postcards from a bug on the wall

July 2087.

In Fort Palmetto, half of the high school class gathers at the Collins residence to celebrate Jacob Collins' 15th birthday. The shady yard and chilly pool make the perfect place to ride out this mid-summer heat wave.  

The coming school year is Jacob's first year of high school, while his little sister Susie trails behind in middle school. Between the two of them and their friends, there's an even mix of younger and older teens. Maybe even some who have never met before tonight. Could be that young Reid is noticing something about his friend's little sister here? Maybe it will take him a few years to sort those feelings out.  

It might also take Maggie a few years to realize that she's barking up the wrong tree here with Alexander. But to be fair, Alexander probably needs a few more years to realize that as well.  

The kids had cupcakes and tacos and plenty of gossip. 

Then Jake and Susie's dad bought a ton of fireworks to end the party with a bang. All expenses charged to the charge card. They'll deal with it later. 

Happy birthday, Jacob. 

—

After the closing bell rings on a wild Friday of trading, the Close Mutual team gathers at Rattlesnake Juice for happy hour and team building. They begin the night with an evenly-matched game of foosball, and it feels like the start of a great time.  

And perhaps it is the start of something. But not for Melissa, of course. 

Melissa is just a coffee girl at the bank, part-time work while she muddles her way through college, but she's always been familiar with being a bug on the wall—quiet, unobtrusive, observant. Tonight, she went out for drinks after work because “everybody’s going,” but then the boss didn't show up because she had too much paperwork, and Amelia went home super early because she has a million kids now. Before you know it, it's just a silly little bug and two other workmates who clearly have a thing for each other. They sat two seats away from each other because they didn't want to be too obvious about it. Rumor has it that Luis has a girlfriend of many years that he’s going lukewarm on, and Cora is trying to decide if she’s the kind of woman who goes after attached men (spoiler alert from the future: she totally is). And Melissa, silly Melissa, well, she might as well have been on the moon for all they ignored her existence between them. 

The good thing about being a little bug is that they also won't notice when she slinks quietly away from the bar to go home. 

—

Pat and Lara Nova are back from their soggy camping trip and enjoying the comforts of their beloved city. Patrick picks up a few nights a week as a lounge pianist at the same hotel where Lara works in the spa. When their work is done, they steal a few moments in the hotel pool room. What a scene, high among the bright lights, moonbeams, and stars. If they're lucky enough to conceive baby #3 soon, like they're hoping for, maybe a sweet little Star or Moon would fit in with their darlings, Raine and Skye. 

—

The Lind/Harris and Miller families attend opening weekend of Tyler Jackson's new Oasis Extreme Adventure Water Park, which promises fun for all ages. Features include a lazy river with diving platforms, aquariums, skating rinks, an arcade, rock climbing walls, a kiddie corner with sand play and jungle gyms. 

Certified personal trainer, Tyler Jackson, is on site to coach in safety, fun, and fitness!

The backcountry mountains provide acres of extended fun, including picnicking, hiking, fishing, camping, and guided tours into the caverns. Tickets are $50 per person for the day, $100 per person for a park pass and overnight camping. Cavern tours are an additional $100. Season passes are also available. 

—

A quiet night out in the city with the Miller family, Blake, Clarice, and kiddies Elliot and Emily. Blake and Clarice both have demanding careers, so a food truck dinner and some quality time at the park is a perfect evening for this family. July is a big birthday month for this family, but Blake and Clarice were too busy working to plan anything big. Next year, they promise. 

The newsroom at Clarice's Sierra Sun Magazine. Clarice is editor-in-chief, and she also employs a large staff of writers, critics, web developers, and a social media crew.

Drew Bradshaw is an arts critic.

Raquel is a junior writer who enjoys covering celebrity gossip and community events. The news crew is eager to employ a brand new fleet of recording drones. Online video footage has been a big hit for the newspaper, although journalists still love to write and they still publish print copies to sell. 

This quarter, Raquel snagged a juicy piece of gossip: Pacific State Congressman, Wesley Grant, was spotted having a conversation with his longtime girlfriend, bartender Cleo Morgan, that devolved from ordinary chatter to an out-and-out break up! And in public. Witnesses swear they heard him say that Cleo’s party-girl image didn’t fit what he imagined for a future wife of a political leader. Wesley has big plans and perhaps Cleo doesn’t fit into them. Ouch.

Gwen Palmer is the magazine's feature story writer. While she would usually consider herself above an arts & entertainment story, even she felt tempted to interview Asher Halston, of Halston House Pictures about their rumored new flick, starring Summer Phoenix. Everyone is tight-lipped about what it’s about, but they snag a few pictures of the leading lady anyway.

The camera loves her, and Summer loves the camera. After debuting last year as Hollywood's hottest new action star, everyone is eager to hear more about Summer Phoenix's second movie. 

The only tidbit she would share was about her on-screen love interest. "Total hottie," Summer said. 

Elias Kirkpatrick signed a contract with Halston House for a supporting role in the film. This will be his first major film role, and everyone is excited to see how these two look together on screen. 

When asked if there were any total hotties on her arm in real life, Summer said, "Nope! Totally single and loving it!" 

—

Finally, sorry to save the worst news for last...

At 64 years old, Micah Phoenix started to feel what he thought were the normal aches and pains of aging. He only just retired and was looking forward to his golden years. But he had a bad feeling when the doctor suggested some scans and that he bring his wife Sophie along to the conference. 

The cancer is aggressive, and he probably couldn't have caught it much sooner. Sadly, his case appears to be terminal. Nobody can say exactly how long Micah has left, of course, but with a hopeful outlook and treatments for his pain and suffering, Dr. Sizemore suggests he might be able to enjoy another 6-12 months with his family. 

The news comes as a shock. Still reeling from their daughter-in-law's cancer scare a few years ago, and earlier traumas with another daughter-in-law's sudden death, this family has had their fill of sadness, and it just doesn't seem fair. The two of them plan to keep this news private for a short while before they decide how to tell their sons, Jack and Hayden, and the grandchildren. 

—

July birthdays: 

1: Harper Phoenix is 1

2: Bianca Lind is 10

6: Angel Pickett is 43

6: Clarice Miller is 41

7: Jacob Collins is 15

7: Phin McCullough is 47

10: Vale Akiyama is 27

11: Topher Lind is 2

12: Andreas Tsoukalos is 33

15: Sheldon Morton is 42

15: Connor McCullough is 10

22: Lex Fontenot is 49

23: Elliot Miller is 10

24: Cecil Martin is 50

27: Blake Miller is 42

28: Maya Jackson is 26

31: Shaun Hathe is 10

July anniversaries: 

7/15/2058: Helen & Gregory Bunch — 29 years

—

notes: this is Micah's 4th health strike, and at his age he doesn't have any more opportunities to reduce that number. I might develop some kind of "cancer treatment" roll that could give him a chance to fight his illness. But for now, being sim number 9 on my roster gives him a much higher chance of strike number 5 coming along sooner rather than later. 

Vague "cancer" is intentionally vague because Sims—I don't really want to get too deep with it for a play story. But I hadn't established any other health issues for him in the story yet, and he's not old enough to die of old age, so he has to be sick with "something." Actually, I hardly even remembered that he had three strikes already, so the fourth came as a bit of a surprise. 

(My gameplay notes on health strikes, if anyone wants a refresher. It's been a long long while for this blog!)

Sorry, forgot to take pictures of the cobwebs, lol! Not too exciting, just cobwebs. The public lot I chose from that neighborhood is the hospital. While generally clean and tidy, it's also large and rambling with many unused storage rooms and neglected corners.