Tidbits 6/30

Even the cows are anxieously waiting for Clay's sophomore album. See the full photo essay here.

• This really isn't Clay related, but Liz at Generation Clay has compiled a gorgeous photo essay of her life in Southern Ontario's farm region. Thanks to the heads up via Liz's blog, On the Boardwalk.
  
• Cleveland Plain Dealer: Bo Bice article notes that "one doesn't have to win "American Idol" to become a pop star. Just ask smooth crooner Clay Aiken or fourth-season runner-up Bo Bice."
• QuickDFW... I don't really see the point of this, but here it is. (Charles Gibson & his last day at GMA... good he didn't kiss Clay).
  
• The CB's hosaa's posted this beautiful blog on the ups and downs of the past few months:

  Being Clay's Girlfriend
  
  I was thinking about my Boyfriend last night before going to sleep (no newsflash there - I think about him 14 out of 16 waking hours).
  
  Clay's Girlfriend was a little mad at him because all she's seen him do so far this year is hang out with Kristy, sing at his cousin's retirement ceremony, read a good book, give an award to a school, and sing for a couple of minutes on American Idol.
  
  As far as Clay's Girlfriend could see, he basically just spent six months growing his hair. He teased her a little, but he never blogged enough.
  
  Last night I thought about how when Clay first went on tour three years ago, he got lonely on the road and would call someone from home in the middle of the night. Home kept him sane. Home was real. Home was Love.
  
  Over the next two and a half years, as he got to know his new Girlfriend a bit better, he became more comfortable. He teased her because it was fun. He danced with her and flirted with her in front of thousands of people.
  
  He learned her language, learned how to navigate her many mood swings. She's a little higher-maintenance than he probably wanted in a Girlfriend, but this past February, he asked her to be his own personal Valentine. I for one was pretty giddy about it.
  
  Last night I remembered the moment I realized Clay loved his Girlfriend. I mean REALLY loved her. It was in mid-January, and the rumblings of an explosive MESS were first being heard.
  
  It must have been one of those times when Clay felt terribly alone. It was the middle of the night, so he did what he had done before - he called someone at Home. Somebody he loved. His new Girlfriend.
  
  At 3:56 a.m. Eastern Time on January 17, he joked about coming out of hibernation just to tease her. But he concluded his message with "an appropriate verse":
  
  Do not fear the reproach of others, and do not be dismayed when they revile you. Isaiah 51:7
  
  Clay knew that the MESS to come would be very hurtful not just to himself, but to his Girlfriend. He loved her and wanted to prepare her for what was ahead. He seemed to be reaching out, not just because he felt alone, but because he wanted to protect someone he loved very much.
  
  And when she Circled the Wagons for him, he knew he had chosen wisely. He had given as much of his heart as he possibly could, and when he saw that it was accepted, he thanked her.
  
  Yes I know he's doing more than growing his hair. I know he's keeping quiet for a reason. I'm impatient, but I'm here, waiting for Clay to come Home to me again with all his merry tales and joyous surprises.
  
  Waiting with Love,
  hosaa.

• Here's some entertaining Clack for you to watch as we wait for this year's sophomore album fall tour. Funny Jukebox Tour moments: YouTube Part 1, YouTube Part 2, YouTube Part 3. And if you can't get enough of that, check out this Clayboard thread of "Funniest Clay moments"
• ... and we have one more Clay YouTube vid we'd like to share. Check out this montage called "Songs of Perfection". Thanks to ClayReport for the heads up.
• berkleylovesclay wrote this nice piece on waiting... waiting... and... waiting. Read it at Clay Aiken The Ideal Idol.
  

• Chexxxy's Pearls has a very convincing post about why Clay has already 'payed his dues' to the music industry.
• Quomodocunquize. Now, that's a mouthful! Jemrock at Taking A Moment gives us another of her lovely voclaybulary lessons...
• There Was A Man: waiting for soon to come can't come any sooner. (computer graphics)
• Southern Girl shares with us a touching story about her life. (non-Clay related)
• Southern Girl also shares some clack from Clay's 2004 A Capitol Fourth Appearance with us.
• Something That Really Happened: The Solitaire Challenge... everyone is singing "Clay's" song!
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible, Jukebox Tour