methodwriter85

You meet someone and you're awestruck by them. Here's how I think it can go- the first is that you meet the person, and you think they "hang the moon", to use one of Adam's phrases. You're blinded to their faults in that initial rush of attraction, but as you get to know them, you realize that something's off, and they're not as perfect for you as you thought they were. It could turn out they're downright horrible people with an initial charm (aka Neal in ISWB), or it could just turn out they are just not-so-good guys who's faults outweigh their positives, and thus aren't good for you, aka Kevin for John in Frat Memoirs. The second way it can go is that you meet the person, you like them alot, and you get on really good with each other. The initial attraction works well- and you find many good qualities about the person that keeps you into it. But then that spark fades- and you realize you've made a really good friend, but not a lover, aka Bryan in It Started with Brian. Then the third one- everything aligns right...you click with that person on a deep level, and you're aware of their faults but love them anyway- and you feel a passion for them...then that is the sort of real, deep love that can happen from an intitial infatuated attraction, aka Alex and Zach. There's this tv sitcom, How I Met Your Mother, that details the courting game that we all go through during our 20's(although now Ted's in his early 30's). There was this great episode where the protagonist realizes that he dated this one girl on a blind date seven years ago, and they spend the night recreating their past date to figure out why they didn't work out. They have a lot of fun, and think, "Wow, we should've just gotten together then...would have saved us all this dating." But then they realize that while they like each other a lot- it just wouldn't have worked...because she's a cat lover who loves to talk about her cats, and he's a resturant snob who loves to make fun of the menus. And it's those flaws they each admit to possessing- it's those flaws that they want their future partner in life not to just tolerate, but to actually...like. And find endearing. That's something I want for myself. I want a guy who will actually like the random and crazy stuff that I always say- not just roll his eyes and go, "Oh, god, Jeremy's talking about the Eighties again!", but go, "Aww, Jeremy and his crazy fetish for the 80's. How cute." I want a guy who will like me the way I am, and not expect me to change or be "better" for him. To me, and what seemed to be the point of this episode- is that so many people in an effort to "hook" someone censor the less-desirable and somewhat annoying quirks they have wind up in relationships that are wrong for them, because their partner doesn't really know all of them because they hide part of themselves to look more attractive. To be able to love someone- ALL of that someone, flaws and all- is an element of real love, and what separates it from initial infatuation. Because when you're infatuated, as Jack is saying, you're sorta blind to the flaws the other person possesses. But that infatuation can give way and grow into love when you get to know the person, get to know their qualities as well as their flaws...and basically be able to go, "So what? You're still my guy." But that will never happen if you just sit around and pine for the guy from afar, and have him on this pedestal. I've had a lot of crushes in my life, and unfortunately, none of them have turned into a boyfriend for me. I remain hopeful, though. And I've made some good friends along the way as well. I feel like as I keep sight of what I want and need in a relationship...then...when it does happen, I'll be ready and won't screw it up.

I flipping love the Texas accent. It's so hot.

Brad and Robbie could become grandfathers if either Matt, Darius, Will, or JJ have kids by 2009. Matt and Darius are 29 and 27 in today's world, so it's possible they could have become fathers. But it's increasingly common for people to delay having kids or getting married until they are in their 30's, so it's not as likely as it would have been back in the 1960's or something. JJ is 23, and Will is 22, so most likely they aren't settled down just yet because they're still pursuing higher education, and still in the "college kid" mindset. Of JP's kids, Brad is the most likely to be a grandparent by 2009- because Matt and Darius are in their late 20's. JJ and Will, in their early 20's, are less likely to be parents. Ace's daughter, Courtney, was born in 1995. She's only fourteen, and while I know it happens, I highly doubt that Ace's is going to be a grandfather because of his 14-year old daughter. As for Claire, her daughter Marie is about 23, while her son John is 22, and again, it's unlikely they're going to have kids.

In 1998, Brad's turning thirty-six. In 2009, he's turning 47. CAP World is catching up pretty fast, time-wise, to our world.

If wishing Brad a happy 4-7 isn't proof enough I'm crazy, I don't know what it is. But since Harry Potter fans are allowed to celebrate his birthday, I thought us CAP fans could do it. So happy 4-7, Brad! Hopefully you'll be spending it naked in bed with Robbie. *grin*

Chapter 14 -When Matt and Cody talk about their relationship and how Stanford will affect it, and finally say the big "I love you". "Lovefool" by the Cardigans -When Matt says goodbye to the Malibu crew, and drives up to Palo Alto, with an interesting sex encounter along the way. "How Bizarre" by OMC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfJe8hQ8ha0 -When Matt gets to Escorial, and deals with the drama that Brian has brought. "Stupid Girl" by Garbage -When Matt arranges for his hockey teammates to live at Escorial for a few days while their dorms are being readied. The five guys instantly liven things up around there. "Celebrity Skin" by Hole http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hCn1XXKLNY

Am I the only one who's never cared for Dallas? Dynasty was where it was at. I see Brian as becoming like Fallon. The real one, not the Emma Samms one. I'm fully awaiting a scene where Brian and Matt have a cat fight in the water fountain at Escorial... 'You miserable bitch!'

Chapter 13 -When a tired Matt gets to his room in Barcelona, and then plays rough with Brian before getting with Cody. "Around the World" by Daft Punk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9MszVE7aR4 -When Matt talks more business with Brad and Stefan, including this new internet company called "Google". "Where It's At" by Beck -When Matt takes JJ to skating, and flirts some more with Tiffany. "Spice Up Your Life" by The Spice Girls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgDdeBrGrro -When Matt and Cody talk after he gets the news that Frank, Robbie, and Cody are all suitable kidney donors. "Perfect" by Smashing Pumpkins -At family dinner, when Matt announces who his suitable donors are, Robbie offers, and Matt accepts. Then Matt and Cody make love. "Wonderwall" by Oasis

Exactly. Yeah, Brad found his life partner at 17, but it is pretty rare, and to be honest, I don't really see Matt settling down at eighteen years old. That goes against his personality, as well as against his socioeconomic background- most people delay marriage and family if they are of high socioeconomic status until they're in their late twenties. Going with that, Matt would be settling down about NOW, but not back in 1998.

Mark would NEVER do that. He writes in historical characters, but he would never change their fate.

Chapter 12 -When the plane lands in Wyoming. "I'm From the Country" by Tracy Bryd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nloGNombtjw -When they go to the bar, and Matt hooks up with a hunky cowboy. "You're Easy on the Eyes" by Teri Clark http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfEO_ZQm_Ek -When Matt meets Matthew, a cute college student, at the bar. "Getcha Some" by Toby Keith http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_O67GTJbNw -When Matt Shepherd meets Brad and Stefan, and clues them in on the rotten piece of land that they almost bought. "Wide Open Spaces" by Dixie Chicks

Maybe this is my subconscious trying to make it so I have to take another year because I'm scared of graduating.

"Fly Eagles Fly" EAGLES Fight Song Fly Eagles Fly, On The Road To Victory. Fight Eagles Fight, Score A Touchdown 1-2-3. Hit 'Em Low. Hit 'Em High. And We'll Watch Our Eagles Fly. Fly Eagles Fly, On The Road To Victory. E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!!

So I just got chewed out in Italian today. And it was my fault- I didn't do the work. And it hasn't exactly been the first time this semester that this has happened, and I think the professor finally just got fed up. I'm not really offering any excuses. I know it's all on me. And I know that I've got to turn it around. I also know that while there is still time to turn it around, that time ends soon. So. I give Mark Arbour and Adam Phillips full permission to slap the shit out of me if I don't do my homework from now on. Yeah.

Mark M, JJ and Will are 12 and 11 years old,respectively. Let's wait until they're 15 in 2001 before they'll go to crazy parties. Darius, however, is 16. I'm sure Matt will take him to a Stanford party at some point.

Chapter 11 -When Matt takes his newfound little brothers to the ice-skating rink, and has some fun on the ice. "Rockefeller Skank" by Fatboy Slim -When Matt flirts with skating instructor Tiffany, and then we learn that JJ is an ace on the ice. "Are You That Somebody?" by Aayliah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xio1v_FBDAE -When Matt, Stefan, and Brad talk about business, particularly a new land deal in Wyoming, and Stefan's continued wariness about the tech sector. "Sell Out" by Reel Big Fish -When Matt plays hockey against the high school boys, continues his flirting with Tiffany, and encourages JJ. "Take On Me" by Reel Big Fish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO7sTntruzg

Chapter 9 -When Matt sits around with the family smoking some weed, and then tries to make some sense of this weird love thing between him, Cody, Justin, Brian, and Alejandro. "Pepper' by Butthole Surfers -When Matt have revenge sex with Justin to get back at Brian for having sex with Cody. "Return of the Mack" by Mark Morrison http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twgArtVqMlM -When Matt decides to wall up his heart against Cody, and confronts him about his manipulative way with guys. "Sunday Morning" by No Doubt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtS597290G0 -When Matt hugs Robbie, and then goes to find Cody, who admits(somewhat) to what he does. And then they have some friendly sex. "Black Ballon" by The Goo-Goo Dolls Chapter 10 -When Matt wakes up with Cody in his bed, and he ponders the future- with Cody, with his parents, with his new college. "As I Lay Me Down" by Sophie B. Hawkins http://www.youtube.c...h?v=cg5WYHS5d2M -When Matt and Alejandro have some hot hate sex. "Charmless Man" by Blur -When Matt sees Brad and Will's surfing in action. "Block Rocking Beats" by Chemical Brothers -When Matt engages in a three-some with Cody and Alejandro. "Number 1 Crush" by Garbage

It's been a busy weekend, and my computer is on the fritz. I will try and get the recs done for chapter 9 and chapter 10 tonight. Bear with me.

Well, I did get a 4 for the 2005 AP Composition and Literature test. So I'm actually pretty good at that.

When I was 15, I jacked off and gave head to a 39-year old guy who didn't have arms because his mother used Thalomide when she was pregant. That tops your story, Mark. Totally. Especially when I add that the dude was a foster parent who liked having sexual encounters with underaged boys!

Matt is Robbie's son. Robbie is Brad's husband. (Legally, no, but whatever.) Brad is JP's son. Stefan is JP's husband. Therefore, though not in terms of blood, Matt pretty much is their grandson. It's a stretched definition, but yeah. Now that they know, it's not really appropriate it. I think JP is already marking off Matt as his grandson in his mind. What's been emphasized throughout CAP is how bond trumps blood in terms of family- JP's father was his father, despite the bio father being Bill Hendrickson. Ace, Brad, and Billy were his sons, despite Claire being the only one he actually fathered. Robbie and Brad loved Darius and JJ as their own sons, despite Bitty and the two divergent fathers being the actual birth parents. This story seems to be exploring, in a more overt way, something that Mark's been exploring all along- family ties, and bond vs. blood. Hence why Bloodlines is a seriously appropriate name for this story.

Chapter 8 -When Matt, made cheerful by Cody's lovin', meets Jeanine at breakfast before getting ready to go to Palo Alto. "Walking on The Sun" by Smash Mouth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iamM9VEV8sU -When Matt has some fun with Brian and Cody. "Caress Me Down" by Sublime -At Escorial, when Matt gets to meet his grandfather, Frank, and Claire and Brad come to the defense of their dad against Ace's judgmental ways. "Family Tree" by Bone Thugs N Harmony *** Damn. Late 1990's music really was ALL over the map.

Indeed. Mark and I have sat on our rocking chairs in the front porch of his house, shaking our fist at young 18-year olds and going, 'Ya whippersnappers! Get offa my lawn!" Youth really is wasted on the young sometimes... I'm with you in wishing I could be 18 again, Bryan...well. Maybe 19. 19 is better.

I agree completely. One, Matt is 18 years old. Two, he's from a white collar type of family, and they tend to settle down later. I really don't think Matt needs to find the "one" just yet. Hell, I'm five years older than Matt, haven't found the one, and I'm completely fine with that. I really don't think Matt needs to settle down just yet.

This is so different compared to the story about how cops in Toronto, Canada are made to hold hands with other cops of the same sex for sensitivity training. So much for considering Atlanta as a place to live. LOL.