Awesome as always, mate. It has been said a ton of times but thank you for dedicating so much time to creating such an amazing piece of work. This chapter made a cold, wet evening in London much brighter.
Lesson learned - never binge read an unfinished story, especially if it ends right in the middle of a conflict. Nevertheless, it was a good read. Jesus, etc by the Wilco has been one of my all time favorite songs - thanks for giving a whole new meaning to that song.
First person narrative is interesting. I thought I had you figured out last night. I thought (and may still think) that Chris is Tyler from fight club. I had a small thought of god complex but pushed that away, unless you are trying to project a non-self but might still come through. Though I still see a bit of fight club and great gatsby.
Thought one. You were 24 by the time you realized you were gay and e earthing you learned was from pining and Internet reading/watching.
Don't get me wrong. I will continue and I'm not judging. I can't seem to figure out the parallels between Matt and Chris. Joe and Ben. Joe and Chris. Ben and Chris. (I'm drunk and sitting on a patio right now so forgive me. Commenters might not understand me. Hell, you might not. But, I think I'm onto something.)
Tracing of a finger on the cheek. "interesting". Aversion to anal sex. Obsession with anal sex. Not obsession, but the want/not want of it. Theme. Or correlation.
Above average cocks. Half inch bigger than ben's. Chris is big. Can't remember Matt and Andy, but I think Andy was bigger than average.
I can't think of my other thoughts. Though, anyone who is reading this, go back and re- read parts you haven't in a while. You'll see it.
J. You deserve to be put in a corner about this story. For Chris's sake. You weren't the inky ine in that room. He deserves a say. J, stop and think of his thoughts and quit projecting. You did a great job with his first person chapter but did what you say truly say what he thought? Thinks?you only made him dumb to it because that's your perception. You projected his intelligence when it was beneficial. You. I mean, he was a participant and
Ok I'm going to stop. My third marg just hit me. I'm on to something here. I will revisit tomorrow. Or, well, when I get off this freezing patio.
You exist. Chris does not in the way you are portraying him. Though, your story can tell different. Well, I guess I mean, you never did anything with Chris.
In my defense, can I just say that GD blogspot doesn't play well with iPads and corrections. You just have to go with the typing and say wtf to the spelling corrections...or non-spelling errors.
Alo, yeah, three Margs. Either I envy you and yor drinking capabilities or you've never had a good down south tequila margarita.
Note: see my iPad typos? Can't go back and correct or blogspot (who uses blogspot?) will not let me keep in typing and I just have to hit "publish". le sigh.
Sorry to others. I'm not going to do lofty and flowery language at you like other anons. I'm going to tell you this storynis real real fucking good and leave it at that. I don't want you to change a thing. Keep writing. Joe is also kind of acting like rob, FYI. But I guess it's learned, right? God damn, you're a good writer.
I've followed you since "What's Up, Dude", so I guess I can get, to steal a line, justifiably nostalgic about reading you for the first time. This chapter was the most engaging one, I think. Sure, the Dante chapter was an emotional A-bomb, but this one looks you in the eye in a way that the other ones haven't because, briefly, it looks away from the past.
I've always wondered what Joe's vivisectional mind would say about current events. It's stormy in a resplendent kind of way. That dark riff in the beginning set me on edge, and it was beautifully done.
There's something to be said about the disconnect and melodrama a la Synecdoche, New York. You wait for these big things in life to make it all feel alright. It'll never come, or it does, but not really. All the while we're stuck playing mind-chess with Facebook for showmanship or whatever the fuck, and it never feels justified.
The whole coming out thing...I'm still ruminating on it, but I suppose it has value. I'm one of those that knew since puberty, and it's never fucked with me, so there's some difficulty in understanding for me. I get that transitions are weird. Probably better to err on the side of safety (See: Take me to church, the music video).
I imagine I'd try to beat Joe with a copy of Slaughterhouse 5, though he's probably already read it. Screw your heroics. Dulce et decorum whatever, it's all kind of a falsehood. It's okay to have feelings! Navigating them on the daily is an order of magnitude more difficult than taking all your struggles and making it into an effigy. It's a fucked up, shitty game we play, but aside from moving into your nearest ceramic jar or cabin in Vermont, it's worth it being a player if you manage to see past the BS.
Where in the world is Andy? You're his only hooooppppeeeee.
Finished the series within 4 days and i got HOOKED! How can you keep writing this for so long? But I really want you to finish the story, even if it means waiting for 3 more years!
In my mind, the perfect ending would be Chris actively finding Joe, admitting his (former) love & finally accepting himself, his sexuality. Is Chris capable of doing those? I really hope he is.
It would be better if Joe & Chris do not get together in the end. College loves / relationships are (mostly) not meant to last forever, but they will always mean A LOT to us no matter what the outcome.
Will you write anything else after finishing Joe's College? I would like you to try another POV - how about a cute twink ala Wally?
I'm graduating college in two weeks. Been following this for the past two years. Can you please finish the fucking story so I can get some closure? Thanks.
I did several Ph.Ds between chapters 3 and 24, if you know what I mean. That being said, be patient. Would you prefer a shittily written story just to be "done" or quality writing? It's not like you can't follow it post-college. Can't wait for the next installment.
Yeah, I am not offended! Thank you so much for caring! It's probably annoying to wait for new chapters, but at least I'm not as frustrating as George RR Martin (yet).
All that time you just spent apologizing could've been spent writing "Andy's blond ass hairs shone in the golden light of the afternoon" or something much, much better. Chop chop! ;-)
Erin, I think. Yes. Well, I saw Erin posting online the other day. She was talking about polyamory and hunting and Faustian whatnots, yknow. Very "interesting" I thought.
While patiently waiting for the next chapter I've been rereading the whole thing again (still just as good the second time around). This made me laugh and sums up why I love your writing:
"He thinks that after he graduates you'll really go crazy," Kevin said. "He said that he feels like a terminally ill mother worrying about her retarded child."
So, I was convinced at first that he was you but now I think he is him. I don't want to doxx him or you so I won't say too much but the reason why I now think he is him is because his musical tastes are a bit different. Though the time frame of the story is from a different era, I still think they are just a bit too different to be the same.
I also think it was interesting that he mentioned Faust. He writes well, good grammar, etc. He's learned.
Anyway, I think it's "interesting", which when I first came upon him I kept on finding a pattern of him saying over and over.
I'll keep you up on the investigation as things progress. How is school going, by the way? Are you glad you're back at it again?
Oh, but one weird thing is that he does have a brother issue. Not as bad as Joe's but there's something there where they just aren't on the same level.
I'm sorry but I have another question. Do each of you hate each other? Or have ill feelings? Or was it kind of mutual and like, eh, okay I'll see you later.
Awesome as always, mate. It has been said a ton of times but thank you for dedicating so much time to creating such an amazing piece of work. This chapter made a cold, wet evening in London much brighter.
ReplyDeleteThanks dude! I am the light.
DeleteLesson learned - never binge read an unfinished story, especially if it ends right in the middle of a conflict. Nevertheless, it was a good read. Jesus, etc by the Wilco has been one of my all time favorite songs - thanks for giving a whole new meaning to that song.
ReplyDeleteTurning your orbit around.
DeleteYou were right about the stars, each one is a setting sun... profound
DeleteFound this story yesterday and love it. Killed me to see Chris react the way he did
ReplyDeleteFirst person narrative is interesting. I thought I had you figured out last night. I thought (and may still think) that Chris is Tyler from fight club. I had a small thought of god complex but pushed that away, unless you are trying to project a non-self but might still come through. Though I still see a bit of fight club and great gatsby.
ReplyDeleteThought one. You were 24 by the time you realized you were gay and e earthing you learned was from pining and Internet reading/watching.
Don't get me wrong. I will continue and I'm not judging. I can't seem to figure out the parallels between Matt and Chris. Joe and Ben. Joe and Chris. Ben and Chris. (I'm drunk and sitting on a patio right now so forgive me. Commenters might not understand me. Hell, you might not. But, I think I'm onto something.)
Tracing of a finger on the cheek. "interesting". Aversion to anal sex. Obsession with anal sex. Not obsession, but the want/not want of it. Theme. Or correlation.
Above average cocks. Half inch bigger than ben's. Chris is big. Can't remember Matt and Andy, but I think Andy was bigger than average.
I can't think of my other thoughts. Though, anyone who is reading this, go back and re- read parts you haven't in a while. You'll see it.
J. You deserve to be put in a corner about this story. For Chris's sake. You weren't the inky ine in that room. He deserves a say. J, stop and think of his thoughts and quit projecting. You did a great job with his first person chapter but did what you say truly say what he thought? Thinks?you only made him dumb to it because that's your perception. You projected his intelligence when it was beneficial. You. I mean, he was a participant and
Ok I'm going to stop. My third marg just hit me. I'm on to something here. I will revisit tomorrow. Or, well, when I get off this freezing patio.
You exist. Chris does not in the way you are portraying him. Though, your story can tell different. Well, I guess I mean, you never did anything with Chris.
Tell me. Who really was Chris?
-ramble ramble...
I want a patio.
Deletethird??? damn, I wish I could get that drunk off of three margaritas
DeleteIn my defense, can I just say that GD blogspot doesn't play well with iPads and corrections. You just have to go with the typing and say wtf to the spelling corrections...or non-spelling errors.
DeleteAlo, yeah, three Margs. Either I envy you and yor drinking capabilities or you've never had a good down south tequila margarita.
Note: see my iPad typos? Can't go back and correct or blogspot (who uses blogspot?) will not let me keep in typing and I just have to hit "publish". le sigh.
When all else fails, blame the plaintiff.
DeleteJJSH
Sorry to others. I'm not going to do lofty and flowery language at you like other anons. I'm going to tell you this storynis real real fucking good and leave it at that. I don't want you to change a thing. Keep writing. Joe is also kind of acting like rob, FYI. But I guess it's learned, right? God damn, you're a good writer.
ReplyDeleteI've followed you since "What's Up, Dude", so I guess I can get, to steal a line, justifiably nostalgic about reading you for the first time. This chapter was the most engaging one, I think. Sure, the Dante chapter was an emotional A-bomb, but this one looks you in the eye in a way that the other ones haven't because, briefly, it looks away from the past.
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered what Joe's vivisectional mind would say about current events. It's stormy in a resplendent kind of way. That dark riff in the beginning set me on edge, and it was beautifully done.
There's something to be said about the disconnect and melodrama a la Synecdoche, New York. You wait for these big things in life to make it all feel alright. It'll never come, or it does, but not really. All the while we're stuck playing mind-chess with Facebook for showmanship or whatever the fuck, and it never feels justified.
The whole coming out thing...I'm still ruminating on it, but I suppose it has value. I'm one of those that knew since puberty, and it's never fucked with me, so there's some difficulty in understanding for me. I get that transitions are weird. Probably better to err on the side of safety (See: Take me to church, the music video).
I imagine I'd try to beat Joe with a copy of Slaughterhouse 5, though he's probably already read it. Screw your heroics. Dulce et decorum whatever, it's all kind of a falsehood. It's okay to have feelings! Navigating them on the daily is an order of magnitude more difficult than taking all your struggles and making it into an effigy. It's a fucked up, shitty game we play, but aside from moving into your nearest ceramic jar or cabin in Vermont, it's worth it being a player if you manage to see past the BS.
Where in the world is Andy? You're his only hooooppppeeeee.
any reference to Vonnegut would be timely. Dylan is to 60's music as Vonnegut is to 60's literature and how many Dylan references have we had?
DeleteHey Joe, any news on the next chapter??! Please don't make us wait too long.
ReplyDeleteI only started writing the first words of it about 20 minutes ago!
DeleteThat's great news. I mean, y'know, not good news but at least you've begun!
DeleteOh, and tell Chris hi!
J
This chapter kinda made me hate Joe a bit. I don't know what to do with that.
ReplyDeleteFinished the series within 4 days and i got HOOKED! How can you keep writing this for so long? But I really want you to finish the story, even if it means waiting for 3 more years!
ReplyDeleteIn my mind, the perfect ending would be Chris actively finding Joe, admitting his (former) love & finally accepting himself, his sexuality. Is Chris capable of doing those? I really hope he is.
It would be better if Joe & Chris do not get together in the end. College loves / relationships are (mostly) not meant to last forever, but they will always mean A LOT to us no matter what the outcome.
Will you write anything else after finishing Joe's College? I would like you to try another POV - how about a cute twink ala Wally?
How's it going?
ReplyDeleteI'm graduating college in two weeks. Been following this for the past two years. Can you please finish the fucking story so I can get some closure? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteTwo years? Hell, I did a Ph.D between chapters 3 and 24.
ReplyDeleteI did several Ph.Ds between chapters 3 and 24, if you know what I mean. That being said, be patient. Would you prefer a shittily written story just to be "done" or quality writing? It's not like you can't follow it post-college. Can't wait for the next installment.
ReplyDeleteOh, a little friendly ribbing is allowed. JPM knows we love him and we keep coming back because his product is so amazing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I am not offended! Thank you so much for caring! It's probably annoying to wait for new chapters, but at least I'm not as frustrating as George RR Martin (yet).
ReplyDeleteFuck, I didn't realize that the last installment was all the way back in December. I thought it was February or something. Shit. I'm sorry!
ReplyDeleteAll that time you just spent apologizing could've been spent writing "Andy's blond ass hairs shone in the golden light of the afternoon" or something much, much better. Chop chop! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI swear i check this web page once a day just to satisfy my curiosity. Pleaseeee dont keep me waiting :(
ReplyDeleteAny progress? I need more Joe College!
ReplyDeleteDo you remember what a small world it seemed when joe ran across the girl on the roof in NYC? Well, I don't know you, so don't get worried.
ReplyDeleteErin, I think. Yes. Well, I saw Erin posting online the other day. She was talking about polyamory and hunting and Faustian whatnots, yknow. Very "interesting" I thought.
ReplyDeleteWhile patiently waiting for the next chapter I've been rereading the whole thing again (still just as good the second time around). This made me laugh and sums up why I love your writing:
ReplyDelete"He thinks that after he graduates you'll really go crazy," Kevin
said. "He said that he feels like a terminally ill mother worrying
about her retarded child."
Have a good day!
So, I was convinced at first that he was you but now I think he is him. I don't want to doxx him or you so I won't say too much but the reason why I now think he is him is because his musical tastes are a bit different. Though the time frame of the story is from a different era, I still think they are just a bit too different to be the same.
ReplyDeleteI also think it was interesting that he mentioned Faust. He writes well, good grammar, etc. He's learned.
Anyway, I think it's "interesting", which when I first came upon him I kept on finding a pattern of him saying over and over.
I'll keep you up on the investigation as things progress. How is school going, by the way? Are you glad you're back at it again?
Oh, but one weird thing is that he does have a brother issue. Not as bad as Joe's but there's something there where they just aren't on the same level.
ReplyDeletejason
I'm sorry but I have another question. Do each of you hate each other? Or have ill feelings? Or was it kind of mutual and like, eh, okay I'll see you later.
ReplyDeleteJoe and Chris are as fictional as Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. By the end of the story, their situations will be clear.
DeleteHopefully earlier than the next ASOIAF installment?
ReplyDeleteI've gotten pretty bogged down by Canetti's Meereen situation.
DeleteWell now it's July, you're really not going to get anything published with all the humidity and rooftop parties.
ReplyDeleteReally hoping for something this month. No promises.
Delete