Poor Man's Son

[rjo]

Parenting is a difficult job, I believe the most difficult one in the world. Also the most important, It does not come with a rule book a manual how to be the best parent. If we think about how Brad grew up first with his birth mother who abused him from day one to thankfully being with JP and Isidore in a stable loving home. Maybe they were easier on Brad because of what he went through. Robbie's childhood we know little about. However, his father Frank's childhood was almost as bad as Brad's. Because of this I think both Brad and Robbie are more permissive. They are also in California which is by nature more permissive than the Midwest. If you look and compare Will and Brad's childhoods I think they are very much alike . Brad's shows his love for the kids easier than JP's could. But again JP grew up in a much more restrictive situation. JP thought he had to hide his feelings and who he was or he'd be hated. Thankfully, Brad and Will didn't have to do that. Brad's reaction to the situation in Rome was exactly how I thought he would. Knowing that Will was punishing himself more than Brad would, Will knows that Brad loves him and is willing to die to save him. Many kids never know how much their parents love them. Will knows that he has been shown that time and time again. If you look at the whole picture, I think Brad has done a pretty good job so far. Not bad for the shy abused kid he once was.

[centexhairysub]

Great Chapter....

 

I really did not see that one coming, Darius is my hero too... I loved the interaction between Darius, Will, and JJ. I really liked how Will and Pat were reacting to each other. Robbie was great in getting to the heart of the matter with Will about what happened all those years ago in Paris.

[Mark Arbour]

Great Chapter....

 

I really did not see that one coming, Darius is my hero too... I loved the interaction between Darius, Will, and JJ. I really liked how Will and Pat were reacting to each other. Robbie was great in getting to the heart of the matter with Will about what happened all those years ago in Paris.

 

You know, it just seems like something Darius would do. Of course, even though he denies it, everyone knows that being closer to Ella factored into his decision.

[Matthew k]

You know, it just seems like something Darius would do. Of course, even though he denies it, everyone knows that being closer to Ella factored into his decision.

 

I really wish he had gone to Annapolis (but of course he would have left for it over three weeks ago)

 

Santa Clara is an interesting choice over San Jose State.....

[Mark Arbour]

I really wish he had gone to Annapolis (but of course he would have left for it over three weeks ago)

 

Santa Clara is an interesting choice over San Jose State.....

 

It's better.

[KYE]

Well I enjoyed this lastest chapter so much it actually merited my first review on GA. Something I would not have thought I would have done a few weeks ago.

[Matthew k]

It's better.

 

If you're a Jesuit!

 

With the explosion of Silicon Valley SJSU because a much better school and much more well endowed (and we all know how important THAT is to you!)

 

It's better.

 

If you're a Jesuit!

 

With the explosion of Silicon Valley SJSU because a much better school and much more well endowed (and we all know how important THAT is to you!)

[methodwriter85]

Does it really matter where Darius goes to school? We all know he's going to drop out sophomore year to join the military after 9/11 hits...I like the line about Darius wanting to be a hero. With the military being in his blood, it just seems inevitable. I guess he can join the ROTC or something?

 

I really liked this chapter. Here, it becomes clear that Darius is the glue for Generation 4- he's the only guy that can get along with everyone here. I've been wanting a chapter with a scene between the three Schluter brothers for a long time, and I'm glad we finally got it. Will and JJ are kind of just drifting off into two entirely different directions, but Darius can get them together. If/when Darius goes off to war, it'll be interesting to see how the brothers maintain their bonds with Will going off to college and JJ going off to Torino.

 

Jeanine's from an Italian-Catholic family, right? It's not like Catholic doctrine is going to be completely foreign to Darius.

[Matthew k]

Jeanine's from an Italian-Catholic family, right? It's not like Catholic doctrine is going to be completely foreign to Darius.

 

Ha, these aren't your run of the mill Catholics, this is the Society of Jesus. Casuistry is Tim's favorite philosophy

[mmike1969]

yeah, pick the one place Brian went to

 

personally, I would of picked UC Berkeley or SJ state

 

can't see Darius as an enlisted grunt... But he would not be the first enlisted man that came from a wealthy family.

[methodwriter85]

can't see Darius as an enlisted grunt... But he would not be the first enlisted man that came from a wealthy family.

 

Mark was thinking he'd be an officer like Stephen was when we get to the War on Terror. How would they swing that? Was connections a strong enough pull in 2000 that you could get a guy like Darius as an officer? What's the route for getting Darius into the War on Terror?

 

Personally, I thought USC seemed like the best fit for Darius, but Mark does not seem to be going with the "happy frat boy" route for Darius.

Edited August 6, 2011 by methodwriter85

[Matthew k]

yeah, pick the one place Brian went to

 

personally, I would of picked UC Berkeley or SJ state

 

can't see Darius as an enlisted grunt... But he would not be the first enlisted man that came from a wealthy family.

 

Darius wouldn't have gotten in Berkeley and it is "Berkeley" or "Cal", never UC Berkeley

[mmike1969]

I believe you need a degree to be an officer... Don't care what kind of connections ya got.

 

2) war on terror is right around the corner... He could be one of the many MANY enlisted people who joined right after 9/11 thinking it's the patriotic thing to do.

 

3) does Darius have something going on with his life besides Ella?

[methodwriter85]

I believe you need a degree to be an officer... Don't care what kind of connections ya got.

Mark was saying that he didn't see Darius as enlisted guy because he's from a rich family, but I gotta say, I disagree with that. Pat Tillman springs to mind.

 

They had the storyline with Stephen in the Box becoming an officer with just a high school degree because the family pulled strings, but that was World War II. With the way in which specialization has occurred over the past 60 years since World War II, I have a hard time believing even Stefan Schluter and Brad's half-brother could pull enough strings to get Darius in as an actual officer with just his Malibu High degree.

 

In any event, could you just IMAGINE the p.r. nightmare it'd be for Brad and Stefan if it got out they used their powerful D.C. connections to get Darius a plum post that he didn't actually have the merit for? I think they'd be getting skewered by CNN, and met with protestors holdings signs that say, "Let him enlist like anyone else!" But in much more graphic language.

 

So he would have to go through the entire ROTC program at Santa Clara to become an officer, right? Or he'd have to enlist if he doesn't want to wait until 2004.

 

2) war on terror is right around the corner... He could be one of the many MANY enlisted people who joined right after 9/11 thinking it's the patriotic thing to do.

 

Yeah. Gathan's brother Brent, and his friend Chord are just SCREAMING future Iraq War Veterans. I think a lot of Claremont blue-collar youth are headed there.

 

3) does Darius have something going on with his life besides Ella?

 

See, this is why I really like that Will so far isn't defined by who he's dating. And if JJ does get his own story, that won't be the case for him, either, because his number 1 priority is his figure skating career.

 

Although I think JJ is most likely going to be run down by a Greyhound. Then he'll become Will and Darius's teen angel, learning some valuable truths along the way that go beyond the merit of a Louis Vuitton handbag.

 

JJ can be like Frankie Avalon with a much better wardrobe:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRVAT2QSpmo&feature=related

Edited August 6, 2011 by methodwriter85

[Mark Arbour]

Well I enjoyed this lastest chapter so much it actually merited my first review on GA. Something I would not have thought I would have done a few weeks ago.

 

[Mark Arbour]

Does it really matter where Darius goes to school? We all know he's going to drop out sophomore year to join the military after 9/11 hits...I like the line about Darius wanting to be a hero. With the military being in his blood, it just seems inevitable. I guess he can join the ROTC or something?

 

I really liked this chapter. Here, it becomes clear that Darius is the glue for Generation 4- he's the only guy that can get along with everyone here. I've been wanting a chapter with a scene between the three Schluter brothers for a long time, and I'm glad we finally got it. Will and JJ are kind of just drifting off into two entirely different directions, but Darius can get them together. If/when Darius goes off to war, it'll be interesting to see how the brothers maintain their bonds with Will going off to college and JJ going off to Torino.

 

Jeanine's from an Italian-Catholic family, right? It's not like Catholic doctrine is going to be completely foreign to Darius.

 

 

I don't see Darius as the glue, necessarily. I think he's a little too impatient for that. I think we won't figure that out (me included) until they all get older. Right now, Darius has that aura of coolness that keeps the others in awe of him.

 

yeah, pick the one place Brian went to

 

personally, I would of picked UC Berkeley or SJ state

 

can't see Darius as an enlisted grunt... But he would not be the first enlisted man that came from a wealthy family.

 

 

That's right. Brian did go there.

 

Mark was thinking he'd be an officer like Stephen was when we get to the War on Terror. How would they swing that? Was connections a strong enough pull in 2000 that you could get a guy like Darius as an officer? What's the route for getting Darius into the War on Terror?

 

Personally, I thought USC seemed like the best fit for Darius, but Mark does not seem to be going with the "happy frat boy" route for Darius.

 

 

What, I can't speak for myself anymore?

 

No, connections wouldn't have gotten him a commission without a Bachelor's degree. That wasn't even very common as far back as WWII.

 

Mark was saying that he didn't see Darius as enlisted guy because he's from a rich family, but I gotta say, I disagree with that. Pat Tillman springs to mind.

 

They had the storyline with Stephen in the Box becoming an officer with just a high school degree because the family pulled strings, but that was World War II. With the way in which specialization has occurred over the past 60 years since World War II, I have a hard time believing even Stefan Schluter and Brad's half-brother could pull enough strings to get Darius in as an actual officer with just his Malibu High degree.

 

In any event, could you just IMAGINE the p.r. nightmare it'd be for Brad and Stefan if it got out they used their powerful D.C. connections to get Darius a plum post that he didn't actually have the merit for? I think they'd be getting skewered by CNN, and met with protestors holdings signs that say, "Let him enlist like anyone else!" But in much more graphic language.

 

So he would have to go through the entire ROTC program at Santa Clara to become an officer, right? Or he'd have to enlist if he doesn't want to wait until 2004.

 

 

 

Yeah. Gathan's brother Brent, and his friend Chord are just SCREAMING future Iraq War Veterans. I think a lot of Claremont blue-collar youth are headed there.

 

 

 

See, this is why I really like that Will so far isn't defined by who he's dating. And if JJ does get his own story, that won't be the case for him, either, because his number 1 priority is his figure skating career.

 

Although I think JJ is most likely going to be run down by a Greyhound. Then he'll become Will and Darius's teen angel, learning some valuable truths along the way that go beyond the merit of a Louis Vuitton handbag.

 

JJ can be like Frankie Avalon with a much better wardrobe:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRVAT2QSpmo&feature=related

 

I was saying that? It's possible. I don't see Darius, or any of the kids, leaving school without at least getting their bachelor's degree. It is too deeply ingrained into their psyches. There's unbelievable family pressure (think tradition, custom, etc.) and if that weren't enough, his grandfather is a professor. I just don't see Darius being that rebellious.

 

Unless it involved his dick.

[rjo]

In MIM we got to know a three year old bundle of activity who won the hearts of all who knew him. Next he see him standing up to his mother, defending himself and his younger brother, JJ. We see him hanging out Gathan and falling in love will El. Only now after 15 years are we beginning to understand him. He has become a truly noble young man. It would have been easy to follow his grandfather into the Navy but giving up that dream so that someone else can have their dream shows what kind of person he has become. This family must be proud of him.

 

The other part of this chapter also shows how good this family has done in raising their kids. Will knows Robbie is hurting and he does out of his way to help. Even though Will has his own pain he wants to help Robbie with his. Another son to be proud of.

[Matthew k]

Why doesn't Stef have a fabulous place in Palm Springs/Desert/Rancho Mirage where he goes to the White Party, has fabulous pool parties and rubs elbows with Jerry and Betty Ford?

[sat8997]

I know! I know! *waves hand in the air* Pick me! Pick me!

 

Maybe because JP lives in Palo Alto?

 

 

[mmike1969]

What, I can't speak for myself anymore?

 

Um... :wacko:

 

Sorry, we all just thought you had to go through Sharon first...

[methodwriter85]

I was saying that? It's possible. I don't see Darius, or any of the kids, leaving school without at least getting their bachelor's degree. It is too deeply ingrained into their psyches. There's unbelievable family pressure (think tradition, custom, etc.) and if that weren't enough, his grandfather is a professor. I just don't see Darius being that rebellious.

 

Unless it involved his dick.

 

So I guess ROTC at Santa Clara it is. 2004 is still pretty early enough in the Iraq War- when Darius graduates, they'll only be a year in. I gotta say, I like that you're NOT going the happy frat boy route with Darius that you did with Ace. (I don't know if it was explicitly stated that Ace was a frat boy, but god he screamed it.)

 

JJ's the question mark on this, though. I could very easily see him, after high school, either forgoing college entirely or just going part time for the 2004-2005 school year at a college with a coach that he wants to use. Then dropping out of school for what would have been his sophomore year to focus on the Olmpics. I think in his case, the family wouldn't mind so much because they kinda figure that college is always there, but JJ's prime is not.

 

Which could be interesting- JJ giving up college and at the same time seeing his brother Will and cousin John off to it. Would there be regrets? Or no?

 

Why doesn't Stef have a fabulous place in Palm Springs/Desert/Rancho Mirage where he goes to the White Party, has fabulous pool parties and rubs elbows with Jerry and Betty Ford?

Aside from living in Palo Alto, think about Stefan. He detests the idea of getting older, and for that principle I cannot see Stefan ever getting a place which is known as retirement central.

Edited August 7, 2011 by methodwriter85

[Matthew k]

I know! I know! *waves hand in the air* Pick me! Pick me!

Maybe because JP lives in Palo Alto?

 

Well yes, he lives in Palo Alto NOW , but for years he lived in Malibu with Greg and a lot of people along the coast had their places in the desert because of the cold, damp winters along the coast. Not only do a lot of people have places in the desert, but a lot of Hollywood did, that is why the streets have names like Frank Sinatra Dr, Bob Hope Dr, Dinah Shore Dr, and not just Hollywood, but especially gay Hollywood. It was where their could go and let their hair down. There were legendary pool parties behind the high gates of the estates.

 

And for Jeremy, it isn't a retirement place, it is a gay place. Palm Springs is chock full of gay, clothing optional resorts. Check out the White Party Palm Springs and tell me Stef wouldn't be in the middle of it.

[Mark Arbour]

Well yes, he lives in Palo Alto NOW , but for years he lived in Malibu with Greg and a lot of people along the coast had their places in the desert because of the cold, damp winters along the coast. Not only do a lot of people have places in the desert, but a lot of Hollywood did, that is why the streets have names like Frank Sinatra Dr, Bob Hope Dr, Dinah Shore Dr, and not just Hollywood, but especially gay Hollywood. It was where their could go and let their hair down. There were legendary pool parties behind the high gates of the estates.

 

And for Jeremy, it isn't a retirement place, it is a gay place. Palm Springs is chock full of gay, clothing optional resorts. Check out the White Party Palm Springs and tell me Stef wouldn't be in the middle of it.

 

You make excellent points, but there's one key reason why they don't have a house there: the author isn't a big fan of Palm Springs.

[methodwriter85]

You make excellent points, but there's one key reason why they don't have a house there: the author isn't a big fan of Palm Springs.

 

And thus, Stefan isn't. It's likely the same reason why no one's an Oakland Raiders fan. I do like that Mark let Robbie be a Phillies fan. I hope this means that Darius is also a Phillies fan over being a Dodgers fan, especially since they had a pretty strong run when he was about 10 in the early '90s, and being close to Robbie means that they might have gone to baseball a lot. Of course the Phillies are going through an awful period right now, but true fanhood sustains all that, right? I wonder if that means that Robbie is also an Eagles fan. I kinda figure they'd be the type of people who weren't doggedly loyal to one team and one city, like the Pittsburgh people. Dear god. Pittsburgh fans. Anyway, I could see Robbie as a Phillies fan at heart but enjoying the Dogers, being an Eagles fan at heart but liking the St. Louis Rams because Brad is a fan. I think they'd all rally around the Lakers, though- Southern California seems to be more about basketball than it is about football, barring USC. Of course Los Angeles not having had a decent football team since 1989 would be a high factor in that, I bet. (I'm just estimating there- the Wiki page says that the Rams started faltering in the early '90's, and that the L.A. Raiders basically sucked through the late 80's.Then they were both gone in 1995, leaving Los Angeles without a team.)

 

Anyway, given how Stefan really seems to like playing hosts to the kids, I think he'd take that into consideration when choosing vacation homes. Ski house in Colorado I can see for winters, not a place to play golf. I can't see Palm Springs as being that appealing to a young kid, barring that episode of the O.C. where Oliver Trask tried to worm his way into Marissa Cooper's life.

 

Although you never know. 1975 to 1979, then 1982 to 1984, 1987 to 1990, 1992 to 1994- all of these were years that the CAPverse didn't cover, and Stefan and Greg could have very well had a house in Palm Springs. Stefan probably would have been pissed at all the golf that Greg was playing instead of paying attention to him, and then sold the house after one particularly bad argument in which Stefan broke Greg's golf clubs. LOL. To make it more "Stefan", he would have sold the house just before the real estate bust of the late '80s, making a profit while he still could.

Edited August 8, 2011 by methodwriter85

[PrivateTim]

Anyway, given how Stefan really seems to like playing hosts to the kids, I think he'd take that into consideration when choosing vacation homes. Ski house in Colorado I can see for winters, not a place to play golf. I can't see Palm Springs as being that appealing to a young kid, barring that episode of the O.C. where Oliver Trask tried to worm his way into Marissa Cooper's life.

 

Although you never know. 1975 to 1979, then 1982 to 1984, 1987 to 1990, 1992 to 1994- all of these were years that the CAPverse didn't cover, and Stefan and Greg could have very well had a house in Palm Springs. Stefan probably would have been pissed at all the golf that Greg was playing instead of paying attention to him, and then sold the house after one particularly bad argument in which Stefan broke Greg's golf clubs. LOL. To make it more "Stefan", he would have sold the house just before the real estate bust of the late '80s, making a profit while he still could.

 

I guess not having a desert or maybe being exposed to the desert, you don't get it. Yes, there are retired people, yes there are golf courses, but it is mostly about warm and dry. Besides old people and golfers you also have the tennis set, resorts, spas and casinos and of course, the clothing optional resorts.

 

Of course they would have their ski homes too. The first one would have been at Lake Tahoe and while they would have kept that one, they would have gotten an Aspen place in the late 70's, sold that one and upgraded to to Vail in the 80's, Bachelor Gulch by the 90's and eventually wind up in the Yellowstone Club, but Stef would probably hang onto the Bachelor Gulch pad and buy a large place in Deer Valley so they'll have some place to stay in 2002 for the SLC games.