brokenstrangetown - Tumblr blog

[brokenstrangetown]

Reflections

This is less emotional than the decision to cease play in Drama Acres or to abandon the Genderswapped Uberhood after completing the Conquering Nose, but I wouldn’t have been playing and documenting had I not been attached to this neighborhood. So what will I miss most?

I have some couples I’m exceedingly fond of, which are unlikely to repeat in later iterations and even if they did, wouldn’t be the same. Vidcund/Monica and Lola/Gunnar in particular are huge ships that were so serendipitous that I can’t see attempting them again. Vidcund and Monica were a perfect storm of prickly responsibility takers and as for Lola and Gunnar - ! Gunnar all tenderness and repeatedly choosing to interact with her over her triple-bolt sister, obsessively work-driven, self-effacing Lola relaxing into pillowfights and talking about books - I heard them talking to each other as clearly as I ever used to hear Ernest and Sage Ann, and that’s the gold standard.

The two up-and-coming relationships I mourn the most are Anthea/Euclid and Kriemhild/Tycho. I love it when they pair themselves up. Quite apart from Euclid and Tycho being the children of my favorite, Vidcund, both these relationships had a lot of spontaneity and the self-propelling energy of couples made up of equally strong personalities that complement each other. Kriemhild would dominate most partners to the point of annihilation; but not Tycho, who was all set to be the guy who didn’t see all the girls hurling themselves at his head because his eyes were already full of the one for him. Anthea and Euclid have a more domestic potential, the domesticity of hard work and shared goals. He had a City Planner LTW; she was yet another Hand of Poseidon wannabe - what would Research Beach have ultimately become under their influence?

Good lord, Research Beach! It was a great idea and I really wanted to see it grow past the single apartment and two community lots, but such is life.

I had been looking forward to moving everyone into their new homes. Delilah was supposed to propose to Buck during the Singles round and then he would have moved into the smallest trailer in the Manufactured Homes and married her into it on Monday. Jill and Sharla wouldn’t have had many rounds to be roommates in before Gallagher and Gabriella graduated and moved in, but then they’d be waiting for Juan to graduate, at which time Sharla would abruptly be one person too many - but Isaiah would be graduated by then. Ripp, Ophelia, and Creon would move into the third trailer and start the second kid there. It would’ve been nice to see how that little community played out. I had some really cute houses set up for Kristen and Lyla (no General, no military housing!), David and Tank and Isherwood, Gavin and Tina and Gary, and the Love family to move into, but I’ll never play them now.

Kelly was supposed to move into the fourth apartment in Tech Center Flats; but would she and Meredith really have married, and would it have worked, with Kendall so  fixated on Meredith? I’ll never know, now. And would Elroy Holloway and Emily’s baby (Thomasina? Emil? Lee?) have had time to interact enough to be friends before they finally moved into single-family residences?

Would Will Wrightley, Creon Nigmos, and Pippin Williamson have made a posse? Would I have been able to play Creon and Pippin as nonbinary, as they were shaping up in my head? Would Mitchie and Edward have worked out? Would Jared ever have gotten that first kiss? What would Gary Newson and Moon Williamson and Elroy Holloway have looked like? What would Mary Gavigan’s third child and Eric and Marla’s and Emily’s firsts have been? Would I have really gone through with Nathan/Zoe and how would that have worked out? Would there ever have been fallout from Eve’s true parentage? How would the new teen cliques have formed up? Would Matthew ever have gotten his act together? Would Isaiah and Juan ever forgive each other for existing? Would the Non-Sleazy Game Shack ever have reached Level 1?

But there is no place to stop playing a sims neighborhood at which such questions do not remain. That’s the beauty of the game, isn’t it? Always some new thing to try, some storyline to resolve and three others to set up, births and deaths and birthdays and graduations and weddings counting down toward. Sooner or later, the player has to stop playing, but - like the best books - we can see how the story would proceed, how life goes on without us in some nebulous plane where the boy and his bear are still playing.

The End

[brokenstrangetown]

So I reloaded the game, and saw this. No Strangetown. It doesn’t open in SimPE. It’s toast.

Well, I call this My Broken Strangetown for a Reason. We knew from the start that this was coming, in one form or another. At least it was quick, with no long drawn out period of cats thinking they’re human, toddlers with romantic wants, people disappearing, etc.

I have a fairly recent backup, from just before the last University round I think, and could restore from that. But why, if it’s just going to do this again right away? If I could be sure that I’d get something beyond a replay of what I’ve just been through, it’d be worth it, but as it is - maybe a clean break is best.

[brokenstrangetown]

Zimmerman

Zoe had to work on Sunday, but pursuant to the implications of the last Gavigan round I had her throw a party, including Nathan and Mary, after she got home. Nathan promptly foiled my evil plan by wandering into the Picaso apartment. After the party broke up, he was still in Zoe’s relationship panel as if he were on the lot. I know this glitch of old - the game will perceive him as being on the lot, so not allow her to call him, but will never let him out of the apartment. Forcing an error with the batbox didn’t fix it and I couldn’t remember anything else ever doing so, except for moving out of the apartment. Presumably if I moved her out and right back in again (it’s the right day of the week to do it) that would reset everything.

However, when it’s happened before, the apartment the sim vanished into was occupied by a townie, so I decided I’d poke around in the Picaso apartment and see if there was any trace of him there. There was not. And the game crashed as I was getting out.

[brokenstrangetown]

Anthea takes up starwatching. The fact that the telescope points at her boyfriend’s house is coincidental.

“Oh, Kana, your eyes are so - damn, what color were those eyes?”

"Hey, we learned about these things called 'boundaries' at school. You ever hear of them?"

[brokenstrangetown]

“And the sorority is really queer friendly. I think you’ll like it a lot.”

“What a good doggie!” “I finally got dressed and I don’t think I like it. ”

“Well, you didn’t have to do it on my account!”

“Obviously you should stick it out if you can, but dropping out is not the end of the world.”

“And I’m off to room with Jill!” “So I have my own room again! Great! We’ll miss you!” “No you won’t!”

“You and Jill have a great time! It’ll be just like the sorority all over again!”

[brokenstrangetown]

Pete’s turn to date, and there’s no one for him but Darwin! “Aren’t you cold?”

“I run hot around you!”

“Wow, you’re so smooth!”

“To us!” “To us!” “Y’all are cute. Drink off the soda so I can clear the champagne flutes away.”

“Oh, hi, Rea. We’re on our way to the Carnival Grounds.” “And we’re not inviting you along because this is a date.” “Gotcha.”

Kissing by the light of the soda machine!

“It’s a good thing we work so well because finding boys to date in Strangetown would be a challenge.”

“Yeah, Dorothy’s talking about going out and making her own lesbians.”

“Are you serious? It’s too cold!” “Only if you fall in!”

“You really expect me to balance on a log in this weather?”

“IF I can do it you can do it!”

He could not.

“Sorry, sorry! Let’s get you dried off and warmed up!”

“I had a really good time anyway!”

[brokenstrangetown]

“Oh, wow, it’s great having a live-in cook!”

“Don’t get used to it. Are you ever getting dressed?” “Never!”

Hot tubbing in the snow. Is there anything more decadent? (Yes, dear. When you’re older than 15 you’ll learn some of them.)

“Look, Peter! Our daughter bought a bar!”

“You expect me to look at a bar when there’s a hot blonde right here next to it?”

[brokenstrangetown]

Pinball is a good date activity for someone who’s not up to making out yet.

“So you kind of have to slalom the ball -”

“Yeah, we don’t want to get you in trouble for breaking curfew. I had a really nice time.”

One thing - Kana’ll never forget her, whatever happens from here out!

[brokenstrangetown]

“Hi, Kana!” “Hi. I’ve never dated before. I had to sneak out to do it. My folks don’t think I’m old enough.”

“Your folks are full of crap.” “Oh, please don’t talk about them that way!” 

Brilliant start, Dot, Dorothy thinks. Obviously she’s been spoiled by dating Mitchie.

Shoot. Kana’s someone who grew up along with somebody and I never went into SimPE to give her an aspiration. Therefore, she is a little immature for Dorothy! Never mind, I’ll fix it after this session. It’s a get-acquainted date anyhow.

“Say what you like about gym class, learning to dance with other girls is a good use of a bad-weather day.”

“You’re so sweet and pretty! I’m not ready to go home yet. Want to go to the Carnival?” “Oh! Sure. Sure thing!”

[brokenstrangetown]

Ottomas Prime

Nope, all the jobs in town suck. Sharla’ll figure something else out.

“Morning, y’all. Here’s the Sunday funnies.” “Thanks, dear.”

“And I put some rubbers in the drawer.” “Very thoughtful of you.”

Being home again doesn’t sit easy on Sharla. Probably because it’s not home anymore. Dorothy’s snubbing her, but Anthea’s being a good sport about losing her own room.

“So many more years of embarrassing our kids ahead of us! Life is great!”

[brokenstrangetown]

Swain

Eric's determination not to let Marla overdo things sometimes leads him to overdo, risking heat stroke.

"How's it feel in there? Everything where it's supposed to be?" "Everything's perfect. Will you stop  fussing?" "No."

"Hell, yes, you should ask him, girl!...Well excuse me for wanting to celebrate your wedding...Of course he'll say yes. He thinks you hung the moon, but he needs a kick in the pants." Delilah calls fairly often, keeping in touch and making use of their sympathetic ears.

Eric doesn't wear out as easily as Marla does, but he does enough around the house that a nap in the middle day doesn't come amiss for him, either. And he'd feel terrible if something went wrong and he wasn't right there.

"Let's get your cage all nice and clean real quick while Daddy's in the tub, okay, Snork?" "WeeT!"

"You cleaned the cage, didn't you?" "Your daddy has such a suspicious mind, doesn't he, Snork?"

[brokenstrangetown]

Jill moves into the Manufactured Homes from the Simulated Housing Company and moves into the gray unit. It has two rooms just big enough for double beds, and three smaller rooms suitable for use as craft rooms, dens, studies, or single occupancy - a reasonable place to start the communal setup with Gabriella, Juan, and Gallagher. Who won’t be graduating for awhile, so she can have Sharla move in, in the meantime.

She’s all ready to go for Monday morning; and when Monday rolls around again, with her in the Architecture career, there’ll be four new single-family residential lots opening up - one project each for Kristen (the head of the firm), Mickey, Gavin, and Jill.

[brokenstrangetown]

"So, I'm all packed up and ready to move out. What you going to do with the extra room?" "Wow - we could do anything, couldn't we?" "We should probably keep it open to rent to graduating college students."

"You're really moving into a trailer? That doesn't sound very nice."

"It's actually a pretty good trailer. And you can't tell me you want me underfoot here." "I don't mind?"

"And my girl's gone again!" "C'mere, Mama Jenny. You've still got two girls and we're not going anywhere for awhile yet." "Maybe we could use the extra room for an extra grandchild." "Um. No. I don't think so."

Klara's lab is very busy and she has to read journals at home.

[brokenstrangetown]

Ugh, who knew there'd be so many roadblocks to her law career? Jill has to get out of here! There's a new trailer park - excuse her, manufactured home development - opening up, with two trailers suitable for the sibling-lover communal arrangement she's planning with Juan, Gabriella, and Gallagher, and she has to get in on that. She could join the Combined Service, or she can go to work for the company building new housing stock. Easy choice!

"Honey, you don't have to be so serious all the time! Being a teen is all about having fun and getting overdramatic! You should loosen up." "I'm fine the way I am, Gramma. I like only having one friend and staying home all weekend. Besides, I went to that party with Anthea."

Building houses is all very well, but the literary career is not going on hold for anybody!

"Wouldn't you rather call Anthea to come over?" "I like playing Marco Polo with us the two of us!" "Well. All right, then."

"Does your high school record count for graduating with honors from college?" "Afraid not." "Bummer."

[brokenstrangetown]

Smith

Jill was up all night last night writing, but she'll just make some pancakes for everybody before heading up to bed.

Aldric is doing a bang-up job as cashier, leaving Johnny free to sell and restock. He hopes to be able to start training Joyce on the register soon, but she's a little young yet.

"Just think of the shade!"

"Great job, Aldric! Thanks! You head on home. I'll close up."

Setting your own hours is the best!

Joyce knows Dad wants to start her on the register, but she'd rather be useful at home. To demonstrate her ability to do so, she makes lunch for everybody.

Jill gets calls from her friends at all hours. Joyce doesn't know how she stands the interruptions.

[brokenstrangetown]

Kelly misses Meredith desperately, and invites her over. 

Gabriella tries to greet her as a sister, but she seems skittish.

"I miss you so much. As soon as I can get into an apartment we'll get you out of that trailer and start our lives together." "Yeah, we sure will."

"Can you believe Lloyd got mad at Sharla for dancing with Isaiah at the frat the other night? I can't believe the sense of entitlement guys like him have."

"Yeah, um, that's not cheating at all! Not when she's with her fiance! You can't even really cheat on a side date, can you?"

"Gotta run - working tomorrow! Love you! Bye!" Meredith seems a little off, but Kelly can see it. Living with Tina's parents in that tiny trailer has to be nervewracking.

Carole decides to study up on relationships and how to keep a marriage strong. She has a feeling she's going to need that information.

[brokenstrangetown]

With nothing to do but wait for an apartment to open up, Kelly tries to take it easy during her final days at LFT.

Carole is not interested in how hot Tycho is. No sirree. Not even a little bit. (More triple boltage.)

"Dang! Where'd you learn that trick?" "I've known the Newson girls for awhile."

"Oh, wow, you have a shot at getting onto the high score board!" "She won't do it. No freshman has ever done it."

Sam is glad to be meeting new people, though the assumption these two make that the Greek system has nothing to offer them is a little off-putting.

They really do only have eyes for each other, though.

Kriemhild is also a cheater, which cannot be tolerated.