centexhairysub

Well, I mentioned both the Spithead and Nore mutinies in an earlier post but had no idea they would play a role in this story; my idea was this was a way to get rid of another Wilcox... The Spithead mutiny took place first and this is the one they are dealing with or about to start dealing with. The mutiny lasted for almost a month and in the end the matter was settled quite satisfactorily. The men got a raise, the purser's pound was eliminated, and several officers were transferred or removed. There was little actual reprecussions from the mutiny and all those that participated in it received a Royal Pardon from the King. Unfortunately the Nore Mutiny was not so easy to deal with and the reprecussions were quite severe with a number of the men in the mutiny being executed. The demands made at Nore went well beyond the bounds of Navy life however, and there really was no way for them to be honored. Maybe when that one happens, Wilcox can be killed accidently??? Isn't he posted at the Nore? I was glad to see George and Caroline have started to mend their relationship. I am not sure that the healing is complete but it is obvious that they have started to come back together as a couple. You just know that Granger will play a pivotal role in the calming of the Spithead mutiny and just bring more honor onto himself... Wonderful chapter Mark, a great treat for this Sunday.

Many felicitations and best wishes on this special day...

Mark/Sharon, you shock my virgin ears... LOL....

I never thought for a moment that was all it was to the story. I get that Jeff doesn't care for how Matt and to a certain extent Wade is not carrying on their relationship but there always felt like there was a backstory to this issue that we aren't aware of yet...

I bet they do have some type of run in with the press gang, the real issue will be how Granger finds a way to hold onto his men....

I am glad that Will has Wade to lean on and talk to. Everyone needs someone a little older that they can seek advice from or just let out their frustrations about what is going on in their life. I think that Wade misses this part of his relationship with Beau and that at least is part of why he is so drawn to Will. I was sure that once Robbie and Will got face to face that they would begin to fix the issues that they had between themselves. I think their bond is pretty tight and in some ways easier to repair then the one between Will and Brad. I still can't figure out what Jeff's issue with Matt is; I set up a search and can't find anything that occured in the past stories since Jeff's introduction that would explain his reaction. Is he just jealous of Matt because he has Wade? Jeff might be able to stay friends with benefits with Wade but nothing else; not to be snobbish but there is no way they could ever really be more. The gap in social, educational, family, and just past history would be too much to ever overcome. Wade and Matt fit each other in a way that few others will ever be able to do so with either of them. Even if something were to happen and they broke up, which better not ever happen; I think they would always be friends and part of each others lives. It was nice to have a calm chapter....

I did a quick re-read and can't find any mention of any of the Wilcox's having a title other than their Navy positions. It was a quick re-read so I might have missed it. That being said, no matter what Granger's title is, Wilcox will always outrank him in the navy, unless something extrodinary happens, like Granger being made High Lord Admiral at some point... Where Granger will always have it over Wilcox is in society, and in the time the story takes place; that is truly the important factor.

Well, I guess because I have always like Robbie a little more than Brad; this chapter really had me going. I was so glad that Robbie finally saw what he was doing to Will and once he was face to face with it, and could put it in context; he made the move to patch things up. I said a few post back that Robbie was the kind of person that needs that face to face encounter for him to really deal with the issues. I think this is true, and with this one, because of his past; he was able to really understand Will's reaction, finally. I really don't think it was ever the money really with Robbie, although he does love that car and it does keep getting attacked... I do think Will was right, Robbie is the emotional glue that holds the rest of the group together. I think at least a few sessions of group/family counseling is definitely in order....

Had never heard of that song, or don't remember it; I can't really be sure which. I was sort of thinking of " Let It Be " by the Beatles... 1988 to 1996 had some good music; Madonna, Micheal Jackson, Janet Jackson, Nirvanna, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Bonnie Raitt, Radiohead, Alanais Morissette, Tracy Chapman, Bruce Springstein, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day, Pearl Jam, Metalica, Tina Turner, Melissa Ethridge, Cheryl Crow, Pink, Beastie Boys, k.d. lang, Lyle Lovett, and I guess many more... My problems is that for every really great artist in that ear; there were at least two really horrible success... I mean people that really had no talent but somehow actually became a star... I don't think that really occured in my favorite era...

I got to thinking, the Spithead and Nore mutinies started in or about April/May of 1797. I have to wonder if Wilcox's actions in trying to press Granger's men couldn't be used as a way to instigate or touch on those mutinies. I know that the Spithead mutiny was rather quick and ended with both sides getting something. It seems to me that the Nore mutiny ended more bloody and quite a few were hanged for their parts in it. Maybe we could get rid of Wilcox or two in the mutiny???

Well, I don't really consider myself a very religious person but I do consider myself a very spiritual person. I was raised in the Methodist church and have always found my personal spirituality a great blessing in my life. It isn't something I ever try and force on anyone else, but it is as much a part of me as being gay or white or fat or bitchy... LOL....

Well, except for Madonna, for me at least; the greatest music of all time can be found from 1955ish to 1973ish... I guess the first music I really remember was the early 1970's, I was born in 1966 but by the time I was in my early teens I had found the earlier era and really never found anything since as truly creative or good....

The newest chapter of Odyssey was excellent. Granger got two titles... Now he is Lord Granger, Viscount of Brentwood and Baron Ryde; I was sort of expecting a double title so this works well. Freddie will be green with envy, as for the moment his little brother is higher in title than he is. Davina will be beside herself, maybe this will push her over the edge and a horrible accident will occur involving her and the side of ship. I do think that Bertie will have to get a title now too, unless of course something happens to Freddie then Bertie will become heir to the Earldom. Arthur seemed to be of two minds. I have to admit that there seems to be something more to this than we are aware. Arthur was always a little unsettled but his recent behaviour is just too out of place. Sir Phillip Kerry seems to have taken Cavendishes place but you have to wonder what will happen next. Will Sir Kerry really want to remain in the Far East with Arthur indefinitely??? I still wonder if we shouldn't bring back Jardines in some manner. I think that Arthur really loved him, and his banishment may have been his breaking point to some extent. Not sure I would want him brought back just to have Granger kill him for what he did to Travers though, although he would need to be punished. I have to wonder if Wilcox hasn't bitten off more than he can chew going after Granger's men the way he is? You would think that he would know not to move against him like this, especially after Granger was just honored so by the King. It seems the first battles of the voyage are going to take place before the ship even sails....

I am not sure what there was about this chapter. I did find it uplifting but sad at the same time. The lyrics that were running through my head the whole time during the last surfing scene when Will and Brad surf together was " A dragon lives forever but not so little boys. Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys. One grey night it happened, Jackie paper came no more, and Puff the mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar. His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain, Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane. Without his life-long friend, Puff could not be brave, So Puff the might dragon sadly slipped into his cave." of course this is from Puff the Mighty Dragon by the Peter, Paul, and Mary... They were always one of my favorite groups...

I have to say that when I was reading the story, the thought that was running through my head also turned to a bible verse not a story, the one I was thinking of was 1 Corinthians 13 lines 11 through 13: When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. There is no magic date or time that we suddenly are grown up and mature. It happens for most slowly, moment by moment, and never all at once. For some the time never truly arrives; but for those that do, only they know when it truly happens. Every wrong step, every turn the wrong direction, each wrong choice; helps us to reach our goal of finding the way to our own maturity. Afterall, if you made every right choice in life; you probably did not really live your life...

I would really think that no matter what elevation Granger receives; either Bertie or an unknown antagonist is the most likely to to cause Granger problems in this story. Granger has been able through his behaviour and actions endear himself to most of the people that really matter inside of the navy and in polite society. Bertie might not be happy about returning home, but with his new fortune, I would think he would be. I think if Granger is going to have a real problem with someone, it will probably be someone new or totally unexpected.

Really enjoyed the latest chapter, this is a good start to dealing with the problems between Brad/Robbie and Will. I think that Robbie will come around more after he is face to face with Will. Robbie's personality is one built more on emotions and tactile behaviour not logic. Robbie does better when the issue is right in front of him, not when he has to really think about it and work it out from a distance. Some individual counseling and maybe some family counseling is in order. The person I don't get is Darius. I understand he is starting college and all wrapped up in Ella, but not even a email? I am really curious now about Jeff's reaction everytime Matt has been brought up. Jeff keeps saying he doesn't want to sleep with Matt, but I wonder if he hasn't already in the past??? Well done as usual Mark...

I thought you posted this one a little early, that was why I wasn't so suprised with out the newest chapter ended... LOL....

Well, I was out of position all yesterday and just got to the latest chapter of Paternity. This is what I call a bridge chapter, stuff happened but it is really just setting the scene for what is coming next. This is sort of the chapter that sets up the beginning of the end. I really think that Will slept with the cabbie because he was lonely and wanted someone to care about and care about him; never the best reason to have sex with someone but haven't we all been there. It is such a basic human need to be loved; Will sort of felt that no one really loved him and wanted that, even if it was just physical. Brad's email to Will was masterful. Brad finally got Will to understand that he really did love him, even if they were having problems; that had never changed. I think the biggest issue that was resolved in this chapter was that Will realized that he really did love Brad and Brad really did love him. I truly believe Will had begun to doubt that. When you are young it is so easy for small things to become huge, it is so easy to take a crack in a relationship and make it as wide as the Mississippi River. I don't think that the issues between Brad/Robbie and Will are over, or between Brad and the rest of the family; but this is the chapter that starts some of the healing process. On another point, I just don't the sex between Wade and Jeff being a big deal. It was great sex but just sex. The only way it will become more of an issue is if Wade develops feeling of more that friendship or lust for Jeff, and I really don't see that happening, or at least it better not... " sits at my desk holding a large baseball bat "... Mark, this is truly a wonderful addition to the CAP series and the best story for me since " The Land Whore ", for me the first three stories were really the best...

As a parent, you do everything you can for your child. You stand behind them; sometimes next to them; and when the situation calls for it, in front of them. You love them, you help them, you scold them, you correct them; and you do all of these things through the laughter and tears both equally. That all being said; the one thing you cannot do, is live your childs' life for them; their mistakes are there own and they have to claim them and be responsible for them!

I can go along with all of them except number four... In no way have Brad and Robbie even been marginally good parents in the last couple of months... I am not saying they are the worse parents ever because obviously they are not, but they have done nothing to help Will deal with what happened in Paris; and I think Sharon is one hundred percent right; they have done nothing to compensate for the fact that the primary care giver for all of their children suddenly went MIA, because of post partum depression. PS... I am not telling my other personalities about the fact Sharon says this is fiction... I am having them focus on the pretty squirrels... PPS... Tea is always better than coffee...

This chapter was really sad for me to read. Will comes to understand a lot about himself and what is going on while reading the emails from those he left behind. Will is starting to realize that even with the issues he is having with his dad and Robbie, he is not alone. There are so many people in his life that would be there for him, if he gives them the chance. Will's reaction to some of the emails really showed his age; while his awarness of the dangers around him showed he really is mature beyond his years. In a way it is sad that he had to grow up so fast in some ways that no one his age should have to do... Going to be beach house at Santa Cruz is getting him closer to making a final decision on where he wants this to go; I really do think he will end up in Palo Alto at least for a while. Some time apart can give Will and Brad a chance to reconnect while both of them go through some therapy. I do believe that their relationship will survive this but it will forever be changed by it. Great Chapter Mark!!!!

Sometimes Golden Oldies are really the best....

A really good chapter; a bridge that is leading to more adventure on land then on the sea. Really like when we get to see Granger spend some time with Caroline and the children. The addition of Nash to the story is wonderful, I love how Mark is able to pull real people and make them fit some seamlessly into the storyline. I can't wait to see what kind of house he comes up with for Granger... And will the house be fit for a Baron, a Viscount, or dare we hope, an Earl???

O' what a tangled web we weave.... Mr. Arbour, I do believe this maybe a truly tangled web by the time the Baccchante sails to the south seas and back... An Odyssey worthy of Homer; minus all the female sirens of course, I do hope for some grand adventure however. I really don't know how Granger can keep those baths so clean, he must have a person that cleans them on a daily basis as much of a workout as they all get. I was glad to see Somers and Granger begin to repair their relationship, while I have to admit Cavendish sort of bores me somewhat, but he will at least be left behind soon. I wonder, could we really begin to hope for an Earldom for Granger? I never really thought that he could possibly be elevated that far but... I still think the Viscount position is more likely but damn, an Earldom... That would just kill Freddie and Davina...