Still on a Clay High!
2003-08-22 at 5:11 p.m.
Since I haven't updated this diary regularly, I figured what better story to use as an entry than my concert! If you're a reader of my regular diary, this will be a repeat for you. If not, here are the details...
I�m still on a high from Sunday night. I hope I can put into words the excitement and emotion I felt.
K and I were absolutely exhausted from moving all day. It was all we could do to keep our heads up during the drive there. We drove into St. Louis, then took the MetroL!nk downtown. We arrived at the Savv!s, then went to find our seats. After doing so, we left to attain sustenance, as we had not eaten all day. While we consumed the meal that cost more than my first car, I visually surveyed our fellow concert-goers. There goes a Clay fan. And another Clay fan. And another and another and another and another. There�s a Ruben fan. And another Clay fan, another Clay fan, another Clay fan, another Clay fan, a Clay and Ruben fan, another Clay fan, another Clay fan, a Carmen fan for Chrissake and another Clay fan. The general consensus appeared to be that Clay was the reason for everyone�s being there.
We headed for our seats and the confusion began. The seats weren�t numbered!! Since our seats were in the direct center, we had to count from one end down to figure out which seats were ours. Ridiculous! As soon as I sat down, the woman next to me (who was my age or older) inquired, "Since you�re sitting here, I have to know. Who are you a fan of?" When I told her "Clay and only Clay", she screamed, "OMG, me too!!!!!!" We bonded instantly.
The seats were awesome. One thing that infuriated me, was that this year, they were allowing digital cameras. Last year, K got escorted out by Savv!s security for having one. This year, I could have gotten some amazing shots. Shit.
The lights dimmed and the crowd went wild. The idols appeared, one by one, each introducing the next performer in line. I�ll now give commentary on each:
CHARLES: I�ve never really been impressed by Charlie. He seems like a nice enough kid with a pleasant enough voice, but not at all Idol caliber. I adored his outfit though and would love one like it for myself.
JULIA: I had never been a fan of hers, but I was quite impressed with her Sunday night. (Not as impressed as K, who broke out into a sweat when he saw her.) She looked beautiful and sounded incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed her performance.
RICKEY: He�s growing on me more and more. He has amazing stage presence and interacted well with the crowd. If left to sing only higher keyed songs, he�s a great singer.
KIMBERLY C: Ugh. I was NOT at all impressed with her. She looked awful. Why does she insist on that awful poodle-do? She wore far too much slutty make-up and her clothing looked like it got run over by a combine harvester. Her songs were dreadful and she never once so much as smiled at the audience. She seemed to be going through the motions (and badly) and acted as though she�d rather be anywhere else than there. I�d have rather she was, too.
CARMEN: Okay. This is weird. I hated Carmen during the show, ever since she latched herself onto my Buttercup, gazing lovingly into his eyes and making an ass of herself. However... I gained some respect for her Sunday. She sounded great - nothing like the barnyard goat she was during the AI2 series. She became one with the audience and was an awesome performer. I was totally impressed! I lost some of the respect I had gained back, when she draped herself over Clay yet again during one of the group songs. Beyotch. I actually got purely jealous. What I�d give to gaze into Clay�s seagreen eyes! Waaa-aaah!
TRENYCE: Wow, can that girl move! She�s a fireball of energy, that one. She is such a skinny little thing. She looked and sounded great.
KIM LOCKE: Forgive me, but I haven�t much to say about her. Not because she wasn�t performing well, but because by this time, I was as nervous as a whore in church. I shook with anticipation all through her song, knowing what was to come. One thing I did notice, was her top. It was gorgeous. It was paisley, turquoise and kind of peasant-y. I loved it. When she stopped singing, I began to hyperventilate. My knees were ready to quit and the tears started rolling. Then it came... the announcement.
CLAY AIKEN!!!
The crowd broke into a riotous frenzy . We screamed. We cried. We threw our arms into the air. I was never so excited in my life. A riser from the stage brought forth my spike headed beauty. He was wearing the famous black suit/purple tie ensemble. K later told me that he hadn�t heard such a loud audience since he saw The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl, back in the sixties. He said it was amazing how much people love Clay. Clay sang TITN and we all sang along, not caring how off key we were or the mascara running down our cheeks. He worked the audience like a true pro and treated every one of us as though we were the best crowd he�d ever seen. He could barely speak afterwards for the cheers and screams from us, the fans who adore him.
Then he announced Ruben. Aside from a few chants of "Ruuuuuuuuben!", most of the crowd subdued. We sat and applauded politely, church-lady style. Don�t get me wrong... Ruben is talented and has a lovely voice, but as I�ve said all along, he simply isn�t the American Idol. His stage presence was awful. He stood, idle. He moved from side to side, but was otherwise lifeless. The fans were happy to hear and see Ruben, but wanted more Clay. Ruben performed a song from his upcoming album. All I can say is.. if this is indicative of the caliber of song we are to expect, I won�t be buying his album. It was horrible.
Last year�s show didn�t include an encore. It really didn�t warrant one. This year, I knew they�d never get away without planning one. The one who commanded the encore was Clay. He came out wearing a St. Louis Blues hockey jersey. Never in my life had I wanted so badly, to jump onstage and hug someone!! He was downright squoogy in that shirt. I�ve got to get my hands on that shirt! If he happens to be in it at the time, well... that�s fine, too. He broke into song again, performing, "Invisible".
Let me interrupt myself for a second to ask something. What is up with this song? I mean, I�ve always enjoyed the tune and the fact that Clay is singing it (face it - he could sing the phone book and I�d pee myself), but what�s up with these lyrics? Are we a stalker? If so, STALK ME, CLAY!
Ahem. Resumed. I had the absolute best time I�ve ever had. I�m still reeling from it. During the song... it happened. He did it. As he belted out a note, he grabbed his shirt!!!
All females in the audience creamed their jeans and screamed at the tops of the lungs, including me. K looked confused. A few lines later, Clay did it again.
*Grab*
"AAAAAAACCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!"
What the fuck? Explain if you know, why it is that the man grabs his shirt and I lose control of my bodily functions? He takes a fistful of fabric and my knees cease to operate as intended. Why? I know you know what I�m talking about, if no one else does. Later K asked me, "What the hell was that?"
That, my unknowing companion, was...
CLUTCH!!!!
... and it�s etched on my memory forever. Thanks Clay.
*Writer stops to sigh and reminesce*
There were several other cheesy, albeit enjoyable acts. Clay was bombarded by many a bra and skimpy undergarment. A cutie in the audience had a sign that said, "I�m Clay�s twin". Upon closer scrutiny via spotlight, everyone agreed he could be. Clay said, "Poor guy!"
My boy duddent get it, does he? Clay, hon. YOU ARE IT!! You�re the ONE! You DA BOMB! You�re the shit! You are the reason! Why can�t you see that?
I never thought AI2 would have anything in store for me. I thought Justin was awesome last year and now I can�t believe I ever felt that way. As soon as Clay opened his mouth at his audition and sang, ".. take time to tell me, you really care. And we'll SHAAAAAAAARE... " I never gave Justin a second thought. I knew then Clay was going to be the American Idol and, for all intents and purposes... he is.
Thanks, Clayton Holmes Grissom. I just love you.
P.S. How�s this for fate? On the way home from the concert, my Envoy turned over 5230 miles!! 5230!!!! My favorite number!!