Sideshow & Syrana

My sense of time passage has become very skewed.  The hours at work seem to drag on forever.  My evenings during the week are gone before I know it, as are my weekends.  In the back of my mind I think need to get a post up, been a few days.

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.)

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

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. (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

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…)

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

Generation 2: Aerissa and Caleb

With Xander out of the house and living in a high security compound set up by his crazy father-in-law, no one in the Zalewski family really knew what he was up to anymore.  Darcy tried not to worry about him too much and figured he’d come back if he couldn’t handle things.  Meanwhile, (during a period of no screenshots, apparently) after graduating high school Caleb started his climb up the athletic path.  He started out as a team mascot and soon earned himself a spot on the team.

Brenden continued to perform live several nights a week, sometimes in town, but he was on the road a lot.  His autograph sessions started to get out of control – fans trying to come away with handfuls of his hair and clothing.  He did get the opportunity to meet with the president of his fan club.  She was closer to his age than he had imagined… since he figured she’d be some little teenybopper.  She was still a young, fresh face compared to him and Aerissa, but most certainly an adult. (continue reading…)

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

Generation 2: Aerissa, Xander(?) and Caleb

Xander followed Dixie’s wishes and moved in with her and her father.  What he didn’t realize was that her father was a little… odd.  Insane, actually.

Xander suddenly realized that he had never been to Dixie’s home before.  Or, at least, he hadn’t thought the bunker was her home.  He remembered walking her back here once, but he thought it was just where her father worked.  Doubt started to creep into his mind, but one flash of a smile from her and it was gone. (continue reading…)

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

Generation 2: Aerissa, Xander, and Caleb

Brenden’s music career was slowly blossoming.  He started booking more gigs at parties and was drawing larger crowds in the park.  For a few months, he was playing more concerts than he was spending time with Aerissa.  Aerissa tried not to feel jealous about this, but she couldn’t help but wonder if he was losing interest in her.  After all, she’d seen some of the girls that frequented the night clubs.  What Aerissa didn’t realize was Brenden was trying to save money for a very special gig.

(continue reading…)

Before I dive into this next segment, I want to take a moment to explain the jump in screenshots and story we may be experiencing over the next few posts.

You see, when I first started playing Sims 3, I was very excited at the newness of it all and was playing a lot… but not taking nearly as many screenshots as I should have been.  Well, “should have” might not be the right phrase.  I wasn’t really thinking of piecing together this story at the time, so I just took random screenshots here and there.  There are some gaps, then waaay too many of the same party, etc.

Once I get these posts caught up to where I am playing in the game (we are getting there quicker than you might think, especially since I’ve slowed my playing in order to try and get caught up!) then I’ll be able to make some better decisions on what I take shots of.  That should hopefully help move the story along better down the road.

I hope.

The other thing is that in the beginning of this family I was playing on the extended lifespan.  This allowed for me to get a lot done with all of my sims before their birthdays.  Eventually, though, I wanted to get moving along with the story and generations, so I scaled the lifespan back to normal.

I’ll shush now and let you enjoy this next segment!

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

Generation 2: Aerissa, Xander, and Caleb

With both Xander and Caleb in their teenage years, Aerissa was able to enjoy more peace and quiet without the boys at home.  Being an idealistic young adult, she began to explore who she was and do a lot of self-reflection.  The more she wrote, the more she wanted to paint and vice versa.  Aerissa felt that the only way to truly be in touch with her inner self was to explore her creativity.

She had already decided that she wanted to be a well known author as well as a well known painter.  In fact, she wanted to be able to illustrate her own books.  However, on her journey of self-discovery she started experimenting with painting styles.  Currently, she is quite fascinated with illusionist paintings.

(continue reading…)