity on the calendar and the influence of commercial activity, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas celebrations have so effectively merged that the appropriate seasonal greeting could easily be "Merry Thanksgivoween!"

The spooks of Halloween have come and gone, families are gathering for Thanksgiving Day festivities, while from radio stations from Schenectady to Spokane, Pensacola to Phoenix have begun broadcasting the third stanza of "Merry Thanksgivoween" with Clay Aiken Christmas carols.

Among the CA vocals decking the airwaves with a joyful noise are "O Holy Night," "The First Noel," "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day," "Merry Christmas with Love," and "Winter Wonderland."

Thanksgiving graphic links to 'All Is Well' montage by SueReu.

The Thanksgiving graphic by A Beautiful Mind links to SueReu's montage of "All Is Well," celebrating the second and third stanzas of the "Merry Thanksgivoween" triology.

Holidays Provide Pepsi Alternatives

Creative voting is the key in the National Inclusion Project's $50k grant campaign while visiting family and friends this Thanksgiving weekend. Daily votes for the NIP, partners, and allies via the Pepsi site, Facebook, and mobile phone are a must for regulars if the foundation is to remain in the Top 10.

Thanksgiving Weekend provides supporters with new voting recruits. Hold daily group texts --109857 to 73774 (Pepsi) -- with all who gather for holiday meals, games, and other weekend festivities.

Make sure all eligible (US citizens 13 and older) guests who can access an email account vote for the NIP during the holidays. Use the voting widget in the Carolina sidebar for ease in voting. Print and pass out these Thanksgiving fliers to garner new text votes.

Double clickable/printable NIP Pepsi fliers.

B/W double clickable/printable fliers.

Facebook Poll Offers More Ideas

Earlier this week, Scarlett posted this survey on her Facebook wall. The points in her poll provide excellent suggestions for garnering additional votes this holiday weekend.

If you are a site member, drop by her corner and take the poll. You can also share additional ideas in the comment section of this blog.

How will you increase Pepsi Refresh votes for the NIP during Thanksgiving Week?

1. Don't serve Thanksgiving turkey until everyone texts.
2. Vote early in the morning before the bedlam begins.
3. Vote at halftime, grab the remote and hold it hostage until people text, too.
4. Ask a friend to take care of your votes.
5. Vote before starting the car to drive anywhere, all passengers included.
6. Print out the NIP Pepsi Refresh fliers and hand them out wherever you go.
7. Register ID's of hosts/visitors so they can vote at the Pepsi site.
8. Vote late at night when the house is quiet again.
9. Add your suggestion.

For Clay Aiken fans who have followed tweets and photo trickles throughout the taping of a certain TV show in New York City, below are double clickable graphics by Fountaindawg -- for which we can be thankful. The second is wide screen.

Merry Thanksgivoween, Clay Nation and all you hold dear!

Thanksgiving design by Linda/ABM

Happy Thanksgiving e-cards in four styles to all who drop by the Carolina/OFC blogs throughout the year!

Thanksgiving with a Beat

Simple Gifts

Glorious Thanksgiving

Turkey Day Hoedown

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Clay Aiken Photos, Montages Jazz Up Fan Sites

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.

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

To order a Clay Aiken Calendar, see 2012 Clay Aiken Calendar Set for Gala Return.

For information RE the I AM NORM Pepsi campaign, scroll to Clay Aiken, Inclusion Fans Plan September Rally. Vote via the I Am NORM Widget in the sidebar.

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Clay Aiken Montage Reflects 9-11 Anniversary

9-11-01 Tribute Montage by Yollie950
'Grace of God' and 'It's in Everyone of Us' by Clay Aiken.

The 10-Year Anniversary

America Remembers 9/11/01

In memory of the senseless devastation and tragic loss of lives in America 10 years ago today.

To the survivors of loved ones lost in the 9/11/01 terrorist invasion, know that America remembers. This country also pays tribute to the brave men and women whose heroic actions saved lives in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.

"Grace of God" and "It's in Everyone of Us" by Clay Aiken are featured in the 9-11-01 Tribute Montage, which also can be viewed at YouTube.

One of final photos by the late Bill Biggart.

Photographer Leaves 9-11 Legacy

Professional photographer Bill Biggart died taking pictures when the second tower fell. In the aftermath, some of Biggart's digital photos were recovered from his camera's memory card.

You can read the story at Bill Biggart's Final Exposures. View a slide show of his amazing photos from Seeing the Horror. Expandable, the first is printed below.

God Bless America - Remembrance Flag is expandable.

In 2001, I wasn't in the habit of turning on the TV that early; but, for some reason, I was watching the TODAY Show that fateful morning. I remember with horror and disbelief as I watched the terrorists' planes fly into the twin towers and the terrible aftermath we witnessed in real time the rest of that day.

According to those who commented in the 9/11/2009 blog, Canada and other flew flags at half mast that fateful day in 2001. Jannet Moranz posted this reflection:

It was a day that no American living on this planet at the time will ever forget. Sometimes I measure my life in terms of before and after.

Anniversary Design Depicts Then, Now

Commissioned to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9-11, the drawing by EKTIMIS depicts through symbolism the New York city skyline and its reflection in the adjacent Hudson river.

The skyline illustrates the current city skyline, while the reflection in the river illustrates the same skyline prior to 9-11 with the World Trade Center standing.

One of three specially-commissioned artworks by EKTIMIS, the high grade 24" x 32" wall poster can be ordered at 9/11 Tenth Year. The sample below is clickable.

Poster commemorates 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The four eagles soaring in the top left corner of the drawing depict the four divisions of the U.S. armed forces that were dispatched abroad to protect the country, soon after the events on 9-11 - the U.S. Air Force, the Army, the Marines, and the Navy.

The two eagles hovering above the water (separated from the four above) represent the two divisions of the U.S. armed forces that stayed behind promptly after 9-11 to protect the U.S. homeland - the National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard / Border Patrol.

The stems of red roses held tightly within the claws of one of the hovering eagles represent and memorialize the lives lost since 9-11. The falling red petals from the roses leave a visible trail in the water back to the image of the World Trade Center twin towers, further depicting the connection of the lives lost with the towers.

Gander, NF, hosted stranded travelers in 2001.- Clickable.

Canadian Town Honored at 9/11 Event

In her blog comment this week, Sandy Hall wrote about a little known part Canada played during the week of 9/11/01:

Our paper has been running articles all week. One story that touched my heart was about the friendships that were formed in Gander, Newfoundland, when the town became home to thousands of stranded travelers and welcomed these complete strangers into their homes.

The tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland, hosted passengers from 38 planes that were forced to land in Canada after the US was attacked. The town was honored for its help in a ceremony in Washington, DC, on Thursday. Read the complete story at the CBC News site.

Countless Remembering 9/11 galleries are featured at Life Magazine online. Also, see Revisiting 9/11, unplublished photos by James Nachtwey at Time.

Where were you on 9/11 10 years ago? Share your reflections and personal experiences in the comments below. Staying vigilant and united, we will never forget September 11, 2001.

God bless America!

Caro

See previous Carolina entry for I AM NORM/National Inclusion Project progress/voting links in the Pepsi Refresh campaign for a $50,000 grant.

The 2010 9/11 entry paid tribute to the 343 fallen firefighters who gave their lives saving others at Ground Zero: Iron and Steel Brigades Honor 9/11 Fallen.

Thank you for sharing your 9/11 experiences in the blog comments. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided.

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Clay Aiken Sings 'Both Sides Now,' Spurs Campaign

BOTH SIDES NOW - Singer Clay Aiken and signer Debra Leisey perform beautiful duet that describes the purpose and programs of the National Inclusion Project. View 2010 Gala video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

Aiken's BSN Defines Inclusion



Song Inspires $50k Grant Drive



Throughout August, this blog has outlined the mission and importance of the programs of the National Inclusion Project so that everyone who can will support the Raleigh, NC, charity in its campaign to obtain a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.



All along, no words, photos, or voting links were needed. Just co-founder Clay Aiken performing the Joni Mitchell song "Both Sides Now" with Debra Leisey signing the inclusive lyrics.



Enjoy their performance from the 2010 Champions of Change Gala, annual meet when honorees are recognized for achievements opening doors for young people with disabilities.

In 2003, singer Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel of Charlotte co-founded the National Inclusion Project, formerly the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. to expand inclusive programs for all children.

One Pepsi Power Code a Day!



After watching the video, please make it your goal to purchase one -- or more -- Pepsi/Diet Pepsi products with a yellow cap each of the final four August days.



Email, text, or PM an NIP supporter the 10-character power codes by 6 p.m. ET Aug. 31. The codes will be voted before the contest ends at midnight ET Wednesday.

Clickables show much-needed power code caps.

In one swoop, the "powerful" codes increase a single vote from 5 - 100 points. The National Inclusion Project must be in the Top 10 to land a grant, and we definitely need your help.



The Pepsi site linked above is complicated for casual voters. However, everyone can easily follow this simplified routine for four days:

1. Text a daily vote: 108169 to 73774.

2. Vote for the NIP daily via Facebook.

3. Gather 4 power codes from Pepsi products and email/PM them via Facebook to an Inclusion Project supporter.

The National Inclusion Project has four days to secure the Pepsi grant. Thank you to all who join in this final power code effort!



Power caps are at a premium this final week. If you have trouble locating them at grocery stores, check the coolers at Best Buy, the Dollar Store, and other establishments.

BOTH SIDES NOW



Bows and flows of angel hair

And ice cream castles in the air,

And feathered canyons everywhere,

I've looked at clouds that way,

But now they only block the sun.

They rain and they snow on everyone.

So many things I would have done,

But clouds got in the way.



I've looked at clouds from both sides now,

From up and down, and still somehow,

It's clouds illusions I recall.

I really don't know clouds ... at all.



Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels,

The dizzy dancing way that you feel

As every fairy tale comes real,

I've looked at love that way.

But now it's just another show.

And you leave 'em laughing when you go

And if you care, don't let them know,

Don't give yourself away.



I've looked at love from both sides now,

From give and take, and still somehow

It's love's illusions I recall.

I really don't know love at all.



Tears and fears and feeling proud

To say "I love you" right out loud,

Dreams and schemes and circus crowds,

I've looked at life that way.

But now old friends, they're acting strange

They shake their heads and tell me that I've changed.

Something's lost and something's gained from living everyday.



I've looked at life from both sides now,

From win and lose, and still somehow

It's life's illusions I recall.

I really don't know life.



I've looked at life from both sides now,

From up and down, and still somehow

It's life's illusions that I recall.

I really don't know life ... at all.

MAKING INCLUSION A REALITY: Inclusion is giving people their rightful opportunity to participate. The National Inclusion Project works every day to make full inclusion a reality. Montage by SueReu features Clay singing "These Open Arms."

While coming home from camp, my son asked if I knew that everyone's brain was different. He explained that some kids at camp are different from other kids because they have certain disabilities.



When asked what he thought about that, he replied, "It's all good, Mom. We're all special and unique in our own way." -- Profound statement by a 7-year-old participant in a Let's ALL Play Camp.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE - The National Inclusion Project provides opportunities for all children to participate through nationwide Let's ALL Play Camps and other programs throughout the year.

Have an awesome week, and thank you for joining the cause of inclusion for all!



Caro

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Clay Aiken Montage 'Refreshes' Pepsi Grant Drive

Clay Aiken: 'Where Do I Begin' from Tried & True Tour.

View montage by SueReu at YouTube.

Download video with this Sendspace file.

Fans Ferret Out Power Codes



Montage Replays Tour Opener

While coming home from camp, my son asked if I knew that everyone's brain was different. He explained that some kids at camp are different from other kids because they have certain disabilities.



When asked what he thought about that, he replied, "It's all good, Mom. We're all special and unique in our own way." - Profound statement from a 7-year-old participant in a Let's ALL Play Camp.

Fans of Clay Aiken, co-founder of the National Inclusion Project charity that provides camps and a variety of activities for children with and without disabilities, are competing for a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant to fund more "special and unique" experiences.



What better way to open this blog than with the extraordinary new montage by SueRue of the singer performing "Where Do I Begin" (Theme from "Love Story") along the 2011 Tried & True Tour trail.



The montage should be inspiration for all inclusion supporters to seek new avenues for adding votes and the all-important power codes required to secure the Pepsi funds.



The video features footage by MBlovesClay, Scarlett, goldarngirl, dlh7777, and Thankful4Clay.



Below are three clickables SueReu provided from the montage.

Fan Successfully Dives for Codes



Less than a week ago, Shamrock took her own advice and attended a local minor league baseball game in search of yellow power caps. She and her sister located 32 yellow caps that night, yielding 500 points in the National Inclusion Project's August campaign for the $50k Pepsi Refresh grant.



Following lunch on the 20th, she and her sister had planned to drop by their state fair where Pepsi was the official drink. While driving to the fair, her car was struck by an inattentive driver and totaled.



Between them, the sisters have a cracked rib and a sore neck, and their power code mission was halted long enough for them to be checked at the emergency room.

Shamrock dives for power codes.

By Sunday, the sister duo was back dumpster diving at the ball field. Here is Shamrock's story in her own words:

Well, I did it. I went dumpster diving today, and my sister helped me. I went back to the ball field to ask someone in authority if I could look in their recycle bins. The gentleman in the ticket office gave me the name of someone to call, but I couldn’t reach him.



As we were driving away, we passed the recycle bin. All the little bins had been emptied into a dumpster. The bags were clear plastic, and we could see some yellow caps. We decided to open a few. We were able to find 111 caps before we had to stop.



Tomorrow I’m calling to get permission to continue. So far we were able to vote 60 caps by my mom, husband, sisters, and a friend. The first 60 caps were worth 700 votes.



Checking the bags in the recycle dumpster wasn't very messy. There were lots of yellow caps since the ball park only sells Pepsi products, beer, and water.



We couldn’t reach all the bags because we were not prepared. We needed a step stool, a pole with a hook, old clothes, and rubber gloves. Tomorrow we’ll be ready if I get the okay!

If you are reading this blog and drink Pepsi/Diet Pepsi or have a way to collect the power codes from yellow bottle caps or the carton tops of cans, send or take them to an Inclusion Project supporter via Facebook PM, Direct Message on Twitter, or some other means.



The NIP is in a real battle for a Pepsi grant position in the top 10. Power codes are the wild card in this competition, and efforts have been stepped up to locate them.



Online Power Vote Party Nets 965!



At 11:35 p.m. Sunday, Scarlett and I were chatting on Facebook and decided to enter as many codes from her stash as we could before midnight. Neither of us has seen the elusive "100," but we both hit an occasional "50." In 25 minutes, we cast 850 votes!



About five minutes before midnight, we started receiving messages asking if we were sure we wanted to continue as the day's deadline was approaching. Pepsi didn't realize how quickly we were moving.



I cast all my votes except one, which I saved for a few minutes into Monday. Just to be safe, I went back through and checked my list of codes to make sure they had all been used. Sure enough, there were five that I had skipped.



The early Monday votes amounted to 115 points, so in 30 minutes we logged a total of 965 votes. When you see supporters asking for you help in locating power codes, remember how many votes this 30-minute spree produced!

How Everyone Can Help



In a nutshell, here are ways fans, as well as friends, family, and associates, can help the National Inclusion Project continue funding programs for all children:

1. Text 108169 to 73774 daily.



2. Log into the Pepsi Refresh site and cast a vote for the National Inclusion Project through your Facebook account. See "sign in" at bottom left corner of the Pepsi page.



3. Email, PM, or deliver Pepsi/Diet Pepsi power codes to a Clay Aiken fan/NIP supporter.



4. Register all of your email ID's with the Pepsi Refresh site (bottom left corner again) and vote daily.



5. Scroll back through the August Carolina blogs for a variety of creative ideas shared by supporters.

The campaign is heading into the final week. Be creative and bold in gathering power codes. Please share your successes, as well as businesses conducting Pepsi sales this week, and I will be add the information to this entry.



Have a powerful week, Clay Nation!



Caro

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Montage Spotlights Clay Aiken's Signature Song

Clay Aiken - Unchained Melody 2011

View montage by SueReu full screen at YouTube.

Download the video with this Sendspace.

NIP Swings from #8 to #11



Video Frames 'Unchained Melody'



This blog was supposed to be about the signature version of my favorite Clay Aiken song, "Unchained Melody," which SueRue this week fashioned into a beautiful new montage.



Since she uploaded the video a couple of days ago, links for the montage zipped through Clay Cyberspace and social networking sites faster than the speed of light. Video credits include ClayIzzaQT, MBlovesClay, dlh7777, Scarlett, canfly172, and goldarngirl.



If you are part of the minority who have not yet seen this montage, enjoy. If you have already played and downloaded it a zillion times, enjoy again. Included are five clickable screen caps SueReu created from the video.

NIP Supporters Set $50k Goal



With Monday evening's drop to #11, supporters of the National Inclusion Project scrrambled for new avenues to add to the foundation's total votes in the August drive for a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.



For days the NIP has held onto the 10th position, the lowest a charity can be to win a grant in the $50k division. Renewed efforts paid off, and the foundation moved up to slots 8 and 9, slightly safer waters, before slipping back to #11.



What's your latest creative move to round up additional votes? Several of my music students and their parents are texting daily. Some have promised to bring power codes from yellow Pepsi/Diet Pepsi bottle caps.



Remember the wedding queenmama247 attended this past weekend? Here is her report:

The wedding went off without a hitch. There were 210 guests. The DJ was so sweet when he asked everyone to take out their cellphones. He kept saying, "It's for kids."



We counted approximately 180 votes texted. Some people were having a hard time getting through, but it was a thrill to hear all the phones going off when the thank you messages started coming back!

Power Voting Can Be a Blast



Sunday afternoon Scarlett and I enjoyed a Power Voting Party via Facebook Chat with codes from several 20-ounce Pepsi bottles she had purchased at a 99-cent store. Our grand total was 445 extra votes for the NIP and was it ever fun!!!

My friend doesn't drink Pepsi, but she used the liquid remains as a type of Draino in her sinks. This morning she said her tub was a mite bit sticky. I have located at least three "Pepsi suppliers," so I hope to contribute additional codes soon.



One of the NIP's new voting partners, Nerdy Science, seeks to foster an early love for the science through multi-week, hands on programs.



Check out Exploding Soda in the Nerdy Baby blog. The Pepsi geysers provide an excellent science experiment for young children and provide an alternative way to utilize power code bottles for those who don't drink soda.



This week CVS has 2-liter Pepsi bottles on sale for 88 cents. Just be sure the caps are of the yellow power code variety!



See the previous entry, Clay Aiken Fans Pull Out Stops for Inclusion, for detailed voting instructions. Partner links and text numbers are in the NIP Voting Widget now situated in the Carolina sidebar.



Please share your successes for enlisting more voters and gathering power codes in the comments.

Dr. Phil and Clay AikenTake on Bullying.

View 2005 video full screen at YouTube.

Bullying Headlines Google Search



Somewhere there's a workshop ... or teachers are making lesson plans ... or students already have a school assignment related to preventing or stopping bulling.



During an eight-hour period Monday, Feedjit, the tracking tool associated with the Carolina blog, registered visitors who arrived by googling the phrase Clay Aiken End Bullying. The hits came from all corners of the US, as well as Aruba in the Caribbean and the Republic of Mauritius, an island nation off the southeast coast of Africa.



It's heartening to think that individuals from 27 cities wound up at the October 2010 entry: Clay Aiken Shares Insight on Bullying. Even then, the blog was pointing out the relevancy of remarks the singer had made five years earlier on the Dr. Phil Show.

Recent suicides by young people who reached the breaking point from constant bullying, hatred, and harassment have spurred nationwide efforts to bring an end to this epidemic.



On Oct. 28, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, giving the Department of Justice the authority to prosecute hate crimes, including attacks based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability.



Paralleling the new legislation, more and more citizens have begun recognizing the epidemic of hate and are choosing to go proactive, becoming informed and getting involved. Too many, however, remain silent.

The information trail continued into the evening. For whatever reason, surfers in these cities were on the Net exploring the topic of bullying: Birmingham, AL; Bessemer, AL; Phoenix, AZ; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Santa Rosa, CA; Denver, CO; Seymour, CT; Millsboro, DE; Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; Hephzibah, GA; Round Lake, IL; Wichita, KS;



Also Arnold, MD; Baltimore, MD; Genesco, NY; Cleveland, OH; Lebanon, OR; Malvern, PA; Addison, TX; Chatfield, TX; Woodway, TX; Bothell, WA; Ellensburg, WA; Oranjestad, Aruba, and Curepipe, Plaines Wilheme, Mauritus.



And they were still coming when I uploaded this blog. Hopefully, we are witnessing a nationwide -- maybe worldwide -- movement to end bullying forever!



Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!



Caro

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Clay Aiken, Movies Make Wednesday 'Mini' Special

As Long As We're Here - Clay Aiken
View montage by gerwhisp full screen at YouTube.

Time for Reflection, Relaxation

Mid-Week 'Mini' Provides Choices

For me, Tuesdays are wall-to-wall music lessons at Wesleyan Christian Academy, fortunately followed by lazy Wednesdays during which I catch up with friends and family online and off, listen to Clay Aiken music, and watch movies.

Somewhere along the way, my friend Scarlett tagged this mid-week day off a "mini," often wishing she had one, too. Of course, a "mini" only lasts one day; and then it's back to teaching lessons on Thursday.

In checking through email saved for just such a Wednesday, I discovered a thoughtful piece shared a couple of weeks ago by Marlyne. See what you think.

Something To Think About

1] Prayer is not a spare wheel that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a STEERING WHEEL that directs the right path throughout.

2] So why is a car's WINDSHIELD so large and the rear view mirror so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on.

3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it; they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry; they can't last long either.

5] Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!

6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart; it's just a bend, not the end!"

7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities. When GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied, "Yes, losing your vision!"

9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them. Sometimes when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today's PEACE.

ALAWH Describes Aiken's Advocacy

"As Long As We're Here," the On My Way Here song from gerwhisp's opening Clay Aiken montage, beautifully reflects the singer's humanitarian philosophy.

A UNICEF Ambassador since 2004 and co-founder of the National Inclusion Project the year before, the singer is well known as an advocate for children the world over. His goal of helping others has inspired many of his fans to take up his causes.

Inspired by Clay's UNICEF projects, these graphics were designed by AmazingCA, 1, 2; cindlu2, 3; Clayquebec1, 4, with photo by Invisible926; and claystruck, 5. All but the animation are clickable.

Going to the Movies Miles Apart

Somehow I made it through the past three decades watching only a few movies here and there. I didn't subscribe to premium channels until a couple of years ago when I signed up for DIRECTV. Later came U-Verse, augmented by Netflix.

My friend Sally gave my film repertoire a real boost the Christmas she sent me a box of 50+ carefully recorded movies she knew I would like. In no time at all, I was hooked! She frequently recommends movies that immediately go on the list.

I can't tell you how enjoyable it is to watch a movie simultaneously with a friend 1,125 miles away. Scarlett and I coordinate our film adventures through chat on Facebook. Typical opening of a show is little more than, "I'm paused at MGM. Say GO!"

And then we are off to the races watching just about every genre in the book! Ironically, each has introduced the other to several movies.

Some our recent movies are A Single Man, Bonneville, Cookie's Fortune, Date Night, It's Complicated, Death at a Funenal (British), Life Is Beautiful, Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, My Cousin Vinny, Music Within, October Sky, Secretariat, Searching for Bobby Fischer, The Blind Side, The Great Debaters, The King's Speech, The Paper, The Dream Team, The Reader, Unstoppable, With Honors, and Wooly Boys.

Could SFF Be in My Future?

The lady is is doing her best to turn me into a Sci-Fi Fantasy fan, but she's got a ways to go. I did view Inception twice, but she had to explain a zillion times about participating in and extracting information from another person's dreams. *g*

Ever the techno goddess, Scarlett maintains an up-to-date, color-coded spreadsheet document entitled "Ultimate Movie List" with dates movies are viewed, where the film is available (DVR, purchased DVD, Netflix, Amazon, etc.), the date last watched, even the IMdb viewer rating.

Our running dialogue during the movies is frequently hilarious. The multi-tasker is almost always rendering clack on a neighboring machine. With so many choices, the biggest question on movie nights is ... where do we begin.

Where Do I Begin - Clay Aiken on Tried & True Tour
View montage by molino79 full screen at YouTube.
Video footage by Scarlett and farouche; photos by Invisible926.

Tonight's movie fare is The Shawshank Redemption from Netflix and Amazon. I have seen the film several times, but this highly-rated movie will be brand new to my cohort. Upcoming features include The Cure, The Next Three Days, August Rush, The Town, and Calendar Girls.

Hope you're having a wonderful week and maybe even a mini! Seen any good movies lately?

Caro

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Clay Aiken Rewinds Set Tone for July 4 Festivities

CAPITOL 4th REWIND - Montage by Yollie950 replays a medley of Clay Aiken's 2004 PBS performance, including the Star-Spangled Banner, Measure of a Man, and God Bless the USA. The video can also be viewed at YouTube.

US Celebrates Independence Day

Concert Replays Honor July 4

As Canada and the USA celebrate national birthdays this weekend, Clay Aiken fans may also include a rewind to Independence Days past when the singer performed for Capitol 4th (2004) and launched a 20-city Summer Symphony Tour at Freedom Fest in Frisco, TX (2007).

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

In Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, the United States of America On was born as the Second Continental Congress adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

President John Adams said the Fourth of July should be celebrated with, among other events, "pomp, parade, games, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.

Taking President Adams at his word, link to Fireworks Pop by clicking on the photo below where you can create your own "illuminations" in the sky above Lady Liberty with your mouse.

Click on this show to create your own fireworks!

Fans Recall 2007 Frisco Festivities

For CA fans, Independence Day will forevermore be associated with the 2007 Freedom Fest in Frisco, TX, opening performance of the summer tour also known as Soft Rock Hard Place. The festivities included food, fun, fireworks and a "hawt" Clay Aiken Concert.

Anniversaries of events from Clay's singing career are marked in various fashions. In 2008, xxx4clay reminisced about July 4, 2007, and then posed the question to her online friends: Where were you a year ago today?

A host of memories were shared not only by those who endured every degree of the humid, 90-plus temps in the Frisco soccer stadium, but also those who listened via cellstream in air-conditioned comfort. Beginning with xxx4clay, here are a some of the Independence Day 2007 recollections:

Prior to this concert, we knew very little about what Clay would sing although the speculators amongst us had run amok with their possible scenarios.

That afternoon someone had listened to the rehearsal and some of that info had drifted back to us but still, the lack of knowledge just added to the excitement.

Finally, finally, finally, Clay entered the stage singing “Here You Come Again.” There really are no words to describe what I felt at that moment.

It was beyond exciting. Beyond mesmerizing. And he was soooo close. That crowd let loose with a collective squeal that I can still hear to this day.

All those heat related miseries just disappeared when Clay showed his face and I never gave it another minute's thought until the concert was over.

There’s just something about the first concert of the tour and not knowing everything that’s gonna happen that makes it very, very special.

FREEDOM FEST - Graphic by Amazing_CA, photos by Farouche.

These responses represent a cross-section of the many who gathered in Texas or listened from afar on Independence Day 2007:

IRISHBOOKGAL: Right here with my headphones on listening to a beautiful voice that gives me goose bumps.

SMARTYPANTSSUZ: Glued to my computer drinking in every morsel I could through the cellstream and recaps. What a night!

JCLAY: Basking in the afterglow of my very first Meet & Greet. It was the first of the "sit down with all of you and talk for 1/2 hour" variety.

WINDSTAR2: I was also in Frisco right in the middle of the screaming teenagers. What a great night that was to be with fellow Clay friends, to see Clay again live in concert and in TEXAS!

ANAMERIAIKENINTX: I'd bet anything the Frisco temperature was pushing 100 before the humidity was factored in! The weather was terrible. I forgot all about it, too, while Clay was with us.

PLAYBILLER: Deep in the heart of Texas!

PHOTO INTERLUDE: From seasons past, the fandom's visual artists have created clickable patriotic graphics for this weekend's fireworks. Included are designs by A Beautiful Mind, photo by Invisible926, 1; Ashes, 2; Amazing_CA, photos by Farouche, 3; CLAYPERFECT, 4; Fountaindawg, 5; and fivegoldens, 6.

Wishing all a very special July 4 Weekend!

Caro

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Clay Aiken Fans Commemorate Canada Day

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!

Caro

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