Take That Adorableness, and a Short Howard/Jason Pic Spam

[przed]

Last week, I ended up devouring Gary Barlow's autobiography in record time. (Yes, I've gone completely overboard on the Take That thing. Let's just accept that and move on.) Gary's story is a fascinating one - halotolerant has pointed out it's a perfect classical narrative, going from success and hubris to nemesis to redemption,- but what's even better for my money is the glimpses it offers of the emotional life of the band.

The moment in the book I keep coming back to, over and over, is one that takes place after their reunion press conference, and focuses on Howard and Jason, who seem to have become my fave Take That RPS pairing:

We came off stage, did a few one-to-one interviews and then went backstage to our room. Suddenly the security guys began clearing everyone out of our room – Howard was on his knees, crying, he was overwhelmed by it all. Jay sat hugging him, looking white as a ghost, and Mark, who had seemed the least fazed by the press, looked as worried as I felt.

Wow. I mean… just wow.

Three sentences, but there's so much there. Howard losing it, and Jay protecting him. Mark and Gary worrying over them. And the security guys, who've mostly been with them all from the start, since they were kids, instinctively acting to protect them all. Can I hear a big Awwwww.

Pretty much all of my slash pairings up until now have been stoic secret agent types. If I read, let alone wrote, a story with one of 'em weeping in his partner's arms, I'd consider it way over the top. But with these guys, it's actually happened. And it's incredibly sweet.

I don't think I'm going to lose my taste for the stoic ones, but I have to say, having guys be this out in the open about their emotions, and about looking after each other, is actually kind of refreshing.

In celebration of my discovery of Howard/Jason, here are a few pics of their awesomeness, roughly in order of increasing slashiness.

During the Beautiful World tour, clearly having a ball and enjoying being close to each other.


They just look like they're having too much fun here. And they're wonderfully scruffy, which is always a good thing, IMO. *g*


Jason hugging Howard backstage during the Beautiful World tour. This is during the period where Howard couldn't perform because he'd broken a rib on stage and given himself a pneumothorax, so he spends each concert making notes for the other blokes, and being all proud of Jason doing a solo song. (Real life h/c! How can I resist!)


I can't entirely explain why, but I just love this pic. I think it's the ease they clearly have around each other.


I'm trying to explain this without the slash. Trying, and failing I might add. Oh, boys. *g*


This is the pic I took my icon from, because it's just adorable. And as a bonus, it puts me in mind of Halo's utterly awesome story, The Insomnia Decades, where Jay falling asleep on Howard's shoulder is a key plot point.

Comments

[solosundance.livejournal.com]

Pretty much all of my slash pairings up until now have been stoic secret agent types. If I read, let alone wrote, a story with one of 'em weeping in his partner's arms, I'd consider it way over the top. But with these guys, it's actually happened. And it's incredibly sweet.

Funny, I've just been part of a DW Mag7 chitchat about tears and stoic manly men's emotional landscapes and such :) I seem to have been pegged for someone who writes "extreme" situations (can't think where this came from!) so I'm actually quite fascinated by crying men. And women's cultural reaction to it! And the challenge of writing emotional meltdown without compromising the manly stoicalness of our chosen boys. You may have catapulted me into more thinky thoughts :) And that last pic (and your icon) are totally adorable :))

[przed.livejournal.com]

Men and tears and the emotions of the stoic is an utterly fascinating subject, isn't it? I've always been innately drawn to h/c situations, even as a kid, so evoking emotional responses from otherwise stoic boys is clearly something that strikes a chord with me. But with other fandoms I've been in, the trick has always been to get the emotions without betraying that essential stoicism. With the TT boys, however, you can get away with murder when portraying their emotional response. It's utterly fascinating, and no doubt part of the reason I've been sucked into the fandom so hard, so fast. (Wow, look, I'm having thinky thoughts!)


As for why you've been pegged as writing extreme situations, I can't begin to imagine. ::cough::--Touch Sensitive--::cough:: (Which I recently re-read, BTW, and it's still awesome.)

[angel-ci5.livejournal.com]

Oh they are lovely, aren't they... Howard's simply gorgeous, and Jason has a striking beauty... and they both have that physical 'grace' that dancers have, don't they.

I'm looking forward to seeing their performance at the National Movie Awards tonight! :-D

[przed.livejournal.com]

Howard caught my eye immediately, though Jason had to grow on me a bit. They both definitely have more grace than the others, and a nice ranginess I rather appreciate.

Just saw the NMA performance on YouTube. Yay!!!!!!!

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

*happysigh*
I've been looking forward to this post and so pleased to see it today! And oh, you know I love these guys (thank you, btw, for the fic mention, I'm so incredibly pleased you've meshed it in your head with visual canon *g*), so I enjoyed this post a lot! Anything with them touching is always a bonus, and that last pic is just so lovely, so sweet and relaxed. But I also love the one with Jason hiding behind Howard - again, it's so relaxed. With Jason and Howard more than any of the others I get the feeling that they're just utterly comfortable in each other's space - not (like say Mark or Robbie) comfortable *flirting* with another man in a conscious way but literally just without boundaries. I think that's what gives them the 'old married couple' feel to an extent maybe.

(I also may have been rewatching the kissing on Jonathan Ross, and I noticed that when Jason is told by Ross to give him a proper kiss, he looks right at Howard first, as if to clear it with him *g*)

In added squee, I've just seen the performance at National Movie Awards of 'Love Love' which was awesome in rather the same way as Kidz (looking literally fierce, co-ordinated marching, nice black outfits) and had some Robbie/Mark and Robbie/Gary and Howard apparently once more wearing eyeliner, which is a look he does WELL *haz a new kink* Not quite on YT yet but I imagine it'll be there soon! *g*

Pretty much all of my slash pairings up until now have been stoic secret agent types. If I read, let alone wrote, a story with one of 'em weeping in his partner's arms, I'd consider it way over the top.
This is very similar to my situation - I always did mostly emotionally illiterate men who I couldn't ever even have *thinking* about love/affection. The contrast between writing guys who struggle to admit they'd care if the other one died and guys who go for snuggles and snogging if the other's having a slightly crap day is sometimes very amusing! *g*

[przed.livejournal.com]

The Insomnia Decades has completely become my go to fic for when I need a happy boost. And when I saw that pic, well, it just about took me head off. Together, fic and pic put me in a very happy place indeed.

You're right that they are utterly without boundaries around each other. And completely relaxed. Which is completely unlike Mark & Robbie, where there's always this unspoken tension and need and insecurity, which makes them an interesting pairing, but not at all comfortable. Howard & Jason are comfortable and mature and lovely. Definitely an old married couple.

I totally have to go back and watch the Ross kissing bit again. Of course Jason would clear it with Howard. *g*

Love, Love was everything I was hoping for, and nothing I was fearing. (I reckoned it would be a slower Gary-type ballad, and I'm pleased I was wrong. Not that there's anything wrong with Gary's ballads, but they'll never be my fave TT numbers.) The outfits were awesome, and I love their Kidz-like fierceness. I somehow missed Howard's eyeliner. Shall have to go watch again. Oh, the agony. *g* (Thank god for the Hell Yeah Take That Tumblr. Well, all the TT Tumblr feeds, really. I've got a bucketload of them bookmarked these days.)

The contrast between writing guys who struggle to admit they'd care if the other one died and guys who go for snuggles and snogging if the other's having a slightly crap day is sometimes very amusing! *g*

Ya know, I'm now having trouble not letting the emotional lives of the TT boys bleed into Bodie & Doyle. I'm working on my BB story, in a desultory way, and keep having to pull back from having Doyle weep in Bodie's arms when I hit the h/c sections. (I need to write "Doyle is not Mark Owen" all over my writing area, I think.)

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

The Insomnia Decades has completely become my go to fic for when I need a happy boost
This makes me so pleased, I mean obviously it's lovely to have one's fic enjoyed and remembered but honestly, honestly there's nothing I like to hear more about my fic than that something I've written makes people feel happy *g* So thank you - that made me very happy too!

I think part of the reason I do like Howard/Jason is that - whilst they are comfortable and emotive and so on - they are more in the 'classic' model of blokes which I'm more used to writing/shipping. I mean, not hugely but quite a lot in comparison to Mark or the insane Twilight/Wuthering Heights/Romeo and Juliet intensity that is Mark/Robbie. But then that's the beauty of TT fandom, there's all that variety! *g*

I was somewhat hoping for a Gary ballad simply because 'Rule the World' did so well for them in the charts and I'd love this single to be a number one for them, but then I really can't listen to Rule the World (it's fab and utterly transcendant live but honestly not my kind of background music at all) whereas I'm already singing 'Love Love' all over the house (and my poor longsuffering flatmates are now unable to stop humming the hook either!). I'm not sure Howard's in eyeliner but here and at the Kidz performance it looked like it to me - that would be a lovely touch I think, not least because he's the most traditionally butch one.

Ooh, time for you to rec to me! What other tumblr feeds should I follow? (I'm only watching hellyeahtakethat at present)

I've done some Pros BB story (and I know the plot. ish...) and put it on the back burner to work on my LoM BB story which has an earlier deadline. And occasionally my TT stories, of which there are many and none are finished... and then I thought it would be a fantastic plan to spend 20 hours of my life getting addicted to 'The Killing' and starting to think partially in Danish and get annoyed that I can't think of a mystery for either of my case fics that's half as good as that!

[przed.livejournal.com]

All your fic makes me happy, when it comes right down to it. In fact, I had to sit for forty-five minutes in a coffee shop parking lot today (I had Ros home with a minor virus, she wouldn't take a nap, but fell asleep in the car) and pleasantly spent the time reading Still Waters and Five Scenes from a Starship on my iPod. (Moms should never travel without fanfic on their iPods, in case of emergency naps.)

You're right that Howard and Jason are closer to the classic bloke mode than the rest of the TT bunch. Though classic blokes who are also prone to weeping in each other's arms, obviously. *g* Probably for that reason they were the easiest ones for me to write in the WW I story. As for Mark/Robbie, I don't know what's more amusing: them as Bella/Edward or Heathcliff/Cathy. *g*

Ya know, I've been trying to track down a copy of Rule the World. iTunes only has someone else's cover of it, and the CD copies are going for a bazillion dollars on Amazon. Time to hit ebay methinks. (I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to do that to get Mark's last solo album, which is also going for a bazillion dollars on Amazon. Someone on eBay has it for a mere half a bazillion.)

But as for them having another number one, yes! They totally deserve it! And why the heck didn't Kidz chart higher than it did? That song is amazing. It's what turned me on to them, after all.

Time for me to payback all your lovely recs. Here are the Tumblr feeds I go to regularly.

http://fuckyeahmarkowen.tumblr.com/ Updated multiple times daily and probably my favourite

http://fuckyeahjasonorange.tumblr.com/ Updated pretty often, and the source of a lot of these lovely H/J pics

http://fuckyeah-takethat.tumblr.com/ Lots of lovely stuff

http://fuckyeah90stakethat.tumblr.com/ Older photos, from the sublime to the ridiculous

http://hellyeahrobbiewilliams.tumblr.com/ Highly variable quality, but some good stuff crops up here

http://fuckyeahtakethat.tumblr.com/ Hasn't been updated since December, but there's some good stuff here

http://fyeahhowarddonald.tumblr.com/ Just found this one, and it's the best of the Howard bunch. The other Howard ones haven't been updated for months! Tragic!

http://fuckyeahhowarddonald.tumblr.com Some adorable stuff here, but it's been dead since October

I really need to get going on the Pros BB. I've got pages and pages of where the plot needs to go next, but no solid outline and I've written no new words for ages. But what am I doing? Writing a sequel to the TT WW I story. (Jason's getting whumped this time, though mostly off screen.) ::headdesk:: I'm sure my co-mods are noting my TT posts and despairing.

I need not tell you how excited I'll be when you post new TT stories, right? (I just noticed today in your notes to Five Scenes from a Starship you said you wanted to write more in that universe. And can I just say, that would be AWESOME.)

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

*bounces for links* Thank you! That's just *counts* octupleted my daily supply of awesome TT pics, which is obviously a Very Excellent Thing \o/

Bizarre that you can't get normal Rule the World on iTunes - dunno if it's on the Stardust OST and maybe more easily or cheaply available that way? And yeah, the Mark solo stuff is mostly prohibitively expensive now :(

The thing about the fact that Kidz didn't chart well in the UK is that everyone had either already bought the album or, going by the charts, bought the album rather than the single, which is obviously more money for them in the long run but doesn't look so good in statistics. Since Love Love isn't on the album it stands a better chance of making it higher up, hopefully.

I love the idea that my fic has Made Parenting Easier *g* And I'm thrilled to hear you're working on a WW1 story sequel - I loved the universe you made there! And I'm imagining that if Jason gets whumped someone will comfort him, which I am already eager for *g* For myself I've been bitten by yet another, different AU bug and we'll see what comes of that *looks at WIP file* *sighs*

Have a YT vid that I found: http://youtu.be/QxNzRw6j_-w
It reminds me how much I want to write Gary/Robbie Marriage of Convenience fic (which is a favourite trope of mine) because - continuing the theme of the variety of romance flavours possible within TT - they are the only two one can really get into the 'first they hated each other, then they realised the anger was in fact crazyhot passion' thing *g* Oh, and a fic where they are two guys who hated each other in school/uni who - for some no doubt highly likely reason - are forced to go on a roadtrip and wind up in love, shagging and married in Vegas, not necessarily in that order *g*

The bunnies are eating my brain!

[przed.livejournal.com]

Octupling your daily supply of TT goodness is definitely a Very Excellent Thing. *g* So glad I could assist, especially after all the lovely things you've pointed me to.

iTunes Canada frequently fails when it comes to TT stuff. The Stardust OST doesn't have Rule the World on it (WTF?) The frustrating thing is I checked, and most of the stuff I'd love is on iTunes UK. (Much as he pretty much hates TT, the Sweetie has suggested a scheme for getting a few of the tracks I'd like from the UK store. Stay tuned for a PM.)

I figured Kidz not charting would have a lot to do with everyone already having the album. (I shan't mention those horrid people who seem to like dissing Mark's voice. grrrrrrr.) Here's hoping Love Love does chart higher. Much higher.

Your fic did indeed Make Parenting Easier. And yes, the new WW I fic will entail some comforting of Jason. Not to mention Jason comforting a certain other person who shall remain nameless, but might just be the resident TT big scruffy butch bloke. There may even be a big puppy pile of comfort, if I can bash my muse into submission. (And new AUs are awesome. You just need to finish some of those stories, yeah? ::she said selfishly::)

That vid may have just made a Gary/Robbie fan of me. When it wasn't making me protective on Mark's behalf, that is. (Barlow! Get your mitts off Markie's man!) But whereas Mark/Robbie is just this potential slow motion train wreck waiting to happen, Gary/Robbie, in that vid at least, has the weirdly easy quality. Which is bizarre, given the animosity that's existed between them in the past. But I think I could actually go for a Gary/Robbie pairing in a world which also involved a Mark/Jason/Howard OT3. (I do love that middle bit of your apocafic where super!competent!Howard and Jason look after poor bereft Mark.) And I love the hate him/love him potential of the pairing.

Don't let the bunnies eat your brain! You need it for writing! *g*

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

The vibe I get off that video (which is one I've felt about Gary/Robbie before) is very much based on the clever song choice - that Gary is 'the last high', that being involved with Gary is actually sufficient stimulation for Robbie to free him from all the drugs and alcohol, that for Gary he will change. When Gary and Robbie went around singing 'Shame' there was this way Robbie would stare at Gary, like he felt safe as long as he was watching him, that I just adored, similar body language to what one sees at Children in Need (my theory is that, generally, when Robbie's feeling confident he flirts with Mark, when he needs reassurance he flirts with Gary... *g*). Whereas, as you say, there's no sense that Mark is a person to give Robbie that stability and reassurance - that's why in a sense I like Gary/Mark/Robbie, with Gary as the missing ingredient, although the dynamic is strangely hard to actually capture (perhaps because it's so unequal? - what I usually end up with is one of the three on the outside looking in)

If I'm feeling in a mood for something a bit angsty, I like the conception that Mark and Robbie had a thing, Robbie left, Mark got together with Gary, less exciting but stable, pleasant and then Robbie comes back to get his Markie and ends up falling for Gary and taking him away from Mark - there's quite a classic noir in there somewhere... I'd never write something that sad though.

Mark/Howard/Jason with h/c elements is just awfully pleasing, isn't it? *g* One of the reasons I loved writing that fic so very much!

Oh goodness, if anything's eaten my brain today it's the extra THREE hours I spent at work today after hometime dictating discharge letters (we dictate onto a dictaphone and get them typed up - I would be so much faster just typing directly but that's the system, designed for very non-computer-literate consultants) - easing my tired mind with TT pics now! *g*

[przed.livejournal.com]

I can see Gary/Mark/Robbie being a very difficult dynamic to maintain. Gary's rock solid, but the other two are flighty enough that creating a happy ever after with that OT3 would be very very difficult. I think you might be right on the money about Robbie's flirting with Mark and Gary.

You're angsty story arc would be sort of perfect, but would completely break my heart, not to mention Mark's. Mark is the one I would least like to see hurt, even if he's the one who's probably most likely to end up that way. (Poor Mark. There's something about that man that trips every maternal, protective instinct I've got. Very interesting...)

Mark/Howard/Jason, on the other hand, is very pleasing indeed. Howard & Jason are rock solid, and provide a nice support for Mark. I can see why you loved writing that fic, quite apart from the fact that it's brilliant. (I've finally formatted it for my iPod. Hooray for having apocafic whenever I want!)

Your work sounds brutal. And totally inefficient. Surely as more doctors become more proficient with computers they'll overhaul the system. Or perhaps not. You never know with bureaucracies, do you? Have fun with the TT pics!

[anniina85.livejournal.com]

"You're angsty story arc would be sort of perfect, but would completely break my heart, not to mention Mark's. Mark is the one I would least like to see hurt, even if he's the one who's probably most likely to end up that way. " I just happened to come accross this pic spam and found this conversation you have going on very interesting ;) I hope you don't mind me making a little comment here...
The idea of Robbie first leaving Mark behind, then Mark finding a safe place with Gary, only to have him taken away from him by Robbie (who's possibly the love of his life), that's just beyond tragic, and way cruel on poor Mark. And I agree that it would most probably be Mark who ends up hurting in the end. If he would realise that there really is something going on between Gary and Rob, being the sweet, nice and caring person that he is, I have a feeling he would back down for the sake of them, no matter how much it would break his heart. He does have that need to please everyone and see everybody be happy. But the question is, could Gary and Robbie ever do something like that to Mark? So, maybe a threesome would be the best solution ;)

"(Poor Mark. There's something about that man that trips every maternal, protective instinct I've got. Very interesting..." I'm with you on this, there is just something about him. He just feels so genuine, always smiling and even on camera he always laughs from the heart, I love that about him :D Maybe it's partly cause we know the music business and the celebrity world can be quite hard and cold and cruel at times. And obviously Mark's not the most confident of people and the events last spring made it clear that he's not been unaffected by it. And everybody is always saying how nice and kind and sweet person he is. And underneath all those brave smiles he seems to be very sensitive as well. Very "unique", definitely not someone you would call a 'traditional' blokey bloke ;)
That said, I also fancy the pants off him and think he's wayyyy hot and sexy!

[przed.livejournal.com]

More people to discuss TT with is awesome, so welcome!

If he would realise that there really is something going on between Gary and Rob, being the sweet, nice and caring person that he is, I have a feeling he would back down for the sake of them, no matter how much it would break his heart.

You're absolutely right about that. Mark does seem to have a bit of a self-sacrificing streak, and I could definitely see him doing what he could to see his friends happy, even if it meant his own unhappiness. Again, I'll say, Poor Mark.

But the question is, could Gary and Robbie ever do something like that to Mark? So, maybe a threesome would be the best solution ;)

I don't think Gary would consciously hurt Mark. And Robbie would only do it accidentally, because he's impulsive and doesn't always think things through. So yes, a threesome would probably be the best solution all 'round. But it would be darn tricky to manage with those three.

I'm with you on this, there is just something about him. He just feels so genuine, always smiling and even on camera he always laughs from the heart, I love that about him :D

Well put! His authenticity, and his enthusiasm, are definitely large parts of why I find him so compelling. But also his vulnerability in the face of what is no doubt a brutal business. I'm a recent convert to TT, so I wasn't around when events unfolded last spring, but it's pretty extraordinary to read about them now, and see the footage in Look Back Don't Stare. I also find it interesting that he's clearly the most emotionally open when they're performing (his adoration of both Robbie and Gary is pretty clear when they're performing) but he's also frequently the one who reveals the least in interviews. Halo has also pointed out that the other members of the band will spill their guts about their own problems, and their issues with other band members, but they never say too much about Mark, except what a lovely man he is. I have a feeling they're all a bit protective of him.

In spite of that vulnerability, though, it's also interesting that he's clearly a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the look of their shows and the way things are staged. There's an interview I've seen somewhere (can't remember if it's LBDS or somewhere else) where Gary points out how much Mark drives them mad when he's being a perfectionist over the look of the show. But he says it with great affection.

That said, I also fancy the pants off him and think he's wayyyy hot and sexy!

Yes! Definitely! While Howard is usually more like my usual taste in blokes, there is something utterly compelling about Mark. That smile! That hair! That crazy dress sense!

[anniina85.livejournal.com]

"You're absolutely right about that. Mark does seem to have a bit of a self-sacrificing streak" Yes, it really seems so. Appart from his appearance and behaviour, that's quite evident on his solo lyrics as well. I think the solo lyrics are a brilliant window to his soul and to the person he really is behind the smiling and at times bubbly and silly exterior.

"I don't think Gary would consciously hurt Mark. And Robbie would only do it accidentally, because he's impulsive and doesn't always think things through. So yes, a threesome would probably be the best solution all 'round. But it would be darn tricky to manage with those three." Ah, Robbie really should sometimes think twice before he opens his mouth or does something ;) but of course he doesn't mean any harm, he just can't help himself. The dynamics in that threesome could be a bit tricky indeed. I guess for me, to have Gary and Robbie work in a romantic sense I need to have Mark in the mix. I see that Robbie and Gary adore and respect eachother, and Robbie obviously looks up at Gary in almost a big brotherly way, but I can't feel the erotic side to them. Sure Robbie does flirt with Gary, but it seems he does it more cause it's fun to play like that. Whereas with Mark it feels more intimate and more intense. (Could also be the different ways Gary/Mark react to the flirtations. Gary usually laughs about it, like he did at the movie awards performance this week, and Mark seems to really savour each moment of affection.

"I also find it interesting that he's clearly the most emotionally open when they're performing (his adoration of both Robbie and Gary is pretty clear when they're performing) but he's also frequently the one who reveals the least in interviews. " Mark seems to really lose himself into the music when they perform. On the other hand he’s brilliant at speaking to the audience and getting in ‘character’ for the big performances etc, and on the other hand, especially on tv performances, it’s seems like he often gets completely into his own little world and just feels the music (and does all those weird little dance moves LOL). Mark does speak very little about how he feels about things in interviews. He did reveal a bit of his inner thought on LBDS, but for example on For the record, compared to the rest, he says very little about anything. His only comment when the documentary talks about Robbie leaving is that he didn’t think about it that much and that only knew he had two weeks time to learn how to rap (for a tour that was coming). Which obviously was not how it went according to Gary’s fairly recent quote, saying how a girl has never broken Mark’s heart, but Robbie did the day he left the band. That Mark was inconsolable. That is an interesting observation that the others very seldom do talk about Mark, hadn’t noticed it before but it does seem to be like that! That must be protectiveness from their part.

I love that bit in LBDS when Gary’s saying how Mark drives them insane with his perfectionism! That’s a classic Barlowen moment. And the way Mark’s face lightens up the second Gary says he loves him :) Mark seems to be a very creative and visual person and seems to have quite strong visions on how things should look. From the documentary I got the feeling Gary and Mark can at times clash a bit creatively, cause they do have quite different kind of styles. And Gary being a very authoritative and outspoken person can sometimes say things quite straight. But he must know Mark well enough to know that he can take things the wrong way and is ready to explain what he really meant ;)

I think if you look a bit under the surface the vulnerability that Mark has is quite evident. I find that very appealing. In search of acceptation I think he loves when the other boys show him some affection, a little cuddle here and there always earns a massive smile from him ;) Also, I love that he has his own style and isn’t afraid to dress/act a bit girly at times. Totally adorable! *g*

[przed.livejournal.com]

You're absolutely right about Mark's lyrics revealing a self-sacrificing side to his personality. And then some. "Blissfully tortured" indeed.

I definitely see much more intensity between Mark and Robbie than between Rob and Gary, while Rob and Gary have a more playful, more stable feel. Doing an OT3, if you could get the balance right, would give you the intensity and the stability. But get the balance wrong and it all goes horribly wrong. :-/

On the other hand he’s brilliant at speaking to the audience and getting in ‘character’ for the big performances etc

Absolutely! In the concert DVDs, he seems the one most intent on making a close connection with the audience, and having a care for everyone.

Mark does speak very little about how he feels about things in interviews. He did reveal a bit of his inner thought on LBDS, but for example on For the record, compared to the rest, he says very little about anything. His only comment when the documentary talks about Robbie leaving is that he didn’t think about it that much and that only knew he had two weeks time to learn how to rap

I know! I've spent the last two months mainlining TT history, so when I finally got hold of For the Record I expected big revelations from Mark about how Rob leaving the band affected him. And then there was...virtually nothing. Which first I found frustrating, but on further reflection becomes very interesting. Especially given that quote from Gary. (I'd seen that quote about Rob breaking Mark's heart before I saw For the Record.)

I love that bit in LBDS when Gary’s saying how Mark drives them insane with his perfectionism! That’s a classic Barlowen moment.

Ah, it was in LBDS. And it is a brilliant moment. As is the moment when they clash over lyrics. You can see how much they both care about getting things right, how Mark takes things to heart, and how Gary works to smooth things over once he realizes how Mark is taking it all. It's like their working relationship in a neat little package.

In search of acceptation I think he loves when the other boys show him some affection, a little cuddle here and there always earns a massive smile from him ;)

Again, this gets an emphatic Yes! from me. He's obviously a very physically demonstrative guy, and that's in a band that extraordinarily touchy. But he does just light up when one of the other boys--especially Rob--gives him a cuddle. The Knebworth concert footage of him and Robbie shows that in spades.

Also, I love that he has his own style and isn’t afraid to dress/act a bit girly at times. Totally adorable!

Again, yes, yes yes! It's interesting that in spite of the fact that he seems perhaps the most insecure of the lot of them, he also seems the most secure at exhibiting his own style and ignoring what might be socially expected of him. That is, perhaps, what most endears him to me.

[anniina85.livejournal.com]

That "Blisfully tortured" feel is all over his lyrics, so it can't be a coincidence, it must really mean something. Like he's bit of a masochist, in an emotional sense... Like the story behind "What you want from me". Emma goes away for a few days and the first thing he thinks about is whether she would come back and not wanna be with him anymore. As he said himself, the fear was coming from his insecurity.

I like how you described Robbie/Mark and Robbie Gary. Intensity vs playfulness and stability, sounds very true! With Barlowen I also get that sense of certain stability, maybe that's what both Robbie and Mark seek from Gary, someone to rely on. A solid shoulder, in Mark's words ;) It's obvious Gary is looking after Mark a bit. I also love how Gary often has this amused smile on his face when Mark says or does something silly or random. He's not laughing with him, he's laughing at him, but in a loving and caring way LOL! Apart from the certain protectiveness, it seems that's Gary has really enjoyed having Mark as a writing partner during the OT4 times, meaning that he doesn't have to do all the writing alone anymore and can bounce on ideas with someone. (Howard and Jay's contribution has of course been extremely important as well)

Btw, have you seen that interview the boys did on radio 1 last october/november time? Imo it's the best interview they've done during the Progress era. It's all five of them + it's soooooo funny :D
Part one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOu-m20ts4Y

"when I finally got hold of For the Record I expected big revelations from Mark about how Rob leaving the band affected him. And then there was...virtually nothing. Which first I found frustrating, but on further reflection becomes very interesting." You're right. It actually says quite a lot that says basically nothing about how he felt back then. Obviously he was not ready to do so, at least not for a camera...

"He's obviously a very physically demonstrative guy, and that's in a band that extraordinarily touchy." Again, very true! Have you noticed that Mark has a tendency to kind of hold on to one of the boys' arms, usually it's Gary or Robbie, when they're standing or standing up and starting to walk after an interview ec? It's quite adorable! And when they were doing the Echo awards in Germany it seemed that most of time on the red carpet Mark was either holding on to Gary's arm or hiding behind him, haha ;) And the way his face lightens up when one of them touches is beautiful to see :)

The contrast between the insecurity and maintaning his unique style is very interesting. Could you imagine any of the other boys wearing a sparkly jumpsuit on stage in front of 80 000 people?!? And apparently that suit was all Gary's fault ;)

[przed.livejournal.com]

Gary seems to look after them all. Among all the lovely bits in LBDS was Gary talking about their working method for writing. How he puts together a ton of backing tracks for them to play with so they can all bounce the different ideas around, and so he can change the track when Robbie gets bored.

He's not laughing with him, he's laughing at him, but in a loving and caring way LOL!

I think it's that he honestly enjoys Mark's take on things.

I have seen that Radio 1 interview, but watched it again anyway. It is lovely, apart from Howard being hidden from the camera most of the time. They all get equal time, and they're all clearly having a blast.

You're right. It actually says quite a lot that says basically nothing about how he felt back then.

Number one on my wish list now is for Mark to do a memoir like Gary did. That would be very interesting.

Have you noticed that Mark has a tendency to kind of hold on to one of the boys' arms, usually it's Gary or Robbie, when they're standing or standing up and starting to walk after an interview ec?

No! I hadn't noticed that. Shall have to do more research. Oh, the pain of having to watch more of their interviews. *g* I do love how his face lights up when one of the other lads gives him a bit of affection.

I thought the jumpsuit was a blast, especially considering the rest of them were in tasteful black with a little bit of sparkle. I had the jumpsuit down as pure Mark. It's funny it was Gary's fault.

[anniina85.livejournal.com]

Oh, I bet Gary desperatelly wanted OT5 to work, and that's why he made sure to have enough tracks ready so Robbie wouldn't get bored ;) Also, it's nice how he kept pushing Howard forward with his ideas, cause he knows Howard is a bit quiet and needs that little pushing. And the fact that Robbie felt the need to impress the other boys with lyrics, just shows how much he must respect the others these days.

"I think it's that he honestly enjoys Mark's take on things." That must be it. Mark can be wonderfully silly and random *g* I think it's quite funny and adorable how he often starts answering a reporter's question and ends up bubbling ages without really answering the question, LOL!

I would love to read Mark's memoirs! But I'm afraid he's too private a person to ever publish something like that.

One example of the 'arm holding' is the Brits acceptance speach. Mark keeps holding on to Robbie's arm when they're on stage/leaving it ;)

I think it was the London i-tunes vid from the Circus tour, where Mark's having a little costume fitting of the sparkly suit, and there he tels the camera that the suit was Gary's fault...with a massive smile on his face! I think Gary really enjoyed seeing him in that suit, on one of the passes they were showing Mark backstage getting ready to be lifted up stage for Hold up a light, and Gary was there too, saying how Mark had his *catsuit* on ;) Infact, all the boys seemd to enjoy the suit cause there definitely was quite a few bum slappings/gropings going on (judging from pics/youtube vids I've seen) when Mark wore that suit... ;)

[przed.livejournal.com]

I'm sure Gary did his best to make sure everything worked. I do like the way he pushes Howard forward. I also found it interesting the way he mediated when Robbie and Jason had a tiff over lyrics, pushing Jason to come up with something better if he doesn't like what Rob has.

I'm afraid you're right about Mark ever writing his memoirs. If he's that close-mouthed during interviews, he'd never write it all down. But a girl can dream. *g*

I shall have to go check out the Brits acceptance speech again. Oh, the hardship. *g*

I've only just got hold of the Circus iTunes vids, so I hadn't seen those bits now. But I just watched it, and yep, Gary is to blame. I have to say that I found the London section got me a bit teary, with them all a bit sad to have the tour over. (It's also made me very sad I won't be seeing the Progress tour live. Ah, well, next time 'round I shall deviously suggest a family vacation in England at the appropriate time.)

[anniina85.livejournal.com]

There is a little preview video of the coming tour ( I think it was sponsored by samsung), so it looks like there will be backstage vids this time as well :) I really really hope so! I love the Circus i-tunes passes so much. It's nice seeing the boys backstage, relaxed and being themselves and interacting with each other.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I found the preview this afternoon! It looks awesome, and had me once again toying with finding a way to get over for a show.

I do hope there's a lot of backstage footage. With all the concert disks, I almost like the backstage stuff better than the show. They are so lovely together.

[przed.livejournal.com]

One more Tumblr I just ran across:
http://markowendaily.tumblr.com/

Enjoy!

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

heh, already the NMA is ALL OVER the hellyeahtakethat tumblr - wow, I love the internet sometimes *g*

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SQUEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, I see what you mean! I don't know their names but the one on the left in the top image reminds me of Willem Dafoe.

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That would be Howard. And that would explain part of my attraction. Willem Dafoe is a long-standing movie star crush of mine. ::happy sigh::

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I like Dafoe as well, ever since Platoon.

[przed.livejournal.com]

He caught my eye in Streets of Fire and To Live and Die in L.A. Then Platoon put him off the charts for me. I love his Sgt. Elias.

[soundofthesurf.livejournal.com]

You see, I had a little bit too much time today and thought I'd use it to find you a couple of Jay/How-links you need to see. Not that I'm trying to drag you deeper into that Donorange-obsession or hoping to coax you into writing more fic. No no. *flutters eye lashes innocently*

There's a tumblr dedicated to these their adorableness: fuckyeahteamrugged.tumblr.com
Unfortunately whoever runs this is only updating occasionally, bless her anyway!

These intervies are from the BW-promo in Italy back in 2006 and I could gush about these for hours, but have a look first - Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28J6O6keNIg Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wcaFYL8Guw&feature=related

Then there's the MSN exclusive from late last year, it has four parts and I'm sure you've seen it, but Part 4 is just so unffffff, I have to post the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR-2Q3-Z9ZI&NR=1 Howard gushing about Jason! And the zillion different frowns of pride, delight and love in Jason's face - don't you just wish the camera would stay on him forever? But he's all comfortable - but watch his reaction when Rob announces he's his man crush! Unfortunately the camera doesn't capture Howard's reaction - I love to think he gave Rob a cosh around the head afterwards... *g*

This is the press conference in Copenhagen (part 1) with Howard picking something invisible out of Jay's beard. To die for: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5eqT7MJg1Y&NR=1 You've seen that before?

And the cherry on the top of the Howard-Jason-cake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miLZAeQWqNs&NR=1 TT in Denmark, December 2010 - without Howard, who was snowed in in his home in Germany (we had loads of snow, you'd probably be laughing about it, but for us it was close to armageddon! lol) It's not just a great performance - stay tuned until the little interview at the end, it's worth it!

Hope you enjoy! And I can't wait for your WWII-fic!

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Bless you for having too much time on your hands!

Not that I'm trying to drag you deeper into that Donorange-obsession or hoping to coax you into writing more fic. No no. *flutters eye lashes innocently*

No, of course not. You're being completely selfless. *g* (Mind you, I don't think I'm going to take much dragging. They are far too adorable together.)

I'm not going to have time to watch the video stuff until after the little girl goes to bed, but that Tumblr feed is absolutely adorable. It's been duly bookmarked in my Giant List of Take That Tumblrs.

Shall report back on Donorange adorableness after the watching. And will work on getting the WW I sequel done as soon as I can manage. (Part 1 is nearly done. Part 2 is in the mulling stage.)

[soundofthesurf.livejournal.com]

Take your time and enjoy! And sequel to the WWI-fic? *does happy dance* Yesyesyes! *g*

[przed.livejournal.com]

Have watched them all now, and nearly died from the loveliness.

The Italian interview is really nice, because you get good, thoughtful answers from both of them, and that doesn't usually happen so much with the other three around. (Okay, Jason almost always manages a thoughtful answer in there, but Howard doesn't so much.) I think Howard & Jason should always do interviews on their own. *g*

I have indeed seen the MSN interview before. Several times. But I took the chance to watch it again because it is adorable. And yeah, I bet Howard did give Rob a bit of a slap after that, of the "keep your mitts off my man" variety.

The Copenhagen press conference is full of interesting stuff, quite apart from Howard grooming Jay's beard. Definitely an old married couple. (I saw the gif of that moment on your LJ, but it's fun to see the whole thing.) I have to admit this also made me even more fond of Mark. He's so supportive of everyone in the interviews.

As for the last one, awwwwww. Jason wants to go back with Howard!

I've got an hour to myself and hope to spend some of it on the WW I fic. Wish me luck.

[soundofthesurf.livejournal.com]

Very happy to hear that! *g*

They most definetely should! In fact, I miss them a bit - it's usually Rob and Gary in focus these days, but, well, that's due to Rob being back, so - okay. What I especially love in this interview is Jason's "long winded answer" about Robbie being his hero - he gets so frustrated with himself and his long winded answer (bless him!), but Howard just sits there on the sofa with him and doesn't mind at all. *happy sigh*

Mark is especially lovable in that press conference! Well, he always is! Have you noticed how shattered he is when he walks in, he walks as if he had a bad back, but the moment Rob starts playing around, he lights up and joins him! And the whole press conference is another example of how polite and patient and decent they are - seriously, really they get the same question over and over again but they don't get tired of finding new ways to answer them.

He so desperately wants to say this, it's adorable! And I just love the way Rob is supportive here, noticing he wants to say something and immediately trying to supply him with a microphone, awwww!

Now I hope you had a wonderful hour to yourself - and I really mean I hope you had a good hour, regardless whether you wrote fic or not! *g*

If you have a little spare time, you reallyreally need to watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJOa0JWpAVc
They're in Japan supporting BW and this is not just an example of how much fun they have together, a wonderful random Jason-moment ("heated toilet seats" is all I'm saying) and Gary doing something very nasty. ;) And it shows what kind of weird things they have to do - they sit in this glass cubicle, watched from all sides, a hectical Japanese DJ - I'd have gone insane there, but they stay calm and carry on. You can only imagine the fun they're having later on, all together in a hotel room, laughing and giggling....

[przed.livejournal.com]

Jason's long-winded answer about Rob is a really wonderful moment. And it's also very interesting, given the way the two of them very much didn't get along back in the day. (I think it's in For the Record where Rob talks about how much he enjoyed winding up Jay back in the day. And that Jay would always take the bait.) It's really kind of nice that now, as adults, they can appreciate each other.

I hadn't noticed how shattered Mark looks at the start of the Copenhagen footage, but you're right, he does. And more than usual. I've noticed in general that lately when he's not "on", not performing whether for an audience or an interviewer, Mark's posture is really turned in on itself, with his shoulders hunched in. (This is really noticeable in parts of LBDS, especially in the studio bits.) What I most adore about him here, though, is how he charges the press to look after the X Factor winners, and stands up to Robbie's flippant "Unless they're shit" response.

I did get some more writing done, mostly futzing with Rob's POV. (In the two stories I've written, it's always Rob's POV that I find the hardest to get.) I've just got one scene, from Jason's POV left to go, but I'm going to have to do a bit of research to pull it off.

That Japanese interview is...nutty! There is no other word for it. Howard is clearly having a grand time waving at fans. And they do just take it all with remarkable good grace.

[soundofthesurf.livejournal.com]

It's really kind of nice that now, as adults, they can appreciate each other. Amen! I have just read "You Know Me" and as Rob puts it, part of it was, that he felt Jason didn't take him seriously, treated him like a little brother and he wanted to be a big boy. There's a picture of him after he's shaved his head and he comments that Jason afterwards said "I never noticed what a pretty face you have" and Rob says he absolutely HATED that, he didn't want to be "pretty", and that Jason knew it was the worst he could say. (Little bit of revenge there, obviously.) There's lots and lots of this stuff, don't get me started or I'll go on forever... ;) Actually for me their relationship is the most interesting one, not so much slash-wise, but I find all this repressed stuff more interesting than the obvious Gary/Robbie-who's-more-succesful-duel.

And Mark - I wasn't surprised to see him like this in LBDS. Especially after his rehab...I thought it must be so hard for him to step out into the public again - regardless of what he's done, and that he has to deal with the consequences, it still must be so scary to step out there again and face the world and the press. It was very very obvious during the tour-announcement-press-conference where he was literally trying to hide behing the microphone and looking so very tired and edgy. What I most adore about him here, though, is how he charges the press to look after the X Factor winners, and stands up to Robbie's flippant "Unless they're shit" response. Awwww, bless him! I completely second that!

Rob's POV. *sighs* Difficult, isn't it? Even more difficult than Jay's POVs. *g* With Jason you only have 300 different angles of approaching a thought - with Rob you've got those but they're on uppers. ;D

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Oh, I hadn't heard about You Know Me. Would you recommend it?

Based on For the Record, it's obvious the glee Robbie took in winding up Jason. It's only fair that Jason got back his own once in a while. Though it is nice they've got beyond that now.

There's lots and lots of this stuff, don't get me started or I'll go on forever... ;)

I don't think I'd complain. *g*

You're right that Jason and Robbie is an extremely interesting relationship, though, yeah, not slash-wise. But then, TT is honestly just full of interesting relationships and extremely interesting history. That is a good chunk of why I've fallen for them so hard, so fast.

I thought it must be so hard for him to step out into the public again - regardless of what he's done, and that he has to deal with the consequences, it still must be so scary to step out there again and face the world and the press.

Absolutely. I remember hitting the articles about him going into rehab and the revelations about him cheating on Emma, and thinking that it must be horrible to have the sort of life where you have to have a press conference to reveal that sort of stuff. But he also seems such a likable person, in general, that it seems the press are at least a bit more respectful of him than they might be.

As for POV, I actually kind of enjoy writing Jason's POV. Him and Howard seem to come easiest to me. (Hmmm, what does that say about me. *g*)

[soundofthesurf.livejournal.com]

Would I recommend it? Yes and no - *g* - yes, because it contains lots of pretty pictures and lots of Rob's wisdom (and all of it after making it up with the lads!). If you can't stand a whole book of Rob alone, I wouldn't recommend it. ;) And me personally, I love hearing the stories from "behind the pics" (I also love and highly recommend the 2009-TT-books). But I know some people hate to have their favourite pictures spoilt by too much information (you know, you think "ooooh, he looks soooooo happy and healthy in that pic" and then the pictured person reveals "I was so hang-overed that day I felt like puking all the time"?)

Jason and Robbie - a long story of misunderstanding. I love how they are now genuinely surprised by how much they've got in common. Have you seen this interview on Italian radio? "We both haven't slept since 1993"? Very revealing and absolutely adorable! And their little banter about chicken soup and cigarettes?
I've just recently re-watched LBDS again and there's this part where they are talking about how they saw each other during the wilderness years. Jason explains how he was always wondering whether Rob really had developed this huge ego, or if he was just "playing" biggest popstar ever and enjoyed getting away with it. And they remember a time where they met and Rob says "you've got an ego too, you know?" I think Jason was pretty surprised by that, he'd never think he might ever be worthy of anyone's envy. But in fact, he was - Gary says so in his book, and there's a part in "Feel", a conversation between Mark and Rob (when they met in Knebworth), where they remember that all the "little" girls fancied them, but the "real" women never took any notice of them, but only had eyes for Jason. Understandably, back then, if you were a 25-year-old model/actress/TV-presenter, it's unlikely you'd have been interested in one of the kids, would you? *g* See? You got me started...*sighs*

But he also seems such a likable person, in general, that it seems the press are at least a bit more respectful of him than they might be.
Most definitely! Around the same time a couple of English footballers were in the news for very much the same reasons, and they didn't get the same kind of "treatment". Have to say, though, that Mark's move to take responsibility for his actions and and put all his energy into going into rehab instead of trying to deny everything or cover it up in silly lies, will also have helped him. I remember my sister saying around that time "now he can prove that he's not just a dumb asshole but the really good person we all assume he is". I like to think he's on his way! :)

Him and Howard seem to come easiest to me. (Hmmm, what does that say about me.
Same for me, so I'm guessing it says only good things about you! *g*

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Sounds like I'd probably enjoy You Know Me, but I think I'll make the 2009 books my next priority, but look at getting Rob's book some time later.

That Italian interview sounds intriguing. I know Jason talked about his insomnia in For the Record. (I adore Halo's insomnia story.) He you got a link to it?

Rob and Jason getting to know each other as adults really is quite lovely.

there's a part in "Feel", a conversation between Mark and Rob (when they met in Knebworth), where they remember that all the "little" girls fancied them, but the "real" women never took any notice of them,

I think it's taken them all being a bit older for me to be at all interested in them. I've always liked men with a bit more mileage on them. Back in the day, I think I would have found them all a bit young. Mind you, I saw Robbie in '98 the one time he played Toronto, and he was definitely not too young for me then. *g*

See? You got me started...*sighs*

And that's a good thing!

And yes, in spite of Mark's bad behaviour, he did have the decency to own up to it. And you'd hope he would. He does just seem like an honestly nice person, and working at being better.

Same for me

You are clearly a woman of discernment. *g*

[soundofthesurf.livejournal.com]

The 2009 books are definitely a must-have! And I'm not just saying that because there are more pictures than text in these, no no! *fails at faking firm serious facial expression*

Here's the link to the Italian interview, I think I've been responsible for 80 % of the hits. :)
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViTEBeOzXds
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6hs6ZGP6ZI&feature=related
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UraAcQDpw6U&feature=related
What I especially love are the little moments the camera captures one of them and they seem to kind of forgotten that there's a camera there. Is it very sick to squee because Rob yawns his heart out? (I'm there with you! I ADORE The Insomnia Years! It's one of the stories I wish I had written. Or I wish I was ABLE to have written.)

Back in the day, I think I would have found them all a bit young.
:) Back in the day I basically thought they were seriously uncool. All that synchronized dancing and the cheesy music - I never really took a look at them until shortly before they broke up. (It was only then my friends and I realized that we really should have liked them, since they were going to be the last boyband older than us (Rob is "our" age, he's 3 months younger than me). But we were too busy being cool and loving Radiohead, Blur and The Smashing Pumpkins, silly us! ;) That's the nice thing about ageing: I can love whatever band I want to.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking of ordering the books when I heard there's likely going to be a mail strike in the next few days. Nooooo! (And I've got the Greatest Day and How the Mighty Fall CDs on the way to me right now!)

I've only had time to watch the first bit of the Italian interview, but it's brilliant. I love Jason and Robbie snarking over the soup and cigs.

I ADORE The Insomnia Years! It's one of the stories I wish I had written. Or I wish I was ABLE to have written.

I'm with you there. It's also the story, along with Still Waters, that convinced me I really wanted to write TT, even if I didn't have a hope of being as good as Halo. (BTW, your Our Lives Would Have Meaning is another story I come back to again and again, so bravo!)

If I'd even heard of them back in the day, I would have found them uncool as well. I was also doing the BritPop thing back then: Pulp and Blur and Oasis, not to mention Nick Cave and Nirvana. Plus, I'm older than them all-three years older than Howard!--so they would have been babies to me back then. But I can now appreciate that they have a lot in common with the over-produced pop and new wave I adored as a teenager--Duran Duran and a-ha chief amongst them--and can embrace them fully. And while I never really gave a rat's arse what anyone thought of my musical taste (which even as a teenager was full of odd bands and enthusiasms) now that I'm older I really don't care what anyone else thinks.

That's the nice thing about ageing: I can love whatever band I want to.

Yes!

[soundofthesurf.livejournal.com]

Oh noes! Why are they always on strike when you're expecting important stuff?!? *crosses fingers for safe delivery* And you are going to LOVE both albums! *g*

BTW, your Our Lives Would Have Meaning is another story I come back to again and again, so bravo!
Like seriously?? You've got no idea, how happy that makes me! *does happy dance and shakes hips sillily*

which even as a teenager was full of odd bands and enthusiasms
Hehe! I have three older sisters, so my muscial influences were a veeeeeery strange mix of Bruce Springsteen and Queen (sis #1), Duran Duran, Wham! and Spandau Ballett (sis #3) and The Police, Fischer Z, The Smiths, Adam Ant, Madness and Leonard Cohen from sis #3. I added Chicago (Peter Cetera was my first celebrity crush, would you believe?) to that when I was 12 and a-ha when I was 13 or 14. If you add all that - Take That are not a choice I've taken but the sum of all the weirdness in my musical education! I can't be blamed! *g*

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Greatest Day arrived this morning, so at least I've got that. Now I'm just crossing my fingers that How the Mighty Fall arrives before the strike kicks off.

Like seriously?? You've got no idea, how happy that makes me!

Seriously! And my next project, after the convention I'm going to next week, is to collect all the parts and turn it into a file my iPod will like so I can read it whenever I like.

Clearly, I would have got on fine with your sisters. I loved a lot of those bands, especially The Police. Add in The Who and Yes, and you've got my high school years. And yes, add all that lovely stuff together, and an affection for Take That was inevitable. For both of us! *g*

[nevermind68.livejournal.com]

I`m so glad that you are learning TT step by step - and fall in love with them deeper and deeper)Isn`t they adorable))
And yes *sigh* you made my day by this Howard/Jason photos)) they are so old-married couple, as soundofthesurf once said ;)

[przed.livejournal.com]

It has been massively amazing getting to know the band. (To think at the beginning of March I didn't even know who was who. Except for Robbie, of course.) And yes, they are adorable, every one of them.

Howard/Jason are definitely the old married couple of the group.