phoenix_0826

Please do return to Larkspur soon! There's a certain young doctor that might need some love in his life!!! Thank you for a wonderful tale. Oddly enough I struggled with the initial pacing of Sidewinder and found myself swearing off the story at the end of a few chapters - so glad I stuck it out because I trust your storytelling skills. I'm now enamored with the town of Larkspur and our little band of boys. I'm hoping for many return visits.

I've read all of the "town" stories and had greatly enjoyed them. The shifting tone towards the end of this story made it almost unrecognizable with the rest. Many of the later chapters feel like they were being told at a great remove rather than the immersive, well -lived world you'd originally built for the characters. It felt as if the agenda took precedence over the characters and the story you had originally been building. I really do wish I had something more positive to say because of what a funny, charming story this started as. I'll miss the characters from the first half of the story.

I definitely didn't mean to hurt you with that comment my friend! I have truly enjoyed this story and especially the characters at it's heart. Seeing your note about then end coming quickly made me stop and think back over the story as a whole and that was when i really recognized the change in tone (which you handled brilliantly - it was subtle and snuck up on us, we grew into as well as the characters). There has been so much humor, passion and interesting moments along the way that it could be head spinning! I do completely agree about "Gordy comes Home" - the sorrow and despair of the first chapter almost lost me, but I'm so glad I pushed into the second. I still get choked up from time to time thinking of that story. The image of phantom laughter at the waters edge will always bring a smile to my face though.

I'm feeling rather bittersweet realizing that we're coming to the end of this story. I've enjoyed all the stories set in "the town", and I find myself missing the intimacy of the early chapters of this story and the others in the overall cycle. Somewhere along the way this grew into a Dallas-style soap opera while I was being charmed by the characters rather than the small story of new love and discovery it seemed to start as. Don't think I haven't enjoyed the ride, I've stuck it out to see these characters week after week because they have been very engaging and charming. I'll miss Paul's wonder at the changes happening in his life, Jeff's rakish charm, the palpable heat between Raymond and Daniel, Miss Julie's charismatic and sparkling personality, and on and on. Thank you for bringing them to life and sharing them with us over the past few years. I hope that we return to the town again and again. I'm sure there are more stories to tell and dreams to explore. all the best --- J

Wonderful ending here Gary - bravo!! I'm looking forward to the epilogue, and hopefully a new Cards chapter in the future. 😉

This has been a very thought-provoking and bittersweet story. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes in the future.

I find myself not really hating Richard and actually growing in my dislike of Drake. From the beginning I've been at best ambivalent toward Drake because he's come across as very emotionally immature and rather bigoted (toward bisexual individuals). I was turned off by his treatment of Jimmy from the beginning - it's obvious that Jimmy is a kind, caring person that is still quite devoted to Drake. Drake refuses to discuss and understand Jimmy's sexuality and instead paints him with a wide brush and tells him (Jimmy) how he (Jimmy) feels and will act. I agree that Richard handled the breakdown and end of his relationship with Drake poorly - but had Bernadette been Bernie, Drake still would have been the last to know. Based on Drake's behavior throughout the series so far, I envision him becoming defensive, throwing a tantrum, and running away before he an Richard could have had a true and meaningful discussion about their breakup and Richard's feelings. The second kiss may or may not be an issue - the text says that it was more meaningful, not that it was lustful or passionate. It seems like in Richard's mind he's established a re-connection with someone he once loved, it can be confusing and awkward physical gestures can happen. If you've ever had a peaceful meeting with an ex, moments like this are more common than you'd think. Even wondering about if Drake has feelings - while worded in a way that could be more ominous than intended - has a ring of truth. My ex and i have sometimes been in social events together, and while chatting somewhere may ask "do you ever wonder what if?" - we normally turn it into a joke about how we'd have killed each other at least twice by now. I'm definitely hoping that Drake has a brilliant awakening, because I think Jimmy deserves someone worthy of his love. I give you a lot of credit Gary -- you've got me invested in a story about a main character that i really don't like!!

Interesting addition with Gram -- he reminds me of Bruno Gianelli from the West Wing, if you aren't familiar search for some clips on youtube. He could seem ruthless and distant, but he was always one of the smartest minds in the room

This is a very warm and funny series - the perfect amount of humor and heartbreak. I'm definitely hoping for the third book --- Moving In maybe?

The Dragonstone scene was the best scene! I loved the scope and grandeur of the cinematography - it was both intimate and epic. The fact that there was no dialogue until the very end just made that much more impact.

I thought it was a serviceable season premiere, but considering the last two seasons are going to be abbreviated it didn't do much to move the story forward. The show has always taken its time and dragged things out (sometimes to the point of frustration and beyond), but since we only have 13 episodes left we really don't have time to spend an hour just recapping where everyone left off last season. I'm hoping that next episode really launches us into the conflicts within the seven kingdoms so that Westeros can get to a point that it is ready to face the White Walkers - no more navel-gazing. (Okay, so i guess I'm more upset with the episode than I initially realized....)

I'd definitely be interested, but I know that GRRMartin is very anti fan-fic for the series. From what I've seen he does go after it for removal if he catches wind of its existence. I'm a huge fan of the books, and also happily follow the show. At this point I consider them two completely different things because trying to rationalize the show things that contradict the books is too hard to grapple with in my poor little head!

Such a beautiful sentiment, simply reading the words helps to ease some of the burden. Often it only takes the slightest compassion to help you know you're not alone.

I get it-- a piece like this walks the tight rope, it's very easy for someone to take offense even when something is meant to promote healthy discussion.