C James

Posted 86 December 2012 - 02:16 AM The Grand and Deadly Design is up! (it might take a minute after this post to appear). Happy December 86th, 2012! I apologize for the delay. I screwed up and managed to bungle sending an e-mail to one member of my team, and this, coupled with the fact he was offline for several days, caused the delay. It was then extended an extra day while I sorted out a continuity issue with the next chapter, which will be the first of the final three. I'm taking extra time and care on these chapters, because they are the end of a ride that's taken us all two years. I have to get them exactly right. We are, thankfully, still on schedule (barely) to wrap this thing up before the end of 2012, and in under 100 chapters. Posted 86th December 2012 - 02:16 AM

Indeed it is! And there will be a chapter going up within the hour. I've had the chapter back since yesterday, but I had some work to do on it for continuity with the next one. Sorry to all for the delay.

Nope, we're still on track to get this finished before the end of December, 2012.

But... um... goats are bad at acronyms. I am absolutely confident that I will not win this year, because I never, ever use cliffhangers. Arnold lied by exaggerating the rest of the cartel's involvement, but yes... Bridget hasn't actually seen the tape. She only thinks she knows what's on it. She's got the part about fingering operatives of other cartels basically right, but the fact remains; she does not know what's on that tape. We do, but she does not. Nah... it would more likely end at the end of December, 2012... which we will reach in a few weeks. The person in question hasn't been online in several days. I'm being vague because I know why, but it isn't something they've said publicly, so I don't want to do so without their okay. It's nothing to worry about; they are just not able to get internet for a few days, but I expect to hear sometime soon. I was hoping they'd get my e-mail before they lost internet, but it looks like I missed them by a few hours. (My timing utterly stinks). To be absolutely clear: this mess is entirely my fault and no one elses. I managed to bungle up sending the chapter to the one person on the team I knew might be offline for several days this week, and further compounded my error by not checking in with them. There is a rumor that said person was one of the people who pulled off the huge diamond heist in Belgium earlier this week. I refuse to either confirm or deny that that's the reason for their current internettlessness. (I just hope they send me a few of those diamonds...) The other possibility is that they have the chapter, and it's so relaxing and restful that they have been snoozing for several days. :sleep: :sleep: We all have offline lives that have to come first. A further problem is that I often run late, and I'm also sometimes offline for several days in a row. This runnng-late issue is a major problem. If I was ahead in my writing, it could take a week or two to get a chapter back to me and no posting delay would result. However, the buffer I had before my trip in November and December was used to leave chapters to post while I was away, and I've never caught up. As for this chapter's delay, there is a real silver lining; it's allowing me more time to get the final two chapters just right.

I don't honestly know how long. It could be hours, or days. The team member I screwed up sending it to is sometimes offline for days at a time, so there's really no way to know for sure. I do promise to have it online within two hours of getting it though. (As Low Flyer says, we're on a tight schedule to get this finished before the end of 2012, and we're already deep into December.) I am truly sorry that I caused this mess. I should have checked my outbox to make sure it sent, and I didn't. (I usually do, but I forgot). I also should have checked to make sure it arrived. As my team will surely attest, I'm known for my paranoia regarding e-mail vanishing en route, but in this case, I didn't check. But, look at the bright side; at least we had a nice, restful pausing point at the end of the last chapter.

Thank you for just proving that I never use cliffhangers or go anywhere near cliffs!!! Why? Because I did post the title, "A Grand and Deadly Design", and thus, it must also be true that I never use cliffhangers? Yep!! Um, caveat: Benji is right, it's "A Grand and Deadly Design", but I have a nagging suspicion that I incorrectly called it "The Grand and Deadly Design" somewhere in here. However, it is actually "A", like Benji said. Does Bridget have a better intel opp than many countries? Yes... though it is not quite so good as what Pablo Escobar and the Medalin cartel had. They were tapped into credit card and banking records, government databases, police records, and even the schedules of politicians and officials (which they often used to assassinate them). Escobar also had an arrangement with the M-19 guerrilla group, and used them to carry out some of his more outlandish attacks, just as taking over an entire block of Colombia's capital, Bogota, which was the Palace of Justice complex. During that attack and the resulting siege, most of Colombia's supreme court were killed or executed. Escobar did this mainly to destroy some evidence against him, though also as a show of power. He was indeed powerful; it took a concerted major US covert operation (including deploying Delta Force) plus the total commitment (including using illegal hit squads) on the part of Colombia's government years to break Escobar. But I'm not mathematically or calendar challenged. For math, we're used Australian maths for the chapters taking place down under. We also used their inverted calendar (so we saw their Christmas happen in their summer) so why not their inverted mathematics? And speaking of calendars, I'm simply using the Capran Calendar (Goat calendar). Should I use the Julian or Gregorian calendar instead? Or the Persian calendar, of the Hindu calendar, or the Chinese calendar? Or maybe the Mayan calendar? It is cultural insensitivity (and perhaps even racist!) in the extreme to say that a goat cannot use the Capran calendar! I am however certainly e-mail challenged, of that there can be no doubt. But, in my defense, I'll mention that goats are notoriously bad at using e-mail programs.

Sorry, but we're going to have a slight delay in posting the chapter, due to a certain nitwit (me) running into a technical issue (failure to properly use an E-mail program to send an e-mail... goats and computer programs are sometimes a bad mix). Due to this bungling on my part, a member of our team did not receive the chapter. What happened (and I'm still trying to figure it out) is the e-mail didn't show up in either my Gmail outbox or drafts folders. It just wasn't there, and I'm positive I sent it. However, I then did a search on a phrase I'd used, and bingo, it showed up, but as a draft (unsent). Now what I should have done, and usually do, is make sure the email appears as sent when I send it. I failed to do that this time. I apologize for the delay. I'll post it when I have it.

Booking with a credit card... Try booking something like that, or even a hotel room, without a CC. True, he could have asked a friend to use theirs, and probably should have, but you'd be amazed how few people realize just how little privacy we have these days - your CC purchases are rather widely available. And interestingly, most police officers don't know how information from a credit card company is gathered; they get it via a warrant, which basically orders the company to hand it over. They don't actually know how it's done. You're absolutely right that using a CC is a great way to get tracked and found out, but like many people (police included) he didn't have a clue who can access that data. (and no one knows that Bridget controls a bank). People also do things without thinking. My favorite example is people who give companies their e-mail addy because they are asked. They never stop to ask why, they just give it. And they then complain about getting too much spam. (Personal info, be is a social security number or a phone number or an e-mail, should only be given out in cases where there is a legitimate need, not just because somebody asks for it). For an example, look how many people don't know that if you are a Facebook user, Facebook tracks your internet activity (what sites you visit, etc) even when you're not logged into Facebook. How? Via cookies that any site with a facebook button, "like", etc, can read, and then report. Facebook isn't the only one to do this, but it's one of the largest. (For this and similar reasons, I won't join Facebook, twitter, google+, or any other datamining social networks). Also, people with supermarket discount cards don't realize that their purchases are tracked by them, and people with cell phones don't know that your every move can be tracked by them, and people with OnStar type services in their cars don't know that you can (and probably are) being tracked via them, either. Oh, they can eavesdrop on you too, just like you call phones can. He wouldn't, due to not knowing how the credit card system actually works. Gonzalez also doesn't know that Bridget owns a bank, or that a forign bank could access usage data. Exactly. The amount of personal data a business can get (even a buisness you don't do business with) usually exceeds what the police can get with a warrant, because warrants have to be specific and narrow on scope. Yet most people, police included, don't realize this.

MikeL, on 12 Feb 2013 - 15:40, said: As for the issue of cliffhangers, the goat will never agree that there are any and will argue long and hard if any of us readers uses the word. I propose that we start using another term for the tense endings to which we have grown accustomed. That way everyone avoids the contentious word, the goat will be mollified, and we can use the new term freely. Any suggestions? I will throw out "goat gimmicks" as a possibility. I've already admitted that there are, on rare occasion, ever-so-slightly tense bits... but as you know, there are no cliffhangers. Winemaker, on 12 Feb 2013 - 18:03, said: There's been a few switches in this chapter but who's to say that Gonzales didn't switch the location twice? I really don't think he's the idiot that Bridget think's he is. I'll say it one more time guys........ THE DOLL will play a part in the end... Unfortunately, the narration says that they are in the garden room at the Vero Beach resort. And Bridget has an observer there. Gandalf, on 12 Feb 2013 - 20:00, said: I believe this is the third week we have been told there are "two more chapters and an epilogue". While I have learned many new things:geographical , historical, navigational, nautical , etc. I am not sure I will survive many more of CJ's dramatic chapter breaks. I am wondering what he has up his horn when(if) Circ ends? Just two more chapters (and the epilogue) to go; the one for next week, the one after thant, and the one after that, which is the final chapter. After Circ ends, I'll be taking taking a writing hiatus for a couple of weeks while I flesh out the plot for the next story. mickey1952, on 12 Feb 2013 - 20:01, said: Come on, everyone! Get creative and get on the bandwagon. Come up with your own substitute word or phrase for cliffhanger, then share it with all of us. Hey, I just thought of another one! How about "a goat grabber"? Or maybe "goat-tastrophe". But but but... I never use cliffhangers! JimCarter, on 12 Feb 2013 - 22:42, said: As for the issue of cliffhangers, the goat will never agree that there are any and will argue long and hard if any of us readers uses the word. I propose that we start using another term for the tense endings to which we have grown accustomed. That way everyone avoids the contentious word, the goat will be mollified, and we can use the new term freely. Any suggestions? I will throw out "goat gimmicks" as a possibility. I like that. We can us GG for a short cut. Wow don't know how I screwed up this quote so bad But... there are no cliffhangers... wildone, on 13 Feb 2013 - 11:36, said: "A rose by any other name is still a rose" -William Shakespear's Romeo and Juliet 1600 AD "A Cliffhanger by any other name is still a Cliffhanger" -Wildone in CJ's Forum at Gay Authors Feb 12, 2013 AD Come on guys and gals, that was definitely a CLIFFHANGER!!!! Also, it puts him in the forefront of the 2013 Readers Choice Awards for King of Evil Cliffhangers! For anyone who needs clarification about how many chapters are outstanding, please see CJ's original post and then the one I helped him out with here Benji, I would say that I'm pretty sure that the rival cartel's gang members are about to create a blood bath at the Restaurant, the old wedding location. The reason I say that is the spotter that Bridget talked to was on an encrypted line, while Xavier, aka Bruno, talked on a normal cell phone to each of the gang members. This was all heard by the cell tower that the police had overtaken. At the new wedding location there is only 3 FBI agents as told by the narrator. Gonzales is ready for the bloodbath, the rival gang has been duped into causing the blood bath, yet Bridget saw through Gonzales' plan is now all we have to do is wait to see what Bridget has in plan for the actual wedding site. The thing is that she hasn't revealed how many people are there except for her informant that is now at the new site. One encouraging thought...Bridget told the informant to capture Trevor and Shane alive, the rest are collateral damage. So Bridget's people, not the rival cartel's gang members, are not to shoot either of them. Wildone!!! This wasn't a cliffy... and besides, it can't be eligable for the 2013 awards, because as the time-stamp clearly shows, it was posting in December, 2012! Bridget was being very considerate; she waited until Lisa and Joel were married. RickMD, on 13 Feb 2013 - 13:40, said: Does the title imply more than one wedding? We agree with Winemaker, our guess is that BB will lead the fringe cartel lambs to slaughter at the foundry wedding location where they will come upon the FBI, Coast guard, Miami SWAT team and local police, just ridding herself of some competition, at a cheap $5000/per combatant....Then we are a bit concerned about the loyalty of Gonzalez!! Smiling at Franks concern that either police agents or Trevor and Shane may be killed at the wedding...Seems to me our author has more tricks up his sleeve, who is in with whom and does anyone care for anyone but themselves??? Only time will tell, I for one can't wait for the ending as my plans then include a one weekend reading binge, all at once, how fun!!! One thing I can say about Gonzalez; *IF* he was on the other team, he wouldn't give himself away by smiling at Frank's concern. Benji, on 14 Feb 2013 - 18:30, said: ............. I think the goat mentioned getting the coast guard involved, but technically they are law enforcement, as they patrol the waters off the coast for lawbreakers (drug smugglers). I fear that Lisa will have her honeymoon ruined by Bridget I wonder if they will even make port before getting chased by a crew of Bridget's people. Yep, that 30-06 should come in very handy as it's reach far surpasses that of AK-47's and with armor piercing rounds I can see the boat speeding too quickly allowing Trevor time to send rounds into the boats bottom as it crashes up in the waves during the chase. Maybe a lucky shot at the driver also, it wouldn't take long for the boat to slow down as it sinks. Perhaps time to waste another Ice chest? And change the honeymoon plans, Bridget is such a bitch to ruin Lisa and Joel's honeymoon! But maybe she's just... misunderstood? Okay, time to announce the next chapter title. It is "A Grand and Deadly Design". CJ

It's not ready yet, but it should be by posting time.

Gonzalez has indeed planned carefully...

Yes, the chapter should post on schedule, and as always, it will be cliffhanger-free.

There are no cliffhangers anywhere, and surely not in the epilogue.

There are clues in the chapter.

But it wasn't a cliffhanger...

There isn't a cliffhanger! My team and I carefully scrutinize each chapter to be absolutely sure. :pickaxe: Thanks!! All I can say is... those 3 FBI agents are the only law enforcement (or military) within miles. Arnold mentioned the doll on the tape. It was a childhood toy of their daughter, Stacy, whom Bridget killed. However, Ned found the doll years ago, and gave it to one of his kids, then sold it. They are trying to find it, but the trail is cold. As for two chapters and an epilogue remaining, I have been quite consistent on that. We have two more chapters to go... The one in beta now, the one after it, and then the one after that, which is the final chapter. Indeed, it is an idyllic setting for both the wedding and the honeymoon. And I absolutely agree, no cliffhangers!! Thank you!!! Thanks!!!! It's not easy imparting a hint of tension to a serial while still avoiding anything even close to a cliffhanger, but that's what we do. We're on a tight schedule to get these posted before the end of 2012, but we'll do it! And a cliffhanger? What cliffhanger? Thanks!!! One thing about Florida; as Shane observed, it's flat, so no cliffs or cliffhangers there. Yep, if he was depending on secrecy... he's been very worried about leaks. The thing is, what is Bridget's plan, exactly? HEre's one clue... The temporary cell "tower" Gonzalez is using to intercept cellular calls. That's called a man-in-the-middle intercept, and the temporary tower would act like a regular one, including in range. Unless Bridget is spoofing it (not hard to do) then her assault teams are near the marina, not the real wedding at Vero Beach. But.. that'd mean Bridget is knowingly sending her force into what she knows is nothing but a trap. What is she up to? He doesn't know that she controls a bank. Also, even though the police use the same method, they get their data by serving warrants on the banks, so they don't actually know how it's done in most cases.

Thanks!!! I wanted to make this one have a lot going on, schemes and counterschemes, and keep people guessing throughout. A fun little interlude before the final two chapters. And, of course, after a touch of tension in the chapter, we (my team and I) brought the chapter to a nice, happy, restful ending, ever mindful of the week's wait between chapters. CJ

Chapter 151: 'Till Death do them Part (Here's a link to google maps, centered on the areas in the chapter, which can be zoomed and moved around, because I know some of you are like me and love to follow along and see the areas on the story.) Charles Stiles arrived home later than usual, finding his wife waiting at the door. “So what’s the verdict?” she asked. They’d both had concerns. Charles shrugged. “Gonzalez has been looking into it since I asked him when Dad first told us of the pr

'Till Death do them Part is up! (it might take a minute after this post to appear). Happy December 73rd, 2012! Correction notice: In "Countdown to Doomsday", Lisa originally said she couldn't wait for August 10th (her wedding day). However, a certain witless author who cannot count must have looked at the wrong year, because that's a Friday in 2007. So, I had to edit it to make it Aug 11th. Also, speaking of author blunders... I managed to make the first amongst equals the first among equals for one chapter. That too will be edited to fix it. After this chapter we have 2 chapters and an epilogue. Posted 73rd December 2012 - 11:50 PM

Things are indeed grim for Trevor and Shane... Bridget grows ever stronger by the day, and the constant running is taking its toll on them. And yep, even if Bridget dies, the cartel still wants them dead. She's part of the puzzle they need to solve, but not all of it, and they have precious little time remaining.

It will finish... because it ends in a way no one has seen coming.

Sorry, that was due to a technical glitch.

Bridget is a brilliant tactician... that's her strong suit.

Thanks!! The binoculars were indeed friendlies, sort of, though at least they weren't hostiles.

Or it could be much sooner, so nothing to worry about. I would never, ever, leave a cliffhanger anywhere, and certainly not the epilogue. There will be no sequel to Circumnavigation, and nothing will be left dangling. And, as you know, I'd never, ever, use a cliffhanger. And the end will happen very soon... The story ends before the end of August, 2007, and we're already in August. After tonight's post, just two chapters remain.