Letters Project: Part 1

Letters Project: Tara Kreider and PJ Franklin


PJ Franklin (My Boys):
PJ aka Peeje is a single, successful sportswriter for the Chicago Sun Times, living in (of course) Chicago. PJ lives by the philosophy "Almost everything in dating and relationships is parallel to sports, especially baseball." PJ can either be found watching/playing/attending any sporting adventure, playing poker or grabbing a beer at the local hangout, Crawley's, with the guys. PJs friends, who are predominately guys are a major part of her life, and no one can be welcomed into her life if they don't like her friends.

Tara Kreider:
Tara is a twenty-two year old single college student who is finishing up her final semester at Penn State University. Tara was raised by Bryan and Vicki Kreider in the small town of Lebanon but has dreams of something much bigger. Though she loves Lebanon and hopes to someday raise a family in Lebanon, Tara can't wait to get out on her own and see the world. Tara often finds herself to be "one of the guys" despite being quite a girly-girl. Tara's number of male friends greatly dwarfs her number of female friends, but Tara wouldn't have it any other way, see girls can be awful petty! Tara loves to go out for drinks with the guys at the local pub, The Blue Bird, she also enjoys a quite night at home playing poker by the pool.

Letter 1:Tue
tlk5001 @ 12/1/2008 9:59 PM Reply

PJ- Hey girl, it's been a while since the last time I wrote. I know we talk all the time, but sometimes I forget stuff while we're talking and it's nice to be able to get it down. Plus with you at the wedding things have been a little crazy. So what the hell is going on? First you like Bobby than your over Bobby then you try to have Bobby fall in love with you in Italy….and now you're sleeping with his brother? Well played. I know what you mean though, being one of the guys can be frustrating, especially if you want one of the guys to be THE guy….You know I am a firm believer of "it is what it is" and if it's meant to be with one of those gorgeous, sexy, smart, sophisticated, wealthy guys then it will be. Lol…I thought you might need a little smile! Anyway…things are ridicules here, I am so ready to get out of the cold weather, (I would deal with more cold if it meant a weekend in Chicago). Did I tell you I might be taking that job with the shipwreck recovery crew in Clearwater? Well I am thinking the warm weather and nice beaches would be a welcomed improvement. Plus it is not like there are two cute guys fighting over me holding me back. I still can't believe after all this Bobby is totally into you, but the one thing I can't believe me is that you HAVE NOT noticed it! Jeepers PJ you have some major thinking to do, I hope it is not too hard to relax and clear you mind at Bobby's daddy's fancy ranch! If you don't get a chance to figure it all out, run away with me for the holiday (you can bring Steph, but NO boys), I am thinking Christmas in the Caribbean followed by New Years in New York. Start new, I might be a good idea to get away from those boys that are making life so complicated. Speaking of boys how about an update on my boys… Aladdin and barfma are finally O-V-E-R…just so you know I am currently jumping up and down in celebration…lol…as for Jose, he finally introduced us to his fiancé, she seems really nice, kinda weird like him, but a good fit…as for Charlie, hopefully he soon wakes up and smells the flowers…his girl is TOTALLY cheating and he just will not see it…I know all in due time. Speaking of flowers, did you totally see the Penn State game, it was a good one…I have to admit football in the snow is just about as good as it gets. Speaking of football…I was elated that Oklahoma jumped ahead of Texas, personally I don't like Texas, I never did…where the Sooners have always had my respect…well miss PJ I really must run, people to see, boys to tend to, games to watch! Lol…enjoy the rest of the week at Grande Ranch and just remember we can ALWAYS run away for the holidays! Loves Tara

Letter 2:wed.
tlk5001 @ 12/3/2008 4:00 PM Reply

Hey T, I was so excited when I checked my blackberry and there was a letter from you…it is hard for me to find a quite place (not to mention a safe place) for me to call you and update you on the crazyiness that is going on here. The whole Bobby then not Bobby than Bobby than Jack (Bobby's brother) is a little twisted, but par for the course with me…After Italy was a total bust I decided Bobby and I clearly were never going to happen…I know Jack seems a little silly, but at least I am not sleeping with Bobby's horn dog father…lol…I do have some news…Bobby and Elsa called off the wedding, Bobby decided she wasn't the one. You know how you mentioned that Bobby is "still into me" well I am a little concerned, what if your right…what on earth would I do…Oh yeah before the wedding was called off Jack and Bobby got in this MAJOR fight and Jack bailed, so Bobby asked me to stand in as best-man. At first I was resistant but I decided to do it, anything for a friend. As the best man I was sad that Jack disappeared, but I also found in kinda hard to play the role as best man for a guy that I was head over heels for…its kinda like in Baseball if you played for the Mets but were transferred to the Cubs, and the opening season game is the Mets vs. the Cubs. You still have a link to your old team, but you have to play the best for your new team. I guess you could say my life has turned into Bobby vs Jack…I have loved each team and I don't know who I should be playing for. So a job in Florida huh…I think that sounds wonderful…I promise I will come visit…I mean hello nice sunny weather, white beaches and the Phillies training camp…I am not a big Phillies fan, but baseball is baseball. Working with shipwrecks would be pretty sweet…just beware of those silly pirates…and don't take anything cursed…I think we all have enough drama in our lives. I also think running away for the holidays seems like a wonderful idea…You know me I love to travel, not to mention the fact that I will have some time off around the holidays. I have some suggestions though…I say we do a cruise for Christmas, then we can see a little more of the Caribbean, plus I know how much you love cruising…it gives us a chance to relax and completely fall off the map…I even promise to leave the blackberry in Chicago…I am glad to hear everything is going good for you boys..I am SO SO SO SO SO glad that Barfma is finally out of your life…I know how much you (and K and B) hated her, which I don't blame you, I only meet her that one time but I totally think Aladdin is SO much better than that…Not to mention I can't believe Jose is getting married, what is up with guys our age getting hitched while Stephanie, you, K, B and I are still all dateless. Have faith in Charlie, he will turn it around I am sure…Just look how well Brando turned it around once he finally figured out his woman was cheating. Just remember you need to be there to pick up the pieces, and don't worry I am sure one day he will pick up your pieces too. Speaking of Stephanie, at first I was a little surprised her and Kenny were being nice to each other than…are you sitting down…I walked in on them…together….alone…in bed…naked…. Well I am going to leave you with that one…its funny because I always thought they hated each other…Thanks for the laughs…talk to you soon! Love much PJ

Re: Extra Credit 3
alr5175 @ 12/11/2008 3:19 PM Reply

PJ, WOW. Drama. Love triangles. I can't handle it PJ. Your Bobby and Jack situation is a little bit out of control. But it's okay I'm sure you'll figure everything out. I can't believe the wedding was called off! That's a little steep don't you think? Who saw that coming? Hopefully you won't be stuck in the middle of everything. Let me know what happens with that. I don't understand your baseball metaphors because I don't follow baseball. You know this. Turn it into a Justinbobby, Audrina, and LC situation and I'm all ears haha. But seriously though I get what you are saying. I say play for neither because it's too hard. You choose one you end up liking the other; you choose the other you end up liking the first one. Either way someone might end up getting hurt and it just can't end well. Maybe it can. Who knows? Definitely come to Florida though. It's going to be great! How can you pass up that weather? And the beach! A cruise is a great idea. It would be awesome. And I dare you to leave the Blackberry at home. I really don't think you can do it but we'll see. Alright write me back soon so we can finalize these plans! Good luck with Bobby and Jack. Have fun! Miss you! Tara

Letter 3: Thur
tlk5001 @ 12/3/2008 4:04 PM Reply

PJ- I am glad I could make your day…but all I have to say is OH MY GOD…OH MY GOD…what the hell is in the air out there…Stephanie and Kenny…I thought they hated each other…heck I didn't think Stephanie really liked any of the guys but Kenny she always liked the least! I don't believe it…there are no words other then Holly crap…so I guess I will just change the subject while I still try to process the Kenny and Stephanie thing… So Bobby's brothers name is Jack….quite interesting…PJ and Jack doesn't have quite the same ring as PJ and Bobby…but it's a close second. I am glad you didn't go for Bobby's father though…that would have been creepy…I can't believe the wedding is off…I don't even know what to say… did something big happen? What the hell is going on in Cali? Do you think you might be concerned that I am right about Bobby still liking you because you think you still have feelings for him? I know it would be easier to say its Bobby with the issues but I am thinking you might have some issues too…lets think about it…we all have issues…You will figure out what to do I promise…just take it easy and remember "it is what it is" you will figure it out…I know it seems crazy but everything has its reason, even if we can't see it… So what was it like being the stand in best man? When Jack came back were you still the best man or did he return to his duties…or didn't it matter because the wedding was off? I know it is hard being stuck between two brothers but at least they don't know…do they? I would just keep it to yourself until you make a choice…if you even have to chose…or come clean with both of them and watch the fists fly…its your choice…yet it might be a good idea to come clean and get it over with…then at least everyone knows what is going on… Oh My God….(Stephanie and Kenny) I am glad you will come visit in Florida….I think it will be hard to move away from everyone..but it is quite the opportunity…not to mention I would have a house already…which would be GREAT…thank-you grandma and papa…I promise to watch out for Captain Hook and Blackbeard…and I won't take anything that looks cursed…plus I don't know how much diving I would be doing…I think it would be more restoring in a building somewhere…but who knows... A cruise sounds wonderful! So its settled…cruising the Caribbean for Christmas…sounds perfect! Talk to you soon my lost one! Loves Tara

Letter 4: Friday
tlk5001 @ 12/3/2008 5:23 PM Reply

T- PLEASE keep the Stephanie and Kenny think on the down low…I haven't even told Stephanie that I saw what I saw yet…I know you wouldn't tell anyone…but I though you should know that she has no idea that we even know yet! I know its hard to stomach…it just seems so weird…but I also think it might be a good thing…after writing her book…(did you ever get the copy Stephanie sent) she really used the guys and exploited their negative features…it would be nice for her to be on their good sides again. Being the best man was fun…I guess despite the whole which team am I thing…I figure it might be something I should get used to…maybe I wont be any of the other guys best man…but I will be a part of their weddings (or so I would think) The whole Jack returning thing happened right around the time of the wedding being called off…so I have no idea who the best man would have been…I would hope Jack…as much as I love helping the guys its nice to be recognized that I am actually a girl. Bobby still doesn't know about Jack, or not at least that I know…but Jack has always known about Bobby…but I don't think that ever bothered Jack…I really hope I don't have to pick one…maybe I can just have both…lol…I don't know what I will do…at least I will have the entire cruise to figure it out…Bobby or Jack…or maybe some gorgeous Bermudian! I know it will be hard for you to move away…trust me…I did it…but remember friends and family are only a plane ride away..and you LOVE to fly so hurray for you…just sign up for frequent flyer miles (which im sure you already have)…Plus think about how well you tan, you will be looking like a Greek goddess ALL of the time…im super jealous… I can't wait to run away with the girls…do you know I have never had a trip of entirely girls in my group…the guys have always been there…and most of my trips have evolved some sort of sporting event! Love you much Goddess of Florida- PJ PS If you haven't read Stephanie's book read it asap…pay special attention to chapter 3…it's the chapter based off of Kenny's negative features…lol…enjoy!

Re: Letter 4: Friday
dcc5086 @ 12/8/2008 4:17 PM Reply

PJ- I will definitely keep that info to myself! At least that's one thing you can tell me and not the boys. They would totally tell everyone thinking it was hilarious. I didn't get a chance to read Stephanie's book yet so I'm pretty excited to get a look at it. So how else do you think you can be in the boys' weddings? If you think about it, in order to be a bridesmaid you have to know the bride. You are going to have to be a...what are they called? Well you know, all the other guys besides the best man. There you will be, the one and only PJ mixed among a line of guys, what else is new? I know you are having a hard time choosing between Bobby and Jack but at least you have two guys that are fighting over you! I know that being friends with guys can sometimes lead to you only being in the friend zone. It's great that you are capable of having both. As for Florida, I am very excited to be tan all the time! Everyone seems to look better with a tan. We'll have a heck of a time whenever you visit. It will be the perfect excuse to get away from all the decision making! Although we are both girls that tend to have guy friends I'm glad we have each other. There is no talk like girl talk…even if we do mention sports in it every now and then. Keep me updated with the boy situation! Loves Tara

Final letter
tlk5001 @ 12/11/2008 8:57 PM Reply

Tara- You know as well as I do life is nothing but drama with the boys, you would think they are drama free but they SO AREN'T! I am so glad I have you to tell about the whole Kenny and Stephanie thing, because you are completely right if I would tell any of the guys everyone would know before I would even be finished talked they would all know…It is absolutely crazy! You are going to absolutely love Stephanie's book I promise! I highly doubt you will learn anything new, but it will give you a good laugh or two! I do not think I could be a grooms-man. I know I should be happy that there are two gorgeous men fighting over me, I just wish one of three things. 1. I wish they were not brothers…2. I wish they did not know each other and 3. I wish they were not friends with ANY of my other boys…it would have made it so much better! All of this time I am concerned about what I am going to do, I tend to forget how extremely luck I am. Some people do not have half they friends I have, or they have friends that are not nearly as close as I am to my boys. It may get frustrating but they are like family, you know what that is like…you always love family no matter what… I am glad we have each other too! It is SO NICE to have someone to be "girl-y" with; if I did it in front of the guys they would have my throat. I will let you know what I decide between Bobby and Jack…if I ever decide! Loves and Hugs PJ

Analysis
tlk5001 @ 12/11/2008 9:00 PM Reply

Analysis of Letters Project In the beginning I thought I was going to despise this letter's project, but in the end it was actually one of my favorite. I really enjoyed the chance to "live" as someone else, and give myself advice, not to mention give PJ (from the show My Boys) advice. I really just took what happened in the previous season finale, after watching it on-line to refresh my memory, and told PJ what I thought about what was going on. It was also nice to give myself advice; it's the same thing all my friends tell me about having majority male friends, but for some reason saying it to myself made it make so much more sense. I especially enjoyed writing in other people's post; I enjoy "playing a part." The one's I chose to reply to were woman that I considered writing to myself, it was a way for me to talk as all the people I wanted to do, it was great. I like to write creatively but being a history major I am often tied down with the facts, this really let me open up and enjoy something I love without feeling guilty that I should be working on something else. Another aspect that I truly enjoyed was getting to see what other people added to my writing, everyone has their own point of view and I found I quite interesting how one of the responders blended so well with who I am. However when it came to the writing of Ashley Rizzuto I was quite disappointed. She completely miss what I was writing and changed my personal persona, I was extremely confused and disappointed in what she wrote, I wish she would have just written nothing. Technology played an interesting role in this project, for one angle's extreme slowness took away from the project for me, adding more stress. Yet by writing via "e-mail" it made it more like real time talking then a letter does, due to the amount of time it takes for a letter to reach its recipient, whatever was written is now "old news." By writing back and forth so close in time made the letters more like a normal face to face conversation and less like a letter. Gender plays an interesting part in this project, since we all took on female persona's the project was bias towards a women issues. I think this is a good way to experience what females face every day and what they worry and think about from day to day. This project works as a way to bring awareness about women's everyday life to whoever may read them. My life is my life. It has its ups and downs, its sad times and its happy times, and I just keep on going. I think this project was a great way to look at my life from an outside perspective but it doesn't change anything about me on a large scale, I will always be me. If anything it just made me more confident and happy with whom I am.

*See Letters Project Part 2 and 3 for Self-Portraits