Westie

Awwww, come on Mark! You haven't killed a "mainstream" character in AGES. if it's not gonna be JJ, at least give some consideration to JP!

We need to remember that George's father holds the rank of earl, and depending on when the title was created, he is either an earl of the English Peerage, or an earl of the Peerage of Great Britain. Now, while it is true that a rank of lesser NOBILITY or a DIGNITY can be attached to a piece of land as suggested above, a PEERAGE does not relate to land at all. Peers of the realm (whatever class) are declared by letters patent, and are NEVER attached to estates or parcels of land. This is not always the case within continental europe, but within the English system, and later the British system (followed by the Peerage of the United Kingdom) a peerage was inheritable based solely on the letters patent. MOST of these prescribed Male Preference primogeniture - with some exceptions - which is why the eldest son would inherit. At this time in history, a title was about power and prestige. It so happened that wool was England's biggest export at this time, which meant that many economically powerful people were landowners, and thus why so many people holding large estates were admitted to the peerage. A good example of this (slightly predating this story) was Earl Spencer - of which family the late Diana, Princess of Wales, was a descendant. They made their money as woolen merchants. If we also take the case of the late, and very dear, Lord Faversham - he disinherited his eldest son (he runs several porn studios), and left his vast - and rather delightful - estate to his second son, with a life share to his wife. Regardless, the elder son has still inherited. Titles of Lesser NOBILITY or DIGNITIES, can be linked to land. the most prominent example is "Lord of the Manor". Barons (feudal lords) had titles tied to property, but this practice had largely died out by the end of the Stuart era. Sorry to have missed so many posts..... Ive been somewhat distracted. i will try to get here more often

I can honestly see JJ being another Billy... Just sayin' (null)

You know, the word "genius" is thrown about an awful lot these days..... but the only quality I have in greater excess than genius is, of course, modesty, so i couldn't possibly comment. Regarding Wade being "strong" - I agree. But I also think that like brad's strength, much of it is drawn from his partner. When Brad and Robbie had their little disaster in "millennium", Brad drew his strength from, ultimately, the desire to "win" Robbie back, while not sacrificing his dignity. JP is a slightly different case, because whereas Wade "hides" his feelings, JP "Suppresses" them - and thats a fine distinction. Wade "feels" things in his own world, but refuses to show those feelings. I'm not sure to what extent JP can "feel" even his own pain. More so, I think JP treats emotional pain more as an intellectual exercise, than an insular event in his own heart and mind.

I think this will be much more important as the story goes forward. Matt's future I suspect lies in the world of finance (specifically, as part of Stef and Brads world). It's clear though that Wade feels tradition acutely, and WANTS to follow his father into politics. Now, a gay man might not be the republican "wet dream" candidate, but i suspect that in the right state, most people just would see it almost as an "eccentricity" that he sleeps with men. What they wouldn't forgive is if that one deviation from their formula started to impact on other areas. Can he talk about family values with Matt sleeping with half the state? Nope. Could he handle continual sex scandals while in office? Nope. More than that, could he handle being seen as the weaker partner, constantly being walked all over? certainly not. Emotionally, I think Wade needs commitment over the longer term - he also needs someone in order to feel grounded and normal. Matt does that for him now because of their shared journey. Ultimately that will be a bond that can never break. If they break up, i suspect Wade wont be able to say no to Matt, and wade will never be able to stay faithful to subsequent partners because Matt will always be his weakness. I see very much a "Brad-Robbie" scenario here. Whether Matt is stupid and screws everything up (in more ways than one) or whether we see the start of another EPIC romance within the series, I think this story and possibly the next one will have to decide.

I would have to agree. JP has somewhat of the "dexter morgan" quality about him (as in the books and TV series "dexter"). He could have easily been a serial killer if not for his environment. Cold, Detached, somewhat outside of the human experience. Whereas a Serial Killer sees the world and may feel excluded, JP has more of a feeling of being an outsider who has seen the world, and on the whole has been wryly amused.

You know the absolute BEST thing about Wade being narrator? Lots of scenes with Matt Carswold naked in them !!! YEY ! :drool: Seriously though - great chapter Mr Arbour

Wow. Such an.... abrupt ending. great chapter though

Paya and I have had THE BEST weekend ever. And at the risk of making everyone throw up with our couple-cuteness, I thought I would recount the weekend here for everyone to enjoy - especially because the last time we visited London was the UK GA meet in August. On Thursday I met Paya at Manchester airport. His plane was early and my train was late, resulting in a nice meeting alongside one of those "rolling road" people movers (the flat escalators). We took a train back to the city that lies next to my small town, and I got to show Paya some more of my home and its surrounding areas. The main purpose for the visit was for Paya to get to know my Mum better and we went out for a wonderful meal that evening. Paya used his considerable charm and intelligent humour to win my mothers loving gaze. He also won the eternal adulation of my dog - a border collie - who was delighted to find this visitor wanted to play fetch with her and had a pigs ear as a treat for her. The following morning we set out on the train, and were joined at our table by a group of girls off for a party weekend in London. After a few occasions of "subtly" rubbing my leg and getting no reaction, one of the girls started asking us questions - where we were from etc. It was only afterwards that we realised that this was the first time we had been completely open that we are a couple with complete strangers. This was oddly liberating, and for the majority of the weekend we engaged in public displays of affection without worry or concern. On the Friday evening, we decided to have shopping time - as required on our gay cards - and we promptly went to fortnum & masons, via the Westminster abbey, Buckingham Palace and Green Park. The visit to fortnums was characterised by paya getting excited by the products, and me getting annoyed with the prices. in my opinion, £20 for a bottle of jam is obscene, and £90 for a box of chocolates is laughable. We bought some Jams and Preserves and then had a walk on Regent Street via picadilly circus. I simply MUST tell you about our hotel. We had an exceptional view from our room on the 11th floor. We could see Canary Wharf tower and the Millennium dome, and almost the whole of the docklands. Before anyone thinks I'm bragging about how much we spent, I will say right now that this was VERY cheap for a London hotel. We spent only £90 per night, including breakfasts. We got a room upgrade mainly because the girl at reception was Czech and wanted to look after Paya, as very few Czech's stay at that hotel. On Saturday was the main event. We had bought tickets to watch a show. "We Will Rock You" is a musical/show extraveganza based on the music of the groundbreaking band, Queen. It is written by Ben Elton and if you love Rock Music, Sexy Guys and the idea of Britney Spears dying (im serious), you will LOVE this show. this is not a "gay musical", nor is it "Faaaabulous darling". If you want a show thats "out loud and proud" for the gay community, then you can go watch "Priscella Queen of the desert" - but if you want great music, a good time and enjoy the odd perve on a scantilly clad GA GA boy, then We Will Rock You is an ideal show. On saturday evening we ate at "Little Italy" in SoHo. it was one of the best meals we have ever had, and was authentically italian. the fact that the young waiter was under pressure and all the staff were new just added to the charm of the place. It didnt matter that we got our main course before the starter. After dinner we went to Westminster. A late night visit to Westminster is our "thing" - we like to hear the bells and see the Palace of Westminster (parliament) all lit up and nice. This time though there was something missing. Last time we were there, we had a partner in crime, helping us to leer at the passing hotties (male and female) and admiring the very VERY VERY scantilly clad young people going about their business. Last time, we had Nephy with us. and it was sooo much fun. we realised then just how important some friendships are, and that sometimes its not just about being a couple - but about having those friends we are so comfortable with that we can be ourselves around them. So we sent Nephy a text telling her how we wished she was there Now I'm sitting in the 1st class lounge at Euston. An hour ago i saw Paya onto his train to Luton, and now I have 3 hours to wait for my own train. All I can think of is how glad I am that its only 26 Days until we meet again. Pusu :* A Jeste Jednu :*, Miluji te Pája. Love to you all West

George is strong willed. He doesn't let his emotions show through (so he's not Brad). Acutely aware of his position, keeping his secret and protecting the family honour and protecting caroline is paramount in his thoughts - and its threats in these areas that will bring out his ruthless streak. He has been single-minded in his determination to build a career. He has gathered much wealth, but doesnt seem to care so much about it, except for his comfortable home. He has a strong sense of noblesse oblige. George is careful, planning as far ahead in his mind as he can. Given all these points, I'm going to sat he is most like JP. Though, his sluttiness is a little steff-like. If i might be so bold as to go one step further, I would suggest that both JP and George Granger are examples of what the Author - our Mr Arbour - would like to be, if it were only that he could keep his emotions under control. As it is, he has more in common with Brad in CAP. And if that likeness to Brad extends to certain physical attributes... ahem **size**... then

Mark, these last few chapters (since you have been taking your time with them) are SOOOOOO much better. the quality of the writing is back. I still think (apologies) that this is the worst in the series, but things are definitely looking up !! Thanks for all your hard work though - in spite of your busy life etc, you still find time to keep us updated.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEPHY **REMEMBER** You are only as old as the man you feel so give us a grope and be 26 again

whatever those issues are, i really hope they can be resolved in a scene involving Matt (the hottest guy mark's ever written, IMO) getting naked and slamming gathan like theres no tomorrow.... in the meantime, i'll be the one re-reading bloodlines for the 50th time....

PHP programmer? Consider a move up north. You would still earn the big bucks (esp on contractor's rates ), and could svae up that money faster and without giving up your creature comforts. London is expensive. Consider newcastle. Get the right contracting job, and you might even get them to pay your expenses (hotel living during the week)...

So, I just said a very personal Happy Birthday to the most perfect guy in the world, my Paya. But now i want to say the public "Happy Birthday", so that everyone will know what a special day it is.... :D Happy Birthday Pája :D *with the non-anglicised spelling Happy Birthday to the Greatest guy in the world. I'm gonna make sure you have an amazing day!

given certain honourable and patriotic traits you might see within the story (wade particularly), i would suggest the more interesting discussion is surrounding which family members enlist in the army.... and the family schism created by the war on terror

Nigella Lawson rules. enough said.

So no blog for months and months and months - and then 3 come along at once. So last week I had a job interview. Actually, it was a SECOND interview. You might recall that I had a few issues in my job, and actually over the last 6 months have gone from being Head of Department to being an (albeit highly paid) consultant-manager. Wheres before I had anywhere between 20 and 45 staff dependent on requirements, now I have just myself and my assistant. So, i have been thinking for a while that I needed a new job, a fresh start and a different challenge. Today I got the call. While the company still have a few things to "negotiate" (mainly my financial package and a few peripherals), they have "informally" told me that the job is mine should I want it. Notwithstanding the negotiations still ongoing, this is going to dramatically change my standard of living, and more importantly, allow me to save for moving to be with my Paja :wub: So im all excited. I should get the "formal" offer next week or the week after..... and while i know it could all still fall through, im very exited by the prospect of leaving. Though I am dreading resigning, particularly because my current boss is the guy who gave me all the opportunities I've had. The last year of Hell involved working for other people, but now im back under the wing of my mentor (a senior director) it will be PERSONALLY very hard to say goodbye. But i HAVE to do it. I NEED to get away and try something new. I need the name of another company on my CV/resume before i move to the Czech republic..... right now I feel FREE as a bird...... So... apologies for the rambling post. Love to you all Westie

Most of you will know that there was a GA meet in London this weekend. For those of you who followed the evolution of the idea to meet, originally, it was emulated who suggested that it would be great to get all the UK members together. so the first things is; UK people were in the minority. In fact, we had a pretty diverse coverage (forgive me if I miss anything): England Czech Republic France Australia Finland Netherlands And most exotic of all.... Deepest darkest Wales! It was great to see so many people coming together to spend time with each other! Now, for myself and Paya, this weekend was as much a romantic getaway/Tourist mania weekend as it was a GA meet. I arrived on the Friday having endured a less than pleasant journey from Lancashire, and came into euston station. I had paid for First Class so that i could use the free wifi on the train. However, if I thought that having a first class ticket meant "first class service" i was to be bitterly disappointed. As it happens, I ended up using the free wifi to send a complaint to Virgin trains while i was still on board. However, arriving at my hotel, I was confronted with what has to be one of the most beautiful rooms I have ever stayed in. If anyone is visiting london and needs the name of a reasonable hotel at a reasonable price, send me a Private Message - and you can have my recommendation. The room was laid out in cherry wood furnishings, with a bathroom of white tile and black marble floors. it was stunning. Our view looked out onto a leafy square to the rear of the hotel. You would not have thought that you were in the middle of a busy metropolis. I went to pick up Paya at the airport, and arrived just as he was coming out of the arrival gate. we took the train back to Liverpool street, and after a brief ... err.... delay, in our hotel room, we went on a walk. We crossed the millennium bridge and walked along the river towards westminster, and experienced the city lit at night. We crossed a number of places where the scenes from LOVE ACTUALLY were filmed. We shall skip over my fear of bridges over water..... Nobody needs to know that I was hyperventilating on the bridge. Saturday was the day of the meet. Everyone was meeting at the British museum, but I had acquired some tickets for a tour of the Palace of Westminster (parliament) for myself an paya. Afterwards we walked along Whitehall (with a short delay caused by a torrential downpour of rain, which lasted 20 minutes: we sheltered in the underground), and along the Mall to Buckingham Palace. At this point we were very late, and arrived at the restaurant to find a very hungry group of 11 GA members waiting for us. We had a great time with them, a nice meal and a nice walk. Unfortunately, Paya and I had plans again, and so we left the group to their plans and headed for the Theatre. This is where Paya and I recieved our Gay card!! We watched CHICAGO (the last showing in London) and it was AMAZING. So many really hot guys wearing very very little.... and what they were wearing was see through..... :drool: Sunday saw us taking photos at the greenwich meridian (the centre of World Time), and then a visit to the tower of london. No self respecting gay guys could have gone to london without going to see the amazing diamonds, rubies and pearls on display in the jewel tower.... The british Crown Jewels really are a sight to behold. Unfortunately, no pearl necklace..... We made a breif sojourn to Harrods for some supplies (tea for paya, coffee for me, chocolates for both)... and then met up with the GA crowd for an evening meal (we were late again ). It turned out that they decided to spend their tourist time on a crawl of bars and clubs. What they got up to that afternoon is obviously their story to tell, but ive seen pictures that suggest it at least parially involved squeezing everyone into a phone box, and Marzipan carrying someone on her back.... Paya and I ended up rounding off the evening taking night photos of Westminster and the London Eye. We were very lucky in that Nephy joined us too. We have a very nice picture (not to be published ) of the three of us in front of The Palace of Westminster. This morning saw Paya and I enjoy a continental breakfast, before some last minute photo taking at St Pancras station (the refurbished Hotel there is a sight to behold).... before a devastating goodbye at Liverpool Street Station. I sit now in the first class lounge at euston waiting for my train. Im very early, but I figure i will take as much advantage as I can of the free drinks and snacks, to make up for the terrible outwards journey. Here is hoping that the homeward stretch will be much better... Paya and I are back in London in November and thoroughly excited by it. The GA crew are talking about a Paris 2012 meet... but based on finance concerns, I'm more inclined to a Skegness 2012 trip myself. Though..... there may be a reason that Paya and I cant make the 2012 meet... 365 days..... And I make the permanent move to the czech republic. That is our timeline, and I cant wait. And although I'm trying to spend more time away from GA to experience.... you know... REALITY more ... I will always hold affection for the place that brought me and my Paya together. Love you all West

I run faster than you....... MWAHHHHHHH

Meh. I might turn up if me and paya cant find anything better to do ....

I haven't written a blog in a while - if i'm being honest i have been trying to "withdraw" from the GA community slightly more over the last few months for various reasons. However, I though this was important enough to break my silence, and so I want to take the time up front to thank anyone who takes the time to read the below. A few weeks ago, the united kingdom government launched an "e-petition" site, where basically you can submit a title of a petition, and once it receives over 100,000 signatures, that petition gets referred to parliament for debate (with an additional committee stage first to ensure that parliament doesn't spend huge amounts of time on petitions to lower tax to 0% etc, which of course millions of people will sign). The first e-petition to go over 100,000 was to remove the social security benefits of anyone convicted of crimes related to the London/UK riots of the last weeks. Obviously this is a populist cause that probably wont get anywhere because of legal challenges and our commitments in the Human Rights Act etc. However, i still genuinely think that this site has the potential as a force for good. Here is an example. There is a current petition to legalise Gay Marriage (as opposed to a civil union/partnership). i think pushing a debate in parliament - even if it doesn't get a vote - would allow us to see which politicians are just paying lip service to equality, and which of them are really committed to us as their constituents. Moreover, i think this issue is big enough to ensure that this government follows through on its commitment to parliamentary debate. It will also keep Gay issues on the national agenda - because it does seem to me that ever since civil partnerships were introduced, everyone considers the "gay issue" solved. Now, its only open to UK voters - but I would like to strongly encourage all voters from the UK to go and place their name on this petition... e-Petitions Those who are of the same mind, I would like to encourage (ONLY IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE) for you to spread the word about this petition to your friends and associates using facebook, twitter, google+ etc. Spread the word. As your friends to spread the word too. Thank-you for your time

Well, you're not really a separate country.... in the most technical sense..... even if most people would recognise you as such.... But we let you call yourself so you dont feel too badly about being conquered Regardless, I know the high esteem you hold us English in, and the gratitude you have for us bestowing civillisation upon the welsh barbarian with our benevolent rule And truthfully, who can blame the Noble english for annexing Wales, when it it as beautiful as all that... West PS - Yes, I know that i will be punished for this comment in 2 weeks

No. Absolutely not. Jeremy keeps talking about what this "generation" would do, but these are not the ordinary Joe's of their generation. These are not the "normal". They act outside of the paradigms. Talking about Will and Gathan in terms of a whole generation is absurd (for different reasons for each guy). (1) Will. He has grown up among gay men such as JP, Stef and to some extent Greg. They talk often about the friends they lost to that plague. They see every day the devestation of loss on those people - like stef and JP - who were left behind. There is no way in hell that Will would take the risk (no matter how minimal that risk being the top using a condom). Will would not dream of paying such disrespect - and laying such HURT - at the feet of people he loves dearly, and more importantly respects. (2) Gathan. He knows what its like to feel an outsider. To never quite fit in. He has drive and ambition. In some ways, he is calculation, in others he is impulsive. He spends an awful lot of time thinking about the views, thoughts and feelings of other poeple. He wouldnt like to be a burden. Likewise, he would see a dependance on pills and medications a restriction of his freedom. Gathan wouldnt take the risk, either for HIMSELF, or for others around him. We need to stop thinking and talking in terms of "this generation would do this" - because its the most appalling BS. (no offence to anyone intended) West PS -if you asked me the same question about Matt Carswold, i would say "yes" - simply because Matt is more headstrong. He is more in control, but at the same time, is a risk taker. The "russian roulette" aspect for Matt, might even make it hotter.

But.... but.... but - have you seen how HOT the guy is????