centexhairysub

oh where oh where has my george gone, has he been cast adrift all alone? oh where oh where has my george gone, has he found happiness and let bygones be bygones? oh where oh where has my george gone, he better be back, or someone is gonna have a broken bone...

Great new chapter for Poor Man's Son, I really like the current progression. I am going to hate that Jeanine and Tiffany don't end up together, really Mark, you just couldn't let the lesbians be happy???? I do want Wade to be the father and I think that will work better for the story in the long run. I really would be happiest if Robbie was the father of Jeanine's baby although Cody being the dad would be great drama... I think Will is right and Tony is going to be in for a rough time in his life. With the weight of his past causing some of his internal issues, I think that Tony will be a really angst filled addition to this series... Mark, hope you are doing better with your personal time and getting a little more balance to your life... Keep up the great work...

I still think everyone is wrong about JJ... I haven't seen anything to suggest that he is insecure at all. He grew up loved, protected, and with a large cash cushion. He was bubbly and fun when younger and by all accounts is cute not handsome. JJ grew up with not just supportive parents but a whole support system that helped him and was always there for him, even Darius and Will, although they both found him annoying as brothers can do. Now, he is a top ranked athlete in a very competitive sport; if anything this would give him more confindence not less. Now, having said all that, do I think that JJ is a DIVA, yes; do I think that he has his act completely together, NO; do I like how he handled the situation on the first day of school,NO, but I wonder how much that was JJ and how much that was the kid he left the restroom with; finally, I have seen nothing in JJ manner, behaviour, or anything that anyone else has said that would indicate that he is insecure or or some basketcase that others here are trying to make him out to be.

Really enjoyed the new chapter. I think that Will and JJ will have an interesting time at school for the year. I don't see JJ in quite the same way that some have, I think that JJ is more secure in himself than you would think. I don't understand Matt's attitude toward Gathan. I have to wonder if something happened that we aren't aware of yet. Hmmmmm......

I don't often comment of the songs but I think the ones that methodwriter picked for the latest chapter were just dead on. The songs for this and the last couple of stories are from a time that I just wasn't that into the music being produced in general, I think that most of the music from 1998 to 2003 was one of the worst in decades. There are some notable exceptions but as a rule those few years just didn't click with me, that being said the songs that you picked for this chapter were all picture perfect and really hit the mood.

Mark, I was so excited to see an update of St Vincent on the same day as your posting of the new chapter of PMS... I really needed me a Granger fix, I think I have become addicted to him. I keep going back and re-reading the story from the first up til the current chapters again and again... I hope that Granger is able to get Mr. Roberts and the others back soon, since he delievered Captain Don Jacobo Stuart back to Roses. I was glad to see that Granger and Ventura seemed to be so simpatico once again... I really do believe that your ability to mix fact and fiction in such a way that the reader is drawn into the story but also into the very lives of those in the story is remarkable. I care deeply about every person in the Bridgemont series and cheer and mourn their every triumph and tragedy. I do hope that you are getting some rest and getting some time to yourself while you are taking a break. I will be waiting patiently for my next Granger fix, but you do know how us addicts can get so.....

I was so glad to see the new chapter up and understand about a delay in getting to the more challenging chapters coming up... I hope that you are taking some time to get your batteries recharged and rested and not just doing other things at a breakneck speed, Mark, everyone needs to fill the well ever so often... I hope that Robbie is the father of Jeanine's child and that Tiffany has fraternal twins with Matt and Wade being a father to one of each, I know talk about a flashback to SOAP from the 70's but... wouldn't it be wild... I could already tell that Ryan Grafton was going to be someone we were going to see again but I sort of agree that maybe in the next story the kid that berated Ryan and Will might make an appearance as well... Well, I do hope that you are getting your life back some and will wait patiently for the next update, okay maybe not patiently but not hunting anyone down with an ax...

Just take your time and get everything in order... We are all waiting patiently for your return to the brilliance of the past...

I actually think that Matt and Wade would work really well as co-narrators on the next story or two. Matt and Wade are a bridge between Brad/Robbie/Claire/Ace's generation and Darius/Gathan/Will/JJ's generation. In many ways the events of 2000 and 2001 were bridge events between the world that we had and the ones created by the events of those years, why not use narrators that reflect that in the family as well. Matt is Robbie's only biological son, so far... and Wade has been refered to as almost JP's incarnation for the younger generations. They would tie both sides of the divide together really well, at least in my opinion. They are both close to Darius/Will/JJ and with Gathan going to Stanford that will bring them into play with that group as well. I have actually grown fond of the dual narration and find it an interesting way to see more than one point of view for certain events. Matt and Wade's backgrounds, differences, and even their love for each other would bring interesting views on the events of the early 2000's. It might be interesting to see how two people that are tied together in so many ways could view the events while being colored by their own perceptions and history.

Thanks for the replies, I have read the Hornblower series and did enjoy it. I can see where it would be an inspiration for the Bridgemont series. I am really looking however for a series that while authentic like both Hornblower and Bridgemont has more of a gay sensiblitliy like Bridgemont. It actually hasn't been but about two years since I re-read the Hornblower series in it's entirity.

While Mark is taking a break and dealing with real life, I have re-read the whole Bridgemont series and started looking for something in a similar vein either on gayauthors or another site. I haven't been able to find anything like this series, I don't expect to find one to match it but do so enjoy the timeframe and the idea behind the story. Does anyone know of a similar story or series on here or elsewhere?

Mark, I already sent a reply to the information you posted in your group but wanted to say here as well what a joy you have brought into my life with the CAP and Bridgemont series. I hope that you are able to take a much needed break and deal with real life and get yourself centered again. I know how hard it can be to juggle so many things that you find yourself screaming internally, " What the Hell am I Doing?". Take your time and when you are ready to come back, we will al be waiting with great glee and anticipation. All the best and wishing you a storm free ocean with a good breeze...

I thought the new chapter of PMS was very well written and very authentic. I do sort of feel sorry for Will in that I think Tony's reaction to what happened had more to do with the past than Will can understand. I think that Will's reaction to what Tony said was very authentic and probably wouldn't have been any different if he was thirty instead of thirteen. The only thing that really showed Will's immaturity was his outright refusal to even listen to what Tony wanted to say before he left, and that reaction isn't one that would have been just limited to someone his age probably. You don't have to be young and immature to have bareback sex, just drunk or stoned and horny. You don't have to be young and immature to get your feelings hurt, you just have to care about what others think of you. I think that Tony's behaviour when he woke up was motivated more by his knowledge of Sam, his father's past. Wasn't Jake about thirteen or fourteen when he started this liason with Sam? I get the impression that for better or worse, Tony knows a lot more about his father's past that one would suspect. I think his reaction was motivated more by Will's age and his father's past than how disgusting he really thought it was. I do agree with MethodWriter that Will needs to move past the stage that he believes every guy that he blows or that blows him, is the love of his life or soul mate. Although Will has been with four guys now, I am not counting that one in Paris, he is still relatively inexperienced. I agree it will be good for him to get back around some guys his own age and maturity level. Will has already indicated that a few of his friends are more on his level than that of the average 13/14 year old, and I think that is good as well.

It was with absolute joy that I awoke and found the latest chapter of St Vincent had been posted. I feel as if I am almost physically addicted to this story. This latest chapter allowed Granger to put to end to, at least on the ship, the issues of Mr Ramsey. He will still have to deal with his sister in law and her use of him as a spy. I thought the way that Granger dealt with the issue of the two Spainish Lt's was masterful. It was obvious that at least part of the issue was the guilt over how he used them to trap Ramsey but some of it was just Granger's internalized level of fair play. Granger knew that Don Jacobo didn't really want to push the issue, afterall, he himself had also slept with Ramsey. Although, I don't believe that Gatling would ever betray Granger, I do think it was a little more of a risk to sleep with someone whose family are tennants on his Brentwood property. I think it is nice that Gatling wants to try and stay as faithful as possible to Roberts, although who could resist Granger??? I await the next chapter and will live in despair until it arrives...

I am not sure that you aren't confusing the public face of skating with the reality of it. I knew someone really well that competed on the national level in the late 80's and early 90's and was always amazed at the stories of what went on at the skating events. He was in his late teens when he competed at his first Nationals and competed at that level for six years. My friend said that it was basically one big orgy during the competitions. He said that the sex and drugs were very rampant but hidden from public view. I don't believe that the behind the scene activities suddenly got tamer as the years went by. Just read some of the books and interviews that skaters have given over the last few years about what it was like when they were competing. Now, I do think that for the moment JJ is rather prudish and reserved but I think that has more to do with him not really entering puberty fully more than the public persona that skating places on the face of it's sport. I do agree with you though, when he breaks out, watch out, it will be wild....

Well, I just finished the latest chapter of Poor Man's Son; it was very thought provoking for me. I really like Tony coming back into the story. The idea of Sam's son coming back into the families life really interests me. In some ways, Billy was like Sam's son and when he died and Sam left, it created a hole in the family that never got filled back up. Sam was a person that I really enjoyed when he came into the story but truly didn't understand or even really like by the time that he passed away. I really forgot that Tony would have been that young when Sam died. I really like how Will gave Tony space and allowed him to go to bed and decide for himself how he was dealing with all these remembrances of the father that he never knew. It would be weird for him that JP and Stef really knew and maybe understood his father better than he did. I think that Tony would be an interesting addition to the family as a whole and hope that we see more of him than just this one story. Keep up the great work Mark, and thanks for the visit down memory lane.

Hmmm... well Will and Tony Carbone, that would be sort of interesting almost coming full circle but after skipping a generation. I know with the four year difference or so in age plus the north versus south California distance it wouldn't be an immediate relationship but sort of an interesting thought. I bet that Brad's old car is gonna get a work out on the streets of the City... I really like how Will and JJ's conversation went. Even though Will is younger, he started puberty earlier and I really like how he was willing to be there for JJ. It is obvious that Will is more developed physically and further into puberty than JJ but everyone matures at there own rate. LIke Will's later interaction with Darius, I always find something interesting when the brothers interact. I do find it interesting as well how Will can me so mature one moment and then almost bratty the next, it is like watching someone playing ping pong with themself. I do think overall that Will is more mature than most young men his age but he still has his moment. Mark, in answer to your questions about the lawyers; the one in Texas is bisexual and I already have him reading the early part of the story, he finished CAP and 1968 but hasn't started the Land Whore yet. He really liked the first one but like many of us was saddened by 1968. The one in San Diego is straight but he thought the chapter was interesting and did ask several questions to clarify issues with the chapter; he knew it was a serial so he was aware he wasn't getting the whole picture. I will say he thought it was sort of creepy that the son was watching one of his father's old lovers masturbate but I think the connection to the Brad and Scott/Lark having been intimate in the past and now Will was watching him bothered him. He didn't have an issue with the idea of a kid watching an adult masturbate. He actually said he had masturbated while he knew his son and one of his friends were watching him, although they didn't know that he knew... Damn, did that make sense???

What I had both of them do was read this chapter and they both said that as it was written that Scott/Lark could not be prosecuted. There is nothing in the story to indicate that a third party saw what happened. It was well after dark and Will was hidden in the foliage, actually according to both, if you are on your property or in a secure area where there is an expectation of privacy; you can masturbate in the great outdoors to your hearts content. P.S. The one in here in Texas did prosecute sex crimes when he worked in that office, he is now in private practice.

Okay, I have to say that I did not find Scott's(Lark) behaviour in any way inappropriate. While with Will and Brad he flirted with both but you knew, if you had have a brain, that it wasn't going anywhere with either of them. Some people are just like that, they flirt with everyone from two to one hundred and two. It is an automatic natural part of who they are... Do I think that Scott/Lark would sleep with Will if Will came to him and asked, no, I don't. I think that Scott/Lark knows what Brad did in the last story and he knows what lengths Brad would go to over that. I don't think that Scott would cross that line with Will even if he was over the age of consent. Now, if Brad asked came to him; it would be a totally different answer but....... Now, as to Scott masturbating in front of Will. Although at the end of the scene, Scott turns and looks to where Will is hiding, there is nothing to indicate that Scott knew who was watching him, just that someone was. Scott seems like the kind of person that would get off on knowing that someone, anyone was watching him get off. Do I believe that Scott knew it was Will, yes; but there is nothing in the story to indicate that for sure. I checked with a friend of mind in the DA's office in San Diego and and friend that is a lawyer here in Texas, he used to be a assistant DA in Williamson County. Neither of those states would have prosecuted the individual as the story was written. In order to prosecute, the state would have to prove that the person masturbating knew they were being watched by someone that was under that age of the statute and knowingly performed the act while being watched. I had both of them read the chapter and they both agreed that as it is written, that a conviction would not be possible. Will was hidden and all Scott would have to do was say he never saw or didn't know who was watching him. I personally did find the scene hot. I think part of my reason was because when I was twelve and starting puberty; I had a chance to watch a couple of older guys pleasure themselves in much the same way. Both were alone, both were probably twenty or thirty years older, and both knew they were being watched. It was hot for me then and it still is now. I personally wouldn't have found it any less hot if it was Marie watching then if it was Will. I do not understand all the references to JJ being bitchy. There has been nothing in any of the last few stories actually showing this behaviour other than his actions toward his brothers; and to some extent that is how brother's act toward each other, call it bitchy or asshole, same thing... Actually just two stories ago, the general consensous of those in the stories was that JJ was warm, open, friendly, easy going, etc... My god could being in your early teens turn you surly???? Now, I do agree that JJ seems to have developed a real antipathy toward Gathan but that almost seems out of character for him. That is why I wondered if Zach had done something to him, I did not imply he raped him or topped him, just that something might have happened. Since Zach isn't around, JJ is taking it out on Gathan. It just seems totally out of character for JJ to treat someone other than his brothers like this. Especially since nothing obvious ever happened between Gathan and him, I don't buy JJ being jealous or lacking in attention. He has Jeanine and Tiffany almost full time, and by all previous indications, JJ was a favorite of Matt as well. I still think there is something more that just the usual teen surliness going on when it comes to how JJ is reacting to Gathan. Some seem to indicate that just because JJ has taken up skating and maybe moving into the upper echelon, he is going to automatically become bitchy and diva like. I disagree completely. My personal experience has been more with gymnastics, tennis, and dance but I know people that have reached the upper echelon of all three arenas and been around them all. There are some in each area that are bitchy and do act like a diva, both male and females but for all of them; that behaviour was there before they started the sport and started moving to the top. Those people that act like that would do so if there were in those circumstances or if they were lawyers or stockbrokers. It is just part of their basic personality. Now, being in a sport like skating or gymnastics or dance may lead those behaviours to come out more or be more pronounced but they were there to start with. If you go back and look at the first stories where JJ was introduced even in limited circumstances, there was none of that behaviour present and I find it strange that it is coming out now.... I just find it more plausible that JJ is just being a snarky, snarling, and surly teen than being in skating has suddenly turned him into a bitch and diva. By all indications, JJ was more than good at gymnastics and got out because there were those that exhibited just that same type of behaviour.

Well maybe like in Poor Man's Son, we could have a split narration for a couple of chapters... I am just dying to know what Caroline is going to do to shot that damn sister in law of her's down...

I swear if JP was any smarter; he would be God... He handled the situation with Gathan perfectly. Gathan knows that he screwed up so there is no need for this huge lecture; just deal with the issue and figure out how to teach Gathan a better way of handling his money. I really liked how Scott explained the facts of life to Will, and how Will actually listened and seemed to understand. The scene with Will watching Scott was so hot and I can totally see in a couple of years a more intimate scene occuring. I wonder if there isn't something else going on with JJ and his behaviour toward Gathan. Could Zach have done something to JJ while he was out in California and JJ is blaming Gathan? Even for a diva, JJ is overdoing his reaction to Gathan.

Well, this was totally worth the wait; this is rapidly becoming my favorite story. I really enjoy the fact that Mark is able to draw us into the past with a story that deals to honestly with history but is still interesting enough to keep even those that aren't history buffs glued to their chairs. I really do think something will have to be done about Davina, George's sister-in-law. This underhanded attempt to get information to blackmail George on top of the attempt to steal Bertie's money, which I am sure she has as much or more to do with than Freddie, is just beyond the pale. I really think that maybe Caroline should arrange a tragic coach accident. This is another mark against Freddie as well, if he isn't strong enough to control his own wife then he isn't strong enough to be the Earl; maybe he should be in the coach as well... It is accurate that Nelson was able to trade the Spainish captain and officers for the captured British officers but I believe it happened at sea not on a side trip to Spain; but I could have misunderstood what I read when I was doing some research on this battle and the skirmishes that lead up to it. There are actually several recorded incidents where British generals or admirals wouldn't accept orders from superiors of the other branch; though rare each one seemed to cause auxillary issues. Granger has already refused to follow the orders of a superior officer when he was on the way to the West Indies and they found the lifeboat. The captain that came aboard was of a superior rank but Granger choose to follow previous orders rather than those of the officer on the scene. It was really considered bad form to come aboard a ship and try and take over from the Captain, especially if it was truly a Post Captain. Keep up the great work, and I think Mark needs to give us some type of update of what is going on in London....

I really enjoyed the latest chapter of Poor Man's Son. I am finally getting into the Gathan side of the story as much as I have been into the Will side. I think that Mark is finally making Gathan a more fully realized persona. I personally thought that Gathan handled his side of the conversation about as well as could be expected when faced with a total bigot like Chris Hendrickson. It is obvious that despite all his supposed breeding and manners he cares more about his family's social position and money than he does his own daughter. I grew up in a family very much in the mold of the Hendrickson family. An impressive pedigree and a lot of land but only so much money. I was raised to believe that manners and breeding was very important but not as important as being true to oneself. You can never allow someone to treat you like a doormat, even if they are older and believe it is their right to do so. I guess growing up in Texas might be different then in some places but as much as we value breeding and manners nothing is more important than being true to onself; and Gathan is nothing if not true to himself. Now, I know that it can be a fine line; but if you don't respect and take yourself seriously, then why should anyone else???

Welll truly enjoyed the latest chapter of St Vincent, this story is growing on me more with each chapter. I do find that researching and finding out information on the events that really occured at this time has made this story more fun to experience. I think that Mark is doing a great job of integrating real history into this drama. I am able to picture Nelson and he matches up so well with how I view him from my reading of the histories of this time. I really think the time and expertise that Mark is getting into this story is marvelous. I do find that Granger seems to be running into everyone else having sex but he doesn't seem to me having as much luck getting any lately; although it wouldn't hurt him to have a dry spell and then when he gets back to London he and Lord Chartley can have one hell of a reunion. You can imagine the terror that those two marines felt being discovered by the Captain and then their relief at his reaction. I do find it a little odd that our " spy " is with the Spainish Captain but maybe Granger got him so worked up he just couldn't help himself... Keep up the great work on this story and series, Mark...

Great Chapter.... I really did not see that one coming, Darius is my hero too... I loved the interaction between Darius, Will, and JJ. I really liked how Will and Pat were reacting to each other. Robbie was great in getting to the heart of the matter with Will about what happened all those years ago in Paris.