methodwriter85

I saw this commercial, and thought the guy looks a lot like how I picture Thirty-something Ace: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFYHF1w8w3g Vaguely exotic with a natural tan, dark and thick wavy hair, dark eyes, a long hook nose, and a charming smile. His name's Jay Hayden- he's basically been in tons of commercials over the past couple of years.

So, grunge is something I remember and love from my childhood. Here are some great Grunge Era tunes. (I deem the Grunge Era as being about 1991 to 1996, with the Grunge Era officially over when Hanson and Spice Girls ruled the charts in 1997.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. (I have gotten jokes about this since I was 5.) 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Soul to Squeeze- Red Hot Chili Peppers 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. Grunge is without a doubt my favorite Gen Xer contribution to the world. I really wish I could have been born in 1975 instead of 1985 so I could've experienced the Grunge Era as a college student instead of as an elementary school kid.

Carlos is very right. A week ago, the speculation was all on Ethan, who we haven't even met. The thing is, we're speculating on characters because we find something interesting about their story that feels unresolved. Will's part of the story feels largely done, which is why we haven't talked about him as much lately. I could be wrong, but other than going through the grieving process- all of the major problems going on with Will like his relationships with Brad, Tony, and Marie- have pretty much been resolved for this story. It feels like for the most part, Will's story is now about just getting himself and his loved ones through their grief. Wade's a bit different, as it seems like his major issues are just about getting ready to ramp up as his fight with his mother and the introduction of a "new" sibling complicates his life plans. I'm also assuming that we're going to see more of Brad in upcoming chapters as he works through his grief, because as Mark has said, this story is going to go up to at least Thanksgiving 2001. Which brings me back to my musing on the role of the Hayes in CAP...have they been resolved as a core CAP family? Because Robbie's gone, Matt's a Carrswold, and I'd be shocked if Gathan became a narrator again. The Hayes "curse" has been lifted, and we gained an understanding of what happened to the Hayes family that unleashed a good 50+ years of suffering. Gathan seems like he'll step up and be a good family leader for the Hayes going into the 21st century. Most importantly, other than Gathan or Zach, none of the New Generation Hayes family really made much of an impression- just really small background characters. And it feels hard to imagine what else Mark could possibly do with the Hayes family. At the same time, it feels like the Danfield family is being ramped up- first just the immediate family, then the birth of a new heir, then the cousins, aunts, and uncles, and now we're getting into illegitimate heirs like Ethan while witnessing family tragedy like the death of its patriarch, which should have repercussions for a long time and serve a good decade of story. I think if that's what we're working towards, it makes a lot of sense. Having the Hayes as the blue-collar counterpoint to the wealthy Cramptons and Schluters made a lot of sense in a small city-set soap. But now that the Schluters have become international-level wealthy, they need a dramatic foil family that's on that kind of level. The Danfields were revealed in Paternity to be a lot more wealthy than I thought they were (like Bush-family level), plus they've described as having the kind of pedigree that makes the Kennedy's look like noveau-rich posers.

Sorry about that. Good point. Frank is probably going to absolute shit. I hope Isidore is strong enough to keep him okay, but I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if Frank takes to the drink and dies of a broken heart before he's in his 70's. Frank really did invest everything into Robbie- and it paid in dividends, but only for 37 years. Gathan's a toss-up. I'm not sure I can see Gathan playing much of a factor here, because while Robbie was kind to him and the like, I didn't get the feeling that Gathan was all that close to Robbie. He seemed much into talking with Will, Stefan, and Brad. As for Matt, Matt's loss is great- but not quite as great as the others, because he still has a father. It'd be interesting to see if this draws Matt closer to his parents.

1. That's why we're working with Daisy to keep JJ's career plausible and make it possible that he COULD strike near a medal. JJ, barring his Norway Grand Prix , actually had a good 2000-2001 season. The 2001-2002 season is actually his first "senior" season...we're trying to put him at around Johnny Weir-level, which was promising but not dominant yet. (Evan Lyscacek was actually still skating as a junior this season, and he was going through a slump as well as having his Grand Prix season cancelled.) What happens during the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 season are what really determines things, though. 2. I like your idea of the 2002 Olympics, but I honestly can't see Mark writing Mitt Romney in any kind of positive light. Mark also seems rather freaked out by Mormons. 3. That's a good way of summing up how figure skating has shaped the story even though we've only had a couple of chapters that took place directly in the skating world, and we've seen much more in terms of horseback reading, as Henson put it. The world drew in JJ, who drew in Jeanine and Tiffany, and Jeanine subsequently went from being a normal person to becoming a Stage Mother. The way that figure skating changed both JJ and Jeanine did drive a fair amount of story, especially in how they related to Will. I also think that without skating, JJ probably would have been really jealous of Will's popularity and ability to be good in nearly everything, and I could've seen them developing a Billy/Brad kind of relationship. But because JJ had something he could do better than Will ever could, that was averted.

If we were going to go by usual CAP protocol, some long-lost Hayes teenaged relative who looks like Robbie would show up, probably his brother or his sister's son, but I think Mark has run that "Hayes look-alike" well dry. It should be noted that Gathan and Zach, probably the only two New Generation Hayes Men we've gotten any real intel on, don't look like Robbie. (Zach looks like the dream boat Liam Hemsworth...god, I'm hoping we see more of that manipulative bastard.) I would be interested in learning what happened to Robbie's brother and sister, and if they had any hot conveniently-aged off-spring. Honestly, I'd welcome that more than I did Tony. Then again, the Hayes family might have run their course as major players in the story. (I don't really think of Matt as a Hayes- it's in biology only. He's a Carrswold first and foremost.) The "curse", so to speak, has been lifted, Robbie's gone and Gathan looks like he's going to be a capable family leader for the Hayes and a good leader for New Claremont. The Hayes family story feels "completed", for the most part, while it seems like Mark's ramping up the Danfield family story. I forget this one: JJ is supposed to be pretty close to Matt, but Matt's more of a brotherly figure to him. I'm not sure who I can see as a fatherly figure to him...maybe Max? (Once JJ goes back to living in Los Angeles.) I can't see it being Father Tim or Cody, either.

Veronica Roth Responds (SPOILERS) I think as much as you want to heap scorn on her, keep in mind that Veronica Roth is only 25 years old, and this is her first major book series. And I'm going to point to what she says here: You have to room to say, "I got what you'e trying to do, but it didn't quite work and here's why", but to be completely dismissive and act as if she at the ripe ol' age of 25 has completely wrecked her career because of how she wrote the third book doesn't sit well with me. Authors grow, change, and evolve. That Veronica Roth has managed to create characters that we care about and root for is half the battle. And the fact that you did like- even love the first books does say that she has some talent there, and talent can grow if it's nurtured right.

As for the important of the device, you're right that it is pretty minor, but it does allow for something different in the story, it explains why JJ isn't just partying and hanging out with his brothers like the way Ace, Brad, and Billy did, and it's a glimpse into a world where JJ's uber-rich family isn't necessarily an asset, because of the very conservative values they expouse. It's also a pretty fun, catty world where the drama writes itself, as we saw in Norway. At this point, JJ's probably not on them, because he's subjected to random drug testing. As in an official could literally knock on his door and ask for a urine sample. He's also not really into the partying scene and his friends are people like Allistair, so it wouldn't really make sense for him to use it. Will has a pretty good read on people that he's not thinking he's falling in love with, and if JJ was using Will would totally know. But when JJ's 20, and trying to make up for the time he lost having fun because he sacrificed his childhood; there could be another answer entirely.

Now that kind of surprised me, because you would think having a large university like U Michigan be such a strong focal point of the state would have added a lot more drinking to the state. I was also surprised to learn that Minnesota doesn't have a public intoxication law. I wonder if that means people can legally walk down the street in public and drink in Minnesota? I know here in Delaware, you have to be at some kind of private event or private patio/deck to drink outside, and if you're at a party and step on the sidewalk in front of the house, you could be arrested for public intoxication.

This week marks the 5th anniversary of the passing of a very lovely online friend and member of the community, author Dan Kincaid/Sam. (He died, I believe, on either October 25th of 2008, or October 26th.) I only had the privilege of corresponding with him for a few months before he died, but I'm really glad we did. Back in those days, Adam and I were...well, let's just say that we had somewhat of a personality clash going on, and Sam was really good at being a mediator. He was a very sweet, caring person, which you felt while reading his bio story,It Started With Brian . Sam was also unbelievably smart, too, which is why I felt so honored whenever the guy would tell me that he found me to be a pretty bright person, if prone to being annoying to above-25 people. Sam had a way of making you feel like he cared a lot about you, and I definitely miss having the conversations we used to have. When I was 22, I was going through an extremely rough patch in my life (I'd say it was the lowest point of my life), and Sam would often call me out on my bullshit and try to encourage me to do better and feel better. He would constantly tell me that I'd turn out fine, when at 22 I was this big fucking neurotic mess with little to think about except my next college rager, and how bitter I was about my troubled upbringing. This, while the guy himself knew that he wouldn't live to see his 35th birthday. But that's the kind of guy Sam was, and why this world is a little bit sadder and a little bit darker without someone like him around doing his best to make things better for those around him. Strange to think he's been gone 5 years, and that Adam is now 34, the same age that Sam was when he passed. I really hope that Sam's life partner and his son (who should be about 17 now) are doing well. And I like to think that somewhere, Sam smiled when I got my graduate degree from IUP last year with a 3.75 G.P.A. Anyway...*throws back SoCo Lime shot over shoulder* Here's to you, Sam. Those who were privileged to have known you will never forget you.

Will once noted that JJ puts up this bitchy exterior so that nobody wants to be around him, because in JJ's head, he's an ugly, tainted person because of his coach. It became his armor to keep him from becoming vulnerable. Remember, we only really started seeing JJ becoming a bitch until after he switched coaches around December 1999, and his bitchery didn't really rear its ugly head until Gathan came around circa March 2000. It's entirely possible that it's when the abuse started, because you got the idea that the abuse had been going on for awhile by the time that it was discovered on Christmas, 2000. JJ's not comfortable with real emotions because then he'd really have to dive into how he feels about the things that have happened to him in just the span of two years- seeing his fathers nearly divorce, getting molested while keeping it a secret for close to a year, watching his younger brother completely go off the rails in his battle against Brad while the older one was away at college, seeing his mother get hospitalized, himself having a nervous breakdown that led to his getting hospitalized, learning his biggest rival committed suicide as a result of him also getting molested by the same coach, becoming estranged from his mother, spending his mother's last weekend of life shopping instead of having quality time with her, and losing the father he probably cared about more than Brad in an act of unimaginable, horrific violence. That all got put on the shoulders of a small, 13 to 15-year old kid, with the emotional maturity of a 12-year old. If it were a 25-year old acting like this, it'd be one thing, but it's a 15 year old kid, and an immature 15 at that who like Darius and Will grew up never hearing the word "no." I'm not saying his assy behavior is acceptable, but it is understandable. What I think will be interesting will be when JJ starts having intimate relationships, and what happens when he gets asked about his scars from his cutting episode. From what I understand, JJ really fucked up his body with cutting way more than Marie did, so there's gotta be significant scarring. I've had friends who cut and I remember they tended to wear a lot of bracelets to try and hide the scars. That could actually be really interesting. Maybe Ace could step up as a paternal figure for JJ to replace the one he lost in Robbie? (I think as much as JJ probably loves Brad, he also feels hesitant to engage Brad into having a stronger relationship because he knows the cost you pay to be close to Brad. I think JJ prefers the benign neglect when it comes to Brad.)

So College Humor compiled a list of alcohol facts about every state. What did they say about your state? Delaware: Leads the Nation in liking Applesauce shots. They're okay- but not huge to me. Relevant to me: Pennsylvania: Eagles fans are the Drunkest NFL fans. New Jersey: Is the only state whose favorite shot is the SoCo Lime shot. (My favorite shot.) Nebraska: Almost 50 percent of Nebraskans like Blue Moon more than any other drink. (My favorite beer.)

Well, the flaw in turning an incomplete trilogy into a franchise.

I'm going to be practical for a bit- Robbie's estate is about to become massively infused with cash once Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter hit in November and December. That's going to be interesting for Clara and Wally's kids, as well as the city of Claremont.

That's if JJ grows up and becomes realistic. The way he is now, the kid is off in a dream world and in his own universe. In any event, we've been working with Daisy over the past couple of years to write out a career timeline for JJ where it's realistic that he could win, similar to Johnny Weir, who should have gotten a medal but hasn't. As for predictability...sometimes it doesn't go that way. According to Daisy, no one thought Sarah Hughes would win the 2002 Olympics. But the people who were thought to be ahead of her kept making mistakes until she got closer and closer to the top of the podium. In any event, the kid is due for a lot of angst- angst that I don't think JJ will work through until at least his early 20's because of how repressed he is.

I haven't read the book yet, but god, the people in charge of turning the trilogy into a major franchise had to be PISSED.

For Brad in chapter 50 of 9/11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7vQt6AoSc0 Poor Lea. She looked about 12 years old in this clip. I am massively impressed that she was able to get through doing this episode.

I can't really think of any CAP character we've had who's like him, because CAP is generally about either the in-your-face types, the mellow "go your own way" types, or the quiet, logical types who save their fire for when it's needed in a smackdown. JJ's not any of those. He's reserved but unabashedly rude, childish yet very capable of observing truths about others, and snobby yet very insecure. There are a lot of layers to him and he's hard to pin down, exactly. Whereas Will is very much the typical "Wear his heart on his sleeve" CAP type, like Brad, Matt, and Robbie were, JJ's hard to understand. I do think the simple fact that we know JJ's not going to win the Olympics, at either '06 Torino or '10 Vancouver, is where the kid will probably wind up growing up a lot from. Think about it- JJ's entire life revolves around the fact that he wants to make winning an Olympic gold medal and ending up on the cover of a Wheaties box at 20 years old a reality. I think dealing with that disappointment will force knock him off his perch and really make the guy evaluate himself. It was interesting to read that Brad sees JJ as being "stunningly handsome", because before that he was described as a handsome, cute kid with slightly effeminate looks. I wonder if that means JJ is starting to mature more physically- like now he looks more 14-ish instead of the 12-year old he's been described as looking. JJ's also apparently 5'6" now- J.P.'s height. I figured the kid was in the 5'2" to 5'3"-ish range from at least Millennium through to Paternity, so he's probably grown a little, but not anywhere close to Will's height- he's probably 6'1" or 6'2" while Darius is likely 6" even like Brad. (I think Matt is 6'1" while Wade is 5'10"...I know Stefan is probably about 6'2".) I loved reading how Brad views his kids- they're now 15 to 19 years old now, and they're no longer the little kids that he, Robbie, and Jeanine tried to keep Bitty from messing with. Mark's really going for the "trio of Brothers" here theme like he didn't really do for Brad, Ace, and Billy. As for the actual funeral, I had to read that chapter while I was watching the Cory Montieth tribute on Glee. Yeah, you can imagine what a bawling mess I was.

Chapter 50 -When Brad ruminates on Robbie while he's getting ready, and wonders how he can possibly get through this tribute. "It's Going To Take A Miracle" by Laura Nyro and Labelle -On the way to the tribute, when Brad and his boys talk in the car. "Let It Be" by The Beatles - During Robbie's video tribute. "Crocodile Rock" by Elton John "Follow You, Follow Me" by Genesis "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult -When Marcel and Brad have sex, with Brad imagining that he's Robbie. "The Ghost in You" by The Psychedelic Furs -When Brad walks out onto the beach, and says good-bye to Robbie. "Catch The Wind" by Donovan Okay, I'm fucking crying right now. Thanks, Mark.

There's nothing quite as fun as watching cute college guys reading 50 Shades of Grey outloud: As for Jamie Dornan, I gotta disagree with the idea that he's generic. Irish guys are always so hot.

Yeah, the shit is horrible, but really, I'm just looking forward to seeing that lithe body parade around screen naked. That's basically the entire point of 50 Shades of Grey. I'll be honest, I pictured a brawnier guy with a body more like Bradley Cooper's instead of a wiry Irish dude, but yup, he'll work.

After Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam dropped out, Once Upon A Time star Jamie Dornan has been picked to play the lead role. I thought he was pretty smoking hot on Once Upon A Time, so I'm glad he got the part. Any of you read 50 Shades of Grey? It is so horrendously bad that it becomes funny.

I was watching Robbie Kay as Peter Pan on Once Upon A Time, and I thought...Allistair? My thought has been Logan Lerman, but Mark said "nerdier", so I thought in terms of someone who looks like they'd be the nerd in a Disney film. I like the idea of Allistair having an incredibly boyish face with very elfin features that make him look 12 years old (in this photo he should actually be 15/16 but damned if he doesn't look 12), and endearingly huge ears that he'll grow into. With blond hair he wouldn't have been that far away from how I pictured JJ, although Mark doesn't seem to picture JJ with elfin features- more like a mini-version of a classically handsome guy. I'll fully admit to kinda having a thing for guys with pointy, elfin features as a result of Brian Littrell from the Backstreet Boy's elfin good looks. Is Kurt Hummel more what you had in mind for Ferris? I would have just posted a picture of his real-life counterpart, Chris Colfer, but he's not nearly that swishy in terms of how he dresses as Kurt is.

Well, if you want to be trendy, here are the top 100 Boy's Names of 2012: Aiden Jackson Ethan Liam Mason Noah Lucas Jacob Jayden Jack Logan Ryan Caleb Benjamin William Michael Alexander Elijah Matthew Dylan James Owen Connor Brayden Carter Landon Joshua Luke Daniel Gabriel Nicholas Nathan Oliver Henry Andrew Gavin Cameron Eli Max Isaac Evan Samuel Grayson Tyler Zachary Wyatt Joseph Charlie Hunter David Anthony Christian Colton Thomas Dominic Austin John Sebastian Cooper Levi Parker Isaiah Chase Blake Aaron Alex Adam Tristan Julian Jonathan Christopher Jace Nolan Miles Jordan Carson Colin Ian Riley Xavier Hudson Adrian Cole Brody Leo Jake Bentley Sean Jeremiah Asher Nathaniel Micah Jason Ryder Declan Hayden Brandon Easton Lincoln Harrison *** William, Michael, Daniel, Matthew, James, John, and Andrew are names that just never seem to fall out of favor. I'm also shocked that apparently Jacob wasn't a popular name until the 1980's- I really thought it was a classic like Matthew. Then you've got the Aiden, Jayden, and Braeden brigade. In general, it seems like people are less trendy with boy names, although you can clearly see how popular Irish names are right now. And I'm thinking the fact that "Jack" is a top 10 name now probably was at least a little bit influenced by Titanic.

My Jennifer-named sister named her 18-year old daughter Acadia (as in the Acadia Mountain Range in Maine) and her 10-month old son Chaos Phoenix. He has a comic book villain name. LOL. The first wound up working and being really nice, but I'm not so sure about going around with the name "Chaos". I do think it's funny that in 40 years, Tiffany, Heather, Brandy, Amber, and Crystal will be senior citizen names, while there will be thirtysomething/fortysomething Ava's, Sophia, Ella's, Amelia's, and Olivia's running around. Heather and Brandy especially seem like names that just cratered off...I'd be shocked to meet a little girl named Heather or Brandy. They're destined to become the Linda and Susan of the 2020's, i.e. you'll only meet 50-somethings with those names. My name, Jeremy, was popular in the 1970's and 1980's (a top 30 name), but it fell out of favor, and as a result, I've only met one little boy named Jeremy. Pretty funny.