Carlos Hazday

Thank you. Dad was 90. He had a decent life. I knew Thai Toni had come up at some point. He'll be in Miami with Ritchie, then with Owen a couple of months later. They'll hit South Beach. Beats the hell out of me. I think part of it was how quickly the thing came together and people were running around trying to organize. I'd been doing a lot of media intervies in both languages, so I didn't mind. Hell, I was there to show support!

@BlueWindBoy While discussing one of the series' characters recently, someone mentioned he's forgotten the man was black. He said it was probably because he rarely paid attention to skin color. I think CJ pays attention. Maybe not out of internalized racism, but out of guilt. I think he's one of those people who recognize the damages of slavery and Jim Crow, and tries to make amends in his own way. Even though neither side of his family were slave holders. Fireworks from anywhere on the 18 acres will have to wait for future stories. CJ may not be a WH visitor for four years, but I guarantee you he'll be a frequent visitor in the future. My brothers and I had both my parents grant us power of attorney over everything. Last year, when dad landed in the hospital for the upteenth time, I told the doctor I wouldn't authorize invasive procedures. I requested they provide comfort care. My brothers agreed when I texted them my decision. Dad died within 24 hours. Unfortunately, thanks to Covid, we were unable to see him before he died. Have I mentioned Thai Tony in the story yet? I can't remember if I have or if I do it in the future. Either way, the incident serves as inspiration for something or other. Fascinating you dug that incident up. Charlie was a friend, he died the following year. A night or two after the news broke, the NAACP organized a protest in front of the restaurant. I'd been collaborating with the organization on something and made the trip to South Beach to show my support. Believe it or not, in Miami, they didn't have anyone in their leadership who spoke Spanish. One of Florida's state representatives drafted me to be their spokesperson with Spanish media. Blew my mind they would trust me to speak on their behalf, when they had no idea what I was saying.

Bonding... sure thing, Fergus. You tell yourself whatever you need to tell yourself so you can get through the night. I get the feeling this may be your last one.

Yes, he would be 18 but my comment was meant to say a 16 yo would see only black and white. Scary to think I'm outlining a story with him at 30. The first one off happens in the middle of a book. It was my reaction to Charlottesville. The second one i wrote after cops were killed in Dallas. I'm on my tablet without access to my timeline spreadsheet I had a problem reacting to events that affected me because I was already writing beyond them. Now I have character spinoffs that help. The fiasco at Lafayette Square's photo op I covered in Thiago's story. And promptly put a hold on the story because I wasn't ready for the rest. LOL The BLM movement also gets coverage in Ritchie's story. Jan 6 I'm not sure how I'll cover. It gets mentioned in one story for sure, but I'd like to show instead of telling and haven't figured out how yet. Roar comes from Katy Perry's song. Every chapter in the first 5 books shares a name with a Springsteen song. The 4 books covering GU evoke that in their titles. Walls was all dates and I wanted to revisit songs.

This chapter isn't perfect, but it's one of my favorites. Obama"s note makes me tear up. Which if you think about it is totally stupid. I wrote the damn thing! Did I already have CJ use Hoya Saxa? LOL

I don't change him that much as he ages. He's too much fun to write. Get ready, he's almost a freshman at GU.

Maybe the unsophisticated writing is part of the charm. I have similar love-hate relationships with the early CJ books.

Last I heard, CJ and Owen just received a case of Shiraz. Of course, since they're in Mexico City, I get to introduce a hunky Aussie who facilitates the private shipments through the Australian embassy. Yes, I'm working on THAT book.

LOL Damn Liston wines are getting popular. CJ and Owen were not in Oz at the beginning of 2020, but I wonder if Brandon ran into Owen's brother Spencer. I volunteer to go fight fires with those guys. No way would I get nervous around firefighters. Naked, yes. Fearful, only if they're hung too big. Nah, no such thing.

That man's obstinate and often in denial. He sees what everyone else does, but prefers to interpret whatever it is his own way.

@BlueWindBoy Google Maps is our friend. I also took to trips with DC stops while writing the series. There were a lot of places I wanted to use I'd never been to.

Once due diligence proved there was no nefarious intent on her part, they were willing to let the money flow to a good cause. CJ will NEVER forget. He may have little episodes again, but he even admitted to having made peace with his stepfather and mother exiling him.

Thank you, Jeff. Some of the interactions are based on my family's gatherings, some on how I wish my family had acted. Mine's far from perfect, so I try to make CJ's better. The beauty of fiction.

ROTFLMFAO @Mann Ramblings would probably agree with you!

Something a little different to spice up their lives. As for CJ, he's obviously having issues with his supervisor. That may have kept him from blowing up over Defiant's demise.

It's one of the reasons I had him get the Porsche. All other family vehicles are American, and in my effort to differentiate Ritch, I figured he would want a foreign fast car. We know about his need for speed! LOL I had Brett rent a Lambo in California to introduce the idea of a European vehicle being acceptable, getting ready for this. This is Melissa's second appearance, and she'll show up a couple more times in the story.

Heinrich was a replacement, but the one Brett bought for California did increase the number of vehicles. Funny thing is with most of them in D.C., they don't accumulate a lot of miles. The dads walk to work, and CJ and Owen ride public transit. Since there are no Metro stations in Georgetown, I looked in other neighborhoods when trying to find the guys a home.

I'd been wanting to highlight animal rescue/rehab for a while and while trying to figure out details for Aunt Melissa, I figured it was a good fit. Someone down to earth like her would do well with critters. You may have noticed I make it a habit of highlighting causes and organizations I believe in.

LMFAO I love how you distill the chapter and end up with some of my best lines which often went unnoticed. I wasn't aware Trump change the policy, but nothing that idiot did surprises me anymore. I told you about my brother giving up pots because at the time he considered applying for a job, the CIA required at least two drug-free years. I think (hope) most Federal weed restrictions will evaporate under a Biden administration. Even if Harris has to take over at some point. EDIT- You enjoying the Washington travelogue? I did say at the beginning the city would be a character in the story. As far as I recall, and you've got to realize I wrote this years ago, every state they traversed allows reciprocity when it comes to concealed weapon permits. Hell, he could carry openly in a couple of them. I think it was Elmer's glue. White and flaky after drying. Once again, "Secret Agent Man" is firmly lodged in my brain.

My landlord owns a Cayenne, I've ridden in it once or twice, and it served as inspiration. If you want, I'll give you Mike's number. He likes ethnic (mostly Asian) twinks though. LOL

I have a confession. Originally the car was Fritz. I wrote several chapters using that name, but I wasn't entirely happy with it. I borrowed/stole Heinrich from @Parker Owens current story, Double Concerto. If anyone's not following it, you should. It's pretty darn good.

Thank you, my friend.

Last Friday was somewhat crappy for me; today the sun's shinning a little brighter. Good way to start the weekend.

You'll get to enjoy Christmas 2021 again in the next CJ book. It'll be from his POV, and I'll focus on different scenes. I need at least one with CJ and Randy going at it. LOL