methodwriter85

Come on now. I went to a performing arts high school. You think any of us actually took showers in gym class? We didn't even have sports teams.

Hey. If I wasn't being melodramatic, then I wouldn't be Jeremy Smith. I'm just sayin', man. I have this perfect bow that I practiced back in 9th grade for shows, and hell if I ain't going to use it now. *takes another perfect, final bow.*

Chapter 27: Marie -When the clan leaves Claremont, this time for good. "Life In A Northern Town" by The Dream Academy -When Brad, Robbie, and Jeanine show up with the kids at their new house, a family now. "Modern Love" by David Bowie -When Brad and JP discuss the birth of Marie Hobart, and about the loves in their lives. "The Greatest Love Of All" by Whitney Houston -When Brad enjoys a tranquil moment before going off to talk to JP about the loves of JP's life. "Love Theme" (St. Elmo's Fire) by David Foster -When they celebrate Robbie's official HIV negative status, and make love. "Alive and Kicking" by Simple Minds Chapter 28: Will -When Jeanine gives birth to to a baby boy, and Brad decides to name him after all three of his fathers. "Neverending Story" by Limahl And what a never-ending story it's been. We've been following this family through 23 years, and get to see the start of a third generation. It's been a pleasure playing DJ for you guys throughout the story of Brad's coming of age in the 80's. Hopefully, someday I'll be playing DJ again to showcase Darius, JJ, Marie, and Will as they navigate adolescence in the 90's through the 2000's. But until then....*takes a final bow* 2023 me: Holy crap, I had really had no clue what we were all in for, in the best meaning of the term. It really has been a blast over nearly 15 years of working with Mark on this saga. And you really can call it a saga now.

I know you do. That's why I found a place for it.

Chapter 26: Au Revoir, Grandmaman -When Brad and Robbie discuss the matter of Jeanine, and what this means to their relationship. "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins -When Stefan gets to watch Brad fist Robbie. "The Stroke" by Billy Squier -On the plane where Brad and JP wrap up the Paris adventure. "What You Need" by INXS -When Robbie and Jeanine go off to talk about what this pregnancy means, and Brad sees how sick Grandmaman is. "Left of Center" by Suzanne Vega -When Jim Crampton storms out after by blackmailed by JP. "Rasputin" by Boney M -When JP speaks at Maman's funeral. "A Deal With God" (Running Up That Hill) by Kate Bush

Chapter 25: Careers -When Greg despairs over his movie troubles, offers Robbie a job, and Brad starts work with Stefan's company. (Greg's mood swings seem...familiar, for some reason.) 2023 me: I think I was making a joke about Adam Phillips mood swings here? Things got particularly nasty between Adam and I during 2009 if I'm remembering right. Thank god we both mellowed out by the end of Adam's time as an author on the internet. "Working in A Coal Mine" by Devo -When Brad and Stefan bond, and Stefan learns the truth about JJ's paternity. Why do I feel like JJ is going to find out about it in a really humiliating way when he's an adult? LOL "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne Warwick and Friends -When Brad wakes up Robbie in the morning in a special way. "Wake Me Up" by Wham! -When Brad finds Marcel and Robbie in bed together, and trusts them that nothing happened. "I'm Your Man" by Wham! -When Brad is sat in stunned silence when the Space Challenger explodes. "Elegia" by New Order -When Brad talks to Jeanine on the phone, and discovers that she's pregnant. "If She Knew What She Wants" by The Bangles

Chapter 24: Engagement -When Brad and Robbie talk to Robbie's psychiatrist, Robbie admits that he killed Neil, and Brad thinks he'll be okay with it. "The Killing Moon" by Echo and the Bunnymen -When Brad proposes to Robbie. "Leather and Lace" by Stevie Nicks and Donley Henley -When the happy couple discover that Greg and Stefan bought them a house in Malibu. "Once in A Lifetime" by the Talking Heads -When Robbie and Brad get the truck that Marty McFly had. And then have sex. "Walking in L.A." by Missing Persons *** 2023 me: From the vantage point of now, it's kind of wild to see 22-year olds trying to settle down like this. It was much more common with Baby Boomers to want this, much less so by the time Gen Xers came off age, and even less so with Millennials. Just a completely different mindset. Gen Z star Millie Bobby Brown announced getting engaged and there was all this hang-wringing about her being too young at 19 to get engaged. In 1986 nobody would have been doing that over a 19-year old getting engaged.

Chapter 23: The Trial -When Grandmaman decides to accompany the clan for one last trip to France, her homeland. "To France" by Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly -When JP and Brad talk about who JJ's father is. And JP learns some disgusting truths about his family, and gets amused by the fact that JJ is really a Crampton. (While he's really a Schulter.) "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson -When the clan has to deal with French media circus surrounding Robbie's case. And Grandmaman turns out to have some connections that'll help. "Under Pressure" by Queen -When Robbie's case is thrown out, they scramble to get Robbie the hell out of there, and the clan breathes a sign of relief when they get back over the Atlantic, heading back to the US. "Major Tom" (Coming Home) by Peter Schilling Gee, I sure hope Robbie never goes back to Paris. - When Stefan realizes that Lou is the child he helped save from the sort of childhood he had, back in 1973. And the true meaning of Christmas is revealed as the Cramptons, Schulters, and Hayes close out 1985 strong after a tough bout. "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid

Which is why "Do They Know It's Christmas" was a perfect song for that moment.

I trim like once every six months. Eh. Completely shaved pubis- ick. Don't mind back hair getting shaved, but a completely shaved body turns me off.

Chapter 22 - Prison -When the clan strategizie, along with the lawyer, about how they can help Robbie. "Invincible" by Pat Benatar -When Brad and Robbie have some goodbye sex, and Robbie says he wants Brad to be free to mess around, so long as it's not with Max. "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister -When Brad gets to Claremont, plays with Darius until his nap, then bonds over watching Jeremy at the hospital, the newest addition to the crazy Crampton brood. "We Are the World" from USA for Africa -When Brad sees Bitty in a crack house. "White Lines" by Grandmaster Flash -When Brad and Jeanine have sex. "What's Love Got to Do With It" by Tina Turner

Chapter 21: Arrested -When JP and Brad talk about their options, and Brad is adament that he won't let Robbie go down for killing Neil. "I'm Going Down" by Bruce Springsteen -When Brad and Robbie's lawyer talk. "An Innocent Man" by Billy Joel - In the courtroom, where they succeed in getting Robbie out on bail. "The Confrontation" from Les Miserables (1985 musical) -When Robbie and Brad have sex, using fisting and letting Mouse watch the action. "All Through the Night" by Cyndi Lauper

I got ENFP. Here's the description of it- Idealist Portrait of the Champion (ENFP)Like the other Idealists, Champions are rather rare, say two or three percent of the population, but even more than the others they consider intense emotional experiences as being vital to a full life. Champions have a wide range and variety of emotions, and a great passion for novelty. They see life as an exciting drama, pregnant with possibilities for both good and evil, and they want to experience all the meaningful events and fascinating people in the world. The most outgoing of the Idealists, Champions often can't wait to tell others of their extraordinary experiences. Champions can be tireless in talking with others, like fountains that bubble and splash, spilling over their own words to get it all out. And usually this is not simple storytelling; Champions often speak (or write) in the hope of revealing some truth about human experience, or of motivating others with their powerful convictions. Their strong drive to speak out on issues and events, along with their boundless enthusiasm and natural talent with language, makes them the most vivacious and inspiring of all the types. Fiercely individualistic, Champions strive toward a kind of personal authenticity, and this intention always to be themselves is usually quite attractive to others. At the same time, Champions have outstanding intuitive powers and can tell what is going on inside of others, reading hidden emotions and giving special significance to words or actions. In fact, Champions are constantly scanning the social environment, and no intriguing character or silent motive is likely to escape their attention. Far more than the other Idealists, Champions are keen and probing observers of the people around them, and are capable of intense concentration on another individual. Their attention is rarely passive or casual. On the contrary, Champions tend to be extra sensitive and alert, always ready for emergencies, always on the lookout for what's possible. Champions are good with people and usually have a wide range of personal relationships. They are warm and full of energy with their friends. They are likable and at ease with colleagues, and handle their employees or students with great skill. They are good in public and on the telephone, and are so spontaneous and dramatic that others love to be in their company. Champions are positive, exuberant people, and often their confidence in the goodness of life and of human nature makes good things happen.

Chapter 20: Murder -When Brad gets back to his apartment, paranoid as hell. "Private Eyes" by Hall and Oates -When Brad and Mouse screw each other, in the heat of the moment. "Add It Up" by The Violent Femmes -When Brad and Robbie work things out about what happened to Neil. And then have make-up sex. "Head Over Heels" by Tears for Fears -When JP and Mouse reconcile. "Better Be Good to Me" by Tina Turner -When Robbie gets arrested by the police. "Police On My Back" by The Clash

Father, Daughters Traced to Nicaragua I don't care if you think your wife is a heinous bitch, but telling your kids that their mommy committed suicide? When they were 2 to 4 years old? Absolutely reprehensible. I know that custody battles are awful to deal with, but spiriting a kid away to a foreign country is not the way to solve it. I hope they throw the book at this guy. The best part about this is the fact that they were found after a year and a half, and the mother still gets to see her kids grow up. I've heard of similar parental abduction cases where the kids weren't found until they were teenagers or in their twenties. Of course, that doesn't make up for the year and a half she lost, but it might make it easier to heal from the experience, than were this ten or twenty years later. I guess for me, this article resonates because my own sister was/is involved with a bitter custody dispute with her ex-boyfriend over their daughter, and I had no problem imagining him kidnapping my niece just to spite my sister. He's that crazy. We still refuse to let him have unsupervised visits with her for that very reason.

Chapter 19: JJ -When JP tells Brad that Mouse doesn't want a second chance, and Brad comforts him by reminding him of Roger. "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" by Elton John -When Brad and Robbie nearly get into a fight when they talk about their plans for next year, but Brad backs out of it before it happens. "Age of Consent" by New Order -When Brad talks to Marcel about Lou and essentially tries to set them up. "The State of the Heart" by Rick Springfield -When Brad confronts Robbie about his bitchy behavior, and then finds out Bitty gave birth to a baby boy that Saturday. "Time" by Culture Club -When Robbie gets blackmailed by Neil, leaves the apartment, and then Brad proceeds to kick Neil's ass. "Don't Come Around Here No More" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Chapter 18: Lou -When Brad and Marcel argue about Jerome, and then Brad talks to Robbie about making sure Marcel plays safe. "Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats -When Brad meets Lou, and drops some serious dough on the guy at the clothing store. "Sharp-Dressed Man" by ZZ Top -When JP finds out about Mouse and Marcel, and JP tells Marcel about our good buddy Jake, who's dying of AIDS in a hospital and has no visitors because of the selfish way he treated people. "All By Myself" by Eric Carmen -When Brad catches JP and Marcel having sex, and talks to him about Mouse. "Only The Lonely" by The Motels

Tonight I watched this presentation where two former frat guys talked about their experiences as being gay men in a 'world of heterosexual privilege". It was pretty cool. One thing that got me was hearing one man talk about how, as the director of Greek Life in the early 90's, he made the decision to come out as a gay man because of one frat president who denounced "fags" at a rush meeting, when in reality said frat president was the boyfriend of another frat president. He realized at that point for the good of his students and to set an example, he had to come out. And I thought that was pretty cool. Anyone ever know what it's like to walk that road, being queer in a world that's as highly masculine as fraternity?

Chapter 17: The Louvre -When Marcel admits what he did, and Brad and Robbie lay some ground rules about how they will deal with Marcel. Before having sex. "Borderline" by Madonna -When Brad gets seduced by Dr. Cambronne. "Get It On" (Bang A Gong) by Power Station -When Marcel ah, "steps in" for Brad with Dr. Cambronne. "Lovin' Every Minute of It" by Loverboy -When Brad tells Robbie about Dr. Cambronne and Marcel, and they make love without a condom as a sign of the trust they have with each other. "We Belong" by Pat Benatar

I saw two good ones- "Were the World Mine" "The Art of Being Straight"

Chapter 16: Mistaken Identity -For the family dinner back at Escorial JP introduces Marcel, announces that he's HIV negative, and Claire announces that she is having their first grandchild. "Our House" by Madness -When Brad and Robbie get back from the States, have sex, and Marcel is again watching them. And Brad admits that he likes being watched. "Pretty Young Thing" by Michael Jackson -When Brad goes to the dig, admits to JP that he withdrew from the Sorbonne, and tries to figure out his next step. "It Ain't What You Do( It's The Way That You Do It) by Fun Boy Three with Bananarama -When Brad gets really lit, has sex with what he thinks is Robbie, and gets confused when Robbie comes in and seems really pissed off. "Eyes Without A Face" by Billy Idol *** Can I just take a moment and say...DAYUM, Billy Idol had one amazing face circa 1984! So beautiful and expressive, yet also cruel and tough. Absolutely fascinating. Whoever came up with the concept for the "Eyes Without A Face" video was a genius, capitalizing on the utter photogenic face of Billy.

I'm glad you liked their music, dude. Anyways, this weekend was fun. I hit up a rager over at SkidRow, which had this decent d.j. Then after the keg got kicked, I hung out with my freshman buddy Ian, and his friends, at their dorm until 4 a.m. in the morning. It was pretty cool. This is a song that played Friday night at the rager, and never fails to bring a smile to my face. "Paper Planes" by M.I.A. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXVRlB_As9M

Chapter 15: Negative -When Marcel's stepfather sells him for 600k francs. "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits -When JP learns that he is not, in fact, HIV positive and he and Brad celebrate. "Dancing in the Street" by David Bowie and Mick Jagger -When JP tells Robbie and Mouse that he's not positive, and kisses Mouse passionately after declaring that he won't leave him. "Never Surrender" by Corey Hart -When Brad and Robbie have sex, and Marcel watches them. "Rhythm of the Night" by DeBarge

I need to process this for a moment. Anyways, Connor, you make a great point about what was going on with his mother...interesting.

So, Mark. That was TOTALLY biographical, wasn't it? ;-)