methodwriter85

I spent the 4th of July at my sister's house in the boondocks. She had a lot of friends over, as well as the in-laws-to-be, and we sat around and had lots of food, set off fireworks, and got to know the people that I'll be calling family soon enough. Seven years ago, my sister Chrissy was in this horrible relationship with a loser cokehead named John. She was engaged to be married to him, and luckily, that fizzled out and she met a much better guy named Mike. They're getting married in September at this nice country club on the outskirts of my college town. It was a happy day for me- watching how my sister at 28 has found a certain peace that you wouldn't expect with the kind of background we've had. She has a nursing career she loves, friends that adore her, and a wonderful fiancee that I will be proud to call my brother-in-law soon enough. I'm walking her down the aisle (since, you know, our dad is nowhere to be found), and I'm glad I'll be gving her away to this nice, sweet guy that loves her. Contrast that to the girl she was at 17- barely passing 11th grade, in a relationship with a guy that our family couldn't stand, working her ass off at a dead-end job in McDonald's to help keep the light on at our apartment- and I just think, "Wow, she's really come a long way, and she's matured into one hell of a woman". As a guy who's trying to navigate the road to adulthood, and sees the end of his college years looming, it's nice to have a sibling that can kinda "show" the way. I mean, not that I plan on taking the same sort of path- but it's nice to know that she, along with my oldest sister Jenny, found a way to a good, stable life despite all the hardship we all suffered as children .

I feel like the hell that was 2007 and 2008 for me has finally lifted, and that's what I really liked about this 4th of July. It's also nice that Sarah Palin isn't our VP. Thank god.

1968 was a pretty tulmultuous year. Maybe MiM sparks so much because 1985, due to the growing awareness of AIDS, was a very, very horrible year for a lot of gay men? I was born in 1985, so MiM holds a particular note of fascination with me. The 1985 of the media- the Brat Pack, Marty McFly, Reagan's 2nd Morning in America term- stands in such starked contrast to what was going on with gay men at the time. Where there people for whom MiM's 1985 setting sparked off some bad memories?

I thought it ended pretty quick- slow to start and then ends quick. That's pretty much how you do your stories, man. Anyways, this spring I took a geology class, and we had something on the Ash Wednesday storm. It made me think of CAP, with JP and Peter Gordon dealing with the wrecked Delaware beaches. LOL.

Chapter 11 -When Cody and Stefan add Zach and Grant to their bedroom games. "Crazy" by Aerosmith -When Cody shows Stefan how he feels by making love to him. "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover" by Sophie B. Hawkins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWBaHIKObcQ -When Stefan and JP talk about Cody, about Greg, and about Erik. "Better Man" by Pearl Jam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JLztfosqik

Chapter 10 -When Cody comforts Stefan by bottoming for him. "Fade into You" by Mazzy Star http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XucegAHZojc -When Stefan wakes up the next morning in a happy mood, and Cody manages to win over Brad and Robbie with his charm and perceptiveness. "A Girl Like You" by Edywn Collins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QjQlBTGgT8 -When Cody helps Stefan get his revenge by "punishing" Zach with sexual domination. "This Time" by Janet Jackson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWRx0K6FUL8

Chapter 27 http://markarbour.gayauthors.org/chronicles/lw27.php -When Stefan describes the trials of 1973- the Yom Kippur War, the economy, the Long Gas lines, and Richard Nixon. "Devil's Answer" by Atomic Rooster -When Stefan and Greg go to one of Jackie's famous Hollywood "networking" parties. "China Groove" by Doobie Brothers -When Stefan and Greg findArmand, who is completely strung out after too much drugs and sex. "The Jean Genie" by David Bowie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLXlI0kg53g -When they deal with the fallout the next morning, which includes the discovery of VD and Stefan moving Armand out of Jackie's house. "Morning After" by Maureen McGovern -Armand moving in with Stefan, being forced to live like an actual teenager, and making friends with a nice 17-year old boy named Scott. "Stuck in the Middle With You" by Steve Miller Band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DNeoYbTvN8

Chapter 9 -When Stefan and Cody leave a Broadway show. "Brotherhood of Man" from "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8-kSOEfPWg -When Marcel and Stefan argue on the phone. "What About Your Friends?" by TL.C -When they go to the premiere of Braveheart. "Braveheart Theme" by James Horner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25Zfzx3ADY8 -When Stefan meets French film star Sophie Marceau. "Dreams Are My Reality" by Richard Sanderson Okay, so this isn't period, but I freakin' loved Sophie's 1980 film La Boum. I think anyone who's taken high school french has probably seen it. -At the after-party, when Stefan overhears production assisant Zach bragging about his affair with Greg, and learns an unsettling truth about his deceased husband. "Found Out About You" by Gin Blossoms http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7WaJt02sTE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tZrr-M1sPg Laurie Strode's chase scene in Halloween(1978). Very simple and chilling. What made it so is how rooted in reality it seemed.

That's so true. It's kinda sad. Being in the closet is gay.

Chapter 8 -During bed talk, when Cody talks about his life and Stefan decides to take him traveling. "Connection" by Elastica http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtAwWQzJlUw -When Stefan "talks" to Bruno, and decides to give a little tip to our favorite recurring Officer. "Hey Man, Nice Shot" by Filter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-izaaw5yn4

Chapter 7 -When Stefan has his threesome with JP and Erik, and feels alternately happy and depressed at the same time. "Another Night" by Real McCoy -When Stefan gets to Chicago, and watches Marcel and Max making love. "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" by En Vogue -When Stefan meets Bruno, the J-Bar owner. And they start to dance. "Bad Girls" (Remix) by Donna Summer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwGE31pEw6c -After realizing that Bruno is having sex with the twink, Stefan meets a young hunky guy named Cody. And has sex with him. "Mr. Vain" by Culture Beat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXseHUrLR5g -When Cody and Stefan go back to his apartment, and actually have some intimate sex. "Be My Lover" by La Bouche http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u0mZYLs45o

Damn, your bf is cute. I'm a sucker for guys with big brown eyes.

Chapter 26 -When Greg and Stefan meet briefly with Roger at Alamaden, who approves of the relationship. "Friends" by Elton John http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSiRSvXBu00 -When Greg and Stefan confront Al, Greg's college roomate. And Stefan uses his innate charm to calm the guy down. "Little Willy" by the Sweet -When the happy couple travel to Australia on one very long flight. "Midnight Rider" by Greg Allman -When Greg and Stefan make a love pact. "I'll Be There" by Jackson 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6bARIaMhCM

Chapter 6 -When Stefan and JP talk on the plane ride back about the kidnapping, as well as Benjamin, JP's latest lover. "I'm The Only One" by Melissa Etheridge -When Stefan and JP make love, Stefan confesses his feelings, and JP turns him down. "Hey Jealousy" by Gin Blossoms http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S52qKeQFYMY -For the Oklahoma City Bombing, and Stefan's sadness about it. "I Believe" by Blessed Union of Souls -When Stefan goes sailing, rebounds with Skip, and meets J.P.'s latest squeeze, Erik. "Beautiful Life' by Ace of Base

Here's a song from '81 about the "dark" side of weekend fun. I know this is a fun thread, but I thought I'd go "serious" for a bit. Angel of the Morning" by Juice Newton There'll be no strings to bind your hands not if my love can't bind your heart. And there's no need to take a stand for it was I who chose to start. I see no need to take me home, I'm old enough to face the dawn. Just call me angel of the morning, angel just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby. Just call me angel of the morning, angel then slowly turn away from me. Maybe the sun's light will be dim and it won't matter anyhow. If morning's echo says we ve sinned, well, it was what I wanted now. And if we're the victims of the night, I won't be blinded by light. Just call me angel of the morning, angel just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby. Just call me angel of the morning, angel then slowly turn away, I won't beg you to stay with me through the tears of the day, of the years, baby baby baby. Just call me angel of the morning, angel just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby *** Ever had a weekend hook-up with someone, and then had the sobering realization the next morning just how little it actually meant? I've been there. Ugh. Not fun. Be careful abouth the weekend hookups, is what I'm saying.

Here's a song that reminds me of the end chapters of Be Rad, when Brad and the guy he had been hooking up with realize that it's not going to work, becasue Brad wants to be with Robbie. "Angel of the Morning" by Juice Newton There'll be no strings to bind your hands not if my love can't bind your heart. And there's no need to take a stand for it was I who chose to start. I see no need to take me home, I'm old enough to face the dawn. Just call me angel of the morning, angel just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby. Just call me angel of the morning, angel then slowly turn away from me. Maybe the sun's light will be dim and it won't matter anyhow. If morning's echo says we ve sinned, well, it was what I wanted now. And if we're the victims of the night, I won't be blinded by light. Just call me angel of the morning, angel just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby. Just call me angel of the morning, angel then slowly turn away, I won't beg you to stay with me through the tears of the day, of the years, baby baby baby. Just call me angel of the morning, angel just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby

If you're up for taking a 7 to 8 hour drive, there's this cool beach town in my state that has a very gay-friendly side. (Of course, you could just take a flight to Philly, and then drive from there...that might be easier, LOL.) It's called Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. http://www.funmaps.com/index.cgi/nextState...icalLocation=27

Chapter 5 -When Stefan's cab driver turns out to be a kidnapper, and his accomplices jump into the car and threaten him as the car ride goes on. "Let Me Ride" by Dr. Dre -When Stefan starts hooking up with one of his captors. "Bitches Ain't Shit" by Dr. Dre http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq7fftrwU8A -When Stefan is taken over to his captor's boss, and shocked to discover that it's Joaquin, the Mexican waif he helped long ago. "Ain't Nothin' But A G-Thang" by Dr. Dre http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoKHE0MWckg -For his second shock, Stefan discovering that Jason has been living down there with Joaquin as one of his "workers". "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxF-ImXaUdE -When Stefan keeps mum about what happened to the authority, J.P. comes down to get him, and they leave to get back to the U.S. "Fantastic Voyage" by Coolio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNWhmkNIIwk

This is the song, and the music video, that jumpstated puberty for me at the age of 11. LOL. "Quit Playing Games With My Heart" by the Backstreet Boys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1KdkQv0FfI

Chapter 25 http://markarbour.gayauthors.org/chronicles/lw25.php -When Brad talks to Stefan about coming to terms with his gay identity, with Stefan offering him guidance. "All the Young Dudes" by Mott the Hopple http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a52Of-tIGpA -When Greg surprises Stefan at Escorial, where they retire to the bedroom and finally exchange "I love you". "I Want to Be With You" by The Raspberries http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNunptK47G0 -In bed, when Greg asks Stefan to move in with him, and become husband and "wife". "Everything I Own" by Bread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-n5IQ479kM

Nikolai, would you like to elaborate on your ghostly experiences?

I believe in ghosts and all that great stuff. I love ghost stories, and I love ghost hunter shows. I want to go on a ghost hunt at some point. I've never seen a ghost or had a paranormal experience, but I hope it happens someday!!! One of my mentors worked at the haunted museum Fort Delaware in Delaware. He's seen ghosts and such. He's explained that there are two different types of ghosts- the first, and most common, are ghosts that work as "snapshots" of a previous time, like a place memory. Here, you're seeing somebody going about their daily business on some long-ago day, unaware that they are no longer living. They do not interact with the living. The second type are the "smart" hauntings, in which the spirit is able to interact with the living. These are the ones who do the moving about of objects and such. Much less common, but they get told about more, it seems. Here's a clip from the show "Most Haunted", which investigated Fort Delaware. I love the over-the-top campiness of this show, LOL. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5gKUsEvsDM Anyway, I'll ask around my friends; see if any of them have some good stories.

Chapter 4 -When Stefan and Lou hook up, and engage in some pillow talk, with Lou assuring Stefan of his still-hot status. "Baby, Baby, Baby" by Brandy -When Lou and Stefan have sex on the plane, and Lou opens up some more about the bad choices he's made in his life. "What's Going On?" by 4 Non Blondes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXcQGsoDkDk -For the cruise, when Stefan has sex with Skip, who turns out to be straight. "Are You Going to Go My Way?" by Lenny Kravitz -When Lou and Stefan have goodbye sex, with Lou ready to go off and find himself. "Return to Innocence" by Enigma

Chapter 3 -When Stefan and Greg are on their new yacht, enjoying life. "Runaway" by Janet Jackson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BTjbjU6FXA -When Greg flips out at Robbie's management style, and dies of a heart attack. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Nikki French http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZNQ2sPmLZk -For Greg's funeral. "Catch the Wind" by The Irish Descendants (1995 Canadian folk cover) -When Lou comes in, trying to make amends for what he's done to the people that care about him. "Joey" by Concrete Blonde Mark wanted me to use "Mr. Vain" for this moment, but I decided that this fit the mood better.