William Williamson - Week 1

William's Senior Year is here.

We're in Strangetown for William Williamson, starting with him leaving Campus upon graduating. 

He does not feel like throwing a party, which suits his Maxis-written bio: "While others may party and prank, William simply can't bothered by the day to day goings-on of a large campus. He's at school for one reason and one reason alone: to become a successful business man." 

The last bit is not true, though - William is a Fortune Sim, but not interested in a business career. Instead, he dreams of becoming Chief of Staff, top of the medical career. 

Just like Chaz Whippler, William went through his four years at uni without getting much attention from me other than making sure he wrote his Term Papers and got his skills. He left with several best friends under his belt but no romantic interest whatsoever.

Having arrived in Strangetown, he instantly heads to Tech Center Flats where he knows there is one apartment still for rent. His former fellow students Stella Terrano and Klara Vonderstein already live here. 

By the way, when I was looking up William on SimsWiki for some background info on him, I also found a wikipedia article about a US-American politician by the same name. The man died in 1972 and his wife's name was Clara. Coincidence...?

The top floor flat is still available, and William has a quick look around. It is a bit on the large side for one single Sim, and the rent is steep at over 2,000 Simoleons per week. But William has not spent much of his grant money during the last four years and arrives with a neat package of over 23,500 Simoleons. Also, he plans on starting his medical career as soon as possible, so money shouldn't be a problem. 

"I'll take it, Mr. Fairchild." - "Very good, Mr. Williamson. Now if you just sign here on the dotted line, please..."

As soon as the computer William was waiting for is delivered, he looks for a job. Five careers are available, but not Medical. 

He spends the rest of the afternoon settling in and then answers a call from Danielle Smith, a sorority member he knows from uni. She invites him for an outing in town, and he chooses "My Muse".

He is the only person to get off the taxi, though - not even Danielle is there! He could be upset about being stood up like that, but decides to make the most of the outing anyway. And he is lucky in meeting a townie by the name of Nathen Lee - someone he'll certainly befriend so that he can be made playable.

Back home, he spots Abhijeet Cho walking by. You may remember him as Bella Goth's partner and father of her first child since her unvoluntary move to Strangetown. The two men chat comfortably over plates of spaghetti (which is about the best William can offer, since he left uni with exactly ONE cooking skill point). 

Not much happens on Tuesday. There is no job for him in Medical, and so he spends his spare time skilling, talking to friends on the phone and finally making his way up to the roof top where he chats with Stella for a while.

Lazlo Curious walks by and is duly greeted but pretty much left to his own devices after that.

On Wednesday morning, the bathroom sink's tap breaks. William could of course call the landlord to have it fixed, but he has time and wants to skill (it is autumn), and so he does the job himself. 

Later, he attempts to gather the other tenants in the house on the rooftop by grilling hotdogs, but nobody appears. Only many hours later, when William is back in his flat, do Zaitrarrio Lee, Stella Terrano and Klara Vonderstein venture up and eat the now stone-cold hotdogs.

By Thursday, William still hasn't found the job he wants and decides to make an effort to socialize more, as long as he has the time. He invites Nathen Lee over, who brings Chloe Singles along. 

Later, he even joins Zaitrarrio Lee on the rooftop for a round of smustling, while Klara and Stella catch up on the latest TV shows. 

On Friday, once again William's wish to find a job in Medical is not fulfilled.

It is well into autumn now with rain for much of the day. When during a thunderstorm lightning hits one of the huge cacti near the building, the flames are put out quickly and nobody has to do the "fire dance". 

In other news, William invites Nathen over again to cement their friendship and bring it to the point where he can ask him to move in (it's too early for that, though). 

In many Sims' weeks, Thursday turns out to be the most eventful day. For William, it's Saturday, starting off with an unwelcome visit just after 2:00 am.

William hears strange noises outside his bedroom and calls the police just as the burglar puts the bar stools into his bag. 

Fearing for his safety, he watches everything from his hiding point on the balcony, and frantically waves at the approaching police car. 

The burglar makes it only half way down the stairs before running into the police officer. 

He doesn't get any further than that, but is handcuffed and lead to the car. William receives 492 Simoleons; poor compensation for three bar stools and his desk chair, but better than nothing.

Sseeing as he is already awake, he can just as well look for a job, right? Guess what - he is finally lucky and starts as a (rather unhappy looking) nurse straight away! 

His mood hasn't improved much by the time he gets home, in spite of a promotion to Intern right on his first day at the hospital. The burglary has left him VERY angry. Plus he missed the landlord's party for his tenants - free pizza might have made a small difference.

Sunday isn't much better, I'm afraid. There isn't anything as dramatic as a burglary, but poor William is unlucky with a chance card and is demoted back to nurse. 

Going back for a double shift (and a chance at getting back into his position as Intern) isn't possible with only half an hour left to his shift. 

William wants to end the week on a positive note and invites Nathen Lee over, by now one of his best friends. Surely a game of red hands, a friendly hug and a toast over a batch of freshly grilled hamburgers on the roof top will make Nathen want to move in? Well, I'm sure it would, but before William can ask, Nathen, who is in bad need of a shower, says good-bye - making him playable will have to wait.

This week didn't quite turn out as expected, what with William getting his career off the ground with only two days of the week left, and Nathen leaving before he could be asked to move in. Still no romantic interest on the horizon for William, but next time I'll play this household, about mid-week spring will start, and that's usually guaranteed to bring on those romantic feelings.

Stella Terrano: Senior Year

After the quiet week with Erik Swain at his Single Sim household, it's back to being really busy: Canyon Commons Dorms at Strangetown's La Fiesta Tech is home to 9 Sims, seven of which are playable and will need good managing at least until they have all their required skills and completed their term papers. 

The reason we're here is Stella Terrano, easily recognisable for her light green skintone. 

She is a her Senior, as are most of the others (William Williamson, Klara Vonderstein and the Davis brothers, Aldric and Almeric), while the Grunt brothers Tank and Buck are in their Junior and Sophomore Year respectively. 

About Stella, Maxis have written that she "... has definitely come a long way from home. Will a diverse campus like this one offer enough opportunity for even her to fit in?" Well, so far she has had no problems fitting in. Last time I played at this dorm, she even fell in love with Aldric Davis autonomously. 

As we all know, exams make hungry, and the first thing Stella does upon her return to the dorm is have breakfast with the Grunt brothers.

She already has the skills she needs this semester and is - again! - the first student here to complete her term paper. Her Major is Physics, which suits her Knowledge Aspiration, but not so much her lifetime want of becoming Media Magnate.

Left to her own devices, she walks over to where her boyfriend and Buck Grunt play chess. But who does she throw pink hearts for? Not her boyfriend, who is as oblivious to this happening as Buck.

Outdoors, I catch Klara and Almeric cuddling unter the stars; another couple who found each other without me doing anything.

Before going to bed, Stella spends some time at the arcade game and does a triumphant little dance when she wins. 

When they return from class, Aldric and Stella don't go inside immediately but enjoy the sunshine for a while. 

They then have a meal together at the cafeteria.

Later, I observe Stella observing Buck and his 3-bolt-girlfriend, NPC student Kay "Spikey" Kosmokos. 

It is so nice to see the Grunt brothers together! They didn't have the easiest of childhoods and weren't close when they were younger, but their family life has improved beyond expectations, and now that they are young adults and life at the same dorm, they often seek each other's company and nearly always eat together.

Almeric is in his girlfriend's room, looking up the footie results while Klara sleeps. 

Aldric's paunch doesn't come from thin air! He can't even wait for the dorm cook to serve the earliest round of breakfast but has to eat straight from the fridge.

Since he has already eaten by the time Stella gets up and has breakfast, he patiently waits for her to finish (he could at least sit down, though, couldn't he).

After class, Stella joins the Llama mascot in the cafeteria, and they talk about how they are making friends for life here at college.

One of the things Stella loves best is playing chess. William is nearly as much of a chess lover as she, and they have a good game together. 

A big wish of hers comes true when she is handed her special plaque for Games enthusiasm.

The first term of this year is already over, and everybody has done really well academically, although they weren't always taking great care of their personal needs such as hunger or hygiene. The autumn semester begins, and for everyone but the Grunt brothers, it is their very last term! 

The term is off to a firey start when the dorm cook burns the food. Fortunately, the sprinklers work well, but SOMEONE has to clean up afterwards, and it is not the cook! (Actually, Tank took it upon himself, which was very nice of him.) 

This time, Stella isn't the first to hand in her term paper; she needs to brush up on her mechanical skill before it makes sense to start writing.

To accomodate the need for creativity skill all around, and grant a wish of Tank's, a drum kit is set up in the hallway. Almeric gets to use it before anyone else. 

It seems that Stella still has the hots for Buck, who by the way was first to hand in his paper this term. 

This must have exhausted him so much that he can't even drag himself off to bed, but falls asleep in the common room. 

Stella has nothing better to do than to switch on the TV - which of course wakes Buck. 

The next morning, Stella visits Klara in her room for a chat.

William was hiding in the men's shower room but to no use - the campus coach finds him, and makes him work out until he needs another shower. 

Stella keeps following Buck around, and even though he likes her as a friend, his heart is set on Kay - 3 bolts are 3 bolts. 

Come on, Stella, give them some privacy and don't look so downcast - you have a boyfriend anyway, and as has been said often enough, three bolts are three bolts...! 

The Grunt brothers engage in a mock boxing fight, all smiles and laughs.

Aldric jumps into his girlfriend's arms, and Stella just about manages to catch him - not only is he a bit on the heavy side, he is also very smelly! 

The drum kit is a huge magnet, and there is nearly always someone practising at it.

A mascot fight breaks out in the common room, and guess what - this time the cow wins, not the llama! 

It's the very last, truly FINAL exam for Stella and the other Seniors here, and the end of Buck's Sophomore and Tank's Junior Year. All seven end up with best grades, their names on the Dean's List and the full grant.

For her graduation party, Stella invites Blossom Moonbeam, Danielle Smith, Sarah Love and Jessie Pilferson (not pictured). The dorm is already quite full and I fear the game will crash, but it doesn't. 

Instead, everybody has a good time, especially once Stella starts the smustle, so loved by all. 

One last look back at the dorm and her friends, and it is good-bye to uni for good! 

We will of course see Stella again, but it'll be a while until it is her turn on my alphabetical list again. Hopefully, she'll quit pursuing Buck Grant! Maybe she's one of those Sims who find love late in life; one of her turn-ons is grey hair, and of course she did not find that among her fellow students.