a poem about a freckle

October 2083 - Amelia Bradshaw is 28, Drew Bruty is 27.

* Warnings: NSFW/kids - and unabashed poetics! Soundtrack: "Colorblind," by the Counting Crows. *

She smells like organic lemongrass and ginseng, which leaves her skin soft and milky smooth. Did he know that natural soap is gentler on the skin than even the most moisturizing body washes? No, he didn't know that. But he does now.

She eats zucchini. He ate french fries before he met her, and now he knows that red bell peppers contain more antioxidants than green ones, green tea more flavanoids than bottled beer. She buys fresh fish for its omega-3. Now he knows what omega-3 is - he never knew he needed it, but she insists that he does. He doesn't need to know why, but she'll tell him anyway.

It's not about ideals or glamour. It's science, she tells him. "Because it'll make you live forever," she says. "Or at least a really long time. I want you to live a really long time."

more than I could ever promise, part 2

August 2083 - Dallas Deppiesse is 19, Delphie and Dakota are 13. (Lucy Harris is 17.)

* soundtrack: "The Way I Am," by Ingrid Michaelson. Warnings: cheese? Dude, I tried to avoid it, but sorry, it couldn't be helped :) And maybe a tissue or two. *

Problem one, Delphie and Dakota are bored. But that isn't the most pressing problem. Things can be done about that. Problem two, they're supposed to tell Dallas before they go anywhere, where they're going, and when they'll be back. That's not exactly the problem either. The problem is, it's only twelve hours until Dallas leaves in the morning, and he's busy saying goodbye to Lucy. They've been saying goodbye for months it seems, all gross and entangled in all that affection.

Dakota says, "No way, I'm not going up there. You go up there and tell him."

one day, like a light bulb...

December 2082 (mini-update) - Cameron Gibson is 31, Bella Bradshaw is 26.

*optional soundtrack: "It's You," by Pictures and Sound *

One day, like a light bulb, something finally flashes to clarity inside him. Cameron understands women?

No, probably not, but he does figure out a few things. Starting with this little pearl of wisdom he offers to a young friend. "No, kiddo," he says. "The girls don't like it when you pull their hair, I tried that once."

one day, when he is finally brave enough...

November 2082 (mini-update) - Hayden Phoenix is 33, Piper Wilson is 28.

One day, when he is finally brave enough, Hayden sits down to talk to his wife. Almost three years have passed, and he's never done this alone. The cemetery is empty, but still he looks around to be sure he's really alone. He is. There is nothing but the wind blowing through treetops, cold and subtle as whispers.

"I feel like an idiot," he starts, easing himself to the ground at her grave. "My therapist thought this might be a good idea."

one day, in a stairwell...

August 2081 (mini-update) - Micah Buchanan and Mariah Riley are 23.

One day, in a stairwell...

LCU, spring break 2080

2080, LCU, spring break

Stephanie comes home from spending a weekend with her family, and she is so excited, she can't even contain herself! "The cabin is mine! It's really mine! We should totally go see it!"

Keri agrees, not that Stephanie had given her any real choice, and they inform the guys of their plan. They order their tickets, and pack up some bags, and Justin and Jeremiah say they have a few things to tie up before they go.

the lofts, big fat chances

August 2079 - Paul Gallagher is 29, Cameron Gibson is 28, Charlotte Centowski is 25, Amelia Bradshaw is 24, Bella Bradshaw and Jeremiah Day are 23.

Bella and Amelia are actually getting along here in the lofts together. They're becoming almost something like friends. They never imagined the day would come, when Alon Hutchins had become inconsequential to them both, and long forgotten. We suppose that's part of growing up.

LCU, spring break 2076

LCU, spring break 2076

(note: I try to do one spring break for my college kids each round. Study hard, play hard! Not everybody gets to go each time - just a select few, whoever can afford it usually, or whoever is friends with the Sim arranging the trip.)

Amelia is arranging a killer party again, but this time she's hosting on Twikkii Island! She's invited Charlotte, Alon, Marisa, and Allegra even convinces Nathan to take some time away from the law firm and go with her, or maybe he just doesn't want her frolicking on the beach with a bunch of half-naked coeds?