Mark Arbour

October, 1796 The anchorage at San Fiorenzo was crowded and busy. Boats seemed to be pulling everywhere. Most of the boats swarmed around the transport ships moored inshore, but even among the ships of the line, there was considerable activity. It seemed to contrast with their staid, warlike appearance, making them seem like horses with flies buzzing around them. Granger forced himself to stay focused on the business at hand, despite the fact that he was exhausted.

East Washington Capitals Buffalo Sabres Montreal Canadiens Pittsburgh Penguins West Chicago Blackhawks San Jose Sharks Detroit Red Wings Anaheim Ducks Second round East: Buffalo, Montreal West: Chicago, Detroit Conference finals East: Montreal West: Chicago Champ = Montreal

This one is fun to write, but a lot of work with research.

Why thank you!!!

You may be right, and that's probably my fault for not taking more time to let him express himself. My experience is that someone who is his age gets there, but in a much more roundabout fashion.

If Will can keep his natural early-teen angst and rebellion in check, I think he can learn a lot from his father's mistakes and successes. LOL. I'm glad you liked that one. I agree, and it seems to be a consensus. I think that it was more realistic for Brad to attend public school in the 1980s, because not many kids went to private schools then (unless they were religious). It's a sign of changing times that the kids would end up at more elite institutions. And Brad's role model for good relationships with his mother would be? I think that's what we're seeing. Brad had a horrible relationship with his real mother, and a cyclical one with Isidore. I'm not sure he knows how to coach Will on this one. Robbie's probably not much help either.

Thanks! And it really makes me happy that you put your coursework first.

Thanks for the info! I didn't even think about that, that the word for acid would change, although now that you mention it, 'hydrochloric' does seem a bit anachronistic.

Alright, I have a confession to make. The signalling abilities we're seeing in this series may not actually be possible until the release of Home Popham's Signal Book in 1803. Prior to that, signals were designed for transmitting orders, not information. I've allowed myself this bit of anachronism.

July 12, 2000 Dallas, TX Will As soon as we were in the limo, I pulled out my cell phone to call John. “Who are you calling?” Dad asked. “John.” “I’d like to spend a couple of hours with you when we get to Escorial,” he said firmly. “If you want to hang out with John after that, that’s fine.” This was the conversation I’d described to Robbie, the one I’d have to have with him. There was nothing to be gained by being a dick about it. “No problem.” He

You are so hot, can you blame the poor guy? You probably blew out all his straight circuits.

Actually, I'm wondering if it wouldn't work the other way. One could argue that with evolution, men evolved to appreciate both sexes as part of their discovery that sex was as much for pleasure as for procreation. If you are a creationist, then the mere existence of homosexuality would tend to discount the biblical arguments against it, unless you view it as some tasty sin God placed in front of man.

Yep. They're just flies in the ointment.

God, getting dumped by someone you love that first time has got to be one of the most agonizing of life experiences.

For the record, soccer is for pussies. I absolutely love how you captured the early pubescent locker room scene here.

I love this chapter. What an epiphany!

You know, this is just as powerful the second (or third, etc.) time around as it was the first. You put your heart and soul in everything you do.

When GA launched the new GA Stories system and started posting rankings and such along the right columns of the forum page, I was humorously dismayed that my favorite indicator wasn't on there. (The cynic in me will repress his views on why that is). Even back in the day when I was an e-fiction writer, the most important thing to me, the most important statistic of all, was the number of reads. I look at it this way. You can stack up your reviews if you want. I know if I asked you all to try and blow out the number of reviews on a story you would. I can publish 150 short stories and make the prolific list (but why?). But what really matters is whether or not people read what you write. Before GA stories came out, hosted and promising authors couldn't track their reads. With the new system, we can, and I try to pay attention to that. That, combined with the excellent comments I get in my forum, help me make sure that what I'm writing maintains interest and resonates. And that's why I'm writing this post. In the "most read stories" section, Millennium is #2, Poor Man's Son is #6, St. Vincent is #11, and HMS Belvidera is #12. I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to read what I write. GA Stories is still new, and the big heavyweight hasn't really published a new story on the system to eclipse us all, but I'm sure Dom will eventually do just that. Like most of the authors here, I would gladly yield the floor to our own handsome, young genius. Comsie is the same way....most of his stories are continuing, so don't have that huge number of reads they deserve. dkstories would be another. But in my world, and with what I'm looking at, you all made me feel very appreciated. Thank you very much!

This study is anecdotal at best. Nothing to hang your hat on...more of a curiosity.

I agree. I think you have a pregnant woman who lost her lover and is lost and hormonal all at the same time.

Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it!

Thanks West, for a well-thought-out review. It's tough not to think of war as futile, especially WWI.

We have our moments.

Always the editor. Thanks.

I can see where you're coming from, but in my experience, if you tell an intelligent child "you have to do this because I said so," they naturally rebel. If you give them a reason, and it's sound, you'll get cooperation. You may argue that children should learn to obey their parents regardless, as their time on earth presumably gives them more wisdom. I'm not an adherent of that theory (think Brenda Hayes). I think that if you reason with kids, tell them why you want them to do things, they learn from that, and learn to respect your authority. Brad's permissiveness probably stems from the fact that he understands Will (since they are a lot alike) and knows how to deal with him (and how not to deal with him). Visualize this scene: Jeanine tells Brad that he can't go to Escorial (a few chapter back) and he freaks out. Instead of issuing a mandate, she tells him that Tiffany left, she's really upset, and she needs his support. What do you think his reaction would have been?