Carlos Hazday

I introduced Cregg in Everhope and I think someone made the connection with the names. I think I'd just binged the entire series right before I created the character. CJ was my favorite in the WW.

Ice cubes for our mojitos. LOL I had season tickets for the first couple of years, but I never played hockey or watched it while growing up so I'm not a diehard fan. I pay a little attention but this time of year I'm screaming for the Miami HEAT.

I like that analogy. It's definitely a small puzzle because I've concentrated on specific events and not posted things chronologically. Now I have to go back and deal with the 4 stories I skipped.

Thank you! Gonzaga was definitely overzealous. Once he saw CJ and Owen did have diplomatic passports on file, he should have asked a supervisor for guidance. Someone smart enough to realize CBP could be an issue planned ahead and gave CJ a contact number.

The FBI agent will somehow close off the complaint once she's talked to the right people. Jay actually did nothing wrong since he was reporting a suspicion. He's not going to be trusted a lot by his coworkers, though. They might wonder when he'll turn on them. I think if noone else will, Raul will spread the word of what really happened.

Jay's a minor character so any other mentions/appearances will not be significant. CJ and Owen will definitely not seek him out. Miserable individuals often ten to become isolated and he fits the mold.

Glad you enjoyed it, Dave.

Jay's technically not done anything wrong, just stupid. He's someone I could revisit in another story.

Glad you enjoyed that. @WolfM used CJ's travels as inspiration for his exploring while in Australia. I can't wait until someone does the same with Cuba.

That was by design. I tried to provide closure without writing about future events too much. In two years CJ would be appointed US ambassador to Cuba, we'll get to revisit his relationship with Camilo, and expand on the ship and museum.

I did try to wrap up loose ends, didn't I? Maybe one day soon things will improve.

Cuba's not a typical destination, so I tried to pick some interesting things to describe. The American meritocracy, for better or worse, runs on connections. The White House gave him a different number and I assume the operator has a list of codes and names. CJ's learning. Instead of throwing a fit, he followed proper procedures and they worked. Whether Hoop Gonzaga was homophobic or not doesn't make much of a difference unless it solidified his desire to annoy CJ. The FBI agent's misplaced trust in a friend will earn her at a minimum a reprimand. The more publicity CJ gets, particularly now that he's back in the US, the more idiots will pop up. I'd hate to see all the hate spewed on their social media posts.

LMFAO - I don't think Jay's gonna be at the Conservancy for long. CJ might make it a point of stopping by daily to see Owen and annoy Jay. Tell me that wasn't a perfect present for a 2-year-old. And they'll come in handy to distract the twins when they arrive. Chronologically, the next book would be Graduate School covering the next 2 years. I'm thinking of trying something different again. There are a few events I've already written about in other stories (Xmas 2022 in DC, NYE 2023 @ Everhope) Mardi Gras, and Air Force Academy presentation and graduation) and new ones like a wedding/photo shoot in NYC, meeting Kate and William in Boston, the twins being born... I think I want to pick an event and write about it in different forms. Press releases, press conferences, speeches, articles, and even a recounting of what happens too.

Thanks, Aslan! So glad you enjoyed this one. In a response above I mentioned working on several outlines; one of them will feature my Aslan prominently.

Once Liebe moves to a new floor and the twins take over the nursery, those 2 am feedings will replace nooners.

Thank you. I continually try to improve. Storytelling and grammar.

I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong) the only books of mine without a happy ending have been the first one when I ended in multiple horrid cliffhangers and the one I ended with Owen's sister dying. We agree about a little something positive helping us deal with the day-to-day crap. No idea what's next. I have 3 good outlines and 4 in process. I think I'm going to finish all of them before I write again.

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before. The 9 books covering the summer of 2022 help set the stage for a lot of what happens in the future. Establishing a good relationship with an adversary, while never giving an inch on values or beliefs, is something CJ will have to do repeatedly if he wants to suceed in politics. The fewer bridges we burn, the more roads we have.

Havana The lazy spinning of the ceiling fan barely stirred the air above the bed when CJ peeled himself away from Owen’s back. As usual, he was awake before the sun rose. The light ocean breeze blowing through the open glass doors scarcely moved the gossamer-thin curtains, unlike the previous mornings when a stronger zephyr helped cool the room. It did as little as the whirring blades to dissipate the heat and humidity that promised a scorching day. At some point, they had kicked off t

I may have a thing for hot Marines. Not sure if or when I'll bring him back since I don't want to overload the story with former Marines and I'm definitely bringing back Austin from CDMX.

You're just jealous because I can drag out a cliffhanger for a couple of years. You'll get there, grasshopper.

Check that collection, there could be valuable one LOL Nolan Ryan Jockstrap The fireball pitcher had a rather unique item come to auction when his jockstrap hit the market in the mid-1990s. Someone spent $25,000 for the honor of owning a piece that held a man's grundle

I knew a girl in college who collected soil from each state she visited. Kept each sample in a labeled clear small jar. And the reason I found out was on a trip from DC to Fort Lauderdale for spring break, even though we could have crossed Georgia without stopping, we had to so she could get her souvenir.

Aren't rules made to be broken?