Summerabbacat

Your memory serves you well @Mark Ponyboy Peters. In 1976 the songs at # 1 on the pop charts up to and including Howzat were: Mamma Mia by ABBA (it's 1st week at #1 was on 03/11/1975 when it knocked I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do by ABBA off # 1), SOS by ABBA, Jump In My Car by Ted Mulry Gang (6 weeks at # 1), Convoy by C. W. McCall, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Fernando by ABBA (14 weeks at # 1) and Howzat by Sherbet (4 weeks at #1). ABBA had two more # 1 hits that year with Dancing Queen (8 weeks at # 1) and Money, Money, Money (6 weeks at # 1). Not surprisingly Fernando was #1 for the year and for the entire 1970's with Bohemian Rhapsody #2, Dancing Queen #3, Howzat #4 and Don't Go Breaking My Heart by Elton & Kiki, which knocked Howzat off #1, #5 for the year. The Best Of ABBA was the biggest selling album of the year with ABBA (self-tiled album) at #3 and Arrival (which was only released in October) at #6. Halcyon days when Arrival supposedly had pre-release sales of 700,000 copies. I remember the hysteria when Arrival was released in Australia because it featured Fernando as it did in New Zealand (but nowhere else in the world was this the case), Dancing Queen, Money, Money, Money and the yet-to-be released Knowing Me, Knowing You. Arrival will always be my all-time favourite album; it moves me like no other album before or since. Do you remember the Sherbet v Skyhooks "rivalry" @Mark Ponyboy Peters, which was essentially the Sydney v Melbourne rivalry? Of course, Molly Meldrum encouraged it too because it was good for both bands. I like the majority of Sherbet's singles, but Skyhooks for me were on another plane altogether. Although they had long disbanded, I was very upset when "Shirley" Strachan was killed in the helicopter accident.

I loathe Disco Duck by Rick Dees though @Cane23, and was not overly fond of Get Off by Foxy or Let's All Chant by Michael Zager Band.

A good influence then I see. I love it when you write things such as 'The décor was hideous, modern decorator with the room’s 1930s bones rather well hidden, alas.'

Phantom is my favourite ALW musical too @Cane23, although Don't Cry For Me Argentina will always be my favourite ALW song (Julie Covington's version only, not the hideous version by Madonna). Jason Donovan, mmm well. I have liked his performance in a couple of Australian TV shows from yesteryear, but his SAW-produced music left me underwhelmed, which is odd because I liked/loved much of what they did with Kylie, Bananarama and Dead Or Alive, and most of the album they did with Donna Summer. Disco is my favourite genre of music so we shall never speak of it again .

Me too @Gary L; the kind of laugh I imagine Dame Helen Mirren or one of my favourite British actresses, Frances Barber, could deliver in such circumstances. Mother proved once again to be a delightful mix of age-appropriate behaviour and a smidgen of mischief or sauciness. She clearly believes Vaughan has chosen well in Dante. I hope we see more of her in the future (hint hint @Robert Hugill). Gran proved to be a big surprise, to me at least. She appears to have accepted her beloved Dante is not going to meet a nice girl (Italian of course) and settle down and give her grandchildren. I find it very amusing that people such as Gran, who struggled with Dante being gay, once accepted revert to the old chestnut "when are you getting married". Part of me is annoyed by such questions, but a larger part is overjoyed that Gran is now "blind" to Dante being gay, she just wants him to be happy and for her happiness is "sealed" by marriage. The fact that it is an option for Dante and Vaughan and one Gran is encouraging them to consider, overrides any shred of annoyance I still possess. I have to ask @Robert Hugill do you/did you work in the fashion industry or is it that your research is painstaking? I have noted your comments previously on fashion for both genders, but on this occasion it was a little deeper than usual, what with Gran's 'toning hat' and her 'striking dress, bias-cut heavy silk, two colours, geometric with contrast of colour and texture'. Google informed me what a bias-cut dress is, but I could find no reference to a toning hat, other than hats sometimes being two-toned. I think @Gary L chose the perfect adjective for this chapter, exquisite; just like Gran's frock if Vaughan is to be believed (I just had to use the word "frock", it is such a great word).

And you may be surprised to read this @Cane23, but I saw Cats once and thought it was shit (although I do like Memory). I don't think I would refer to it as a rock opera though, but then WTF do I know, I don't like The Beatles or Aretha Franklin and unashamedly love Boney M. (but I did not like Milli Vanilli).

I imagine it would be relatively easy to write something cheesy @Paladin, but something with depth maybe not so straight forward. Another idea they could toy with is to write a revue as music can be a wonderful inspiration for critiquing topical issues and events.

Given it's a Catholic High School it could not be anything else @centexhairysub, but I do like your "subversive" suggestion. Imagine the uproar. Delicious. There are many other great Australian acts who could have been mentioned @weinerdog and @Cane23 besides your suggestions of INXS (I loved their Underneath The Colours, Shabooh Shoobah and The Swing albums) and our Kylie (love everything she has done except for the execrable Locomotion, which was the biggest selling single in Australia in the 1980's, and Especially For You). One should not forget though that she is but one of two fabulous Minogue's. IMO the following small selection are also very worthy of mention: Renee Geyer, now deceased, extraordinary soulful voice Marcia Hines Icehouse Skyhooks Sherbet John Paul Young The Dugites Models I'm Talking (only released one album) Real Life (only released two albums I think) I am showing my age as all the aforementioned were at their most successful in the 1970's and 1980's, apart from Kylie who continues to shine. I have also read this story before and had forgotten about Ben, but as soon as I read his name I remembered his "full story". A great friend for Tim to have, even with the comment "Just, ummm, keep your hands to yourself. Okay?". I can forgive him because he was only 14 at the time and obviously got over himself as he seemed to have no qualms later with affection when he placed his arm around Tim's shoulders. The rock operas mentioned are an eclectic bunch. I saw Jesus Christ Superstar when I was about 10 I think with Jon English, Trevor White and the aforementioned Marcia Hines (an African American from Boston who came to Australia at the age of 16 for a role in Hair and stayed, and is an Aussie icon). I have never seen a stage production of any of the others mentioned, but have seen the movie versions of Tommy, Grease and Rocky Horror Picture Show, the latter two of which are amongst my all-time favourite movies. And of course, Tim's mention of Bat Out Of Hell, an album which in of itself is a mini-rock opera and the best-selling album ever in Australia (much to my disgust, it has sold even more copies than ABBA Gold, The Best Of Abba, Arrival and ABBA, all of which are in the top 20 selling albums of all time in Australia, with The Best Of Abba being the first album ever to sell over 1 million copies in 1976 when our population was about 13 million). As much as I don't like what I have read about Meatloaf in recent years (Trump supporter for a start), Bat Out Of Hell is a great album. Off to a great start again @Mark Ponyboy Peters. The only thing I did not like was the reference to cutting up the rat in science class. I refused to do it when I was at school and am even more opposed to such things now. I wonder if it is still done in high schools? I suspect it is, an appalling indictment of our species. Suffice to say I am vehemently opposed to using non-human animals for any kind of experiments, including product testing. Have I said enough @CincyKris and @Cane23? I could probably write more words than this chapter if I were just writing about the "awesomeness" of Kylie, Renee or Skyhooks, all of whom incidentally originated from Melbourne, or The Dugites who originated from Western Australia.

Kai disclosed to Dr Kinky he is 100% top. I hope for his sake this is not some masculinity statement where he has it in his head that he could never let another man fuck him because it would make him less of a man to do so. If this is the case he may be in for a rude shock if Scribblyboy aka Adam shows him who the real “power top” is and who the real “power bottom” is in their relationship. By the time Scribblyboy is finished shtupping that booty Kai will be singing Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight). I agree with @Bft that it should be the responsibility of both parties in a heterosexual relationship to prevent unwanted pregnancies, not to mention STI’s. Having said this, it is ultimately the female who will bear the brunt of the physical act of carrying and birthing at least. Megan’s excuse for missing taking the pill would have been funny if the repercussions of the oversight were not so vast. It often amuses me that some young work colleagues are unable to perform even the most basic life functions without the aid of an app on their fucking mobile phones, the same fools who laugh at me because I refuse to use apps on my mobile phone. I have never had any desire to sire offspring so I find myself really challenged by Dr Kinky’s obsession to breed. His comment "Okay, not entirely. She’s a little spitfire. Makes me wanna bundle her up and drop her at the first altar, shove a ring on that finger. Then procreate until my dick falls off” was really grotesque, appearing to reduce Megan to an incubator, albeit one whom he enjoys getting off on. Some very amusing conversations again in this chapter @Andr0gene and I just had to have another ABBAtunity. I was thinking of using Dum Dum Diddle to express my astonishment with the predicament Megan may be in, but I thought that was perhaps a little too mean, even for me.

A beautifully written chapter @Robert Hugill, one of your finest in this story. And so much depth in the comments of my fellow readers, a depth which reflects the depth of the conversations between Thomas and Keith and Thomas and Nate. The description of their fathers' homophobia as covert and overt was spot-on. Jonty appears to have landed on his feet very well by being involved in the "Atkinson restoration". What a boost for his confidence, which appears to be appeasing his mother's concerns. “Thank you, sweetie, you’ve done us proud. We’re going to have a proper launch for it, but I thought we ought to wet the baby’s head so to speak, and John very kindly provided the champagne”. Marvellous Robert. It brought back memories of Absolutely Fabulous with Edina holding court and both she and Patsy becoming well lubricated with the champagne. I could almost hear the two as they became more and more lubricated, with Pasty asking Edina what the Atkinson piece was, with Edina responding "a load of old bollocks". Argh. Halcyon days when Ab Fab ruled; it was worth watching TV then, something I have not done now for many years.

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I second that wholeheartedly @Bft.

I hate flying @Bft and would likely be an emotional wreck even though it is not ABBA in person.

@pvtguy is doing a splendid job in editing.

Even in gay porn it is referred to as cowgirl and reverse cowgirl. I wrote it as cowboy and reverse cowboy at first, but then changed it.

The most enjoyable part of any story from the pen of @Mark Ponyboy Peters is his gift for character development. Authentically written characters, many of whom one can identify with, if not fully at least in part, once again inhabit the landscape of this story. The relatively small cast of this latest work in Mark’s “Seachange” series don’t have grandiose ambitions or lavish lifestyles, they are ordinary people who sometimes find themselves in less than ordinary circumstances, as Scott and Justin find themselves in on more than one occasion. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Pacific Ocean in eastern Australia, the reader is once again engrossed, entertained and enriched.

OMG I am hyperventilating @Andr0gene. The Day Before You Came is IMO ABBA's most underrated song of all time and my favourite song from the 1980's. Knowing Me, Knowing You IS my favourite song of all time (jointly with I Feel Love by Donna Summer). You have exceeded all expectations as a writer just mentioning these two masterpieces. You will understand now why my profile name is summer (and I love the season) abba cat. Donna, ABBA and cats rule.

Although I am a "cat man" @Doha, I also adore dogs. @drsawzall's comment "... continuously remain amazed at the nature of dogs and other pets to pick up on human needs and emotions" expresses what many human animals believe. I have seen this time and time again with my cats, particularly the late Bassey and Zelda.

Given recent events in your nation @John Henry I offer the following as a means of resolution of this "top rating comedy" built upon a very sad and serious premise: Judge Crustypants and the entire Thomas family to whom he is related by marriage (including the vile children who encouraged and/or participated in Caleb's assault), Cumstain Calvin, Miss Diesel Tailpipe and the corrupt school superintendent attend a rally for "that man whose name shall not be mentioned" several crazed shooters (take your pick as to who this may be as you have a large pool to draw from) attend the rally and apocalyptic mayhem occurs, reminiscent of Jonestown, all set to the tribal rhythms of Fleetwood Mac's Tusk (the song, not the entire album) Diego, Steve, Bryan, Caleb, Kenny, Billy and the entire family live happily ever after I am glad Diego and Steve have a getaway plan should it become necessary. One is entitled to think this getaway plan will not be necessary under any circumstances, but as you have mentioned on many an occasion and I have no reason to disbelieve you, the American legal justice system does not always understand the meaning of the word justice when an outcome is delivered. Perhaps justice should be spelt "just us" so that it only applies to those worthy of justice. I shall say nothing more about this (but look forward to your comments or those of your "esteemed colleague", David Rose).

If patience is a virtue then vice is its just reward, so stop all this magging and get to shagging. Take a leaf out of Baldy's book; time is a wasting while you're verbally masturbating. In all seriousness, the seduction has been slow and sweet, now it is time for slow and sweaty, accompanied by Donna Summer's Love To Love You Baby (the 16 minute 47 second album version) and George Michael's I Want Your Sex (the 9 minute 17 second album version) for starters. I seem to recall Adam likes it sweaty so a sexual marathon may be in store for Kai. Will Kai's stamina be sufficient? Adam may have to do the bulk of the work; cowgirl, reverse cowgirl. I am glad Adam clarified the type of waffles he feeds Arya as I mistakenly assumed he fed her those dreadful things many humans seem fond of. I had them a few times as a youngster, but just like pancakes they are something I have never acquired a taste for.

As long as neither one of them has to sleep with Demi Moore they should be OK @Cane23.

I remember you making this comment and suggesting Susan might be her name when I commented on her lack of a name previously. I am glad to see Susan won the day as is it a great name. It was a very popular name for girls when I was at school in Australia all through the 1970's and into the early 1980's, in fact one of the most popular I think along with Leanne, Jenny (Jennifer) and Carolyn.

As odd as it seems I find myself for once disagreeing with you @weinerdog. Your innate kindness and sense of fairness has "blinded" you to the fact that Roger is an ungrateful, petty, prig. His mother, Eloise as you have rightfully recalled, may have been devastated when Phil divorced her but she eventually forgave him and seemingly did not hold a grudge against him. You may recall she contacted Phil not long before she passed away and they spoke as friends. She did not fill Roger's head with hate for Phil, he has acquired this himself. The "dirty money" and "sinful relationship" comments suggest to me he has become "born again" and "found God" or perhaps he has married Karen's equally conservative and demanding cousin, Kirsten, who has set him on the "true path". Whatever the reason, Phil must sever the chord with Roger once and for all and concentrate on building a relationship with his grandson Allen and great grandson if at all possible. Allen certainly sounds as if he may be more agreeable than his spineless father, who has by default also distanced himself from his own son and grandson by fleeing to Colorado like a petulant child. It seems the speculated invitation by Phil to Susan and Stanley to share his house is to come true. I believe it will be a win-win for all concerned. If I may be so bold as to make a story suggestion @Ronyx it is as follows: Susan's soon-to-be (hopefully) ex-husband Randy moves to Colorado where he meets Roger, Phil's homophobic ungrateful sperm donation, at a rally for a conservative God-fearing, gun-toting, Republican Marjorie They decide to go huntin' together to kill a few animals (because they are low-life c#*ts) but are so stupid that they end up shooting each other Happiness reigns Another fine chapter @Ronyx. No surprises Roger is the c#*t many of us suspected he is.

The plot thickens. When Suki warned Vaughan with "Be careful with Francis. He’s a dear friend, but I have no illusions. Francis gets what he wants, that’s why he is where he is. Oh, he might look the big philanthropist, and he does mean what he says. But there is an unscrupulous element too. He’s not as bad as his Father, but he manipulates people to get what he wants.” I thought who needs enemies when you have friends like Suki, but perhaps she is "on the money". The meeting with Amanda, Bill and Mae suggested the three witches in Macbeth "Double, double, toil and trouble / Fire burn, and cauldron bubble". It may all be smoke and mirrors as speculated by Vaughan or the Heyward empire may be on the verge of collapse. I thought Dante's response was the most intriguing of all though, that if he rejects Francis' advances it would likely result in more difficulties for Vaughan finding work than it would for himself. I had the same thought as I sense if he does not get want he wants Francis could be very spiteful and petty. After this chapter I trust the man even less. Enigmatic, egotistical, and evasive. Another terrific chapter @Robert Hugill, such rich character development. And I was pleased to observe that "mother" has in fact become "Susan".

The beauty of nature mirroring the beauty of the developing relationship between Adam and Kai. Evocative again @Andr0gene, but on this occasion it was not a sensual masterpiece by Barry White which came to mind, it was the calm beauty of Rod Stewart's Sailing which I heard echoing off the lake's surface. I just had to listen to the song in full immediately and I had a strong image of Adam and Kai basking in a languorous state, soaking up some rays in quiet contemplation (maybe it was the chamomile tea which I am told is sleep-inducing). Beautiful chapter. The reminiscences of Nan were a joy to witness, making me think of my own grandmother who died in 2012 three months shy of her 96th birthday. Much like Adam's Nan my grandmother (Nanna) was adored and I often think of her. I hope Adam reveals more about her as the story progresses because she is no doubt one of the primary reasons he is the person he is.