Mark Arbour

Daisy knows her stuff, and she's an invaluable resource when it comes to figure skating (and on a few other topics as well, I'm sure!). That doesn't mean I don't want to hear what other people have to say. I think that as we develop the topic, Daisy will get to shine more, and people will realize that she knows her shit. If Tim and others raise interesting points, and we can impose on Daisy to enlighten us, we all learn a little more. That's a good thing. It's vital to me that my forum remain open door...open and unlocked...kind of like all the doors at Escorial. Of course, if someone pisses me off, I reserve the right to change my mind. Things have certainly changed since back in the dark ages when I took it. In the '70's/'80's, you took "Safety Education" in your Sophomore year of high school. You had to complete somewhere between 10-30 hours of behind the wheel driving experience from a driving school (or some number of hours..it's been a long f**king time and I don't remember exactly). You could get that experience by taking the class at school, or you could take private lessons. The problem was that with the way the ages lined up, and the way the classes were limited due to budget constraints (some things never change), if you wanted your license on your 16th birthday, you almost had to take private lessons.

And some more good points.

Thanks for your feedback. West, you did a really nice job of summing up how the characters would probably feel about it. I think the big variable, though, is how Gathan or Will would feel about the HIV positive bottom they were considering f**king. If it was a guy they really cared about, I think that might just tilt the balance, but I'm not sure.

Here's a question for all of you: Do you think that Will or Gathan would top an HIV positive guy if they were wearing a condom? I don't have a storyline planned along those lines, but a few things did pop into my mind for the future, so I"m looking for some input from you all.

Ah, so much more to come. Your carronade will be just fine!

I think I just didn't drag the description out enough. I would think that the gun deck would be pretty dangerous, but less so when fighting French or Spanish ships since they'd aim higher. Still, plenty of cannon balls would find their way into the ship's side.

There are some interesting currents of that topic still to come in this story. At the Battle of St. Vincent, a few Spanish battleships fired on British frigates, something that was unheard of in the war before. The 'rule' was that unless a frigate entered the battle in a meaningful way, an enemy ship of the line would not fire on her.

Thanks Graham. It's been really interesting to dive a little into Nelson's personality for this story. He was an intriguing man, but whereas it seemed like Montgomery would wait until he had forces to assure a victory, Nelson would rush right in and trust to luck to carry him through. Fortunately for Nelson, it usually worked.

The catastrophe is still two chapters away. :-) I have a different drama planned for the next chapter.

He's an unrefined manipulator. I'll bet Gathan's been great practice for him.

I think Zach is more complex than that.

July 27, 2000 Claremont, OH Gathan I lugged some stuff down to the Tahoe, and then went back up to finish packing up my room. I didn’t really realize how much crap I’d been able to cram in my half of our small room. “You moving out?” an unfriendly voice asked. Zach. “Yep,” I said, hoping he’d leave me alone. I figured that he had when I heard the door shut. “Hey Gathan, one more time, before you go,” he said. I turned and he was unbuckling his pants.

He could turn me into a monarchist.

We'll have to see what Preston has been up to.

I think Nelson was wrong, and I think it was one of his flaws.

Oops. Sometimes GA Stories likes to cut off the ending. Go figure. I'll fix it.

I caved to Francophone pressure and posted a chapter to commemorate Bastille Day. Just don't get upset if there's a bit of time until I post Chapter 17. I haven't even written it yet.

December 19, 1796 “It’s a nice evening, sir,” Lieutenant Clifton said to him as he strode up on deck. “Indeed it is, Mr. Clifton,” Granger responded affably. The voyage had gone quite well so far. Even though it had only been three, almost four days since they’d sailed, Nelson fit into the ship perfectly. And that was another amazing thing about the man: he seemed to adapt to the ship, while in reality, the ship adapted to him. “Just a bit brisk.” “Yes,

I agree with you, that to regenerate dead people is beyond the pale, but I do find the discussion fascinating.

The map is really interesting. I noticed that areas with high minority concentrations like San Jose's East Side, East Palo Alto, and the flatlands of the East Bay are all significantly lower on their gayborhood scales.

Listen to you. You're freaking English. The next thing you know, you'll be whining that I have to post a chapter on the Queen's Birthday. And by the way, I do know that is on April 21.

Great first chapter! I like the angst of the new job interview...you got that down really well!

It's a balmy 72 degrees (F) in Paris right now.

I am quite sure that there are no "Lazy Boy" recliners in the house in Malibu, or at Escorial.

My reaction was the same as Nephy's. What's the struggle? Sounds like a good idea, and you're a good writer.