Arrivals and a DepartureTrottings and JottingsFriday 10Yesterday was my first SASP meeting as ChairSim. Rather scary when I’d only sat in on a couple before, even if I had known everyone there since I was a kid. Standing up in front of strangers might have been easier, actually.
I don’t suppose I’ll bother to keep any other minutes but these are sort of special. The record of my first time in the hot seat. Well, mostly standing up, in fact.
| SASP: minutes of the Committee Meeting held on Thursday, Week 10
Present: Xena Decker (ChairSim) Ethan Bunch (retiring ChairSim Pro Tem) River Bunch (Secretary) Ayesha McGraw (Treasurer) Emma Hatch Ramsey David Decker Tyrone Clavell-Decker Xavier Decker
Apologies: Michael Bachelor Miraj Alvi
Ethan Bunch introduced his successor, Xena Decker, who then thanked the committee and everyone else who had supported her in the completion of the tasks imposed by the aliens.
The main topic of discussion was the continuation of ‘real Sim’ bloodlines beyond the current generation. Although roughly equal numbers of girls and boys have been born, there is an age disparity, with the males ranging from teen to adult and the females from toddler to teen.
Various possible solutions were discussed, including an old recipe, ‘Ambrosia’, which is reputed to be able to reset age and even to bring the dead back to life. The bookshop is believed to have a copy in the antiquarian section. This should be investigated. (Action: E. Hatch Ramsey).
The Deckers also feel they are close to developing a youth-restoring potion and will continue their efforts (Action: D. Decker, Xavier Decker). Xena Decker is to complete her studies of logic and chemistry in preparation for joining the research team (Action: Xena Decker).
David Decker then stood up and addressed the meeting, proposing the town’s ghosts as a source of additional ‘real Sim’ genes.
Although many of them died of old age, there are a number of young ghosts who could contribute to the gene pool. The scientists are understood to be working on a way of restoring ghosts to partial life, allowing them to join our effort.
It was agreed that someone should approach the ghosts and ‘sound them out’. Xena Decker volunteered for the task, since her work often takes her to the cemetery (Action: Xena Decker).
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 6.30 p.m. |
Really we finished early because Xav got a frantic phone call from Storm, who was in labour. My niece Sharonda arrived an hour or so later. Anyway, I was glad to get an early night and a cuddle with my husband. Being the boss can be exhausting.
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(Added later)
Well, it turns out there was another reason why I was feeling so tired. I’M PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We both want a boy, so I’m stuffing myself with apples. Xanth is very puzzled. She knows I always have an apple in my pocket but they’re normally for her. She looked quite hurt when she saw me munching and I didn't offer her one.
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Saturday 10Spent the night at the graveyard.
A lot of the ghosts were interested in having a second go at life but only if someone else tried it first. No-one wanted to be the guinea pig for an experiment that might not work.
Finally, just before dawn, Anabelle agreed to give it a go. I think she wants a chance to change her name. Can’t say I blame her. If I’d been landed with Oinkslopes, I’d be keen to change it to almost anything else.
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Sunday 11Poor Anabelle. She’s only been with us a day and she’s already been carried off by the aliens. I suppose they can’t have seen many ghosts before and wanted to see how she differs from the rest of us.
On another topic, one of my clients sent me to investigate the Alvis this morning. I can’t believe Miraj and Yvette are really involved in anything crooked but hey, a case is a case – and the money’s useful now I have to pay the bills. Yasmin was sitting out on their path. She looks a lot like her daddy.
I couldn’t resist picking her up for a quick cuddle. I can’t wait until our own little one arrives.
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(Added later)
Well, we didn’t have to wait long. The baby arrived early this evening.
We’re naming him Xander David, after his grandfathers. Family is very important to Ty - even though he barely knew his own father. I’m glad we’re honouring Dad, too. Especially now.
Tragically, he’ll never meet his second grandchild. He died while I was at the hospital.