methodwriter85

John's more my type. Sergio is too pretty and thin-shouldered for me.

I'm pretty sure Brad is going to really make the most of his newfound sexual freedom.

Chapter 5 -When Brad gets really, really drunk at the resturant with Matt's hockey team, and hooks up with one of the teammates in the limo. "Livin' Da Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin -When Brad deals with his resulting hangover, and talks to Stefan in person and Robbie on the phone. "Then the Morning Comes" by Smash Mouth -When Brad meets Sergio, and is instantly smitten. "Beautiful Stranger" by Madonna

I'm telling you, he does this, and JJ would never talk to Matt again.

UD Raises Tuition for 2010-2011 School Year You gotta love the logic of it. "We're raising the tuition because we have to cover the increasing financial aid demands of the students." Gee, you think maybe the fact that school is constantly raising tuition has nothing to do with the fact that more students need finanical aid? It's the out-of-state students that get really screwed though- their tuition has been raised 2k, and they're now paying $24,500. I loved being a Blue Hen, and the school does have a lot going for it, but their goddamned greediness just gets to me. The sad thing is, I could go to any other large university and find the same sort of greed because of the fact that college is now just a business. It's part of what I liked about the environment of community colleges- they're not a money-making enterprise like the universities are- and why I'm leaning towards the cc environment when I'm finally done with school. I'll make far less money, but I think at the end of the day I'd be happier not surrounded by the money-grubbing bloodsucking administrators who want to drain every single university student dry. But at the end of the day, I suppose these tuition increases are worth it. After all, the UD students get really pretty brick sidewalks, new turf grass to play frisbee on, and suite-style dorms. I mean, that's what's most important, right? *rolls eyes* It's kinda funny that my out-of-state tuition for IUP is only going to be about 2k more than the in-state tuition for my undergrad. Good thing I'm not doing a 6th year at UD. Sorry to get on a soap box, it just sucks to realize how much students get ripped off every year.

I gotta agree with you there. There are some lines a person shouldn't cross. Having sex with your dad's husband(even if they're broken up at this point), who is also the father of the boys you consider your brothers...that's a line that once you cross, it's hard to recover from that. If Matt went there, I don't see his three brothers forgiving him for a long, long time.

Chapter 4 -When Brad has sex with Cody. "Get It On Tonite" by Montell Jordan -When Cody and Brad watch the game. "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns n Roses -When Matt flirts with Brad. "Smooth" by Santana(featuring Rob Thomas) http://www.youtube.c...h?v=MXp413NynFk **** I love, love that Montell Jordan song. Reminds me of "Save the Last Dance'.

Now Mark, let's not get crazy here. I'm thinking more about just maxing my credit cards and not go out for a month or so. I am feeling a lot more calmed down and better. The guy still hasn't called me back yet, but eh. No one was injured and I've been in a much worse fender bender.

Having his mother committ suicide and his two older siblings treat him horribly...yeah, Brad's had it easy his entire life.;-)

I got into a minor fender bender today, incidentally while I was going to make an insurance payment for my mom's car, which I drive. I got distracted and ran past the intersection and hit a guy's car. Luckily, since it was a low speed area, it didn't do much damage- just a small dent and some scratches above his tire. I gave him my number and am praying that the damage is less than 400 dollars so I don't have to use my mother's insurance and jack up the payments. My nerves are shot right now. I really should never listen to music when I'm looking for a place I've never been to. I got distracted so easily...ugh. My day is going to suck until I find out what the damage is. I just feel so stupid. I'm broke as it is, and I don't want to make my mom pay for my own stupid mistake.

I don't know. I think Brad is very youthful in the same way that Mark Arbour is, and I don't think of him as some boring middle-aged grown-up. That said, I am looking forward to when Mark switches to the POV of the next generation with JJ and Will because I do think he's really good at writing adolescent angst.

Yeah, I honestly don't care if you pinned it, I was just giving you shit. And it IS your forum, after all.

It is 98 degrees out, with 19 percent humidity.

It was 1998, and I was 12 years old. They were holding a Gay Pride Festival in Rodney Square in Wilmington, Delaware. Gay Pride Delaware events moved down to the beach in later years, so I haven't really gone out to those. The closest I've gotten to a Gay Pride event in recent years was when I saw a Marry-In, which consisted of lgbt students performing marriage vows and getting mock married by the Trabant food court in Newark.

You pinned this? Ego much?

I knew a TON of guys who wore Etnies and Volcom. Quicksilver as well. I don't think plaid made its comeback until around '07, but if I remember correctly, most skater guys tended to wear plaid paired up with Dickies before plaid made the comeback. So they kinda never stopped wearing plaid, I think. The main difference is that as we got further along the decade, plaid shirts became more fitted and not the baggy kind we associate with the Grunge Era. And the colors got brighter. So Mark, looks like you'll be dressing up your protagonist in a DC shirt, Volcom cargo shorts, and a pair of Etnies, Tommy, would you say this seems like a standard outfit for a surfer/skater guy at Malibu High?

Thanks. I almost didn't use Say My Name because it wasn't released until 2000, but its from an album that came out in '99 so it was allowable.

Thanks, Tom. I really appreciate the feedback. Although judging by your age, there might be some things not quite right, because it's being set at Malibu High circa 2005. Still, it's only about a 5-year difference, so yeah. Thanks, you really gave us a good portrait of the school! It sounds like a generally laidback school, which will be a difference from what you wrote with Brad at Gunn and Matt at the University School. It sounds like I was right- Claire is going to be absolutely horrified at how her nephews dress while they're in high school. LOL Mark, inadvertantly, the way you're written Darius as a laidback party kid with decent grades seems about right for what Tim is describing as the typical Malibu kids. Tom, do you know what were the popular surfer kid clothing brands with them? As well as with Skaters? I know over here, Quicksilver was big, but I'm guessing it's not the same here. And did kids wear stuff like Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister, or nah? How would a surfer/skater kid dress?

No offense, but why isn't this at Mark's forum?

Chapter 3 -When Brad and Robbie wake up, talk, and get ready for the day. "Every Morning" by Sugar Ray -When Brad gets with Luke. "Pony" by Ginuwine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpKnhW5kf34&feature=related -When Brad calls Robbie on the phone, who hestitantly tells him about his romantic get-away with his twink. "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child

Early/mid-'90's was the best for hip-hop, I think.

Do you know what the slang is like there? Most of what I know about slang from that times seems to be from viewing "Laguna Beach", with words like "dunzo" and "rager" and "sick". And would it have been a big deal for a guy to be openly gay in Malibu? It doesn't seem to be as conservative as Orange County.

Well, there are always exceptions.

Don't hold your breath. November 1999 lasts even longer in this story than July 1999 lasted for the Box. At this rate JJ won't see his 14th birthday on December 7th until the cows come home. Tiger, I really think Mark took your comment about how we're running out of years to heart, as 1999 has now stretched over three stories. If Mark does the same thing for 2000 and 2001, I don't think CAP world will see 2005 until our world is in about 2015 or so.... True. I feel like the big differences between Brad's generation and Will's generation is that Will's generation grew up with the Internet and hip-hop as the mainstream in their lives, while Brad grew up at a time where "preppy" (and not just AF-preppy, but honest-to-god preppy) was in, and hip-hop was some fringe deal and computers were not home-based. It'll be interesting for Mark to explore this when it comes time for Will's turn. Anyways, neato, you're a year younger than Darius. I hope Mark's been good at capturing your peer group with Darius. And you think have parents born in the early 50's was bad? My mom was 39 when she had me, and was born in the mid-40's. It's been interesting having older parents, I'll tell you. She doesn't get the hip-hop thing at ALL.

For whatever reason, 1980-1981 and 1985-1986 were really significant periods in Brad's life, so it makes sense that he's still somewhat hung up on what happened. I do agree it's bull that Robbie is out of touch with youth. He has four teenaged sons. Come on.