MIllennium

[methodwriter85]

After JJ's conversation with Brad, I'm choosing to fanwank that JJ isn't raging at Brad and Robbie for their behavior because he's too busy ducking fists at school. I think JJ's getting on the "leave school to train for '02 Olympics" idea partly because he's getting bullied, and he's too headstrong to ask his brothers or his family for help. Darius and Will can't be EVERYWHERE at school to help him out, and I bet the bullying is not the overt kind that immediately draws attention, but the covert kind that stings. That would actually add some depth to his backstory, and be a reasonable explaination as to why JJ doesn't seem to care about the events of November. And it'd be true as to the absolute hell that is middle school- I think the only people who ever liked middle school were the popular ones. The cruelty of 13-year old kids...ugh.

 

The other thing I'm thinking of...if JJ does make it to the '02 Olympics, it'd be interesting to see if he does well or if he totally choked. 'Cause he's 16 in '02, which puts him on the young side for male figure skaters...it seems like the best male figure skaters hit their peak around their early/mid-20's. I think it'd be a lot more interesting if JJ comes into Salt Lake City expecting gold, and winds up placing 8th or something.

 

Max and Tim. They just seem right. I'm glad Max finally has someone who could really commit to him in the way he's obviously needed it. I'm seeing a white picket fenced house somewhere in the Valley with kids running around at some point.

Edited October 14, 2010 by methodwriter85

[Canuk]

I'm seeing a white picket fenced house somewhere in the Valley with kids running around at some point.

 

 

M'writer85, you're such a romantic!!!!

 

Your comments on his chances at the winter olympics '02 are spot on. He's too young in his head when up against some of the hard'asses in competition ice

[gjtravel2a]

I must admit, you have brought out the great side to Robbie and I no longer have the compulsion to want to see Brad get a better partner (Though there may be what I would consider better fits for Brad, the whole history of their relationship and deep love for each other trumps higher quality!!). At least for now, it seems they are the support each other needs and with great determination, they will both keep from breaking each other's heart yet again! Of course, where is the drama in that!!

 

The food scenes......priceless!!!

 

In some ways, given the backward view we have regarding the coming tech meltdown, it is quite a bit like watching a car accident. A very big, violent, multi-car pileup......Perversely anticipating the coming destruction but unable to shut one's eyes.....According to the historical facts of similarly leveraged companies during this time, Omega probably already is 'Dead Man Walking'. Still, it is with guilty glee that I, for one, will be watching the work you have Brad & Co accomplish in the coming months to hasten what I hope to be Omega's demise and help it move from thorough to spectacular with Step & Co running the thing. That way, the evil will be punished without the innocent having to pay by everyone loosing their jobs. It would be a good way to see some of their extra cash invested. Perhaps, Stef, Brad, et al will get even more perversely wealthy and that would be a good thing. They are going to need serious cash for their Ohio venture! To say nothing about the cost of all the new Ferraris for their kids!! That alone will be a fortune....

 

So many good and positive story elements have been woven together in the last few chapters - Cody/Kevin - Max/FT - even Jeanine is getting some. Thanks for gathering these elements before, what I am sure will be, the next wild ride before we finish celebrating the Millennium as a story! BTW, when will we get to see more about Brad's 'new kid' he has from the shelter?

[methodwriter85]

M'writer85, you're such a romantic!!!!

 

Your comments on his chances at the winter olympics '02 are spot on. He's too young in his head when up against some of the hard'asses in competition ice

 

Well, see, I like seeing gay guys settle down and starting families. I'm not seeing that for myself, but I do like that it does happen. It's nice seeing gay men trump the stereotype that they can't settle down and they all want to be Circuit Bois. And Max and Tim seem so clearly the type of guys that are meant to be settled and in families. I don't think that's for Cody and Kevin, or Marcel and Lou. I could see Matt and Wade starting a family, but not until they're in their late 20's or something.

 

I do think if Stefan and Greg had been Brad's age, they would have considered having kids. They clearly like them. I think they would have made a good parents. But for Stefan's generation, that wasn't really an option unless you tried to fake being straight and married a woman. It wouldn't have even crossed Stefan's mind when he was 30 in 1975. But I'm betting it will cross Wade''s mind when he is 30 in 2010.

 

As for JJ and figure skating, yeah. I mean Sarah Hughes won that year at 16, but it seems like women hit their peaks earlier. It seems like every male figure skater who got the metal was either in their late teens or 20's. I'd like to see JJ make it to '02, do okay, but get really pissed that he didn't get gold, and really push himself for '06. There's a lot of inherent drama in being in the competitive sports world, which is why I'm excited as hell for when Mark switches the story over to Brad's kids. That's not for at least another two or three stories, though.

[Mark Arbour]

I must admit, you have brought out the great side to Robbie and I no longer have the compulsion to want to see Brad get a better partner (Though there may be what I would consider better fits for Brad, the whole history of their relationship and deep love for each other trumps higher quality!!). At least for now, it seems they are the support each other needs and with great determination, they will both keep from breaking each other's heart yet again! Of course, where is the drama in that!!

 

The food scenes......priceless!!!

 

In some ways, given the backward view we have regarding the coming tech meltdown, it is quite a bit like watching a car accident. A very big, violent, multi-car pileup......Perversely anticipating the coming destruction but unable to shut one's eyes.....According to the historical facts of similarly leveraged companies during this time, Omega probably already is 'Dead Man Walking'. Still, it is with guilty glee that I, for one, will be watching the work you have Brad & Co accomplish in the coming months to hasten what I hope to be Omega's demise and help it move from thorough to spectacular with Step & Co running the thing. That way, the evil will be punished without the innocent having to pay by everyone loosing their jobs. It would be a good way to see some of their extra cash invested. Perhaps, Stef, Brad, et al will get even more perversely wealthy and that would be a good thing. They are going to need serious cash for their Ohio venture! To say nothing about the cost of all the new Ferraris for their kids!! That alone will be a fortune....

 

So many good and positive story elements have been woven together in the last few chapters - Cody/Kevin - Max/FT - even Jeanine is getting some. Thanks for gathering these elements before, what I am sure will be, the next wild ride before we finish celebrating the Millennium as a story! BTW, when will we get to see more about Brad's 'new kid' he has from the shelter?

 

That's a really good analogy. You know it's coming, there's nothing you can do about it, yet you absolutely must watch it.

[methodwriter85]

Will and JJ won't be on the roads until about 2002. And if I remember correctly, these kids aren't going to be asking for Ferraris. I think they'll be more likely wanting either a Lexus, a Hummer, a Ford SUV fully tricked with tv's, or maybe a BMW. I think JJ would want a BMW, and Will and Darius would go for fully tricked SUV's that could fit a lot of their friends. Plus, Will would want something that would fit his surfboard- I can't see the guy in a little sports car. Darius maybe would go for one, but not Will.

 

I remember the first time I was inside one of those monster SUV's that had televisions that had VCR's/DVD's, and I was so impressed by it.

 

The coming tech meltdown...it's going to be interesting to see how that goes. Really is.

[gjtravel2a]

Will and JJ won't be on the roads until about 2002. And if I remember correctly, these kids aren't going to be asking for Ferraris. I think they'll be more likely wanting either a Lexus, a Hummer, a Ford SUV fully tricked with tv's, or maybe a BMW. I think JJ would want a BMW, and Will and Darius would go for fully tricked SUV's that could fit a lot of their friends. Plus, Will would want something that would fit his surfboard- I can't see the guy in a little sports car. Darius maybe would go for one, but not Will.

 

I remember the first time I was inside one of those monster SUV's that had televisions that had VCR's/DVD's, and I was so impressed by it.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I would tend to agree with your 'vehicle analysis'. I would offer that my comment on the Ferrari was actually just a euphemism for the coming expense of Malibu kids. Just think about how expensive Malibu Barbie is!

An aside that you probably have seen from others recently but seems to fit my ramble:

 

One day a father gets out of work and on his way home, he suddenly remembers that it's his daughter's birthday. He pulls over to a Toy Shop and asks the sales person, "How much fro one of those Barbies in the display window?"

 

The sales person answerws, "Which one do you mean Sir? We have: Work Out Barbie for $19.95, Shopping Barbie for $19.95, Malibu Barbie for $19.95, Ballerina Barbie for $19.95, Astronaut Barbie for $19.95, Skater Barbie for $19.95, and Divorced Barbie for $265.95."

 

The amazed father asks, "It's how much?!? Why is the Divorce Barbie $265.95 and the others only $19.95?"

 

The annoyed salesperson roles his eyes, sighs and answers, "Divorced Barbie comes with Ken's Car, Ken's House, Ken's Boat, Ken's Furniture, Ken's Computer, and one of Ken's Friends....."

 

My impression of Malibu is that there are a log of Divorced Barbies (and gay Ken's for that matter) in Malibu with expensive tastes and expensive kids...but I digress, sorry! My impression of Brad/Robbie/Jeanine's kids are they are good, but will inevitably be influenced by the wealth and power of their environment. Perhaps they should do weekends with Father Tim??

 

gj

 

 

That's a really good analogy. You know it's coming, there's nothing you can do about it, yet you absolutely must watch it.

 

 

++++++

Thanks, alas, we Californians are a tad to familiar with those big 70+ car pile-ups....loud, wrenching and perversly fascinating.

[methodwriter85]

See, I'm not entirely sure that's really going to be the case with these guys. They're in an immensely wealthy area, but Brad and Robbie did send their kids to public school. I consulted a guy who knows the area, and while Malibu High School IS affluent, it's not as status-concious or obsessed with flaunting wealth as we saw with Gunn High School or the Univerisity School. It's a lot more laidback. I looked at footage of a Malibu High School graduation, and most the kids were wearing flip-flops and cargos underneath their graduation gowns! I don't really think Will is going to be like Brad in terms of wanting to wear Rolexes or really expensive clothing. I know Surfer guys from his era- and this is more likely how he's going to dress-

 

1. A Quicksilver t-shirt, maybe a hoodie

2. A pair of Dickies or some sort of cargo shorts

3. A pair of Etnies or Vans

4. Maybe a beanie.

 

JJ will probably be preppier than that, but not quite to the level that Brad and Claire were at the same age. I'm seeing JJ's standard high school uniform as a pair of cargos or pre-distressed Diesel jeans, a Lacoste polo(those come back in circa 2003) over a long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of flip-flops or Birkenstocks. Preppy in the '00s was different from preppy in the 80's- Claire's going to be absolutely horrified at the way these kids dress. LOL.

Edited October 19, 2010 by methodwriter85

[B1ue]

See, I'm not entirely sure that's really going to be the case with these guys. They're in an immensely wealthy area, but Brad and Robbie did send their kids to public school. I consulted a guy who knows the area, and while Malibu High School IS affluent, it's not as status-concious or obsessed with flaunting wealth as we saw with Gunn High School or the Univerisity School. It's a lot more laidback. I looked at footage of a Malibu High School graduation, and most the kids were wearing flip-flops and cargos underneath their graduation gowns!

Again, public school is more the norm than the exception out here. There were magnet schools they could have gone to (and that JJ probably should have looked into), and some private schools, but off the top of my head I can't think of a single private school in the Los Angeles area that wasn't either for special needs students or is religious based. I won't rule out that there isn't one, but it probably isn't much better than the quality of educaiton available to public school kids in affluent areas.

[methodwriter85]

Again, public school is more the norm than the exception out here. There were magnet schools they could have gone to (and that JJ probably should have looked into), and some private schools, but off the top of my head I can't think of a single private school in the Los Angeles area that wasn't either for special needs students or is religious based. I won't rule out that there isn't one, but it probably isn't much better than the quality of educaiton available to public school kids in affluent areas.

 

I looked into this for Mark, and I basically came up with the conclusion that Brad and Robbie would indeed send their kids to Malibu High. Our Lady of Malibu is only k-8, and there isn't a chance in hell Brad would willingly send his kids to Catholic school. Which would also rule out Loyola High School and Saint Monica. (Marymount is all-girls.) He could send them to Harvard Westlake, The Brentwood School, or Crossroads, but none of them are actually in Malibu, and are kind of a drive. The other schools that are actually in Malibu are for special needs or religious-based.

 

Brad and Robbie had a good experience with public schools, and Malibu High is pretty well-ranked, so I figured they'd be fine with sending them there. The Carrswold are more the type to send their kids to private schools, not really with the Cramptons or the Schluters.

 

It's pretty different from Delaware, though. Here, if you can afford it, you send your kids to private school. Or you pray that your kid will get into a magnet school or charter school. Of the top of my head, in the little county I'm from, I can think of private schools like St. Elizabeth, St. Mark's, Tower Hill School, Ursuline, Padua, Salesianum, Red Lion Christian, Caravel, Tatnall, and Friends. This is all for just an area of 500,000 people. Pretty crazy, right?

[methodwriter85]

Remember when we discussed Darius and his college application deal? In another thread, where I ask people who are familiar with the Malibu High students, poster Tommy B wrote this take:

 

Second, the guy who wrote you must be getting into some of that 'medical marijuana' we have in CA. The average GPA at Cal is 4.15 and 4.16 at UCLA, a low 3 would never cut it, the only UC schools where the GPA is lower than 4.0 are UC Merced, UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz (who wants to be a Banana Slug anyways??). The 75th percentile at Berkeley have 710, 750 and 710 for their SAT's (reading, math, writing) and UCLA is 680, 730, 690, so pretty competitive.

 

A person with 3.1 GPA and with SAT's of like 550, 590, 570 would wind up at a Cal State Uni like Cal Poly Pomona, SLO or SF State, someplace like that unless they are a star athlete.

 

This view is in direct contradiction with Blue's interpretation. Of course, you've got to temper it with the fact that this person is currently a high school student and we're looking at what the process was 10 years ago, but it's always good to get another view. If in 2010 a student needs a 4.1 to get into UCLA, is it plausible that just ten years earlier a party kid like Darius with so-so grades, a good SAT score, and seemingly no volunteer/extracurricular work besides chasing the ladies really could get into the school?

 

So is it really plausible for Darius to get into Berkeley, or even UCLA? I kinda wonder. I know that he's just a character, but one of the things I like about Mark's writing is his willingess to inject plausibility into the storylines.

 

Here's what I could see happening: Darius gets rejected by Berkeley, waitlisted by UCLA, and accepted by UC Irvine(third choice) and Pepperdine University(fourth choice).

[Guest writerchick]

i love your stories!

[B1ue]

Here's what I could see happening: Darius gets rejected by Berkeley, waitlisted by UCLA, and accepted by UC Irvine(third choice) and Pepperdine University(fourth choice).

 

Pepperdine? Really? I suppose Darius is sufficiently Robbie's child to not worry about Brad glowing a gasket, and Brad is mellowing about religious folk anyways, but still... No arguments with the rest, even though my own experience one year behind Darius sort of refutes Tommy's stance. It's always possible my application essay got me into the various places I did.

[Mark Arbour]

Remember when we discussed Darius and his college application deal? In another thread, where I ask people who are familiar with the Malibu High students, poster Tommy B wrote this take:

 

 

 

This view is in direct contradiction with Blue's interpretation. Of course, you've got to temper it with the fact that this person is currently a high school student and we're looking at what the process was 10 years ago, but it's always good to get another view. If in 2010 a student needs a 4.1 to get into UCLA, is it plausible that just ten years earlier a party kid like Darius with so-so grades, a good SAT score, and seemingly no volunteer/extracurricular work besides chasing the ladies really could get into the school?

 

So is it really plausible for Darius to get into Berkeley, or even UCLA? I kinda wonder. I know that he's just a character, but one of the things I like about Mark's writing is his willingess to inject plausibility into the storylines.

 

Here's what I could see happening: Darius gets rejected by Berkeley, waitlisted by UCLA, and accepted by UC Irvine(third choice) and Pepperdine University(fourth choice).

 

You are so wrong.

[B1ue]

Oh, good. Can't wait to see what happens, Mark.

[methodwriter85]

Pepperdine? Really? I suppose Darius is sufficiently Robbie's child to not worry about Brad glowing a gasket, and Brad is mellowing about religious folk anyways, but still... No arguments with the rest, even though my own experience one year behind Darius sort of refutes Tommy's stance. It's always possible my application essay got me into the various places I did.

I figured Brad before this story would have blown a gasket at letting Darius go to Pepperdine, but I think it would be okay with him because it's a university setting. I still don't think Brad would have ever let his kids go to Catholic high schools, though.

 

The other thing is...a 3.5's a lot different than a 3.1 or 3.2, you know? And I'm betting you also had a lot of volunteer work under your belt, which doesn't seem to be something Darius pursued in high school.

 

You are so wrong.

 

This would suggest that Darius won't end up Berkeley or UCLA like he wants, or at the schools I listed...so now you got me curious about where he ends up. I know Stanford or the alma maters of his two daddies has to be out of the cards because Darius is not an Ivy Leaguer. It'd be interesting if you sent him somewhere we didn't expect- like school in Texas or something.

 

One of the things that I've noticed about CAP is that everyone easily gets into whatever top college they want to go to. It makes sense considering it IS an powerful, academic family, plus college was easier to get into during the '80's. But what I hope to see getting reflected is the increasing academic pressure on this generation of kids. College gets harder to get into, kids take on doing extracurriculars and volunteer work, valedictorians get rejected from first AND second choices, Adderall becomes the drug of choice, etc etc etc. It's a kind of drama you haven't really tapped into yet, Mark, and one that will be really interesting to explore when you get around to about 2004 in the story.

 

I get that you're not going to go THAT into this because Darius isn't a main character, but when the narrative switches over to the kids...yeah. It would be something cool and different to do. I think, anyway. I mean, if Will's not really going to be angsty about coming out since he already did it at 13, he's got to be angsty about other stuff, right? College apps makes sense as one of the things to be angsty about, especially for Will and JJ's demographic where horror stories of 4.0 valedictorians getting rejected from top schools abound.

Edited October 19, 2010 by methodwriter85

[B1ue]

The other thing is...a 3.5's a lot different than a 3.1 or 3.2, you know? And I'm betting you also had a lot of volunteer work under your belt, which doesn't seem to be something Darius pursued in high school.

Not a bit, actually. At least, none I put on my applications for the most part, those to catholic schools excepted. It didn't occur to me until much later that being an altar boy as a freshman and other activities with my church counted as volunteer work until much later.

 

This would suggest that Darius won't end up Berkeley or UCLA like he wants, or at the schools I listed...so now you got me curious about where he ends up. I know Stanford or the alma maters of his two daddies has to be out of the cards because Darius is not an Ivy Leaguer. It'd be interesting if you sent him somewhere we didn't expect- like school in Texas or something.

 

I had a thought about internation schools, but I can't imagine he'd qualify without some chinacery on Stef or someone's part.

[methodwriter85]

Right. I don't think the Sorbonne is in Darius's cards. I think he'll go for whatever school will take him, and has the best parties. I mean, he WILL get into schools- it just won't be anywhere really prestigious.

 

Oooh, maybe Arizona State University. That sounds like a practically ideal place for a dude like Darius, and it's only the next state over.

Edited October 19, 2010 by methodwriter85

[mmike1969]

You are so wrong.

 

here's my bet:

 

Darius gets into UCLA with help from 'uncle' Max... Drops out after 9/11 and joins the military... A LOT of people did that after 9/11...

[methodwriter85]

here's my bet:

 

Darius gets into UCLA with help from 'uncle' Max... Drops out after 9/11 and joins the military... A LOT of people did that after 9/11...

 

How much sway is Max really going to have at UCLA? He's only worked there since about 1995, right? That's only about four or five years. Does he even have tenure yet?

 

I like the idea, though. I could see Darius, being of middle Eastern descent, wanting to join the military to 'prove' something in the face of rising anti-middle Eastern sentiment. JP would absolutely hit the wall, which makes it even better.

 

So Blue thinks Berkeley. I'm thinking UC Irvine or Arizona State. Mike thinks UCLA for a few semesters, then the school of military. Any other guesses?

Edited October 19, 2010 by methodwriter85

[B1ue]

Took me forever to find our original discussion about colleges. Time well spent though, and your TMI post cracked me up, Jeremy. You aren't alone.

 

I never said Darius would be going to Berkely. Mark did. The only school I picked was UCSB for Will, because they have a great surf program. If I have to pick for Darius, I'd say UC San Diego or UC Santa Cruz. Possibly San Diego State. Beach schools all, with strong liberal arts programs. But truly, I think he's going to put school off for a bit, and maybe ask Uncle Ace for an internship. A year of that, plus volunteer work with Claire, would beef out a lackluster CV.

[methodwriter85]

Right, right. I think though that while Will would prefer a great surfing program, he'd sacrifice that for a shot at a good school. I could see the guy becoming an engineer or something like that- maybe Duke University? Great engineering program, and then he could get a vacation home at the Outer Banks. And then he could "hang out" with the fine, upstanding members of the Duke Lacrosse team. LOL.

 

As for Darius- oooh, UC San Diego. That would be a great set-up for Darius to meet friends in the army, and maybe get influenced by his long-lost uncle to think about maybe joining the army there after 9/11. San Diego also has a marine base- did they fight in the Aghanistan War?

 

As for JJ, he probably wouldn't stay in California- I'd see him moving to either Colorado or the East Coast. It seems like those are the places that have the best figure skating programs. My alma mater, UD, has one of the top figure skating programs in the country, and trained people like Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski. If you send JJ to University of Delaware, Mark, you could have JJ engaged in a bitchy rivalry with Johnny Weir. And THAT would be fun.

 

Does anyone think it would be ironic that if Will doesn't wind up top-tier, the ONLY Ivy-League caliber person in Generation 4 of what was a family of academics is the long-lost Hayes boy? (Yes, I know Matt grew up blue blood, but still.)

Edited October 19, 2010 by methodwriter85

[Hermetically Sealed]

Or . . . maybe he decides to go out of state, say NYU?

[methodwriter85]

I don't think Darius could get into NYU.

[sat8997]

Right, right. I think though that while Will would prefer a great surfing program, he'd sacrifice that for a shot at a good school. I could see the guy becoming an engineer or something like that- maybe Duke University? Great engineering program, and then he could get a vacation home at the Outer Banks. And then he could "hang out" with the fine, upstanding members of the Duke Lacrosse team. LOL.

Virginia Tech. My nephew-in-law has his engineering degree from Virginia Tech. He's currently a robotics engineer at NASA. Pretty cool gig.