Lonely River

Lonely River Sims Have Moved!

2006-10-11T11:57:00.000+10:00

The Sims themselves haven't moved but the new home for their stories definitely has. After a long, long time spent tinkering, I've finally gotten a design I liked and loaded it up with some chapters to give it a kick-start.

Head over to Purrycat Sims to keep following the stories of the Sims of Lonely River.

Amanda, Alien Researcher

2006-08-27T17:53:00.000+10:00

Amanda, daughter of Amin and Cara Legacy and half-sister to Timothy Legacy, first heard of aliens when she’d been a teenager. She’d scoffed at first but nevertheless took to scouring the stars for signs of extraterrestrial life. The aliens rewarded her efforts by promptly abducting her only a few nights after she’d first begun using her telescope.

A couple of nights later, after being the subject of all sorts of strange medical experiments that Amanda couldn’t even begin to understand, they spat her back out again.

At first Amanda didn’t know what to think. She was shocked, confused and stunned to have first hand knowledge that the aliens her schoolmates whispered about around campfires actually existed.

But Amanda was a smart girl and she quickly realised that she’d been granted a glimpse of knowledge that few even dreamed existed.

From then on Amanda wanted to talk about nothing but aliens. She joined online support groups, read every book on the subject she could get her hands on, and decided to study medicine at college hoping that she might one day understand the medical procedures that were so common in abductions.

After finding out that Timothy had developed his hacking skills by being in the campus’ Secret Society, Amanda made sure to join in the hopes that she might learn how to hack her way into government organisations. She was a little surprised at the fuss they made over inducting her however. There was even a cheerleader to see her on her way.

Amanda spent the rest of her college years as something of a loner and was regarded as a bit of a freak by most of her peers. Not that she cared. Amanda was a busy girl, devoting hours to studying medicine, information gathering about aliens (she had several folders full by now), and spending what little was left of her time eating and sleeping.

Of course a schedule like that didn’t leave Amanda with much time for getting to the shops. Luckily the campus provided a grocery delivery service and through that Amanda got to know Stephan Gothier, the delivery guy, pretty well. They became great friends thanks to a mutual interest in aliens and the paranormal.

Without even realising it Amanda stopped dreaming about aliens at night and began to dream about somebody much more attractive.

In due time Amanda graduated and moved back home where she was welcomed home by her parents and somebody completely unexpected. Amanda met Joe Carr for the first time when he leapt out of the turkey she’d been about to cook for dinner.

Amanda naturally brought it up at breakfast the next morning. Strangely her parents just didn’t seem interested and refused to talk about their resident ghost.

Never mind. Amanda was just happy that she had an entirely new field of paranormal research to throw herself into.

Amanda Legacy: 4/10/4/4/9; Knowledge Aspiration; LTW Become Chief of Staff.

Previous: Timothy's Wedding / Next: Coming Soon! -->

Timothy's Wedding

2006-08-22T23:16:00.000+10:00

The morning of Timothy’s wedding finds him by the little pond on his property feeding the swans and thinking.

So Katie’s had her baby. A boy, Mum said. I wonder what he looks like. I wonder if…? Not that it matters.

Timothy sighed. She has so many men hanging around her she probably had one of them over the morning we went out dancing. Or the next morning. The timing is just a coincidence. Yup, that’s all it is. Besides, even if it was… that… it still doesn’t make a difference. She made it clear she doesn’t care who the father is and she obviously doesn’t remember anything. Then again neither did I at first although waking up next to a naked Katie in bed was a bit out of the ordinary. Maybe I’d been too drunk to…stop this! He told himself sternly.

None of this matters anyway! Timothy shook his head, threw the rest of the food to the swans and got to his feet, resolving to give up thinking about Katie and who her child's father might be.

Before heading back to the house Timothy paused by the little gazebo he’d had built for the wedding. I’m getting married. Finally, I’m getting married. And to Tamara. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a wife. She’s beautiful, she’s sweet and funny and she wants to have children right away. Timothy smiled. Yup, he was a lucky man alright.

Then a frown creased his face. I wonder if Katie will be here tonight. Apart from the whole just having a baby thing we did have that fight. Why did I have to get so angry at her? I could have just smiled and nodded but no, I had to lecture her as if she’s still just a kid when she’s very obviously not any more. It’s so strange not hearing her voice or seeing her face when we used to talk at least once a day. Now we avoid each other.

Timothy sighed yet again and tried to remember his mother’s advice that everything usually worked out for the best in the end. Katie couldn’t stay mad at him forever, could she?

Tamara came over just in time for lunch. Since the wedding would be held at Timothy’s house they’d planned to spend the afternoon together until they had to get ready.

“Mmm that smells good, Timothy,” she said, walking into the kitchen and sniffing appreciatively. “And hey, it’s not spaghetti! I didn’t know you knew how to make anything else!”

“Quiet you! Go sit down while I serve you for once. And be nice or my hand might accidentally slip and drop chilli all over you!” Timothy tried to glare at her but only succeeded in laughing.

“Are you going to spend the rest of your life teasing me?” Timothy asked in mock exasperation as they sat down to eat.

“Why yes, as a matter of a fact I intend to. Which reminds me, we need to ask your step-dad if he knows where we can get our hands on some handcuffs. I’m sure it would make the teasing a lot more interesting.” Tamara winked at Timothy then laughed out loud at his blush.

After lunch they spent the afternoon just relaxing and hanging out together. Timothy offered to show Tamara how to play golf, little realising that she was an old pro at the game. Then, after what seemed like only minutes to the couple, it was time to get ready. They both had appointments at the hairdressers, Timothy needed to pick up his suit from the drycleaners, and there was a lot of all that complicated girly makeup stuff that Tamara had to do that Timothy chose not to ask about.

Evening arrives and Timothy is standing in the gazebo feeling very, very nervous. For some reason watching Tamara walking up to him only makes that feeling worse.

He’d known she was beautiful but tonight she looks absolutely gorgeous. Not just that but she seems so calm and serene. Timothy wished she’d tell him what her secret was. He was feeling anything but calm; he just couldn’t seem to get enough air and his collar had somehow become way too tight.

Then she was standing right there next to him looking at him so trustingly. Timothy looked into his bride’s calm eyes and felt himself relax. Of course everything will be fine, he thought. His collar no longer bothered him and somehow it was now the easiest thing in the world to stand up there with Tamara and wait for his family to file into the tiny gazebo.

The ceremony itself was kind of a blur for Timothy. He remembered nervously babbling out his vows…

…and somehow he managed to only stuff them up once which Timothy considered to be something of a miracle under the circumstances.

The next thing he knew it was time to exchange rings.

He was dimly aware of a lot of applause which made him realise that he hadn’t even looked to see how many of his family had made it.

But first there was the kissing of the bride.

Now that Timothy has a distinct memory of.

And that was that! They were now officially Mr & Mrs Legacy. Finally, Timothy looked around at his family. His mother and step-father were there, his brothers and sisters, Thomas, Katherine and Amanda, Blair (Arcadia’s husband) and, miracle of miracles, Katie had arrived. She smiled warmly, if somewhat teary-eyed, at his stunned expression and gave him a thumbs up.

His father was nowhere to be seen and neither was Arcadia for that matter but he later found out that Arcadia was late thanks to the nanny not showing up on time. Amin, however, had simply stumbled across the bar when he first arrived and hadn’t made it much further.

After everybody had filed out of the gazebo it was time for the inevitable cake cutting. Timothy was very careful not to mush any of it on his wife’s perfectly made up face. Not as entertaining for his watching family but at least it guaranteed that he wouldn’t be sleeping on the couch that night!

Amin managed to make it from the bar to the table without too much stumbling to join the rest of Timothy’s family sitting around munching on cake and chatting. Amin did keep casting frequent longing glances at the bar though. Arcadia arrived just in time to sit down for some cake as well, and Aneleh, Amanda and Blair were already out on the dance floor.

They had to move to one side when it came time for Timothy and Tamara to have their first dance as a married couple however. Timothy happily demonstrated the dance move that had made poor, prudish Mrs. Crumplebottom so furious.

And then there was the usual general dancing and mayhem that happens at a wedding. Aneleh and Arcadia unfortunately discovered that they’d both chosen the same dress, and only Timothy, Tamara, Katherine and Katie seemed to grasp the concept of a dance floor. Timothy took the opportunity to dance his way over to Katie and do the twist in front of her. It had never failed to make her laugh before and didn’t fail him now.

She completely stopped dancing and hugged him tightly, laughing and crying at the same time.

“I’m so sorry!” they both whispered at the same time.
“I was an idiot. I had no right to lecture you, Katie. You’re very obviously not a kid and besides, it’s your life, your child and none of my business,” apologised Timothy.
“No, I deserved to be lectured. I would have lectured me if I had been you. I really should have…” she sighed and let her sentence die. “I’ve missed you.” Katie settled for saying instead.
“Me too,” said Timothy softly.

Young Katherine stared at the grown-ups curiously, no doubt filing things away in that strange little mind of hers.

Gradually Timothy and Katie reluctantly pulled apart and returned to dancing not noticing that Tamara had been watching them the entire time and wondering.

All too soon the limousine pulled up in front of the house with a screech of brakes signalling that it was time for the party to break up.

Timothy peered out the window as the limo drove off, watching Katie for as long as he could. Motherhood hasn’t affected her figure at all, that’s for sure, he thought.

(Hel: Firstly, I'd just like to congratulate Timothy and Tamara on being the first couple in Lonely River to actually go on their honeymoon either together or at all. The limo arrived, they got in and it drove off without a hitch!

Secondly, I feel I need to apologise from the bottom of my heart for the unfortunate pairing of Timothy and Tamara's names. If you live in Australia or New Zealand or have ever been to either of these countries you must have heard of Tim Tams, the chocolate biscuits that are pretty much to die for. Actually, I'm sure somebody has killed somebody else for the last Tim Tam at some point before! Anyway, you have to believe me that when these two sims first got together that I didn't even think of it. It wasn't actually until after the wedding that I realised what their names would be when put together like that. Of course, now it's going to be difficult to resist the urge to name their children after the various varieties of Tim Tams! hehe )

<-- Previous: Baby Announcement / Next: Amanda, Alien Researcher -->

Baby Announcement

2006-08-22T10:53:00.000+10:00

Announcing the birth of Alex Hill, son of Katie Hill and first grandchild for Dixon & Aneleh Hill.

Mother and son are doing well and settling in beautifully.

Katie would like to add that she has absolutely no intention of having children EVER again. "Nobody told me it would hurt that much! If you think I'm having more kids you're crazy!"

<-- Previous: Little White Lies / Next: Timothy's Wedding -->

Little White Lies

2006-08-18T22:44:00.000+10:00

~~ WARNING: Adult themes ahead ~~

I lied to him. I lied to Timothy. For some reason it feels weird that it was so easy to do. But what could I do? He obviously didn’t remember anything and I can’t blame him for that. I’d only just managed to piece everything together myself. Plus I’d just heard him say that he’s getting married. He sounded so happy about it… and so in love. What was I supposed to do?

So I told him I had no idea whose baby this was and that I didn’t care. “Hey, I’ve never been pregnant before,” I said. “Who knows? It might be fun to have a little me running around!” And I laughed as if it was just another game to me.

He lectured me of course. God, I’d lecture me! I sounded like such a little idiot. Everybody else had conveniently remembered that they needed to get home by then.

Even Dad left.

I’ll never forget the look on his face when I went to see him yesterday. He and Aneleh had looked so shocked when I’d told them that I’d been seeing quite a few guys and had no idea which one might be the father.

I avoided Dad’s eyes and told him that it didn’t matter and that I was just going to raise the baby myself. Then I had to look up didn’t I? That’s when I saw it. The disappointment. I’ve never disappointed him before and it hurt so bad to know that I had. I don’t blame him. I know exactly what he’s thinking and what he’s worried about. He’s thinking of my mother and how the same thing happened to her. Well, sort of.

Dad had become friends with Mum while he was working in Pleasantview. She was a… well, to be blunt, she was a prostitute and because of her line of work she learnt all sorts of secrets. It’s amazing what men will tell a pretty girl when they’re in bed with her, I guess.

Mum would pass information on to Dad if she knew it would help him with a case. They became pretty good friends. There’d never been anything more between them and Dad thinks that’s what she liked about him the most. She’d told him once that it was nice to just be able to talk to a man without him expecting her to jump into bed with him.

Anyway, one day she fell pregnant with no idea who the father was. After all, it could have been nearly any guy in the town. Then she died giving birth to me but she’d already set up her will so that Dad would become my guardian.

I know he’s worried that I’m going to turn out just like Mum. He liked her a lot and accepted her but I suppose he expected more from me.

Aneleh surprised me though. She’d been quiet for so long while Dad and I had been talking but then she cleared her throat and said calmly, “You’ll need toys and baby things, Katie. Thomas and Katherine don’t need those things now so you can have their old things but I want you to let me know if there’s anything else you might need.”

I knew she was nice and we’ve always gotten on really well but for some reason I didn’t expect her to go out of her way to help me like that.

Disappointed or not, Dad hugged me as I was leaving. I know he still loves me but that doesn’t change the fact that he expected better from me. I let him down. But what was I supposed to tell him? The truth? That would have been so much worse to explain.

Somehow Aneleh knows though. I haven’t the faintest idea how she would have worked it out but maybe she just keeps her eyes open a little more since her problems with Amin & Joe. She probably just saw the look on my face when Timothy happened to call her mobile while I was talking to Dad. She whispered something in my ear as I hugged her goodbye. “It’s okay, Katie, I won’t tell him. Just remember that these things have a way of working themselves out.”

Then she insisted on waving goodbye to the baby and told me to call if there was anything she could do. The waving thing was a little weird but she’s famous and about to become a grandmother. She’s entitled to be a little eccentric!

So where was I? Oh yeah, getting lectured. I played along for a while, trying to be Little Miss Flippant but eventually I just couldn’t do it any more. I yelled at him to stay out of my life and ran out of the house. I've never yelled at him before. We've never even really argued. What had I been thinking going around there anyway?

I think I’d had some vague idea that it would be weirder if I just avoided him. I really didn't think he'd be announcing his wedding or that he'd get so mad at me. Man, going around to his house tonight was the stupidest idea I’ve ever had! No wait, I think dragging Timothy out to get drunk must win that award. I feel like my heart is breaking but at least he should be angry enough with me not to even think about doing any calculations. The last thing I want for Timothy is to have his life ruined by me! It was all my fault anyway.

As I walked back home I tried my hand at being maternal. “Don’t worry, little whoever you are, you won’t have a dad but we’ll take care of each other, won’t we?” Wow, that sounded pathetic. Especially when you consider that I’d just become that crazy pregnant lady walking down a street talking to her stomach.

When I first realised I was pregnant I’d done some counting up and couldn’t believe what I came up with. I tried to wrack my brain to come up with images of having taken somebody else home that night. Except that didn’t work since not only did I wake up in my own bed, but Timothy was bringing me coffee and nobody else had been in the house. Then, for no reason at all, little bits of memory started to come back to me.

Pretty intense little bits of memory actually. And they all involved kissing Timothy! Not to mention my complete inability to stop kissing him. Maybe that’s because he was just so damn good at it.

I remember a lot of kissing in various places around the nightclub (some secluded and some not so secluded) and then a vague, fussy memory of getting in a taxi.

That’s followed by yet another fuzzy memory of getting out of the taxi and staying outside for some time. I guess I must have had trouble finding my keys.

But I think we made it inside eventually.

We must have anyway because I do remember chatting for a while sitting on my bed.

Oh alright, we probably weren’t talking, let’s face it.

What is clear in my mind is that I felt really safe and loved.

Oh, who am I kidding? We were drunk and it was just a bit of fun. Timothy doesn’t even remember it.

<-- Previous: To Find A Wife: Part II / Next: Baby Announcement -->

To Find A Wife: Part II

2006-08-18T12:11:00.000+10:00

When we last left Timothy he’d just lost his brand new fiancé thanks to her obscure robot allergy. He’d been pretty down for a while but after his night out on the town with Katie he felt almost like his old self. A couple more nights spent tinkering with robots and relaxing at home and he finally began to feel it was time to start thinking about love and marriage again. To celebrate his return to the dating world Timothy treated himself to dinner at his favourite Chinese restaurant for some spaghetti.

Timothy waited patiently for his dinner and thought hard about where he might find a wife; the woman who would be his partner and lover, his friend and the mother of his children, somebody who he’d grow old with, somebody…

Splat! Spaghetti fell all over Timothy as the waitress tripped and dropped his dinner right on his head.

“Oh wow! I’m so sorry! I don’t know what happened. I’m not usually this clumsy! I’ll go grab you a towel and then I’ll bring you some more dinner. I really can’t apologise enough,” the waitress babbled at him. She’d turned bright red and her brown eyes were filled with tears.

“It’s fine… uh… Tamara,” Timothy squinted at the woman’s nametag as he wiped the spaghetti off his face. “It’s fine. Maybe it’s a sign that I eat too much spaghetti anyway. I’ll just go clean up in the bathroom while you get me… umm… well, maybe you can recommend something?”

Tamara smiled as she visibly relaxed. She had a pretty smile, Timothy noticed. “Well, if you ask me you look like a Lime Seared Prawns kind of guy. Actually you mostly look like a guy with spaghetti all over him but I still think you’d like the prawns.”

“You know that sounds pretty good.” Timothy said, smiling right back at her. “How about you go con the chef into whipping me up some of those and I’ll go get cleaned up?”

As Tamara headed back into the kitchen Timothy suddenly noticed how attractive she was. Maybe it was the serving platter hitting his head but he felt a little light-headed and weak at the knees as he watched her walk away.

After Tamara had successfully delivered the prawns and Timothy had just as successfully devoured them (they were as nice as she said they’d be too), he snuck into the kitchen determined to get Tamara to agree to go out on a date with him. She blushed again, smiled that pretty smile of hers and agreed to meet him for dinner at the local Italian restaurant the following night.

Timothy grinned as he raced out of the kitchen with the outraged cook in hot pursuit. “No customers in kitchen!” cried the cook as he brandished a wok at Timothy.

The next night saw Timothy and Tamara in the Angel Hair Café, happily gazing into each other’s eyes and holding hands. Their table wasn’t the most secluded in the café but neither of them seemed to notice.

“I’d like to propose a toast to clumsy waitresses!” Timothy raised his glass extravagantly in the air and winked at Tamara. She giggled and clinked glasses with him. “I’ll drink to that,” she said and then adopted an overly innocent face. “After all, I doubt I’d have found you nearly as attractive if you hadn’t been covered in spaghetti!”

After dinner, Timothy and Tamara went dancing. She turned out to be a fantastic dancer and Timothy found himself absolutely enchanted as he spun her around and then pulled her close to him.

The dance floor was crowded but to Timothy it was like they were the only people in the room. He just couldn’t look away from her eyes. Timothy couldn’t remember the last time he felt this good. Well, actually he’d felt pretty darn good the other night when Katie had dragged him out drinking and dancing, but since that memory was all fuzzy and blank in some spots this moment was winning hands down.

Soon Timothy just couldn’t help himself any more. He dipped Tamara and kissed her quite thoroughly, utterly heedless of the crowd on the dance floor. Also, it turns out, utterly (not to mention foolishly) heedless of the presence of Mrs. Crumplebottom!

“Ow! But… Ow! Would you just…? Ow! Hey!” Oh, so that was why Kana didn’t call him back after Mrs. Crumplebottom hit her. That handbag weighs a ton!

“Oh man, my cheek’s swelling up!” Timothy poked gingerly at his face the next morning. Tamara would be coming over that night and he wanted to look his best. “What does that old bat keep in that thing? Bricks? Her entire pet rock collection maybe? Geez!”

Timothy had intended to wait for a while before he proposed but when Tamara came over that night after her shift he just couldn’t see any point in waiting. He was ready to settle down and have children and from their conversation the night before it sounded like that was what Tamara wanted too.

“Tamara, there’s something I’d like to ask you,” he said, dropping to one knee before her. “Well, actually there’s two things. Firstly, you’re not allergic to robots are you?”

Tamara’s expression, so surprised and happy when Timothy had first knelt down, turned a mite confused. “Robots, Timothy? Why would anybody be allergic to robots? And why are you…?” Her eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re not a robot?!”

Timothy laughed. “No, I’m not a robot, love. I just like to make them and I think I can assume from your answer that you’re not allergic which leads me to my next question.”

He took a deep breath then plunged right on. “Tamara Mazza, would you do me the honour of marrying me? I know this is very sudden but I can see myself spending the rest of my life getting to know you and loving every minute of it. It’s not just that you’re beautiful and funny either,” Timothy rushed on before Tamara could say anything. “I’ve never felt so comfortable around anybody before. Well, anybody who isn’t related to me anyway!” Timothy chuckled, thinking about Katie. I’m sure she’s going to love Tamara, he thought confidently.

Before Timothy could start babbling again, Tamara threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly. “Yes, you big babbling idiot, yes…” she whispered in his ear.

As Timothy eased her back to the ground he kept a tight hold of her and stared deeply into her eyes. “You won’t regret this, love. I promise.”

Tamara smiled contentedly. “I know I won’t, Timothy.”

The following night he invited over as many of his family as could make it. His half-sister, Amanda, was now in college and immediately commandeered Timothy’s attention to ask him if he’d seen a documentary on aliens that had been on TV the night before. Ever since getting abducted as a teenager, Amanda had become obsessed with aliens.

“Oh come on, Timmy, what could you have possibly been doing that was so important?” she asked in disbelief when he told her he’d been busy that night. She was the only one who managed to get away with calling him ‘Timmy’ probably because she had been so little and cute when she’d started it.

“I’ll tell you in a minute, Sis,” he promised.

Then it was his mother’s turn. “So, Timothy, when are you going to fall in love and get married?” she asked.

“Stop being so pushy, Aneleh.” Dixon strolled up and clapped Timothy on the shoulder. “He’ll get married when he’s good and ready. Don’t push the boy. Now, I don’t suppose you’d be willing to take over playing chess with Katherine for me would you, love? I’m all played out.” Timothy smiled gratefully at his step-father’s wink.

“Hey Dixon, have you seen Katie? I wanted her to be here,” Timothy asked him as Aneleh disappeared in search of Katherine and the chessboard. The older man sighed and he looked slightly disappointed for some reason. “I had a little chat with her yesterday but I don’t know if she’ll be dropping by, Timothy. She’s not… uh,” he coughed, looking embarrassed. “Katie’s not exactly well right now, you know.”

Timothy looked puzzled and was about to ask Dixon more but just then Jaiden Mendoza showed up at the door holding a toolkit. “I hear your TV’s broken down, Timothy, and since I was in the neighbourhood I thought maybe I’d help you… fix it.” She grinned and winked at him.

Timothy inwardly rolled his eyes but made certain to look slightly confused for Jaiden. “Well, I had called a repairman since I didn’t have time to deal with it myself but if you want to have a go at it I suppose you can. I’ve got my family over though but if you need help just let me know.” Jaiden had been pestering him for some time now, convinced that she and Timothy made a perfect match although Timothy himself strongly disagreed.

He had no idea how Jaiden had found out about his television and privately doubted her mechanical skills but he figured it couldn’t hurt for her to try to fix the set. What’s the worst that could happen? Jaiden’s face fell at the word “family” but to her credit she did bravely stick around to try to fix the TV. Emphasis on the word try. Oh well, maybe now she’d leave him alone.

Everybody had run into the lounge when Jaiden got electrocuted so Timothy took the opportunity to tell everybody the good news all at once.

“While I’ve got everybody in one place, I’ve got some good news to share,” he said, ignoring the now extra-crispy Jaiden staggering away from the TV. “I’m getting married to a wonderful woman I met a few days ago.”

All eyes turned in disbelief towards Jaiden. “No, no, not her,” Timothy said. Everybody except Jaiden sighed with relief. “I know it’s a bit sudden,” continued Timothy. “But we know we want to get married so why wait? As Mum keeps pointing out, I’m not getting any younger!” In all the confusion amidst the barrage of questions and congratulations that followed Timothy didn’t even notice that his front door had opened and somebody was standing there quietly listening.

“Hi guys,” said Katie softly. That got Timothy’s attention; Katie was hardly ever quiet. His jaw dropped open at what he saw. “What the…? Who…? When…? I mean uh… wow,” he finished lamely.

Timothy gently touched Katie’s obviously pregnant belly then looked up at her. His expression was no longer one of shock. “Who is he?” he said grimly.

<-- Previous: Oldie Cuteness / Next: Little White Lies -->

Oldie Cuteness

2006-08-17T20:47:00.000+10:00

Katie and Timothy’s problems will have to wait for a moment while we take a look to see how the older generation are doing.

Blair McCarthy’s dream to open a flower shop was realised shortly after his son, Paul, was born. Here he is opening ‘Flowers by McCarthy’. It’s only a tiny little shop but he just wants a little place to putter around in and sell some of his favourite flower arrangements. He’s been doing surprisingly well, even getting a write-up in the local paper.

Although this looks like trouble. After a disastrous “kicky-bag” accident that damaged some of his stock, Blair has banned the playing of kicky bag inside the shop. It looks like there's a protest about to happen!

Anybody been wondering what Amin’s been up to lately? Getting abducted of course. Amanda had been abducted already as a teenager (she’s now in college) and was delighted to hear that her Dad had been “chosen” as well although I’m not so sure Amin shares the sentiment.

Nope, he definitely looks mad. Wonder if he’s going to try and sue somebody?

Life hasn’t been any easier for Amin at home either. If it’s not aliens it’s Joe trying to give him heart attacks.

Cara hasn’t been immune to Joe’s pranks either. It took a while but it looks like Joe has finally worked out how to jump around inside appliances and haunt people at the same time. Well done, Joe, I knew you could figure it out eventually.

And how are the couple coping with all this stress? Not so well it seems. Oh dear.

And now for a comparison shot. Dixon and Aneleh have grown old gracefully. The pressures of raising twins so late in life doesn’t appear to have affected their love for each other in the least.

In fact, Aneleh is more attracted to Dixon than ever. Frankly, who can blame her? Dixon looks pretty distinguished as an older man!

Just to be certain he doesn’t lose his appeal, Dixon has taken to working out in the garage while Aneleh’s at work. Yup, she’s still working and showing no sign of wanting to retire yet.

And this is Arcadia and Blair as oldies. They look pretty sweet together, I think.

Young Paul McCarthy is now a child and learning how to dance.

And for good reason… he’s showing every sign of growing up to be a handsome, young man. And while boats & pirates are more interesting right now, Blair hasn’t given up hope of passing his flower shop on to Paul some time in the future.

The twins are also growing up fast (thank goodness – they weren't the most attractive toddlers I'm sorry to say!) and are learning how to dance as well.

Young Katherine is likely to become great friends with Amanda once she’s grown up. The young girl is absolutely bonkers about aliens and talks about them non-stop. She’s also demonstrating a great deal of intelligence. She can play complicated piano pieces already and frequently baffles Dixon with her chess moves. Now, if she can learn how to grow into her features I’ll be really impressed!

Katherine Hill

Thomas Hill

<-- Previous: From the diary of Katie Hill / Next: To Find A Wife: Part II -->

From the diary of Katie Hill

2006-08-16T14:47:00.000+10:00

Dear Diary,
Well, I’ve been back in Lonely River for a little while now but there’s been so much happening this is the first time in ages that I’ve actually remembered I had a diary. Oops!

So what have I missed? Well, I’m obviously graduated now. Everybody had fun at the graduation party I threw and then it was time to say goodbye. It was sad but I’m definitely over living in a dorm. If I had to watch one more prank by the designated cow mascot I really couldn’t have been responsible for the consequences.

Dad came to pick me up but instead of taking me home he pulled up in front of this gorgeous two-storey pink house. For a minute there I thought he and Aneleh had moved!

“No kiddo, this one’s all yours,” Dad said. “Call it a Welcome Home present from me and Aneleh. So what do you think? Pink enough even for you?”

I hugged him for ages to hide the tears in my eyes. He’s the best dad ever and even better than that since he’s not my real father. He didn’t have to keep me when Mum died but he did and I’ll never be able to thank him enough for that. I’m so glad he’s finally settled down with a wife and kids of his own. Those babies have no idea what a great dad they’re going to have even if he is going to be old and grouchy soon!

Speaking of kids, Timothy and I went over to visit and meet our half-brother and sister. I don’t think Timothy really knew what to do when Aneleh gave him Katherine to hold. He just held her and stared at her looking kind of confused. He’s such a dork! Something about holding Thomas made me go all mushy inside though. I wonder if I’ll be a good mother someday?

Anyway back to my cool house. It really is pink. Definitely pink enough for me especially once I got through redecorating the bedroom. Thanks to Dad & Aneleh getting me the house I was able to get this great little car. It’s not pink but I look hot in it anyway!

Timothy lives right across the road and he pops over for dinner sometimes. We make sure we do the secret handshake for old time’s sake. Would you believe that he still forgets to hold his finger up for long enough in the “shhhing” part and ends up having to just stare at me while I’m finishing my “shhh”. He really is a dork. A cute dork but still a dork.

I got another love letter this morning. I absolutely adore getting love letters! All my boyfriends say the sweetest things about me.

I don’t know how I’m ever going to be able to choose between any of them. I don’t even think I want to really. I’ve been having too much fun and a husband would just put a bit of a dampener on things.

There are a couple of guys that I see a lot of though. Wyatt Buckingham is one of them. He’s still in college and is doing the whole rebelling against his rich folks thing. I date him if I feel like going to see a band or watch sports.

And then there’s Mark Sanderson. He’s more serious and sophisticated than Wyatt and he’s probably going to end up rivalling the Landgraabs in business. He’s much better looking than any of the Landgraabs so he’s got a head start right there!

He’s a little too serious sometimes but a good pillow fight usually shakes him out of that just fine. He’s definitely a lot less serious when you get him out of that suit too but that’s another story! Mark is the guy I call up when I feel like going somewhere a little more formal like a fancy restaurant or the art gallery.

And Mitch is great for staying in and watching a soppy movie with although he usually ends up blubbering more than I do. He’s such a girl sometimes!

Still, the cheering him up afterwards is always fun too!

And then there’s Addison for late night impromptu dancing.

Not to mention gaming. I kick his butt every time though!

I don't just get love letters either. Sometimes I get presents too like this great little remote controlled car. So far I haven’t been able to get it to go anywhere other than into the rubbish bin which isn’t really that much fun. Cleaning up tipped over rubbish bins has never been my favourite thing to do.

I was a bit worried about Timothy for a bit. He got engaged to this hairdresser who turned out to be allergic to robots. Now, with most normal people that wouldn’t ever be an allergy you’d have to worry about but Timothy, being the dork he is, has been playing around with robotics and stuff. So he takes the girl back home one night, she takes one look at his latest invention and drops dead! Right there in his living room! The poor guy was pretty shook up by the whole thing and even more so considering he thought he’d finally be able to settle down and start a family. The thought of having to start again sent him into a bit of a depression.

I left him alone for a few days but when I checked in on him I discovered that he hadn’t showered for the entire weekend. Ew! That’s enough leaving him alone. I knew exactly how to get my boy back on his feet. I told him he had 10 minutes to shower, dress and cross the street to my place where the taxi would be waiting to take us out dancing. It was a very simple plan really: dancing, drinking, more dancing, probably followed by more drinking. Simple but with Timothy it was guaranteed to work. He just needed to get out of the house and start having fun again.

My memories are a little fuzzy about that night but I know he had a good time. He must have since I don’t think he’d voluntarily do the Smustle unless he was having a really good time and was really, really drunk!

And oh boy was he drunk!

Then again, I can’t say that I was much better. I remember dragging Timothy over to the bar for some more drinking in between smustling and that was pretty much the last thing I remember.

We must have made it back to my place okay since the next morning I woke up in my bed with a seriously pounding head, a churning stomach, and (thankfully!) the smell of fresh coffee in the air. Lucky Timothy was bringing me coffee and not cereal since nothing but coffee could have dragged me out of bed that morning let me tell you! What a hangover!

That damn hangover is still sticking around days later, if you can believe that, but Timothy has cheered right up so I guess it was worth it. I suppose he’s going to get back to his wife-hunting now too. I don’t know why he wants a wife but if he has to have one I hope he finds somebody a bit better suited to him this time though. At the very least she better not be allergic to robots! And she’d better know how to take care of him. He’s absolutely useless at looking after himself!

Now, if you’ll excuse me I think I need to be sick again. Man, this is some hangover!

<--- Previous: Babies! / Next: Oldie Cuteness -->

Babies!

2006-08-16T14:24:00.000+10:00

So while Timothy has been busy wife hunting, Dixon and Aneleh were getting ready for their first child together.

Since Aneleh had been so tired and hungry lately, Dixon decided he’d help out by venturing into the kitchen one day to make lunch. He probably should have stuck to sandwiches. Note how diligent the maid is. She was determined to finish cleaning that one counter no matter the danger.

Only once she finished the counter did she give way to panic. Luckily the fireman had arrived by then and he and Dixon each grabbed fire extinguishers and set to putting the fire out. It took a while but finally it became safe for Dixon to retrieve the now ruined chilli con carne.

Wisely deciding to not risk a second house fire Dixon calls up for pizza.

“That’s right, I’ll be needing lots of pizzas.You may need to bring a second truck. I’ve got a hungry, pregnant wife here and all I do is start fires! You have to help me!” pleads poor Dixon. He’ll be lucky if he doesn’t get the Social Worker instead of the pizza delivery boy coming over with talk like that!

Not to worry, Dixon, she won’t be pregnant for long. Well, she’ll probably still be hungry but the pregnant part should be dealt with soon. Dixon makes what he probably thinks are encouraging hand motions and starts providing advice. “Right, this I can deal with. Just stay calm and uhh, don’t fall over when you spin, okay honey? We’ll be right as rain in a minute or so.”

“We? What do you mean we? How about I smack you over the head for doing this to me? I’m sure I’ll feel better then! I can’t believe I’m doing this again! And where the *censored* is my pizza??” Aneleh yells while clutching her stomach and trying to remember which way she’s supposed to spin.

Fortunately Aneleh managed to both spin the right way and avoid falling over and delivered a healthy son.

“Here you take him, Dixon. I’m not feeling so good,” Aneleh says, passing baby Thomas to her husband. “Either I’m really, really hungry or I need to… Ow! Or I need to spin again!”

Another spin and suddenly Aneleh is holding little Katherine who demonstrates her intelligence by recognising her mother straight away. What a smart little girl!

The proud parents. It’s a little late in life since they’re both about to become elders but I’m sure they’ll manage. Hopefully they won’t have to call on one of those evil nannies. Thomas is being held by Dixon with Katherine being held by Aneleh. It’s hard to see but Thomas and Katherine both have Dixon’s custom brown eyes.

Meanwhile, in the house across the road, Arcadia is also pregnant. It’s a little late for Blair and Arcadia too but they’re family-oriented sims and would have been desperately unhappy to have grown old with no children around them.

While Arcadia concentrates on being pregnant and increasing her cooking skills, Blair has been busy getting fired from his job as a Psychic Phone Pal. Not to worry, this is his perfect chance to start that flower shop that he’s been dreaming about. He’s spending all his time now making enough flowers to stock the shop he’s planning on buying.

One night after an afternoon spent lazing around in bed (amongst other things) Arcadia suddenly goes into labour.

“Now?” Blair complains. “But I’m about to do the dishes, Arcadia, can’t this wait?”
Unsurprisingly, Arcadia’s reply doesn’t bear repeating. Where does she pick up that sort of language from?

Before Blair could wipe the shock off his face at his normally sweet-tempered wife’s swearing, little Paul McCarthy was born.

The dishes were left forgotten as Blair rushed over to see his son. I think he was a little surprised for some reason. Still, they both seemed pretty happy about it so that’s the important thing.

<-- Previous: To Find A Wife: Part I / Next: Katie's Diary Entry -->

To Find A Wife: Part I

2006-08-16T13:27:00.000+10:00

With his mother remarried and living with Dixon, and Arcadia happily married to Blair, Timothy decided it was time that he did his duty to continue the family line.

“So, the thing is that I really need to get married. You’re kind of cute, I mean you’re not fantastic, but you’re here and there’s no reason you can’t keep being my gardener after we’re married. What do you think?”
“Oh, wow, well that’s really sweet but you see I’m already married. Yup, that’s right. I’m married to… uhh… to my truck. She’s really jealous too. You know, I think I have to go now.”

Not in the least discouraged, Timothy invited Katie and their mutual friend, Kana Livingston, over for lunch. He and Kana had been something of a hot item in college and Katie was always tons of fun so he reasoned that he shouldn't have any problems getting some attention that afternoon.

Sadly for Timothy, the girls’ eyes lit up when they saw the chessboard and poor Timothy was ignored the entire afternoon while they played. In desperation, he was forced to talk to himself in his hand mirror.

“Who’s a handsome devil then? Oh yes you are, yes you are! Who wouldn’t want to marry you, you stud-muffin you!”

Timothy was getting desperate for some attention from the ladies by now so he called up the local gypsy matchmaker, threw a huge pile of cash at her, and begged her to send him his ideal woman. He waited breathlessly while the gypsy stared intently into her crystal ball.

Suddenly he heard bells ringing and Timothy’s heart beat faster knowing that his true love would soon be revealed to him. “Hey, lover boy! Your phone is ringing,” the gypsy informs him.

“Okay, here ya go. Have fun and lots of babies and stuff. Bye!” The matchmaker shoves all the cash in her purse and takes off down the street.

“Hey babe, how would you like to be my date for the evening?” Timothy obviously wasn’t about to be choosy at this point.

His “date” stared at him blankly. “You have got to be kidding me,” she said. “I’m out of here. Bye.”

Poor Timothy wasn’t having much luck with the ladies these days. To take his mind of his woes he headed to a local Chinese restaurant and ordered his favourite meal, spaghetti.

He spent what seemed like hours sitting at the bar, staring into space and thinking. In fact, he spent so long staring into space that he didn’t notice that he no longer had a drink in his hand or that there was a blonde policewoman swooning over him behind his back. And he wonders why he’s still single!

Many non-existent glasses of water later, Timothy came to a decision. He would simply throw himself into his work and worry about marriage later. A good decision it seems since his career was doing better than his love life. He’d been offered a role as President of a company straight out of college and within a short period of time he’d worked his way up to CEO. Not long after that he was officially declared a bona fide Business Tycoon. Timothy had dreamed of this all his life and to celebrate he bought himself a fancy new sports car and a wardrobe of expensive new clothes.

All that money and the new look must have given Timothy some confidence. The next time he invited a girl over she played chess with him instead of wandering off in boredom. Of course, it helps that Meredith, the girl in question, loved money almost as much as Timothy did.

“So, Timothy, how much did you say you make these days?”
“Piles and piles of cash, baby.”
“Wow… that is so hot."

And then there was Timothy’s hairdresser. Poor Kana Wong didn’t even make it to the front door before Timothy pounced on her and made his intentions known. Funny, she doesn’t seem to be complaining that much.

The next night it was off to dinner with another Kana, his old college sweetheart.

The night was going very well and Kana had been more than happy to indulge in a little harmless snogging in the middle of the restaurant. Certain restaurant patrons were less than impressed, however.

“Ooh, is that berry pie I see over there? I’ll be right back!”

Timothy makes his escape and leaves poor Kana to deal with Mrs Crumplebottom and her handbag.

On another night of dancing and cruising for potential wives, Timothy happens to run into a strange looking fellow who insists that he’s a vampire. Not that Timothy really cares, he’s just happy that this Count is impressed by his status as Business Tycoon in Lonely River. They sit down at the bar together and have a nice long conversation about the similarities between a successful businessman and a successful vampire.

Suddenly Timothy has a brilliant idea. “Hey, if you’re really a vampire perhaps you could do me a favour. See there’s this Denise Jacquet woman who’s been stalking me and just won’t stop poking me. I don’t know what her problem is but she won’t leave me alone."

Timothy pauses and frowns in thought. "Well there was that one time when I broke up my friend Katie’s date with her son, Gilbert. That guy is a real sleaze. Katie can do much better than that. I don’t know where she picks up these losers!” Timothy coughs as he realises he’s gotten sidetrack. “Ahem, as I was saying I don’t know what the old lady’s problem is but I’d appreciate it if you could, I don’t know, bite her a little or something. ”

“Consider it done!” Count Michael Howe beams at Timothy. “I haven’t bitten anybody in ages and I need the practice.” What a nice vampire!

As Timothy heads for his car he walks past the Count biting Mrs Jacquet as promised. “Thanks Count, I owe you one. Oh, and lady? Keep your sleazy son away from my Katie.”

In between work, dating, looking for more dates, and getting old ladies bitten by vampires, Timothy has become quite the handyman around the house.

In fact, he’s gotten so good at fixing things that he’s branched out into experimenting in robotics. Ahh that little toy robot he first made never fails to crack him up.

Not all the robots he’s been making lately are cute however. Somebody has been sneaking past Timothy’s house every night tipping over his rubbish bin but with his latest invention, the SentryBot 3000, his rubbish bin is safe once more. As it turns out it was one of his fellow Secret Society members.

It seems Alicia, despite being a Romance sim, wasn’t happy about seeing somebody she had a crush on going on so many dates with other women. You’d think she’d be more understanding! Never mind, if she wasn’t before she certainly will be once the SentryBot 3000 has gotten through with her.

Since the Mrs Crumplebottom incident Kana Livingston hasn’t been returning his calls but that’s fine with Timothy. He’s been seeing the other Kana lately and she even loves spaghetti as much as he does.

In fact, they fell in love over spaghetti. What are the odds?

Based upon little more than their mutual love of spaghetti, Timothy decided to propose. As soon as Kana had the ring on her finger they headed straight back to Timothy’s place to see what else they might have in common.

There was one slight hitch, however.

“Uh, Timothy? Is this a… is this a…” Thud! Timothy turns to see his brand new fiancé collapse on the ground next to his brand new MunchieBot.

“Dead? What do you mean dead??” Timothy incredulously asks the Grim Reaper.

“D-E-A-D. You do know the meaning of the word, boy? Yup, it says right here: Allergic to robots. You didn’t think to ask her before you proposed? Well, not my problem. Have a nice life. What’s left of it anyway,” snickers the Grim Reaper. He’s really got an unpleasant sense of humour. I guess it goes with the job.

Grimmie disappears with Kana’s body, leaving Timothy alone with only an urn and the MunchieBot for company.

Oh no! Now, poor Timothy is going to have to start again. Can he face another round of dating, dancing and chatting up strange sim ladies in bars?

Find out next time in “To Find a Wife: Part II”

(Hel: I feel so bad about poor Kana. She was pretty and they got on like a house on fire but unfortunately she was severely bugged. Whenever they were out together he could do all the interactions with her but whenever she was on the lot it was as if she was an NPC he'd just met. I nearly tried to get her to move in with cheats but a) that's a little ridiculous; b) this is the Legacy lot we're talking about here; and c) there are plenty of other sim-fish in the sea. So, rather than have them break up and have each of them furious at the other for all eternity, it seemed the easiest (and funniest storyline wise) to just knock her off. Poor Kana *sniff*)

<-- Previous: Katie's Update / Next: Babies! -->

Katie's Update

2006-08-01T08:14:00.000+10:00

So we know Katie’s gone to college, gotten into the Secret Society, become Timothy’s best friend of all his best friends (at least that’s what Katie calls it), and redecorated her dorm room. What else has she been up to?

Well there’s been a lot of study naturally but she’s managed to squeeze in time for a few other activities.

Like filling up every high score position on the pinball machine Timothy gave her.

Chattering away on her mobile day and night. The other kids in her dorm have nicknamed her “Little Miss Talks-A-Lot”!

There’s always time in the day for some pillow fighting.

And lots of time for just hanging out and gossiping with her best girl friend, Kana Livingston. Kana’s also been spending a lot of time with Timothy lately and seems to have the inside track on his rather large list of girlfriends.

Incidentally, despite having graduated and married Arcadia Enriquez recently Blair just can’t seem to tear himself away from college. He can’t seem to find a shower or any table manners either.

Out on a date with Mitch Indie one night Katie is stunned into both insensibility and love as she listens to Mitch talk about… what is that exactly? A boat? A crumpled up piece of paper? Whatever it is it has Katie hooked!

Without any further ado she pounces on Mitch and lets him know exactly how she feels. Young Katie isn’t one for wasting any time!

Not having room for a double bed in her dorm room, Katie and Mitch make inventive use of that hot tub somebody had left by her telescope. Yup, definitely not wasting any time!

Has Mitch, with his heart set on starting a family as soon as possible, found the future Mrs Indie? Katie Indie? Oh dear, that doesn’t sound right at all. Not to worry, that’s a long way in the future for now. Katie still has to concentrate on graduating and squeezing in as much fun time as possible before worrying about any of that sort of serious stuff.

<-- Previous: Arcadia's Update / Next: To Find A Wife: Part I -->

Arcadia's Update

2006-07-31T20:37:00.000+10:00

After Aneleh's wedding Arcadia kept putting off moving out from the Legacy house until the morning she caught herself having a discussion with Timothy about how hot the maid was. That was when she realised that she’d been spending far too much time almost solely in Timothy’s company. Yup, it was definitely time to get out and get a life of her own.

That same morning she pulled out the newspaper and started looking for a new house.

It wasn’t long before she picked one out that seemed perfect, packed her belongings and walked out of the house that she’d shared with Aneleh and Timothy for so many years now without a backwards glance. Arcadia was very practical by nature, and after all, she was leaving her little surrogate family for the possibility of a real family of her own.

Arcadia had been secretly engaged to Blair McCarthy (remember blue-hair guy in the hot tub?) since Aneleh met Dixon but there’d been so much going on that she didn’t like to mention it. Besides, it was kind of fun having a secret! But now it was time for the secret to come out. Arcadia and Blair did some fast redecorating, called up their friends and announced that they were having a wedding party.

It was a small party consisting of Stella, Genesis and Christopher from Arcadia’s old dorm, Timothy and Katie, and Aneleh & Dixon. Arcadia and Blair's house was pretty tiny but somehow they managed to fit everybody in and to even find dancing room.

Blair had obviously picked up a lot of dance moves from Aneleh while they were in college. Arcadia looks just as pleased about this move as Dixon did when Aneleh demonstrated it to him!

Aneleh’s own extreme dance moves will have to wait a while. Looks like she wasn’t as past getting pregnant as she thought!

<-- Previous: Amin's Update / Next: Katie's Update -->

Amin's Update

2006-07-31T20:25:00.000+10:00

Just a quick check-in to see how Amin and his new family are going.

Amin’s grown into quite a dashing looking elder (if you can ignore that stupid pointy nose he’s added to my Legacy gene pool!) He seems to have taken Dixon at his word and has been doing his best to avoid Aneleh even going so far as to avoid the shops and restaurants she likes to go to.

Amanda has also grown up and fast! Last we saw her she was a sweet little toddler. Well she’s now a teenager and seriously thinking of heading off to college at the earliest opportunity. Her parents are just a little too flakey for her and she wants to be off learning and doing important things.

A few days later and it was Cara’s turn. She definitely wasn’t impressed to discover she was now an elder and hadn’t done anything she’d hoped to accomplish. The fact that perhaps she might have accomplished more if she hadn’t spent her days only watching TV or playing pool never even occurred to her.

Amin's house seems to have another occupant. Joe hadn't made an appearance until everybody in the house started growing up quite rapidly. Perhaps he's worked his way through all those aromatherapy leaves buried in his grave and is getting bored.

“Hey Amin! Look at me! Boo!”

Joe must be keen to have his old friend hurry up and join him on the other side. For the first few nights in his new haunting career he was pretty much happy to open and close fridge doors and make table lamps levitate, but he must have gotten the hang of all that and is now branching out into jumping out at people. Wonder what ghost skills he'll pick up next?

So Amin and Cara are still pretty selfish little sims but Amanda shows a lot of promise. She idolises her half-brother, Timothy, so that's always a good start as far as I'm concerned! :) All she needs now is to get some style tips from Katie!

<-- Previous: The Wedding / Next: Arcadia's Update -->

The Wedding

2006-07-30T19:39:00.000+10:00

So with Timothy back in Lonely River it's time for Aneleh & Dixon's wedding.

Aneleh, Timothy and Arcadia got up early and discussed their plans for the morning. Mostly it seems to consist of shopping, followed by shopping, and probably some more shopping.

The moment breakfast was over everybody piled into a taxi and headed off for Bluewater Village, the shopping haven of SimCity (or so the jingle says!).

Aneleh and Arcadia are perfectly happy to browse for hours at Amelia’s Closet. Timothy parks himself on a nearby couch and resigns himself to a long day.

Fortunately, Dixon drops by so he and Timothy get to wile away the hours chatting about such manly topics as the weather while Aneleh and Arcadia take turns trying on dresses.

Aneleh seemed to have her heart set on a red dress. It definitely suited her but everybody expressed their doubts about the suitability of a red wedding dress. She ignored all their concerns, however, and tried on red dress…

…after red dress…

…after red dress.

Until finally she found the perfect wedding dress. Classic, old-fashioned, and definitely not red to the relief of all.

Then, of course, it was Arcadia’s turn to hunt for a dress. At this point, Dixon suddenly remembered all the preparations he had to do at home and abandoned Timothy to yet another session of “does this dress make my teeth look too big?”

Aneleh used the time to speak privately to Timothy about something she’d decided on.

“I just wanted you to know that the house will be all yours soon, Timothy. I’ll be living with Dixon and Arcadia says she’ll be moving out soon too.”

Timothy shrugged. “I figured you’d want to live with Dixon but Arcadia doesn’t have to go anywhere. I’m happy for her to stay as long as she wants. It’s her home isn’t it?”

“I appreciate that, Timothy, and I’m sure Arcadia knows that,” Aneleh smiled. “She’s adamant that she needs to move out but I get the feeling it’s got nothing to do with either of us. Whatever is going on with her I suppose she’ll tell us when she’s ready.”

“Now that I've got that serious stuff out of the way I’ve got a funny story to tell you about how Dixon almost moved to India on an elephant!”

Finally the dresses were all picked out and it was time to move on to the salon. After her last experience there Arcadia was a little nervous but the hairdresser seemed very confident.

“I shall make you look like a queen for your wedding day!” he proclaimed.

“Uh, it’s her wedding, not mine,” Arcadia said, pointing at Aneleh. The hairdresser waved his hand in the air unconcernedly. “Whatever! We shall make you a queen anyway.”

Unfortunately he also tried to make Timothy look like a queen, complete with makeup.
“If you don’t fix this right now I’ll make you eat that ugly blue vest!”

“Beautiful lady, I shall make you look like a queen for your wedding day!”
“A queen? Really? Wow, thanks!” giggles the clueless Aneleh.

After they'd all had their turn on the makeover chair they hired out one of the salon’s hot tubs and resumed discussion of the day's battle plans.

Finally it was off to the bakery to pick up the wedding cake then home to finish getting ready before the wedding began in the evening.

Evening has arrived and so have all the guests. As Aneleh walks up to stand beside Dixon underneath the wedding arch, it’s obvious everybody is thinking about her.

Aneleh barely hears a word of Dixon's carefully prepared vows (something about love and cherish, yadda yadda yadda) and just stands there swooning over him while thinking about how lucky she is to be marrying a man who’s become one of her (many) best friends.

Then as Dixon slides the ring onto her finger it suddenly hits Aneleh. Dixon is rich! What a wonderful added bonus!

That's it! They’re officially married and Dixon gathers Aneleh into his arms to kiss her gently and carefully. She'd warned him about the consequences of messing up her hair and it all sounded rather painful.

The guests headed inside for some dancing and to enjoy the buffet but Aneleh and Dixon stayed outside a little longer to enjoy some of their wedding cake in private. Again, all very sedate and no mussing occurred.

The limo showed up at the door with a screech of tires, Aneleh and Dixon jumped in and then sat there looking at each other for a moment.

“Dixon, let’s just stay here tonight. I think I’d like our first night together to be here, in the house we’ll share for the rest or our lives,” Aneleh said softly.

Dixon nodded. “That makes sense. Come on, we can take a holiday any time.” He paid off the driver and the pair ran back into the house.

(Arg! I’m doomed with limos! First Amin won’t get into the limo (not even at his second wedding with Cara), then both Dixon and Aneleh manage to get into the limo but then nothing happens. They just sat there for a couple of hours until eventually they get out and the limo drives off. What is it with these sims and limos??)

So the happy couple forgo their honeymoon and slip off upstairs to prepare for bed… and other amusements.

Much, much later the pair made it out of bed in the early hours of the morning and decided it was time for yet more amusements. Strip pinball!

Later that day Dixon wakes up once again and stares out of the window in a kind of a daze. There seemed to be only one thing on his mind.

He was still thinking about it as he walked to the letterbox to collect the mail.

And while he was bringing the mail back into the house too. He seems pretty happy with his wedding night even if they didn’t take advantage of the limo to go on a proper holiday.

Aneleh is awake and dressed by now and has made them a nice lunch of uh… burnt chilli con carne. She must be distracted as well; I’ve never known her to burn her food before!

“I know you’ve been living on fast food while Katie’s been in college, Dixon, but I want you to know that I’ll make sure to cook you good meals every day. I love you so much!” Aneleh beams at Dixon across the burnt chilli. Dixon can only smile weakly at her.

Aneleh scoffs her entire bowl without even noticing for a second that her food is burnt to a crisp. Dixon, meanwhile, is still trying to bring himself to eat it.

All marriages have their drawbacks I guess. Aneleh does better with the salad that evening but now it’s Dixon’s turn to put her off her food by bringing up elephants again.

“You know, I’ve been thinking," he says. "Remember how I nearly went to India to live a nomad life travelling around on elephants? Well, I realise it’s probably a bit unrealistic to go all the way to India to travel around on them but then it hit me! I can just buy an elephant and ride it around Lonely River! What do you think?”

As I was saying, all marriages have their drawbacks. Aneleh lies awake in bed that night wondering how she'll tell Dixon that she doesn’t like his car. Oh dear. Let’s just hope it grows on her!

<-- Previous: What Timothy Has Been Up To / Next: Amin's Update -->

What Timothy Has Been Up To

2006-07-29T10:37:00.000+10:00

Unfortunately I lost a whole heap of Timothy shots from early in his college life. So here's a quick summary of Timothy’s life so far.

He’s been studying economics since that should give him a head-start in his desire to become a Business Tycoon. He started out living in his mother’s old dorm but very quickly got tired of dorm life and, as he had the cash from all those lovely scholarships, off he went to a nice little two-bedroom house. He converted one room into a study, put up all his posters and his painting of his dad and he was all set.

Timothy had only been at Academie Le Tour for a short while when he noticed quite a few people wearing oddly formal blazers with a llama logo congregating at the local coffee house. Since most of them were attractive young women he naturally struck up a friendship with as many of these lovely ladies as he could. (yup, he ran into a whole heap of them on his first try! I was jotting down names as fast as I could! lol)

He was pleasantly surprised when a blonde girl he hadn’t met yet showed up in the middle of the night with a pair of handcuffs. Considering the disappointed look on his face, I can only assume that she’s telling him that she’s not here for anything kinky but only to take him someplace where he can finally take care of that nose. I'm blaming Amin for that ridiculously pointy nose.

The next thing Timothy knew he was being dumped out of the limo at a very old looking building, surrounded by quite a few more women and stuffed into some maroon pants and the llama blazer. He was now a fully fledged member of a (mostly female right now) Secret Society. He wasn’t complaining a bit by this stage!

Naturally, the first thing he did was to get a little work done on his nose and chin. Doesn’t he look so much better?

One day after Timothy had just finished work on a rather exhausting term paper, Amin dropped by the house. Quite naturally they felt the need to discuss the whole Joe/Aneleh/Amin cheating thing all over again. It seems Amin rarely wants to talk about anything else.

Since Amin had remarried by now and also had a new child, he invited Timothy to stop around some time and meet his young half-sister, Amanda.

Amanda was by now a very cute little toddler. Timothy thought it might be nice to give her a present from her big brother so he brought along this bunny/teddy bear thing.

I think that went over well!

Cara quickly whips up a berry pie and they all sit down to eat and chat. Amanda got in on the act as well although she didn't have any berry pie and had to resort to chewing on her bunny.

Meanwhile, Dixon's little girl Katie has gotten all grown up and is now living on campus in one of the dorms. One of the first things she did (apart from changing her look) was, of course, to customise her dorm room.

In due time, Timothy and Katie meet and talk about (what else?) how their parents met. At least I hope that’s what they’re talking about!

Amin isn’t the only one dropping by. Aneleh also drops in one afternoon to see how Timothy is going with college and to tell him that she’s about to get married to Dixon. I imagine that Timothy is more than a little disappointed considering how much he’s been wanting to flirt with young Katie. Little does he know that he’s not really allowed to get anywhere with her anyway. He does have a legacy to keep going after all and there are rather strict rules about who he is and isn't allowed to marry.

By amazing coincidence Blair drops by (still going to college, oddly enough) and Arcadia also phones that same afternoon. Timothy goes all carpe diem, tells Arcadia to get over there, calls up Katie and some of his secret society buddies and suddenly it’s a party. Alright, a pretty boring party where everybody just sits around talking a lot about sport but it seemed to go over okay.

And more importantly it got his new best friend, Katie, into the secret society. Unfortunately for Katie the guy who came to collect her in the limo was neither good-looking or nice to her. He had a particularly nasty look on his face the entire time and was actually pretty rough with the handcuffs.

Seeing how hip and cool Katie was (and how much she teased him) prompted a new look for Timothy. He has the new nose and chin so he doesn't really need all that hair to hide behind now. A new, trendy hairstyle and a pair of sunglasses and suddenly he’s surprisingly cool and good-looking again just like he was when he was a teenager before he grew into his nose.

He and Katie are now nearly inseparable (not to mention insufferable!). Every time they meet they feel they absolutely have to do the Secret Handshake.

Still, they look pretty cute together doing it! At this point both me and Timothy are cursing those stupid legacy rules about the heir only being able to marry townies and NPC’s! Especially since the other things they want to do with each really only consist of flirting. These two require some very careful watching!

Must have been a great outing! Timothy snuck up and left Katie a pinball machine. What is it with his family and pinball machines?

Somewhere amongst the Secret Society and Katie, Timothy must have studied a little as he’s now graduating. The party was another hit and then he quickly stuffs his beloved movie posters back into his suitcases and heads back to Lonely River.

Where he gets to meet Dixon Hill for the first time.

Aneleh makes sure that they all sit down to a nice dinner and then they stay up chatting into the wee hours. About aliens. Don’t ask me… perhaps Dixon had been wondering about Timothy’s hair and whether or not aliens were responsible! Either that or Aneleh wants to know if aliens are still experimenting on students at the campus.

<-- Previous: The Big Date / Next: The Wedding -->

The Big Date

2006-07-25T11:17:00.000+10:00

Hel:- Thanks to Aneleh & Dixon being a little busy I finally get my turn at narration!

After the death of Joe, Dixon ended up leaving it a few weeks before asking Aneleh out officially. They’d been on outings together and chatted over the phone a lot during that period but they still hadn’t officially dated. Luckily for Dixon she nearly jumped down the phone with joy when he asked her.

First they went to dinner at a lovely restaurant in Lonely River called Lacoste. Aneleh nearly swooned when Dixon kissed her hand like an old-fashioned gentleman. The ladies from Jane Austen’s time didn’t frequently swoon for nothing it seems! As a side note, I’m not sure that guy in the grungy outfit is going to meet the dress code…

As Aneleh and Dixon were being seated a familiar face was also sitting down at a nearby table.
“He better ask her to marry him tonight. I’m getting sick of this suspense,” Arcadia muttered under her breath as she sat down to spy on the couple.

While they waited for their meals Lisa Ramirez marched up to their table and started staring at Dixon, fanning herself repeatedly. Looks like Aneleh isn't the only one swooning over Dixon tonight!

Fortunately for Lisa's health Aneleh and Dixon only had eyes for each other and didn’t notice her. Aneleh's body skill is maxed out and she's very fit. I'm not sure drooling over Aneleh's man is a wise decision, Lisa!

Naturally Lisa paid not the slightest attention to me. She continued to ignore her own meal while watching Dixon eat. Dixon’s definitely swoon-worthy tonight! See Dixon? This is what happens when you pick up a razor and shave once in a while.

The thankfully oblivious couple finish both their meal and doing all those cute, soppy things like feeding each other and blowing kisses, and head off for the next stop on the agenda for tonight. Not that this deters Lisa who walks out of the restaurant after them.

The poor woman even follows them right out to the car and stands there in the middle of the road forlornly watching them drive away. Poor Lisa…. Go home to your husband, you idiot!
(I have only one explanation for her behaviour: she must have been getting tips on how to get a guy from Maja Moolah. That’s the only other sim I’ve heard of behaving this way! Go back to your own town, Maja! You’re corrupting my sims! ;) )

Next stop: a little karaoke…

…then some more swooning outside the photo booth where they’d been getting some cute romantic photos taken…

…and then on to a nightclub for some dancing. Dixon seems pretty impressed with Aneleh’s flexibility although Aneleh looks like she might be in pain. It might be time for some more yoga lessons!

Gradually the dance floor fills up and there are enough people now that they can steal a few kisses without Mrs Crumplebottom noticing.

They stay on that dance floor until the sun starts to come up. Oddly the nightclub didn’t really start to get packed until then. Must be the fear of vampires.

Then it’s off to a romantic park with its very own love maze to watch the sun come up. Apparently. The sun could have come up, done a tap dance and then turned itself into a balloon animal for an encore and these too wouldn’t have noticed.

Meanwhile further on in the garden, Mrs Crumplebottom is getting slack in her self-appointed role as moral guardian of Lonely River and surrounding towns (she does get around doesn’t she?). She marched right past the smooching couple and proceeded to berate an innocent pot plant for being in its swimming togs. Or maybe it’s because it was beside a pool and not in togs. It’s hard to say. Regardless, it’s obviously past time for poor Mrs Crumplebottom to take her medication.

Dixon has finally realized that a maze is for running around and getting lost in with your lover and run off with Aneleh in… well, kind of hot pursuit. I guess it’s hard to run in that sort of a dress and heels.

Finally they get tired out and stop in this conveniently romantic little archway where Dixon proceeds to serenade the very appreciative Aneleh.

Suddenly, mid-serenade he whips out a little box with a shiny ring inside. Oddly, it’s glowing green… I really hope it's not kryptonite!

Naturally the first thing Aneleh does is puts on the ring and checks to see if it matches her dress.

I suppose it must have!

They wrap up the evening… er, morning... with some more back-breaking smooching and Dixon heads home a very happy man.

Poor Dixon. The first thing Katie asks her dad when he gets home is “So did you kiss her again?”

Dixon suddenly develops a pressing need to clean up the breakfast dishes but later while drinking some much needed coffee he tells her the story of how they nearly moved to India to become nomads travelling around with their elephants.

“You know I’m glad we’re not living a nomadic life in India, Dad, because I’m off to college tomorrow,” Katie tactfully tells her father while watching her favourite program (she can’t get enough of those people setting themselves on fire I think). Poor Dixon just looks confused. He’s likely wondering why Katie wants to go to college when she’s only a little baby. You're going to have to realise your little Katie is nearly all grown up, Dixon.

It looks like Aneleh was very happy with her date as well. She sneaks by later that evening to drop off a pinball machine as a thank you for the great date. Interesting. He gives her an engagement ring, she gives him a pinball machine. Oh well, he’s a guy so I’m sure he’ll love it. Either that or it’s a bribe for Katie!

Bonus Video: Dixon Prepares For The Big Date!

<-- Previous: Amin Needs Help / Next: What Timothy Has Been Up To -->

Amin Needs Help

2006-07-24T10:02:00.000+10:00

Yup, I’m certain of it. I’m in love with that woman now. Nothing for it. Now what? I can’t just call her up and say, “So now that those two worthless losers are out of your life how about a date with little ol’ me?” Yeah, I’m sure that’d go over real well. Besides, I didn’t just want a date. I don’t want a girlfriend. I want a wife, dammit! More specifically I want Aneleh to be my wife. I didn’t buy that babble about apologising about kissing me for a moment. Anybody could tell she was just saying that because she was embarrassed and didn’t know what to say.

I mulled over the problem for a day or so and finally decided that I’d leave it for awhile and then just call Aneleh up and ask her out. I've waited my entire life for her, a little longer won't kill me. Almost as soon as I’d come to that decision there was a knock at my back door. A little odd but not that unusual. Not everybody wants to be seen knocking at the front door of a Private Investigator especially if the problem they want investigating is a little on the shady side.
And speaking of shady, look who it is at the back door. Mr. Amin Legacy aka “The Sleaze”.

Katie is safely upstairs in bed so despite my better judgement I open the door and try to remind myself he probably doesn’t know who I am.

“Why hello there, it’s Amin isn’t it?” I beam at him like an idiot. Amin waves me away and marches inside.

“Yeah, yeah, let's cut to the chase, shall we? Joe says you’re a Private Investigator spying on me for my ex-wife. Is he right?”

Oh. It’s one of those visits. I sigh and brace myself for the inevitable punch. “I’m afraid so, Amin. Nothing personal. Just doing my job.”

“Good. This your office?” He points into the room next to the kitchen.

“Uhh yeah… Good? What do you mean, good?”

Amin parks himself in one of my visitor chairs and waves me towards my seat behind the desk. I grit my teeth at the nerve of the man offering me a seat in my own office but decide to wait until I’ve heard him out before I punch his teeth down his neck.

“We’ve got a problem”, Amin says bluntly. “Joe is dead.”

“What? How? When? And wait, why is this my problem exactly?”

“I’ll get to that. First let me tell you what’s happened then we’ll get to how you’re going to sort this out for me.”

“I got a call from Joe the morning after you delivered your so-called report to my ex-wife. He was very upset and babbled something about coming to stay for a few days. I tried to talk him out of it, I’ve got a wife and baby daughter now after all, but he just said he was on his way and hung up.”

“The poor guy was devastated. He’d just lost his job from missing so many days at work despite all my influence, and now he’d lost his lover, not to mention a lot of bargaining power with me.”

“Joe was furious with you, by the way. As far as he is… was… concerned everything was your fault. He said he was sure you only ratted him out to Aneleh to get her yourself. You do realise that he didn’t go straight away after you threw him out? Joe snuck around to one of the windows just in time to see you and my ex-wife in a nice little embrace.”

“Over the next few nights Joe locked himself in my basement, refused to eat a thing and spent the entire time with the bubble-blowing machine and a rather sizeable quantity of my… aromatherapy leaves.”

“I tried to get in several times, of course, but the door just wouldn’t budge. Then tonight I heard a strange voice that wasn’t Joe’s and the door suddenly came unlocked. Naturally my wife and I raced in to discover Joe lying on the floor and this creepy ghost standing over him with a very big scythe.”

“Cara and I were very upset when the strange ghost thing said that Joe was dead and he’d be taken away now. I was going to beg for Joe’s life but then I realised that he’s probably much happier where he is now. Joe’s body got surrounded by some type of white light and then he and the ghost were gone. I was left with a heap of… aromatherapy leaves… and lot of mess, and a plain looking urn where Joe was just now.”

“And straight after that I came to you.”

“Uhh! Why me? What do you think I can do about it now? Joe’s gone and I really don’t have any pull with the afterlife, you know.”

“Well, you can keep me out of jail for a start. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am now and I’m not going to go to prison. And the reason you’re going to help me should be obvious. Aneleh’s right in the middle of this and from what Joe was saying I get the feeling you’re not about to let anything bad happen to her.”

I sighed and walked out of the office to think. It’s a nice little office but useless for pacing in.

Amin followed me out and parked himself on the sofa. At least he piped down long enough to let me think.

“Okay, Amin. I’ve thought about this. Now, I could just pick up the phone and have my friend Brandi come out and arrest you for the possession and possibly even the selling of your little… aromatherapy leaves. The image of you stuffed away in a prison cell in one those ugly orange jumpsuits is mighty appealing, let me tell you. But I’ll put my own personal pleasure aside for now and I’ll help you deal with Joe – or what’s left of him anyway. The way I see it, Aneleh has been through enough already because of you and Joe. I did promise her to keep anything I might discover out of the courts if I could and I never go back on my word. So I’m going to head back to your place with you and then I’ll tell you what you have to do after I’ve seen the whole situation.”

Amin nodded and headed for the door. Then something must have occurred to him because he started to laugh.

“And what’s so funny?” I ask. This is really not the time for the man to develop a funny bone.

“You!” he snickers. “You’re actually in love with her, aren’t you? I mean Joe wanted her but only as payback for leaving him for me and to get in her bed. She is a good-looking woman after all. But you...” he was laughing so hard now he was gasping for air. “You actually…”

“…oompf!” Amin didn’t really get to finish his sentence on account of my fist driving into his chest. Man, that felt good.

“Ow! That really hurt!”

“Good. It was supposed to. Now let’s get moving before you tempt me to do it again.”

I scribbled a quick note to Katie and followed Amin out of the house. I really didn’t want to be helping this idiot but I did make a promise to Aneleh and I’ve a mind to keep it.

Once we got to Amin’s house we went straight to the basement where Joe died. The only thing left of Joe was a plain, grey urn. All of Amin's smug confidence vanished when he saw the urn again and he actually dissolved into hysterics mostly consisting of “Why me?” and “Why did he have to die here?”

“Hey! Snap out of it, will you? What’s done is done. Unless you’ve got a mad scientist amongst your acquaintances you’re probably not about to get your hands on a time machine, so we’ll just have to deal with the situation as it is.”

Amin sniffled – the man actually sniffled – and nodded mutely.

“Right, now the first you’re going to have to do is get rid of all that rubbish over there,” I indicated the bubble-blower and the little boxes of leaves surrounding it. “Second, open some damn windows; it smells in here. I’m also thinking you’re going to have to do something about those ashes but we’ll talk about that in a minute. Now, you said something about a wife and child. I heard you remarried but a kid?”

Amin nodded. “Cara and I married when she fell pregnant. Amanda was only born a few days ago. I think Cara's awake already. I'd better introduce you or I'll never hear the end of it."

“Cara this is a uh, friend of mine, Dixon Hill. We’re just going to have an early meeting about some business of mine. Why don’t you go bring Amanda up? He hasn’t seen her yet.”

Cara nodded. “Okay, I’ll be right back.” She kissed Amin and disappeared off to get the baby. She was definitely not my type but she seemed nice enough and Amin looked pretty gone on her.

Once Cara had left the room I looked at Amin sternly.

“Right. Now, if you have any brains left in that head of yours, Amin, you’ll do exactly what I say. Get rid of that machine, get rid of any of those little leaves or the plants that you might have around the house. And when I say get rid of I definitely don’t mean burn them! Bury them or something. Maybe bury them with Joe’s ashes, I’m sure that’d make him happy.”

Amin looked unhappy but didn’t say anything. He seemed slightly less talkative now for some reason. Maybe that punch knocked some sense into him or maybe he was just having trouble breathing now.

“Two: Whatever crops you might have a stake in you have to get rid of now. Again, I don’t care what you do as long as you get out of the “aromatherapy” business and stay out. It might have gotten you your nice suits and that pool table over there but if you stay in it’ll only get you landed in jail. You’ve already lost one family. Don’t stuff this one up.”

“What about Joe?” Amin whimpered.

I shrugged. “What about him? In case you hadn’t noticed people die all the time, Amin. If anybody asks just say he was running with scissors or thought he saw a ghost and had a heart attack or something. It’s not like they can do an autopsy on an urn. I doubt anybody's going to come looking for Joe anyway. But just to wrap things up properly I’ll have a word to my police buddy and see if she can fill out the right forms.”

Amin grabbed my hand and started shaking it like a madman. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he babbled. I yanked my hand back and made a mental note to wash it as soon as possible.

“Just make sure you follow my instructions. This is your second chance, Amin. Don’t screw it up. Oh, and stay away from me and Aneleh. The next time I see you I'm likely to just give in to temptation and break all your teeth."

Just then Cara came back into the room carrying the baby. Amanda turned out to be a green-eyed little girl with a big smile and Amin’s colouring. I couldn’t help going a little goo-ga over her. Must have been the eyes. Always was a sucker for green eyes.

I made my goodbyes, gave Amin another one of those stern and significant looks, and headed off home.

I hear Amin buried all of his “aromatherapy leaves” with Joe’s ashes out in the backyard and planted some daisies over the top. I’m not sure what Joe would have thought of the daisies but I'm betting he’s right pleased to have all those leaves with him.

<-- Previous: The Report / Next: The Big Date -->

The Report

2006-07-23T22:08:00.000+10:00

Well I got a phone call tonight from Dixon, I mean Mr. Hill. He’s gotten enough information on what’s going on between Joe and Amin that he can give me the report now. He’s coming around soon and in the meantime I just get to sit here and think. Think about that kiss. Think about what he might say about the kiss. Think about what’s in his report. Think about… Oh shut up, woman! I really shouldn’t think so much.

Just as he arrived the phone rang so I quickly introduced Dixon to Arcadia and dashed off to answer the phone. As it happens, it was Joe on the other end of the line. I told him I was a little busy right now but could he come over in about half an hour.
“Sure thing, babe.” Ugh! I hate being called “babe”.

In the meantime, Dixon has settled down on the couch and is waiting for me. He’s looking at me strangely and I can’t help wondering what he’s thinking about. Arcadia had planned to discreetly go off to her room (previously Timothy’s room) to read but I chicken out and wave her over to join us.

There’s an awkward silence for a moment and then I start talking. Naturally, the first thing I do is to babble an apology about the other night and the whole kiss thing. Good one, Aneleh. Real smooth. Arcadia looks baffled and then gives me her patented “you’ll be explaining about that later” look. Dixon… well, Dixon’s face falls a little and he just mumbles a “sure, no problem” then pulls out a folder filled with notes and photos.

He starts passing the photos around and telling us about everything that he discovered. I noticed that he’d turned slightly so that he seemed to mostly be talking to Arcadia. Oh damn, I think I hurt his feelings. Wait… I hurt his feelings? Meaning he had feelings about the kiss? Wow, that’s really… Oh yeah, I’m supposed to be listening to the report.

Dixon finished up and then excused himself to grab a cup of that coffee. Arcadia seems more stunned than I am about the news that Amin and Joe actually had an arrangement and that Joe is now blackmailing Amin.

“So you really were set up to have your marriage broken up, Aneleh! I’m glad we know, now we can deal with Joe and tell him not to darken this doorstep again. Aneleh? Uh… Aneleh?”

“Oh! Yeah, Arcadia. It explains everything. By the way did I mention…” The doorbell chimes. “… oh yeah, did I mention that Joe is coming over? I wanted to talk to him about whatever Dixon, uh... Mr. Hill, found out about him.”

“Hey, babe! You havin’ a party? Cos if you are, I’ve got some great…” He has to stop his sentence because I’m currently slapping him around the face. My focus is right back where it's supposed to be and I'm furious.

“Ow! What’s with the slapping?”

“You lying scum! You had a deal with Amin didn’t you? Break up my marriage, get some cash, get some new stuff for your bubble blowing addiction right? Isn’t that how it went?”

“Hey, woah! How did you find out? I mean, where did you hear that?”

“Huh! So it’s true then? And this is how I found out!” I step back and gesture at Dixon. “Joe Carr, meet Dixon Hill. Dixon is a Private Investigator who enjoys helping a lady in distress and photographing lying scumbags. Dixon, may I introduce Joe Carr, my ex-boyfriend (now twice). Joe is one of the afore-mentioned lying scumbags and a bubble-blowing addict.”

I notice Arcadia making thumbs-up gestures behind Joe’s back but decide to ignore it. Now that he’s actually standing here in front of me I’m definitely finding that I’m more angry than I was earlier when all I could do was think about Dixon and my stupid apology and his lips and that scruffy look he has going for him and… uh, focus Aneleh!

Joe’s still reeling from the slap (or slaps!) I gave him but now he reels in Dixon's general direction.

“You’re a Private Dick?” Joe snickers a little. “So how much you get paid to be one of those private dick things, buddy? Sounds like nice work if you can get it!” Dixon and I just glare at him and Joe starts to look a little nervous.

“Hey, let’s just chill out a little huh? You couldn’t possibly have any proof! Aneleh, are you going to believe this Private Thingy over me? I’ve loved you all those years while you were with that jerk Amin and if you think I’m going to be hanging out with that loser after how he beat me up then well... you… uhh…” Joe stops because Dixon has thrown the photos at him. He glances through them, turns a little pale then looks angry.

“Ahh well… you were lousy in bed anyway! No wonder Amin’s married to that Cara chick now. I hear she’s really something.”

I just stand there doing a fabulous impression of a stunned mullet. Married? Amin got remarried? As far as I know he hasn’t even told Timothy. A thousand questions are flying through my head but fortunately I don’t have to do anything at the moment since Dixon has taken over for me. Joe is grabbed and thrown out the door for his first flying lesson. When I thought to look out the door he didn’t seem to be doing so well at it.

By the time Dixon comes back inside everything has hit me all at once and I realise what a mess my life has been. Married to a man who didn’t actually want me, taking Joe as a lover, ignoring everything in my drive to reach the top of my career. About the only thing I’ve done right must be Timothy. So far I haven’t managed to mess that up and I get the horrible feeling that that’s only a fluke.

The next thing I know there are strong arms around me holding me tight and I’m crying all over Dixon’s leather jacket. I don’t ever want him to let go but too soon he’s saying something about a promise he made to his daughter to help her with her homework and he’s gone.

I mumble something at Arcadia and head straight for bed and sleep like a log. There’s nothing like a million emotions in the space of an hour to make a girl fall right off to sleep.

The next morning Arcadia sees my kind of down face and slaps me on the arm heartily.

“Cheer up, my friend,” she says. “It’s all working out for the best. Now you can forget all about Amin and that other scumbag who shall not be named and move on with your life. It’s all going to work out for you, you know.”

I smile weakly. “I guess, Arcadia. It’s just a little depressing to discover how incredibly clueless I really am.”

“Bah! Who isn’t clueless when it comes to men? Now, speaking of men, what’s this about kissing that dishy Private Investigator?” It figures that it was too much to hope that she’d forgotten about that.

<-- Previous: Dixon Hill On The Case / Next: Amin Needs Help -->

Dixon Hill On The Case

2006-07-21T00:32:00.000+10:00

Warning: Adultish (well as adult as it gets) topics ahead such as bubble-blowing addiction and strange little boxes of plant material!

Holy Cow! She kissed me. I mean I kissed her or maybe she kissed me first. Oh man, what must she be thinking? I’m supposed to be investigating two sleaze-balls for her and now she must think I’m one as well. Good job, idiot.

The moment I saw Aneleh Legacy it was almost as if I could hear bells in the air and there were sparkly lights all around the woman. It didn’t matter that she was in the worst clothes she could possibly have pulled out of a closet or that her hair was way too short for her, I was a lost man the second she looked at me with those big, green eyes. Oh, I’m doomed alright.

There was only one thing to do: put in an order for an elephant so I can flee to India. At the last moment I remember that Katie would probably kill me if we moved again so soon and also that I had a job to do. Goddamn work ethic!
(Hel: He was supposed to be talking to a contact or somebody with one of the crime or money icons above his head but nooo all he wanted to talk about was elephants! Elephants! That kiss must have packed some punch! lol)

So with that work ethic and professionalism dangling before my eyes I track down Amin and stroll past his house just in time to catch him speeding off in a very new looking sports car. So far just from looking at the house and the car I’m getting mid-life crisis alarm bells all over the shop. I find myself a nice, unobtrusive hidey hole and settle in for the wait. And try not to think about Aneleh and what I’d like to… ahem. Yes, uhh… back to surveillance work. Professionalism, work ethic and all that stuff. Right.

Well look who we have here. Amin brought an unexpected friend home from work today: Joe Carr, the sleaze that’s currently dating my Aneleh… err client. Ahem yes, I mean dating the client.

I risk life and limb climbing up the side of the house to get a shot of them sitting down to a nice, cosy dinner. They seem very chummy for two guys who were supposedly fighting over a woman recently. I’ve got a pretty definite hunch that Aneleh’s friend is right and there’s some arrangement going on here.

Now it’s down to the basement. By the looks of that there case next to Joe I don’t think it’s just bubbles in that bubble machine. Huh. Looks to me as if Amin’s bubble machine is a little “customised”.

Over the next few nights I see quite a bit of use of Amin’s special bubble blower. He’s having a lot of parties and that little case of herbs is right at the centre of the fun.

He’s a bit of a busy man, our Amin, and he’s keeping that old gypsy woman plenty busy too. Night after night and sometimes during the day too he’s calling her up paying hand over fist for blind dates. Either he’s searching for Mrs Right or he’s just looking for Miss Tonight.

I’m thinking it’s the latter. Yup, this has got mid-life crisis all over it. So far I’m guessing that our boy Amin woke up one day, took a gander around him and realised he’s middle-aged, with a son about to turn into a teenager and a wife who earns more than him and is considerably more well-known, not to mention easier on the eye. I’ve seen that particular scenario far too many times. What I don’t get was why would he need an arrangement with Joe?

After staking Amin's house out for a few days the man up and moves on me. I was a bit worried I’d been made for a while there but after a little eavesdropping session with some of my fancy equipment I learnt that I was still safe. Amin’s house had had a little bug infestation and he’d moved into his latest girlfriend’s house. I figured now would be as good a time as any to have a little chat with the man face to face so I managed to get myself on to the welcoming committee.
(Hel: Yup, the lot got bugged so badly I couldn't even load the lot. Fortunately I was able to move Amin back to the Sim Bin and just shift him to another place with his current girlfriend. 3 bolts for those too - looks serious!)

He invited me in readily enough and we sat down for a chat. Amin’s right interested in money so I started with that. You should have seen the way the man’s eyes lit up when I mentioned money. For a second there I thought I was talking to a Christmas tree!

Then, for no reason I could see, the slime suddenly launches into this long sob story about how much he loved his wife but was forced to leave her because he discovered her having an affair with another man. Really? You don’t say, Amin.

So what’s all this about then? I’d excused myself for the bathroom and when I came out, Amin had taken off someplace. I figured this was as good an opportunity as any to do some healthy snooping and proceeded to do just that. Look who I found in the basement. Joe seems mighty fond of them basements.

“I don’t care if you’ve got the Queen of Simland up there, Amin. I’m staying down here until I feel like leaving okay? And get me some of those little leaves, will you? I’m almost out.”

“Already? But I gave you some yesterday, Joe! That stuff isn’t cheap you know and I don’t think you should be going through it so fast. It can’t be healthy for you!”

“Pffft! Healthy shmealthy! They make me feel great! I tell ya, I thought bubble blowing machines were fun before but those little leaves you add to it make it even better. I know you've got to be making a fortune with them so slipping a few bags to be won't hurt you will it? Or would you like me to go and have a chat with the Lonely River Herald? I don’t have anything pressing to do tomorrow, you know.”

“You go talk to them and your supply of leaf runs out, you moron.” Amin spoke bravely but his expression was anything but.

“Not to worry, I’m sure somebody else will step right into your shoes. I’ll do alright. Oh, I’ll be needing you to cover for me at work tomorrow too. I don’t think I’ll be in all day.”

I can hear Amin grinding his teeth from here. “Fine. I’ll get you enough leaf to keep you busy for the next few weeks even at the rate you go through it. But we had a deal, remember? You got me out of my marriage with me smelling like roses and you got Aneleh, some cash and a nice little stash of leaf from my first crop. You did very well out of that deal, Joe, but now you’re here pushing me around. I’ll give you more leaf, Joe, but only because we’ve been friends. You try to blackmail me again and I don’t think I’ll be as understanding next time. Got that?”

“Sure, sure, Amin,” Joe snickers. “Sure thing buddy. You get rid of the welcoming committee and I’ll wait right here with my friend, the bubble blower.” He pats the machine beside him affectionately.

At that point I decide it might be a good idea to get back upstairs.

I just make it back before upstairs before the man of the house and quickly make my goodbyes. He does not look like a happy man but then if I had a friend like Joe I expect I’d be walking around with a face like a thundercloud too. So more of this "no bad publicity" thing followed by a healthy dose of blackmail is the answer to the question of why Amin has an arrangement with Joe. It don’t make much sense to me but then I’m not in the kind of job where you need to climb the ladder using other people. Guess bad publicity matters in that kind of a job and a guy like Amin would rather all that stinky publicity sticks to his wife and not him.

I keep an eye on that little basement over the next few nights and I keep seeing Joe there. He holes himself up in that little room with his friend the bubble-blower and a big case of those leaves and doesn’t stop until he passes out somewhere around dawn. I’ve heard of bubble blower addicts before but this is starting to look bad.

Guess I’ve got enough now that I should go see Aneleh again. Uhh… I mean I should go make my report to the client. Think professional, Dix! Professional!

<-- Previous: Hello, Mr. Private Investigator / Next: The Report -->

Hello, Mr. Private Investigator

2006-07-21T00:14:00.000+10:00

Great news! I finally got that promotion and I’ve been recognised in the Hall of Fame! Hello fame and fortune at last!

Timothy is heading off for my old college, Academie Le Tour, with a string of scholarships (Young Entrepreneurs Award, Bain-Gordon Communications Fellowship, Quigley Visual Arts Stipend, and SimCity Scholar’s Grant). I always knew he was a smart kid. He takes after my side of the family obviously.

Timothy headed off to college just in time. I’m not sure how long Arcadia and I could have kept up all this acting responsibly and stuff!
(Hel: Quite literally this is the first thing these two decided to do the second Timothy had left!)

I would have been happy to keep pillow fighting for a while longer but Arcadia dragged me inside for a little talk.

“Okay, now that Timothy is off to college we can finally do something about Joe and Amin. There’s something not right there, Aneleh. Joe even threatened me in public the other day and practically told me he had an arrangement with Amin. I saw that business card for the Private Investigator. Pick it up and call him! It’s time to be a grown up and find out what’s really going on!”

I sighed and nodded. She’s right, I know she's right, but I’m really not looking forward to this. I’ve been thinking about ending things with Joe anyway. He hasn’t been around much lately and when he is he seems kind of weird, not at all like the fun guy I dated before my marriage to Amin.

After work I picked up the business card and headed over to the phone. Dixon Hill huh? Confidentiality guaranteed? It better be. Now that I’m in the Hall of Fame I really can’t afford any bad publicity.

The man on the other end of the phone had a nice voice. A little rough around the edges but definitely nice. Mr Hill said that he’d seen Joe threatening Arcadia the other night and since he definitely didn’t like seeing a woman threatened he decided to do a little hunting around and offer his services to us. I found myself agreeing to meet him at his place after work tomorrow to discuss the case over dinner.

I arrived a little early and surprised Mr. Hill working in his garden. I apologised for being early and helped him finish up. It’s funny but something about him put me right at ease.
(Hel: Don’t look at me. For some reason Dixon felt the need to mop up the garden after the gardener watered the plants. Even more weird was that Aneleh thought she’d make herself useful and jumped right in to help. Oh, and the trash on ground was the maid getting distracted on the way to the bin… by absolutely nothing that I could see. She just stared into the distance for a moment, dropped everything and wandered off.)

His daughter, Katie, made us a delicious meal and we talked about the case over dinner. I told Mr. Hill that no matter what he found out while he’s on the case I really wanted to avoid going to court because of all the publicity. I didn’t work so hard to get into the Hall of Fame just to have it taken away again by some foolish men. He was really nice about it and assured me that whatever was happening we could sort everything out outside of the courts. He’s had a lot of experience in convincing people to see the error of their ways. I chose not to ask him to explain how he’d do the convincing.

After dinner we went to his office to drink some coffee and finalise the deal. I was surprised at how little money he wanted but he refused to accept any more from me.

“Ms. Legacy, I have a confession to make,” Dixon Hill said. “I really don’t need all that much cash and I came here to Lonely River to slow down and think about retirement. I want this case because I’m interested to find out what’s going on and, well… uhh… you seem very nice. I’d like to see things work out for you.”

I can’t believe it. I actually blushed. The way he was looking at me I could tell he was interested in more than just the case but instead of feeling defensive I actually felt nice inside. What is it about this man that makes me automatically trust him? Sure he’s cute if you like that kind of scruffy look but I’m old enough and been through enough with good looking men to be immune to that sort of thing. Right, of course I have.

We stayed in his office and talked about all sorts of things until it was getting kind of late. I just couldn’t seem to drag myself away. Finally I decided that unless I was planning on moving in I should probably get going. I said goodnight a little reluctantly and he walked me to the door.

And then I kissed him! Why did I kiss him? For some reason I just couldn’t help myself. I was kissing him before I even realised what was going on. I must have stopped eventually and somehow gotten out the door because the next thing I knew I was in my car hitting my head against the steering wheel. Then I realised how deranged I must look and sped home.

This is horribly embarrassing! He must think I’m… Oh God, I don’t want to know what he must think of me! I’m so confused!

<-- Previous: Introducing Dixon Hill / Next: Dixon Hill On The Case -->

Introducing Dixon Hill

2006-07-18T14:09:00.000+10:00

Well hello there, ladies and gents. My name’s Dixon Hill, Private Investigator, and this here’s my daughter Katie. We’ve only just moved to this neighbourhood and I mean to retire here shortly. I just want to do a few more jobs and then it’ll be time to settle down. After living in Pleasantview for so long and dealing with all the cheating husbands, back-stabbing neighbours, and missing people, I’m definitely looking forward to a more quiet life. Katie isn’t too thrilled about a more quiet life but then she’ll be off to college very soon and I’m sure she’ll be able to find all sorts of excitement to suit her there while her old dad puts his feet up with the newspaper.

We looked around at all the houses on the market but this one just suited us perfectly. I had to divide off part of the living room to convert into an office for me but that wasn’t any trouble at all. I’ve always been pretty handy with power-tools and the like.

It even had a garage big enough for my pride and joy, my beautiful ’57 Chevy. I bought her off her previous owner when she was just about to fall apart and it’s taken me years of work to get her looking like this.

Apart from my car, my other pride and joy is little Katie here. Well, she’s not so little now but to me she’ll always be the cute little baby who used to try and knock my hat off my head. Now Katie’s not my real, biological daughter as you can probably guess seeing how pretty she is. There’s no way she got those looks from me! Her mother was a… how can I put this? She was a, uh, professional lady and a contact of mine. Gentlemen used to confide all sorts of things to her and she’d pass them right along to me if it happened to involve a case I was on at the time. Real nice girl, Sally was. Something went wrong on one of her er, jobs I suppose you’d put it, and the result was Katie. Sally was a very beautiful girl but just not built for breeding and she didn’t survive the birth. A few days later I found out that she’d changed her will while she was pregnant to request that I look after any children she might have. I never assumed I’d have any kids of my own with the life I led although I’d always thought one day… Well, anyway I was honoured that Sally trusted me so much and I took Katie in. I knew nothing about babies but me and Katie muddled through and I think I did a pretty good job looking after her. Truth be told, more often than not Katie is the one taking care of me. She always makes sure I eat right and refuses to let me do any of the cooking. That might be because every time I try I end up burning things. Neither of us has every figured out how I managed to ruin a salad but there you have it.

A lady friend once told me that the trick to girls was making sure they had a room of their own and a say in how it looked. I was never really sure about that one but as soon as Katie had her room set up just right she immediately got over her case of the grumps about moving, gave me a hug and ran right over to play with her new computer. The room is so pink and sugary looking that I get a toothache just looking at it but whatever makes her happy.

So me and Katie are settling in okay. No business as yet, just a lot of bills but I’m pretty happy and Katie is making friends at school so it’s all good. Lonely River is sure a lot quieter than Pleasantview but then I reckon any place that doesn’t have a Don Lothario has to be quieter! That man accounted for nearly all of my business with his countless affairs. Guess I should be thanking him really.

I make sure to invite a representative from the local police force over for a little chat. It never hurts to get on the good side of the police and Brandi LeTourneau is a nice enough girl. She warned me that there wasn’t likely to be a lot of work for me here just yet but that the local police aren’t going to mind having a Private Investigator around. Means less of the petty stuff for them.

Brandi is right; it has been quiet which has been nice and all but I am getting a little restless. I’ve got a good feeling about today though. Something’s going to fall right into my lap - I just have that feeling.

Sure enough I get this sudden urge to eat out that night and I convince young Katie to take the night off from cooking for her old man. We trundle on over to one of them restaurants in a nearby village and it’s there that I overhear some trouble between a blonde girl wearing a cute little hat and a sleazy looking guy with an obsession with the colour brown.

“I don’t know what’s going on, Joe, but I just know you’re not still in love with Aneleh! I think Amin wanted to break up with her and paid you off or something to make her into the bad guy. There’s something fishy going on and I intend to find out what it is! If you think I’m just going to stand around and watch you guys hurt my best friend then you’ve got another think coming!”

“Oh put a sock in it, Arcadia. Whatever “arrangement” I’ve got with Amin is between me and him… and none of your business. You’d better not stick your neck out, you know, you might lose it. You just concentrate on finding a man of your own if you can. You’ve got to be the only girl in college who graduated from college twice without ever once having been on a date!”

It seemed like kind of a pathetic insult to me but the young woman burst into tears and ran out of the place. There’s something about a man who makes a lady cry that just rubs me up the wrong way. If there was something fishy going on then maybe there was some work available for me in this little town after all. Regardless I wouldn’t mind offering my services to take these guys out back for a bit of a “chat” anyway. That Joe creep really needed to be taught some manners.

On the way home I look over at Katie and she looks at me.

“Well, kiddo, what do you think? Should we track down these women and offer our services as Private Investigating Team extraordinaire?”

Katie giggled. “Yeah, I reckon that’d be a good idea, Dad. That Joe guy is creepier than Don. At least Don was never paid by some husband to make it look like the wife was having an affair! Uh… did he?”

“No sweetie, he didn’t. At least not that I know of and if anybody’s going to know it should be me. I’ve still got a cramp in my legs from all those hours crouching outside his house!”

And so the next day I set about tracking those women down. Semi-retirement is all very well but it does get boring after a while. Besides, I always was a sucker for a damsel in distress.

<-- Previous: Time To Escape The Circus / Next: Hello, Mr. Private Investigator -->

Time to Escape the Circus

2006-07-18T13:20:00.000+10:00

Timothy’s business is doing okay mostly due to advice he’s been getting from some rich tycoon he met at the local arcade. Timothy kept on about this Malcolm guy for days and couldn’t believe I’d never really heard of him. He’s not on any sports teams that I know about so how important can he be?

Speaking of sports, I’m trying to convince Arcadia and Timothy to be a bit more active. All they want to do is lounge around and watch TV so I came home one day with a running machine. Anybody can run right? Everybody except Arcadia, it seems. Quit strolling and run, you girl!

There was a slight crisis the other morning. Timothy got dressed to go to the shops with some friends, peered into the mirror for his usual preen-fest, and got the shock of his life! Pimples!

He actually made me get up and drive to the stores to get some Acne-Be-Gone while he stayed home with the curtains drawn so that nobody would see him. I really hope this vain streak is just a phase.

An old friend dropped by that morning while I was out but it turns out he didn’t come by just to see me. My old boyfriend in college, Blair McCarthy (otherwise know as Blue Hair Guy), came by to tell Arcadia how much he missed her and how in love with her he was. I was stunned! We were all good friends but I had no idea he felt this way about her. Apparently they started to spend a lot of time together when Arcadia went back to college (Blair never left unsurprisingly – he couldn’t leave his favourite pinball machine behind now could he?), and started to get very close.

We made him a nice salad for dinner since he was still eating cafeteria food and chatted about the college. It seems there’s a weird new dress rule where there are no high heels allowed in lecture halls. Some girl in stilettos managed to trip going down the stairs and crashed into a projector. It cost a lot of money to replace and so now there’s a ban on dangerous shoes. Blair didn’t know if the girl was okay. Presumably she cost less than the projector to repair.

After dinner Blair and Arcadia went for a soak in the hot tub and some private chat. That’s fine and very sweet except for when I went out to ask them if they wanted coffee and discovered that chatting and soaking wasn’t all they were doing in that tub. My eyes! I think I’ve got the image of the two of them woohooing in that tub burned into my retina!

I told them off, of course. What if I’d sent Timothy out to ask them about the coffee? Plus it’s my hot tub and I haven’t even done more than sit in that tub yet. Joe comes over once in a while and stays the night but Timothy’s nearly always home so we stick to the bedroom and I make sure he leaves before Timothy wakes up in the morning.

Speaking of Joe, Arcadia thinks there’s something weird going on with him. She was walking past my bedroom after getting a midnight snack for herself and noticed my door was open. She didn’t want Timothy to see Joe sharing my bed so she went to close it over. That’s when Arcadia saw Joe standing by the bed in his underwear snicking away to himself and muttering something about easy money. I told Arcadia that she must have been dreaming but she’s adamant that she saw what she saw. Maybe she did see something but it’s possible Joe was just sleepwalking or something. I had an aunt who used to make it halfway down the street in her nightie cackling about getting away with a bank robbery before she’d wake up.

It was definitely time to escape this circus that was my home. The team I coached, The Flaming Llamas, were having a big party to celebrate being named the most improved team of the season. Finally! A chance to get dressed up and go out and relax with grown-ups! Just as the taxi was pulling up I remembered there’d been some mail sitting in there for a couple of days. The last thing I needed was to be hit with overdue fees for the bills. But it wasn’t just bills.

On top of the million and one bills (who’s been using all that electricity anyway??) there was a business card for a Private Investigator with an offer to help me out with my “gentlemen problems”. What the...? I really don’t have time for this. I’ve got partying to do and a headache to get rid of with lots of lovely Long Island Iced Teas. I yelled out to Arcadia to take the mail inside and jumped in the cab. I can taste freedom!

I was definitely overdue for a party and I was really looking forward to showing off my DJing skills. I’d made up a whole bunch of mixes just for tonight and I couldn’t wait for my team to hear them.

After that some fun in the Electro-sphere. There’s nothing like spinning around at a million miles per hour to forget all about men and the trouble they bring a girl.

<-- Previous: Life Goes On / Next: Introducing Dixon Hill -->

Life Goes On

2006-07-18T13:01:00.000+10:00

It’s been a few days now since Amin and I broke up and Timothy is starting to bounce back okay. He’s certainly recovered faster than I have although that could just be due to his recent discovery of the joys of mirrors. Every chance he gets that kid is rushing to the mirror to check himself out; you know, in case his hair moved in the last five minutes.

I really should have set up some ground rules when Amin and I broke up. He keeps wandering back into the house unannounced to spend “quality time” with Timothy. He’ll hang out on the couch for hours watching sport, eating the food in the kitchen and sticking his nose into everything. Eventually I get sick of it and kick him out then he’ll smirk and wander out again. I wish I could believe that he really wants to spend time with Timothy but something just doesn’t seem right. It's not like he doesn't have a place of his own, after all.

According to Timothy, Amin's new house is amazing. Ever since Timothy got back from his first visit there he hasn’t shut up about it. It’s over in the “town” section of Lonely River and sounds like it cost him quite a bit.

It’s all decked out too with a little basement area designed specifically for parties. Timothy kept on at me for ages about what a terrific dancer his dad is and tried to show me some of the moves Amin taught him. Terrific dancer my behind! He never danced with me! Arg! That’s enough about him for now. That man is driving me mad!

One of the few good things that have happened to me lately has been that Arcadia, my best friend, moved in with me and Timothy. Her career as a weather girl just didn’t take off so she went back to college to study history for some reason. She was just about to graduate (again) and needed a place to stay while she looked for a job. I immediately told that she just had to move in with us. With the divorce and Timothy growing up and about to head off to college I really need the company and Arcadia will be a much needed buffer between me and Amin.

The other night a burglar crept into the house and tried to steal our TV! I mean, I know it's not a brilliant TV but it's mine and I don't want anybody stealing it. I tried to tell him that but he just threatened me. Obviously he didn't know who I was. Nobody steals from me these days!

The police came immediately thanks to the burglar alarm I installed after the last time somebody robbed me. Still, I’m really glad Arcadia has moved in. After everything that’s been happening I would have fallen to pieces if it wasn’t for her! Well, I would have waited until after I gave that thief a piece of my mind but I would have fallen to pieces right after that I'm sure.

Arcadia hasn’t found a job yet so she’s been helping out around the house doing odd jobs like fixing the TV. I told her that I could hire a repairman but she insisted. I don't think she got too electrocuted.

And I really needed her the night I invited the Principal of the Lonely River Grammar School over for dinner. Between us we were able to give him a tour of the house, prepare a delicious dinner, and sit down to a cup of coffee afterwards with no stress at all. The Principal was very impressed with Timothy and with how pleasant an evening it was. He told us that Timothy could start at his new school tomorrow!

To celebrate, Arcadia insisted we all go out and pamper ourselves a bit. She’s absolutely right, of course; I feel like this baseball cap I’ve been wearing to work has become permanently attached to my head. It’s definitely time for a new look.

Timothy declined a makeover saying that he’s handsome just the way he is.

Unfortunately Arcadia’s hairdresser didn’t quite get it right. I yelled at them enough that the salon refunded her money and one of their more experienced hair stylists fixed her right up. I'm something of a celebrity now and they know they can't afford to annoy me!

The other news right now is that Timothy’s pursuing his dream of becoming a business tycoon with great enthusiasm. He’s gotten himself an after-school job…

… and turned our house into a home business. He convinced me to buy a hot tub so that he can charge our neighbours for the use of it. After all, he said, any visitors are just going to jump into it anyway and we may as well make some money out of it. Not that I’d considered buying a hot tub before but never mind. I realise you have to start somewhere although I did insist that the tub and the business had to go when he left for college.

<-- Previous: The Breakup / Next: Time To Escape The Circus -->

The Breakup

2006-07-07T20:22:00.000+10:00

Things weren’t going so well at home. I’ve been a little distracted lately and working day and night to try and get myself noticed. Assistant Coach is all very well but I want to get promoted as soon as possible. So I had a little tiny fire while I was making lunch. It wasn’t that bad but Amin seemed pretty angry at me anyway.

And then I started seeing Joe Carr walking past our house a lot. I hadn’t seen him in so long, not since I told him that I’d be marrying Amin and thanked him for our dates. Now I kept seeing him nearly every time I looked out a window.

Next thing I know Amin calls to say he’ll be bringing home a friend from work. I was shocked to discover that his “friend” was Joe! Even more when Joe suddenly grabbed me and kissed me right in front of Amin, not to mention Timothy and his friend from school. Amin didn’t let me explain that Joe and I used to date – he just slapped me as hard as he could and started yelling.

Then he launches himself at Joe and they get into a huge fight!

Amin won and proceeded to throw Joe out of the house. Maybe I was imagining things but I could have sworn I saw Amin stuff something in Joe’s hand right before he pushed him out of the door. Something papery and green… it couldn’t have been simoleons could it?

After that Amin and I started sleeping in separate beds but still in the same room so as not to upset Timothy. Nothing I said got through to Amin and he started to talk about leaving.

Joe started showing up outside the house more often despite the constant threat of Amin beating him up again. Oddly Amin never did.

One day I went out to get the mail when nobody else was home and, surprise surprise, Joe was there. He apologised for all the trouble he was causing but said he couldn’t stay away since he loved me more than ever. Then he kissed me again. I had to admit it felt good especially considering how little Amin and I had had to do with each other lately.

I invited him in for coffee and to talk some more but told him he had to leave before Timothy got home. If Timothy noticed him leaving the house he never said anything to me.

Amin and I had agreed that we wouldn’t officially split up until after Timothy’s birthday. No point in ruining it for the kid. We threw a great party for him and I got to catch up with some of my old friends from college.

Timothy is now a fashion-conscious teen. Can’t you just tell that he’s going to be a hit with the ladies? Especially with his sudden interest in becoming rich. Take it from me, nothing will get a girl to marry you faster than waving those simoleons around.

Well, the party was over in more ways than one. I gave Amin his marching orders as the last guests were leaving.

Timothy didn’t take it well but we always knew he wouldn’t. I’m sure he’ll get over it and his Dad will be happy to have him over to visit whenever Timothy wants.

I was pretty shaken up by it myself, but I had the oddest feeling that Amin’s tears weren’t quite genuine. It’s almost as if he wanted me to break it off with him.

As Amin is leaving I look out the window and notice Joe watching. Did they just wink at each other? Weird.

I keep waking up in tears that night but I hope Timothy didn’t hear me. I’ll get over this and I’ve got work to look forward to. I’m still some way from reaching my goal but I’m more determined than ever to make it.

The next morning I put on my bravest face and chat with Timothy over breakfast. The safest topic seems to be what a great party we threw for him.

Timothy seems to go along with it and talks brightly to me about the party and what he has planned for the weekend but when I walk past his room later I see him painting a picture of his Dad.

<-- Previous: Children Grow Up So Quickly / Next: Life Goes On -->

Children grow up so quickly

2006-07-07T20:13:00.000+10:00

I’m not sure when it happened but suddenly Timothy is having a birthday.

He’s a cute enough toddler but I leave the teaching him to talk to his dad.

I’m in charge of the teaching him to walk since I’m much more athletic than Amin. He trips just walking down the stairs.

I haven’t had much to do with Timothy since I’ve been so busy at work, getting promoted so much and everything, but he’s still sad to see me go every morning. I try to explain to him that one day Mummy is going to be famous but I’m not sure he gets it.

Another birthday for Timothy. Where does the time go?

Every day when Amin gets home from work Timothy races out to the car to say hello to his Dad.

Timothy’s first lemonade stand. He’s got quite the head for business this kid. He even charged his dad for some lemonade!

Meanwhile, I’m moving up in the world. You’re looking at Assistant Coach Aneleh!

<-- Previous: Baby Blues / Next: The Breakup -->

Baby Blues

2006-07-07T20:04:00.001+10:00

Once Amin was all moved in he insisted on starting work on a proper home for us to live in. It’s taking a while but we’re getting there. It’s not quite what we should be living in as the famous couple we’ll no doubt be but that’s okay. If anybody says anything I can just laugh and say how cute and retro it is. It’s just so fashionable these days to be retro.

Here I am painting away when suddenly bam! I realise I’m pregnant.

By that night the carpet had been installed and we sat down after dinner to watch some sport.

“Uhh… Amin?”
“Yes dear?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“Uh huh… hey! That was a try! That ref is blind!”

Oh well, I’m sure he’ll remember what I said eventually.

Ugh… I’m getting so fat. I hate even the walk to the mailbox.

It’s about time this finally started happening. I’m the one in all the pain here but I think Amin is going to have a heart attack! Maybe he finally realised I was pregnant.

I could have sworn I was carrying triplets but nope, it was just little Timothy here.

Amin absolutely adores Timothy.

Lucky for me that he was happy to get up all those times in the night because I’m back to work! That ladder to the Hall of Fame waits for no woman or baby.

<-- Previous: Welcome to Lonely River / Next: Children Grow Up So Quickly ->

Welcome to Lonely River, Aneleh

2006-07-07T19:43:00.000+10:00

So here I am standing outside of the lovely block of land I purchased in Lonely River. It’s not much now but I’ll dress it up into something fancy soon.

Okay, so this isn’t what I meant by fancy but for now it’ll do. At least I’ve got walls and a door for the bathroom! And a phone – the most important purchase of the day.

This strange group of people came over and introduced themselves as my neighbours. They’re a little weird but there’s not much to Lonely River yet so they’re all I’ve got.

They were looking a little bored so I launched into one of my famous rap uhh… things. They seemed to enjoy my performance since a lot of money left their pockets and fell into my little jar there.

“I’m so lovely, oh yes I am. I love me, I love me not, I love me….”

First job! And first rung on the ladder to that pretty Hall of Fame.

I’m already extremely popular with the men in Lonely River. This gentleman is called Amin Sims and he says he’s the President of his company. I was a little dubious about that at first considering his outfit but apparently it’s Casual Friday.

And this is Joe Carr who got on my good side right away by telling me about how much he loves a girl with muscles.

He took me out dancing at the local disco. He was very impressed by my dance skills.

That wasn’t the only thing he was impressed with! If only Joe wasn't just an Executive Assistant I could really find myself falling for him. I really could do with somebody with position, power and money but maybe... oh well, I'll sleep on it.

I was trying to do just that when I realised somebody was poking around my… uhh.. shed. A burglar!

He was caught but not before he managed to make off with my brand new running machine. My beautiful running machine! Lousy insurance policy only gave me half of the money back too!

Guess I’m sticking to yoga for a while.

My brush with that thief made me realise that I really do need a man around the house and soon. And no matter how much my heart beat faster when I thought of Joe, Amin was reallly the best to go with. He was nice, he had a great job, plenty of money and quite a bit of influence with people. So after work one day I invited Amin around for dinner. They say the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach so I made him a home-cooked meal.

It must have worked because Amin accepted my proposal! I know it’s a little fast and Joe will be upset but if I’m going to get ahead in my career I’m going to need Amin… and his cash… and his influence.

We just had a small, intimate little wedding with a few of our closest friends.

We’ve only just become man and wife and Amin is getting frisky already!

Nice, a limo to take us to our honeymoon.

Something tells me I’m forgetting something. Wedding dress, champagne, sexy lingerie for the wedding night, groom… uh, oh. Groom. I knew I forgot something.

I came back almost straight away and made it up to him though.

<-- Previous: Sophomore Year & Beyond / Next: Baby Blues -->

Sophomore year and beyond!

2006-07-07T09:51:00.000+10:00

Genesis and I indulge in a little after exam hanging out. She’s been feeling kind of worn out lately but she thinks it’s probably just the stresses of college.

“Worn out? Genesis, you look like a ghost. Seriously, I can see right through you! I think you should have a chat with Starla. Ask her about the aliens and find out how she fixed it.” She gave me a weird look but agreed to find Starla.
(Hel:- There goes another one! She was perfectly fine after she got back from class though. Really no idea what's going on here)

Being a Sophomore doesn’t seem to have changed people very much. For instance, you still get your streakers in the cafeteria.

Arcadia and I are still best friends and do our homework together. She has to struggle with all those cloud classifications and I’m currently writing an assignment on the psychological effects of adoption.

Blair and I are still getting along really well. My dance skills have started to pick up so I try to show him a few moves. I don’t hold out much hope for him really but it’s cute to see him try.

Because that last grant was so low I have to make a little extra cash tutoring. As for my own homework…

Well, what else are cute blue-haired guys for?
“Thanks for doing my homework, Blair. I just didn’t think I’d have the time. Guess we can keep going out after all!

Gross! Somebody knocked over our rubbish bin. There’s rubbish everywhere and… hey, what are those little things on the ground?
(Hel:- Nope, didn't catch who did it. I wonder if it's that "extra credit" Professor?)

Oh God! Cockroaches! Oh that’s disgusting!

There! Take that! And that! Ha! Stupid roaches won’t know what hit them!

I’ve been studying extra hard for this end-of-year exam. I even bought one of those weird thinking caps. I look ridiculous but I swear it’s helping.

Success! I passed! I made it on the Dean’s List! I have money!!!

I’ve had an epiphany, however. So far in college I’ve been the one who’s been always studying, the one doing the cleaning up, the girl everybody goes to if they want somebody to tutor them. Well, no more Little Miss Serious. From now on I’m going to be Aneleh Legacy, Little Miss Popular!
(Hel:- Yup, she rolled Popularity aspiration at the end of Sophomore year. I have no clue how this could possibly work out. She's not the slightest bit athletic but her Lifetime Want is now to be a Hall of Famer which means reachiing the top of the Athletic career. Expect much swearing at my Sim-Me!)

Being popular means that my professors will give me tips on exams.

It means I’ll be perceived as beautiful and sexy!

I tell Arcadia about my plan. She’s not sure what brought this on but she wishes me luck anyway. She also has some advice.

“You know, Aneleh, if you want to be really popular you should learn how to play baseball. Everybody loves baseball and if you’re really good one day you might get into the Hall of Fame. Absolutely nobody is ever going to forget your name that way”

If I’m going to be famous I’m going to have to change Majors. “Yes sir, that’s Drama. D-R-A-M-A. The major for the popular people and the fast-track to an Athletics career!”

What the...? I thought Drama would be easy! I’m studying just as hard as everybody else. This is so not fair.

Still, there are other ways of showing how popular you are now. Instead of joining Genesis and Arcadia for our normal study session, I let Blair makeout with me on the coach.

Suddenly he’s everywhere. I wake up in the morning and he’s using my computer!

Then he jumps out of the shower at me while I’m cleaning the toilet. He claims he’s embarrassed but he keeps flexing his muscles and smirking at me afterwards.
(Hel:- Aneleh isn't wrong. Suddenly Blair was everywhere including this weird scene in the bathroom when he waltzed in and proceeded to have a shower while she was cleaning the toilet. Then of course he jumps out and stands there cringing and all embarrassed like it's her fault. Of course he didn't seem to be in a hurry to put any clothes on either for some reason! lol)

Finally I make him a deal. If he poses for me so that I can practise my painting I’ll let take things a little further.

Oh, alright – a lot further. After all, I’ll be leaving college soon and I can't believe I haven't even slept with one guy yet. Besides Blair's really not a bad kisser at all. He’s not bad at a lot of things really!

This is it! We’re out of here. Arcadia and I toast to the future.

So long Lam Plaza. Hello future Hall of Famer!

<-- Previous: Freshman Year / Next: Welcome to Lonely River -->

Freshman Year at Académie Le Tour

2006-07-06T21:34:00.000+10:00

Hi, I'm Aneleh Legacy and this is my first year at Academie Le Tour.

This is the dorm I'm staying in, Lam Plaza. It's pretty cozy, only 6 rooms. I don't really like big crowds so this should suit me just fine. Besides, it's kind of old-fashioned and nice.

I've heard you've got to get in pretty early to get your pick of rooms. I grabbed the first one I saw so I hope it turns out okay. It's got a computer so that's always a plus. Gamer chicks ftw!

Next stop: breakfast. Not bad, pancakes are always a great way to start the day. It's still pretty quiet so I'm the only one here for a while.

That is, I'm alone for a while until this weird guy in a (is it a rabbit or a just a really weird kangaroo?) costume shows up and starts cheering at me. Mum taught me to avoid eye contact with weirdos so I keep eating my breakfast and pretend that nothing strange is going on.

The next person I meet is this guy with blue hair. He's not particularly interesting... would you believe he hates flowers? So far I've met two weirdos and nobody normal. Great. Just great.

Blue-Hair immediately gravitates to the nearest arcade game. Just to demonstrate to him what we're actually here for in college, I grab a book and start researching majors. I figure I can find out all about them now and pick one straight off the bat that way I can concentrate my skills a little better.

A little way into my research and a blonde girl (who must have gone to the same hairdresser as me!) and the weird rabbit/kangaroo guy join me in studying. Guess I am setting an example! The blonde girl introduces herself as Arcadia Enriquez and she's studying to be a weather girl. The rabbit/kangaroo guy buries his head in his book and doesn't say anything. Maybe he's in character.

I've decided on my major: Psychology. It'll help me get a job in Law Enforcement apparently and that's where I want to be. I call the college adminstration to let them know.

I fill in the hours before class with some working out...

...including a bit of dancing along to the radio. Hope nobody saw that tumble!

Then it's off to my first psychology class!

When I get back it's dinner time and the only seat available in the cafeteria is with the blue-haired boring guy. This time all he wants to talk about is the latest Harry Potter movie.

I eat my dinner as quickly as possible and escape to my computer. A little gaming followed by a little ebaying - that bedspread is hideous. I order a new one and then it's off to bed.

That night I sleep very badly. I think I was having a nightmare involving kangaroo/rabbit mascot guy. Gah!

The next morning Aracdia asks me if I'd like to do some more research. I'm always up for a little studying so before long we're deeply engrossed in our books and a conversation about alternative fuels. Arcadia is very against petrol and I agree. I'd like to see personal transporters introduced but I suppose I'd have to travel to an alternate universe for that.

Suddenly this suave Fabio type stolls along and joins us. We're both a little stunned by that. I'm sure I haven't seen him around before. Mostly I'm really stunned by how badly his fake tan clashes with his orange jumper!

After a long day of studying and class I'm about to get in a bit of UT2004 when the doorbell rings. I go outside to see one of the college professors. He's not my professor so I'm not sure what he's doing here.

Hitting on me; that's what he's doing here. He says he's seen me around and was wondering if I'd like to do some "extra credit work". Ugh!

I try to brush him off but he follows me inside anyway and starts talking about that Harry Potter movie again. What is it with everybody and that movie lately? Of course, it seems like all the crouching involved in telling me about the scary bits is really a chance to get eye-level with my chest.

I try to get some painting done since I was told that creativity is an integral part of police work. Professor Toby follow me and tries to grab me from behind!

Finally he tells me that if I kiss him he'll go away. Oh well, whatever it takes!

Arcadia joins me for breakfast the next morning and we discuss the benefits of city life versus country.

Then I head in to the kitchen to do a little cafeteria work. I really need the cash and I get to "taste test" everything. That kind of makes up for that ugly apron they make me wear.

After work, the blue-haired guy (whose name, it turns out, is actually Blair) comes in for a chat. You know, he's not as bad as I thought he was.

In fact he's kind of cute in a blue-haired loserish kind of way.

And a great kisser!

By the way, doesn't anybody ever clean up around here?

Guess that would be me.

When I came back from class everybody was talking about the latest goof-up of our cafeteria lady, Elizabeth Taylor (what were her parents thinking??). Looks like I missed all the fun - while I was in class she managed to set the stove on fire. Lucky there are sprinklers or I'd have been looking for a new dorm when I got back!

I've finally finished that dreaded Term Paper and in plenty of time too.

So now it's time for a bit of well-earned gaming!

When I went out to dinner I noticed there was something a little odd about Starla tonight. She'd gone transparent! I asked her if it was some sort of magic spell go wrong.
(Hel:- I have no idea why she's gone all transparent. Very, very weird bug!)

"Nope, aliens", she said. Aliens can make you invisible now? I thought they just abducted male sims to make them pregnant. Now they're making sims see-through? That's a first for the books. Yup, our Shenna is definitely an odd one.

I really didn't sleep well last night. I kept having nightmares about aliens swooping down and making everybody transparent. I've got a Final Exam this morning - it's time for some coffee for a little pick-me-up.

Uh-oh! I'm running late for the final exam! Damn you coffee for making me go to the bathroom so much! Hey, Starla's not see-through any more. Good for you, Starla, you tell those aliens who's boss!

That's it! No more coffee for me. I missed the exam and so instead of that well-deserved A+ I got a B. And what's worse is that I got less money in my grant! This sucks. All because of that stupid coffee forcing me to go to the bathroom before I left for the exam. Come to think of it I only had the coffee because I'd slept badly the night before. I'd only slept badly the night before because of the nightmares about aliens. I'd had nightmares about aliens because aliens had turned Starla transparent. Oh my god! It's so obviously an alien conspiracy to make college students fail their final exams. I need to talk to Starla right away!

Or maybe I should just lay off the coffee....

<-- Previous: Introductions / Next: Sophomore Year & Beyond -->

Introductions

2006-07-04T19:44:00.000+10:00

This is my latest attempt at a Legacy Challenge. After various strange and annoying bugs and/or just plain wanting to start again, I am beginning from scratch yet again. I'm using a version of my Sim-Me. Just to be original (ha ha) I called her Aneleh Legacy (Aneleh is my given name backwards). Rather than start her as a full-fledged adult, however, I decided to go with starting her as a Young Adult in College.

The neighbourhood I'm using is Lonely River.

The idea is that it started life as a nice little community of farmers. Nice handy river, green grass, friendly community. Naturally, as always happens, word got out about this prime piece of real estate and development companies began to muscle in and buy up land. There are a few genuine farms sticking it out but the majority were bought out. The land is now being gradually developed into estates - tasteful, well-spaced out estates but estates nevertheless. There's a tiny town area evolving as well with the obligatory tall buildings (or at least what passes for tall buildings in Lonely River).

Now, our current heroine hasn't moved to Lonely River yet although it is on her mind as an option. There have been a lot of ads for Lonely River ("Tired of city life but still want city conveniences? Want to be a big fish in a small pond? Well, Lonely River sounds like the place for you! Now with its very own McDonalds so you know that it's civilisation!") and Aneleh is initially attracted to the idea of living in a small town where she can raise children.

First, however, Aneleh Legacy needs to graduate from college. I chose Académie Le Tour as her college since it seemed to fit nicely into the slightly old, slightly rural lifestyle Lonely River represents. Before I let her take over her story about college I should provide a few details about Aneleh.

Aspiration: Currently she's Family. However, that all may change once the end of Sophomore year rolls around and the rules force me to roll for a new aspiration.

Star Sign: Aries (with modifications - see below)

Turn-ons: Fitness & Black Hair
Turn-offs: Stink

Backstory: Aneleh's headed off to college and she's chosen one as far away from her family as possible (for arguments sake, let's say Veronaville. All those feuds and meddling fairy folk would get on anybody's nerves and besides, it's pretty). Luckily she was smart enough to get in, after all Académie Le Tour is rather exclusive. As far as she may try to run from her family she still has a lot of their values - study hard, earn enough money to get by on, begin raising a family as soon as possible. Is college life going to change Aneleh? And if it does, will it change her for better or for worse?

Next: Freshman Year -->

Chapter List

2006-07-03T08:26:00.000+10:00

This is a full list of every chapter of Lonely River Sims. It was always a little tricky to find a specific chapter and now, with the new version of Blogger in beta, my archive listing doesn't seem to work terribly well. Hopefully this makes things easier especially if anybody wants to start from the beginning.

1: Introductions
2. Freshman Year
3. Sophomore Year and Beyond
4. Welcome to Lonely River
5. Baby Blues
6. Children Grow Up So Quickly
7. The Breakup
8. Life Goes On
9. Time To Escape The Circus
10. Introducing Dixon Hill
11. Hello, Mr. Private Investigator
12. Dixon Hill On The Case
13. The Report
14. Amin Needs Help
15. The Big Date
16. What Timothy Has Been Up To
17. The Wedding
18. Amin's Update
19. Arcadia's Update
20. Katie's Update
21. To Find A Wife: Part I
22. Babies!
23. From the diary of Katie Hill
24. Oldie Cuteness
25. To Find A Wife: Part II
26. Little White Lies
27. Baby Announcement
28. Timothy's Wedding