Seagull Cottage chapter 10: Moon Trail

Cathrina and Alexander Wooblershield recently got their first lodger at Seagull Cottage Bed & Breakfast. Hank Hoonk is still around, and this morning Cathrina was determined on getting all the routines right. First duty was to serve breakfast at 7 AM. Not oversleeping like the other day!



Alexander: Yum, pancakes for breakfast! Will there be enough... for us, as well?

Cathrina: Of course, Dear! Mr. Hoonk will not eat them all...

Alexander: I think Tina Baby is about to grow up, I'm quite excited!

Cathrine: Alex! Get dressed, we are supposed to run this place!



Hank Hoonk: Mrs Wooblershield, this food is no good! Did you stay up all night burning these pancakes?

Cathrina: Oh, well... I'm so sorry, I tried one of Gloria Moonster's old recipes...

Hank: No, you didn't! Gloria knew how to serve a stud like me a well prepared breakfast! She never burned my food! Well, almost never!

Cathrina: Listen, we'll not charge you for this meal, okay?

Hank: It won't help much on my hunger, though... I'm off to do my Unicorn research. I need to be prepared to use my *har-har* manly strength, you know...



Alexander: You shouldn't have offered him the discount, sweet silly...

Cathrina: Why not... I don't want him to tell others about the bad food. And I better study some cooking. I heard they run classes at Salamand Bistro. Gloria was the experienced hostess, I'm brand new at this. It's not fair to compare us!

Alexander: I think you do fine! Now let's explore that trail! It starts right outside our door, I can't believe we didn't walk up there earlier!



Cathrina: Did you ever hear about MSW?

Alexander: No, why? And what is it?

Cathrina: I think Gloria was a member of MSW. I found the reference in a book...



Alexander: Why didn't you tell me? What else did you not tell about Gloria?

Cathrina: Nothing... uhm... no reason to be upset, Alex! Perhaps Hank Hoonk has heard of the MSW, I'll check with him.

Alexander: But you told me you hardly knew anything about Gloria, and now you suddenly do...

Cathrina: Let's greet our neighbours up here...



Alexander: Looks like there's nobody at home... wait, something moved... no, nothing.

Then they walked over to the next house, but again, nobody answered the door. All the houses looked occupied, how strange they never saw anyone from these households walking down the trail at Seagull Cottage. Was there another trail leading down to Old Town?

They decided to return, as Alexander had decided to go downtown to look for a job. He had noticed a gas station at the bus station, and benefiting from his work experience from Bridgeport he wanted to apply. Cathrina went back home, intending to clean the main room.



And Alexander was lucky! The old man serving Galucca Bus Station was facing his retirement, he would ask the owner of the place if Alexander could be considered for the job. Alexander left his number, and went grocery shopping before he returned to 4 Moon Trail.

While he was gone, Cathrina quickly sat down to read another page of great aunt Gloria Moonster's old diary.

"I secretly placed some stuffed toys in the spare bedroom. I think it will make a good nursery if Ludwig and I ever get a child. No luck this far, though..."

Cathrina: So you tried to get a child? Oh, did you ever succeed...? Do I have a secret relative here in Galucca?

"Oh... I think the old book is changing me! Or is it the MSW? Ludwig said I was up walking most of the night, but I can't remember a thing. There's a small cut in my finger. Obviously, I can't have done much wrong, or we would have noticed."

Cathrina: I hope you are no longer walking in this house at night...

"We currently have 3 lodgers. Mr Frank Huston (retired banker), Elvira Grump (widdow pushing elderhood) and Sonia Franken (adult, single, not really sure what she is up to during the day). I think Elvira Grump complains too much, she can be really annoying..."

So, Gloria might have had a child? Cathrina walked into one of the empty rooms, and yes, those stuffed animals were still lined up. It looked like they had been played with, not dirty, just a bit worn and tired.



Then she cleaned the big room downstairs, and walked outside to tend the new vegetable garden. The unknown plant looked dry.

Suddenly there were sounds from the next garden room, the room with the stone and blue flowers.



Cathrina carefully looked over the hedge, and on the rock a Seagull was resting. Was it the same bird that Cathrina saw some time ago? It looked rather confident, it almost seemed like the bird was visiting its favourite spot.

Alexander got back home, they had a good meal together, and he apologized for his behavior earlier. Cathrina didn't really think it should matter that much if she still kept the old diary secret. In fact, it was just her little entertainment. Maybe it was time to buy a TV set?

Prepare yourself for the Detesters!

Starting next week, you will get to know my test sims, the detesters!

They lived in Twinbroke for all their lives (I think), but soon they might get an invitation to Town of Galucca!

Seagull Cottage chapter 9: A new friend

So, last night a stranger was at the door requesting a room at Seagull Cottage Bed & Breakfast, although Cathrina & Alexander Wooblershield had not yet advertised the place. They were about ready, but still taken a bit by surprise.

This morning they both overslept. Cathrina made breakfast in hurry, and Alexander gathered some fruit to be served on the common room counter. All those details would need some planning. To learn from a guests expectations as well as cover up for any mistakes, Cathrina decided to join Hank Hoonk for breakfast.



Cathrina: Did you sleep well, Mr. Hoonk?

Hank Hoonk: Sure, mam! The seagulls woke me up early though, but that was expected. They used to be like that.

Cathrina: Used to...? This is not your first stay?

Hank: Not at all, I visited several times in the past. The previous owner was an interesting person, for sure, it all suited my project very well.

Cathrina: Project...?

Hank: I'm not only strong as a horse, young woman, I'm also a Unicorn Researcher. Gloria knew some good stories about the Unicorn.



Cathrina: So you knew my great aunt Gloria Moonster?

Hank: Nah... wouldn't say I knew her well, ahem... although you might think she would have run after a man like me. No, it was just for those stories. And besides, I used to have the blue room, now I'd like to switch rooms. The purple is nice, but Gloria always gave me the blue room.

Cathrina: Sorry, it's locked off. We might discuss it again in a couple days, though.



A little later Cathrina and Alex decided to visit town. They hardly saw anything of Galucca yet, and now Cathrina wanted to buy some vegetable seeds and they could try the local food.

Cathrina: This must be Old Town. Nice, but very old...

Alexander: And quite boring, if you ask me. There's not even a castle, just those small towers facing the harbour.

Cathrina: There must be more, Alex. I think there's even a castle somewhere. Let's check out the farmers market over there!



Alexander: Did you say Farmers Market? Looks like a single wagon to me. Maybe there's more inside.

Cathrina: Ah, they got seeds! Shall we start simple, lettuce and tomatoes?



Alexander: At least the food looks decent here at Salamand Bistro.

Cathrina: Hm, Alex, don't turn your head, but the young woman behind you is extremely purple! I never saw a skin like that! I wonder why so many locals look different from the norm elsewhere. Bridgeport hardly had any residents like that!

Alexander: You could ask Emma Hydront. Or our nearest neighbour, Brad Kragger.

Cathrina: At least the woman over there looks pretty normal...



The black haired woman was done eating and walked over to greet them.

Margreta Gripp: Hello, I'm Margreta, I'm new here in Galucca and wonder if you know where I can find the Arts Academy?

Cathrina: Sorry, we are pretty new as well. We still need to check out this town. Are you an artist?

Margreta: No, I'm just interested. I heard the academy exhibits some historical photographs that I'd like to see. Maybe you would like to join me? We could make a visit to the Historical Museum, too, although I already went there once. And I'll show you City, that's where I normally hang out.

Cathrina: That would be great! But can you put it on hold for a couple days? We're starting a bed & breakfast, and today is rather packed.

Magretha: Sure! Here's my number!



When they got back to 4 Moon Trail, Alexander walked outside to repair the old fence, and Cathrina grabbed the chance to read another page of aunt Gloria's old diary, before planting the vegetable garden.

"Ludwig had to go to SimCity for a few days visiting relatives, it gives me time to experiment a little with those old recipes from Black Journal of Magica."

Cathrina: Oh, you are actually doing it, grand auntie?

"I'll need to collect lots of seagull feathers... it says a feather under the sheet will connect the sleeping person to the location... I wonder if I could use that recipe to make lodgers stay longer at Seagull Cottage, too? It would make things so much easier if our guests stay longer."

Cathrina: Hm... shouldn't be hard to find feathers in this area...

The page also revealed some facts on Gloria's old clothes that she had from her mom, Luphelia, and that needed protection. Not that Cathrina understood much of that...



Cathrina planned to build up the old vegetable garden. She knew Gloria grew tomatoes, and in addition she wanted to grow lettuce. Quite useful crops for daily consume, actually. There was just one old plant that didn't look totally dead, but it was hard to tell what kind of plant it was.

A little later Cathrina had a rest on the old garden bench, but then she suddenly heard a sizzling sound right behind her head, and turned.



A snake! Eeeek, would that mean that their neighbour Brad was still feeding his pets in this garden?

Brad Kragger: Ah, you found her! Lizzy, come to dad!



Cathrina: Brad, I told you not to... bring your snakes over here! You are no longer allowed to!

Brad: But Lizzy is again in very hungry... conditions, she needs more food than my other snakes otherwise she will produce a fatal poison instead. So, bringing her here, is a good thing! Old Gloria didn't mind!

Cathrina: I'm not Gloria!

Brad: Oh... no! Lizzy! What happened, they were not due quite yet! Oh...

Cathrina: What?

Brad: Eh... nothing... you are going back inside now, Cathrina, are you? Staying in for the rest of the day?

Cathrina: I guess so. And so will you, Brad! Goodbye!

Seagull Cottage chapter 8 - New household member

Cathrina and Alexander Wooblershield finally decided to stay at Seagull Cottage. The place is all cleaned, and just a few minor adjustments are in place before they will advertise that Seagull Cottage Bed & Breakfast is reopened.

This morning Cathrina got up early as usual to read another page of her late grand aunt Gloria Moonster's diary. The huge portrait of Gloria's mom, Luphelia, was up on the study wall.

"This morning we found Ms Prudle dead in her room! It's the only thing I dislike about running the Bed & Breakfast, elderly guests needing to be replaced. I wish our guests would stay forever, then we would never need to advertise!"

Cathrina: Yes, sure, great-auntie, but what if all your guests turned out to be even more annoying than the gulls?

"All 4 rooms are now completed, we can have 4 guests at the same time! Hopefully it will bring in enough money to allow us to upgrade the 2nd story where Ludwig and I live. We'd like to expand the house and move the entrance out of the garden."

Cathrina: So the garden door used to be the main entrance?

"It seems that the old book "Black Journal of Magica" belonged to mom. Her notes are all over the place. She obviously was involved with MSW, whatever that is."

Cathrina: MSW? What on earth is that?

Then she heard Alexander getting up, and she quickly put the old diary away.



Alexander: Cathy, what is that lady doing on the wall? I was planning to put my cat poster up there!

Cathrina: Oh, come on, Alex, old Luphelia deserves that spot! Gloria was my granny's sister, you know, which makes Luphelia my... uhm... great-great-auntie?

Alexander: Sorry to say, sweet silly, but a cat would be sweeter.



After breakfast they both walked down to the 4 rooms.

Alexander: Are we ready to advertise for lodgers? Do you think we can handle it?

Cathrina: I think so, why second thoughts? Somehow I think we should lock off the blue room, but the other 3 rooms are quite ready. We might need to stay cheap though, but we can't afford upgrading the rooms yet anyway.

Alexander: So, I'll put up a sign tomorrow then?



Cathrina: I can't wait to serve the first meal here! Do you think breakfast would be enough?

Alexander: It says Bed & Breakfast, you know, I don't see any dinner in there...

Cathrina: Well, I was thinking... Gloria served locals, too. Maybe Brad Kragger would stop by, or the parents of those sweet kids from yesterday... hey, we don't even know how many neighbours there are, yet!

Alexander: Keep the Brad guy out of here please, he seems... disturbed.



A little later Cathrina got a splendid idea... Alex had his grumpy days, and she knew a way to make him feel more at home.

She walked up the hills from Moon Trail. She passed a few smaller houses, but saw no locals. She headed for the house she thought was the home of those two kids, Sonia and Aron, and their cats.



Sonia: So, you want to buy my cat? I think we must ask Tina! She is the cat mom! She says no!

Aron: Tina is my cat, too, Sonia!

Sonia: There is only one kitten left, her name is Tina Baby.

Cathrina: That's a wonderful name!

Mrs Tostalchair: Kids, what are you up to? Hello... new neighbour? I'm their mom.

Cathrina: Hi, I just wondered if I could buy one kitten, but if there is just one left...

Mrs Tostalchair: Of course you can have it, it's a gift.

Sonia: But, Mom! Tina Baby don't wanna leave!



Sometimes moms do decide over young girls, and Tina Baby got a new home.

Cathrina: Alex! Hurry, I got a surprise for you!



Alexander: Awww, she is so cute! And so soft! Thanks, Cathy!

Cathrina: Do you think she'll like it in here? We don't need this room yet, anyway...

Alexander: Sure, this room is perfect!

So, Tina Baby is the new household member? Right after dark, they heard someone knocking on the frontdoor, and they both rushed downstairs...



A man was standing outside, right between two suitcases.

Cathrina: Yes?

Hank Hoonk: Seagull Cottage Bed & Breakfast!

Cathrina: Uhm, yes, guess so... who are you?

Hank Hoonk: Who am I? Is that how you greet new guests?



Cathrina: Well, you need a room? Is that it?

Hank Hoonk: Of course I need a room! Why else would I be knocking on your door at night?

Alexander: Please enter! You've come to the right place, Mister!

Hank Hoonk: Blue is my favourite colour! Or purple, even! I missed those lovely wallpapers!

Cathrina looked at Alexander. And Alexander looked at Cathrina. Then they both looked at Hank Hoonk, and then at the walls.

Galucca: The Fogdale family of the Dump

Have you checked out the Gaulucca story yet? There you will find tidbits from five different families up through the development of Town of Galucca.

One family is the Fogdales. They reside the poor district, often called The Dump. This family will have a remarkable destiny, they just don't know it yet. The stories from Galucca's development is told on a separate blog. Check it out! Or go via the top menu of this blog.

Seagull Cottage chapter 7 - Garden dinner

Last update left us with Cathrina waking up from her sleep, hearing a dump sound downstairs!

It turned out it was already early morning, the seagulls were just about to start their noisy day. Cathrina got out of bed and stopped to listen carefully several times on her way downstairs to check. If someone was down there, what would she do? Could it be the neighbour boy, Brad Kragger?

She found the doors and windows were all locked, and nothing looked different - until she entered the blue room.



Of course it had to be the blue room... but this time the action could easily be explained -  logically. The big portrait of the old lady had fallen down to the floor, and was now squeezed between the wall and the bed! It wasn't damaged.

Then Cathrina's cellphone rang!

Cathrina: Alex!

Alexander: Hi, sweet silly! I'm sorry if I woke you, I just had to call you. I miss you so much!

Cathrina: I miss you too, Alex, are you on your way? How was the gas station?

Alexander: We're completely done here, Cathy. I've made my money, and will be with you around noon. Can't wait to see you!

Cathrina couldn't help feeling that the old lady on the wall listened to the conversation, like if she cared... but why would she care at all, if it wasn't old great-aunt Gloria Moonster? Maybe Brad Kragger could identify the woman? The garden dinner was up in a few hours!



Cathrina walked up to the study, and sat down to read another page from Gloria's old diary.

"Ludwig called! He said he misses me, and I asked him to prove it by coming to Seagull Cottage for a few days! I'm not sure what to think, I was learning to like my solitude, but I miss him, too."

Cathrina: But... Alex just called, too... are you making fun of us, auntie?

"I found a strange, old book in the bookshelf, "Black Journal of Magica". At first it looked like a stupid old witch book, but it's packed with content that I find both entertaining and interesting... herb mixture recipes, and some pretty odd stuff. I think it used to belong to mom."

Cathrina: Hm... another book? Your mom's book... I forgot you used to have family around here, great-auntie...

Then there were sounds outside, from children playing, and Cathrina put the book away, got dressed, and walked outside.



Cathrina: Hello kids, do you live around here? Oh, your cat is lovely!

Sonia, the girl: Uhm... hi...? You don't live here?



Aron, the boy: You don't belong here! Who invited you?

Cathrina: I'm new here, that's right! And I love it here at Moon Trail. I'm Cathrina, are we neighbours?

Sonia: Not telling! You are a stranger! But Tina had kittens! They are soooo cute! Mom and dad said we can't play with them yet, they are so small and breakable!

Cathrina: Ah, great! Lucky you, and clever Tina!

Aron: You have many kids?

Sonia: (Aron, that's not polite!)

Cathrina: That's fine! But no kids, not yet...

Sonia: Any cats? Dogs? We know about the birds. Everyone knows about them!

Then a familiar voice was heard down the road...



Cathrina: Alex!

Sonia: Come, Aron, let's go home to check the kittens. If dad is out we might play with them!

Alexander: Hi! Oh, that's a nice cat you got there!

Then the kids with the cat Tina ran off, and Alex could embrace the one he had missed, without restrictions due to the underage audience.



A little later they prepared the meal in the garden. The chairs and table were older than Cathrina first thought.

Cathrina: I think we'll paint them!

Alexander: Sure! So you cleaned up a little in the garden... does that mean...?

Cathrina: Yes, I'm all decided. I would like to stay here, Alex! If it's fine with you of course? At least we could give it a year or so...

Alexander: Whatever you say, sweet silly.

Cathrina: Our first guests will arrive very soon, neighbour Brad Kragger and his old aunt.

She told him that old Viggo was dead, and about Brad's snakes that he promised not to bring. It was nearly 5 PM, and voices were heard at the gate!



And in walked Brad, followed by his aunt.

Cathrina: Emma?

Emma Hydront: Hello! I'm not gonna stay for long, just keeping this young man company, if you don't mind!

Alexander: Of course we don't mind, Emma! We just had no idea you were related...

Brad Kragger: My mom and Emma were sisters. Mom died long ago.

Emma: Yes, yes, so I visited Moon Trail more than once...

Brad Kragger: But she refuses to pet my snakes! Now, where's the food?



Emma: So you decided to stay? I knew it! Ever since I picked you up at Galucca harbour, I knew it!

Cathrina: Emma, do you know the portrait in th blue room? I don't think that's Gloria...



Emma: No, no-no-no! It's not Gloria! There's no picture of Gloria!

Alexander: Well... uhm...?

Cathrina: Why not? I mean, she lived here for so long... well, if the painting ain't Gloria, who is it?

Emma: It's her mother, dear, Lu...Luphelia.

How to get The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection for free

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Too many sims - stop the clock!

So, my stories take place in two different communities; Town of Galucca and Magna Island (aka Maccaroni Island). Although I focus on a handful households, I prefer to keep track on all residents. Just to make sure that bi-characters will be as real as possible with correct family situation, the right tie to the community's history, the right profession etc.

All together there must be near 100 households to check on! I use one spreadsheet per town to keep track on it all. I don't like the game's story progression, because I prefer controlling everything myself. Mostly I make sure that all families reproduce, that all careers in town are covered, and that grown up children who are not taking over the family home will move out to marry. I also adjust everyone's outfits after a birthday, to match their financial status (I need both rich and poor families in my towns). The notes of future birthdays etc, allows me to stop by each house only when needed, and it's not really a problem if I delay a stop either.

I use just one column per household, and one line per year. When a baby is born I'll make a note including parents and a few extra genetics that I made up in addition to the game's DNA system. A few colour codes make it easier for me to say find all unmarried sims who are "up for grab", because of their pink text on the year they reach Young Adult stage.

Lately I came up with a new time span in order to manage it all. Previously I mostly played with aging on, and when telling a story it would often become some hectic day because so much had to happen all over town, not always affecting the story's update at all. Now I've decided to turn aging off, focusing more on playing out everyday matters, focusing more on the residents' relations and dreams, rather than community development. So, I'll basically play with aging off, but will age everyone up one year whenever I'm ready for it, normally within 7 simdays. All my worlds will be aged accordingly, making sure they all go by the same year count.

Each season will last for 3 sim years. If I want to explore one season more, I'll just wait longer until I age up my worlds. Maybe the seasons will follow my real life seasons, but that's not very important.

All in all, these changes will give a more relaxed time span, and I can actually play a household which I normally don't play, for a full simday, without ruining any bigger plans. I think it will be great!

How do you keep track on all your sims?

Seagull Cottage chapter 6 - The snake boy

This morning Cathrina woke up alone. Last night Alexander returned to the city of Bridgeport to work at the gas station. And they surely could need the double pay he was offered.

Anyway, Cathrina had a full day on her own, until Alexander would be back tomorrow morning. For the first time she didn't have to hide away to read the old diary. She could hardly wait to check what the old Gloria put down.

"Ms Prudle complains about the seagulls, and I don't blame her. They are very noisy these days! No wonder how the place got its name!"

Cathrina: Seagull Cottage! Yes, I actually knew that...

"Garden is coming alone fine, today I served Ms Prudle from my first tomato harvest!"

Cathrina: Aw, your own tomatoes! So that's what you grew, beside of those flowers...

She closed the book, one quote per day as usual. But hey, today Alexander would not be interrupting her... okay, so why not... just one more diary page!

"One more lodger, student Erik Hartman. I don't like him, but I know I'm not supposed to build close relations to my guests anyway, thanks Similius!"

Cathrina: Hey, lucky you! That's two guests!



She had a good breakfast, then she walked downstairs to clean the blue room. The window had been left opened over night, most of the smell was gone.

Cathrina couldn't help it, suddenly she felt the woman on the wall talking to her. Not by spoken words of course, but... some other way. She studied the painting closely, the signature was hard to read, but looked like Nicko van Hutch. She never heard about him before. And she didn't think this was great-aunt Gloria. Was it some other relative?

Without really noticing it, this moment Cathrina made the important decision to stay! She knew it would be right to stay here at Seagull Cottage, trying to reopen the bed & breakfast. They had already cleaned most of the house, and except from the first day, Alexander had not grunted about missing the city, not once. She thought he would like to settle here, too.



Now that Cathrina could finally see their future here in Galucca, it was naturally time to work some in the garden. She easily understood where Gloria had grown her tomatoes. It looked like the perfect spot for a vegetable garden!

Cathrina still intended to invite the neighbours, old Viggo Kragger and his son Brad, for a meal here in the garden tomorrow. She didn't need to fix everything at once, just the obvious.



She didn't really feel being observed, she just felt a bit dizzy from the old portrait in the blue room. If it was a relative, why was it in a lodger's room, and not upstairs in the family section? Didn't Emma Hydront say something like the last guest died in the blue room?

Then she heard a bird making noises. Not the ordinary seagull screams, but differently, like wanting some attention, or being scared? But where was it?



Cathrina looked into another garden room, and there, on the rock next to some pretty lovely blue flowers, one of the seagulls were resting. Then she knew she was being watched, and turned!



Cathrina: Oh! Who... are you?

Brad Kragger: Pft... Brad Kragger, neighbour! You alone?

Cathrina: Uhm, not really, my hubby... is inside! What are you doing in my garden?

Brad Kragger : Just coming here to feed my snakes.

Cathrina: Your... snakes?



Brad Kragger: They are good... don't you worry a bit!

Cathrina: Well... uhm, now that we moved in, I'd appreciate it if you stop coming here to... feed those snakes.

Brad Kragger : Sure... nice meeting you anyway. Dad talked a lot about you...

Cathrina: Ah, well, I was actually planning to invite Viggo, and you, for a simple garden dinner tomorrow...

Brad Kragger : Oh well, dad died the night after you visited him. But I'll come tomorrow! We're used to eat in this garden anyway.

Cathrina: What, Viggo is dead? Oh... I wanted to ask him...

Brad Kragger : So, can I still come?

Cathrina: Uhm... sure, 5 PM... No snakes, okay?

Brad Kragger : Can I bring my old aunt? She'd love to join!

Cathrina felt a bit unsure, but Brad would be their neighbour for a while, and they would probably meet his aunt sooner or later anyway.

Cathrina: Sure. But still no snakes!

Brad Kragger : 'Kay.



Cathrina: I think you shall leave now. It's raining again, I need to... join hubby inside... bye!

Brad Kragger : Ha, I'll be around if you need me!



Then she ran back to the house, and locked the door. Were everyone in Galucca that... special? If so, maybe it would take some time to convince Alexander into running Seagull Cottage.

She called a few city friends, mainly to make anyone outside believe she was not alone, but also to tell about her decision. And she was not having second thoughts. Probably not. Then she read her book (not the old diary), and went to bed early after checking that all doors and windows were locked.



She had slept for a couple hours when she heard a sound downstairs! Or was it nothing? Something outside? She could have been dreaming...

This is how my stories connect

I've played the sims series on and off ever since 2001, meaning I enjoyed all numbers up to now; The Sims 1, The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. I don't know yet how my take on The Sims 4 will be, but I will find out soon enough :)

All these years I liked to create my own worlds and to make stories, and most of those stories found their way to various websites and blogs. I ran Simmerville Hood for many years, until it became way to tedious. You see, I will normally keep track on every single sim in my hood or town, meaning it can easily become more detail management than actual game play.

Nearly all my current games and stories are related to one another, so I need to manage not just one town, but multiple! It started with SimBasic, where 4 couples stranded on a tiny island and built up a small community on Magna Island (aka Maccaroni Island) which now has reached 4th generation. The SimBasic story was completed, but continued in the still going Greench Farm legacy. The little community eventually made contact with Town of Galucca, which didn't exist at that time, so I just had to create the new world in CAW (Create a World). And because I'm a sucker for details, I just as well started to play Galucca's story 200 years before the contact was even made with the Magna Island (SimBasic). A noble family settled there, and brought a few handcrafting families, and from there the town developed over 200 years!

Yet another story, unveiling the many mysteries at Seagull Cottage Bed & Breakfast, naturally takes place in Galucca. If you follow Seagull Cottage, you might like to know that reading the Galucca blog will give you detailed insight in the backstories (although it's not required to read the Galucca blog in order to enjoy the Seagull story).

Finally, I also run a story about my always complaining Test Sims, the Detesters. This story started out in Twinbrook, and the little family was primarily used to test downloaded content. Recently they moved to work for Galucca Imports, Inc., and there they meet some of the locals that you will recognize from some of my other stories. The Detesters story will be published on this blog later this Summer!

Shortly, a group from Magna Island (Greench Farm legacy) will visit Galucca! That was the actual reason why I created Galucca in the first place. I can't wait to see these still primitively living descendants from those 4 stranded couples, walking through the Galucca City region for the first time! It will feel like a mission completed, although I know it just started! With all these stories and all the creative work behind it, there's no way I can quit The Sims 3 just because of The Sims 4. I will need to go on with the lives of those sims, finding out what their stories will reveal :)

Desperately wanting The Sims 4 Create A Sim Demo?

The Sims 4 will reach our gaming computers on September 2nd - hey, that's only 6 weeks ahead! I don't plan to leave The Sims 3, due to my many ongoing stories taking place in worlds I created myself, AND tons of downloaded content, both EA made and custom content made by fans.

 But I can have BOTH! :)  Any way, I will of course check what The Sims 4 is like. Maybe I'll put together a few short stories too, that would be fun, just not as dedicated as those stories already running.

Last week EA sent out an invite to many simmers for testing the upcoming Create A Sim tool (CAS). The community is already raving about unfairness and the word Demoless is established on forums. The pick of testers were random, but still people think they got the right to be picked because they played so and so long, or spent so and so many dollars on the sims series. There's rumors saying EA will send out more invites, in waves even, but nobody knows for sure.

Meanwhile I do check my email frequently. Because I'm demoless, too. At first I couldn't recall which addy I registered with Origin (EA's game downloading service), and thought it might have been a long gone addy. Then I found that on my Origin settings I had not even allowed EA to send me anything. Jeez, first I felt left out, then it turned out I was the one who had left out EA...

So, if you are still waiting for your CAS Demo invite, make sure that your Origin settings are correct ;). You need to tick that EA can send the sims related information to your email.

Edit July 16: You can now sign up with EA to test the The Sims 4 CAS Demo! Go here!

PS: I'm pretty good at creating sims - check back to see how I will manage in TS4 - whenever I get my invite, that is :)

Related links:
Read about The Sims 4
Check out simmers The Sims 4 CAS Demo creations
Info at SimsVIP
Info at Snooty Sims