I had to go to New York City on business this week (wouldn't you know it Clay was in NYC as well but never stopped by my hotel for some reason). I'm sure my MasterCard bill came while I was gone. I'm sure my husband will write little notes all over it. And they will have a lot of these "????????" There are memberships to venues that I'll never visit again. There are tickets, upgrades, group tickets. Airfare to North Carolina when I don't even have a ticket. And that doesn't even include the ridiculous price I paid for four Red Sox broker tickets. One time before when I bought broker tickets for a Joyful Noise concert, I had my son intercept the Mastercard bill. My husband is smarter, he just pays cash for his little Home Depot extravaganzas. "I know I just needed a hammer but I bought this really great ladder to go with it."
Planning for the concerts is a lot of fun. On my message board, there is a section just for tour planning. It's appropriately named the Stampede because that's what happens when a tour is announced. The locals recommend hotels, ticket groups are created. "Hey, I need a roommate! It doesn't matter if I've never met you before!!" I think there are times when I've got hotels reserved in more than one city on the same day.
The funny thing is when I describe following the tour to different people. My husband gets the camaraderie part but doesn't get the whole seeing multiple shows of the same concert part. I need to show him the video of Clay's hilarious improv stand up comedy that is interwoven with the music. Maybe that will show him that no two shows are alike.
But there are the others who were like me a few years ago. Professional women who love their job, love their husbands and kids but yearn for something just for them. I had that very conversation with our head of sales just yesterday. Marketing and sales have a symbiotic relationship and in some companies don't get along. I get along with our head of sales famously well, she and I have become friends. We worked a tradeshow together yesterday and took a late lunch. She and I were both tired and talked about what to do to rejuvenate ourselves. I started to tell her about the concert trips. From the beginning and meeting other professional women (and men) 4+ years ago and developing close friendships to the traveling around from city to city enjoying life, each other, Clay and his music. I talked about seeing different parts of our country as well as learning about problems in far flung corners of the world like Uganda and Afghanistan. Then I described becoming aware of limitations in programs for children with disabilities and how the Bubel/Aiken Foundation is trying to change that-basically, the whole Clay Nation experience. Her eyes were wide, her jaw slightly dropped. She got it. She said "That is sooo great." It made me long for something like that for her and grateful that I have Clay and Clay fans in my life.
So, with ticket buying out of the way in the next few weeks except for upgrades and party planning, everyone will settle back into their routines. Then July will arrive. And the buzz coming from the message boards will be palpable.
Aside: I wrote this blog on the morning of April 26th. When I came home that evening, my husband had opened up the Mastercard bill and there were nine “?” next to charges. I guess I know him pretty well.....
I remember when Mastercard asked people to create their own "priceless" commercial. Unfortunately, they also gave the general scenario that you had to use but if they didn't I was going to send this in.
VOICEOVER:Filling up the tanks of a caravan of cars $200
VIDEO: Cut to line of cars of people of all ages/genders wearing Clay T-shirts laughing and filling up their tanks.
VOICEOVER: Ticketmaster charges and hotel bookings for four nights in four cities: $1000
VIDEO: Cut to a pile of Clay Aiken tickets being handed out and same group of people checking into a hotel
VOICEOVER: Convincing your husband that you can take a week to follow Clay Aiken's summer tour with 30 of your closest friends? Priceless
VIDEO First show woman dragging suitcase and camera to get into one of the cars, waving to husband who is shaking his head and smiling and then to Clay rocking on stage to Back for More with crowd doing first pump and that same group of people having the time of their lives. Last shot is the same caravan pulling out of another gas station showing license plate that says "I'd rather be at a Clay Aiken concert". Instead of the license plate number, you see the Mastercard symbol.
And yes, I have one of those license plate frames.
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8 comments:
Excellent blog, Corabeth! Thank you! I am going to send the link to my sister in Virginia who doesn't quite "get" the whole Clay fandom for me, but she knows it makes me happy. (anonymous aka anntherese54)
BWAHHH....Your blog, PRICELESS!
Your scenario for a MasterCard spot reminded me of that commercial featuring two women "of a certain age" who were following some anonymous country heartthrob on tour. The product? Some sort of constipation remedy. I think I like your idea a lot better...
And BWAH to your husband's notes on the bill. Too funny.
wow thats is cool go every where to see clay but met a clay fan on my page and we are going to Gilford NH i never saw clay in person so got the day off from work me and my friend name ann we are going to make a day out of it take pictures but we will have fun.see you there if you go thanks
Loved the blog. So true.
Ok, I admit, I was among the ones to never even consider seeing the same concert in the same "tour". The concerts I would go to were great but there usually wasn't a lot of interaction with the audience other than "Hi, thanks for having me".
Not Clay's. You never know exactly what you will get even when you know the set-list by heart. I absolultely love his banter. He has surprised a lot of us a few times and had us rolling in the aisles. It is at the point for me that I really hate the thought of "missing" anything. Luckily in the Clay fandom, even if you aren't there, there are plenty of people to tell you about it. Recaps Rock!
I also had a jam packed life filled with work, hubby, kids etc before Clay came along. Maybe TOO packed. I have made so many friends through being a fan of Clay and it is a large part of the draw to see them while we get to listen to that wonderful voice. It IS for me although I often take my daughter along and then it is for US.
That, with a teenager, IS priceless.
Your blog describes myself and my clay pal perfectly. We are ecastic about being able to go to three summer tours. As we all know one time is not enough - always have to see him at least twice on a tour if posssible. All the planning, hotel reservations and even the sometimes expensive tickets are worth every penny. Myself and my clay pal will have memories that will last us a lifetime. Speaking of her, she actually won a meet and greet in Atlanta at one of the Xmas show. What a great evening. Clay has encouraged me by his actions to do things that have greatly improved my life not only in giving to others but getting out there and doing things I would have never thought of doing. I am so lucky to be a Clay fan and I must say I've met some very amazing people along the way at his concerts. I hope that he knows how much of a difference he is making in people's lives. I can't wipe the smile off my face because I have great seats for Knoxville (thru the fan club), great seats for Atlanta and looking forward to Asheville. The guy just simply brings me pure joy.
The last several years, I feel like I've been in a whirlwind. It's the supermom thing. You focus on your children, husband, work, education, work. Then one day you turn around and you have given up everything that defined you for your family. There was no time for friends or hobbies. It was my choice and I loved every second of it. But I have to admit it is nice to once again take time to smell the roses. And the special thing is that my husband is there every step of the way. Not only that, one of my sons and his wife attend Clay's concerts with us. That is in part why it is so special. Oh I still have a demanding job in a technical field which I love and work 60 hour weeks, while also finding time to bake for the family (I think my husband wrote that baking part into the fine print of our marriage contract lol). But it is nice to do a little something for myself by attending a concert when Clay tours. I've only been able to go to a couple of them but they were a lot of fun. So Mr Entertainer Man bring on the concerts of 2007. I can't wait.
Corabeth -
In the words of that singerman we all know and love, "You can NEVER get enough Clay Aiken!"
Love your blog and love you,
Patty T
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