Summer's Last Stand

The last minute Nano change

charisma — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:14:02 GMT

Okay, you know how I have a community all set up for the NaNo this year and research and an outline and summary and everything? Well, funny thing about that... life is what happens when you are making other plans.

I had another story spring into mind, with characters, plot, world, and so forth nearly fully formed. It's the story of a necromancer named Heck (Hector Vargas) , his pushy sister Charmaine, his zombie secretary Rhonda, his skeleton butler Mr. Bones, and his intern Newt. It's kinda cute and funny, it maybe might be a YA story (but I don't know if I can write clean enough for YA - I have a kinda foul mouth and I tend to write some bad jokes in), some sort of supernatural genre maybe.

Anyhow, because I don't want to lose the gift of a story that's pretty much sprang into my head and danced around saying 'Write me! Write me!' , last minute change it is.

The new community I will be posting my writing from is heckromancy - please join if you want to read along as I will be posting the entire novel as I progress, friends only.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

80s links

charisma — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:28:32 GMT

http://www.liketotally80s.com/ - fashions and culture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980s_in_fashion - fashion

http://www.fashion-era.com/fashion_after1980.htm - fashion

http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1980s.html - prices and technology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_the_1980s - culture

http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade80.html - cultural history

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/80s-tech.htm - 80s tech

http://wp2.medina-gazette.com/2008/09/09/accent/children-of-the-1980s-technology-starts-to-trickle-into-children%E2%80%99s-lifestyles-in-the-1980s/ - technology and kids

http://aslan369.tripod.com/Movie/80s/Best80Teen.html - teen movies

http://www.childofthe1980s.com/ - 80s childhood

http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/timeline.htm - 80s timeline

http://eightiesclub.tripod.com/ - culture, movies, etc

http://www.inthe80s.com/ - culture etc

http://www.backtotheeighties.net/ - culture

http://www.80s.com/default.html - trivia etc

Monkees 1986 videos

charisma — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:54:57 GMT

More pictures

charisma — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:48:16 GMT

Yes, I used Sims 2 to model some pictures of the characters for their bios. Here are some extra shots from that:

Sam on the drums.

Summer is falling asleep.

Julian rocks out

Ivy on bass

Summer sings.

... I swear she's wearing underwear.

Sam mid-beat.

A fearful look from Ivy

Summer

Julian looking serious.

That's a backyard grill in the background

Ivy's feets.

Julian's rockstar face.

Strum

Summer sings - notes float.

Eyes wide

Meet the Characters - Julian Maxwell

charisma — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:16:09 GMT

Name: Julian Maxwell

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Age: 22 at beginning of story

Date of birth: December 27, 1965

Appearance:
Julian is handsome, wavy dark haired and brown-eyed, with a little mustache that he never seems to shave (consistent throughout all time periods). In fact, Julian's clothing (and personality) changes the least during this tale. He is 5'10", average build and weight. He favors Hawaiian shirts when being causal, polo shirts when working, and silk shirts when being dressy. His pants come in two categories - khaki, or jean.

Spirituality
Julian was raised to be a devout Catholic, and he still practices his religion, though a lot of the meaning has gone out of it.

Personality
Julian (Jules to his friends) is likable and friendly, the kind of guy that's everyone's best buddy. He plays the guitar excellently, though he is only a passable singer.

He's reasonably intelligent and good-looking enough - but really, guitar is his one major talent. He's a one-trick pony. In many other aspects of his life, he's almost shallow and one-dimensional. Part of why he is so attracted to Summer is her vibrancy. She alleviates the feelings of mundanity that plague his life (he's pretty aware during his self-loathing periods that he's not very brave, or good at living).

He's unable to cope well with stress, and has a tendency towards alcoholism.

Likes
music, guitars, beer, Hawaiian shirts, friends, driving, family, summer

Dislikes
pain, stress, responsibility, problems

Strengths
loyalty, musical talent

Weaknesses
inability to cope, alcoholism

Basic goal
Make it as a musician, be adored, save the people he loves (and himself)

Desires
Julian wants more than anything to be able to be a full-time musician

Past traumas
Julian was raised by his very over protective grandmother, who was afraid that he would hurt himself if he did almost anything. He grew up unable to deal with life in a normal fashion, having had no practice in anything but fear.

She also had a very strong religious background- and instilled him the need to be a good Catholic, and feel the proper guilt (and seek the proper punishment) for one's sins.

Notes
While Julian does not possess great strength of character, it is important to note that his intentions are always good. He really does try. He may not be entirely sympathetic, but he shouldn't be reviled, either. There is no villain among the four friends.

Meet the Characters - Sam Silverman

charisma — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:05:13 GMT

Name: Sam Silverman

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Bisexual

Age: 15 at start of book

Date of birth: January 19, 1971

Appearance:
Sam in the 80's has an almost androgynous appearance, feminine features and longish unruly hair. He occasionally wears eyeliner, a la one of hisheros, Robert Smith of the Cure. At 5'6", he's definitely not winning any macho awards. He's also got a bit of acne going on for him, poor boy. He wears a lot of t-shirts with funny sayings or bands on them, and is very bright.

Sam in the 1990's has undergone some dramatic changes. He's lost all the weight, grown three inches from a sudden right-after-highschool growth spurt, and is kind of toned. He tends to wear clothing that accentuates his good looks. This is his army days look.

Sam in the present has returned somewhat to his old casual style- he's a newspaper columnist now

Spirituality:
Sam is a Catholic (his father converted from Judiism to marry his mother) at the beginning of the story, but he gradually drifts towards agnostic beliefs.

Personality:
Sam is funny, in a somewhat sarcastic sort of way. He's also got a quiet sort of wisdom about him. He likes to show things for what they are. He's very technical minded, as well.

Likes:
computers, books, friends, being accepted, monster movies, games, music

Dislikes:
homework, people teasing him, the army, unsolvable games and riddles, speaking in front of a crowd

Strengths:
intelligence, humor, skills

Weaknesses :
low self-esteem, confused sexuality

Basic goal:
Sam wants to learn who he is, and be accepted for being that person. He also wants to be able to accept himself.

Desires
love, knowledge, acceptance

Past traumas
teased a lot as a child, thrown out of the army for having a homosexual relationship , what happens with Ivy

Notes:
Sam really seems to dislike Summer at the beginning of the story, and at several other parts within it. But what he dislikes more than anything is the idea of her - her certainty about who she is and her courage to do what she chooses. He dislikes these things in her because these are things he wants for himself but feels unable to obtain. Eventually he obtains these things for himself, and is more at ease with her - and actually realizes his underlying attraction to her.

Meet the Characters - Ivy Maxwell

charisma — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:53:34 GMT

Name: Ivy Maxwell

Gender: Female

Sexuality : Primarily Heterosexual

Age : 15 at beginning of story

Date of birth:August 14, 1971

Appearance:
Ivy is slight and pale, with black hair and brown eyes. She stands 5'4, and is of average weight , perhaps a little under. She favors the t-shirts and jeans style of dress in the 80's, usually no makeup though she is pretty enough that this isn't always immediately noticeable.

In the 90's, she wears trashy clothing, almost slutty.

Spirituality:
Ivy believes in god in the fire and brimstone sort of way, and is fearful of his judgment. She goes to church more out of obligation and fear than actual desire for goodness.

Personality:
Ivy has some psychological traumas because of her abuse. She can be jealous, clingy, and neurotic - but she also has moments of beauty.

Likes:
Ivy likes...

fairy tales, television shows, music, concerts, dancing, boys, drinking, escape , drama

Dislikes:
her father, tuna fish, candles, being left out, being alone

Strengths:
insight, creativity

Weaknesses:
low self esteem, emotional problems, suicidal tendencies

Basic goal:
Ivy wants nothing more than to be loved by someone who won't hurt her.

Desires:
freedom, love, fame, money, the fine things, someone to take care of her

Past traumas:
Ivy has an abusive history that has overwhelmingly affected the person she becomes.

Meet the characters - Summer Evans

charisma — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:42:45 GMT

Name: Summer Evans

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Age: 16 at start of story

Date of birth: June 18, 1970

Appearance :
Golden blonde hair, bright blue eyes and a winning smile. Summer is five feet seven inches tall, and average weight. She isn't so much attractive as she is memorable, she has an undeniable something about her that makes people pleased to be in her presence.

In the eighties, Summer teases her hair to the high heights popular at the time, and wears a variety of blazers in colorful tones. She's particularly proud of a a pair of pink parachute pants. Her hair can often be found in banana barrettes.

During the 1990's, she's dressing more conservatively in blacks and browns and grays.

In present time, she's wearing colorful broomskirts and bangle bracelets, and has just a little silvery streak in her hair.

Spirituality:
Summer doesn't believe in religion, though she goes to a catholic school at her parents insistence. She has a keen belief, however, in her own mortality- she realizes she is not eternal and lives like she has everything to lose. She is none the less a spiritual person, finding the good parts of people and places, and feeling a connection with things (at least during the 80s, and to a certain extent in the present).

In the 90's, Summer lives as though she is already dead- and this is reflected in her lack of spirituality. She's very much disconnected from the world.

Personality:
Summer is strong willed and warm hearted, she loves life and laughter. She is a natural born leader, and very charismatic. She can be stubborn, a bit vain, and occasionally childish, however. There are certain (seemingly simple) concepts that she has a hard time grasping - the relevance of things like time and money, for example.

Likes:
Summer is a very polar person -when she likes things, she LOVES them, and when she dislikes things, she HATES them. This is particularly pronounced during her teen years.

Some likes that remain constant throughout her life -

animals, books, reading, music, theater, flowers, friends, crafts

Dislikes

Summer dislikes...

dishonesty, weakness (or perceived weakness), smoking, drinking, meanness, cruelty, math, time, money, death, horror movies, people telling her what to do

Strengths:
charisma, spirituality, kindness, strength of character, intelligence

Weaknesses:
stubbornness, instability, chaotic nature, wanderlust

Basic goal:
Summer wants nothing less than to achieve immortality. She knows that she is not going to live forever, so she wants for something that she has done to -matter- , to -last-. She hopes to achieve this through a creative venture - first through music, then through writing.

Desires:
love, to write a great novel, to be immortal, to be happy, to have fun, to see new places, to experience new things

Past traumas:
Summer's greatest trauma is second-hand - what happens to Ivy nearly destroys her.

Monkees 1986 and beyond Survey

charisma — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:55:19 GMT

Please take a few moments to fill out the survey in a comment (or comments if necessary). This will help me add some details to the book - the Monkees 20th Anniversary tour is an important backdrop to the story, and the more detail I can have on this the better the story will be. Don't worry if all of the questions don't apply to you - just answer the ones that do. Thanks!

If you would like to keep up with the story as it is being written, join the community. All story entries will be written in the month of November, and will be posted friends only.

Questions

1. What do you remember about the Monkees 20th Anniversary?

2. Were you aware of the Monkees before 1986? In what form?

3. What channel did you watch the Monkees on in 1986? What was your local station / area?

4. Do you remember any teen magazines or other media that had Monkees articles in 1986-87? Names, specifics would be helpful.

5. Did you attend the Monkees 20th anniversary fan convention in Philly? What are your memories of this?

6. Did you purchase any Monkee merch at concerts in 86? What was it?

7. Concert experiences - any small details you can remember are helpful. Pictures?

8. How did seeing the Monkees live change your perspective of the band?

9. Did you go on to see any other live shows?

10. Memories of the opening bands (Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, the Grass Roots)?

11. Did you remain a Monkees fan after 1986, or did you rediscover the Monkee fandom at some point in your life?

12. What is your favorite Monkees episode? What do you like about it? What happens in it?

13. Who is your favorite Monkee and why?

14. Which Monkee do you feel is the most talented and why?

15. How did your opinions of the Monkees change as you got older?

16. Do you listen to any of the band members current music projects? If so who, and what.

17. Were your friends also into the Monkees? Did a friend introduce you to the Monkees? Did you introduce other friends to the Monkees? How did the Monkees affect your friendships?

18. Any specific stories / anecdotes you'd like to add

Thank you for any help you can offer!
--Laura Cushing

The Monkees 1986 '20th Anniversary ' North American Tour

charisma — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:05:35 GMT

Dolenz, Jones and Tork
(May - December 1986)

"Critics of the band wouldn't believe it--and they certainly wouldn't have been there to witness it themselves--but The Monkees are a legitimate rock and roll band. They're also entertaining, something that can't be said about some of their '80s counterparts. The Monkees are a hard act to follow."
-USA Today review of the Monkees' concert at Jones Beach Amphitheater in New York City, 7/26/86

Setlist:

* Last Train To Clarksville
* A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You
* (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone
* Cuddly Toy
* Goin’ Down
* I Wanna Be Free
* Your Auntie Grizelda
* She
* Cripple Creek
* For Pete’s Sake
* That Was Then, This Is Now
* Shades Of Gray
* Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)
* No Time
* Daydream Believer
* Zilch / Randy Scouse Git
* I’ll Love You Forever
* MGBGT
* Valleri
* I’m A Believer
* Encore:
* Listen To The Band
* Pleasant Valley Sunday
* Also performed but dropped were “Take A Giant Step,” “Star Collector” and “Sometime In The Morning.”

The Monkees’ 20th anniversary reunion tour was one of the biggest grossing tours of 1986, having sold out every date on the itinerary. The tour was originally booked in small amphitheaters for a period of six weeks, but quickly stormed into larger capacity arenas and stadiums, keeping the trio on the road for an incredible seven months straight. Michael Nesmith had originally planned to participate in a small reunion tour. Before the North American tour commenced, it became obvious that it was growing with no end in sight, as weeks turned into months when it came to bookings for Monkees concerts. Because of prior business commitments, Mike was forced to pull out of such an extended tour and any accompanying projects.

A press conference was held on May 28, 1986 at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City to officially announce that the Monkees would embark on a 100-plus city tour. (Nesmith originally planned to be at this press conference with Dolenz, Jones and Tork to explain his absence from the tour, but scheduling conflicts prevented his attendance.) Two weeks of rehearsals were undertaken at a Catskill Mountains resort in New York before the tour officially kicked off on May 30, 1986 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Herman’s Hermits, Gary Puckett and The Union Gap and the Grass Roots were featured as opening acts on the extremely successful 20th anniversary reunion tour. An eight-piece backing band, including a horn section, provided instrumental support for the three Monkees. Peter played rhythm and lead guitar throughout the show, as well as the banjo on “Cripple Creek.” Micky occasionally played a stand-up electric drum kit at the front of the stage, and Davy played the tambourine. Micky played guitar on “Pleasant Valley Sunday” at most of the shows. The backing band included Dusty Hanvey (guitar), Larry Nelson (keyboards), Mark Clarke (bass), Eddie Zyne (drums), Kevin Osborne (trombone), John Leslie (saxophone), Lon Seaman (trumpet) and Jim O'Connor (trumpet).

Media reviews were glowing. A new compilation album featuring three newly recorded songs, Then and Now…The Best of The Monkees, went platinum. One of the new songs, “That Was Then, This Is Now,” became a Top 20 hit in the summer of 1986 and was played at every stop, helping spur its radio airplay. An original Tork composition, “MGBGT,” as well as Davy’s “I’ll Love You Forever,” rounded out the new material being played. Cable music channel MTV was airing marathons of the Monkees' original television series, and the TV show began to air daily on the channel in 1986. The Monkees acted as guest VJ's on MTV to promote the tour and host the marathons.

During the very early part of the tour, Peter did “Peter Percival Patterson’s Pet Pig Porky” before “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” Peter, as he would do on all future tours, handled lead vocals on his self-penned “For Pete’s Sake,” unlike the album version of the song where Micky sings the lead vocal. Peter also sang the complete lead on “Shades Of Gray,” slightly different from the album version featuring Davy singing the lead vocal with Peter. This arrangement would continue for most of the following Monkees tours. "Listen To The Band," with all three members sharing lead vocal duties, would also be an arrangement that would continue during all future Monkees tours.

The presence of the Monkees on MTV, the success of the new single and the popularity of the tour resulted in seven of the nine original Monkees albums returning to the Billboard Top 200 chart, along with the Then and Now collection. By the end of 1986, Rhino Records had sold over 2 million albums in the Monkees back catalog.

Nesmith attended a Monkees concert in disguise at Arlington Stadium in Texas on June 22, 1986. He finally joined Dolenz, Jones and Tork onstage for the encore performance at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California on September 7, 1986. The final two dates of the tour (Civic Center Arena in Charleston, West Virginia on 12/1/86 and Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on 12/3/86) were recorded. The subsequent live album, 20th Anniversary Tour 1986, was sold at the 1987 concerts and through mail order only. It was reissued on compact disc as Live! and sold at the 1996 concerts as well.

All four Monkees took part in filming a Christmas medley music video for MTV in early December 1986. Afterwards, the quartet hosted a party at a Manhattan nightclub to celebrate the end of the 20th anniversary tour.