Yuku free message boards

claikendee wrote:

---

Actually I was at the Kalamazoo concert and Smittenwithclay who was first to read her fan story, the story about the thong, and she said Clay said he wore his glasses because he didn't have time to put his contacts in.
She said he said this before the show when the readers met with him beforehand and to rehearse. Plus, she and the other readers got meet with him afterward too and get their stories autographed. So I saw his actual writing...and touched it!!

yup..someone said that they liked his glasses, and he said "thank..I forgot to put my contacts in" actually claikendee it was after the show. so it is odd, cause he had them in in rehearsal too...hmmmmmm all I know is that after the show he said that he didnt have time to put them in.

Back when the story contest was first announced, I posted on clayversity that I didnt have a story to tell. I posted a little something on the board, but I really didnt feel like it was something that was worth entering into this contest. As a writer though, it was just not something that I could pass up. so I wrote the story, and I pressed enter, and then pretty much gave up on the idea. A few days before christmas though, much to my shock and surprise I got an email from clayonline asking me to call in and read an audio of my story..and that is when I began to freak out. I had so many emotions going through my head...what if I win? can I handle winning? oh my goodness what have I done. I did the audio though, and then waited, and waited, and waited and nothing came. Then, I thought that there was no way that I was still in the running. It was hard for me though, because my travel buddies won.. and I spent my time trying to be happy for them, but I know that they saw through it. I didnt think I had a chance, UNTIL I got asked to do that audio, I thought..well..if Clay didnt think there was merit in it, he wouldnt have asked to hear it again. Trying to get over the dissapointment, but fearing that I wasnt doing a good job..I enjoyed my concerts in south bend and waukegen. The morning of Kalamazoo I woke up, and nonchalantly checked my email..and there it was..the most amazing looking email I have ever seen in my life. I had won..what have I done? I paced, and screamed and freakd out for a very short amount of time. Then we drove to kalamazoo.
I got to the venue at 4:45 like I was asked, and met the rest of the girls..one of them I knew, the other two I got to know:) we chatted a bit, and got to know eachother..I think that jamie was probably a half hour late to get us, and my nerves were getting the best of me..finally we went into practice and they taught us how to work the mic. I didnt need to move it though, cause I was first
When the second girl was reading, I turned around to take in the whole place, and I saw a very handsome man..in a Canada sweatshirt, blue tshirt and blue sweatpants.he looked very snuggable. I tried to be cool, and not go into freak out mode..this was business, not pleasure we finished practicing, and Clay walked over to the girl reading, said something to her, and then walked about halfway in the venue...to listen to her practice. Then he came back onstage when she was done, and said to her "hi, Im clay aiken" and shook her hand. Then he came to each of us, and shook our hand and asked our name, then he hugged us..oh my GOODNESS he hugged us...when he got to me, he shook my hand, gave me a hug..heard my name and patted me on the back saying "Your story was funny, i really liked it" swoooooon...and before we knew what was happening he was out of there.
At 7:45, I met Jamie in the back where I was told to, and once again waited FOREVER lol. When she came we went backstage, and I paced..and paced..and shook my nerves out. Before I knew what was going on, I walked onto the stage, and I started reading..and I didnt feel nervous anymore. The crowd laughed at the right places, an it was such a validation. It felt god. It didnt hurt to listen to Clay introduce us afterwards, and say my name..my name has never sounded so good
After the show we went backstage and talked to the girls a bit..about where we were from, and shoes or whatever. It was very relaxed..for a little bit, it felt like we were part of the show. I heard mary joke with them, and I didnt know she did that :p
Finally Clay came in, he hugged all of us again and said thank you so much. gave us our signed story, and we took the picture. He was so adorable, he was in the vest that he wore during the show..
I had SUCH a great time. Clay made a dream come true, that I never even thought to dream. To read something I wrote, to be asked to be on his stage..it was an experience that I dont expect surpassed any time soon.

Clay, you will never know what youve done to make my life better. You dont have to do stuff like that, you dont have to include us..but you did...and thank you just isnt enough..but it will have to do.