Randomness

[JadziaKathryn]

Back when it came out I really liked his song "Measure of a Man" because the lyrics were so good. Haven't heard it in years.

[justTripn]

Yes, I thought Measure of a Man was the best song off that first album (not the songs that got airplay). Obviously so did Clay Aiken, since it is the title track. He fought with his producers to make that the title track.

I'm not sure why I'm putting the following spoiler code. It's a key section from the Clay Aiken interview. I guess it's because it's so candid (it's totally G-rated). The question is "When did you know you were gay?":

SPOILER!!!:

I probably didn't realize until college when I was like, I just cannot get the hang of this! I thought is was always a phase, like I hadn't hit puberty. Like I hadn't finished yet. Like I was a late bloomer. I didn't realize until college that, You know what? I'm definately through puberty! But then again, I think there's alot of misconception about it for anybody, and I was raised around people who thought it was a choice.

--Clay Aiken interviewed by David Caplan in People Magazine, October 6, 2008

[justTripn]

Favorite singer . . . I just remembered he's not my favorite, favorite . . . but I did go kind of nuts over him. I've seen 2 live concerts and own bootleg albums (in addition to the official albums that I bought!). Kind of inexplicable since I think the lyrics of many of the love songs are gagworthy. It's not about the lyrics . .. it's the voice. I was curious to find out who these other Claymates were since for me it was "love at first site." I tuned into the American Idol finale and heard him sing for the first time and went nuts all by myself (with all the kids shouting "Ruben Studdard! Ruben Studdard!" LOL) The other crazed fans were other middle-aged women in their 40s and 50s. Weird, weird phenomenon.

[Bether6074]

I suppose the only time I find sentimental thoughts to be gagworthy, it would be when they seem insincere. But I guess I'm in the minority there. I actually think gagworthy thoughts most of the time. Clay's stuff is okay. And his baby sure is cute. It must be a relief for him to talk about this. He's happy and that's what matters.

What would I know about going nuts over a singer? I wonder sometimes if it's normal for middle-aged women to develop these kinds of crushes on unattainable entertainers. My latest obssession is the baby-faced Josh Groban, who is 13 years my junior. His music makes me high. Go figure. I think it is mostly the voice, but all of those sappy romantic lyrics speak to me too.

[Alelou]

I like them better when he sings in Italian. Then I don't have to know they're gag-worthy, I just enjoy them.

[Bether6074]

Oh yes. I love the Italian too...and the Spanish and the French...

I guess I'm just an old-fashioned romantic. Whatever happened to "chick flick" movies anyhow? The last one I saw labeled as "romance" was Attonement. I wonder if I'm the only person on planet earth who actually gets annoyed when sex happens too quickly. I mean, it's like one glance and they're going at it. Sigh. I need at least a few forlorned looks from afar. That movie was seriously aggravating.

[JadziaKathryn]

I found this interesting: pages from a Columbia astronaut's diary survived the explosion.

[Distracted]

Have you told the ones you love how much they mean to you today? Give them a hug or a kiss or a phone call or an email and let them know.

One of the women I work with lost her 21 year old son today...her only child...due to an overdose. He was out with friends last night and crashed at their apartment...after experimenting with methadone they think...and just didn't wake up. She never had the chance to say goodbye. It breaks my heart.

You guys are my friends. I value your online company and pray for you often. Just wanted ya'll to know.

[justTripn]

Same to you.

[Alelou]

That's so horrible. And so scary.

[blacknblue]

Have you told the ones you love how much they mean to you today? Give them a hug or a kiss or a phone call or an email and let them know.

One of the women I work with lost her 21 year old son today...her only child...due to an overdose. He was out with friends last night and crashed at their apartment...after experimenting with methadone they think...and just didn't wake up. She never had the chance to say goodbye. It breaks my heart.

You guys are my friends. I value your online company and pray for you often. Just wanted ya'll to know.

Hearng things like that always scares the crud out of me. FYI, you folks are fantastic. Especially you, Dis. Nobody else would be able to muster the saintly patience to put up with me as a writing partner.

[TPoptarts]

That's just awful. Makes me cry

And for everybody.

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

That's terrible news... I'm so sorry!

[Asso]

My God! That's terrible!

[CX]

Can anyone here help me with some legalese? It's for my ballot concerning some changes to North Dakota law, and I'd like to know what they do before I vote for them one way or another.