The Traveller Family: Week 1

The Travellers are to be found in the family bin in every neighbourhood, but in my game, I have decided to settle them in Desiderata Valley. 

Their family biography reads: "After a few years of astounding success in his law career, Trent realized the life of a working man wasn’t for him. He decided to take his modest fortune and travel with his family to explore the world." Funnily enough, Trent's memories show that he worked in Law Enforcement, not in the law career.

Here they are at their new address, No. 189 West Pleasure Path. 

"Trent is a Free Spirit. He’s never afraid to go out into the world and get what he wants. He is a dedicated father, and loves spending time with little Tina." That is what Maxis say about him. His aspiration is Knowledge, and he now dreams of becoming a World Class Ballet Dancer. 

"Trisha’s a little apprehensive about Trent leaving his successful career so quickly, but is ready to see the world and teach her little girl about the history and customs of far away lands." Well, there won't be much of seeing the world for now, what with Trent's lifetime want. Trisha's own lifetime want of maxing out all skills is a real challenge - she has not a single skill point. Her aspiration is Popularity, not Knowledge as you'd think. 

"Tina was sad to leave her school in Sim City. She misses all of her friends in the city, but she’s also very excited to explore all the far away wonders her parents have been speaking of." Again, all that exploring won't happen just yet, but I hope she'll make new friends here. 

Let's now have a look at the house. What little furniture there is on the open-plan ground floor is cheap, and there is only one small window.

Upstairs isn't much better. But since the family still have 40,000 Simoleons left after buying the house, they can afford more windows, nicer doors and most importantly, good furniture. 

Downstairs now looks like this; the empty part of the room will be furnished as per their wishes or needs. The kitchen is well equipped, and the dining table has enough space for visitors. A shower has been added to the downstairs toilet, more windows and better doors. 

Upstairs, the unnecessarily large bathroom has been made smaller and the rest of it is now Tina's room, in cheerful yellow with a sunflower-patterned wallpaper. 

The master bedroom is big enough to hold a desk where Mr. Humble's computer has been set up. 

The spacious landing can eventually hold skilling equipment, for instance an easel or - if Trent will get into the Dance career - the ballet barre. ]]>

The welcome committee consists of the Joques, Marcel and Sophie, and Faith Goodie. Since neither Trisha nor Trent can cook yet, all they are able to offer are sandwiches, but everybody enjoys getting to know each other.

In the afternoon, Tina learns how to do her homework with her Mum's help. 

The Joques are still here when it is time for dinner, and surprisingly, Trent is able to produce Mac & Cheese without burning the house down.

Trent is lucky on Tuesday and finds a job as an Aerobics Instructor. With him at work and Tina at school, Trisha spends the day doing the crossword and some household work, all in the name of skilling. She also makes sure to pay the bills. 

Tina and her Dad return from school and work at the same time, but Trent can only say hello to his daughter before he is off to another shift: He has been promoted to Backup Dancer.

Unfortunately, he takes the wrong decision with a chance card and is demoted to his former job as Aerobics Instructor. Never mind, he'll do better tomorrow. For now, he brings home his colleague Issac Bell.

Autumn begins on Wednesday, and it's not just the season that makes young Tina want to skill: She has, amazingly, already an aspiration (Knowledge) and a lifetime want (to become Mad Scientist). Here she is, skipping rope before school in order to increase her fun level and gain body skill at the same time. 

While her Mum is busy filling in a hole in the lawn, dug by a stray dog, she spends the evening gaining some cooking skill. Her Dad has gone back to work for a double shift after he has been re-instated as a Backup Dancer. 

At breakfast on Thursday morning, Tina cleverly suggests they should get a TV set - only for her and her Mum to gain cooking skill, of course ;-D

Speaking of skills, Trent now needs charisma, and so a mirror is hung near the front door. There are mirrors in both bathrooms, but I don't want him to unnecessarily hog a bathroom when someone else needs the toilet or wants a shower.

Trisha is happy to welcome a radiant Tina with her first A+ this afternoon. The day ends with Trent returning from work with a promotion to SimJazzer Instructor. 

Friday is dedicated to school (Tina), work (Trent) and skilling (all three). An easel is set up in the master bedroom, where Trent can now gain the creativity he needs to advance in his career. 

On Saturday, mother and daughter have breakfast together while Trent had to leave for work early. Trisha encourages her daughter to make friends with her classmates, but the girl is more interested in skilling - at least for now. 

But when Garrett Newson walks by in the afternoon, Tina runs out to greet him. They aren't friends yet by the time he leaves, but she has made an effort. 

Unfortunately, Trent has to work on Sunday, too. But he makes sure to spend time with his daughter before he leaves.

Also, the family have breakfast together; Trisha is now able to make delicious omelettes, just the right stuff for Trent before dance practice :-D Winter has set in, and they wonder when the first snow will fall.

Mother and daughter later walk to The Frippery Frock to buy some warmer clothes for Tina. 

She meets Gabriella Newson there, which is nice; now she knows two of the six siblings. 

Back home, Trisha has a nap while Tina, ever the little bookworm, is poring over her Mum's cook book. She really loved the omelettes this morning and wants to learn how to make them herself. 

Trent returns from work with a promotion to Dance Video Star and his colleague Issac Bell. Issac stays for a meal, and the first snow is once again talked about. 

This is where this nice, quiet week with the Travellers ends. Trent has been doing well in his career, and Trisha now has 17 out of the 70 skill points she wants. Tina has been focused on skilling but didn't neglect socialising with other kids completely. She'll grow up into a teenager the first day of their next week.

I like this family. They are easy to keep happy, and once the rucksacks and sunglasses are gone, they look like any regular Sim :-) I was surprised to find that each of them had quite an extensive choice of outfits already; Tina didn't have any winter clothes, though, which is why I chose the clothes shop for their visit to a community lot.

By the way, my game didn't crash at all during this "week" - maybe something is wrong with Pleasantview only but not with Desiderata Valley.