Generation 3: Syrana and Summer

After Syrana confirmed that she was in fact pregnant, she became infected with a common pregnancy ailment: quest for knowledge.  She had an overwhelming desire to read everything she could get her hands on about what was happening inside her body.

After she made her way through all the books in town it was time to hit up the internet.  She became addicted to baby forums and blogs – obsessively reading and commenting on them.  Oftentimes she would alienate other members with her brash words, but she didn’t care.  She wanted knowledge.  She wanted stories.  She wanted feedback.  And she wanted them all to think she knew-it-all.

But the one thing she hadn’t done yet, was tell the father.  She posted about her dilemma, seeking advice.  She received a lot of backlash, but amidst all the negativity she received messages urging her to tell Sidney.  One evening she arranged to meet him at the park and told him that she was expecting.  He didn’t believe her at first, thinking it was a ploy to get him to leave his own family.  She assured him that wasn’t the case, but she wanted him to know… and that’d she’d need a little bit of help.  Once he realized she wasn’t lying to pull a con, the look of disgust on his face angered Syrana.  He bolted before she could say anything further and wouldn’t return her calls until…

Syrana left Sidney alone after trying to talk to him a few days after the park meeting.  But, she wanted to at least let him know that she had just given birth to his daughter, Jezabelle.  She left a brief, yet cryptic message on his phone and was shocked when he arrived at the hospital as she was being discharged.  He insisted on riding home with her and the baby, even paying for the cab ride.

Syrana was disgusted with herself because she was an emotional wreck.  She knew it and didn’t want him to see it.  On the one hand she was beyond thrilled that he was there, but on the other hand she wanted to claw his eyes out.

Within 15 minutes of being home, Syrana wished she hadn’t called him.  As soon as she turned her attention to feeding their daughter, Sidney was up to his old tricks hitting on the maid.  Syrana threw the bottle at him, hitting him squarely in the back of the head.  She screamed for him to get out and never come around again.  Sidney put up little protest as he backed out of the house, Jezabelle shrieking and crying.  The maid mumbled a half-hearted apology, but Syrana fired her during her fit of rage.

Eventually Syrana calmed back down and was able to calm Jezabelle down.  Syrana stood over her crib, admiring how tiny and adorable she was… except for how much she looked like her father.  Syrana felt a surge of evil coarse through her body as she stared at the sleeping infant.

She couldn’t help herself.  Some habits never die.

The thrill of stealing candy from a baby – her own baby – made her smile despite the wailing coming out of Jezabelle’s mouth.  It was at that moment that Syrana wondered how her child would turn out.

And that’s where the problem is.  I keep thinking it’s only been a few days or a week.  When I sat down to write the Sims Saturday post yesterday, I was honestly surprised that I hadn’t posted anything for almost a month.  But, with my body running hotter than normal due to my 24/7 bun oven, it’s often difficult for me to spend much time in our computer room.

That means less gaming and less blog posting.  Yes, yes, we have a laptop, which is what I’m typing on right now.  But then I don’t have access to all of my screenies and such.  Plus, there was something about physically sitting in front of my computer desk that tied to my motivation and muse.

So, anywho, here’s a bit of an update.

I haven’t played very much WoW since I completed Loremaster of Eastern Kingdoms.  I really want to finish Kalimdor before Cataclysm is released, so I keep hoping I’ll have enough time yet.  I even missed out on my favorite in game holiday, Midsummer Fire Festival.  My baby draenei priest alt got to complete the fires of Eastern Kingdoms thanks to Gertbee’s chopper and patience to drive me around.  I still had to split that up into 2 separate sessions… and I procrastinated until the last weekend of the holiday before finally going on.

I had planned to take several characters around to honor/piss on fires.

I’ve also been playing some Sims 3 Ambitions.  I like it and find the new professions fun: ghost hunter, tattoo artist, stylist, firefighter, architect, etc.  Again, haven’t been able to play as much as I’d like due to being hot (only so much the A/C and fans can do for that room, I’m afraid), but it’s been entertaining.

Then there’s Facebook “games” again.  After a 5 month hiatus from touching any of them, I started playing FrontierVille and Family Feud.  I was playing them daily.  Recently it’s slowed down again.  I haven’t touched Family Feud for a couple weeks and it’s been about a week for FrontierVille.  I must say though, FrontierVille is a huge step up from FarmVille and is moving in the direction of being more of a game than just clicketyclickclick.

At some point I’ll be able to spend more time in front of my desk again.  But for now, most of my internet connectivity is via my iPhone or the laptop… that way I can lounge on the couch, put my feet up, and have a fan blowing on me.  Ahhh, bliss.

(Sidenote: And of course, you are always welcome to find out what’s going on IRL with the spawn-on-the-way.  Although, I don’t write on that one nearly as often as I’d like to, but it’s more frequent than around here lately.)

Generation 3: Syrana and Summer

Shortly after Syrana and Summer moved into their own house, they took a trip to the science lab.  Well, first they went to the cemetery… then they went to the science lab.  Summer saw an ad for bringing back loved ones and the girls decided to test it out on Grampa Brian.  It worked, so he moved in with them.  This wasn’t too bad of an arrangement since he was able to get his old job back too!  Only downside for Brian – his bed was in the garage next to the car.  Oh well, ghosts don’t need as much sleep and food as the living.

While Summer went about her goodly ways and got an entry position at the hospital, Syrana sought a life of crime.  One place where she could spew her conspiracy theories and be taken seriously was in dark alleys with other criminals.

One night, she was working with Sidney to rob some banks.  She had been assigned as his getaway driver.  Things had gotten intense, but they pulled it off.  After ditching the getaway car and clothes, they headed back to Syrana’s place to lay low for a bit.

Sidney was a bit of a sweet talker.  Both of them still had adrenaline coursing through their veins.  One thing led to another…

…. and afterwards they whispered sweet nothings about diamonds and money… the shiniest loot to whet their appetite for more crime…

…. and more bad decisions about spending the night together.  Which turned into a few more sleepovers.  Syrana eventually found out that Sidney was married and had a couple of kids, but she was smitten.

Unfortunately, Sidney didn’t return her feelings.  In fact, he thought he was a big ol’ playa’ and his behavior was inappropriate most of the time.  Syrana misread him as flirtatious until she walked downstairs to catch him kissing her twin sister in the kitchen.

Summer felt awful about hurting Syrana’s feelings.  Syrana wouldn’t accept her apologies.  Summer had been flattered to have someone show interest in her for once, but she was an innocent bystander – literally.  She had been standing there when Sidney walked up and planted one on her.  Syrana even called Summer evil for her betrayal.  This was the first bit of tension to enter the house since they moved off the compound.

Syrana became increasingly irritable and mildly sick.  At first she thought it was over her quick fling with Sidney.  Then she thought it was her body’s way of revolting against the unusual work hours she kept.  But then, she started to wonder what it’d be like to have a baby…

Although I’ve been a bit more focused at getting the new blog rolling, I haven’t stopped gaming altogether.  Granted, I haven’t played WoW in about a week, but I’ve been hitting up Facebook games again lately…

>.>

<.<

Don’t look at me like that! They take little time! I have less time now with all this sleep I keep wanting.

Anywho, a couple days ago, CSI Deadly Intent for the Xbox 360 arrived via Gamefly.  Mind you, I added this along with several other console games several months ago while I was still one of the cohosts of Polygamerous.

Unfortunately, we had reduced back down to 1 game at a time and …. well, Sideshow has ultimate control over the list.  So, mine will get here when they get here.

This game is at least a year old, but if you are a CSI fan like myself, then you will probably enjoy it.  I had fun, but I wouldn’t pay the brand new, full price of the game.  I got about 10 hours of game play out of it and there is practically no replayability (unless you are just anal about achievements).

I played a previous one and enjoyed it (pretty sure I rented it or bought it used….can’t remember though).  There are still a few things that frustrate me in the game play though.  Such as, needing to uncover certain evidence or statements before moving forward with the investigation.  Sometimes my thought process was ahead of the game.

The voice acting is pretty good, since they use the actual actors from the show.  Well, except Catherine Willows.  I’m not sure why that was the only one done by the non-actor of the TV counterpart.  The look and voice were close, but noticeable to someone who watches the show regularly (read: too much).

Each case has an interesting story that unfolds with twists and turns so the suspect is never who you first expect (that would be too easy!)

I must say that I never learn my lesson that I would enjoy these type of games MORE on my computer than on a console.

Why?

Because the Xbox stick does not have enough fine control for sweeping the screen, watching for cursor changes.  A mouse is easier to maneuver in such a way.  Sometimes it was quite touchy in the game and I spent too much time trying to get the cursor where it needed to be.  The DS would also be better, I would suspect….although they had their own special version of the game with different cases…. probably to incorporate more of the touchyfeely platform.

All in all, I enjoyed solving 5 cases.  I’m a pretty good armchair CSI, if I do say so m’self.

Yep, it was time for the twins to finally move on.  They felt a little bad about leaving their mother behind, or at least Summer did.  Syrana could barely stand it on the compound anymore though.

The biggest sign for Syrana was the morning she went jogging and was casing houses for their silverware.

Summer had saved a little bit of money from her part-time job.  Syrana had as well, but she’d also been involved in more lucrative activities that netted a nice little nest egg.   No one really questioned how Syrana and Summer were able to afford moving out.

Especially into a large house.

A two story house, in fact.

With a pool.

The real question on everyone’s mind: Can good and evil live under the same roof?

Hmmm, the link is not working for this awesome “Quote of the Day” post from Syp at Bio Break…. but it’s still in my reader….

“See the cute little piggy?  The cute little piggy?  I’m gonna take his SOUL!”

~ My wife [Syp's wife, that is] playing a warlock in WoW, while narrating to our son in her lap

Seriously, that will SO be me.

You know this to be true.

Ravious of Kill Ten Rats poses the question of what makes one unsubscribe from a blog.  Even I tossed up an answer in the comments.

Tobold reminds new and veteran bloggers alike that reader quality is more important than quantity.

Klepsacovic of Troll Racials are Overpowered shares why blogging needs to be more accessible to casuals in his usual, brilliant, tongue-in-cheek way.

If you haven’t seen these sketches by Tami, you have to… and all the other sketches she posts up.  They are adorable and she has incredible talent.

Gnomer of Armaggedon’s Coming is running a contest for saving souls… either by polymorphing a warlock or creating a rehab program.  Although I don’t quite understand why Illidan is the poster boy for soul rehab, it’s Gnomer’s show and his rules.  I will definitely be submitting a rehab program.  I only have a few more days to finish it up!

Fulguralis of Killing ‘em Slowly shares his displeasure over Illidan being the warlock rehab poster boy.  Oh, and the reasons he’ll never enter treatment for his soul addiction.

Saresa of Destructive Reach shares reasons why it’s for the best that our toons cannot reproduce.

Player Vs. Developer takes a look at privacy implications of using RealID.

Generation 2: Aerissa and Caleb

Death’s desire to party had not gone over well.  The entire family was in varied states of grief and panic, but they all thought it was in poor taste that Death had been blowing a party horn while the ghost of dear Darcy sulked away.

Aerissa came back after trying to chase down her mother’s ghost.  Syrana questioned Death’s behaviors, really giving him a piece of her mind.

Death didn’t bother to answer.  He knew when he wasn’t wanted and there weren’t any other souls to be taken from the compound this evening, so he disappeared… into thin air.

The grandchildren bonded during their mourning that night by doing the only thing that made them feel good… they acted like children.  Summer, Syrana, and Trenton spent most of the night on their childhood swingset sharing memories of their sweet grandmother.  It was the most the three of them had spoken with each other in what seemed like years.  Unfortunately, the family closeness was shortlived.

Everyone was acting a bit weird, grieving in their own ways.  For the first time since Syrana and Summer could dress themselves, they agreed to wear matching nightclothes to appease their mother.  Syrana commented on Trenton’s slippers, not realizing that he bought them for himself.  The monotony of life on the compound started to get to the girls.  High school graduation was just around the corner and it was only a few more weeks until their 18th birthday.

Generation 3: Syrana and Summer

Life wasn’t the same and they were itching to move on with their lives.

Especially Syrana.

1.  Frequent AFKs for bio breaks.  Sometimes 30 minutes apart, sometimes 45…sometimes an hour.. sometimes 15 minutes.

2.  AFKs for food.  Frequent snacks are a must.  Sometimes leaving the house is required to get what I’m seeking.

3.  AFKs for water.  I drink lots of water now.  No more nectar of the gods (aka Mountain Dew), except on a rare occassion.

4.  AFKs to stretch.  Things ache and staying in one position too long is unbearable now.  Good-bye 8 hour gaming marathons.

5.  Frequently getting lost.  What was I doing? Where am I? What game is this? Pregnancy brain results in confusion and being easily distracted.

6.  Forgetting I’m logged in while alt-tabbed to baby sites.  (What is with the compulsion to read about everything that might go wrong?!

7.  The desire to farm heirloom items for baby IRL.  Well, at least the desire to acquire mats and to craft items for baby.  (Unfortunately, my crocheting skill level is veryvery low.  Baby might just get a washcloth instead of a blanket.)

8.  The inability to stay awake past 10:30pm on any given night, especially Friday night.

9.  Thinking of first words to teach baby, such as “zugzug.”

10.  Logging into WoW to give my parents updates on how the pregnancy is going.  Typing is less tiring than talking on the phone…. and easier to escape to the bathroom!

I had bought the first Just Cause back in 2006 since I’m a fan of sandbox-type games like GTA and it looked like that sort of game. While it was that sort of game, it was pretty weak. I quickly made the decision to sell it on eBay and get something for it before other people heard it wasn’t too good. Which is why I wasn’t expecting much from it’s sequel. I played the demo and it was pretty fun, but it really didn’t explain much and sort of threw you into the action.

I read an early review, I forget where it was now, that said you shouldn’t play the game. In the review it went on to say that you shouldn’t actually play it, but don’t get it to actually “play” it, get it to “use” it. Just Cause 2 gives you a plethora (ooh, neat word) of tools and ways to destroy, kill, and make boom of everything in the game. The voice acting is really weak, but it a funny way, so it’s not horrible to deal with. The story isn’t really all that important anyway. Asian country is taken over by some crazy leader, super mercenary goes in and creates choas, everyone is happy, things explode, etc. The missions in the game are pretty simple: go here and steal this, go here and blow this up, rescue this person, take over this base, and all of the other standards.

The real essence to this game is the sandbox portion. The map is huge and maybe to a fault, but once you’ve been somewhere, you can call a chopper to take you there later. The huge map gives you a crap-load of things to do. You need to collect “Chaos” points to buy things on the black market which you get by destroying things and “completing” areas (basically blowing up all of the leader’s contraband.)  There are probably 50-100 villages, bases, and other areas to complete, including 2 major city-type areas. Good luck on trying to get the 100% completion achievement.

The cream-of-the-crop tool that your buddy uses is his grappling hook. He had it in the first game, but it was pretty weak. You can now hook it onto one thing and then hook the other end onto something else. This creates endless fun and chaos. Oh, yes, you can hook it onto innocent people. It never gets old hooking an innocent old lady and then hooking the other end onto a truck speeding down the highway. Or hooking a enemy vehicle and then hooking the other end onto a tree. They stop quickly. Hell, they even made a “Grappling Hook Trailer” for the game,

I haven’t completed the story, mainly because I spend so much time just traveling around and creating chaos and seeing what neat things I can do with my grappling hook. Did I mention he has an unlimited supply of parachutes, too? Steal a plane, jump onto the nose (why not?), jump off, parachute down, grapple onto a car, ride on the roof for a few miles, then jump and parachute off of a bluff. The possibilities are endless. Realism? Who cares?

Verdict: Buy, if you’re in the buying mood, otherwise definitely rent it and give it a shot. The demo doesn’t do it justice.