centexhairysub

I have always been one that viewed Granger and JP as kindred spirits; I think at least in part because each is in my eyes the focal point of their individual series. That being said, I can see the parallels between Granger and Wade. Wade is in many ways a more truly social representation of JP. JP has always had an immaculate social facade that most never were intuitive enough to see through or around. With Wade, he truly is social in a way that JP never managed but with a few rare individuals. While I continue to see many links between JP and Granger, I can agree that in some ways Granger and Wade are more true to each other than any other represenatives in the stories. I think in some aspect the fact that they both consistently underestimate their value and impact on others; is one of the primary personality facets that they both share.

Who in their right mind would mutiny against Granger????? I mean I can see starting a mutiny on a ship to get him to come in and take over but not against him....

I just got back to town and just loved loved loved the latest chapter of St Vincent. The Bridgemont series is for me, the best series on the internet... I just love everything about it. I have re-read it from the start so many times already. I was so touched by the Earl's letter to George. I don't think George has ever understood that the Earl really viewed him as his favorite son, irregardless of his actions. We looking in may have recognized this but even when it was pointed out to him, George never really believed it, at least in my opinion. The letter and George's reaction to it was just heart wrenching. I can see this changing the whole dynamic of how George relates not only to his father but others in the family as well. While I enjoy Sir Kerry, I really want to get Granger and Lord Chartley back together. There was just something that reminded me of Granger and Travers's time together with the two of them. They are more on an even footing and the interplay between the two of them was really fascinating to me. I could really see Chartley replacing everyone else in Granger's life and moving up to the number one slot beside Caroline. I have to wonder if the " Brotherhood " couldn't view Freddie and Davina's behaviour as an attack on a member requiring them to be killed. This would solve so many problems. I have to also wonder if Davina's Major was Jardin either before he was forced out of the country or continiuing correspondence since he left. I find Westie's explanations very enlightening. I am one of those readers that actually enjoys understanding all of the details surrounding the story. Anything that can add to that is a bonus in my mind. I know that the level of detail and historical accuracy make this a harder series to right, but I and those that enjoy it truly treasure each and every chapter that you give us, Mark... Thanks more than you can possibly understand...

Well Damn, I leave town for a week and am out of touch and there is just a total frenzy of story postings... I have just read the latest two chapters of Paternity and more importantly the latest one of St Vincent, but will discuss that one in the other forum topic. I think that Wade is starting to realize that Matt is his kryptonite, Matt is the one thing that seemingly can drive all reason from Wade's mind and behaviour. I really do believe that Wade loves Matt and will always do so no matter what; even Matt's betrayal of his trust isn't enough to shatter that bond. That being said, I do think that the dynamic between the two has been altered by this in a manner that will either in the end cement them together for all times or make it impossible for them to be more than two men in love with each other with benefits but never really together. Did that make sense??? I believe they will always love each other but as anyone of a certain age can tell you, love isn't always enough to make it work. Wade's maturity level, and no it isn't just because he is a new father, is a primary reason for the widening gap between the two of them. Matt's almost frantic need to stay a child or kid or whatever seem's to be driven by a deep seated fear that I can't really seem to explain. I can see the fear in Matt, in his behaviour and actions but can't decide what is driving it. I do hope that the two of them end up together, I think in a way they are their generations JP and Stef, although not sure they need to spend that much time working their way back to each other... I really like how Wade and Brad interact, it seems that each generation has someone in the preceeding or following one that they are drawn to. I think that Brad is going to have to take charge and really do whatever is necessary to help Jeanine get over this case of severe post partum depression. I can promise you, no one will like how Elizabeth 'the Dark Overlord' Danfield will handle the situation. I find it amusing that for all of his maturity; Wade can fail to see how utterly charming he is just being what he is naturally. How he views himself while trying to get ready for the party is just great. I have to wonder if we haven't been introduced to someone really important to the family beyond this story with the introduction of Ben Solomon??? I have always sort of thought that Wade and Matt might be the first in the family to really flourish in a true polyamorous relationship with a slightly older, slightly more alpha male.... Wade would of course keep Tiffany and Riley close, but no matter his teasing, I can't see Wade ever forming a deep sexual bond with a female. Okay, two last thoughts and then on to St Vincent... One, getting a condo, loft, or house is not a sign of settling down; for many it is nothing more than a convenient place to seek shelter and to provide a comfortable place to stay and play. Now sitting up a home is a completely different matter, but haven't seen a sign that Wade is really in the process of actually doing that... JP is this story... Even when he isn't in one of the stories, he is lurking just beneath the surface waiting to give everything his final touch. I have never been completely sure that every story since the first one isn't just a fertile figment of JP's mind as he lays in a coma from that accident. I know that there are those that disagree with me, but they are wrong, JP's death will clearly signal the end of this series.....

Well, just finished the latest chapter of Paternity and I hated it... The writing was great as always but I am going to just be so fracking upset if Wade and Matt breat up. In the last chapter, which was dated 09/19/00, Tiffany stated that she was going to go ahead and move up north but two days later Wade still doesn't know about it? I was wondering what evildoing Elizabeth was up to, glad that Wade was on the ball enough to catch it, although I think JP was right part of it was just a test. Does Matt not know that Wade slept with Gathan? I can't wait for Gathan to tell him all about it...

Well, I think there is a wide gulf between a California republican and one from Virginia, the South, and especially Texas... I promise you that with a few exceptions, the republicans elected in California wouldn't make it out of a primary race anywhere down here... I have actually voted for a few republicans but have come to realize more and more that those in Texas are truly idiots, ie... Rick Perry, Gov. Good Hair... The level of viciousness in the Southern republican parties toward gays is on par with how they feel about Barak Obama, Osama Bin Laden, and Al Queda; they really believe they are all one and the same... This doesn't mean that there aren't gay elected officials in the South or Texas, just that they can never be honest about who they are, plus their is definitely a trophy wife and kids in the picture...

Well, just finished up the fourth chapter of Paternity and can I say that Will is just the bomb... I know that sometimes he acts like a his actual age and sometimes he seems to be fourteen going on thirty but no matter what he is true to himself... I actually liked how he carried on his conversations in his head and how we were given a glimpse into his psyche. I think he is stronger than most of his family give him credit for, and I know he is kinder and more considerate than they realize. If I was Will and JJ acted that way with me, I would have tied him to a surfboard and taken him out and feed him to the sharks... JJ did do the right thing in the end by backing Will and Tiffany up that Jeanine needed to go to the hospital, he really isn't a complete idiot, just a little self absorbed. I like how Will is handling his situation at school and I can't wait to see what Will does to try and help the guy from the mission, I hope he doesn't do something to impulsive or dangerous there... I really think even with some of his questionable behaviours, that Will is as mature if not more than some of the previous generation in this family. Now, onto Gathan not having as many issues as Matt or Tiffany, well where do I start... First he has basically admitted to rape with one younger female and one younger male, his cousin at that. Second, he had sex with a 13 y/o male, Will. Third, he had an affair with a much older gay male, Stefan. Fourth, both his mother and father have significant issues with the law and society. Fifth, an older gay man, Brad, gave him millions in the form of a trust fund, after he saved his life; but does anyone believe that was the real reason??? I know it was but that is what all those nasty Republicans would say given half the chance... Six, Gathan has significant anger issues and a documented history and record of them. Seven, can't you just see Kristen's parents discussing him dragging her off to Europe and almost getting her killed and then all the other drama afterward??? You can't even give Gathan credit for being more discreet or limiting the number of his partners so far, after all, he can't even decide if he likes men or women; younger than is legal or older than his grandfather; and he does seem to have a penchant for those related to him or related to those close to him. Now, I actually like Gathan, and believe that he maybe one of the more interesting people in this story for a while but to say that he doesn't have skeletons in his closet is well, laughable. Now, on a serious note, I hope the situation with Jeanine is handled well. Postpartum depression is a serious condition and there is a lot of misinformation out about it. I hope that Mark shows his usual good sense in getting the information out correctly while he entertains us all.

Okay, I slept on it overnight and well I just have to say, DAMN.... I agree with Westie and Mark Arbour that this will be a moment that will either cement the bond between Matt and Wade or it will be one that fractures them to the point of never being able to put it back together. I do think even if God/Mark Arbour forbid, they did break up, their relationship will continue to exist in some form or another. I don't think they will ever be able to completely sever what they have had. I don't think you go through a life and death situation like they did and not bond in a way that ties you to another person forever. The bond may change or evolve but I don't think it can ever be ruptured entirely. Can I just say DAMN, again?????

I am pretty sure that Stef did have sex with women... I am gay, 45 y/o and never had sex with woman. I have had a couple of different chances but really just never had the desire to have sex with a woman. I don't have an issue with the idea of a gay man having sex with a woman but don't understand why so many on here seem to be taking it as a fighting issue... Sex is sex enjoy it don't fight about it...

Yikes, just got through reading the latests chapter of Paternity and well don't know what to say but DAMN... The writing as always is first rate but just not sure if I like where this story seems to be going. I know it is early and the twist and turns are just starting but well, DAMN... I am going to sleep on this and then get up and read it again before I make a final judgement but well, DAMN...

Oh wow, I remember the guy from that story and I thought about him when the name came up in a previous story... I wonder if her father knows who her daughter is involved with, maybe have a blast from the past replay???

Westie is a genius... His comments above are right on about Matt and Wade's relationship; the only thing I might take issue is that I think in reality Wade is the stronger person, much like JP was always stronger than any of those he was with. However even with that, I don't think that Wade would be able to stay away from Matt even if they broke up, please God/Mark don't let that happen.... I think Matt is the love of Wade's life, he might end up with someone else but no one will ever replace Matt in Wade's heart of hearts... I love when we get to see Will as a typical teenager, being tortured by his older brother and feeling that the adults in his life just don't understand him... Hmmm... have to wonder what Tiffany has in her past that Elizabeth is so worried about? We really don't know anything about her family. Keep up the great work....

Well, just finished the Bridgemont series from the first prolouge to the current chapter in St Vincent; I just think this is the best series on gayauthors... The way that the reader is pulled into the story and the amount of accurate historical detail is just amazing. I can't wait to see what all happens after the battle when Granger returns to London and the real battle begins. Of course, Caroline may have everything sorted out by then but if not George will fix it all when he arrives.

I really like Linkin Park's first album, Hybrid Theory, I know it was released at the end of 2000. I think the two best songs on the album were never released as singles, By Myself and Pushing Me Away. I agree that this was one of the best debut albums ever. I haven't liked the follow up albums as well, actually really disliked A Thousand Suns. I like the idea behind the album and some of the songs would work as poetry or prose for me but musically just hated it.... Of course years to go before you would have to deal with that album or Minutes to Midnight...

I commented earlier in the Paternity topic but will touch on it here as well. Music by Madonna came out in September of 2000 and went to number one in 25 countries and sold over 15 million copies. It was in my opinion the best album released that year. The mix of dance, fusion,funk, and jazz on the album was amazing. It also had one of the best remakes of a classic song of all times in American Pie, while this was not released on the copies of the US album it was on the international copies. You could not go into any club, gay or straight, in the last few months of that year without hearing multiple songs off of this album. It was both a commercial and critical smash. I know how cliched that a gay man loves Madonna but if that year produced nothing else it produced one of the best Madonna albums ever, and for me, that is saying a lot....

I had the exact feeling that Hermetically Sealed had that this this going to push Jeanine over the edge and into either resenting or hating the child. I have to admit I am sure that Cody got to be the father because of all the drama that it will help stir up but really was hoping for Robbie to have been the father. I have always like Jeanine and have found her to be one of the more interesting ancillary players. However, she could easily be pushed off the deep end and do something rash, ie suicide, abandoning the family, etc; how she ultimately handles this will effect so many lives. Jeanine may snap out of all of this and just be the perfect mother but then where would the drama be with that??? I am really glad that Wade will be the primary narrator for this story. Like Westie, the thought of a naked Matt, helps a lot but Wade has always reminded me of JP in the early stories and those have always been my favorite. I still think that JP is the best narrator that any of the stories have had, and hopefully Wade will be able to follow in his footsteps. I think that the relationship that Wade has with Will is great and this will enable Will to stay in the picture for this story. I am also sure that with Matt being captain of the hockey team, Gathan will be around some as well. Now, as to the music in 2000; I agree for the most point that year had very little to offer overall but probably the best album of the year was released in September of that year. It was Music by Madonna, I know what a shock, a gay man that loves Madonna... The album was one of her best ever and went to number one in about 25 countries including the US and UK. The album ended up selling around 15 million copies and spawned another couple of number one singles for Madonna. Although not released on the US version, Madonna's remake of Don McLean's American Pie was released on the international copies and was one of the best remakes ever... You couldn't go into either a gay or straight club in the last few months of that year without hearing songs from that album.

Mark, just wanted to say that you and your whole team are just the best.....

Really well written chapter but like Westie was not really sure about how this ended. I guess the last chapter really did tie up a bunch of Will's issues and this tied up at least one of Gathan's issues but just felt a little abrupt.

While rjo is correct, there was a legal way that the right of the first born could be put aside, it was rarely used; my understanding is that it wasn't just in case of the mental competency being questioned. With the doctrine of primogeniture, the title and the estate, the actual land that gave the family the title, that was entailed by the title went to the first born son. Technically that is all that was required, however what usually happened was that the vast majority of the total estate went to the first born son. However, there are several examples where a first born son or the closest male relative that was to receive the title had so put off the holder that they left them only the estate that was entailed to them by the title. They could in reality leave the rest of the property and wealth to whomever they wished. When this was done, it usually brought about a dire crisis as often the titled estate alone was not able to generate enough income to keep it going or life a very luxurious lifestyle. While there are more examples of this happening than actually replacing the primary heir, this was rarely undertaken either. To split the estate in this manner, often lead to the whole family being downgraded and this was something no one at this level of society was readily prepared to do. It appears that one of the few reasons to take this drastic step was if there was some question that the person receiving the title or that persons offspring might not be family by blood. Considering this might be a problem that arises with Davina, I could see the Earl and Countess of Bridgemont making the decision that the majority of the estate would pass to an actual blood relative rather than risk someone not of their line getting the lion share of the estate.

The new chapter of St Vincent was magnificent... This is some of the best writing of the series. I can just see Caroline there in the drawing room going to town on Davina and the rest of the family... I really like the interaction between Granger and Kerry but sort of see Chartley as more of Grangers type. I can't wait for the next chapter in this wonderful addition to the best series on gayauthors...

I loved the latest chapter and it was good to see Sir Phillip Kerry again. I can't imagine what would be going on in London that Caroline didn't think she could handle, must be a doozy... I know these chapters take longer than your other story but please don't make us wait too long to find out what the issue is... I have to agree that it seems to me that JP is the person most like George. Westie mentioned in his post that his sluttiness was sort of like Stef but if you remember JP when he was young did have that streak as well.

Hmmm... Wouldn't this be bastard instead of bitch? Mark has never given off a feminine vibe to be but well who knows....

Hmmm... Well I grew up in a very small town in Texas, population was 6000. I am now 46 years old so most of my growing up was in the late 70's and early 80's and I was always out. Now, I didn't go around holding hands with a guy or kissing him in the school hallway, that was discouraged even for the heterosexual couples but was also never beaten up or seriously bullied either. Yes, there were the guys that had to make a comment, it seemed like everyday, but often they were the sames one that would call or show up at 2:00 a.m. to play. All of the little old ladies loved me and they never seemed to have a problem with me being gay. The ones that usually had an issue were either those that ere insecure about themselves or their kids. I have never been a big believer in public displays of affection. I think it might be more because I was brought up with a certain set of manners and my grandmother would have been horrified up it. This last bit is to Mark and the issue of lesbian happiness. In my experience, lesbian couples tend to be much more stable and happy than most male couples or even heterosexual couples. I think in general lesbian couples are more grounded and understand what they want out of a relationship and what it takes to make it work than others... Just my opinion.

I agree that being a top level figure skater will make it harder to make real friends and spend time with them but I am not sure I agree about the lack of social skills. I had a close friend that was nationally ranked in that sport for almost ten years, never made it to the very top, but they had to spend alot of time with coaches, choreographers, officials, sponsers, press, etc... It made my friend very socially adept at a really young age. He freely admits now that he had very few actual friends from that time but had tons of interactions on all levels daily. If anything, being in a sport like that causes you to grow up faster than normal; you may not make lasting friendships but you have lots of superficial encounters that you have to learn to handle all the time...

Well, even if it is just a chapter with a cliffhanger, I am so excited... I do realize that this story because of the work you do with matching it so well to the period is harder and more detailed when it comes to writing it. I just truly do love this series.