Sideshow & Syrana

I know I can’t be the only one that has dreams that incorporate gaming elements or dreams about games.  The game I find sneaking into my subconscious the most is World of Warcraft.  I suppose it doesn’t help that I often listen to the soundtracks while falling asleep.  (The Eversong Woods music with the cellos and haunting voices is super relaxing.)

I previously shared a very whacked out dream that involved Samodean, Chris Metzen, and a live action zombie demo.  I had a LOT of details to share since I wrote it all down as soon as I could after waking up.

More commonly I remember snippets, if that.  What I’ve noticed more lately is that waking up is part of a quest chain.

I’ve had dreams where hitting the snooze button is a repeatable quest.

I’ve also had dreams that the “A” button was the snooze button.

Dreams are weird.  And yes, that’s a scientific term.

Ya know, I think this is why I love to slow time down when my Sims are sleeping.  Usually the game will auto-speed up time when the entire household is asleep.  I mean, they are sleeping, you don’t have anything to manage after all.  But, I like to slow it down just to watch the dream bubbles.

Hmm.

I never realized just how creepy that was before.

If you are just joining us or are looking for a refresher, the entire series can be found here.

Generation 2: Aerissa and Caleb

Shortly after things started to calm down on the family compound, tragedy struck again.  This segment of the family’s story will be best told through screenshots of the emotions and thoughts alone.  I’m not sure there is much I can add to the description other than… Death likes to party.  (Yes, this one will be a bit screenshot heavy.)

(continue reading…)

If you are just joining us or are looking for a refresher, the entire series can be found here.

Generation 2: Aerissa and Caleb

Aerissa had a lot to ponder after chatting with her father’s ghost.  Later that week, she spent some time painting.  She didn’t have anything in particular in mind as she picked up her brushes.

When she finished the painting, she stared at it; wondering what her mind was trying to tell her.  She took the scene to mean it was time for her to set sail again for new adventure.  So, the next day she went downtown to hang out and try to meet some new people.  Strike that.  To try and meet a new guy. (continue reading…)

If you are just joining us or are looking for a refresher, the entire Sims Saturday series can be found here.

Generation 2: Aerissa and Caleb

While Aerissa was letting out her emotions at her father’s grave, someone else crept into the cemetery.

The ghost of her father, Brian, played a classic trick on Aerissa by sneaking up behind her and scaring the crap out of her.  After Aerissa got over the initial shock, she was fascinated that she could see him…talk to him…and interact with him! (continue reading…)

This is going to be a bit different than last year’s goal list.  Last year I focused heavily on World of Warcraft goals with a smattering of Rock Band goals mixed in.  This year, I’ve broken down my goals into a few different categories: WoW, Aion, Dragons Age, Sims 3, Blogging, and Assorted.  And my, I look gamerbitious, don’tcha think? (continue reading…)

If you are just joining us or looking for a refresher the entire series can be found here.

Generation 2: Aerissa and Caleb

Life moved on for the rest of the family after Brenden finally moved off the compound and in with Joanna.

Caleb’s training and manager finally paid off.  He was one of the most sought after athletes in town and one of the best paid at that.  He particularly enjoyed the income from product endorsements.  For a man in love with the outdoors, it was getting difficult for the rest of Caleb’s family to be fond of his new self.

Chrissy, however, paid no attention to his self-centered attitude.  If there was one person that could bring Caleb to his knees, it was his wife.  And, now his daughter.  The pregnancy caught the whole family by surprise. (continue reading…)

If you are just joining us or looking for a refresher the entire series can be found here.

Generation 2: Aerissa and Caleb

Darcy knew something was up with Brenden.  He was acting strangely while home and she had caught him hitting on the new maid.  She was glad no one else was home to witness this.  Everyone had gone into the city to spend the day out and about, except for her and Brenden.  He’d claimed he was working on a new song, but to Darcy it seemed he was practicing pickup lines on the maid.

Although the maid turned him down, Darcy quietly fired her before confronting Brenden.  He denied doing anything wrong and tried to convince Darcy that the maid was a starstruck fan.  Darcy gave him a stern talking to and told him to get his act together.  He swore nothing else would happen again.

Unfortunately, Brenden was only giving Darcy lip service.  He continued to sneak off at odd hours and sometimes would be gone for days.  He would claim he had gigs to perform at, but Aerissa finally started to become suspicious.  She called his manager and confirmed her fears: Brenden was lying.  The next time Brenden tried to sneak off, she followed him. (continue reading…)

If you are just joining us or looking for a refresher the entire series can be found here.

Generation 2: Aerissa and Caleb

Brenden was barely at home anymore.  Even when he wasn’t touring, he’d take on smaller gigs throughout the city, as well as more and more fan-based activities.  He was going out for more meet and greets, autograph signings, and marketing meetings.  Aerissa barely had a chance to worry about what he was working on.  She had her hands full with the twin girls and a rapidly growing little boy.

To do something different, Aerissa decided to hold Trenton’s next birthday party in formal attire.  The guests seemed to love it, but Trenton didn’t.  He didn’t even seem to want to be outside for his cake.  She worried about him entering school because he seemed more withdrawn than his sisters.  Also, the girls were about to enter high school, so Trenton would be left to fend for himself.  Aerissa was at relieved that all her children mostly got along with each other.  She knew Syrana and Summer were complete opposites personality-wise – no matter how much they looked alike, but they managed to share a bedroom without killing each other.

After awhile, Aerissa did start to notice that Brenden was withdrawing from her and isolating himself while at home.  He’d choose to eat at a different table or watch television in another trailer.  He rarely slept in the bed with her anymore, often saying he fell asleep on the couch while watching TV.  Aerissa felt hurt, felt like she was losing her husband, but had no idea what to do about it.  Then, several months later, all those activities slowed down to practically nothing.  Brenden was home, but often moping on the opposite side of the compound.  She couldn’t get him to talk to her…

It’d been nine months since Brenden sought out Joanna, questioning where his life was headed.  He’d vented his fears, worries, and frustrations to her.  He knew she’d understand that he was meant for something greater than this city, than family life… she was the president of his fan club, after all, and he was going to be a huge rockstar. (continue reading…)

If you are just joining us or looking for a refresher the entire series can be found here.

Generation 2: Aerissa and Caleb

It didn’t take long before Caleb worked up the nerve to talk to Chrissy.  They bonded at first over their love of working out.  Caleb helped her with weight training and she helped him with his cardio.  It was odd though, as he fell for her, she seemed to shy away from him.  He didn’t quite understand it.  When he was just being friendly, she responded very well to him, but as soon as he’d try to flirt with her, she’d get weirded out.  Caleb came to accept the fact that she wasn’t a hopeless romantic, and neither was he, so he just kept things level.  Finally he was able to kiss her one day with out getting shoved away.

Shortly after their first kiss, Chrissy began spending the night.  Caleb noticed she was slowly moving in, which made him happy.  He was afraid she’d freak out if he asked her directly.  The rest of the family thought Chrissy was a little odd, but she seemed nice enough overall.  Well, unless one tried to talk politics with her.  That was always a lost cause.  The only thing Darcy didn’t like was that her bedroom was getting taken over by Caleb and his little girlfriend.  For one, Caleb only had a 1 person bed, but also because Chrissy was always trying to use her computer to play chess online. (continue reading…)

If you are just joining us or looking for a refresher the entire series can be found here.

Generation 2: Aerissa and Caleb

Aerissa seemed to be struck with great inspiration prior to giving birth.  It happened before the twins were born and it happened again on this night, before she went into labor with their son.  Brenden hoped that the painting meant their son was destined for great things.

After bringing baby Trenton home, Aerissa didn’t care about anything except for sleep.  Brenden and Darcy took care of the babies so she could rest and heal.  After all 3 little ones were sound asleep, Brenden tried his hand at painting.  He was creative with a guitar after all, surely he could wield a brush too! (continue reading…)