scrubber6620

You said "Last night, while watching TV, I thought about what reaction to this chapter would be like. I did not expect an avalanche of comments, since like the last chapter, this one was a calm one." This chapter is brimming with implications. I and others saw this as beginning the set up for the mess that kicks CJ and family out of Mexico. Plus , we all hate Northman

What a powerful chapter ! George met people and went places that touched him deeply and shocked him . He was provoked him and given greater insights. He lost his innocence. Others were challenged too. I was struck by this message--- “We never know what we have until we lose it. We are all prisoners of our own demons and fears. One needs a tough heart and an even tougher determination to live with their depression until the heavens decide to call them back among the dead.” What a person lost need is to know he is not alone and is loved and needed and supported by others. George has his uncle and he has Karl who he rejected fearing he would die like Nathan. George really can only survive with the help of friends and close people. He needs to toughen up and to reach out.

The world has shifted for CJ. He is facing new issues while is his family life is strong and steady so far His career is looking up. Northman has changed and is decent and not attacking him. I think he also thinks there is more to CJ. and he has to be careful. The Ambassador and CIA thinks he has performed wonderfully. He is told by the Ambassador that he will be given a new role with more political relations responsibilities and promoted in a few months. The only wrinkle is managing the blowback from Domogarov's defection. It is becoming more complicated. The press will be told and CJ and Owen might be contacted. CJ is told the Russians will know he is involved and will want to talk to him. It is up to him to accept a meeting and he will be accompanying by US staff to any meeting. Unfortunately, CJ will be marked by the Russians for a range of possibilities from just serious surveillance to abduction to concocting a scandal that takes down CJ or Owen and ruins his credibility and ability to function. They will want retribution for the defection. The new political officer role on one level should better use CJ's outgoing nature. It will make it easier for the many groups, including the Russians to meet him. But on another level, it could be a cover. His recent action might make some think CJ is not just a simple staffer--like Simone--and wonder if he is a CIA man. The Russians might draw that conclusion and consider the new position as a reward by the CIA for a job well done. It would then make sense that CJ was able to handle Domogarov. He was a more serious threat than he seems

Wow--you said "Lars and Loren's 'reunion' will be revealing. The good, the bad, the painful. But Loren will have Jay by his side, so it will be okay." That new chapter should be very powerful and as you have just shown with this chapter should be fascinating, sensitive, realistic and still shocking. Loren and Jay will be tested. Jay's love and strength can help Loren get stronger and more aware of his goodness. Plus, you said he will be OK. Thank you for a good outcome after all his pain.

drsawzall, I totally agree with your brilliant insights and praise Bravo Mrsgnomie !

Wow--so powerful and emotionally exhausting. Loren went through hell in his early formative years. It hurts to hear his story and he finally told Jay everything. We now can much better understand his insecurities. What horrible parents ! I note he doesn't mention his better treated twin after the big storm, His parents only came back to get his money and failed luckily. Jay is the right loving person for Loren. He offers to go through therapy with him. He pushed aside his winning victory and focused only on Loren. He is amazing and truly dedicated to Loren. "If there’s anyone in this world capable of reversing the damage they caused, it’s Jay. A man born into light when I was born into darkness." This is a very convincing, explanatory chapter. I hope they can continue to grow and love and not fall apart. Loren has to tell Jay about his current insecurities and come to grips with Seamus. Will we see anyone family members from Loren's past in new chapters--like his twin?

I love the concept of Ases' ship as a transformer--hopefully a good one--Bumblebee or Optimus Prime? Ases is supposed to be helped to do his ambassador job by his ship in a new form--wow. Ases sounds like he will be a good and cooperative partner to Essell and Garjah. I am surprised Bouncer likes him so much and that this bothers Essell. I wonder what Garjah will think of the ship. Will he need to be convinced it is safe inside his ship? It should be time for the three to have an honest discussion about the trip, expectations and Garjah's planet.

Gaudi's works are distinctive and standout . Armand paints in a realistic style. They both saw much they liked and now Armand will be challenged to place works in the club that seem compatible and perhaps other places when he gets home. Rome will give then a richer pallet of people and historical sites to appreciate and maybe include in Armand's works. He is seeing so much on their honeymoon that he will have many ideas for painting for a long time. I am glad they are enjoying their sex lives fully and are at ease.

This tour fascinated Collin and Armand was again an informed guide who brought the history of the structures to life with good and bad memories . Armand realized Collin would be very impressed with the Roman and religious structures They decided on another scene for the club's wall and adding tapas to the menu. Barcelona present and past was another high point in their tour.

Is it time to consider that the introduction to each chapter tells us something about the impending visitors and accept the conclusion that the planet is alive and a thinking being? Could Mithras be the device that the planet uses to talk to its inhabitants ? “You would have us believe that from your data and the inference derived, would suggest that this planet is a unique lifeform?” The Galactic Consortium response in ‘Buck Rogers and the Mystery of the Sentient Planet circa 2134 AD

MASH is on METV , a cable channel, in Sacramento today I am glad the actors get residual payments. We have worked out better laws today. Artists in an earlier age most often had to rely upon a wealthy patron or noble sponsorship. Vivaldi , who is a popular classical composer today, wrote about 500 concertos and 40 operas in the baroque era and died a pauper without any payment for his creations.

Ned opens up and imparts his wisdom about male-female relationships to his grandson, Thad, who is like him and needs guidance, Thad likes boys. This interchange is happening before the next lottery. I have the nagging feeling Thad might be called to serve Mithras. Ned is clearly aging and not long for his world. He could meet Peter soon and anyone taken by the lotteries,

This couple are having great fun and really becoming closer Sex is a ready activity and so enjoyable and accessible. Plus they are enjoying great seafood. Armand should be taking Collin to enjoy tapas before their evening meals. Tapas might be a great idea for the club at home. We learn that GG tells Armand his style will remain constant. Barcelona is well known for having distinctive works by Gaudi. They really standout and give the city a distinctive flair. I hope Collin learns more words in other languages. Armand will teach him. He will enjoy his travels more and the residents will appreciate him more.

BTW--I bet the makeup sex between the winner and loser of that basketball contest will be fabulous and intense and extra satisfying.

Somehow, I just knew saying 25 times would be a source of happiness, disbelief and comment . A extremely high sex drive would rev up the readers like a huge , over the top dick size. We will want to see the proof or be told the truth in action soon for both.

Now, West knows who are the five in the clutches of the Saturn's and worries about Justin. Two of Neil's bandmates realize Neil and West are very close. He is in the audience when the band plays and stands out. West thinks no one in his group thinks he and Neil are an item. He might be mistaken Jorge enters the area and sounds like he is in command of the final lineup, not the coach. Jorge says first string is to be a blend of both schools and people will be moved around the strings. Neil is not happy to see him. It could mean Jorge is moving on the team and school to infect more students and teachers and now has a reason to be around more often since the coach brought him in. Having Jorge around more often is a chilling thought. He can begin to use the five now hooked to help him hook others. Jorge calls for finishing the basketball contest between Neil and West. The crowd loves it. Neil doesn't. Is there an undisclosed purpose ? Is it meant to show both sides are strong. Or, will the winner be on the first string and the loser in the zone of being kicked off? Or, is this just a direct way to insure Neil is seen as good enough to be on the first string along with the Jivin Four?

Five weeks--who would have thought their full sex life with handjobs and anal sex would have a start date like this and they both want to move onto this new level of intimacy and commitment? They are going to have a week-long vacation with privacy for their lovemaking after Jay's season ends in no more than five weeks. Loren is so popular that fans might try to take pics of him( the more revealing the better) and be pests like the paparazzi do with other famous people. Loren and Jay are growing together and Loren agrees Jay is his boyfriend. I like how Loren and Jay lay together and enjoy feeling bare skin to bare skin. Loren made a small step to showing Jay was his BF by placing romantic pics of their bare feet touching. Loren thought no one would recognize it and some with foot fetishes would love them. He knows guys want to see his--kind of like Victorian ladies would show their ankles and be considered bold and tempting. The new Loren not being half naked on line due to Jay at least got him to agree to his naked feet. It is encouraging that Loren and his co-workers are now going to Jay's games. Should I read into Loren's late arrival to the next game as anything potentially sinister? Could something happen to Loren? How will any accident involving Loren influence Jay at the next big game?

Note: Even Finn's friend could not believe he would stay home and give up going away to college and accept his scholarship offers. Others should think the same about Finn's decision. It is not only Alec who wants to leave the town. It is a natural step for people who can handle college. Finn will be the guy with options who gave them up. He reasons are noble: To help his brother and family at their business. He thinks he is needed so much that he would give up going to college. He will be with the others who stayed behind to live in a small town. He will likely be seen by many of his peers as making a mistake and not taking what his high school friend's thought was the right action for a better career or for real growth. We don't know what his parents and brother think. If he was as reluctant to bring it up with them as with Alec, then they will still need to discuss his future plans and staying at home.

You clearly said it was a trainwreck waiting to happen “Oh. I keep forgetting we have much different priorities.” Alec’s excitement had died immediately and he was left sitting on his bed feeling a little cranky. “Our families are really different. You want to escape yours and I couldn't imagine a life without mine.” Both deluded themselves until the end--Finn is crushed and thought he could get Alec to stay and cope with his dysfunctional family--Finn was unrealistic. He was committed to help his now that an injured brother was home needing care. Alec could not talk to his family about his future. Finn did not say he had talked with his family but just knew they needed him. Alec knew this was going to end badly when they both accepted different paths--drinking this night too much loosen their lips. too. They spoke on the big issue directly and realized they were planning different futures. They both cried. We will find out if it was worth it for both guys . In the short run, things will not be pleasant. The long run outcome is uncertain now, Both guys have to grow up fast.

George is a mess and getting worse. He contemplated killing himself and rejected it. He worries all the time about the pressures of his job facing so much pain and death and about his sexual relationship with Karl. He did not want to be gay. He feared others knew about their sexual play. Yet, he felt a deep longing for Karl. But, his thoughts touching on Karl have not pushed him to contact Karl. Two interventions by older men who care for him have not helped him improve. His uncle really is trying to reach George and I hope he will not give up. I think he will support George, no matter what he reveals. Right now, George is in no shape to be a doctor at the hospital.

Wow-Alec has been imprisoned by his parents who he calls his "wardens." His mother is especially hard and cruel and unaccepting. They have pushed him to leave and not look back and not recover a relationship when he settles elsewhere. Somehow he and Finn have stayed boyfriends with all the limitations Alec has faced. Alec does not consider Finn a life mate. Alec thinks he is to young and inexperienced to make that assumption. They also relate romantically but not sexually. Finn feels committed and connected to Alec. He has no doubts like Alec about them being true life long partners. Alec plans to move away and go to college elsewhere-possibly Washington State. Finn is really worried by Alec's plan and his fears ramp up when he learns his brother ,Milo, has been apparently badly injured in combat. Finn might feel he has to not attend college and stay home and work and help his parents. Alec leaving town in a semester will be a disaster for him. Alec now faces staying committed to his plan or staying with Finn. He can defer a decision for a while. Staying in town will not let him break cleanly from his overbearing parents. He is likely going to be further punished for leaving his home this night to see Finn which will even more force him to leave. If and when Alec leaves he is going to have to grow up quickly and live in a new environment unlike his current one. He might have to become a new person. Hopefully, he can find River and be helped by him. Finn and Millo will have to work out a separation but it likely will be painful. But, all this is speculation now and remains to be developed in future chapters.

Andre has suffered under his tormentors well. But Rafe is his savior/hero now after this serious confrontation. The werewolves ran away. This is an interesting, exciting intro to the story. You have given me two individuals to like and want to know more about and some being to not like at all.

The issues between Nic and Amos are still unresolved. His mother is clueless. Nic has not taken Joey away. I guess Nic will return home to face his mother and Amos tomorrow. Shiv has wormed out of Nic that he has an athletic bf. Now they are going to the rugby game with Nic wearing bizarre dark makeup and an androgenous looking outfit. What can go wrong ? You said they were walking to the game before the "storm'" Nic is showing off a new, striking, and gender neutral look to the students at the game which is a celebration of male testosterone, not androgyny. Will Shiv find out who his BF is? Will Nic still impaired from his wine drinking be mocked and picked on? Will Jake come to his rescue?

Interesting plot developments--Cyrus has a conundrum about rentals and what happened to the people. I bet the answer won't be pretty--like the people are killed or turned into human trafficking --sex or slaveshops-or made homeless without possessions. I was surprised that Sarah was the enemy. She did hide her thoughts well. As for being a mate, could not she have played with Dirk's mind to make him think that was the case. She fought fiercely. I hope Dirk survives and we will not know until the next chapter. The gunfire should raise public attention with calls made to the police department. What about the hunters? They know about Owensville. Will her possible death ( and her communications to them gone silent) cause an investigation and possible attack?

They are totally enjoying their trip. So far no real inconveniences have arisen and they are growing closer and having sex easily. Armand's experiences are helping Collin really enjoy the places they visit and the art and the new foods. You want to have a trip like this one.