The Unique Blogger Award Nomination

SIMLISH FAIR HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE UNIQUE BLOGGER AWARD

jillbg, thank you so much for nominating my blog for this honor! I'm so happy you like the stories I've written. And of course, I always enjoy reading The Grey Witches blog. You do such a wonderful job of storytelling.

RULES

1. Share the link of the blogger who has shown love to you by nominating you.
2. Answer the questions.
3. In the spirit of sharing love and solidarity with our blogging family, nominate 8-13 people for the same award.
4. Ask them three questions.

MY ANSWERS TO JILLBG'S QUESTIONS

1. What is the most annoying thing that has ever happened in your game?

Glitches. They can really break into a game's enjoyment. I don't think I could play without my tuning mods anymore, especially NRaas. The worst glitch I've had was with the first household I played. Eventually it took over two hours just to load the save. I had crashes to desktop, lagging, yadda yadda. I almost lost my family totally because of save bloating, etc. That's when I learned about using mods to deal with the game's weaknesses. Luckily, I was able to rescue all my sims from that corrupted save and place them in other worlds.

      
2. Do you play with the sound off or on? Why? 

I play with the sound on, but I've modded out music for build and buy modes, CAS, edit town, and map view. I enjoy the game's ambiance and simlish speech though. I think they add to play immersion. I used to have the sound down very low until I realized I was missing out on some of the sounds. That's when I turned the volume up and really began to listen to background sounds. Sea gulls. Sims singing. Waves crashing. Music. ... 

3. Which premade does really get on your nerves?

I don't think I have one particular townie premade who bothers me. But I've played a few premades, and of those, I'd have to say Ruby Broke has annoyed me the most. With her traits (Flirty, Party Animal, Great Kisser, Easily Impressed, Good), she is just such a bimbo! Not much else to her, IMO. In fact, I'm thinking of returning Ruby to her former townie status.

MY NOMINEES (in alphabetical order)

• GC Sims -- GreenCats has a wonderful blog full of builds and tutorials and even a Sims Medieval story
• Just Plumb Nuts -- venusdemilosims shares a very detailed and loving story about her legacy family
• The Legacy Report -- texansky posts about her legacy families, but her latest updates involve forum simselves
• Llewellyn Legacies -- Lady Llewellyn has an unusal story about the November family
• Once Upon A Time Series -- s_stutler gives us a great story based on the Snow White fairy tale
• Reagan Leeds: Run the World -- lasummerb creates an awesome variety of sims with close family connections
• Ridiculous Times of Layla and Harris -- GaiaHypothesis shares updates that are fun and full of humor
• Simmerville's Sims -- Simmerville hosts interesting stories for both Sims 3 and Sims 4

QUESTIONS FOR MY NOMINEES

1. What are your favorite things to do in The Sims? (just play, challenges, build, design, write stories, create sims, other?)
2. How long have you been playing The Sims? (Sims 1, 2, 3, 4?)
3. Why did you start blogging for The Sims?

01-04. Mission Objective: The Local Expert

Krisalyn's sources told her that a certain Jerome (Rome) Montez was the best man for leading expeditions into Al Medina's more remote areas. She located his home and gave it a quick recon.

Nice place. Nothing fancy, but it had cost the guy some money. Mr Montez was keeping a low profile, though, for someone coming from his background. Good. Krisalyn didn't need any unnecessary attention.

But she wouldn't be meeting the man at his houseboat. Leif's suggestion was sound. Krisalyn would approach Montez in a public place, the Americana Club in town. Leif had learned that Montez was a regular there, where he drummed up business for himself.

But when Mr Montez sought Krisalyn out that evening before she could even introduce herself, she realized business was the last thing on the man's mind! Luckily, she could make his interest work to her advantage.

Rome, as he called himself, turned out to be a cultured gentleman. At least, that was the image he was projecting at the moment. Leif had managed to dig up basic intel on Montez: educated at the best schools, respected.

But there were rumors of a darker side, talk of connections to shadier characters in Al Medina. And then, the guy also had a reputation for being a ladies' man. His expertise would come with some risk!

Rome: So, Miss Krisalyn Perry. You are new to the city. What brings you here?
Krisalyn: Mr Montez, that is exactly what I'd like to speak with you about.

Rome: And I am eager to hear how I might be of service to you.

The man was too charming! Thank goodness Leif was nearby. Krisalyn wasn't sure she could play this game. Her heart was thumping, and she just wished she was back with her computer and books.

Krisalyn: I need transportation to Amazigh village--and a guide through the abandoned dig site nearby.

Rome (laughing): You are joking with me, señorita! You want a tour through Death Caverns?  You American women, how you amuse me! So daring. So ... bored.

Krisalyn: I assure you, Mr Montez, I am very serious. I must enter that dig site! And I need an experienced excavator. I was told you were the one to ask. Why, I'm surprised you haven't already explored the site!

Rome: No one explores that dump! And that is exactly what it is, Miss Perry, a dump. Only a land fill. There is nothing of value to find there. You have been mislead. I am sorry.

Krisalyn: My reason for going there has nothing to do with treasure, but for your information, I have knowledge that valuable relics ARE buried in Amazigh Dig! ... Please, sir, let's find a private table upstairs, and I'll explain.

As Rome studied the lady's face, he reassessed his first impression of Krisalyn Perry. There was more under that red hat than a pair of baby blues and an inviting smile.

Rome (thinking to himself): Careful, Montez. What does this woman really know about Amazigh Dig?

Krisalyn: Mr Montez, for the past several years I have been doing research on certain lost relics once belonging to the medieval church. I can't tell you any more, except that the relics would be very valuable to any number of buyers. And I have evidence that places those relics at Amazigh.

Rome: I have heard these local legends, Miss Perry. They mean nothing, I'm afraid.

Krisalyn: That is not true! My research says otherwise. If I could investigate the site, look for the signs I've discovered, I could show you the proof! But even so, the relics themselves are not important to me. They would be yours--as payment for being my guide.

Rome: How ... generous. You would give up such treasures? Why search for them at all then?

Krisalyn: Because, sir, I'm a historian! Relics are just things! Preserve them, of course; sell them to museums, yes; display them for the world to see, absolutely! I can trust you to do that. It's what you're known to do.

Krisalyn: But for me, I am looking for the meaning, the history behind these relics. I want to explore that site! I want to experience the discovery first hand--to confirm my work!

Rome: Krisalita, you are an idealist and a fool. Do you not know how dangerous it is to speak of these things to a stranger, such as myself? If I believed in your theories, I could easily bring you harm. ... But maybe you are not a fool; maybe you are a liar and you think I am the fool.

Rome stood and Krisalyn rose after him. He had a bad feeling about this conversation.

Rome: Go home, young lady, before you get yourself into trouble.

Krisalyn: Wait! Please! Why would I lie to you? Mr Montez, give me a chance. You have all the advantage in this situation. You've already seen that! Won't you accompany me into Amazigh Dig?

Krisalyn: I really need your help.

Rome knew he had to agree to her scheme. It was the only way to protect his own work and to ferret out what the lady was up to. Had information been leaked? Was there someone he shouldn't have trusted?

Rome: Very well. We will go to Amazigh and we will see. But you must listen to me, and when I say, "Enough!" we will leave. Are we agreed?

Krisalyn: ... Of course. But I think you'll change your mind when we get there.
Rome: Ah, maybe so, yes. But maybe no. And my "No" will be final.

Rome followed Miss Perry across the balcony. He knew she had no intention of listening to him! She was an American and she was also a woman. Yet, what else could he do but go along? He needed to learn more about her.

Rome: I must make a phone call to arrange our trip. Then, I will see you home.
Krisalyn: Oh, uh, ok. I'll wait by the drink bar here.

Krisalyn: Leif! Where have you been? He's making a phone call. And he wants to take me home!
Leif: Stop worrying, Krisa. His call won't go through. And Mr Montez will not be taking you anywhere tonight.

Krisalyn: This is crazy. I can't keep him on a leash through all this! What are you going to do?
Leif: Tonight, Montez will be no problem. And tomorrow ...

Krisalyn: Yes, yes! Tomorrow I'll have Dodger to watch my back.
Leif: Dodger! For god's sake, Krisa, get real. You'll have ME. I'll be close by the whole time.

When Rome reappeared, he found the Perry woman behind the bar with a man serving drinks. Ziri hadn't answered his call, but that wasn't anything unusual. He'd try again later.

Without thinking, Rome reached out and grabbed one of the drinks from the tray.

He soon regretted that decision! His head began to swim and he felt himself falling. The last thing he remembered was Krisalyn calling out in fright.

Krisalyn: Rome! ... Get help! Quickly! Something is wrong with Mr Montez!

Rome wanted to believe her concern for him was genuine. But he'd always been a sucker for blue eyes.

01-03. Enter the Cast for Act One

The main character for the Al Medina story is actually a YA version of my simself--well, at least as close to a simself as I can make. I named her Krisalyn, which is what I would have named a daughter if I'd had one. (I only had sons.) I chose Perry as a last name because it's close to (but not the same as) what my maiden name once was.

Here is the house I chose for Krisalyn. It's in the main area of Al Medina and is a mid-range cost home. I gave her enough money to get it (freerealestate) because she'll soon have a roommate to help cover the costs.

It's built on the cliff above the river.

The first floor. I love that fireplace and the Moroccan style seating.

Upstairs bedrooms and bath.

The first thing Krisalyn did was to Research Fashion Designs. She has the Artistic trait.

I sent Krisalyn to the park, hoping she might meet a neighbor.

She left the park and headed straight to the salon below ground, not speaking to anyone (Loner trait).

Krisalyn had found another drafting table! Oh well, she was enjoying her time of solitude. I understand.

__________
The story begins ...

Back home, Krisalyn read through the local newspaper, looking for any information she might find about Amazigh. But Leif was right. It was as if the dig site didn't even exist.

She took a trip down to Port Medina to check out where Rome Montez moored his houseboat, the Dulce Vida. This was the man Leif said should be the guide for her expedition.

Krisalyn made a quick trip to Leif Ericson's penthouse before her planned evening at the Americana Club. He was a busy man, but she was lucky to find him as he arrived home.

Krisalyn: Leif, I'm glad you'll be around this evening. But please, try not to look like you're spying. I'm nervous enough as it is.

Leif: You have no need to worry. I'm paying for this project, and I'm not about to see it fail.

Reassured, Krisalyn left. But she ran into Adrian just as he was parking his car. He lived on one of the lower floors of the condominium and worked for Leif. He had also promised Krisalyn that he'd be at the club that night.

__________

Meanwhile, Rome was finishing up a light dinner alone. He had plans for the evening though.

First a short nap before heading out to the Americana. He usually spent his nights there, either looking for tourists needing a sightseeing guide or--hopefully--finding a lady whose company he could enjoy.

The club was busy as usual, but Rome noticed a woman in a red hat across the room. She kept glancing his way when she thought he wasn't watching. He casually made his way over to her.

Rome joined the lady's table and introduced himself. She smiled and offered her name without hesitation. Rome sensed an invitation. ... So, he asked her to dance.

01-02. Beaches and Ports

Al Medina's Foreign Quarters had two beach areas, but neither was actually attached to the water. So I added a real beach with a boat pier and boat post, life guard chair, changing rooms, and snack area.

This is a a closer view of the snack area and inside the changing rooms.

__________

So far, I've also created two ports. This is Port Medina. Rome's houseboat, the Dulce Vida, is moored here.

Looking out towards the Foreign Quarter.

This is what the inside of the beach shack looks like.

Here's a pic of the first floor of the houseboat.

And the second floor.

I've done some renovating to the original houseboat since taking these screenshots. To begin with, I added modular plant boxes to the boat. I found them on MTS. Gelina's Modular Planter Boxes.

I started out with just a few planters for testing, and they worked perfectly. They take up less room than even the ITF plant rugs. You can even arrange them on foundations. The animations are a little off when the planter boxes are raised, but sims can still access them without issues.

_____

The second port, Port Amazigh, is not as built up as the main port. It's near the old village of Amazigh.

__________

Evening advances and darkness descends on Port Amazigh.

The sun sets on Port Medina and the Dulce Vida.

01-01. Al Medina World Setting

Al Medina is a custom world by Zach_Bundy and can be downloaded from the Sims 3 Store Exchange. It's a large world with three main living areas.

The modern area of Al Medina 

The old Amazigh village

And the Foreign Quarter tourist area

Besides the roads between the Quarter and Al Medina proper, a large desert stretches over to Amazigh.

__________

I had already used Al Medina for a honeymoon destination (NRaas Traveler mod). That's when I encountered several routing issues which I needed to fix before using it as a regular playing world. 

NPCs were having trouble finding homes for themselves and were getting stuck. I converted one home into another apartment building by adding a hidden NPC apartment on the second floor of this house. (See the process I used for creating the apartment in this Blog Post.)

_____

One of the larger families living in the village also had two horses who were getting stuck by the front door of a second floor home. I relocated a great aunt and her teen niece from that family, along with the two horses, to a farm lot outside of Amazigh. I added two horse stalls and some furnishings to spiff things up a bit.

I love seeing what new items sims check out. It's a salt lick, Great Aunt. Interesting, eh? But it's for the horses, not you, old dear!

And look at this one horse taking time to smell the hydrangeas! Love the look on her face. Such sniffing pleasure! Isn't the country great?

The cottage was very rustic. It originally didn't even have flooring. And there was only one bed in the main room. I made a separate bedroom. The teen is doing homework and the aunt is checking the stove. (She's Neurotic.)

The small side room was pretty much empty. I put in stairs to the roof and a lounge area. The horse doesn't get it. She's wondering why she still can't go into the house.

This is a view from the back of the farm, showing inside one of the stalls, the bathroom outhouse, and the patio furniture on the roof.

_____

The Movie Lot had the whole Studio rabbit hole buried in the basement, so I knocked that out and put in the rabbit hole replacement door instead. It's on a huge lot, but has very little staging props. I might work on that more some other time.

But I did add a little break room area. The darker room is where sims disappear into the rabbit hole for the Studio.