methodwriter85

Chapter 40 -When Wade reveals to Beau what their father has been doing to him, and Beau comforts him while he joins them in planning to confront the Senator. "Hands" by Jewel -When Matt blackmails the Senator to stop the incest, and prevent him from going after Beau. Then Matt and Wade promptly leave. "Facade" from Jekyll and Hyde -When Matt and Wade make love to each other upon getting back to California, at Escorial. "Someone Like You" from Jekyll and Hyde -When Matt, Wade, and Cole go Christmas shopping, and Cole teases them about acting like an old married couple. "All I Want For Christmas" by Mariah Carey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5auMYfsh7gY *** I really, really liked being able to use Facade and Someone Like You. I really liked Jekyll and Hyde. I saw it at dinner theater in 2002. And "Facade" describes Senator Danfield perfectly. "Hands was another one I really liked using. I thought about saving "Hands" for when Mark gets to 9/11, but I thought it fit well in here.

And by the way, I know a poster. She's got four children. Her two sons are bisexual, and she has a daughter she believes will turn out to be a lesbian. So you never know.

Mark, I'm doing pretty good in my two history courses. It's just the geology course and the Italian course that aren't going so well. I'm a dumbo at science, math, and foreign language. Anyways, I found out that my history internship has changed to the . I'm pretty excited. It's a great place.

Right. And it's not like straight people don't exist in this story- Cole's mainly straight- he doesn't mind sex with guys, but his heart is with women. Jack and Claire Hobart are straight. (We haven't really met their kids Marie and John yet, not really, so I can't judge.) Ace is straight. Isidore and Frank are straight. (Although Frank is a little less straight.) Darius, at the age of nearly seventeen (his birthdate is mid-January, 1982), seems firmly in the "straight" camp. I'm not sure about Brad's son Will yet-Will could very well end up straight, or maybe only bisexual and not full-gay. Although JJ- that kid is gay, gay, gay. LOL. One thing I think is interesting is that like Robbie, Matt can enjoy sex with women. He physically can get into girls, and doesn't have to think about men to have sex with them. It's just that he identifies as gay, rather than as bisexual, because of the fact that he emotionally doesn't fall for girls in the way that he falls for guys- guys do it for him on both levels. Girls just don't do it for him the way guys can. Although I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up with a woman- and how funny would that be? Maybe he'll end up like JP- married to a woman but also with a guy. Although in this case, the woman will be well-satisified sexually. LOL. Mark M, your pondering about the use of technology was interesting. I think Mark has done a good job of showing how technology changes the world that the people of CAP inhabit- with the emails, the cell phones, the plans for Google, Matt watching flat-screen TV's, and the digital video camera. It doesn't overtake the story, but it serves as background ambiance so you know that their world has changed as CAP World has progressed from 1962 to 1998. It's kinda funny you didn't get your cell phone until 9th grade in '05...I got mine when I was in 8th grade in 2001, and I thought that you young'uns were supposed to have gotten your cell phones in elementary school or something. LOL. The big thing I remember about 11th grade, which was 2003-2004 for me, was that the camera cell phones had come out, and it was the big thing to have. IPods were around starting in 2001, but it wasn't until '03-'04 that everyone I went to high school with started having one. As for Facebook- Facebook hit in 2004, but I remember in '04, most of the kids I went to high school with were using LiveJournal. Myspace hit more in '04-'05. When I started college in 2005, Myspace was already "hot", and alot of kids I knew had it. Facebook was known, but Facebook was initially only for college students- you had to have a college email to register an account there. It wasn't as popular as Myspace, where everyone could register. When Facebook changed that policy, which I think was around 2006, that was when Facebook really took off. I'm looking forward to when CAP World hits 2001(prolly in the next story), and Will and JJ try to show Stefan how to download music to an IPod that looks like this- http://www.tgdaily.com/picturegalleries/20070409/1st_gen_ipod.jpg Speaking of Mp3 stuff, wouldn't it be hilarious if Luke Carruthers not only invests in Pets.com, but also Napster? Geez.

That's probably not far off. Matt commented that Senator Danfield and Wade look a lot alike. I think maybe part of the reason why Senator Danfield wants sex with his son is because of the fact that, in his twisted mind, he's really having sex with an 18-year old version of himself.

Chapter 39 -When a horrified Matt watches Wade's father rape him on tape. "Daddy" by Korn -When Matt confronts Wade, makes him watch the tape, and Wade breaks down as he details the abuse that he's suffered. "Disarm" by the Smashing Pumpkins -When Matt talks to JP on the phone and plan how to stop Senator Danfield. "What It's Like" by Everlast http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gliNv1eFF3w *** Before anyone comments, yes. I'm aware that "Disarm" was already used for "If It Fits", for when Darius lashed out at his good-for-nothing biological mother. But if Cold Case can re-use music, so can I. Especially if the theme of the song really fits the scene. So there.

So I did spring semester registration. I might push around some classes, but right now I'm taking: Italian 107 two theater classes Two 400-level history classes It's pretty good. I don't have any classes that start before 11 a.m., and I have Friday off. Which means Thirsty Thursday should be alive and well this semester. The best part is that I got into the internship class- I'll be working as an intern with a company called Gore. I think I'll be helping them catalog the history of their products, or something like that. It should be a blast. And it will be a great experience for them. The downside is that I'm not sure if I should take the other 400-level history class I'm taking. You see, I registered for a class that talks about how religion and politics co-mingled with each in America up to the start of the Civil War. It sounds mad interesting, and I love the professor, but I'm not sure if I should make the committment to two different 400-level senior seminars. As for the grad school situation, I've decided this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to take winter session, which lasts until the first week of February. I will take the GRE's in January. After winter session, which should boost my GPA, I will apply to grad school in the middle of February. I should hear back by the end of March. If I don't get into any of the schools, I shall change my graduation date and do another year- picking up either another major or another minor. I feel pretty good about all of this, I think. I've got a plan A, and a plan B. It's good to feel like I know what I'll be doing next year.

I think Marcel works much better as a supporting character, as evidenced best in "If It Fits".

It was rushed, and Marcel....I dunno. He wasn't that compelling of a character. He needed to be developed more.

Mark M, being the ripe ol' age of 23 (24 on the 7th), I gotta comment on the cell phones comment, you young Whippersnapper. Yes, we had cell phones in 1998. 1998 was the year that cell phones actually became more affordable and the technology for them really improved. Here's what a typical cell phone in 1998 in looked like: http://www.hotbuy4u..../NOKIA-5190.jpg You could store contacts on it. Texting, I don't really recall them having that function, though some of the fancier phones had it. And there were some small games, like Tetris, that you could play on your phone. My sisters got their cell phones in 1998, when they were in high school. One passed down her 1998/1999 phone to me at the age of 14 in 2000, which was a red version of the phone I put up there. What's interesting is how much closer to our world that CAP world is getting to- they have cell phones, computers, internet, flat-screen tv's, DVD players, CD players, digital camera recorders. It's been interesting to see how technological changes have affected the lives of our CAP world. Of course, we also got to remember that with them being rich, they get the new technologies when they come out much sooner than the regular folk do...because I don't think most people were rocking DVD players or flat-screen tvs until around 2000, when they had become more affordable. Cell phones used to be a status symbol for most of the 90's- if you were a kid who had one in high school, that marked you as a "have" rather than a "have-not". But again, by 1998, they were becoming much more affordable and average people were getting them. So it's right on the money that Matt and his friends have them. I think it would have been anachronistic for JJ or Will to have them, though- in the late 90's, they didn't buy cell phones for elementary or middle school kids. I was in 5th grade in 1998, and I didn't know anyone who had a cell phone. I did know a girl who had a pager, though.

And Matt is, you know, 18-years old. It'd be weird to adopt another adult. I did try and get Mark to make Matt 16-going-on-17 instead of 17-going-on-18. Mainly because I thought a custody fight between Robbie and Matt's adoptive parents could have been interesting. But then again, Mark already did a custody fight with "If It Fits", so... It's effing depressing reading Senator Danfield's tirade, because his support base is what gave the United States eight years of George W. Bush. Ugh.

Chapter 38 -When Matt realizes that he's been cut-off . "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems" by Puff Daddy and Co. -When JP and Stefan announce how Matt will be taken care of, his parents be damned. "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly -When Matt and Wade descend into D.C. for Christmas. "Christmas Eve in Washington" by Maura Sullivan -At dinner, when Senator Danfield reveals what a kind and noble politician he is. "Master of the House" from Les Miserables (10th Anniversary concert) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFPsEwV38Q0

Very true. I think the main problem is that we just never really got to understand who and what Marcel was. We never got straight to the heart as far as Marcel was concerned, and the Max relationship didn't feel as heartfelt as the other couples that Mark's written.

I almost voted for Man in Motion, and it almost ties with Be Rad, but I gave Be Rad first and MiM second. I think it's just the fact that there was something about the whole first love theme that was really appealing. And the way you depicted high school. Plus it was when I became when of your writing team members. Man In Motion is pretty awesome, though. The AIDS crisis was really engrossing to read. And the music was incredible in the mid-80's. My favorite part of MiM was when Brad whips out the breakup letter that Robbie wrote him. Being so calm and composed, it was crazy how he did that.

Chapter 37 -When Lou and Matt finish having sex, and Matt contempletes on how Lou has been a comfort to him. "Diggin' On You" by TLC -Depressed by the curt email from his parents, Matt gets comforted by Robbie and Brad. No, not in that way. "I Will Come to You" by Hanson http://www.youtube.c...h?v=odnNDkEpEG0 -When Matt finds out that Wade is coming home early, and rushes to the airport to meet him. "Baby, I Love Your Way" by Big Mountain -When Matt takes Wade home to Escorial, and gives him some welcome home. "Can't Help Falling In Love With You" by UB40

I really wouldn't want Stefan to sleep with Robbie just to clear up Brad for going for Matt. The Stefan/Brad bond has been one of the highlights of the CAP saga ever 1973 with the Land Whore. Stefan is also 52 years old. He's old enough to know better. He's not some lusty twentysomething anymore- I think he's old and mature enough now that he wouldn't destroy his relationship with Brad just for a hot piece of tail. Brad/Matt...it'd be hot, but god it would wreck so much. I can't see it happening. Beau's only 15, so I don't think Matt should go for that. Darius is sixteen, so I'd be more approving of that. And of course, JJ and Will are 12 years old, so Matt DEFINITELY shouldn't go for that. LOL.

I think Be Rad is my favorite- because I know how many real-life details from Mark's own past and experience being in high school at the beginning of the 80's were injected, and I thought that was awesome. And I loved how Brad, Ace, and Claire were this cool trio of siblings who ruled their high school. Brad really did come alive for me. Man In Motion and Bloodlines come in second and third. If It Fits is fourth, The Land Whore is fifth, CAP is sixth, and 1968 is 7th. A Summer Love is my least favorite. And I feel bad for that, because I kinda suggested to Mark that he should follow Marcel in order to keep with the idea of using people "coming of age", and Marcel was the only one in the story that was the right age for that in 1991. And I don't know- it's not that I dislike Marcel. It's just...he never really came alive for me, and his story was therefore not as engaging for me. Am I the only one who feels that way about Marcel? He's kinda...boring. Or maybe just really hard to get into.

Well, I don't in all honesty think we have to worry about that. After JP and Stefan found out that Matt was Robbie's kid, this in their mind made Matt their grandson, and thus he became off-limits. In a technical sense, Matt isn't their grandson. But because he's Robbie son, and Robbie is like a son to JP and Stefan, that therefore makes him their grandson, genes be damned. Then again, Matt did have Brad allude to having messed around with Ace when they were around 12, so ya never know.

As long as there is no incest, I'm down.

I think "Jack" needs to be punished, Mark. In the worst way....*leers*

Thanks, Tiger!

Chapter 36 -In morning after-glow with Lou, Matt has to deal with his nosy father. "Creep" by TLC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0tNO3QFoOE -When Brian outs Matt, and people get heated trying to defend Matt to his homophobic parents. "They Don't Care About Us" by Micheal Jackson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vprA46Vf_WI -On the awkward drive back with his parents, when Matt splashes Brian with the puddle. "Karma Police" by Radiohead -When Jeanine gives Matt a talk about how important he's become to the Cramptons/Schluters, and then he gets comforted by Cole and Lou. "Stand By Me" by Oasis

Chapter 35 -When Matt comes in with Max, and meets Marcel and Lou, who promptly flirts with Matt under the table. "Strangelove" by Depeche Mode http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kurrDKqP3ak -When Matt and Lou hook up with each other, then Lou explains his philosphy towards relationships. "Pleasure Principle" by Janet Jackson -When Matt gets with Max again, then later picks up his parents at the airport in San Jose, who fret over the "gayapalooza". "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WbPlpRBl_Y -When Matt relates to Max the whole sordid ordeal with Brian and Cody, and Max relates to Matt his own relationship drama. "About A Girl" by Nirvana -When Max and Cody apparently get back together, then has a hook-up with Lou after dinner before taking a nap. "Orange Crush" by REM Okay, so I'm calling this my "retro" chapter, since all of the music from this came from the mid/late 80's instead of the mid/late 90's. My reasoning is that since Max, Marcel, and Lou feature heavily in this chapter, I should use the music from "their" era, so to speak. Plus I'm plain running out of songs from the 1996-1998 era to use as well. LOL.

I think the thing is, Marcel is kinda of this enigma. I think the major problem that existed with A Summer Love was that...even though he got his own story, I never really felt like I got to know Marcel. Something about Marcel seems opaque and held back, like we'll never get to know all of him. And yeah, Max and Marcel just never quite fit together as well as couples like Jeff/JP, or Stefan/JP, or Brad/Robbie.

Well, Nico's 22nd birthday won't be until July, so we have at least eight more months or so to enjoy his firm ass. I love this guy's eyes. And I bet his hair feels great to the touch. I'm a sucker for a guy with a great head of hair.