Olympians - On Their Way

I've been watching the Olympics since I was a kid and am always so moved by human achievement and perseverence. This tribute includes some vintage clips found on YouTube, set to Clay Aiken's song "On My Way Here." Enjoy!

love, hosaa

Respect

A reader e-mailed me yesterday to comment on my losing the Little Miss Christmas pageant mumbledy-ought years ago. He told me:

You cannot live an authentic life while worrying about what others think. The people who win contests for approval are generally so eager to please that integrity escapes them.

Since most of my non-working mind is occupied by thoughts of Clay Aiken (whose voice brings me great joy and solace), I filtered my reader's comment to help understand what is going on with his new album, which sold well the first week, thanks to loyal and attentive fans, but hasn't yet caught on with the general public.

So far, Clay Aiken hasn't received much in the way of respect from music critics or radio programmers, but his recently released studio album, On My Way Here, was supported by some very well respected musicians. This Yahoo! video shows some of them in action:



An exceptionally well-researched blog, The ConCLAYve, profiles the musicians and their credentials:

"Clay Aiken's 'On My Way Here' - Measuring the Gap between the Critics and the Truth."

What I hear in the music supporting Clay's voice is respect: genuine appreciation for a voice that has the power to touch other people's lives. His voice is the instrument of a master musician, and the artists who recognize and support that gift also deserve respect.

love, hosaa
listening

On his way here

Clay Aiken's new song is being previewed at AOL's Popeater site:

On My Way Here

The lyrics were posted online at one (probably several) of the Aiken fan message boards.


On My Way Here
written by Ryan Tedder, performed by Clay Aiken

I took my first step
On that black and white kitchen floor
I sometimes wonder if that house is even there anymore
I had my first glimpse
Of love when I was five
I watched two people split apart
But still the three of us survived
I’ve seen the best
I’ve seen the worst
I wouldn’t change what I’ve been through
I’ve touched the sky
I’ve hit the wall
But I did what I had to

Chorus
On my way here
Where I am now
I’ve learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I’ve fallen hard but I’ve been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here

Oh yeah, yeah

My address has changed
Almost every year
I’ve found that standing still
Can quickly make a lifetime disappear
I’d rather try and fail
A thousand times denied
And this, whenever you feel pain
It lets you know you’re alive
I’ve been a fool
I’ve been afraid
Yeah, I’ve been loved
I’ve been lied to
I’ve been wrong
And I’ve been right
I stood up when I had to

Chorus

No guarantees
I believed that I would find
An open door or a light
To lead me to the other side
I guess that is why

Chorus