centexhairysub

This latest chapter truly is a work of a great artist. The writing was touched by magic. I have read this several times and seem to find that each reading makes me feel in a somewhat different way. I have to say that this maybe one of the finest chapters in either the CAP or Bridgemont series. I found the way that the Captain of the vessel they are traveling in took stock of who he fears more, Granger or God to be quite amusing and very telling. I have to wonder how many others go through the same type of mental acrobates when they come up against Granger in any situation. Mark had been giving hints of what Jardines went through all along. I have to believe that Granger will end up forgiving Jardines for what he did to Travers. I am not sure how this is going to work out, although I suspect that sex will be involved in some way. I just have to wonder if there is any ropes, chains, or cuffs; one can only hope... I can't wait to see where Mark takes this story and hope that it is as good as what he did on this chapter....

I thought the interplay between Will and Robbie was so well done. Will seemed to understand by the end of the chapter that his actions have consequences even when he isn't aware of them at the time he is involved in whatever activity he is involved in. I found his interaction with his therapist very believable. The way he was there for Robbie was also so like him. Will has balls of steel. I find the interaction between Will and his family so intriguing and based with a core of reality that makes it so real and true to life. Bravo...

I can't even begin to explain how much I loved this chapter... There was so many layers and such emotion and power imbued within. I had to read this four times since I opened it this morning. There was so much about this chapter that really touched my heart. The skill involved in this writing was truly second to none. I had long suspected most of what Jardines revealed to Granger. Mark had given hints about most of this all along. I found Grangers reactions to what was revealed to be so spot on. I have to believe that Granger will truly forgive Jardines and will do what he can to help him and Teasdale both. I don't know what that will involve but I am sure Mark will make it completely believable. I also really liked the musing from the ship's Captain and how he views Granger and the influence he can bring to bear. I wonder if that is how most others at the same level or even above him view Granger... Great job, Mark; I can't wait to see where you take this saga.

It is always interesting to see how someone processes their actions whey they look back at what they have been doing. It is so important to take a moment and look back to see what your mistakes have been and what you could have done to make better decisions. I really enjoyed Will and Robbie's interaction and the way they both made their points to each other. Great chapter and thanks for the gift on the 4th...

Granger Granger Granger :joe: Calvert Maidstone

Well, I really actually like this chapter of Odyssey even if it did primarily feature Calvert. I am happy that Calvert and Gatling have found each other and truly hope and with them all the best. They can find true love and we can be rid of Calvert without even having to kill him off. I am so excited, Thank You, Mark... Plus, it was actually good to see what Somers had been up to, plus it was nice to know that he had done what he could to slow Maidstone's return to England, even if he didn't know why he was doing it... I am not sure that even with him slowing the other ship that the Santa Clarita can make up two months worth of time but it will be interesting to see them try. I hope we get back to Granger and his journey into danger soon, I can't wait to see how he and Jardines deal with each other... I just know there is going to be a scene with ropes involved somewhere...

I don't know what these other whiny crybabies are complaining about; thank you god... Calvert and Gatling can fall deeply and totally in love with each other and then we can be rid of Calvert for the most part and he won't even have to die... Great chapter explaining what is happening since George, Bertie, and Chartley left and Somers took over. Can't wait until we are back with Granger...

Well, I am probably misusing the term Van then; the ships I am speaking about where in the south end of the French fleet. They would have included the Guillaume Tell, Tonnant, Genereux, and the Timoleon. I have read at least two books by authors considered to be fairly well versed in not just this battle but naval history; C.S. Forester and William Laird Clowes, they both wrote that if those French ships had engaged instead of staying out of the intial encounters that the tide of the battle could have been turned. Now, that doesn't mean that the British would not have won in the end but the chance of a different outcome would have been increased significantly. Those ships did nothing to support the French fleet that were intially attacked and did not really come under attack until the next morning. Now, it has been awhile since I read either of the books that I am refering to but I am sure that both indicated that the lack of involvment from those ships severally damaged the chances of the French in the overall engagement. I am so excited about more regular chapter of Bridgemont saga... This really is my favorite series online...

I really liked this chapter for many reasons but especially because of the JP narration. He is like the eye of a hurricane and Will is the the storm swirling around. I think the dual narration between Will and JP really works because they are so polar opposites from each other but have the same core of strength running through each of them. I don't quite understand everyone acting like the issue between John and Will is so precarious. I think they are in much better shape now then they were after John slept with Zach. The issue with Marie and John talking about Will's relationship in front of outsiders was a fissure opening but not one that should keep them apart. I don't think the physical side is that big of a deal to either of them. The fact that for most of their lives they have been best friends/cousins/and sort of lovers means they are going to have their ups and downs. Upson Downs...HaHaHa..., if you don't get the reference; then you should all turn in your gay cards immediately... Will understands how to wind Brad up but he also understands how to bring him back to get him centered again. This is going to cause Brad years of aggravations and Will years of enjoyment. I am also not quite understanding everyone freaking out about Scott/Lark... He really hasn't changed in all the years since he was introduced. Did anyone think that facing a life and death situation was going to turn him into Father Tim???

Had never heard of that song by Enigma but went and listened to it and it really does work... Nice job...

Well, this was another great chapter. I really enjoy having the interplay of JP and Will doing dual narrations. They set each other off perfectly. You go from the calm of JP to the hurricane of Will and it just works... I love how Will understood what he had to do to get each of those important to him, Brad, Stef, and JP to find something about the house that they each liked. It was nice to see Will being in control of his tilt-a-world existence even if for just a moment. I love how JP looks at everything and seems to understand what the undercurrents are and how to deal with them. I hope he does more to take matters with Isidore and Claire in hand when he returns. I think that John isn't so much afraid to be with Will; althought I do think he is primarily straight and isn't as much into the physical as he was for a while; I think it is more about not upsetting Will and blowing what is left of their relationship up. It was just a story or two ago that they were best friends, sort of lovers, as well as cousins. They seemed to just be getting back to a good place when the issue with Marie and John spilling the beans came up and created another fissure. I think Will and John are important to each other in more ways than anyone else really understands and they are both trying to keep their equilibrium with each other. I don't know why Scott's behaviour shocks anyone, he really hasn't changed since he was sixteen or so and introduced to the story....

Great chapter, I think this really move the story along. I can't wait to see what happens with Granger and Jardines after they get along on their voyage and Jardines lets loose with whatever he wants to tell Granger. I have to wonder how much of a change it will make in their relationship. Of course, also have to wonder if Jardines will survive the trip... Once Granger reaches Egypt, I just know he will get there in time to play an important role in the Battle of the Nile. Maybe he will be responsible for doing whatever cause the second French van from coming to the aid of the first ships that were attacked; no one has ever really explained that. Most historians believe that if the second French van had counter-attacked immediately, the outcome would have been vastly changed. I thought that the conversation between Bertie and George was just so honest and telling. Bertie is acknowledging that he will more than likely never return home to see either of his parents again. This must be a terrible thing to contemplate and acknowledge. It is very obvious that Bertie doesn't care about who George sleeps with but just wants him to be happy. This maybe the best gift he could have ever given George; the true blessing of a member of his family who knows the truth and loves and cares for him anyway. I also think it is pretty obvious that Bertie trying to explain Chartley's decision that he hopes that Chartley and George remain close friends or even more. I still like Chartley as George's ultimate partner better than anyone we have meet yet... This is truly a great saga and wonderful piece of literature of the highest order...

While I found the issue with Will needling his father and to a lesser extent Stef by buying the house, sort of, without talking to them; the real meat of the chapter was at the dinner table. It is obvious that Brad has never really gotten over the rupture with Isidore back when she backed Billy over him. While I don't know nor didn't then agree with how she handled the situation; I completely understood it. Billy was her biological child and had been beaten pretty badly. She reacted as a mother cub. I really thought that after Billy's death and Brad doing the painting and handling so much of the funeral that they had repaired their relationship. Isidore really stood by Brad and Robbie during Robbie's trial in Paris and used all her family connections to help. She has gone out of the way over the years to support all the kids. That is why I am having such a hard time as to why she is digging her heels in on this. I sort of understand Claire, she is supporting her daughter, even if the daughter did lie; but is Isidore just backing Claire up because they have a tighter relationship? I know being from France that Isidore would consider manners and behaviour really important and neither Brad or Will are immaculate with either but is that enough to cause another rupture? Well, once again, Mark has sucked me into a story to the point that I spend hours every week reading and re-reading and then analyzing every little nuance to each chapter... Bad Mark, Bad Mark....

I just loved Tears for Fears... Great picks all around...

Another outstanding chapter in this saga, I do love Granger and the Bridgemont series... I can't wait to see what happens with Jardines and Granger on the way to Egypt. I am quite sure they will arrive before the Battle of the Nile and that Granger will get to play some part in that victory. I have to wonder when Jardines is going to discuss with Granger the events leading up to his incident with Travers. I don't know for sure what he is going to say but I can't wait to see Grangers reaction to it. I have to think that Granger and Jardines will reach some sort of accomodation but can't see yet what it will be. I am glad that Bertie and Granger were able to speak honestly about each other, the past, and the future. I still believe that Chartley is better for Granger than anyone else in his life right now but that could always change. Bertie obviously wants Granger to be happy in his life both professionally and personally. Bertie's announcement that he would probably never return to England and therefore never see his parents again was heartbreaking but with that perfect dose of reality that Mark puts in so many of his stories. Can't wait to see where the next chapter of this takes us...

Great chapter, I do love having JP involved. He is still the heart and soul of the story for me. I enjoy is point of view better than anyone else. I love how he has choosen Wade and Will as those he bonds with the most from that generation but for such alternative reasons. I love how Brad went from being furious with Will to his defender. I do think that Brad and Stef will both see the wisdom in what Will has done but we shall see. I am glad that Darius and John are both going to Hawaii with the rest. This will give them a chance to spend some time with Will without anyone else around. I can see this being important down the road. I think that Claire is having some movement but I really don't understand Isidore at all. I keep thinking there is something going on that we haven't been made aware of yet. This is just in such total contrast to her behaviour in the past. Even with Billy, while I did not agree, she was defending her child. She has taken a stand that even Claire will come to see is wrong but Isidore seems to be willing to rupture the family over something that really doesn't seem that big of a deal...

Okay, I can tell you from my experience with counseling that this actually happens more than most people would suspect. Not always the act itself, althought that happens more than you would suspect; but the desire or feeling that by doing this they are fullfilling a desire from the past. Often the kids are simply surrogates for the parents; but that isn't always the case either. I think Sharon is right that in five or six years it wouldn't be quite as creepy as it would be now... No matter what Will looks like and acts like he is still only fourteen. It would not be the age difference that I would object to so much as Will's current age; well that and the fact that Brad and Scott were best friends and lovers when they were just a little older than Will is now... I think that both Sharon and Tim are right in that Brad's reaction would be violent. So like Tim said, unless you are using this to move the story forward in some important way; why destroy Brad and Will's relationship, that has just gotten back on an even keel; much less Brad and Scott's, which would never recover. Plus, their will they or won't they flirting is actually kind of hot; but the real thing is rarely as good...

Hmmm, oh well, I will have to go back and see; I just remember thinking the name was wrong at the time... Of course, it wouldn't be the first time I confused to men... Okay, went back to HMS Belvidera and well damn, you were right... I just hate it when my memory goes on something...

Truly good tequila is as smooth and fine as any good scotch or bourbon....

The only two members that I can think of off the top of my head that have been mentioned by name that are not on the list are: Iggy, Lord Calverton son of the Earl of Bromfield Marquess of Blankford, the son of the Duke of Marlborough Can anyone else think of any others? p.s. George Spencer-Churchill was the Marquess of Blandford, different spelling from this story, during the 1790's. He actually came into the title of the Duke of Marlborough in 1817 upon the death of his father. He was given the courtesy title of Marquess of Blandford upon his birth in 1866.

This was a great chapter, I just can't believe that you are making Jardines the guide; you are just plain evil. I had thought of him but couldn't believe you would treat Granger like that, so I had discarded the thought... I have to wonder what Jardines can tell Granger that will excuse his actions in anyway??? I have always wondered if Travers and Teasdale did more than we knew before Travers was introduced to the Brotherhood??? Did Jardines walk in on them and that drove him mad; did Jardines love Teasdale as much as Teasdale seemed to care for him??? I have to say, I can't wait for Granger to get to Egypt. The Battle of the Nile is one of the three most important naval engagements in history, at least in my opinion. I can't wait to see how you tie Granger into the action. Great chapter and can't wait for the next one....

This will be a great way to go back and have them all right at my fingertips...

Okay, I don't even know where to start with this chapter, so here it goes.... I can't believe that JP hasn't made a move to broker some type of peace betweent he warring parties. I mean I understand him staying out of Stef's way with the party planning but I expected him to have seat down with those involved and tried to move things forward. Maybe he is waiting for after the party, but the longer a wound festers the harder to clear it becomes. I was thinking he was letting everyone marinate on what the problem was; but everyone seems solely focused on how it impacted them, not everyone else. I do think that Nana's statement may impact Claire, plus I think Jack is starting to turn the corner... I that Sharon is right on the money as always. I don't think Will is looking at the purchase of the house as anything other than bringing him closer to the one thing that centers him more than anything else, the ocean... He just has the ability to do it with more style than most others. I don't think Will buying the house is a message to anyone; although I can see it being one to others in their own mind. Plus, you know Stef will the the interior proud... Will and Scott are doing a dance that is gonna lead to something neither of them may really be ready for. Will has never been with someone like Scott and Scott has never done anything this dangerous. I don't know if they will really ever end up in bed together; a very bad idea but the ramifications will be interesting to see. Okay, I can even think of one or two reasons it wouldn't be so bad but that is on a totally different level of thinking... Brad will either be blind with fury or jealousy and I have to wonder which...

All really great choices, yes even the damn song by untalented ones from Houston...

Well, another chapter with more layers than a Royal Wedding cake; I just don't know where to start... Loved that JP was back, even for half a chapter. I have to admit I thought he would have taken more direct action by now to have brokered a peace between the warring parties. I can completely understand him staying out of Stef's way when planning the party of the new century. I am glad that Nana is back; JP needs someone like her around. I think that JJ probably wants to go to the party but wants to have everyone beg and plead with him to show up. This is a power move on his part and a well played one. I can't say that I am suprised that Will would want to buy a house on the beach in Hawaii. This would be the perfect situation for someone like him. I am not sure how suprised anyone will really be; plus you know that Stef can't wait to help him finish the interior. I can't decide if Scott and Will are really going to sleep together or not. I can give you a list longer than Will's appendage why it isn't a good idea; but I can see it really happening. I think if and when it happens the real question will be if Brad is mad or jealous??? Another wonderful entry and the double narration played perfectly...