Carlos Hazday

You thought this through, eh? What if what he's planning's just a big ass kegger. I'm sure they could get Coors to sponsor it.

He's finding out for every action there's a reaction. Maybe, just maybe, he'll be one of those rare military officers who actually think through the consequences of their actions. Too often they have the shoot first ask questions later mindset.

Sorry, Tony, but the maximum number of lawyers as primary and secondary characters has been reached. Even if a couple of them have not yet been introduced. And I need to keep a spot open for Liebe! LOL

Trying to mold Ritch into a good officer, I've tried to show how even when he's doing bullshit military stuff, he looks for the deeper meaning. We need more of them in the Air Force.

You got some of it right. Luckily, we'll find the details out next week. There's a forum thread discussing the use of flashbacks and most of the authors offering an opinion seem to dislike them. I laughed since I use them frequently. Next chapter starts with a flashback to a couple of conversations Ritch had about Heroes Haven during his previous two trips home.

I was eating lunch when I read your comment and almost choked. Leasing a beach house on Fire Island for the summer was expensive; groups came together and split the cost and occupancy privileges. -- So when are CJ and Owen going to buy one for themselves and their friends? Why the hell buy when we know they'll get to use Tony and Colt's for free whenever they want. They already have half the Squad with them this trip sport fucking -- LOL!! One of those on my list of phrases to use at one point or another Rick Astley -- I think I've been rolled I remember dancing to all his songs at the Copa in Key West over my 30th birthday weekend. Ended up breaking up with the bf on the drive back to Miami, but it's still a fun memory. A bunch of gay guys sipping cocktails while watching the sunset may be a stereotype, but I'd do it again in a minute. Transgender -- https://youtu.be/shyS1YaiMrc a BRILLIANT statement by a mother about her son to the idiots in Texas She and people like her should run for office. I'm an NBA fan. Two of my favorite players ever, Magic Johnson and Dwayne Wade, both have transgendered children. Magic's I think in his twenties and in fashion or design. Dwayne's barely a teen. When he and Gabrielle Union posted a picture showing the kid wearing a crop top and nail polish, the trolls attacked. Dwayne's been a vocal supporter and if I remember correctly, he criticized the Texas bill publicly. a product of New York’s Finger Lakes region -- when I think of New York wine, I think Mogen David and Manischewitz. There's actual drinkable stuff made in NY? For reals? Keeping up with the birthday memories, for my 60th I rode Amtrak to DC then NYC. While in Manhattan, the friends I was staying had a small Sunday brunch before we went to a museum. I invited @Defiance19, who I'd never met, to join us. D gifted me a bottle of Long Island rose that was outstanding. I try to mention local wines now and then, usually researching the area. My birthday gift was the best research to date. Don’t tell anyone, but we hope to have the first one by this time next year. -- AH! CJ Jr is already a twinkle in his dad's eye! Unless it's Owen Jr. shouldn't we at least wait until the gender reveal party? I think CJ's trying to have the Empire State Building lit in the appropriate color. "I don’t think either one of you’s old.” Owen removed his reading glasses -- LOL!! Sometimes, the joke's so good, explaining it would be overkill. "It’s kind of cool to check out the Today Show from the outside instead of being in the studio.” How many people say THAT on a given day? LMAO Today's my morning show so it's been comfortable to write Savannah and Hoda. I do use Good Morning America in one of the spinoffs, but reverted to the NBC one in the story currently posting. That's a spoiler since it hasn't happened yet. I hope I don't get in trouble. CJ's a natural for public diplomacy, and he'll be a complete hit on the dinner circuit wherever he lands. I hope he finds some fun being a grunt in consular services wherever he gets his first posting. We have a problem. Either you and I think too alike (scary) or I need to have CJ take Lola for a spin using @Reader1810as the target. She's the ONLY one who's read the first 3 chapters of that story. The one chronicling CJ first overseas posting. There's no other way you could have said what you did otherwise. I know most people reading CJ's story want him to be President. I think he'd be BRILLIANT as Speaker or Senate Majority Leader. He'd recruit the chamber into a new version of his Squad, full of difference and vibrant diversity, and full of respect for each other nonetheless. I promise you won't have to wait long to find out what my plans for his future are.

Baffles the shit out of me. Last week I played hooky and got a day pass at a local gay guesthouse. I ended up talking to a couple from Baltimore most likely in their late fifties. When I took a casual swipe at Republicans, I was rebuffed. Both men were Trump supporters and bemoaned Biden winning. I admit Trump had some decent ideas, but seems his supporters can't find anything redeeming in a Democrat. The average American has no concept of how international relationships work. The isolationism evident whenever the US has been embroiled in foreign wars is alive and well. Personally, I'd rather fight wars on foreign lands than in the US proper. I blame a lot of it on the lousy job schools do teaching civics. And on worshiping the almighty dollar. In Florida, Lottery proceeds are used to fund scholarships. Republican legislators are pushing to restrict those moneys for degrees that would provide an easy path to work. There would go the last vestiges of a liberal arts education.

@BlueWindBoy Hey! I told you I was trying to turn CJ into a typical Hoya preppie boy. Although I do admit seeing more of those shoes during rainy days in the Hamptons in the early 80s than in D.C. Hopefully, I'll be in the area this summer, a friend and her husband rented a house for the entire summer, and I've been invited for a visit. If it rains, I'll see if those things are still popular. Not sure if I've written it yet (one problem with a long series is details often get fuzzy in my mind) but when I checked prices for Navajo blankets Brett's parents furnished the Vail lodge with, I nearly fainted. Six figures for 18th century ones? The story focuses on CJ, but family's ties are a recurring theme. Blood or not, Brad's family will be with him on the journey. Never knew that tidbit about Catholic University. May may have to read up on it and see if it fits when CJ's invited to speak on the CU campus. As for the Jesuits, you'll be happy to hear what CJ has to say about them during graduation.

Have you figured out what he's planning? I'm trying to show how Ritch has matured and taken the lessons learned from his fathers and his brother.

Ritch did not need an excuse, but the big bruiser’s shifting eyes, smirk, and tight sport shirt provided plenty of opportunity for abuse. “What the hell you looking at, Basic?” Asked in a normal tone, the question still made the noob try to stand straighter. Ritch glanced at the lanyard around the man’s neck to get his name. Jerome Baker. “Nothing, sir.” Ritch’s volume rose slightly. “What part of your instructions did you not understand, Basic?” He spoke a tad louder again. “Eyes

One of my favorite chapters. I've always said coming outside liberating. Rick grew a pair and stood up for what he believed in. Oh that more closet cases would do the same. He was way nicer to Rita than I would have been. After all her BS, he's entitled to gloat. And how dare she pull the feminist card? She can't use her gender to get what she wants, and again when she loses. Still not sure if I liked the Drain Surgeon mug or Walter's bet best.

@BlueWindBoy I've phased out t-shirts in favor of polos. Brett even makes a comment at some point. I even considered having him wear a lime shirt with a pink crewneck over the shoulders, but my editor would have probably forced me to write CJ off. SPOILER- It's a girl How the fuck does a veteran police officer confuse a taser with a gun? I'm sure the guy being black didn't have anything to do with it. And some people dared question the accuracy of what the black guy riding with them to Nashville said about the fear of being stopped for DWB. The military has recently relaxed some rules concerning personal grooming and that includes tattoos. More of them in more places are now acceptable. Of course if Tucker Carlson thinks pony tails and nail polish signal the feminization of the military, he probably links tats to thugization. Yep, I made that word up. CJ said the same thing when he got drunk the night before his 21st birthday. Fucker's turning into a whiny bitch. I may have a picture of the guy I used as the initial inspiration for Chipper with a bun. If I find it, I'll share.

HEY! You give me crap, I give you crap. Isn't that how it's supposed to work? PRIME and WOOF (Tony and Colt) can be read at any point, they're CJ free Singer (Chipper) New Year's Day - Even though the story's not directly connected, the MCs join the extended group like Tony and Colt in NYC. It's CJ free Ranger (Brad) Malibu (Brett and Cesar) Thiago (story's on hold but the one chapter should be read at this point.) Cadet (Ritchie) CDMX (WIP posting late 2021) Flying Circus (WIP posting early 2022) Dolphin Delivery, Beach Bottle, and Turtle Trouble (kid stories) can be read at any point after Ripper Christmas. American Steel (Aaron Marante) Motorcycle trip vignettes. The MC's owns the Key West B&B CJ and Owen stay at. CJ free.

When Dixie Liquors closed down, I was tempted to have the Dads buy it. CJ and Owen's affinity for quality booze would have ensured profits. I may have spent a couple of dollars there in my youth. There are YouTube videos showing how to install car seats in a Tesla.

@BlueWindBoy Damn you're ruthless. Poor Thiago, struggling as a single father, and you accuse him of abandonment? Considering the kid's with his grandparents, I think he'll be fine. Considering this is fiction, and we're dealing with CJ, he would find a way to see Brad even if the military said no at first. I actually think more than PTSD before the accident, Brad had sobered up about life. The party guy realized real life, particularly as a member of the military, wasn't always a walk in the park. Now we just have to work on him voting for Trump and being a Rep. I do reference Pistorius at some point. It may be in Brad's spinoff, I don't remember well. As for CJ pushing Brad too hard, there's no such thing. Our bulldozer will tie him down to listen if needed.

@BlueWindBoy You're making me think and work! CJ will NOT have a misogyny issue. Trust me. Once you're done with this book, let me know if you agree. My editor insists I get too attached to my characters; he'd like me to kill off a few. Instead, I go for the 'out of sight, out of mind approach.' Danno's not the first character I ship out. By the time I reached this point in the series, I realized the secondary characters had interesting back stories, but I wanted the main focus to remain with CJ. Spinoffs was the answer and I started plotting a few. Danno's dismissal opens up the opportunity for a future story set in Hawai'i. The other reasons behind the move was Tank. You'll see what I mean. As the official/unofficial biographer for CJ, Trip has to stay in Washington. LOL See what I mean about not killing off characters. Brad could have been bleeding out on the sand, but no, I had to keep him alive. However, his injury serves a purpose, his spinoff was the second one I shared. And down the road, I get to deal with ableism. Sandy Hook's one of three units of Gateway. The other two are in Staten Island and Jamaica Bay. Too early for cocktails. Leave me another comment later today so I can have an excuse.

@BlueWindBoy Cute video I beg to differ! Referring to someone as being Asian is the same as someone referring to me as Cuban. How the fuck is that even remotely racist. I actually considered using oriental but decided CJ jumping all over Carson's shit would have been distracting. You want racist? Try slant eyed or wok head. I had swollen testicles years ago. Antibiotics cured it and it has never resurfaced. And let me tell you, after readjusting their outlook, the family benefited from the Trump uptick. And it makes perfect sense the markets would rise with Republicans, less taxes and looser regulations whereas the opposite works for Democrats. I'm not passing judgement right now, simply stating facts. And Joe proves it. Wait until you read about Cesar's birthday party, CJ and Owen finally admit how much their net worth has increased thanks to certain investments. Gerrymandering AND voter suppression. Republicans know in a fair election they would lose most of the time. Check this out https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/19/us/florida-senate-race-fraud.html Considering they plan to invest in Uber's IPO, Lyft doesn't stand a chance. Okay, boomer. Bugie, Boujee, and Bujee are all acceptable spellings. For this type of word, Urban Dictionary is the best reference. Tyson Hill's fictitious Conrad isn't. Plus what I really wanted was the song not the artist. Gina's contribution to the story is significant, but she's still a minor character. How she dealt with the miscarriage was beyond the scope of this story. It would have required a lot of introspection, therapy, and who know what else. I hate writing that shit unless I absolutely have to. And I usually do it through Dragon who's going to call a rake a rake. (Trying to avoid the common word since Dragon's black. Not sure if it gets mentioned elsewhere, but yes. Air & Space on the Mall. His daddies pulled strings. Phew! That was a lot. I'm ready for a martini or a doobie.

Bandanas are a required item for bikers. Get your mind out of the gutter. LOL 50 years later, I can tell you 16 is VERY young. I didn't pay close attention to it but wasn't the bullying done by others? I thought Ellen was clean on that one. Our penchant for putting celebrities on pedestals will more often than not lead to disappointment. Why can't people realize the famous are just as fallible as the rest of us? You can blame the Postal Service for the delay. At least CJ respected them in the morning.

This chapter proved to me Wolf and I have similar sense of humor. The Kardashians comment made me howl. Coincidentally, I mention Kim and Kanye in an upcoming chapter. Poor Chekov will not be going bonkers over the Botany Bay again. What a fucking way to die, run over by your own SUV. I think one of the two reboot films isn't be fun to watch tonight.

@BlueWindBoy Interestingly enough, considering CJ's not religious, I've been reading about the Basilica de Guadalupe and the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia for when CJ visits both. That may lead to a little more religious scenes. As for the AFA, it's going to take someone like Ritch to make changes. Some asshole Republican congressman from Texas introduced a bill to reinstate the requirement for AF members to swear their oath of service to god. I wish politicians were required to take a test on the constitution before being allowed to run for office. So sue me, I'm fond of double entendres. LOL

LMAO We'll have to wait until Netflix or one of the other streaming services options the book and turn it into a movie.

Thanks, Mac. From the start of the CJverse, I've tried to show how much influence a family can have on how kids turn out. Ritch's been lucky in having supporting parents who've taught without too much preaching. Get ready, Lucy shows up again real soon.

Just remember you always have options.

Nice surprise to find you here. LOL Yep, Ritch's ready for the real world. Funny thing about Lucy, she was arm candy for the longest time, and now I've had to actually define the character. I keep thinking of some of those kickass women scientists and using that as the driving force. Wait until you see what I have planned for her starting in 2026 after she completes her second degree. Phil and Riley seem to be popular. I may have to think harder about what to do with them.

The Alaska was an homage to 21's history. Thanks a lot. Now Zero Mostel won't stop singing in my head.