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Mark Arbour

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Everything posted by Mark Arbour

  1. That's exactly it. And while I may have been exaggerating about JJ just grabbing his ankles, I think that JJ has already shown himself to be vulnerable to "Daddy" types like his coach. So while Cody is a slutty party boy, he's also very fashionable, very popular, and very hot; things JJ would possibly appreciate. And again, this is far down the road, but if Cody becomes more paternal with Maddy, that could fuel his Daddy persona in JJ's mind even more. The image JJ shows the outside world may hide some real depravity beneath the surface.
  2. That's not the problem. The problem is that we have a group of extremists (The Tea Party) who really don't have anything to lose by provoking a crisis. They're not tied to Wall Street, so defaults and campaign contributions from the financial services industry don't matter. All they have to do is rile up their old, white, mostly male voters with hateful rhetoric, block minorities from voting, gerrymander the districts in their states, and then sit back and enjoy sabotaging any compromise moderate Republicans may try to make. They represent the worst of our population: selfish old people who have exploited this country for their entire lives, and are determined to keep doing it until they're carried off to their graves.
  3. Marcel was Jeff's long lost son, which makes him Robbie's first cousin. He did come over in Man in Motion. Well that's pretty much completely wrong. Stef met Cody at the J-Bar in If It Fits (Sharon's favorite of the saga). He helped Stef work through his grief over Greg, and then ultimately ended up with Max. Stef got him a job working with Jackie. Cody isn't trashy and uncouth, he's very charming, and very suave (and very slutty). JJ would grab his ankles for Cody any time of the day; all Cody would have to do is pay a little attention to him and flirt with him. Rafael and Anna figured prominently in several stories, and were at the big Christmas dinner they had for JP in 2000. As you've pointed out probably about 1000 times.
  4. Go to either DC or Boston.
  5. Good boy. We'll keep that Master's Degree training up to speed.
  6. The problem with economics is that those cause-effect relationships you cite are merely speculation. And that works no matter which party you're trying to credit with disaster or success. I'm personally rather skeptical about the true economic influence of individual presidents. I can't think about Ross Perot without mentally conjuring him up as Dana Carvey's impersonation.
  7. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    That's a really good point. Wade's behavior toward his mother is entirely a reaction to the way she's schemed against him.
  8. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    1995 is when JP and Stef officially became a couple, so in CAP time, that's only six years, but I think you can make a case for them being together, in some form, since 1962. It's been an unconventional relationship, to be sure. Wade is probably wondering the same thing about Mary Ellen. So much has changed in her world now, so either she is finding a soul, or this is just a temporary aberration.
  9. Of course you have some source to back this up, right?
  10. I've met some effeminate Italian-American men, and we've had some in the story, but they don't get to pick their own names, those are usually chosen by their parents, and that means they're normally pretty traditional, and pretty Catholic. Or at least they were back in the 80's. So lots of guys named after saints. But who don't act like saints.
  11. I truly hate this song. Totally and completely hate it. I hate any song that tries to tie God in with patriotism (God Bless America is also at the top of my list). But it does fit the story. And this one is as good as the first one was bad. I think that it's especially appropriate as JP waxes philosophically about the past. Great choice! I never would have thought of this one, but it is perfect. Now what are you going to use when they have the actual funeral?
  12. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    Thanks Kitt! I wanted to post this chapter on your birthday but didn't quite make it. Sorry about that. I'll bet that Stef and JJ have fun shopping in New Brunswick because if they don't find anything they like, they can always make catty comments about the things they do find.
  13. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    You know, there was a time when I was a republican, and I think that among other things, the reason that I hate those two men is because they destroyed the GOP as I knew it.
  14. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    Thank you! I went through that with an uncle, which is nothing compared to what you must have experienced, but I felt that same sense of relief when he died; relief for me, for the rest of the family, but most importantly, relief for him.
  15. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    That's a really good point you make, and a subtle one. I'd give Wade most of the credit for that. Despite being somewhat rigid (grin), he is flexible enough to use all his resources (as you have noted). Plus I think he's learned from experience that it's better if he and Matt play with others together.
  16. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    Ah yes, a blow job here, a blow job there...all in day's work. :-) Elizabeth doesn't need public humiliation on a huge scale, because the small things will grate on her just as badly. Not being the chief mourner, and being relegated to a lesser place in the Grand Spectacle of the senator's funeral, will rip at her psyche.
  17. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    I think that Elizabeth's problem with Wade is that Wade totally understands her now. He reads her so well that it's hard for her to outmaneuver him. She would be wise to play with lesser minds.
  18. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    Thank you so much for your nice comments! I wonder how much of Brad's competitiveness with JP is fueled by his own insecurities? Probably a lot. Darius seems to thrive on responsibility. When he's in charge, and it's up to him to handle things, he rises to the occasion. What a good trait to have. Mary Ellen is turning out to be a lot of fun to write. ;-)
  19. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    Thanks for another excellent review. You know, I'm not sure that Brad went to JP for help. I think he's in a place where he's like a billiard ball, bumping into people like a billiard ball hits bumpers. That JP as a good bumper to hit is true, and lucky for Brad.
  20. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    Thank you for the review! I have to wind your emotions down before I shatter them at Robbie's memorial. ;-)
  21. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 46

    I think sex can be very comforting, but I wouldn't have done that either. I think it's important to factor in that Carullo most likely doesn't know Will is underage, and I think that his situation (being evicted from the wake) adds a new dimension to his grief.
  22. My favorite line from this chapter: I can just visualize everyone in the room agreeing with her, except for Wade and Mary Ellen (who know better) and Elizabeth (who is really pissed off).
  23. Mark Arbour

    Chapter 47

    September 21, 2001 New Brunswick, NJ “Will you need anything else, Dr. Crampton?” the handsome room service waiter asked. “No thank you,” I said with a smile as I signed off on his bill. The guard would see him safely out. I sat at the dining room table of our suite, reading the morning newspaper, with conflicting emotions assaulting me. Today I had let my focus shift from my family to the nation as a whole, and found that the same general worry a
  24. They did a great job. I think my badge looks better than yours. AJ is adorable.
  25. Very true, BUT there would not have been ambassadors in countries at war. There was no British ambassador in France at this time. And welcome back!
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