Francis J. Worthington III - Freshman Year

We're back on campus at Strangetown's La Fiesta Tech. To be more precise, we're at No. 134 Aridestra Drive, the private residence - not a rented place or a dorm - of Francis J. Worthington III. 

According to Maxis, "The Worthingtons are used to a lavish life so it makes sense that Francis would be given his very own residence throughout college. Can he keep his grades up and make his money last or will he be forced to find a roommate?" 

The house is spacious enough for more than one Sim, but for now, he's on his own. To be fair, he's only just arrived for the start of his Freshman Year. 

The ground floor opens to a hall with staircase, big enough to hold a large TV with video game and a settee. Off to the left is the kitchen with an archway leading through to the dining room where there is also an upright piano, a book shelf and an armchair where Francis can do his reading. On the back porch, a grill with table and chairs is set up, and on ground level is a small swimming pool. 

Upstairs is the bedroom with a desk and computer plus a long, narrow bathroom. Francis has 989 Simoleons in cash but won't need any money just yet, so he'll be fine when the bills come round if he makes sure to have good enough grades and receives the full student grant.

Here he is, looking rather serious bordering on the unhappy. His lifetime want is to become Hall of Famer, which suits his Fortune aspiration but not entirely the Economics major he has already chosen. 

If we are to believe his personal bio, he "doesn't believe he needs any friends aside from the Simoleons he keeps hidden under his mattress. He prefers to keep to himself and is hoping to join the secret society he keeps hearing about." With him, I really should make the effort and finally have a Sim joining the Secret Society, shouldn't I! 

For his first semester, Francis needs a cooking skill point, which is quickly gained. He still has plenty of time before class and decides to walk to La Plaza in order to meet a few of his fellow students. 

Matthew Hart is here, as are a few others not in the picture, such as Jasmine Rai and Zoe Zimmerman. The most interesting person right now for Francis is one of the girls at the chess table: Anna Knight is wearing the Secret Society jacket! 

A wish to earn some money is fulfilled by freestyling for tips, which has the added benefit of attracting Anna Knight's attention. 

He ends up eating his (somewhat overdone) hot dog at the same table where Anna is working on an assignment, but Francis doesn't get out much of her beyond a polite "nice to meet you".

The next day brings a visit from a student Francis has not met before. He rushes in, waving his arms and flashing his teeth... as well as everything else. Francis is completely unimpressed. 

The bills are paid, leaving him with just under 600 Simoleons. 

Just as he goes back in, coach Curtis Love walks up to the house. Since Francis sees his future at the top of the Athletic career, getting to know Curtis might not be a bad idea, and instead of working out, he talks to the man. In other news, he makes friends over the phone with Anna Knight. Step One towards Secret Society membership! 

Now that Curtis Love knows that Francis's heart is set on a career in sports, the coach rings him daily to give him advice. 

And just like the local streaker has made it his habit to turn up at the house every day, Francis has made it his habit to ignore him.

The first semester goes by in a blink, and Exam Day is here. To calm those pre-exam nerves, what's better than watching the cooking channel! (Culinary is Francis' preferred hobby.)

It must have worked, because he returns with an A+, his name on the Dean's List and the full grant, raising his cash to almost 1,800 Simoleons. And he never wrote his Term Paper! 

Now he needs a Mechanical and a Creativity point, but he also wants to increase his cooking skill plus pursue his friendship with Anna. Therefore, he invites her over and prepares a batch of hamburgers. Anna appears to be a bit shy, or why else would she choose to sit from him as far away as possible? Maybe Francis should not have talked about becoming best friends for life so early on in their friendship. 

The next day starts with Francis working on his skills.

Then, Jasmine Rai (already a friend of his) comes over by her own accord.

And look who's here again...! The streaker seems to think that this girl is hardly wearing more than he is :-D 

Just before it's time to leave for class, Francis spots Blossom Moonbeam outside and greets her. Black hair is one of his attractions, but funnily enough he has a crossed out bolt for Blossom.

Back from class, he invites Anna over again, and this time she is anything but shy - she surprises him (and me!) by kissing him tenderly there and then on the porch! So far, there had been no romantic interactions at all between the two.

But now of course it is time for Francis to break out the champagne - he's not a Worthington for nothing! Jasmine has been there all afternoon and stays for a burger and a glass of bubbly.

Over the next days, Coach Curtis Love keeps calling for his daily pep talk and recommendations to his most eager coachee. 

One of those recommendations was for Francis to try Yoga, and after his very first session the young man does not only feel super relaxed but also super fit. 

On the day he is due to sit this year's final exam, Francis discovers that the cacti outside his house he thought so durable are not so durable after all. "Maybe I should have watered them..." he thinks. Yes, Francis, maybe you should have. 

Just as he is about to go back in, who should turn up but the streaker. When he sees Francis' somewhat downcast look, he leaves without bothering him.

To cheer up and get himself into a good mood for the exams, Francis asks Anna over, and of course she is there in flash. They watch some TV together and have a salad before it is time to go to the exam. 

A still serious looking but actually quite happy Francis returns again with an A+, his name on the Dean's List and the full grant. His Freshman Year over, the new Sophomore has now over 2,700 Simoleons to play with.

Will his next year be as easy sailing as this one? Is he going to meet some of Anna's friends and become a member of the Secret Society? What about his Major in Economics - should he change to Sports in view of his lifetime want? 

It is going to take me probably two years or so before I'll be back to play Francis, unless of course he will move to the Fraternity house or with someone else at their rented property. Playing him through his Freshman Year was relaxing - no stress whatsoever. Once, a cheerleader came visiting, but neither mascot turned up.

Sharon Wirth - Week 2

Please click here for Week 1 with the Bell-Wirth family, and here for John Mole's Week 1.

We're at the Bell's home in Desiderata Valley, but not because it's the start of the next round (it is not), but because of Sharon Wirth living here as well. 

Here she is, the younger sister of Hannah Bell who lives here with her husband Issac and son Daniel. 

About Sharon, Maxis have written that she "has decided to move in with her sister's family until she becomes a bit more financially stable. She has found herself very interested in Mr. Mole, but has had a difficult time getting to know him…" 

She is in a romantic relationship with John Mole and I wonder whether I should make her move in with him, since here at her sister's place she only has a small bedroom with single bed, while John has an entire house to himself, much more suited to a couple. 

In my game, Sharon is a Romance Sim with the unusual lifetime want of becoming General. At the end of last round she made it to Junior Officer.

Issac Bell, her brother-in-law, dreams of being a World-Class Ballet Dancer and is diligently working at it.

Sharon's nephew Daniel is now a teenager and typically, on this Monday morning we find him on the phone to one of his friends - not that he won't see them at school in half an hour anyway!

After school, with Hannah being at work, Daniel and his Dad heat up some of the vegetable soup left in the fridge for them. 

Issac has brought his colleague Trent Traveller along after work, and he gets to eat Sharon's spaghetti bolognese that evening.

Poor Hannah! It really wasn't her fault, it was a chance card... She has lost her job as a Projectionist and will have to start in the Slacker career all over again. Her goal in life is to become a Professional Party Guest. 

Sharon has a wish to woohoo, but that's not possible at her current home with only a single bed available to her (and her room not big enough to hold a double bed). 

She and John Mole have been an item - on her initiative, too - since the I played John's 1st week, and therefore the decision is made: She'll move in with him here at No. 153, Main Street.

She arrives amidst the snow, and John is obviously VERY happy to see her. Sharon's financial situation has really been as unstable as Maxis have made out in her bio - she adds a mere 1,576 Simoleons. No furniture or decor is in her backpack, since John's house is fully furnished, but she brought her career reward (although I don't think there is enough room for it in John's garden). 

The only things bought to accomodate the two of them now are the settee you can see here, and a wardrobe and bedside tables in the bedroom. 

John is so excited about Sharon moving in that he slightly overdoes the hamburgers he makes for their first dinner together as a household. Never mind - several glasses of sparkling wine help to wash them down :-) 

And who cares about a slightly burnt meal anyway, when there are so many advantages to living together! Sharon gets her wish granted ;-) 

Tuesday is a good day for Sharon - she is promoted to Counter Intelligence.

It is also a good day for John, who is promoted to Rookie Field Agent. He still hasn't found a job in Journalism, and will stay in his current career until he can switch.

The dishwasher breaks, but with two relatively well-skilled people in the house when it comes to mechanical, calling the repair service doesn't even enter their minds. 

Sharon has the day off on Wednesday, and John only has to be at work in the afternoon. Therefore, they take advantage of the free morning and walk to the Frippery Frock for some outfits better suited to the various seasons. While Sharon makes her choice, John talks to Toby Scott. With two career-minded Sims, friends are important. 

"Fancy bumping into you here, sis!" Hannah is happy to see her little sister, and vice versa. She wonders whether Sharon and John are going to get engaged eventually.

Back home, John changes into his new wintery clothes and muses about his best friends before the car pool picks him up for work.

Sharon too changes into her new woolly jumper and warm trousers.

She spots Sam Thomas walking by and invites her in, and the two ladies spend the afternoon together. 

Thursday is another day off for Sharon, and she uses it mainly to skill and talk to friends on the phone, while John, who has once again not been lucky in finding a job in journalism, is off to work all afternoon. 

On Friday, Sharon returns from work with Nathan Gavigan in tow. Over a game of kicky-bag, the two colleagues become friends.

The start of spring on Saturday has brought on a spur of growth of the hedge outside the garden wall, and John does some clipping before he goes to work. 

Sharon has taken the wrong decision with a chance card and loses her job - very unlucky for her, but luckily, John has kept his job in spite of it not being his dream career, and therefore the two don't have to worry about money, which is a relief.

Sunday is Family Day whenever possible, and it certainly is possible for Sharon, who invites her sister, her brother-in-law and her nephew over. The Bells are greeted by John. 

But look - something must have gone wrong, otherwise why would the firefighter be here? 

Oh well... you guessed it, didn't you! Sharon burnt the family dinner and accidentally set the stove on fire, too. 

But don't worry, her, John and the entire Bell family are still around - it was just not the best Family Day ever, what with everyone needing showers and rests and so on after this. 

We will see the Bells early on next round, and of course get back to this household when it's John's turn on the list. I am glad they moved in together, and hope that he'll finally get into Journalism - and who knows, one or both of them might even roll the wish to get married.