Mark Arbour

Funny and poignant. Thanks for sharing that. I see your points, but I'm still struck by the logic and realism you brought to the table. I'm not sure I could do that. I have a good friend who is a serial liar. There are so many other good things about him that I overlook that aspect and don't really worry whether his stories are true or not, as long as they don't impact me. We're not sexually involved (long story there) but I guess if I look at what you said in the context of that experience, I can see where you're coming from.

Yes, but "And the lesbians with their kids sired by surrogate fathers lived happily ever after..." would certainly be unique, now wouldn't it. I'm thinking back to "Queer as Folk" and the tiresome arguments about custody and parental rights. I think that Tiffany would give the child Matt or Wade's last name. She's a realist, and would have to know that either one of those names would be more valuable to her child than hers, at least as far as we know. In fact, we don't even know Tiffany's last name. Any suggestions? I know how you Brits love intrigue!

Lesbians can be dangerous. Beware. Fortunately, that's never happened to me, so I can only imagine what it must have been like and try to write from that perspective. I'm sorry if I offended you, or anyone else who was victimized like that. My goal with that scene (and with much of this part of the story) had been to give Robbie some closure so he could finally put the demons of the past to rest.

Have a great day!

Thanks! This, combined with the other comments, was very very helpful!

Yeah, a computer programming degree, now that's a blast. Those guys get together with the accounting majors and really have some massive blowout parties.

I think the question isn't relevant to the assessment criteria (and that's not a slam at you Mike.) College isn't about what you learn, it's about learning who you are, discovering things you didn't know about, and growing as a person. It's about learning how to do critical thinking. It's about being able to divine the difference between fact and opinion. It's about being exposed to things like archaeology, Chaucer, the Franco-Prussian War, and the Beatnik movement, because even though you could have picked up books on that stuff, you wouldn't have. It's about going to parties and getting drunk and/or high and getting laid. A lot. And when you come out, it's not about whether you can recite the periodic table, it's about the person you are. Now, that's the abstract answer. Matt hit the nail on the head from a practical standpoint. An undergraduate degree is like a union card in the 50's. It opens the door to opportunity and removes a glass ceiling.

How about: A lawyer you can love. They are pretty rare, you know.

It's snowing like crazy here in Missouri. For some reason, that seemed to be a good reason to post a chapter. Chapter 57 has arrived!

That must have been really hard to deal with. Multiple long-term relationships...that would be tough to handle. And you're still together as friends. Good for you!

Yeah, sometimes it worries me too. Just kidding. Keep on thinking!

There seems to be a consensus that divides cheating into a one-time thing (perhaps in a moment of weakness) and a serial, ongoing issue. I think the latter is evidence enough that the relationship is flawed and either has to be redefined or ended. I think the first one, cheating in a moment of weakness, acknowledges basic human frailty and if the cheater is contrite, he or she deserves a second chance. Maybe not a third one though.

What about nipples?

January 31, 2000 The plane touched down in Palo Alto carrying three passengers, two of whom had no desire to continue the flight, and one who was enthusiastic about it. “Perhaps you two can go on to Claremont and I can stay here and get some work done,” Stef offered. “Even if we agreed to that, you know that JP would make you feel guilty enough to change your mind,” I told him. “I am not sure that is possible,” Stef answered. “Well, you don’t even have tha

Thanks for the link Mike! Maybe I'll head down to Memphis and check that out...when the weather here doesn't suck.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Good points. You see Matt following in Robbie's footsteps, evidently. So far his main interest has been in Brad and Stef's world, but that could change. The highlighted line cracked me up. I see Wade supporting Hillary until Hillary called it quits, then I see him going through that period of angst and frustration that Hilary supporters went through before he moves firmly into the Obama camp. I'm pretty sure Brian is a Republican. (Sorry, couldn't resist)

If you live in the Bay Area, a foot of snow might as well be Minnesota.

I'm working on the next chapter of HMS Belvidera, and I need to use some Spanish words in one of the scenes. I need the colloquial terms (slang, or informal) for the following words: Nose: Lips: Neck: Nipple: Pubic Hair: Dick(cock, etc): Balls (as in testicles): Taint (area between balls and asshole) Asshole (as in the actual thing, not the derogatory term, if there's a difference) Cum (as in ejaculate) f**k (the software will f**king censor this, but you know what I f**king mean): Your help would be greatly appreciated.

LOL. Enron. Now there's an idea. Maybe Brian can end up as Ken Lay's bitch.

January 26, 2000 I collapsed into the limo, exhausted from the long day of travel, from talking to people, from talking with people, and from dealing with all of this crap with Robbie’s extended family. The kids all seemed great, but I was just tired. Robbie duplicated my moves and flopped into the seat next to me. I looked at him, at his profile as he stared ahead, and saw that his expression showed the internal contortions he was going through. He looked at me, and then looked st

You assume that her death has been skipped forever? Really? I've flashed back before.

Great comments all. I don't see Brad, Robbie, Matt, or Wade simply acknowledging that they're mere sperm donors and taking a back seat. There will be a few other reasons why this probably won't happen in upcoming chapters. I think that Stef is enjoying his life, but that doesn't mean he can't get bored from time to time. He has a relationship with JP that is really ideal for him: JP is his foundation, his rock, while he basically has as much freedom as he wants. You're right that most kids from families like Matt's and Wade's have trust funds, and several of the characters in this story have already been noted to have had them (including Matt). Wade would definitely have money set aside for him. Guys like them, especially Wade, aren't likely to end up as lazy bums.

Yeah, if they conceived in December then they'll probably be due in August/September. You rocket scientist you. Wade and Matt are living there now. I think Stef just misses the excitement of the Hollywood scene. I suspect a visit now and then will cure him of his malaise.

It wasn't until I wrote Chronicles of An Academic Predator and 1968 that I really understood the significance of this holiday. I lived in my white-bread suburban world, aware of racial issues and tensions, but not impacted by them, at least not significantly. Then I read about the civil rights movement (riots in Birmingham, the Freedom riders, etc.) as part of the research for those two stories, and was amazed at the courage and fortitude of the people of all races, but especially African-Americans, who fought so hard for change. They really did blaze the trail for the gay rights movement, and the fight for fair treatment for the GLBT community that persists today. If you have a spare hour to kill, go to Wikipedia and type in "1962". It will give you a summary of the events of that year. Follow it through to 1968, at least. I think you'll get a feel for what I'm talking about. If you do, take a moment to note the change in tempo and violence as the movement shifted it's focus from the South (early 1960s) to the North (latter 60s).