My Life with the Sims

I was in my first year or two of secondary school when my parents bought me my first Sims game. They bought me the original Sims game along with the Pets and Superstar expansion packs. An addiction was born. I spent quite a bit of time playing that game but I hoped for more. It wasn't long before I bought Sims 2 as well.

I ended up with all the Sims 2 expansion packs and some of the stuff packs. I was surprised by how much more there was to do in this game than the original. There were a lot of families I created and played with, and I even came up with a few stories. They gave me a good few years of entertainment, although as more expansions were added I hated that it took so long for different areas to load. I've always been a bit impatient but that was the only real problem I had with the game. So of course I was excited when Sims 3 came out and I got it as soon as I could.

Sims 3 is amazing. It looks great and I love how many extra features and interactions there are, though there are some I still miss from Sims 2. I miss the university and seasons too as well as the different holiday destinations they had in Sims 2; I'd love those in addition those that came with World Adventures. The towns are great because there's no loading between travelling to places, though like a lot of other people I was upset when I discovered we can't actually watch sims in school or work, though that isn't much of a loss when you think about it. My main issue with the game at the moment is the glitch where sims stop going to after school activities after they've had a field trip. I've experienced other glitches from time to time but they all stop eventually. This one doesn't and I'd love for it to be fixed soon.

At first, though the game added a lot that wasn't in Sims 2, I still felt like there was a lot missing. Of course, that changed with the expansions. I was, and still am, shocked by how quickly they were coming out. I've heard many people say most of the expansions don't add much to the game but I have to disagree. So far the one that's done the least for me is Late Night, not to say that it didn't add some great things though.

I can't wait to get the two new expansions. Supernatural came out today but I won't have the money to buy it for another couple of weeks. I have a feeling it will be my favourite so far. I can't wait to have all the different types of sims the game allows. I was also incredibly excited to learn about Seasons being released in November because as I've already mentioned that was one of the expansions I miss the most. I'm also really looking forward to having aliens back as, like many players, I've been waiting for them for ages. I hope, but doubt, they will have the ability to make male sims pregnant still.

As for my actual playing style, the main problem I have is that I find it difficult to keep a family. I don't use the pre-made ones and I put so much effort into creating families and their homes only to not want to play with them when I'm done or to get bored of them quickly. I think my problem is there's so much to do in the game and I always want to do something else or do too much at once and it messes it up for me. I'm between families at the moment. I do love the Sims challenges as well and I think I may try some again soon. My favourites are the legacy and apocalypse challenges. My record for keeping a family was actually 4th generation in a legacy.

So there it is, a glimpse of my experience with the Sims series, I'm sure I'll be reviewing the new expansions when I finally get them too.

So what are your thoughts on the series? Which one's your favourite, and what's your playing style?

(Academic) New Year's Resolutions

I know this is usually a 'beginning of the actual year' thing, but I thought it would be a good idea to do some of these for the new year of university as well, so here we go:

1. Work harder.
There were a couple of times last year where I didn't exactly do my best (then again when I did I was greatly insulted for it). Not again, not this year. This year I'm gonna blow their frickin' minds. And get the highest scores to go with it.

2. Don't miss a day of class.
At the moment I only have 2 classes a week, so if this one can't be done there is something seriously wrong with me.

3. Be more social.
I don't think we need to get into this one again. Let's just say hopefully I can get along better with this years flatmates than I did with last years, and hopefully be able to talk more with classmates and the other members of the anime society.

4. Get fitter.
This goal is showing up on everything. Must be healthy, must look good, must stick to exercise routine.

5. Improve drawing and writing skills.
My writing was good before, it's gotten a lot of praise, but it can always get better. As can my drawing skills, especially if I want to start making comics and such.

6. Win a competition.
I'm entering a few. If my writing can win something, then I'll know it's good. I'm sure it is anyway, but this'll be some pretty good proof.

Back to Liverpool - University Year 2

So this weekend, as if the title didn't make it obvious, I moved back to Liverpool from London for the second year of university. I spent all Friday packing and to be honest in the week leading up to leaving I really didn't want to move back. I wanted to stay in London. But I had to and I was still looking forward to classes starting up again, so here I am writing from my new flat in Liverpool.

My mum came up with me like last year and she just went back to London earlier this afternoon. Now I'm all alone, because none of my flatmates have moved in yet. I've been getting really excited about meeting them, sometimes I look out the window just hoping to see a car pull up and when one does I wait for a few minutes to see if they'll be coming to my flat. It sounds kinda sad I know but considering just a couple of weeks ago I wasn't looking forward to the flatmate part I think it's a good sign. I still hope they'll be nice and that we'll get along better than I did with my flatmates last year.

So, Saturday was spent travelling down to Liverpool - big suitcase causing problems as usual - then getting some food shopping in and putting away that and the stuff I brought with me. Sunday saw us picking up my stuff from the storage place and getting a bit more food. I should have enough food to last almost until Christmas now.

The new flat is great. I'm in Block A this year, only one that's really close to the outer gate, and on the first floor instead of fourth, so less walking (which might not be a good thing) and easier when I have a lot to carry. When I arrived and picked up my key I was told I had the nicest flat in the place. I can believe that. We have leather sofas, and a bigger TV than last years. We have two fridge freezers, so there's going to be less trouble over food space. Everything is generally really nice.

My favourite part though was the welcome package waiting on the desk for me when I arrived. It contained a calendar, nnotepad, several coupons and fliers, a pack of haribo tangfastic, pack of Reese's cups, small box of white chocolate brownie Krave (my favourite, I love Krave),a packet of mini Ritz crackers, a packet fajita seasoning mix (been wanting fajitas for ages), two small packs of airwaves gum, a packet of nescafe 3 in 1, a small bottle ove Old Spice, a small bottle of 'Loverdose' some kind of perfume, and some nivea moistourising cream.

Weekly Update 12/08/12

This week:

• Dad’s birthday party went pretty well, I think it’s the longest I’ve stayed at a party in a long time. It was fun and as usual I spent most of the time entertaining the children (or in this case one child and a friend) that were there. I also decorated dad’s birthday cake myself and though it was only simple I’m quite pleased with myself since everyone complimented it so much.
• My Kingdom Hearts group meet was the next day and that was a lot of fun too. There was a lot of insanity as usual. I spent most of the day playing with our Mickey’s tail (it was so fluffy!). Later we went to the park and were feeding bread to the birds at the pond. A goose kept biting my shoe and a swan kept trying to eat my coat (or me), and then several pigeons perched on my hands and arms. It was actually an amazing feeling. They actually aren’t as disgusting as people seem to think and their talons (are they called talons on pigeons?) and beaks don’t hurt.
• I went shopping with my mum at the Elephant a couple of times this week. One time we were in the bank when we suddenly heard a lot of shouting. Some guy in the shop next door had gotten pissed off and just trashed it. I have to admit it was amusing watching the guy argue with the security guard and then try to run away. I don’t know if it’s true but my mum heard that it had started because the guy’s change was 20p short.
• I mentioned in my last post how excited I was getting about my upcoming cosplays but since then I’ve also been getting into a really creative mood so I’ve been starting making plans for a lot of other things I could make. I’ve decided to fill a project book with ideas and plans.

Plans for next week: 

• Call Student Finance again to ask about money. I sent the last piece of information they claimed they hadn’t got two weeks ago, so they should definitely have it now. At this point I don’t even care if they haven’t finished processing yet; I just want to know that they are. I need my money.
• Finish organising my closet. I realise these two were goals from last week but they’re still not done.
• Practice packing my suitcase for university. I just want to make sure I can do it in a way that everything I want fits and isn’t too heavy.
• Fill my project book with my plans including how I’ll make them with diagrams.
• Start drawing and writing more often, I still want to improve my skills more before I go back to university in September.
• Possibly go to the doctor. I've had a problem with my ear since Thursday. It can still hear properly but there is some pain and sometimes there’s a weird feeling. I might go to the doctor just to make sure there’s nothing really wrong, maybe see if there can be a cause found and anything to fix it. Plus one of my friends keeps begging me to.

Cosplay To-Do List - October MCM Expo

Well here it is, the first post dedicated to my cosplays for the 2012 October London MCM Expo, and I’m really excited. I’ve been obsessing over cosplay for a while now but I only really started thinking seriously about it yesterday, so this first post is going to be a checklist of the things I’ve already done and the things I need to do for each one. I won’t be getting any money until about halfway through September, if that, so with limited time I want to know exactly what I’m doing beforehand so I can get it done as soon as possible.

Deidara

Done:

• Pretty much nothing but research so far.

Still to do:

• Buy costume. Recently I had decided to buy some parts individually and make others but due to time and having to get other things done, and it being about the same price anyway, I’ve gone back to my original plan to buy the whole costume together. I need to buy or make shoes too because they’re the only thing that don’t come with the costume.
• Buy and style wig. It’s a pretty simple style so I’ve decided to get a normal wig and do it myself rather than get one made specifically for the character that costs a lot more than a normal one and may or may not be good.
• Make scope. I don’t know how necessary that part actually is but I want to make it (mostly because I haven’t found anywhere I can buy it). I’m not sure how yet but I’m sure it won’t be too difficult.

Zexion

Done:

• Well I’ve done this cosplay several times before so… yeah. I have the full costume and wig and everything.

Still to do:

• Buy new boots. I’m not going to worry too much about getting them perfect considering all but the bottom will be hidden anyway, but I’ll be trying to find some that can work. Last time I had to buy boots for this cosplay I learnt just how hard it was to find plain boots with no decorations or heels.
• Make new Lexicon. The old one was basically a ring binder with the design painted on, and the cover’s gotten a bit damaged now. Today I researched how to bind books so I’m going to make a real one this time.

Jushiro

Done:

• Got full costume (except for my feet).

Still to do:

• Buy sandals and socks for the costume.
• Buy a wig, again styling it myself unless I can find a reasonably priced one that looks right.
• Possibly add sleeves to my haori, since mine didn’t come with sleeves but Jushiro actually does have them… I want to be accurate.
• Make my sword. I don’t think I should explain right now all the reasons I've decided to do it myself but I am, and I plan to do quite a bit of research soon on how to make it, since I've never made a sword before. Luckily, it’s a pretty simple design.

So that’s my to do list between now and the end of October. I’m going to be doing more updates on this as I get each part done. Until then, it’s back to research.

Weekly Update 03/08/12

What happened this week?

-              I tidied and reorganised my room on Sunday, I’ve only needed to do that for a month or two now. I ran out of time though so I just had to shove the rest of the stuff I was keeping into the closet instead of organising them properly. The room itself looks great though.

-              I had a friend stay over from Monday to Wednesday afternoon. It was really fun, we had all sorts of stupid conversations and we got to go to Tokyo Toys and Forbidden Planet (two of my favourite shops). I also got him addicted to Bleach.

-              I went shopping with my mum to get the food for my dad’s birthday party tonight. Hopefully that’s going to be fun. While we were out my mum bought me two new pairs of earrings, one of which are little bells, like the ones you find on cat collars. I love the way they jingle when I move.

-              I found a new webcomic (new to me, not new in existence) that I love and, as usual when I fall in love with something like this, read every page within a couple of days. It’s called Neko the Kitty, and if you haven’t seen it before I suggest you check it out. It’s really funny, and the cats are so cute. Here’s a link to it:

http://nekothekitty.smackjeeves.com/

Plans for next week:

-              Tomorrow is the monthly meet up for my Kingdom Hearts roleplay group. It’s going to be good seeing everyone again and I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m also going to love cosplaying again (I kinda did it when we were out the other day but it was only really half cosplay because I don’t have the wig yet). And it’s going to be somewhat special considering I’ll have to miss the next one, since it’s on the day I need to go back to Liverpool.

-              I may or may not have plans with another friend, waiting for them to get back to me.

-              I also need to finish organising my room, and that means the closet. It shouldn’t be too hard, but it might take a while.

-              I might need to get into contact with student finance again. They’ve still only approved the tuition and maintenance loans. I had to resend the information they need to decide whether or not I get the grant because apparently they didn’t get it the first two times.  I’m still worried because that’s the money I need for food and the rest of rent (maintenance loan only covers most of the rent) so if they don’t give it to me I can’t go back to university because I’ll have nothing to live on.

Top 10 Jobs I’d Love to Have

Another list for fun, these are some of the jobs I’d love to have if I could, assuming I were qualified to do them. A lot of these are really generalised, naming areas more than specific jobs, but still. It is slightly restricted though in that they can only be jobs available in my country and time period (there are lots I would love to have from hundreds of years ago).

10. Army

This may be a bit of a weird one considering I don’t necessarily agree with the wars going on. I’m sort of in between on them, against war in support of peace but for war in consideration of the fact that it is in human nature. But I like the idea of being a warrior type person, the idea of fighting and survival and things like that. I guess this sort of fits into the time period thing I mentioned because the idea is of more interest to me historically. And okay it might also have something to do with the games I play (don’t get me wrong, I know there are lots of differences between games and real life).

9. Teacher

Specifically for primary school or younger aged kids, they’re so cute and easier to get along with, usually more respectful and excited to learn. It’s a nice idea, being able to teach little kids about the world. My experience in secondary school easily turned me against the idea of working with kids that age. I definitely think I’ll only do that for my own children.

8. Musician

Music has been a big part of my life for a long time and for a while I really thought I was going to be a musician or music producer, something in that area. A part of me still does though not as much. It would be fun though, but I know I really don’t have the skill for it.

7. Veterinarian

This is the job I thought I would have for almost my entire childhood. Animals were always my favourite thing as a kid and I knew a lot more about them than most kids. So it made sense that I would want a job where I could help them.

6. Film

Doing media studies in college (and being a lifelong fan of film) gave me the idea of working in this area. Any of the jobs in the film industry would probably be fun for me, actress, director, screenwriter, location finder… I also really wanted a job at the BBFC, which would mean I would get to see new films and games before they came out and decide on the ratings for them. Which aside from being really fun because I get to see films and play games for work, but I would get to see the inappropriate stuff that would be taken out before they were released to the public. It would have been awesome.

5. Police

Kind of like the army thing but better.  This is another kidlike thing, fighting the bad guys and all that, and it would have some pretty interesting stories, with murder cases and other creepy/disturbing stuff. Doing the crime scene photography would also be fun.

4. Dead bodies

Okay yeah, this one is really general. I guess this one kind of relates to the last one. Anything to do with death interests me, particularly with autopsies or preparing the body for burial, though even grave digging or other cemetery work seems interesting to me.

3. Doctor

This is another job I wanted for a while. I have a really big interest in medical science and medical problems and injuries and things like that, and I also watch a lot of medical programmes be it fictional ones like Scrubs or ones based on true stories like Untold Stories of the ER. Specifically, I would want to be an ER doctor because you get a wide variety of cases and get to save people’s lives.

2. Geneticist

To do with the last one I mentioned and again it’s mostly due to things I’ve read or played but lately this area of work really fascinates me. I’ve also done a lot of research in the area for different stories I’ve written and found it really interesting.

1. Author

Of course, this is the job I am certain I will have in the future. I love writing, particularly fictional stories, though I hope to start creating graphic novels as well. I’m doing a lot more writing lately after a long break (not including what I had to do for university work) and it seems to be going well. I’ve also been trying to practice drawing more.

Thus ends another list. A strange mix of jobs I know. So what jobs would you want to have?