methodwriter85

Chapter 11 -When Wade and Sean confide in each other about their own respective relationship problems. I wish I was Tim's age, so I could have gone to college during the grunge era. What a great time for music. -When Wade wrestles control of his money.

David Henrie would have been about 14 or 15 in that picture. I saw your point about using a picture of David Henrie that would fit freshmen year Alistair, not senior year or college-aged Alistair. I remember when David Henrie started appearing on How I Met Your Mother and then an episode of Cold Case in 2006, before he started filling out, so I still thought of him when he used to be a small, skinny guy with a geeky-cute face. I kinda forget that not everyone would be familiar with David Henrie from before he started gaining muscle and became hunky. You're seriously missing out by not watching Band of Brothers. That was one incredible series. (Hey Mark, that's another cultural reference I'm going to try and get you to work in. It was one of those guy films a lot of my friends liked.)

Ewww? What are you, 12? And you honestly think Damian Lewis is fugly? Have you even SEEN Band of Brothers? But I do like the guy you used. I willingly step aside on that one. David Henrie in his early 20's is hunky. But David Henrie when he was a young teen fits just right. Remember, it's not the age that the actors are NOW that we use, it's what they looked like at a certain point that we use if it fits the look. Otherwise, having teenaged Stefan in CAP looking like present-day Tab Hunter would have been awfully silly, right? When David Henrie was about 14 and looked like this, I think he fit freshmen-year Alistair: Little geeky David Henrie in a suit. Come on Mark, tell me that's not perfect for Alistair. Austin Butler is how I picture Mark's doomed friend in On the Mark; the one who winds up on the streets.

Happy birthday!

The "99 Problems" one is mainly about how no matter how many problems Will has, female troubles will never be one of them. I had friends that joked with me about how, being gay, a "bitch" will never be one of my problems. "Running towards". I think that's a more apt description of how I view JJ's character. He's not someone I can see being content to do what Brad did- getting a house in Malibu, raising a family- I think he's got other things to do, I believe. Which include breaking away from being the ignored middle brother of the Schluter family. I think the thought of moving off into his own away from his family would really appeal to him. (Hence, why I think he'll end up in either Chicago, New York City, London, maybe Paris.) This song has been SCREAMING Gathan to me: A mix of hope and despair, and someone in a new set of circumstances trying to deal with it. Totally how I saw Gathan. This would have been the song playing in the airport scene where Gathan gets all depressive, had that scene taken place in 2011 instead of 2000. Matt Carrswold- This came out when he would have been a 10th grader, and it totally feels like how I imagine his life was in high school.

Teenaged Jessica Alba as Shiloh? I remember starting around 2001-2002, when she was doing Dark Angel, that's when straight guys started sweating her. Definitely one of the biggie sex symbols for this decade. I'd consider her a cultural touchstone for JJ and Will's generation like Christie Brinkley was for yours, Mark.

What songs make you think of a certain character? I know we have "Killer Queen" for Elizabeth Danfield, but I'm kinda curious to see people would see as character theme songs. And why. Will Schluter- It's pretty much inevitable that when this song comes out in spring '04, Ryan and Jason are going to joke that this is Will's theme song. LOL. JJ Schluter- More than anyone else in this generation, I really feel JJ's urge to break away from his family, and go to strike his own pathway. He doesn't seem like someone who's content to stay in southern California his entire life- I think JJ would become a worldly traveler who never stayed in any one place for too long. The alternative theme for JJ- Lose Yourself by Emimem Getting in the zone...I always thought this song was great for any person trying to seize their moment.

Right. Well, there's a reason why I posted the picture of a younger-looking Lucas Till. So Lucas Till's face on that guy's body. (At least pre-puberty.) I can accept that. I just don't think JJ would have an edgy look like Charles Guislan's face- it's too gothic and emo for someone who needs to look like the boy next door. So Lucas Till's face on a short, skinnier body. It's kinda like you having JP Crampton with Ricky Nelson's face, but blond hair and a short body. I think it'd be funny if the revitalization worked so well that people started getting priced out of what had been slummy neighborhoods. Claremont with hipsters. Now that would be funny as hell. (They're to the 2000's what the yuppies were to the 1980's, Mark.)

Even then, that doesn't get around him having more of an andro look than someone who could be called handsome, "cute as hell", and the like. I actually do like this guy's look, but I honestly believe it isn't right for JJ. However, he'd be perfect as some fashion-forward friend of JJ's that gets introduced at some point. Please don't go toe to toe with me on this, Tim. JJ is the one character I'm really, really protective about and will draw a line in the sand with. I kinda have to be. He's my namesake and birthdate-sake. Let's go back and discuss surfing community rituals and the like instead. These kids would be hanging out at the Pier and like, right? Tell me about that, Tim. And about the likelihood of whether or not Will could have sex with Brody Jenner. (Dumb as a box of hammers, but damn he's hot.)

That's IF the revitalization succeeds. Remember, we've got Gathan on deck as the leader of "Future Claremont", and the kid blew through over 100k one single Vegas weekend without realizing it. And the 2008 recession REALLY hammered a lot of urban renewal efforts in the country. Although I do think it'd be funny if, for JJ's 2006 Olympic Hype puff piece, he dons an apron and "works" for a day at the Coldstone Creamery rip-off they opened up at the Shoppes at Claremont Factory. Then walks around the revitalized town and talks about how having such humble Ohio roots really grounded him in understanding the salt of the Earth, Good Christian folk that make up his birthplace and the backbone of America.... ....As JJ reads off of the script while his P.R. manager gives him the "thumbs" up sign. (I'm sorry, but after watching the 2006 Olympic Hype puff pieces of Evan Lycasek and Johnny Weir, I'm eager with anticipation. Those things are truly hilarious. JJ trying to sell himself as grounded and relateable to Middle America will be funny to read about.)

It's really funny that you suggest Alex Prettyfer. I think he'd make a good "post-puberty" JJ as well. You just know pre-puberty this guy had a handsome but somewhat feminine face. Lucas Till is masculine, but if you concentrate purely on his face, it's handsome but in an almost feminine way, which is how Mark has been describing JJ. And puberty will fill JJ out at some point. I just can't see Charles Guislan being described as "cute as hell", "cheerful", "bouncy", "handsome", and the like. It just doesn't work. But if Mark writes in some fashion-obsessed friend of JJ described as a "pale, wan emo kid with an interesting and edgy face", Charles Guislan would work damn well. I do think Mark should write in some emo kids, which should be around in a circa 2000 high school. We're still in pre-9/11 America. I'm sure the body count will start up again at some point. Someone being involved in the War on Terror, given the amount of military involvement that this family has had, seems pretty much like it'll happen. My money right now would be on Frank Hayes dying of a heart attack somewhere in the next couple of years.

And he would work extremely well as some fashion-obsessed friend of JJ's. Not JJ himself. Not someone who's "cheerful" and "cute". Charles Guislan is edgy with an interesting look, but I wouldn't call it "cheerful", "cute", "pretty", or "handsome". From A Summer Love: The first two kids, Darius and JJ, were Brad's sister's kids. The last one, Will, was his kid, a kid he'd had with Jeanine. They were pretty cute. Will and JJ were about five years old, while Darius was about eight. From If It Fits: He had the Crampton looks, though not distinctive enough to raise eyebrows. He was really short for his age, and really slight, definitely a squirt. That was offset by his good looks. He was handsome in almost a feminine way, with sharp, fine features. “Hi Uncle Stef,” JJ said cheerfully. “Wanna play Playstation?” Casey asked helpfully. Darius eyed him; clearly weighing his options, then shrugged his shoulders and went below. JJ followed along playfully. “JJ!” Bitty said. “You are adorable. Come give Mommy a hug!” “Recess,” he said, and I couldn't help but laugh. Typical JJ. Always playful, never serious. I watched JJ's reaction to this interplay. He was a happy boy, cheerful and playful, but this kind of banter clearly unsettled his psyche. JJ is obviously affected, because he is so happy and cheerful. From Bloodlines: This is my brother, JJ,” he said. The kid in front of me was short and slight, probably all of twelve years old, but cute as hell. He smiled and bounced around. “So that makes you my brother,” JJ said happily. “I guess it does,” I said cheerfully. He had a happy manner about him that was so engaging. “I think he is still trying to figure it out,” Stef said. “He is probably the happiest, most naturally cheerful person I have ever met. That alone is a major talent. Beyond that, nothing has emerged yet.” - Stefan on JJ From Poor Man's Son: Still, it would have been easier for JJ to fit in with my friends if he didn’t dress like he walked right out of fucking GQ magazine. Even with the emergence of the bitchy diva attitude, that still wouldn't take away JJ's natural bouncy, cheerful energy. Charles Guislan looks jaded, edgy, slightly scary, bored, and blase. Absolutely perfect for a fashion designer, but that wouldn't work for JJ at all. I could see JJ TRYING to affect the jaded European look, but smiling too much to really pull it off. Kinda like when I was trying to pull off the punk look when I was 15. I smiled too much. (I'm often called "cheerful" and "cute". I've been around guys give off the same vibe and body language as Guislan. They would never get called that.) JJ should look like a pretty-boy actor on a Disney show who dresses in impeccably tailored suits from Brooks Brothers, not an androgynous heroin chic waif who would fit in as part of the cast on some movie adoption of an Anne Rice novel as some evil vampire child. The only thing they have in common would be having blond hair and a slight build, but even then, as Centy pointed out, JJ would have really good muscle tone, even though it was incredibly compact. This kid looks downright 90's heroin chic.

Did Mark ever say what Elizabeth Danfield's maiden name was? It'd be cool to make her a Duke. It would make sense that the Danfields themselves aren't insanely rich, which is why Wade's father got married to La Danfield, and why she always seems to have the upper-hand in their relationship.

I was kind of shocked that the Danfields had that kind of money. I knew they were wealthy, but they didn't seem like they'd be THAT wealthy, going by the kind of lifestyle they live. I had them pegged kind of like Peter from Mad Men- an aristocratic name, but not an extreme amount of wealth. Although it makes sense- they don't have flashy jets and the like, because they're old money and they don't flaunt wealth like the Schluters do.Or the grandparents left Wade's parents a pittance, and all of the money to the next generation, to ensure that the money wouldn't run out. That would mean that between the three of them, Wade, Beau, and MaryEllen have trusts equaling somewhere around 1.2 billion coming their way at some point. That would actually seem to be way more than the kind of money that's going towards the Schluter/Crampton kids, although there's also a lot more heirs to spread the wealth around in.

We "oops"-ed on Wade's birthday. It's actually May 15th.

Well, that kinda happens when you place four stories in the 1998-2000 era. (I'm not counting the Box.) And two stories with what had to be one of the most dry musical years I can think of. 2000 served as a "transition" year, so I'm kinda going back over other music eras and bringing in stuff. The lack of a time jump makes it impossible for me to stick to the same music era, because, as I've pointed out time and time again, you've put four stories in the same damn musical era.

Chapter 10 -When Matt realizes just how much he missed up.

Damn good point. I can see it in terms of the fashion style, but I don't know- I kinda picture JJ as someone who would be dressed more in suits from Brooks Brothers- hasn't JJ been described as looking like he stepped out out of GQ? Charles Guislan is more Paris androgyny couture. And despite JJ's bitchy behavior, he's still supposed to be bubbly and cute like an overeager puppy dog, while this kid just doesn't have that vibe to him. He doesn't look like someone who could turn on the charm and impress the judges. Guislan kinda reminds me of Rachel Zoe or Posh Spice in having permanent bitchface. It's great for fashion, but doesn't seem to work for figure skaters, who tend to cultivate a family-friendly and happy image. Skaters are supposed to be cute and brightly-colored and bubbly. This guy would work damn well as some fashion-forward classmate with dreams of heading to Paris, but not as JJ. And isn't the Crampton look, which JJ is described as having, supposed to be blond boy next door? Guislan's look is more like "blond boy at the morgue". Or "blond boy on heroin". He's got an interesting look, but I wouldn't call it "cheerful", "cute", or "handsome". All of which JJ has been described as being since he was 5 years old. See, JJ being in figure skating seems like it'll inhibit most of his social life, which is why I kinda figure he'll find his own niche in college, which may happen after he finishes competing.

Would a schlubby-looking guy really produce something as hot as Ryan? I digress, however. If you wanna go more Average-Middle Aged guy yet someone who could still conceivably produce a hot son... Dylan Walsh from Nip/Tuck?The guy is great at putting up a nice guy facade while being a raging ass beneath. The bonus is that Dylan soooooo looks like any kind of middle-aged dad you could find in the suburbs- someone who kept in shape and looks good, but not someone that's going to stop traffic. Dylan looks like your average Middle-Aged suburban white-collar dad here. Glad you like Damian Lewis. I've thought he was hot since Band of Brothers. My next attempt at Alistair: David Henrie from Wizards of Waverly Place and How I Met Your Mother. Kind of a goofy, geeky face, but with one nice little compact body underneath it.

The role of JJ at ages 12 to 16 will be played by Charles Guislan, and then will be taken over Lucas Till. Okay, works for me. I kinda picture Sean the Lawyer as like a younger version of Damian Lewis from Band of Brothers and Homeland. Sean doesn't seem like he'd be a pretty boy, and Damian Lewis is one ruggedly sexy ginger.

Yeah. Mutually assured destruction seems her way of life. I'm kinda surprised ABC didn't set that up as well. We'll compromise. That will be pre-puberty JJ, while Lucas Till will fill in for post-puberty JJ. Kinda like how Kirsten Dunst was little Amy March in Little Women, and Samantha Manthis was grown-up Amy March. Yes, that is one of my favorite movies. I'm that gay.

"Don't Stop" by Foster the People. Catchy as hell. The video is hilarious, and Cubbie Fink looks so hot in his cop get-up.

Part of me would give anything to go back to when I was 16 years old- I'd redo high school and my college years and fix a lot of my mistakes. But then again, if I hadn't made those mistakes, I wouldn't know not to make them again. I have an online friend named Austin who got into this mentor role with a younger guy, because he saw parallels with this kid's life at 18 and his own life, when he was 18. Austin wanted to befriend the guy and stop him from making the same kind of mistake that Austin did when he was 18. In the end, it wound up a mess, and the thing that I got from hearing about my friend's story was this. You gotta let someone make their own mistakes. You can't try and relive the past through someone else, and try to vicariously re-write your own history. You can offer guidance, but at the end of the day, people have to, in the words of Mrs. Frizzle, "get messy, make mistakes!" If you try and shield them from that, they'll never learn and grow up.

I could comment on something, but I'll PM you instead. But yeah, JJ's face would be based on Lucas Till. It took me YEARS to figure that one out. I was thinking Sterling Knight, but Mark didn't seem to be feeling that. Then I came on to Lucas Till because Adam Phillips has this hardon for the kid.The other kid, I can't see it - he's not really the kind of cute that JJ's been described as being. Too pale and gothic, and not handsome enough. JJ's gotta look like the sweet blond boy next-door, which contrasts with his bitchy diva behavior. Kinda like a male Tara Lipinsky. This guy looks like he would fit right in with characters from an Anne Rice novel. And I guess I should have qualified what I was saying...not so much "student leaders", but more Will's not going to be the same kind of popular that Brad and Matt were. Less "alpha male who leads a group of beta followers while making fun of the people who don't fit in", and more "guy who just gets along with everybody." That's probably been something that's frustrated the hell out of JJ- he can't figure out why everyone likes Will but they don't like him, and he doesn't get there's a reason beyond him being short as to why people prefer Will over him. It's kinda why I was surprised that JJ decided to go to HW with Will- I could have seen him either staying at Malibu or going to a school that would be more flexible in terms of attendance. That way he would have not had to deal with everyone loving his brother while he himself gets ignored.

I'm not saying he won't be popular- but I'm thinking he'll be more along the vein of friendly, laidback guy that people really liked, not the kind of popular that Brad and Matt were that was based on exclusion and snobbery. Matt wouldn't have talked to someone like Alistair in high school. Will, on the other hand, is going to be the kind of guy that can hang out with a jock, an emo kid, the nerds, etc etc etc. There were several versions of "popular" in high school. There was "popular" as in you had this exclusive group that everyone was trying to get into, ala Brad's crew in high school, or say Andy in Cross-Currents. Then there was "popular" as in you were the guy that was genuinely liked by everyone and got along with every kind of high school archtype. Brad and Matt were the former; I think Will's going to be the latter. Will's too laidback and cool to really care that much about high school popularity. I do kinda think JJ should have gone to a different school. Even though Will's the younger brother, JJ's always going to be the ignored kid in the shadow. Well, until the growth spurt finally kicks in and he looks like this: