Daddydavek

As far back as I can remember a separate game, which was the winter Olympics in 1960 at Squaw Valley and Tahoe, there has been complaints about the judging in figure skating, pairs figure skating and later ice dancing. It has always been subjective. New jumps would be performed and judges would mark a performer or a couple down because it wasn't a regular known and named combination. Doubles, then triples and now quads are performed. The performers have always pushed the envelope with the judges usually at least four years behind the times. With modern stop action and super slow motion cameras, we as an audience can actually see the intricate movements performed in all their beauty or in some cases sloppiness. Jumps, triple toe loops, synchronization and timing are indeed much better than even thirty or forty years ago all the while presenting a smooth almost ballet like line. So the sport is more of an art, harder to judge and difficult to judge consistently. It is still some of the most compelling visuals from the games and I think it would be a shame if it were hounded out of the Olympics.

Over the past 12 hours Mark's story 9.11 surpassed Paternity to become the most reviewed story on GA. Congrats to Mark Arbour! Here is the link to the most reviewed stories: https://www.gayauthors.org/stories/top/reviewed

"There are so many different ways that this story can go and there seems to be way too much to wrap up in the remaining several chapters...." I've learned never to underestimate Mark Arbour's ability to spin a yarn.

The New York Times has the full story which can be found at the following link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/10/sports/michael-sam-college-football-star-says-he-is-gay-ahead-of-nfl-draft.html?hp

I second everything Trebs said!

Will apologizing to Frank and inviting him and Grandmamam was so Will. He has his outburst and then thinks about the people he loves and has to immediately make it right. Just like he has apologized in the past to JP and Steff. JJ is a worry and it could be a tough trip for him. At least he has lots of family around. As usual! Thanks for the surprise post. Your legion of fans appreciate everything you do!

Wow. This is going to be so difficult. OH! And Congratulations to all the nominees! You all provided us with wonderful stories and hours of reading enjoyment! Thank You! DDK

I'm with Mann, guys in speedos in the summer games are my kind of eye-candy!

Not who, but why? And could it be because the name Preston is derived from Old English words meaning "Priest settlement" ?

OMG Sharon reads the forums and lets us get to her! However, she does make a valid point. It is fiction and it is Mark Arbour's story. In point of fact, he does seem to be able to handle the comments fairly well. And for that I am grateful. I know I'd be much more thin skinned if I thought my characters were being unjustly pilloried, dissected, and trashed. I also realize he does sort of enjoy provoking reactions as he shown from the beginning of the CAP saga....

Matt not getting any support is BS in my book. Didn't Brad specifically ask Frank to handle that? Hasn't JP taken some patient time and again to explain to Matt what he thinks is going on? Wasn't he told to get counseling? Matt has repeatedly pushed people away and our esteemed author has even explained that is part of how Matt is dealing with his grief. It's pretty damn difficult to offer support to someone who shoves it in your face.

Nice article about men and grief. Fairly well annotated and researched as well. DSM V is out and confirms that normal grief can certainly take more than 2 months. Your thoughts about Matt may be his excuse, but he is harming his family, doing it after being repeatedly told about it and then continuing it. Persistently perverse actions are not going to help him and the near and long term consequences for him and his family are certainly negative. What his actions show are that he doesn't care for others unless they support him. And it's not all about him as he will certainly discover. Klip is a good friend with benefits and....I will leave it to our esteemed author as to how he handles an ongoing bedding.

Wade's hook-up with Klip again, kind of shows how a walk on the wild side may in fact partially convert a guy. Ending with a kiss and looking forward another hook-up confirms it was good for both of them. But for Wade it is a diversion which he seems to not be finding from his former soul-mate who only seems to be a source of more noisome tribulations. Matt seems to have a underlying streak of mean stubbornness in persistently pursuing issues sure to make his family more unhappy. It's almost as if he is so unhappy, that he feels for him to be happy at all, everyone else has to be completely unhappy too. JP and Steff are sure to be in somewhat of a quandary. After telling Matt he would have to show Wade he cares, he shows he's an ass instead by moving in with Tony. JP is less likely than Steff to write someone off, but if someone asks for his advice and then pisses on it, he is one to let the consequences fall where they may. Finally Will. He had his little rage but actually handled it better than in the past. He didn't make rash promises or threats and just laid his case all out there. Claire helped settle him down and Wade provided the physical and emotional support he needed to apologize for his "rage" and even to have a bit of a laugh when he explained they were worse after 9.11 and he thought he was getting better at controlling them. They are heading back east for another game Friday night and somehow I just hope this is not the time when Zach unloads, and denies he is gay and hurting Will in the process. It got to -4 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours this morning in St. Louis (normal highs for this time of year is 43 and normal low is 23) and I'm hoping Mark is working on a chapter that takes us back to warm Hawaii with hot guys in speedos or at least board shorts....

Well the roller-coaster that is Matt just plunged and I'm not even sure he hit bottom yet. Wade is beyond annoyed and distracted and just wants to finish his senior year and get out of Dodge. Will is outraged and didn't even throw anything. I just hope this coming weekend in the next chapter isn't the one where Zach burns him......

I think most Americans find all the "pride of place" a bit of a curiosity but not something with which they can identify. Here it's all about the money. And I suppose that has it's roots in the very historical times of which Mark has written. Since Westie confirmed there will be another book in the series I am again drawn to speculate whether it will have revenge as a theme or at least a sub-theme. I still foresee an attempt on the Granger family in any case. Whether it can be traced to the Guild or originates elsewhere may be somewhat murky too and complicate the plans George makes for retribution.

With all the cold weather, I'm surprised Mark hasn't written a chapter taking us back to Will's house in Hawaii for a get-away weekend. Just to get the chance to write about sunshine, warm weather, boys in board shorts....Something to warm the heart.

Sounds like a great and interesting trip. I really enjoyed reading about it and it makes me want to go back there as I never got to do all those things in the short time I was there.

A very satisfying ending to an incredible Odyssey! Thanks!

An interesting insight into that culture. And so many new dolphins....

I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for the review!

I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for the review!

My take on chapter 71 regarding Matt is a little different. He didn't go storming off, but asked JP for his thoughts. JP provided some excellent insight and the ball is now really in Matt's court to see if he takes any of it and runs with it or decides to ignore it. Somehow I get the impression our convoluted author is laying the groundwork to bring Matt back into the good graces of his soulmate. But then again, maybe not. As far as Will goes. He again explained to another person (Steff) the bit about Zach's statement to Bret that Gathan seems to have told everyone. So Will understands that Zach will never be outed without a strong denial. And that is where Will could end up being hurt. Deep down I think Will gets that, but it would still be devastating if it happens or when it happens and involves a public denial/putdown of Will by Zach.

I think Peyton remains a class act. He and his team looked mediocre at best yesterday and were soundly trounced by a young hungry team. re: Bruno Mars--see my posting in the Song of the Moment thread. I would only add that the only lame part was when the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed their tired old song.

He was amazing. His channeling of Truman Capote in his performance was about as perfect as it gets.