Whedonberry: The Live Journal

I'm a fiancee!!

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:08:57 GMT

Okay, so this has NADA to do with the sims, but it makes me so happy that I'm going to share with anyone who'll listen...or read!!

Last night, Lucas, my fella of four+ years proposed marriage to me and I said "yes"!! Actually, I had an emotional breakdown and hiccuped some positive answer in his general direction as my tear ducts and sinus cavity opened up in a spectacle that made fireworks seem tame and boring, but I digress.

We're now trying to pick out a date. We want to go with our fifth dating anniversary, but I think that's when my stepsister is getting hitched. Oy!!

So, those of you out there who've made the matrimonial plunge. Any good tips, books, or websites for planning?

I'm smiling from ear to ear right now!!!

New Chapter is UP!!

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:11:07 GMT

Hey, guys! Just putting out the word that Chapter 17: Verses is out and ready to be read!!

Part One:
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=215715

Part Two:

http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=215692

Enjoy!!

Whedonberry: The Index and Commentary

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:18:35 GMT

I decided that I ought to link my stories here at Live Journal for anyone who isn't a part of Boolprop.com

Whedonberry is a story that uses the legacy structure, but not all of the legacy rules. In fact, I tend to make them up as I go along. The legacy structure is just a means to an end, the end being a (hopefully) good story. My characters are named for Sci-Fi and Fantasy characters that I like. I choose to include comic book names, too.

Most of the chapters are told as a story with no interaction between Author and Creation. I warn non-legacy people that they may want to skip the first chapter as it is very...legacy-ish. I fully admit that it was kind of thrown together in an attempt to get my feet wet with sim writing.

In my opinion, the story really doesn't come into it's own until Chapter 6: Resurrection. It was about that time that I started learning how to use Custom Content and hacks that made my game better. Also, that was about the time I upgraded my graphics to make the pictures look better.

As of right now, I use the Sims 2 as the host of Whedonberry. However, I am starting to consider Live Journal as a viable place to tell the story, as well. The reason is simply that sometimes I have several pictures in succession that might tell the story better if they're seen side by side instead of click by click. I'm probably going to do an unrelated story first to see if I like it. Anyhoo, that's the backstory of Whedonberry. I hope you enjoy the commentary and the easy access index.

Whedonberry: A Sci-Fantasy Legacy
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=145672
Here begins the Legacy started by founder Lucas Whedonberry.

My first chapter begins like many legacies. Founder establishes home, Founder marries, Founder has kids. I hadn't really figured out how I wanted to write, yet. My boyfriend said that I shouldn't feel so darn self-conscious about it, but I still kind of wish that I had done it differently.

Chapter 2: Angel in the Dark
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=146463
The plot really begins here as Angel, heir to the Whedonberry Estate, begins her journey through college and finds that college is not a fun as she might think.

Angel in the Dark is where I decided to make the story a third-person narrative. I think that it was a good choice for the story. About here is also where I decided that the story is more important than the game. I stopped thinking as hard-core about Legacy Rules and started allowing it to be more of a structure.

Chapter 3: Snow Angels
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=147891
In this chapter, Angel comes home from college and starts a family. But will she be able to turn away from the darkness building within?

I fully admit that the first idea for this chapter came from my buying Seasons and seeing the "Make Snowangel" option. With my main character being named Angel, I couldn't resist. This chapter is also where I started to establish the Secret Society as a group of Guardians for all things Supernatural. Also, you see the first of the Rajani vampires which you will notice is a completely different set of vampires when they reappear in the storyline. I had game crash issues because I didn't know half of the tricks that I know now.

Chapter 4: Prodigal
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=151770
Angel is returned and must save her family from destruction, but at what cost? Also, the return of a long, lost family member.

Chapter four is practically Part 2 of Chapter Three in many ways. I really wanted Angel to go dark side. I knew this was going to happen from Chapter One. I also shamelessly let her evil name be Angelis, same as her namesake's alter-ego. Also, making her go evil was the best way to bring back Anakin, who probably would've been the chosen heir if I had an heir poll. I rolled for it, instead.

Chapter 5: Stormy Seas
Part one: http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=157551&asset_type=story&user_id=2378513
As Anakin continues to raise his nieces and nephews, he realizes that the only way to get through to his nephew is by telling him his story. With special guest Ephemeral Toast.

Part two: http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=157554
Anakin and Boba continue to bond as Boba learns how Anakin came to have his scar. He also learns that growing up can be the greatest scar of all. With special guest Ephemeral Toast.

Chapter 5 was written because I wanted a tale on the high seas and I also needed an explanation for why Anakin had been gone for so many years. I used Jack Sparrow. I know it was a cheesy choice. My intent was for people to never really know if Anakin was telling a true story, or just trying to connect with his nephew. It was about this time when I went away for three months because I was the program manager for an intensive playwriting camp for teens. I came home to...

GAME CRASH: DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT $200

At the time, I was three shades of uber-pissed because all of my hard work had exploded into a BFBVFS. Looking back, it was the best thing that could've happened. It opened up the possibility for a better storyline. The Buffy gen (which I had played a ways through already) got skipped and Cordelia was chosen to continue the legacy as a clone of the first Cordelia. I spent about two months recreating reasonable facsimiles of needed characters and started the tale about 20 years after Chapter 5.

Chapter 6: Resurrection
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=188283
After three generations are lost in a deadly accident, can a former Pollination Technician save the Whedonberrys from dying out, thus saving himself? Featuring sim Stacie Lee as herself as the mysterious woman.

Resurrection was pretty much a new begininng for this legacy. It's where the storyline starts to get good (in my opinion) and it's where I stopped being worried about whether or not I'd finish the legacy in a timely fashion. It's also where I started using the Maxis playables as characters in the story, something that I am exceedingly glad about.

Chapter 7: Letters
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=189112
Cordelia, the last Whedonberry, goes to college with 'sister' Jill. What will happen as their college antics take them to founding a Greek house on the Sim State campus?

Cordi goes to college with her adopted sister Jill. I used this chapter as an opportunity to get my feet wet with Bon Voyage. I also got to make an homage to the skankiest night club in Myrtle Beach, the Freaky Tiki. This is also where you see Nery for the first time. I wish that there was enough reason to continue having him in the story now. He was a blast to play.

Chapter 8: Lost
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=190891
Cordelia finds herself to be a political bride. But what good is having a family if you can't be yourself? Featuring Jess Fitzhugh of Marina's Fitzhugh Legacy

I started writing this as an entrance into my political stance with aliens. At the time (heck, I still am now), I was really thinking about how poorly homosexuals are treated in this country. I have friends and family who are constantly told by conservatives that they are wrong for being homosexual. Some people even have the nerve to say that homosexuality isn't naturally occurring, that people just choose the lifestyle. This was my thought process when writing about the aliens. It's not an allegory, per se, just what I was thinking about.

Chapter 9: Found
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=191813
Cordelia starts her new life in Bluewater. Her past, once in shadows, is brought to light. Also, the Alien debate rages on...

Johnny Smith became one of my favorite characters in my game before it crashed. As a teen, he showed up at the house a lot to hang out with Chakotay (a character never seen in the story because of the crash) and Cordelia. When Cordi aged up to teen they began to get really autonomous with eachother. I also had InTeen installed at the time. He knocked her up. I freaked out. I didn't know what I was going to do with that because I was scared that I would get BANNED4LYFE, as it were. I never had to deal with it because the game crashed and I started over.

Long story short (too late), I decided to give Johnny another chance at being Cordi's love. I'm so glad I did.

Episode 10: Proof
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=192875
The Curious brothers scramble to prove the existance of aliens while Gen D makes its way on the scene.

I HEART the Curious brothers. I knew that I would use them for the alien plotline and had this plot in my head well before Chapter 6. I love the political aspect and I also was pleased to give the opportunity for characters that are usually portrayed as jerks to be given a moment in the sun.

Chapter 11:
Part One: Thicker Than Water
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=196851
Part Two: Rings
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=196853
Generation D grows up in a world full of prejudice. Family is all that can hold them together...

I thought Derrial or Dean would be heir after these chapters. The audience said, "NAY!!" Anyhoo, this is where I started planting the seeds that another character from before the crash might be coming back. I don't think many people picked up on Drusilla's imaginary friend being her great-grandmother Angel, however.

Chapter 12: Angels We Have Heard On High
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=202137
The Whedonberry youth seek the world beyond as the world around them crumbles...

The Return of Angelis was the original name for this chapter. I then decided on a Christmasy title even though Christmas had passed. It's the first time we get to see anything truly supernatural happen in the story. Also, we get to know Pao, who is a great townie.

Chapter 13: Lucky 13
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=203941
Drusilla becomes a teenager in what seems to be the calm before the storm...

I wanted for Drusilla to have a lot more dreams throughout, the next few chapters, but time constraints killed me. I was very excited to bring back Leo as a guide within Dru's subconscious.

Chapter 14: Death Dealings
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=204941
One life ends and another begins...

A lot of folks thought that I was killing off Johnny in this one. Fooled you!! Here is where I definitively decided that I wanted Drusilla to have her Reaper children as a teen. I really thought about this and scraped out a way for her to do it without me getting BANNED4LYFE.

Chapter 15: Destiny and Choice with special guest Spider Jerusalem Vetinari!!!
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=207104
Will Drusilla find solace in the company of a kindred spirit?

Destiny and Choice was mostly the title because of DrSupremeNerd allowing me to use Spider Vetinari. I say this because both Drusilla and Spider choose to go back to their destinies. In a philosophical sense destiny and choice are opposites that are interdependent on the existence of the other. Having thoughts like this are the reason I don't do drugs. God knows, I don't need help thinking outside the box.

Chapter 16: Frames
http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/story_detail.php?asset_id=209180

I love Malcolm Landgrabb. I thought I'd hate him, but he's the man. He practically created a storyline for me. Also, we're finally getting to the real purpose I brought Marcellus Lane into the story six chapters ago. Eustace and Evangeline are my favorite twins EVER. Other than that, I can't say much more without revealing what's happening next.

My skintones and eyes
I've been getting so many compliments about my skintones and eyes so I thought that I'd put the links to them here:
Skintones:
http://www.insimenator.net/showthread.php?t=29574
Eyes:
These are what I have now:
http://www.insimenator.net/showthread.php?t=28559
These are a new set that fixed some problems and I believe where the default replacements are:
http://www.insimenator.net/showthread.php?t=62504

Tag-tastic Friday and a Whedonberry Teaser

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:28:33 GMT

First, I will start with this

"List fifteen fictional characters that you would have ~~sex~~ a meaningful relationship (yeah really, that's what I mean) with (in no particular order) and tag five people to do the same."

Yeah, I don't know how to tag, but I love these things:

1. Jayne Cobb, Firefly/Serenity
He's not as dumb as he acts and, sweet Lord, that torso!! Not to mention, has anyone seen the "Heart of Gold" episode? That hooker was HAPPY. Hookers are never that happy without a reason.

2. Commodore James Norrington, Pirates of the Caribbean
He's so dedicated to doing the right thing that he becomes misguided, but finds redemption in the end. I'd love to help him find more redemption.

3. Xander, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Everybody just looks at him as Buffy's kind of weak buddy, the only Scooby without mad skills, but I beg to differ. Yes, he's the only "normal" one of the bunch, but he's just about the only character that has the ~~balls~~ gumption to say what needs to be said. He even does it when he knows that he's going to come across looking like a jerk. Yeah, Buffy loved good Angel, but so what? The needs of the many SHOULD outweigh the needs of the few. If Buffy had staked evil Angel the first time she had a chance, how many people would have survived? Maybe Giles would've gotten to be with Jenny and found happiness the way he deserved.

4. Giles, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Miss Calendar's dead? I totally call dibs on Giles!!

5. Chakotay, Star Trek: Voyager
One of the best characters in Star Trek history, IMHO. Too bad the writers didn't seem to care about this show. Chakotay is dreamy. I love the tat over his eye (and I'm not really a tat person).

6. Worf, Star Trek: TNG
He's such an honorable man. He is strong and manly, but he keeps his cool. However, when he lets loose, he really lets loose. Don't look at me like I'm a freak. Actually, this one is probably because I'm a bit of a freak...

7. Superman
It's more a curiousity thing than anything else...

8. Jeffrey Chaucer, A Knight's Tale
He was just so charismatic in that movie...

9. Gambit, The X-men
He's dreamy, he's got an accent, and he can endow any item with explosive kinetic energy...

10. Hank/Beast, X-men
He's so smart...

11. Dean Winchester, Supernatural
He's got...so...many...issues... Why is that so damn appealing to me? I need help.

12. Marcus, Blade, the Series
Dreamy vampire seeks maiden to conquer vampire underworld and have hot vampire relations...I'm in!!

13. Colonel Brandon, Sense and Sensability

14. Remus Lupin, Harry Potter
There's just something really HOT about this character. I like werewolves. I like my steaks on the rare side.

15. Nightwing, Batman

Okay, now for the Whedonberry section of my update. I've actually had less of a problem with the jumping issue. Maybe something in the new version of Inteen fixed part of it. Maybe it's just because the section that I've been shooting requires very little of the FreeTime pack. Either way, I no longer want to pull my hair out and that's a good thing.

Also, as some of you know, this chapter will feature some simselves. I plan on adding more later, but I wanted to start small and work my way into having more simselves in the Whedonberry story. I've also made the cover for the newest chapter:

Hopefully, I'll be able to get the chapter out soon!!

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:25:29 GMT

Well, I've promised myself that I am going to get a little writing finished for Whedonberry tonight. Things have become exceedingly busy lately. First, I'm performing in shows as a 1920's flapper named Sally for a Murder Mystery Theater. Second, I'm in a training phase for an improv comedy troupe. Third, I work as a teaching assistant for my local Shakespeare company which involves going to various middle schools and high schools around the state and assisting with workshops in English classes to help students understand and enjoy Shakespeare. Fourth, I work semi-full time at the state library as a data entry technician for the IT department. I'm just lucky that they are flexible with the first three things on this list. Believe me, the list sounds far more daunting than it actually is.

I've been trying to work on my legacy, but have become exceedingly frustrated with some of the bugs and glitches that came as a packaged deal with Free Time. Actually, I'm only having problems with one thing, but it's enough to make a nun cuss. Whenever my sims are finishing something that is FT related, they "jump" out of it, eliminating anything else in their queue. I know that it is not hack related, because it was there when I took out all of my downloads to install the new pack. It's driving me nuts. I'm hoping for a patch soon. I'm also waiting patiently for InSim to update for FT. Just about the only thing that I use it for is the Summoner and Wardrobe Adjuster. They really help out for scenes like Derri's congregation and the Langrabb Museum.

My plotline is about to see a new addition: SIMSELVES!! Some of you already know about this, but I've decided to add them to the plotline. I realized that at this juncture they would be an asset to the further telling of the story. Within the realms of this story, they will be similar to Olympian gods with their Mt. Olympus being a South American style temple that I have called "The Interdimensional Temple of Pinstar". Building the temples has been a great distraction from the fact that I can't play the game the way I want to right now. Anyway, that's about all for now. Hopefully, I can get a new chapter out in a timely fashion, but I'm not completely sure when that'll be. Until then, I'll leave you with these.

[sarcasm]Yeah, this is the face of someone who REALLY wants to dance.[/sarcasm]

THIS is how I actually imagined Dean.

Yes, I jump upon this music bandwagon...

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:53:04 GMT

"List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're any good, they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your Live Journal along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to."

Okay, so those were the instructions. I'm not tagging anyone because you've probably been tagged already. About three months ago, I created a Whedonberry mix to help me write. When I can't write, I create soundtracks for the story. In fact, it's how I make decisions about the storyline. I had no idea if Deanna would end up with Pao or Isaac.  One Sweet Love was playing in my boyfriend's truck and it inspired the train scene. These are some highlights of my soundtrack now and the lyrics that make it so.

1. All Night, Sam Phillips
     Okay this could be one of the sexiest songs ever. I'm serious, everyone should download it now. It sounds like a modern version of something Kurt Weill would've written and gotten Lottie Lenya to sing. I had to sing it for the preshow of The Tempest this summer.

You came up behind me,
Grabbed my wrists in the dark
And said, "Don't look at what you can't see"

2.  Run to the Water, Live
     This song is one of those songs that sets my soul free every time I listen to it. I always feel inspired by LIVE. They seem to touch on the very essence of the human condition for me. Don't be surprised to see some of their lyrics end up in something I post.

And I will never leave you
Till we can say
This world was just a Dream, we were sleeping
Now we are Awake

3. Lacrymosa, Evanescence
     Once again, I am in love with this band. I far prefer their second album to their first. This usage of Mozart in a modern style brings to my mind images of vampires at a costume ball. Don't ask me why, that's the story in my head.

Out on your own,
Cold and alone again
Can this be what you really wanted, baby?

4. Rest in Peace, James Marsters, Once More With Feeling (The Buffy Musical)
Spike's song from the Buffy Musical.  Massive character crush for me. Not because he's the bad boy, but because he has the most poignant observations.  He'll say things that no one else will because he doesn't care if he's liked as a general rule...or at least he wants it to appear that way.

I died many years ago
You can make me feel like it isn't so
But why you come to be with me, I think I finally know

You're scared, ashamed of what you feel
You can't tell the ones you love, you know they couldn't deal
Whisper in the Dead man's ear, doesn't make it real

5.  Mack the Knife, Lottie Lenya
I admit that I listen to both the German and the English versions even though I don't speak German. I don't know why, but I really like this song. Not the loungy version, but the dark version that's in the musical.

When the shark bites with his teeth dear
Scarlet billows start to spread
Fancy gloves though wears Macheath dear
So there's not a trace of red

6. Race You To the Top of the Morning, Mandy Patinkin from The Secret Garden
I am using this song and changing some of the lyrics in the next two chapters of Whedonberry as a story that Drusilla is telling her children. This song reminds me of my Papa, who used to tell me stories and make up new lyrics to songs to include me and him in it. I'm sort of doing that with Dru.

As it is, I must leave you in care of my brother,
The wizard who lives on the hill
Who has promised his art will soon pierce through the heart,
Of this Dragon that's keeping you ill...

7. My Last Breath, Evanescence
I listen to more Evanescence than I should. I happen to be a fan of vampires and their music reminds me of vampires.

Can you hear me?
Can you feel me in your arms?
Holding my last breath,
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you
Sweet raptured life, it ends here tonight

So that's my Whedonberry Soundtrack. I looked back through it and it's pretty damn creepy. Actually, I'm a very perky person, who just happens to like some dark music.

Gods and Monsters...Yo Ho, I see me a spoiler on the horizon.

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:15:40 GMT

So, I've been thinking about doing something with Whedonberry. Well, at least I've been considering adding something to the story. For the past couple of months I've been debating whether or not I should add my simself into the mix. Granted, anyone who read my last update knows that I jumped in. Actually, I've been in the game since the chapter where Deanna and Pao get together. I was the singer at the karoake bar.

Well, now, something else seems to be calling. I kind of want to add some other simselves into the mix. Not right away, of course, but soon. I'm not even sure how much interaction I would even allow them. I want to make sure that I do it right. I don't want to compromise the world that I've set up by adding them. I think I have an idea, but I'm not sure yet. Yes, I realize that this is a bit jumbled, but I'm thinking about it pretty hard.

Anyway, anyone who reads this, do you have any thoughts about adding simselves? Has anyone out there added them and regretted it later? Anyone wishing to add them as well?

Generation E: Grim Smooths My Angles

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:38:23 GMT

Well, by spoiler I don't mean that I'm telling you what's going to happen per se. I'm just giving some photos of ze bebes who make up Generation E of Whedonberry. Okay, whoever said that Grim spins pretty wasn't lying. He took care of all of the angularities that have made the toddlers of Whedonberry...unique so far.

To start off, I show you a couple of baby shots of Deanna.

She's not ugly, but she's kind of unsettling.

Now for Gen E.

Here's Eustace, firstborn of the Reaper twins.

And this is Evangeline, the second twin.

They're gorgeous littluns, I think. Evangeline is named for Evangeline Whedon, the attorney for the X-men and also a mutant. Eustace is named for Eustace Scrubb of The Chronicles of Narnia series.

BONUS POINTS FOR THE PERSON WHO CAN TELL ME WHAT THE NAMESAKES OF EUSTACE AND EVANGELINE HAVE IN COMMON FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE STORIES.

Finally, I leave you with this. I had to get rid of Drusilla's awesome custom content hair because it blocked her face horribly, making pictures the devil. Here's the new cut...
Any thoughts?

Brave New World

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:12:06 GMT

So, here I am. I've never had a livejournal before nor have I really seen what they looked like up until De (fireflowersims) told me that I should join the massive Sim Party that frolicks about. I've been peering around and I am glad that I joined up. This is primarily going to be my sounding board for my legacy Whedonberry, but don't be surprised to see other random stuff as well. I'm a random kind of gal...

So, I guess by now I should introduce myself. Yes, I know that there's a section for this crap in my profile, but I just feel freer doing it here. My name is Stacie and I'm an actress. It's been three days since my last performance. (Collective Group: "Hi, Stacie)

Right now I am playing a sarcastic flapper named Sally in a murder mystery dinner show that opens Friday. I do data entry to support my habit (theatre, not anything else...okay, so I do enjoy a good wine...or martini, extra dirty, three olives...) and spend my free time playing the Sims and reveling in all things comicy-supernaturaly-science-fictiony. On occasion, I also do Shakespeare for youth workshops as an assistant because I love it and it brings in a little extra bling for the rent. I've also recently been cast/accepted (I don't really know the proper term in this instance) into an improv comedy troupe. I do these things whilst living in a house with my boyfriend Luc and helping him renovate. Our new kitchen cabinets are gorgeous.

Well, I guess that's about it. For now, I will bid you adieu and leave you with something random to discuss with friends and family...

Obi-Wan Kenobi, according to the new Star Wars trilogy, went into hiding to avoid being slaughtered by the Sith and so he could unobtrusively keep an eye on Anakin's son Luke. When he went into hiding, Obi-Wan Kenobi changed his name...to Ben KENOBI. What the heck, man?!!