Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Simpocalypse - Week 1 - Day 3

Journal of Ariane Steel - Medic & Lab Tech  -- "Energized"


(Click here to read the Prologue / Beginning of this story)

---


Waking up extra early
---

Today I feel so different when I wake up. Once I shake off the fuzzy headed feeling from sleep, I notice how much more energy I seem to have. Didn't the orientation papers say it would take weeks or longer to acclimate to the cold climate and fatigue was common? I actually feel energetic!

---


Radio workout

---

I've got an hour to kill before I have to catch the work shuttle, and so I decide to do some exercise to the static music on my junky radio. If I'm going to make it here at Ice Station, I've got to stay healthy and keep my body pumped even though its so cold and depressing and the future seems so grim.

---


An important phone call

---

As I'm about to leave my bunker, I get a phone call from my boss, Doctor Lilystone. She asks me how I'm feeling. I tell her I'm actually feeling very well except I'm so hungry all the time!

---

A promotion so soon? This is great news!!

---

Dr. Lilystone says to hang in there, things will get better, and this is encouraging. She tells me to report to the main medical facility today and look for my co-worker Robert Boulder, a medic. I remember him from our in-processing examinations. I'm to start pulling medic and nursing assistant duty in addition to time in the lab because the station is so short handed. I'm surprised but happy for a new challenge!

---

Jogging to work and thinking

---

I decide to skip the shuttle today and jog to the medical facility since I'm feeling so full of positive energy. Maybe there was more to that hygienator than I realized? I barely notice the freezing cold and my mind is focused on improving my logic. I think I'll order a chess set and some logic manuals with my first paycheck after the 'corporation' takes their hefty fees.

---


Meeting my co-worker Medic Boulder

---

I've arrived at the medical facility early and wait around until Medic Robert Boulder shows up for work. He greets me and gives me a paramedic jumpsuit to wear. We spend the day tending to new refugee survivors and military personnel with minor ailments. The hours pass super fast and soon I'm off duty. I stop by the lab for a quick research session since my head is so full of ideas and going back to my bunker would mean more boredom, cold and hunger. Best to bury myself in work.

 ---


Doing some more research after medic duty

---

Somewhere in all these old research files is the answer to a cure... and studying the results of my testing the day before will help too. I'm fascinated by the biological experiments, especially this amazing hygienator. Perhaps I should study its functions to learn how it works and maybe find a way to adapt it for use here at the station. Hmmm...

---


leaving the lab late, after 'curfew'

---

I hardly realize how late its getting - its after curfew and I'm not supposed to be outside! I change out of my uniform and start to run back to the housing area.

---


"Halt citizen - you're not to be out here - get to your quarters immediately!"
---

A military guardsman stops me at the gates of the main compound and questions me, but I explain I'm with the medical team and was working late duty. He lets me go without any reports but warns me there are those with the 'corporation' that will not be so forgiving and to watch myself. I get the feeling there's more than meets the eye going on here, but I don't ask questions and hurry home.

---

Discussing work with Dr. Lilystone

---

Outside my bunker, I meet Doctor Lilystone who had come to drop off a new medical specialist security badge for me. She said this would help me get clearance to the facility for late duty which I'm relieved to hear about after my run in with the guard.

---

Dr. Lilystone is excited about developing new medicine

---

We discuss work and how things are going. I'm amazed at how smart Lia (she asked me to call her by her first name outside of work) is and we talk about some ways to create better medicine for the sick since there are no supplies being shipped in at all from the outside. We both agree I should continue my research of the ionization properties in the hygienator and she wants a full report on it as soon as possible. I'm to let Medic Boulder know I will be spending only a few hours a day on medical duty to reserve most of my time to lab research.

---

Dr. Lilystone heads out for a late shift at the hospital
---

I call Robert and let him know I'll report to the hospital later tomorrow per Dr. Lilystone's orders. I'm ready to get inside, warm up, eat my one rationed bowl of soup for the day and hit the sack!

Another day down, so much to do tomorrow!

-Ariane Steel, signing out.

---


(Click HERE to go to Week 1 - Day 4!)

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Simpocalypse - Week 1 - Day 2


~~~~~

-- Journal of "Citizen" Ariane Steel -- "Hopelessness?"


(Click here to read the Prologue / Beginning of this story)

---





I awake from my slumber coccoon a little disoriented, but eager to get to my new job!


---

I'm up and out of bed quickly this morning, despite staying up late to read those technical manuals. The cold air of my dwelling hits me full force and I hop around blowing into my hands and jogging in place to warm up.

---


"I'm going to help in the medical lab... I hope we find a cure for the devastating virus!"
 ---


Gobbling down some instant oatmeal

---

While eating breakfast, I realize I hadn't finished looking over all my paperwork and how to get to the Medical lab for work, so I shuffle through the pile of papers again and my eye is caught by the 'Regulations' list. I'd better read this so I'll know what to expect outside and around the station.

As I read through the rules, my heart begins to sink as the realization of how dire the situation here is and how my survival would not be easy despite making it here alive in the first place.

The first regulation stated the conditions of food rationing. Due to supply lines being cut and cargo shipments being few and far between, food was strictly rationed to 1 single meal a day! This was going to be difficult! I look down at my now empty bowl, and realize I'll get no more until tonight, midnight!

Secondly, the 'lockdown' status of the compound was so strictly enforced to prevent more virus risk that there were absolutely no places to go for socialization, nor were civilians allowed out on the streets unless boarding the work shuttle bus to and from their housing bunkers. Curfew to be indoors was 6pm, no exceptions as the temperatures prevented being outside once the sun went down.

The third regulation really made my jaw drop:


"Water is strictly rationed for drinking and minor cleaning only. No bathing, no swimming, no amounts larger than a small cleaning bucket allowed. Meters for the single sink in each bunker will report water useage. Anyone found wasting more than their single allotted amount will be removed from independent housing and put into barracks with 24/7 monitoring."

Oh, wow. This was getting worse by the minute.

The rest of the regulations seemed less dire, but nonetheless still very grim. There was no library or school, and the only books available were skill manuals like I'd been issued. Electricity was at a minimum, reserved for the main military and work compounds. Only basic, rationed oil heating and lamps were to be provided as well as battery operated radios and cellphones. It was like camping, but ...permanent!

One curious rule made me ponder... no visitors allowed in your private living quarters, period. Why would they care if you visited other citizens? I read on and blushed at the answer: Intimacy was forbidden due to lack of medication, birth control and limited housing for couples. Marriages and pregnancies must therefore be strictly forbidden as well until such time as military restrictions are lifted.

Well... that was that. It looked like things were going to be pretty boring around here!

---


Trying to be clean, with only a sink is difficult!
 ---

Now I really do wish I had a shower... so I could warm up in the hot water and be clean for my first day on the job! It would not do to be smelly and dirty for a job in a hospital, would it? With little other choice... I quickly dress and brush my teeth for my first day, consciously using as little water as possible. 

I do allow myself the luxury of listening to the crappy radio they gave me. The music is nearly drowned out by static and the station feed is just a bunch of old song recordings, but its better than cold silence. The situation does indeed seem hopeless, but I'm determined to survive and help others survive too...

---


Already hungry again by the time I run from the shuttle bus to the Medical and Science Facility
 ---




The airlock entrance to the Medical and Science Facility
 ---

The Science and Medical Facility entrance is small and unimpressive. The inside of a giant dome can be seen next to it, but it looks to be under construction.

I head through more airlocks and down several flights of stairs and more airlock doors. This leads me down yet another long corridor just like the one we'd been herded through for our in-processing, but from the other end - so the two must connect underground.

---


Finally I reach the doors indicated on my report orders ... my new job awaits!

---

I use the access card given to me with my work orders to go inside this 'restricted' area designated "RESEARCH LAB" on my card. Inside is a huge, dark room filled with supply crates, strange looking equipment, a couple computers, and a few tables covered with medical tools. Only one single light on the wall near a table shows me where to go. I'm really confused by the lack of other sims around and wonder if I'm in the wrong place. I notice a datapad on the table with my name on it...

---

Where is everyone? How am I supposed to do anything here?!...
  ---

The datapad informs me that my boss, Doctor Lilystone, is up topside in the military compound's hospital, "up to her ears in blood and guts" as she put it bluntly, tending to injured soldiers. She apologizes for being unable to see me personally but she's included files I'm to read on the computer as well as more manuals. This will apparently give me the background on the lab's status as well as my duties.
---

Looks like I've got a ton of reading ahead of me...
---

My first day passes mostly absorbed in the fascinating files of the research lab's computer. I learn that Medical is one of the only departments authorized to use state of the art waterless hygiene pods which we no longer had technology access to reproduce.

---




"Should I try it out...?"

---

The strange 'pod' next to my computer and the medical bed was apparently this device and though I was a bit hesitant at first, I decided to go for it. I closed myself in and took a waterless 'shower' that somehow ionized all body odor and dirt! I felt so refreshed - Amazing!

---


I stepped out feeling totally refreshed and recharged. I could think clearly now!

---

Next I was directed to do some measurements and bone samples from the skeleton of a long deceased (and hopefully sterilized) sim corpse for analyzation of the cells after the virus destroyed them. Hmmm... now this would be interesting...

---

The preserved sim corpse is apparently somewhere in these mysterious storage devices

 ---

"Ugh, this is creepy! Help!"
 ---

I wheeled the skeletal remains to an examination table. It was very strange to be working on deceased sim bones, but I picked up the sampling tools and set to my task with grim determination ...

---

Recording my results of the samples taken...
---

Before I knew it, my cell phone alarm beeps to let me know my first work day is over! I head up and out of the underground compound and take a quick peek into the 'dome' area I'd seen from outside.

---









Not much to see up here other than some solar panels, drainage grates and giant water pipes.
 ---

The dome is still under construction and still snowy and cold, but looks like someone's been trying to start some experimental plants... Who knows what this will all become one day once we've got the resources and a cure for the virus!

---


Suddenly feeling a little overwhelmed, lonely... and... hungry!
---

I finally head back down through the dome airlocks and outside to the shuttle stop, where I finally meet the doctor who had left me the notes and instructions. She's beautiful and confident looking.
---
My 'boss' - Dr. Lia Lilystone
---

Doctor Lilystone assures me that survival here was top priority and that with my help and a lot of hard work, we would make Chitmar Ice Station habitable and healthy! This helped me feel a lot less stressed out and hopeless and I headed back to my bunker, tired and hungry but once again determined to keep going.

My first day of work in what will hopefully be a successful medical career is done.

~~~~~

(Click here to read WEEK 1 - DAY 3!)

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Simpocalypse - Day 1

~~~~~

The Simpocalypse - "Ice Station"

A 'Twisted' Sims 3 Legacy Tale of Survival

 Written by: - Envie42  


**Note: This tale is based loosely upon the Apocalypse Challenge and features the amazingly cool looking player made world of "Ice Station" by Rflong7.

If you'd like to see all of Rflong7's great worlds plus links to download Ice Station and many others, please go here.**

So now ...  sit back and enjoy a story that is not your typical Sims 3 Legacy!

~~~~~



Prologue

No one knows for sure what started the chain of events leading up to The Simpocalypse, but everyone remembers the two things that killed off most of sim-kind... the drastic climate changes, and the virus. If the intense heat and cold didn't get you, the sickness would. Once the severe weather made most of the planet inhospitable, everyone had to evacuate to a narrow band of area near the equator to survive - and then the virus kicked in amongst all those forced into overcrowded areas. Wars erupted to claim territory and survive.

Plan A had failed, and now the remaining hope of similization started to slip away as more and more sims died of a virus no medicine could cure. The cities became ghost towns, the countryside withered and died as both plants and animals suffered their own forms of the disease.

Plan B - total evacuation of all remaining healthy sims. The military gets involved in order to keep the peace as panicked sims desperate for surival rush the few working airfields boarding passengers. Fires, riots and bombings occur in the chaos outside security zones.

Only those sims lucky enough to test negative for the virus and who are young, fit and can work are taken onboard military transports. Families are cruelly torn apart as the very young, pregnant and elderly are left behind...


This is the story of one sim's survival during the Great Simpocalypse and her life which hopefully leads to hope and salvation for the entire similization.



~~~~~



Week 1 - Day 1    -- Journal of Ariane Steel --  "New Arrival"


Flying in over 'Chitmar Ice Station' at sunrise

I've arrived at Chitmar Ice Station via military cargo plane. 12 hours of excruciating cold and discomfort, packed in with 9 other 'survivors' as they're calling us. I don't really understand it all yet, having only just been released from the infirmary with a clean bill of health and my injuries healed.

I guess my Mom was right. I really was born with the lucky trait since I escaped the virus and ended up safely in the hospital not sick and dying like most, but instead with broken bones when the shelter we took refuge in was bombed. All I know now is, I've lost everything and everyone I knew, just like all of us crammed in this plane, and I'm still in shock.

After weeks of laying in an emergency medical facility cot, I am weak but anxious to get better and hopefully move on after the great simpocalypse that has left most of our world destroyed and what's left sick and dying.

They tell us Chitmar Ice Station, and a handful of other remote military facilities are our best hope of survival after the devastating virus has wiped out nearly all simkind. This station is situated in the furthest habitable location of the northsim pole. Scientists believe the virus is susceptable to cold and is unable to spread there. Not to mention its so remote no one will be able to get in or out unauthorized.

We're also told we'll be given new identities and put to work for the corporations and military funding the evacuation and rebuilding efforts. I barely remember the blurry words on the contract as someone put a pen in my hand. I signed, still groggy from surgery to repair my broken limbs.

Now, weeks later, I'm nervous about what exactly I've signed up for as mile upon mile of ice and snow fly by underneath. The landing seems to go on forever... as if sliding across a field of ice - and we probably are. The giant cargo plane finally skids to a halt and now my new life begins...

---

The Military Compound
---

I guess I was expecting some sort of a welcoming crew once we arrived from the hangars to the gates of the military compound, but the place seemed completely deserted - not even guards present.
We were ushered quickly indoors through a smaller access building and down into an underground facility below the main building ... passing through several security airlocks.

---

Walking down a long underground corridor for in-processing
---

We're given a quick check by the medical team, bloodwork once again done while quarantined to make sure there were no mistakes on our clearance from the infected list. And that's it. Some military issue clothing and bedding given in duffles and we're herded back out of the facility and onto a bus headed for the housing area.

---

The road to a new 'home' - military survival bunkers
---

The sky was lit with a beautiful pink and purple sunrise as our bus rumbled over heavily snow covered roadway leading to some small outbuildings set away from the main military compound. Little did I realize this type of clarity and beauty was rare for the station due to continual bad weather and more hours in darkness than daylight. Maybe it was a good sign for our arrival. I like to try and think positively.

---

This is my house...?
---

I'm dumped off unceremoniously at the front of my new 'quarters' with a duffle of clothing and supply crates containing a month's rations and necessities. The bus driver tells me to head inside immediately because strict lockdown was in effect for all new citizens until debriefing and job assignment.

---

And then the wind and snow begins to block out the beautiful sky ...
---

The bus rumbles off to drop off its next load at another bunker next door. I quickly realized there was no way I would stay outside long even if I wanted to as it was the most bitter cold I had ever experienced and just the few minutes it took to unload my supplies left me feeling drained and exhausted.

---

Picking up my 'assignment orders'
---

 I strip off my now snow soaked outerwear and hat, grab my packet of orders and duck through the heavy sliding doors, pulling the squeaky levers to lock it behind me. I soon find out its not much warmer inside.

---

Shivering, I think: "This place is ... sparse. And ... cold."
---

After passing through two rusted sets of severe weather airlock doors, I descend old rusted steps into my new dwelling. There isn't much to look at. Just a small very aged looking living space with a table and single chair, a refrigerator, one cupboard, sink, and a radio. That's it! Another door leads to a tiny bedroom with nothing more than a single bed and an even tinier closet size toilet room. I immediately notice the lack of a shower. This is disturbing... but I'm hoping my paperwork will explain everything.

---

Time to find out what's in store for my future ...
 ---

Inside the packet are some forms to fill out for mandatory registration and evaluation appointments, a list of station rules, and an inventory sheet with every meager piece of furniture in the bunker I had been 'issued' as well as a month's supply of food, clothing and some training manuals. The grand total of my new belongings and housing costs came to double the total amount of credits I had been issued before leaving to board the transport. I was shocked, and it seemed somewhat suspicious that this conveniently mandatory amount left me completely broke.

Reading on, I found out I would be required by 'The Corporation' (No name given) to repay this total fee in full before I would earn full paychecks from my workplace. So - I was now trapped here without any way to leave and basically an indentured servant. I guess I should keep reminding myself I'm fortunate to be alive and able to work at all compared to most.

I sighed and put the inventory aside and opened the job assignment paperwork, eager to find out what I would be doing here. Inside, a very official document, signed and stamped by the Chitmar Station Commanding Officer read:

"Welcome to Chitmar Ice Station - Citizen Ariane Steel,
We are pleased to have you join the civilian force detailed with building and outfitting a new facility suitable for sim-citizen habitation. Chitmar was previously only used for far north expedition training and as a science research facility long ago. It has fallen into disrepair and is not prepared for the numbers of refugees needing a place to live.
We regret that your housing facilities are less than desirable but this is all that is available on such short notice considering the vast state of emergency simkind is currently experiencing. Certainly you understand the necessity for rationing as well as the rules briefing in your packet and will do your utmost best to comply at all times. Though our military presence is currently at a minimum, we are tasked with keeping order and ensuring these regulations are obeyed. Keep to your quarters at all times unless you are traveling to and from work.
Your work detail is assigned as follows:

ASSIGNED CIVILIAN:  ARIANE STEEL
ASSIGNED BUNKER:  10A COMPOUND CIR
ASSIGNED WORK AREA:   MEDICAL AND SCIENCE FACILITY
ASSIGNED JOB:   MEDICAL LAB TECH

You will report to your new job 24 hours from arrival. You have this first day to unpack your supplies and settle in. Read your skill manuals and rest up, as a lot is expected of you in assisting our survival efforts and you will notice a distinct fatigue in sub zero conditions here that will take several months for acclimation. Do not exert yourself outdoors in any way and DO NOT leave your quarters.

Respectfully, 
Captain Dean Abledare, Chitmar Commanding Officer"


---

"Well I guess it could be a lot worse..."
---

I'm surprised but pleased by the medical assignment. I know my high intelligence and college scores were a huge help in this decision as well as my desire to help others as indicated by my psyche evals done at the medical facility when I was recovering from my injuries.

Now I would need to study and rest in preparation for focusing on my new job, which I intended to do better than I had ever done at anything else. My life, and many others lives would depend on it!

---

Hours of studying my new training manuals... thinking and stinking ...
 ---

I hardly realize its so late. There are no windows down here underground and the only clock is on my corporation issued cellphone. I really wish I could take a shower! I haven't had one since we left on the transport flight here and I'm smelling pretty ripe now. I wash as best as I can in the sink, and prepare my first meager meal.

---

This bowl of pre-packaged soup didn't really hit the spot or fill me up...
---

Time for bed ...
---

It's SO COLD in here! I'm thankful I've got thick socks, slippers and a military issue wool blanket. I am freezing and in such a hurry to get warm I hardly notice the crappy bed.

---

 Exhausted. First Day of my new life - done.
---

Here's to a better tomorrow and a better future. Good Night.

---

Click here for Week 1 - Day 2!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Cannot upload to Sims 3 Exchange

I've been trying for a couple of days to upload my kennel to The Sims 3 Exchange with no luck. Apparently others are also experiencing this problem, whereas many are able to upload fine since I do see recent additions as of today...

I'm not sure what the problem is, since the upload appears to be successful according to the launcher when it opens and I choose upload. I am getting the "uploaded" icon and I can see the repeated attempts I've made saved to my sim bin ingame.

I did some searches of the technical forum and didn't come up with any answers, only a lot of complaints about this problem that span back over the past year so apparently this is a sporadic, chronic issue for many players. I blame EA's crappy servers. Their forums and exchange site are apparently hosted on hamster-wheel driven hardware. :(  Funny though, their 'store' site (where you know, they take your money for paid content) runs like a dream. I can tell where their priorities are... (/sarcasm)

Are you having problems too? If so, voice it here on the technical forums:

http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/forums/show/10.page

I guess I should be thankful my game runs at all judging by the sheer volume of crashing / won't run posts there. While I love my Sims dearly and have been playing for years... I really wish EA would improve their customer service, server stability and fix a lot of really basic bugs that I use mods to overcome. If the modding community (yay for Twallan and Pescado fans) can repair this stuff, why can't EA?


Thursday, October 27, 2011

Sims 3 Pets - Pampered Pedigrees Kennel

1004 Pamona Promenade (flipped) becomes "Pampered Pedigree Kennel"
The lovely backyard view of the kennel, play area and pond
The very first thing I wanted to do after playing the town of Appaloosa Plains in the new Sims 3 Pets expansion was build a dog breeding kennel since there's currently nowhere for dog lovers to trade/sell/adopt dogs. My version has only a neighborhood cat adoption for some reason.




And so I created "Pamona Pampered Pedigrees" a dog grooming shop and breeding/boarding kennel.

The above picture shows the front of the property after I added a second floor which has a large master bedroom, a second bathroom and a 'family room' with nursery needs and study.



Close up of the kennel runs. Two are for 'breeding pairs' with doghouses

Arial view of the inside of kennel - roof off.
The grooming shop - complete with fancy "Pet Hygienator!"
The kennel is a very nice second building adjacent to the house but not connected.

It has both indoor and outdoor access for the dogs. Up to 6-8 dogs can live in the kennels. Two of the kennels are double wide and for 'breeding pairs'.





 I decided to take the currently unfurnished 1 bedroom house located at 1004 Pamona Promenade (just down the road from the fancy horse park and racing stadium) and 'flip' it into a larger family house with a separate kennel and grooming shop for dogs. The small house sits on a rather roomy lot (50x50) and is perfect for adding onto.




 The grooming shop is as you enter on the left, and the boarding / breeding kennel is through another set of double doors and spans to the right with four separate dog runs. Each kennel has an outdoor dog run lots of toys and bedding.

Inside view of one of the dog runs - lots of room!





This lot would be perfect for the Sim who wants to breed pedigree dogs or run an adoption shelter for the neighborhood. It's currently a residential lot but could probably be flipped to commercial with some minor adjustments to the house.






If you would like to download and play my dog kennel, you can download it from the Sims 3 Exchange here:

(Uploads to the Exchange are not updating. Tried twice, says upload successful but no link from my studio... check here to see if it uploads eventually...whenever their servers get around to it) :

http://www.thesims3.com/userExchange.html?selectedAsstType=all&persona=Envie42


Also, be sure you download the totally free (and fun) IAMS Pet Starter pack so you can get the cool doghouse, dish, toy, dogfood bag and bed that I have put in my kennels. You can get it from the Sims 3 Store here:

http://store.thesims3.com/iams

In order to play this lot where it was originally built, go into 'Edit Town' mode on your version of Appaloosa Plains, the town that comes with the Pets Expansion pack. Locate 1004 Pomona Promenade, a 50x50 lot just up the road from the Equestrian Competition grounds and horse park. "Bulldoze" the lot and place my version onto the same lot.

The original lot has an unfurnished, small 1 bedroom house with a pond out back. I simply 'flipped' the house, decorated it, and added the kennels. It now has 2 stories, a lovely flower covered back patio...fully furnished master bedroom, family room with study and nursery area upstairs, kids bunk room and 'puppy pen' downstairs plus laundry and two bathrooms. I stocked the pond too. The lot is still infested with a lot of insects but I left those for things to 'hunt' and added a rodent spawn.



Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Makin Magic TS3 Style

Lady Maia finally succeeds in casting a spell!


I finally got the Gothique Library Set so my fantasy theme world sims could have some magic (and some nice new furniture/building objects)!

SimsVIP has a great review and some detailed photos of it on their site. I'm too busy / lazy right now to do a full review.

I highly recommend this set. The building is nicely done and the magic book (its actually a book on a gothic looking pulpit thing) is a lot of fun. I've had some humorous outcomes to some of the spells my favorite sim has been practicing.

Especially fun is the ability to 'summon' other sims. When you do the random method, you never know who you will get! She summoned a ghost from the graveyard once, and it never went back to the graveyard, hung around the castle for quite a few days before finally vanishing...

You can download the set at the Sims3 store here:

Gothique Library Set

Have fun!
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