strangetomato | Strangetown extras: Family portraits, gardening, and reader participation + sims talk

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Strangetown extras: Family portraits, gardening, and reader participation + sims talk

I just wanted to share a couple of photos and do some sims gabbing about CC and the Kitchen and Bath Stuff Pack.

Have you seen these recolours of the Teen Style Stuff gym wear converted for adults by cloudlessnights on MTS2? I think they're really cute. Lots of nice colours and patterns, and it makes up for the lack of gym clothes in the game. I'm a pretty big fan of conversions like that in general, and migamoo also did some really great ones, including the clothing that Ripp wears right now in this story. Imagine that - a plain black button-up shirt! It seems like something you would take for granted, but I don't, considering how specialized a lot of CC is (and the Maxis stuff too, for that matter). Basics, people, we need basics.

Speaking of basics, the new Kitchen and Bath Stuff seems awesome to me. And it has clothes! Nice clothes. Argyle sweaters with jeans (Buck and Frances just heard that and looked over), and a nice sweater and leggings outfit. Yes, actually classic and nice, not trendy (I couldn't believe it either)! They've posted the item pics at the official site, if you haven't taken a look at them yet. It seems like a good SP to me. Lots of things that have already been done pretty well by Holy Simoly, but some new things too.

I only recently started using the hula mod, and I'm really liking it. Especially the still poses from the lot loading screens. I've always wondered how other people posed sims for photo shoots like that and now I know. I'm so behind sometimes. Anyway, I thought I'd share the results of my tinkering with the poses and moveobjects/snapobjectstogrid.

A little "family" portrait. Aren't they cute? Why limit myself to Sim Couple A & B, when I can pose three together!

You can see Ophelia's garden in the background too. She already has her gold talent badge, and Ripp and Johnny are both getting there too, just from occasionally helping her (the garden got so big that she really needs some help). Here they are in action:

Sure, guys. Why bother getting dressed first? Why not?

ETA: I also just noticed this new "Cottage Garden" loveseat on Holy Simoly. How perfect for Nervous' garden one day! :D The universe just seems to be aligning for me right now.

Also, is anyone interested in some reader participation related to the next chapter? No promises that it will end up in the story, but I'm opening the floor to anything that you would like to see come up in conversation at the dinner party with Johnny, Ophelia, Ripp, Stella and Jayne (within reason and character, of course). I have plenty of my own, but is there anything that you would like to see brought up? Just curious. Maybe I'm overlooking something good...

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I'm back! I have nothing else to say except that I'm going back to catch up on what I've missed.

Oh wow! Hey! Welcome back. I was wondering whatever happened to you. Good to see that you're still around. :D I hope you enjoy catching up with everything.

I wonder what Johnny would look like if he turned into a plantsim, lol.

I love Stella's frankness on sexuality and her research, so I hope she says something that will make stoic Johnny do a spit-take, lol. I mean, it's gonna be pretty uncomfortable for him to begin with. Or maybe Stella says something that makes Ripp as uncomfortable. Wait, would that even be possible? ;) I do wonder if Ripp will be in a (somewhat) sober state of mind or not, considering it's right before the sorority gig.

I was wondering if there's some advantage to the Johnny and Jayne pairing, or why his dad is pushing for it, compared to Johnny spreading his genetics through Ophelia. I suppose they don't want the alien hybrid genetics to dillute too quickly. I'm hoping Stella can explain a bit more about all of that, I guess. :)

I don't quite recall whether Johnny told Jayne he has a girlfriend, or whether his father mentioned it? If Stella mentions much about the alien plans (or is this semi-secret? besides the government suspicions, I mean) this could make for interesting conversation. Though I doubt she'd be so forward. But I would get a kick out of some more of her "research" talk/hypotheses with the others. I wonder if this is when the issue of alien vs sim appendages come up?

Tank will only go to the sorority party, right? He won't be at Jayne's house?

I can't wait to see Frances and Tank at the sorority house, lol. I wonder if Ripp is up to something there. This is giving me that "peer through fingers while reading" feeling.

Yeah, I wonder. Might be fun to try a different shade of green on him. And his friends could be green too! That'd be funny.

It is very likely that Stella might say something awkward or inappropriate, but she generally talks about her research in a vague scientific way until she gets down to business. And she is very careful about who she's dealing with, but it might come up. Yeah, it might be hard to embarrass Ripp, but he does seem a little evasive about the alien thing, doesn't he?

Ripp will definitely be sober(ish) at dinner, since he's with Johnny and Phi. The drinking will happen at the second party, so aside from maybe a bit of bubble blowing... and maybe not even that.

Yeah, it's all about genetics with Johnny and Jayne's marriage. Maybe I didn't explain it well enough in the Stella chapter, but they essentially consider the hybrids a new species, and want to maintain it. Breeding with Ophelia would dilute Johnny's genetics to an unacceptable level in the eyes of the aliens.

Stella is careful about how much she tells to which people. Ripp got informed about some of it because he was going to find out anyway. :P

I'm really looking forward to the Kitchen and Bath pack too! Not just for the clothes, either. It will be nice to finally have some variety in dishwashers and trash compactors (I've been very lazy about downloading recolors -- I only have one very industrial/sci-fi looking set).

The argyle sweaters are lovely. And bathrobes! Lots of style variations with those, too, from slobby to swank (at least for the guys -- I didn't see as much variety for the girls' bathrobes).

I'm looking forward to your dinner party chapter. I'm a little worried about how Ophelia's going to react if the business of Johnny and Jayne's (potential) arranged marriage comes up. If I were her, I'd be pretty upset that he never brought it up before. But I guess that's where the drama comes in! And I can't see her staying angry forever.

Like the others here, I'd love to see Stella drop some frank comments and embarrass Ripp, or Johnny, or both. I was going to say that anatomy discussion might not be a fit subject for the table, but Stella might not have caught onto that, yet... :D

My internet just got hooked back up today. And, since I'm paying for it, it's actually permanent! I'm on my bf's computer, so it'll be a bit before I get some updates posted. I'm so out of the loop. Strangetown is the first thing I'm catching up on (I read the asylum at my mom's).

I won't give away the detail about whether Jayne knows or not, but you'll find out.

The alien plans are pretty secret. Johnny doesn't even know everything about them. But some of the details might come up. Minor details. Heheh... like maybe alien appendages. But maybe not. I can imagine the topic coming up, and them Ripp just blurting out his question to Johnny. *snicker* That would be funny.

That's right. Tank's only going to that other party. Johnny and Ophelia don't even know that Ripp invited him.

Ripp might be up to something? Hmmm... maybe. Or he might honestly just want to see his brother get laid. :P

Well, not "see" it, but you know what I mean! *snicker*

Oh, cool. It must be nice to be able to finally get back to your sims. Thanks for coming to catch up with the story. The asylum was fun, wasn't it? Your selfsim was hilarious! Some family sim you turned out to be. *snort*

I totally agree. And it's not so much even recolours that were needed, but different styles. There are some really cool new items in this pack. Some of the screenshots, that show some possible kitchens, look really good.

The argyle sweaters are the best part for me. I downloaded a bunch from MTS2 once, but they came with the worst distressed denim jeans I've ever seen. Very disappointing. These are great, since the jeans are very basic, and I hope to see lots of recolours too. Maybe I'll even make some myself.

That's a good point, but it might not come up a dinner. I down think that Johnny would want to spring it on her in front of Jayne, so he has two other options. Tell Ophelia or tell Jayne to keep it hush hush. Which do you think he'll choose?

Stella has a very basic understanding of proper sim behaviour, and she gets things wrong, so there might be some potential embarrassing situations. She's not completely clueless, but she doesn't understand things as well as a normal sim would. It could be very funny.

*eyes the stuff pack, and giggles*

I can just see it now. People are going to write stereotypical trailer park scenes into their stories with those bathrobe/slipper outfits.

As for the dinner party scene, I wonder. It would be funny if Ripp began to ask Jayne about her anatomy, perhaps if it were just the two of them, in a corner, only to be walked in on by either Johnny or Stella. Afterall, Jayne is only half alien, so I'm sure he'd be plenty curious. It could go something like this:

Standing by the bushes, or some plant (maybe a cow plant) conveniently placed, Ripp is so curious about half alien anatomy.

Ripp: So... um.... Jayne! Do you know, have.... um...
*ENTER Johnny* Jayne's eyebrows arch, "Hi, Johnny!"
Ripp: Ouch! Fucking plant bit me!

/scene. Keeping in mind that perhaps Ripp is a little drunk, and therefore not particularly quiet, thus giving Johnny (should he be the one to enter) the hint that Ripp does know about alien anatomy a bit.

That's the only thing that comes to mind right now, sorry. It would certainly be funny to see the scene in action.

Yes, there will be plenty of characters wearing robes in scenes like that. I have no doubt. :P But most of the robes are at least pretty classy.

That would be an awesome scene! *snicker* Especially Ripp getting bitten (eaten?) by the cowplant.

Ripp would certainly be more comfortable asking a pretty girl about her parts, wouldn't he? Maybe even trying to take a peek? And if he doesn't know anything about Johnny's potential marriage... well, what would stop him?

This is so not dinner conversation, but how about it Ripp makes references to the whole probe thing, and the possibility that Johnny has female parts? He wouldn't need to say anything crass, but make subtle remarks that maybe only he and Stella would get.

Then there's the whole arranged marriage topic. Maybe Jayne could bring that up, and then Ophelia would chock on her food and start screaming.

I didn't realize this was a dinner party. I thought it was like a open house type thing, where ppl just stop by to see the new place, have a drink a two, and stick around if they want to. A dinner party makes things more interesting, since it forces conversation. And it would be hard to keep things quiet with everyone at the dinner table....

(Totally looking forward to the chaos that is bound to occur!)

There might be some in-joking between Ripp and Stella, but Stella already told him that the hybrids shouldn't have alien parts. Ripp isn't entirely convinced, however.

I can see it now...

"So, Johnny, can you please pass the salt, and by the way, do you by any chance have a vagina-like object in your pants?"

Probably not a good thing to bring up at dinner. *snort* Johnny would be the one to choke on his food and die.

Johnny will do his best to avoid any scenario that involves Ophelia choking and screaming. Don't worry. But how good IS Johnny at this secret thing?

Yeah, it's a dinner party. And they do have some school topics that they can stick to (theatre & art being in the same building), and they might chat about alien stuff too. But which stuff, and in how much detail?

Heheh. Chaos ensues.

Ripp would certainly be more comfortable asking a pretty girl about her parts, wouldn't he? Maybe even trying to take a peek? And if he doesn't know anything about Johnny's potential marriage... well, what would stop him?

*cheers*

YAY! This is exactly my thought! And yes, if he doesn't know about the potential marriage arrangement, that would make it SOOO much easier to do. And Jayne certainly fits into the 'pretty girl' category.

I don't know why, but it really seems like Stella would just happen to have a pet cow plant in their house. I don't know enough about Jayne whether to know if she'd be adverse to a cow plant on the premises, but since she really likes Stella, I can't see her being against it either. I mean, who doesn't like plants?

I can't wait to see what happens. :) :) :) :)

I'm trying to figure out how Johnny can get out of this evening unscathed, and I got nothing. So far, he's only said that Ophelia and Ripp are his roommates, but can he really go the whole evening without saying that they're dating? And even if he doesn't say anything, Ophelia or Ripp might. Ripp, he may be able to convince to keep his mouth shut, but Phi? Sure, they're not much for PDA, but still.

And then Jayne might make a comment about the future. One would assume she's told Stella about the arrangement, so then Stella might say something. How is it possible that he'll make it out alive!!!!!!

How soon will I see the chaos?! I NEED THE CHAOS!!!!!!!

Woaw! I love how the Kitchen and Bath stuff things looks!! :D I'm so gonna get that stuff pack when I have money enough!
True I'm a little behind in the EP and SPs... But I HAVE been away fomr my sims for 6 months and away form a store where I can buy the european version of the games..
But I will buy it. And I'll buy Teen Style and I'll buy BV and I'll buy Free time! :D

I love the guys doing the gardning in their undies/jammies!

Oh and for what I'd like to see: Tank's first kiss from a guy - all the confusing feelings and then the realisation that he likes/luRves Worthington... :) *love*

I'm really looking forward to Kitchen and Bath stuff as well, but then I'm a completest must have everything! They are almost getting to the point where I'd be willing to clean out my cc again (major project) and only keep Maxis meshes and recolors - except for hair I'd die without my hair.

As for the dinner party I'm wondering what Johnny would think about Stella and Jayne's relationship? The one that was hinting at with the spooning picture in a previous chapter. Johnny's a pretty uptight guy sexually, of course Stella and Jayne's relationship could be reflected as similar to Johnny and Phi's roommates that care for each other and that keep each other warm and seek comfort from each other rather than strictly sexual but with Stella's frankness and scientific approach to human sexuality I don't really see it that way. And I don't think Johnny would either since he's of course known Phi for in his opinion forever, long before the hint of a arranged marriage was proposed. Jayne may just see it as experimentation/curiosity but how would Johnny react to it?

If I didn't see the flour sack myself, I would not have believed she made me a Family sim. It was fantastic, I laughed my butt off and enticed my brother to read it. He thought it was hilarious.
I finished catching up and I love it! I was disappointed when I reached the most recent update D: You're writing it so well. I laugh out loud for a lot of it because I still see so much of my own boyfriend coming out of Ripp's mouth. Keep up the good work!

I pre-ordered the Kitchen and Bath Decorator (or whatever it was) stuff pack when I pre-ordered Free Time. I got the Prima Guide too, and they're all supposed to be in my hands on Feb 27th! WOOT WOOT WOOT!

I think it would be great to have some reader participation ideas in your story... unfortunately I don't have any, lol! I'm just enjoying reading your story as it is!

Oh that hula mod is the best isn't it? I've had it forEVER but I only just figured out that you have to use the snapobjects cheat when you pose the sims like that! D'oh!

I just put in a new, genetically correct Strangetown! Spent about an hour fixing all the recessive DNA... gave Pascal and Vidcund recessive grey eyes (Kitty had grey) and Lazlo recessive green eyes, and gave them recessive blond hair, and stuff like that. I also gave Chloe and Lola recessive medium skin and brown eyes "from" Glarn... and I fixed Johnny and Jill's genetics, too, to reflect their mixed heritage. I think I even gave Jill green skin. (shrugs) Should be a hoot!

I love a lot of migamoo's custom content. I download so much stuff, and I usually use her clothes. Her children outfits are lovely, but a lot of Maxis children clothes are adorable, too. The sundresses that came with Seasons! The children outerwear that came with Seasons! I loved a lot of the content that comes with Kitchen and Bath Interior Design Stuff, the Circuit City near my house never has any of the stuff packs, which irks me to no end.

Okay...a paragraph about clothes for my sims...I need to remember I have a life, too.

I second the Ripp mentioning Johnny's supposed lady parts conversation. Such lovely dinner conversation, yes?

Ophelia is awesome! How many gold badges does she have now?

That would be typical dinner conversation at our house! And our guests would be glad we hadn't gone on to things like medical lawsuits.

You *could* have Ripp approach Johnny as though he thinks he now knows something Johnny doesn't. For instance, my husband (when he stopped laughing) suggested: So, John, did you know Stella was a pistil-packin' mama?

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Strangetown extras: Family portraits, gardening, and reader participation + sims talk

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Jayne and Ripp have a little chat.

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