Well it's been a couple of days and things have calmed down in the fandom. Well, at least on the frontlines. g I have put to words why I don't like the TV guide article and why I am not verry happy with Clay himself right now.

I'll still miffed at Clay. Well, I'm not longer angry because life is too short to stay angry at a pop star. But I am left feeling "whatever" about Clay Aiken. I still think that article sucked even though I'm not emotionally harmed by it. I'll tell you why.

Some folks will say that Clay is just telling us his feelings and that we should just accept that. Well I agree, to a point. I agree that he is entitled to his feelings and we should all respect that. Where I disagree though, is when he crosses the line from expressing his feelings to making sweeping broad generalizations about other people. He is entitled to express his feelings until he starts offending others because of them. Expressions are good. Insults are not. And in my opinion, that statement about folks in L.A. "rotting on the insides" was just dumb. And wrong. Especially coming from a guy who makes a strong effort to make sure no one makes generalizations about people with disabilities. To me, it strikes me as hypocritical. Also, I think it was a dumb move because the music industry is in L.A. and he indirectly insulted them. That is not smart networking for your career. If you don't like your co-workers and other parts of your work, you vent about it in the privacy of your own home with your friends and family. You don't talk about it where people will hear you. In Clay's case, you don't do an interview in a highly publicized magazine where people in the same industry as you will read it.

There are other things I didn't like about the article, as well. One of the my biggest beefs is that this isn't any new news. Some folks are stating that we shouldn't get upset because this is nothing new. Well, in my opinion, that IS something to get upset about. Or if not upset, then at the least, slightly dissapointed. As a fan, and as this being the first major publicity for Clay in a long time, it would be nice to hear something new. Not the same old story we have been hearing for the past two years. Especially since this is not a happy, positive, get me all excited, kind of story. It's kind of depressing. And that is fine because Clay is entitled to feel blue just the like the rest of us. But at some point, he needs to shut up about it. He's been complaining about the same stuff for two years now. In my opinion, he isn't just telling us his thoughts anymore, he's whining. And whining, and whining, and whining. I heard him the first time. Maybe it's just the way I handle such cirmcumstances but I am not one to keep hearing someone out with their plee for sympathy when they keep doing it over and over again. I'll hear ya the first time and I'll even offer you support. But at some point, you need to stop mentioning it and just start fixing it. Stop talking and just do. Clay seems to have a problem in that area, regarding many topics of discussion, in my opinion. Clay has the resources, financial and otherwise, and the opportunity to fix his problems. I guess I feel he should concentrate on those and not continously talking about them in publicized interviews.

There is also the "spin" arguement. Some folks are saying that TV guide spun the article to make it appear more dramatic than it was. Well, okay, that could be true. Journalists do tend to do that. But I'm reading the article and I'm trying to figure out where the spin would end and the actual interview begins. To me, I can't figure it out because both the journalists interpretation and Clay's own comments have the same theme; not being happy with his life. So does that mean the journalist spun everything? Well then, what is the point? And why did Clay approve of that? Why didn't Clay spin it around again to make the article more palatable to read? He's been around long enough and done enough interviews to know the process and how to work around it. He's done it before. He is the master of spin and manipulation. But if that is the case, he didn't do it here. Why? Perhaps because this is the image he actually wanted to present to the public? Maybe the article is what it is? Maybe Clay isn't spinning anything and he really is unhappy with his career, his fans, and his life in Hollywood.

And if that is the case, I really can only say one thing; go home. And I mean that in the most supporting way possible. If you aren't happy, then give it up, go home, and do something else. But don't stick around, complain over and over again, and still desire people to support your career so you can live in your mansion, rent expensive vacation homes, buy expensive clothing, and etc. Again, it just strikes me as hypocritical.

What also strikes me as hypocritical is the tone Clay decided to have with this article and the tone he decides to have with his music. If Clay wants to make happy, upbeat, inspirational music (which is just fine if that is what he wants), then why is he doing a depressing interview? I'm not sure if I can express this clearly but I don't connect Clay wanting to make uplifting music and then doing an interview that is clearly, not uplifting.

Anyways... so that is why I don't like the article.