Child and dog run away from car while tree limb crashes through windshield. :O

I finished up my take on the tiered apocalypse challenge. There are still things I want to do with these sims and this Desiderata Valley, but as far as the challenge itself goes, it's done. Marlene Jocque did her part in lifting the music restrictions by singing karaoke, and Saria Bell was the one to officially end the apocalypse by lifting the artist career. The households celebrated with pizza and trips to community lots, and I celebrated by adding some futuristic cc, conversions from The Sims 3 Into the future and The Sims 1.

Since Paulette Aspir reached the top of the (custom) textile career I thought it was only fair to give her the gold badge in sewing, so she's been busy making all those sewing machine-exclusive outfits as well as the special customizable ones, which I've never had anyone make in my game before.

Franziska Rusewicz and Klara Picaso autonomously fell in love while visiting their brother/friend Giorgio. I had placed them in a house to keep the furniture in there for later, but when a group of sims moved in there after the deaths of Sophie Dallas and Luca Jocque, everyone got along so well that I decided to keep them in the household. Ilya Aspir and Franziska, both romance sims, were immediately drawn to each other (and I only realize now that that's pretty awkward from Giorgio's perspective, as their both his siblings although they're not related to -each other-). Meanwhile, Ilya and Klara get along and have good chemistry, and I decided to give her romance as a secondary aspiration, so that should work out nicely.

I've been way more invested in this challenge, the hood, the sims and the stories that have emerged, than I thought I would. The beginning was absolute misery and I did at one point intentionally quit without saving several (sim) days of playing to try and replay more effectively, because if Pauline Aspir hadn't skilled up enough to lift the medical career before going old and uncontrollable I probably would have ragequit the challenge altogether. After that, most restrictions were mostly just interesting as they forced me to play things differently than I normally would. Having each sim have a specific purpose was pretty cool and I especially enjoyed how the challenge (as well as my own use of cc and in-game stuff) really made it feel like time was passing and society changing. All in all, I had a great time and I'm never doing it again.

Some random statistics:
Over the course of the challenge, 27 babies were born/adopted. 18 girls and 9 boys.
Via randomization, 11 of them grew up to be romance sims. 6 pleasure sims, 4 fortune sims, and 2 each of popularity, family and knowledge.
Luca Jocque was the most fulfilled sim, fulfilling two lifetime wants plus filling out his lifetime aspiration bar.
Levi Aspir had the most deaths: first dying of fright, then being resurrected, burning to ashes but being saved from death, and finally dying of old age.
10 people died of causes other than old age. 5 were eventually resurrected.
3 people became Right hand of Poesidon in short order (first for the sake of the challenge, and then to fulfill people's lifetime wants), making that the most popular job. There were also 2 city planners, though they were generations apart.

Kligma, I love the random statistics!!


My partner is at work and asked me what my yesterday's gameplay looked like, so I sent him the town's newsletter. I decided that I might as well translate it to english and post it here.

MEGAPHONE ŻOLIBORZ

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The Rainiest Summer of the Decade

Dark clouds over the region just won’t budge. Meteorologists recommend that anyone craving sun should book their summer holiday on Twikki Island, while those staying in the city should invest in a good pair of rubber boots.

In the city’s western districts, residents are voicing growing concerns about potential flooding. Żoliborz authorities assure the public that they’re ready to intervene, though they emphasize that for now, water levels remain stable, and the risk is low. We remind readers that Żoliborz hasn’t seen a flood warning in twelve years.

Long-distance rail, however, is seeing some hiccups - travelers are advised to follow real-time updates on the day of departure.

Not everyone’s frowning at the forecast - local beekeepers are buzzing with joy. For years, Żoliborz’s honey producers have battled the likes of imported acacia, lavender, and other fancy honeys from the south - plants that need a calm and predictable climate, which, fortunately, this summer is anything but. Żoliborz’s linden trees are blooming like never before, and the bees are celebrating loudly. Jars of Stingy honey are already available at Plato’s All That Tat, where Plato himself invites customers to a 2-for-1 sale of honey jars.

“For sadness... for tea... for greek yogurt....”

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Unanimous: Bring Django Hortez Back to Żoliborz

The long-abandoned but well-preserved Django’s Slice of Town remains a burning topic among locals. Once the region’s noisiest, friendliest restaurant, now closed - but still spotless. Thanks to a handful of die-hard fans of Żex-Mex and the legendary charm of its owner, the restaurant building remains poised for a triumphant return.

Locals are not shy about their longing and sadness - or disappointment with the current local food scene.
“There was a time,” Karolina Japa groans into the reporter's ear “when you could meet someone over a warm bowl of chili and just have a laugh with the owner. If Janko* had some leftovers, he’d pack them for you, and expect nothing for it but a smile. Now the young folks go for sushi and ramen, they don't care about town traditions. But what about us - the ones still looking for that old vibe and familiar faces?”

In response to growing frustration, a petition has been launched demanding an official and prioritized huntdown, apprehension, and return of Django Hortez from his unknown location to his rightful place. Signatures are piling up.

“In my opinion, it’s the only reasonable thing to do,” says Filip Zupka. “That man and his place brought people together from all walks of life. It was our shared little sanctuary, right in the heart of the city. Since he left, the streets are all lethargy -- weltschmerz -- frühjahrsmüdigkeit! Morally speaking, the man owes us dinner.”

For now, despite a swirl of colorful rumors, Django’s whereabouts remain unknown. But the spirit of Hortez - as well as his cooking - still haunts the streets and stomachs of Żoliborz.

* (Translators note: Django. Locals often mispronounce the name)

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Lakarnum Wang Returns to the Field

The magic of sport is once again in the air - among players, balls, hot dogs, and loyal fans. The rumors were true: Żoliborz’s favorite mascot, the blue jersey llama, has returned to the stadium in his classic form!

After a much-criticized attempt to replace the mascot role with a young and attractive female student from Académie Le Tour, Lakarnum Wang, who withdrew from public life to raise his children on a family farm after the death of his wife, has returned to cheerleading like a phoenix.
“Once the TV exploded as I was doing a Training With Jackie workout on the sofa, I knew it was a sign - my wife trying to tell me, ‘Get out of the house already!’. So I pulled the stained llama helmet out of the closet, and before I could even take it to the laundromat, I was joyfully tackled and beaten up by local jocks. Three times. I feel alive again.”

Lakarnum made his comeback at the Żoliborz Swines match against the no name New Shore team. The crowd went wild. He says he’ll never look back.

We asked the Wang children how they feel about their dad’s return to the world of local sports:

“We’re glad he’s himself again, happy… but he doesn’t have to keep bringing leftover hot dogs home. We don’t like them.”

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Atrociously Evil Witch Adela Uczeń Is Dead

Adela Uczeń, holder of the title “Most Evil Witch in Żoliborz,” died under highly mysterious circumstances last week. Known citywide for her long list of nuisances - including turning everyone's tap water into cinnamon-apple scented soap and tying wild ducks to the bottoms of public fountains - Adela firmly held the title of Top Menace.

Following this not so tragedy, the title of the Greenest of all Evil Witches has now been passed to Adela's arch-nemesis, Felicja Popiół (age 38, single, unemployed), whose first celebratory act was a purchase of round John Lennon sunglasses, and the disappearance of the Hariet family lot and house. From witnesses' accounts, the building simply dissolved into thin air. In its place now stands a broken pizza vending machine, with a handwritten sign reading:

“Felicja was here.”

Reconstruction work is moving quickly, but the shaken Hariet family is currently camping out in tents on the property.

Many Żoliborz residents say they’d love to rid the city of Atrociously Evil Witches altogether. Unfortunately, the witches remain hidden under spells of invisibility, and the Guild of Somewhat Good Witches - the only organization competent enough to break such spells and carry out witch evictions - is refusing to cooperate at the current negotiation rates. They’re demanding at least double wage.

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The Jerzyk Sisters Are Dancing to Lily Allen at 3 AM Again

Sleep-deprived neighbors are demanding the return of peace during night hours.



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And I loved reading your newsletter :D

using the "no aging" mod to have my two sims just live their life. i found out there are stocks! i currently have 300,000 simolleons and i earned it all on my own. this is the best playthrough i ever had.

Eric and Edwin Warrens moved to college. Their father Tim is relieved: he was afraid that Ediwn's grades were too low. But newly opened Emerald Heights community college accepts sims with low grades if they can secure at least one skill scholarship, and Edwin had three (he truly is talented just unmotivated). He has moved in a dorm and was very surprised to learn that Opal Raymonds, a girl he once went on a date on and had his very first kiss with and then ghosted, is also in the same college. And lives in his dorm. What an interesting coincidence.
Meanwhile Eric got accepted in Fourthlake Tech, sims state's most prestigious university where he studies economics, one of FLT's most advanced and competitive majors. This is a great achievement as not so long ago Eric's grades were horrible. He managed to pull through, earn A+ and get himself and his younger siblings (except Edwin) into private school. He is proud. His parents are as well. Eric had enough scholarship money to move into a house and he did just that. Growing up with so many siblings the home already felt like a dorm. He doesn't need more noise and dirty bathrooms, he is ready for some peace and quiet. But some Three Lakes townies moved into dorms: Gordon Nott, with whom Eric hanged out and made out few times as a teen, Juan Harris who had short fling with Edwin, and Elizabeth Ng who is just a friend of Gordon. I expect some drama to happen there.
Back home, Tim and Claudia grew up into elders, and "baby" Elisabeth grew into child. This means that Warrens are officially done with diaper age kids and I am truly relieved.
Tim wanted another child and, as the adoption of Alvin was so successful, I allowed them to adopt another teen. Julie is a popularity teen with some, um, attitude problems. Just like Alvin, she doesn't have biological siblings, and getting six at the same time is a bit much. She gets along splendidly with her Elisabeth and Esther (who are both children) but dislikes Alvin and Emma (who are teens). As she was adopted after Eric and Edwin moved out, it's not yet known how she feels about them.
Alvin is still in criminal career but he is integrating into this middle class suburban life very well. He is friends with all of his sisters now. Emma is trying to become a popular at school, and does not seem to be going well. She threw a party that nobody attended except for Caroline Flores (which is weird because Caroline and Emma had never met before). Now Emma wants to be friends with Caroline but Caroline is getting close with Julie, and Emma is frustrated because WHY did her parents need another child, especially one who ruins Emma's social life?

Speaking of Flores, they returned from their vacation to Twikkii island. They went there to visit their daughter Becky who studies at Twikkii University, and are happy to return home with news about Becky's engagement to Lainey Barthalet. Family knows Lainey since she was a teen and have accepted her as their own already. Sylvia hopes to become best friends with her and is rolling wants to talk and play with her a lot. Nick is a bit more reserved but supportive. Caroline sometimes gets mad at Lainey for winning all the games they play (I guess, Carrie has a competitive side to her) but is mostly excited to have a sister-in-law.
Back home, Nick and Sylvia had a very laid back rotation and just enjoyed their vacation benefits. Caroline met Julie at school and bought her home. They went shopping together as Caroline needed new clothes for the fall season, and then grabbed dinner at local restaurant, got close to becoming best friends and then run into Emma.
Even though Caroline is closer to Julie at this point, she likes Emma and thought it was fun to hang out with both of them. She is happily unaware of the jealously situation brewing between Emma and Julie.

Put a rideable duck in a pool

That looks so cute