Daddydavek

Some questions answered, but not the one that I consider paramount. Shay is bright and he knew that he was in stasis, just not exactly how long. While he doesn't yet want to disclose that fact, he could very easily have told Konstantin and Lily that he lost track of time in their chaotic world and asked for the full date. Somehow, I think he will be surprised that much more than 7 months have passed......

I guess I should of PM'd you that I started the forum about your story but figured you'd stumble across it eventually! Your story is just getting started so I don't think you have to worry about frustrating your audience just yet. So far the story has just raised several interesting questions. Hopefully, some of them get answered along the way!

The title is perfect and the closing scene was also perfectly played out. Christian has a winner---and so does David! Ain't love grand! P.S. If you screw up their wedding, your readers will call for your head!

Your speculation is interesting and thoughtful. (Which means Mark probably has something else entirely and certainly more devious in mind.) I actually had previously thought that Tiffany may be the one to die as that would impact Wade and really thrust him into the role as father. Your scenario would even be more devastating.

Something at last, but what? Another cliffie!

Robocalls from Political Pacs of any stripe!

Happy Birthday, to you! Hope your day has been brilliant!

Interesting but hardly economical. With these pills costing nearly $40 per day the drug company's stock is up on a use as a preventive medicine that works less than 100%. I don't mind companies making a reasonable profit, that's why they are in business. But the drug makers reasonable costs compared to profits are obscene and why drug companies get to write off advertising of prescription medications to mass markets is allowed makes no sense to me.

Ricky's quote: "And DaddyDavek, I have to take you to task on that one. If I believed we could make our own luck, I would have brewed me a batch of it a long time ago. I've always said if it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all. And often I'd prefer the later. And that presumption, if followed out to its logical conclusion would say that I create my own bad luck as well." In a world view like Jefferson's, we must take personal responsibility for our actions and their consequences and yes we do to an extent make our own luck or bad luck. Everyone has misfortune visited upon them from time to time which could not be anticipated, prevented or prepared for. However, many times, a little foresight, preparation and really thinking through your objectives can avoid a lot of bad "luck" or outcomes. Point of view and attitude can take a bit of misfortune and turn it into an invaluable life lesson. People who are careless about the outcomes of their actions and don't think through the ramifications of their decisions or actions are usually called loosers when they persist in such behaviours after their teenage years.

Pvt. Tim makes some very valid points. Jeanine however, is a mental case and has been for sometime. She should not be in charge of any aspect of any child's life as she is barely in charge of her own and everyone in that family should be clearly aware of that and make her aware that her job is get better control of herself. Not control others. I think this feeds into Mark's theme about paternity. The men in this family have to step it up and really examine the roles of the extended family. Claire's intervention with Will worked in that he is beginning to realize he has to take into account the consequences on the family. However, she too has not quite realized that asking a young teen to "fix" his relationship with a psychologically impaired parent is almost laughable. The family in essence is enabling Jeanine's behaviour and that has to be turned around.

Claire is smart and classy and has never really seemed to have undergone any physical or verbal abuse herself, but has seen plenty. I am not sure that she really gets the dynamic between Jeanine, JJ, & Will because she is so balanced herself. I think she has a difficult time imagining just how cold and manipulative Jeanine has been as she would never think to act that way. Her asking Will to "fix" things between himself and Jeanine is expecting an awful lot from anyone, much less a kid less than halfway through his teens. Sure Will needs psychotherapy to help resolve his feelings and help control his reactions, but he also needs some space; both physical and mental away from Jeanine in order to become a little more objective and rational. Just my impressions.

"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." France had the intellectuals, the philosphers and the misfortune of having some very inept political leaders. Their ongoing revolution was messy, horrendous and betrayed many of their lofty ideals but somehow they have muddled through. Vive La France!

We all make our own luck and Calvert has been careless with his and with being discreet. Some people take lemons and turn them into lemonade. Others just get a sour stomach. So while I don't actively wish him any more ill luck, it would not surprise me if he were subject to more.

I just wanted to join the others in wishing you a: Happy Birthday Renee!

I liked the way Mark introduces his new characters and how we get to learn a bit about them. I suspect that we will get to know the young Irish peer better. Also, I suspect getting the larger guns for the extra weight in the bow will work out to George's advantage. Especially should they encounter any pirates on the odyssey.

StoriReder had an interesting take on the Paternity characters in a review of Chapter 50. It's worth a read. (And the 400th review!) However, his line quoted below has a word that looks glaringly out of place! "It’s an interesting spin on the title Paternity you have here Mark, as the final stage of raising a child, as they reach and then cross the point where they no longer need the constant neutering and supervision of a young child, is the recognition of the type of adult person that child becomes." The bolding was mine and I'm sure from the context of his remarks he meant nurturing. (At least I hope so!)

In a review, I wrote: Daddydavek Today, 11:13 AM (Chapter 4 Review) So many questions and so few answers. Reply from Stellar (author) The way you phrase that, I'm not sure whether you think it's a good thing or a bad thing! xD The phase the story is entering now will begin to see *some* answered. ____________________________________________________________________________________ It wasn't a comment that was meant to be negative or positive, just informative. I do think you've set enough hooks, to keep us all coming back! Dave

Thanks for sharing your story! Life is not perfect, but happiness can be found if we just look. And take a chance.

So many questions and so few answers.

Consequences and conundrums. To live loveless or love and die?

Gee Marky, you make an old man all misty eyed sometimes. Hugs!

JJ & Jeanine. Uptight and not fun to be around. Will may still be Paly bound.

It was a big deal then. Now space is full of junk and we take instant communications, and our GPS for granted.

Yeah but reading about jaded and cynical can be downer too! I think the drama will be in how Will responds to the stuff life throws at him and whether he can learn to make lemonade out of lemons. And it seems there is going to be a lot as the very active year of 2001 is approaching. (Albeit at a glacial pace!)

Just finished the first chapter and I think it's an excellent start.