centexhairysub

Damn, I was so hoping it was going to be Ryan's asshole father... I was all set for Will figuring it out and reuniting Jeff and Ryan... What about Stef for the father??? He did sleep with a few women back in the day... Maybe one of them had the baby, did not know who Stef was, and gave the child up for adoption...

Hope everyone has been doing well, I have been really busy and although reading each chapter updated by Mark, haven't gotten into the forums. Really enjoyed the last chapter and hope the upcoming adventures are as much fun to read. After reading some of the post I do understand better why Granger is so undecided about what to do with the extra ship, who knew capturing a ship just lead to so much difficulty... I still think having an extra ship or two would be good when he gets to his meeting with Maidstone. Plus, if he could happen to capture a gold ship along the way, all the better... It is so easy to lose myself in Mark's writing; I often feel Granger and his crew and family are people that I really know. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Hi everyone, hope everyone has been doing okay... I have just been really busy and while I have been reading everything that Mark has posted; I just haven't had time to get into the forums... Have to say that I really enjoyed the latest chapter of Paternity. I wonder if we aren't going to have one more reason to celebrate the title of the story; Jeff's parentage... This is the not the first chapter that there has been mention of how much Jeff smells like Ryan and how similar their various body scents are. This is something that can run in families. I have known brothers, fathers and sons, and cousins that share similar body smells. Have to wonder if Mark hasn't been dropping hints all along that maybe Jeff is Ryan's brother or half-brother. I could really see Ryan's father getting a girl pregnant before he got married and paying for an abortion but she keeps the money and gives the kid up for adoption. This might be a way of keeping Ryan and maybe even Alistair in a round about way in the storyline. Although tying Alistair in with JJ might make more sense... Anything that keeps Will tied to those guys in Malibu works for me though, I think both are really interesting. I have been trying to catch up on the post recently, still working through them all; but I have to say the one thing I want to suggest for the next story is another dual narration. I really think for the 9/11 storyline, you need JP's voice to be one of them that is heard from and if there is only one narrator then he is the only choice for me; but I sort of would like to see him paired with either Will, Matt, or Wade. I really think having two people from generations that are seperated not only by years but experience would lend a really poignant touch to what will be a very difficult storyline. What does everyone else think???

You know, I am sure this is not the first time that there has been a mention of how similar Jeff's body odor is Ryan... I wonder if Mark has been giving us a clue to one more source of the title of Paternity and we just haven't picked up on it... It would be another way of keeping Ryan and maybe even Alistair in a roundabout way in the mix. I have to think that Brad is sometimes smarter than we think; having Will take Maddie in to see Jeanine will let her associate a really positive moment with Will instead of so many of the recent negative ones. Not that Will isn't the obvious one to do so anyway; Darius and JJ have never really shown any connection to Maddie while Will seems to spend quite a bit of time on and off with her. This could be a very positive moment for everyone involved. Was a little suprised by JP's reaction, he isn't the one that usually jumps to a conclusion without looking at all the facts and getting all the information. I thought Will handled the situation really well, much better than he would have six months ago..

Hate to say it but the constant darkness of this storyline is losing me. I am usually good at finding sometihng to hold onto but can't see where anything that is happening is leading anywhere that I want to go... Enjoyed the first stories in this series tremendously but this one just isn't working for me... Will watch for the next one and try to pick it up there...

Well, you can just tell that the action is about to begin all over. I have a feeling that most of the whaling captains will get a new ship and can't wait to see Granger get the privateer. I do have to wonder if/when he meets back up with Calvert if they will be able to go up against the Spanish battleship... Even with two frigates that would be a tall order, not that I doubt Granger is capable of pulling it off.

Well, sorry, I got busy yesterday and just didn't have time to get to the forum for the latest chapter... I really feel that Granger hurt his position by mollycoddling Calvert. I know that he cares for Calvert, even if I don't, but had anyone else done what Calvert did; Granger would have had them in irons. He is doing no service to either himself or Calvert by his actions. Calvert does that with the wrong person he will be out of the navy... Calvert should have had the sense to know that militarily Granger will more than likely keep the other ship with him. Unless there is something else going on that we haven't been let in on; there is no strategic reason to seperate the two ships in unhospitalble waters. If nothing else, it will give Granger a grander entrance upon reaching their destination and dealing with Maidstone. I can't wait to find out what happened with Humphrey and FitzWilliam; plus why did Humphrey not care that they were being seperated... Bet there is an interesting story on both accounts, can't wait to see where that leads. I vote that we end up with a few more ships and maybe Granger can have his own fleet when he returns to England.

Well, the newest chapter is up and I just knew that they did not have anything to do with the coach's death. You go the whole chapter thinking maybe they did but then you find out their plan hadn't gone into action yet... Whether this was really an accident, a suicide, an act of god, or someone else beat them to it; it was justice in the end... The older son's behaviour suggest he either has already suffered abuse at the hands of his father or was being groomed in that direction. Maybe David realized what was happening; I am sure he is smart enough to have arranged something. JJ reaching out to Will was really interesting. Even though Will was the one to find him, JJ reached out because he seemed to believe that Will would validate his actions and support him against Brad and Robbie. Will was able to point out that others finding out might have reprecussions for JJ's skating career. Even with the coach's death, the skating seems to still be JJ's main concern. I did find it was telling that JJ knew about the others but still felt the coach loved him more, have to wonder what the other's thought. Will was faced with the reality of the decision to remove the coach and found the world black and white and that they should have stayed their hand. What he will have to learn is that the world has a million shades of grey and those that aren't able to view them are inevitably doomed to misery. No one can live in a true black and white reality and survive much less thrive.

I just knew it, this was either an accident, an act of god, or someone else beat them to the punch. I was just sure that the coach's death wasn't on them. Cutting was an issue that started to get a lot more exposure in the late 90's to early 00's in the theraputic community. There was a real upswing in the number of reported cases and started to see with boys and cutting. Will was okay with killing the coach in the heat of the moment but not after looking at the possible results; even though it is pretty obvious that the older son was either being abused or groomed to be by the father. The problem with this is that the world is not black and white but full of differing shades of grey. Will will probably come to realize this as he gets older but if he doesn't then he is going to be constantly dissapointed in himself and others his whole life. No one that sees the world in strict terms of black and white can ever be truly happy.

Okay, I am going to step lightly into the issue of the racial makeup of LA... I have been looking at the American Community Survey from 2005 to 2009; this is the last five year grouping released. I actually like it better for getting accurate takes on the breakdown better than the official US census which a lot of people avoid because of legal issues when they can. Because of how the American Community Survey is handled and the way the information is gathered; I believe it represents and gets a more realistic view of the actual population. While the American Community Survey is actually funded and developed by the U.S. Government, the fact it is mailed out to set addresses and is much easier and shorter than the actual US Census Survey, the results tend to be more telling. The American Community Survey showed that whites made up 29.4% of the Los Angeles population while hispanics that identified primarily as white made up 20.9%, this gives a total of 50.4% white or hispanics that consider themselves primarily white. This means that the survey found that through 2009 " whites " were a bare majority of the population. The early data from the current survey shows that those numbers will shrink several points below 50%. I am not sure why this thread got quite so heated. It seems that several people are almost pointing fingers and accusing others of being racist or harboring racist ideas because of our refusal to agree on the challenges that Darius will face after 9/11. I have consistently stated that while Darius may face some questios and issues; I just don't see it being to or rising to the level that others believe he will be subjected to. Am I right or will those with the opposite view be right; we just don't know yet because Mark hasn't written that story yet.... Until he does, get over it.....

I can say that I was a little dissapointed in Granger. He really should not have taken time to explain things to Calvert. If Calvert can't follow orders or figure out that Granger was doing what was best for both of them; then he really isn't worth Granger's time in the first place... The last few chapters have shown the best and worst of Calvert; the problem for me is that when you add the two up, you still end up in the negative side... I think the division made sense to the most part in how Granger split the officers. We still need to find out what brought Humphreys and FitzWilliams to a Chilean jail; what happened to their ship and how did they lose it? FitzWilliams was obviously upset by being split off from Humphreys but did what Calvert should have done and followed orders. I would hate to be in the Govenors shoes when the reports and letters that everyone will send reaches those in charge. If you were going to make the deal, then do so before the destruction begin if not then suck it up and take your lumps.

I agree completely... I think everyone is jumping the gun on the coaches death. It has been only five days since JP/Brad/Robbie/Stef/Will found out about the sexual abuse. Arranging the death of someone like that and being able to cover yourself would take time and I am not sure that five days is enough to do it right. I think JP and Will were reacting to meeting the wife of the man that is abusing JJ and nothing else. I doubt anyone else that was there would even have noticed JP's reaction except Wade and since he knows nothing about the abuse he really has no way to link that momentary reaction to anything that is happening.

Okay, first the latest chapter, WOW, it was so unexpected to me. I just never saw another connection to the family coming up with the coach. David didn't seem very disturbed and the older son being shy and withdrawn; have to wonder if something was going on there. Will and JP had to be freaked out; they would recognize the wife from the picture they looked at the night they found out about JJ. We could all be jumping the gun thinking that JP/Brad had anything to do with the accident or whatever it was. The coach may have been found out by someone else and decided to kill himself rather than face the coming storm. An accident like what is described is a little hard to arrange on short notice and it has only been a few days since they found out. Plus, the way Will and JP acted was more like they were suprised that they recognized the women not well your husband will be dead in a few hours... I would have to assume that still only JP, Stef, Brad, Robbie, and Will know about the abuse; Will made Brad promise not to do anything without keeping the rest of the informed and Will just did not act like he was aware of the coach's soon to be demise. Of course, I could totally be wrong about this.... Still another couple of people for the family to end up caring about and helping to take care of... Okay, now to a couple of recent post... I did not mean to invalidate anyones experience after 9/11; I even mentioned that there was issues with that in Austin for a while after the attack. My issue is that even with Darius being referred to as a couple of shades darker than the rest of the family, most Persians I know either have blue or green eyes and even the ones with brown eyes tend to be a lighter shade of brown. I guess it is as others have stated that we all have an idea in our heads of what the people in the story look like and I have always placed Darius in the mode of most Persian/Anglos that I know and no one would ever mistakes them for Arabs... Plus, they will tell you very quickly that they are not Arab but Persians... I cannot and will not say that no one will comment on Darius heritage after 9/11; I just don't perceive it to be as much of an issue as it has been alluded to. Once again, I maybe completely wrong about this... Okay, now on to Wade and Matt's possible new sexual dynamic, not sure it is so new but.... Mark has been giving hints and leading up to this for quite a while, I don't even think this is the first story much less chapter that dropped hints about this maybe coming out. I am going to address this in a couple of areas. First, from a theraputic standpoint, only a very small number of people that are abused either physically, emotionally, mentally, or sexually; ever go down the road to being sexually submissive. Actually their past makes it much less likely that they will become truly submissive sexually no matter their sexual orientation. Also, from a theraputic standpoint, David was right. There are a great number of people both male and female as well as straight, bisexual, or gay that are extremely controlling or in control of every other aspect of their life but find the one place they can give up that control and enjoy it is sexually. My experience in counseling is that this happens quite often, much more then others realize, and is actually quite healthy and can benefit those individuals in other aspects of their lives by giving up that control sexually. Next, just because Wade may begin a submissive sexual relationship with Matt does not mean that he may not be versatile or even dominate with someone else. One size rarely fits all. They may experiment with this type of relationship and find it isn't for them. Finally, as part of my name would indicate, I am submissive sexually with certain men. This is actually my favorite type of sex but it doesn't always happen because honestly some people just will not believe that I am submissive. I have always been a rather take charge person in the rest of my life but do enjoy giving up control to the right man. As someone else has already stated, most submissives are the ones that actually control the relationship not the dominate partner. I think some people are confusing the idea of being submissive with the idea of being a slave or pet to someone else. They are definitely not the same thing...

Oh my freaking god... I just did not see this at all... No wonder both Will and JP reacted the way they did when they saw her. They had both seen a picture of his family they night they found the pictures of JJ. I wonder if it was an accident? Wade is going to make a great submissive and I bet Matt makes a great Dominate.

Oh, I don't think that Will would ever even consider joining a fraternity; I could see Darius doing so but never Will. I was just commenting on the fact that I don't really see Darius having many problems after 9/11 because of his heritage and then just making a comment on how restrictive some fraternities still are but they maybe more of an issue here in Texas or the south than in the rest of the country...

Great new chapter, I was so amazed again at how well Granger deals with everyone on their own level. He is able to place himself at just the right level but makes sure that everyone knows he is no ones fool. I can't believe the provincial idiot in charge thinks he can play with Granger, that was the reason that Granger made sure the first Spaniard understood how connected he was to the Court in Spain, even with the countries being at war. I was just starting to not hate Calvert after the last few chapters and then he goes and shows why he will never be suitable for Granger. Calvert pissed Granger off enough that he did not explain what his plan for Calvert and the other ship was. I sort of doubted that he was sending it very far away, but now who knows. Two ships have a better chance against anything else in the region plus if they could pick up another one, they might have a chance at a Spanish gold ship... Even better, when the arrive to deal with Maidstone, Granger will be in just that much more of a powerful position with an extra ship or two. I don't think he needs it really for that, is letters and powers from the privy council would under normal circumstances give him more than enough authority; but against Maidstone a little firepower might not hurt... I still want to hear how Humphreys and FitzWilliam ended up in a Chilean cell... This has to be one hell of a story. I am even going to believe that Maidstone might be behind it.... LOL...

Austin, Texas is by far the most liberal area in Texas but even here after 9/11 there was a backlash against those perceived to be Arabs or Muslims. I would sort of doubt that Darius would face that though, as Tim has stated almost all the Anglo/Persians that I know are usually mistaken for Italians or maybe French, from the southern part of the country. Plus, hate to say it but perception counts and Darius would not speak, dress, or behave in a manner that would make anyone perceive him as Arab or Muslim, although how you can tell someone is Muslim from looking at them I never really understood??? Once again, maybe different here in Texas but there are several fraternities that anything less that WASP, will keep you out. I do know there are some that are more open but that really wasn't the way it was back in the 80's when I was in college or even now down south. There are fraternities that are open to all but usually rare to find someone as pale as I am in them, plus they are often very homophobic.

Just when I think that I might have to get to like Calvert and accept his place in Granger's life, he does something like this and I get a little hope. I don't understand how based on the past he can believe his actions would go over well with Granger. I just love how Granger deals with the Spanish; he dealt with each officer on their level but isn't willing to take any guff from anyone. I sort of hope he does flatten the fort... Although Calvert's behaviour stopped the conversation, I have to wonder if Granger will not just keep the other ship near him; two ships would be better all along the rest of the voyage. With an extra ship or two, a gold ship might even be worth the risk... I can semi understand the American's attitude but after all, Granger just did rescue them all from prison and probably saved at least part of them from starving to death... Show a little gratitude why don't you??? I can't wait to see where Granger and his valiant crew go next...

Well, this was more of an up chapter than the last few... I was glad to see a few more saints being created but do agree that the traitor is close to the those in that room. I can't see who it is yet, but I am sure that it will be a suprise when it happens.

Well, the new chapter was just great. I thought the writing and research was especially well done on this chapter. Mark obviously either did some serious research on ECT or knows someone that has been through it. The scene with Jeanine and Will was spot on as far as how Jeanine would act after going through a couple of rounds of ECT treatments. As I went into in my review, this chapter really showed why this family will always survive. Ties may bend but they are almost impossible to break. Whether you are born into the family or brought into it; the loyalty to the family as a whole is really important to everyone. JP inspires an almost scary level of loyalty from those around him. I have to wonder how strong that will be in the next generation after JP/Stef/Isidore are gone. I do think that Matt and Wade are going to resolve their issues and find a way to come out stronger in the end. One of the big issues is that since they have been together; Matt has never seen Wade so enthralled by anyone but himself. Matt is having to deal with the issue that Brad may have something that or can effect something in Wade; that he can't. I don't think it is so much that Matt is jealous of Wade for sleeping with Brad as much as it is the feelings that Brad has awaken in Wade, that Matt fears. For some people, giving up total control in the bedroom to someone that you really trust can develop into an almost addictive behaviour. For someone like Wade that is in control of so many aspects of his life; the ability to give up control in one area to someone he trust, maybe more alluring that Matt can understand at this moment. I can't decide where Mark is taking the situation with Noah but much like Alistair; I think it is gonna be good for Will and I can't wait for the ride.

Magnificent... I just can't say how wonderful this chapter was, it showed why this family may bend but never breaks. Those that are lucky enough to be born into and really pulled into this family knows it is for life. Unless you are in a family like this or are really close to one; you just can't imagine how strong it makes everyone tied to it. This shows why in the end JJ will survive his abuse; why Brad and Robbie will be okay; and why Wade and Matt will figure out how to work out what has happened. The scene with Jeanine was really well done as well. The nuances were perfect on how someone that is involved with ECT acts after the treatments. Great work Mark in getting that right.

Well, hated to see the way this one ended. I sort of was hoping to see some demons and angels riding to the rescue at the last but sort of understand where this is going. Hope the next chapter is a little more upbeat... Not sure about the idea of James and Kyle being demon and angel but will be interesting to see where it goes. They just son't seem the sort that would have been picked by the other angels and demons, sort of a second tier pairing... Amplexor seems to have his own agenda.

I think one of the big questions will be how Humphreys and FitzWilliams came to be in the Chillean jail. When last seen they were sailing in the balmy seas of the Caribbean... You have to wonder how they ended up in the Pacific. Their ship wasn't designed to go through the horn like Granger did??? Masterful chapter and can't wait to see where the next one leads us. There was a mention of another privateer or two, so I can see the next battle is coming up. I wonder how many ships Granger will end up with by the time he gets back??? Mark, as to your pace of chapters; I would think that is mostly up to you... You could do one a day and it wouldn't be enough for me but only you know where you are taking us on this grand adventure. I am always glad to see a quick turnaround however, especially when those I care about are in danger...

Ugh, PrivateTim has two post back to back that I actually liked... My day just keeps getting worse... I have to really agree with his statement about Rudy Galindo. I think that he actually suffered more backlash against his skating career then Johnny Weir did in an undeserved way. I have always believed that Rudy Galindo worked harder and deserved much more recognition then he got during his skating career. I think in some ways his teaming early in his career with Kristi Yamaguchi to win the double titles actually hurt him later when he concentrated more on the singles side. While I believe that Johnny Weir was born with a great deal of talent; his behaviour and tempermental personality was as much to blame for his never reaching the top or being able to stay there. Talent can only carry you so far and Weir never had the work ethic or the self control to match Galindo, at least in my humble opinion... I also view the CAP family in a very personal way. I feel almost tied to them which is why I get so prickly sometimes I think when it comes to what is said or the reaction others have to them. I really would like to see JP as the narrator for the storyline dealing with 9/11. I don't know what Mark's thinking on this is but as PrivateTim said this is arguably one of the biggest days in the history of the US and except for the Kennedy assasination maybe the biggest since December 7th. It just seems to me that JP is the one person in the family with the gravitas to approach this most effectively. I do have one suggestion for those that are wanting a story before we tackle 9/11; if Mark feels it would be something that we could go back and look at, Tonto's death and maybe the months leading up to it... Tonto's departure from the story is one of the few incidents that never was covered in the manner I thought it should have been. She meant to much to so many but never got the send off she deserved. Mark, in the end, we are all going to go along with the ride that you take us on and will all be happy and thrilled with each twist and turn...

Well, as usual Granger carries the day with his skill and improvinisation. He handled the situation perfectly and without to much loss of life on any side. I was suprised that Granger was so sure that he would see de Arana again but then I guess his intuition has usually been right. I have to wonder what Humphreys and FitzWilliams were doing so far out of the Atlantic that landed them in a Chillean jail. I am sure this is going to be a good story. Glad to have them both back with Granger. Calvert actually had an idea of his own and it worked out... I am in shock. I know so many seem to like him and believe he fits Granger but he is just boring to me... I am trying to like him more though, so we will see... I realize Granger isn't back aboard but I have to believe that he will be shortly but have to wonder if that other French privateer isn't close by, I sense another battle coming up... Great job as usual with the writing and storyline. Can't wait for the next chapter.