Anyway, I spent a bit of my free time with the writing challenge, which I’m still sharing with whoever may want to read and critique …

Challenge 5

Take 5 minutes to choose either Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella or Rapunzel, depending on which story you know/like the most. You must rewrite a chosen scene from these stories in a particular genre.

If you chose Snow White, you are writing a comedy.

If you chose Sleeping Beauty you are writing a murder mystery.

If you chose Cinderella you are writing a science fiction/futuristic fantasy.

If you chose Rapunzel, you are writing a horror.

Guidelines.

– You may chose whichever scene you like/know the most from your story.
– You have 20 minutes for this challenge, and you should write for at least 15 of those. Either time yourself with an alarm or phone, or use the useful link by FurryPanda on page 1.
– You must have a minumum of 500 words, although you shouldn’t go over 1000.
– Copy and paste straight onto this thread. Do not edit or rewrite your piece. Spelling, grammar and punctuation can be revised but without a dictionary and such.

(605 words in 20 minutes)
I picked “Cinderella” re-written as a scifi/ futuristic fantasy I wish I had more time – I had a great idea for how the Prince would search for Cinderella in scene 3 – but oh well. I really suck with time management.

——————————————————————

“Stop dragging me!” hissed Cinderella. “What are we doing in this musty old laboratory anyway?”

“Because I’m your fairy god-mother, silly.” Marraine sat down and started typing on the old keyboard. “Now, do you or don’t you want to attend the Virtual Ball?”

“What are you talking about? You know I can’t afford to pay for admission.” Cinderella wrapped her arms around her body. “It’s cold here. Come on, let’s go back to the dome. My stepmother will kill me if she finds out I’m not yet done tending to the hydroponics garden!”

“Oh, shush. You’ve been stuck forever in that garden – who ever heard of cinders being used as fertilizer anyway?” Marraine continued typing on the keyboard and finally gave a satisfied whoop. “I knew I could do it! I’ve hacked in the system – so guess who gets to attend the Virtual Ball afterall?”

Cinderella’s eyes were round as saucers. “Marraine, you didn’t! They’ll find out you hacked in the system!”

But in Cinderella’s heart, hope bloomed. The Virtual Ball had been the talk of all the single girls for the past few months – sure they were physically stuck in Jupiter’s fourth moon – but for the cost of 500 galacticans, the magic of Virtual Reality would allow young people from Earth, Mars and even from the far away colony on Pluto to meet and mingle and dance and enjoy themselves for one night. And it had been whispered that for this Virtual Ball, the handsome young prince from the net show “Prince Charming” would be in attendance. Cinderella had a big crush on him and had secretly downloaded a hologram of the prince for a small fortune. Now, thanks to Marraine, she’d have a chance to meet him!

“Okay, lie down and put on the suit and goggles.” Marraine ordered. “Hurry! Now remember, I can only guarantee that you’ll be in the system until midnight. Remember, Cinderalla, you’ll be logged out before midnight, okay?”

Cinderella gave her friend a quick hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you — I’ll remember ….”

————————————————————————————————-

The Virtual Ball was magnificent. It was a dream come true for Cinderella and she could hardly contain her excitement. She’d caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and had gasped. Marraine always did have great fashion sense and had clothed her friend with the very latest. Hundreds of beautiful young people mingled around the room and Cinderella was one among them.

“May I have this dance?” Cinderella whirled around and almost choked. Her Prince Charming was looking down at her and had his hand out. OMG!!! OMG!!! OMG!!! She swallowed and chanced a look around her – not a good move, she could see all the other girls glaring back at her.

“Please – may I have this dance?” he asked again and smiled. And so Cinderella stepped into his arms and promptly forgot about the rest of the universe.

There was an old film that Cinderella had once seen where the heroine had sang “I could have danced all night …” And that was true. But they had also talked. And laughed. And joked. And for the first time in her life, Cinderella felt like a princess and not a lowly hydroponics garden worker.

And then, suddenly the clock struck midnight …

Oh no! Cinderella leapt up and — “I’m sorry, I have to go …”

“What?”

“I have to go …”

The interface had begun to turn into static and Cinderella could barely make out her Prince Charming’s face as he whispered “At least give me your twitter name …”

But she had already logged out.

sims 3

Demonstration of a Morning Jog in Sims 3

— wow! {speechless}

sims 2

General Buzz Grunt : Interrupted

“We have a problem, General.”

General Buzz had barely stepped off his army-assigned helicopter when he’d been met by one of his officers. Sighing inwardly, he turned around and faced the slender brunette who’d interrupted him.

“What is it, Commander?” General Buzz couldn’t help snapping out. He had never minded work matters encroaching on his home hours before, but after his mini-epiphany, the General had been looking forward to having a serious talk with his sons today. And of course – Nervous Subject.

“I … I have bad news, General. As you know, I’ve just recently cracked the code on the ship’s manifesto. We are definitely missing cargo – I’ve had the team perform an exhaustive search, and everything matches except for one item.” The Commander visibly hesitated.

The General waited, his impatience barely contained, one eyebrow raised. The commander was new to Strangetown and her past was something of a mystery. But no one could deny her talent – her rise among the military ranks was already being hailed as extraordinary, no doubt aided by her ability to decipher the encrypted manifesto that had been found on the crashed space ship.

“The missing item was identified as “Laganaphyllis simnovorii” seeds or seedlings. I took the liberty of contacting Pollination Tech #9, and according to him, it’s a little known very rare but very dangerous plant life. P.T. #9 was not clear on its origins but he is sure that it is not indigenous to Sim Earth or Enceladus.”

A tic had appeared on the General’s left temple. “And why would these seeds be missing from the inventory, Commander? Are any of the team members responsible for this breach?”

“We believe that someone else may have found the ship before our team arrived, sir.”

The Commander couldn’t help but flinch a little when the General let loose several choice oaths. “We have already launched an investigation looking into that.”

“So how dangerous is this Laga …?”

“Laganaphyllis simnovorii, sir … I don’t have the specifics, but P.T. #9 believes that the plant may be fatal – he is unsure as to how this is – if it is a poison or has some other effects. He is in contact with his superiors right now. But it is imperative that we find the missing item.”

General Buzz gazed back at his house – Buck, Ripp and Tank would have to fend for themselves tonight (yet again – his inner voice accused).

“Let’s head on back to base, Commander.” Turning on his heel, the General headed back to the helicopter without another glance back. Some things couldn’t be helped, and he was first and foremost a military man after all.

“Yes, sir.”

Darn it – that SimPE tutorial is hard to go through – but I’m working on it. Sorry – at any rate – if I have to delete some characters in the end, I don’t think it will affect my neighborhood much since I haven’t really played Veronaville for some time. It’s just that since it’s the ubermegahood (where all the hoods are connected), the wonky files in Veronaville are affecting the whole neighborhood.

Challenge 4

“Stream of consciousness is characterized by a flow of thoughts and images, which may not always appear to have a coherent structure or cohesion. The plot line may weave in and out of time and place, carrying the reader through the life span of a character.”

Using stream of conciousness, write for 15 minutes on one of three words:

Loss OR coral OR cookie jar.

The piece should be about a character reflecting on something that has happened, is happening or will happen. Do not name your narrator – keep it ambiguous!

Guidelines.

– Your piece should be in the first person.
– You have 15 minutes to write this. Either time yourself with an alarm or phone, or use the useful link by FurryPanda on page 1.
– You must have a minumum of 500 words, although you shouldn’t go over 2000.
– Copy and paste straight onto this thread. Do not edit or rewrite your piece. Spelling, grammar and punctuation can be revised but without a dictionary and such.

(530 words in 15 minutes)

I can see the cookie jar. It’s on the very top of the shelf. If I push this chair here just so and put this phone book here just so and add another phone book here just so, I can almost reach it. Barely. I have to go on tip toes though. And come to think of it, I’m a bit wobbly right now. I should have worn my good rubber shoes. My slippers can’t stay on. Not really. I think I’ll take them off and go barefoot. So, chair, phonebook, phonebook, feet and reach. I’m almost there, barely, almost, and yup, I’ve got the cookie jar in my hands.

I can smell the cookies. I think I can smell the cookies. The cap is on a bit tight, too tight, trying to open, twisting my hands, almost there. Oops, I’m wobbling, wobbling, wobbling, darn phonebooks. Well, now I can smell the cookies. But they’re all over the floor. They smell good, really good. They’re fresh. Crunchy on the outside, gooey and chewy on the inside. Just the way I like it.

I love cookies. I love them with chocolate bits mixed inside. I love them with chocolate bits stuck outside. I love them with frosting. I love them even if they are all broken up into little pieces. I love even the little crumbs. And there are a lot of crumbs here right now.

I try to collect the broken shards of the cookie jar. And I nick my thumb on one. I cry out a little, not too loud, I don’t want anybody running to find out what’s wrong. I can suck on the finger and pretend the red stuff is a cookie. Yes, I can pretend. There’s raspberry frosting on my cookie. Or a strawberry frosting?

I have to hide the cookie jar pieces. Then nobody can blame me if they can’t find the cookie jar. But first I have to eat the cookies, so much cookies.

I think of Cookie Monster. He loved cookies too. He loved to count cookies. I wonder how many cookies there are here on the floor? It’s hard to tell since they’re all in pieces right now. I can try to put the pieces back together again. Like Humpty Dumpty. He sat on the wall and had a great fall. But why would he sit on a wall? He must know that he would break if he fell, right? It’s like the cookie jar. Why is it on a shelf? A high shelf. That I needed to get on a chair and a phone book and another phone book just to reach for it. It wasn’t my fault. The phone book was slippery.

And at least I’m not hurt. Well, my thumb is bleeding but that doesn’t count. I’m not like Humpty Dumpty. I didn’t break. I hurt a little though. But the cookies can make it all better. These are really good cookies. That’s why they’re hidden all the way up the shelf. But I found them. And they’re mine. Even if they’re all broken up now. I’m hiding the pieces of the cookie jar. And I won’t tell where.

sims 2

General Buzz threw a left jab, snapped his fist back and followed this with a right cross.

In his mind’s eye, he could still see Nervous Subject forming the word. “Lyla …” He had not expected his reaction.

Left. Right. Left. Right. He gave another vicious punch to the bag. He felt the jarring pain as his naked fists connected repeatedly with the worn leather. But pain was good – he needed to punish himself.

What happened, you moron, why’d you lose it? – the remaining rational part of his mind asked him again and again – What you did was inexcusable, admit it. All he said was a name. Just a name. And that name should no longer have had any power over him. She.had.forfeited.that.right.when.she.left. He punctuated each word with a punch.

Back to on-guard position. His body was on automatic – every movement precise and controlled. A one-two punch. Fast jabs to the center. A feint followed by a left hook. Sweat trickled down his back and he could feel his muscles relaxing as they did what came naturally to him.

But the General’s mind was churning. And despite his efforts, the anger continued to simmer within him, boiling over like a geyser. You need better control – the voice in his mind continued talking – What if you had killed Nervous today? What would have happened to your boys?

Drop right fist to body, then a fast counter punch to the left. Lean into a front kick. Twist from the hip. Then his specialty – the roundhouse – flicking his shin right smack on target. His movements were fast and fluid – General Buzz had no doubt he was still capable of killing a sim with his bare hands.

And your sons saw you lose control – the voice went on relentlessly – Ripp and Buck for certain. At least Tank was not there, but Buck would tell him. Was that what you wanted your sons to learn from your example? – the voice continued implacably.

General Buzz shook his head violently. He could see the naked fear in Buck’s eyes, the cold judgement in Ripp’s. And then, just like that, the anger dissipated, now replaced by a deep shame.

The military psychologist was right. It was about time he accepted he had anger management issues.

Inside, he imagined that he was a blackened shell – charred and hollow. You are a failure as a man – the voice had turned accusatory now. As a husband. As a father. About the only thing he was good for was the military. And his team had bungled that job on the crashed space ship. So what was he good for, really?

The General was suddenly distracted by scuffling sounds out in the hallway.

“Hey, sissyboy, where do you think you’re going?” That was Tank’s voice.

“None of your business, slug. So get out of my way. Stop shoving, Tank!” General Buzz got to the door in time to see Ripp shoulder his brother aside and disappear down the stairs.

“Ripp!” Buzz called out, but Ripp just continued on his way.

See, that’s what you’ve taught your sons – the voice continued in General Buzz’s head.

General Buzz clenched his fists to his sides. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP.

“That little s***, sorry Dad …” Tank was saying.

General Buzz stared at Tank – he hadn’t realized it, but Tank was almost a young adult sim now. The General suddenly remembered that it would be Tank’s transition day tomorrow. He hadn’t even planned anything special for the boy. Silently, General Buzz berated himself for forgetting.

Tank was staring at him curiously. “You okay, Dad?”

Not really, the General thought. I feel old and defeated. When did you boys grow up?

“Yeah, yeah. I’m turning in early, son. Hey, le’s talk tomorrow, okay? I’ve just realized that we haven’t even discussed what happens after you transition. College and stuff …”

Tank suddenly looked solemn. “Uh, yeah, let’s talk tomorrow Dad.”

As General Buzz closed the door, Ripp’s face rose unbidden in his mind – Ripp who looked so much like his mother that it wrenched the General’s heart just to look at him. Ripp, his little boy, who now snarled back at him anytime he tried to have any sort of conversation with him.

And how about Buck, who had his mother’s mannerisms and easy affection. The General remembered how he’d rebuffed his youngest son. When did he turn into a monster?

The General stood unmoving, suddenly lost in the past. It was all her fault. He remembered his wife’s last words before she’d disappeared from his life. From his boys’ lives.

“I’m sorry, Buzz. I didn’t mean to – but I’m in love with Hugh. Hugh Thanasia.”

“Olive’s husband? You whore!”

He had wanted to hit her, badly. It had been all he could do to control himself, he hadn’t cared anymore if the boys were woken up by their raised voices. And afterwards, she’d run away, sobbing in the night. He’d thought she’d run away with Hugh, but Hugh had denied knowing where she was. Hugh also denied the affair when the General had accused him in front of Olive.

The Grunt family hadn’t heard from Lyla again. He didn’t think he’d hear the name Lyla again in his lifetime. He hadn’t known he’d been so angry still.

The General stared out the window. He’d have to swallow his pride and apologize to Nervous Subject – if Nervous still wanted to speak with him that is.

—————————————————————————————–
Blogger’s Note:

My apologies for going over this event yet again (and you all must be bored stiff by now), but here’s why: Since Nervous Subject wormed himself into his own storyline in my hood, I’ve had to go back and think about the other sims who are connected to him. So, General Buzz Grunt now gets his own back-story, and I hope I’ve filled his character out a little bit. I’m playing the household now, but I thought that the General needed to present his POV too before I go on.

sims 2

I’ve been following several Sims 2 blogs and I’m really struck by how talented several of these bloggers are. And I’m not just talking about exquisite picture-taking / photoshopping skills, but also mad-props writing talent. Many have shared creative ideas that I’ve borrowed to make my simming a better experience. And many I believe can go and publish their stories as graphic novels (if EA/Maxis would ever allow it) – they are that good.

Anyway, these are the top ten posts that really made me into a loyal follower of someone’s Sims 2 neighborhood. Now, I’m not claiming these are the best of the best (as there is no way I have read everyone’s blogs or posts AND I am sure I’ve missed a thousand good blogs out there), but these are the ones that first caught my attention (hooked & reeled me in) and have been following since.

How about you – do you have any favorites yourself? Please feel free to share any blogs/ posts that rocked your Sims 2 world too! I’d love to hear about them

(Note : These are in no particular order, so #1 just means the first that came to my mind.)

1. Tour – Pine Hollow Public School from Pine Hollow – A Sims 2 Neighborhood

I’d already been following Pine Hollow, but reading this post sealed the deal for me. I loved the look behind the scenes and the detailed explanations given on this custom-made school. With so much attention to detail given to the school, what more the rest of the hood?

2. the birds and the bees from Lakeside Heights

I call this the “ACR for Dummies” post and I will always thank Laura for this detailed explanation into the mysterious entity called ACR. And she doesn’t stop there, to go through her blog is to learn tips/ details for a much richer simming experience.

3. Pleasantly Strange – Chapter 1 from Pleasantly Strange

Now, there have probably been a hundred and one Strangetown stories, but I found this tale of Bella Goth trapped in the Beaker Mansion still fresh and instantly hooked me into following all the chapters that followed.

4. A dream from Tierra de Legado

This very descriptive post heralds a sinister threat in her neighborhood and I was hooked. Tierra de Lagato has elves, vampires and spunky kids aplenty and I’ve been following it faithfully since.

5. Chapter 5: Lawrence Sees the Beacon from Dragging Blue Lake

Dragging Blue Lake features an exceptional Pleasantview society governed strictly by the blogger’s personal caste system. I was confused half-out-my mind by the myriad of (unfamiliar) cast members, but I was hooked by this chapter. When Lawrence met Macaulay, I also felt the chemistry and I wanted to find out what happened NEXT.

6. Specter Round 1 from When Worlds Collide – a Mega Hood Story

It’s a pity that the blogger hasn’t been updating her Mega hood lately. I read her chapter on Olive Specter and thought – someone who can give batshit crazy Olive Specter a heart and soul deserves her other chapters to be read (and shared).

7. Strangetown: Chapter Fourteen from Strangetown, here we come

There’s a reason why Strange tomato’s photobucket bandwidth is always exceeded – too many fans! This chapter features riveting writing and edge-on-your-seat suspense. I honestly believe the pictures are unnecessary at this point. I try very hard not to let Strange tomato’s view of Strangetown color my own Strangetown, but it’s very hard.

8. Chapter Twenty-Four {Karrick’s Journey} from Ravensworth

Ravensworth features a plucky heroine called Kaylee and her to-die-for-hero husband Ty. But I somehow fell in love with Phoenix’s band of aliens (called R’ouglians) and I can’t wait for future chapters featuring Karrick.

9. Spinning from The Shmakova Legacy

I took one look at the pictures and went – how on earth does she get these gorgeous shots? The blogger’s writing style is smooth and easy to follow too. But to be perfectly honest – I took a look at her Lemur Island postcard and I wanted to live there too. Reading about her Joe is me vicariously living in her oh-so-picturesque hood.

10. Prologue from Shadows and Blood

Talk about a story of epic proportions. Just her prologue spans centuries, and what can I say, I’m a sucker for vampires. The blogger is trigger happy with her screenshots (I think she has a hundred or so per chapter), but I can’t complain since she always takes good ones.

Now I realize that a Top Ten is too short, this really should be a Top Twenty – what about the new neighborhoods I’m following? Ha ha – I apologize in advance to the other blogs that slipped my mind. Do you have a top ten list too? If yes, please share with me (and us).

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by RSS Or by Email

sims 2

(Warning : Some pixel nudity in this post – you have been warned!)

A Conversation with Nina Caliente: The Other Caliente
(secretly recorded by Bill Newton, staff reporter, Pleasantview Free Voice Newspaper)

Stop calling me the “other” Caliente, Bill!

Just because Dina married well before and is now involved with Mortimer Goth does NOT relegate me to supporting status! So what if she’d married Michael Bachelor? She hardly got a cent when he died anyway! (Snickers) Who knew he was in such debt? If not for me, Dina would be out on the streets right now! How about giving me a little credit?

Anyway, don’t you agree that it’s a bit icky that Dina’s now involved with that old sim Mortimer? She was married to his brother-in-law you know!

Oooh, you didn’t know that bit of gossip, Bill? Oh, stop giving me that blank look! You know, for a reporter, you’re awfully uninformed. Michael Bachelor was Bella Goth’s brother! Ah, now you see? Icky, right? And that’s besides the “doing it” part with a wrinkly old man too! (shudders)

My tastes run a little younger and handsomer. Now, that Don Lothario is a luscious specimen of a sim!

I will never understand how he got hooked up with that wallflower of a girl Cassandra. She’s lucky that she’s got her Daddy moneybags – did you see her before she got her make-over – (makes gagging sounds) – exactly, my man!

Anyway, have you read Chastity Gere’s blog? Yeah? I totally agree with that chick – why should we sim girls be penalized for enjoying ourselves like the guys? So what if I engage in a dalliance with – say – Checo Ramirez? That blank look again, Bill! He owns Ramirez Furnitures? In Bluewater Village?

Anyway, unlike my twin sister, I like to play around with guys nearer my age bracket you know? Who cares if they have a ring on their finger? I’m not looking to marry anyone you know?

Now, let’s drink! The night is young and I have a date!

Write for 20 minutes about three characters. The characters can be present or not but all should be mentioned by name. Your starting sentence is: “She touched the little box in her pocket and smiled.” You must also include the word hypocrite somewhere in the piece.

Guidelines.
– Your piece can either be in the first person or third person, but you must start with the aforementioned sentence regardless.
– You have 20 minutes to write this. Either time yourself with an alarm or phone, or use the useful link by FurryPanda on page 1.
– You must have a minumum of 500 words, although you shouldn’t go over 2000.
– Copy and paste straight onto this thread. Do not edit or rewrite your piece. Spelling, grammar and punctuation can be revised but without a dictionary and such.

	593
20
lab.drwicked.com

Sally’s Proposal

She touched the little box in her pocket and smiled. Well, technically, it wasn’t her pocket. She’d worn her cute little strapless black dress for her date tonight and had not expected it to get so cold. Ricky, after several hints from her, had finally caught on and offered her his jacket. Feeling the little box on the front right breastpocket was an unexpected bonus.

Sally surreptitiously fished her cell phone out while Ricky was off to the gents. Quickly, she dialed her best friend Gail’s number.

“Girl!” she squealed, “I think he’s proposing tonight!”

“About time,” Gail muttered.

“What?”

“Nothing – I said congratulations. I’m really happy for you. Not!” Gail snickered.

“Oh, you big hypocrite! I heard you the first time. It doesn’t matter now that he’s made me wait ten years. I’m finally getting married!” Sally couldn’t help crowing in triumph.

Sally had already been a bridesmaid for a grand total of fifteen times – count that – fifteen times. She’d gritted her teeth and smiled through the ribbing she got. But Sally was getting tired of all the questions during the family get-togethers – “So, when is Ricky going to make an honest woman out of you?” She had almost had enough of the pitying glances from her married girlfriends. Now, she could join the ranks of the blushing brides in her clique. Finally.

“Oh, shoot – he’s on his way back, gotta go.”

“Details, girl, details -” Gail managed to get out before Sally cut her off.

“Hey, what’s up?” Ricky asked, sliding into the seat beside her. He gave her a lopsided smile that never failed to make Sally’s breath catch. As her mother had observed the first time she’d met Ricky – “What a handsome devil you’ve managed to catch, Sally.” Ricky was the quintessential tall, dark and handsome man she’d dreamed about ever since she’d read her first Mills and Boom romance novel. So what if he’d fended off any marriage talk all these years – he was just making sure that everything was perfect before he proposed. Sally was sure of that.

To reassure herself, Sally touched the box again and smiled. “Nothing darling, just admiring the view.”

The dinner seemed to fly by – Sally honestly couldn’t have told you what the conversation was or what she ate. She was floating on a sea of giddy happiness – in her mind, she was already walking down the aisle in a frothy concoction she’d always dreamed of since she was thirteen. She’d even picked out her wedding song – she’d heard it in the Broadway play “Mamma Mia” and thought “I do, I do, I do” was simply perfect.

Then Ricky was signaling the waiter for the cheque. What? What? Sally shook her head in bewilderment – What about the proposal? Oh, what the heck – Sally had had enough of waiting. She was going to seize the bull by the horns.

“Darling,” she purred. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

When Ricky looked at her blankly, Sally added, “I’m sorry, darling. Not that I was snooping or anything, but I couldn’t help but notice this little box inside your jacket pocket …”

“Oh, thank God you found it, Sally! I thought I’d lost the dammed thing. It’s an engagement ring that Jack had me pick up for him. He’s proposing to Jessie, fancy that! Never dreamed he’d give up his freedom just like that, now me …”

Ricky never had the chance to continue. Instead, he found his drink and his jacket dumped on his head and was reeling from a solid whack to his head from Sally’s purse as she made her exit.

Hi everyone, just a heads-up —

I’m going away on a week’s vacation starting tomorrow –  where I won’t be able to sim or make updates (not bringing my laptop along!)

Gasp, I wonder how long I can go without, before I feel the withdrawal effects?