A week with the Burbs
May. 12th, 2012 10:31 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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randomsushiSo, after chronicling a week in the life of the Oldies for a ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
maxis_taste dare, who were by coincidence the first family I played in my Uberhood, I decided to carry on taking pictures of each family as I played them. This week, it's the turn of the Burbs.
John and Jennifer Burb are a married couple with one child, Lucy. I began by moving them into these gorgeous 'Painted Ladies' apartments.
Beautiful, aren't they? The rent was around the $2000 mark, so I figured there would be plenty left for the basics... except when I went to rent it, it was asking more than $7000 for furnished or unfurnished, which I'm sure is the result of a hack I have floating around. I thought it was just a glitch at the time though, until I agreed to rent and found they only had $11,000 left to decorate with. Whoops.
So, here's Lucy's room, right on the top floor. John and Jen splashed the cash on their little girl here.
She's even got her own little en-suite bathroom.
And a huge, barren hallway that they can't afford to furnish. If it were possible for sim children to slide along wooden floors in their socks, it would be great. Buuuuuut they can't. So.
Jen and John's rather more empty bedroom.
Empty hallway. You can just see the edge of the dining room table there, but they can't yet afford any chairs.
And a big ol' empty space I intend to fill with a sofa and a TV. Eesh. I Feel kind of bad for them, having this huge great big apartment and hardly any furniture, but on the bright side, as Jennifer is a fortune sim and always wants to buy MOAR STUFFS, she's thrilled whenever a wild dining chair appears.
Jennifer hunts for a job as soon as the free PC gets delivered. She and John both get jobs, but they don't start until tomorrow so there's no cash coming in. On the bright side, I carefully examined all the hours on the posted jobs and they're not going to need a nanny, so that's good.
But saving on childcare won't make chairs appear. So I force John to go dig.
John turn out to be better than 99% of all my other digging sims by digging up neither a bone nor a rock on his first attempt.
Way to shatter my expectations about you, John.
Lucy: This is our new place? Where's all the furniture?
You've got toys, kid. That's more than your parents have. They have to make their own fun.
John: Hey yeah, we do. Let's do that.
And fun was had.
Lucy quickly improves at school.
Your landlord ain't gonna like that.
Eventually they manage to grub up enough cash for three chairs and a stereo. Lucy celebrates by inviting her cousins for a quick smustle party.
John: I know I've only found rocks and bones and maps so far, but I'm this close to striking gold, sweetie! I can feel it!
You liar. DIG MORE! THERE'S BILLS TO PAY!
Oh good, Lucy can pay the bills.
Kidding. John and Jen get much-needed promotions.
And they're going to need them.
Someone brought this guy home with them. He shuns adult conversation to hang out with Lucy and talk sports.
Personally, I think he's trying to distract her from the film. Your co-workers don't like it when you make their kids a target for murderous ghost girls.
Lucy: This is way more entertaining anyway.
Oh! Check out their new neighbour!
Bella: This is disgraceful! There are holes all over the garden and yesterday, SOME IDIOT burst a water pipe and I couldn't have a bath!
Oops.
Landlord: I'll look into it immediately, ma'am.
Baby on the way! Doesn't she look happy?
And it must have put her in a good mood because she rocks at work that day.
Time for Lucy to grow up, so I invite over the Pleasants for a party. And even though they're not her grandparents, I drag over the Oldies too.
Everyone: *Angela, Angela, Angela.*
Angela: Let's smustle!
But smustling ain't enough to drag this party out of the doldrums.
Mainly because Lucy goes and grows up upstairs, on her landing instead of at the cake, destroying any chance of a roof-raiser. Thanks a bunch, Lucy!
Boo.
Mary-Sue: Well this party sure was shit. I blame you.
Lilith: But I didn't do anything!
YOU TWO ARE BANNED FROM ALL FAMILY GATHERINGS NOW.
So anyway, check out Lucy's teen look! Isn't she adorable?! She rolled Pleasure like her cousins.
She likes to game. All. The. Time.
And Jennifer has her second pop and I finally notice the lack of morphs.
The house still has very little furniture, so I send Lucy on an outing with her cousins. They all have a great time doing karaoke.
Swimming gets a little crowded.
Lucy: OK, I am TIRED of you creeps all up in my face! PERSONAL BUBBLE!
Didn't manage to get it done in her childhood, but now she's on maternity leave, Jennifer takes the take to help Lucy with her homework.
Just some daddy-daughter bonding round the TV.
They managed to scrape together enough cash for an easel, so I make Lucy paint while her parents work in order to raise some cash. Plus the skill points will look good on her college application.
Lucy: Can I touch your belly?
Jennifer: NO TOUCHY.
Aww, haha, poor Lucy. I don't blame Jen though, it really is annoying how everyone thinks they can just walk up and fondle your belly when you're pregnant.
I dragged the family on an outing because the empty house is kind of depressing. John and Jen need a little time to unwind while Lucy gets to hang out with her cousins some more.
Lucy: Yo, check out my crew. RESPECT. Or something.
Lilith: We don't know her, honest.
I make John fish. There are reasons for this.
And Lucy greets the local witch, just in case anyone ever rolls the want to become one.
Then John tries his hand at a little stand-up comedy.
John: So. Um. Hedgehogs. Why can't they um, like, share the hedge?
John: Thank you ladies and gentlemen, you've been a wonderful audience!
*tumbleweed*
The next day, Jennifer goes into labour right in front of the building. Despite being yelled at for trying to touch The Bump, Lucy still sprints to help.
NO NO YOU CAN'T AFFORD THAT!
And right in the middle, John pops up to ask me what kind of bug box he should get, like I give a crap. Your wife is in labour here, John, ask me later!
Lucy must be the world's slowest runner. Jennifer manages to birth both babies before she's even halfway there. It's the most realistic sim birth I've ever seen, to be honest, as poor Jennifer is exhausted, starving and stinky by the time it's all done. Know how you feel, bb. So she dumps the babies in favour of food and sleep.
And a few hours later, I realise they're still there. Whoops. I send big sister Lucy out to grab them before this townie calls social services.
So, meet the twins.Thing 1 and Thing 2 are a boy and a girl whose names I can't remember, but I will find out in a moment. Their names are Aysha and Richard, but don't ask me which is which. You're lucky I cared enough to crack open SimPE and learn their names.
Oh, and this was the reason for the fish. I was worried their empty, echo-y house wouldn't impress the headmaster, but it looks like I had nothing to worry about after all.
John: So we've got two more children now, rent's due tomorrow and we haven't got enough cash to pay. Wanna try for another baby?
Jen: HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Enjoy your cheap cribs in the empty hallway, kids! You're lucky to have them. And if your parents can't find the rent by the next time I play, you may find yourselves back out on the pavement!
----
This was my first time playing the Burbs, and mostly I enjoyed them. I wish I knew what had happened with the apartment rent though, and looking through my mods, I can't seem to work out what's causing it. I'll have to investigate. So I'm kind of worried how they'll cope when I get back to them, what with rent due and needing a nanny. Still, challenging families are more interesting than perfect ones! They'll manage somehow. ^^
maxis_taste dare, who were by coincidence the first family I played in my Uberhood, I decided to carry on taking pictures of each family as I played them. This week, it's the turn of the Burbs. John and Jennifer Burb are a married couple with one child, Lucy. I began by moving them into these gorgeous 'Painted Ladies' apartments.
Beautiful, aren't they? The rent was around the $2000 mark, so I figured there would be plenty left for the basics... except when I went to rent it, it was asking more than $7000 for furnished or unfurnished, which I'm sure is the result of a hack I have floating around. I thought it was just a glitch at the time though, until I agreed to rent and found they only had $11,000 left to decorate with. Whoops.
So, here's Lucy's room, right on the top floor. John and Jen splashed the cash on their little girl here.
She's even got her own little en-suite bathroom.
And a huge, barren hallway that they can't afford to furnish. If it were possible for sim children to slide along wooden floors in their socks, it would be great. Buuuuuut they can't. So.
Jen and John's rather more empty bedroom.
Empty hallway. You can just see the edge of the dining room table there, but they can't yet afford any chairs.
And a big ol' empty space I intend to fill with a sofa and a TV. Eesh. I Feel kind of bad for them, having this huge great big apartment and hardly any furniture, but on the bright side, as Jennifer is a fortune sim and always wants to buy MOAR STUFFS, she's thrilled whenever a wild dining chair appears.
Jennifer hunts for a job as soon as the free PC gets delivered. She and John both get jobs, but they don't start until tomorrow so there's no cash coming in. On the bright side, I carefully examined all the hours on the posted jobs and they're not going to need a nanny, so that's good.
But saving on childcare won't make chairs appear. So I force John to go dig.
John turn out to be better than 99% of all my other digging sims by digging up neither a bone nor a rock on his first attempt.
Way to shatter my expectations about you, John.
Lucy: This is our new place? Where's all the furniture?
You've got toys, kid. That's more than your parents have. They have to make their own fun.
John: Hey yeah, we do. Let's do that.
And fun was had.
Lucy quickly improves at school.
Your landlord ain't gonna like that.
Eventually they manage to grub up enough cash for three chairs and a stereo. Lucy celebrates by inviting her cousins for a quick smustle party.
John: I know I've only found rocks and bones and maps so far, but I'm this close to striking gold, sweetie! I can feel it!
You liar. DIG MORE! THERE'S BILLS TO PAY!
Oh good, Lucy can pay the bills.
Kidding. John and Jen get much-needed promotions.
And they're going to need them.
Someone brought this guy home with them. He shuns adult conversation to hang out with Lucy and talk sports.
Personally, I think he's trying to distract her from the film. Your co-workers don't like it when you make their kids a target for murderous ghost girls.
Lucy: This is way more entertaining anyway.
Oh! Check out their new neighbour!
Bella: This is disgraceful! There are holes all over the garden and yesterday, SOME IDIOT burst a water pipe and I couldn't have a bath!
Oops.
Landlord: I'll look into it immediately, ma'am.
Baby on the way! Doesn't she look happy?
And it must have put her in a good mood because she rocks at work that day.
Time for Lucy to grow up, so I invite over the Pleasants for a party. And even though they're not her grandparents, I drag over the Oldies too.
Everyone: *Angela, Angela, Angela.*
Angela: Let's smustle!
But smustling ain't enough to drag this party out of the doldrums.
Mainly because Lucy goes and grows up upstairs, on her landing instead of at the cake, destroying any chance of a roof-raiser. Thanks a bunch, Lucy!
Boo.
Mary-Sue: Well this party sure was shit. I blame you.
Lilith: But I didn't do anything!
YOU TWO ARE BANNED FROM ALL FAMILY GATHERINGS NOW.
So anyway, check out Lucy's teen look! Isn't she adorable?! She rolled Pleasure like her cousins.
She likes to game. All. The. Time.
And Jennifer has her second pop and I finally notice the lack of morphs.
The house still has very little furniture, so I send Lucy on an outing with her cousins. They all have a great time doing karaoke.
Swimming gets a little crowded.
Lucy: OK, I am TIRED of you creeps all up in my face! PERSONAL BUBBLE!
Didn't manage to get it done in her childhood, but now she's on maternity leave, Jennifer takes the take to help Lucy with her homework.
Just some daddy-daughter bonding round the TV.
They managed to scrape together enough cash for an easel, so I make Lucy paint while her parents work in order to raise some cash. Plus the skill points will look good on her college application.
Lucy: Can I touch your belly?
Jennifer: NO TOUCHY.
Aww, haha, poor Lucy. I don't blame Jen though, it really is annoying how everyone thinks they can just walk up and fondle your belly when you're pregnant.
I dragged the family on an outing because the empty house is kind of depressing. John and Jen need a little time to unwind while Lucy gets to hang out with her cousins some more.
Lucy: Yo, check out my crew. RESPECT. Or something.
Lilith: We don't know her, honest.
I make John fish. There are reasons for this.
And Lucy greets the local witch, just in case anyone ever rolls the want to become one.
Then John tries his hand at a little stand-up comedy.
John: So. Um. Hedgehogs. Why can't they um, like, share the hedge?
John: Thank you ladies and gentlemen, you've been a wonderful audience!
*tumbleweed*
The next day, Jennifer goes into labour right in front of the building. Despite being yelled at for trying to touch The Bump, Lucy still sprints to help.
NO NO YOU CAN'T AFFORD THAT!
And right in the middle, John pops up to ask me what kind of bug box he should get, like I give a crap. Your wife is in labour here, John, ask me later!
Lucy must be the world's slowest runner. Jennifer manages to birth both babies before she's even halfway there. It's the most realistic sim birth I've ever seen, to be honest, as poor Jennifer is exhausted, starving and stinky by the time it's all done. Know how you feel, bb. So she dumps the babies in favour of food and sleep.
And a few hours later, I realise they're still there. Whoops. I send big sister Lucy out to grab them before this townie calls social services.
So, meet the twins.
Oh, and this was the reason for the fish. I was worried their empty, echo-y house wouldn't impress the headmaster, but it looks like I had nothing to worry about after all.
John: So we've got two more children now, rent's due tomorrow and we haven't got enough cash to pay. Wanna try for another baby?
Jen: HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Enjoy your cheap cribs in the empty hallway, kids! You're lucky to have them. And if your parents can't find the rent by the next time I play, you may find yourselves back out on the pavement!
----
This was my first time playing the Burbs, and mostly I enjoyed them. I wish I knew what had happened with the apartment rent though, and looking through my mods, I can't seem to work out what's causing it. I'll have to investigate. So I'm kind of worried how they'll cope when I get back to them, what with rent due and needing a nanny. Still, challenging families are more interesting than perfect ones! They'll manage somehow. ^^
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no subject
Date: 2012-05-12 10:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-13 12:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-12 10:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-13 12:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-13 02:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-13 09:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-13 02:47 pm (UTC)On the other hand, boolprop testingCheatsEnabled True has never lead me wrong in allowing an apartment to be rented furnished, so you can probably use it at least to check the price and see if it was only a problem with that one apartment.
I commend your stubbornness, btw. When the game cheats me out of money like that I'm usually all "kaching!" okay, fixed.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-13 04:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-13 06:27 pm (UTC)Aside from my BACC, I mostly shoot stories and only play a bit, so my patience with normal gameplay's usually pretty low unless things are extra hard, such as trying to get the Newsons through school...
no subject
Date: 2012-05-13 03:52 am (UTC)Anyways, I'm commenting on your rent situation, just wanted to let you know that if you have Pescado's AL fixes, one of the features of that hack is that your sims get charged for the fixtures when they move into an apartment, so that would've caused the rent to go up on that first payment. :)
no subject
Date: 2012-05-13 09:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-14 07:07 pm (UTC)Also, I hope you don't mind me doing three WCIF? D: I feel like a lamer asking, but I love the Russian dolls and the little purple unicorn in Lucy's room (IT'S SO FLUFFY!) and Jen's hair.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-14 10:10 pm (UTC)WCIF's are fine by me. The unicorn (WANT) is by Zx_Ta and you can find it here, (http://zx-ta.livejournal.com/19783.html#cutid1") and the dolls are by keoni_chan and can be found here. (http://keoni-sims.livejournal.com/27483.html#cutid1) I'm not totally sure about Jen's hair, I have a feeling it may be Coolsims 93, but I shall have to crack open Bodyshop in the morning to be certain.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-14 10:59 pm (UTC)And I never thought about the digging for treasure, this opens up a world of possibilities! :3
Thanks again!
ETA: And apparently, it IS coolsims 93, haha! Keoni_chan has a recolor up on the journal, so thanks for sending me there! XD
no subject
Date: 2012-05-15 08:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-05-15 09:35 am (UTC)