Several times as I was reading Bill Flanagan's U2 At the End of the World, I noticed some cute coincidences between Adam and me and realized that where we had personality differences, we could be perfect complements to each other. Basically, I just wanted to indulge in my delusions of Adam and me as fated lovers and life partners and thought you might enjoy hearing about it.

1. As a child, Adam developed quite a reputation for a talent that some would consider crudeand vulgar, but what I'd call just feckin funny. Just as I'm well known in my circle for my frequent and random comments about my bum burping and my butt growling, Adam was widely celebrated for his perfectly planned poots. Though I've actually only ever been able to pass gas through the opposite end in front of my friends, Little Clayton often let those rippers escape in class but always politely apologized to his teachers when "it just slipped out of my bottom."

2. Whenever you feel like it's me-against-the-world, Adam will be right there, holding your hand, hoping that he can help. (See p. 522 in Flanagan's book.) He underestimates the value of that simple gesture of just being there. Similarly, I actually gravitate toward the loners and lepers - the disadvantaged, in general. For me, I think it all boils down to a selfish psychological need to feel self-important and to a hope that someone would do the same for me if I was in that position. Adam, however, I think is much more pure of heart.

3. Adam and I both had/have the nasty habit of devouring other people's leftovers. One of my friends once said he loved me for these barbaric qualities; in Adam, I see the willingness to pick through others' scraps much more endearing.

4. We're both incurable romantics (when we meet the right people). Every two seconds, it'd be "Aww, that's so sweet," when I was reading about how Adam's face would just light up at the mere mention of Naomi's name. Though those who know me well see me as a hornball from talking about sex so much, to me love ALWAYS precedes the other (or as of right now, not at all yet). I know my soul mate's out there somewhere (maybe in Dublin!) and I have total faith that I'll find him.

5. If every man could understand what goes on in the hidden recesses of the female mind like Adam does, we may finally be able to reconcile the differences between Mars and Venus and finally coexist peacefully on Earth. (See Adam's quote page to see what I mean.) In the same sense, I think I'm pretty good at deciphering the male mind...and very tolerant of what I discover in it. I know it's only human nature to be ruled by your libido sometimes - of course, that doesn't mean I put up with the objectification of anyone either.

6. As much as he enjoys the hustle and bustle of the city, I think Adam can't get enough of the simple pleasures of life. I figure he's really drawn to the ocean, considering his time spent at Malahide, and to nature in general. But why not, though? His "bucolic side," as Flanagan observed, can't ignore the fragile beauty of Mother Nature. Sometimes...most of the time, I just want to go away and leave all the complications behind, so I can start concentrating on what really matters. It's just a Thoreau-like fantasy for me.

7. Adam and I are very open about sexuality. I think we share the same philosophy that it is something to be reveled in, not embarrassed of, but of course something never to be shoved into other people's face. (There's a lot to be said for humility.) As Adam said, "Men should be encouraged to look at each other's penises. They needn't be hidden under a bushel." As I once said, "Befriend your boobs. They'll never betray your confidences...except when it's cold out."

8. As it goes, I believe we're pretty open to everything - especially to new ideas and new experiences. Adam's the type of person to give everything and everyone a chance. He knows it's not his place to judge. At the beginning of U2's career, Adam was always encouraging and willing to try other techniques proposed by the other band members. In my case, I'm just a teenager. I already feel like a damn idiot all the time because of all the stuff I could and should know and don't.

9. I'm not sure if it has changed since the writing of Flanagan's book, but in terms of spirituality, I think we're on the same level. Adam seems to transcend the boundaries of traditional morality. He's directed by his own sense of right and wrong and not by the standards of an often misguided society. Also, he seems truer to the spirit of God than many people who claim they're good Christians just because they go to Church regularly. Like he said, "I think the important thing to retain through life is optimism. It doesn't have to be something that you necessarily get from Christianity. You just have to feel that way about life." In the same way, I understand what Bono meant when he said, "Religion is the enemy of God." I believe in you. I believe in me. I believe in life. Shouldn't that be enough??

10. Nevertheless, we obviously respect those who do have such faith. Eamon Dunphy wrote in his book, The Unforgettable Fire, that even though the kids around him were tossing around Bibles and showing their irreverence to religion, little Adam always respected those convictions. Likewise, I have this one friend, who's born-again, that I deeply admire and hold in high regard for sticking so true to her beliefs when it's so easy to be corrupted these days. It's just nice to know someone who refuses to compromise their morals; she's my own source of inspiration.

11. Manners matter to us. Even with cigarettes in his mouth, Adam would still mumble his 'please' and 'thank-you's. I LOVE that. I just think being polite in general shows that you have respect for the other person, and that's something people should be doing more often anyway.

12. Whereas my naivete and innocence can cause a lot of disillusionment, Adam's worldly wisdom can temper that. While I can tame the partier in him, he can draw me out of the shell that I sometimes get stuck in. Since it seems we both can get trapped in the extremes, we'll be able to balance each other out.

 

[Well, now that your opinion of me is significantly lowered with all my talk of farting and sex, I just hope that you've gained new insights on Adam's character. Ever since I saw him at the Four Seasons in Boston and saw how considerate he was for staying out sooooooo long to sign autographs, I'm just completely intrigued by him. This list was actually made for a laugh; I would really rather just KNOW Adam and be friends with him than anything else.]