#Mike to Eleven Daily Log

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON'S CORNER: HOCKEY NEWS AND NOTES OFF SEASON VOLUME 12

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The world is slowly approaching normalcy. Sports news is becoming more and more prevalent as ALL sports are moving closer and closer towards returning into the daily lives of its fans. AHL AWARDS The American Hockey League announced that forward Gerry Mayhew of the Iowa Wild has been voted the winner of the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL’s Most Valuable Player for the 2019-20 season. Mayhew scored a league-best 39 goals – the most by an AHL skater since 2011-12 – and finished third with 61 points in 49 games, leading Iowa to the team's best regular-season record in franchise history. 10 of Mayhew’s goals were game-winners and logging 11 multiple-goal performances, including a natural hat trick in a 3-0 win over the San Diego Gulls on Feb. 14. Mayhew tied a franchise mark with a ten-game scoring streak from December 12th to January 10th. Mayhew earned CCM/AHL Player-of-the-Month honors for January after he totaled 12 goals and 19 points in 11 contests. Among Mayhew’s 39 tallies were 13 power-play goals and two shorthanded markers. He also led the Wild in plus/minus rating at plus-16. Iowa was 26-7-1-2 in games when Mayhew registered a point. Mayhew represented Iowa at the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic in Ontario, CA, and was voted a Second Team Left-Wing AHL All-Star for 2019-20. He also made his National Hockey League debut this season, notching two goals in 13 games with Minnesota – including a goal in his first appearance on October 15th in Toronto. 2020-21 SEASON When it starts, where it starts still remains to be seen at the NHL or AHL level. The NHL has agreed-upon a framework to return to play, but several major details are still being worked out. While questions remain how it will all play out, signs point to a resumption of hockey sometime this summer. The AHL season start will not be in October, with the most likely start being some point in November. The October 9th scheduled date for the home opener for the Hartford Wolf Pack is almost certainly going to be rescheduled. One of the many side issues is the pending expiration of player contracts at the end of June but of the contracts of teams' hockey staff at the end of the month. “They’re running out of runway here and a lot of people are in limbo,” one source said. "It isn’t only players, its all the hockey ops people, GM, Assistant GM, Head Coaches, assistants, equipment managers, trainers, and scouts are all sitting around wondering a lot about this. What I’m hearing is the likelihood is that they will slide contracts forward say 60-90 days, then, announce a Draft Day and then a free agency period. The other big issue is, of course, the salary cap and what we're hearing is a freeze on the cap at this year’s level ($82.1M) for the next two-to-three years until the economy recovers. In principle, both sides are happy. They have areas of interest they want to clarify moving forward, but a ten-year extension for the CBA is being bandied about. It's in discussion but nothing's finalized.” The business of hockey is a large and expansive one with many pieces of the financial puzzle still to be resolved. PLAYER MOVEMENT A big coaching opportunity has opened up after the Los Angeles Kings announced on Saturday that they will not renew the contract of Ontario Reign head coach, Mike Stothers, whose contract is set to expire on June 15th. Stothers has led the Kings’ affiliate for the last six seasons, including five with the Reign (2015-20) where he earned the Louis A.R. Pieri Award as the AHL’s outstanding coach and won a Calder Cup championship with the Manchester Monarchs in 2014-15. “We appreciate everything Mike has contributed to the organization,” said Rob Blake, Vice President and General Manager of the Kings in a press release. “He has played an important role in helping develop our players and we want to thank him for his years of service and guiding us to a Calder Cup Championship in 2015." San Diego's Chris Wideman heads to the Torpedo Novgorod (Russia-KHL) and Frank Corrado of the Belleville Senators signs with MODO (Sweden-Allsvenskan). Lukáš Radil, who split the year in San Jose between the AHL Barracuda and the NHL Sharks signs with Spartak Moscow (Russia-KHL) while Carter Camper of the Utica Comets has his eyes on Sweden or perhaps Russia for next year. 23 players have now signed in Europe. 16 of the 31 AHL teams have lost at least one player to a European signing. Ex-Pack, Kodie Curran, turned down a KHL deal with Avangard Omsk (Russia) to sign a two-year, one-way deal at a $1M/year with the Anaheim Ducks. He will likely be in San Diego to start the season. He played with Rogle BK (Sweden-SHL) last year earning high marks as the top defenseman in the SHL and the Golden Helmet Award as the regular season MVP. Nice story on Curran in the Calgary Herald. Read it HERE. A pair of ex-Wolf Pack players were swapped for one another in a two-for-one deal in Russia. Defenseman, Alexei Bereglazov, winner of two Gagarin Cup titles, and forward, Ilya Kablukov, depart Mettallurg Magnitogorsk (Russia-KHL) for Avangard Omsk. Going back the other way in the deal is right-wing, Taylor Beck, an ex-Sound Tiger. Ryan Verbeek, the nephew of former Hartford Whaler and New York Ranger, and current Detroit Red Wing Assistant GM, Pat Verbeek, returns to France to play with Elite Magnus League HC Briancon next season. He split this season with Pensacola and Huntsville of the SPHL. Calvon Boots of the American International College (AHA) leaves the Springfield, MA school for the Rochester Institute of Technology (AHA) in the fall. AIC goalie, Zacharias Skog completes his four years and signs a pro deal back home with Vasterviks IK (Sweden-SHL). His movement makes 31 college players signing in Europe. Goalie, Ryan Edquist, after just 21 games in four years with the Boston College Eagles (HE) has grad transferred back home to the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks (NCHC). He will be the backup to next season's likely Hobey Baker finalist, Dryden McKay, who had a 1.31 GAA, tops in the nation in his sophomore year. He is the son of one-time Whaler, Ross McKay. Edquist's transfer makes for 16 Division I grads moving to new schools. Andrew Mancini, (Canterbury Prep-New Milford) drafted as the first-ever draft pick by the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks in the NAHL Supplemental Draft has opted to sign with the P.A.L. Islanders (NCDC) which is closer to his Long Island home for next season. Cam MacDonald (Selects Academy of South Kent Prep) who was a Boston College (HE) commit for 2022-23 has elected to head home and signed with the Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL). He spent last season with the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL). Max Coyle becomes the fourth University of Alabama-Huntsville (WCHA) player to transfer from the program that was slated to be eliminated. He heads to Bowling Green (NCHC). Read that story, next. TALBOT, A SAVE AND A BEAUTY The University Alabama-Huntsville Chargers were on the verge of extinction until a former Wolf Pack goaltender got involved. In just ten days' time, the Chargers' program received an astounding $500K in donations allowing the University to continue to have their team play in the WCHA conference. The conference formally reinstated the program on Wednesday. The conference is losing seven schools after the 2020-21 season as they form the new CCHA conference. UAH may apply so they have a more travel-friendly schedule according to now-former head coach Mike Corbett, who stepped down on Wednesday, along with Assistant Coach, and long time AHL player, Gavin Morgan. The other assistant coach Lance West was named Interim Head Coach. West played at UA-H in the early 1990s, three-of-the-four years at Division II. He was an assistant coach for ten years after graduating before spending the next eleven seasons at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks (WCHA), the first ten of them as an assistant coach. He returned to the program two years ago. A fundraising campaign to support the continuation of the Alabama-Huntsville hockey program was successful in raising the critical monetary gifts from numerous individual donors, according to UA-H Athletic Director, Cade Smith in a story on AL.com. The dollars were matched by two separate gifts of $125,000 each. The gifts came from long-time hockey supporters, Taso Sofikitis, and Sheldon Wolitski, who played on the school’s Division II national championship team. The total amount of more than $750,000 in private dollars will allow the Chargers to continue to compete at the Division I level during the 2020-21 season. This total philanthropic contribution is the largest athletic campaign contribution in the history of UA-H. One of the school's biggest program supporters and who helped spearhead the drive was its most famous former Charger, and current Calgary Flames and ex-Wolf Pack netminder, Cam Talbot. He took to his own Twitter page to express why people should donate to the cause. “This program gave me a chance that nobody else would. Without my time spent @UAHuntsville, I would not have got the opportunity to be where I am today. I want those opportunities to continue for more young players for years to come!” Talbot was named to the advisory board. In addition to the private dollars, UAH president, Darren Dawson, committed money from the university to cover the balance of the hockey team’s operational costs during the upcoming season. “We are thankful from the loyal support that has been demonstrated this week by the fans and alumni of Charger hockey,” said Dawson in a press release statement. “We are hopeful that this support will translate into a sustainable funding model that will allow the UAH hockey program to rise again to high levels of success,” “The university is fully committed to the upcoming season,” Smith added. “The university will work with the supporters of the UAH hockey program and a newly formed hockey advisory board to develop a plan that will allow the Chargers to thrive in the 2020-21 season and beyond. UAH is committed to building a world-class Division I hockey program with a permanent conference home that will allow the Chargers to continue past the 2020-21 season.” The school has already allocated money and cleared space for a brand-new, on-campus arena before the pandemic hit looking to take the Chargers from the larger, off-campus site, the Van Braun Center, which is the home of the local SPHL team, the Huntsville Havoc, to a more manageable facility. The WCHA conference will be strengthened and could become the first fully functioning West-Coast-based Conference as they are likely to add Arizona State, whose brand new on-campus arena is expected to be ready in 2021. The two Alaska schools in Fairbanks and Anchorage are likely to merge in the near future because of state budget cuts. The conference will likely then add other major West Coast Division I colleges and universities such as Los Angeles-based USC, and UCLA, Colorado-based, Air Force, who will likely switch from the AHA conference, and perhaps UNLV, and Utah, who are currently ACHA Division I club programs. Despite the good financial news, the Chargers program lost another player to transfer when Bailey Newton announced he will leave after his sophomore season and head back to Canada and the University of Western Ontario Mustangs (OUAA) QMJHL The last Canadian major junior Draft is this weekend. The QMJHL Draft will be done remotely for the first time with the first round scheduled for Friday on the league’s YouTube channel. Rounds 2-14 will be on Saturday starting at 9 am with selection results on the league website. The QMJHL U.S. Draft will be held on Monday, June 8th with results on the league's website. The states with eligible players in the US Draft are from are; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. A strong rumor is that the QMJHL will start it's 2020-21 season on October 1st, regardless of what the other two major junior leagues, the OHL and WHL, do. In part, it will be because they have no US-based franchises. The only issue will be European players' participation based on provincial and directives from Ottawa regarding COVID-19 and the US border for American players which of course by mutual consent is still closed. “The feeling is they want to get back to a regular order of business starting a month later is OK, but they want to get back on track,” commented a reliable hockey source with knowledge of the situation. Having fans in the buildings are necessary for franchises to survive, but Health Canada will have the final say on when the puck is dropped. The NAHL has pushed its Draft Day to July 21st. The CHL Import Draft that normally takes place after the NHL Draft and no date has been set for either. COLLEGE HOCKEY The Dartmouth head coaching opening was filled with a familiar name to followers of Connecticut college hockey as Reid Cashman, who spent four years as a defenseman with the Quinnipiac Bobcats (ECACHL) in their rise to national prominence, was named the new head coach for the Dartmouth Big Green (ECACHL) on Monday. He becomes the 22nd coach in school history and replaces the all-time winningest coach, Bob Gaudet, who stepped down after 23 years year in the top spot. “I feel like I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to be the head coach of the Dartmouth men’s hockey program,” Cashman said in a press release statement. “For 114 years, Dartmouth has competed at the highest level and has produced Olympians, All-Americans, and NHL players. Along with the great history on the ice, Dartmouth College has been one of the finest institutions in the world for more than 250 years. It is truly an honor to be given this prestigious opportunity.” Cashman has been on a fast track professionally. He was an assistant coach for two years with the Hershey Bears (AHL) and has spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, with his portfolio being the Caps powerplay and defense. He also coordinated their development camps and participation in the Traverse City, MI annual prospects tournament. He won’t start this new position until the NHL playoffs for the Capitals concludes, whenever that may be. Cashman played 151 games for the Hamden-based university. In 151 career games, Cashman tallied 23 goals and still holds the school record of 125 assists for 242 total points. He was an NCAA (East First-Team, All-American in his senior year in 2006-07. He was a second-team honoree in his junior in 2003-2004. In Quinnipiac’s last season in the AHA conference, he was named to the First Team and led the conference in scoring. He was named Player of the Year. In addition, Cashman was a Hobey Baker Top 10 finalist before the Bobcats were elevated to the ECACHL conference. Cashman played five years of minor professional hockey with his last year in North America winning an ECHL Kelly Cup championship with the Cincinnati Cyclones in 2010. Cashman’s last pro year was spent in Austria skating for EHC Linz in Erste Bank Eishockey League (EBEL). The Red Wing, MN native was undrafted but played in the AHL for Toronto, Wilkes Barre/Scranton, and Milwaukee. In the ECHL, he played for Columbia, Wheeling, and Cincinnati After retiring from active playing, he returned to Quinnipiac and became an assistant coach to Rand Pecknold for five years (2011-2016) and went to two Frozen Four Finals. Quinnipiac lost to first to their conference, and in-state rival, Yale University, in a 4-0 shutout in 2013 and again in 2016 losing 5-1 to North Dakota. Thomas Maia is another Division I player heading to the Canadian Junior A ranks while still retaining his NCAA eligibility. Maia, who suffered a broken fibula without playing a game for R.I.T. (AHA), heads to the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) after he was traded from the Oakville Blades (OJHL). Speaking of Yale University, they announced its 2020 freshmen class of seven which includes head coach Keith Allain's son, Nik (North Branford/Taft Prep) from Boston (NCDC). He was a UCONN commit at one point. Ryan Stevens joins his brother Luke who is already with the Bulldogs. The boys' father is Kevin Stevens, the former NHL'er with the New York Rangers. Stevens, the elder, won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The other announced players include Reilly Connors (Madison/Loomis Chaffe), and goalie Nathan Reid, from Sioux Falls (USHL). LIU named its first head coach last week, and this week their first batch of LIU Sharks recruits with the first-ever recruit signed being Jordan DiCicco of the Brooks Bandits (AJHL). He was followed by nine others including, Connor Szmul, from the Chippewa (WI) Steel (NAHL), Daine Dubois of the Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL), Robert McCollum Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL), no relation to ex-Wolf Pack Tom McCollum. Also, Nolan McElhaney, who missed all of last year with an ACL injury, transfers from the University of New Hampshire Wildcats (HE), and a second Division I transfer, Mitch Meek, from Michigan Tech (WCHA). Madoka Suzuki of the Kemptville 73’s (CCHL), Marty Westhaver of the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL), Aaron White of the Amarillo Bulls (NAHL), and Gustav Muller of the Madison Capitols (USHL). TRIVIA What was Wayne Gretzky's last non-99 uniform number? He wore number 26 for three games with the Peterborough Petes. Last month was the 25th anniversary of the Quebec Nordiques' last game. It was at MSG against the Rangers in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Rangers won the series in six games with the last goal in Nordiques history was scored by Peter Forsberg. The Nordiques were the first WHA team that merged with the NHL that was moved. Read the full article

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 117:

Alright...so I am the only one home today.

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And I was going through Nancy’s room cause I was bored.

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I found something.

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Something she shouldn’t have and something I definitely shouldn't have.

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But I am really curious.

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And people do it all the time.

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So it’ll be fine.

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It’s alcohol. I have a bottle of alcohol.

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Which is a drink you aren’t supposed to have as a kid. Because too much is dangerous.

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And I guess it is bad for you.

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This one is vodka.

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It’s Nancy’s so I don’t feel guilty.

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That’s a lie I feel really guilty, but I’m going to do it.

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Ok. Oh god. Ok. Taking a sip.

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…

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WHY WOULD ANYONE DRINK THIS?!?!?!

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IT IS SO HORRIBLE.

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I literally couldn’t stop coughing.

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It burned. Why did it burn?!

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I feel like I did it wrong.

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Hold on, I am grabbing lemonade.

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Ok trying it now with lemonade. 1...2...3…

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BLEH. Nope nope nope.

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I just ruined great lemonade with this.

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I hate it. We are done with this. I am pouring it out. Nancy doesn’t need this crap in her system.

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Talk to you later.

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Don’t drink, El.

(Thursday, March 9, 1984)

@sam-i-am2468 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan @80smarsh @missingstanleyuris

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 121:

Hi El, it's Day 121.

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Will was acting very stranger today.

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It was like he was there...but not really?

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He was distant as we tried to plan his birthday again.

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I feel like he doesn’t want to do anything now and that makes me sad.

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Or maybe he was just not feeling well.

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It was similar to talking to a ghost.

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Totally unresponsive and dismissive.

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I think Will deserves to have his day celebrated.

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He’s important to all of us.

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With everything that happened last year, he needs a day to forget his troubles.

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We made suggests like having a Lord of the Rings party.

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Or Star Wars theme.

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But he was really distracted and kept ignoring our suggestions.

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I would have told him he was being rude if he didn’t seem completely out of it.

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I know the trips to the lab have been hard on him.

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They are doing some weird tests on him and not finding what they were hoping to discover.

Maybe that’s why he was off?

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He definitely hasn't been sleeping.

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I honestly have no idea if I should outright ask, let it go, or just try to cheer him up.

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I’ve known him practically my whole life and it’s like I don’t know how to speak to him anymore.

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He’s been through so much.

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We all have.

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Talk to you tomorrow.

(Monday, March 13, 1984)

@sam-i-am2468 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan @80smarsh @missingstanleyuris @loser-marsh

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 94:

Hi El. Happy Valentine’s Day.

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I sort of realized after we were done talking yesterday that you don’t know what Valentine’s Day is.

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It was rude of me not to explain.

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Historically, Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentin celebrates a guy named Valentinus, who became a Christian saint.

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Um...we won’t get into Christianity right now. That is a much longer talk.

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So basically this guy, Valentinus, was imprisoned for performing illegal weddings for soldiers and Christians who were forbidden to marry in the Roman Empire.

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Roman's didn't like the Christians until later.

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According to legend, he healed the daughter of his jailer which is why he is a saint.

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And even though he did this, he was still executed which in my opinion is bullshit.

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BUT before he was killed, he wrote the daughter a letter signed “Your Valentine”.

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Obviously had some strong feelings toward her, if you know what I mean.

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You probably don't know what I mean and that's ok. I am stupid.

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Now it has become a silly holiday where people give flowers or chocolates to their boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband.

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Or friends...you could give them to friends.

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Like I would have written you a card probably.

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Most likely a cheesy, dumb card with a silly poem inside.

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Or maybe made Will draw you something.

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He’s the real artist around here.

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Nancy is on her dumb date tonight.

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I was right, Steve made a plan for them, but it was a lame movie night so they are going with her picnic.

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Good, I worked hard on their meal.

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I, also, may have snuck a fake rat inside to spice things up for her and Steve.

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They are getting too chummy for my liking.

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I will probably regret it later.

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My parents are out on a date and I am home watching Holly.

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She said I could be her Valentine.

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Well, she can’t say much because she is a baby.

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But she threw a heart she made in pre-school at me and said VALENTINE.

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I assumed that meant I had to be her Valentine.

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Holly: VALENTINE!

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That’s right Holly. I’m your Valentine.

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Holly: MIKE! Valentine!

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We are hanging out in the fort talking to you.

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Say Hi to El, Holly.

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Holly: Hi.

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Pretty sad that my Valentine is my toddler sister.

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If I am being honest, I wish you were my Valentine.

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So El, will you be my Valentine?

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…

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Damn, I thought for sure you would talk to me this time.

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But it’s fine, take your time.

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I’ll always be here for you.

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We have 6 days left until 100 days.

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Until tomorrow.

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Your Valentine.

(Tuesday, February 14, 1984)

@sam-i-am2468 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 114:

Hi El, it’s Day 114. This is Mike.

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I was thinking about that day I tried to jump off that cliff to save Dustin.

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I’m not sure what made me think about it.

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But I was remembering that feeling before I did it.

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How I was so terrified to die.

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Except I was more terrified to lose my best friend.

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How jumping to my death seemed like the right thing to do as the leader.

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Leaders are supposed to protect their team.

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And if they fail, they make the hard decisions.

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Like sacrificing themselves.

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But I couldn’t protect them without you.

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I want to say how thankful I am that you saved me that day.

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You really have no idea what it meant to me.

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What it still means to me.

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There is something important about what we have.

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I can’t really explain it but it is there and it’s not going anywhere.

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I’m not going anywhere.

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Talk to you tomorrow.

(Monday, March 6, 1984)

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 115:

It’s Day 115.

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The guys and I were talking about Will’s birthday which is at the end of the month today.

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But then Dustin asked if I knew when your birthday was.

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I obviously don’t and never thought to ask.

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That seems like an important question to ask a friend.

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But we became friends so fast…

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And then that friendship was taken away from us that I never had time to.

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I forget that I don’t know that much about you.

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It feels like I have known you as long as the guys.

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Like we have known each other all our lives.

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Or even longer than that.

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Maybe we knew one another in a past life?

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Maybe we have known each other in all our past lives.

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I like to believe that’s possible.

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We decided your birthday is November 11.

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Get it? Because 11/11?

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Lucas thought it was funny when I suggested it so we are sticking to that.

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Unless you want to tell me when your actual birthday is.

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That’s ok, El, I’ll wait.

(Tuesday, March 7, 1984)

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 113:

LAST NIGHT WAS AWESOME!

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Hi El, it’s day 113.

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The guys and I wore our favorite Star Wars shirts.

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I have a grey sweater that just has the Star Wars logo on it and it is the best.

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Watching the movie was great, of course.

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We ate a lot of candy and popcorn.

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Nancy and Jonathan sat on either end with the four of us in the middle.

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They were so weird about it too. Like forcing us to be in the middle so they didn’t have to sit next to each other.

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We get it, you like each other, stop being weird about it.

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Liking a person is complicated but also, I think coming out and saying it is acceptable.

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For instance, I like you.

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I wish you were here for me to actually say it to your face, but you already know I like you.

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As in more than a friend if that wasn’t clear.

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And NOT in a sister way.

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We also kissed so I was pretty clear I guess.

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I’m explaining this horrible.

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I like you, you like me, we like each other.

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Now, if you could just answer me that would be great.

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I still like you even if you won’t answer!

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Talk to you later.

(Sunday, March 5, 1984)

@sam-i-am2468 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan @80smarsh 

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 111:

I tried to convince my parents to get an animal today.

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I’m not sure why I felt I needed one, I just know animals are great and make you feel less lonely.

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Also, I am jealous of Dustin’s cat and really want one.

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OR A DOG! Oh man, I want a dog so bad.

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Honestly, I will even take a fish.

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My plan did not work because my dad claims to be allergic to all animals.

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You can’t be allergic to a fish. I looked it open, that is a myth.

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I even recruited baby Holly to draw some animal pictures for mom.

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All of them looked like cows.

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Even the cat had cowish like features.

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Needless to say, I fired her from the operation.

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Nancy was no help whatsoever.

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She claims I won’t be able to take care of the animal and it will fall to her.

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She can barely take care of herself, what makes her think she can take care of another living being?

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I mean, I took care of you so I already have some experience.

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In taking care of humans, but hey, an animal is like having a baby for life. How hard can it be?

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Holly is easy to take care of and she was an infant once.

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In conclusion, I would make a great pet owner.

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Except no one wants one but me.

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Oh well. Talk to you later.

(Friday, March 3, 1984)

@sam-i-am2468 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan @80smarsh

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 116:

Hi El, hope you are doing well.

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Exhausting day at the Wheeler household.

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Mom and dad were out, so naturally, Steve came over to help Nancy watch Holly.

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They could have just had me do it but whatever.

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Steve randomly asked if I liked him.

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I told him that I tolerate him and walked away.

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But Nancy decided to turn it into a fight.

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She says I need to respect Steve because he is older.

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I told her that I don’t respect her and she is older, why should he get special treatment?

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She did not appreciate that remark.

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She screamed at me for so long and at such a high pitch, I thought my head would explode.

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She didn’t stop when I tried apologizing, not that I should have too.

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She didn’t cease her yammering when Steve told her it was fine.

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She only stopped when Holly started crying.

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I had to literally take Holly out of the room to calm her down.

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Baby Holly gets scared by Nancy a lot. My poor sis.

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Nancy is always so hot and cold. You have no idea which one you are going to get but you will probably regret both.

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I don’t like Steve because he is always around.

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Like you have a house, go there.

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Also, he once ate a bunch of cookies I made. So he is on my list of people not allowed to eat my baking.

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He’s just Nancy’s boyfriend to me. I shouldn’t be forced to like him.

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It’s not like they are getting married.

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Oh god...I hope that doesn’t happen.

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Thanks for listening, chat with you tomorrow.

(Wednesday, March 8, 1984)

@sam-i-am2468 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan @80smarsh  @missingstanleyuris

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 105:

Hi El, it’s Day 105.

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Usually, by February our weather is in the 50’s.

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But not tonight apparently.

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It is FREEZING in my house.

…

And our heater is down so I am suffering from the chilly air.

…

Holly and I are huddled under a blanket right now.

…

Say hi Holly.

…

Holly: Hi.

…

Say hi El!

…

Holly: Hi, Lel.

…

Close enough.

…

Holly also hates the cold, right?

…

She’s not paying attention. She’s playing with blocks.

…

Anyway, I am wearing sweats, a t-shirt, a sweater, and a jacket under a duvet cover but I am still freezing cold.

…

Also, 2 pairs of socks.

…

Holly: Socks! Rainbow socks!

…

Mom got her a pair of rainbow socks that she loves.

…

We are also drinking hot chocolate.

…

Which mom told me not to give baby Holly.

…

But...she likes chocolate so it’s fine.

…

...

You know, I used to hate Holly.

…

I was mad she wasn’t a boy because I really wanted a brother.

…

Also because the women outnumber the men in this house, which is a nightmare sometimes.

…

But Holly is really easy to get along with.

…

Holly: Play with me!

…

Alright, I am being forced to play with blocks. Talk later.

(Saturday, February 25, 1984)

@sam-i-am2468 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan @80smarsh

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 110:

Hi El. It’s Day 110. This is Mike.

…

I didn’t even have to apologize first to the guys today.

…

Lucas said he wasn’t being fair to me and that it was clear I needed a day to clear my head.

…

Dustin told me I can’t live without him, so we have to be friends again.

…

He’s not wrong but I will never tell him that.

…

Will’s apology was probably the best.

…

He drew everyone as their DnD characters and had me holding the world map.

…

Then there was writing at the bottom that said: A party is nothing without its leader.

…

I asked mom to frame it.

…

Today was just all around a better day.

…

I thanked Mr. Clarke in class and he told me I had nothing to thank him for.

…

I did the work, he just guided me along.

…

Then he said, “ All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

…

I was offended he thought I wouldn’t recognize a LORD OF THE RINGS QUOTE.

…

I have read it so many times.

...

Come on man. What do you take me for? Some noob?!

...

I’ll talk to you tomorrow!

(Thursday, March 2, 1984)

@sam-i-am2468 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan @80smarsh

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 98:

Hi El, it’s Day 98. It’s 9:00 PM.

…

Spent a long day at Radio Shack with the guys.

…

Radio Shack is this cool store that has tons of electronics like tvs or cameras or radios.

…

Sorry, if you don’t remember what any of those things are.

…

We went to cheer up Will.

…

It seemed to work for the time being.

…

I know nothing we do will erase what he’s been through.

…

I guess I only really know that because my year has been hard too.

…

And my own pain isn’t gone.

…

It sort of intensifies then I stuff it down for a while.

…

I kinda worry that we are both letting it fester.

…

We are just sad freaks honestly.

…

What was I talking about?

…

Oh right, Radio Shack.

…

So we went and Mr. Newby, who is dating Will’s Mom, let us play with a ton of the equipment.

…

I wish the A.V. Club had some of the electronics we got to work with.

…

Will got especially excited at a video recording device.

…

Basically, instead of just a camera that takes a still photo, it can capture a moment live.

…

I think Will liked it because he wishes he could capture more moments.

…

He once told me that although he was missing a couple days, his time in the upside down felt like a year.

…

That he feels like he missed out on important things.

...

Can you imagine?

…

A year alone.

…

I guess you can.

…

You were alone for a long time before we met.

…

I think that’s part of what gives me the strength to keep going.

…

You did it, so I should take a leap of faith and keep moving forward even when I don’t want too.

…

Even when I feel really alone.

…

Which is practically all the time now.

…

Except when I talk to you.

...

Come back to me soon, El.

…

We’ve got 2 days until Day 100.

(Saturday, February 18, 1984)

@sam-i-am2468 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 107:

Hi El, it’s Day 107. This is Mike.

…

Mr. Clarke is watching me more carefully.

…

I can tell because he is around every corner…literally watching me.

…

I have detention with him on Wednesday for the fight I got into.

…

Bullshit, again, if you ask me.

…

Defend a friend and get detention, what does that teach? To not defend your friends?

…

What a joke.

…

Not a very funny one.

…

I’ve started sitting in the back of class so I don’t have to deal with him leering at me.

…

It’s not like I am going to start a fight in class.

…

I mean probably not.

…

There is at least a 70% chance I won’t start a fight.

…

The other 30% is my irrational anger that seems to come out at the worst times.

…

I’m honestly pretty angry all the time, so it is surprising I didn’t do something sooner.

…

Will is still kinda mad at me for shoving the guy.

…

He says he doesn’t want me to become one of them.

…

Which I won’t and am kinda insulted he would think that.

…

I wish there was something I could do to feel better.

…

Anyway, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

(Monday, February 27, 1984)

@sammy8675309 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan @80smarsh

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 112:

I won’t be able to talk tonight, so I am quickly saying hi this morning!

…

Hi El, it’s Day 112.

…

The reason I am talking to you this morning is because the guys and I are seeing STAR WARS TONIGHT!

…

It’s the special showing, I told you my dad got us tickets too!

…

My parents gave up their tickets to Nancy and Jonathan.

…

Apparently, they want a night alone.

…

Gross.

…

Oh, and Jonathan is Will’s brother. He’s kind of a mopey guy.

…

Nice though and has good taste in music.

…

He definitely has a thing for Nancy.

…

And she obviously has a thing for him but since she is dating Steve...I don’t knowwww.

…

She claimed they were only friends but friends don’t look at each other like that.

…

Like they would die for that person.

…

Maybe you know what I mean…

…

Well, hopefully, tonight will be fun. I will let you know tomorrow!

(Saturday, March 4, 1984)

@sam-i-am2468 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan @80smarsh

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 96:

Hey El.

…

Today was a normal day.

…

A girl in my science class invited me to her birthday party this weekend.

…

She’s pretty nice I guess.

…

Her actual birthday is today so she made cupcakes for everyone.

…

They were good.

…

Could have used more icing probably.

…

I don’t think I will go to her party.

…

The last party I went to a jerk threw a soda can at me.

…

I called him an imbecile who would never amount to anything.

…

Which is still true.

…

But I can see why he threw the soda at me.

…

Anyway, people and parties aren’t really my thing.

…

I prefer to chill with the guys.

…

Or read.

…

Or go to the arcade.

…

You don’t have to be social to a book or arcade game which is just how I like it.

…

Although, I guess I yell at arcade machines a lot so I am pretty social in a way.

…

We got 4 days.

…

Talk tomorrow.

(Thursday, February 16, 1984)

@sam-i-am2468 @fangirling-account @ohheydatsme @themageandpaladin @lilly-chan

[richiefuckfacetozier]

Mike Wheeler - Day 67:

Hi El! I’m so sorry I missed day 66. This is day 67.

…

You probably don’t know what being grounded means but basically…

…

I can’t leave my house.

…

I can’t see my friends.

…

I have to stay in my room.

…

I have to do Nancy’s and my chores.

…

No allowance.

…

No TV.

…

And my parents watch me like a hawk.

…

So when I tried to sneak out last night, I got caught.

…

But today, Nancy is “watching” me while my parents are out.

…

She’s making out with Steve on the couch.

…

With poor Holly watching Winnie the Pooh on TV.

…

Nancy: MIKE! Mom said you can’t be in the basement while you are grounded! Get up here!

…

Damn it. Talk later.

(Wednesday, January 18, 1984)

@sammy8675309@fangirling-account@ohheydatsme@themageandpaladin @strangerthoughts@lilly-chan