Jimmy Phoenix - Junior Year

Click here for Jimmy's Sophomore Year.

After a long-ish stint in Belladonna Cove, we're back at Sim State Uni of Desiderata Valley. More specifically, we're back at this dorm which at 14 rooms is one of the largest ones.

Our focus this time is Jimmy Phoenix, seen here at the left. According to Maxis, he "has come to college hoping for a fresh start. He's the first member of his family to go to college and he wants to make a good impression."

He fancies himself as future Mayor of the Valley, and studies History in order not to repeat the mistakes of his predecessors. Fittingly, his aspiration is Popularity. 

With him are the other playable students here, all just returned from their end-of-year exam, and all of them starting their Junior Year. Left to right, they are Jack Kim, Sam Thomas, Ty Bubbler, Eric Swain, Jared Starchild and Toby Scott.

Of course there are skills to be acquired, and apart of three students who are off to class right away, Jimmy and the others set about their tasks immediately. 

By evening, everyone is shattered - first there were the exams, then class (for some), skilling, and last but not least meals to be had and conversations to be held. Before Eric Swain can go to sleep, he has to wake the Cow Mascot who has chosen his bed for a rest, and ask him to leave. 

The next day, Toby is first to hand in his Term Paper. 

Jimmy has returned from class with a jar full of butterfies. I have him release the poor creatures instantly. 

He then proceeds (as per my instruction) to write his Term Paper. You know, Jimmy, you could have taken your coat off first - it wasn't THAT urgent! 

Meanwhile, the canteen is back to the old pattern - if it isn't a fire, it's a fight. Sam is once again showing how much she dislikes her fellow student Erik. 

It is Pyjama Day at Sim State today, and our students take part wholeheartedly. Jimmy has just been talking to Toby about how he believes they will see all their names on the Dean's List again, but apparently his friend is not interested in this topic. (Funnily enough, it is one of Toby's wishes to be on the Dean's List - not Jimmy's!)

I don't know what Toby is thinking when he spots Jimmy at the computer a little later, but Jimmy's smile is friendly.

Remember how Jack seems to be happiest when dancing? That has not changed! 

But he also likes to chat with his fellow students. Here, he and Ty talk about how hot they find one of the cheerleaders. Don't let your girlfriend Sam hear this, Ty! 

Everyone is dressed again by the time Jimmy and Jared sit down for a meal. 

It's the end of term, and Exam Day is here. For Jimmy, the day starts with him watching yet another fight between Sam and Toby.

Over breakfast, he patiently listens to Jack going on about how he really, really wants to find a girl to kiss and fall in love with (a big wish of his, and the first all-important step towards his lifetime want).

Before he has a shower and gets ready for his exam, he makes sure the current bills are paid.

Everyone has done very well again this semester, in spite of the fights and some of them not taking care of their needs very well. 

Jimmy is telling Jack that he finds one of the girls here quite attractive... while Jack is trying to hint that she is standing just behind him.

Sometimes a student surprises me by doing some cleaning or tidying around the dorm on their own initative, such as Ty here loading the dishwasher in the canteen. 

Toby has been cleaning the downstairs showers and is now doing the Soap Bubble Dance :-D 

The spring sunshine has warmed up enough for Jimmy to practice chess out on the patio without having to wear a coat.

Sam is showing her fun side for a change and tells him a joke.

Later that night, Jimmy finishes his Term Paper. 

If it's not fire, or a fight, it's water - David Nanale, Cow Mascot (or is he the Llama when he's dressed?), sets the sprinkler going in the canteen. Poor Mr. Jeffress, the things he has to put up with at his job! 

Sam and Jack are having an impromptu dance party. Jack, what are you looking at?!

Jimmy likes the quiet upstairs common room with its TV, bookshelf and other amenities. No fights there!

One afternoon after class, Jack tackles the overgrowing bushes around the dorm. 

Jimmy returns just as a soft, mild spring rain begins to fall, and enjoys a good splashing about in the puddles.

He does NOT enjoy the endless fights between Sam and - alternatingly - Erik and Toby. Neither does Jared. 

During the night, I catch Jimmy dreaming of Toby. This does not necessarily mean anything, but I do wonder whether there is a path he has not yet explored. 

The next morning, he and Ty have breakfast together. Jimmy elaborates on how the whole world will be open to them once they have graduated... just one more year! 

Later, I find the two half-naked guys trying to impress one of the female residents at the dorm with their dance moves. (Ty is in a relationship with Sam, but all year they have not rolled any wants about each other, while Jimmy has not had any romantic wishes at all.)

As expected, the entire group have done very well with their final exams, and their names appear once again on the Dean's List. Now they are Seniors - Time to drop the childish fighting, I think, and focus on your studies!

After the single-Sim household with Jessica, it was fun to play a big, busy dorm. I couldn't bring myself to send them to a community lot; by the time they had finally all gotten their skills and written their papers, there were only hours left before the exams.

Jimmy has made friends with Professor Smith over the phone, and hopefully will make her a permanent resident of the Valley after he has graduated.

Jessica Peterson - Week 1

From Armand DeBateau's first week, you already know that once upon a time he was married to Jessica Peterson. We have had occasional glimpses of her during this round, such as last week when she made friends with Ana Patel and came visiting. 

Here is the first of a handful of Maxis-made pictures to illustrate her background story; we see her and Armand in their luxury apartment with Jess at the bar and Armand in a comfortable armchair. She has two biographies, the family one (even though it's only her), and her personal one. According to her family bio, "When Armand DeBateau demanded an heir Jessica Peterson knew it was time to leave. She just didn't want to be tied down when Belladonna Cove was so filled with romantic possibilities. Of course when she left Armand she also left his vast fortune and standing in society. Can she make her own way?"

The argument pictured here ties in with Jessica's desire to leave. 

And here she is in very modest surroundings, making herself a lunch meat sandwich. 

She is obviously worried about her (financial) future, now having to pay rent and without a wealthy man by her side.

The last Maxis-made picture shows her watching Carlos Contender, which fits her personal bio: "Some girls have all the fun and Jessica was always a little precocious. While Armand was adding up his riches, she was adding up her exploits. She's been getting closer to Carlos Contender (and his wallet). Maybe it's time to invite him over?"

Here is Jessica Peterson now, as we find her when entering the lot. Her aspiration is Fortune, and she imagines herself as Criminal Mastermind. Not exactly my favourite lifetime want, but at least she wants to work for her money and not just marry a rich Sim :-D Speaking of money, she is not quite as poor as her previous pictures suggest: a bit over 14,000 Simoleons would allow her to move to a better place, or at least improve the mobile home where she lives now.

It is the one at the back of the lot, at Main Street Mobile Homes in Belladonna Cove. The other four are rented by other Sims, but there aren't any children, in spite of the playground suggesting otherwise. 

She does not have much space, but it is enough for one person; she even has a double bed. Some of her furniture and decorations do not match very well, but unless she wishes for better stuff (or I am in the mood for it), I won't start redecorating. 

On this Monday, she starts making a list of things she wants to do: 

1) quit job at Record Store 

2) get into Criminal Career 

3) cement friendships with Carlos and Ana

4) make new friends 

5) make money 

6) make more money 

7) make a LOT of money 

She's a lousy cook (not one cooking point) and does not want to dirty her stove, so she attempts (successfully!) to make hot dogs at the communal grill between the mobile homes. Two of her fellow tenants are out there, but she is not interested in men living in such modest surroundings, and takes her plate inside to eat alone.

While Jessica was asleep, I have moved the bed to the wall to make room for a desk where Mr Humble's computer can go. It is a bit of a squeeze, but it'll do. On this Tuesday morning, Jessica is lucky with her job hunt: She can start as a pickpocket right away. 

Eager to advance and deft with her hands, she does so well on her first day that she is promoted to Bagman. As the car pool drops her off, she spots Kimberly Cordial, twin sister of her friend Samantha Cordial. So far, the two had not met, but Jessica is glad to have to chance to make another friend, and greets her. 

Also, she has heard that Kimberly was her successor in Armand's affections when she had left him, and they were even engaged until they split up after Armand had met his 3-bolt-love.

While she has a badly needed shower (it must be really dirty work, all that picking other people's pockets!), Kimberly makes herself acquainted with some of the other tenants. While she takes an instant dislike to townie Danielle Lillard - to the point of getting into a fight with her -, she gets along well with townie Bruce Rauscher.

Jessica's cooking skills have not yet improved, and so it is leftover hotdogs straight from the fridge for her and her guest. The two ladies don't seem to mind, and get along very well - every subjcet they touch in conversation is a success. "Growing up, I never thought I'd end up in a mobile home... and end up here I won't!" Jessica exclaims. Before it's time for her to go to bed, she and Kim watch some TV together. 

Overnight, some improvements have been made as per Jessica's wishes: A better fridge and stove were bought, and the book shelf is necessary for career-related skilling. 

On this Wednesday, Jessica has a day off and decides to visit Desprit Deals Clothing Stores. Not that she's "desprit" herself, but she really wants new clothes, and she has come to quite like this rather run-down part of town - it is good for her career to feel at home here as much as among the high and mighty she used to mix with when she was still with Armand. 

For fun, she learns to breakdcance from the street performer. Unfortunately, mid-lesson, a townie named Toby Riley walks by, and although I stop the lesson to make Jessica greet him, he's gone before she can do so. Do I know him? I can't remember having seen him around; he was wearing a police uniform, so maybe Jessica can contact him by calling the police... but will she want to do that, given her career? ;-)

Just as she is about to leave and calls a taxi, who should walk by but Audrey DeBateau, her ex's new wife. The women merely look at each other without saying a word.

Back home, Jessica changes into her new autumn outfit and has a nap. She spends the rest of the afternoon and evening having a meal, talking to friends on the phone and painting to get more creativity. 

The most remarkable thing that happens on Thursday is Jessica finishing her first ever painting. "I shall call it... Lady in a green dress," she thinks somewhat lamely. 

Until she is picked up for work, her day is spent at her modest home, having an equally modest meal, paying the bills (she may be a criminal, but does not want to attract attention to herself by incurring debt), talking to one or two friends on the phone, solving the crossword in today's paper and, you guessed it, painting. 

It is Friday 1:00 am when Jessica returns from work, tired but happy: She has been promoted to Bookie. 

Finally, a better car is sent to take her to and from work, and she dresses in a suitably business-like outfit. She hopes for another promotion today but loses one skill point "thanks" to a chance card, and returns home many hours later with neither promotion nor bonus. 

Saturday is a working day for Jessica, but she wants to get at least something of a weekend-y feeling and has toaster pastry for breakfast. 

Returning from work, her smile says it all: She has just been made Con Artist! 

Getting off the car is a colleague, and both she and fellow tenant Danielle Lillard sport the same business suit as Jessica. I wonder whether Danielle is in the same line of work! Anyway, the colleague is sent on her way, and Jessica deals with more important things. 

Such as eating pizza! This is, by the way, the pizza the landlady had ordered for her customary Saturday Tenants Party - taking place while Jessica and most of the other tenants were at work. She has no qualms grabbing the leftovers before anyone else can. Waste not, want not, is her motto. 

She invites her newest friend over. Kimberly Cordial joins her for some TV and a chat, with the topic of conversation turning to love, and how they both used to be in love with Armand. 

Right now, Jessica is not looking for love, but for money - who knows how she'll feel when spring comes round, or once she has proven to herself and the world that she CAN make it on her own and does not need a rich husband. 

Jessica has no living family members, and so she can't make Sunday a Family Day. But she has the day off and does not urgently need to work on her skills, and so she decides to put a nice dress on, make some Christmas cookies (it is winter) and invite her friends over. 

Ana Patel, Kimberly Cordial and Isabelle Baldwin (not pictured) soon join her for a cosy afternoon at the mobile home, chatting away, watching TV and munching on the cookies. 

With the week coming to an end, let's check on Jessica's list and see what she has achieved: 

1) quit job at Record Store - check! 

2) get into Criminal Career - check! 

3) cement friendships with Carlos and Ana - check! 

4) make new friends - check! 

5) make money - check! 

6) make more money - check! 

7) make a LOT of money - not yet, but she's not done badly, earning over 5,000 Simoleons this week. 

It was fun to see how she and Kim instantly bonded (presumably over their former love for Armand), and I suppose we'll bump into her again before the round is over, but now it is time to visit the next household on the list.