CLAYNATION NEW BULLETIN REPORTS: Clay to Star in Spamalot on Broadway!
Clay announced today that he's been invited to play Sir Robin in Monty Python's award winning musical comedy, Spamalot. Award winning director, Mike Nichols had this to say:




"Clay Aiken is amazing beyond that glorious voice. Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character. People will be surprised by his wide ranging talent, since the first impression is of great country charm and a singer to remember. This guy is not only a star, he is a lot more. We are lucky to get him for SPAMALOT."

Clay will be entertaining crowds from January 18-May 4 at the Shubert Theater. Tickets are on sale NOW at www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200/(800) 432-7250. Ticket prices range from $36.50 to $251.50.

Read the full press release on the Public side of the official fan club site.

Clay Tells Fanclub Album is Still on Track!
We can't quote him directly as Clay's blog is part of the paying members perks for joining the fanclub....BUT when Clay announced the Spamalot news, he noted that this does not impact the work on his fourth album which is expected next year. He indicated he is in the studio working with producers this week!! Fan club members can read his blog at http://www.clayonline.com

Clay Attends a UNICEF Event on October 1st.
Clay attended the launch party of Jenna Bush's new book, Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope in New York City on Monday, October 1st. Clay attended in his capacity as a UNICEF ambassador as proceeds of the book will go to benefit UNICEF.

The New Yorker interviewed Clay at the party. "I read it on the plane to Afghanistan," he said of the book. "I was quite impressed. I remember thinking she must have had a ghostwriter, but she didn’t. She did it herself."

Air Date Set for Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader
Both Fox and the official fanclub have confirmed that Clay will be part of a two hour special celebrity charity episode of Fifth Grader on Thursday, November 1st, pending the results of the World Series. If the World Series goes seven games, the episode will be pushed back. The episode will likely air from 8-10p Eastern, and Clay will be on with Regis Philbin. Check your local listings.


"Christmas in the Heartland" Tour
From the Official Fan Club: "It will soon be the Christmas season once again and you know what that means... So, dust off your bells & don your Santa hats, cause before you know it, Clay and the gang will be touring "Christmas in the Heartland" for the holidays." Read more at http://www.clayonline.com

Fan club pre-sales, available to the Fan Club members, have already begun. The following venues have been announced:

11/26/07 Central Christian Church, Wichita, KS
11/27/07 Fox Theatre, St Louis, MO.
11/28/07 Morris Center, South Bend, IN
11/29/07 Genesee Theater, Waukegan, IL.
11/30/07 Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo, MI
12/02/07 Warner Theater, Washington, DC.
12/04/07 Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Wilkes Barre, PA.
12/06/07 State Theater, New Brunswick, NJ.
12/07/07 Palace Theatre, Albany, NY.
12/08/07 Mair Hall, Poughkeepsie, NY.
12/09/07 Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT.
12/11/07 Count Basie Theater, Red Bank, NJ.
12/12/07 State Theatre, Easton, PA.
12/13/07 Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Morristown, NJ.
12/15/07 Community Arts Center, Williamsport, PA
12/16/07 Erie Civic Center, Erie, PA.
12/17/07 State Theatre, Playhouse Square Center Cleveland, OH.
12/19/07 Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, MN.
12/20/07 Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, MN.
12/21/07 Slosburg HallOrpheum Theatre, Omaha, NB.
12/22/07 Star Plaza Theater, Merrillville, IN.

END OF NEWS BULLETIN ---- BEGINNING OF GENI


Hey, sports fans, I saw Spamalot almost two years ago….March 2006.
Lara and I had great time in NYC.

And of course I wrote a blog about the trip to CT. Here it is :




....had a great time in chilly NY and CT. Lara. Harry, and babytobe are fine. Spamalot was hilarious but it was disappointing that Tim Curry was no longer in it as King Arthur and for some reason (probably he heard black-cloud-geni was coming) Hank Azaria did not appear that day…..but the actors were very funny. David Hyde Pierce was pretty much the way he was in Frasier, rather droll. The play followed the plot ? of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, so if you’ve seen the movie you know the antics that were going on in the play. I hadn’t seen the movie in so many years that most of it was a surprise…still laughed at the coconut clacking horsehoof sounds, and the knight who wouldn’t give in…but I think lots of it was new, with new songs…and the opening musical number…which was "Beautiful Finland", replete with native Finlandish costumes…until the narrator returned to the stage and repeated that the play was about BRITAIN! being the cynic than i am, my favorite was Not Yet Dead Fred, who refused to get on the dead plague victims cart…..so much so I bought the tshirt.




End of original blog…


Gosh, a lot can change in a year and a half, can’t it? I’ve been working at an Emergency Assistance Center for almost a year now. The eagerly awaited first baby is now a year and four months old.

I’m still amazed at the baby shower dd’s in-laws arranged for her. Here’s what happened back then.
Lara's baby shower in CT was quite interesting to a Midwesterner. Don’t know what you do in your part of the country (or Canada) but in MO we serve cake, mints and Mr. Peanut assorted nuts. We had a full sit-down dinner, choice of 3 entrées, and champagne punch in CT. My daughter received every imaginable baby appliance… and she had 6 helpers….one unwrapped, one wrote, one handed her the card, which she then read and held up the gift, one stuck the card in the box, two carried the gifts to the sides of the room, (restaurant banquet room) where there was still room to stack things.oh, forgot, one took pictures. i occasionally went out to the bar and sat with my SIL and his dad and sipped wine.

Oh, and another baby is on the way in CT. Yes, a lot of things have changed….but one has remained constant. My enchantment with the cutesingerguy. Yipper, I’m still here and just as much as fan as ever. Haven’t gotten my ticket to see Clay as Sir Robin yet….but I’m definitely gonna see that play again. So much is going on with clay lately….and actually I’m wondering how in the world he can do three things at once…..finish a new album, rehearse and tour for Christmas, and rehearse for his January debut in his first Broadway show????? Guess that's why he's a star!!


it’s just me, geni


------------------------------

OSAGE MENACE CONTROL/TURTLE HABITAT UTILIZATION DEPARTMENT

ASPCA NOTICE: NO TURTLES WERE HARMED IN THE CREATION OF THIS BLOG

Here at beautiful Lake Oz, we have an insidious menace threatening our shores…..namely turtles. No not sea turtles, those notorious terrifying terrestrial tortoises. My versatile cocker spaniel, Tommy, has declared open season on these ferocious reptiles infesting our woods
.
Here is Tommy in the official OMC/THUD vehicle – a recent purchase from the Russian Mafia (according to H2’s superior knowledge of the auto industry.)











In my last blog, I forgot to mention Tommy’s main occupation, which is serving as the Assistant to the Department Supervisor of OMC/THUD, namely me. Tommy’s job is to locate these menacing marauders, root them out of their perfidious hidden crannies, wrestle them to the ground, and scare the shit out of them.












A DEFEATED TURTLE SCREAMING FOR MERCY

First of all, I must confess that Tommy loves his work and absolutely loathes turtles. He thinks they are too dumb to live around civilized people, and also they are invading his territory. Tommy and I have decided that since turtles are the oldest living reptiles – older than snakes and lizards - 215 million years of evolution has rendered them essentially mindless shells with feet.

They journey through the woods and end up facing our fence and have no idea what to do next. Obviously they have no knowledge of left or right turns, let along U turns. So they just sit staring at the fence for hours, while Tommy, on the inside of the fence, loudly exhorts them to leave. Needless to say, the neighbors do not understand his rationale and phone me to do something about my noisy dog.

It does no good to just say “shoooo” to a turtle. Since my duty as Department Head of OMC/THUD is habitat relocations, I have to walk through the woods around the outside of the fence carrying a bottle of red fingernail polish to where this pea brained reptile is sitting in his shell (guess he doesn’t like the barking either) and carry it back down in the woods facing the opposite direction. Now you (and the neighbors) may ask, “Why are you carrying nail polish?”

To which I answer, “to paint the shell of the invader, naturally”. If the same one shows up at my fence again, he is soup.







TURTLE AFTER HABITAT RELOCATION

Now, if a tortoise is encountered on our daily outing, Tommy is on it in a New York minute. He looks like he’s playing soccer with the hapless creature. The way he bats the thing around perhaps he mistakes the shell markings for soccer ball hexagons. They are quite similar, ya know, and Tommy is a big fan of David Beckham. We’re so glad he and Victoria moved to the U.S. and now we have another vapid blonde to watch on the Insider…..Oh, wait, I digress…………


Davey does seem to have somethin goin for him…..but can he sing???



Clay content: I wonder if Clay might be interested in helping me set up a turtle sanctuary. After all, these helpless creatures need to included in conservation efforts just like the more gifted (and attractive) animals. He knows my number if he is interested.
it’s just me, geni

"If dogs don't go to heaven, then i want to go where they go."



No this isn’t Tommy. This is the twelve million dollar Maltese, Trouble. Just goes to show that everybody loves pets. You don’t even have to be a nice person to love a dog. Well, yes, there is the possibility that Leona just left the dog that money to piss off her kids…..,..gotta love that woman
.


CLICK ON ALL PIX TO ENGLARGE. YOU DON'T WANNA MISS THE MISCHIEVIOUS EXPRESSION IN TOMMY'S EYES.

Here’s my Cocker Spaniel,Tommy. He’s a wonderful dog and I wouldn’t sell him for twelve million dollars. (Please, Lord, don’t tempt me on this.) He is so smart, and talented. He works hard and loves to celebrate in his off time.





He really likes Halloween and greets each Trick or Treater at the door with
the bucket of treats in his mouth. Sorry I couldn’t get a pic of that, but he somehow ate all the treats when I wasn’t watching.





Independence Day is one of his favorite holidays. He loves the fireworks displays and he isn’t afraid of a little noise like those finicky Corgies or Poodles. Of course, there is the possibility that he just likes the BBQ hamburgers. Cost me a pretty penny last July when he burned his tongue on the grill.





He loves for me to read to him. Cat in the Hat is one of his favorites. He’s friends with the neighbor’s cat although he did get a nasty scratch on his nose (more vet expenditures) when all he was trying to do was greet her just like dogs greet each other……… I think in this pic he may be saying a few choice words about that hat.






He likes to play games. Cowboys and Indians is fun (but why do I always have to be the Indian?)





But I get back at him when we play dolls and he has to wear the bonnet.





We love to play Star Wars. I think he has a thing for Princess Leia and he never shares her with me. I have to make all the whooshing noises for the X wing fighters, but he’s working with his speech therapist on this problem.











Tommy is a really big Clay Aiken fan. He insists that I play Clay’s cd’s all the time. He even tried wearing his hair in bangs like his Idol.





And as I said, he’s a hard worker. Here’s Tommy resting in his easy chair after a hard day at the office, checking the stock market. Needless to say, his portfolio has been depreciating considerably…..he just threw down his hat in disgust.









Oh, I almost forgot his favorite holiday. Christmas of course. He just loves to wear that Santa hat. Oh, wait, that’s me…….nevermind.






Ok, so I lied a little bit. He didn’t lose that much in the stock market. He invests his funds very conservatively.

All right, the truth is….here’s where I find him every day when I come home from work. But the minute I wake him up…..he’s really happy to see me. He hasn’t figured out how to open the treat jar yet……






it’s just tommy’s playmate, geni

GENI IN THE SPOTLIGHTS




Dear loyal and concerned friends,
Just wanted to let you know that all is well and I am home. That nasty gall bladder is only a bad dream – sorta like a nightmare starring Kath y G. Now that I have a little time on my hands, I’m wondering what hospitals do with those extra parts? Maybe I should have asked to take it home so I could preserve it in Lucite or maybe just bury it in my back yard. You know, it was a part of me for many years and it deserves some respect.

And I know that y’all are really as interested in my operation as I am and so want to satisfy your curiosity as to the nature of a gall bladder operation. So hold on to your swivel chair cause I have an anatomy lesson planned that I know you won’t wanna miss.

THE PRECEDURE:
A newer way to remove the gallbladder is called laparoscopic (say "lap-are-oh-skop-ick") cholecystectomy. With this surgery, a laparoscope (a small, thin tube with a scope on the tip of it that is used to see the inside of your body) is used to remove the gallbladder. The laparoscope is put into your body through a tiny cut made just below your navel. Your doctor can then see your gallbladder on a TV screen and do the surgery with tools inserted in 3 other small cuts made in the right upper part of your abdomen. Your gallbladder is then taken out through one of the incisions.
Every good teacher has media now and I know you want to learn more about this spellbinding subject so i have a video which I am selling for a very reasonable price at genihasgall@cheapvideos.com. paypal accepted.

THE VISUALS:

I hope that isn’t a frog that has somehow made its way inside me. Maybe it’s one of those South American ones that the natives use for their poison darts. I bet that’s why I have been so sick.

Oh, wait, maybe this has been the problem all along.



I’m feeling so good now that I’m planning on going to the mall tomorrow because I haven’t been able to get out much lately. I bet I lost at least one dress size since I am rid of that troublesome organ.

and here’s what I look like now.



it’s just the new me, geni

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

REMEMBERING

9.11 is the Pearl Harbor of our generation.

I remember my mother talking about Pearl Harbor. She said everyone was in such shock…but the main thing she remembered in her later years was that at that time ….she was in her twenties then….that her main thought was that this meant a war was coming and that her new husband would be drawn into it.

9.11 is the Peal Harbor of our generation. We all remember where we were and what we were doing that morning. I was getting reading to go with a friend to her out-of-town doctor’s appointment. I was in the shower when the phone rang.

I rushed to answer it. It was my daughter in CT calling to assure me that she and her husband (who works quite close to New York) were ok. I didn’t know what she was talking about. She said, “TURN ON THE TV”. So I did.

I stood there transfixed as I watched the replay on CNN of the first plane. Shivering in my towel. I was speechless. My daughter kept saying, “Mom…Mom”. I finally answered her ……asking her for what little additional information she had.

Then the second plane arrived. I sat down.

My friend, Carol, and I did make it to her doctor’s appointment. Life always goes on. Tragedy can slow life, but it never stops, I’ve discovered. There was a young couple in the doctor’s office, and when my friend went in, I started talking to them. He was a Marine and had been alerted to report back to his base. He had made arrangements for his flight and was with his wife before going to the airport. He wasn’t real sure any flights were leaving St. Louis, but he was going to be there at the gates just in case. When they rose to leave, my heart rose in my throat and I said, “God bless you.”

He turned back to look at me. He had such a strange look on his face. Amazement that someone would say that out loud in a public place, perhaps…..perhaps, concern that the oath he had taken in peace time to serve his country was a very serious thing , indeed, now…and, perhaps, a realization that all Americans were united that day….Marines and middle-aged ladies in doctor’s offices included.

In Mid America, half a continent away, this tragedy was all that was talked about. American was united on that day and for a few years after. Of course, we are back to our old scappy selves now. But that’s what America and our Star Spangled Banner is all about anyway, isn’t it?

I always wonder where that Marine is now.

-

NO, I WASN’T HERE TO SEE THIS


And didn't hear this song live either.....

YES, I’m depressed, so I’ll understand if you don’t read this. It’s not funny or inspirational. it’s just depressing. But that’s what disappointment and ill health can do for a person. Sorry….. no smiling in the face of adversity from me. I’m a whiner. I know I’ve been cheated and I’m not gonna put a happy face on it. it’s not fair and I’m gonna bitch about it and try to spread as much doom and gloom as I can….. cause its lonely down here in the pits.

WASN’T HERE EITHER


I was reading a clay board where members were touting the three favorite concerts they attended. As you can imagine, this put me in a spiral of self-pity. Even Tommy left the room, tired of the moaning and groaning about how life is just not fair. (FYI – I spent three miserable days in the hospital instead of three glorious concert nights, the eagerly anticipated object of months of meticulous planning and scheduling and now have to have a gall bladder operation.)

Now I ask you, is that any way to treat a loyal-since- AI2 fan? And who is doing this treating anyway? Who is making these decisions? I want an up close and personal interview with that person. CAUSE IT AINT RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!

WHERE WAS I WHEN THIS HAPPENED? OH, YEAH, IN THE HOSPITAL!!

Not lookin for sympathy….yes, I know where to find it in the dictionary….just wanted to whine. and here's even a whiney poem. Now you can be depressed too...HA



SUMMER OF LOST DREAMS

I dreamed a dream
I made my plans
like wishing pennies in a well
worthless

who gets to pick
which pennies work
which dreams come true
pointless

now all is lost, I’m wide awake
and dreams are wisps long gone
the well’s been drained
wishless

it's better not to hope and dream
the pain is colder than the well
of tarnished copper drowned in tears
hopeless
geni 2007

it’s just me, geni

Check out the woman's boots... oh and the painting, too. YOU CAN CLICK ON ALL PICTUES TO ENLARGE THEM AND THEN CLICK AGAIN IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNER.

I’ve been intrigued by the ads a credit card company has recently been running in magazines about “THINGS TO DO WHILE YOU’RE STILL ALIVE”……maybe depressed would be a better word….. because these are things I will never do…..i know that- which is probably the “hook” of the ad. Nobody can do all or most or even one of these without some extra money which the company will gladly supply at an interesting interest rate.

But it’s not just money that prevents us from realizing our dreams, is it? It’s lots of reasons --- fear, family responsibilities, time, priorities, age, health…just the pressures of living prevent a lot of people from realizing most of their dreams….even achievable ones. (hmmmmm…..i wonder if it’s a dream if it IS achievable ---- maybe then it’s just a matter of hard work and persistence)

Well, anyway, here’s some of the items on these lists of “THINGS TO DO WHILE YOU’RE STILL ALIVE” with pertinent comments on their applicability…..in case you want to apply for the credit card and live a little…..

THINGS I WOULDN’T DO ANYWAY:

----MASTER JAPANESE COOKING - now why would I want to do that? I haven’t quite mastered microwave cooking yet.

----GO CAMPING AND LIVE OFF THE LAND - they must be kidding

----SHAVE YOUR HEAD - (I’m not making these up, btw) not sure why a woman would want to do this? it did get Brittany a lot of extra publicity…as if she needed that. But now that I think of it, here’s a story: One of my best friends’ daughters had breast cancer and naturally lost her hair after chemo. She went around bald. Refused to buy a wig or wear a hat. Said she wanted people to realize what cancer looked like and that so many more resources could be devoted to cancer research. Did I say how much I admired that young woman.

----VISIT AN UNINHABITED ISLAND – if they let people visit it, it wouldn’t be uninhabited for very long, now would it? Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Captain D’s, KFC, Taco Bell, Burger King, and undoubtedly Larry King wouldn’t be far behind me.

----DRINK A MARGARIETA ON ISLE MARGARITA – Let me qualify this. I don’t like tequila, but would gladly drink some other tasty libation on this isle….wherever the hell it is, it must have a beach. Sounds like my kinda place.

----TEST DRIVE A SUPERCAR – suffice it to say, I never have to drive anywhere. My friends always offer to do the driving (right Barb?). and I value what living I have left.

----SPEND CHRISTMAS ON A TROPICAL ISLAND – let me qualify this. it just doesn’t seem like a place for Christmas Celebration…but I would be glad to go there anytime if I had luxury hotel accommodations.

----EAT AN INSECT - now i know they're kidding

THINGS I WOULD LOVE TO DO:

---RUN WITH THE BULLS IN PAMPLOMA – Hemingway and I would have had a mah ve lous time in Italy, I think.

----WALK THE RED CARPET AT A MOVIE PREMIER - and win the academy award for starring in it. why not dream big?

----SEE THE TONY AWARDS LIVE – hell, I can’t even keep healthy enough to attend a Clay Aiken concert to which I already have tickets. oh, wait, does that sound like whining? sorry

----GO TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES – but I want VIP seating and Jerome to keep the crowds away from me.

----SEE THE TERRACOTTA WARRIORS - do photos or tv count?

----GO ON A SAFARI – does watching my favorite movie “Out of Africa” count?

----SEE THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA – my daughter has done this. Why is she living my life???

----LOOK DOWN FROM THE CLIFFS OF MOHER

----FLY AROUND THE WORLD – I assume this doesn’t mean non-stop, but with daily stops at exotic locations. yeah, I definitely could do this.

----VISIT AN ACTIVE VOLCANO – I assume this means to fly very high over it in an air conditioned plane.

----SEE A PENQUIN IN ITS NATURAL HABITAT –see above, substitute heated for air conditioned.

----DISCOVER A PLANET – Here’s a tidbit of info about me. When I was a girl and asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said an archeologist or an astronomer. Obviously, i always wanted to know everything in both directions. I still regret my inability to achieve either of those goals. Unfortunately, a working-class family, mid-twentieth century society, and Missouri State College did not afford me those opportunities (not to mention my own lack of insight and gumption). oh well

THINGS I COULD DO:

----WATCH A SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH – does tv count here? but I think I could drive there from here. but, that’s chancy for me since those are scheduled and I’m usually in the hospital for these "schedules only infrequently events" not whining, just stating the facts.

----TRAVEL WITH HANDMADE FITTED LUGGAGE – i don't even know what "fitted" luggage is but i do know if i bought it, then I couldn’t afford the trip.

----WIN A KAROKE CONTEST – I certainly sing as well as William Hung.

----GET A DEGREE IN ENOLOGY – I looked this up – it's wine making. sounds like fun classes to me.

---STOMP GRAPES - why not? might be part of that enology degree.

THINGS I HAVE DONE:


----OWN A ROOM WITH A VIEW – I had the most beautiful view from every window in my house at the Lake. oh, wait, does this mean some view of some European scenery or architecture??? oh well, nevermind.







----WRITE A SCREEN PLAY – doesn’t say it has to be produced, does it?


----EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF BROADWAY UP CLOSE – bless my beloved daughter’s generous heart for these wonderful experiences.






----DRIVE ACROSS THE SEVEN MILE BRIDGE – ok, this is a lie. but I have driven the bridge across Lake Pontchartrain which is the longest bridge in the world and should be on their silly lists anyway.

----HAVE A MUSEUM ALL TO YOURSELF – ok, I’m hedging on this one. but the pic from the magazine (yes, in case you were wondering, that’s the pic at the head of this blog. takes me a while to get anywhere, y’know) shows a couple (doncha love her boots) viewing Monet’s Waterlillies, which I have seen up close and personal. the enormous canvases were magnificent and the Art Institute of Chicago’s special exhibit wasn’t crowded so I took my sweet time on each painting. it’s almost the same thing, I think.

That credit card company seemed to have forgotten to include these impossible dreams that are at the top of my own personal list:

THINGS I DREAM ABOUT DOING:

---TO GO ON AN ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG

---FLY IN THE SPACE SHUTTLE (Did I tell you I applied for the Teacher in Space Program a few years ago? Well, I should have, anyway. but of course, if I had won I wouldn’t be here writing today, would i? and let’s never forget the name, Christa McAuliffe.)


----HAVE OPRAH CHOOSE ONE OF MY BOOKS FOR HER BOOK CLUB

--- WIN A MEET AND GREET - hahahahahahahah, oh sure, and my name’s Lucky Geni

----DO THE CLAY AIKEN TOTAL CONCERT TOUR – of course, you do realize you are listening to “The Impossible Dream”…….it’s one of my favorite songs. May have something to do with “to reach the unreachable star” line….



--(however, Clay may be trying to remember my name in this blend by Gerwhisp.)

it’s just me, geni