Watching Brad

[DonQuixote]

Our Chaz, always the diplomat.

 

[Calagang]

Very well said Chaz ..........No matter What

 

[RacerBear]

I've been a reader of this story since early on and I've been a writer even longer. I find it rude to criticize the grammar in any part of the story. First and foremost, this is told from Ted's point of view and Ted just happens to use "I" when he should use "me". He's a human being (albeit fictional) and, as human beings, we are prone to make simple mistakes when speaking. Just be glad he says, "Brad and I" and not "Me and Brad". I'm thinking that if that were the case, your head would explode.

To put it as simply as I can, however, I would just close with, "Just enjoy the story, grammar errors and all, and GET OVER YOUR CHEAP SELF. MY characters don't always use proper grammar and neither do I.

 

[frankfrank]

Thanks again, everyone. I wrote Part VI today. I'll proof it in the morning and post it.

As for the 'Canadian Content', and_rew, I needed specifics with this one. I knew Brad was in university, and I knew it would be needed. I had to pick a university I knew and the areas around it, so I picked Ryerson. I'm glad I did. It let me bring in the CN Tower, which proved (and will prove in the next Part) a very valuable location and adventure.

I just hope there's a Tim Horton's off the 401 in Pickering. They're everywhere, so I think it's a pretty safe bet.

Well, the other thread brought me here. "I'm lovin' it!" so far. No, wait, that's a different chain that serves coffee, isn't it?

And enjoying the Canadian content as well, with enough of a frame of reference to visualise what's going on. I had to know something about Toronto to visualise you going on Bloor, later on Yonge, to have the fleeting thought "What are they doing THERE?" when turning right (southwest) on Front.

This is the first time in years that I've read a novel (or anything close to it).

 

[DonQuixote]

Frank Frank,
Welcome to one of the greatest pieces of literature on JUB.

 

[frankfrank]

gsdx, what have you done?

I'm SUPPOSED to be working on some timely administrative shit. Now I can't put this down, and I note this thread has 24 times as many pages as I've just finished (at Chapter XIV).

Ive been alive considerably longer than you, and this may be the best thing I have ever read. I'm serious.

 

[frankfrank]

WARNING SIGNS AND FLAGS COMING UP...I see some posts in the 3320's asking about another installment coming. Am I reading something that doesn't have any resolution? Uh-oh.

 

[DonQuixote]

Frank,
Neil has slowed considerably in his story writing due to his chronic pain.
You have a long way to go to get to where the story currently lies.

And, I somehow don't think you are *considerably* older than Neil.

 

[frankfrank]

Doing the math, I'm somewhere between 6 to 8 years older, I think.

I just like those little random touches that he throws in once in a while...

We abandoned the near-full beer bottles and left them to spend the rest of the night on the stone wall, pointing silently into the night sky.

I'll have to get back to work, and anyway my mind has to keep up with the character development and all, I can't be too hasty.

 

[Love me 2]

Well, the other thread brought me here. "I'm lovin' it!" so far. No, wait, that's a different chain that serves coffee, isn't it?

And enjoying the Canadian content as well, with enough of a frame of reference to visualise what's going on. I had to know something about Toronto to visualise you going on Bloor, later on Yonge, to have the fleeting thought "What are they doing THERE?" when turning right (southwest) on Front.

This is the first time in years that I've read a novel (or anything close to it).

You won't be disappointed with the story line, Frank. It's a great read.

 

[frankfrank]

Neil -

I just found this story and read it from its start up till this point, laughing and crying as I'm sure so many others have.

I hope that Brad and Ted and all the other important people in their lives are with us for a long time to come. I wish I could know them all personally - this is at least the next best thing. Thank you for bringing them into our lives.

You have a gift and I thank you so much for sharing it with us.

QFT. *raises and waves hand frantically*

I love some of your characters more than I've loved some of my better friends in real life. Wow, just wow.

Totally agree with Sheep on this one Hardon killer.

I like the joke with Brad's ball KO'ing people,

I'm absolutely 100% gay, and I love that you included the lesbian aspects in here as well. After all, they're just people - oh wait, no they aren't, they're FICTION - "OH, FRANKFRANK, SHUT UP!" - no, lesbian activities will NEVER be hard-on bait for me, it doesn't do a thing whatsoever for me, it's just NEUTRAL. I'm glad they're part of my life, as I continue reading this.

AWE-SOME!!!!

Neil, Dude!

You had me tearing up with Ted's Mom and Dad! But ... you've completely "floored" me with Brad and Ted at "The Falls"!

I'm actually responding to this first, BEFORE THE OTHERS, in this queue. So that I can say this IN THE PRESENT: I've been shaking and quivering and crying since getting into the Niagara part. No reading has ever done this to me before. This story so far is the best story I have ever read, with no doubt. With the bases loaded, you smashed THIS one effortlessly sailing far over deep center field, over the bleachers, over the wall, all the way to the street.

I did not find any of your "lezzie" content in any way shape or form a "hardon killer". Nowhere did you describe any sexual contact between these two people. Come on, we all exist. I don't see these two as intrusive neighbors - just really good friends that I wish I could have. Its a story, a well written story and I think Cali and Mags are wonderful people for Brad and Ted to have met.

As always great additions to your story Neil!

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, GUYS...I am actually so happy that I'm reading this AFTER THE FACT. There are so many beautiful comments in this thread...and I CONSIDER THEM TO BE PART OF THE STORY. I just can't get myself outta this place...

gsdx, was the inside of Neil's place something like your space was IRL in 2006?

I've had utmost respect for you for years, and this story certainly adds to it.

 

[DonQuixote]

Neil,
The line was played out and the hook properly set on another devoted fan.

Frank - just remember - the REAL date is 26 October. Pay no attention to the August(?) date.
(All will be made clear later, lol)

 

[frankfrank]

WATCHING BRAD
Part XXXIII​

The first single note, low on the keyboard, filled the room. It was slow and played with a great amount of emotion. The chord that followed told me immediately what the melody was. There was no mistaking it. Eric Satie. Gymnopedie No. 1. A second single note sounded lower on the keyboard, then the chord again. He repeated this, and then Brad's right hand began taking up the main theme. It was beautifully haunting in its simpleness and I sat there in absolute awe as I listened to him play. His fingers moved smoothly over the keys.

I've heard this tune hundreds of times. I knew it by heart.

My God, Neil! YOU HAVE NO IDEA...

The story is far too long to go into here, but this tune was entirely integral to me making the most unexpected and incongruous connection between two entirely unrelated things - what I consider the most bizarre thing that has ever happened to me. This is something that happened in the middle of September 2013...when somebody sent me a link to a video of that composition on YouTube.

The guy who sent it to me is indeed a central part of the entirely surreal and astonishing connection that was made that day, and if not for the link he sent me to that song, the connection would have never happened. It's not the kind of connection that led me to somebody I hadn't seen in decades or anything like that, but it was so entirely bizarre (and pleasant).

And you unknowingly put it right in front of me.

Wow...so your Ted was a fan of BRAVE NEW WAVES!!!!! That's the only way I can easily imagine that he heard it hundreds of times. After going totally-wild-and-crazy during their first two hours, Gymnopedie 1 closed out the third and final hour. I had access to satellite radio (not the "car kind" but the old-school kind where you needed a massive backyard dish to pick it up yourself, unofficially), and I was glued to that show when Brent Bambury hosted it on CBC Radio 2.

And the bolded part...YES, that is so entirely true! It's one of the most impressive compositions, one for the Ages...and there isn't even "much to it" at all.

 

[frankfrank]

They leaned away from me at the same moment and looked at me.

"Are you our new Daddy?" Justin asked.

I lost it.

BAM!

Gadz, I was quivering and crying again...just not now because I couldn't get rid of the quote queue and it wouldn't let me quote this Part XXXX (as some clock faces also way; or XL) right away without massaging and manoeuvring the links, etc.

I'm SUPPOSED to be getting other stuff done. DARN you, Neil.

I've never been so drawn into a story before. What happened years ago when I picked up Orwell's "1984" and couldn't put it down, was nothing like this...

I guess the closest was the "undying love for my best friend" thread that LostVegas had here, a few years back.

 

[Love me 2]

BAM!

Gadz, I was quivering and crying again...just not now because I couldn't get rid of the quote queue and it wouldn't let me quote this Part XXXX (as some clock faces also way; or XL) right away without massaging and manoeuvring the links, etc.

I'm SUPPOSED to be getting other stuff done. DARN you, Neil.

I've never been so drawn into a story before. What happened years ago when I picked up Orwell's "1984" and couldn't put it down, was nothing like this...

I guess the closest was the "undying love for my best friend" thread that LostVegas had here, a few years back.

I have had my ups and downs with the story, and it is very addictive read.

 

[gsdx]

gsdx, was the inside of Neil's place something like your space was IRL in 2006?

Indeed it was, Frank, and it still is. In fact, if one were carefully to follow the directions Ted drove to get you my place, you'd know almost precisely where I live. The description was my home, from the sidewalk to the steps to the hallway and inside. Even the reading material which Lindsay discovered in the bathroom was real.

Ted gets his love of classical music from me. I've always loved it, and the only radio station I've listened to for the past 30 years or more is a 24-hour classical music station (which, if anyone is interested, can be streamed live through the link). The pieces which Ted loves are the ones I love to listen to. That's the closest Ted comes to me.

Still, I thank you for your praise. I'm humbled by it. It isn't the reason I write. I write for my pleasure and (the collective) your entertainment.

Happy reading.

Neil

PS - I'm 63. It's not a secret around here.

 

[frankfrank]

Kyanimal, "the name's Dad" got me too. More than EIGHT YEARS after it got you.

"I've never made loose tea before," he said. "I hope it's okay."

Mom took the cup offered to her and took a hesitant sip. She smiled up at Brad. "It's delicious," she said with a polite cringe. "Tomorrow, I'll show you how to make it less crunchy."

Boys and tools and heavy equipment. I think it's genetic.

Where do you come up with this stuff?

 

[frankfrank]

A note near the top of the email alerts that I'm sending out to nearly 500 customers later today, includes:

"I thought I'd do this Sunday. I got hopelessly buried in a fiction novel." (as in I HAD PLANNED TO DO IT TWO DAYS AGO...not that I was going to wait until this coming Sunday, LOL)

It's that time of the year, and my annual biggie always comes out in January.

I've been doing other things, but...wow, just wow...what CAN I say?

As Lawrence Welk used to say...Wun'erful, Wun'erful!

 

[DonQuixote]

Frank,
It's so much fun enjoying the snippets of the story through a new reader's eyes.

Makes me want to go back and re-read it all over again - which I should.

 

[frankfrank]

Wow, the chips did really fall in Part 85...then took on a life of their own once they hit the floor. Your Muse has no bounds at all. I sat there and sat there until I had to pick up the spatula to scoop my jaw off the floor.

I've never been so into reading anything in all my 39 and a half years of life!!! Nothing has ever brought as much emotion to me, in reading. Reading this story makes me hope that one day I will find as much happiness as these two men share!!!!

Thank you so much Neil!!!!

Sincerely,
Ray

I certainly can't reply to this guy, as he's probably been gone so long that he probably no longer lurks here, either. But, change his number by ALMOST adding Ted's age to it. In my SIXTY SEVEN and a half years, which comes on 06 February, this is truly the best novel I have ever read. No contest.

"Are you our new Daddy?" Justin asked.

I read some of the posts above this one, and the waterworks started again. All of this, even before considering the extra-special circumstances involved, which I vividly remember. Maybe the most powerful quote of the whole story so far, and there's a LOT of competition there.