Mac's 'Hood

Just an update, without much of a story. Nerissa and Nathaniel are my favorite sim couple by far. SimEm contributed Nathaniel and Nerissa was an NPC who wandered by (I did touch her up a little bit). You can see their story on page 9 of this thread. I had to start my neighborhood all over again from scratch, but was able to recover Nerissa thanks to help from Toni. I have no idea what happened to their little girl, Simone. It did strike me that probably (?) creating a child in CAS would have similar results to a born-in-game sim so I created them as a threesome. Those of you more knowledgeable please correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, here are the three of them. Simone is a Leo and very sloppy - eats like a pig! Nerissa is already encouraging her to be neater.


They moved in to their new house and had a lot of visitors. Here are the three of them with Beren Erchamion and Luthien Tinuviel at the table. There wasn't room at the table for Milano (the brilliant fashion designer) so she's eating on the sofa. Food comes in sixes, so poor Gene Kelly (with his back to the camera) got none.


I'll probably wait until they get established in their careers and Simone is a teenager before adding to the family. The next child will be Tony or Toni depending on gender in thanks to Toni for helping me with SimPE. With a bit over 100 families (rather than 400 before!) I should be getting back to Nerissa, Nathaniel, and Simone a bit quicker. In fact, I'll probably push them up in the queue even earlier. But I think it's important to play through most of the families at least once - I haven't played any of the four visitors in the picture above yet.

There's a very good chance that the new Simone is a cosmetic copy of your original Simone. Sims 2 has something called 'The First Born' effect - meaning that everytime you take a pair of sims' genes and combine them, the first child will always be the same. For this reason it is recommended to 'roll the pacifier' anytime you leave a family and come back to have more children. The first born (after you've saved the game and left) will be a carbon copy of the original first born. If you leave again, without going into CAS to randomize the genetics, the next child will be another copy of the firstborn. So creating a child in CAS by clicking on the pacifier should give you the same genetic blend that the actual child had. Sigh. I think my explaining it is making it more confusing - why don't you check it out here about 3/4 of the way down the page, under 'Rolling the Pacifier and First Born Syndrome.

I think it's cool that they'll have another child and name it Tony or Toni.

Way to go Shanti beating the burglar! I think it sounds like he picked the wrong day to mess with her!

I'm sorry to hear you had to start over again, but I'm glad you were able to save at least some of your sims. I'm glad Nerissa and Nathaniel are still going strong. I'm so honored that one of my sims became half of your favorite couple.

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With a bit over 100 families (rather than 400 before!)

Wow, even 100 families in one hood sounds like a lot to manage. I could not imagine having 400!

SimEm wrote:

Wow, even 100 families in one hood sounds like a lot to manage. I could not imagine having 400!

And, I guess, in the end, my computer agreed with you!

I just had some thoughts on "Rolling the Pacifier".

Random numbers generated on a computer aren't really random, but "random enough". They are normally generated by a random number generator (doh) which uses some sort of multiplicative algorithm to generate the next "random number" from the previous "random number". From a given seed (starting point) the same sequence will always be generated.

Several years ago, some geeks pulled a number on Las Vegas, coming away with several tens of thousands of dollars. They did this by being able to detect a pattern in the sequence of "random" numbers on a video poker machine. They could identify a pattern, know what was coming and when to play. The casino operators eventually caught on of course and the next generation of video poker machines had a much more robust "random" number generator. For more on this, see The Art of Intrusion by Kevin D. Mitnick and William L Simon.

Truly random numbers are harder to generate (I guess they're important if you're the NSA). I think that radioactive decay can be used as a source - don't ask me how. During World War II, one-time codes were printed on silk handkerchiefs for agents in occupied France. WRENs (Womens' Naval Reserve in the U.K.) would spend their days rolling dice to generate the codes. See Between Silk and Cyanide by Leo Marks.

I use computer-generated random numbers (also called pseudo-random numbers) in medical research when matching cases to controls. While I am debugging my program, I will often force the sequence to start predictably by setting the random seed. That way I can reproduce results until I am satisfied my program is working. I usually use the current date as "good enough" --- Randseed:=20120202;
for example.

Now I will hypothesize about CAS. Certainly when you create a sim, things are different each time. The generated sims have different looks, different skin tone, different clothing every time. Each time you start up the game and go to CAS, you'll get a different (probably goofy-looking) sim. The random number generator for this part seems to be seeded anew each time.

For genetics and creating children, perhaps the programmer specified the seed for checking out but didn't put in code to reseed the random number generator - or maybe he left the seed forcing code in. This is all pure speculation but it would explain the behavior.

If indeed the random sequence is the same on startup for genetics each time, "Rolling the Pacifier" will work, but... If you roll the pacifier 5 times for child 2, then on another startup roll the pacifier 5 times for child 3, I would guess that child 3 would look like child 2. Remember, same seed, same sequence.

I would recommend rolling the pacifier, say 5 times for child 2, 10 for child 3, 15 for child 4, etc. (Or 10,20,30). If the seed is the same then the sequence is the same. Rolling different numbers of times for each child will put you at a different point in the sequence each time.

See Ari's post above for a reference on "Rolling the Pacifier" (I love the term )

You know, that's very interesting, Mac, and I'm glad you brought that up. I hadn't thought that I'd have to roll more or less everytime I rolled the pacifier, trusting the game's ability to go past of the genetics glitch. I usually, out of habit, go straight to CAS, roll 3 times, and head off to my families. By doing this consistently, I am setting myself up for the same glitch as before, except on a different child - if indeed it would happen in Sims that way. Hmm. I know there are lot debuggers you can get, also, which nerfs the first born syndrome, though I haven't tried them.

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If indeed the random sequence is the same on startup for genetics each time, "Rolling the Pacifier" will work, but... If you roll the pacifier 5 times for child 2, then on another startup roll the pacifier 5 times for child 3, I would guess that child 3 would look like child 2. Remember, same seed, same sequence.

I think that's right. I used to try to remember how many times I rolled each time so I wouldn't end up with identical children anyway. With one family I counted the number of children and rolled that many for the next child born (when it was a different play session.) MATY has an object that will do that for you with a more random number. I think it's the lot debugger or called the bat box, because it has a batman symbol on it. It's nice because then I don't have to try to keep track. It messed me up before though, because it doesn't save your game when it exits the lot when it's randomizing and a few times I forgot to save my game before I ran it and lost my progress.

I would think that if you had to recreate two sims in CAS, like Nathaniel and Nerissa, since they were new sims, their children wouldn't necessarily be identical to the children of the original sims, because they're new sims when you recreate them in the game. Like their first born wouldn't necessarily be the same first born as the original Nathaniel and Nerissa. Do you think that's right? Does that make sense? I might have to make two identical couples and test that out sometime...

SimEm wrote:

I would think that if you had to recreate two sims in CAS, like Nathaniel and Nerissa, since they were new sims, their children wouldn't necessarily be identical to the children of the original sims, because they're new sims when you recreate them in the game. Like their first born wouldn't necessarily be the same first born as the original Nathaniel and Nerissa. Do you think that's right? Does that make sense? I might have to make two identical couples and test that out sometime...

I think it is probably likely that the Simone created in my new 'hood using CAS is probably different from the one born in-game in my old neighborhood. Still, she's "close enough". It is funny, though, how we become so attached to our collections of bits and pixels.

Hi Marcello,

I know that the women are supposed to like hunky athletes - but they also go for the cute, clever guys - like me! Sandra and I are both pursuing medical careers. Isn't it lucky that we met? I'm sure that in some time you'll probably find some scrumptious chickie - you can bring her to our wedding!

Your studious brother,

Nico



Speaking of athletes, Gulsah Akkaya and Phyl Manning are both pursuing a career in athletics and found that they had a lot in common...


And Rachelle Walsh and Kristi March met each other in their pet care careers. Heidi (the four-footed one) is one lucky kittycat!


Devin Briggs and Yana Annamar lived across the street from each other - but no longer!


For the record:

We have Jen to thank for Nico - he's Knowledge/Aries Medical(3)/Science. Sandra Bullock (source long in the past) is Knowledge/Scorpio Medical(2)/Science.
Phyl Manning (thanks Caleb) is Fortune/Scorpio Athletic(1)/Fitness and Gulsah (from SimTR) is Fortune/Pisces and also Athletic(1)/Fitness
Rachelle Walsh (source forgotten) is Family/Pisces Pet Care(4)/Arts and Kristi March (Miss March 2010 - thanks Ari) is Family/Scorpio Pet Care(2)/Nature
Devin Briggs thanks to SimplyEdward is Popularity/Scorpio Architecture(4)/Arts while Yana Annamar (Annamaria Sims) is Popularity/Aries Astrophysics(3)/Dance

I'm happy to see Nico and Sandra back together in my new neighborhood. Still haven't activated either Brandon Fish or the delectable Heili so we don't know if they end up together or not. I'm going to be going back to Nerissa and Nathaniel some time soon to watch Simone grow into a teenager and possibly gain a sibling.

Cute couples. Personally, I always preferred the cute, clever types, yet somehow I ended up married to someone who considers himself an athlete. Not sure how that happened.

SimEm wrote:

Cute couples. Personally, I always preferred the cute, clever types, yet somehow I ended up married to someone who considers himself an athlete. Not sure how that happened.

Athletes can be cute and clever, too!

First of all, Ari's Tara Aster (Family/Pisces Artist3/Dance) became engaged to Adrianna's Braden (Knowledge/Cancer Tourism2/Literature). This is the second evening she's had him over. Tonight for tomato soup, last night for a sleepover... "Eat your soup, dessert was last night!


Meanwhile I wanted to reactivate Nerissa and Nathaniel to see now their daughter, Simone turned out as a teenager. Here's her birthday party. In a circle around her are Tatiana Aster, mom, dad, "Aunt" Zoe Aster, Gene Kelly, and Valera Aster.


As you can see, not bad! How her black hair turned to a flaming red I have no idea, maybe she's actually related to her "Aunt" Zoe. For an in-game created sim, Simone is hot!


But then so is her Aunt Zoe, showing off her dancing girl moves. Watching Zoe dance in-game is awesome.


What party is a success if it isn't crashed? This is what I love about this game - total unpredictability - leading to a lot of laughs.


That'll teach him to crash a party after it's over! I love Nerissa's reaction "I can't look!"


Now I'll be "Rolling the pacifier" and having Nathaniel and Nerissa creating a sibling for Simone.

Nathaniel Broadswood-Smythe and Nerissa Broadswood-Smythe have a new little girl - Toni Broadswood-Smythe (Not "Antoinette" just yet )


Simone, who's an A+ student and an EMT (highest level in the teen medical career) is on her way to being an overachiever. In addition, she's already willing and able to be a good older sister.


All of this has taken the Broadswood-Smythe family into winter, while I'm still running summer with everyone else, so it'll be a while before I get back to them. They are still by far my favorite family!
Note that I've set the still photos to the highest quality, so you should see an improvement in these and from now on.

Yeah I did see the improvement on your pics Nice!!

I like it when the siblings are willing to be good older brothers or sisters.

I was going to comment that he is more cute than hunky. lol

Simone grew up really well. What a pretty sim and how funny that she turned into a redhead. The red hair looks great on her though. And yay for the new baby. They finally got their Toni.

Yay for Nico!!!

I don't know how you always manage to keep up with everything Mac. Your couples always have something going on and so I say kuddos to you for keeping all of your storylines straight.

hahahahaha!! i love how they beat up the robber, what a big ole dummy for trying to rob someone in the middle of a party..

Yay for new baby Toni :)))

AdriannaSimmie wrote:

Yay for Nico!!!

I don't know how you always manage to keep up with everything Mac. Your couples always have something going on and so I say kuddos to you for keeping all of your storylines straight.

Actually with the couples, I'm just pairing them up now (OK, Nico got a little bit of help - maybe Brandon will, too) The only extended plot line so far is with Nathaniel and Nerissa and their family - and I have to tear myself away!

AdriannaSimmie wrote:

hahahahaha!! i love how they beat up the robber, what a big ole dummy for trying to rob someone in the middle of a party..

The robbery attempt was after all the partygoers had gone home and the party was over. It was a bit strange, though, being at 1030 PM instead of the wee hours. Perhaps it is triggered by everyone being asleep.

AdriannaSimmie wrote:

Yay for new baby Toni :)))

Nerissa looked sooo uncomfortable waddling around... Glad that's over. and I'm thrilled about how big sister Simone is turning out. I think one day she'll be a brilliant Chief of Staff.

In the meantime, I'm firing up SimPE trying to recover another lost sim that was one of my favorites...

They are a gorgeous family. I'm happy you braved the waters of sim parenthood - makes it a whole other game, doesn't it? Simone is gorgeous! Maybe a hunky teenage boy will move in soon, eh?

Yay for Tara finding a sweetheart. And the Asters sure do seem to be having fun in your game.

Speaking of gorgeous, how ever did you "Roll the Pacifier" to get Tannin and Flynn?
If Simone is very lucky, she might land a hunky guy like one of them!

Well, as I had hoped, Brandon Fish has scored again with the delectable Heli Keijunen. Interestingly, all I had to do was to use Phae's telephone book hack
http://www.modthesims.info/d/445336
Look up her number, call and talk, email, invite her over and... Shazam! Two bolts right off - Brandon did all the work. Oh yes... It does look like work, doesn't it?


Nothing like a romantic dinner


Adam Kitts came by and congratulated his friend "Hey, big guy, way to go!"


Heli is a MTS2 creation http://www.modthesims.info/d/432338

Thank you Toni, for Brandon and Adam

Mac wrote:

Note that I've set the still photos to the highest quality, so you should see an improvement in these and from now on.

I noticed and they are so much easier to see and pleasing to look at now, Mac.

Jen wrote:

I don't know how you always manage to keep up with everything Mac. Your couples always have something going on and so I say kuddos to you for keeping all of your storylines straight.

There is always so much going on in your game! Such fun Sim antics!
I'm so pleased that you download so many of our Sim models here and play them frequently.
Thank you for your ongoing support, Mac.

mac wrote:

Speaking of gorgeous, how ever did you "Roll the Pacifier" to get Tannin and Flynn?
If Simone is very lucky, she might land a hunky guy like one of them!

Thanks, Mac. This Ari sure does make better offspring than my last Ari Tannin and Flynn were born during the same play rotation, I believe, so I didn't need to roll the pacifier. Did I mention in my thread that Ari had yet another boy? Four boys. I really want to see a girl from her, lol. And it helps that she has a handsome hubby - she didn't do all the work herself.

Heli is a pretty sim and she and Brandon make a nice couple. Ironic that they hit it off all over again, isn't it? Must be fate. :dancinkitty1:

Grace got a magic lamp. It was the very first visit by the gypsy to my reconstituted neighborhood. I thought she'd lost the way!
Grace used one, then gave it to Braden. He'll use it for himself and his fiancee, Tara. Both of them have non-standard careers. Tara has a 3 bolt thing for Eamon Beneoit but - she'd better behave if she wants a chance at that lamp...


One of the couples I had to keep intact in my new 'hood was Ron and Nisa Weasley. Nisa is from SimTR and just seemed so perfect for him. Here, they're entertaining... Around the table, it's She Ra, Hermione Granger, Angelina Jolie, and Nisa. No room for poor Ron at the table. Ron, Hermione, and Angelina are all from MTS2. I do need to work on Angelina's hair, though. Don't recall source of She Ra.


I do have a new policy for my 'hood. I've had so much fun with Nerissa and Nathaniel's kids - from now on my couples are going to be having a lot more kids.

Just a note on sim pregnancy. Both Nerissa and Nisa looked miserable, waddling around all swaybacked. There's a woman in my office who's less than 2 mo away and she is big, but doesn't walk that way. (All of you moms on this site feel perfectly free to correct me! )

You may remember that my wife, Maikki (also on this site) is a ballet teacher. For years on halloween, she'd have her class make "soup". Imaginary witches pot - add eyeballs, frogs, and all sorts of disgusting things. Then the whole class stirs with an imaginary stick. Then they drink the potion: skeletons - all walk loose limbed like skeletons, then mummies - all walk around stiffly with arms out like mummies, etc.etc. Finally, dancers - dance like dancers! One year when she introduced the mummies, one of her little girls piped up. "My mom's going to be a mummy - she walks like this." There was Maikki, with a whole class of 6-7 year old girls all doing their best impression of a pregnant waddle.

Here Ron is making a fool out of himself talking to the next generation, but who cares!


And here they are with Frederick Weasley! Ari will recognize Nisa's dress - perfect!

I do indeed recognize it. And I'm happy to see you using it on preggo simmies! Hooray for new babies! That's my favorite part of the game, as you know.

Heli Keijunen asked Braden Rian (thanks Adrianna) to move in with her.
I think he got the hint...


Meanwhile, I had to keep Bill Clinton and Lady Gaga together - just had too much fun with them in my previous 'hood. They've bought a house (one of the Queens Brook Boulevard ones)
http://www.modthesims.info/browse.php?tag=queens+brook&go=Go&gs=1&f=38&gs=1

They're in debt to the tune of around 5K simoleans and are just starting in their careers, but...


Meet Stefani Gaga. I was in a quandary about what to name the child. If a boy, it was to be "Jefferson", Bill's middle name. For a girl I briefly considered Gigi, but then Gigi Gaga is just too silly, even for me.
Then I did some research. Obviously the first name on Lady Gaga's birth certificate isn't "Lady" (nor is her surname "Gaga"). Her real-life first name is "Stefani" and that's the name I've given her brand-new daughter.
BTW, while Bill was at work, the gypsy lady came by and gave Lady Gaga a dusty old lamp. She's used it for Peace of Mind for herself and Bill has done the same. They're saving the final charge for Stefani, when she becomes a teenager. Lucky kid!


I'm going on in my 'hood now. I haven't played everyone once yet. But I'll be returning to Ron and Nisa, and Bill and Lady sooner than usual, to get their offspring at least as far as child.