Carlos Hazday

“María, lo que quiera el buen mozo, yo pago. ¿Bien?” “Por supuesto, Coronel.” “¿Coronel? ¿Tu me ves a mi en uniforme? Mi nombre es Camilo.” CJ had been about to pull a stool from the bar when the man’s initial comment stopped him. Telling the bartender he would pay for whatever the handsome guy wanted was a sure way to be noticed. He obviously knew her since he used her name, and María addressing him by his military rank meant the man was not a stranger.

Happy Earth Day 2023! And a happy third birthday today to Elizabeth Abello. Considering she now has twin, 3-month-old brothers, and a 2-month-old cousin living next door, the birthday party will be at Everhope.

Thanks, buddy. I've had the rough concept for this story in mind for a couple of years and finally decided to slip ahead and write it. I'll fill in the blanks of their summer after CJ starts classes in a couple of weeks.

More like Jay will open his mouth and piss everyone off. THe US and Cuba come together to get rid of him.

I'll admit I sometimes get lost in the dialogue. I start writing and next thing you know I have a long conversation I end up having to break up with descriptions and atmosphere. In this chapter, writing about Peter Pure had me grinning.

My pleasure. I'm using the summer of 2022 to establish new relationships, strengthen others, and set CJ firmly on the path to running for office. I've skipped 4 stories but I'm coming back for them. A couple will be one-chapter shorts, and the other two will be longer, multi-chapter ones. Let's see how much I can get written.

Like it's a big surprise. LOL How long have I been at this now?

@Unlimited Possibilites Was it everything I wrote about? LOL The Chihuly glass is magnificent. I also loved the mobile in the lobby. IMO MAM and the Guggenheim are more interesting for their architecture than for their exhibits. I mean, once you've seen half a dozen Ming Dynasty vases they all start looking the same. On a related note, I have visits to two DC area museums outlined and I'm gonna have to look at a lot of pictures and articles; I haven't been to either one in the last 15 years.!

Maybe after CJ's trip, things will improve. LOL Trump placed Cuba back on the terrorist sponsors' list so it'll be a pain to get off it. We need something that will accelerate the process. Let me see what I can think of.

I think Liebe would be fun to write from around 5 on. I guess I started it in Flying Circus. I see her as smart and smart-mouthed. She'll have a solid base of good values and some of CJ's temper. We saw that at her wedding story. Although Owen's been a bit more aggressive in the last two stories, he'll always be the calmer voice of reason. Even with Jay, he says he'll use avoidance; CJ would probably provoke the jerk.

I forgot to account for inflation. Until further notice, words like those Parker tosses around with such ease shall be known as Benjamin words. (For those unfamiliar with American currency, our $100.00 bill has Benjamin Franklin on it.) After further thought, we're dealing with a couple of millennials... Rinasti word! Rinasti word! (Rinasti is the fictitious cryptocurrency CJ and Owen invest in and makes them incredibly wealthy over the next 5 years.)

Traveling has been a huge component of the series all along, and this is just the latest. Two nationalities, several languages, and a willingness to try new stuff make these two ideal tourists. Just not typical.

Papa Hemingway gets mentioned in the next chapter. You actually forgot about the most important birthday this weekend. Liebe turns 3 tomorrow! LOL

I forgot I also set part of a story in Israel/Egypt/Jordan. CJ's in Slovenia after their sailing vacation in 2027, but I don't plan to write about that one. Over the next few books, I'm keeping them in the US. I think they've visited 25 of the 50 states so far; time to discover new locations. Locations around the Adriatic and Agean are calling... Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Crete, Santorini... Maybe skiing in Andorra?

SEE YAY! I can't wait until they recount that meeting and Owen uses a fake Spanish accent.

Glad I could help start off your finde! This chapter sets the tone, a very relaxed CJ is still a magnet for movers and shakers. Let's see who else he can charm over the next couple of days.

Was your visit after Trump tightened things up? One problem with their higher education (ie medical) is that it's not the best. My cousin's wife was a doctor in Cuba but was lost when she moved to the US. The curriculum is not current or strenuous. Economic changes continue in Cuba; in the last week or so the government started allowing US Dollar denominated accounts. The guys booked only one tour for Saturday after Owen's done with work, but I'm sure CJ will draft someone to show him around. The Chinese have moved in but are having issues with many Latin American and African countries not paying their debt. Within the last month, Cuba defaulted on debt to European nations but it seems Japan's their biggest creditor. South Korean vehicles are popular these days.

Dollar words! Dollar words! I forget if I finished my Jay interactions in this story or if I left him dangling so we could use him as a pinata in the future.

Don't forget the Chinese! He was approached by one of them while in Mexico City and I plan to bring that guy back. I'm still trying to figure out how I can get CJ involved with Mossad and a few hunky Sabras.

Marco Rubio and Pam Liston deserved to be smacked. However, now that they have a better road map to elected office, CJ will continue to control himself and strike back verbally instead of using his fist. I can't guarantee he won't hurt someone in the foreseeable future, but this is my attempt to mature him a bit more and show he can be diplomatic.

Owen's changed since moving to the US. Didn't his mother say something to that effect? It boils down to CJ and Owen always being ready to defend each other and their kid. If anyone crosses them, being thrown across the room into a chair might be the least that happens.

Why should CJ have all the fun? Only fair Owen gets his own idiot. Not speaking Spanish isn't so big an issue, but expecting everyone to accommodate him is. Owen's a farmer and CJ's a spoiled dilettante, the man obviously lives in a bubble. In the prior six months, there were reports of a Russian spy defecting, Oscars won, an NYT Sunday Magazine feature, and Liebe's kidnapping and rescue report; even a hermit would realize CJ and Owen aren't ordinary people. LOL I loved surprising readers with Owen being the one to deck Jay.

He's as protective of his family as CJ is. And let's not forget he's a big, fit lad. He can definitely handle himself in a scrap.

I'll guarantee that Hilary Clinton does not show up in this story. LOL However, since the Cuban president made an appearance, I'll have to give the American one a cameo too.

Jay's the epitome of the ugly American traveler. I wonder if he complains about the food too and mentions the lack of McDonalds. I posted the pictures of CJ and Owen I used as my wallpaper while writing this story sometime last week.