The Blog about the Blogs

...fuck.

2012-02-18T16:32:00.002-08:00

Well, turns out that there is no way to do the sort of thing I was hoping for in Blogger without making it look like shit.

Continuing to look for alternatives. In the mean time, just use the character profiles--which by no means sufficient for that purpose, but at least they're unlimited.

Family Tree Woes

2012-02-18T01:35:00.000-08:00

So... I was already having a pretty lousy day when I logged into TribalPages and got another bombshell. They are going to be putting a 500 name limit on free sites.

Um. So. The Naroni site had 510. I did some pruning--namely, taking off anyone who wasn't connected to anyone sort of important--and am now down to... umm, 493. Yeaaaah. :S

Now, I understand why TribalPages has made this decision and--given how long they've been around and how much data they host--I can respect it and I don't bear them any ill will. But this is a bit inconvenient for me, because as well as TribalPages's interface works for what I'm doing... well, paid web accounts just aren't something I can be throwing money at right now.

So, while the family tree site will remain up for as long as there is internet, I will eventually have to "retire" it and stop updating it because I'm batty and I need way over 500 slots and I like to see all the connections so I can't just break it into a few family trees (and by "a few" we'd probably be talking about "a dozen" at this point). As of right now I am unaware of any comparable free family tree sites that would work well for a fictional story, so what I will probably end up doing is setting up another blog here, probably using a crude rip-off of Lothere's family tree format because hers are awesome and I already model the visuals after those ones anyway. If anyone can think of something better, though... well, I'm open to suggestions.

Anyway. This will probably be a lengthy process and I can't imagine the transition will go all that smoothly. But there's really nothing I can do other than adapt to the situation and I know you all understand that.

Thanks guys, and sorry about the inconvenience.

Sims Resolutions

2012-01-02T11:38:00.001-08:00

(though I'm not sure how many people know and/or care about this blog :P)

Stolen initially from Simtopi, and by extension from strange tomato and the mctavishams.

1. Finish Ashelia at Dusk. This shouldn't be much of a problem; really, if not for my laziness, I probably could have finished it in 2011 (that being said--I don't know if I'll get an update out tonight, because tomorrow is my birthday but I have to leave so any sort of celebratory deals will be taking place today).

2. Finish this first "arc" of Orbis Umbra and start the next one. And outline it.

3. Finish at least the first prompt table of Realmspeaker (not sure if it will go beyond or not just yet).

4. DO NOT START ANY MORE ON-GOING PROJECTS.

5. Actually do some Sim Haven challenges.

6. Actually play the game once in a while, if only to figure out further secrets of the EPs.

Van's being lame again

2011-11-28T19:18:00.000-08:00

Okay, I am pretty much behind on everything except Naroni and I'm sorry about that.

I don't think I can get an Ashelia up tonight. I have class until the dinner hour on Mondays, which is normally not a big deal but I also have a major-ish assignment due tomorrow. If I bust my ass I could squeeze the writing in... but seeing as I need to build a new set for the next shoot, there's no way I could get a preview pic and I can't just suddenly post an Ashelia without a preview pic because it would drive me insane. That may just be the lamest excuse I've ever used, but it's the sad, sad truth.

Anyway. I have three exams in December--the 8th, the 12th, the 20th. An eight-day gap is far too much study time for the exam on the 20th. There's a possibility that I might be able to bust out double-updates a few of those days. It's not a strong possibility necessarily, but it is there.

Awww, look who just grew up!

2011-11-06T12:36:00.000-08:00

Just posting this because she's so damn cute :)

I actually took a peek at her adult self just after she was born. Mostly like Dad but a little like Mom--not much that trumps the Kemorin nose, after all :P

Where I Am At...

2011-11-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

Okay. I'll be honest here. School is kicking my ass right now. Not that the work is hard but there's just so damn much of it and I'm tired all the time. I doze off in most of my elective lectures. I'm at the point where I've started dreaming about sleep. Not going to lie, there have been a couple times these past few weeks that I've felt very nearly dead.

HOWEVER... I am a fiction writer. Not writing is like not breathing. It's just not going to happen.

And really... well, working on Sims stories helps with my novels. I'm such a perfectionist when it comes to my manuscripts and I get stressed out pretty easily about them, even though I do love working on them. Sims stories are a necessary release for all the unpolished writing in my system--look at pictures, type whatever comes to mind, post and see what people think. My manuscripts aren't inspired by my Sims stories plot-wise but it's still a helpful process--testing different phrasing, seeing how people react to various types of characters, just practicing tying up all the loose ends.

That and I've met so many awesome people (like all of you!) through Sim stories and the last thing I want is to cut those ties.

So. While I am busy and flustered and tired and bizarrely thankful that most of my social circle is not in my current city, I have no plans to take any extended breaks any time soon. However, I think it's only fair that I give you a quick run-down of what I'm feeling right now with all of my online stuff:

Naroni: I'm feeling pretty good about Naroni right now, actually. We're getting close to the end of 1176 and I'm excited for 1177. 1177 is going to be... a weird year. Seriously, some fucking weird shit is going to go down. But that's okay because I kinda like weird shit. And really... if I can pull off some of the stuff I'm planning without people dropping their suspension of disbelief and walking away, I'll be pretty happy with myself.

Ashelia: Not gonna lie, Ashelia at Dusk has been rough. So rough I almost feel guilty about it. The problem is that it's basically just an extended transition between Ashelia at War and the upcoming instalment, Ashelia at Dawn. So... I'll apologize for that.

However--as frustrated as I am with Dusk--I'm totally excited for Dawn and therefore have no intention of cancelling or even postponing the series. Just bear with me through the rest of Dusk (just seven more chapters!), and I promise that Dawn will be one hell of a lot better ;)

Orbis Umbra: I may need to take a step back from this one for a while. Not that I'm not enjoying it, just that there are so many pieces to the puzzle and one of these days I just need to sit down and figure out how they all fit together--and that should probably be sooner rather than later. So... maybe watch that space, because there might be a hiatus notice at some point. But the ideas I have for it intrigue me enough for me to honestly say I have no cancellation plans for OU.

Realmspeaker: I'm feeling pretty good about this one. Last week got missed because I didn't have the CC necessary for the set (oops!) and didn't know if I had time to look around, but it should be updated this Saturday as per usual.

Okay. I have to rush out pretty soon to work on a group project. Not sure when I'll be back, but if I do update tonight, it'll probably be a Naroni (even thought it should be OU based on the schedule, but... see above). If you have any questions or concerns (or just want to berate me for all this bizarre schedule shifting of late), my comments thread is always open :)

Thanks all. Thanks for your support, your understanding, your friendship... everything :)

Poll Results: Background Tasks?

2011-10-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

Which background tasks require the most immediate attention?

Based on votes from seven people, multiple selections allowed.

Umm... I guess the crowd has spoken?

October Challenge: "The Brother-in-Law"

2011-10-27T00:40:00.000-07:00

For the Sim Haven October Challenge.

Pieces falls into Naroni non-canon.

Click here or the picture to read.

Ashelia at Dusk: Part III, Chapter Eight

2011-10-24T22:59:00.000-07:00

Part III, Chapter Eight: The Sisters Meet

Realmspeaker: "Cherish"

2011-10-23T00:46:00.001-07:00

Realmspeaker: "Cherish"

Kingdom of Naroni: Top Ten after Three Years

2011-10-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

You know, I never figured this thing would last three years. But it's been a hell of a fun time and I'd like to thank you all for sharing this with me. Best readers ever :)

Anyway. I put this off to the last possible minute, but I managed to finalize it--what I'd say are the ten "best" posts at the present time. First off, a few nominees that didn't quite make it:

In Which Florian's Reputation is Saved

In Which Severin Is Pushed to His Breaking Point

In Which Severin Greets a Third Searle

In Which Aldhein Scares Himself

In Which Severin Recalls What He Forgot to Forget

In Which Severin Pushes the Line

In Which Lonriad Is Exposed to the Adult Illness

In Which Raia Is Roused to the Immediate Reality

In Which Florian Fills the Pretentious Silence

In Which Raia Hears the All-Surrounding Sound

In Which Arydath's Scarf Gets Away

In Which Octavius Is Caught Without Words

In Which Tarien Does the Gentlemanly Thing

In Which Sparron Wakes to Worse than a Hangover

In Which Sparron Loses Faith in the Magic of Couch Forts

In Which Searle Is Shielded from the Folds

In Which Lonriad Attends an Underwear Party

In Which Isidro Offers Enough

Okay, enough stalling :P Time for the posts that did make it...

For the most part--I don't know if it's my state of mind or what--we're quite tragedy-heavy here. Only two non-tragic posts made it, in fact... and actually, one of them is a comedic post with a certain "fridge horror" to it (fortunately, the other is a rare instance of functional romance).

#10. In Which Nora Finds the Most Beautiful Pain

August 31, 1169/October 9, 2010

He placed his hand on her side pulled her nearer. He was so warm--so near. It had been a long time since she'd been touched that way. She closed her eyes in brief contemplation, then reopened them and locked them with his. The shared gaze was painful in the most beautiful of ways. "I just want you to be happy."

He continued to stare--perhaps he'd had enough wine to slow his basic processing. "You're so beautiful."

"You're so drunk." It was a disappointment, but it was still a fact--he never would have said that sober.

As short and poorly-covered as it was, I kind of love the whole Severin/Nora story arc, and this here is its climax--the height of the storyline, that bitter moment just before everything is okay. Also, there's something unromantically romantic about a wine cellar encounter, particularly one that leads to a drunken elopement. Particularly if said drunken elopement pisses off Roderick to no avail.

#9. In Which Camaline Justifies It as Practice

February 20, 1167/June 2, 2010

Before Camaline could inquire as to what she meant, Aydelle's soft fingertips rested on the hinge of her jaw and slowly slid to her chin; they felt not like fingers that handled silk, but silk itself. "He usually touches you before he kisses you. Sometimes, he takes you by the chin and tilts your face upwards, since he's usually taller." Likewise, she nudged Camaline's ever gently; her almond eyes were even more exotic from the angle.

"And then he draws you just a little bit closer," she continued in barely more than a whisper. Camaline felt the distance between them decreasing, though she could not be sure that either of them had moved; perhaps this was how falling objects viewed the ground.

Camaline felt her spine tremble in anticipation; she'd had no idea how much she'd cared about kissing until just now. "And then?"

Aydelle pressed one silken finger to Camaline's lips. "Don't say anything."

She had been told that many times over the course of her life, but never before had she obeyed.

One of two non-tragic posts in this line-up. The thing I love about Camaline and Aydelle is that they work. They aren't supposed to be doing what they do and they know it... but for the most part, they don't let it bug them. They try to keep it hush-hush, but at the end of the day, they realize that they aren't the ones with the problem. It's everyone else who has the problem. And you know... I think they've had shades of that mentality since Day One.

#8. In Which Sparron Is Defeated

March 14, 1171/December 24, 2010

"It's different for me, all right?" Different--now that it had been said, the word was free to dance in front of his eyes in flashing colors, more obnoxious every time he tried to look away. Searle didn't understand, and he never would. Searle had just come from a brothel; Searle liked chatting up maids and fucking them in broom cupboards. Sparron wasn't like that. Sparron was awkward and aloof and got about as much excitement from a girl as he might have from a loaf of bread. A couple times now he had tried hitting the sack with the maids, just to convince himself that there was nothing wrong with him, but he'd never achieved that reassurance; instead, he'd found he could only follow through if he pictured Searle's face the entire time.

His eyes wide and his mouth agape, Searle lowered himself to his knees and edged nearer. "It doesn't have to be."

But it did--it did and it was and he could never tell anyone. "Just go away."

"No." Searle placed his hands on Sparron's shoulders and inclined so that their heads met, the tip of his straight, perfect nose rubbing against the bridge of Sparron's own lumpy excuse for a facial feature. "Not until you're feeling better."

On the other side of the scale, we have Sparron--scared, unsure, self-loathing. If Naroni has a perfect tragic figure, it's Sparron, even if he does tend to grate the nerves on occasion. But you know... I think his POVs are some of the strongest pieces I've ever written. And I'll admit it--his and Searle's story is quite possibly my favorite arc, in spite of its melancholy nature. This isn't the starting point of their story, but it's certainly a major turning point; one of many in this case, and possibly the most important.

#7. In Which Riona Toes the Line

August 3, 1175/August 5, 2011

She couldn't remember the last time she'd fallen asleep without a bedtime chat with Isidro and she was old enough to realize that habits died hard. A little more playful than was usual for this hour, she nudged him with her foot. Nothing. She tried playing with his hair and poking him on the shoulder. Also nothing; this was proving rather frustrating. Determined, Riona began to work her way downward--tickling his underarm, pawing at his chest, pressing her thumb into the groove of his naval...

Isidro grunted. Caught off-guard, Riona pulled back her hand from the area she'd brushed. It... wasn't exactly an area she was used to touching. Even under the cover of the blankets it felt alien and awkward--and undeniably intriguing. She had to admit that her curiosity had been sparked. Maybe he'd like it? He was a man, after all. And besides, if nothing else had managed to wake him...

After a second's hesitation, Riona's fingers spidered back to the uncharted region and began to explore. She folded the blanket beneath and stroked the shaft's underside a couple of times, a quiet thrill rushing inward from her fingertips and almost releasing a giggle. Deciding to mix things up a bit, she wrapped her thumb and index finger around it and slid the resulting ring back and forth across its length, occasionally adjusting the pressure as cued by some instinct of which she'd always been oblivious. Her heart began to beat just a little bit faster and her motion changed speed to match it. It got to the point where she thought the blood would burst from her veins, leak from every orifice.

But she felt no desire to stop.

This is one of those posts that you really, really want to stop reading. First we have curious-yet-naive Riona fondling Isidro while he sleeps... and then we have Isidro flipping her over and Riona fears that she's about to be raped. Not pleasant subject matter. But there's something else going on here, I think--something neither Izzy nor Riona is aware of, but something that's there nonetheless. In spite of every ugly little thing that happens here, they ultimately respect each other too much to go through with it and end up calling it a night. Not something I'd recommend trying with anyone, but... I don't know. As dark as it is, there is a thin ray of light here.

#6. In Which Falidor Meets Man's Greatest Fear

December 10, 1156/March 8, 2009

"So, uh... nice place you've got here," he lied; he secretly thought it lacked a certain homeyness required of a dwelling, but it would probably be rude to tell her that.

The girl scowled. "Oh, don't talk!" she snapped. "Talk is just a waste of time. There are more important things."

Falidor raised an eyebrow. Needless to say, he was rather confused; maybe it was just the alcohol. "I suppose... wait, what--why--where'd your dress go?"

"It'll just get in the way," she answered; from what he could make out, there was a strange sort of smile on her face. "You'd better catch up."

"Catch up?" repeated Falidor.

He couldn't tell if she was amused or not--or even why she would be. "Don't be an ass. Take your clothes off."

"Uh... all right..."

He proceeded to strip down, then tossed his clothing to the side and gave her an expectant stare. "Now what?"

Now, we all know that this doesn't end happily, but... oh, Falidor! So hilarious in his virginal, slightly drunken cluelessness. Just... so... funny...

#5. In Which Severin States What He Doesn't Know

April 10, 1167/June 24, 2010

She struggled through the final degrees, but at last they were face to face. She looked as young as the night he had married her; she looked more alive than he felt. "You'll be fine. You always... were a fast learner."

Why was she so blasé about this? How had she managed to come to terms with it so quickly? She'd done in three days what he didn't think he could do in a lifetime. If anyone had ever said she wasn't the stronger of the two of them, they couldn't have been more wrong if they'd claimed that grass was red. "Princess..."

"Look, are you going to kiss me or not?"

He did. He kissed her for minutes, hours... he kissed her for longer than he could have kept track, longer than he ever had before. He didn't stop until it dawned on him that there was no longer anyone kissing him back.

If this was a Top Ten list for the ultimate tragic posts, this would take the cake. For the most part, we missed the development stages of the Severin/Alina relationship, but without it, there never would have been a Naroni--literally. And in a world plagued with the drama of the Rodericks and Genevas and the Octaviuses and Medeas, they were a breath of fresh air. They weren't without their troubles, but they always bounced back. It's the love that just wouldn't die, not even when she did.

#4. In Which Laralita Is Barred from the Beautiful Place

May 1, 1174/May 22, 2011

This had been uncomfortable from the beginning, but it was crossing the line into the realm of the unbearable. Laralita tugged at her braid--something she'd never done in her life. "I never meant to leave you."

"But you did anyway."

The phrase was a door slammed shut in her face. She could try jiggling the handle, but she had a feeling it was locked from the other side. "Forgive me?"

Searle said nothing. Laralita wasn't a clever woman and she knew it, but the obvious answer hung in the silence and she couldn't have missed it. "You won't."

His lip curling inward, Searle turned away from her and stared into the imaginary depths of the dancing flames. "I can't."

Okay, I'll be the first to say it--of all my characters, Laralita was probably the last one I'd expect to ever have a POV in a Top Ten list. But there is so much going on in her relationship with Searle, so much unresolved tension that's been left to burn away and threatens to take them both with it. This post in particular stands out because... well, it's the first post where Laralita really seems like a person. Before Searle came into the picture, she was just this silly, over-the-top frivolous woman who waltzed into Naroni and ended up married to the king. Now, she's... well, she's got a past, a regret, a secret sorrow. Unlike most of Laralita's cares, those sure ain't little things.

#3. In Which Severin Drowns In Aphrodite's Shadow

April 14, 1168/August 9, 2010

"You're lonely, aren't you?" She looked into his eyes and offered what must have been meant as a sympathetic smile. He saw nothing but the smirk of a succubus. "You poor man. You feel like there's a part of you missing, don't you?"

Her presence had been magnified to the size of the room. He couldn't think. He couldn't breathe. Perhaps this was how it felt to be drowning, helpless and weak and overwhelmed by the aura of some Shadow Aphrodite. He dared not open his mouth to speak; he feared he would only drown faster.

And yet, she stared, waiting for his answer. He did not care to nod; he did not wish to admit that she was right, even if she already knew it. All he could offer was a non-committal shrug, but he knew she saw right through it. She'd always had the eyes of a goddess.

Unfazed by his resolute silence, she inched ever closer, until her face was mere inches from his own. If he'd had his wits about him, he might have backed away. "Oh, Severin... now you know how I feel all the time."

The thing about Severin is--no matter how nice he is--he's always trying. He's so self-conscious and metacognitive, and as a few characters have noted, it's a little suspicious. He's a good man, but deep down, he's afraid of something inside of him, something he buried long ago and doesn't want to see ever again. This post is where that thing surfaces. I wonder if Geneva ever suspected it was there; I'm guessing she didn't, or else she wouldn't have come.

#2. In Which Lorn Learns the Time to Sleep

February 21, 1172/February 6, 2011

Karlspan yawned; Searle kissed his brow, then turned back to Lorn. He looked so sentimental and starstruck that it might have been funny under lighter circumstances. "They show you things you used to love about yourself, and remind you why you loved them. They almost make you forget that someone once stopped loving you." His face was cast in a somber shadow as he finished with a bittersweet sigh. The baby looked up at him, as if worried that he had ceased to exist; Searle reassured him with a squeeze. "Might I give you some advice, Lorn?"

Of everyone he knew, Searle might have been the last person Lorn would have thought to take advice from, but he was past the point where he could afford to be picky; he pulled himself out of his slouch and nodded.

"Tell them you love them." He rested his head against his son's as the little boy began to play with his hair. "Your children, your wife... all of them. Tell them you love them whenever you can. Tell them in private, tell them in public, tell them so damn often that they get sick of hearing it. Never miss a chance to say it. Life is short and cruel and unpredictable. You don't want to leave it thinking you didn't love quite enough."

For all we almost never see them together, I find the dynamic between Lorn and Searle rather fascinating. They're such total opposites and it's obvious that they don't care much for each other, but all the same, there's a certain respect there. I think Searle sees Lorn as a protege of sorts while Lorn can't help but marvel at Searle's competence. In some ways, each is all the other ever wanted to be... not that either of them would ever admit it. But you know, it does lead to some profound exchanges.

Aaaaaand now, the top-ranking post of Naroni's first three years is...

#1. In Which Sparron Presents the Pieces

January 3, 1174/April 30, 2011

"Look, Searle... I'm sorry, alright? I was sinking and I shouldn't have pulled you down with me."

Poor boy just looked confused. As if he wasn't confused enough. As if Sparron himself wasn't the root cause of all that. "What are you talking about?"

"Everything." Biting his lip, he let go of Searle's hand and eased himself onto the bed behind him, curling into a fetal position. He'd given up on things ever getting better for him, but maybe there was still hope for Searle. "I don't want to hurt you any more than I already have. I'm ending this--for real this time. You'll be better off."

Searle's eyebrows drooped to a gentle slope. It must have been agony to have one's heart handed back in pieces, but it was better this way. Sparron couldn't break it any further if it was no longer in his hands. Maybe Arletta could put it back together. "Sparron..."

"Don't." His heart raced and his arm pulsed. He ran his free hand along the site of the stitches, expecting to find blood, almost disappointed when he didn't. "Go home to your wife, Searle. You can still be happy. It's not too late for you."

He hated to see Searle so crestfallen, but it had been necessary. He was weak and damned and the only thing he could do was save this beautiful boy from his toxic love. Searle would thank him some day. "What are you waiting for? Go."

Hey, I already admitted that they were my favorite. This post in particular has a certain bittersweetness to it, a mix of the said and the unsaid that won the top spot for it. Sparron and Searle have been going back and forth for a while by this point--and will be going back and forth for a long time after--but this is where they catch each other off-guard, right when Searle barges in and demands to know what Sparron was thinking when he tried to kill himself. Pen summed it up quite nicely in the comments. Sparron is stunned by Searle's guilt over the suicide attempt and Searle in turn is shocked that Sparron considers himself such a horrible person. Both of them are thrown for a real loop here, a loop that helped in the short term. Long term? Not so much. But at least--for once--they could put aside all the misery and have a moment of pure mutual compassion, understanding.

And that concludes the list! :)

Anyway, this is all just my opinion, so feel free to argue to your hearts' content should you feel so inclined. Needless to say that with nearly five hundred posts now, I'm curious as to which ones made an impact ;)

Orbis Umbra: "The Reputed"

2011-10-19T18:43:00.000-07:00

Shamefully late as usual...

Orbis Umbra: "The Reputed"

Ashelia at Dusk: Part III, Chapter Seven

2011-10-18T00:11:00.000-07:00

Part III, Chapter Seven: Kojihasha Performs an Outgrown Duty

Naroni Founder Download, Part VI: Second Husbands

2011-10-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

Posting this last batch just before I have to run out to class again :(

But on a happier note... last batch! :)

Like I said in the last five posts--use these Sims however you like, just say "No!" to paysites.

Please Note: Eyes. Again. Both of these guys come with eyes from the Project Zodiac set, not the old eyes pictured here. Ovrean comes with "Pisces". Tarien's are "Scorpio".

Links in the names lead to character profiles. The download link is at the end.

Sir Ovrean, Knight of Naroni

June 1, 1127 -

Family/(Popularity)

3/6/5/6/5

View Offspring

Ovrean will show up with your default S1 skintone.

Sir Tarien, Knight of Naroni

July 22, 1129 -

Knowledge/(Fortune)

3/7/4/7/4

View Offspring

Tarien will show up with your S1 skintone. In my game, he has a recessive gene for blue eyes.

DOWNLOAD

Naroni Founder Download, Part V: Second Wives

2011-10-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

All right, here's the first of two "bonus parts"--not technically founders, but close enough.

As always, do whatever you want with these Sims, just keep them off the paysites.

Please Note: Yeeeep, eye thing again. This time it only applies to Laralita, though; she comes with the "Scorpio" eyes from the Project Zodiac set.

Links in the names lead to character profiles. The download link is at the end.

Queen Laralita of Naroni

April 14, 1133 -

Fortune/(Popularity)

8/7/3/3/4

View Offspring

In my game, she has a recessive gene for grey eyes.

Princess Holladrin of Dovia, Baroness of Tetran

May 1, 1138 -

Family/(Popularity)

5/5/4/5/6

View Offspring

Holladrin will show up with your default S1 skintone. In my game, she has a recessive gene for grey eyes.

Lady Leonora of Veldora

January 3, 1142 -

Family/(Knowledge)

4/5/6/6/4

View Offspring

Nora will show up with your default S1 skintone. In my game, she has a recessive gene for red hair.

Avine Frey

May 22, 1135 -

Family/(Fortune)

6/3/7/4/5

View Offspring

Avine will show up with your default S2 skintone. In my game, she has recessive genes for brown hair and grey eyes.

DOWNLOAD

Realmspeaker: "Let Go"

2011-10-15T23:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the wait :S

Realmspeaker: "Let Go"

Naroni Founder Download, Part IV: Masters and Goodmen

2011-10-15T12:02:00.001-07:00

The last part of the "core" downloads here--Part IV. The next two parts are "bonus" parts.

Blah blah blah no paysites blah blah otherwise go nuts blah.

Please Note: Neither Florian nor Norwan is pictured with the correct eyes. Florian comes with "Leo" from my Project Zodiac set. Norwan comes with "Chill" from Pooklet's Yumedust/Anva combos.

Links in the names lead to character profiles. The download link is at the end.

Adonis Indruion

July 10, 1128 -

Fortune/(Family)

5/3/8/4/5

View Offspring

In my game, he has a recessive gene for blue eyes.

Florian Tumekrin

July 27, 1135 -

Fortune/(Pleasure)

4/7/3/7/4

View Offspring

Florian will show up with your default S2 skintone.

Halford Diarn

April 23, 1129 - November 9, 1168

Fortune/(Family)

3/6/6/5/5

View Offspring

Halford will show up with your default S3 skintone.

Norwan Ciramel

July 30, 1123 - December 4, 1158

Fortune/(Pleasure)

5/10/8/2/0

View Offspring

Norwan will show up with your default S1 skintone.

DOWNLOAD

Poll Results: Most Epic Romance?

2011-10-15T00:16:00.000-07:00

In your opinion, which of the following have been the most epic love stories so far?

Based on votes from nine people, multiple selections allowed.

I'm not surprised that Severin and Alina ran away with it, even if much of their romance occurred in the fuzzy limbo of pre-kingdom canon. I'm also not surprised that the IFV crew didn't do so well (even though I do think each of those relationships had their literary merits). Aurius and Maru did well-ish, which I could have expected--they did have a whole story that pretty much revolved around them, but that story isn't my main story.

I'll admit I was kind of surprised that Isidro and Riona beat out Sparron and Searle, but those are two completely different kinds of epic. Isidro and Riona are epic because they managed to steal the spotlight of Naroni for so long. Sparron and Searle are epic because they keep taking hits and coming back for more.

Naroni Founder Download, Part III: Mistresses and Goodwives

2011-10-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Aaaand here's Part III. This download features the founding women of the commoner classes.

As before, use them however you like. Just keep them off the paysites (and if you can remember where they came from, that would be nice too).

Please Note: Yep, the eye thing again. Only Arydath has the correct eyes. The other three are packaged with the new ones.

Links in the names lead to character profiles. The download link is at the end.

Honora Carpion

December 14, 1136 - February 25, 1167

Family/(Fortune)

6/4/7/3/5

View Offspring

Honora will show up with your default S3 skintone.

Electra Gren

July 28, 1129 - October 3, 1156

Popularity/(Family)

5/5/7/2/8

View Offspring

Electra will show up with your default S2 skintone.

Arydath Fedurin

March 6, 1135 -

Fortune/(Knowledge)

4/6/7/4/4

View Offspring

Arydath will show up with your default S3 skintone. The outfit pictured is not the packaged outfit. In my game, she has a recessive gene for blue eyes.

Thetis Larona

May 18, 1141 -

Family/(Popularity)

5/4/5/5/6

View Offspring

Thetis will show up with your default S1 skintone. Due to her everyday hair being custom-binned, she has been packaged with her sleepwear hair, which is binned as black. In my game, she has a recessive gene for red hair.

DOWNLOAD

Naroni Founder Download, Part II: The Lords

2011-10-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

And so here we have the second instalment. This download features the kingdom's four founding nobleman.

Feel free to use them however you see fit--bases for BodyShop/CAS Sims, breeding stock, extras, gameplay Sims, custom townies, cow plant sacrifices, whatever. Just no paysites, and give credit where credit is due.

Please note: Not as much of an issue as it was with Part I, but I replaced the old Mirkwood eyes recently and Dalston is pictured with those. He comes packaged with the "Ophiuchus" eyes from my Project Zodiac set.

Links in the names lead to character profiles. The link to the download is at the end.

Anyway...

King Roderick of Naroni

September 10, 1129 -

Fortune/(Popularity)

10/8/6/0/1

View Offspring

Roderick will show up with your default S1 skintone.

Duke Dalston of Armion

November 17, 1130 - October 14, 1165

Popularity/(Fortune)

6/5/5/4/5

View Offspring

Dalston will show up with your default S1 skintone.

Baron Octavius of Tetran

February 11, 1130 -

Family/(Knowledge)

6/5/7/3/4

View Offspring

In my game, he has a recessive gene for blue eyes.

Lord Severin of Veldora

October 6, 1132 -

Knowledge/(Romance)

5/6/7/4/3

View Offspring

In my game, he has recessive genes for blond hair and blue eyes.

DOWNLOAD

Naroni Founder Download, Part I: The Ladies

2011-10-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

I know this is early, but I don't want to do my laundry, so here you go...

In honor of the third anniversary of Kingdom of Naroni, the first of a six-part Founder Download Extravaganza! This download includes the kingdom's original four noblewomen.

Feel free to use and abuse as you see fit. Just keep them off paysites and remember that credit is nice (especially since these are story Sims), and other than that, I'm cool with you doing whatever you want with them. Cast them in your stories, use them as a base for other Sims, kill them horribly for shits and giggles... sky's the limit.

Please note: I replaced the old Mirkwood eyes recently, so three of the four ladies here are pictured with the old eyes instead of the eyes they come with, which are from the Project Zodiac set. Only Celina has the correct eyes. Sorry about that :S

Links in the names lead to character profiles. The link to the download is at the end.

Anyway, onto the goods...

Queen Geneva of Naroni

April 5, 1132 - February 19, 1171

Romance/(Pleasure)

3-6-5-6-5

View Offspring

Geneva will show up with your default S2 skintone.

Duchess Celina of Armion

July 8, 1132 -

Family/(Knowledge)

5-4-5-3-8

View Offspring

Celina will show up with your default S1 skintone. In my game, she has recessive genes for blond hair and grey eyes.

Baroness Medea of Tetran

November 25, 1131 - January 17, 1162

Fortune/(Popularity)

8-6-6-3-2

View Offspring

Medea will show up with your default S1 skintone.

Lady Alina of Veldora

December 16, 1135 - April 10, 1167

Family/(Romance)

6-5-5-4-5

View Offspring

DOWNLOAD

Announcement

2011-10-09T08:48:00.001-07:00

While I'm sure most of you already knew this was coming, I figured I might as well make it official.

After months of hiatus, I've decided to pull the plug on In Fair Veronaville. It's kind of a shame to do this so close to the theoretical end, but for every reason I have to continue it, there's about a dozen for axing it.

The fact as that I'm not at a very good place in my life right now. I'm doing thirty-three credits this year (maximum at my university is thirty without special permission) and I'll have a few courses over the summer and a full thirty-credit year next year, and then comes the question of "What the hell am I going to do with my life?". I'm also a few weeks away from a breakup--I figure it would be bitchy to dump that stress on him during midterms--and while I know it's what's best for both of us in the long run it will be tough for a while.

In addition to that, I just got my final exam schedule a couple of days ago and found out that I can't leave until December 20th, leaving a very short break between two packed semesters as I'll doubtlessly have to head back on my birthday again; I'm especially pissed about this because my second-last exam is on the 12th, the one I'm hanging around for is in a class I don't really like, and... well, this is going to be a really difficult Christmas for my mom and I was hoping I could get back early to be with her. So much for that now.

Anyway. Five Sim stories are really too much, even if one of them has just been hanging around in limbo for the past couple of months.

Sorry about this. If you remember enough about the plot to have any questions as to how I was planning on ending it, feel free to ask.

Thanks for understanding.

Orbis Umbra: "The Grounded"

2011-10-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

This was up yesterday. Forgot to post it here :S

Orbis Umbra: "The Grounded"

Ashelia at Dusk: Part III, Chapter Six

2011-10-03T23:46:00.000-07:00

...yeaaaaah, I'm thinking the new weekly schedule will be better.

Part III, Chapter Six: Maru Doesn't Deny

Naroni Updates: September 2011

2011-10-01T19:17:00.000-07:00

September Naroni Updates:

In Which Severin Gets the Only Answer

In Which Isidro Offers Enough

In Which Riona's Brothers' Bet Is Settled

In Which Aspen Doesn't Answer Aloud

In Which Raia Jokes While There's Something to Laugh About

In Which Adonis Is Given the Preferred Verb

In Which Isidro Notes the Numbers

In Which Searle's Heart Flies on New Wings

In Which Holladrin Finds the Bitter Truth

In Which Asalaye Is Not Sufficiently Distracted

In Which Cord Is Asked the Dreaded Question

In Which Isidro Gives His Gratitude

In Which Cord Gets It Over With

In Which Riala Is a Good Friend

Proposed New Schedule

2011-10-01T19:12:00.001-07:00

Considering where I left Realmspeaker hanging on Wednesday, I came to realize that I just don't feel right about leaving stories alone for a couple of months (even if I do intend a couple of posts during the off-months--and hey, who says "intentions" are any guarantee?).

That being said, how does this look?

Sunday -- Naroni

Monday -- Ashelia

Tuesday -- Naroni

Wednesday -- Orbis Umbra

Thursday -- NOVEL

Friday -- Naroni

Saturday -- Realmspeaker

(Err... except tonight. I'm thinking today's a Naroni day, just because.)

Poll Results: Anniversary Gifts?

2011-10-01T00:09:00.000-07:00

Naroni's third anniversary is coming up in October. Which possible celebratory extras sound the most appealing?

Based on votes from twelve people, multiple selections allowed.

I guess the crowd has spoken. Expect founder downloads and a countdown of the top ten posts. Who knows? If I get bored enough (and school doesn't kill me), maybe I'll do even more ;)

Realmspeaker: "Gone"

2011-09-28T23:06:00.000-07:00

Realmspeaker: "Gone"

Realmspeaker: "Always"

2011-09-26T21:38:00.000-07:00

Realmspeaker: "Always"

September Challenge: "Sort of Friends"

2011-09-24T23:32:00.000-07:00

For the Sim Haven September Challenge.

Piece falls into Realmspeaker canon.

Click here or the picture to read.

Computer Weirdness -- FOLLOW UP

2011-09-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

Okay. So my computer was running okay this morning, but when I got back from class... zilch. Fortunately, it's only a month old, so I still have plenty of warranty time. Called Dell tech support, ran diagnostics as directed by the guy on the other end, turns out the hard drive is faulty. A technician will be coming with a replacement part within the next few days, most likely on Thursday but possibly Friday.

Fortunately for me, I had the sense to keep the old computer handy. Also, I did a back up while in safe mode during the initial stages of the failure and have done almost nothing since without saving it to a memory stick, so I'll lose little if any data.

Sims? Well, this computer only has the base game and I don't know if it can handle anything beyond that. However, I should be able to take the next batch of Naroni pictures here, because it involves old Sims on an old lot with no new extra features needed. Of course, this depends on whether or not I can get through my homework by a reasonable time.

So... yeah, that's pretty much it right now. I think I'll maybe watch an episode of Game of Thrones just to cool myself down (needless to say it's been a fairly stressful day), and then I'll get right to my work.

Thanks for your patience and understanding :)

Computer Weirdness

2011-09-19T23:03:00.001-07:00

Copied from Author's Note on last Realmspeaker:

Okay. So...

Continued computer weirdness on my front. There's nothing I can really do about the problem, but I think I've at least managed to stabilize it. I haven't tried to run Sims yet, though, so I'm not sure whether or not it'll work. Considering that all of the programs I've tried are fine it should work, but I don't want to get my hopes up just yet. If the game doesn't work, I'll just keep writing and add the pictures after I either get a chance to take the computer in or get my parents to mail me the drivers disc.

In the mean time... I don't know. We'll see.

Realmspeaker: "Burned"

2011-09-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

Realmspeaker: "Burned"

Poll Results: Most Interesting Heir?

2011-09-17T00:13:00.000-07:00

Whose upcoming reign do you anticipate being the most interesting?

Based on votes from eight people, multiple selections allowed. For the record? Probably not horrible for a poll based around a non-LiveJournal/non-legacy/non-Lothere Sim story. Admittedly, fewer votes than I'd hoped for... but more than I expected, so yay :)

Looks like Lorn took the round, which surprised me seeing as I'd pegged him as the underdog (mostly as a result of his being comparatively stable). But then again, he is coming into his own and we haven't seen him in "lord" mode very often since he got married. That and Rona seems to simultaneously appreciate and antagonize him. And he does have that vitriolic pseudo-friendship with Searle the Used-to-Be-Dying, who is probably his most frequent international contact. And he is kind of the "swing vote" of the current set of rulers.

As for the other three, I had expected that Ietrin would beat out Jadin and Sparron. The jury's still up on whether Sparron will inherit at all--I guess that depends on how sane he is when Octavius starts to seriously worry about his health (he does have two other sons, after all). As for Jadin, I don't think we'll be seeing his reign simply because I've always figured that the logical "end point" of Naroni would be Severin's death (which is still very far off, but I'm thinking it'll coincide with my likely "retirement" time); therefore, Lord Jadin wouldn't be ruling until after the story's end. So... it seems that Ietrin would be the most interesting ruler by default.

Feel free to share any thoughts. New poll coming soon to a side bar near you :)

Realmspeaker: "Pretty"

2011-09-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Realmspeaker: "Pretty"

Wedding Reception Shots

2011-09-13T20:20:00.001-07:00

After this shoot, I didn't want any Sim to go without being photographed, so here are some shots of all the wedding guests.

(Added the "glow" effect to minimize the bizarre pixelation of edges that seems to occur on this computer.)

First off, we have the high table, most of whom seem less than excited to be here:

At least Riona's smiling. And Izzy seems a bit... distracted...

Another shot:

Jadin must secretly be a very angsty man.

Anyway, on to Table One:

Left to right: Rona, Lonriad, Raia, Falidor, Sir Searle, Lady Valira, Lord Abrich of Beretrin (the lone Dovia representative at this wedding)

Apparently whatever Raia's talking about is more interesting than posing for the camera.

At the other end of that table, we have...

Left to right: Vera, Aldara, Lettie, Searle, Nora's brother Rifden, Severin's sister Aerina (now Mrs. Rifden), Hilla

I think the effects went a little crazy on Searle there :P

Table Two:

Arydath, Tarien, Leara, Lorn, Ovrean, Celina, Aldhein

Regardless of the zoom, I love Arydath's expression here. Also, Aldhein has just a bit of a thing for Celina.

Across from them...

Alsina, Laveria, Holladrin, Octavius, Jeda, Sparron, Camaline

Heeey, looks like Sparron's actually attempting to be social here.

Aaaand Table Three, a.k.a. the kids' table:

Thallie (Octavius and Holladrin's second daughter), Esela and Ceira (Nora and Jothein's twins), their big brother Cuthron, Karlspan (Severin's current squire, brother to Lettie and Sir Searle and Co.), Pandora (Octavius and Holladrin's older daughter, whose sleeves can apparently function as table-saws), Princess Mona

This half probably spent most of the night complaining about the indignities of being seated at the kids' table.

The other half, maybe not so much...

Princess Lily, Riona (Celina and Ovrean's daughter), Nythran (Octavius and Holladrin's older son), Roddie, Farilon (Octavius and Holladrin's younger son), Feoda and Celina (Arydath and Halford's twins)

Realmspeaker: "Baby"

2011-09-13T00:46:00.000-07:00

Realmspeaker: "Baby"

Realmspeaker: "Void"

2011-09-07T17:39:00.001-07:00

Classes are now in session. We'll see what kind of effect this has on update frequency :S

Realmspeaker: "Void"

Realmspeaker: "Devil"

2011-09-06T00:02:00.000-07:00

This has been up for hours. Forgot to post here :S

Realmspeaker: "Devil"

Realmspeaker: "Solid"

2011-09-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

And Realmspeaker Month begins! To kick things off, you sort of learn something in this one. Or not.

Realmspeaker: "Solid"

Realmspeaker Month!

2011-09-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

According with the results of the poll, September is Realmspeaker month! That means that October is Orbis Umbra Month, November is Ashelia Month again, and so on and so forth.

Trying to think of a new poll just for the fun of it. Maybe one every two weeks or so?

Here, have some Punnett squares:

(Click image to enlarge.)

Naroni Updates: August 2011

2011-09-01T09:02:00.001-07:00

August Naroni Updates:

In Which Isidro Is Bothered by an Impractical Concern
In Which Raia Hands It Over
In Which Riona Toes the Line
In Which Isidro Falls Prey to an Odd Sort of Envy
In Which Riona Visits the Graveyard House
In Which Isidro Is Stubborn In Turn
In Which Riona Has No Objections
In Which Sparron Doesn't Read Further
In Which Isidro and Riona Don't Have the Time
In Which Rona Arranges a Dancing Lesson
In Which Riona Is Given Time to Think
In Which Isidro Gets a Word of Advice
In Which Riona's Cool Is Cancelled
In Which Lonriad Does Something Rude
In Which Riona Is Home

Ashelia at Dusk: Part III, Chapter Five

2011-08-31T20:00:00.000-07:00

So not worth the wait, but at least it's up.

Part III, Chapter Five: Kohashi Watches the Fly

The Expansion Experiment -- Day 1

2011-08-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

Installed University through Bon Voyage. Will install Free Time and Apartment Life at a later date.

Seems to run fine so far. No crashes. A few things kind of annoyed me, though:

1. I seem to have no control over the weather and couldn't find anything in InSim to fix it (I have the AL version of InSim). I'm sure there's a mod to for that, though. Might check out the blender.

2. Since I was going to age her up soon anyway, I decided to use Ursula as the test dummy for university. She met Castor Nova in her building, they hit it off, turns out they're double-bolters, so I made her ask him on a date. During the date, he went into an empty dorm and vanished. At first I thought it was a glitch, but then I read up on it and I guess that's what happens when Sims on University lots go into private rooms to make the game run more efficiently. Didn't know that. Still, it was annoying in that instance.

3. It wouldn't let me take screenshots! I'm not too worried, though. After a bit of research, I've set desktop composition to disable itself when Sims runs, and that should solve the problem. If not, I'll just look into a screen capture program.

On the plus side... Seasons! Naroni can have snow now! And BodyShop! I already made a set of dresses and am planning on some men's outerwear. Also downtowns! More space for lots! :D

EDIT: The screenshot problem is resolved, although due to the funky new aspect ratio I will have to get used to taking shots with the knowledge that I'll be cropping out a quarter of the width. I have also found the fabled Weather Adjuster :)

Ursula went on another date with Castor Nova. They went downtown this time. They ended up having sex in a hot tub while Evadne's creepy uncle watched (he kept heart-farting over Ursula, which is weird because his wife is nothing like her... I guess turn-ons for preexisting Sims are randomized without acknowledging past and current relationships?).

In Effect for the Rest of the Month...

2011-08-22T13:34:00.001-07:00

Copied directly from my author's note on the last Naroni post, because I'm that lazy:

I'm declaring a state of pseudo-hiatus for the rest of the month. Meaning? I'll probably post over the course of that time, but don't be surprised if I don't, and it probably won't be as frequent as usual. I head back to the coast on the 31st, and before then I have a few things to wrap up. Need to find out if I'm working any more, need to say some goodbyes, make sure I have everything I need, etc.

That, and--after I sort out this Microsoft Office shenanigans--I need to get Sims up and running on the new computer. Need to update my hacks, make sure there are no conflicts with GunMod or CEP or anything, download SimPE, all that jazz... then make sure it all RUNS. I don't want to say for sure just yet, but I'm hoping that the set including the most recent Naroni preview pic is the last batch I take with just the base game. At the same time, I will have this computer as a backup if worse comes to worse.

Thanks for understanding :)

Ashelia at Dusk: Part III, Chapter Four

2011-08-17T23:49:00.001-07:00

Kind of a hasty post. Oh well.

Part III, Chapter Four: Takamari Is Saved from Explaining

Ashelia at Dusk: Part III, Chapter Three

2011-08-15T15:50:00.001-07:00

A couple days late, but regardless...

Part III, Chapter Three: Kawa Finds No Difference

Ashelia at Dusk: Part III, Chapter Two

2011-08-11T00:22:00.000-07:00

Bleh. I have to be up early tomorrow :(

Part III, Chapter Two: Maru Promises Nothing

Ashelia at Dusk: Part III, Chapter One

2011-08-08T23:04:00.000-07:00

Aaaaand we're in the home stretch now :)

Part III, Chapter One: Athayos Isn't Answered

Naroni Updates: July 2011

2011-08-04T00:48:00.000-07:00

This is a few days late. Oh well.

July Naroni Updates:

In Which Isidro Loses Sight of the Point

In Which Camaline Calls at the New House

In Which Sparron Loses a Little More

In Which Isidro Notes the Constant

In Which Riona Is Inconvenienced

In Which Casimiro Debates the Type

In Which Riona States the Need

In Which Isidro Turns to Ice

In Which Hilla Needs Another Name

In Which Riona's Heart Doesn't Skip

In Which Severin Has One Less Uncertainty

In Which Riona Doesn't Get a Present

In Which Jadin Confirms the Other Half of the Story

In Which Octavius Tests the Approach

In Which Riona Finds It Isn't Awkward

A quick note on the Riona storyline--it is actually going much more quickly than I expected, mainly because I ended up slashing most of the "padding" posts. Right now, it's going from point to point to point. Novel-quality writing? Definitely not. But I'll admit that as much as I love Riona and Izzy, I miss everyone else.

Ashelia at Dusk: Part II, Chapter Twenty-Five

2011-08-02T10:58:00.001-07:00

It's been tough slugging, this middle stretch, but Part II has finally come to a close.

Part II, Chapter Twenty-Five: Hiseus Gives a Say in the Matter

Extended Pooklet Spectrum?

2011-07-30T23:49:00.000-07:00

A while ago, I was playing around in Paint.Net and ended up fiddling with the Pooklet swatches.

Now, don't get me wrong, I like the Pooklet colors, but there are a few definite gaps in the spectrum--namely, a dirty blond, a reddish auburn, and a black that's neither brownish nor outright blue-black--so what I did was I organized the colors in what seemed to be a natural progression and then filled in the gaps with some home-brewed blends:

Sorry about the ridiculous zoom. Anyway, the ones with the blue dots are the new colors. The squares in the bottom corners (err, if you can see them) indicate possible binning.

Not sure if I'm going to do anything with this. Right now, I can't because I lack Photoshop and therefore the ability to play with actions. Also, I don't know how the original creator would feel about any alterations, so I may need to do some research there. Just thought I'd share in case someone else wanted to play around with the idea for their own recolors.

This Is a Post about Nothing

2011-07-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

I'll apologize in advance for the following rant. I'm tired and cranky and stretched way too thin and I don't know what.

I appreciate all of my readers. I read their encouraging, supportive comments and each poster has their very own "voice" in my mind--even infrequent commenters, even one-time commenters. Everyone has been so wonderful and making them happy makes me happy.

That being said, I write for myself. I wouldn't have been going on with Sims stuff for so long if I didn't. That and I allow myself to post sloppy writing and lazy pictures, something I wouldn't do if I was just in it for the sake of somebody else.

But at the same time... well. I've had a few ominous thoughts and a recent chat with a good friend gave me the sense that the frustration--just as I suspected--isn't just mine. There seems to have been a "shift" in the Sims community some time ago, and ever since that shift, being a Sims 2 non-legacy writer using non-premades has been a thankless job. Not that anyone goes into something like this expecting boatloads of recognition, but you know what I mean. It's frustrating to see a plotless, POV-less challenge blog with oodles of comments when you know you'll be lucky to break five on any given story post--nothing against commentary legacies or those who enjoy them, but it does tend to rub the nerves. It's something that a lot of Sims 2 writers are feeling these days, I'm sure of it.

It seems that these days, the only stories in demand are commentary legacies, stories using the premades, and Sims 3 stories. Now, I have nothing against any of these, but nor do I have any desire to write them. I don't want to play out a legacy and have to pause all the time to take "amusing" pictures. I already put In Fair Veronaville on hiatus because I don't feel like the premades in it are mine, and this despite the fact that I'd already taken such liberties with the characters that I'm pretty sure I've permanently alienated the entire community of Maxis purists.

As for Sims 3... well, I don't even have the Sims 2 EPs installed yet. I am not done with Sims 2, and even if I was, I just don't think Sims 3 has the right look for my stories. I read a few Sims 3 stories and while the authors have managed to make their Sims look quite nice, I imagine it's much more of an effort than to make the Sims 3 Sim you have in mind than it is to make the Sims 2 Sim you have in mind. I know that several people are converting their Sims 2 stories to Sims 3, but to be honest... well, I've seen "conversions" and I just don't think the faces translate well between the two games. I have yet to find a pair of Sims 2/Sims 3 "counterparts" who look sufficiently alike to me. Not saying that the creators make bad-looking Sims, but I don't see how any of the readers are going to be able to shift their mental images that drastically (I mean, come on, there is a certain amount of filling in the blanks required between pictures); they're nice, but they're a far cry from doppelgangers.

Anyway. I'm not trying to complain about lack of comments or readers, and I'm sorry if this is coming off as such. I know I probably won't gain many more at this point in the game and that's okay with me. I love the readers I have now and like I said... my longest-running Sims story has been going on since October 2008 and it wouldn't being continuing today if I didn't enjoy it.

But despite the admittedly lackluster pictures and sub-par writing... well, it can be an effort. Maintaining extras can be a pain in the ass, especially when you don't know if anyone even uses them. I have tons of reference notes that will probably never work their way into the stories and I don't know if anyone would even read them if I posted them elsewhere. And then of course there are the occasional snags with various hosts that are always frustrating and end up taking more of a toll on me than they should because it is not in my nature to relax. I love writing these stories, but I will admit that sometimes--not gonna lie here--I wonder if it's worth the hassle of putting them up for public consumption and if they'd be better off just sitting in my folders for nothing more than the sake of my own enjoyment, or maybe as limited releases to current readers who request a password.

But I do believe that stories are meant to be shared, so I will keep on sharing them. I'm just... I don't know. I'm sick of telling myself not to get my hopes up when I check for any sign of activity on my pages. I'm sick of feeling like I have to leave author notes on all of my posts just to avoid seeing "0 comments" forever, which is especially ridiculous considering that I won't comment on someone else's post if I genuinely feel like I have nothing to say. So, in short, I am human and I am not immune to feeling under-appreciated. Being human also makes me a whiny bitch who will post shit like this for no apparent reason. Not that it changes much. Things will go on like they always have. Just felt like ranting because I am pent up and in desperate need of a release.

New Schedule

2011-07-28T19:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've been working a ton lately and my course load is going to be much heavier this year, so I'm introducing a new posting schedule.

For the rest of July, expect nothing but Naroni, hopefully one every second day (unless it's a Thursday).

For every subsequent month, Naroni will be posted on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays (of course, barring my skipping a day). Thursday will remain novel-writing day.

As for the other stories, we will be doing things a bit differently. In the interests of narrowing my focus, secondary stories will take turns as the "featured" story of the month and will (again, hopefully) be updated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. August will be an Ashelia month, since the second story will be drawing to close fairly soon. September will feature either Orbis Umbra or Realmspeaker, and then October will feature whichever isn't featured in September.

A few exceptions...

1) I might take a day to do a Sim Haven prompt.

2) I will try to update the non-featured stories at least once a month.

3) I might just do what I feel like.

Thoughts?