"I think I probably hoped for it a little bit, but I'm not an optimist. I'm a realist... or maybe even a pessimist"

Clay Aiken's quote talks to the idea of hope and realism. He acknowledges that he had some hope for something, however he is not an optimist. He determines himself as a realist, or even a pessimist. This suggests that he knows the potential for disappointment, and is not expecting the very best result. He is likely preparing himself for the worst, while still holding out some hope. This quote speaks to the concept of being practical and not getting one's hopes up expensive. It is essential to be reasonable and not expect too much, as this can result in dissatisfaction. Clay Aiken's quote is a tip to be realistic and not get too captured up in the concept of hope.