Mac's 'Hood

Nonni wrote:

mac!! - I love the presentation and commentary of your hood. I know these things take time and skill. You are a blessing. Thanks you.

I do have a lot of fun with my hood. Glad you appreciate! And do give a lot of credit to the creators, mainly on this site but elsewhere, too!

Love Yelena's dress. So pleased my Sim self and Sim Ari are friends. How awesome is that?!

Great to see my Joplin, Kendra and April all happily in your game! I love their artiste's commune. Great idea. Nice lot too!

Crytal is drop dead gorgeous! And she wears Sugah's knit dress so very well!

Buck is a cutie! Can't wait to see him grown up.

A tad worried about Gerard D. procreating, but also morbidly curious...

Awesome updates Mac!

All sorts of dancing girls in my 'hood... BeckyLynn's Sofia is almost at the top of her career and really looks like a dancer!


Serena Astra moved in with Shanti Adrian (Serena's Popularity/Scorpio Music/Dance and Shanti's Popularity/Aries Dance/Dance and has reached the top of her career. That's Shanti on the left and Serena on the right


Who said Marcello's always a tough guy Here he's teaching a nursery rhyme to Guido, one of his twin sons


Tom Hanks and Alyson Astoria tied the knot... quietly. But they did enjoy a box of chocolates


And now for my favorite family. Toni Broadswood-Smythe invited her older sister Simone over for her birthday party. Simone's just out of university and is a Medical Specialist. I think one of them will end up being a "swinger" BTW, Toni Broadswood-Smythe is named "Toni" in honor of Toni (aka ilikefishfood) who showed me how to use SimPE to resurrect Nerissa out of my old 'hood.


Or a dancer...


Simone and mom (Nerissa) cheer Toni on as she becomes a teenager. Dad (Nathaniel) was away at work


Nerissa is very proud of her two girls.


Mom started dinner then was called to the 'phone. Toni, who is turning into a superb cook finished up the job. Toni (Knowledge/Virgo) will almost certainly go into the Culinary career. Her shell and jacket outfit looks very sophisticated until you see in the picture above that her bellybutton is showing under the shell. Why did they design it that way? What's so sexy about bellybuttons? As you can see, I did give her a more attractive hairdo.


A late update... Toni invited a kid she knew as a child, Fred Weasley (the son of Ron and Nisa Weasley), over. Fred's now a teenager too. Toni had her first kiss with Fred, then her second, then her third, then her fourth, then...
They're two bolts with a bright red heart. They're just teenagers but we're going to have to keep an eye on them! (You may notice that I gave Toni a slightly different hairdo, without the pony tail - I'm going to have to do something about Fred's, too ) She's also already at the top of the culinary teen career!


Continuing the story, Simone invited her sister over for the day. It was a Saturday, so Toni didn't have school. Here they're having "girl talk" amid the summer butterflies. Notice Simone's car in the background. Simone, who's quite a tinkerer, restored it from a wreck.


Simone, who's not a bad cook herself, made burgers for lunch


Then Simone coached Toni on practicing on the surgical station


But Toni did run into a bit of trouble...


It's OK Toni, it happened to me, too. But I really think you should pursue the cooking career


Personal Ad: SWF - striking redhead seeks SM for possible romance and attachment. She is bright, attractive, and a very successful Specialist in the medical field. She's a Knowledge/Leo and likes guys with brown hair and who are logical. She doesn't like fat guys, though. Apply c/o the Modeling Agency at Sugah's Place.

What have I been missing all this time!?!

1st - Lovely shots of the dancers

2nd - Nice that Tom and Alyson enjoyed that box of chocolates

3rd - Glad you changed Toni's Hairstyle I shall be checking in for Fred's new 'Do'

4th - I love it when my sims finish restoring a car (I had one give it to his son when the son became a teenager. I liked it that the teen put it in his inventory when he left for Uni.)

5th - Oh, goodie. I am eager to see who answers Simone's the SWF ad for SM

Thanks you for another good time in Mac's 'Hood

Squeee! Ari has a little boy - how awesome! I am so glad to see you taking the plunge and letting sim nature happen. I personally love to have babies in my game. It's hard for me not to breed every sim I ever play. I love that you're playing all of the SP sims, as well - so neat to see them in your hood. One of these days I'm going to play them again, as well. Just like one of these days I'm going to get back to all my other games and challenges, too!

Love seeing all your simmies!

So much going on in your hood, as always, Mac! WOW!
Now, to catch up...

What a lovely teen Crystal (with her new makeover & denim mini) is!
She is darling! I'd love to see a close up shot of her face.

Lady T wrote:

Crystal is drop dead gorgeous! And she wears Sugah's knit dress so very well!

And thank you for your support, Mac. It means so much.

I really like the pic of your writer, artist & poet on their puters with the gorgeous seaside view. Niiiiice!

Mac wrote:

Beauty (Tatou) and the beast (Depardieu) !

You'll get no argument from me there!

Lady T wrote:

A tad worried about Gerard D. procreating, but also morbidly curious...

Sort of like a horrible auto accident ... You know you should LOOK AWAY, but you are compelled to check it out.

You're right, Cap'n. Buck Bekele IS a handsome little fella. Great genes!

Mac wrote:

"Darling, your hand is sooo smooth" "That's the Alfredo sauce on the tortollini, Dear - Sheesh!"

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Tom Hanks and Alyson Astoria tied the knot... quietly. But they did enjoy a box of chocolates.

I love the pic of the older sister, Simone, swinging her younger sis, Toni.
I don't know WHICH EP brought that option about but I was just commenting how much I adore that new activity HERE!

I like the "girl talk" among the butterflies capture.

I always enjoy catching up with your game antics, Mac.
Fun stuff!

Astral Faery wrote:

Squeee! Ari has a little boy - how awesome! I am so glad to see you taking the plunge and letting sim nature happen. I personally love to have babies in my game.

Squeee yourself! First of all though, I want to express my appreciation for all of your accurate and cogent comments re Autism, ADD, etc to BeckyLynn. Right on the money! ADD and ADHD especially are overdiagnosed and certainly overmedicated! The group I used to work with did comparisons of Ritalin use between the US and the UK. Needless to say, use in the US was far greater than in the UK!

Regarding sims offspring, babies are fine, as are children and teens, but toddlers are - probably in real life too - a holy terror! More or less mom and dad taking turns. Maybe an older kid now and then will help out. I've had around 4 sets of twins, and twin toddlers are really a challenge. So far, I've managed to use vacations, idle days, and occasional feigned sickness to keep both mom and dad in their jobs. I do like to have at least one parent in platinum - to use the smart milk and the thinking cap for training skills. At least get that out of the way! I mentioned smart milk to a woman I work with who now has a child and a toddler. Her response... "WHERE DO I GET IT???"

Regarding the SP sims - so many are your creations! Just now playing Ayleth (Knowledge/Virgo Veternarian/Science).

Sugah wrote:

I'd love to see a close up shot of her face.

We'll have to wait until Crystal Sugah comes up again...although I might just do her univ career earlier. She does need some face work, though. Her eyebrows are a bit too dark and too bushy.

The new pink and grey look! ...and those sparkly scrummy (dare I say "snacky" ) ladies at the top!

Captain Hook came to visit Ahnold (he only has 165 grilled cheese to go) and Taylor Yeager. Taylor is at the top of her nursing career and is working on 20 best friends... but when you get too amorous with a pirate with a hook, you'd better be careful! (BTW - no more hook jokes )


Zoe Aster, one of the very loveliest of Ari's creations ever, and with a smile to melt icebergs, is cuddling her daughter just before Ruth became a child.


By request... Crystal Sugah is now a Drama major at university (I only play the very last semester). Here she is before I changed her eyebrows


And here she is after. Improvement??? I await and encourage feedback!

Crystal Sugah is lovely as well as unique. I can see the likeness to Sugah the Sim. Eyebrow much improved.

Crystal Sugah finished college Summa! She's moved into a 7 Dove House in the neighborhood. One more thing had to be done... Remember Honey Sugah? She's an elderly golden retriever who was Crystal's special pet. I had to look it up, but I found out how to transfer the "ownership" of a pet. Crystal's now home from college and Honey is now happily part of Crystal's household. (Crystal's pretty happy, too) The sharp eyed among you may notice that I've made Crystal's eyebrows just a bit darker (on the advice of "&M", or is it "M&"? - the resident pro on the subject anyway)

Sugah wrote:

I love the pic of the older sister, Simone, swinging her younger sis, Toni.
I don't know WHICH EP brought that option about...

My trusty set of Prima guides tells me that this option was introduced in Apartment Life - Simone and Toni were the first in my 'hood to use it.

I love that you were able to get Crystal and Honey re-united. That is so sweet.

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The new pink and grey look! ...and those sparkly scrummy (dare I say "snacky" ) ladies at the top!

I DO hope you like our glamorous new makeover, Mac, and that you approve.



I can see both Keanu and Sugah in Crystal.
Thank heavens you changed those eyebrows!

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My trusty set of Prima guides tells me that this option was introduced in Apartment Life - Simone and Toni were the first in my 'hood to use it.

Thank you for this information. I had a feeling it was AL, since I haven't had much time to learn my way around that EP yet.

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I found out how to transfer the "ownership" of a pet. Crystal's now home from college and Honey is now happily part of Crystal's household.

Awwww! How wonderful! I love that picture! What a great capture, Mac, and I am so pleased for Crystal and Honey.
It's ironic that you have chosen a golden retriever to be Crystal's canine companion.
My husband is a golden lover and has been for years & years.

Some children in my 'hood are growing up... And it looks like Simone's personal ad was answered

First of all though, Adrianna's Braden and Ari's Tara had twins, who progressed through babies, toddlers children, and now teenagers. Both girls, Ashleigh and Astrid seem to be heading toward Athletic and Fitness careers.


And Angelique Bullock, on the left is obviously the very pretty daughter of her very pretty mother Sandra. Nico Genni is the dad, and Angelique also looks like a future athlete, even if mom and dad are doctors.


Simone's personal ad was answered by Owen McAfee. Toni submitted Owen as a teenager, but I changed him to an adult in CAS and gave him the right sign, etc. to appeal to Simone. He's Knowledge/Cancer Science/Science (coulda been I.T. ) and they have 2 bolts - they'll get a 3rd when he learns more logic. Sugah knows about his surname


Things start getting serious during dinner


and a very shy first kiss...


and then another kiss...


I think they're very much in love. Can Nerissa and Nathaniel be looking forward to grandchildren???

I enjoyed this post very much. I have a question. What Zodiak signs make the most compatible unions?

It's a long story. Here's the info from Prima:

Sign,Likes,Dislikes

Aries,Gemini/Taurus,Cancer/Libra
Taurus,Aries/Libra,Virgo/Cancer
Gemini,Pisces/Virgo,Capricorn/Aries
Cancer,Taurus/Scorpio,Gemini/Aries
Leo,Sagittarius/Cancer,Capricorn/Gemini
Virgo,Aquarius/Sagittarius,Leo/Taurus
Libra,Virgo/Cancer,Pisces/Scorpio
Scorpio,Pisces/Leo,Libra/Aquarius
Sagittarius,Pisces/Capricorn,Libra/Scorpio
Capricorn,Aquarius/Taurus,Leo/Gemini
Aquarius,Capricorn/Sagittarius,Scorpio/Virgo
Pisces,Scorpio/Gemini,Leo/Aries

Thus Pisces and Scorpio make a perfect couple, as do Aries and Taurus
Taurus will like a Libra, but Libras don't like Pisces

In the case of Owen and Simone, he's a Cancer, she's a Leo. She's attracted to him but he's neutral toward her.

Here's the whole story

Wow! Thank you, mac!!! This information is so great to have. I only knew that Scorpio and Pisces got along well. The rest of it was a big mystery to me.

Although Ari and Sharon Stone are both romance sims, and did want to keep their independence, in the end, they decided that nothing beats home cookin' (And the 2 of them really cook! )


While we're on cooking, there is a Crepes Suzettes dessert (I can't find it among my downloads - is it a Maxis addition? - Any help here appreciated)
Anyway, I'm having Maikki Demonstrate - after mixing the batter and flipping the crepe high in the air, add Grand Marinier


Light a match...


And voila, Crepes Suzette flambe! BTW, when Maikki was an actress, one of the productions she was in was The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - and she played the character "Crepe Suzette"


Waay back, when Frederick Weasley and Toni Broadswood-Smythe were just children, they hit it off...


They met again when they had just become teenagers, and the attraction was still there


Fred had a plan. #1: Get rid of that dweeby hair!


#2: Greet her with a smooch


#3: Ask her to go steady (she said yes!)


#4: Initiate a "make session". Oops... Forgot #3.5... Make sure mom and dad are still playing chess. BTW, one of the descriptions of mom's posture is "Double Teapot"


Still, mom fixed Fred's favorite pizza and they all had dinner. I think that mom likes Toni!


Saying good night, Toni's just a bit shy...


But they have a very tender goodnight kiss.


While Ron and Nisa cuddle and remember... Nisa: "Remember when we were young like that???" Ron: "You still are!" I think I got Ron as a teenager from MTS2 and made him an adult in CAS. The moment I saw Nisa on the site SimTR, I knew she was destined for Ron, and the butterfly girl dress is perfect for her. Ron is Knowledge/Cancer HogwartsDiagonAlley/Games, and Nisa is Family/Pisces Culinary/Cuisine


Nisa found out that Toni is into cooking, too, and invited her over when the guys were out. Could she be welcoming her future Daughter-in-Law???


They spent an afternoon with Nisa giving Toni all sorts of cooking tips.


I love her! Fred really picked out a winner!

Thank you, Mac, for entertaining us with your screenshots and wit. Wow, Maikki as "Crepes Suzette"!?! That is so cool. I do so look forward to this thread, Mac's Hood is addicting.

Boy, Angelique looks like her mama Sandra!
Simone and Owen are an adorable couple.

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It's a long story. Here's the info from Prima:

Sign,Likes,Dislikes

Aries,Gemini/Taurus,Cancer/Libra
Taurus,Aries/Libra,Virgo/Cancer
Gemini,Pisces/Virgo,Capricorn/Aries
Cancer,Taurus/Scorpio,Gemini/Aries
Leo,Sagittarius/Cancer,Capricorn/Gemini
Virgo,Aquarius/Sagittarius,Leo/Taurus
Libra,Virgo/Cancer,Pisces/Scorpio
Scorpio,Pisces/Leo,Libra/Aquarius
Sagittarius,Pisces/Capricorn,Libra/Scorpio
Capricorn,Aquarius/Taurus,Leo/Gemini
Aquarius,Capricorn/Sagittarius,Scorpio/Virgo
Pisces,Scorpio/Gemini,Leo/Aries

Ha,ha,ha!
EA Games was on CRACK when they came up with that Astrological compatibility chart.
I don't know WHERE they got their information from, but some of it is the complete opposite of TRUE Astrological compatibility.
I still get a big kick out of reading Maxis' version.

Oh, well. That's why they call this VIRTUAL reality!

Way to go, Maikki, with the Crepe Suzette! Impressive presentation!

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Initiate a "make session". Oops... Forgot #3.5... Make sure mom and dad are still playing chess.

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I love her! Fred really picked out a winner!

It's always a PLUS when a possible son or daughter-in-law earn mom's approval.

When Toni posted the house "Hamilton's Way" I had to buy it for Heli and Brandon Fish, and their son, Hamilton Fish. Even unfurnished it was pretty expensive and Heli had to go way into debt to buy it. But with the help of the hacked computer, the sims have had their very first crowdsourcing: John Cleese, Carole Hunter, Brittany Murphy, Rachelle Walsh, Shanti Adrian, Nerissa Broadswood-Smythe, Bee Brava, and Nico Genni each chipped in 5K simoleans which were transferred to her account. In the end, she only had a debt of 5K, which she paid easily.

Even though I got the house unfurnished, I was able to furnish it pretty lavishly. Including a hot tub in the master bath which Heli is enjoying. I also replaced the windows leading on to the 2nd floor balcony off the master bedroom with glass doors for a little hideaway.


Heli did miss the oceanfront property, but she loves the rooftop.


I put in a small (community lot) beach across the street for her to show off her scrummy bod'


BTW, regarding Hamilton Fish:

Hamilton Fish I (1808-1893) was a Republican Governor and Senator of New York and a brilliant secretary of state under President Grant
Hamilton Fish II (1849-1936) was a Republican congressman from New York
Hamilton Fish III (1888-1891) was a Republican congressman from New York, an ardent foe of FDR and the New Deal, a leading isolationist, and was considered, with some cause, to be a Nazi sympathizer
Hamilton Fish IV (1926-1996) was a Republican congressman from New York who, in 1974 in the House Judiciary Committee, voted for 2 of the 3 articles of impeachment of Richard Nixon
Hamilton Fish V (1952-) was president of the Nation Institute (which publishes Nation magazine) and is currently president of Public Concern Foundation (which publishes The Washington Spectator)

What a fascinating progression: Three pretty mainstream Republicans (although Hamilton Fish III was a bit much ), then a decidedly moderate Northeast Republican, and now a publisher of decidedly left-leaning publications.

Then there's Hamilton Fish VI, son of Heli and Brandon, currently in elementary school

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Hamilton Fish III (1888-1891) was a Republican congressman from New York, an ardent foe of FDR and the New Deal, a leading isolationist, and was considered, with some cause, to be a Nazi sympathizer

You throw me on the dates, Mac. I am not the sharpist tack in the shed, but I knew there had to be a typo in the dates. I also hesetate to remarked on things like this becauze I make so many misteakes myself.

However, I found your post so interesting that I had to look that guy up on Google. Turns out he lived to be 102!

I love your post and the way you weave reality and play.

EDIT:

I found some more amazing things about this man. He is responsible for

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The Tomb of the Unknowns (Soldiers)

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On December 21, 1920, Congressman Hamilton Fish introduced legislation which was to be among his most enduring and patriotic acts as a member of Congress.

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The tomb, and unknown soldiers of three U.S. wars interred there today, is thought to be the most hallowed military site in the United States and may well be Fish's greatest legacy to the nation.

One more EDIT:

Hamilton Fish III invariably ended his speeches with this statement:

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"If there is any country worth living in, if there is any country worth fighting for, and if there is any country worth dying for, it is the United States of America."

Nonni wrote:

However, I found your post so interesting that I had to look that guy up on Google. Turns out he lived to be 102!

Oops, my bad, Hamilton Fish's dates should be 1888-1991.

I actually get most of my historical stuff on Wikipedia.

One thing about the age that I am now is that I can really appreciate the ease of obtaining information nowadays. Being house-bound nearly all the time, I would really miss my almost daily trips to the library. When I think back on how I researched in the past I find great delight in being able to 'surf-the-net' now.

Thank you so very much for sharing, Mac!

Nonni wrote:

One thing about the age that I am now is that I can really appreciate the ease of obtaining information nowadays. Being house-bound nearly all the time, I would really miss my almost daily trips to the library. When I think back on how I researched in the past I find great delight in being able to 'surf-the-net' now.

Thank you so very much for sharing, Mac!

I am a committed book-a-holic, and for years if a question came up, I'd try to find the answer in one of my (too many) books. Maikki's first instinct has been to go on line, and I'm much more inclined to do so now, too.

One has to be careful, though, there's also a lot of misinformation out there. Wikipedia is peer reviewed and, so far, I've found that most of the stuff about which I know from other sources is correct.

Meanwhile, I've more or less converted to the Kindle, so my house won't fall in under the weight of books.

There are a couple of books on the whole WW2 isolationist etc phenomenon: Citizens of London and Those Angry Days: Roosevelt, Lindbergh, and America's Fight over World War II - both by Lynne Olsen