6.19 I Hate The Word Hiatus

I hate the word hiatus, but I'm going to have to call it, for a few reasons. I can't get the game to load at all at present, and the few times I have it crashes before I can do anything significant (like save).

In a couple of days from this post I will be 'of no fixed address', and my laptop will be in storage until I have a secure abode with electrickery and internetz. At that time I will attempt to resurrect the legacy and continue, until then my posts will be even more erratic than present :)

Thank you to all who have been reading, and especially those that leave me comments and keep my brain ticking over with questions. In the words of the Terminator 'I'll Be Back'.

6.18 Teh Apocalypse Is Nigh

"Where are you girls off to in such a hurry?" inquired Jess.

"Muuuum, it's raid night! Everybody is waiting for us!", Melissa explained as she dashed off to her room to start both computers.

"Load the raft, I'll be there in a minute!", Nerissa called out to her sister.

"Melissa's Paladin Aleerah and my Orc Tank Daisy have been invited to a major raid!",

Nerissa explained and bolted after her sister, leaving Jess even more confused.

 ...

Delilah spent the next thirty minutes explaining the details of MMORPG's to Jess. 

Authors Note.

Still no functioning Sims-3, Aleerah and Daisy courtesy of Skyrim SE, the raft is from my current 'Stranded Deep' save. My last post was about a week ago, so this is a filler... I am expecting to have to put this legacy on hold shortly due to technical and personal reasons, just delaying it as long as I can...

6.17 Situation Normal

Jess and Cindy stayed in bed until it was time to get the twins ready for school..

And then climbed back into bed for some more cuddle time.

It was going to be a very busy day for Jess.

She sorted through the mail and headed back into the kitchen for a coffee.

A limo came to collect her for her first big gig, Jess had only performed one major live

gig before and her nerves tingled like an electric shock.

Instead of a single attentive audience member like her previous public gig,

this venue was a packed house with other performers as well. 

The crowd 'oohed' and 'aahed' at all the right times.

The show ended with Jess receiving a standing ovation.

Jess smiled all the way home.

Where the twins had decided to implement a 'no cake' policy for their birthday.

"How could they do this to me?", muttered Evie.

Melissa, then Nerissa, started to sparkle like vampires of a certain movie stereo type.

Authors Note: 

Finally got the game to launch (by using Nvidia GeForce Experience) to mess with the display size settings.
It seems it doesn't like loading the intro crap at 1024x768, when my native desktop (and play resolution) are 1360 x 768. 
After selecting my current save it takes 1 minute 30 seconds to load 98% of the save, then a total of 28 minutes to finish loading it. I know this I sat glued to the screen watching it. This tells me two things, (A) Sims 3 using the same 'Percentage' and 'Estimated Time Remaining' calculating process as Microsoft Operating Systems, and (B) my personal time management skills are equally as crappy.

Anywayz... This micro chapter took three playthroughs to get the caps and after the last CTD, I decided to post with what I have.

6.16 Creepshow

Cindy woke up earlier than the rest of the household, and slipped out of bed and threw on some clothes, she tip toed across the hall and woke the twins, who, due to transport issues and gate sign ins, now had to leave an hour earlier to get to school on time. There was a lot of work to do to get the garden ready for her business overhaul. 

The twins debated the pros and cons of self educating versus

the current school system while they got dressed.

Dressed in their favorite shirts, they continued their conversation as they rode to school.

With Delilah currently working afternoons and weekends, Evie and her lover barely spent any time together (except in bed), and with a meeting rescheduled by one of her clients, they found them selves with a whole day together.

"I'm thinking lunch at a restaurant, followed by karaoke!", said Evi enthusiastically.

"And there's a new horror movie out about zombieism mutating from a plant mangling affliction into a virus that turns all zombies into psychotic cannibals who take over the world, I've been waiting for ages for it to be released.", Delilah explained. "Firstly", Eve asked, "The plot seems a bit far fetched, and secondly, since when have you been able to sit through a feature length film without getting distracted?".

Evie relented when Delilah did her puppy dog eyes thing. Evie laughed to herself, she had dozens of werewolf siblings who could learn the art of ' puppy dog eyes ' from her cat lover. 

Jess drove around town looking for an audience. The hospital needed to raise a large amount of funds quickly to purchase some new equipment. While Jess had a reputation around town as a skilled magician, the tip jar frequently remained empty due to people staying indoors due to bad weather. Jess was hoping to get a gig and went to the only indoor venue that might suit her purposes.

Lady Luck favored Jess this morning and Alisha Ivey, the proprieter was arriving to unlock the center as Jess arrived.

Jess explained that she wanted to do a big gig to raise funds for the hospital, Alisha enlightened Jess to the fact that she was having a 'Hospital Benefit Show' in the immediate future, although there was no magician in the line up.

"My daughter said she saw you last week at the hospital when she was visiting a sick friend and she said you were awesome, however, my daughter thinks pokemon are awesome. So if you want to create an extra slot in the show for you, impress me.", Alicia said. Jess started with 'The vanishing coin, oh there it is behind your ear trick'.

"Someone needs to invent a teleportation transport system, a bit like Dr.When's time traveling phone box", Melissa explained as she fumbled in her pocket for the bicycle lock key.

"Some sort of atomic molecular arranger, where you could enter one and exit another? I'm surprised they don't already exist", Nerissa responded. "It would be far more convenient than bicycles."

There was a new bar in town, and after Evie and Delilah had snogged through the second half of the zombie movie, they went home and changed and went to investigate this new place. 

In theory it was the hottest new vampire hangout with awesome dance music and mood lighting.

In reality in was a total dive opened by Kenny Bryce who was a vampire wannabe. It had an average sound system and the lighting was a garish red. The members of the local Vampire community had all agreed that no true Vampire would show their fangs in such a dump. Even the local teen Vampires avoided the place, despite knowing that Kenny would serve underage just to get to stand next to a real Vampire.

Kenny spotted the glowing eyes and Evie's pointed ears. "Can I get you ladies a plasma? Maybe you'd like someone to nibble on?", Kenny offered Evie, shifting in to full on vampfanboy mode. 

"Down boy, sit!", Evie growled gently, "Moon-howler, not Blood-stalker. A couple of Falling Forever's thanks."

The enthusiasm drained from Kenny's face a little as he mixed the drinks.

The girls ignored the creepy bartender and danced the night away,

celebrating their anniversary.

Thing One and Thing Two decided to have a sleep out in the tree house.

"So, I'm thinking scientist, inventor, maybe brain surgeon?", Nerissa added to the current discussion. Melissa agreed, "Definately, Rocket scientist too, add that to the list.".

 "Mmm, rocket science, I like that.", Nerissa agreed as she penciled that in. "Of course we need to get school and probably university out of the way first.". Melissa handed her a few more sheets of paper as they assembled a rough map of their possible future.

"Damn I love this life!", Jess told herself as she crawled out of bed and put her dressing gown on.

Cindy was normally up an hour or two before anyone in the house as plant sims absorbed energy during the day and didn't need as much sleep as other life forms. Jess had woken as Cindy was attempting to crawl out of bed and convinced her to come back in. The couple had spend an hour or more giggling and playing under the covers before Cindy extricated herself to make breakfast.

"Breakfast is ready sweetheart." announced Cindy.

Luckily breakfast was already served, or there may have been a kitchen fire as Jess delayed Cindy again.

"I'll just grab the paper and I'll be right there!", giggled Jess.

Jess was addicting to coupon clipping, despite being one

of the richest sims in Midnight Hollow, and despite the fact that

she gave away more coupons than she used herself.

Had that maid been standing outside the bedroom window long? Creepy!

Authors Note:

The Sims has refused to start nine times out of ten in the last week, the few times it did launch it was like playing in my underwear in the arctic circle. It froze real quick! Then suddenly it cooperates. So pic cap spam time! This has been the longest generation so far due to my game actually progressing forward in time so slowly due to crashes and save issues. The launcher works fine spamming its 'Buy sims 4' advertisement, every from there on is broken atm.

Generation F - 13 Chapters
Generation 1 - 13 Chapters
Generation 2 - 18 Chapters
Generation 3 - 19 Chapters
Generation 4 - 15 Chapters
Generation 5 - 13 Chapters
Generation 6 - 16 Chapters, and the twins aren't even teenagers yet!

 That new maid, I don't think I've ever seen in her inside the house...
Jess got a date call at 3.44 AM, dear sims, even the most desperate and dateless say 'NO!' to dates at 4AM, and Jess is clearly not that.

Also I have Nraas remove abandoned cars at 2AM; first night 799 cars, second night 5902 cars!
I need to get to the next generation and find a new town soon..

6.15 The Not Quite New But Definately Improved 'The Amazing Jess' Outfit

(Sim Nation vibrates and blurs as several Time Anomalies resolve, and reality settles across Midnight Hollow like a comforting blankie at nap time. The Simgods will never apologize for this. They would rather you were at least polite enough to pretend that you never noticed.)

"The original outfit is exactly the same as the one worn by 'The Astonishing Amy', so when it started to wear it out, I got the same thing made in pink and black, but apparently that is exactly the same as the outfit worn by 'The Awesome Tina.", explained Jess before she ducked into her bedroom. She had a vague feeling that she had already explained this once before.

"So.. I designed a completely new outfit!"

I really couldn't decide between Orange to match my eyes, or Hot Pink, which you all know is pretty much my favorite color. I was tempted to use both colors in my new outfit, but everybody knows how badly Orange and Hot Pink clash... 

"Well, I like it!", Melissa whispered into thin air.

"Jess, you may need to talk to your girls about their Imaginary Friends making the twins look like they have anti gravity powers, especially with how often the paparazzi hang around here.."

The schoolbus still refused to stop at the Jettstar household. "I don't understand it, everyone in out house is at the least some sort of minor celebrity.", Melissa sighed. "Our family being as famous as it is, you think the bus company would charge extra for any wanting to get the bus that stopped at our house.", Nerissa stated.

"Excuse me girls, isn't a bit early to be arriving at school?", inquired Mr. Mumble-mumble-something, one of the newer teachers whose primary function was to ensure the kettle was on, the sugar bowl was full and that there was milk in the fridge each morning before the other staff arrived.

"Indeed it is!", enthused Nerissa, "I was just discussing this with my sister, how both the issues of the public transport system, and the signing in at the doorway for the students is just another example of a breakdown of our education system. The delays caused by these two council imposed systems alone are not only self perpetuating, but cause ongoing ripples throughout our entire education system.", Nerissa paused momentarily, taking a deep breath.

"And then to make matters worse, it is we the students, the end users, we who are forced into this system and ultimately punished for its failure. I mean, have you ever seen a teacher get detention or grounded because they got held up trying to get through the gates?", Melissa asked.

Mr. Whatsisname breathed a sigh of relief as the key finally clicked in the lock and the door swing open. It was days like this that Mr. Whoeverheis regretted leaving his last job at the the morgue.   

After Evie returned from France, she concentrated on more frequent workouts. Managing more clients meant less time for her self and Delilah, but the money was good. 

Jess was excited that her girls had organized to bring a normal human child home from school to play with, instead of spending all their time with Edie and Eddy. Meet Precious Salas.

Jess performed her magic tricks to an audience of one, up until Charlotte called it quits for the night. "Hey let me know if you are going to spontaneously combust, or have a torrid affair with another celebrity or something newsworthy, mkay? But for now, laterz Jess!", called out Charlotte. "Laterz Charlie!", called out Jess, who had spent so many hours being followed by the paparazzi that they had become friends.

Delilah continued with her obsession of covering both garage back walls with street art. It was on private property and only visible from the neighbor's place, and seeing how that place was owned by Jess's step mom, who also happened to be the towns long reigning chief of police, there had been no problems.

I whisk you away from these drab dreary poorly lit images of Midnight Hollow to draw your attention to the drab and drearily named location of Black Rock Islands. Which is in fact a riotously cheerfully barrage of  colorful flora and fauna, quite at odds with the location name. Here we find Coral, former house mate of our current generation heir, who is at this moment celebrating the raising and resurrection of her father's war barge. Coral is celebrating with Silky, Shreiker, and Serren, the three Merfolk sisters that helped find, float, and rebuild the old boat. Now that Coral has a war barge, she can join the SeaFae war council, and do her part in the ongoing war against the Old Ones.

And that's about as much good news and bright colors as I can deal with right now.

Follow the camera back to gloomy old Midnight Hollow, where the twins are playing chess. They are playing chess without the assistance of their imaginary friends, who insist on suggesting moves. "Edie, Because we are such closely linked twins, I can actually hear you offering advise to my sister, which we both agreed before the game would not be allowed!", Melissa grumbled to her sisters imaginary friend.

"Okay, how about you and Eddy go up into the tree house and set up the tea and biscuits until we finish the game?", suggested Nerissa, who had been watching Eddy suggest moves to Melissa, despite Melissa's glaring at him.

This was the twins first weekend since the walls had come down and they fully intended to play with every new thing in the backyard before darkness crept over the town. "Really, do you thing making funny faces at me is going to put me off?", asked Nerissa.

"Actually, I highly doubt that my feeble attempts to distract you are likely to have any effect on your accuracy, however, I've been watching the other children who play ball sports at school, and this seems to be a standard procedure.", replied Melissa

Despite Nerissa's best efforts, Melissa turned out to be a more than adequate goal keeper.

As did Melissa.

The girls agreed to skip the trampoline temporarily, it had a higher risk of injury than the remaining toys, and they agreed to place 'trampolining' as the last item on their to do list, before homework of course.

"Eddy and I would like to know if you will be accompanying us for tea in 'The Princess Tree house', or should we begin without you?", Edie inquired after the girls had failed to show up at the pre-appointed time of  'After The Chess Game is over ' for the soiree.  

After sending Edie back to the soiree with the news that that sisters intended to be 'Fashionably Late', they moved onto the shiny new slide. "Such an inelegant design, no artistic merit, and yet, I some how feel the need to rate the experience as 'mildly exhilarating', what do you think?", Nerissa asked after her first time down the slide.  

Melissa agreed that 'mildly exhilarating' was an appropriate rating, and they moved on to the throwing horse shoes at the stake game. Nerissa watched impatiently as Midnight Hollow's lazy sun prepared for an early night.

The twins gathered up the buckets and spades, bulldozers and dump trucks, "You do realize that we are well beyond mere sand castles, I thing even a sand fortress may be a little beneath us.", Melissa stated. "True. But I doubt we have enough daylight for a sand citadel, and we would also need extra materials for reinforcing.", advised Nerissa

By the time the twins had made it to the Dragon spring riders, the new lighting in the backyard was on, and the sun had vanished over the horizon to its little resting spot in the heavens. They had managed to play with everything except the basket ball hoop, the archery range, which required adult supervision, and the trampoline, which required further discussion to allocate a most suitable and effective time to obtain an injury.

Nerissa was adamant that Sunday evening was the most logical time to use the trampoline to full effect.

Authors Note:

My garden was full, I had almost every plantable from every expansion packed in there (except the cheese plants->omni plants quest chain, that I chose to avoid). I while back I decided it would be much easier and faster to clear my gardener's excessive inventory if I was growing only a few different types of thing. My plan is to continually harvest until the garden is completely bear except for the trees, selling off everything after each harvest except perfect plasma fruit, flame fruit, life fruit, and pumpkins. As you can see, I'm almost ready to replant. I have also found Cindy to be more responsive when she is not carrying §5000-§50000 worth of herbs, fruit and vegetables in her pockets :)