Now I don’t know how to stop…

In the two weeks since my last post, I played The Sims 3 to the point where the offspring of the original young adult couple are young adults themselves, recorded over 400 memories (with carefully-composed screenshots), and 10 seasonal greeting cards. The mother is an elder, the father is a vampire, the older daughter is dating a female vampire, and the younger daughter wants to follow in Leonardo da Vinci’s footsteps. I’ve decided to set it aside for now because I made the sims’ lifespans too long (180 days, for anyone who cares). Playing that game has become unbearably tedious.

The 10 Greeting Cards: Here you can see the family change and grow in conjunction with the cyclic changing of the seasons.

Now I have a third version of that family, but with shorter lifespans (130 days). I built them a much better starter house than the previous versions. The front room is one big open space with both living room (left) and kitchen (right); there is a counter island that separates the space. Walk about halfway into the house and the door to the bedroom is on the left; to the bathroom is on the right. A door between the kitchen area and bathroom provides an alternative entrance/exit and passage into a new addition to the house, should one be built (which will happen eventually). I’m sorry I don’t have a screenshot because it’s really, really nice.

What I do have are the first seasonal greeting card and 13 memories for each of the sims in my new game. I’m really not sure what would be the best way to present them, and I don’t want this to become a The Sims 3 blog! But I feel like there’s gotta be a reason I’ve become so obsessed with this stuff, something I’m trying to express through it. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe I’m just trying to avoid reality as much as possible. All I know is I’ve pulled an all-nighter and I feel like if I go to bed without writing this, when I wake I’m going to get all caught up in what other people want me to do and never get around to posting it. It has to happen now.

Here’s a thumbnail grid with the images in as close to chronological order as I could get them.

Summer Greetings from Maria and Angelo Venezia!

We were very happy to buy a nice starter house in Moonlight Falls.

Angelo was very happy to find a job as playground monitor!

Maria found a job cleaning bed pans at the hospital. Not ideal, but a foot in the door.

Angelo was very happy to go to work most days. He found it challenging but satisfying.

Maria’s work was tedious. She gained her satisfaction from earning her own income.

We enjoyed attending the Summer Festival – especially after a long day at work!

Angelo was promoted to Teacher’s Aide.

Maria enjoyed watching the great Argyle Sinclair play chess at the bookstore. It was a very inspirational and educational experience!

Angelo got a sun painted on his face at the Summer Festival, because face-painting is fun!

Maria was promoted to EMT. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to provide medical care to sims in need.

Angelo had to unclog the toilet on Leisure Day.

Maria celebrated Leisure Day by spending the morning in bed with a good book.

Angelo enjoyed swimming in the ocean and connecting with nature on Leisure Day.

Maria enjoyed swimming in the ocean and connecting with nature on Leisure Day.

Angelo was promoted to Substitute Teacher.

Maria vaccinated sims at a free clinic. She gained a lot of satisfaction knowing the vaccines would prevent expensive hospitalizations.

Angelo saw a ghost when he got up for a midnight snack. He didn’t know who the ghost was or why he was there.

Angelo had a great time leading his students on a field trip to the science lab!

Maria studied logic at the library. She was glad she could access information so easily.

When Navita Singh got sick at the library, Maria didn’t hesitate to offer her medical care. Maria was happy to help her fellow sim feel better.

Angelo had paid a repair technician, but still came home to find the shower tub broken and the bathroom flooded!

Maria was promoted to medical intern. She was extremely grateful for the opportunity to study to become a full-fledged doctor!

Angelo was very pleased to receive the Apprentice Business Award – 6 credits toward completion of a Business Degree at Sims University!

Maria found her lack of a scholarship disappointing. At least she got 6 credits toward completion of her Science & Medicine Degree!

One thing I’ve noticed so far is that Angelo seems to be happier than Maria for two reasons: 1. He starts out doing something he loves (not something he hopes will lead to something he finds fulfilling). 2. He focuses on his area of success (receiving 6 credits toward his degree) instead of feeling disappointed about something he didn’t get (a scholarship). Maybe there’s something I can learn from him.

Advertisement