centexhairysub

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, like assholes everyone has one... I am not sure who said this but I read it somewhere once. I agree that had the battle been fought at sea the outcome would have been the same but probably not as conclusive for the British. The fact that the French army was really destroyed by the time the officers escaped back to France was a real blow to the country. It is true that many of the French officers and leaders escaped and caused additional problems but the loss of the ships and the tens of thousands of well trained soldiers caused problems for years to come... The truth is all we can do is look back at what happened and marvel. We can never really know what would have happened if the battle had been fought at sea. Mark has done a great job of creating and describing one of the most important battles in all of history. I really felt the fear, death, and victory of those that lived it in this story. I have to wonder if Granger will turn his attention back to getting to London before Maidstone or if Winkler and Jeffries proved able to deliever their message. God I can't wait to see what is next....

Okay, I am going to start by saying that this is a fictional story and Will is not a real person; as far as we know... The Mendle study that Tim is referring to doesn't so much link sexual activity in adolescents to depressive symptoms or clinically severe depression as it links random non-romantic sexual activity. Those that engage in sexual activity with no emotional attachment or meaning have a much higher chance of developing either depressive symptoms or clinically severe depression. What this study lacked was a componet that dealt with what drives that behaviour. Often sexual behaviour of this type is driven by other factors, that can have as much to do with development of depressive issues if not more than the sexual component. Actually those factors may drive the sexual component rather than the other way around. Plus, the study also shows that those that had even multiple sexual partners but within a romantic or committed relationship had a much lower percentage in development of the depressive issues. So it isn't as much the sex or even the number of sexual partners that can be the issue but whether the sexual activity takes place in a romantice relationship or is simply random non-romantic sexual activity. That being said, the problem I have is when you lump all adolescents together. I have seen some that could hop from bed to bed with no issues and others that even one sexual encounter was one to many. But, to be honest, if I was seeing an adolescent Will's age that had thirty sexual partners; I would be looking for what was driving the activity. The problem with that is that in this story; Will really doesn't have any of the standard issues that one would look at in trying to find out what was driving the behaviour. I really thought about it today and I had six sexual partners before the age of fifteen. I was up to over fifty by the time I graduated high school; I grew up in small town in rural Texas and there really wasn't anything else to do but drink, get high, or have sex, or some combination there of. By the time I had reached forty-five I was well into triple digits. Okay, I went through a major slut period that lasted most of my mid and late 20's and early 30's... I know guys that have only had one or two partners that are my age and those that have had double what I have had; what drove each of us to make the choices we made? Okay, now to the newest chapter. I really like that Hank and Jeanine seem to be in such a good place. I really like that Will has been able to bond so well with Hank and really seems happy that Hank has made Jeanine happy. I do not think Hank can die on 09/11 unless Jeanine does as well; I really don't think that Jeanine could handle losing Hank after everyting thing else that she has gone through... I loved how JP and Isidore really understand and care about each other. The ties that bind them run so deep and really no one except maybe Stef really has any idea of what all they have been through in their lifetime together. Marie is going to be trouble. I don't know what it is going to take to snap her out of the idea that she is untouchable but the issues coming up might do so... Great chapter and I can't wait to see where it leads next....

A truly great victory and a grand telling of it... I really felt as if I could hear the cries of the dead and wounded, smell the gunpowder burning, and feel the heat of the fire. It was a majetic telling of one of the great battles in history. Granger really understands what needs to be done and how to get it done. I don't know what Mark has planned for him but I could see him going much farther than most of those around him. Soon we will find out how Granger will return to London and if he will beat Maidstone back or if his sending of Winkler and Jacobs accomplished what he needed them to. I have to wonder if Winkler will find his replacement for his lost love...

This was a great chapter. I really like how JP and Isidore handled their discussion. That is how two adults should handle the issue. I am really glad to see that Isidore will be remaining at Escorial with Frank, don't forget that Frank and JP have a history as well... I am going to really hate it if anything happens to Hank or Jeanine. They both seem to be getting on track and really appear to be good for each other. I can't see Jeanine surviving anything happening to Hank so soon after everything else... If you take one then take them both... I am starting to think that Tim is right and that Tony needs to be visiting New York to discuss an issue with his trust... Brad is going to have to learn that the his current mode of action isn't going to bring Will around to his point of view... Brad is going to have to up his game to stay ahead of Will. I am afraid that everyone is in for trouble from Marie...

And the search for love will continue in all its forms...

So close and yet so far away.... the thought of what was possible but never realized.

Jason needs to feel safe and have the time to get the therapy he needs to survive. I am sure that when push comes to shove, JP will see that he gets both. The real problem is going to be Jeff. I know JP was prepared but then Jeff made his big speech and he went off and did what he said he would never do... JP is a very sexual being and if Jeff isn't there, someone else will be. Jeff had to know this... I almost think that Mark did this on purpuse. He introduced a side to Jeff that made it easier to be pissed at him; but it didn't help what was coming...

"Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" This just says it all...

Loved this chapter, family is such a big deal for JP. I have to say smart move all the way around for him and Isidore to marry. I know Jason is upset but he has to understand he never really had a chance. I do see this causing problems down the road...

JP, Jeff, and Isidore had a real connection. They fit seemlessly together in a way that few couples do, much less when you add a third. JP and Jeff's time in Chicago was so special. I loved how JP handled the situation with the lawyer, how upfront he was. The idea of gay marriage was so far out there then, it really was the punchline to a joke...

This was a great chapter... Isidore was in the US to stay with Ace and JP had a ready made family. I think it is great how far his father has come in regards to JP and Jeff. The scene with Carol, Stef, and Jeff at the end was just priceless...

This is one of those chapters that seeing JP and Jeff together makes me so sad... Stef is really growing into his own. He is learning that it isn't all about him. Tonto and JP's parents prove that in the end love does make the biggest decisions seem little...

Magnificent... The writing in this chapter was truly just first rate... I really felt as if I was there watching the battle unfold. The accuracy of the historical battle was weaved into the storyline just perfectly... Granger is in the thick of it where you would expect him to be. Nelson truly was a great commander. His inspiration made those that served him love him. What he spoke when he was injured is said to be the words he spoke in actuality at the battle, great touch. Granger is able to read and understand those around him. He seems to understand so much better than others what motivates others and why they do so much of what they do. This is one of the secrets to his success. The second part of the battle should be equally grand. The destruction of the Orient was said to be truly horrible... You are spoiling us rotten with this pace of posting but I hope you don't stop.... LOL...

The skill in making one feel part of the action is one that few writers actually have; Mark, you have this in all it's glory. I could fee the anticipation, fear, and even death as it happened in this story. Granger got to be part of the battle and played a pivotal role as well. Nelson got his peerage and was made a Viscount after this victory. I can't wait to see the rest of the battle. The destruction of the Orient was sad to be horrible. It is amazing how well Granger is able to analyze and understand those around him. This is one of the reasons he is so successful in all the does...

WOW, we are going to get spoiled; another chapter of this wonderful saga so soon after the last... I think this story just keeps getting better and better. I am so glad that Granger is going to get to be in the thick of this battle. This is one of the most important and decisive naval engagements of the last 500 years. Only Midway and the Battle of Tsushima are as important and as decisive as the Battle of the Nile; because of the nature of the attack, I do not include nor do most historians the attack on Pearl Harbor. Granger is going to have a front row seat and with the skill that Mark has in writing I think we are all in for a real treat. I am more concerned about the news from home than I am about Berry reaction. As dissapointing as Berry's reaction might be, the faith and loyalty that Nelson has for Granger will keep that in check. I am glad to see that Caroline is moving to regain her position and footing in society. The issue of her inability to perhaps carry another child is truly sad but may not be accurate. The fact that Freddie and Davina named the child George maybe because of the closer relationship the Earl as with the King, but it could also signify other issues ahead...

No, I am going to stand by my statement... Words matter and going over the reveiw and forum for the last couple of months the syntax and words used would set any good therapist on edge. I understand that we don't see as much of the supporting players of which Isidore is one, but some of what is being written would set of warning bells in any other setting... p.s. I love the French...

Another great chapter and so soon after the last, Mr Arbour is spoiling us all.... It seems that Granger will be in the thick of the next battle. This was really one of the three most important and decisive naval battles of the last 500 years. With Mark's skill, I think we will all be in for a real treat. The news from home was clearly a mixed bag. Glad to see that Caroline is moving to regain her position, but sad if it is true about her not being able to have another child. The fact that Freddie and Davina named the child George does have me worried but then the Earl is very close to the King. I hope once Granger is home, that we might have a story with him in England for the whole length of it... Maybe a turn in the Admiralty, Granger would hate it but...

It is amazing that when the chips are down how often family can and will come through for us all. The issue with JP and Jeff isn't so easily dealt with. Jeff is still obviously dealing with coming to terms with his own sexuality and then being told he was going to be a father well, damn...

It is strange but even today, the government is really afraid of the truth and those that speak it plainly and without fear. I have never understood why the truth should be silenced but many fear it and try to do so...

JP is such a slut but I love it... I actually got to meet Jackie Kennedy many years ago when I was in New York at a party. She truly was bigger than life. There was just something about the way she looked and spoke to you that really did make you feel as if you were the only person in the world....

“Love has been good for you,” she said. “It is worth the pain, worth the risk. Never be afraid to love.” This was Tonto to JP and nothing more true has ever been written or spoken. Love or the pursuit of love is what makes life worth living... I loved how JP handled the situation with all of those he had discussions with in this chapter. It is sort of funny that his biological father may have understood where his Father was coming from better than JP, of course being a father himself, had to help...

Nothing can compare to the grief of losing a child. There really is no loss that comes close to it. JP is there to help Tonto just as Tonto was there to help JP. Jeff would not understand about Carol. It is funny how guys are always okay with a guy sleeping around but when a woman does it, it is just the end of everything...

Well, from a purely theraputic standpoint; Brad's behaviour doesn't have to be intentional to make it cruel. His complete disregard for the negative impact it will have on others does that... One of the psychiatric tomes I have defines cruel as causing or being conducive to injury, grief, or pain. What Brad has done clearly fits within those parameters... p.s. I have been using my phone to reply to a lot of these lately as I am out of town and my grammar and spelling isn't always the greatest on this damn thing... Hope it isn't driving anyone else crazy...

Tonto and JP always made a great team. They were there for each other in the good times but always in the tragic ones. JP will be there for Tonto just as she was there for him following Andre's death. Losing one child is bad enough but to lose both of your children, especially the way they died is sad beyond belief. Some never recover, but I expect that Tonto will. Our first glimpse of Isidore and ACE... They made life so much more interesting down the road...

Jason has been kicked around so much that any power is too much. He wanted to be able to be in charge and to have the ability to hurt someone the way others have hurt him. JP would have been better served by ordering him to get some therapy but....