Westie

I agree, the book is excellent.... I am very concerned though if this is made by hollywood? Hollywood have a tendency to butcher English History....

Im pretty sure I would give you my full years salary to see you publish that....

Anyta - of course you're welcome. We don't stand on ceremony !! Join the fun as soon as you can - no need to wait until you are "established" as a member! With regards to a year being too far away - I think it was put well in advance to give other European members a chance for flights and such. We have members from France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal - and if course the Czech Republic That said, I am very amenable to a uk members meet beforehand if we were to arrang coffee in Manchester, lunch in Cardiff, dinner in Liverpool etc - it would be a good ice breaker before the main event next august

Anyta - of course you're welcome. We don't stand on ceremony !! Join the fun as soon as you can - no need to wait until you are "established" as a member! With regards to a year being too far away - I think it was put well in advance to give other European members a chance for flights and such. We have members from France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal - and if course the Czech Republic That said, I am very amenable to a uk members meet beforehand if we were to arrang coffee in Manchester, lunch in Cardiff, dinner in Liverpool etc - it would be a good ice breaker before the main event next august

So disappointed I can't believe that it wasn't Keren. I was hoping that Mark would give us a twist in the tale, and it turns out to be just a little kink. not that i'm adverse to a little kink, mind you

So does anyone like anything a little more unusual?? anyone embrace the extra-ordinary?

I never enjoyed beavis and butthead.... dont know why.... guess the humour didnt translate for me

I'm sure they're not.... but I'm still going to book into a hotel. I think the point is that if groups want to get together to sort out a group booking, that is obviously their choice. However for those of us with parculiarities or certain needs (such as my need to be spoiled and pampered), I think we need to consider that people are going to make their own arrangements. West

Apparently, this question is one of those that marriage counsellors ask to find out how well you know your spouse. It is usually a good indication of how attentive you are to your partner etc. So, in the spirit of getting to know everyone better, I though't I'd ask - What's your favourite salad dressing? Mine is a nice pomegranate and port vinaigrette... I like the contrasts in flavour between sweet and sharp, and drizzled over sun dried tomatoes and lettuce.... So how about you... ?

I've never found that to be a problem in the past and in an emotional state.... who knows. But anyway... i'm allowed my fantasy To go back on topic, we have seen in Chapter 11 Brad totally loose it - If it were me I would now expect to see a slow gathering of control over the next few chapters.... bringing brad back around to his usual controlled self. We all need a blow out every now and then

To be honest nephy, "too nice" depends entirely on the situation, and in context - but usually I would say that being "too nice" reflects the insecurities of the accuser rather than a shortcoming of the accused. What "too nice" really means is "nicer than I would have been" or "Nicer than I am". It reveals that the person who directs the comment to you reconises that you are - at least in this way - the better person. And they try to change a positive quallity into a negative trait. Ignore it West

I have wondered a million times how to start this story, whether to start it at all. I think I need to write this for me, but at the same time I would hope it speaks to someone. Once I decided to write this story

JC, I think the point that has been made is that there is a diverse group of people going to be meeting up. There are 2 extremes on the table - a writers workshop weekend, and a "wasted" weekend. the point for everyone to remember is that the "meet" itself should be fairly neutral - dinner and a few glasses of wine for example - and that activities following should be free choice for everyone to make their own arrangements. I would like to see SoHo, simply becuase last time i was there, i was "straight". At the same time, I have absolutely no aversion to sitting up until 4am in a turkish coffee house (i know a great one in the theatre district) just talking to people. Certainly for me and paya, this will be more than just 1 day in London. We will be sightseeing and doing the "tourist" thing. Anyone who is in London for a more extended period would be welcome to join us (be warned.... as a couple we can be pretty sick-makingly affectionate). Im sure a more reasoned event will come out of these discussions in the coming months west

Brad is one charater that I really relate to. One of Mark's particular skills is to create characters that are incredibly real - even if their situations and inevitable happy endings are more rose tinted than average. I can really relate to Brad, becuase we are actually pretty alike (erm.... he is slightly better hung i'll admit Hell, nobody will ever know any different - I'm even as hung as he is!!). I am incredibly controlled in my emotions - and though I feel insecurities, I very rarely show them. My default state is to be deliberate, calculated - some might say cold. People find me un-nerving and occasionally intimidating. And just like Brad, all that goes out the window when it comes to love. Right now there is only one person in the world who can make me cry for example. Im pretty sure that the way Brad is acting is exactly in line with the way I would act myself in the same situation. Possibly, I would be slightly more calculated in my actions - my instinct might have been more to get at Carson to ensure I win. These similarities - and the fact that I know I would act in the same way - Makes Brad all the more real to me. Even down to the point that my first instinct would be to take Matt to my bedroom. I have said before of Mark's writing that Matt Carswold was the first fictional character I ever "fell for" - and in fact is the only one to date. All this in mind... when everyone says Brad "seems different".... im not so sure. I think he acts in eactly the way I would expect. He has grown to be sure - you can sense more of his age - but I thyink he is axactly the same Brad that we have loved all this time West PS - My own opinion for this storyline is that Robbie and Brad have a major fight at a family function - Brad's sister Claire tries to calm robbie down by taking him out for a drive. They die in a freak accident, so Brad and Jack Hobart come together in their grief.... 'cos if Matt is the character I fell in love with.... Jack Hobart is definitely the one I would lust after

Hmmmm..... I think 'srooms would be fun in there

(1) Your english is amazingly good. As the only person on GA that has met you and spent time with you in person, I am the only one qualified to comment (2) I am happy to meet with you guys for a lunch.... then go off and do our own thing.... Paya and I will be doing the tourist-y thing (paya is like an archstereotype of a japanese tourist with his camera ) (3) Wasted in SoHo - well if you guys want a theme for your writing - i wanna put that forward as an option.... but tbh I am more inclined to experience it first West

I dont want Mark to get too big headed when I say this - but he has a REALLY good idea there..... But then again, you could take a little bit of England back to the Czech Republic

I think we need to remember that we are a diverse group of people - many of whom have very strong personalities. At the same time, while we are all friends online, some of us have redically differing viewpoints and opinions to go along with those personalities. My point is that for a FIRST meet - it might be slightly ambitious for us to suggest we all stay in one place. While some of you may feel very comfortable setting up a lions den, I am more attuned to the idea that we plan our own accomodation, and an initial lunch together on day 1 - with an additional programme of events that should be considered optional. Personally, I would prefer to arrange my hotel separately (as Toby Ziegler said, I like a good concierge...) and attend whatever programme as takes my fancy. At the same time, I have a number of commitments that I always undertake when in London, so having more flexibility would be good

This has been a difficult week for me. You may be hearing a lot about "the economic recovery", but private companies such as the one I work for are alwasy going to seek to cut costs where possible. Earlier this month I found that the department which I lead was merging with another. I was asked to lead the resultant department, but at the same time cut staffing numbers by 40%. Over the next month, as more "mini deptartments" also transfer to my control, I am being asked to make process improvements and service changes that will cut staffing levels by between 30% and 60% (higher is better for the bottom line). Yesterday, I terminated the employment of 7 people - which is very much a first wave. One of the people I let go was a single mum. Granted, she was a professional woman, and received a significant redundency package based on time served and her current grade and salary - but with 3 children that money was not going to last long. Now, up until yesterday, I had gone through this process in a cold and calculated way, assessing performance against value, looking at key Performance Indicators to score every individual in the department. This woman was the 6th person on my list, and I will be honest - I had gone about my task with good humour. I was not particularly affected by what I had to do - it was just part of my job. This woman however was very difficult. By that point, most people knew that if they were called in to my office, a fair number were going to be let go. 5 people had already cleared their desk, so this woman comes into my office literally shaking from fear and already in tears. I did what I was meant to do, explained why we need to make cuts, and then delivered the bad news - all the while with a hysterical woman crying her eyes out.. As I was escorting the woman from the building, she rounded on me in anger and asked "How the ?! do you sleep at night". My response was to open the door and ask her to walk through it. Later on though it dawned on me that I had done this task far to easily. I prided myself before that although I have been promoted quite quickly to a reasonably senior position at a yong age - I ahve kept my human side. Yesterday proved me very wrong. How the Hell did I get to the point where I could make 5 poeople redundent without even batting an eyelid? Why did I not feel butterflies in my stomach? Where was my human sympathy? WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY HUMANITY? I used to pride myself on being in touch with the feelings and opnion of my team. But now I refer to them dismissively as "staff" and think in terms of numbers, not names. I make harsh decisions based on budget and savings, and I cant remember once in the last 6 months where I have though about the human cost of those decisions. This morning, I feel very much as if I've lost something of myself. In moving on and becoming more successful, I have forgotten a little bit where I came from. I have substituted my greatest strength - my human quality - for a harsh managerial persona that I really dont recognice - and as of this morning, its a persona that I dont like much either. West PS - Dont mistake this for me feeling sorry for myself. This is the only place where I can post a totally anonymous blog, and be totally honest with myself. So I apologise in advance for subjecting you all to my tales of woe

Well, I think that Mark is pretty partial to a happy ending to be honest, which is always going to be an overriding factor. However, just speaking about the charaters - long term relationships do have "defining moments" that set and adjust the balance within that relationship. I think we are about to go on a rollercoaster ride. This will be painful, at times funny, but ultimately heartbreaking for both Brad and Robbie - but coming out the other side I am hoping will emerge two very strong men, with a re-addressed balance of power. Im hoping Brad will be more in control of their relationship - and that Robbie in turn will be less career focussed and more relaxed. Now - the shape of that resultant relationship may also change. for example - could they end up in a more "open" relationship like Stef and JP? Who knows, but its gonna be an interesting ride. West

that last chapter wa great.... good to see brad standing up like a man.... putting this on his own terms

Im not exactly convinced about hostels.... im a little too old.... I like the creature comforts of a well appointed hotel....

Mark, That last chapter was amazing.... but is there anyone else who thought there was a lack of sex in there? LOL I jest of course..... I'm loving how hot and racy these scenes are, without detracting even a second from the story.... Way to go

Concrete.... Hard... Lean.... Strong.... - come to think of it.... i could double post this to a thread about how i like my men

Having reviewed the list above of those characters brad interacted with.... I'm more and more convinced that Karen is the most likely. After that I'm saying Childers... Then maybe Lark... and of course, any combination of the three acting in cooperation. Im sorry, but none of the other options seem plausible to me. Remember that the character we are looking for is not just "someone who was in Be Rad" - it is "someone Brad went to school with". Rules out suggestions like Brian etc. Now, Mark could very easily go back and pick a charater that he only mentioned three times in an early chapter (or some other obscurity) - but I think Mark has more fidelity to his writing than that. I also think that to choose a character that played less than 20 words worth of a minor role would be cowardly and wrong. It would also make mockery of the suspence that has been built up.... (God... im gonna feel like a right idiot if it turns out to be Dan Church now )