Andrew Q Gordon

Oh crap, I've broken ALOT of those rules, THEIR gonna have an EFFECT on my RIGHTING if ITS not changed soon. THAN I be more betterer. Thanks Vic, I've seen things by Oatmeal before and always get a laugh from them. This was funny too, but I agree with Nephy - Buy Dolphin Free Writing! Andy

Thank you, I appreciate hearing you like it. Also, I've been trying hard NOT to do the first thing you cite as undesirable. Totally agree, it has to be subtle but believable. So that sorta ties into number two. But making it interesting, well I would think all author's try to do that, so I'm glad I didn't fail that test As for something happening? Well if nothing was gonna happen, I could end the story now, right? The question is, what is coming and on that . . . . I'll never tell . . . well not until I post it at least Thanks MJ appreciate hearing from you. Andy

Another post to my lonely forum - y'all ain't popping in and leave me near enough messages. I'm having Mark Arbour envy these days. Okay so Chapter 18 is and yeah I left y'all on a high steep cliff. Sorry - err well not really. Okay so just checking, those of you who do read and comment here - B-man, Phana, MikeL Conner, Dave, don't think I missed anyone who regularly posts here - well of course Anyta but she won't count for this question. Do people prefer I leave a note here with the chapter link or do you come here after you read the chapter? I mean it's like I have to come up with a witty Chapter Note, End Note, Status Update AND Forum announcement. There are only so many good lines in a week and I seem to waste them all on just one chapter. So if this isn't helping anyone, I can cut this out. [Yes, this is a shameless way to get comments. ] Andy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TREBS!!! Enjoy your day, have fun, go nuts, but don't show your nuts well not unless they're truck nuts, but even then I'd suggest you not show em.

Okay I think I can top Ledasha - how about Acinom. This boy's mother's name was Monica, she gave him her name spelled backwards. Yeah THAT is a true story., sadly, but true.

That so totally has to be an 'urban legend' right up there with the woman who gave birth to twins and named them Lemonjello and Orangejello after the Jello selects on the menu. Funny but SO not true. But if someone can find a birth announcement for a Ledasha I'll believe it's true.

Aren't you worried about what you might see if we showed you pictures?

**Gulp** Between you and Louis, I've got some big expectations to live up to with the coming chapters. This story is much easier to 'visualize' for me as I have lived a bit or most of it in various ways. One thing I will say, some of what the judge says during their conferences is probably not realistic. Essentially he's telling the prosecutor what he sees the defense trying to do. That's probably a bit of an abuse. I'm doing it here to help 'explain' what's going on without having Martin 'think' about. But on the other hand, I have had more than a couple argument given to me at bench conferences by the judge 'talking' through the defense objection - so maybe it's not so far fetch. Thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment. -- -- Andy

Good choices for things to read Welcome and enjoy Welcome Shalvia glad to hear your planning to be active. Hope you enjoy you're time here. Hey Caleb, rather wordy introduction you left us. Welcome and enjoy Okay, I just realized that combined you three just add up to my age - lord that makes me feel old.

Hate has a terrible way of warping people. I guess with this I wanted to show how letting go of the assholes will free you vs. staying made and missing out. Sarah is basically my sister - she's always been the one to have my back, especially after I came out. So yeah, I agree, she's a smart lady Thanks for taking the time to leave me a note.

So unwittingly our pair has unleashed upon themselves and the world a curse to end all curses. I don't have much else to say except I can't wait to see what lies ahead. Bloody big ass scorpions with stingers the size of swords, archers with disappearing language on their asses. What's next ??

Curious and curious. Has that feel of King Tut's tomb and it's curse. So many questions, so few answers, you are a wicked evil man Louis. I'd ask my questions but you won't answer them now will you? I wonder what the professor was thinking trying to open the container. He sensed it was holding back evil and still he insisted on blasting it open. What evil did he unleash upon the world. Oh Oh Oh I know he unleashed Louis Harris - master of evil writing upon us J/k of course. Good job.

So what have you weaved for us now Mr. Harris? Are you trying to give us learning too with all those footnotes?? Sorry I'm not able to give you as detailed feed back as you provide me, but accept this pale imitation as a thank you for you generous help since we 'met.' Interesting start, stuff to lure us in but not enough for us to figure out what is next. You do this very well, and it's hard. So onward. Definitely not what I expected from the title. But that's a good thing.

So by fine you mean 'fine' as in he's so fine! Nicely done, though I have to say, I've been going to all the wrong libraries my entire life. Ain't never seen nor had an experience like this. Not that I was looking for such a thing, but it I was, I never saw it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHOENIX!!!! Have some fun, take some pictures and prove to everyone it's more fun north of the border

Holy Crap, I actually saw a truck with 'truck nuts' yesterday. It had this big silver/chrome scrotum with two nuts - one lower than the other - hanging from the trailer hitch. I was trying to get my iPhone out to take a picture to pass around ' asking WTF is this??' but they drove off before I could snap the shot. The - insert derogatory name for person driving the truck with truck nuts - had a hell of a time backing out of the park space and all I could do was scratchy my head and wonder WTF made them think that was cool? Oh well, best laugh I had yesterday.

I think sequel is a bit strong, it's more a companion. BUt glad to have you aboard. This one will be fairly short, maybe 6 chapter and an epilogue but it will resolve, tie up a lose end from Second Shot - what happened to Jordan. As for a sequel? Who knows, maybe? I just got a few things I'm working on and a baby on the way so nothing imminent but definitely something I've thought a bit about. -- -- Thanks again. -- -- Andy

Wow you really go for broke on your first post don't you Couple things come to mind: If you are married with a child, you have a few other responsibilities to factor that complicate this some what. "Finding out" requires experimenting with someone other than your wife. Will she mind? Probably impossible to tell. If you've never been with a guy, you probably never told her about your desire for men. Or then again maybe you know her feeling on extra marital affairs already. There are so many different ways to answer this but this might be the best I can come up with. I had a friend - died of cancer recently - who spent twenty some years married, raised two kids before admitting he was gay. Told his wife - who was almost 50 at the time - and kids and ended up - in his words - ruining her life. She was bitter that at age 50 she had to start over again. They'd married in college, kids, house etc. For him there was this enormous sense of guilt and regret - guilt because despite like me and 'dick' as he put it - he still had feeling for her after all those years. Regret because he felt he missed out on being 'young and cute' [not that I think he was ever cute, but we let him have his fantasy]. If you think you really prefer men to women, are you going to 'stray' and hook up on the side? That's dangerous for her - health wise, for you -depending on your career - it can be an issue if you meet someone you like who likes you back but doesn't want to be the 'other woman' so to speak. Will they out you publicly? Will they stalk you? Will they tell your family? Or will they just not be willing to put up with seeing you only when you have time? If you prefer men but are married will you be truly happy? My suggestion is try to figure out what you really want. Yes it will suck to tell the wife, 'honey, I'm sorry but I'm really gay' but it would be better to do it sooner than later. The longer you two build a life together, raise the child(ren) together etc, the harder it will be for her to accept and to move on. Just as my friend regretted the missed opportunities of youth, so too did his wife. If however, you feel you want to be with your wife and be faithful and satisfied, then I suggest you just focus on that and try to ignore the other. Finding men attractive could be no different that finding other people attractive besides your spouse. Just because they get you excited doesn't mean you have to sleep with them. Good luck whatever you decide, you have some difficult choices to make. Andy

What are we racing for?

See my answer to Trevor's review for what might be a better worded explanation. But if it makes sense to you now, maybe I better quit while I'm ahead Trials are a bit like a chess match, you make a move hoping you're three moves ahead or that you can anticipate the other's reaction, etc. I'd be surprised if Rankin slips up with Jordan - I mean he's prepped the kid for months. Rankin's problem is he isn't that up on the Judge as he should be. sometimes only appearing before them on a daily basis will prepare you for their idiosyncrasies. To me that is the big problem he's having. What works in one county might not work somewhere else. Attorney's who practice in DC rarely go to Virginia because they actually follow the rules of court in the Old Dominion and don't care a tinker's cuss for the 'poor right's of the defendant' when the defense 'pretends' to not remember something or didn't follow the rules. I see this fictional county as doing the same. Do it right or risk not getting it into evidence. Thanks for the note B-man. I wouldn't expect too much bang out of Jordan's testimony. He'll lie - probably convincingly so - and be very well rehearsed in his testimony. The problem is that no matte how well you prepare, you can't anticipate everything the other side will ask. Whether or not he'll get caught in a lie remains to be seen. I'm not forgetting this one - Mike, but I'm keeping to a schedule so I can finish Purpose too I have a strict no cussing rule in court Trevor, make sure you leave the building and not do it from the spectator's gallery Normally I wouldn't do this but I'm in a good mood, we finished painting the baby's nursery so I'm quite happy. Here is a sneak peak at chapter 4 - "Go home tonight and relax," Dan said. Holding the orange Nerf ball, he waited until Martin looked his way. "Everything went according to our plan. As you said upfront, we have a great case, all we need to do is execute. You, did that." "We did," he corrected. Tossing the ball to Belle, he let out a sigh. "I don't understand why we went to trial. What do they think they have to overcome Bennett, Peter, the video and Portman?" "Nothing." Everyone turned toward Alan who froze with the bottle almost to his lips. Before Martin could ask what he meant, Dan spoke, "Care to expand on that?" "Earlier today, when I went to get lunch, I overheard Rankin speaking to Hank Colmar." He finally took a drink. "Let's just say it was not a happy conversation." "What do you mean?" Martin glanced at Dan, hoping the kid wasn't about to torpedo his promising legal career. "How did you 'happen' to hear this?" No longer relaxed, Alan sat up straighter. "As I said, I was waiting for the delivery person by the front door. You know those black plastic seats by the entrance? I was sitting on one of them when I heard Hank Colmar's voice. Everyone heard it." "And you saw no reason to leave did you?" Dan smiled at Martin, looking relieved this was a conversation that 'came' to Alan and not one he sought out. He shrugged. "It's the same place I met the guy every day this week. Not my fault they were loud." "Okay so you weren't eavesdropping." Unsure he should ask, Martin hoped Rankin didn't discuss his trial strategy in the hallway. "What did you hear?" "If you're worried it was their super secret trial plan, don't." Alan drank again, allowing Martin to relax. "Basically, Colmar's mad. He said something about our side creaming them and how Rankin was incompetent. Oh yeah, he cussed Ray Henry out for hiring our firm out from under him." Dan snorted. "I'd have turned him down if he asked. I have enough business without ruining my name with this case." Martin kept his eyes on Mary who raised her eyebrows fractionally. He wasn't the only one surprised by the statement. "Well, Rankin didn't take to being insulted in public. He reminded Colmar he told them their case was extremely weak. Said he warned them about the risks of a trial and that everything depending on Jordan being able to convince the Jury everyone else was lying, but him." "Which is what we've been saying all along," Belle said, drawing a look from his sergeant. "Colmar said something about for what he paid he expected results not excuses and he'd have Rankin's license if Jordan went to jail." Alan shrugged, rolling up his sleeves. "That's when the lunch guy came and I had to go." I'd say plan is Colmar testifies, but then this is all just conjecture on the part of the government team, now isn't it? Thanks everyone for their comments. Andy

Relevance is the first answer followed closely by Probative vs Prejudicial. First one has to ask, is the evidence relevant? If so to what? In this case, it doesn't go to Jordan's state of mind on Oct 7th, and the argument could be made it doesn't go to his state of mind on Aug 28th. It goes to Jason's state of mind, but that isn't relevant to the charges. But assume there is a slight relevance - i.e. he has a history of gay bashing, next you need to ask how probative is it on an element of the crime vs. how prejudicial is it. A better/easier example is the gory photograph evidence. Would maggot covered pictures of the deceased be so probative in a homicide that they out weight the prejudice to the defendant. If the charge was shooting someone, then no, because it doesn't help establish the gun shot wound. Same here. Sure it shows that Jason thinks Jordan is capable of fag bashing, but it's not overly probative for the charges and it is inflammatory. So no, Jason's opinion is NOT relevant UNLESS the assault was against him. and even then it would be iffy. Glad to see I got your blood boiling Trevor

As always Louis you are too kind - only one were/where issue? No I'm sure there were many but thanks for 'missing' those . If the chapter was all you said, I have to say thank you to Nephy and Antya. Having two such talented writers to help me sure does make me look better. You should see all the 'red' ink they both used up fixing my work. One thing I will add - the character all - except Rankin who I'm totally making up - remind me of people I know or work with. Having such a vivid image of them makes it easy to project them onto 'paper' [Well Jason and Peter I don't 'know' but after 300K words I feel like Know them ] Thanks again Louis, you are as I said - too kind.

Dave you are so right. Some of the things the jury doesn't get to see can be the best evidence. I've seen cases where we - the office - agonize over what to do because we know the stuff that would be the best evidence won't get to the jury and without it, the case is probably not a winner. That and the things you mention are all factors. I've lost cases I didn't put enough work into and gotten out lawyered - the only defense I have is I chose wrong - chose the wrong case to focus on and the one I did pled out and the one I didn't went to trial. SO yeah, it is amazing the system works so well. Glad you are enjoying it. Hopefully you'll be happy through the end. -- -- Andy

I've been told one of my better skills as a trial lawyer is cross examination - basically thinking on my feet - so I can say that it is definitely a skill I've worked at. Knowing when to object and when not to is half skill half luck. Recently I objected to a question and the judge overruled me. The answer crushed the defendant - I mean was make people's eyes wide brutal. At that point the defense is screwed, they asked the question and got the answer. So yeah it can be hard. Glad you are enjoying this one - it's coming close to the end, but it's been fun to write for me.

Thanks, hope you like the rest. Feel free [begs a bit maybe ] to leave a few comments along the way