centexhairysub

I bow to your wisdom and will in most ways but not in this, Calvert just doesn't have the strength of character to stay with George for the long haul... or at least he has never really shown it yet. I guess since he is your creation, you know them all better than we do, but Calvert has always seemed cloying and needy more than anything else to me. He is unpredicatable and uncontrolled and not in a good way with either. His behaviour has almost cost George big in the past and probably will again. If he truly loves George with a mature passion, he needs to grow up and change or care enough about George to get out of his life if he can't...

“No, I don’t. And I’m not asking you to be. But I’m proposing an alternate course of action for you. If you were able to work things out with your mother, you might actually be able to help her get better, and to do better with JJ and Maddy, and to get along with everyone else. You may be able to help her heal her wounds.” Claire talking to Will in the last chapter.... I don't think Claire is asking Will to fix Jeanine or his relationship with her. What Claire is saying is that if Will can get to place that he and Jeanine can get along, then that might help Jeanine be in a better place not just with Will but with everyone else. I really don't understand Jeanine totally turning on her biological child and just writing him off, while focusing solely on JJ; what about Maddie??? Do we know how Jeanine is with her? I think Claire is at least partially right, you know how does Jeanine feel that her biological son has never listened to her or even really needed her, even when he was younger. Brad has always allowed Will to marginalize Jeanine's place in his life, that maybe part of the root of her issues with him. Now, having said that, I don't agree with any of Jeanine's recent behaviour and she obviously has significant issues; that being said, she can get better with therapy and the right drug combinations. I have started to pull away from JJ, I do like him because I was always somewhat of a diva growing up as well and I had a brother that always seemed to overshadow me in certain ways. In every generation, Mark has killed off a person that is either a part of the family or in a significant relationship with someone in the family. I am starting to feel that JJ just might be that person for his generation. Even if we lump the group just older and include Matt, Wade, and Gathan; there just isn't that many choices at this point choose from. I can't see Will, Matt, or Wade being killed off and even Gathan doesn't really have the position to be an impact death on the family as a whole. Claire's kids just haven't been involved enough in the story to make an impact either. This really only leave Darius and JJ, I guess we could throw in Alejandro but we really haven't seen or heard from him in sometime. I guess Darius could be killed after 9/11 either in the service or as a result of the trauma resulting from that day but that just doesn't feel right yet. I could really see JJ and maybe even Jeanine and Tiffany dying on one of the planes that crash that day. They could be on the East coast and coming home on a whim and not wanting to wait for one of the families planes to pick them up. I have said ever since 9/11 was brought up that no one had to die to make it relevant to the story and I still agree with that but JJ's death on that day or in some other way would explain his not reaching the heights he seems destined to with his talent and would create issues in the family that would give Mark so much drama to work with in creating this masterpiece of his...

Well, this chapter once again showed why Claire is the true successor to JP... Claire has always been my favorite person in the series with the exception of JP and Stef. I have always thought she was the glue that held her generation together more than anyone else. In many ways she is the one most like JP. I have made that argument before only to have someone point out that we don't really see enough of her to know, well, I think we should have her in every chapter... LOL... She sort of reminds me of Connie Corleone, more from the books than the movies; although I thought Talia Shire was great in them... Claire is the sort of person that in the end will do whatever it takes to protect her family... I am really conflicted about JJ. On one hand, I do understand JJ's annoyance with Will's sex life seeming to interfere or overshadow his own life; but on the otherhand, Will has been the one most often there for him when he really needed someone. JJ is going to truly regret it if there is a rupture between him and Will. I think that Brad and Stef would have both acted when Jeanine and Will had their confrontation but it happened so fast and escalated so quickly that they were somewhat caught off guard. I think they were probably so shocked by Jeanine's behaviour that it caused them to freeze for that moment... Jeanine has real problems... That being said, mental illness is often so insidious that you often can't know how or what to do to help those suffering from it. I do think that Will in the end will make an effort to repair the relationship. I was really sort of against Jeff when the last few episodes started because of how he acted with Wade but after getting some of his backstory and seeing how he is with Will, I am fast changing my mind. I still think that there is more to his relationship or issues with Matt than we have seen but that maybe for a different story...

WOW, that is just a really great selection. " Firestarter " is just the perfect song for that moment.... P.S. I never did comment about your selection of the Heart song earlier. They remain one of my favorite bands of all time and that was just a great song....

Very well said, this is in line with what I was getting at....

I have just never taken to Calvert. I can't say it is any one thing but more just an accumulation of his behaviour and manners. I don't guess he is really objectionable but he has just always sort of annoyed me. He is the only one of George's lovers that I have felt really is a problem. I have never thought that he would ever be able to really handle the type of relationship that George needs from his lovers. Plus he always seems sort of a bore to me.... And Ricky, I do think Calvert has always been sort of needy and not in a good way... I really like the idea of George ending up with Lord Chartley or someone of his ilk. I think in a way that George needs the main man in his life to be more of an Alpha male. I think this is why I always like George with Travers but that would have never really worked fully in the end because of the difference in social levels. As to the subject of favorite other in the series besides Granger of course, I am tempted to say Caroline but am going to go with Bertie. I really admire Caroline, her mistake with how she handled her lover and pregnancy not withstanding. She has always been George's biggest supporter and understands him on a level that I think few others do. Bertie is really my favorite because of how much he has changed since the story began. He was such a total loser when the story started and now he has become rich, powerful, and very much his own man. He has overcome a lot and managed to make something of himself in a way that no one really believed him capable of in the beginning. I know he seems to have a broken moral compass but family still matters to him and has he really done anything that most people of that day and age wouldn't have given the chance??? Who is next???

Another great chapter, I don't know if you can write a bad one Mark... I am so glad we are getting a few new faces aboard the ship. I can't wait to delve more deeply into each of them, so to speak... I can't wait to see what type of interest Granger takes in the Baron Kingsdale. This would not be the first time that Granger had taken an interest in a boy from his class without support. I really think this maybe a very interesting and ongoing storyline not just in this book but beyond in the Bridgemont saga. I am sure that each of the midshipman will get a moment in the sun but this is the one that I think will stay around the longest. I still think whomever is choosen to replace Bertie will hold the key to how the tone of the voyage is set up and plays out. Something else I thought of is that when Bertie comes back so will Lord Chartley. I really think having him and Calvert both aboard at the same time will be very interesting.... Hopefully Chartley will accidently knock Calvert overboard and no one will hear him calling for help, just kidding sort of... I really would doubt that we find out anything about the Dr. Jackson's pardon before they return. Even with Granger and others working behind the scene, I doubt it can be done quickly enough to occur before they set sail. This is something that will be dealt with later or accomplished when they return. Keep up the great work and I can't wait for the next installment.....

Chapter 50 of Paternity is up and all I can say is " Damn "......

This was a great story, I just love getting to know backstory on the people in this series... It is just those touches that make the Bridgemont series one of the best I have ever read... I really don't see Maidstone being the one sent to replace Bertie. From what little has been said about him, he just doesn't seem to be the type of person that would give up London for the tropics; after all, he has already made his fortune... Plus, I don't care if this guy is richer than the Grangers at a certain point in that time and place; who you were was more important than how much money you had. Maidstone is after all only a merchant, it doesn't sound like he is very high in society. Even if he was in the lower or middle level of society, you would have expected Granger to at least recognize his name... I think Mark will come up with a truly great way of getting the ship out of Nore and it will be something we never thought of...

One of the best things about Mark's writing is that he doesn't try and re-write history. Even if the last name wasn't Danfield, Senator Allen a Republican from Virginia one that election... I really think it would be a real departure for Mark to re-write history... I love polls as well....

I still think we might need to consider Iggy for the replacement. He would be an interesting choice and one that would bring his own set of problems and issues. I do think that when Granger finally get's to sail, it will be straight for the Far East. You only really had certain times of the year that you could set sail and get there in a way to avoid the worst of the storms and that timeframe is closing rapidly...

Okay, really enjoyed the latest chapter of Paternity; I do think this chapter was just really hot... That being said, I do totally agree with methodwriter that JJ's feelings on the subject are spot on. I even agree with him to some extent. He is here trying to concentrate and win a competition and all anyone wants to talk to him about his how big his brother's cock is??? That would have to be off putting... I am not saying this is all Will's fault but can he not feel the need to sleep with ever guy he comes in contact with??? And before everyone goes, well he is 14 and hot and they all want him; yea, I remember being that age but damn give it a rest sometime. He has a hot older guy paying all the attention he wants to him does he need to sleep with 50 others on the trip just to prove he is hot??? I thought the scene with Tiffany and Will in the stands was very telling. Just when you get to thinking that Will is growing up and really maturing he shows his childish side. I do think there will be additional drama when Jeanine comes home and I can't wait to see how Mark deals with it in the story. Great chapter, keep up the good work Mark...

Well, I spent a lot of time in the clubs in Austin, Dallas, and Houston here in Texas; but I also did a lot of the circuit parties in the 90's so it wasn't that I didn't see the drug use, I just never got caught up in it. I can't say I have never done drugs, not sure many in my age bracket can do so, I did pot, cocaine, etc but the only one I ever really liked was acid and never did anything when I was on it. I guess that when I was in the clubs or at the parties, the group I was with just never got caught up in the drugs... We all sort of looked at the fools doing it and thought, how can they really be enjoying something if they don't remember what they did??? The group of men that I ran with just never seemed to be in to the drug scene at all except for maybe some pot, who doesn't love special brownies after all. I think another issue for me is that the two people that I have really lost in my life to meth use, neither were gay. I know that meth was big and really still is in a certain segment of the gay community but that was never really were I was exposed to it. I lost a nephew and a close friend of the family to meth use and neither were bad kids. They just got sucked in and couldn't stop. I never had a problem saying no or stopping after I had used a drug, so I can't say that I fully understand the allure of them. I can honestly say except for acid no drug I ever did really seemed to affect me much at all. I haven't used any type of illegal drugs or legal drugs in a non legal way in over ten years and have no desire or feel no need to use them again; this doesn't mean I would never just don't feel a need to do so at this time. I know the drugs were around even back in my party days but I guess the fact that I never really experienced any negative side to them in connection with my " gay lifestyle " makes it easier to blindside me when it happens in one of Mark's stories... No one that becomes an addict started by saying, oh yes, I am going to become addicted and die from my drug use. There is just something in some people that make them unable to stop once they start, I just never had that problem with what I used...

Damn, the new chapter of Paternity is up and well, Will may have to grow up more than he should. I really like how Jeff handled the situation with Will after the initial freak out. I really hate what appears to be happening with Pat however. I never even thought about that, I guess I am just so out of the drug scene that I never think about it really. Will is the kind of person that is going to try and fix the problem, reminds me of JP in that way. The problem with that is that with meth, you can't just fix the problem. I do think that Micheal will try and do something to get back at Will for the flight; he just isn't the kind of person that can just let the situation go and call it even. I can see him guessing about Jeff or finding out about it and using that to try and hurt Will and Jeff both. I really think that Micheal is dumb enough to actually try and go toe to toe with Will. Great chapter and some great interaction between Will and Jeff. We got to see a glimpse of Jeff's past and a possible connection to another person in the story; I do love it, instead of fingerprint analysis we have cock analysis...

Hmmm... a cucumber, I guess the more things change the more they stay the same... I really enjoyed the latest chapter of Odyssey. I wonder who the vegetable was in that they called for Dr. Jackson, was it a member of the crew??? The past murder charge seems like something that would have to be dealt with at some point no matter what, I have to wonder how that will be handled. I still can't say that I am all that excited about Calvert being the one to sail with Granger; but now if someone has to die on the way out or back to England, Calvert can perish and it will be just that much more tragic... I still have to wonder who it will be that will replace Bertie. I can't see it being one of the Wilcox clan, but I do think it will be someone that Granger has a history with, I thought of Iggy right away... Well, can't wait for the next chapter, keep up the great work, Mark...

Well, the newest chapter was revealing in a few ways; I truly did enjoy every moment of it. I like when Granger interacts with Admiral Lord Howe, he is one of the more interesting auxillary figures in the stories. I do like how Granger is able to touch upon so many aspects of what we know as history and be a part of it so seemlessly. I do hope that Arthur gets to stay in London, I wonder if Holmquist will have to be given over to him as a permenant aide of some kind or another... LOL... I for one was not that happy with Calvert being the First Lt. I always found Calvert sort of the most boring of all of George's previous involvments for some reason or another; he was just the one that I never warmed up to or found that interesting. I don't think that Caroline will have that much to say one way or the other about this; her actions and George's acceptance of them make that almost an impossiblity. I really can't see Wilcox as the one being appointed Governor of the Moluccas as at that time it would have been a very lucrative placement. I am not sure that he has done anything to recommend himself to His Majestys Governement enough to enjoy the privilige of such a placement. Have we ever established exactly which island that Bertie is Governor of? In general, the British never did get control of much of the Moluccas Islands, the Dutch managed to keep control of most of the area until their Independence in the late 1940's. Being appointed Governor was a prestiges placement and while many Admirals and Generals saw such rewards, it was usually after some type of great contribution, something none of the Wilcox's seem to have accomplished.

Great choice... I was missing the recommendation as well, hate to have to use my own memory about this....

Well, Will is certainly enjoying himself both inflight and in Norway. I was not suprised at all that Will did not really suffer any consequences for his actions on booking the flight. Honestly why should he? Micheal has never been anything but an ass to him and Jeff had earned his ire for his behaviour toward him; maybe neither really deserved the flight from hell but so what... Isn't Jeff really Stef assistant so wouldn't you think he would have checked the itinerary before hand somewhat, if nothing else just to make sure the flight wasn't screwed up in some way. I do have to say that Jeff has made up to Will rather nicely though. I do imagine that Will can arrange a better flight home for at least Jeff. Plus, I would honestly be suprised that any guard would have lasted with a family like this that one of the charges absolutely hated him and fought with him all the time, so why is Micheal still around period??? I do wonder what the deal is with Pat, I do hope we find out even if he isn't coming back... I have a friend that graduated from Harvard School back in the early 80's before the merger with the Westlake School for Girls; both of this children have subsequently graduated from Harvard Westlake just a couple of years after the time CAP is in now. According to him back in his day the school was more strict about missing classes or time for non school related activites but there were exceptions, especially for students that excelled academically. He says by the time that his kids were attending the school there was even more leeway depending on the situation. His daughter did some modeling and the school was willing to work with her as long as she maintained her GPA and didn't abuse the situation. He said his son wasn't quite the student his sister was and was not allowed the same leeway. I think from what he says that by the 2000's as long as you kept up academically and otherwise, you were given some leeway on missing a certain amount of time throught out the school year. I hope we alternate chaptes somewhat, I really want to see how Wade and his family are doing... I still believe there will be some battle royals there....

Just loved everything about the latest chapter of Odyssey, I so enjoy these visits to the past. The Bridgemont series really has become my favorite online series, yes even more than CAP; but just by a hair. I loved how Granger is able to navigate the currents and reefs that seem to lurk below the surface in politics, family, society, and even at sea. Granger is a remarkable creation from a remarkable mind. I was certainly glad to see an update of the story while you were on vacation; I do realize this story because of your efforts at authenticity is much more time consuming to write than your other stories so for you to complete and post a chapter while on vacation, well just bravo... I wonder if we havn't just meet our new 1st Lt. At 25 years old, he would be senior enough I would think to become the 1st Lt aboard Granger's ship... I know he would fit in with Granger well but have to wonder about the rest of the crew... I do think that Arthur will be making the trip whether he wants to or not. I would think that the ship would sale in the next chapter or two at the latest. Hope you are having a great vacation....

Well, it was great to see that Will found a therapist to talk to and maybe help him understand some issues; it just came a little late... I do think that the flight from hell for Jeff and Micheal may come back to bite him. I have a feeling that Stef will fix the flights home, he read Will like a book. Great chapter and hope you are enjoying your vacation, Mark... Keep recharging those batteries...

Every great or infamous champion started as an amateur at some point, I didn't say the take down was gonna be in the next year. Someone like Mary Ellen is capable of doing anything and those kind of people are always dangerous...

Loved it... Perfect choice for that moment....

Well, Beau does have a girlfriend and she is African American, like mother like son??? I really enjoyed the new chapter, glad it was in the pipeline. I have to say that the way Wade relates to Beau is great. I do understand why he can't do the same to any of the rest of his family but glad he has someone in the family he can honestly feel that way about. I have known people like Beau that seem to be able to just stay above the fray and always seem to be able to get along with everyone, they always just seem happy; ugh... I hate them so much... LOL... I think it is great that people can do this, but I never mastered the ability. I could so easily see Mary Ellen being the one to bring Elizabeth down in the end, they are so much like each other and only one can be Mistress of Evil... Mark, I hope you are enjoying your vacation and recharging those batteries... You know North America has so many lovely vacation places: Victoria British Columbia, Key West, the Outer Banks, but you picked Phoenix; I really have to worry about you....

OMG, I will not even go into the images pouring through my mind right now... Mark, you really deserve some time to recharge your batteries and spend some time with your family... Enjoy your time and we will be waiting when you return...

Well, I can see Granger going to Spithead and giving the crews his personal word that the Royal pardon is real and that they can rely on it. Spencer will be the one that really has to control the captains and officers but you would have to think that Granger backed up by the Royal pardon would be more influential with the actual seamen. We know that this mutiny ends peacefully while the latter one at Nore, where Wilcox is, ends with bloodshed and some hangings. I sure do hope that Wilcox ends up blooded in that one; although Granger really should be gone before that one even really starts. While I agree that having Llewellyn along might brighten the story, the odds of Granger running into him with so many ships at Spithead is a little remote. I am more interested in who the new 1st Lt is going to be, I vote for someone new although I can think of several blast from the past that would be interesting as well....