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ClayManiacs.com  |  Archive  |  The Timeless Tour 2010  |  TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
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Author Topic: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS  (Read 38330 times)

Marilyn

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Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
« Reply #120 on: August 18, 2010, 07:49:29 AM »
mamarose10 at CB
 One Last Timeless Tour Recap  Lead [-] 

I have finally had time to settle down, rest, recoup and catch up enough to write my recap and bid my own fond goodbye to The Timeless Tour. So here goes: (this post may travel if anyone feels so inclined).


Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton Beach, NH…or “When I see you smile
I can face the world, Oh you know I can do anything!”
 
Is there ever anything so joyous and bursting with anticipation than setting out on a Clay road trip…and better yet…a SUMMER Clay Road Trip? And for me, this one was particularly wondrous. As you may remember, I had a heart attack in September 2009. And for a time after that, I went through the depression that I was told was a normal aftermath of a heart attack and part of accepting the reality of becoming a lifetime cardiac patient. During those weeks, I admit to despairing that perhaps my “Clay time” was over. Would I ever be able to go on a Clay road trip again…or did my heart attack mean that those days were over and done?
 
So for me…to set out on this trip, once again to be with those friends that I value so much, and with CLAY, was a miracle of sorts.
 
Now just so everyone knows, let me preface these remarks by saying that I bear no ill will or malice to those who may be from Hampton Beach or those who may happen to love Hampton Beach, but let’s just say, Hampton Beach was an experience.
I believe the highlight of our motel stay in Hampton Beach was when traveling companion Claydorkable opened a cupboard door hoping to locate an iron, only to have the cupboard door come off in her hand. Now that was a moment!
 
Let’s be kind and just call the room”shabby chic.”


I could say more…ooohhhh so much more…but I will move on because after all, it isn’t about accommodations, its about CLAY!
 
But did I mention or did anyone note that it was HOT that day in Hampton Beach. OMG…HOT!

 
You know all those times when we say to each other that we could listen to Clay sing the phone book and be happy. Or how about those times we say we could go to the dessert to listen to Clay and be happy. Or how about those times when we say we would sit in a big, dark, old wooden barn in 115 degree heat with no air conditioning and listen to Clay and be happy. BINGO…that is exactly what we did in Hampton Beach. And heck…we WERE HAPPY!!
 
It just didn’t matter because suddenly…there he was. Clay was there, right in front of me, and the heat was gone and the health issues were gone and everything else was gone, because I had survived and we were together again. As if we had never been apart.
 
I felt like Hampton Beach was a show that was totally intimate. We were hot, but we were all sweating together. There wasn’t much of a back stage and the stage itself was pretty small. In many ways in was like Clay and Ruben had stopped by to put on a show in our very hot living room. It was loving and friendly and casual and crazy. This was my first introduction to The Timeless Tour and I was enchanted. I loved it…and I wanted more. And more I would get!
 
After a refreshing night in Hampton Beach, our entourage packed up and bid a not so fond farewell to our unique digs and ventured forth to The Big Apple…NYC.
 
Hammerstein Theatre (well it was supposed to be), New York City...or “I swear like a shadow that's by your side, I'll be there. For better or worse, Till death do us part, I'll love you with every beat of my heart…This I swear.”
I have heard tell that the Hammerstein Theatre is a lovely venue and quite famous. However, I couldn’t say because as you all know by now…WE NEVER SAW IT.  We have all read the different explanations of why and what happened so I won’t go into all that. But for whatever reason, we all got put in the shuttle and shifted seven flights upstairs to the “Grand Ballroom.” Well, actually there was no shuttle…but instead the management had to shift a whole freaking ton of people up to the seventh floor via two elevators that I am told held about 15 folks each. Exhale and insert OMG here! 
 
Needless to say the show started late but not only because of the lack of quick conveyance to the seventh floor, but also because Hammerstein does not equal Grand Ballroom when it comes to seating and that is NOT a good thing. There were lots of upset folks, there was quite a bit of chaos and confusion and at the time we didn’t know what the heck was going on. Gratefully our seats were unaffected, for whatever reason, so we could but sit and watch the carnage around us. It was crazy!  But eventually, the lights when out and the curtain came up and whatever had happened…it didn’t matter. The NYC show was AMAZING!!!  The energy, perhaps fueled by the very chaos that had preceded show time, was intense. Clay and Ruben were on fire. The audience was pumped! We fed off one another.  I will never forget “Footloose.” It was wild…fun…thrilling! A moment to be remembered. I, for one, am sure I will never forget the floor shaking below my feet because shake it did!  I did not want the show to end. But unfortunately it did.  And of course then came the shifting of all those folks back downstairs via those two little elevators. Well…some in our party (the wise ones) opted to go via the elevators, while others (myself included) ventured the thought…how hard could walking down seventh flights be? It was downhill after all…right? Yeah…right. OMG!!! Did you know there are muscles in your upper thighs?? Really there are!  Muscles that time forgot in my case. By the time we reached the ground floor my legs where spaghetti. By the next day…they were lead.  I was crippled…but it was time to move on to the next (and last for me) stop…Verona.
 
Turning Stone Casino, Verona, NY...or  “Although we’ve come to the end of the road, Still I can't let you go. It’s unnatural, you belong to me, I belong to you…”
After spending the night in NYC, our intrepid group headed out to Verona, NY, for the last leg of our Clay journey.  In some ways, it was relaxing to get to the last leg of our road trip, but sad as well. I had become used  to The Timeless Tour, but not the least bit tired of it. I could have seen it several more times and been very happy to do so. Only Clay fans can understand that phenomenon. Every show is different, every one is special and no matter how many you see, you could always see one more. Just one more!
 
Claydorkable. Secret Garden and I had a great table that night in Verona. But the show was about to be made 100 times better for me because of the three young ladies who sat down opposite us at our table. They were three sweet young things, and I was thrilled to see some of Clay’s younger fans in attendance. As the girls sat down, they brought with them a breath of fresh air. They were so full of enthusiasm and joy that it was infectious. It actually brought tears to my eyes…but I really started to cry when they introduced themselves and I realized they were my own Clayboard girls: MonicaJuliet, Claynadian75 and MeganAiken. I was thrilled!! And as the show progressed and I saw how much fun  they had and how much enjoyment they gave to Clay, I could not wipe the smile from my face. I was SO SO proud of them. They loved Clay and they loved the show and they were a joy to just be around.  They truly made the evening for me! 
 
Well…the show came to an end. I did feel like weeping…because I was reminded how long it had been since I had seen Clay in this kind of setting. It was not Spamalot, which was going to see Sir Robin and not going to see Clay. This was Clay…being with Clay. I think I had forgotten how much he means to me, what it is like to make that connection. And then you do…and leaving him, leaving his presence, is hard.  It truly is a moment of “I can’t let go…it’s unnatural…you belong to me.”   Little does he know how much of him I (and I daresay many of us) hold in our hearts …until the next time.
 
Before I wrap up this long-winded tome…I have to say what a joy it is to once again see the dear friends that mean so much to me. Big hugs to Gerwhisp and nickikiwi!!!  And what a thrill to meet Clayskater, Nebclayfan, MagicalMusic and RubyR43.   Marlovesclay…it was a particular joy to see you walking towards me in Verona…and to also see old friends Snarky, Sonnets, NY4Clay, gcd4clay and Flyonthewall.  I know I am leaving folks out…so PLEASE forgive me if I do.


The biggest of hugs and thanks to my traveling companions and dearest of friends:  Claydorable, SecretGarden, Katforclay, Claireh48, Sharmardo and Clayzedover. I love you guys!
 
And finally to Clay - When I was young (and you were but a babe), there was a TV program called “Fantasy Island.” Richardo Montalban starred as the mystical Mr.  Roarke, who brought people in a plane to his magical island, where they came to live out their special fantasies while on vacation. I remember in those days watching that show and deciding that my fantasy, my one fantasy, would be to “go on the road” with a pop star or rock group. I really have no clue why that was my fantasy…but it was. And now, I think of that with a chuckle and realize, I have lived my fantasy.  I live it every time we all pack up and head out on the road with you Clay. And we do it all without the services of Mr. Roarke. It’s just you!   Until the next time Mr. Aiken…I love you…I swear!



 
« Last Edit: August 18, 2010, 07:57:23 AM by Marilyn »
ALWAYS AND FOREVER-UNCONDITIONALLY!!!

Marilyn

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Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
« Reply #121 on: August 18, 2010, 08:15:39 PM »
luckiest1 at CH

 
Hammond Recap

I spent the two days prior to Hammond off work sick, with a fever, but I was bound and determined nothing would stop me from my third and final concert of the tour!

Cindilu2 and I left my place at 7 am and had a smooth drive to the border. Dude there was not the friendliest, asked the 'how did you meet?' question but I wasn't giving 'the internet' as my answer (been there, done that, didn't go well the first time). Then he asked where we were going, did we have tickets to the concert, were we the only Clay Aiken fans left? And commented that he was glad Clay came out of the closet. Ooookay, we refrained from asking if he was glad because he wanted a date?

Continued on through Michigan, confusing the British GPS lady every time we detoured to pee or eat. It got hotter and hotter the farther west we drove, it seemed. We rotated Clay CDs all the way across Michigan into Indiana (and someone tell me why there is no 'welcome to Indiana' sign?) Arrived in Hammond about 2 pm EST (1 pm Central) and checked in to our hotel. Met up with some great ladies in the lobby and all headed over the restaurant to grab some lunch (or dessert, as the case may be). Then back to the room for a nap before grabbing the hotel shuttle to The Venue. Who ever heard of a venue called The Venue? OK, it was in the Horseshoe Casino, but still. Not very original!

We wandered around the casino for a bit, running into familiar faces (it was great to see you again shiness!) every once in a while and saying hi. Grabbed the world's biggest brownie and shared it, and then escorted cindilu2 to her M&G. It was fun watching everyone get called by Jerome and get their passes. Then we sat and chatted and waited. At one point Jerome came back out and seemed to be looking for someone. We were waving, hoping he'd pick us, but he didn't. He escorted a couple of young ladies in through the doors and disappeared. Then I spotted Ben and a guy in a baseball cap (Devin?) come out of the same doors.

When the M&Gers all came back out we listened to their stories and EEEEEE'd with them and then decided just to line up and wait for the doors to open. About that time I decided I'd better find a place to sit before I fell down (I think my body was saying WTF are you still doing on your feet, you are sick, remember?) And then it was time to go in and we rushed to the t-shirt stand to see if they had the black ones, and they did! Yay! Then in to find our 11th row seats, which turned out to be a lot closer to the stage than I'd imagined. And the 10th and 11th rows were, for some reason, raised a bit higher than rows 1 - 9 and were cushier chairs too. Weird. And then there was the 12th row which was lower. Yikes, glad I wasn't sitting there.

We got chatting with our seat mates and then security approached and asked to see their tickets. Turned out they'd bought them from someone online (e-tickets) and there was someone else in the venue with the same tickets. OMG, that is my worst nightmare. As it turned out, it was a case of the woman having sent them the wrong file, and they got to stay there after all. But it was a tense few minutes. Then, some friends of mine who I haven't seen since Kalamazoo in 2007 arrived to sit beside us. What are the odds of that happening, unplanned? And they were pretty unspoiled, so it was cool to watch their reactions as the show went on. The one lady laughed until tears were running down her face during the opening number, and lots of other parts of the show as well. They really enjoyed themselves.

It was a great show. There was a lot of Ruben support in the house, and Ruben was eating it up. Clay was just on fire, with his jokes, and his deadpan acting, and his voice! He changed up TITN, and Mandy, and When I See You Smile, just went that little bit extra in each song to make it super-special. It was hilarious when he messed up the stool banter and said that his stool was always bigger than Ruben's, and then tried to correct himself. We got to see Clay doing the off-beat dancing while Pastor Studdard sang Amazing Grace (new since Windsor & Chautauqua). I'm glad others have recapped the show as well as they have because I will need to watch clack to remember details. I was not feeling very well at the start but once Clay started singing to me I went into a Clay fog until it was over and I never even thought about being sick. Clay is the cure, y'all. He truly is. I have gone into concerts with splitting headaches, only for them to disappear the minute he starts singing.

I was glad that the crowd was receptive and got up and danced often. I was up as often as I dared, because it helped me to see over the tall lady in front of me. Hee. And I think the guys like it, they feed off the energy of the audience, they really do. Clay scratched my itch twice during Still The One. I was very happy.

After it was over we hopped the shuttle back to the hotel and I fell into bed, back to feeling sick again. In the morning I got up and went for a long, sticky walk to clear my head before breakfast. And then we said our goodbyes and hit the road home, reliving the concert the whole way. We stopped in Dewitt, MI for some lunch, and had the friendliest waiter ever. He noticed a pin I wear on my jacket that is a rainbow flag, and that sparked a conversation about Prop 8 and Don't Ask, Don't Tell. He commented that he'd love to join the military just for all the guys. Bwah ha ha. I've never had better service in a restaurant in my life. He brought us free breakfast coupons, and offered to refill our drinks for the road. We left him a good tip.

To pass the time, we listened to an old CD I had in the car of the NAT and it was so cool to hear the recording Clay used in that concert about his 'first year in the business'. To think it's almost been 8 years now, that is mind blowing, and he is still going strong. We are so lucky to still having concerts to attend, and to still be meeting up with friends in cities near and far. And to have concerts on the calendar for next year already! What an amazing journey it's been so far, and who knows where it will take us in years to come? Bring it on Clay, I'm ready!

 
ALWAYS AND FOREVER-UNCONDITIONALLY!!!

Marilyn

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Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
« Reply #122 on: August 20, 2010, 12:50:39 AM »
ldyjocelyn  AT fca

Wow.

Just wow.

The Hammond show was on FIRE! Everything really "clicked" tonight, IMO. My husband and I had fantastic seats, 6th row, "Clay's side" of center. We also had a very energetic row of Ruben fans directly behind us. The fun part was that they cheered as much for Clay as for Ruben, and most of the Clay fans cheered for Ruben energetically as well.

Best joke of the night: when Clay came out in the new Hammer pants. (OK, they were new to me -- at least it's a different pair than what he had in Reno!) Ruben was giving him a hard time about finding them deeply in Clay's closet. Whereas, Clay then says "well, when I came out of the closet, I brought EVERYTHING with me!"

They did Footloose twice, via a gentleman who was almost directly in front of bottlecap. Clay noticed him dancing up a storm, and after they finished up the first time, Clay asked him his name (which I don't remember), and his age (84). Clay was like "man, I hope I have half his energy when I get to be that age. Let's seem him do this again." And they tore into the encore of Footloose!

The Pastor Studdard Revival was full throttle. To me, part of it is Quiana's selling of the bit as well as the two guys. And then, when Ruben gets to her with the "come to my office later," everyone was cracking up! The band especially seemed to be really enjoying the bit.

Clay and Ruben didn't attempt as much to crack each other up as I noticed in Reno. The only time is was noticeable to me was at the very beginning, after The FWOW/TITN medley. Clay was in Ruben's face, and Ruben could NOT look him in the face back. It was hysterical.

As for their voices...magical. Everyone sounded fantastic to me. I simply can't pick a highlight -- too much good stuff, IMO. Clay sings the shiznit out of More Than a Feeling...and then does the same for Mandy. Bring It On Home to Me is sooooo good from Ruben -- and then I like Everything I Do as well. These musical decades are so diverse, and to me, vastly enjoyable.

It was great spending time with bottlecap, laughn, Mandler and her Mom. Wonderful ladies all of them. I also got to talk briefly to aikim, plus the Pink Posse from the CH. Good to reconnect with people.

aikim, how did DH like the show? Mine thought it was really good. He seemed to enjoy most everything, although he did say that some of the 80's reminded of things he'd rather not remember. He really enjoyed the band, and laughed out loud many times at the jokes.

I'm sure I'll remember more later. Now it's time for sleep, and dreams. And to rest my tired voice.
ALWAYS AND FOREVER-UNCONDITIONALLY!!!

Tiffany

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Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
« Reply #123 on: August 30, 2010, 02:08:22 PM »
I don't think this Meet and Greet from Hammond was posted here. It's a good one. ;D

I will attempt to remember my M&G from Hammond!

First of all, a huge Thank You to nicki503 for hooking Banshee up with me ~ that was so thoughtful, nicki, and I love you for that! Also, a million Thank You's to Banshee for writing such a wonderful recap ~ it did help me remember! Banshee is absolutely beautiful and was so kind to help me out during our special time with CLAY. She is a treasure, that's for sure!

Banshee wrote about my health history, so I won't touch on that. Also, since I have never, ever seen CLAY up close, and then only have seen him on TV and my computer screen - Entertainer Clay - this is the CLAY that I am used to... Also, my daughter, Sara and her best friend, Melissa were along on this trip (we first saw CLAY at the IT in St. Paul in 2004 - - they Love him!)

Ok, on to what I can remember ...

Sara, Melissa and I got the to Casino and were walking to the restroom, when Jerome came up the stairs .... I started getting even more excited just seeing him! The girls and I went over to the waiting area, and, of course, they were teasing me, all while they were counting down the minutes to when I had to go to the M&G!

I went over to The Venue and sat down with the other four ladies from our group. They were just lovely and so friendly and kind to me. We chatted a bit, and someone asked why I haven't seen CLAY since 2004 - so, my health history was revealed.

Jerome comes out with the Passes and begins handing them out. Sara and Melissa came over near us, and started cheering me on!! They are so cute! Jerome picked up on this and asked why all of the celebrating ... as he was chuckling - he is a sweetheart! The girls told him that they were just so happy for me, and that I wasn't going to remember this anyway...... Jerome finallly handed me my Pass (I was the last one, and he kind of took his sweet time giving it to me .. so funny!). Melissa was taking pictures of this (thus, my avi).

We filed in to the room, and I sat in the first seat, with the incredible Banshee sitting next to me. I was getting very nervous at this point, and trying to focus on what was to come. We hear voices and out walked Jerome and CLAY AIKEN - THE MAN!! OMG, my hands went up over my mouth and my eyes were just huge looking at Mr. Gorgeous walking towards us! I could not believe this was happening to me! I do remember mumbling Omg, Omg, Omg over and over .... it was very surreal to see the MAN himself .... I kept trying to focus ... but, I guess that didn't work so well, as he greeted us and declared me as 'crazy'!!! So snarky! I was having a hard time trying to wrap my mind around putting CLAY AIKEN together with Entertainer Clay (which is how I am used to him), and it wasn't working ... I hope this makes sense!

OK, CLAY came back to me and said "Now, You..." I told him my name, that I was from Baraboo WI (he repeated Baraboo a couple of times - sooo cute!), and that Baraboo is home to the circus. He asked me where exactly was Baraboo. I said 40 miles North of Madison ... He said "Oh, somewhere out there then!! And the circus is in Sarasota!!" Omg, HOW in the world did he know this? (Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey winter in Sarasota - - how did he know about this? I want to know!) I said, "No, the Ringling Brothers started their circus in Baraboo, and I have proof!" He said something like "Oh, we have proof!! Let me see your proof!" I hauled out my Circus World Museum brochure and one for the Al. Ringling Theater. He looked at both, and said that the Theater was really nice - very pretty. I said, "Yes, it is, Al Ringling built the Theater, and you should sing there". Jerome said "Her family brought her here today". CLAY asked who was here with me, where were they, and how old are they. I told him my daughters brought me and they were right outside the Venue door. CLAY was absolutely so sweet, kind and considerate to me. He said "Jerome, go and bring them in here (then Big Green Eyes to Big Brown Eyes -- GAH) We want you to remember everything about this day!" Omg, how incredible is he?!! The girls were coming back up on the escalator, when Sara saw Jerome point at her and motion for the both of them to come over to him. They thought that I was probably having a meltdown, and Jerome wanted me taken out!!! They both could NOT believe it when Jerome said "Come with me!!!" CLAY is a very intuitive man, and knew that by bringing the girls in would help me. I LOVE HIM!

My mind was spinning by this time...

Picture time .... I don't remember going over to CLAY, but I DO remember having my arm around his waist ( extremely yummy, and I hope I didn't give him a squeeze!). Cheryl was very sweet saying that the picture was nice. CLAY called Sara and Melissa over, shook their hands, asked their names and said for them to get into the picture - they would take one of the four of us! OMG, what a blesssing!

Signing things ... CLAY used the stage as a desk. I remember taking him my TnT booklet and giving it to him. I also gave him a piece of paper I had written what I wanted him to sign. He looked at that and said ... "What? I don't understand!" I said "It's a lyric from "Those Magic Changes" that you sang in Raleigh." I sang the lyric to him, but using what I had written down (I still can't believe I did that )!! He said "But, what does it spell?" I said "My name!" CLAY: "Oh, now I get it ... that's cute!"

THE HUG: OMG, CLAY gives the best hugs, ever!! I DO remember this, and HUG HIM, I DID!! I didn't want to let go!!!!

He signed everything for the other sweet ladies, said his good-byes and off he went. I was competely in another world in the Fog by this time, and I don't remember him leaving. Sara and Melissa said our Thank You's for us ... I am so embarrassed ... I don't remember what I said. I will say, I DO remember giving him 7 years of pent up "I Love You's" in our time together (Oh Lord, the poor man) ... I am so embarrassed, but they just came out of my mouth... it's just what he does to me!

These Magic Moments with CLAY AIKEN are some of the best of my life, and I will cherish this forever! I Love Him even more! He is absolutely the most caring, generous, sweet, thoughtful, extemely handsome man ever! The other ladies were so gracious and kind to me, and I thank them for this. I also can't say enough as to how wonderful Banshee was to me, and I thank her as well. Thanks again, to nicki503 for being so sweet and caring!
 


fhmmany2

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Re: TIMELESS TOUR FAN REVIEWS AND RECAPS
« Reply #124 on: November 20, 2010, 09:14:44 PM »
I just got some photos from Betty/corbet that she took of Clay on the Timeless Tour (Click To Enlarge):








She said it took a while to get a photo of the Marquee because of traffic - I had the same problem, and never got my photo!

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