C James

I have no idea who could be missing? Granted, there are many candidates amongst the authors who are members here at GA, but this is just a poll of the likely front-runners of those eligible. TalonRider might be the exception; he's currently technically ineligible due to not being an author. I'd love to see that changed, though...

Yes, the last chapter did leave a great deal unanswered, which makes it a cliffhanger of an ending. Seriously though... Shot of Bourbon is written in an unusual way. It consists of episodes rather than chapters. The original (now chapter 1) was a short story, and became an internet classic in a hurry. When his Shadowyness showed up here at GA, I was thrilled to meet the author of one of my all-time favorite stories, Shot of Bourbon. If His Shadowyness returns to it some day, I'll be thrilled. If not, it stands as it is; one of the best stories on the 'net IMHO.

I know it's early, because the voting will not commence until after Jan 1st, but, I thought it would be good have an opinion poll to see who is currently in the lead. The candidates were listed alphabetically. CJ

Well, um, there weren't any in there at any point, so what's the difference? BTW, I think this calls for a poll!

Thanks!!!! No worries about La Palma.. it's sliding slowly, just like the lateral collapse on Reunion in the Indian Ocean. And I never use cliffhangers. Thanks Old Bob!!! You're right, writing is addictive. Some people watch TV, some people play video games, and some people like to write. I'm the latter. I write for relaxation, so I would never want to stop. There is more coming soon! Please see this thread for news on a story coming within a few weeks. Please see this thread for news on a story coming within a few weeks. There is a sequel planned for For the Love. It won't be until after "Circumnavigation" though. Fear not! FTL's poor, misunderstood Eric, along with the Reverend Thaddeus J. Emoe, will return! And Eric shot the Sheriff (but he did not shoot the deputy...) Granted, Eric, like many younger brothers, could be irksome at times, like barging in on Chris and Steve's camping trip. But, after leaving them to work on their tans (Staked out to cook in the sun), he did leave, so all's well, right? Maybe he was just trying to play cowboys and Indians? Poor, misunderstood Eric.. Who saved the day in the end, and like the hero in any classic Western, rode off into the sunset... ROFL!!! Eric's (FTL Eric) new theme song? In case anyone missed it, There are more stories coming soon! Please see this thread for news on a story coming within a few weeks.

Okay, first, the bad news. On Tuesday, I won't be posting anything to my site. I'm on hiatus, for a while. Currently, I am finishing up a story (A full novel) for Premium, that must be complete prior to posting. I'm almost done. (It's called Jake, and based on my short story, Three for Jake, continuing it). As a guess, I'm about a week from finishing the first draft (no one on my team has seen it yet, because I'm writing it at once). All I have left to do are about two chapter's worth in the middle of the novel. OK, now, for my public site, I have been working on a novel called "Circumnaviagion", my next serial. It's all new, not a sequel. It's on hold until I get "Jake" drafted completely, but once that's dine, I'll resume "Circumnavigation". I will have at least one chapter online before the end of September. My target at the moment is about September 15th, a bit over two weeks away, but everything would have to click perfectly for that to happen. Sorry for the hiatus; I tried to get "Jake" done over the last few months, but I'm not a fast writer; keeping up the chapter-a-week pace of Changing Lanes didn't leave enough room to write a complete novel, and my six-week trip plus subseqent flu caused me to miss a lot of writing time. So, Jake was only half done when I finished drafting Changing Lanes. I'm been giving it my all ever since, but my goal (Having Jake all done and Circumnavigation ready to launch when Changing Lanes finished posting) was out of reach. Circumnavigation is about errr, hrmmm, what can I say without a spoiler? <looks around nervously for the Echidna> Okay, <said in a whisper> Circumnavigation is in large part about Trevor. I think you'll like Trev, and his world of fun and sun and the cruising-yacht world at a Florida Marina. As for the title.. Circumnavigation means going around something. I dare not say more, not where the anti-spoiler Echidna might see.... CJ

Thanks for the typo catch!!! I do need to point out that that line was added AFTER my team had worked on it, so it's no reflection on their skill, just my own skill at typos. The Club is in the LA area. And yes, quakes are just a fact of life there. As for Jon... His band is back on top, and he's happy. He likes being single so why change? ACK, the Frog's influence spreads; I'm getting called Cliff James! Thanks!!! It's been almost two years since LTMP began, i think. Sorry, but I don't have any plans for another sequel. Of course, never say never, because a plot might just hit me. A short story would probably be more likely though, if I return to the LTMP/Changing Lanes universe. GREAT point on Jon!!! He's definitely going to be getting more groupies than ever. LoL! Hrmmm, of course, Jerry's son Joe is still alive, and although the last we saw of him (in LTMP) he had turned against the dark side, he's shown a propensity for it (Back when he was known as Lump) And he is Jerry's son, and he was traumatized as a child (Jerry's garroting of Joe's mother).

Totally agreed! Actually, I think The Amphibious Certification of Cliffhanger-Free utterly disqualifies me from contention for the King of Cliffhangers award. After all, if the entire story is cliffhanger-free, how could I possibly be eligible?

Absolutely! It's not as if I'm even eligible for such an award...

All hail the Amphibious Committee!!!! Ummm, Sic Semper Caprane? Ummm, doesn't that mean "Death to Goats" !!?!?!?!?!?! BTW, if anyone can't see the attached certificate in either MikeL's or this post, PLEASE let me know, and which post you can't see it in. I'm trying to track down a software bug. (Edit, no need to let me know now, bug found. Thanks!) OKAY, there is a bug, some can't see the images, so here it is, posted in a different way

Hrmm, you might be right about that! On the other hand, Private Johnson's body was with Jim and Linda, so we can assume they were all recovered. I am hopeful that the Amphibious Committee will certify the story cliffhanger-free. My sincere thanks to everyone who has posted.

But Benji, the text says Biker Funeral. A funeral, as opposed to a memorial service, requires a body. So too does internment in Arlington. As for poor Jerry, is it possible that you might have missed the following paragraph, which just this very minute mysteriously appeared in the Epilogue? BTW a paragraph did mysteriously vanish during beta, some weeks ago... A certain beta reader objected to his career being shown in the story, so he insisted... However, I can post said paragraph here.

But, TalonRider, You wrote that cliffhanger. You even said so! Surely you would agree that you should be eligable for the King of Cliffhangers awards due to writing an actual cliffhanger? After all.. I've been eligible, in spite of never writing a cliffhanger... So surely you should be, for writing one?

Roasting? ACK!!!!! Now, now, it's fire season, so no open flames allowed! :fire:

Now, now, we all know that I never use cliffhangers! Okay, coming soon... Thanks to a magnificent effort by my team, Changing Lanes will end tomorrow with the posting of the final chapter and epilogue. Oh, BTW, here in the forum, I'll be posting a paragraph that got cut from the epilogue, during beta. You'll all see why.

But, but, but... you left us with a CLIFFHANGER! You even admit it!!!

Thanks Graeme! Most of Changing Lanes was plotted out in March or April of last year. At the time, I was concerned that it would come across as far-fetched for a US administration to act as portrayed towards the thugocracy in Iran. I was, when plotting, of the opinion that McCain would be the most likly winner, and I did not view him as soft on Iran. The fact that some now see enough similarities between the Obama admin and the administration in Changing Lanes is the fault of the Obama admin, not me. I make no secret of the fact that I'm not fond of the current administration. I also have no objection when other authors use their stories to do a send-up of a politician they dislike (I've found some of those very well done) but, I didn't want it in Changing Lanes. I seriously considered changing the story slightly, such as a reference to the president with a female pronoun, to show that its not Obama. In the end, I decided not to. I've long said (and substantiated with some date references in LTMP) that LTMP and Changing Lanes are set "a few years in out future". Therefor, it could be near-term so the president portrayed MIGHT be obama. It could also very well be after 2012, so it may very well NOT be Obama. In the end, I decided to leave it up to the reader's minds, and one fact or that was my own pig-headed (goat-headed, actually) stubborness; I didn't want real-world events to make me change my story. I was also concerned that my portrayal of Iran as being on the verge of revolution against the regime would look implausible. I did indeed know that Iran had massive internal unrest and resistance to its regime, because the middle east is one of my interests. What I didn't know was that the regime would be dumb enough to bring it to the surface (and thus the world's attention) with a blatantly rigged election. Yes, that Mr. Graeme... He of the prickly personality. There's always Eric's helpful suggestion of using a nuke on a paparazzi convention. LoL The course from the west to the airbase (which is in the Negev)is fairly lightly populated. They also had the F-15's standing by to blow Flight Three out of the air if it headed for a city. As for what will happen next, I dare not say (That would be a spoiler, and it is best not to provoke the Echidna). You raise good points. I can't comment on what will happen in 51 and the epilogue, but I can on posted text. Helen has a tape of The Scar, and his DNA (the already have his DNA profile, per the ending of LTMP)is all over the plane that remains on La Palma. Also, The Scar fell on land; his body may well be found. Your line that I highlighted, is spot-on. That's why the final chapter is called "Changing the game". I doubt anyone is expecting what happens. Yes, go roast Jan, for leaving us with a CLIFFHANGER!!!!

Whoa! Changing Lanes was plotted out before Obama won the nomination, let alone the election and took office. I can prove this, sort of... Look back at the early chapters and then the thread dates for them; that will give you the posting dates, and you'll see that the ones where the fictional administration's Iran policies are portrayed (when Brian was captured and the administration left him to die for diplomatic reasons) were posted over a year ago, at a time when McCain led in the polls. Changing Lanes is also (per some references to 9-11 in LTMP) set a few years in our future (the exact amount is not specified, so it's an indeterminate amount, but would have to be less than about six years), which could put it past 2012, so Obama might not be in office in the timeframe depicted. I didn't mention a political party, at all, for that reason. I'll also mention that, the last time I checked, Toowoomba isn't a smoking hole in the ground in our world, and Cumbre Vieja hasn't erupted yet. I'm glad you raised this issue, because I had concerns it might come across that way. I'm no fan of Obama, but any similarities between his administration's policies and the ones in Changing Lanes are not my doing. (and yes, even the crack Helen made a few chapters ago regarding tax cheats in high office was drafted well before the events it seemingly refers to in our world took place. I almost deleted it because of the impression it might give, but in the end I decided to keep it.) CJ

Lol! 51 will be here, barring any last second hiccups, on Tuesday. I'll be posting the epilogue with it, and changing the story tag to "Completed". Their military and spec-opps have always been the best, and I've long been an admirer of their skill and daring. The rescue mission to Entebbe was a logistical classic, and the raid on Osirak brilliantly executed. The recent takedown of the Syrian nuke facility, right in the teeth of Russia's most advanced air-defense systems, was also a masterwork of planning and tactics. There are still a lot of unresolved issues, and just one chapter remaining. However, all will be resolved. I had to paint a simple picture regarding Israel, so I limited the "on camera" bits to just the Mossad director (Levi Gold). I had to, otherwise I'd have had a lot of confusing detail. You're right; Israeli politics in recent decades are something I have issues with myself; they've been internally divided, lots of infighting, and IMHO this division and turmoil has allowed the terrorists (Hamas, Hezbollah, etc) to get stronger and more daring. Just my opinion. I'd still like to know what really happened to the USS liberty. The official explanation has glaring holes in it; I know a bit about military C3 (command, control, communications) and there are flaws in the story, big ones. There are certainly disquieting reports by some US officers involved in the investigation, too. On the flip side, the conspiracy theory that the Israelis intentionally attacked the ship makes zero sense; Israel depended on the US, to a degree, for its existence. The US was also its most powerful ally. Therefor, all other considerations aside, they would have been risking their national existence by commiting an intentional act of war against America. (they were already in the midst of a fight, the 1967 war, and the outcome at that time was uncertain). From any plausible risk-benefit analysis, that makes no sense. To do so would have been insane, and thus it could not have been an intentional act by the Israeli government. (that, however, does not necessarily rule out a rogue officer) There is a fairly even handed article on wikipedia about the attack. There are a few grave flaws with the reasoning of both sides. Firstly, naval identification. Much has been made of the fact that the Liberty was twice the size of the Egyptian transport it may have been mistake for. This is utterly meaningless because size is the hardest thing to estimate when looking at a ship absent a frame of reference. On the horizon it is easier, but from the air, not so. During WWII ships were misidentified as to size and type far more often than they were correctly identified, for this very reason. Secondly, the flag issue; the liberty crew claims the flag was flying. The Isreilis claim they saw no flag. The real issue, not mentioned anywhere: which was was the wind blowing, and at what speed? Based on some photos I've seen, I've tentatively determined that the wind was from the south. Liberty's course was North. Therefor, IMHO, it is likly that the over-the-deck windspeed may have been zero. If that's the case, the flag would hang on the poll and both sides could be right; it was there, but not seen. I've never seen this particular issue discussed anywhere. That Graeme... He's trouble, isn't he? Benji, that was superb!!!! Hrmmm, Maybe Mr. Graeme will end up being exiled to his ancestral home in Australia, and go back into the family Echidna-ranching business? Thank you Steve, and Welcome back. Okay, now, the next chapter is the final one. Its called "Changing the Game". I'll be posting the epilogue with it. There is a great deal to wrap up in just one chapter, isn't there? Yet, all will be wrapped up, and there are no plans for a sequel. Do bear in mind that there is one easy way to wrap it all up..... :nuke: Any speculations on what will happen? CJ

Happy Birthday Francois!!!!!!!!!! Tnak you for all that you do, my friend.

Trebs nailed it! I really didn't think anyone would! Yep, it's Jim whom I feel I'm the most like. Jim was a free spirit, from Arizona, loved the back country, etc. He's bigger than me, Lol, but similar in a lot of ways, including his enjoyment of a good brawl on occasion. General Bradson is probably next on the list, but he's more of what I'd like to be than what I am. He's a spectacular tactician, and a superb pilot. I'm okay in both areas, but I'm nowhere near as good as he is. Eric and Tequila... yes, that's me too. Helen's methods for business dealings.. that too is very similar to my own. Her acerbic nature is very much mine, when given cause. Jerry's love of irony; that's mine too. I guess there are aspects of my personality in many of my characters, to a degree I hadn't realized until now. And yes, Head of Instinct's security is a hazardous job. Gunter, and then Jim. Road Boss is also a touch dangerous (Adam, who was garroted in Australia). Being a charter pilot for them is also a bit dicy (The bomb in the bizjet that killed the pilot) and, also, being a police officer guarding them is a good way to draw fire. It's been a long and bumpy ride. I don't presently have plans for a sequel. At the moment, I'm working hard on "Jake", which should be appearing in Premium soon (as a complete story, not a serial). I expect to have the writing of "Jake" wrapped up this week, and after that I have a novel called "Circumnavigation" that will be the next serial for posting on my site. I already have a couple of chapters written, but everything is on hold until I finish "Jake" which is disgustingly overdue. I was supposed to have that done months ago. Ahh, And, how about a title for chapter 50? It does have one! It's "Refuge and Allies". CJ

Nope.. I'm not that tactful.

Hi Steve!!!!! Thank you!!! Well, I think you hit the nail on the head. Jerry was very much a central character to LTMP and Changing Lanes, every bit as much as the members of Instinct. It was hard seeing Jerry die... because, in a very real sense, that was, for me, the beginning of the last chapters of Changing Lanes. I've lived in the LTMP and Changing Lanes world for almost two years now. Its hard to say goodbye, so the ending of Changing Lanes was... a strange feeling for me. Jerry was, in many ways, one of my favorite characters. He was complex; he had his foibles, and his flaws, but he was never dull. You could always count on him to liven things up a bit, such as by murdering a road boss, or taking out a contract on Instinct. He was very much like me in at least two ways; he had a love of irony, and also of nuclear weaponry. So, yes, in part, he was based on aspects of my own personality, probably moreso (with one exception) than any other character in LTMP or Changing Lanes. However, there is one other character in LTMP and Changing Lanes who is a closer to me in personality and temperament. I'll bet that no one can guess who it is. (and yes, I will say who, after some guesses have been given) I must disagree with His Amphibiousness here. Jerry did far more than nuclear detonations for fun and profit. He did have a taste for revenge (even the non-nuclear variety... look at how often he wanted to kill Eric), and what of his love of irony? He loved, it, in fact savored it. It was his preferred form of humor. And what of his penchant for melodramatics? And don't forget, he saved the entire Atlantic Basin! I do agree that he was overly focused on his nuclear ambitions, but that just made him industrious. Okay, a bit of a workaholic. Poor, misunderstood

Kudos to everyone who figured out who would be taking a final plunge. Based on the highlighted text, I hereby nominate TalonRider for 2009 King of Cliffhangers!!! :king:

The two remaining chapters are full-sized, actually a big larger than normal. The epilogue is a little shorter than a chapter. My current plan to to post the epilogue and final chapter together. Chapter 50 should appear next week, on schedule, barring more computer glitches and such. Poor, misunderstood Jerry. Thanks!! Thanks Old Bob! It was an interesting chapter to write. The setup for it was earlier in the story, when Horst gave a "flying lesson" to the cook, for being a spy. I've been worried, ever since, that someone would figure out why I covered the spy's plunge so closely. VERY hot water, I'd think. They might be safer in the volcano. Helen might be not overly please with them, too. Yes, good point! Though, I recognize that you might have a soft spot for your former employer, your points about Jerry are quite sound. Who gave Brandon and Chase the push that got them together (including sending them a bottle of champaign?) Jerry did! We set up a great deal on shipping for Instinct? Jerry did! Who took the guys shopping at the mall? Jerry did! Who got them there fantastic promotional deal for their Australian tour? Jerry did! Whose son was Instinct's first lead singer? Jerry's! Who facilitated the reunion of the British industrialist (who manufactured Kryton switches) and his daughter, by sending her back to him? Jerry did! Who was kind enough to lend Eric an electric mobility scooter when he broke his ankle? Jerry did! Who was kind-hearted enough to hold many charity events? Jerry! Who solved Toowoomba's traffic-congestion problem? Jerry did! Who enabled the General to rescue his son? Jerry did! Who saved the Atlantic Basin from the greatest natural disaster in human history? Jerry did! Time and time again, it's been Jerry to the rescue! Yet, will no one shed a tear for his horrific demise? Will no one raise the emoticon, one last and final time, in a last, heartfelt salute for all that he's done? Poor, misunderstood Jerry...