Cheaper By The Dozen; A Family Affair

It is a reality that there are many couples out there who greatly desire children and, for whatever reason, they cannot do so. This, of course, must be quite upsetting and it was with such a concern in mind that over ten years ago I decided to lend a hand and become a donor for Melbourne IVF. A couple of years later they contacted me to tell me there were three recipients and I didn't think much more of it. However, several weeks ago they contacted me again after many years; it turns out that my progeny now consists of a dozen children across eight families (apparently my DNA is in demand or something), which will really make for some interesting family BBQs in ten year's time or so. Two matters were of concern; the first was the need to renew my agreement with said organisation, and the second being I was reaching the limit (10) of how many families my donations can be used for. The reason this is especially important is that it includes one's own family, existing, potential, or speculated. Further, approval was required for one's self and their partner and I actually didn't get a chance organise this with my "partner once removed", but the discussion of such matters had occurred; poor Sophie/Sophus, the wee bairn was aborted even before conception (yes, we had just named the proposed child mere weeks beforehand). Still, as it is, I've set the family donation limit to 9. Perhaps it is best to keep an ace in the trews, as it were; you never know your luck in the big city.

"Family" is, of course, a matter of traditional bloodline and patrimony, and the organic of lasting friendships. Unusual circumstances have meant that it's quite barren on the traditional side for myself, but I am blessed in the latter. This weekend was an especially busy collection of gatherings from my "family". This included a rather cheerful Annual General Meeting of the RPG Review Cooperative at the Rose Hotel, followed by a Lunar New Year party hosted by the always excellent Dr. Fiona in Williamstown with plenty of rabbit-themed stories and I Ching readings (my own contribution was the sorry tale of Garth Williams' "The Rabbits' Wedding"). The following day I hosted my own Lunar New Year lunch with Erica H., Mel S., and Yanping G. and following my Sino-Franco fusion I made a somewhat signature dish of croissants with faux canard and plum sauce which also became a dinner when Anthony L., and Robin M., arrived with Erica H., continuing through both meals. Yanping deserves special mention for introducing herself to me in 2018 at a philosophy of technology conference in The Netherlands at the University of Twente, then moving to Melbourne to write a doctoral thesis (just submitted) on English and Chinese literature. All in all, it meant that from four different branches of my "family" of the weekend I managed to catch up with some forty rather clever and successful individuals in intimate gatherings. 'Tis not by blood, but by shared spirit these great bonds are made.