The simmer who cried update.

[strangetomato]

So, I hope I don't make a liar of myself, but I really might post the next update in the next couple of days, or at least before the weekend is over. The second half of chapter 26 grew too large for a single livejournal post (no real surprise there - it seems like I do that all of the time lately), so I broke it roughly in half. The next section should be easy to complete, here and there.

Now if only my second job wasn't taking up all of my evenings. I'm an usher at the local theatre, which is great, but it gets extra busy in the summer. It's the season for theatre festivals, don't you know. I really can't complain, since it's the easiest, most entertaining job I've ever had (which is why I keep it in addition to my other job), but I'm working the same show for the next five evenings in a row. The SAME show. *snicker* I can either laugh or cry, so I may as well laugh. At least I'll get some quality thinking time. I've concocted many a Strangetown plot in that theatre. It provides just the right blend of mental stimulation (especially if it's musical) and creative boredom.

Yeah, that's right... creative boredom. I'll bet you didn't realize this hidden benefit to living in a tiny town, where nothing much happens.

Comments

[madame-ugly.livejournal.com]

Creative Boredom. I think that's what I'll rename my job.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

You're a CBT: a Creative Boredom Technician. You can use on your resume.

[cindyanne1.livejournal.com]

I remember those days of creative boredom. *sighs with nostalgia* Oh yes... the days when the apartment was empty, no sounds except music playing softly and the sputter of wax from lit candles. Windows open to the breeze and the many windchimes and crystals hanging there tinkling... Sigh.

Nope, doesn't happen any more. *giggle*

*is excited for the next update*

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Nah, I don't think you're getting it. It's not like a perfect environment with no distractions, and lots of creative slimulation. Creative boredom happens when you're trapped somewhere, against your will, with nothing to do, and no way to escape or do anything more productive. A perfect example would be being stuck in church (unless that's your thing, and you really get into it - but that was never the case for me).

Yeah, I think watching the same play five times in a row places me squarely there, in the land of creative boredom. Oh, and I've already seen this one twice, so by the end, it will be seven times. *sigh*

Wish me luck on the updating. I hope to get a little time to work on it after work tonight, depending on how much gets done around here before then.

[cindyanne1.livejournal.com]

Oh. Gotcha. Yep I've been there too... back in the days I worked for State Farm. Funny how it always seems to happen at work, lol!

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Definitely. It happens a lot at work. The upside is the quality time to let the mind run free.

[pixelcurious.livejournal.com]

I used to do the best drawings in church.

Then my mom said I was too old to carry magic markers in my purse, and I would have to listen to the sermon, instead. Stifled creatively at the age of nine... :p

:D

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

That's too bad. Who says you can't draw with your markers and listen to the sermon at the same time, right? You could draw scenes from the sermon.

That reminds me of another thing I did when I was bored in church. I used to look at the illustrations in the Good News bible. Some of them had tiny animals hidden throughout the picture, and I'd try to find them all.

Oh, I love your Jack icon, by the way. He's a cutie.

[pixelcurious.livejournal.com]

It was all about appearances. She probably didn't really care if I drew during church, but she did care about what people might say about her parenting. :p

I used to look at the bible illustrations, too. That was acceptable, because it looked like reading scripture. Or I'd read the creepy stories in the Old Testament, the ones where God sends the Israelites to slaughter other tribes. I used to try to find the worst stuff. And I was always fighting a headache and nausea from all the perfume and hairspray. I hated going to church, but we went twice on Sunday and on Wednesday nights, too.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

It's always about appearances with church, isn't it? I'm sure that's the only reason anyone does it. Oh yeah, right... and to save your soul. Can't forget that, now, can we? ;)

I went through a teenage rebellion phase where I refused to go to church (I was flirting with alternative religions, and other embarrassingly teenage things), and I'm sure that Mom was mostly upset because people would talk about her and ask her about me. After a while, I just start going again, just to keep the peace, but I never go on my own time.

My SO's story is funnier. He used to say he was going to the evening mass (he's catholic) as a teen, and then he'd take the car and drive to the beach for an hour instead. He never bought into the church thing, even as a child, but I went through a period where I did try to get it to work for me.

There are some really good stories in the bible. I read a comic book version as a child, and it was awesome. I'd love to get a copy of that again.

Three church services a week? I thought one was rough. I once did the whole "holy week" thing at easter time, though, and went every night of the week. That was back in the height of my religious phase, when I used to lead the youth services in my church. Oh, how things have changed...

[pixelcurious.livejournal.com]

I think for a lot of people it's about appearances, but also the social network. Belonging to a church gives you a group of ready-made acquaintances, and plenty to talk about (like other people's wayward daughters *grin*). So appearances and the social aspect are all tied together.

This isn't to deride anyone's sincere faith, either. I just don't happen to have it.

Alternative religions, eh? Were you Wiccan? I was, for a while in my 20s. *lol* I never really got into the whole ritual aspect of it, though. The few group things I went to, felt too much like organized religion to me. Eventually I realized that the parts I liked best were cribbed from eastern religions, and I moved on.

There are indeed some great stories in the bible. All kinds of adventure and intrigue. I'd love to see that comic book version.

[pixelcurious.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love your Jack icon, by the way. He's a cutie.

Thanks! I really need to bring him into a story sometime. He has this whole life in my head (he was a character in an unfinished novel, long before he was a sim). Though he didn't acquire black eyes until he became a sim. ^_^

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

I'm considering your Jack for my story too. I had a vague idea of where he might work as a side character, so you never know when he'll pop up. I think he's really great.

[silentsteel.livejournal.com]

Creative Boredom . . . if only I had more of that at work, less creepy noises out of nowhere.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Yeah, creepy noises don't sound so great, though they might be inspiring in their own way. One can hope...

[smjoshsims.livejournal.com]

Creative Boredom- we all know the feeling. :D

Can't wait for the next Strangetown update, yeey!

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

I'm sure we all do. ;) The show wasn't so bad tonight (that was the third viewing... just wait until my seventh *snicker*). At least it's a good show.

I did a little shooting after work tonight, so it's inching closer to update time. I did my teaser image. Can you guess which character is in it?

[smjoshsims.livejournal.com]

FRANCES? Or his mother? HIS MOTHER??! You TEASE ME ST! Now I NEED my fix! D:

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Frances was in the teaser for part one, though he was hidden in a pink hair-filled cloud. He was a possibility, but I went with someone else.

*snicker* I love teasing, but you won't have to wait too long for the answer.

[xel-squirgle-ox.livejournal.com]

FRANCES?!

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

No, it's not Frances, though I considered him.

[x-illegal-x.livejournal.com]

I live in a town with about 4,000 people, so I can totally understand the small-town creative boredom.

I think being an usher would be fun. If it's live theatre, you can notice the variations in each performance.

Can't wait for the next update!

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

My town has about 8,000 people, so it's not too tiny, but there's not a lot of activity either, compared to living in a city. My home, where my parents live, is a really small, rural community, of less than 300 people. Everyone knows everyone else.

Ushering is a great job. I recommend it, especially if you like theatre and the arts. It is live theatre and musical performances, so I usually enjoy it (though seeing one show seven times pushes it). I'd end up paying to see these things anyway, if I wasn't an usher, so getting paid to be entertained is my kind of job.

I'm really itching to get the next part out soon. I hate to go too long between updates, but sometimes you just can't help it.

[franwi.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I hope we'll see the update before you go!

I'll bet you didn't realize this hidden benefit to living in a tiny town, where nothing much happens.

That sounds so FLCL. Now I'm picturing your theater with the ominous Medical Mechanica building looming in the background.

I wish I had more creativity than boredom.

[80sfiend.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, creative boredom. Happens at work for me all the time. :)