Sims 3: Fun with a new Sim
I added my first piece of custom content. It's all gheez 's fault!
Wanna see which of her sims I just HAD to have (yes, I only grabbed one. . .so far).
It's Frank Enstine!
I grabbed up Frank not only because he's cute as hell, but so I could really dedicate some solid time to exploring alien abduction (big shocker there!).
Of course, Frank did the obligatory see/gem/rock hunting and found a new pet. Unlike Sadie Unger, I've limited Frank's critter collection to just one. Dale (the chipmunk) was the first critter he snagged so Dale welcome to the household, wee vermin.
While I had plans to work on getting Frank abducted, that's really only an evening thing so he had to wile away the other hours of his day in the more classic fashion.
Meeting his neighbor (who's garden he was ransacking). Gracie Loveland didn't much mind. They got along fairly well and she invited him into the house.
Whoah, this is moving a bit fast. Frank was lured into Gracie's tacky bedroom by the bar. At this point I wasn't exactly sure what Gracie's deal was, but she was nice enough, has a nice garden to pillage, and a cute as hell cat.
Cat spam.
Kitty playing in the tub! Too freaking cute!
I love all the animations pets have. Sims 3 definitely did right by pets fans. They're so much better than they were in sims 2. And I have just barely scratched the surface of them (haven't played a true pet family yet).
Despite not having the animal lover trait, Frank's a fan of critters. I think it's his nice trait coming through. If memory serves, Frank is clumsy, absent minded, unlucky, nurturing, and friendly. (not sure about the nurturing one--but he has two "nice" traits like that). He came packaged with EP content I don't have, so I got to pick two traits for him. I tried to keep the Frankenstein vibe by making him sweet.
See, he's just a nice guy.
EEEEEE!!!!
Ok, when I saw this adorable foal I went all super girly squealing with delight. I swear, I ovulated when I saw it. How's that for girly. Look at Frank being all nurturing! Are you seeing this, aliens?
Oops, someone drank too much.
"MOM!!"
"It's ok, dear. It happens to the best of us. It's actually quite funny when sims do it. You'll see, you'll laugh when it's not happening to you."
What? Horse parents are automatically going to be GOOD parents? And it's true. It's funny when it's not YOUR accident.
Sim children wish for ponies. Ponies wish for bikes.
Good to know.
Speaking of modes of transportation. . .what's that over there in the parking lot?
Oh, ho ho. One of these things is not like the other. One of these things is not the same!
Technically this was at the barn/equestrian center (whatever it is--the place where you can practice jumping with your horse). Frank was on the look out for space rocks and the equestrian center was PAY DIRT. Sadly, there were no aliens about. Guess they just parked there all sly like while they went somewhere else. Hope they get a ticket.
Frank's life is fairly uneventful. He collects seeds and other neighborhood detritus and spends his evenings on the telescope. He stargazes until the "search galaxy" option comes up (I think you need a few logic before that opens up). He wishes for random stuff (chemistry set, etc) and I get it for him for the easy points. His LTW is to max three skills so I focus on logic, gardening, and fishing. Easy. The more he does those activities the more he rolls wants associated with them so points start building. Oh, he also frequents the mausoleum in hopes of scoring a gnome (I get the feeling I may break down and cheat myself one--hey, I'm not above cheating since I fiddle with needs all the time. The only needs I don't really mess with are social and fun. I play those but I can't be bothered to have most of my sims actually sleep--waste of valuable playing time).
Frank discovers a bunch of celestial bodies. All the smaller items (stars and such) I name for U.S. Presidents. One name per item. I start with Franklin (his first discovery). At this point I think there are stars named: Franklin, Deleno, Roosevelt, John, Fitzgerald, Kennedy, Abraham, Lincoln, George, Washington, Bush, Bill, Clinton, Taft, Barrack, Obama (and maybe a few others). He also discovered two moons: Pascal Curious and Vidcund Curious (guess the theme to my moon naming!). He's also discovered a few comets, a planet, and a galaxy. Major money maker, that galaxy (though he didn't discover that until much later, time wise).
He's pretty well established in his new home, has a nice garden going, and living a nice (if not a bit dull) life when it finally happens!
I love how blase the alien gal is.
"You might want to invest in one of those hemorrhoid pillows. Trust me on this one."
". . .GPS coordinates set. . ."
". . .java at the ready. . ."
"Crap! Forgot to clean the windshield. Damn space bug guts all over everything. . ."
Oh yeah!!
Post abduction Frank has a negative "abducted" moodlet. As soon as it wears off, he should get an "unexpected weight gain" moodlet which means the bun is in the oven. He wiles away his time burning off the abducted moodlet (I think it lasts a day or so). Off to the park to check out the current festival. About 5 minutes before the moodlet wears off, I give the game a save. He doesn't get the weight gain moodlet so I re-load the game. Second time around we have weight gain. WOOT.
Time to celebrate.
Eating for two pretty much guarantees Frank a win at the hot dog eating contest.
And let me just pause here to say the eating contests are b.s. The sims puke a lot at them and puking is a big no-no in a real eating contest. It's a disqualification. Just saying.
"My crotch is glowing!"
No, it's not from wearing stank exercise shorts. It's your alien spawn sending a beacon back to the home planet letting the folks there know all is well.
Frank definitely porks up during the pregnancy. It's an overall weight gain that looks odd on Frank's muscular frame (hey, EA, fat doesn't work that way--if you have defined abs and get fat, the fat goes OVER the abs. Again, just saying).
Time to fertilize the garden!
*begin transmission* Evacuation commencing. Estimated arrival in five. . .four. . .three. . .two. . .*wails of newborn baby* *end transmission*
"Who's a sweet little tomato worm daddy found in the garden!"
I give you, the first alien baby born in any of my games.
Gheez Enstine.
A mysterious benefactor sends Gheez a gift in the mail.
(I just realized it was an Aunt Eugenia--the sweet Queen of Ugly lives on in sims 3. I really should try to re-create her perhaps?)
Frank is curious who sent his child a toy. He wonders if it was Gheez's biological mother.
(for the record, Frank is listed as Gheez's father and the alien who abducted him is his mother but Gheez has zero of Frank's genetics)
One evening, while heading to his telescope, Frank notices a mysterious stranger prowling around his door.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, I believe you can. You are Frank Enstine, yes?"
"Yes."
"And did you recently receive a. . .special delivery?"
"Uhm. . .oh, you mean that doll in the mail? Did you send that? I thought it might have been his mother. . .or whatever you call her. . .you know, the one who abducted me but. . .OH, look at me forgetting my manners. It's cold out here. Please, come in."
"You have a lovely home, Frank Enstine."
"You can call me Frank. I don't believe I caught your name."
" *metallic clicks and whirs*. But you can call me Zharor."
"That's good."
"As I was saying, Frank. You have a lovely home. The placement committee will be glad to hear you are providing your new charge with a very comfortable living environment. They were concerned when. . ."
"Placement committee?"
"Oh, yes. I am a Compliance Officer from the Placement Committee. The Committee was concerned, and rightly so, seeing as the proper forms were not submitted. It seems we had a rouge placement, something that is, as you can imagine, a very frowned upon activity. Oh, we understand it's a lot of paper pushing and it can appear to be paperwork merely for the sake of paperwork, but there are protocols in place for a reason. The most important being the safety and care of the charge."
"Charge? You mean. . ."
"Your son, Frank."
"Oh. . Gheez?"
"That is his name? Excellent. Now if you don't mind, I do have a few additional questions for you. Standard procedure, I assure you. Now, if you could just tell me a bit more about yourself. I do see a short note about gardening and, of course, you do enjoy exploring the stars. That comes up on a lot of these surveys, you can be sure of that!"
Frank freely shares with Zharor. While it's a bit bizarre, his just showing up on the doorstep, it's not much more bizarre than the whole abduction and birthing of an alien child, so Frank isn't disturbed in the least. Zharor is a nice fella, easy to talk to. Frank also enjoys the sound of Zharor's voice. That metallic, echoing quality is, in some odd way, soothing.
They talk until just before sunrise, when (much to both of their disappointment) Zharor has to leave.
"It was nice meeting you, Zharor. If you're ever in the neighborhood again, stop by."
"Oh, that is very kind of you, Frank. I would be happy to take you up on your offer. I will be retiring upon my return, so my time will be my own. I would love for you to contact me anytime."
With that, Zharor presents Frank with a very official looking business card and bids him adieu.
Gheez transitions from baby to toddler. Frank calls Zharor and tells him the good news. Though he's retired, Zharor is excited to get updates on Gheez, the last charge he ever helped (in a round about way) place.
Frank is, for the most part, a very doting father.
How cute is this interaction!
Ok, so this is some parenting fail. Gheez should be in a car seat in the very least. Tsk, tsk. It's kind of like when I'm watching Mad Men and the kids are just in the car with no seat belts. Hell, the car didn't even HAVE seat belts. Ahh, the wonder years!
Better.
Gheez has fun at the fall carnival even though he can't interact with anything. He patiently waits outside the photo booth (after Frank gets their photo taken) while Frank nabs a few points checking out the haunted house. I was hoping he'd score a gnome (*shakes fist* I want a gnome!) but he didn't. But at least he didn't get turned into a ghost (a la Sadie Unger). Given that Frank is unlucky, I was surprised he had such a good haunted house experience. Frank also scores them some pumpkins so he can plant them at home and. . .
". . .Gheez was more interested in that doll of his. He really loves it, sometimes a little roughly. I'm always pulling the antennae thing out of his mouth. You know, that is kind of a choking hazard, I'm surprised the placement committee sends them to their charges, what with them being concerned about safety and all. . ."
". . .OH, you mean the doll didn't come from the committee. . .OH, it came from you personally! Oh. . .that's so sweet. . .Yeah, I mean no, no, it's not odd. I'm sure it's hard to see all those babies and not get attached to some of them. . .yeah, especially since he was your last case or whatever you call it. *giggles* Yeah. . .I bet you say that to all the guys that get abducted."
"OH, can you hold on for a second, Zharor. I have to answer the door. . .oh, you are. Ok, I'll let you go then. Can't wait!"
"Shame it's so cold, huh? I can't see your costume."
(love the trick or treat interaction--very cute)
Frank loves when Zharor pays a visit. It's good for Gheez to be around another alien. Hell, any other person. Frank lives a rather cloistered life and worries Gheez may end up a bit shy as a result. He needs to interact with more than just that odd doll.
". . .and a man in a ship came to meet them. See the ship, Gheezy. Just like the ship Zharor drives when he comes to see us."
*Gheez giggles*
"Can you say, Zharor?"
*Gheez slaps the book impatiently*
"Zharor is going to come see us tonight. Are you excited?"
*Gheez bounces and tugs at the book*
Yeah, I love the read to interactions. Very cute.
Uh, Frank. You may want to tidy up a bit before Zharor arrives. It appears Dale made a jail break. See, that's what you get when you carry him around in your pants pocket. I'm not even going to get into how. . .well, perverted that sounds. You just shouldn't keep rodents in your pants. Especially ones that have, as your moodlet reflects, bit you on numerous occasions. Important safety tip.
Frank and Zharor's courtship goes very well.
Ok, so maybe there is the occasional mis-step. Yeah, that snowman may have been a bit racially insensitive. Or maybe Zharor was just cold. (later he did make his own alien snowman, so I'm not exactly sure).
(you can't see it in the pic, but the eyes look like they'e made using potatos)
Frank helps him warm up.
Frank is smitten with Zharor and he's fairly certain the feeling is mutual. He wants Zharor to move in, to end their long distance relationship. He's fairly certain Zharor wants the same thing but there's one little thing nagging Frank.
It was just something that happened. Not Frank's doing AT ALL. If he had even the slightest inkling that Konoa wanted more than just a vegetable delivery, he never would have agreed (even though the money was good). Yes, it seemed odd that he had to deliver the produce to Konoa out at that abandoned building (not at his house) but Konoa wasn't exactly the most law abiding member of the community. While Konoa is a criminal, Frank never expected him to steal a kiss. And they'd never had that kind of interaction since. In fact, Frank had made a point of cutting a wide birth where Konoa was concerned. He has a good thing going with Zharor and doesn't want anything coming between them. ANYTHING.
Frank decides it's best not to mention Konoa's stolen kiss. It's not worth the trouble.
Things are going too well with Zharor.
He's at their house more than he's away. The weather has a bit to do with it (all the snow!).
Zharor is excited to watch little Gheez age to a child. He's never witnessed (first hand) the transition of any charge. He doesn't even think of Gheez in that way anymore. Gheez is more like his own son then just some random alien baby he helped place with a sim host.
Frank's happy to see his son growing up so well.
Though the boy is a bit. . .odd.
And still so obsessed with that doll. True, he doesn't chew on it like he used to, but now he claims the doll talks to him. Frank hopes it's just a passing phase, that Gheez will outgrow it once he gets to school and starts interacting with other children his own age.
"Dad, can we get some. . .what color was it again, Hesper?. . .spiceberry paint and repaint your room?"
"What? You want to repaint my room for. . *sighs*. . .the doll? No, it's green, the way I like it. It is MY room."
"Come on, Hesper, we'll ask Zharor. He stays in dad's room a lot, maybe he'd like to upgrade it a bit. Maybe we could add some blue accents? I really like blue. . ."
Gheez makes a good point. Zharor has been going back to his home planet less and less and Frank really likes having him around. It's time.
Poor clumsy Frank drops the box at first but once he gets his nerves (and big sausage fingers) under control the proposal is picture perfect.
Zharor is thrilled. Never in all his days did he expect this great of an outcome from paying a visit to the home of his last charge. He can't wait to marry Frank and set up house with him.
But first. . .we need to do something I've been wanting to do since I got this game.
BACHELOR PARTY!!
Now I have never been one to care much about sim parties. In sims 2 they were boring affairs. Turn on a radio, get some folks to dance. Maybe someone wets themselves or gets into a fight and pretty much it was a done deal. Very easy to get a good score.
Oh, sims 3, you have upped the ante my friend.
Oh, yeah, Zharor. I see your sly smile. Yes, my elderly dear, that's a stripper.
A lifeguard stripper, here to save us all.
WOOT!! *waves singles*
Let's make it rain up in this piece!
Wait, you're not smirking merely over the stripper? You're smirking at Gheez's bio mother? Ooh, you bitch you. Yeah, that's definitely an "I got him all the time" look. Oh, this party is going to be so much FUN!
Eh, screw baby mama drama. I'm all about the stripper.
Yeah, that's right. Shake what your mama gave you.
Good lord, Gracie, this fine man is wagging his wanger at you and you're being all stoic? I bet you just need to get a few more drink in you, huh?
Oh, Zharor, I like you more and more every second. Yeah, you get what's going on here. This man is here for your entertainment. You're SUPPOSED to ravage him with your eyes. Feast on him, Zharor, FEAST.
Ok, now things are starting to pick up.
There are so many filthy things I could say about Gheez's mother's conversation bubble but I'll leave that up to YOU.
Oh, the innuendo is a flowing.
It's at this point I notice the "covered by nectar" moodlet. It cracked me up WAY more than it should have. SO DAMN DIRTY!! If I was the type of gal who wrote sims filth *looks innocent* I'd know EXACTLY what kinks Frank and Zharor would be into. EXACTLY.
Robin the Lifeguard/Stripper knows what you're into, too. And (for the right price) he'd be happy to join in.
So much filth, so little time.
There you go, Gracie. I knew you'd get into it after a few drinks.
Frank takes a break from the filth to get to know Gheez's mother a bit better (for the life of me I can't remember her name).
WAIT. . .I just need to check that Dale is still in his cage. Dale is NOT part of this shindig, everyone. Let's just get that straight right now. Thank you.
So, what do you serve at a bachelor party?
Cold cuts, maybe chicken wings to go with the beer?
Nope.
Peanut butter and jelly.
What?
I didn't want anyone starting a fire (you know how that is when you get drunk and get the munchies and then decide to make some food and then. . .well, kind of pass out and later find the mac and cheese pot all scorched because the water boiled away. . .I mean, so I've heard)
Oh, Zharor, you looking for a seat?
Sorry about that. I didn't even think about there not being enough seating.
Zharor doesn't seem too upset over it. He's got a good buzz on. Good for him.
Oh yeah, this party just keeps going and going and going. . .
Wait, this party has been going on for a LONG time. It started at 11 a.m. and it's well into evening by now.
And didn't you two have a child aged son who went off to school and still hasn't returned home? Oh, that's right. Good for us, Gheez met a child at school and went over to their house. Guess that's why you're just keeping the party going, huh? (or maybe I just don't know how to set the party? that's entirely possible).
Ok, ok, we get it. You're into water sports and bukake. There's no need to make everyone feel uncomfortable with your flaunting it.
(though the interaction is cute as hell if you don't have a sick and filthy mind)
Ok, now it really is getting late.
And your son is on his way home.
(another bit of parenting fail, here. Riding his bike at night with barely adequate lights, in the snow and not wearing a helmet. We have parenting fail BINGO, folks)
"Hesper? Who are all these people?"
"Oh, Gheez, your father's having a party."
"What's all that on the floor, did someone spill their drink?"
"Yeah, you could say that. That alien woman well. . .let's just say she can't hold her liquor."
"That's throw up?"
"No, other end."
"Pee?! EWWW."
"Yeah, she let go a little while ago and everyone went wild. It's been a crazy ass party."
*giggles* "You said ass."
"Oh, wait until I tell you all the other words I learned. Your father is nuts and that Zharor? Wow, they're both super weird and freaky."
"Hesper, is that alien woman. . .is she my mom?"
"Yeah, I think so. You should go talk to her. I'm going to go check the bathroom. They've been tearing that thing UP all evening. I found bread crusts on top of the toilet paper roll. Can you believe someone was EATING in there? Adults are so gross."
Gheez does seize his chance to talk with his mother. Those green fumes are a mix of her pee and the rancid fridge. Yes, this party was so nasty it made the food turn.
Poor Robin the Lifeguard/Stripper is tired but he just can't stop the music. According to the the Village People NOBODY can stop the music. What? Would the Village People lie to us? I think not.
Wait, I didn't introduce the other guy at the party. That fella there in the black blazer is the t.v. repairman. I called him (a day or two before the engagement then whirlwind bachelor party) and Zharor (being a charismatic guy) chatted him up pronto. Yes, I paid for him to fix the t.v. but instead he chatted with Zharor and then stared at Zharor and Frank when they got up to some romantical type interactions. Only once I had Frank and Zharor leave the room did the repairman FINALLY fix the t.v.
This party just WOULD NOT END, so I was thinking perhaps Frank had to ask folks to go home. So he did so (the party was nearing 24 hours in length--go home and dry out you drunks!) and everyone bitched about how the party stunk and then Frank got a "groomzilla" moodlet. If was howling. The moodlet pic is hilarious. And Frank is such a sweet sim, "groomzilla" is just so not him.
So the party was (according to the game) a stinking failure. But as far as I'm concerned it was the
BEST PARTY EVER!!
Rarely have I had a sim party that was so enjoyable.
Frank and Zharor tidy up after the party.
(Hesper was right, the party goes did do a number on that toilet--good lord, it's wrecked. How much do you want to bet some of them used that potty chair, or at least thought about it)
Right on the heels of that smashing party, I decided to try it again. Gheez wanted to throw a gift giving (christmas) party so why not.
It went fairly well (by my standards) but once again the game told me I suck at hosting sim parties. Another failure of a party. But at least I managed to get them to open gifts this time (unlike Sadie Unger's mess of a christmas party).
Gheez got a doll house which he's never once (to this day) played with.
Poor Frank, in true Charlie Brown fashion, got coal. That's your unlucky trait rearing its head, Frank. Poor guy.
The little girl in the pic is the girl Gheez hung out with during the bulk of the bachelor party. If her family only knew what goes on at the Enstine household, I doubt they would have let her attend this party without adult supervision.
"Uh, Gheez?"
"Huh?"
"I think something's going on over there with your dad and Zharor."
"Are there more pancakes?"
"What? You want more pancakes? I just told you something's going on with your dad and Zharor, something INTERESTING, and you don't care?"
"Eh, I'm hungry. They're probably just getting married. I'm just glad they're having a private ceremony and didn't throw another party. We just got the toilet working right again."
"Point."
I didn't have the luxury of time for another party. I knew Zharor was an elder so I wanted him in the household pronto. That and no one wanted to have a wedding party so why bother.
Better to get him into the household so I could check out his ride. Frank prefers it to cabs.
And check out Zharor's alien abilities. Don't worry, he's not doing anything nefarious. He's bioboosting a stray cat. He could also biodrain it but the poor cat is already a stray, it doesn't need that kind of drama.
I had to get Zharor into the household pronto so I could also get Frank back to his mission. He needs to get abducted again. So Frank spends the evenings on the telescope while Zharor works on potions. His first potion out of the gate? One to transform imaginary friends to real sims. SCORE. I put it into Gheez's inventory for safe keeping.
Good thing, too.
NO!!!!
I knew Zharor was old when he moved in (91 days) but he'd only been in the house a few days and this happens. And in front of Gheez!
"Maybe the wall will keep him out?"
"Sorry, Gheez, I don't think it works like that."
"What do you know, Hesper. Have you ever seen this before?"
"I've seen more things than you'll ever know, Gheez. Let's just leave it at that."
Sorry, Gheez, Hesper's right. The wall won't keep Death from taking our Zharor.
Bing bong. Death calling.
I think Frank was in denial. He just sat there pretending to read that book. So stoic.
"Want me to punch him in the junk?"
"Jokes on you, dolly. I don't have any. Haven't for quite some time. Now, step aside before I split your seams with my bony pinkie finger."
"Dang, Death, no need to be so harsh."
"Listen, I'm not in the mood today. Having to walk all the way around the house and then no one even gets the door for me. And I really hate bathroom pick ups. Do you know the kinds of things I see in folks bathrooms? Not just general crud and filth, but really sick shit."
"Tell me about it!"
"Hesper. . .Hesper? Where are you?"
"She cut and run, kiddo. Imaginary friends have a bad reputation for doing that. You can't imagine your way out of this."
"What is this?"
"Your step-father is dead. I just need to get him up off his knees *waves fingers at Zharor* and into that little box over there so I can get the hell out of here."
"Where are you going?"
*laughs*
"Let's just say it's right next door to where your little dolly friend lives."
"But. . .but. . ."
"Sorry, kid. He's in the box now and I have to go. But I'll be seeing you again. . .eventually."
Frank finally comes to and goes to investigate what's going on in the bathroom.
"GHEEZ! Wait! WAIT FOR ME!"
"Shut up! You weren't there. . .I don't want to talk to you."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up there, son. You don't tell me to shut up."
"I wasn't talking to YOU."
"Gheez. . .*sighs*" Frank's not sure now is the time to get into a discussion about Gheez's imaginary friend, Hesper. The boy's been through a lot. Frank can barely even wrap his mind around it himself. Instead he pats his son on the back and, without speaking, walks him to the bedroom. The boy could use some rest. He tucks Gheez into bed and goes to the bathroom to collect the tiny tin box. He's not sure what to do with it, so he takes it back to the bedroom and places it on the bureau. It's only then that it hits him.
Zharor is gone.
Frank is overwhelmed.
*groggy* "Hesper? Hesper, where are you?"
"I'm coming Gheez."
"What's that noise?"
"It's your dad, Gheez. He's crying. It's really sad."
"Dad? Daddy? Will you sit with me?"
Through the fog of his grief, Frank hears his son's request and complies.
*mumbling* "Will you stay with us?"
"I'm not going anywhere, son."
"I'm right here, Gheez."
In so many words, the household falls apart for a bit right after Zharor's passing. Random crying jags and the works. I do my best to keep them happy (went to the carnival and all that) but they're sad and will remain sad until they aren't. Moodlet's are a bitch like that.
Poor Frank takes it the hardest.
Cruel, cruel fate. Giving him Zharor for such a short, short time.
Zharor was 91 days old when he moved in. He lived in the house for only a few days before he died. I was saddened by his loss, too.
But you know what, Frank, we have things to do.
"I know, I know."
Poor Frank. Not even an adult and he's already a widow.
It's not what I had planned for him, but it's fun, I'll tell you that.