Archives/Technology Note: New Director, New Plans

Jadhira Shazad

With the new job, I must submit hood council notes and present it to the residents of Apple Valley. So a quick overview of my plans and current tasks.

Assist in the management of family tree information: Will update the family tree document at least once a simyear.

Collect community & residents registry: Will continue to maintain basic residents information online for current residents only. Updates will be once a simyear. Within three simyears information will include: names, preferences, traits, badges, aspiration, zodiac signs, career & education, hobbies and relationships with other residents. Must upload an updated map of the hood. Also started looking for TS1 photos and will make a collection for families to have thier historical photographs.

Test and implement 3rd party technology: Continue culling CC folders of little use items. Also looking to compile and combine items and use more MAXIS meshes.

Perform back-ups of resident information: Backups are currently once a simyear.

Serve as local reporter: no changes here.

Manage the Historical Society: Continue to assist the Historical Society. Current agenda includes looking at creating three seperate histories (1) TS1 times and the land (2) TS2 before the great storm (3) TS2 after the great storm.

Census 2004

Number of Residents=54
Elder-2 (4%)
Adults-19 (35%)
Young Adults-4 (7%)
Teens-4 (7%)
Children-14 (26%)
Infants/Toddlers-10 (19%)

2004 Edition of Apple Valley News is available online!

Silver Bells, 2004

Peacar, winter, 2004
mini-update

Jesse reached into the oven to grab the still warm cookies.

The cookies were not gourmet cookies, and they did have a slight crispy edge, but he was trying to help Fiona as much as possible.

Fiona was in a very rare state of confusion and disorientation. Gin, from Palatial Heights, had contacted Fiona in a panic. Fredic, Fiona's twin brother, was missing. The couple had separated more than two months ago and they were sharing custody of their twin boys. There was still no news and it took everything in Fiona not to rush out to Palatial Heights. Gin assured her that everything was going well, but Fiona wanted to call all her affiliates to get on the case of her missing twin.

Soon guests started filtering into the home. The Christmas party would be the last community event before the big move to the new terrain.

"Thankfully, the current medical issues will be resolved once construction is complete." Suzanna discussed with Dr.Wilsonoff and her husband.

"I still don't quite understand the correlation, but as long as everything will be OK and our new baby healthy, then I'm fine with everything."

"It's not like you have much of a choice, Bradford." Rebecca said easing her growing body onto the sofa. "We only have a few simweeks before moving to the new terrain."

Not everysim had their thoughts on the big move. Lyndon and Nicole were still in disbelief about Faith's expulsion from university.

"How could she throw away such a great opportunity?"

"How could she throw away our tuition simoleans?"

Thankfully, the hired santa arrived with his good natured cheer and laughter. Ever Fiona cracked a smile on her worn face.

Nicole took the opportunity to dance a few jigs with santa, while some sims can't help discussing matters of the heart.

"Did you see how much our economy has been improving. It may seem like a little, but this improvement is key to the economic development of the hood."

Fiona couldn't help it anymore, she collapsed on her piano bench. Her fingers moved over the keys as if in a trance. They plucked out a somber melody from the large instrument. Jesse saw some of the guests grow a little uncomfortable.

"Darling, let's dance."

Fiona looked at her husband through a sheen of un-shed tears. She hated ambiguity, the not knowing, the not having answers. She nodded her head and rose from the piano.

Moments later, Jesse had successfully distracted her into dancing to some smooth grooves and the entire party followed suit.

---

Fiona's twin brother, Fredic, is missing in Palatial Heights and at the moment there is no word about his fate.

If you're a FSBS hood, have there been moments that a sim from your hood has encountered or experienced something in another hood that you may not have allowed if the sim was still in your hood?

For non-FSBS hoods, have there been moments that a sim from your hood has encountered or experienced something because of a ROS that you may not have allowed?

Meet the Ex-Peacar 2004

Peacar, winter, 2004
mini-update
Cameron was nervous, more than nervous, she was scared silly. She had seen photos of Li and knew of the woman, but she never had to meet the woman face-to-face. The mere thought of meeting her partner's ex-wife was enough to give her butterflies in her stomach...that or the baby was very active.

Li wasn't due to the house for a few more hours, so Cameron tried to distract herself by playing with Matthew.

She knew that she wasn't the children's mother, Li was, but Cameron loved them just the same. Maybe she was a bit jealous...or insecure with her position in thier lives. Tobi had Father's Day while Li enjoyed Mother's Day, unfortunately, Cameron couldn't benefit from Daddy's Pregnant Girlfriend Day...at least not yet, some sim should really get to work on that holiday.

"I'll take over for a while," Tobi said entering the nursery. "The triplets are on thier way home from school, why don't you take the time to enjoy some moments of peace."

Cameron was anything but peaceful. Her heart was racing and the baby was doing flips in her belly. She gazed at her old portrait, she was a senior in high school when the photographer approached her. She never realized that her image would be on the cover of magazines and she would be a bright, but brief, star in the fashion world.

Brandi came over for a few moments to give her friend some moral support.

"When is he going to take down that photo of Li?" She whispered when the triplets had finally released the two women to fetch thier bags from upstairs.

"It's for the children."

"Well, he could hang a less romantic photo. Maybe one of her with them. That photo is just plain disturbing."

Cameron didn't want to think about it, especially not now, not when Li would be arriving within the hour.

When Li finally arrived, Cameron had to admit that she actually stopped breathing. A sharp kick from the baby reminded her to take a breath.

"Li, this is Cameron."

"Hello."

"Hi."

"Well, I'm going to get Matthew from upstairs." Tobi said leaving the two women alone.

Li regarded Cameron with a cool eye. She seemed a bit young and oh so painfully pregnant. Tobi said that this was it, that she was his true love, but Li failed to notice a ring on Cameron's hand. Li continued to regard the woman, watching her squirm. Li never intended to make sims squirm under her gaze, but if they did, then she couldn't help it.

"Is that you?" She asked, nodding towards the large framed photo.

"Yes, that was a few years ago."

"So you were a model?"

"For a little while."

Before the women could continue thier conversation, Tobi came down the stairs carrying Matthew and a large overnight bag.

"Have fun, kiddos." Tobi said kissing each child.

"We will," Simora said. "You have fun too."

"Don't worry we will."

Cameron watched as the triplets struggled with thier bags. There wasn't a goodbye for her, she was the akward, out-of-place sim. The one who didn't have a title, the one-

"Bye, Ms. Cameron." Ping said giving her a big hug.

"I'll miss you." Aaron echoed wrapping his little arms around her.

Even Simora and Matthew got in the big group hug.

"Be good." She whispered, fighting back tears.

Once the children were ushered out the house, Tobi turned to her.

"So, we have a week of no children, what do you want to do first?"

"I don't know."

"Well, I have an idea, we could show this little one how much we love each other. Would you like that little bitty baby?"

"Ewww, that sounds so gross."

"You're right, how about some ice-cream?"

"Ok."

Killing Time, Peacar 2004

Peacar, winter, 2004
Julio is 37, Rebecca is 34, Abel and Amanda are 8


They should be packing, instead they invite Jorge and Jolie over to kill time.

"I'm nervous about the big move. I don't know how I would cope if I were pregnant."

Rebecca smiled. "You learn to remain calm, that's all I can do. I know that the move is for the best, the timing is great and I have to roll with the punches if you will."

"You're right, it's just that we just got the children settled into the new home in Apple Plains and now we have to move again."

"Same here, but the good thing is that since we've just unpacked, we still have the boxes to pack up again."

"That is true, by the way, I love your new haircut and color. I wish I could change my hairstyle as often as you change yours."

As the ladies changed topics to hair color, the men huddled in a corner discussing more important issues.

"I doubt you could talk Jolie into having another baby. Especially since you were the one who didn't want another kid."

Jorge nods, "Perhaps I should take her on a romantic vacation like you did. Obviously, it worked for you."

The twins laughed.

"Did Antonio tell you about their trip to Hacienda Bay?"

"Yea, did you examine Rojo to find out if there was permanent damage?"

"I did, I couldn't find a reason for the bone defect. To be honest, it's scaring me. I see these sims walk into the clinic daily and there are different unexplainable ailments left and right. Looking in the archives, it seems like exactly what was happening before the great flood."

"Do you think there's a connection?"

"I don't know yet. The good news is that by moving to the new terrain, we will have a clean slate to work with...almost."

"Well, at least we'll be closer than a thirty minute train ride and twenty minute ferry trip."

"I still can't believe that you're designing now. First cooking and now designing furniture collections."

"It's still a bit surreal to me. I can't believe that I'm a Design Consultant for Sim City Furniture. Keith is wonderful to work with, I have no clue how he is able to take my ideas and make them reality. It's amazing! One thing I'm looking forward to with the big move is getting my order from Keith and arranging the house. We're using the money Jorge won playing in that poker tournament last summer and some of my earnings so far from SCF."

"I remember you telling me about that poker game. You just came back from Simmington Hills. How was the trip? Did you see Ray and Lydia?"

"It went very well, I didn't have a chance to run into Ray while I was there. I'm glad that the flight is so close and tickets are cheap."

"I'm glad that Mayor Cunningham and Fiona are so close. The amount of trips that Apple Valley residents make to Simmington Hills is amazing. It seems like we should buy a charter plane to make the trips faster."

Rebecca stood up with a groan. "Once we get settled in the new terrain, you'll have to design a nursery for the new baby."

"That would be fun."

"How does the design process work anyhow?"

"Get a piece a paper and we'll hash out some ideas."

A few moments later, the women were huddled in a corner discussing the pros and cons of vintage 70's decor or sleek modern decor.

---

I don't know how I would play my game if it wasn't for the SUN and the connections I have with other hoods. It just makes things more interesting, especially the trips to other hoods.

What do you do to spice up your game?

Bringing Home Baby Peacar 2004

Peacar, winter, 2004
mini-update
Jadhira felt huge, her due date had come and gone and Dr. Julio Wilsonoff suggested several activities to help persuade the new Shazad to come out. Jadhira spent most of her days woohooing, eating spicy indian foods and walking. She even tried to take advantaged of the extra time by getting a manicure and a haircut. To be honest, she was tired, she wanted this baby out.

Johan saw how uncomfortable his wife was and suggested that they spend sometime outdoors looking at the stars.

The last thing Jadhira wanted to do was go outside in the winter cold, sit on the wet, cold ground and look at some stars.

However, only Johan could convince her to put aside her misgivings and relax and enjoy the nighttime air. The time spent together was short as Jadhira started to have back cramps and desired to lay down.

Less than 3 hours later, Jadhira was awakened from her sleep by intense pain in her back and belly. Apparently the late night star gazing helped to prompt the newest Shazad to make thier big debut.

Johan asked thier neighbors to sit with the twins while Julio helped Jadhira deliver a healthy, through late, baby boy. The proud parents named the new baby Udar.

Welcome baby Udar!

Emergency County Council Meeting, Givar 2004

Givar, winter, 2004
mini-update
Fiona called the meeting to order. The tone was a mix of great concern and excitement.

"We have no choice anymore, we have to move by the end of the simyear to the combined neighborhood map. I thought the illness was contained, but it's spreading and getting worse. Thank goodness the weather has been fair for the construction."

"Did we ever find a constructor?"

"Yes, ClicknPyscho constructed the final combined terrain map, I've done a sweep of everything and things will be fine."

"How much money do you think we will need to finish the construction?"

"Constructing is going to be expensive, just think about the expenses after the great flood. It will be comparable to that."

"Thankfully we have plenty of affiliates willing to help. I've already secured two substaincial donations from affliates."

"From the financial reports, I'm sure there is still some money left, but we will probably have to resort to a loan. We also have to notify the residents about the move."

Finally, Givar 2004

Givar, winter, 2004
Antonio is 53, Carmela is 44, Verde is 18, Rojo is 12, Serendipity is 9

The blue ocean and lush landscaping seemed like something from a postcard, but it was reality. They were finally in Hacienda Bay, after years of planning. It wasn't lack of money that kept them from the island paradise, but timing.

Serendipity made sure to enjoy herself by destroying many of the sandcastles left abandoned by previous owners.

Carmela worked on a tan and relaxed under the sun's warm rays.

Antonio tried to keep occupied, but his mind kept wandering to his many projects and even the status of his little art pupil, Veronika Kent. The little star was amazing and he wanted to make sure that he challenged her.

Serendipity finally convinced her father to help her build a sandcastle.

"I want towers and a moat and a princess and a dragon and then the princess could slay the dragon and then..."

Antonio listened to his daughter ramble on and on about her dream castle.

Finally it was done and not a moment too soon as the hotel clerk came running towards them on the beach.

"You must leave! Hurricane! Hurricane is coming! You must leave!"

----

After thier quick departure, but not before Carmela received a nice burn, the family enjoyed a few days of quiet at home.

Quiet was relative as Rojo was busy with his electronic equiptment,

while big brother Verde made a few secretive plans of his own. Considering he and S'Ahmisa both were visiting the University of Riverdale campus, S'Ahmisa's parents thought it would be wise for her to stop in Apple Valley before the flight to Riverdale.

Verde made sure that the preflight activities included an hotel room for the couple to reconnect in private.

Talk about reconnection!

---

There was a major glitch during the Herendez vacation, Rojo had the body of a teen, but the height of a child. He looked like a little person and I tried everything to restore his correct height. All it took was for the family to return home for his height to be corrected.

Verde and S'Ahmisa, all their own. I swear, now that they're independent teens, that's all they want to do.