Mark Arbour

Just when you think everything is going along perfectly....

Actually, there is only a "safe world" in academia for very few. Besides, as you've noted, the rewards are entirely different, and so are the motivations. A CEO is going to focus on making money (for himself and for the company, usually in that order), while academics rarely make all that much money. In exchange, they have more stable jobs, and used to have good benefits and retirement plans. But no professor worth his or her salt is going to sit around and do nothing. That would be humiliating, to add nothing to the body of knowledge, and to largely be irrelevant. Not all people respond to the same types of motivators. I've spent a considerable amount of time in both worlds. The big difference in the academic world is how people think, something you get hit with in that first PhD class. You are trained to question things, not to jump to conclusions, and to eschew dogma. I'm not sure that kind of thought process is entirely ideal for a CEO, although one would hope he or she would have some of that objectivity. CEOs need to make decisions with relative speed, something that may require subjectively avoiding facts or filling in blanks. My experience in the academic world is that things move slower, because you have to get the necessary data together. There are shitty CEOs out there, most of whom ended up in their positions because of who they were (birth). But to get to the top in either field requires an amazing skill set, albeit a different one.

Define "hurt".

Seems I left you speechless. LOL

You've forgotten how much fun it is to get trashed with your friends? Old man. :-) Wade's up next.

The next story will encompass the horrible events of 9-11. I'll try not to leave too many dead characters in the aftermath. I'm not sure that Will is really looking for a boyfriend. I think he's a little too challenged with his life right now to deal with some high-maintenance dude. On the other hand, I hope you find a guy. Good luck!

December 31, 2000 Escorial, CA Will I was having a good time, hanging out with Marie and Noah, just getting things organized, when Darius came strutting in. “Need some help,” he said in his clipped manner. Noah and I followed him up to his Jeep and grabbed a couple of bags containing alcohol. Darius hoisted his cooler up onto his shoulder and we dragged our supplies down to the pool, being careful to avoid Dad and Robbie. Marie took over hiding the stuff, so when her paren

If Granger had a ship of the line, how would he crew and officer it? That would have been a major strain on his resources.

And true to my word, Chapter 35 was posted as soon as I could.

Glad you're enjoying the story! Chapter come pretty fast, but I understand that it's sometimes frustrating to wait for the story to evolve.

Well said. I think that there's a cycle you alluded to, but deserves additional mention. That's the point where a kid leaves home and suddenly realizes how much he or she truly loves and appreciates his parents. For me, that was a very powerful moment, one that has shaped my adult years.

No sexual tension? Probably not, but never say never.

I don't think JP is thinking of dynastic succession with this generation, but I think he sees in Will a bit of a kindred spirit. Will has his same desire to succeed academically, and would seem to have his same thirst for knowledge. That is bound to create a bond between them. If I were to walk into JP's mind right now, he'd probably be musing internally at Will's potential, smiling at having someone so talented in this next generation, and mulling over how best to encourage him along.

And yours was the 10th review, freeing Chapter 35 and some answers to your questions!

Ah, but I solved it soon enough. Thanks for the review!

It's like those episodes of Star Trek where the new guy in a different color uniform is sent down to a strange planet. He's dead meat.

Glad you liked it!

November 1797 “My lord!” shouted the lookout. “I can see masts off the starboard bow!” Granger grabbed his glass as he scurried up the main mast to the crosstrees. There, not more than a cable’s length away, were the San Augustin and Santa Clarita, running parallel to each other, exchanging broadsides. The San Augustin fired, and Granger could see the splinters fly from Santa Clarita’s side as the balls impacted her. She was taking quite a poundi

Spot on!

Yeah, Sharon's a freaking riot. I think that's the first time she's posted a review of one of my stories.

We're all divas. :-) After only two reviews on the last chapter, I felt a little nudge was in order. By the way, what do you talk about in the Editor's Center? Commas? ;-)

Thanks. Jeremy said much the same thing. I wanted to put what was happening into perspective, and this seemed like a good way to do it. I'm glad it worked.

When someone like JP (who is normally pretty guarded, and is also someone you respect) opens up, that is truly a pretty intense moment.

Thanks! I'm not sure that eternal calmness in relationships is possible in this family, but at least they can get to a point where they're co-existing in relative harmony

I think that JP sees a lot of potential in Will, and he's nurturing him along. Opening up to him, and building that bond, is probably the best way to do that.