tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62984141851468248992024-03-08T06:15:27.793-05:00Yulia's 5 Top-Level BusinessesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-58879746070998424982012-04-04T11:09:00.000-04:002012-04-04T14:14:41.539-04:00Marisa and Komei.<p>Wednesday night, Marisa and Komei showed up at the home venue together.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N0i_aDn7Dlc/T3yNzXiMecI/AAAAAAAAOXI/extjMrBKhxI/s1600-h/ScreenShot0483.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot048" alt="ScreenShot048" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uiRlWB6Ikhk/T3yN0HHeFHI/AAAAAAAAOXQ/Kg79TOHXdrs/ScreenShot048_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="469" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Although, because Marisa was now trying to become a Doctor of Nutrition, Derek saw her at the hospital frequently, Yulia hadn’t talked to her former employee in several days. And then Yulia realized she hadn’t even seen Komei in several days.</p> <p>The couple was still there the next morning, and Yulia went over to catch up after Derek and the teens had left for the day. “Komei, where’ve you been?,” she inquired.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TRwPPH9EpSA/T3yN0oD5-BI/AAAAAAAAOXY/gWQQNRhQfSw/s1600-h/ScreenShot0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AgvBdgaR5Eo/T3yN1DVUyFI/AAAAAAAAOXg/-uUSVrqvY6A/ScreenShot001_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="613" /></a></p> <p>“I opened that kitchen appliance store I was telling you about,” he explained. “’Komei’s Kitchen Stuff’—catchy, huh?”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y17OLPqMxXU/T3yN1ro09bI/AAAAAAAAOXo/qgRC-2gs0dQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0023.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6WcQDIaHdr8/T3yN2KzE5JI/AAAAAAAAOXw/Gc2GQuR5CLc/ScreenShot002_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="618" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-43RniyAIMhA/T3yN2eZ55iI/AAAAAAAAOX4/bjjGFz-ypjs/s1600-h/ScreenShot00610.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FpzSRBWXNmQ/T3yN24MmsXI/AAAAAAAAOYA/Nwly8qogAUA/ScreenShot006_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="283" width="644" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OrBpOP3l7Y8/T3yN3bC-brI/AAAAAAAAOYI/zK2Wy8468sQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0073.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D7MWJhjifvI/T3yN3-mp-rI/AAAAAAAAOYQ/QkKrMKev5PY/ScreenShot007_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="458" /></a></p> <p>“So, I’ve spent the last few days doing nothing but selling appliances to customers.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2HbK9oM3b-Q/T3yN4JKp6bI/AAAAAAAAOYY/kxXxkdWTpik/s1600-h/ScreenShot0083.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Giala5r3FzM/T3yN4oBAxwI/AAAAAAAAOYg/ROhTEzlE0sM/ScreenShot008_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="447" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Because I was already Level 10 in Charisma,” he continued, “it didn’t take me very long to get my Bronze badge in Sales,”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HmxFwXu6ih8/T3yN5OPOv9I/AAAAAAAAOYo/UkE64_V23EA/s1600-h/ScreenShot0093.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Joc4Fc7vB-U/T3yN5vD1tXI/AAAAAAAAOYw/LoTgTyi_JO4/ScreenShot009_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“then my Silver,”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QSote6h_Ep8/T3yN50mcYvI/AAAAAAAAOY4/ovxnvOAv6kU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0103.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rKbMydsLy5A/T3yN6SmwGCI/AAAAAAAAOZA/VT92lt1lU0U/ScreenShot010_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="456" /></a></p> <p>“then my Gold,”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KxZ9SPyGTec/T3yN7H_pIWI/AAAAAAAAOZI/0qBGQ1mArW0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0113.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3V8vzfdoNzc/T3yN7QH7bXI/AAAAAAAAOZQ/UK0PdEaFqHA/ScreenShot011_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="328" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“at which point I could ‘Dazzle,’ and sales just took off from there! Of course,” he confessed ruefully, “my register skills still aren’t very good,”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UuqT9NnNO28/T3yN79BS0gI/AAAAAAAAOZY/W6H_1dCJo8w/s1600-h/ScreenShot0123.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-scz1shkOKao/T3yN8RWI4iI/AAAAAAAAOZg/ltH-tR4-sZc/ScreenShot012_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="398" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“but my restocking ability makes up for it—I can restock an item immediately after I sell it, and STILL beat the customer to the cash register!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PQgNuo9WDes/T3yN9GHWEjI/AAAAAAAAOZo/Hz2K3pyTOOE/s1600-h/ScreenShot0133.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bOk4rNHnBdc/T3yN9tAxqII/AAAAAAAAOZw/MmxoiROahSc/ScreenShot013_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="486" /></a></p> <p>“I DID finally get a Bronze in register, but that’s all so far,” he admitted.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JJCfqgFStSk/T3yN-DYFBhI/AAAAAAAAOZ4/LTUAswkIZFk/s1600-h/ScreenShot0153.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XAgRG7f6H4Y/T3yN-_ViigI/AAAAAAAAOaA/q48fouLR_TU/ScreenShot015_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="616" /></a></p> <p>He went on. “By the time my store reached Rank 5, I had sold enough appliances to make $100K!—which was my LTW!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rarLstgjBDM/T3yN_eWSceI/AAAAAAAAOaI/DIEh2b4yXhQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0163.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K9oty_cmr6U/T3yN_4KYurI/AAAAAAAAOaQ/Mu7NMnWPrPc/ScreenShot016_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="479" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Wow!,” said Yulia, impressed with her former employee. “So, what’s next for you?”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yMWDAR6rbzk/T3yOAdm7kbI/AAAAAAAAOaY/NCNpzsk52H0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0034.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8OpJKqVhKXY/T3yOA0yq_iI/AAAAAAAAOag/D1V68I2IUAk/ScreenShot003_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="379" width="448" /></a></p> <p>“Well,” he said, smiling, “the NEXT part has actually already happened!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-owwMYpGTCOk/T3yOBZQ87YI/AAAAAAAAOao/Szh_3jiG1M8/s1600-h/ScreenShot0043.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a_229RFT6jk/T3yOBw-xd7I/AAAAAAAAOaw/UWChihNDONE/ScreenShot004_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="486" /></a></p> <p>“With the money I earned from sales, PLUS the $83,000 I got from community grants for getting my store to Rank 5, I bought the old Aubrey Manor!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kce__OuPQDU/T3yOCRdC1LI/AAAAAAAAOa4/90WdXw2FTZw/s1600-h/ScreenShot0173.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a1eAd7-AmnY/T3yOC925lfI/AAAAAAAAObA/wWdAO050maY/ScreenShot017_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="421" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“AND,” he continued, almost without taking a breath, “I got Marisa over to my new house this morning under the pretext of advising me how to redo the kitchen—since she’s such an experienced cook and all. She’d had an overnight shift at the hospital, and I knew she was exhausted and needed to sleep. But I begged her to come over on her way home to her apartment, and I promised her it would take only a few minutes.” </p> <p>He related the rest of the story to Yulia:</p> <p>************************</p> <p>“Komei!,” Marisa had gasped. “This is a LOT of house!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bBeb_Zfo6rg/T3yODYdx6JI/AAAAAAAAObI/e6c3uKkLbJw/s1600-h/ScreenShot0184.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aod2SfwSIPo/T3yODo4RZjI/AAAAAAAAObQ/UEXytsjd8_w/ScreenShot018_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="397" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Yeah, and it needs a LOT of work!,” he responded. “Come on—let me show you the kitchen. I’m really going to need some help figuring out what the heck to do with it!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qMLQRvTRwDM/T3yOEHwYM8I/AAAAAAAAObY/c-dKWf_rGhY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0193.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y5_LKW8GTxE/T3yOFJikyVI/AAAAAAAAObg/4dBhsKCmZz8/ScreenShot019_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="460" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“I see your point,” Marisa commented, after examining the space. “It almost doesn’t make any sense for the kitchen to be here in the front of the house—that nice bay window kind of encourages a dining room, don’t you think? Maybe the kitchen would be better in the back of the house. I bet you can re-use these cabinets, though.”</p> <p>The two walked through the rest of the mostly empty first floor.</p> <p>“There sure IS a lot to do here,” Marisa mused.</p> <p>“Yes, but I already did a couple of the upstairs rooms,” said Komei, excited. “Wanna see?” He sprinted upstairs without waiting for her answer.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ynZM003G7fA/T3yOFv2FjdI/AAAAAAAAObo/_yGv8L0ifiA/s1600-h/ScreenShot0204.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F9Pk2bxB6dk/T3yOGY63j2I/AAAAAAAAObw/2POSLXd8Jso/ScreenShot020_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="323" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“What do you think?,” Komei asked excitedly, as he showed her a beautiful, airy bedroom,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wu6gt8QoeLo/T3yOG-VhPoI/AAAAAAAAOb4/_I52ehF4_94/s1600-h/ScreenShot0227.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cWTB1tCbr08/T3yOHpFaojI/AAAAAAAAOcA/J4Iyn9LbT-4/ScreenShot022_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="462" width="644" /></a></p> <p>with a luxurious ensuite bath.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uPYd0hL2prU/T3yOIKctZrI/AAAAAAAAOcI/JmwR6ZiZuIY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0213.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-39QKJwXWUoU/T3yOJlOepLI/AAAAAAAAOcQ/jGBUhz7yqDs/ScreenShot021_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="630" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NTMxwGeNUA4/T3yOKBXjbZI/AAAAAAAAOcY/srtX_B-GJwc/s1600-h/ScreenShot0233.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QMbF2DN0Zo0/T3yOKz1YMXI/AAAAAAAAOcg/-b0rSypFCrs/ScreenShot023_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="314" /></a></p> <p>“This is gorgeous!,” Marisa said. “Whose room is this?”</p> <p>“Yours, if you want it!,” Komei told her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RcWCMJyKpdw/T3yOLV-MdJI/AAAAAAAAOco/sNEY7KqS6T0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0243.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S09gaWeMkuc/T3yOMIE14KI/AAAAAAAAOcw/rlCNUWFLZME/ScreenShot024_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="594" /></a></p> <p>************************</p> <p>“So then she hugged me,” Komei told Yulia. “And then I left her alone so that she could decompress from work,” Komei explained. “I was feeling pretty confident, though. I mean, we’re both Fortune Sims, so I’m pretty sure I know what makes Marisa happy.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o_ZVidefHMY/T3yOMrMNEEI/AAAAAAAAOc4/_Nz58yZ0L4I/s1600-h/ScreenShot00614.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L5o3xpIJP2U/T3yONN2XncI/AAAAAAAAOdA/0gz6V0Q6-yo/ScreenShot006_thumb16.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="439" /></a></p> <p>“That’s great!,” Yulia enthused. She was very happy to think that two of her former employees might be building a life together.</p> <p>Komei got up and walked away to talk to one of his customers who was waiting on a cooktop delivery, and Yulia took that opportunity to talk to Marisa. </p> <p>“I hear you have NEWS!,” Yulia teased her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OQokT-RkeFU/T3yOOLZ6QTI/AAAAAAAAOdI/JZUNFsj6PAE/s1600-h/ScreenShot0077.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Jl-BEjU6pPU/T3yOOsjfQmI/AAAAAAAAOdQ/0LMQSIrsYFs/ScreenShot007_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="633" /></a></p> <p>“Yeah,” Marisa said, blushing a bit. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uxaBGocV7R8/T3yOPGigfnI/AAAAAAAAOdY/gdwj94-hNak/s1600-h/ScreenShot0087.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-an9jFUavBl4/T3yOPSgDZyI/AAAAAAAAOdg/Tu4-CSrI2qQ/ScreenShot008_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="441" /></a></p> <p>“I’m really lucky Komei’s such a gentleman—I was so out of things earlier this morning that someone could really have taken advantage of me! After he left, I took a shower in that incredible bathroom—probably the best shower of my life!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DGH87KX1s8s/T3yOPzshLBI/AAAAAAAAOdo/i3DfgAITsW0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0258.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-frV82GwWvLU/T3yOQTk2bAI/AAAAAAAAOdw/VHx93GH4vM4/ScreenShot025_thumb13.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="432" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Then I put on a robe that Komei had told me he’d left for me in the armoire,”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7F0ititHfVE/T3yOQuD1UeI/AAAAAAAAOd4/iJkwE50MzcI/s1600-h/ScreenShot0263.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZDMQEwxAAoQ/T3yORLQS1xI/AAAAAAAAOeA/AVOD77q_EpY/ScreenShot026_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="431" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“and crawled into that wonderful bed. My head was spinning, quite frankly, and I figured I’d better get some sleep in order to think clearly..’</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rGMyGeL7XyY/T3yOR8zhOyI/AAAAAAAAOeI/yWMWadfee5Y/s1600-h/ScreenShot0273.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YG6qfJA5vkw/T3yOS3ty49I/AAAAAAAAOeQ/ts_OueKniL8/ScreenShot027_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="632" /></a></p> <p>“And when I woke up from my nap, I realized I wanted to be married to Komei….”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5IcZB_6n73E/T3yOTSFpFBI/AAAAAAAAOeY/zjd6T_4z_8g/s1600-h/ScreenShot0056.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EA-OnHDW9Pc/T3yOUEu2EgI/AAAAAAAAOeg/fDcHaZmyqDA/ScreenShot005_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="226" width="337" /></a></p> <p>_______________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>A compressed “how to make money from a retail store” post! (As well as another illustration why $100K is the easiest/fastest LTW.)</p> <p>As Wen had sagely figured out (from the earlier post in which Yed had to move in with Komei briefly in order to buy Genya’s dance/fitness studio), I WAS background playing Komei and Marisa.</p> <p>In the first couple of days in Belle Townhouses, Komei got his Charisma to Level 10, bought the kitchen appliance store, developed some rudimentary cooking skills in order to impress the talented and pretty sous-chef he fancies (!), invited her over for dinner (okay—slightly burnt grilled cheese!) a couple times and, starting from Rank 0 at 10:28 Thursday morning and no sales badges, he had his Gold badge in Sales by 6:48 that evening: < 8 and 1/2 hours! (Yes, he used the Energizer.) He stayed at the store continuously till Saturday evening at 5:02 p.m. He was doing well, and could have stayed there ad infinitum (even with NO employees, which you may have noticed!), but left because: he’d reached Rank 5, so had gotten all the community cash awards, he was at $200K plus of available cash, and he wanted to buy a snazzy house so he could convince Marisa to move in with him. Remember, keep your eyes on the prize!</p> <p>Ah, the wonderfulness of a man who knows that real estate is the best gift….</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-89747497291044131642012-04-03T15:59:00.001-04:002012-04-03T19:39:56.498-04:00Twins, College, and Permaplat (but not for Yulia).<p>Previously, on the afternoon of Yasiu’s birthday, Yedrek and Yanastasia were again leaving for the studio. “Good grief!,” teased Yed. “You’ve got that same dress and shoes in ANOTHER COLOR?”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sPi-kw8CqjY/T3uAIWA_s0I/AAAAAAAAOO0/KCFtiYA4HA0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0043.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ohBG0jvL7gs/T3uAIiaQc3I/AAAAAAAAOO8/R44mhQ4i31w/ScreenShot004_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="453" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yana barely looked up from her practicing. “Wow, and look at YOU, Twin!,” she said sarcastically, noticing the Adidas logo on his shirt. “A product endorsement?--and you’re not even a real athlete!”</p> <p>“Yet!,” he retorted.</p> <p>They went to the studio, where Yana resumed her usual workout,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7FHSjeUST80/T3uAJ1pg8JI/AAAAAAAAOPE/gXmgkP-rLhU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0053.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DhnHVVWujHM/T3uAKflEKfI/AAAAAAAAOPM/szlepkuTY-w/ScreenShot005_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="458" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and Yed did a lot of weeding at the extravagantly planted venue.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T-tpL5luc0g/T3uAK4KrjzI/AAAAAAAAOPU/7CPPFple0wk/s1600-h/ScreenShot0063.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zfb2B83MEJQ/T3uAL3xnDXI/AAAAAAAAOPc/WBIsxGtOWs4/ScreenShot006_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="381" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Yana slipping into a tent, and called to her, “Hey—I could use some help here!”</p> <p>“Maybe later,” she called over her shoulder. “I need a nap.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l5nI2plG9vg/T3uAMq6mnSI/AAAAAAAAOPk/eWG1Ke46_IU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0083.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a8UBwReBrN4/T3uANWje50I/AAAAAAAAOPs/U9kKXES0AI8/ScreenShot008_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="281" width="644" /></a></p> <p>**********</p> <p>When Yana got up, she felt a bit guilty, so half-heartedly trimmed a few bushes. ‘I sure hope no one who knows me—and whose opinion I actually CARE about—sees me,’ she thought, disregarding regular customer Joe Carr as not worthy of her interest.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vhn2YWSUe-w/T3uAN76a9CI/AAAAAAAAOP0/o43HQnatEQU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0093.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CxXW2GV_BfA/T3uAOjn1cmI/AAAAAAAAOP8/JD0ysdLxSYs/ScreenShot009_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="413" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Despite Yana’s lack of customer appreciation, the studio reached Rank 4, at which point the teens went home for Yosh’s birthday.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CWuTWTQfLcA/T3uAPqYKpBI/AAAAAAAAOQE/9NoXx2EpBTI/s1600-h/ScreenShot0103.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n34pJLWWuB4/T3uAQKD9ZUI/AAAAAAAAOQM/_lm92Hakmig/ScreenShot010_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="461" width="644" /></a></p> <p>******************</p> <p>Early morning after Yosh’s birthday, Yevgenya awoke and went down to the dining hall to do her assignment. The guy in the llama jacket she’d met last evening, Bruce Rusewicz, was there, chatting up another student.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b-93eKZDffo/T3uARvWRdpI/AAAAAAAAOQU/Rz41euDSJAo/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sTXLkwlLs6g/T3uASY2JH9I/AAAAAAAAOQc/GJGpV2J8cv4/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="347" width="644" /></a></p> <p>‘That guy sure gets around,’ she mused.</p> <p>After finishing her assignment, she headed out to find some place to practice piano and work on Creativity.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QtpPIdqTyoM/T3uAS3hhzwI/AAAAAAAAOQk/wcIr_nkbZSo/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dUTeSMyAUSU/T3uATVpFDpI/AAAAAAAAOQo/2sJZBBzjbfU/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="558" /></a></p> <p>Rather than return to Loungarama Leisureland, the atmosphere of which she found a bit boisterous, she decided to try King’s Music Hall.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E_j8gU_9FWA/T3uAT3QgvAI/AAAAAAAAOQs/l_hB4xJUxWY/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j0oruCUnAGs/T3uAUnzpdJI/AAAAAAAAOQ4/BgXh2tcfunc/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="277" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Just outside, she saw Daniel Parmeley, a boy she recognized from her “Survey of Everything” class.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TtlJzwdqbeI/T3uAVyJwtDI/AAAAAAAAORE/UfcZtrZ2_Ik/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JrsdcJRJhgs/T3uAWhmrXLI/AAAAAAAAORM/ZvecJ-OTFXw/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="420" width="644" /></a></p> <p>But before she could talk to him, Bruce Rusewicz headed her off.</p> <p>“I see you everywhere!,” Genya remarked. “Do you ever sleep?”</p> <p>“I’ve got a lot of people to meet, and not nearly enough time!,” the boy said, somewhat mysteriously.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xJq5p7E82dc/T3uAXBhGeXI/AAAAAAAAORU/b6nlvi40hKA/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CMbCwxd1tn4/T3uAXhqRbDI/AAAAAAAAORc/_cPZcqYkmto/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="420" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Once inside, she sought out Daniel. “Hi!,” she said. “I think you’re in my survey class, right?”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iQZ8I-v0jC0/T3uAYAF9dnI/AAAAAAAAORk/yvYYsBjQ7JE/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZdJxid7NYAs/T3uAY66Ra5I/AAAAAAAAORs/ZCaIO3tPVDs/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="383" /></a></p> <p>“Yeah,” he answered. “I actually sat behind you today. I noticed you were blogging about food before class started.”</p> <p>“Are you interested in cuisine,” she asked hopefully.</p> <p>“Not at all—I eat only to stay alive.”</p> <p>Genya quickly switched topics, and tried to talk to Daniel about fitness, and then about music and dance, but it turned out he was not interested in those hobbies, either.</p> <p>‘Oh, well,’ Genya thought, resigned. She turned around and saw another girl in a llama jacket, so greeted her. Her name was Elle Wolosenko, and not only did she share Genya’s interest in cuisine, she was also a Fortune Sim, and had a LTW of owning 5 Top-Level Businesses.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_cDeKTp8Fe0/T3uAZB4odUI/AAAAAAAAOR0/hz4CD7-ASaI/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n3jbF7Qzfow/T3uAZ9ySvfI/AAAAAAAAOR8/llvDt0-7V6Y/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="341" /></a></p> <p>“Oh!,” Genya exclaimed. “You should meet my mother—she’s only a few stars away from getting her OWN 5th Top-Level Business!”</p> <p>The two girls talked for a while, then Genya went to practice piano. As soon as she’d gotten another Creativity point, she went back to her dorm.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bJloN0X_cqU/T3uAaqNcafI/AAAAAAAAOSE/wrznfbRptdQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4xsAtS6GSyU/T3uAbGPVsWI/AAAAAAAAOSM/gG839qYWt60/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="618" /></a></p> <p>She was fairly hungry and, after assessing the not very nutritious snacks that were available in the dining hall’s fridge, she decided to make a good breakfast for herself. And for whoever else happened by.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fu2MSgulvnc/T3uAbersU0I/AAAAAAAAOSU/75EDmSvgOvw/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8FAqHIS-Ovo/T3uAb1_DCiI/AAAAAAAAOSc/3QCDqahpAkk/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="382" width="644" /></a></p> <p>She was joined for breakfast by JJ Huffman, a Popularity Sim who wanted a career in Journalism. ‘Gee—everybody seems to know what they want to do except me!,’ she thought.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BBLin6BW2EM/T3uAcnHzqKI/AAAAAAAAOSk/n0AqzYs_zQo/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6C8IWBYKLM0/T3uAdbqUO-I/AAAAAAAAOSs/7mMAHO9_FbQ/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="486" /></a></p> <p>By the time she finished breakfast it was 7 a.m., so she tried calling Yosh.</p> <p>“Hey, little one!,” she cried, happy to hear her younger brother’s voice. “Though I guess you’re not so little anymore, huh?”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ClrePhVUyUk/T3uAd2O4grI/AAAAAAAAOS0/nMAc2YT8nQI/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CxzzEp6lSG8/T3uAeS-Z1iI/AAAAAAAAOS8/njLTmISQ--s/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="574" /></a></p> <p>Yosh told her all about his birthday party, which Genya was very sorry to have missed.</p> <p>“It’s okay, Sis,” he said, good naturedly. “I know you just started at Uni, and you must be overwhelmed.”</p> <p>The siblings hung up a few minutes later, and Genya found herself wondering why both her brothers were so normal and her sister was such a drip.</p> <p>*******************************</p> <p>After he hung up with Genya, Yosh looked for any scholarships he might be eligible for,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZnUelrB0iQ4/T3uAeyfI2LI/AAAAAAAAOTE/iGSC0oOghGI/s1600-h/ScreenShot0208.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2mOk1s6HgCo/T3uAfgwriFI/AAAAAAAAOTM/t87WeRCnnx8/ScreenShot020_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="404" width="559" /></a></p> <p>and was excited to get three.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eXtthpKu7pY/T3uAgF5JpJI/AAAAAAAAOTU/vP6PdGgfzfQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0174.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RyNQJm19Ykc/T3uAgj57cMI/AAAAAAAAOTc/gvgSJcWPt2o/ScreenShot017_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="175" width="226" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QsE4T0JHL6w/T3uAh13uGSI/AAAAAAAAOTk/QWIevqa2NyE/s1600-h/ScreenShot0184.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IuZt8IJw7HQ/T3uAifTjIdI/AAAAAAAAOTs/J7eWnHUz1Ac/ScreenShot018_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="178" width="226" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GVcpojcSu3E/T3uAir61CMI/AAAAAAAAOTw/pvh1m1pCWDU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0194.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-POHuqSDvLNM/T3uAjVUwJII/AAAAAAAAOT8/zJIlCBRX750/ScreenShot019_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" align="right" border="0" height="163" width="226" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Yana—who had an “interim” LTW of earning $100K—reached permaplat status before she left for school on Wednesday.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ukG91yOPR8o/T3uAj23J32I/AAAAAAAAOUE/10kldnrIXO0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0213.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OkwIZMZeHX8/T3uAkSnigZI/AAAAAAAAOUM/fndmT7e_I24/ScreenShot021_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="581" /></a></p> <p>*******************</p> <p>When the three teens got home from school several hours later, Yed brought home a really cute girl.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2KJFeqYa0FI/T3uAk_joGKI/AAAAAAAAOUU/ja8-N7insLw/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j37LAk7OYRg/T3uAleNVoNI/AAAAAAAAOUc/B7vJh-pklig/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="477" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Unfortunately, they had negative chemistry,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BD_HQvc2MoA/T3uAmV6N2uI/AAAAAAAAOUk/3uQMBpCppQY/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9Pjz48jn5ak/T3uAmzAssgI/AAAAAAAAOUs/hFmIekA4pSg/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B20%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="111" width="92" /></a></p> <p>but at least Yed realized his own interim LTW of earning $100K.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-brcZxOO9EQ4/T3uAp8t3njI/AAAAAAAAOU0/_rVHl5vPRns/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z2RK1oXGJkU/T3uAqrBXP7I/AAAAAAAAOU8/K5_4gql5dUs/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="316" width="559" /></a></p> <p>Thrilled that his younger son was interested in a science career, Derek had gotten the boy a Surgical Training Station.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w6eOzlQl8Ck/T3uArYPO2PI/AAAAAAAAOVE/Z-BhTQlpcDs/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CpMko5i12zc/T3uAr_LTotI/AAAAAAAAOVM/n8GxhqWs0fE/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="411" width="559" /></a></p> <p>Yosh loved the present, and immediately set about practicing surgery (if carelessly).</p> <p>Yed was occupied with his friend from school, and Yana had less than zero interest in running the studio without him (‘Too much like work!,’ in her opinion), so she took advantage of her new permaplat status to use a thinking cap to get her Creativity to Level 8,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jZ9xbdC14y0/T3uAsZiMxMI/AAAAAAAAOVU/rspx2Uy8YV0/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hh34zehwCiw/T3uAs77_jaI/AAAAAAAAOVc/CNEOJDT1FD0/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="474" width="644" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--qZwSsLTiks/T3uAtkXPdmI/AAAAAAAAOVk/nF_LeOSfNFo/s1600-h/ScreenShot043%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot043" alt="ScreenShot043" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W1khqCTobZQ/T3uAtxkuz6I/AAAAAAAAOVs/xQf5LPIgmTc/ScreenShot043_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="631" /></a></p> <p>and so to merit another scholarship.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MiBRvEYonbo/T3uAut3gtcI/AAAAAAAAOV0/tAi-Jd3Da3g/s1600-h/ScreenShot044%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot044" alt="ScreenShot044" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6qGUzaV7lL8/T3uAwNxD7cI/AAAAAAAAOV8/QIZStRZdIjY/ScreenShot044_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="427" /></a></p> <p>When Derek came home from the hospital, he helped Yosh with his technique.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vp5dIw1i7V0/T3uAwnJQH1I/AAAAAAAAOWE/yHAhhF2r1hU/s1600-h/ScreenShot041%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot041" alt="ScreenShot041" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xOXwjTdiS30/T3uAxZ4upQI/AAAAAAAAOWM/XGX6hWOg0UE/ScreenShot041_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="403" width="337" /></a></p> <p>When Yed’s schoolmate left, he figured it was too late to go to the studio, so donned a thinking cap and worked on his Charisma,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JxKZBuINpe4/T3uAyD8Pi2I/AAAAAAAAOWU/UsLdEgBDC_8/s1600-h/ScreenShot045%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot045" alt="ScreenShot045" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mg7oKzkw9Co/T3uAykM3UyI/AAAAAAAAOWc/4gx_FhoJHlo/ScreenShot045_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="355" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and also merited another scholarship.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M3ZqQT5nNeY/T3uAzVBxekI/AAAAAAAAOWk/vAhnDWvoNFI/s1600-h/ScreenShot046%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot046" alt="ScreenShot046" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rlMv435jKcI/T3uAz-64oiI/AAAAAAAAOWs/UxdtuRB0Cmk/ScreenShot046_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="230" width="337" /></a></p> <p>Later in the evening, Yana maxed out her enthusiasm for Music and Dance, quickly changed into an evening gown, and resumed playing piano.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e4QXyjzNHZQ/T3uA0j0hraI/AAAAAAAAOW0/s_J8yNPsy2c/s1600-h/ScreenShot047%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot047" alt="ScreenShot047" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AHgWyLFc_KA/T3uA1JPCF3I/AAAAAAAAOW8/HygMxDbMhC8/ScreenShot047_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="479" width="644" /></a></p> <p>‘I RULE!,” she announced aloud gleefully, though no one was nearby to hear her.</p> <p>___________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>I think it’s safe to say that Yana will not be running a business in the future….</p> <p>Oh my word, that Bruce Rusewicz guy is unattractive! Anyone who’s doing an Uglacy—don’t overlook HIM!!!</p> <p>I figure I’ll show how much trouble Genya goes through to find a nice guy, because that’s real life. Grayson Kimbrell went to Uni with her, but he must be off doing his own thing because she hasn’t run into him. And Genya doesn’t know herself yet, so she can hardly know what romantically she’s looking for. The Sim she hit it off most with so far is Elle Wolosenko (and Genya’s not gay).</p> <p>Anybody else notice JJ Huffman was nearly invisible??? WTF??? Are there student ghosts???</p> <p>Dang!—how did Yosh get the Footwork award? I don’t remember ever even seeing him at the ballet barre!</p> <p>My brilliant idea of a week ago was to have teens have an initial, “interim” LTW of “Earn $100K.” I think it’s the easiest LTW to satisfy anyway—I’ve done it with a CAS Adult in as little as just under 5 days (my latest Sim contestant achieved it very early on a Saturday morning), and it’s effortless for teens with one or more entrepreneurial parents. (That is, not 2 salaried parents, but at least one with some self-employed business sense). Keep this in mind, folks, for when you really want the gypsy to show up with the genie lamp, but she doesn’t….</p> <p>Gosh—I had high hopes for that girl that Yed brought home from school—EXCELLENT genetics! Too bad he hates her….</p> <p>I’ve never before noticed a Sim autonomously change into formal wear when maxing hobby interest in Music and Dance via piano! (I know it doesn’t happen via the ballet barre—the dancer keeps wearing her gym clothes.)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-79412568486475600332012-03-30T14:14:00.000-04:002012-03-30T17:43:48.886-04:00Yasiu’s Birthday.<p>Yevgenya came back from her first class in poor condition—she badly needed to go to the bathroom, she was very hungry, she was severely fun-deprived, and there was a plaintive message on her voicemail from her younger brother.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3xrSoe9YHxg/T3YhykAVSUI/AAAAAAAAOIs/lCRFM8yEr_0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0263.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xrXnJAmwn1E/T3YhzVUeMQI/AAAAAAAAOI0/f3IOTTfD93Q/ScreenShot026_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="406" /></a></p> <p>She grabbed a bowl of whatever the cafeteria worker had prepared downstairs,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WTFLOA50xt0/T3Yhzq9v1MI/AAAAAAAAOI8/x4PHwcfPCYk/s1600-h/ScreenShot0274.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hRHmEvLDM58/T3Yh0BCSX7I/AAAAAAAAOJE/OXyJGd73D2Y/ScreenShot027_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="328" width="448" /></a></p> <p>and ate by herself. ‘I really need to make some friends,’ she thought.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-puj2j1lYbmI/T3Yh0-LEz7I/AAAAAAAAOJM/16dBBF44TU4/s1600-h/ScreenShot0283.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot028" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zbJhrr5l7_w/T3Yh1ZhpZkI/AAAAAAAAOJU/QJ841AUBGDY/ScreenShot028_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="499" /></a></p> <p>She headed to Loungarama Leisureland, and met someone in a llama jacket outside.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1o-ycAUQ1Qs/T3Yh17P0DiI/AAAAAAAAOJc/QFRloWmXDQE/s1600-h/ScreenShot0294.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot029" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X7etydJo7p8/T3Yh2LVNI7I/AAAAAAAAOJk/MoJJRPbcBio/ScreenShot029_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="394" /></a></p> <p>Once inside, she spied a piano and, since she needed a Creativity point for class, she sat down to play.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--zge-0X3gW4/T3Yh25jfkNI/AAAAAAAAOJs/qDJoQYhWzes/s1600-h/ScreenShot0303.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot030" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oUlNHvoPfCo/T3Yh3aUWlsI/AAAAAAAAOJ0/MqjO_usoBnw/ScreenShot030_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="501" /></a></p> <p>When she’d gotten the needed point, she wandered through the venue, and showed some interest in Chazz Whippler, who’d just walked past her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fxxoTkKZQ0s/T3Yh31ryQ9I/AAAAAAAAOJ8/TAIiQcNqA9s/s1600-h/ScreenShot0313.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot031" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u3aHZ9r1sxc/T3Yh4oycGdI/AAAAAAAAOKE/_yzj0WJo9cU/ScreenShot031_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="607" /></a></p> <p>So, she went over to talk to him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F6nUX7aN_SM/T3Yh5OKr-BI/AAAAAAAAOKM/TiEpLyZPBdY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0323.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot032" alt="ScreenShot032" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tS8mQpQwpec/T3Yh5i00YFI/AAAAAAAAOKU/oKkds9T4S80/ScreenShot032_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="483" width="644" /></a></p> <p>He shared most of her interests,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HomFzFLoygA/T3Yh6Ml-CjI/AAAAAAAAOKc/l9_omkrsRB8/s1600-h/ScreenShot0333.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot033" alt="ScreenShot033" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-luzSoRV5Tkw/T3Yh64hra2I/AAAAAAAAOKk/k_QrStk3XzQ/ScreenShot033_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="323" /></a></p> <p>including Cuisine and Fitness.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RhBzRRXbAUI/T3Yh7ThE9nI/AAAAAAAAOKs/A3DEszNhxps/s1600-h/ScreenShot0343.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot034" alt="ScreenShot034" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FPGwYpiPJl4/T3Yh766V8HI/AAAAAAAAOK0/74cdMspRRLE/ScreenShot034_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="558" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fRsEgjDOB0w/T3Yh8c8GXPI/AAAAAAAAOK8/XrmsbrbBQU8/s1600-h/ScreenShot0353.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot035" alt="ScreenShot035" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-10_1edbT_7w/T3Yh8wEnlaI/AAAAAAAAOLE/b3rhMkq1J_E/ScreenShot035_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="247" /></a></p> <p>But as soon as Chazz walked away, Genya decided that Sabastian Wendlund was hot.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cGgi9NEvkbM/T3Yh9elZeMI/AAAAAAAAOLM/nBe0WZS59io/s1600-h/ScreenShot0364.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot036" alt="ScreenShot036" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vzw1O8RDs6w/T3Yh90iXfVI/AAAAAAAAOLU/-yukrDc8KJw/ScreenShot036_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="323" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Unfortunately, he was on his way out, and left before she could talk to him. She met another person in a llama jacket, and played pool with her for a while.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9nlqiFjaWbc/T3Yh-cMnBqI/AAAAAAAAOLc/bMCvnKetohk/s1600-h/ScreenShot0374.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot037" alt="ScreenShot037" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dj9GS98BPDo/T3Yh-422PFI/AAAAAAAAOLk/K08QyLpO11I/ScreenShot037_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="345" width="644" /></a></p> <p>She introduced herself to a couple of other girls (‘Hey, you never know—I might meet the right girl for Yed for when he comes here next year!',’ she thought).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dUIrUMPrG-w/T3Yh_E93WcI/AAAAAAAAOLs/Y6OXk7h2ORU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0384.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot038" alt="ScreenShot038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vP7lGBlhWeg/T3Yh_t8A7aI/AAAAAAAAOL0/CyxvWiH1x5A/ScreenShot038_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="356" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KdCjFv5xaTo/T3YiAA5W9ZI/AAAAAAAAOL8/qeA-C6eIn6Q/s1600-h/ScreenShot0394.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot039" alt="ScreenShot039" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t0mwGur3lmQ/T3YiAqPShsI/AAAAAAAAOME/qeubeSX5Fyk/ScreenShot039_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="484" /></a></p> <p>By the time she got back to the dorm, it was too late to call Yasiu. ‘I’ll do it tomorrow,’ she promised herself. ‘That’ll be Yosh’s birthday, anyway.’</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rZd_4tA8YxQ/T3YiBOEik0I/AAAAAAAAOMM/ZpBGydkbTuw/s1600-h/ScreenShot0403.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot040" alt="ScreenShot040" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J0Q4_oJAGWk/T3YiBvMrIjI/AAAAAAAAOMU/fUSeGRhYJ4Q/ScreenShot040_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="435" width="644" /></a></p> <p>*********************************</p> <p>The twins had left the studio pretty late for a school night, and it was a good thing they’d both already done their homework, because they both could do nothing more at that point than collapse into bed—Yedrek in the room he shared with his young brother,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X3ZA1jTdJTY/T3YiCNqjLkI/AAAAAAAAOMc/ivfMhOiu_CQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iRNTCTfYcDA/T3YiCqCzpfI/AAAAAAAAOMk/74bbPZoUSTo/ScreenShot001_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="443" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and Yanastasia in the room she now had all to herself,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Utipp8fYPd4/T3YiDTqEhYI/AAAAAAAAOMs/dEqAwu5LX5Q/s1600-h/ScreenShot0023.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dZZYkHgdpfc/T3YiD2FXTKI/AAAAAAAAOM0/5Fuc9byWUWw/ScreenShot002_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="636" /></a></p> <p>which her parents had redecorated for her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H83OGdnL9jw/T3YiEd_lVCI/AAAAAAAAOM8/X05G9EYf_c8/s1600-h/ScreenShot0033.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1g_PSVMfDC0/T3YiE_XF1MI/AAAAAAAAONE/Jxk3wR90AhU/ScreenShot003_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="590" /></a></p> <p>*************************</p> <p>After Derek had left for the hospital and the kids had left for school the next morning, Yulia set up for her younger son’s birthday in the front yard.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3PaFA-N1Jvc/T3YiFv5rAYI/AAAAAAAAONM/vumNam4TtbU/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QqZyGr3H8i4/T3YiHX01MBI/AAAAAAAAONU/6p13YtO2iRU/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="354" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Because she knew from experience that her customers would be playing with the party equipment all day long, she decided to open the buffet early, too.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gXqwvCzmYhM/T3YiIUdJIPI/AAAAAAAAONc/CzgCWsy6L_w/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JQB45a6xOBY/T3YiJIJDpXI/AAAAAAAAONg/JW4YBGBLgGU/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="352" width="644" /></a></p> <p>**********************</p> <p>While the family was assembled later, and waiting for Yasiu to come downstairs, the home venue reached Rank 9. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TFJyGE-ViNU/T3YiJf-H2SI/AAAAAAAAONs/rfjUFNAMIv8/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vyvc4ZGLV-o/T3YiK4KnXAI/AAAAAAAAON4/ymBiYc56LQI/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="469" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yasiu blew out his candles,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GWMkaVd431U/T3YiLh2_hkI/AAAAAAAAOOA/dXt2-fjg6NM/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_aeT4jcGtCs/T3YiMDbKOaI/AAAAAAAAOOI/ZGFnJbnL4qc/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="457" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and grew up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4dFGQoX4OjU/T3YiMovYy5I/AAAAAAAAOOQ/mHz5vpy-o98/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FBnvmZu5XIw/T3YiNBWDBsI/AAAAAAAAOOY/Z2zImYJCN1Y/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="417" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“So, Yosh,” Derek asked his younger son. “Any idea what you want to do with your life?”</p> <p>“I think I’d like to do something in science,” the teen responded. “Like you, Dad!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zIzRbvuSf8Y/T3YiNvLrAxI/AAAAAAAAOOg/Re7Mz1ygm6k/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lNyoKDxbkCE/T3YiOld1koI/AAAAAAAAOOk/vJ9-SR-x7I4/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="525" /></a></p> <p>_____________________________</p> <p>Don’t know why Genya came back from her first class in such bad shape—she used to spend the day at private school (away from snapdragons) and always had better motives than this when she came home (if I remember correctly). Maybe private school is less exhausting than college?</p> <p>Yeah, ummm, don’t know about Chazz Whippler—doesn’t look like good genetics. (Readers of the previous blog made fun of Derek’s jawline, but I had faith in him, and he’s produced some good-looking kids!)</p> <p>I’m starting to detect a little bit of Family Sim in Genya—consider her wish to keep her siblings together at Uni (including her arrogant younger sister), and her getting to know some girls in case any of them might be good to introduce to Yed next year. (And Family is her dad’s second aspiration). I think Sims tend to write themselves, and all you have to do is pay attention!</p> <p>Again, “Yasiu” is pronounced “Yah-shoo”—hence the nickname “Yosh.” (It’s a Polish thing!)</p> <p>Too funny how no one in the family is paying attention to Yosh growing up! And here I went to the trouble of having them all sit at a table and wait for him….</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-84950351915888776652012-03-29T08:40:00.000-04:002012-03-29T11:45:57.065-04:00College, and Yed’s Fitness Studio.<p>The home venue reached Rank 8 overnight.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Eaw10Fz1_uY/T3SB6KAcApI/AAAAAAAAOB8/umfB9OZbvq4/s1600-h/ScreenShot0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-awgR4-PP-38/T3SB65NpZ4I/AAAAAAAAOCE/1uFXJcw_skI/ScreenShot001_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="622" /></a></p> <p>This was happy news to Yulia, who was having trouble sleeping after the discussion she and Derek had had with Yevgenya, and had gone outside to stargaze. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oYQ6-wgcB2c/T3SB7rc7bBI/AAAAAAAAOCM/fSCGs7Q3MLI/s1600-h/ScreenShot0023.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-irJafUhl6sA/T3SB9IEbsRI/AAAAAAAAOCU/AdXsbHdYTyo/ScreenShot002_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="386" width="644" /></a></p> <p>*****************************</p> <p>When Genya got up the next morning, she studied Cleaning a bit more and was able to get an additional scholarship.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RcOTOk5LWjE/T3SB-lWzJuI/AAAAAAAAOCc/oocKBm4Gk_E/s1600-h/ScreenShot0034.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n1L-LbbqF_0/T3SB_CgV58I/AAAAAAAAOCk/9wmPksY6K10/ScreenShot003_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="153" width="226" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q09R4rdgyw4/T3SB_3wsSMI/AAAAAAAAOCs/-M4ilBr8OVo/s1600-h/ScreenShot0043.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oReU5smVTFM/T3SCAbPjwBI/AAAAAAAAOC0/svUqE0-9eOA/ScreenShot004_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="493" /></a></p> <p>She played chess with Yedrek before he had to go to school. “So, “ he asked, “are you really leaving for college today?”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k0RERKy-Fh4/T3SCBGGst6I/AAAAAAAAOC8/sLeiA9mCDHw/s1600-h/ScreenShot0053.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U8KZM4ehWlQ/T3SCBUSmgaI/AAAAAAAAODE/VvqxS5yJ5Ds/ScreenShot005_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="457" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Yup,” she said. “And I need you to run the studio, if that’s okay. I’m NOT letting Yana run it.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vGxHDK5v1MM/T3SCCR5xHgI/AAAAAAAAODM/fhqd3rbA5Lc/s1600-h/ScreenShot0063.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hgjmyhRkGRE/T3SCDuSJWZI/AAAAAAAAODU/GPFdstFeWEU/ScreenShot006_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="637" /></a></p> <p>When Yed was leaving for school, Genya caught him in the downstairs hall.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Gf-RqH4WFFs/T3SCEALtzDI/AAAAAAAAODc/b8yXG7l48is/s1600-h/ScreenShot0097.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l74sev3Ppbk/T3SCFi9L6VI/AAAAAAAAODg/PdNZ7ttCrfg/ScreenShot009_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="462" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V7RxwToR9KE/T3SCGI-Q2MI/AAAAAAAAODo/yq3HLtQ7oJg/s1600-h/ScreenShot0084.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ceO7gTVaIJc/T3SCG5j_lrI/AAAAAAAAODw/pZTeBbz0_xk/ScreenShot008_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="346" width="448" /></a></p> <p>“Wow, sis!,” he exclaimed. “The studio, AND your car???”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6CsSVKCQ0zQ/T3SCHcRxOrI/AAAAAAAAOD4/QXgLfBDxlTM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0103.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AaGrs-gpbNM/T3SCIf7om5I/AAAAAAAAOEE/oRDEhohlJDI/ScreenShot010_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="630" /></a></p> <p>“Yeah, I don’t need a car at college, anyway, and you’ll need some way to get Her Highness to the studio,” Genya said, with her back-to-normal good-humor. “It’s not like she’s going to walk there!”</p> <p>Yed, Yanastasia, and Yasiu went off to school, and Yulia and Derek discussed who would take Genya to college.</p> <p>“I wish I could, hon’,” Derek apologized, “but there’s an emergency at the hospital and I have to go in.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sXcst9PUs5E/T3SCI7zBjrI/AAAAAAAAOEM/WH_wforfcpA/s1600-h/ScreenShot0127.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sa73jEDtEhE/T3SCJ3_nRZI/AAAAAAAAOEU/I-12RcxkE3k/ScreenShot012_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="633" /></a></p> <p>“It’s fine, honey,” Yulia answered. “It’ll be less dramatic if I take her, anyway. Unlike you, I can be counted on not to cry!,” she teased.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vAsWPWVQOGk/T3SCKlgDkpI/AAAAAAAAOEc/ymB42riBaUo/s1600-h/ScreenShot0114.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jnai_ZJ4wL0/T3SCLTEvyxI/AAAAAAAAOEk/P-lKWtsThA8/ScreenShot011_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="366" /></a></p> <p>*****************************</p> <p>Genya had decided to attend l’Academie Le Tour. Despite her oft expressed disdain for her younger sister, she realized that l’Academie was probably the only school that Yana would remotely consider for dance, which meant that Yed would certainly enroll there with his twin, and Genya wanted all her siblings together at school if she could manage it. “It’s a great school, and it’s not like I have any idea what I want to do, anyway,” she sighed.</p> <p>For her dorm, she had picked Mille House, which had larger rooms than most of the other campus housing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p1kzjiZK2Zc/T3SCL0jpe7I/AAAAAAAAOEs/7obhE9BAUpM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0144.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DDrnETh2COg/T3SCMiyq9ZI/AAAAAAAAOE0/QwgTREjBOu0/ScreenShot014_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="264" width="448" /></a></p> <p>Yulia drove her daughter to campus and dropped her off in front of her dorm.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DOzClv5RGVI/T3SCNtJr2PI/AAAAAAAAOE8/kzFV1fsLNJQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0153.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fL7MrKtsSMg/T3SCOA90yvI/AAAAAAAAOFE/E1h5kYLGvD4/ScreenShot015_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="311" width="644" /></a></p> <p>But Yulia was wrong—she DID cry.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QruFCSA1dII/T3SCPBRKcrI/AAAAAAAAOFM/oYtfM178Pbw/s1600-h/ScreenShot0164.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zApSMorEtN8/T3SCPwsj2XI/AAAAAAAAOFU/Ob873PuIKdY/ScreenShot016_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="379" width="448" /></a></p> <p>Genya found a reasonably spacious room on the 2nd floor,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nUrh_c6Az78/T3SCQK40QpI/AAAAAAAAOFc/Vfa-BClrrts/s1600-h/ScreenShot0183.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U7oCxFY78YU/T3SCQ5Zy8rI/AAAAAAAAOFk/cYnCoZNsfQY/ScreenShot018_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="468" width="644" /></a></p> <p>claimed the door and locked it,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-06Y73J9Dfik/T3SCRkvhL9I/AAAAAAAAOFs/aMMH4kzgydU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0193.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PNC6AQ1vCUM/T3SCSNDriCI/AAAAAAAAOF0/zwji9hgHQp4/ScreenShot019_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="492" /></a></p> <p>and furnished her new room with the nice things she had bought from her profits from her dance/exercise studio (including snapdragons hovering just outside).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-awjuIiirPl4/T3SCS9lmGhI/AAAAAAAAOF8/bnu_NMKjrzI/s1600-h/ScreenShot0203.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nfk2Lv7WjuQ/T3SCTeAiOkI/AAAAAAAAOGE/2m2hgoxLoRA/ScreenShot020_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="529" /></a></p> <p>She sat down to do her first term paper,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RZXhwa_mXTE/T3SCT9LfF_I/AAAAAAAAOGM/IqkGmrqwbGk/s1600-h/ScreenShot0213.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i5GNca4bYlE/T3SCUdB8GdI/AAAAAAAAOGU/R_YSN43U-a0/ScreenShot021_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="342" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and, having finished it, went to her first class at 3 p.m.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N9buQDywYEg/T3SCU8EdnKI/AAAAAAAAOGc/Pb3dvFHwSm8/s1600-h/ScreenShot0254.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vWCld5MUXsI/T3SCVYQhCrI/AAAAAAAAOGk/xBNvdth3Jzk/ScreenShot025_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="386" width="644" /></a></p> <p>************************</p> <p>Meanwhile, back at home, Yed and Yana had returned from school.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mgn2fsgFQC0/T3SCV96FsLI/AAAAAAAAOGs/xYduQV7QXYw/s1600-h/ScreenShot0223.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XdnvNrUNkks/T3SCWYjeU3I/AAAAAAAAOG0/m0MFlS-g9cc/ScreenShot022_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="374" width="644" /></a></p> <p>They did their homework,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jwxwo5A5ojE/T3SCWwZjDmI/AAAAAAAAOG8/ZZIE8Waq8c0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0233.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uZIpqq3bay8/T3SCXewmLmI/AAAAAAAAOHE/S63IZaUTzPQ/ScreenShot023_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="628" /></a></p> <p>then changed and headed for the studio, which was now renamed “Yedrek’s Fitness Studio.”</p> <p>“What the heck is THAT?,” Yed asked his twin, looking at her attire. “Are those shoes even good for outdoors??? We’ve got to walk to the car, you know,” he added, drolly.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UKJyfoxWDt4/T3SCX2SxXQI/AAAAAAAAOHM/7F37wmLu01Y/s1600-h/ScreenShot0243.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pJOciZrRDKw/T3SCYvOCL3I/AAAAAAAAOHU/9Z2LTv6qCAk/ScreenShot024_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="362" /></a></p> <p>They proceeded to the venue, where Yana resumed her usual workout (in her new ballet dress and satin shoes),</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IDO1aoH4CNw/T3SCZGKWM9I/AAAAAAAAOHc/7bHHxJron_g/s1600-h/ScreenShot0434.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot043" alt="ScreenShot043" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6Fs7AsuBd0Y/T3SCZ4t9OAI/AAAAAAAAOHk/r3B1eSMfumg/ScreenShot043_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="392" width="448" /></a></p> <p>and Yed proudly opened his own venue.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WTz99NHbdfU/T3SCazWlr0I/AAAAAAAAOHs/xcXc49kKoQU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0457.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot045" alt="ScreenShot045" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i4Nud9yePTs/T3SCbphOeWI/AAAAAAAAOH0/Z7HPGhAU0N8/ScreenShot045_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="455" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Although, because the lot ownership had changed, the studio had gone back to Rank 0, customers started to trickle in,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gmWxbLP_OVs/T3SCbxnVHEI/AAAAAAAAOH4/kOVGP5sjntk/s1600-h/ScreenShot0443.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot044" alt="ScreenShot044" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Fav725eZwrw/T3SCcen3BVI/AAAAAAAAOIE/Rr14YNpWt9w/ScreenShot044_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="472" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and, by late evening, the studio had reached Rank 3.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2kclH7Cdgws/T3SCdbClAwI/AAAAAAAAOIM/j2I4q_4alxY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0464.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot046" alt="ScreenShot046" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jlm3xDwP7yg/T3SCehTihII/AAAAAAAAOIU/EPCQ4ygPQio/ScreenShot046_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="401" width="559" /></a></p> <p>Yed and Yana went home for the night.</p> <p>________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>I really screwed up the transfer of the studio from Genya to Yed! I had her gift the deed to him, forgetting that that doesn’t constitute transfer of lot ownership (and I’m a lawyer, so I should have remembered this!) for Sims 2 purposes. When Yed and Yana tried to go to the lot after school, it didn’t show as owned by the family. Yed went to the phone and tried to “Purchase Community Lot,” but hung up quickly before any interaction menus showed. The same thing happened with Yulia! I thought the custom phone might be jinxed, so had Yed use a different phone. Same problem! I opened Uni and had Genya sell back the lot to the community. Same problem. I wondered if my recent custom content imports (pretty ballerina dresses for Yana) might have caused the problem, so moved that folder out to the desktop. Same problem. I went to Komei’s apartment, and he was able to buy a community lot. So, it’s apparently a problem with the home lot. I had to have Yed move out of his family’s house, and move in with Komei (hey, they’re buds, anyway!), just to enable Yed to buy the studio.</p> <p>“Hey, dude, what’s up?,” asked Komei, surprised.</p> <p>“Nothin’,” replied Yed. “Just need to use your phone.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-whprtJdcJvI/T3SCfFfciYI/AAAAAAAAOIc/oRWMZMtJob4/s1600-h/ScreenShot0413.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot041" alt="ScreenShot041" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Tnyv57O9klQ/T3SCfwBzCKI/AAAAAAAAOIk/VcMwPinRlKM/ScreenShot041_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="636" /></a></p> <p>Then Yed moved back in with his family.</p> <p>The pic of Yulia crying over Genya’s shoulder outside of the dorm is a hoot! You never know what you’re going to get when you try to snap a pic of a “cinematic.”</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-13340803769223940882012-03-28T06:04:00.000-04:002012-03-28T09:16:08.792-04:00Genya’s Big Decision.<p>Sunday morning, Yanastasia finished studying Physiology, and enthusiastically headed upstairs to resume her dance workout.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A4nfdsa5H1g/T3MLuMRL7EI/AAAAAAAAN58/MLV8T7Li-mY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZXn9BscYkg8/T3MLujYyIRI/AAAAAAAAN6E/6eSMtlxV16k/ScreenShot001_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="453" width="644" /></a></p> <p>As Derek was crossing the foyer, he saw Yevgenya coming down the stairs.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aCPmB-bXgv4/T3MLvrk7zEI/AAAAAAAAN6M/8KRlKlJS-28/s1600-h/ScreenShot0037.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vAFgSmbsnUs/T3MLvycklaI/AAAAAAAAN6U/9-rz3ipOplM/ScreenShot003_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="631" /></a></p> <p>‘Eeeesh,’ he thought, noticing the heavy makeup the teen was wearing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RXl3zqW9pxM/T3MLwetrYoI/AAAAAAAAN6c/iKUW460g7oQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0023.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iW5fBgtjTP8/T3MLw349ROI/AAAAAAAAN6k/wEYuKJKDBJA/ScreenShot002_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="434" /></a></p> <p>“Can I talk to you for a minute, cupcake?,” he asked her.</p> <p>‘Yeah, and don’t forget to tell her what a CLOWN she looks like!,’ thought Yana, smirking as she passed her sister.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8W8GHsBjnoo/T3MLxfB6u2I/AAAAAAAAN6s/Esk53MinAIs/s1600-h/ScreenShot0043.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YSGRYTa6og4/T3MLxnAbYlI/AAAAAAAAN60/vTsC3sQkq4c/ScreenShot004_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="622" /></a></p> <p>“I admit I don’t know much about young women’s grooming,” he said, “but this looks like a little too much makeup for you. Let’s go sit down and have a talk, okay?”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1SfRvSrG89M/T3MLyE-LWvI/AAAAAAAAN68/HBoYhLnzvyY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0053.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hdJ9N0hNfNY/T3MLyoQ3tKI/AAAAAAAAN7E/zoY75Tn-elA/ScreenShot005_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="397" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“I hope this isn’t about that boy who was here last night,” her father continued. “Not that there’s anything wrong with him,” he added hastily, “but I don’t want you thinking that you have to change yourself for a boy. Or for anybody.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aymH27nAVL4/T3MLz5RZpXI/AAAAAAAAN7M/Yqg22nPOnSc/s1600-h/ScreenShot0073.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gz-igCGwc_Y/T3ML1urCdYI/AAAAAAAAN7U/uc7SXKz0rlQ/ScreenShot007_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="629" /></a></p> <p>“Yana wears a TON of makeup, and you’ve never said anything to HER!,” Genya countered.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZMMsVvTT6BQ/T3ML2kN16KI/AAAAAAAAN7c/IVhv65bP44A/s1600-h/ScreenShot0083.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G1F8URJqHcI/T3ML3O1MgxI/AAAAAAAAN7k/m_G4FwbOajw/ScreenShot008_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="490" /></a></p> <p>“Yana’s different, sweetiepie,” he explained. “In her mind, she’s already on stage, in a hall that seats 5,000 people, and she’s probably thinking she has to be seen by the folks sitting in the last row!” He chuckled, hoping to alleviate the tension in the room.</p> <p>Genya sighed. “Dad, I’ll do whatever you want,” she said, resignedly, and got to her feet.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GreI7BQ8Ybw/T3ML4A9h0eI/AAAAAAAAN7s/zis2N93cD7w/s1600-h/ScreenShot0093.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KXICl2uw6VI/T3ML4gI7hSI/AAAAAAAAN70/ZJNoWxK-7cU/ScreenShot009_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="349" /></a></p> <p>“What I want, honey, is for you to be true to YOURSELF,” he admonished gently. “That’s all.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YG7kuUMfhuc/T3ML5MNYsDI/AAAAAAAAN78/YXyMYM_8iO0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0103.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FUx37rj2wYI/T3ML5qdxgFI/AAAAAAAAN8E/3giND37q5es/ScreenShot010_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="630" /></a></p> <p>“Okay, Dad.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-63slTSNvS3o/T3ML6JXZfYI/AAAAAAAAN8M/UtliHCBxbZM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0114.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-outbPVkRhnA/T3ML6pNZDkI/AAAAAAAAN8U/Zt0OOT_8BUI/ScreenShot011_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="469" width="644" /></a></p> <p>She trudged upstairs and toned down her makeup a bit.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aItHBfgfS1M/T3ML7NUkiwI/AAAAAAAAN8Y/rha2xhiDt5o/s1600-h/ScreenShot0125.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EhIoC445gj8/T3ML7jAgESI/AAAAAAAAN8g/GtKgnxMo-mE/ScreenShot012_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="312" width="226" /></a></p> <p>Derek went outside and joined his young son at the fishing pond. ‘This is sooooo much easier than raising daughters,’ he thought.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wYzAR2qmRbA/T3ML8AanmYI/AAAAAAAAN8s/KK31Uc11ccU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0277.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mncgbu9753o/T3ML8ocGTqI/AAAAAAAAN80/NXyZ8hJzZTc/ScreenShot027_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="477" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Fortified by her knowledge of Physiology, Yana had quickly gotten her remaining 2 Body skill points,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZBihIGfzyLQ/T3ML9iAQhOI/AAAAAAAAN88/WEi-Ym9R79Q/s1600-h/ScreenShot0068.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0njkJPPS0Yw/T3ML-L-TbVI/AAAAAAAAN9E/ZixB6BpQBpc/ScreenShot006_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="421" width="644" /></a></p> <p>had applied for and been granted a Body scholarship,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-00L93oGnDfA/T3ML-af_zjI/AAAAAAAAN9M/tSbtDNlh5hc/s1600-h/ScreenShot0155.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KvtSN0Z-Vv0/T3ML-wTmLUI/AAAAAAAAN9U/mqVMr8RX-Bg/ScreenShot015_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="217" width="281" /></a></p> <p>and had gone to play the piano her parents had gotten her in order to raise her Creativity (which was currently at Level 0).</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sX0JtZgRhak/T3ML_UKcrqI/AAAAAAAAN9c/C_2aQIhyibA/s1600-h/ScreenShot0133.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e53LiDXGWIw/T3MMAC0G-AI/AAAAAAAAN9k/DtnZYXwPOiA/ScreenShot013_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="398" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Come on, ‘Sports Fans’,” Genya called to her teen siblings. “Let’s go!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LfCUhebeclY/T3MMAn9mB2I/AAAAAAAAN9s/0APDtxBOvaQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0164.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5y5P4aRYNHI/T3MMBJbIIHI/AAAAAAAAN90/drgt_cUBNNM/ScreenShot016_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="327" width="644" /></a></p> <p>**************************************</p> <p>Once at the studio, Yedrek gained his last 2 Body skill points as quickly as Yana had,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RFQtm8ptV5g/T3MMBho-I3I/AAAAAAAAN94/_HHdnXb5A_o/s1600-h/ScreenShot0174.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6kCAI_pXdNo/T3MMB3voGlI/AAAAAAAAN-E/FxzKN5WzjB8/ScreenShot017_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="534" /></a></p> <p>and went back to work as a personal trainer to the customers.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v9G24SIlSh0/T3MMCrtSj6I/AAAAAAAAN-M/q9DD3RkTzyo/s1600-h/ScreenShot0183.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IYI-NWr3YJs/T3MMDGQo_2I/AAAAAAAAN-U/3B9m6BEJwEY/ScreenShot018_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="577" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zKBBlzKEK_c/T3MMDqYFJZI/AAAAAAAAN-c/Zm64iCOH_mA/s1600-h/ScreenShot0193.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1cZL8dO8At4/T3MMEfX8u_I/AAAAAAAAN-k/bOeCIgL09C4/ScreenShot019_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="474" /></a></p> <p>A customer who hadn’t wanted any personal training, but who had just silently worked out on the treadmill by himself, turned out to be a reviewer--</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2XhH5DomeSg/T3MME-sCdCI/AAAAAAAAN-s/RUnRYVqOEi4/s1600-h/ScreenShot0203.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y2QLhwPCOoQ/T3MMFV2Bd4I/AAAAAAAAN-0/NmyRn_6iKyg/ScreenShot020_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="448" width="644" /></a></p> <p>--with great results!!! Genya put her brand-new “Best of the Best” award right by the front door.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jBQQmUAiawk/T3MMGN6x0aI/AAAAAAAAN-8/9HoI8o9RsxM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0213.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PFvldxpQB9s/T3MMGgepBZI/AAAAAAAAN_E/cO4R73cSFcE/ScreenShot021_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="483" width="644" /></a></p> <p>The traffic picked up in the studio and customers continued to gain stars,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6xMFHVaTtZs/T3MMHNScJbI/AAAAAAAAN_M/r2MFUFdwsJM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0257.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mMMlFLFJYPQ/T3MMHnX1b-I/AAAAAAAAN_U/uwckzZlTbvI/ScreenShot025_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="450" /></a></p> <p>and, while Genya was doing yoga, the venue reached Rank 5.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-61unIPAIZ4M/T3MMJErOPdI/AAAAAAAAN_c/MXOaQrIwEGg/s1600-h/ScreenShot0233.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hdF7irstBA8/T3MMJ0HltuI/AAAAAAAAN_k/HQozfSmuYOY/ScreenShot023_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="638" /></a></p> <p>Genya took the 5th cash perk,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Gs_pxJyj8mc/T3MMKJrqGDI/AAAAAAAAN_s/x4RPluHJU34/s1600-h/ScreenShot0244.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KRDZwtywTgw/T3MMKoDKmVI/AAAAAAAAN_0/I8365UafFCI/ScreenShot024_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="455" /></a></p> <p>which was $50,000, bringing her 2-day total earnings to more than $80,000.</p> <p>The teens headed home for the day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uvvsbSVwo6Y/T3MMLLYW_9I/AAAAAAAAN_8/vkkmnP_bhoU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0264.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YnYJ2_RB_TI/T3MMMLuFjiI/AAAAAAAAOAE/zg2n8oO1fM8/ScreenShot026_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="297" width="337" /></a></p> <p>That evening, Genya asked her parents to join her in the dining room for a serious talk.</p> <p>“Mom and Dad, I want to start college early,” she announced.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FE1MJ9bj73I/T3MMMooxU4I/AAAAAAAAOAM/GGhlpONWZbA/s1600-h/ScreenShot0283.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot028" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yqIEBUqgzys/T3MMNB3fQhI/AAAAAAAAOAU/CBb2PYgP1cU/ScreenShot028_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="463" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Well, THAT’S a surprise,” her mother remarked. “You’re doing so well with your dance and exercise studio!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UVd285XVNyw/T3MMNnVLPgI/AAAAAAAAOAc/1AQfCSznlM4/s1600-h/ScreenShot0324.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot032" alt="ScreenShot032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XaaZW_XY3bw/T3MMOT8V4qI/AAAAAAAAOAk/Lc-d6ufdFRw/ScreenShot032_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="346" width="448" /></a></p> <p>“Yes, but I was really interested in it just to get money for college,” she explained. “And now I HAVE money for college. And I don’t know what I want to do with my life, and I kinda feel I’m not going to figure it out around here. I really think I need to be in a different environment.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fYLkVxzXFlw/T3MMPHF5FcI/AAAAAAAAOAs/JrkJQVeP1Mg/s1600-h/ScreenShot0333.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot033" alt="ScreenShot033" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u92lYWC42TY/T3MMPsW-fyI/AAAAAAAAOA0/igVlKhPgU4s/ScreenShot033_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="394" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Does this make any sense to you?,” Derek asked his wife, incredulous. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KEvGaccULks/T3MMQASQkdI/AAAAAAAAOA8/2nXEj4i7Ib8/s1600-h/ScreenShot0307.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot030" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6YLgnIM6__8/T3MMQjvGfYI/AAAAAAAAOBE/tPkISXDzpfM/ScreenShot030_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="407" width="644" /></a></p> <p>He turned back to his daughter. “Genya, sweetheart, I hope you’re not doing this just because your sister is annoying you.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pvWygG5_fTY/T3MMRd8ZRxI/AAAAAAAAOBM/yrukqm1h0b0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0344.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot034" alt="ScreenShot034" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KwqQut93lVc/T3MMSFYUnEI/AAAAAAAAOBU/aWTDsCWoLvA/ScreenShot034_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="338" width="448" /></a></p> <p>“I think what she’s saying, Derek, is that she needs a little space, and time to focus on herself, in order to make some important decisions,” offered Yulia.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AKiM1KuOV3A/T3MMSvGYBLI/AAAAAAAAOBc/LgInq4X5n6E/s1600-h/ScreenShot0297.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot029" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y1Hhcvb4Shs/T3MMTYFUZCI/AAAAAAAAOBk/xh_atjuy7bs/ScreenShot029_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="336" width="644" /></a></p> <p>She continued. “Genya showed how mature and responsible she is by her hard work at the restaurant. And I think she’s ready for college, if she really wants to go.”</p> <p>“Why do I feel you two are ganging up on me???,” Derek asked in exasperation.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lzP-Fsfj-Ek/T3MMT4YYnnI/AAAAAAAAOBs/4oymmDYPKOk/s1600-h/ScreenShot0317.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot031" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7P5xIqCVWU0/T3MMUbPomtI/AAAAAAAAOB0/NNpLjcrrKxE/ScreenShot031_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="470" width="644" /></a></p> <p>The family agreed to sleep on the issue.</p> <p>___________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>Thanks to twoyys4me for telling me how to put the crop top/yoga pants outfit into Everyday. (Sometimes it amazes me the things I don’t know about Sims 2!)</p> <p>Yed had tried to be a personal trainer to Alvin Harris (the customer who turned out to be a reviewer), but that interaction wasn’t available. I initially thought it might be that this Sim had a very high Body skill, and didn’t need coaching (and he looked pretty competent on the treadmill), but maybe reviewers won’t accept that interaction? Not sure….</p> <p>Wow—a “Best of the Best” award at only Rank 4??? I’m thinking it was the décor.</p> <p>I think Genya came to realize that her father’s criticism was fair—that she WAS modifying her behavior, and second-guessing herself, in reaction to others. Not just Grayson, or her sister—she’s also judging her business success against her mother. And what Yulia wants (or, rather, what she thinks would be ideal for her daughter) is not necessarily what Genya wants.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-38671214518812733822012-03-27T06:22:00.000-04:002012-03-27T09:28:40.620-04:00Genya’s “Sort-of” Date.<p>While his teenagers were at the new dance studio on Saturday, Derek had a pond dug in the backyard, and spent an enjoyable morning fishing with Jasiu.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0Flsh1BAjJE/T3G-h5ojJFI/AAAAAAAANyY/_o6BYgcl-78/s1600-h/ScreenShot0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nR9QRsN_vFg/T3G-i5i-61I/AAAAAAAANyg/8stoE-tapnY/ScreenShot001_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="286" width="644" /></a></p> <p>But, due to an early summer thunderstorm, the two had to go indoors.</p> <p>There had been several customers relaxing in the hot springs,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JwXpyKpqahg/T3G-jaQspsI/AAAAAAAANyo/qCgwwjZ5UlY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0024.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9DUh11t9xxc/T3G-kOYYndI/AAAAAAAANyw/FLUszl9sUmE/ScreenShot002_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="561" /></a></p> <p>but they, too, were driven indoors by the weather.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Blwx6sC7NKQ/T3G-lmZCVfI/AAAAAAAANy4/DclSDu4yMgc/s1600-h/ScreenShot0057.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y2K8GU5pDuY/T3G-mqhpm6I/AAAAAAAANzA/YXrD-BrHNFc/ScreenShot005_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="354" width="644" /></a></p> <p>The teens came home and all settled in to spend the rainy Saturday studying. Yedrek and Yanastasia both worked on physiology, to make it easier to gain the rest of the Body points they needed for their future careers (Yed as a professional athlete, and Yana as a dancer).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XK4u2RgL4tk/T3G-nVoAFBI/AAAAAAAANzI/NW9fgjML4HI/s1600-h/ScreenShot0033.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hO_H7WukVFU/T3G-nwdFOKI/AAAAAAAANzQ/pUuriE1mX5U/ScreenShot003_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="606" /></a></p> <p>Yevgenya already had 10 Body points, so was studying Cleaning. ‘Just for something to do,’ she told herself. ‘Since I still don’t know what I want to do with my life, there’s no telling what skills I’ll need.’</p> <p>She got bored with reading, and invited Grayson Kimbrell over to the home venue. He hugged her when he arrived. “Wow,” he observed. “You didn’t even change out of your workout clothes?'” he asked. And sniffed. “Or shower???”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zHhYiSp9AeU/T3G-oXkcTfI/AAAAAAAANzY/4L2kawWK6Y4/s1600-h/ScreenShot0073.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5_WgYX-6H7s/T3G-o3ngerI/AAAAAAAANzg/5XOV-ixbbY4/ScreenShot007_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="394" /></a></p> <p>Genya was confused. “I figured, you know, we’d just hang out.”</p> <p>“Oh,” he responded. “I kinda thought this might be a date.” And he went into the back room of the venue to join a smustle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JRP3u5IPzX4/T3G-pfyKh3I/AAAAAAAANzo/33ruhXh2cTs/s1600-h/ScreenShot0083.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x2DAkj48zsE/T3G-qK4NgjI/AAAAAAAANzw/p2Ua2DLb2U8/ScreenShot008_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="593" /></a></p> <p>Genya followed him.</p> <p>“Well,” she said cautiously, “this COULD be a date, if you want.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QYw3iD7bpro/T3G-qvsMunI/AAAAAAAANz4/vzg68xurVb0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0093.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-joRibdJDOrY/T3G-q_8yCDI/AAAAAAAAN0A/bCrvzvaS3X0/ScreenShot009_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="384" width="644" /></a></p> <p>The 2 teens got into the hot tub that was the farthest away from Genya’s mother.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p9bJS5DhzYs/T3G-rifnvGI/AAAAAAAAN0I/THjxtJv6odg/s1600-h/ScreenShot0123.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7OFNFMlH8gQ/T3G-sIfkXiI/AAAAAAAAN0Q/bMgJc5xxdcs/ScreenShot012_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="483" width="644" /></a></p> <p>There was an uncomfortable silence, and Grayson tried to say something upbeat. “Hey, your new dance studio is really great—congrats on that! And it’s really nice of you to do something that helps your sister out so much. Yana’s so driven, and that place will really help her get ready for college and her career.”</p> <p>Genya thought about this for a minute, and didn’t know what to say.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5KY2iGw8_MQ/T3G-su0uSZI/AAAAAAAAN0Y/x3zneqvT_2c/s1600-h/ScreenShot0139.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uy3iMAIbvlg/T3G-t511fSI/AAAAAAAAN0g/yOXWGrdaWms/ScreenShot013_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="407" width="644" /></a></p> <p>So, she just splashed him,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lGWXxl5QFRo/T3G-uxpr4JI/AAAAAAAAN0o/J5T16pw6NYQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0145.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TkroQGX1vxw/T3G-vewwNHI/AAAAAAAAN0w/NX9Pnw_Zor0/ScreenShot014_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="370" width="448" /></a></p> <p>and he splashed her back.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pmPOKvzwSdY/T3G-wBI0uVI/AAAAAAAAN04/jVa9BRBQ-zM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0153.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B8Xs5GEDNyY/T3G-wvP8jzI/AAAAAAAAN1A/v2rj_1FxKUA/ScreenShot015_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="354" width="644" /></a></p> <p>With the tension dissolved, the teens just had fun gossiping, and getting a little closer.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FWxnbZC8yI8/T3G-w38-idI/AAAAAAAAN1I/gpIta4qG2Yw/s1600-h/ScreenShot0163.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ihbf9xXh0i8/T3G-xsWJ2uI/AAAAAAAAN1Q/G_4_VzGtDUE/ScreenShot016_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="314" /></a></p> <p>On the other side of the back room, Komei approached Yulia and told her he was starting his own business.</p> <p>“It’s a kitchen appliance store,” he explained. “And Marisa is helping me pick out what stoves and other stuff I should stock in my inventory,” he added happily.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jd5sy16TlPE/T3G-yJJzCWI/AAAAAAAAN1Y/3G_JGLgeM9Y/s1600-h/ScreenShot0206.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-StI3UfRdz7o/T3G-yihqnOI/AAAAAAAAN1g/l9t85T5J43U/ScreenShot020_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="460" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Oh, so Marisa is part of the business, too?,” Yulia inquired, hopeful about a relationship. (She agreed with her husband that the 2 Fortune Sims were a good match.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZzdunGnS2ZI/T3G-zD71UEI/AAAAAAAAN1o/SeNQWZgegyY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0218.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cXX1bW8PVxw/T3G-zuvg7yI/AAAAAAAAN1w/7qS4ikCzo58/ScreenShot021_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="339" width="337" /></a></p> <p>“Well, not really,” he answered with a smile. “Not yet, anyway. But we’re getting there!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pfEh5rrSt3s/T3G-0Q1h2_I/AAAAAAAAN14/mXsArseDQe0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0226.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NRrZZWu2EXM/T3G-0yWEPdI/AAAAAAAAN2A/CoDmvgeNJCA/ScreenShot022_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="467" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Back at the house, Yed had finished studying physiology,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kmNOv10GjNc/T3G-1mUJ1tI/AAAAAAAAN2I/-tEs_mq2XxI/s1600-h/ScreenShot01011.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IHslvhaX0uc/T3G-2I01X6I/AAAAAAAAN2Q/tjHLXQBIGnc/ScreenShot010_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="469" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and Yana had amassed enough hidden Dance skill points to get another scholarship.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-URn8GvdnRe0/T3G-2kgONRI/AAAAAAAAN2Y/fc5L0RoJ8FQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0238.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dN6qQ70fhhA/T3G-3BJB1hI/AAAAAAAAN2g/2N-NUe2PPSc/ScreenShot023_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="160" width="226" /></a></p> <p>The home venue reached Rank 7. “How’re you doing, hon?",” Yulia asked her husband over her shoulder.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-69vO109giHs/T3G-3rGjNqI/AAAAAAAAN2o/ksJYfmQpmlM/s1600-h/ScreenShot01115.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zhZ-pVkHoIg/T3G-4KPtEYI/AAAAAAAAN2w/p6vJ3ulk5NQ/ScreenShot011_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="404" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Well, I’m close to killing that kid who has his hands all over our daughter,” Derek fumed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-exe74luSGUw/T3G-4_R4J5I/AAAAAAAAN24/lwPqvDugbjo/s1600-h/ScreenShot0173.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xaucf_Vmz_4/T3G-5gGYtBI/AAAAAAAAN3A/A0XrBU1XPEs/ScreenShot017_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="595" /></a></p> <p>“Derek, he only has his arms around her shoulders,” Yulia said, amused.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w3JbK07iAYE/T3G-6YKUwLI/AAAAAAAAN3I/ayo3HdwI4_Q/s1600-h/ScreenShot0184.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PxCo6J7oLqc/T3G-6iPVpeI/AAAAAAAAN3Q/_PNmf9jNpoo/ScreenShot018_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="382" width="448" /></a></p> <p>Komei thought of getting into that hot tub, but decided against it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VejKUxJZirU/T3G-7eQyjfI/AAAAAAAAN3U/eUM5rQnLJuQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0194.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E3R4qk3Gsx8/T3G-8D_RS5I/AAAAAAAAN3c/zlRGVkxresU/ScreenShot019_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="588" /></a></p> <p>“Let’s cool off in the pool,” Genya suggested.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SVOshumYU78/T3G-8olgrTI/AAAAAAAAN3k/g-70o0OK7qA/s1600-h/ScreenShot0243.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--v0AztdAB7E/T3G-9IW2dsI/AAAAAAAAN3s/tNg7ebOLvY8/ScreenShot024_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="475" width="644" /></a></p> <p>They paddled around for a while. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rDpgHOmB_64/T3G-96z_wiI/AAAAAAAAN34/J5Ew7gZDeRw/s1600-h/ScreenShot03011.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot030" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k-K3s2tQDjI/T3G--YjU73I/AAAAAAAAN4A/Adg8hA0Isbs/ScreenShot030_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="629" /></a></p> <p>Grayson looked outside in alarm. “I think one of your trees is on fire!,” he said.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Irq8GnTZ5Dc/T3G--xMgEhI/AAAAAAAAN4I/cxml-vMBeB4/s1600-h/ScreenShot0319.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot031" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ERngIN0Sdmw/T3G-_d9jfmI/AAAAAAAAN4Q/evUb6OCtZWA/ScreenShot031_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="407" width="448" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y1dsDN65ktw/T3G-_z9baAI/AAAAAAAAN4Y/SnWGCP36uX0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0297.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot029" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g6rmVP4qigI/T3G_BGm5YwI/AAAAAAAAN4g/ptQoQ5WTi68/ScreenShot029_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="407" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“At least one of our trees is ALWAYS on fire,” Genya said calmly. “It seems to be a weird thing about the neighborhood.”</p> <p>Shortly thereafter, Grayson had to get home.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-coQLQHgPC08/T3G_B8aqMyI/AAAAAAAAN4o/s4Bx8R2NkWU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0259.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O4gAyZ3h9Ag/T3G_CXnnaYI/AAAAAAAAN4w/6wUT5musmFA/ScreenShot025_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="439" width="448" /></a></p> <p>“Hey, wait up!,” Genya called to him, climbing out of the pool and shaking water out of her ear.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VCvzisa1aZg/T3G_DOM7xqI/AAAAAAAAN44/ficNHZ6AwFI/s1600-h/ScreenShot0266.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ELhQ-fnRdXY/T3G_DrsuTsI/AAAAAAAAN5A/jiIrDY_qt3Q/ScreenShot026_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="306" /></a></p> <p>She ran over and kissed Grayson lightly.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zpZmxleuA6Q/T3G_EwbApOI/AAAAAAAAN5I/K93xkUCiTgk/s1600-h/ScreenShot0276.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OSOpCC1RZCQ/T3G_FZ586nI/AAAAAAAAN5Q/JJhHvahrT1s/ScreenShot027_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="409" width="644" /></a>______________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>I was tickled to see the 5 customers in the hot springs. I had no idea there was that much enthusiasm for that feature! Of course, a thunderstorm was starting, so maybe the game was just trying to get more Sims electrocuted….</p> <p>Have you ever seen this much of a slouch on a Sim???</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d6darlOp204/T3G_GRSkqOI/AAAAAAAAN5Y/6BfxpgMQ2xE/s1600-h/ScreenShot0047.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LnL7cJVFzmQ/T3G_G1b0wbI/AAAAAAAAN5k/lcmrTr9RwKM/ScreenShot004_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="628" /></a></p> <p>Yulia walked down the entire staircase this way. She was a bit into the green, so not really depressed, so I just have NO idea what caused this.</p> <p>Venues are fun to watch when they get to about Rank 6 or 7, and get busier. Lots of good interactions between customers.</p> <p>I just LOVE the wistful look on Genya’s face when the boy she likes is extolling the virtues of her younger, glamorous, and ambitious sister.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kuB9n4HbiYc/T3G_IC9vygI/AAAAAAAAN5s/czcmr83A_4s/s1600-h/ScreenShot0138.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NzZ9FAJj87s/T3G_IvTyU2I/AAAAAAAAN50/XgrPe8Q4LFw/ScreenShot013_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="335" width="337" /></a></p> <p>(Sometimes you get lucky with a photo.)</p> <p>I kind of expected “First Kiss” to be available for Genya and Grayson, but it didn’t wasn't—maybe they have to like each other more for that to be available?</p> <p>I didn’t want to put too much pressure on this to be a Dream Date. A “You’re Nice to Be With” date is just fine for a young girl….</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-16949877545854139852012-03-26T07:19:00.000-04:002012-03-26T08:11:55.077-04:00Genya’s Dance Studio.<p>Yulia woke up realizing to her horror that she hadn’t reset the home venue’s price back to Ridiculously Cheap from $9,999, meaning that her venue was probably deserted, and had been so all night.</p> <p>“Damn!,” she told Derek. He kissed her hair and tried to get her not to obsess about it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VAqUsMWaYQo/T2_tyZh_IMI/AAAAAAAANpo/7yznBad79_M/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZVyvivdk2rM/T2_tzP9BsiI/AAAAAAAANpw/I05WwpOIFCo/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="414" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yulia had been right—the venue WAS empty, but once she lowered the price customers started trickling in. She hung out for a while with Marisa, who had left her position as sous-chef at Yulia’s restaurant to go into the field of nutritional medicine (Derek had found her an entry-level position).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cQ2uByRK6tY/T2_tzZWx5kI/AAAAAAAANp4/pPiLCLqk6xk/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-siOrw55agzE/T2_tz9dlz8I/AAAAAAAANqA/aC4gdKx73vE/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="593" /></a></p> <p>“So,” Yulia asked mischievously, “what’s up with you and Komei???” </p> <p>“I’m going to take it slow,” Marisa answered guardedly. “But I DO like him.”</p> <p>Once Yevgenya woke up, Yulia gave the girl yet another present.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hlk1iaMUwQw/T2_t0faD84I/AAAAAAAANqI/d-UAInVcvi8/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sIN7gU-yYgk/T2_t1Hi6gMI/AAAAAAAANqQ/Up_Tc51C9Z4/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="452" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BXSGMDPHO4k/T2_t1oeF6lI/AAAAAAAANqY/0Nxk8rgxsIo/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zit2NyoLlk0/T2_t2Vm_YOI/AAAAAAAANqg/V0_jGsbanww/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="342" width="448" /></a></p> <p>“Mom—wow!,” the teen cried.</p> <p>“If you’re going to have a venue, you really need snapdragons to be successful,” Yulia explained. “Now go see your new community lot.”</p> <p>Genya and Yedrek headed down the stairs. “Come ON, Yana!,” she hollered to her younger sister. “You can do that at the studio!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tMC8Vqm9SGQ/T2_t2xik75I/AAAAAAAANqo/IWtIjUDZwXI/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DeHrUryH2WE/T2_t3XVdxII/AAAAAAAANqw/ke2JOZps2tk/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="507" /></a></p> <p>THAT got Yanastasia’s attention.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E00HRPPU2Bo/T2_t378EhHI/AAAAAAAANq4/c9p250SYTIE/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MdsbYJJVvWQ/T2_t4auqQSI/AAAAAAAANrA/2eAamYwn-Qk/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="437" width="644" /></a></p> <p>The venue was just beautiful,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4ejOvN2nxhk/T2_t5jsbNfI/AAAAAAAANrI/_L8vVZdQ_1s/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IpufuVYbpH8/T2_t55rMb6I/AAAAAAAANrQ/l0SBiYDlSOE/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="289" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and Genya was thrilled with it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ULUiqtUlOKU/T2_t6m-IIhI/AAAAAAAANrY/7-_Aarm1sgM/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-37BOhobWALQ/T2_t7ClvCFI/AAAAAAAANrg/ISSaU9REWbM/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="443" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yana headed immediately for one of the ballet barres and resumed her workout.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_N922KtU3aQ/T2_t7jV1FxI/AAAAAAAANro/5AbNMEx70WY/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jZ3os4l-upw/T2_t90fkYuI/AAAAAAAANrw/NBst015lkfM/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="553" /></a></p> <p>‘This place is WAAAAAY prissy,’ Yed observed, ‘but at least the equipment’s great.’</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C9TpUQSKY_M/T2_t-Z-lxxI/AAAAAAAANr4/DV-yKyOQB5Q/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BPB-cuAWuDE/T2_t-zBAb5I/AAAAAAAANsA/0DSLM-agUoM/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="579" /></a></p> <p>Genya opened her studio.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KNtw5PqJI-0/T2_t_qOEGoI/AAAAAAAANsI/PsskFUXz9Ew/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iRwVsAGN48o/T2_uAMnJS-I/AAAAAAAANsQ/Lad870qGu5s/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="461" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Customers really liked being able to watch the football game while working out on the treadmill.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KpL2RBQkMtU/T2_uAWsfBmI/AAAAAAAANsY/EnCt-pdZQJM/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KqMRXpe_k48/T2_uAy9KGHI/AAAAAAAANsg/vqyOwZmX1WA/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="636" /></a></p> <p>It wasn’t long before Genya had her first 3 customer loyalty stars, and Rank 1.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yiiCuVKv_BQ/T2_uBTiVqyI/AAAAAAAANso/Z53EgX2gv8o/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-907tskL9oIw/T2_uByOs9YI/AAAAAAAANsw/m0T8kVIxCJc/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="604" /></a></p> <p>She picked the first cash perk,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IH4bWhbUgCc/T2_uCWjCeII/AAAAAAAANs4/Py0DzmUmtlY/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B64SLzvfOOw/T2_uC4rNOsI/AAAAAAAANtA/Y59G-2YU4Ww/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="505" /></a></p> <p>and tuned the other TV to a workout channel.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SVXWBg0NjDQ/T2_uDuDCtNI/AAAAAAAANtI/AE-rB-px2Qs/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-06f2VFWDwV0/T2_uE5YS5UI/AAAAAAAANtQ/WPyjNhgzdog/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="476" width="644" /></a></p> <p>People were so comfortable in the studio that they were happy just to hang out there.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vDtUtu3hDd8/T2_uFVsVcvI/AAAAAAAANtY/354ygoldL6A/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lQ6BNS_zG68/T2_uFypSvqI/AAAAAAAANtg/Nkr4aDpAYjQ/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="426" width="644" /></a></p> <p>The studio reached Rank 2,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z7Ia2slXh9A/T2_uGtZYk5I/AAAAAAAANto/nZRK0jB4hpw/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yLZskWXMl2o/T2_uGyR1Y2I/AAAAAAAANtw/tvHGeNigcPY/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="602" /></a></p> <p>and Genya picked the second cash perk,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TufsCQXFBNA/T2_uHQC6CWI/AAAAAAAANt4/ep9ATv4zo-w/s1600-h/ScreenShot018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TX1uORDGkuo/T2_uHhiyobI/AAAAAAAANuA/id8mUiNFEj4/ScreenShot018_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="503" /></a></p> <p>and resumed her rigorous workout.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WHaYjmAtQKc/T2_uIJcTw7I/AAAAAAAANuI/nmyr0gcz13M/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2HBCVXd6k9I/T2_uIlPRaZI/AAAAAAAANuQ/TleOF0RvZSk/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="290" width="448" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DpDr6dTh3dA/T2_uI_RK9UI/AAAAAAAANuY/K9iuOGWRvoU/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vKBRW3SZvzI/T2_uJiZh3hI/AAAAAAAANug/VTt5xFiRTUI/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="385" width="448" /></a></p> <p>She decided to invite over a couple of her friends (though Grayson was much more excited about it than Whitney was).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1bv3Sd9dlr8/T2_uJ88AP_I/AAAAAAAANuo/r2deml3HeV8/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-whxbQAPYtZU/T2_uKRpbSqI/AAAAAAAANuw/jCRDh4cV-E4/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="416" width="559" /></a></p> <p>Still, Whitney was more eager about working out than Grayson.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PAtldrSocvo/T2_uK_cB_mI/AAAAAAAANu4/767YPWZX7V8/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JJxVOPe1ILA/T2_uLhILz1I/AAAAAAAANvA/EV9v0ONvIfM/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="422" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yed had a water balloon fight with Komei.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gDqzB9Br9fQ/T2_uMfWtLgI/AAAAAAAANvI/7GJEQ4oOwcY/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-17ZxsaGyWK4/T2_uMhRm5HI/AAAAAAAANvQ/IRndxdKoM8c/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="461" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Grayson DID pay some attention to Yana (whom he hadn’t really noticed at the twins’ birthday party).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zuLoc4NBzjw/T2_uNL3qFxI/AAAAAAAANvY/sLBrPaNd6r8/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rqJW7kOVwmQ/T2_uNj6nkwI/AAAAAAAANvg/uAywToCusIE/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="369" /></a></p> <p>Yed offered to be a personal trainer to several of the customers.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d98wKsu09y0/T2_uOFxONkI/AAAAAAAANvo/f2PuYphkwxU/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZR9ZgPs63BI/T2_uOol8gjI/AAAAAAAANvw/4DlvmREeRsQ/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="455" width="644" /></a></p> <p>For the most part, the 3 teens ran the studio professionally,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7BKtVoM6oQc/T2_uPOda48I/AAAAAAAANv4/O8hfSzESpho/s1600-h/ScreenShot027%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TnHy9zgTZ6k/T2_uP0liZqI/AAAAAAAANwA/pLFPXXhSiCo/ScreenShot027_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="451" width="644" /></a></p> <p>but kids will be kids, and from time to time their lesser natures took over.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BvBzQfasxlQ/T2_uQdU4tgI/AAAAAAAANwI/K97vMhOrGMY/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot028" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AE_0e1L2iUM/T2_uQyv0MII/AAAAAAAANwQ/bjw5TYQRHjs/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="247" /></a></p> <p>Despite this, customers continued to gain stars, </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9--qBt2jlkA/T2_uRAakxwI/AAAAAAAANwY/ht6_WqSN4xY/s1600-h/ScreenShot033%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot033" alt="ScreenShot033" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6EfttgsQyNg/T2_uRg10bKI/AAAAAAAANwg/JkX--TVH1XA/ScreenShot033_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="208" /></a></p> <p>and the studio reached Rank 3.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iw-T94c0ehE/T2_uR9J3u6I/AAAAAAAANwo/6CdZ3NopK1E/s1600-h/ScreenShot032%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot032" alt="ScreenShot032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AVSg4n9_5TE/T2_uSzLzzZI/AAAAAAAANww/w2b0T7NhU7I/ScreenShot032_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="560" /></a></p> <p>Genya picked the 3rd cash perk.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vhLzxdqxusA/T2_uTUNBRkI/AAAAAAAANw4/-ab3rlDnXLw/s1600-h/ScreenShot031%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot031" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6UF1WsVzLu4/T2_uURlLNpI/AAAAAAAANxA/Om-_Jqv2fOc/ScreenShot031_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="505" /></a></p> <p>Throughout the afternoon, the studio started to become more crowded.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Gz0irSlFr2I/T2_uUz-XxOI/AAAAAAAANxI/UzmDo_CsmR8/s1600-h/ScreenShot035%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot035" alt="ScreenShot035" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NKBLZENJdQw/T2_uVN7g-wI/AAAAAAAANxQ/nz1vtSfp8ao/ScreenShot035_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="397" width="644" /></a></p> <p>While Yed and Genya were doing yoga, the studio reached Rank 4,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--WRPyzqVHd0/T2_uWvt-eCI/AAAAAAAANxY/adc_iQUSNCg/s1600-h/ScreenShot038%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot038" alt="ScreenShot038" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SErsqCaygys/T2_uXG3nB4I/AAAAAAAANxg/cu7Bh7eLJrU/ScreenShot038_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="629" /></a></p> <p>and Genya took the 4th cash perk,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mo6KltsWcvk/T2_uXxhFAeI/AAAAAAAANxo/Q3FGaU6jLsQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot039%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot039" alt="ScreenShot039" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0cCDXNs8L98/T2_uYnOyZEI/AAAAAAAANxw/D6vY5vBLdc0/ScreenShot039_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="507" /></a></p> <p>and the teens decided to call it a day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-flOrIipUX4M/T2_uZM0ip9I/AAAAAAAANx4/dzc32DVziPs/s1600-h/ScreenShot040%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot040" alt="ScreenShot040" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iMcskQgf4rE/T2_uZV3G4dI/AAAAAAAANyA/9-9Hdyc5NmE/ScreenShot040_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="589" /></a></p> <p>___________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>I needed to find outfits for my teens that were available both in Everyday and in Gym Clothes, so that there wouldn’t be constant switching in and out of outfits. I would have liked more variety than what I had to settle for. Yana’s and Yed’s are fine, but I would have like something better for Genya (maybe the crop top with the yoga pants).</p> <p>I’d never seen (uncontrollable) customers “hang out”! Maybe I haven’t been paying attention….</p> <p>Hey, how about that one-armed pushup from Genya?!?!?! Pretty impressive, eh?<br /></p> <p>Really, what WAS up with Whitney’s attitude??? Genya’s at 47s with her, and only 25s with Grayson, and you see how much more enthusiastic he was about coming over.</p> <p>I just LOOOOOVE that the weight stacks move up and down…never noticed THAT before, either.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HXofxWfLZhY/T2_uaHVMG8I/AAAAAAAANyI/xOdTYSf7Wbc/s1600-h/ScreenShot036%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot036" alt="ScreenShot036" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-32W1rsDU3iY/T2_uau8nQnI/AAAAAAAANyQ/6Hckb70LJx0/ScreenShot036_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="415" width="644" /></a></p><p>Though I was careful to use only pix that showed daylight, the teens actually spent almost 2 entire days at the studio.<br /></p><p><br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HXofxWfLZhY/T2_uaHVMG8I/AAAAAAAANyI/xOdTYSf7Wbc/s1600-h/ScreenShot036%25255B7%25255D.jpg"></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-31868401759248492852012-03-25T05:00:00.000-04:002012-03-25T08:42:38.768-04:00The Next Big Project!<p>The home venue reached Rank 6 overnight.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_ijddjCKMcw/T25DcYOGi4I/AAAAAAAANg0/TijvOSN1vRI/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-owGHKTSqty4/T25Dc4oP_yI/AAAAAAAANg8/cOFjafXMMes/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="342" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yanastasia got up early,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FHTl4KijrFk/T25DdeqPXWI/AAAAAAAANhE/b0PnH1Yj4RA/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mYAMtzrTEDY/T25Dd6YP0-I/AAAAAAAANhM/E8VsY0fX_tk/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and immediately started warming up at the ballet barre her parents had given her for her birthday.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9P_jCEZuBvU/T25DeNbEeyI/AAAAAAAANhU/8ARxFwKe4Cw/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1HaIWdNt2sQ/T25Del5u2FI/AAAAAAAANhc/6mr7c7Ts9QA/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="641" /></a></p> <p>Yevgenya occupied herself blogging about cuisine and applying for college scholarships,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2W9Ktzk5YIg/T25DfOViFCI/AAAAAAAANhk/rG90cwXinLE/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DRjsp3qG4VY/T25DfrhdvJI/AAAAAAAANhs/_mcM7LRVfZE/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="414" width="644" /></a></p> <p>while Yasiu happily jumped rope upstairs.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yj3B5rGsAME/T25DgHvEYPI/AAAAAAAANh0/kGuadrn_zOo/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qc8RqEdk5K0/T25Dg1T8ArI/AAAAAAAANh8/CH0j89XiMD8/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="313" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Genya realized she’d better finish her homework before school, so vacated the computer. Yedrek then applied for his own scholarships.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HlSchNqGQqQ/T25DhWiASkI/AAAAAAAANiE/JJYmdK7V-xA/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o5N9UV1yzJ8/T25DhwelN4I/AAAAAAAANiM/ZHySbygDmwc/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="410" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Before she left for school, Yana too applied for scholarships.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qxmFxhCvUUw/T25DiCvZYMI/AAAAAAAANiU/PsEBQY7NkVo/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WYJ-pFTtU2M/T25Div4EYxI/AAAAAAAANic/qVa10bmMaQE/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="389" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Genya again drove her siblings to school.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tY84_qp1YMs/T25DjP-yxbI/AAAAAAAANio/6QWOv4L7s3I/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GQW2gXkpbQM/T25DjvNXmaI/AAAAAAAANiw/SLhkWGG7XoI/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="639" /></a></p> <p>Once the butler showed up for the day and helped clean up from the party,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ImExkcksGLc/T25DkB-8z0I/AAAAAAAANi4/fZ-PaeP1zwM/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fTnGnn2qSko/T25DlEQHnZI/AAAAAAAANjA/71NG1jySVyY/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="627" /></a></p> <p>Yulia was able to pack up most of the rental items,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WTefMqqK6Uc/T25Dlky03TI/AAAAAAAANjI/yP39ocMYfh4/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RUi0XNsG_pk/T25DmkCEOaI/AAAAAAAANjQ/Q2U-jOhqkvw/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="569" /></a></p> <p>except for the Myshuno and bubble blower, which the home venue customers were still using.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8I7x1-as_bQ/T25DnDvJz2I/AAAAAAAANjY/WEXggbfjR9s/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gArwYponFY8/T25DoQK7Q2I/AAAAAAAANjg/bxAnsNureIQ/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="414" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yulia had a new project in mind, and needed to raise money for it, so—despite knowing that raising the price of her home venue would reduce its traffic, and therefore the pace at which it would earn customer stars—she raised her admission price to $9,999.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F3jq-SHHhh0/T25Do2i9emI/AAAAAAAANjo/weo2mQ2hCIM/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eFU72rj4WXo/T25DplcLnQI/AAAAAAAANjw/CSChfj4w9jQ/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="392" width="644" /></a></p> <p>She failed to make a sale to Joe Graham,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FATPtddRAoo/T25Dq5lfGPI/AAAAAAAANj4/QOUtzJxRvUk/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V4ZZiBZWons/T25DrX-4k6I/AAAAAAAANkA/7TiF57y6YGc/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="300" /></a></p> <p>but succeeded with Andrea Hogan,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uiA4p_OoL_o/T25Drjj5VQI/AAAAAAAANkI/d3MeUjMmn7Q/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8DiDeFFLiec/T25DsXDHKTI/AAAAAAAANkQ/ZHS8IPZ4Ayc/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="425" /></a></p> <p>failed with Jill Fleig,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GoUQ2WnR7OY/T25Dt2IQVZI/AAAAAAAANkY/_vTLdGH5ZXo/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tMrnraExssQ/T25DueHJgXI/AAAAAAAANkg/i8LVSk8KdjY/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="356" width="448" /></a></p> <p>and Camryn Lee,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rmJSKpOItSs/T25DumrVbuI/AAAAAAAANko/0qRbmao66bc/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZNpbQeDIQTw/T25DvFjEcRI/AAAAAAAANkw/Qesng7NvsVE/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="543" /></a></p> <p>but succeeded with Christy Inaba.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nNDLF0YtaUQ/T25DviJY3TI/AAAAAAAANk4/Xk4bd000_VY/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BqxyHXKcNfk/T25DwOHnHUI/AAAAAAAANlA/7fCYcYPH0aM/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="374" /></a></p> <p>Derek came home from the hospital. “Why is the bubble blower still on our front lawn???,” he asked. “And why on earth is the venue price $9,999—I thought you were trying to get it to Rank 10!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Po50pgCjygU/T25DwpU5GZI/AAAAAAAANlI/GSuP5IBH9Ys/s1600-h/ScreenShot018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YfKbzWZ_d0k/T25DxEVSPJI/AAAAAAAANlQ/l-KV6YyAL_4/ScreenShot018_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="440" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Don’t start!,” Yulia told him. “I didn’t even manage to get rid of the Myshuno game until a few minutes ago. You have no idea how addictive these things are.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8_CKIh4rg_Q/T25DxoxT5VI/AAAAAAAANlY/o3SwJlNqAAQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lfbfuSukBPM/T25Dx2WbHaI/AAAAAAAANlg/3tTTkGtRZEg/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="488" /></a></p> <p>She got back to selling, and had her greatest success of the day with Amin Sims,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Or_3TvoM_rk/T25DySvDUFI/AAAAAAAANlo/Nmqx04h1G98/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GXJ8kaXtwXg/T25Dy1gp8bI/AAAAAAAANlw/wz_iE6aaCac/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="562" /></a></p> <p>who, because he was such a good customer of hers generally, could be counted on to stay for hours, paying $9,999 every hour.</p> <p>She noticed that Komei had dropped by. Interested to hear about his date with Marisa, she asked, “How the heck did it go???”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pa--HFNLRg0/T25DzeE4QiI/AAAAAAAANl4/eHKwJhvqzrQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l2jG4nK-Rmc/T25Dz_qEKfI/AAAAAAAANmA/LlRwAGWVhac/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="418" width="448" /></a></p> <p>“And your new haircut’s great!—what finally made you do it?,” she asked.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V6381wMcP34/T25D0S-tkxI/AAAAAAAANmI/LgfLE4ePWSc/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rEztfRju-wI/T25D09wz7gI/AAAAAAAANmQ/0NFWaIQg8K8/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="450" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Marisa said she’d actually date me if I looked a bit neater,” he answered, sheepishly.</p> <p>“So the date went well?,” Yulia asked, sounding hopeful.</p> <p>“I THINK so,” answered Komei. “At least I managed to make dinner for her.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UTRY8XyzinI/T25D1uAOHVI/AAAAAAAANmY/o5fAAk06lyQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7-zuSb0B6KE/T25D2Fel2eI/AAAAAAAANmg/uZhsnxl0PM8/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="419" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“I mean, it was only grilled cheese sandwiches, but I didn’t burn them too badly.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aRH_2gTHggI/T25D2ulpbcI/AAAAAAAANmo/gO6JV8TWSzQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ppYDpHYWTwM/T25D3QQK4kI/AAAAAAAANmw/cDgJJxyKIcY/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="634" /></a></p> <p>“And she really DID seem to be impressed that I cleaned up after dinner!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EobfuoENFi8/T25D34zqA4I/AAAAAAAANm4/vdkEgT3nevs/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HyopYF3D1M0/T25D4FjTK6I/AAAAAAAANnA/qlVJczvb_bI/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="415" /></a></p> <p>‘Well, cleaning always IS a fine quality in a man,’ Yulia said to herself.</p> <p>By early evening, the customers had finally abandoned the bubble blower, and Yulia was able to pack it up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-arOEVZRCQUE/T25D4hjX18I/AAAAAAAANnI/FrxQLVQWI4U/s1600-h/ScreenShot030%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot030" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zzQJpAXbvjQ/T25D5JyE3DI/AAAAAAAANnQ/U9Yp3b0ULo8/ScreenShot030_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="292" width="644" /></a></p> <p>She and her husband asked Genya to meet them in the dining room.</p> <p>“So, honey, we have an idea for you,” Yulia told her daughter.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rmo09X0qH9I/T25D5rNxrnI/AAAAAAAANnY/8mkYipljiLM/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot028" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c0PWCdK6Tko/T25D6A5K_cI/AAAAAAAANng/WEzoq0mnPpI/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="626" /></a></p> <p>“We would like to help you buy your own community lot,” her mother announced. “There’s a very good dance/fitness studio for sale and, since you already have a Gold badge in Sales, you should be able to make money for college very quickly.” </p> <p>Genya was stunned. “Okay, this sounds great, but why a dance/fitness studio??? That sounds more like something Yana would be interested in rather than something I would be interested in!,” she said, a bit petulantly.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H0a7ZPbL7Go/T25D6m8rIsI/AAAAAAAANno/Ezvpt_IgrsM/s1600-h/ScreenShot027%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UxOlEcjQRsw/T25D7JT5YrI/AAAAAAAANnw/sg7a3Zop7fY/ScreenShot027_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="342" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“You shouldn’t look at it that way, cupcake,” her father responded. “That the twins may enjoy it—because Yana wants to be a dancer and because Yed wants to be an athlete—shouldn’t change the fact that this would be a good venue for you to run. Your very savvy mother thinks there’s a market for it in the neighborhood and, if your siblings gain some benefit from it, so much the better. But don’t overlook what it can do for you.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qtDWN-slzVs/T25D7vOa6lI/AAAAAAAANn4/S5vk3aDcSOY/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot029" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3c1_B9C8RX8/T25D7-XMIeI/AAAAAAAANoA/H24dc-EO1l8/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="424" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Though she remained doubtful, Genya took her parents’ advice and, with the money her mother had raised that afternoon, she bought the dance/exercise studio.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SsePTsxRuzo/T25D8WumOTI/AAAAAAAANoI/j17duc4L07k/s1600-h/ScreenShot031%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot031" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7eE6ssc_qEA/T25D8kFZqnI/AAAAAAAANoQ/ZpfnlPpgxwE/ScreenShot031_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="396" width="559" /></a></p> <p>She went up to bed, passing her brother, who was studying Cooking,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jme7C98DEUk/T25D9fjRbEI/AAAAAAAANoY/T63ICFdeNZk/s1600-h/ScreenShot033%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot033" alt="ScreenShot033" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qBEfXR_ZOjo/T25D99HEMKI/AAAAAAAANog/Ntuz2oaF6_E/ScreenShot033_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="412" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and her sister, who was again working at the ballet barre.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iX2YB4W65I0/T25D-CBvKOI/AAAAAAAANoo/xOX3_5rmRDU/s1600-h/ScreenShot032%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot032" alt="ScreenShot032" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G7RjWBS-ZTU/T25D-pDjqLI/AAAAAAAANow/1xD-IkW3wk8/ScreenShot032_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="405" width="559" /></a></p> <p>‘Wait till she hears THIS!,’ Genya said to herself.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-clmREsl9WUM/T25D_H8FSpI/AAAAAAAANo4/Kweb8Xnt4SE/s1600-h/ScreenShot034%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot034" alt="ScreenShot034" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0lppsI6krY0/T25D_n6uVkI/AAAAAAAANpA/4r7OsOIX5go/ScreenShot034_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="428" width="559" /></a></p> <p>“I bet she’ll be a whole lot nicer to me.”</p> <p>__________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>Okay, so here was the initial unfortunate shot from Marisa’s visit to Komei’s townhouse:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hPNXCa9RdXY/T25EAMHRQHI/AAAAAAAANpI/FG7k6pN88g4/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eUb564RvW7I/T25EAkDSeFI/AAAAAAAANpQ/nGlgBR-rAGA/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="414" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Also, this was the night I finally had Yulia use the Elixir—she had 2 days to elder, and I didn’t want to lose track of it. She still might make her 5 TLB LTW before the deadline, however (though I’m really just letting the home venue tick on, while attending to family matters).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jQGwdLoWq5U/T25EA6qCTSI/AAAAAAAANpY/9m-fzSD4hqk/s1600-h/ScreenShot035%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot035" alt="ScreenShot035" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HEO3EFtRC3A/T25EBfsAxLI/AAAAAAAANpg/Xqto8qL-_lk/ScreenShot035_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="439" width="644" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-28947363781981697122012-03-24T11:28:00.000-04:002012-03-24T14:34:42.955-04:00The Teen-Twins’ Birthday.<p>As usual, the kids got up before dawn. Yedrek and Yasiu horsed around,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mD7rcLqtCvc/T24RuHsm9dI/AAAAAAAANY0/B0S8Hz4qtb8/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2kcmPm5mUw4/T24Rux5CfLI/AAAAAAAANY8/so9bjBY8dh8/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="409" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and Yanastasia danced with her dad, which was her favorite thing to do.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oJXsw-3lEK0/T24RvB1cdHI/AAAAAAAANZE/90BRRHra8Pk/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a2T8dK0zl_k/T24RvvJsyMI/AAAAAAAANZM/IgtzMZ6VGFM/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="377" width="337" /></a></p> <p>At about 8 o’clock, Yevgenya went into her brothers’ room. “Come one, you two—get dressed in your uniforms. You don’t want to be late for your first day of private school.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ch03u82gsp8/T24RwPCV7XI/AAAAAAAANZU/RqtObJ9z9ps/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6_BPQMa7WAg/T24Rw1bzEvI/AAAAAAAANZc/pqhaoTNFmHY/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="466" width="644" /></a></p> <p>The kids waved goodbye to their father as they piled into Genya’s car.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9W4WUc3NJwY/T24RzCdp3LI/AAAAAAAANZk/brhPedgGxPY/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-apJF66qEN2M/T24RzjDq2mI/AAAAAAAANZs/HaNW-wgD0GM/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="395" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Shelby stopped by the home venue to help Yulia set up for the party she was giving later that day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ii1F9OPSgag/T24R0LRjT7I/AAAAAAAANZ0/qwK7_cbI_X0/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-agHDft8EsUM/T24R0u8WPYI/AAAAAAAANZ8/l9q2UjFNdLE/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="450" width="644" /></a></p> <p>It was Yana and Yed’s twin birthday, and Yulia had rented a Myshuno game, a bubble blower, and a dance sphere,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mDR4brvpzbg/T24R1FkNxzI/AAAAAAAANaE/w-0leMKz2YU/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-glevnb9ypIs/T24R1pxkHpI/AAAAAAAANaM/gS67v0Kg8k0/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="306" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and the venue customers were already enjoying the items well in advance of the party.</p> <p>Genya came home from school,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mvFE1otirks/T24R2FjM40I/AAAAAAAANaU/sUG8KBBHhS8/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zoT1n0M8HVI/T24R211mwAI/AAAAAAAANac/grlcOP9uhX0/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="433" width="644" /></a></p> <p>with her friend Grayson Kimbrell, whom she’d invited to the party.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2EC5Opl4goY/T24R3v9EQvI/AAAAAAAANak/NUeQjpOrKbY/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4jv-P3hECq8/T24R3xEqd1I/AAAAAAAANas/I8xy8fJDd_s/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="433" width="644" /></a></p> <p>She changed out of her school uniform, and chattered away with her friend.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2aV1v7Ck76s/T24R4cyE7RI/AAAAAAAANa0/9DbnFHVD0Kc/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h5RpQM5lcjk/T24R5NfD3_I/AAAAAAAANa8/uL2j-VUqL8I/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="415" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“You know that bubble blower stuff’s potentially addictive, right?,” Grayson told her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5LarTLbNTf8/T24R5yichAI/AAAAAAAANbE/rR8pyNnaepw/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lNbQxXnAMsE/T24R6PyEbhI/AAAAAAAANbM/Q0wPbi2PV6k/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="373" width="644" /></a></p> <p>The 3 younger children came home from school,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mVvFdf-xIjU/T24R62lAHaI/AAAAAAAANbU/ecOT9ATnPaQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iX9_1q46xQI/T24R7RH3CqI/AAAAAAAANbc/XJJX1axPPok/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="532" /></a></p> <p>and Genya’s friend Whitney also arrived.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZhthN28j--g/T24R7qRyPuI/AAAAAAAANbk/JBcnrO0ot4c/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IvsYWmTOSuU/T24R8FhWAoI/AAAAAAAANbs/RhGofMx9Sog/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="467" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yulia opened the buffet, as birthday boy Yed played Myshuno with his father,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i5nAYidlwWY/T24R9O6HiqI/AAAAAAAANb0/xYTCsEmP4tk/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pO0-j-zub0Q/T24R9kGKoLI/AAAAAAAANb8/Smn3CcJOz_0/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="458" width="644" /></a></p> <p>who next danced (again) with Yana. “Are you going to be my little ballerina, cupcake?,” Derek teased the birthday girl.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TPByW6a5-cs/T24R-L33CkI/AAAAAAAANcE/O6rT5Skxzu4/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nttZC5rJZ8Q/T24R_JGDCyI/AAAAAAAANcM/Vcaukwi0Kds/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="537" /></a></p> <p>It was true that Yana never missed an opportunity to dance.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LUTySoY6XRM/T24R_7r8T9I/AAAAAAAANcU/HBzWLSt_780/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FzJCU5wyGCU/T24SAfQQ2OI/AAAAAAAANcc/iT4HLa7nbUM/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="465" width="644" /></a></p> <p>The child approached her cake. ‘I wish, I wish, I wish—that I could be a world-famous ballerina!!!’</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Im68jcqB6U8/T24SA3beUrI/AAAAAAAANck/xpRWmzDoWvc/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y348LSEZjTM/T24SBQtH8KI/AAAAAAAANcs/ojXKqg2nLvU/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="423" width="644" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lluU-sEQGPE/T24SB4jI9sI/AAAAAAAANc0/u3QXlpqvjmY/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XcvKImu-yik/T24SCUVKFmI/AAAAAAAANc8/YBm0W3JWOiM/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="467" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Then her twin brother blew out the candles on his own cake. ‘I wish, I wish, I wish—that I could be a world-famous sports star!!!’</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tyy3a3H94os/T24SC1rYnNI/AAAAAAAANdE/7gAWHmldSvk/s1600-h/ScreenShot018%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bt6vG-J8k7A/T24SD5Df9CI/AAAAAAAANdM/40kaL3slOAk/ScreenShot018_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="496" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1RjsgA7S3Sc/T24SEGIIP7I/AAAAAAAANdU/xEgcxGt9QF0/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JPWD5WbgCnU/T24SElpyu5I/AAAAAAAANdc/W-Eh-wanWcQ/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="479" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Hey, Twin!,” cried the now-teenaged Yana. “Nice outfit—are you auditioning for ‘A Streetcar Named Desire???,” she teased.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SQbgp0-imZk/T24SFT8iWKI/AAAAAAAANdk/1dJjGEVlxEc/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h3Dg3WvU-tI/T24SFxpRhHI/AAAAAAAANds/j-Y-CBP-je8/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="427" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yed grinned at his sister’s ribbing. Genya joined her 3 siblings.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Xy__QftIR5E/T24SGXQaEEI/AAAAAAAANd0/LkDFFPba-rg/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xxcs6inDTcU/T24SHOA0gZI/AAAAAAAANd8/xMi_n_PwbGY/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="440" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Hey!,” said Jasiu. “How come it’s not even my birthday, and I’m the only one with cake???”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tQdtViI9Zoo/T24SHkVF-yI/AAAAAAAANeE/591eremvthc/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PGBpaNktFOY/T24SIL67gGI/AAAAAAAANeM/8O4fCNkprxI/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="465" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Because the rest of us are watching our weight, goofball!,” Yana retorted.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DwoGb021Wes/T24SIkyVPvI/AAAAAAAANeU/MIC9dX_GID0/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ceNgXYBXZT4/T24SJFf8-SI/AAAAAAAANec/-KCFEylnhiU/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="342" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Surprised by his sister’s remark, and tired anyway, Yasiu went to bed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Omyfpes-O1M/T24SJVzZJsI/AAAAAAAANek/wGLE0K48E8k/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4CdxnTiBLaU/T24SKR3yxGI/AAAAAAAANes/0IufCqsG00M/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="389" /></a></p> <p>Genya turned to her younger sister. “You’re not going to be one of THOSE girls, are you???,” she inquired. “I mean—I KNOW you want to be a dancer, but that doesn’t mean you have to be insane about it.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-60NHVFvsXHw/T24SK7MpUII/AAAAAAAANe0/SYz2XyHfTYs/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YSad16DwGr0/T24SLAoMCmI/AAAAAAAANe8/aJfSvsWPFuo/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="371" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Don’t be jealous just because I’ve already figured out what I want to do with my life,” Yana snapped.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h4j8ymY4RlQ/T24SLx-aOnI/AAAAAAAANfE/jksbB5IckGg/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yDvE97BOFY0/T24SMT2LlBI/AAAAAAAANfM/0GRqeFl7tEk/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="417" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Maybe when YOU figure out YOUR OWN goal, you’ll be a bit more understanding,” she added.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TLRoR1FTRZE/T24SNFriY6I/AAAAAAAANfU/e4dKnI-U6Cc/s1600-h/ScreenShot027%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pyVPD25Gtbg/T24SN2qi23I/AAAAAAAANfc/xDWj_gW6ef4/ScreenShot027_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="359" /></a></p> <p>Shortly thereafter, all 3 teenagers went to bed. Genya watched the sister who’d shared her room all her life walk up the stairs in a huff. ‘Where the heck did THAT come from???,’ she wondered.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OGVAFpgkDRA/T24SOoE16NI/AAAAAAAANfk/FG4Ef7aB9GI/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot028" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0achGbBWpFU/T24SO2kQSAI/AAAAAAAANfs/00BaJa_UlZY/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="605" /></a></p> <p>Yana got into her bed and went to sleep.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dlsWfDqYf0Y/T24SPcfWG5I/AAAAAAAANf0/5kNCwjfUIF8/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot029" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6N3KaLcmKA0/T24SQTz39UI/AAAAAAAANf8/TURe5Hu9ulc/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="626" /></a></p> <p>So did Genya, but she was thinking, ‘Is Yana really going to sleep in MAKEUP???”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QhAk7EokHME/T24SRAkUeRI/AAAAAAAANgE/Z74EDkdxBGg/s1600-h/ScreenShot030%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot030" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1hyPL9Q2aH4/T24SRcfjQRI/AAAAAAAANgM/H8Sq-i0L1rM/ScreenShot030_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="558" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g8VA7ZHM7N4/T24SR0e6sOI/AAAAAAAANgU/enOWKqRFFmg/s1600-h/ScreenShot031%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot031" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-olVy0Datsy0/T24SSSeVU9I/AAAAAAAANgc/xpZmVUSiGs0/ScreenShot031_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="366" width="448" /></a></p> <p>But she decided to get a good night’s sleep, and ignore—at least for the moment—her sister’s weird behavior.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TbYdD3Ci6jc/T24SSukxZwI/AAAAAAAANgk/gTvzbA3kx4U/s1600-h/ScreenShot032%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot032" alt="ScreenShot032" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bb0MNeTc9bY/T24STIKKhzI/AAAAAAAANgs/YsurISkZKMQ/ScreenShot032_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="474" width="644" /></a></p> <p>_______________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>No strategy this time, except that if you get a bubble blower for a party, it’s very hard to wean Sims off of it so you can sell it back!</p> <p>Here’s my problem with Sim children—they all look pretty similar, and I find it tough to get too interested in their personalities and interests until they become teenagers. I never noticed Yanastasia’s interest in dance till the other day. Once I checked the hobby screen, and saw that “Music and Dance” was her predestined hobby, I came up with a plan for her.</p> <p>Also, to be perfectly fair to Yana, she and her brothers were left alone with a butler and a nanny for the entire time that their parents and Yevgenya were getting the restaurant from Rank 0 to Rank 10. While Yedrek may have been more accepting of that (he seems much more generous in nature than his twin), and while little Yasiu may have been too young to notice, it’s not surprising that Yana may have developed a bit of resentment. That may be why she’s constantly seeking out her dad to dance with her. And, for all Genya’s niceness (and her admirable work ethic), she was very lucky to have the opportunity of her parents’ constant guidance and example, and—like lots of very privileged people—she just may be oblivious to the reason that Yana’s become so self-absorbed.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>_________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-10139979650266614112012-03-22T13:22:00.000-04:002012-03-22T16:30:13.639-04:00The Headmaster Visit.<p>The family got home very late that night after closing the restaurant,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QgkW4R9xfEQ/T2uJZgBRMoI/AAAAAAAANOY/tYpBmwYCNOg/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FrseAS6i8xU/T2uJaMQ-bHI/AAAAAAAANOg/PE6qx8PxkRE/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="346" width="448" /></a></p> <p>and Yulia was happy to see that her new car had been delivered. As was her teen daughter.</p> <p>“Wow, Mom!,” Yevgenya cried. “Cool—so … what’re you going to do with our old car?”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pQqFfhNX0kM/T2uJabK6s4I/AAAAAAAANOo/i7mL6n9kF-Q/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-umTdX2v1WXI/T2uJa-L1USI/AAAAAAAANOw/XYbO2OSaNxo/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="330" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Oh, I’ll think of something,” Yulia replied, amused.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-58IyAyrIrew/T2uJcfop_0I/AAAAAAAANO4/YX-gz2ePxO0/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vGnFxMEASPw/T2uJch-5gPI/AAAAAAAANPA/_19l5Ppc8mw/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="444" width="563" /></a></p> <p>**************</p> <p>As Derek’s limo pulled away from the curb the next morning, he noticed that none of his kids had yet made it out to the school bus. ‘I’m sure my enterprising wife has a plan,’ he chuckled to himself.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RHOeZ7xAEvE/T2uJdSUBzAI/AAAAAAAANPI/jhxvhvuZZg0/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c99y9AdF_YU/T2uJdgtL9qI/AAAAAAAANPQ/i_LPUVpCbHo/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="347" width="644" /></a></p> <p>When Genya came downstairs, Yulia presented the teen with a gift. “This is for all your hard work at the restaurant, honey. Your father and I really appreciate your contribution to the family’s success.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6SAw-X_KsnA/T2uJeGEz0QI/AAAAAAAANPY/ClbGuQISsQk/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XSoTJmCQGlE/T2uJeVKITyI/AAAAAAAANPg/jnRzfLOdStE/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="505" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E1fDuemJGmQ/T2uJfGitsdI/AAAAAAAANPo/pCUvb2QYKF4/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xn077xK43Jw/T2uJfV1MFUI/AAAAAAAANPw/_sOauJH8zl0/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="348" width="448" /></a></p> <p>“Oh, Mom—AWESOME!,” the girl exclaimed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VknJlW61gKU/T2uJfzT2EmI/AAAAAAAANP4/1D1TBrj8Hpk/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lJe9rd4mIO8/T2uJhPYr_wI/AAAAAAAANQA/zlDpAyHvl4E/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="527" /></a></p> <p>“Of course, with this gift comes responsibility,” her mother said, trying not to laugh. “You can start by taking all your siblings to school.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yiATiRHETIg/T2uJhp3qkSI/AAAAAAAANQI/vG6O15fi95s/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zgNBUFF3rRI/T2uJiKIwe3I/AAAAAAAANQQ/zZwUBcAInso/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="581" /></a></p> <p>Genya was thrilled, and barked—in the most authoritative “Dad” voice she could muster—“Come on kids, shake a tailfeather!!!”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IrQCClniz8I/T2uJi045sQI/AAAAAAAANQc/OofkFgSpdW4/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L7r54g039vw/T2uJjTZTjdI/AAAAAAAANQk/Y0Zv8KMfm7E/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="376" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yanastasia was pretty cooperative, but the boys deliberately lagged, just to annoy their big sister.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-30nu9PUAWqM/T2uJj31nkyI/AAAAAAAANQs/TumPb3jSi4Y/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9EWpLlKXUvY/T2uJkafENBI/AAAAAAAANQ0/Fb8jVid1pbo/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="379" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Right after the kids left for school, the new home venue reached Rank 3.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-esYNOT-KmQM/T2uJk0gFt6I/AAAAAAAANQ8/4-XQP_5-Ia4/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9ugF7TnbBUQ/T2uJldsG4VI/AAAAAAAANRE/vKYdCOVBeZ4/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="155" width="259" /></a></p> <p>Komei took advantage of a day off from the resto to stop by to soak in the hot springs. He told Yulia that he was thinking of inviting Marisa over to his place for dinner that night.</p> <p>“You should DEFINITELY do that!,” Yulia encouraged him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6W8r9FHwNAg/T2uJl-5SezI/AAAAAAAANRM/8TQ2XU5HAFs/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VVtrkalzudM/T2uJmT1rl8I/AAAAAAAANRU/p6_sPvP4-lI/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="472" /></a></p> <p>Yulia spent much of the day chatting with her customers, but had also invited the headmaster of the local private school over for dinner that night, so she also spent a bit of time redecorating the house and making sure there were 3 rooms that would make a good impression on the academic.</p> <p>When her kids got home from school, Yulia ordered them to do their homework pronto. “I don’t want a bunch of half-finished homework assignments littering the floor in here when the headmaster arrives,” she admonished.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-izHEEnVFJ14/T2uJmmw6omI/AAAAAAAANRc/-SxVMtgbGgo/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GKuSHDZ9fbw/T2uJnFaAq9I/AAAAAAAANRk/qd6lQntktBA/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="379" width="644" /></a></p> <p>She started dinner well in advance of the headmaster’s arrival.</p> <p>“Is there anything I can do to assist you, Madam?,” the butler inquired.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fegbzIV8Eu0/T2uJnqGJQNI/AAAAAAAANRs/yF3oxwf1IXA/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fal0YDOA7-A/T2uJoDSPy-I/AAAAAAAANR0/eLuHYOwATd8/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="562" /></a></p> <p>“No, Venkat, I’m fine,” she responded. Yulia had no intention of letting the butler help; she had a vague memory of an elderly butler who had repeatedly prepared servings of juice for a headmaster visit. She had no idea where this memory came from, though. ‘Maybe it was a dream?,’ she wondered.</p> <p>The headmaster arrived shortly after Derek returned home from the hospital.</p> <p>“We’re so pleased you were able to fit us into your schedule, Headmaster,” Derek said ingratiatingly.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dOzZWFxTA6Q/T2uJotG8brI/AAAAAAAANR8/k1PWPWnVHLM/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sM9kVQ1_wC8/T2uJpN5w_vI/AAAAAAAANSE/fP71bl-kfRs/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Not at all, not at all,” the headmaster assured him. “I have been hoping to meet your impressive family—you have several successful businesses, and you are not shy of money, obviously! Just what we at The Academy are interested in. And your home looks quite fine, at least from the outside.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4t1OGtukctc/T2uJqX_pMWI/AAAAAAAANSM/DCn_prkfCwM/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gUJuVsK13ds/T2uJqlYt4vI/AAAAAAAANSU/o5D5m4hu394/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="399" /></a></p> <p>“Well, why don’t I give you a tour of the inside,” Derek offered.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LNZCQCLqBj0/T2uJrHU3f8I/AAAAAAAANSc/mZp2MfE4zc4/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fAbl-nlfkrc/T2uJrX4vWOI/AAAAAAAANSk/tom-DSIARow/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="270" width="226" /></a></p> <p>The headmaster heartily approved of the front hall,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4tel1DDZqC4/T2uJslW55MI/AAAAAAAANSs/RdmI2I82__s/s1600-h/ScreenShot027%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dwsxCjpqW4M/T2uJtHufNTI/AAAAAAAANS0/ATVaE__HHXo/ScreenShot027_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="630" /></a></p> <p>and the family room.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6AYvz1qVvTo/T2uJtjD1rmI/AAAAAAAANS8/fpm_qqF_D3c/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot028" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ERRYSoZzeqQ/T2uJuGYMWyI/AAAAAAAANTE/CFsORprOxS0/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="564" /></a></p> <p>Yulia set out her Lobster Thermidor</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2olklULpyUI/T2uJupSfZJI/AAAAAAAANTM/pb2DH9a_3nE/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DFs8HpWIeF0/T2uJvGkW-hI/AAAAAAAANTU/vrOHlMmqsIE/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="413" width="644" /></a></p> <p>just as Derek and the headmaster entered the dining room. The headmaster also loved that room. (Yulia had borrowed several tapestries and paintings from her restaurant, just to dress up the room for the headmaster’s visit.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vVJSnn3qa-k/T2uJvgd_wbI/AAAAAAAANTc/7PrUw3QURcw/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot029" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2HVa-FGsR6Y/T2uJwADXzSI/AAAAAAAANTg/xT6fy8i_JWk/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="406" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Though Yedrek was too tired to attend dinner, the rest of the children were there, dressed in formal wear and having been instructed to be on their best behavior.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U78GP3Sa-Bg/T2uJwrOX-yI/AAAAAAAANTo/bfjjPOuhIpk/s1600-h/ScreenShot030%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot030" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kWySzJ9By00/T2uJxQ8YlII/AAAAAAAANTw/BlkmzvsLaes/ScreenShot030_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="466" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yasiu turned out to be quite the little charmer—he chattered happily to the headmaster about his interest in Science.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3n0ZgsHbTLQ/T2uJxx0DWRI/AAAAAAAANT4/psSkVXiHMY8/s1600-h/ScreenShot032%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot032" alt="ScreenShot032" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TYaczkbTVn0/T2uJyZ0H7VI/AAAAAAAANUA/McUotSNNm5M/ScreenShot032_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="386" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Genya, who was extremely neat, averted her eyes from the headmaster’s atrocious table manners.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6q4xVcHl9t8/T2uJzBFK8bI/AAAAAAAANUQ/0d7bpEWb6kE/s1600-h/ScreenShot033%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot033" alt="ScreenShot033" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZbfYIwdsrd0/T2uJ0nw3InI/AAAAAAAANUY/fQunmkOhYas/ScreenShot033_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="396" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yasiu was in the middle of another story when the headmaster abruptly rose from his seat,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yWZIHPzr2Mk/T2uJ1OjLXBI/AAAAAAAANUg/dCRqyW74q9w/s1600-h/ScreenShot034%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot034" alt="ScreenShot034" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iBh_wic8oS0/T2uJ15t6KDI/AAAAAAAANUo/TKMjdlKC4oU/ScreenShot034_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="407" width="644" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k2suBjQN9s0/T2uJ2dnMfhI/AAAAAAAANUw/zKczRsCaC2c/s1600-h/ScreenShot035%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot035" alt="ScreenShot035" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tXRBKsry3yY/T2uJ2_BDCZI/AAAAAAAANU4/oHFsJf1bu9A/ScreenShot035_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="426" /></a></p> <p>and announced that the 4 children had been accepted into the private day school.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-52QXFApB_6k/T2uJ3VUvZCI/AAAAAAAANVA/__Iwf0wpRHI/s1600-h/ScreenShot036%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot036" alt="ScreenShot036" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tpcFVUpV-ls/T2uJ3yhgGiI/AAAAAAAANVI/hXPww0lqP9A/ScreenShot036_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="634" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nSVN9frZI5U/T2uJ4YTaibI/AAAAAAAANVQ/zSlZ5Gf1gsw/s1600-h/ScreenShot037%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot037" alt="ScreenShot037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5NuysXe33CY/T2uJ41oDdII/AAAAAAAANVY/Viif8I5BPOE/ScreenShot037_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="618" /></a></p> <p>The home venue had reached Rank 4 during dinner.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3q9AntTpO60/T2uJ5Zae_9I/AAAAAAAANVg/vQk2rWiXRyg/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Iv5bgpf56Rc/T2uJ53q2QGI/AAAAAAAANVo/metFeeREhpc/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="101" width="226" /></a></p> <p>Derek immediately went to bed, exhausted, </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YZboOgfFRiA/T2uJ6EIbeeI/AAAAAAAANVw/r9O8fDUYQjE/s1600-h/ScreenShot039%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot039" alt="ScreenShot039" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PWWhxm6_q0A/T2uJ6y58viI/AAAAAAAANV4/XESkD-kOTQA/ScreenShot039_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="417" width="644" /></a></p> <p>while Genya cleaned up, and Yana and Yasiu celebrated by playing Cops and Robbers in the front hall,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Md8bAD-dDmk/T2uJ7RWw3XI/AAAAAAAANWA/hKn_VKCbsKY/s1600-h/ScreenShot038%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot038" alt="ScreenShot038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sbjqnLrEWdY/T2uJ7p5b4tI/AAAAAAAANWI/CPDSpSKz3KE/ScreenShot038_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="512" /></a></p> <p>“Get yourself into bed, little one,” Genya told Yana. (Genya was feeling quite the grownup these days.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O1uq9ZzqGDY/T2uJ8MRlDOI/AAAAAAAANWM/3Rkf-lMwTrc/s1600-h/ScreenShot040%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot040" alt="ScreenShot040" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6rrNCcixzkw/T2uJ8t_h7UI/AAAAAAAANWY/J45NCVAspoo/ScreenShot040_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="623" /></a></p> <p>Yulia wasn’t tired, and joined Christy Stratton in the sauna.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NhEB6IHFGbc/T2uJ9JnmacI/AAAAAAAANWc/_H9nIW2zHs0/s1600-h/ScreenShot041%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot041" alt="ScreenShot041" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p8MNljOvQe8/T2uJ92gwfDI/AAAAAAAANWk/tlnCSrb6F10/ScreenShot041_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="450" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“So, how’d it go?,” Christy asked.</p> <p>“Not bad at all,” Yulia answered. “We got through it in record time, from what I hear from other parents.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fdcUSp9nY00/T2uJ-TLPMrI/AAAAAAAANWw/BnMvyU1tgv4/s1600-h/ScreenShot042%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot042" alt="ScreenShot042" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nDT-mW8nUCk/T2uJ-3xgEYI/AAAAAAAANW4/qrE5pKg9Ud4/ScreenShot042_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="506" /></a></p> <p>The two friends cooled off in the pool,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-907SAvHgu88/T2uJ_VfORUI/AAAAAAAANXA/QVj_nqsPUMA/s1600-h/ScreenShot045%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot045" alt="ScreenShot045" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w4ee7qzt8us/T2uJ_6XlRdI/AAAAAAAANXI/0RK7_OtebO8/ScreenShot045_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="575" /></a></p> <p>and, before dawn broke, the venue had reached Rank 5.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k1LDZ92IQcI/T2uKAW_kBhI/AAAAAAAANXQ/Enj6aGDCTOw/s1600-h/ScreenShot043%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot043" alt="ScreenShot043" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gmJ9xh1WZ3k/T2uKAnQ5qoI/AAAAAAAANXY/qPF8nC94Hh8/ScreenShot043_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="369" width="644" /></a></p> <p>______________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>What is this???:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aV8D8LwfV7g/T2uKBKRCmII/AAAAAAAANXg/n0lpoLpNHx4/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JyYOvGvEuuI/T2uKBthrk6I/AAAAAAAANXo/Pmh2gBQHkSc/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="462" width="644" /></a></p> <p>I thought super-neat Sims didn’t do that!!!</p> <p>Annoyingly, Genya only dropped off her siblings at school—she didn’t go in herself! So, I had her get back into the car and drive herself to school. Not sure why “Take All Students” didn’t apply to her….</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8aGjx4RNuhQ/T2uKCLhoUwI/AAAAAAAANXw/crGObffVz-Q/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GWIN0yqQ-bo/T2uKCvOf02I/AAAAAAAANX4/EuMKOyq2ROQ/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="388" width="644" /></a></p> <p>I had Komei “Move In” in order to get him into the Sim bin to make him playable so that his date with Marisa could happen.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GFfOdVbyLng/T2uKEaehehI/AAAAAAAANYA/538tthCTsak/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y_Vs30Qc1ZM/T2uKE5MqJgI/AAAAAAAANYE/fZtz6xVudZg/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="608" /></a></p> <p>Here’s where Yulia’s mysterious memory of the “elderly butler who had repeatedly prepared servings of juice for a headmaster visit” came from:</p> <p><a title="http://veilsmilliondollarchallenge2.blogspot.com/2009/01/days-26-32.html" href="http://veilsmilliondollarchallenge2.blogspot.com/2009/01/days-26-32.html">http://veilsmilliondollarchallenge2.blogspot.com/2009/01/days-26-32.html</a></p> <p>(The problematic evening begins about halfway through the post. You can also see Yulia as a child, as well as Yuri—one of the contestants in Kara’s new Bachelorette Challenge!)</p> <p>The game’s usual headmaster shenanigans went on: despite the doors being locked (after the headmaster was inside the house) swimsuit-clad customers kept drifting into the dining room, Yulia tried to walk away from the oven while preparing dinner, Genya took her lobster out to the picnic table, and Benjamin Long was struck by lightning.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Nmn9Itr8x1k/T2uKFL0E7oI/AAAAAAAANYM/aVCofsLNNkc/s1600-h/ScreenShot031%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot031" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uK7hYGZVa3c/T2uKFkXURuI/AAAAAAAANYU/1OgrYjMbdeE/ScreenShot031_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="296" /></a></p> <p>Did you notice that little Yasiu was apparently the source of the extra 9 Schmooze points that put the family over the top?</p> <p>Too funny—Yulia while diving punctured her ceiling.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ITCA4tRWnmc/T2uKGByTqHI/AAAAAAAANYY/X0CdkN-z8Ik/s1600-h/ScreenShot044%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot044" alt="ScreenShot044" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yJAKbElnUHc/T2uKGtDqGRI/AAAAAAAANYo/tdtYfSicWFQ/ScreenShot044_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="428" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Did you notice the stinky green snapdragon just outside the sauna?</p> <p>The home venue actually reached Rank 3 right when Yulia et al. got home from the restaurant. But, since the game had that happen at 10:30 a.m. (as opposed to at night, which is in line with the story), I delayed it till it was light next morning. And the venue reached Rank 4 about 24 hours earlier than I’ve written it (in case anyone’s suspicious at how quickly the venue went from Rank 4 to Rank 5).</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-65722866281397485592012-03-20T10:17:00.000-04:002012-03-20T13:30:33.327-04:00The Rank 10 Restaurant.<p>Shelby thanked the Good Witch for sprinkling stardust around the building.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tE3YwkZRWTo/T2i6dfKQQEI/AAAAAAAANCk/cTmxKugvD4U/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b2091iUhODw/T2i6fXUO-6I/AAAAAAAANCs/s_dKQAPTXDI/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="555" /></a></p> <p>Yevgenya got a Gold badge in Sales, and learned to Dazzle, just through her efforts at greeting customers and convincing them to take a look at the menu. (Her mother was impressed, but again was relieved she didn’t have to pay the teenager a salary!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rcxKSr7luts/T2i6fxJJhXI/AAAAAAAANC0/itHkgBmFId0/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9LydnKHJSCo/T2i6grA5WkI/AAAAAAAANC8/aiB3_s2Jxvw/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="506" /></a></p> <p>Rodney, who had become a stellar Server, continued to earn generous tips.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EtRNQDRd6hQ/T2i6g-rpM1I/AAAAAAAANDE/4plqvvItgx0/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n104pO6wiYA/T2i6hgTy4bI/AAAAAAAANDM/2YKuYpKNCgA/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="486" /></a></p> <p>Yulia continued to struggle to keep her business in the black by Dazzling customers into buying the extravagant cakes she kept priced at $9,999.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MPB4XnMl3Jc/T2i6h81coZI/AAAAAAAANDU/4hQn_nlTL5k/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DdEKLkHylsk/T2i6ivEPABI/AAAAAAAANDc/u5yeFc8NBNY/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="501" /></a></p> <p>Troy’s interest in Cooking had only become more avid,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VavJluSm0Pc/T2i6jHFLiNI/AAAAAAAANDk/2EIHczfY8OM/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J-NvANxLHb0/T2i6k4kk4HI/AAAAAAAANDs/WWRYGyJhy8Y/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="627" /></a></p> <p>so Derek busied himself by being Host so that Troy could work at the big stove.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4hUVZyAq6jQ/T2i6lYXsNtI/AAAAAAAAND0/0XclXKkgqiM/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EoegW9D9_fE/T2i6mxCWaQI/AAAAAAAAND8/5RmmbEOBcr8/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="510" /></a></p> <p>Yulia occasionally even earned a customer loyalty star while selling one of the ultra-expensive cakes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9LDmFvaNeM0/T2i6nczdiQI/AAAAAAAANEE/L1FJIE74vW8/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yhyb1zOJSgA/T2i6nvCg8lI/AAAAAAAANEM/S5twDhncUwo/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="622" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xNobKbXBpVs/T2i6oMz7nQI/AAAAAAAANEU/pjPDzBbHJi4/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bOqD37QCQFc/T2i6o1Qts2I/AAAAAAAANEc/-_ENLKw_9q4/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="546" /></a></p> <p>Troy so enjoyed cooking that he was able to use the Energizer regularly, and hadn’t needed to sleep in days.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LYlPj10kM8I/T2i6qJ28y_I/AAAAAAAANEk/B8Oa__z-C_0/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i4qJHXsA1fQ/T2i6qg3QjdI/AAAAAAAANEs/1frQy9Pl3_I/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="472" width="644" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1rach5y5Rm4/T2i6rEEyDJI/AAAAAAAANE0/Vis3QND7WCg/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x4JqIJE2C7Y/T2i6sK1RzyI/AAAAAAAANE8/2g4z8K_PhLs/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="526" /></a></p> <p>Derek—a Knowledge Sim who had been Level 10 in all of his skills since college—was very happy to be able to learn something new.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UEmCd6eBOm4/T2i6s64tBeI/AAAAAAAANFE/F1H8li75tzs/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-brBmFyg67ts/T2i6uc1pkJI/AAAAAAAANFM/EQcVgrTch1g/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="571" /></a></p> <p>Always alert (from his medical training, probably), Derek was the first to notice that a new reviewer had entered the resto.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BsrptOj7m0M/T2i6vrlU9FI/AAAAAAAANFU/WCqonRrcmZE/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--G32_d-_d98/T2i6yMP3G8I/AAAAAAAANFc/DzhpLH54iJs/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="473" width="644" /></a></p> <p>He brought this to Yulia’s attention,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v1vjN6GFJvE/T2i6yuJsHSI/AAAAAAAANFk/U2naIb9W6SM/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4prjRZwbY8o/T2i6zr6Ed7I/AAAAAAAANFs/16yxY_x8zi0/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="415" /></a></p> <p>and she spent a lot of time with the reviewer, entertaining him, answering all his questions,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ShxOKUWxHbc/T2i60G664vI/AAAAAAAANF0/T7Jvh0zyI0E/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sZ49yveVo2o/T2i61baRM3I/AAAAAAAANF8/SP2xNs9EEWI/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="370" /></a></p> <p>selling him a cake at “Cheap” (which gained her a star from him!),</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-44b0Id0MEg0/T2i617p8KAI/AAAAAAAANGE/o4MVLJSB-3I/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c0rUNUSKOQ4/T2i63vnjYRI/AAAAAAAANGM/OKdhNSGiuGE/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="589" /></a></p> <p>while Derek and the employees and managers hurried around keeping messes under control (including spraying the latest infestation of roaches),</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-95nzgxN-2YE/T2i64MTgBbI/AAAAAAAANGU/qcqGA0meBe8/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ChXzGR7ODVA/T2i66dA_PSI/AAAAAAAANGc/uPYaR4yDHHo/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="372" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and this all paid off.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3r2B52PyIk4/T2i67kOGLqI/AAAAAAAANGk/wR_mgIOl0eA/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B22%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8GcJcQ8Ptf0/T2i677x0S6I/AAAAAAAANGs/uqgVHHVe4o8/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B23%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="320" width="448" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VAm0xhSi3GU/T2i69k6mEEI/AAAAAAAANG0/0FjfhZcbYSA/s1600-h/ScreenShot018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BDC0UQOoU1k/T2i6_T0sj-I/AAAAAAAANG8/KdJEtWe779g/ScreenShot018_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="447" width="644" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pjaGQlHKhjA/T2i7BMoXSGI/AAAAAAAANHE/9wZfx_KDGzc/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I1FOlRxG16Y/T2i7C3bLa1I/AAAAAAAANHM/usoIIpblaWI/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="501" /></a></p> <p>Yulia knew that the Best of the Best award would increase her traffic and, since her restaurant needed only a few more customer loyalty stars to get to Rank 10, she felt sure that today was the day she would get her 4th Top-Level Business.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I7vcgEy602M/T2i7Doux9wI/AAAAAAAANHU/7sK9H9Rwfyw/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4hmMc4OUsLg/T2i7Ee0FZAI/AAAAAAAANHc/pyuGDV2uCp0/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="392" width="644" /></a></p> <p>As was her practice, she took a short nap in mid-afternoon in order to be able to be ready for the dinner rush.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GKJluhRbPk0/T2i7E44BHwI/AAAAAAAANHk/yfLYGk2A6dI/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RbeWUQeujQw/T2i7GCC7PAI/AAAAAAAANHs/fEJd-83ZneA/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="297" width="281" /></a></p> <p>By the end of the evening, the resto had reached Rank 10!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S5CWhfeYbpQ/T2i7GyWmaUI/AAAAAAAANH0/0p8i-PWsxQI/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LWYb5inK7xA/T2i7HcrzdEI/AAAAAAAANH8/SoOZ0gnf54s/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="363" width="644" /></a></p> <p>When the last diner had left, Derek closed the resto,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IJ3zC0nOQY4/T2i7H58k-wI/AAAAAAAANIE/y5S-YGDXKzU/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u20DapB1Lo4/T2i7I8DbgkI/AAAAAAAANIM/PqiRsvdBKeg/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="337" /></a></p> <p>and serenaded his wife.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vx2U4X16Nr4/T2i7JGsenQI/AAAAAAAANIU/XsKcfV2vZ4g/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UVp7Y4ROxvk/T2i7JgRwbvI/AAAAAAAANIc/0priOmQqeDM/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="582" /></a></p> <p>Genya congratulated her mother on their achievement,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FL26-p_2RGk/T2i7KDquk6I/AAAAAAAANIk/EhFyvuIAaI0/s1600-h/ScreenShot027%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9XUZ5R3nEQg/T2i7KoBPvjI/AAAAAAAANIs/u7ZmeVPj86w/ScreenShot027_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="295" /></a></p> <p>and Troy came over to share in the exultation.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dS_hm3JWtYU/T2i7LLqwrtI/AAAAAAAANI0/fBVpe97-a_o/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot028" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1lY1ZJSLUIA/T2i7Liem6uI/AAAAAAAANI8/9uydQHBi1yo/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="418" /></a></p> <p>Derek decided to open some champagne for a celebration for the staff.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0vB5OGUwI8Y/T2i7MA_evII/AAAAAAAANJE/NBT5ULks_M0/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot029" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QaITodlOLEU/T2i7MiIvYsI/AAAAAAAANJM/Vu_jurF54Ck/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="517" /></a></p> <p>“You know you folks are like members of our family,” he told them,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cmcBoxZSVfs/T2i7NqgEQfI/AAAAAAAANJU/WtNlX-MERmw/s1600-h/ScreenShot030%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot030" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oy8pOV5zmGw/T2i7Ofl2N4I/AAAAAAAANJc/rt1W2mc7NhA/ScreenShot030_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="392" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“and we couldn’t have done any of this without your efforts, and your sacrifices.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-561twhcLfvU/T2i7PIDBn-I/AAAAAAAANJk/u09G9irRGpI/s1600-h/ScreenShot031%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot031" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tHlE1HqA6As/T2i7QJ-h6kI/AAAAAAAANJs/6m33HgUotGQ/ScreenShot031_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="300" width="644" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uHK5ep1zO-Q/T2i7QmpDJ9I/AAAAAAAANJ0/AhfqWeZzMHM/s1600-h/ScreenShot032%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot032" alt="ScreenShot032" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O3UmfXFO9i4/T2i7RwKZnrI/AAAAAAAANJ8/KfpDRIjQroQ/ScreenShot032_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="322" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Marisa actually stopped making take-out entrees to join the gathering,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WqM4-D8WDWM/T2i7TR1WQzI/AAAAAAAANKE/NWB5K-4Dpxg/s1600-h/ScreenShot033%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot033" alt="ScreenShot033" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kdqTDI-ebSs/T2i7TxglBcI/AAAAAAAANKM/kW9F9U9sNqk/ScreenShot033_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="478" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and there was a toast with all 3 family members plus the 7 employees.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sTJAKe4hAZg/T2i7UiYlCKI/AAAAAAAANKU/hHgwkk4_Nf0/s1600-h/ScreenShot036%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot036" alt="ScreenShot036" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zoXuxEIQVrQ/T2i7VFj6biI/AAAAAAAANKc/s_nOZBeCN6Q/ScreenShot036_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="449" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Troy took Shelby aside and kissed her soundly (which was no surprise to anyone else).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1wLkHmCOnJI/T2i7V8dY1uI/AAAAAAAANKk/-EG2zPP5b1A/s1600-h/ScreenShot037%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot037" alt="ScreenShot037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pS_JkjqY0eg/T2i7WLs9EnI/AAAAAAAANKs/YpCIPgrm8_c/ScreenShot037_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="554" /></a></p> <p>But what WAS a surprise—at least to Yulia—was the interaction between Komei and Marisa.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zZZQg2fcB6U/T2i7Wi4q4FI/AAAAAAAANK0/zpm6rzaX42U/s1600-h/ScreenShot038%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot038" alt="ScreenShot038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cI4r5a-_mtI/T2i7XPqgyLI/AAAAAAAANK8/77mumb3-Jgk/ScreenShot038_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="508" /></a></p> <p>“Oh!,” she cried.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5YKb9qcAfr8/T2i7XgCZHfI/AAAAAAAANLE/EMaZK-yYVgg/s1600-h/ScreenShot039%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot039" alt="ScreenShot039" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9o_K5tmn2Iw/T2i7X8TiV1I/AAAAAAAANLM/1dNpyHPFBQI/ScreenShot039_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="380" /></a></p> <p>“Who saw THAT coming???,” she asked her husband.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JvjT7GaQdO4/T2i7YeigHpI/AAAAAAAANLU/Av1aPV0i9wY/s1600-h/ScreenShot040%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot040" alt="ScreenShot040" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ssj9DCPNVhI/T2i7YigMgfI/AAAAAAAANLc/6mFaqFvxUdQ/ScreenShot040_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="504" /></a></p> <p>“Actually, EVERYONE but you, honey,” Derek teased her. “They ARE both Fortune Sims, after all.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t2bf2ZgYHgc/T2i7ZMFh5zI/AAAAAAAANLk/1ZMyxAOZ6sE/s1600-h/ScreenShot041%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot041" alt="ScreenShot041" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YEMKifmg0iQ/T2i7ZoMdIRI/AAAAAAAANLs/XHGhTyPIB8o/ScreenShot041_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="509" /></a></p> <p>Genya cleaned up the last of the roaches,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7Vb5BlwEwJU/T2i7aMPPcdI/AAAAAAAANL0/vaQe8oO87CU/s1600-h/ScreenShot042%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot042" alt="ScreenShot042" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9RY_nTDz6AQ/T2i7bN44lGI/AAAAAAAANL8/HulpcE2Rqis/ScreenShot042_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="457" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and the staff went home.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tWglwqcymEQ/T2i7bkuvL4I/AAAAAAAANME/Ix_Fw3Frxdg/s1600-h/ScreenShot044%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot044" alt="ScreenShot044" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n28abLb2vFM/T2i7cNW_UjI/AAAAAAAANMM/bPAUUts5nAw/ScreenShot044_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="613" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aYYyJPahReo/T2i7dDffGoI/AAAAAAAANMU/CTwT55a7vrs/s1600-h/ScreenShot045%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot045" alt="ScreenShot045" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TgSMEWkv7ZE/T2i7daZ4HPI/AAAAAAAANMg/CtNnC7dkeOA/ScreenShot045_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="423" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Wbsc2_nF5OQ/T2i7d-pPhUI/AAAAAAAANMo/z1qXRE5lxD8/s1600-h/ScreenShot047%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot047" alt="ScreenShot047" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8x4Kfqeb-hs/T2i7eSH1gzI/AAAAAAAANMw/ssesjFJUz2M/ScreenShot047_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="348" /></a></p> <p>Derek took out the last of the trash,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-st9fQXTFMuw/T2i7ekr4-vI/AAAAAAAANM4/RVXgdOp6dBc/s1600-h/ScreenShot046%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot046" alt="ScreenShot046" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LirEd7U590c/T2i7fKsZoVI/AAAAAAAANNA/xLK4oUzU6R0/ScreenShot046_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="593" /></a></p> <p>and the family went home, too.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HHBid-7bL48/T2i7f6We7xI/AAAAAAAANNI/-UQgYk-_oss/s1600-h/ScreenShot048%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot048" alt="ScreenShot048" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bri3nMxJFMM/T2i7gULqlfI/AAAAAAAANNQ/BS9rVTuK5is/ScreenShot048_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="394" width="644" /></a></p> <p>‘I sure hope my new car’s been delivered to the house,’ Yulia thought. And she was anxious to check on her new home water venue. (And to see her other 3 children….)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QDKmxRybNoQ/T2i7hMi0dSI/AAAAAAAANNY/QMgmRyjrY2U/s1600-h/ScreenShot049%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot049" alt="ScreenShot049" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xPCbgHvIPWw/T2i7hVgJ2rI/AAAAAAAANNg/C48NXGIxdzY/ScreenShot049_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="619" /></a></p> <p>____________________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>Immediately after the resto reached Rank 10, it lost a customer star and went back to Rank 9. Thanks to Wen, I knew that gaining 1 customer star might satisfy Yulia’s 5 Top-Level Businesses LTW inadvertently, and I didn’t want to risk that, so I had Derek close the restaurant immediately.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ShCerrkykRI/T2i7ja74MJI/AAAAAAAANNo/GKtDLMAiCWc/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EHF84cz4Wzo/T2i7jtZVUgI/AAAAAAAANNw/afulMilfB-o/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="283" width="337" /></a></p> <p>I had trouble with one spoiled mac and cheese entrée that I lost track of. I guess it happened when Marisa was cooking and had gone orange, and a manager told her to take a break. She would have put her ingredients on a counter, and I would have assigned someone (Genya, Troy, Derek, whoever) to “Resume Cooking.” When that replacement cook finished the dish, he/she would just have put it on a counter (i.e., it DOESN’T automatically go into Yulia’s inventory). By the time I noticed it, it had spoiled. I tried to delete it, or do “Clean Up,” but couldn’t do either (even with “moveobjects on”). I put it out behind the building, but customers kept going back there to consider buying the smelly thing. I put it across the street, and the reviewer unfortunately walked over there to check it out! (See the bottom-left corner of this picture.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PrevgpZ_8cQ/T2i7j3RYsJI/AAAAAAAANN4/Qrq2hWzNeAE/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B26%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uwklsqXP60A/T2i7kcfzbAI/AAAAAAAANOA/1t1EmuUCQ44/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B28%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="417" width="644" /></a></p> <p>It was a big “Phew!” that he gave Yulia a good review and a Best of the Best award, despite this.</p> <p>I was SO HAPPY to get a picture of the 3 family members and all 7 employees!!! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LqzBJMStR5A/T2i7lEJOaRI/AAAAAAAANOI/z_yr1fqYXus/s1600-h/ScreenShot036%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot036" alt="ScreenShot036" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-84pbV5NUt3E/T2i7l8qljrI/AAAAAAAANOQ/t6xD40rBRJw/ScreenShot036_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="449" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Because what was REALLY challenging about getting this restaurant to Rank 10 was wrangling 10 people all at the same time.</p> <p>Both the Troy-Shelby relationship and the Komei-Marisa relationship will be featured in upcoming posts.</p> <p>I’ll eventually figure out how many Sim days this resto took to get from Rank 0 to Rank 10 (remember, Yulia NEVER left the lot), and post that info.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-67832316549924620822012-03-13T18:12:00.001-04:002012-03-22T22:51:23.025-04:00Resto Opening— Part 5.<p>While her mother slept and her father handled restocking, Yevgenya did the prep work for dinner. She had maxed out her enthusiasm for Cooking, and was so “in the zone” that she momentarily forgot that she was an extremely Neat Sim, and she ignored the mess on the counter next to her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ljJtpotTVaw/T1_wKiqlSyI/AAAAAAAAM9g/b6N6Dsk4Lro/s1600-h/ScreenShot0013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VvSe7GDuBGY/T1_wLMBxwrI/AAAAAAAAM9o/7fFHLzSE5PM/ScreenShot001_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="566" /></a></p> <p>Bruce earned a Bronze badge in Sales, and Derek gave him a raise and promoted him to Manager.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3yUkiprLslU/T1_wLXnkuRI/AAAAAAAAM9w/rZkqaCTJofA/s1600-h/ScreenShot0023.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RAMD5kDD7ZE/T1_wL2Hs2jI/AAAAAAAAM94/JFtVcDymDjI/ScreenShot002_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="327" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Troy was getting tired, but wanted to get to Level 9 in Cleaning, so Derek assigned him to be a Server.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XzKT8Om-KyI/T1_wMOEBO9I/AAAAAAAAM-A/CjSvE0k3_9o/s1600-h/ScreenShot0033.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8poRyO_TTo8/T1_wMgMV7nI/AAAAAAAAM-I/s74MGKL846g/ScreenShot003_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="418" width="644" /></a></p> <p>But Troy tired before reaching his goal, so had to take a nap.</p> <p>Both Yulia and Rodney woke up in time for the dinner hour and, with Yulia at the podium, Derek as chef, Rodney as Server, and Genya as greeter, the staff started encouraging customers to dine.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FZO-WOJ7Tqk/T1_wNOlGIzI/AAAAAAAAM-Q/u6bMa1Zz-O4/s1600-h/ScreenShot0053.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OE8VVi0uoqA/T1_wNQdRqXI/AAAAAAAAM-Y/nsSAmzHnZbM/ScreenShot005_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="396" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DKIRuVumn4Y/T1_wNoD2-fI/AAAAAAAAM-g/hFm7wnMEMg0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0094.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r0it7sUutt0/T1_wOLrnxDI/AAAAAAAAM-o/ZjFOaovqhlw/ScreenShot009_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="387" width="337" /></a></p> <p>The resto started to get busy.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iT10LvUnAPM/T1_wORejV8I/AAAAAAAAM-w/OsCSWEaQ3CM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0073.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BlOXkgqxgis/T1_wO3rXH3I/AAAAAAAAM-4/tKG56hqaHZA/ScreenShot007_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="404" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Marisa was fully rested and resumed making take-out food.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aAG2eMQDTvY/T1_wPCGpAHI/AAAAAAAAM_A/BqnfTtmdsP0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0083.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TRXZzSaXvYA/T1_wPRIAP1I/AAAAAAAAM_I/X8Z2F2APz28/ScreenShot008_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="392" /></a></p> <p>Rodney was doing well as a Server, and received several tips.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xLCwqKObhgA/T1_wP9cdguI/AAAAAAAAM_Q/zjNmcFssUII/s1600-h/ScreenShot0103.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XfTtaD_QGWA/T1_wQVOGHMI/AAAAAAAAM_Y/dXllxHBMjhk/ScreenShot010_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="494" /></a></p> <p>He even got a tip from Peter Sims!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VucWwJbP4gE/T1_wQmu8iQI/AAAAAAAAM_g/82c1Q2G1k3Q/s1600-h/ScreenShot0113.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6lSENHqf2U4/T1_wQwjIlNI/AAAAAAAAM_k/uRRJ4PHqSxo/ScreenShot011_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="628" /></a></p> <p>Genya was so enthusiastic that she would even run out to the sidewalk to catch people who were just walking by,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WXerzW009DM/T1_wRSRKCyI/AAAAAAAAM_s/qJ-DDVQwZ_0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0123.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mOV6iAdHUBs/T1_wRmqoUNI/AAAAAAAAM_0/CJxH-WvBaaY/ScreenShot012_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="419" /></a></p> <p>and convert them into diners.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IEXFEx8QWZw/T1_wSI7fDTI/AAAAAAAAM_8/I8EnPNiweUA/s1600-h/ScreenShot0133.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xCw0bPHL01E/T1_wStqA5RI/AAAAAAAANAE/sY67uDrWET8/ScreenShot013_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="613" /></a></p> <p>The teen even earned a Silver badge in Sales.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bsT4LKk5lFE/T1_wSzhzapI/AAAAAAAANAM/NeXFcgHr09w/s1600-h/ScreenShot0143.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qvFayqrsTsg/T1_wTCPm4eI/AAAAAAAANAU/C3iLswVBwvE/ScreenShot014_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="407" width="644" /></a></p> <p>‘I’m glad I don’t have to pay this kid!',’ Yulia thought.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SmVqhefIddM/T1_wTtX6BEI/AAAAAAAANAc/cJBzUbMkjFU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0153.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NEYxceMw23I/T1_wT6OIIiI/AAAAAAAANAo/MmlBpSe6jqI/ScreenShot015_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="365" /></a></p> <p>Shelby took a nap,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZTtVSUQmhTI/T1_wVanps4I/AAAAAAAANAw/eppB5RctoBM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0163.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EuwF_R9vqxE/T1_wV4ICEgI/AAAAAAAANA4/c9g2M98v1mk/ScreenShot016_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="616" /></a></p> <p>and Bruce replaced her on the register,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gZk-hiDDDTo/T1_wWgnqAEI/AAAAAAAANBA/jBcA72zEb5Q/s1600-h/ScreenShot0173.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iGPuwf-nqkE/T1_wXLkzy6I/AAAAAAAANBI/NBSC7RqFYHM/ScreenShot017_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="630" /></a></p> <p>though there were no take-out customers, because they had all been redirected to the dining room.</p> <p>Yulia got on the phone and invited one of her groups over.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EZ-8z8Z4TIw/T1_wXZNTvdI/AAAAAAAANBQ/2OPHM1m12i4/s1600-h/ScreenShot0184.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GsGDsb_ZMsA/T1_wXn7danI/AAAAAAAANBY/ZoSR2V1bDd4/ScreenShot018_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="435" width="448" /></a></p> <p>Rodney continued to do REALLY well in tips!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nruMbdQVMqI/T1_wYOOAcqI/AAAAAAAANBg/lqSEZR9tkzo/s1600-h/ScreenShot0193.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zD3hoZlXxFM/T1_wYei5ObI/AAAAAAAANBo/YVS05BHdeUM/ScreenShot019_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="514" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-knJZY88sGzQ/T1_wYvwYsaI/AAAAAAAANBw/JnVXeQiCAXc/s1600-h/ScreenShot0203.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nHeAZrs4q2k/T1_wZCcvvbI/AAAAAAAANB4/W9OMAhJ5Iq8/ScreenShot020_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="609" /></a></p> <p>And the resto finally reached Rank 9!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rGjE4H_9ykM/T1_wZdcXZUI/AAAAAAAANCA/srGc0F00-6M/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FRt22X4OQB4/T1_wZ1fCgcI/AAAAAAAANCI/_yDHM7OMxtQ/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="551" /></a></p> <p>_____________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>It’s so much easier to run a take-out food place than a restaurant that it’s tempting just to concentrate on the former. So, I have Yulia make a serious effort every dinnertime to get as many diners as she can. Her record so far is 5 diners at one time.</p> <p>Turns out Bruce is a Fortune Sim, who wants to be a Business Tycoon.</p> <p>If you find a burned entrée in your display case, the easiest way to get rid of it is to turn on “moveobjects on”, do F2 and delete, and replace it with a good entrée from your owner’s inventory.</p> <p>When Genya ran out to the sidewalk and convinced Officer Demi Love to have a look at the menu, the teen had no assignment. I was just having her greet people and then show the menu to them. I didn’t know that this could result in Sales badge points, but happily it does!</p> <p>It may seem like having your Sim invite her Groups over “Just for Fun” is a good idea—but it’s usually not. Your Sim will sit down with her group members, and there’s NOTHING you can do to X her out of it. She goes into “Auto-Dining” till she decides she’s done!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d_glcJcSj9o/T1_waeqy3aI/AAAAAAAANCQ/YfI8H_3Z-zM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0213.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--bGQTjhrP0o/T1_wa5pD2fI/AAAAAAAANCY/7fLw-QUSUOQ/ScreenShot021_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="533" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-52869540150856027552012-03-10T16:45:00.001-05:002012-03-22T22:51:00.010-04:00Resto Opening— Part 4.<p>In desperation, Yulia raised the prices of her mac and cheese from “Expensive” to “Ridiculously Expensive,” just to slow down demand. ‘I sure hope that reviewer doesn’t pick tonight to come back!,’ she grumbled.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G6iK1PQPi5E/T1vZC4MirDI/AAAAAAAAM1Y/ekqAzB80QgU/s1600-h/ScreenShot030%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot030" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8QVs0m24D8A/T1vZDA6MIWI/AAAAAAAAM1g/j3kiPlcUNB4/ScreenShot030_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="261" width="337" /></a></p> <p>Fortunately, for some reason, Komei went platinum soon after he entered a tent,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y-gqRcSQcDQ/T1vZD5rTS5I/AAAAAAAAM8o/yLHtyKJv860/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ojls1PPLu_8/T1vZEXqjt2I/AAAAAAAAM8s/FBMNOPpcn_I/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="352" /></a></p> <p>so was able to abandon his plans for a nap and instead use the Energizer.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fjP1f3s1Rps/T1vZE2W1gSI/AAAAAAAAM8w/-YSQiamVBQo/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mk6AT16kVBQ/T1vZFmWmI2I/AAAAAAAAM80/fFdZR2H-Orw/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="512" /></a></p> <p>He quickly restocked the display cases while Yulia handled the register.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wl4yifxR5d0/T1vZGBGtDqI/AAAAAAAAM84/meY4KFT34-M/s1600-h/ScreenShot003.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SohbIp59tY4/T1vZGq2fwtI/AAAAAAAAM88/2J80vfeHt5Y/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="415" /></a></p> <p>Yulia decided that, with 4 employees asleep, it would not be wise to encourage customers to dine. So, Derek, Marisa, and Genya all turned out take-out food.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DiSqUCoC8mk/T1vZHUKa0gI/AAAAAAAAM9A/B0AFQVrUcMA/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HmYnrcRLugg/T1vZHwNH9BI/AAAAAAAAM9E/9-_m4mnp8Mg/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="459" /></a></p> <p>Shelby woke up and took over the register, and Yulia, who had spun a want to purchase another community lot, went to the phone to do some real estate transactions.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FRa7Sm7Go98/T1vZIWxSKGI/AAAAAAAAM2o/RuaUO8KpBx4/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I50w5ZfKP8Y/T1vZI9nC8nI/AAAAAAAAM2w/TqfyP0Jt8GU/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="354" /></a></p> <p>Because she was pretty short on cash,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KgMG89ugFqU/T1vZJMBRGRI/AAAAAAAAM24/stmElXYZru0/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mq5gvCDRzfY/T1vZJqMVGcI/AAAAAAAAM3A/XhhZ_PKoRSY/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="64" width="181" /></a></p> <p>she first sold the community lot she had bought the previous day, before buying the same lot back again.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g8qCAoiPt4Q/T1vZKHakMLI/AAAAAAAAM3I/5Xkb94zCaB4/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TQG8ahQSKYs/T1vZMag8xtI/AAAAAAAAM3Q/85_iOtlHMDo/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="333" width="337" /></a></p> <p>Marisa earned another raise,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l2rcvVz1b5k/T1vZM6pmyUI/AAAAAAAAM3Y/_sRyLxkaWYg/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XrWHYA_zAOI/T1vZNyXZAZI/AAAAAAAAM3g/SAiYR4Z3IVo/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="525" /></a></p> <p>and Rodney woke up and went back to work as Server. Because there were no diners, his task was to clean up, and there were quite a few dirty counters after all the cooking that had been going on.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uDlL4-R-v_s/T1vZOcvT06I/AAAAAAAAM3o/Lp4Zovs2W_g/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zRvDktqJSzo/T1vZOzoETHI/AAAAAAAAM3w/6N9AiCCWFYs/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="527" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R3VsWcDOZ2I/T1vZPdnFpzI/AAAAAAAAM34/0ikxjRWcssc/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2PMptVZ-bfo/T1vZPyxDKsI/AAAAAAAAM4A/2YZhhbXClcY/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="468" /></a></p> <p>Despite being priced “Ridiculously Expensive,” the mac and cheese entrees were flying out of the display cases, and Komei had to restock constantly to keep up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Jz5j_GlOvRM/T1vZQd-dO-I/AAAAAAAAM4I/BLFWkIrubRs/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CWrSHv9rOdM/T1vZQ9hfn3I/AAAAAAAAM4Q/hINipo8oNS8/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="501" /></a></p> <p>Also, Yulia’s inventory was still dwindling, albeit slowly,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p8PPfHsd9Z0/T1vZRN9T4zI/AAAAAAAAM4Y/DHNkGn2x0No/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nK_ioVUch9Y/T1vZRnOh80I/AAAAAAAAM4g/nRUmb4f3d68/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="119" width="226" /></a></p> <p>so she reluctantly kept the high prices.</p> <p>Potential diners started showing up (without being greeted, and without anyone trying to show them the menu),</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ti-z3YIS1XA/T1vZSI1X-nI/AAAAAAAAM4o/UNQC4EPnn94/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9NYi9yh58-s/T1vZSp9Jo9I/AAAAAAAAM4w/LcY0NWt1oxg/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="538" /></a></p> <p>so Yulia took over the podium and Derek (after another trip to the Energizer) resumed his chef duties.</p> <p>Yevgenya needed a nap, and Yulia knew that Marisa (though she seemed not to be “in the weeds”) couldn’t sustain the take-out food production all by herself,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IKM5tIu0ZwU/T1vZTLsjSEI/AAAAAAAAM44/hn4oGBBcOqc/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-km0-nOGjG-k/T1vZTs-q3JI/AAAAAAAAM5A/YNvbdaBGwsM/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="280" /></a></p> <p>so Yulia reluctantly went to her backup plan—she took one of the mac and cheese display cases off sale, bought a new display case, and filled that one with elaborate cakes that she had ordered from a bakery. (That meant that her employees wouldn’t be “under the gun” to keep up with demand, but could just produce take-out at a leisurely pace and put it in the freezer.)</p> <p>Bruce got up from his nap, and took over the register from Shelby,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Gs7nVpo1R24/T1vZULuDJ3I/AAAAAAAAM5I/mN-b5HK7aZA/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vbYVtgCTh7o/T1vZUlXfk_I/AAAAAAAAM5Q/eOYR_MdchnM/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="380" width="644" /></a></p> <p>who took over the podium from Yulia, so that the latter could Dazzle a few customers before the resto ran out of money and she wouldn’t be able to pay her employees (in which case, they’d most likely quit).</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wrwcD-106-k/T1vZVHbRsQI/AAAAAAAAM5Y/gu-rSUwqi2A/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WV-fULaWCO0/T1vZVR7AVEI/AAAAAAAAM5g/kzOIR-08Kc8/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="61" width="159" /></a></p> <p>She came up with the approach of pricing 3 of the extravagant cakes at “Average,” and 1 of them at $9,999, and trying to sell the expensive cake only to customers she thought could afford it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6D7ht6eT0h0/T1vzPu0WlSI/AAAAAAAAM9I/8VEGGIjEBXo/s1600-h/ScreenShot030%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot030" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zdHM4l7ZU5Q/T1vzP-f8zHI/AAAAAAAAM9Q/BlbszQPOC6E/ScreenShot030_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="449" /></a></p> <p>Komei finally earned his Gold badge in restocking!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-suXORICUfCQ/T1vZV911SOI/AAAAAAAAM5o/NrAUBqKIqbA/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-axh8jpG4O-c/T1vZWZwkrFI/AAAAAAAAM5w/zgFNE5DgPBc/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="404" width="448" /></a></p> <p>Yulia knew she’d have to give Komei a raise sooner rather than later, so that meant she’d have to delay her Dazzling. Thinking quickly, she looked through her inventory and sold a couple of TVs she’d gotten from customers, just to keep her head above water financially. (“I can do that only once, though,’ she thought.)</p> <p>So, she changed Komei’s wage, and started selling energetically.</p> <p>Shelby earned a Silver badge in Sales, </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8ty7WLdPo1M/T1vZWwFw6FI/AAAAAAAAM54/a5s23DA9-TI/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Js5KOe2SCWQ/T1vZXfXqNZI/AAAAAAAAM6A/Zl3_mx2Bl0E/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="535" /></a></p> <p>but Yulia didn’t feel any pressure to change the young woman’s wage, since even with the additional badge, Shelby was still “Ridiculously Overpaid.”</p> <p>Yulia managed to sell one expensive cake to Amin and was waiting for him to check out so she could get the $9,999 sales price but, since he had been distracted by the fight that had broken out between Christian and Ivy (as had everyone else) </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BsZuFFggSzM/T1vZYZuGQVI/AAAAAAAAM6I/wddeLd7kOf4/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ikCypltIPnk/T1vZY8EVaGI/AAAAAAAAM6Q/m2LKN4sBRMc/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="629" /></a></p> <p>and since Komei had to restock the cake before she did another Dazzle anyway, Yulia elected to take that opportunity to use the Energizer.</p> <p>“I TOLD you to fire that guy,” Derek admonished as she walked past him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bQBrdmUjLTM/T1vZZQhrPTI/AAAAAAAAM6Y/pTGEA-NPVKY/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y037NTsroHQ/T1vZZ00c7AI/AAAAAAAAM6g/xatGPaFp9hk/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="457" /></a></p> <p>Once things calmed down, Komei went off to sleep, Rodney took over restocking, and Shelby took over the register from Bruce and sent him to the podium. (Bruce had 4 badge points and needed a fifth in order to be promoted to Manager, and Yulia thought he might get a Bronze in Sales pretty quickly as Host).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BKKERw4gkms/T1vZaQl7_8I/AAAAAAAAM6o/OjUjxKUrdBo/s1600-h/ScreenShot027%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ewdPkQMuVG4/T1vZbOpNS1I/AAAAAAAAM6w/QJotGXdffGQ/ScreenShot027_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="497" /></a></p> <p>Rodney got tired, and Yulia took over restocking while at the same time trying to sell an expensive cake every now and then. Troy and Genya were both turning out take-out food, as was Marisa, who was “in the zone” and therefore never seemed to get tired. Since all 3 stoves were in use, and there were no diners (Yulia was keeping things slow to allow Bruce to progress without a lot of pressure), Derek had nothing to do, so took over restocking. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--Kxb5T9t8Pw/T1vZbgKmCNI/AAAAAAAAM64/4Dn4KBzIjzQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot028" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p3rUTkjcDHg/T1vZcPn2vQI/AAAAAAAAM7A/_W1kAW9Wz-s/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="512" /></a></p> <p>Yulia could then concentrate exclusively on sales.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M1mrE58_syY/T1vZcR4a4wI/AAAAAAAAM7I/2GOIorPWorU/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot029" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V8wtMbkuSSU/T1vZdDiRRtI/AAAAAAAAM7Q/OotTeufKYzI/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="327" width="644" /></a></p> <p>She got her cash up to $44,670 before having to get some sleep.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H3mq_obcIdM/T1vZdRpLc1I/AAAAAAAAM9Y/Zjkngk7xJM0/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot029" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6TYyFK_gxpc/T1vZd5J9wTI/AAAAAAAAM9c/Y35tTcQ0jKM/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="58" width="148" /></a></p> <p>“Please wake me at the dinner rush, Derek,” she asked her husband.</p> <p>____________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>I have no idea what wish Komei had that got satisfied and put him into platinum! His wishes have seem glitched from the start—I locked “Customer Gains a Star” for quite a while. Though the resto kept advancing in rank, this want never got satisfied for Komei (though it did for Yulia).</p> <p>The professional chef cooktop can also be used for “Make Many …” (not just for “Be Chef”, etc.).</p> <p>There isn’t a huge risk in taking the chef and servers off duty if there are currently no diners, since it’s so much effort to get take-out customers to look at the menu. So, it doesn’t often happen that one of them will autonomously decide to dine. (Of course, that damned Benjamin Long did!) If they do (and if too many of the other employees are still asleep), you either have to raise the menu prices to discourage the diners or wake up enough employees who’re reasonably (if not fully) rested to handle to customers.</p> <p>Christian is the weirdest employee—he will work for HOURS while in the orange, and never threaten to quit. At some point he just decides to take a nap without anyone having to tell him to take a break.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-67TgDorZ5KE/T1vZec8c3AI/AAAAAAAAM7o/tALF12WswZg/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kICWfuUiDac/T1vZfIoDEeI/AAAAAAAAM7w/HB6cq7CnNSU/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="413" /></a></p> <p>Marisa showed up as Underpaid, not when I opened the game for the day but after she’d turned out a bunch of mac and cheese. I guess her Cooking skill has risen, though I won’t boolprop to find out because boolprop completely screws up the employee interactions like nothing I’ve ever seen…. She’s not Level 10 yet, because the skill bar is still above her head.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7yIyZ4n0IEs/T1vZfVA-fbI/AAAAAAAAM74/FJ7QW9seIqU/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7gnbpqKSzoA/T1vZgGiLQWI/AAAAAAAAM8A/19YIwCchXj0/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="267" /></a></p> <p>Well, THIS makes no sense—Rodney is diligently cleaning, and I get messages that he’s gained not only a Cleaning point, but also a Cooking point (and that he has learned to make a new meal?)!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dX6lGcBCbp4/T1vZgsG1WlI/AAAAAAAAM8I/MOGz9D6jc1Y/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-knFcScspNqU/T1vZhM-J82I/AAAAAAAAM8Q/29uRVLI87ps/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="366" width="559" /></a></p> <p>He’s a Manager, so I checked his skill chart, and he does NOT have any Cooking points.</p> <p>There’s a trade-off between offering for sale high-priced items, which might annoy some customers (certainly if it’s a low-ranked venue), and low-priced items, which—if they’re items that have to be manufactured—may sell out so quickly that there are lots of red X’s, which will always annoy customers. Yulia’s coming to the conclusion that a highly ranked venue (hers is currently Rank 8) can better support “Ridiculously Expensive” prices than the risk of empty display cases.</p> <p>I’ve started changing wages to “Overpaid” whenever an employee deserves a raise. That gives me a bit of a cushion between wage-change times. It’s a safer way to handle employee wage demands, as long as you have the cash to pay the employees (or—as is often the case with Yulia—if you DON’T have enough cash, you think you have time to Dazzle some $9,999 sales out of customers).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5SPdFqUzje8/T1vZhR5dPDI/AAAAAAAAM8Y/q0WjpbSfO4I/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jo8DSiGtn5U/T1vZhqRj8OI/AAAAAAAAM8g/jyyXYAa0PX4/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="199" width="226" /></a></p> <p>Apparently, the Host/Hostess gains Sales skill just from being on the phone at the podium, even if there is no one viewing menus or needing to be seated! Good to know if you have an employee who needs more badge points in order to be promoted to Manager—you can just put him at the podium during a slow time, and he’ll earn badge points with no pressure.</p> <p>Selling an item priced at $9,999 may require either 1 or 2 Dazzles. You should queue up two Dazzles in a row, anyway, so that there’s no opportunity for the customer’s Buy Bar to decay between them. You can always quickly pause and cancel the 2nd Dazzle if the customer buys after the first one.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-82192940141327254232012-03-09T11:40:00.001-05:002012-03-22T22:50:48.731-04:00Resto Opening— Part 3.<p>With her display cases rapidly becoming more more empty, Yulia quickly repriced the take-out food to Expensive to slow down demand, and restocked what she could. She checked in with Troy (because he was doing sous-chef duty, trying to get to Level 3 in Cooking), and with the regular sous-chef, Marisa. Both were in good spirits, and said they could continue turning out mac and cheese for a while yet.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MNVrat8eVAg/T1pcWTfVQ1I/AAAAAAAAMtY/4sTxIcgX7_8/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Uvn6QROm0eM/T1pcWwvTm6I/AAAAAAAAMtg/47iNU4nVsh4/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="422" width="559" /></a></p> <p>Christian did show up at the restaurant again, but interfered with the business by telling Shelby (who was already Ridiculously Overpaid) that she deserved more money!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0RKZaGJ-L_U/T1pcXGFYHYI/AAAAAAAAMto/Bw7y4qv7gCk/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n2XuKUAvPs4/T1pcXtrGd2I/AAAAAAAAMtw/4D_uqIY_G-s/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="467" /></a></p> <p>“Why don’t you get rid of that guy?,"” Derek asked his wife.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f0B8Etn84q8/T1pcYAWHtDI/AAAAAAAAMt4/YWOXvHPDH5g/s1600-h/ScreenShot035%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot035" alt="ScreenShot035" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vczaQn_mswg/T1pcYpTssJI/AAAAAAAAMuA/QXEv6gS03Y8/ScreenShot035_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="520" /></a></p> <p>“Believe me, if I knew ANYONE else with a Gold badge in flower arranging, his butt would be out the door,” she replied.</p> <p>“But, still, I don’t think he made one single snapdragon since he showed up yesterday,” Derek persisted. “You’re running around all over the place, but I’m out back here all the time, and I can tell you Christian did NOTHING productive yesterday.”</p> <p>Yulia sent Christian back to the flower arranging station, and when he again didn’t make any snapdragons, she sent him home for the day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uOXPRJKnMQY/T1pcYz7HQiI/AAAAAAAAMuI/qEDfgV5k2ns/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3Sav8ox8g9A/T1pcZGmzitI/AAAAAAAAMuQ/xFoIhM0S2vs/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="630" /></a></p> <p>Shelby autonomously sprayed the latest infestation of roaches, cursing the Evil Witch under her breath.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-loPyMY4Ffgw/T1pcZm3BV1I/AAAAAAAAMuY/n04ScpLYZko/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UJArfFC5aZ0/T1pcaPfwB1I/AAAAAAAAMug/Eh4KjwrTuWU/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="457" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Despite the roaches, the inventory shortage, and the price change to “Expensive,” customers were still gaining stars, and the resto reached Rank 7.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sRTBaw8cAgE/T1pcafmpwnI/AAAAAAAAMuo/jLf_Ca-8Gm4/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oRhaXIX4_qs/T1pcbHbgECI/AAAAAAAAMuw/FyyXgeH8TpA/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="625" /></a></p> <p>Marisa needed to take a nap, so Yevgenya eagerly filled in for her. The teen particularly liked working alongside her father.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d-6pKGe7KW0/T1pcbvUY6fI/AAAAAAAAMu4/R3Frdg61doA/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ARag23M8FWA/T1pcb11PlQI/AAAAAAAAMvA/L47aD-Ri41A/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="422" width="559" /></a></p> <p>“I think I want to be a chef, Dad,” she announced.</p> <p>Rodney, who had been working as Host for a few hours, earned a Bronze badge in Sales,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bDYJ6Yg8eTM/T1pccfEpB_I/AAAAAAAAMvI/KI4-CYKmvjU/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jvApe3nYC44/T1pcc7W1wfI/AAAAAAAAMvQ/YKDJwc6_UTQ/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="397" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and Yulia quickly gave him a raise, promoted him to Manager, and upgraded his uniform.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L0DHhUDpGP0/T1pcdP3PIZI/AAAAAAAAMvY/0Tes7AOCQ_w/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6DxHrq_yFW8/T1pcdu4WrkI/AAAAAAAAMvg/ulLnFwkmjF0/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="638" /></a></p> <p>Unfortunately, while Yulia was taking care of this employee matter, she received a bad review!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C2J6EjSNA_g/T1pcd5hWyDI/AAAAAAAAMvo/zcxCkX5zKLU/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_kxqmncFWBk/T1pcecepSNI/AAAAAAAAMvw/IrIaXqggskQ/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="395" width="644" /></a></p> <p>And the reviewer left before Yulia could even ask him what it was that he didn’t like.</p> <p>With both Troy and Marisa cooking take-out food, and Komei’s strong restocking skills, the staff was managing to keeping the display cases filled.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-diK-e1Ecovs/T1pcejNt9bI/AAAAAAAAMv4/zQ8y2bS9t5o/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QZ_Iv0O7QGQ/T1pcfDo9RVI/AAAAAAAAMwA/WR9uhAORBWI/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="604" /></a></p> <p>‘I guess the reviewer thinks my prices are too high,’ Yulia mused.</p> <p>She knew that a bad review meant a reduction in walk-in traffic, so she got on the phone and asked a few of her friends to come over, in order to keep the number of customers up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J4ti4rJjqh4/T1pcfRAtepI/AAAAAAAAMwI/4QiEkGcL1E4/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KoB-zxfURS8/T1pcfyaOy-I/AAAAAAAAMwQ/HiRPLM-4qEs/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="382" width="448" /></a></p> <p>In short order the resto had 5 customers dining at the same time (a record).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GmkH3u9PIAM/T1pcgJS8iiI/AAAAAAAAMwY/5jSXokSk9Qo/s1600-h/ScreenShot018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jTJS9AH73Jk/T1pcgQYLgNI/AAAAAAAAMwg/_CU-YlcpY5Q/ScreenShot018_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="305" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Poor Rodney ran into trouble, though, while trying to serve Allyn Thompson:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-za5DthL3hY4/T1pcg5clduI/AAAAAAAAMwo/9zYqT_a3ajA/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-epkZ-VDVf_8/T1pchHNAIiI/AAAAAAAAMww/Zp6ES3SlZGk/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="491" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c9yQpn4CIoI/T1pchayQrTI/AAAAAAAAMw4/gsN6wcOSzWU/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-is0PEB_0MEU/T1pch2LkClI/AAAAAAAAMxA/Uz8Lgu-tYmY/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="466" width="448" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--JTMs-OX_tQ/T1pciF764FI/AAAAAAAAMxI/NlBioEB7wGw/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3o5VVBSFIRQ/T1pckAa8HnI/AAAAAAAAMxQ/FGDJ5E4JcDg/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="343" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1_Qe1DlS94U/T1pckZEHJUI/AAAAAAAAMxY/ovqLs_x_fC0/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4zaF98dGGO4/T1pckiaJ0bI/AAAAAAAAMxg/_Mvuoe9fQe0/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="484" /></a></p> <p>Rodney quickly replaced Allyn’s entrée,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RU8_g2cv-3o/T1pclKz0yoI/AAAAAAAAMxo/H0QmruznPMw/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Uv_OWIxeMHc/T1pclVufsTI/AAAAAAAAMxw/qqKFEcfndrQ/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="461" /></a></p> <p>and Yulia had him tell the woman that her dinner was on the house.</p> <p>Since Yulia had succeeded in steering all the take-out customers to the dining room, </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9faoBQ25a70/T1pcmBg_sgI/AAAAAAAAMx4/xPmUn3ITmuI/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6qT91ZuDEIk/T1pcmvrz1mI/AAAAAAAAMyA/VD_S_9vyuvQ/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="498" /></a></p> <p>Komei was able to leave his restocking duties and help out as a Server.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LRIkr_57Vng/T1pcm9HN_2I/AAAAAAAAMyI/w6fDd93m-YI/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XQ04-2aYAC4/T1pcnfBuPJI/AAAAAAAAMyQ/PXi71vuOPE4/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="520" /></a></p> <p>Yulia had a Want to purchase a community lot, so picked the cheapest one available just to improve her aspiration, figuring she could sell the lot later.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RUmx79TjWjs/T1pcn_Z9W6I/AAAAAAAAMyY/ES004gMnSzQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KLhxaYTo7II/T1pcoewvPGI/AAAAAAAAMyg/fLbXbJAThjQ/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="293" width="448" /></a></p> <p>Yulia actually paid only $900 for the lot, because she got a discount on everything.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Eu302YLVr4w/T1pcpNeGR3I/AAAAAAAAMyk/u70zl6botr8/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vypuWrQpDCs/T1pcpdgiBgI/AAAAAAAAMyw/90mnz8Gi4wY/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="326" width="281" /></a></p> <p>The transaction immediately put her into Platinum aspiration, and she was able to use the Energizer.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mlzs9qWJMqE/T1pcpyeUVPI/AAAAAAAAMy4/3OM_W_3HedE/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yyR4ClbAjQw/T1pcqEPecEI/AAAAAAAAMzA/HdmgwEj5i8w/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="463" /></a></p> <p>Marisa maxed out enthusiasm for Cooking and was in the Zone!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9EXKDH8pfvk/T1pcqkjwR1I/AAAAAAAAMzI/D77RfC1sm38/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot028" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-syKeBBVBcZ8/T1pcrKo3ekI/AAAAAAAAMzQ/smwyV6DP61A/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="368" width="448" /></a></p> <p>And the resto reached Rank 8.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FZ0GEJBYMsE/T1pcrTwQiGI/AAAAAAAAMzY/QOVk3DaQqMc/s1600-h/ScreenShot027%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pyQWwMNM1KE/T1pcrr0GpAI/AAAAAAAAMzg/NdRbhWgcvp4/ScreenShot027_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="143" width="337" /></a></p> <p>But, as Yulia looked around her, she saw disaster looming.</p> <p>She had 3 employees sleeping (Rodney, Shelby, and Troy), </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2FQ5JpRNkPE/T1pcr-cm-9I/AAAAAAAAMzo/0pwUW5p-jT0/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot029" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z9MhDzuVq9U/T1pcsi43MuI/AAAAAAAAMzw/1HEChYkclPI/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="297" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and Komei (who was exhausted) was just about to join them.</p> <p>So was Bruce, who was close to cratering.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OIjdjb2gu7w/T1pcswoAoBI/AAAAAAAAMz4/hRazqigyFHI/s1600-h/ScreenShot031%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot031" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Go8PrGDhN1c/T1pctDMUwBI/AAAAAAAAM0A/guK75s-047c/ScreenShot031_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="394" /></a></p> <p>And the take-out entrees—even priced expensively--were nearly gone….</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sFpUvAcP4tA/T1pctgLb-HI/AAAAAAAAM0I/zxyjEF-Dtyo/s1600-h/ScreenShot030%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot030" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8NGgAP1IrGg/T1pct8z-NUI/AAAAAAAAM0Q/qUBSdqBO194/ScreenShot030_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="319" width="644" /></a></p> <p>_________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>It seems like every time I shut down the game for the day and come back in, one or more employees/managers are underpaid, so I’ve decided to try to keep track of this. Today, Yulia gave Troy a raise so that he would be “Fairly Paid” at $64. Later, I exited the resto to create a tiny, cheap community lot for Yulia to purchase, and came back in to find that Troy was now “Underpaid” even though his wage hadn’t changed. Though he hasn’t earned any more badge points, he HAS been spending a lot of time as sous-chef, and so has improved his Cooking to Level 4. Maybe that’s why he deserves a raise?</p> <p>The plot thickens: Rodney also showed up as Underpaid. Yulia gave him a raise to $50 when he earned his Bronze Sales badge. Since then, he’s worked mostly as a Server (and of course dumped food all over poor Allyn Thompson). But I guess he’s building Cleaning skill, so that must be why HE deserves a raise. But look at this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eUeOq-69O9Q/T1pcuOjXPhI/AAAAAAAAM0Y/aeqM1mf06hw/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3zPKxRmnK84/T1pcutomY8I/AAAAAAAAM0g/s2pSdcblzZw/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="492" /></a></p> <p>Notice that Rodney’s wage in the Business Interface (upper right) is shown as $50. But in the Set Wage pop-up, his wage is shown as $39!!! WTF???</p> <p>I never see Sims autonomously spray roaches (they usually just stomp them, which is much more less effective), so I was very happy that Shelby did.</p> <p>The problem with Christian’s work ethic was that the flower arranging station itself was glitched. Yulia sold it, got a new one, and Christian’s been dutifully producing snapdragons all day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dFVJ8xmEp-Y/T1pcvEfu9PI/AAAAAAAAM0o/Qn_VuIW8RxI/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WThzHwrNqyI/T1pcvgH-19I/AAAAAAAAM0w/UjECnbuEmHU/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="456" /></a></p> <p>I would love to satisfy some of Shelby’s wants, but notice what 2 of them are:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Bbi4QfdYv5o/T1pcv0G8ljI/AAAAAAAAM04/Myglz_f2AIk/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f9OIA12KRQw/T1pcwJc5E5I/AAAAAAAAM1A/gw3mCX557Co/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="250" width="644" /></a></p> <p>She wants to fire BOTH Komei and Bruce! (Perhaps because they look so similar she can’t tell them apart?) Girlfriend’s gonna have to take a nap instead of using the Energizer….</p> <p>Doesn’t this make you appreciate the display cases?:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zu0gpSAoGEg/T1pcx9IsBSI/AAAAAAAAM1I/hfnnYG2-nFM/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_U8O3Hqu-kA/T1pcyZHUG4I/AAAAAAAAM1Q/g1ix75mrFic/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="402" width="448" /></a></p> <p>The cases are refrigerated, which allow the mac and cheese inventory to stay in there indefinitely. But when Yulia set up a separate, expensively priced display, she used just a display table. That was a big mistake! She’s probably lost some customer stars that I didn’t notice.</p> <p>If you’re running low on inventory, like Yulia is, another way to slow down demand is to distract the take-out customers by greeting them and showing them menus.</p> <p>Re the Shelby/Christian interaction, I guess it’s nice to know the game recognizes the “Small Business Career.” (I never noticed such a reference before.)</p> <p>The sneaky game is probably trying to get Yulia to fire Christian. She’s not going to fall for it, though.</p> <p>Gosh, Komei makes some great faces, doesn’t he?</p> <p>Since Marisa’s not a Manager, I had no idea she was close to maxing out her Cooking enthusiasm. But I’m delighted for her!</p> <p>It will be fun hauling Yulia’s bacon out of the fire in the next installment….</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-29944187371892078472012-03-08T23:01:00.001-05:002012-03-22T22:50:27.127-04:00Resto Opening— Part 2.<p>The faucet next to Marisa was spraying water all over the kitchen, </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fq7cWlZX2fo/T1mcc91FfuI/AAAAAAAAMnM/7FQ3BcY_vOU/s1600-h/ScreenShot039%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot039" alt="ScreenShot039" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UKoe7MTC3C4/T1mcdYFTSOI/AAAAAAAAMnU/Kk_9jAKHj4s/ScreenShot039_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="387" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and Komei—who had a Mechanical skill of only 2—attempted to fix it (probably to try to impress Marisa, who he had just decided was hot). Marisa, a new and easily spooked sous-chef, had been so unnerved by the spouting water that she had uncharacteristically burned her mac and cheese.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y6224nyeJdM/T1mcd8NzsHI/AAAAAAAAMnc/5K9LtadXjJw/s1600-h/ScreenShot040%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot040" alt="ScreenShot040" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_wa__SWsS8E/T1mceBGgXuI/AAAAAAAAMnk/lWG9YV8dVsQ/ScreenShot040_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="451" width="644" /></a></p> <p>After 2 attempts, Komei (to his embarrassment) was unable to fix the faucet, and Derek (with a Mechanical skill of 10) had to stop cooking to come over and do the repair.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BBi2qzhFA50/T1mcetzgkmI/AAAAAAAAMns/ns3GuSUPYgU/s1600-h/ScreenShot042%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot042" alt="ScreenShot042" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q9Ch1GIQgVk/T1mcfKeDfCI/AAAAAAAAMn0/TO_-6h___M0/ScreenShot042_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="353" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Bruce, whom Troy had sent home the day before, showed up at work without being called in, and resumed his register duties without being asked.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5cJD4vBTgeA/T1mcftvBYSI/AAAAAAAAMn8/ra7by3yLLgc/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-03pmorcmn1M/T1mcgEzzhjI/AAAAAAAAMoE/A1JEwNNQBbM/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="416" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Unfortunately, Yulia had spent so much money building the restaurant that she was soon in serious danger of not being able to pay her employees:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cEdhsntPzfk/T1mchi5UOnI/AAAAAAAAMoM/wgK9nPN1kY8/s1600-h/ScreenShot0024.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_ih_07JKF1o/T1mchzxJpKI/AAAAAAAAMoU/dYOatWgHeJ8/ScreenShot002_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="192" width="259" /></a></p> <p>So she set up a separate display with take-out food priced at $9,999, and quickly sold one to each of Leo, Brandon, and Melissa.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XRI20bDJwhc/T1mcihVc-2I/AAAAAAAAMoc/jSgqkbrAEMM/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0HjbVg589DU/T1mckFfd0WI/AAAAAAAAMok/TcOyIa9VLYs/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="356" /></a></p> <p>Shelby earned a Bronze badge in Sales. (Yulia didn’t give her a raise, because Shelby was already seriously overpaid.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uQ8Rd0IE3QE/T1mckWxwbqI/AAAAAAAAMos/NjjZKqdNZ08/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rdNN3pK3sbo/T1mck3TG1MI/AAAAAAAAMo0/A4d-tq7LHQY/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="596" /></a></p> <p>The resto reached Rank 5.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ojC8RC3cfN4/T1mclUI4kRI/AAAAAAAAMo8/zD1FZJ_IAXE/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CYrg6folGrs/T1mcl6AGv5I/AAAAAAAAMpE/JmlxITOEeTE/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="318" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yulia told Marisa to take a break, and the young woman got into the same tent that Komei was sleeping in.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j2U8noVLZjc/T1mcmB_LFMI/AAAAAAAAMpM/HHSnjKAzgAo/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HIlX61PCL1I/T1mcmaiuVWI/AAAAAAAAMpU/sxWFYskG40k/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="383" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Poor Genya started sneezing her head off—she had dealt with so many roaches caused by the Evil Witch that she had become ill,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BO7W9MlRfK4/T1mcmzIwg2I/AAAAAAAAMpc/iOycs-BWtJU/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n3Qpc2y8fHw/T1mcnbpmUbI/AAAAAAAAMpk/aRyWIRuBIEw/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="480" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and her dad took a few minutes out of his chef duties to make Grandma’s Comfort Soup for her. Yulia temporarily filled in at the chef’s station.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eAVp8WORfLQ/T1mcn82EJuI/AAAAAAAAMps/3Tbdb9yVbuw/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VB5YIxlgyQs/T1mcoQA-LOI/AAAAAAAAMp0/wyVVcsvRWCs/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="455" /></a></p> <p>Genya told Bruce to take a break. Shelby took over the register, and Yulia replaced her at the podium.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b6Pq6FUHEUk/T1mcon_LVtI/AAAAAAAAMp8/298wD-fvOM8/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O5JfQ8Ny2-M/T1mcpVU73TI/AAAAAAAAMqE/1foy6TCcBwM/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="476" /></a></p> <p>As was the case previously, though, Bruce did not go into a tent to take a nap. Instead, he started getting into arguments with customers. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gVIltPx5_ws/T1mcpou5n8I/AAAAAAAAMqM/oQmwr6TOQTM/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q5GZU-Xd7Ew/T1mcqNfhinI/AAAAAAAAMqU/47NMunCIpj8/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="371" /></a></p> <p>Genya had no choice but to send him home for the day. ‘Management is a tough job,” she said to herself.</p> <p>Komei got up from his nap, told Rodney to take a break, and took over restocking.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gTWbA3MWOAc/T1mcqrYz_SI/AAAAAAAAMqc/VLlTbgkAZRY/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aUFNfFxlGHk/T1mcrPIdCVI/AAAAAAAAMqk/8c-32SG6sxI/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="550" /></a></p> <p>But Rodney wasn’t that tired, and was just hanging around, so Yulia put him on the podium (hoping he could earn a Bronze badge in Sales, at which point he would have 5 badge points and she would be able to promote him to Manager). </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pnIHtWYIvxg/T1mcrpkfZHI/AAAAAAAAMqs/mctflT1Iy0k/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AoGeJuG5-bg/T1mcr0zW0qI/AAAAAAAAMq0/fYiHdZ27R8k/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="493" /></a></p> <p>Yulia sent Shelby (who was still in Gold aspiration) to use the Energizer, and Yulia took over at the register.</p> <p>Genya was getting tired, and couldn’t risk using the Energizer, so she worked as a Server for a short while before taking a break so that Troy (who was currently working as a Server) could use the Energizer as soon as Shelby was done with it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Rwa71-4FlBk/T1mcsJsLOBI/AAAAAAAAMq8/5IMc8hIVvHU/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yyLbtEfecUg/T1mcsv18ODI/AAAAAAAAMrE/YoPJyqhZlGE/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="634" /></a></p> <p>After he used the Energizer, Troy went back to work as a Server, and Genya went to take a nap in one of the tents.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tw3xic2VQZI/T1mcsy2TmuI/AAAAAAAAMrM/ezi6kk-o0N4/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z8yksDqq-e4/T1mctcK3AjI/AAAAAAAAMrU/vr047UzGBjk/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="473" width="644" /></a></p> <p>“Any guy who goes near that tent is a dead man!,” Derek announced sternly, and he meant it.</p> <p>Rodney was gaining some Sales talent at the podium, but he was again in orange, so Yulia made him take a break.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gO8WJQYMf9U/T1mctmNp2SI/AAAAAAAAMrc/CXymvO4dY2U/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_DFHtKr82GM/T1mct7AFnLI/AAAAAAAAMrk/kwg8nHb_VAo/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="569" /></a></p> <p>For the first time, Rodney actually went to a tent to take a nap, so Yulia didn’t have to send him home for the day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HUWnF9duiCs/T1mcuedBJ_I/AAAAAAAAMrs/cvhX-MePoSM/s1600-h/ScreenShot018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nsVWWG9JzPk/T1mcu-2ctvI/AAAAAAAAMr0/Z2bhJYgl9eM/ScreenShot018_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="440" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yulia went to use the Energizer, and the resto reached Rank 6.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BNTTRNOJtbk/T1mcvJbPK8I/AAAAAAAAMr8/BSiiC5S1zUs/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZiWwn3mjL0I/T1mcvcGkKpI/AAAAAAAAMsE/NL3ZU-7FFEE/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="156" width="448" /></a></p> <p>Soon thereafter, though, she got the unwelcome news that she was out of mac and cheese entrees in her inventory.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-koTl9GqfaHc/T1mcv6ZZTgI/AAAAAAAAMtQ/WgSDa4p923w/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PtvK09BO2cw/T1mcwBLS8gI/AAAAAAAAMtU/2uVtWDuLY7Y/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="473" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yulia had to think for a minute whether to close her restaurant for the day, or to keep steaming ahead….</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SsP7_swJKsU/T1mcwkrbRfI/AAAAAAAAMsc/qNCH_Yoi3oI/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jh1GybB21co/T1mcw1nEPII/AAAAAAAAMsk/ofrWrilaseY/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="440" /></a></p> <p>__________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>Re the “Greet”/Show Menu To … “ interaction (see the Notes after the previous post entitled “Opening Night—Part 1)--</p> <p><a title="http://yulias5tlb.blogspot.com/2012/03/25-opening-nightpart-1.html" href="http://yulias5tlb.blogspot.com/2012/03/25-opening-nightpart-1.html">http://yulias5tlb.blogspot.com/2012/03/25-opening-nightpart-1.html</a></p> <p>--I just realized that a Sim can show a menu ONLY to a customer SHE HERSELF has greeted. If Genya greets someone, SHE can then show a menu to that customer, but Yulia can’t. Yulia can show the menu only to customers that she herself has greeted.</p> <p>Though I’ve read a few OFB restaurant guides that advise using only tables that seat 1 Sim at a time, I always use two-tops. Occasionally, Sims who come in separately will end up dining together, making for a nice picture!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O-_ct7w9TLw/T1mcxY5SEJI/AAAAAAAAMss/0od1utxIpr0/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RGzsEAVUIoM/T1mcxxERNDI/AAAAAAAAMs0/EqJHrEmZ8sM/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="616" /></a></p> <p>Save often (you probably already know this!)—save every time you do a successful personnel rotation (sending someone to nap or on break or home for the day or to use the Energizer, then having someone else take over the first person’s assignment, then having another person take over the second person’s assignment, etc.). </p> <p>You’ll have surmised by now that not only do YOU have to multitask to get a successful OFB restaurant, but your controllable Sims ALSO have to multitask, and quite a bit. That’s why it’s fun, and a real challenge!!!</p> <p>Re Rodney FINALLY opting to nap when sent on break (as opposed to stumbling around tired, and getting more tired, and interfering with the resto the way Bruce did), maybe the secret is to wait till the employee gets into orange. You’d have to catch them fast, though, before they get PO’d enough to quit!</p> <p>Yulia was having real trouble with Christian today—he kept leaving his station, though he was still healthily green. She moved the flower arranging station twice, but Christian still wouldn’t work at it for more than a couple Sim minutes. She tried putting him at the podium, but he also left that after a couple Sim minutes. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9z2MkPewkHQ/T1mcyNMW-bI/AAAAAAAAMs8/Z9DoXsmKjTg/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L9W3XhYMfI4/T1mcyrfMF0I/AAAAAAAAMtE/Lja78xDd82Q/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="374" width="337" /></a></p> <p>Not sure what’s going on with him—think I’ll just have her send him home for the day, and hope that he (1) shows up without being asked tomorrow, and (2) performs better tomorrow.</p> <p>Some Sims are just weird—Sandy Bruty, despite her high personal relationship with Yulia, and her enthusiasm for popping in to pick up mac and cheese take-out, just refuses to eat in the restaurant. Yulia greets her every time she shows up, and shows her the menu, and Sandy examines the menu but walks away with red negative signs over her head every time.</p> <p>After his tent-nap, Rodney autonomously resumed his most recent assignment as Host, and as soon as he did, Yulia autonomously abandoned the station. Interesting.</p> <p>Gosh—good teens are helpful!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-45401304140348968882012-03-07T12:46:00.001-05:002012-03-22T22:49:42.932-04:00Resto Opening— Part 1.<p>The purchase price of the restaurant had been $83,729, and Yulia had sunk an additional $29,301 cash into it before opening. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2ZoLYrPNHj4/T1e6ibk9IRI/AAAAAAAAMds/SwP0hmKyTtY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0055.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot005" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7hGejzWH9FE/T1e6i_n8jaI/AAAAAAAAMd0/I8g1zvvlvLA/ScreenShot005_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="157" width="337" /></a></p> <p>And taking into account the $34,757 worth of furniture and fixtures that she had supplied from her own inventory, the cost of the restaurant so far was a whopping $147,787.</p> <p>Derek came over after he finished at the hospital for the day, and got to work as chef. ‘It’ll be great to cook something BESIDES mac and cheese for a change!’, he thought with a smile.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3xj--ciWAqw/T1e6kZpTsYI/AAAAAAAAMd8/8p2KaneQ1f8/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot001" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vdBXm-uTNfU/T1e6lRySEXI/AAAAAAAAMeE/BV4F7R5LtCY/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="630" /></a></p> <p>Yevgenya took a cab over after school, and happily set about making more of the take-out fare. ‘This is soooo much more fun than homework!’ she thought. Though she was an A+ student, and enjoyed school, she loved the hustle and bustle and relative chaos of the commercial kitchen. </p> <p>“Looking good, cupcake,” her father encouraged her.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FWbrUlUkvZE/T1e6l-Vwv3I/AAAAAAAAMeM/KWV5tUSLDto/s1600-h/ScreenShot0024.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot002" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e-Dk8O-r4qA/T1e6mIt5OGI/AAAAAAAAMeU/WBC8B3KZEcI/ScreenShot002_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="468" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yulia had been right about the appeal of mac and cheese—the takeout area had 3 customers,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HlHpoNicPdQ/T1e6mud2x4I/AAAAAAAAMec/AjcY9VI1Yxk/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot003" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PG0Ba5A6hao/T1e6m-lSmCI/AAAAAAAAMek/Cj68_Ja71BI/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="368" width="644" /></a></p> <p>but the restaurant’s tables had remained empty so far.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iW_z6mlDnD4/T1e6nT3iGsI/AAAAAAAAMes/q4vRKpr2fDc/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot004" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mTH3r8UqKcY/T1e6nij5yaI/AAAAAAAAMe0/iYcJbAa4cEU/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="367" /></a></p> <p>So Yulia went to greet her take-out customers,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IkXCedJbD6k/T1e6n5XmaTI/AAAAAAAAMe8/vM6CKkEYxM0/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot007" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4INkaWjQhSc/T1e6oe9bJ5I/AAAAAAAAMfE/ugl2_CYy-v8/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="621" /></a></p> <p>and show the menu to them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p359fdU-yCA/T1e6opuFSRI/AAAAAAAAMfM/0Ol2BkhjkpI/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot008" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-djFtBl__eAQ/T1e6pH5oxxI/AAAAAAAAMfU/rZcfUQuMa6g/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="625" /></a></p> <p>Once a customer saw how good the prices were, he would invariably decide to give the food a try and would put down the menu and wait at the podium to be seated by the hostess.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1uW9IOo2QNI/T1e6prE3kkI/AAAAAAAAMfc/nH_zU-SqVSI/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot009" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Au5iTvRuGMI/T1e6rq7-TfI/AAAAAAAAMfk/z6aT28zTCqs/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="389" /></a></p> <p>Then the hostess would show the customer to a table,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--lgHACVtZBQ/T1e6rwb2VQI/AAAAAAAAMfs/TY3m4kYUhZE/s1600-h/ScreenShot01061.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot010" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YGhzkcLtIWo/T1e6sQbhq0I/AAAAAAAAMf0/bN3G7eAIQeI/ScreenShot010_thumb62.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="430" width="466" /></a></p> <p>and one of the servers would wait on him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ygb-zjykGhs/T1e6sk0KflI/AAAAAAAAMf8/YcgLiw-xyik/s1600-h/ScreenShot0113.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot011" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--EnmjbGKqjM/T1e6s1PfLWI/AAAAAAAAMgE/Fz344Tyqz2o/ScreenShot011_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="313" /></a></p> <p>The restaurant soon reached Rank 1! Yulia sent Shelby on break and took over the podium,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cUPg7K8eMdY/T1e6tQiVeII/AAAAAAAAMgM/3Q1SYIMvJAQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0123.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot012" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NiItim5fi5s/T1e6tqGd5HI/AAAAAAAAMgU/gIAGpgI4wWI/ScreenShot012_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="337" width="644" /></a></p> <p>and Komei served their first diner.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UAXQVi4m8Ms/T1e6uHZ0GEI/AAAAAAAAMgc/nDcToiwb5h4/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot013" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dpY-3JJxsZU/T1e6uqQuQlI/AAAAAAAAMgk/oIT0PgxnRFc/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="539" /></a></p> <p>Yulia had invited some of her friends over, and they were starting to show up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XMjKfRWmYOc/T1e6u2eiZnI/AAAAAAAAMgs/hs1pX0nE7_g/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot014" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vKvfcMyD7GU/T1e6ve6XQPI/AAAAAAAAMgw/iNgZc3jYwPQ/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="411" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Troy wanted to learn to cook and, working alongside Derek, he learned how to make mac and cheese.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DUlxDISD8oo/T1e6vlLAcMI/AAAAAAAAMg8/fEssvpvXSQ4/s1600-h/ScreenShot0153.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot015" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OQDc9GYTA_o/T1e6v-M3ZoI/AAAAAAAAMhE/jeNFYhvYvEU/ScreenShot015_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="641" /></a></p> <p>Genya helped by greeting customers, especially the ones she knew well,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wcwLZihLdLk/T1e6wWQguyI/AAAAAAAAMhM/3UzASVyrinM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0163.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot016" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aFAzOJoO0wE/T1e6w9XBdoI/AAAAAAAAMhQ/Gyx6fSnAdLc/ScreenShot016_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="512" /></a></p> <p>and the resto reached Rank 2!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IvxaWja1J7Q/T1e6xDbKOtI/AAAAAAAAMhc/ilLPWXYXyzE/s1600-h/ScreenShot0173.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot017" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rxtC-SB_pc0/T1e6xo21yUI/AAAAAAAAMhk/vDJ1eF_Y4LA/ScreenShot017_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="375" /></a></p> <p>While Yulia was trying to keep up with her employees’ wage demands, the resto reached Rank 3!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IPcxHztQURw/T1e6yG--UYI/AAAAAAAAMhs/IBRZw0MnF-Y/s1600-h/ScreenShot018%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot018" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8j0_zBBVzHU/T1e6yk5U52I/AAAAAAAAMh0/VQM9ekhwxpE/ScreenShot018_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="608" /></a></p> <p>Rodney was so enthusiastic that, although the Managers kept giving him breaks, he kept returning to his restocking duties without being asked. But his mood wasn’t improving, so Troy sent him home for the day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CRJYEOpjYXg/T1e6yz0Z6cI/AAAAAAAAMh8/J1bk-8YpYm4/s1600-h/ScreenShot0207.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot020" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UONDxME5MyY/T1e6zEMQNpI/AAAAAAAAMiE/cNqHXOwruXU/ScreenShot020_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="313" /></a></p> <p>“Come on, Mom—I want to HELP!”, Genya complained. So, Yulia let her be a Server. Because there wasn’t a waiter uniform small enough to fit her, Yulia put her daughter in a nice dress,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V021gNEhYgQ/T1e6zms_x-I/AAAAAAAAMiM/4uUKoAg49u0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0213.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot021" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Msb7Gg5lnyM/T1e6z4tGm5I/AAAAAAAAMiU/JwgH2l8k2mU/ScreenShot021_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="503" /></a></p> <p>and told the teen to go ahead and represent herself as a member of the owner’s family. Yulia figured that would make her customers feel valued.</p> <p>Komei awoke from his nap in the tent and resumed as Server, and Genya—who was already a Level 10 cook--took over briefly in the kitchen so that her father could take a break and use the Energizer. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HZkSprlegWQ/T1e60S4pKoI/AAAAAAAAMic/_dhI0Y0-ugo/s1600-h/ScreenShot0223.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot022" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WpK9_LGIbO8/T1e60vORfyI/AAAAAAAAMik/lZM9mZyZRaU/ScreenShot022_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="460" /></a></p> <p>“This is like the best day of my life ever!” she exclaimed loudly, to no one in particular.</p> <p>On Derek’s way back into the building, Yulia presented her husband with a set of chef’s whites.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l1_QaGMvHWE/T1e61AgwhjI/AAAAAAAAMis/XcyCth93MGA/s1600-h/ScreenShot0233.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot023" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FhcNYQDQXSI/T1e61owo5FI/AAAAAAAAMi0/OArorxIAI5k/ScreenShot023_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="535" /></a></p> <p>“Great idea, honey!” he told her. “You should do this for ALL the cooks.”</p> <p>The venue reached Rank 4.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-67bJhCFlQrk/T1e61_mjRLI/AAAAAAAAMi8/QeezK4ZOKuo/s1600-h/ScreenShot024.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot024" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ItyNkx05mpQ/T1e62QbDHtI/AAAAAAAAMjE/IgWhHPMdxX4/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="474" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Bruce woke up and wanted to work on his register skills, so Shelby took a break. When Marisa got up from her nap, Shelby gave her a raise,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CZkLCR6-42w/T1e62jPnWdI/AAAAAAAAMjM/APcbqj7GgNE/s1600-h/ScreenShot0253.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot025" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F48xmYeU_Z8/T1e63GZuEDI/AAAAAAAAMjU/UGFrH9-Mx5U/ScreenShot025_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="411" /></a></p> <p>and (at Derek’s good suggestion) presented the young sous-chef with her own set of chef’s whites. Marisa went proudly back to work.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o83UFeQ3eM8/T1e63jneJYI/AAAAAAAAMjc/yPkyXxLt9Go/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot026" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mT5PKQPNUBs/T1e64C_xBhI/AAAAAAAAMjk/xjWR3rsE_fA/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="405" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yulia gave her daughter another thrill by letting the teen be Hostess for a while.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6Cei-VKq5sE/T1e64RwyICI/AAAAAAAAMjs/4JREMNna6Q0/s1600-h/ScreenShot027%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot027" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ss3m2i5LvU4/T1e641AVvOI/AAAAAAAAMj0/Wm1dedvDVoE/ScreenShot027_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="449" width="644" /></a></p> <p>Yulia covered restocking so that Troy could take a break. He went to find Shelby. The two had worked side by side for some time now, and were close friends.</p> <p>“You look awesome in that hostess outfit!” he told her admiringly.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4oM-7-Cg1e4/T1e65IbDKMI/AAAAAAAAMj8/f0WriMFpd0A/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot028" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ao2fLFTvKTw/T1e65vaO9hI/AAAAAAAAMkE/3hq7g3_ZdXc/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="478" /></a></p> <p>“You don’t look bad yourself!” she responded. “That gold vest really accents your coloring.”</p> <p>Troy had no idea what that meant, but he figured it was a good thing. He was suddenly surprised by what he was feeling for his friend.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6MkX95ero88/T1e65_DBCuI/AAAAAAAAMkM/IuK1nfJem5k/s1600-h/ScreenShot0303.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot030" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y2mhPhVkI_o/T1e66Lv--QI/AAAAAAAAMkU/RwW0QXkCncs/ScreenShot030_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="266" /></a></p> <p>Shelby felt the same. (She had thought Troy was cute for some time, but then, she was a Romance Sim, and thought pretty much that every guy was cute.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hnH8CHAmfW0/T1e66kUaEaI/AAAAAAAAMkc/-RvodXeLQdg/s1600-h/ScreenShot031%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot031" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sQ7IBtv9uV0/T1e664aYB6I/AAAAAAAAMkk/kB2-bkquXCc/ScreenShot031_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="366" /></a></p> <p>Shelby had a Want to ask someone on a date, so she asked Troy, and he accepted! And things progressed quickly,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-La15Aki_4Q4/T1e67TX7FXI/AAAAAAAAMks/NESWEqqHSho/s1600-h/ScreenShot0343.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot034" alt="ScreenShot034" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IkuqKn7Pwgo/T1e67laUGLI/AAAAAAAAMk0/-GksvMSGk_Q/ScreenShot034_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="507" /></a></p> <p>and it was eventually a Dream Date!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-anWlTcJ1eWY/T1e68FjcsWI/AAAAAAAAMk8/j5hquzv3Ok8/s1600-h/ScreenShot041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot041" alt="ScreenShot041" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G8WJmPDZwm4/T1e69jOoMeI/AAAAAAAAMlE/M_jrh9qkMKc/ScreenShot041_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="259" width="147" /></a></p> <p>Meanwhile, Yulia was doing well enough at Restocking that she had finally earned a Bronze badge.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HyegSlZtzrU/T1e6_S2PZjI/AAAAAAAAMlM/IcTuRzEeUTg/s1600-h/ScreenShot0339.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot033" alt="ScreenShot033" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wtNAX48PdEI/T1e6_rTKWkI/AAAAAAAAMlU/9RRP-SL692U/ScreenShot033_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="404" width="559" /></a></p> <p>and Bruce earned a Silver badge in Register! Yulia immediately gave him a raise.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9JY4QNtOiIs/T1e7AbxsG6I/AAAAAAAAMlc/ti7PZGwwrdY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0353.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot035" alt="ScreenShot035" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c624w5rwM5I/T1e7AuXVnKI/AAAAAAAAMlk/e6eV3Mhneq0/ScreenShot035_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="444" /></a></p> <p>Genya increased her Sales ability while at the podium.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RVSgX_tBXT4/T1e7BNJkuZI/AAAAAAAAMls/8RBGDTUa2tA/s1600-h/ScreenShot036%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot036" alt="ScreenShot036" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uj7jyyWIPxI/T1e7BZSwYSI/AAAAAAAAMl0/11ve5ZV6XvQ/ScreenShot036_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="480" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--nbmsbz-VkU/T1e7BvXeI0I/AAAAAAAAMl8/yrp1Dta-vWU/s1600-h/ScreenShot037%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot037" alt="ScreenShot037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-okzFT1nIIWw/T1e7CJCOXyI/AAAAAAAAMmE/kd_pQN4pszE/ScreenShot037_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="118" width="281" /></a></p> <p>And Komei was starting to think that Marisa was pretty darned attractive herself….</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MnklWsSP_iw/T1e7Carq1bI/AAAAAAAAMmM/4u6CZLOUpUU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0383.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot038" alt="ScreenShot038" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BfnrRWqoUAc/T1e7C8Nj6nI/AAAAAAAAMmU/RLUIq7AQdo4/ScreenShot038_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="443" width="644" /></a></p> <p>___________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>I got the “cost of the restaurant so far” by going to the neighborhood screen, getting the lot value of Yulia’s Restaurant ($147,787) and subtracting from that the lot purchase price ($83,729) and the cash she’d invested ($29,301, which I got from the Business Interface under “Cash Tracker”), and that allowed me to figure out the value of the inventory Yulia had contributed (the tents, the sofas, etc.).</p> <p>Note that being Host/Hostess builds Sales skill:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_HIwvcTKAhc/T1e7DIwj9lI/AAAAAAAAMmc/w4TiVOwTlw0/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot006" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-deLNoUhuKPU/T1e7DVpjOmI/AAAAAAAAMmk/AK0lR8SR7nE/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="391" /></a></p> <p>The “Show Menu to …” interaction is done by clicking on the podium. The Host/Hostess is able to show the menu to take-out customers ONLY if they’re been greeted. Once greeted, their names will show up under “Show Menu.” Unless you do Greet and Show Menu, take-out customers tend to leave without considering dining. If Yulia clicks on the podium, and “Show Menu To” doesn’t show up, that means she needs to go greet people.</p> <p>Stinky snapdragons again interfered—Christian kept abandoning his station, and I found a green one outdoors just behind the station. There was also one behind Shelby at the cash register. These particular bouquets were from Yulia’s inventory and had been pink before. I think I now remember that pink ones can go green after a while.</p> <p>Genya is so obsessively neat that, even when she’s unassigned (as Server, or to “Tidy Up”, or whatever), she STILL buses dirty dishes!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xGuX7i5KTds/T1e7DqXGq2I/AAAAAAAAMms/9gMYtklhgQg/s1600-h/ScreenShot0193.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot019" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_lf_lFBpxjA/T1e7EKyFj-I/AAAAAAAAMm0/TzX0kYKgrzE/ScreenShot019_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="455" /></a></p> <p>The game was obviously trying to get Rodney to quit….</p> <p>Why aren’t the nice waiter outfits available to teens??? That’s why Genya’s in a dress—because the waiter apron outfits that WERE available to her don’t fit in with the resto’s aesthetics.</p> <p>More game sneak—Marisa was “Underpaid” (yes, again!) and cleverly evaded every owner/Manager who was trying to give her a raise. She went into a tent to sleep, and when she came out, she quit. I exited without saving, went back in, and had Troy (who, as a Manager, is able to change her wage) stand outside her tent. She then hid in the tent for hours! Shelby eventually got her, though.</p> <p>The business reason for getting Troy and Shelby to fall in love was so that they could develop easily satisfied wants and get into good enough moods to use the Energizer on a regular basis. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eSEwW58FhK8/T1e7EmpeEbI/AAAAAAAAMm8/js2tr2522sc/s1600-h/ScreenShot032%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot032" alt="ScreenShot032" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cRF7Nh8mybk/T1e7E--KSdI/AAAAAAAAMnE/bG1EEt_Ialo/ScreenShot032_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="346" width="644" /></a></p> <p>(I know—I’m SUCH a romantic!) But also, I’ve always thought they were both SO cute. Can you imagine how adorable their children would be?—LOADS of messy blond hair! Their romance progressed quickly I guess because it’s Spring (and because of Romance Sim Shelby, natch). And because they were such good friends to begin with—they spent a lot of time hanging out together on breaks, and they’ve even napped together in the same tent several times. (I know—scandal!)</p> <p>I never noticed this before with a Romance Sim, but Shelby seemed to swing her hips quite alluringly when she walked toward Troy to do “Flirt – Suggestion.” Am I imagining this, or does this actually happen?</p> <p>And the Komei/Marisa thing is too funny! I wouldn’t even have noticed his leer if the game hadn’t done the picture-in-picture thing to alert me that the faucet next to Marisa was spouting water all over the floor. But, if the EA gods have decreed it….</p> <p>What should I do about Shelby and Troy??? Shelby has a 20 Woo-Hoo LTW, and has a Fear of marrying Troy (or anyone else, obviously). (Troy—a Knowledge Sim—has the Criminal Mastermind LTW.)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-63643147126896667302012-03-06T23:56:00.000-05:002012-03-07T01:20:42.017-05:00Yulia’s Restaurant.<p>As soon as she arose early Tuesday morning, Yulia satisfied a Want by purchasing another community lot.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iBua5bmSNFs/T1b4A4u-6oI/AAAAAAAAMUs/IxHL3ksLTQA/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot002" border="0" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-86polhss6sA/T1b4BLM5D-I/AAAAAAAAMU0/20OsqHFE1hw/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="202" /></a></p> <p>“So THAT’S what you’re doing with the rest of the money,” observed Derek, who had also just arisen. He was in one of the house’s two kitchens, dutifully making and freezing mac and cheese before leaving for the hospital.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4YQIfbLlQ4o/T1b4BtF_ZoI/AAAAAAAAMU8/prpm_XN9V6g/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot003" border="0" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h1zR_p0dd4I/T1b4DN0kruI/AAAAAAAAMVE/2HJJXEE-J0w/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="484" /></a></p> <p>“I still have to fix up the break room,” Yulia answered, “so it’s going to take even MORE money. I should be able to use a lot of the furniture I took from the Emporium, though.”</p> <p>Yevgenya was enthusiastically making mac and cheese in the other kitchen. She was very excited to be part of her mother’s new venture.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C7Ffz7Y5YGs/T1b7Ed_4h6I/AAAAAAAAMdc/mwo0oDlxrgk/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot006" border="0" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5Irj8nR1TIk/T1b7E0mocII/AAAAAAAAMdk/86cGESTKPcY/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="531" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yanastasia was thoughtfully making her parents’ bed without being asked,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nqvcMCXSHiE/T1b4DockWmI/AAAAAAAAMVM/MKuqQ52CTs8/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot004" border="0" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hZYT-9YBPmM/T1b4D_rK2_I/AAAAAAAAMVU/FwgcqC-skIY/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="558" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and Yedrek—who was extremely neat—had taken it upon himself to clean up the entire dining room (also without being asked).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MWPnG18xmzI/T1b4EaWKKUI/AAAAAAAAMVc/DW4Ki4fgw8E/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot005" border="0" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-monM0lFqqLs/T1b4Ezn8hvI/AAAAAAAAMVk/VB6CV6spz4A/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="588" height="484" /></a></p> <p>“Those are some diligent kids we’ve got,” Yulia remarked, pleased but also somewhat amused.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cHNQDDCd5n4/T1b4FXPBf2I/AAAAAAAAMVs/WdOMWwRm5pM/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot007" border="0" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aYTt3RdVlCc/T1b4F7Tt1xI/AAAAAAAAMV0/kk-FMxvcq2U/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="455" /></a></p> <p>“Must be the good example set by their mother,” Derek complimented his wife.</p> <p>With her husband gone to work, her 4 children gone to school, and the butler at the house so he could keep the home venue tidy, Yulia headed out to her first day at her new restaurant.</p> <p>‘This car’s probably reducing the property value of the entire neighborhood!” Yulia thought ruefully. ‘Perhaps Derek’s got a point.’</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-08PA4j1OsCM/T1b4Ga8b1vI/AAAAAAAAMV8/O5H7Afvpyus/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot008" border="0" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IArzLxrDh-E/T1b4GxoHdxI/AAAAAAAAMWE/TlXmzjvxWY4/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="369" /></a></p> <p>Arriving at her brand-new restaurant, Yulia thought that her jalopy would probably discourage potential customers, so resolved to call a car dealer before another day had gone by.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SZgW7gSMnXk/T1b4HfTiO0I/AAAAAAAAMWM/Yig9kje7CtA/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot010" border="0" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oZzoDWFN_M8/T1b4HstR4rI/AAAAAAAAMWU/fPhge-pquTM/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="343" /></a></p> <p>It was an elegant and serene dining room,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LCBLpcI6oL0/T1b4IQL0gVI/AAAAAAAAMWc/OSnXZ3jgQMw/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot011" border="0" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gbQKuDqsGR8/T1b4IsAqj9I/AAAAAAAAMWk/HZ6FFlQjzYc/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="409" /></a></p> <p>with a take-out area where Yulia could sell all the mac and cheese entrees that her family had made and frozen.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5TnlxFEnYiA/T1b4JP0SDdI/AAAAAAAAMWs/_w9qaSdaXac/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot012" border="0" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2ISpzwaTzFw/T1b4Jvny9fI/AAAAAAAAMW0/N15_CarugLk/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="417" /></a></p> <p>She walked into the commercial kitchen, and caught her breath.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T-jqxzbaqCA/T1b4KIpzREI/AAAAAAAAMW8/PkKBdThimaA/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot017" border="0" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QbJtQs9rBhg/T1b4KceA28I/AAAAAAAAMXE/hR9WCwP49Tc/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="631" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OCp1xDdm2YQ/T1b4Kx7RxEI/AAAAAAAAMXM/JWbjqSNI0fQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot018%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot018" border="0" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ME2zgdPGpfo/T1b4LT8kafI/AAAAAAAAMXU/lwNVzmHWOf8/ScreenShot018_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="267" /></a></p> <p>There was a gleaming chef’s station,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--VP3Meo8pyY/T1b4Lq0ar9I/AAAAAAAAMXc/hMi9nDRnmKM/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot019" border="0" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UBI2GfYW3iI/T1b4MDp6DpI/AAAAAAAAMXk/LiQFNUdVgpI/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="378" /></a></p> <p>a sous-chef workstation with 2 additional cooktops,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TtmlsT3KiGA/T1b4M2mVNrI/AAAAAAAAMXs/qXPgkHNHUAA/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot020" border="0" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dt6bLZ8shXg/T1b4NbRbzuI/AAAAAAAAMX0/asqfpNSxWWI/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="409" /></a></p> <p>a defrosting bin with wine storage above, which were flanked by a triple refrigerator and a double standing freezer,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-suWxyQFnUKg/T1b4OGkBmvI/AAAAAAAAMX8/-gRqeXsv5gE/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot021" border="0" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ab5qJKBHZzE/T1b4OlLvyNI/AAAAAAAAMYE/CdAZP8G3l6k/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="412" /></a></p> <p>and a cooler for fresh produce.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iLxEPx3ouNQ/T1b4O-oUEKI/AAAAAAAAMYM/ehwuQBv7-To/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot022" border="0" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-prKCu8UbX1o/T1b4PWbv3hI/AAAAAAAAMYU/OXVAMu38AkA/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="419" /></a></p> <p>Yulia went to the phone to see if anyone good was available to hire.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eUVEPCexRx0/T1b4PlKdw0I/AAAAAAAAMYc/eO1qxpK0Q3g/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot023" border="0" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W0Rp5dFTGj0/T1b4QhtijHI/AAAAAAAAMYk/H8GiGrfdVXw/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="484" /></a></p> <p>She got VERY lucky--Rodney Jung had both a Silver badge in Register, AND a Silver badge in Restocking! Since Yulia needed both for her take-out area, she hired him in a snap.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y2owKTTKaDs/T1b4RD8tPkI/AAAAAAAAMYs/WOghUzVP9jY/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot014" border="0" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eV99X-IIZ20/T1b4Rf37jvI/AAAAAAAAMY0/534Mco0ae9o/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="357" /></a></p> <p>Her friend Marisa Bendett’s name also came up and, though Marisa didn’t have any badges, she was the most competent cook available for the day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vwg2IaZ_UvQ/T1b4R6aV9mI/AAAAAAAAMY8/3kA2CVUMdfE/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot015" border="0" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z1jeUBZrV9s/T1b4SVp2SFI/AAAAAAAAMZE/OGhXT2OIZAY/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="352" /></a></p> <p>She called her new employees in to work, and also her longtime employees.</p> <p>She then filled her display cases with some of the frozen mac and cheese entrees that she and Derek had made, and priced them to “Ridiculously Cheap”,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GMvQXKiGIWk/T1b4SjSJECI/AAAAAAAAMZM/W6ibXnKfuiE/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot026" border="0" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--TPzfFGrzEI/T1b4THT3axI/AAAAAAAAMZU/DCCSJjQD3Xw/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="465" /></a></p> <p>and set out her snapdragons in useful places.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zdL7jy4scBg/T1b4Tw2pauI/AAAAAAAAMZY/LCYe38ZdxNE/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot028" border="0" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Js5V8qIXQaM/T1b4UqXipmI/AAAAAAAAMZk/n21cPLdIlvo/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="484" /></a></p> <p>The moving van arrived with the furniture and fixtures from the store Yulia had just closed, so she was able to set up the employee break room.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TXulISqqjMw/T1b4Uwgyb3I/AAAAAAAAMZs/62xr-6MvMYc/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot029" border="0" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4Cwy7-2l8x0/T1b4VbTyEgI/AAAAAAAAMZ0/ztpSmpvSGAA/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="369" /></a></p> <p>Her employees arrived, and she set about assigning them their duties. Her assignments were based on the badges and skills her employees had. The only badges relevant to a restaurant were Register, Restocking, Flower Arranging (because the snapdragons added so much to customer loyalty), and Sales (which wasn’t at the moment important, because the take-out food would initially be priced “Ridiculously Cheap”, and Yulia—who had a Gold badge in Sales--could always do “Sales – Dazzle” if she needed to.) Except, of course, that any employee who had 5 badge points could be promoted to Manager, which would greatly help Yulia with her workload, and greatly reduce her need to multi-task.</p> <p>Assigning Christian was simple—since his only relevant badge was a Gold in Flower Arranging, she put him to work making snapdragons. It was hard enough to find someone with that particular Gold badge that it wasn’t worth it to train him on something else in order for him to gain 2 more badge points to be promoted to Manager. He was a bit eccentric, and Yulia managed him with a light hand—she didn’t ask him to wear a uniform, and he didn’t have to check his schedule with her. When he felt like making bouquets, he did; when he got tired, he went to sleep in one of the tents without saying a word to anyone.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fE8pseNwGUM/T1b4VvRBMJI/AAAAAAAAMZ8/6Rs_xz9jJCQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot030%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot030" border="0" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cpBh4AWfvpE/T1b4WWvUFqI/AAAAAAAAMaE/QMjFUOibzGU/ScreenShot030_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="619" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Shelby already had 6 badge points—a Gold in Register plus a Gold in Restocking. So, she couldn’t advance in either of those relevant skills (though her ability to fill in as cashier or restocker if the restaurant got into trouble was useful). Shelby was already a Manager, so Yulia wouldn’t gain anything by advancing her in Sales. Yulia put the attractive young woman into a pretty dress and assigned her to be Hostess. Shelby was thrilled to have such a glamorous assignment!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xoUkS8eUA7Q/T1b4WxpyQZI/AAAAAAAAMaM/Y1tDtDG5hXM/s1600-h/ScreenShot031%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot031" border="0" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J38JQtFFyMk/T1b4XAFueOI/AAAAAAAAMaU/XeXPcl4CLQE/ScreenShot031_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="574" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Troy also had 6 badge points and was also already a Manager. His Gold in Restocking was useful in case the take-out operation fell behind. Yulia assigned him to be a Server (which he didn’t mind, because he thought his uniform was so sharp).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jIvKqZ_0xmE/T1b4Xt5t74I/AAAAAAAAMac/leh7HxMCt2I/s1600-h/ScreenShot032%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot032" border="0" alt="ScreenShot032" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9q_8vrllIyk/T1b4X7GCNAI/AAAAAAAAMak/JRMsIJAEDvs/ScreenShot032_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Virtually the same was true with Komei—he already had 6 badge points, was already a Manager, and his Silver in Restocking was useful. Yulia made him a Server, too.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o9P_1zB1pz4/T1b4YaygzCI/AAAAAAAAMas/jtn3mxYevds/s1600-h/ScreenShot033%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot033" border="0" alt="ScreenShot033" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CrvO1r1t1Og/T1b4YqBIYQI/AAAAAAAAMa0/_nBAzhA22kU/ScreenShot033_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Bruce had only 3 badge points, so needed 2 more in order to be promoted to Manager. He had a Bronze in Register and a Silver in Restocking, and Yulia assigned him to be Cashier, at least until the take-out operation got busy.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FDPPPWQyjaE/T1b4ZJteKTI/AAAAAAAAMa8/qqCFQBocH24/s1600-h/ScreenShot038%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot038" border="0" alt="ScreenShot038" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sBcJob-FM-c/T1b4ZabGUVI/AAAAAAAAMbE/7pQ4Ts3bmss/ScreenShot038_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="624" height="484" /></a></p> <p>(She also put him in a slightly different uniform than Komei, so she would have SOME chance of telling them apart!)</p> <p>As for her brand-new employees, Rodney already had 4 badge points—a Silver in each of the useful skills of Register and Restocking. Yulia assigned him to restock, hoping that he could earn a Gold badge in Restocking so that she could promote him to Manager. She put Rodney in the same uniform she had given Bruce.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bRyyUMDVyXg/T1b4aENjshI/AAAAAAAAMbM/3BE1nOFyyn4/s1600-h/ScreenShot039%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot039" border="0" alt="ScreenShot039" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eyO21of1agY/T1b4aluRl8I/AAAAAAAAMbU/0eHaDqTSXdQ/ScreenShot039_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="421" /></a></p> <p>Yulia asked Marisa—who had no badges, but was Level 3 in Cooking—to “Make Many” single portions of mac and cheese, since Yulia was trying to stay ahead of what she anticipated would be great take-out demand for that traditional food favorite.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_9GAcwxQfVU/T1b4awVnbzI/AAAAAAAAMbc/pG8K0Vg89JI/s1600-h/ScreenShot040%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot040" border="0" alt="ScreenShot040" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NhGmXMCrxbo/T1b4bj21j7I/AAAAAAAAMbk/XEvmA8aNGVA/ScreenShot040_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="411" /></a></p> <p>Yulia then set her menu, and deleted any dish that required more than Level 3 Cooking skill (just in case Marisa had to take over from a more skilled chef), </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GmT4xt0PrTo/T1b4b1qaA0I/AAAAAAAAMbs/meIp-XO_jqk/s1600-h/ScreenShot042%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot042" border="0" alt="ScreenShot042" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RWmmEjhdl4E/T1b4cQFc9BI/AAAAAAAAMb0/dk7Uu8nnJLU/ScreenShot042_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="346" /></a></p> <p>then priced all the dishes to “Ridiculously Cheap.”</p> <p>Yulia then took a VERY deep breath, and opened her restaurant for the first time.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CMfmbhcJ1Uo/T1b4c5C5U9I/AAAAAAAAMb8/gzfKW8Djyw8/s1600-h/ScreenShot041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot041" border="0" alt="ScreenShot041" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2HmkW-fl1AI/T1b4dNeGGVI/AAAAAAAAMcE/h2rdZc176dk/ScreenShot041_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="481" height="484" /></a></p> <p>__________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>Re the double kitchen in the new house: the 2nd kitchen has one door that only Derek can use (thank you OFB!), and one door that only Yulia can use. Locking the doors in this way forestalls the annoying and counter-productive potential behavior of Genya (and of the 3 other teenaged cooks to come!) of leaving the 1st kitchen and wandering into the 2nd kitchen and interfering with her parents’ cooking.</p> <p>When your Sim owner arrives at a brand-new business, remember to go to the sign FIRST THING and “Close Business.” Otherwise, potential customers will show up and be annoyed that there’s no one to wait on them, etc. (Yulia has her Open/Closed sign in the kitchen so that it won’t detract from the lovely aesthetics of her restaurant.)</p> <p>BEFORE your Sim puts her merchandise (for Yulia, all that frozen mac and cheese!) into the display case, go through her inventory, find any burned food, and put it temporarily on the floor. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3iKdRp3imsk/T1b4drH1fqI/AAAAAAAAMcM/9izNZWUWCfc/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot024" border="0" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o89Kn6qv4-0/T1b4eITSHeI/AAAAAAAAMcU/Fucr5PmPvjw/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="422" /></a></p> <p>You may not be able to delete it (even using “moveobjects on”), but you can at least have your Sim “Clean Up.” </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7GTUMXj0b8s/T1b4emPS9RI/AAAAAAAAMcc/43tSQFvPgPA/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot025" border="0" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qdUJEQZv8kU/T1b4ex06A0I/AAAAAAAAMck/NAEio3fDtg0/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="484" /></a></p> <p>It’s much easier and less time-consuming than having to remove burned food from the display case, and if a customer buys burned food, he could have a negative reaction.</p> <p>To set the price of display case items, click on the Business Interface (in the upper-right corner), then on “Business Build Tools”, then set your price, then click on each DISPLAY CASE (and NOT on the display case items), then click “Business Build Tools” again to close the interface.</p> <p>Again, Yulia had to summon her former employees (Christian, Shelby, Troy, Komei, and the overgrown puppy Bruce) to the restaurant via the teleporter painting in order to “Greet” then “Hire” them—none of them were EVER at home when she called! (Damned game….)</p> <p>Shelby somehow came in with a wage of $120/hour, which is “Ridiculously Overpaid”! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kL4rrgRc-SQ/T1b4fFVENWI/AAAAAAAAMcs/EqcQ6AOqaQY/s1600-h/ScreenShot034%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot034" border="0" alt="ScreenShot034" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V7CBhYOu6ag/T1b4frrBTfI/AAAAAAAAMc0/5qldPKIJprg/ScreenShot034_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="158" /></a></p> <p>But Yulia wasn’t about to change it, fearing negative consequences. (Probably just another way the game tries to screw with us, and Yulia’s too smart to fall for it!) She figured if she gets into money trouble, she could always price some of the mac and cheese take-out food really high and do “Sales – Dazzle” to ameliorate her cash flow.</p> <p>Remember how a Manager can self-click and pick “Restock”? Well, it doesn’t work with “Be Server”—Yulia has to click on the podium and choose “Assign Server”.</p> <p>Oh my word—not only do Servers autonomously clean counters, they also autonomously clean toilets! And gain Cleaning skill points doing so! (Provided, of course, that you have the totally fair and reasonable community-lot skilling hack from MATY.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nQti0iuVgcI/T1b4gFnQcRI/AAAAAAAAMc8/-dQk2eFo35M/s1600-h/ScreenShot036%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot036" border="0" alt="ScreenShot036" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mk53zadzJ2s/T1b4gaKzc2I/AAAAAAAAMdE/rICVa7zHDfM/ScreenShot036_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="622" height="484" /></a></p> <p>(Note: Troy was NOT assigned to “Tidy Up”—he’s working as a Server!)</p> <p>In yet another example of the game screwing with us, Marisa suddenly showed up as “Underpaid”--</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lQb2GDGAVDE/T1b4gwlAg7I/AAAAAAAAMdM/osf_uFSecTs/s1600-h/ScreenShot037%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot037" border="0" alt="ScreenShot037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WcAwHxxPEj0/T1b4hMGjwMI/AAAAAAAAMdU/XRX0ZKa6UdM/ScreenShot037_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="301" /></a></p> <p>though Yulia JUST hired her, and she was fine with her pay when she started work, and she’s made a grand total of 3 mac and cheese entrees today! She must think very highly of herself!!! But from playing her before I know she’s Fortune Sim, so maybe she’s always money-grubbing….</p> <p>I read somewhere (I’ll try to find the link) that you should keep some really cheap items on your menu, such as gelatin, so poor Sims will still be able to frequent your establishment.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-77487213651774177642012-03-05T19:13:00.000-05:002012-03-05T22:18:12.464-05:00The New New House.<p>After she sent her employees home as soon as Yulia’s Emporium had reached Rank 10, Yulia packed up all the fixtures and equipment she wanted to take with her, drove back home, and sold the store community lot.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LJ8YwA3mnog/T1WAdh5vLVI/AAAAAAAAMNs/3hKZkAjoIjo/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot001" border="0" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yydp6so4sCg/T1WAeGZLUvI/AAAAAAAAMN0/oIwrKuzCE3o/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="152" /></a></p> <p>Then she shut down her home sports venue.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y-XLIP3XdPc/T1WAegTxAII/AAAAAAAAMN8/w0yhSfHcxyY/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot002" border="0" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9yQVqmXMYYY/T1WAfBGTnVI/AAAAAAAAMOE/L4xM68xcZgw/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" height="460" /></a></p> <p>The entire family spent the weekend packing up the house, and moved on Monday morning. Thanks to Yulia’s stellar selling efforts during the store’s last day of business, the family had a net worth of $319,113.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2JaIQE7RXjc/T1WAfXxi51I/AAAAAAAAMOM/xAr0Jvr6WCw/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot014" border="0" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jM_iG4ekUBE/T1WAfwIw9tI/AAAAAAAAMOU/AsnvxpF3cBk/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="346" /></a></p> <p>“Wow, Mom!” Yevgenya exclaimed, somewhat stunned. “Does that mean we’re going to live in a mansion?”</p> <p>“No,” Yulia responded firmly, “we’re moving into a 3-bedroom, 3 and 1/2 bath house. But it’s bigger than our current house, and it has a pool.”</p> <p>The new house cost $186,774.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ho0ss2-n2UM/T1WAgM2qptI/AAAAAAAAMOc/RYPrTZqhyD8/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot003" border="0" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TDDR03oNCiI/T1WAgfgN1lI/AAAAAAAAMOk/duBSE1YQ5jA/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="226" height="142" /></a></p> <p>“Gee, hon,” Derek teased. “Couldn’t you find a way to spend the extra $130,000 that we have left over?”</p> <p>“Don’t worry,” Yulia said with a smirk. “Trust me—I’ve got a way to spend it.”</p> <p>The family drove over to their new house,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jch0BddFSAg/T1WAg61-_BI/AAAAAAAAMOs/VyRAApBaZGk/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot009" border="0" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jcXN1vIduf4/T1WAhQNl0iI/AAAAAAAAMO0/okxi3Jswkv8/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="373" /></a></p> <p>which was impressive.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7J4BtRf4zpQ/T1WAh8i2TMI/AAAAAAAAMO8/SqoLDR99jhI/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot010" border="0" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nMCdIA6JkWA/T1WAjT5BGKI/AAAAAAAAMPE/XWPrqkg8rmo/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="314" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AJBIQO3ALqQ/T1WAji0_4qI/AAAAAAAAMPM/VA9da7YXTZ0/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot011" border="0" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Kl18uUdXwO0/T1WAkKSgcYI/AAAAAAAAMPU/nTodrbMWxEc/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="456" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wMR9zL_k-vs/T1WAki8sPZI/AAAAAAAAMPc/Z5P5n7-2od8/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot012" border="0" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UiuYLwO1UpM/T1WAk34FR6I/AAAAAAAAMPk/4qX5EYIZ7-0/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="433" /></a></p> <p>But the kids were mostly excited about the pool.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IpZcNeayHhY/T1WAlGxQ33I/AAAAAAAAMPs/SXomRr46dTU/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot013" border="0" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N4Mkx9udNMc/T1WAm8Uu4jI/AAAAAAAAMP0/IThThsw18dk/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="374" /></a></p> <p>“Let’s go swimming!” Yedrek squealed.</p> <p>“Not so fast, buddy,” his father said sternly. “Today’s a school day.” Because Derek had Mondays off from work, he had time to drive the kids to school. “And it’s already past 8 o’clock, so let’s shake a tailfeather, kids!” he admonished. His children reluctantly piled back into the car. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jWlQRNageOc/T1WAnEs8NfI/AAAAAAAAMP8/W9ayfat7ugI/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot006" border="0" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JVX9acWCLTQ/T1WAn02BZJI/AAAAAAAAMQE/OK8EBrkcBFc/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="329" /></a></p> <p>As soon as they left, Yulia went to the phone and started a home business, setting the price to “Ridiculously Cheap”, as usual,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FnMOz9sBcVo/T1WAoU8j7SI/AAAAAAAAMQM/GPWxsN1d_lI/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot005" border="0" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mwyiyWDqppE/T1WAoowRqqI/AAAAAAAAMQU/eUIPaTiCP_k/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="232" /></a></p> <p>then took Yasiu indoors and started unpacking.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sgQJ_adNp4Q/T1WAo3SBQ_I/AAAAAAAAMQc/U7MK-7QxcD4/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot007" border="0" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fgXZN1umB9Q/T1WApfWq9wI/AAAAAAAAMQk/43LHn2c0rzw/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="298" /></a></p> <p>When Derek came home from taking the kids to school, he thought to himself, ‘Well, THIS car certainly doesn’t fit in with the new house. Maybe Yulia will finally let us get a new one.’</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pyAxwH6NG98/T1WApkx5dkI/AAAAAAAAMQs/Wun-zSQy0Ek/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot008" border="0" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oVu_KN6bAqw/T1WAqEHu6II/AAAAAAAAMQ0/StlCUSamw_Q/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="559" height="314" /></a></p> <p>While Yasiu played with his Charisma bunny in the grand but unfinished entrance hall</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--6f4Srafkvg/T1WAqqNnkQI/AAAAAAAAMQ8/Wwo0EFBZCnI/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot016" border="0" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H16OlxzLsFQ/T1WAqytNSrI/AAAAAAAAMRE/Xst49ZTOl18/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="401" /></a></p> <p>(“the potty in the entrance hall is a REALLY nice touch,” Derek had razzed his wife), Yulia walked out to her new home venue. She was pleased to see that there were a few customers already, including a child soaking in the hot springs, and she joined him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KaffK6kwcy0/T1WAri9J38I/AAAAAAAAMRM/ESxntf4xR5A/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot015" border="0" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LgWSEuiL2Do/T1WAr49fFgI/AAAAAAAAMRU/mw6GnwUC3xA/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="559" height="409" /></a></p> <p>Derek invited Sophie and Daisy over, and dove into the pool.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0KZQq4Fk_QU/T1WAssrMEWI/AAAAAAAAMRc/rNpvNz9vyW4/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot017" border="0" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T4sMscAs4kQ/T1WAtDNw6HI/AAAAAAAAMRk/g_i8f8epmpU/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="378" /></a></p> <p>He got a game of Marco Polo going with his friends.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SummJuXkXQ8/T1WAtZdl8wI/AAAAAAAAMRs/EXIt-i2OV_k/s1600-h/ScreenShot018%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot018" border="0" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CT-TYF5obLk/T1WAuDpCNtI/AAAAAAAAMR0/zMg-RtJEL8M/ScreenShot018_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="408" /></a></p> <p>When Genya got home from school, she joined the game.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eyUVH-68Pk0/T1WAuWUOhHI/AAAAAAAAMR8/-mlZ8dZ2ESw/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot019" border="0" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fqppTRwE2xE/T1WAu_x5HMI/AAAAAAAAMSE/85hUPPVdwas/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="386" /></a></p> <p>Later, while she was on the phone inviting her friend Marsha to come over, the new venue reached Rank 1.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aijIsh8Zb0s/T1WAvIFEHbI/AAAAAAAAMSM/nNpzfQUcRi0/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot020" border="0" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C5mMPGRnTag/T1WAvrj7jpI/AAAAAAAAMSU/NQiC8lDnTmM/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="559" height="350" /></a></p> <p>Yulia cooled off in the pool while her twins played Marco Polo with their friend Orlando.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tafSnGAQMv4/T1WAv1gbpJI/AAAAAAAAMSc/mkMq5dfjfsY/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot021" border="0" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_AxJ5vhQz10/T1WAwMjHzkI/AAAAAAAAMSk/hsum4_TvvuQ/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="389" /></a></p> <p>That evening, it was time for Yasiu to grow up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WzQi8iWgpo4/T1WAwoD8R0I/AAAAAAAAMSo/ileD_mDit6s/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot022" border="0" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Sp0_tH6BUlE/T1WAw--umqI/AAAAAAAAMS0/F34BloSlq9k/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="328" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aDG4FvmrX7c/T1WAxTfQLQI/AAAAAAAAMS8/H_jfha9il4w/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot023" border="0" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4s0n_8Uc0OQ/T1WAxjxgUhI/AAAAAAAAMTE/rP6s01L8Oy0/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="455" /></a></p> <p>Genya swam with Marsha and talked about school,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FVOOa3RoF88/T1WAyLsfAQI/AAAAAAAAMTM/ySJlHCMU1FI/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot025" border="0" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WiYgHRIMc3U/T1WAyQSgMeI/AAAAAAAAMTU/q2RO-_u93Xk/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></a></p> <p>while her younger siblings all went to sleep in their new bedrooms.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iVlPwjwhYlQ/T1WAynVmNwI/AAAAAAAAMTc/uCEGiEqkVvs/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot026" border="0" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sMFt5KCj1sI/T1WAzAKOsZI/AAAAAAAAMTk/rsJknzHUOSY/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="559" height="290" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_nroYIS386Q/T1WAzeElWTI/AAAAAAAAMTs/8vUO3ssrAkA/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot028" border="0" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tKjhuoBeHD0/T1WAz8-TNtI/AAAAAAAAMT0/aGYJfhdwsZA/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Derek and Yulia eventually went to sleep,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cAAQzlWSSa0/T1WA0ACf4UI/AAAAAAAAMT8/Jrx8CMzKJqc/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot029" border="0" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XPA-0JatXS8/T1WA0Z5fFyI/AAAAAAAAMUE/y2VyEAXC7bc/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="341" /></a></p> <p>as did Genya,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ar8S6upy2Yk/T1WA04TVNnI/AAAAAAAAMUI/QDtJBra2SBs/s1600-h/ScreenShot030%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot030" border="0" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-14oP6cC8L6g/T1WA1Bp4IfI/AAAAAAAAMUQ/YsjZhd5OTg4/ScreenShot030_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="316" /></a></p> <p>so the whole family had a good night’s sleep in their new house.</p> <p>And, while they slept, the new home venue reached Rank 2.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MfPesPfifbA/T1WA1R36veI/AAAAAAAAMUY/ptzezwy2zJc/s1600-h/ScreenShot031%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot031" border="0" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rJH6sCoUpR4/T1WA1mTQRfI/AAAAAAAAMUg/dZVza5-0WEU/ScreenShot031_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="140" /></a></p> <p>________________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>It took sooooo long to build this! I made a spirited (several-hour!) attempt at joining the 2-car garage to the house, carefully following the split-level tutorial instructions on the MTS2 site. Although I could recreate what the tutorial’s author had created, I was still unable to get my garage joined to my house without various windows being partially obstructed, etc.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-31880745908605404082012-03-04T05:16:00.000-05:002012-03-04T08:26:36.025-05:00The Rank 10 Emporium.<p>As soon as her home sports venue reached Rank 10 on Friday afternoon, Yulia headed out to her store. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RmywWw4fXoc/T1Nq3F-IJeI/AAAAAAAAMHM/fc8_LogemkM/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot001" border="0" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--DK_oWUXPWQ/T1Nq3TzsbwI/AAAAAAAAMHU/RQqvkMDX3wc/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="322" /></a></p> <p>She called in her employees and, when she didn’t get any messages that any of them were too tired to come into work, she opened the store.</p> <p>Remembering that she had left her merchandise prices at “Average” the night before (to slow down the customer traffic and minimize their expectations for both her cashier skills and her increasingly tired restockers), she immediately changed the prices back to “Ridiculously Cheap.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NEEC2z7eTNE/T1Nq3ziKbVI/AAAAAAAAMHc/kTLE4R6vwy4/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot002" border="0" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vB8XBiFFMwA/T1Nq4ag7CXI/AAAAAAAAMHk/24Ad_Yq8weY/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="254" /></a></p> <p>The store needed only 15 more customer loyalty stars in order to reach Rank 10,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-80zzJcwrE6o/T1Nq4uPkWsI/AAAAAAAAMHs/OarbfO_Ho2I/s1600-h/ScreenShot0055.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot005" border="0" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b_4kyhtLr18/T1Nq5G4wMrI/AAAAAAAAMH0/hfhmksJFdrw/ScreenShot005_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="141" /></a></p> <p>so Yulia’s approach was to gain those stars as quickly as possible via rock-bottom prices.</p> <p>But, she had her eye on a huge and beautiful new estate for her family to live on, and feared she didn’t have quite enough money to afford it and the new community lot she needed to buy (even given her available cash, the sales price of the family’s current home, and the sales price of Yulia’s Emporium). So, she set the price of only one flamingo to $9,999,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EPWjadX4B4Y/T1Nq5YyMIDI/AAAAAAAAMH8/lXbStDLkPIU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0035.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot003" border="0" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--KYcybZsPZ8/T1Nq58r3vtI/AAAAAAAAMIE/U9If0PBjpCc/ScreenShot003_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="298" /></a></p> <p>which she planned to sell only to those who could afford it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XKcoYEBZsUg/T1Nq6Kj1MUI/AAAAAAAAMIM/ajEd940yWks/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot004" border="0" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SbVHZvB0F0E/T1Nq6mHM_NI/AAAAAAAAMIU/aQ0sh5W5YdI/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="484" /></a></p> <p>She succeeded with Meadow Pedersen,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xGin1C5mx_Q/T1Nq63N4oCI/AAAAAAAAMIc/DByiSHand_A/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot006" border="0" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JjL8WDjT1SQ/T1Nq7SgGFaI/AAAAAAAAMIk/Dc_Rp_NF130/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="536" height="484" /></a></p> <p>then Christy Stratton, Leo Willkie, Goopy GilsCarbo, Melissa Fancey, and Gordon Wolosenko,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8RFD2m2OXn4/T1Nq-IhJ4-I/AAAAAAAAMIs/pQAsehg3UBk/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot008" border="0" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QW-J0ZkDhvk/T1Nq-gOwkbI/AAAAAAAAMI0/uT6jP9PkZN8/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="484" /></a></p> <p>before she started to get fatigued, and figured she’d better use the Energizer while she was still in a Gold mood.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y_HruSyZGNw/T1Nq--60OeI/AAAAAAAAMI8/gyz78QPLqYg/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot009" border="0" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TBVp20FH3mQ/T1Nq_vSuZEI/AAAAAAAAMJE/CssgkWIxM3o/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Then she was able to Dazzle Joe Carr, and Kennedy Cox.</p> <p>Shelby was getting tired, and wanted to gain Charisma points, so Yulia told her to take a break, hoping that the young woman would be in a good enough mood to use the Energizer.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2kz2UfkTf84/T1NrAKL2LnI/AAAAAAAAMJM/wG1i-i7iROs/s1600-h/ScreenShot010.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot010" border="0" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qVSW6t6JcoY/T1NrAjVqbhI/AAAAAAAAMJU/Wq5S3Q8VB6o/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Troy took over the register, </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FCt4zuQG9GM/T1NrA_UH0pI/AAAAAAAAMJc/ywLdNqzgoh4/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot011" border="0" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g_Q7tOSe4KY/T1NrBVX97GI/AAAAAAAAMJk/-S4__Y0OU3I/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="484" /></a></p> <p>but Yulia quickly saw that customers were already starting to get annoyed and, since Shelby had tired of skilling and had gone to take a nap,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zF_8O7z2QPY/T1NrCGO682I/AAAAAAAAMJs/bvnrDUfUNhM/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot012" border="0" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r8C3LZ7uHM0/T1NrCVzi-AI/AAAAAAAAMJ0/wWAeujt79gQ/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yulia quickly changed the price of all her merchandise to $9,999, and gave all her employees a break (since none of them were in good enough moods to Energize).</p> <p>While most of her employees napped in tents, Yulia kept her store open, and made another high-priced sale to Kennedy Cox, and one to Sandy Bruty,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B5e1MJtZJQc/T1NrC9Oc50I/AAAAAAAAMJ8/1tP8R-OR7SY/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot013" border="0" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7QUD9OaZGdQ/T1NrDTB3rkI/AAAAAAAAMKE/HnDikvLOqpg/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="607" height="484" /></a></p> <p>though Yulia’s poor register skills still annoyed her customers.</p> <p>She finally got her Bronze register badge while she was ringing up Kennedy Cox.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YXkbIGJGGj4/T1NrEmCchrI/AAAAAAAAMKM/KBUCgydOWTM/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot014" border="0" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-15RhmUzmtyA/T1NrFf8rOtI/AAAAAAAAMKU/YFR884As2Ho/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="484" /></a></p> <p>She also made another $9,999 sale to Christy Stratton.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A5jo0j2Qvlo/T1NrFttPA8I/AAAAAAAAMKc/DoeUcyUDWhI/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot015" border="0" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-52fhQjiJu8A/T1NrGN5KW-I/AAAAAAAAMKk/1j0C6At6zZc/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="484" /></a></p> <p>After ringing up Christy, Yulia—who had not used the Energizer at all while she’d been pregnant—used it again today, in an effort to get the store to Rank 10.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wophbdzkHj0/T1NrGVLjvQI/AAAAAAAAMKs/H-XdOzOWtV8/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot016" border="0" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xqIa4uDUBD8/T1NrG4ZlOzI/AAAAAAAAMK0/NTqHVlzzTm0/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Komei woke up of his own accord, and resumed his restocking duties without being asked.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R8gLcDWvyxA/T1NrHJ9AqhI/AAAAAAAAMK8/Yioo79sjorQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot017" border="0" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3-Koei7AG6A/T1NrHhDTFYI/AAAAAAAAMLE/RMDp0MGVTJk/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="507" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yulia then made another high-priced sale to Joe Carr, another to Christy Stratton, and her first to Andrea Hogan.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0VgCOlwlP5w/T1NrH7SOwdI/AAAAAAAAMLM/q0r9AvIB4MM/s1600-h/ScreenShot018%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot018" border="0" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LgEFWeXAKa8/T1NrK3ET7qI/AAAAAAAAMLU/psJOEiow6oE/ScreenShot018_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="453" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yulia had been so absorbed with her selling that she hadn’t even noticed that all her other employees were fully rested from sleeping in the tents,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7nC3I_mOePk/T1NrLRGNFTI/AAAAAAAAMLc/cdNAqAwEwlI/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot019" border="0" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lZlyHSJYq5k/T1NrMC7-Z8I/AAAAAAAAMLk/LZO4b-8MUMs/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="432" /></a></p> <p>and she had them resume their assignments. </p> <p>Yulia got yet another Best of the Best award!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-El-3piSTjZ8/T1NrMehu5tI/AAAAAAAAMLs/Ad7jAgIT_Ko/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot020" border="0" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mePvv5zH4jA/T1NrMnO1W4I/AAAAAAAAML0/xpZg13OYdOk/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LURrUHw6Iv8/T1NrNEDHRYI/AAAAAAAAML8/3shWWUeoLhQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot021" border="0" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lFfS--Kwy0s/T1NrN2NJdbI/AAAAAAAAMME/jmDbIsxTfPg/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="137" /></a></p> <p>Soon thereafter, Komei earned his Silver restocking badge, and Yulia gave him a raise.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q9xGpmuL0jE/T1NrOaKc4UI/AAAAAAAAMMM/KBTKs6ttsW4/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot022" border="0" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I3MzDdNwxX4/T1NrO2dK1KI/AAAAAAAAMMU/HrqkjzyH6Qo/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="448" /></a></p> <p>Although the store needed only 1 more customer loyalty star to reach Rank 10,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0AcLPzH6W8M/T1NrPPic-nI/AAAAAAAAMMc/bTN1sa_r4j4/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot023" border="0" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QQYzrPQ8nSA/T1NrPUm-8dI/AAAAAAAAMMk/NLQA8bhoXKs/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="130" /></a></p> <p>Yulia was so tired (and only in a Green mood), that she had to take a nap.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1QTBZdYMt1E/T1NrP2MfpRI/AAAAAAAAMMs/srgvZz1FtFA/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot024" border="0" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7GaUtId4MjU/T1NrQFmtQpI/AAAAAAAAMM0/vnFuHnkcC3w/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="340" /></a></p> <p>Almost as soon as she entered the tent, though, the store became a Top-Level Business!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tc01gH3kwK4/T1NrQn3nEuI/AAAAAAAAMM8/oDKsZr_-8og/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot025" border="0" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WHZ0s5XY0Rc/T1NrQ1nPIOI/AAAAAAAAMNE/s_PBPIIIhhk/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yulia had now achieved 3 Top-Level Businesses:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s8pGfQ5vuNE/T1NrRFjZNdI/AAAAAAAAMNM/gCG9eLO17FU/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot026" border="0" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BzsvxgtejqQ/T1NrRoh_GFI/AAAAAAAAMNU/HCA-wmP-M80/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="166" /></a></p> <p>_____________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>When your employees first arrive for the day, do a quick check of their “Employee Information” to make sure they don’t consider themselves “Underpaid”. Though Yulia is quite fastidious about giving her employees a raise whenever they increase a badge level, 3 of the 5 of them showed up today describing themselves as underpaid (probably a glitch), and she had to do “Change Wage” again to all three.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eq9zW-Mymd0/T1NrSDvf3XI/AAAAAAAAMNc/wD6f0nNP23w/s1600-h/ScreenShot0075.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot007" border="0" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rT5M50HT7so/T1NrSVVu-VI/AAAAAAAAMNk/7HScyeEA6yc/ScreenShot007_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="130" /></a></p> <p>This is a sneaky little thing the game does to screw with us—you’ll get no warning that the employee thinks he’s underpaid. You’ll know only when he abruptly quits! So, you have to be proactive and check the Employee Information. And, of course, do “Change Wage” whenever an employee gets a new badge.</p> <p>Sometimes, your owner Sim will have to “Greet” a customer in order to do a sales interaction with him (such as “Sales – Show Item To …”).</p> <p>I wish I’d thought of today’s idea long ago: raise all prices to $9,999, and let all the employees sleep in tents while Yulia makes some high-priced sales and handles the register and restocking duties herself. Previously, I just had her close the store when her employees got tired, which is not an optimal approach, because all the customers go away, and the sleepy employees have to drag their butts out of the tents in order to leave the lot when Yulia does. Even though the customers won’t autonomously buy the flamingos at $9,999, they still seem happy to hang around the store—they watched movies, played chess, etc., and the snapdragons kept their Motives high.</p> <p>All the employees woke up completely refreshed, which means that tents are more comfortable in Sims 2 than they are in real life! FYI, tents came with Bon Voyage, and are in Buy Mode under Comfort – Miscellaneous.</p> <p>Some employees will automatically resume work, and some won’t. Remember, NEVER use “Management – Get Back to Work” (it makes the employees mad). If the employee is a Manager, make him the active Sim, have him click on himself, and you will see the “Restock” option, for example. If the employee is not a Manager, you can click on the register to get “Assign Cashier”, for example.</p> <p>If you can keep your employees on the lot, you won’t run into the problem Yulia ran into several times this week of an employee claiming to be too tired to come into work. Especially since I think this claim is, to some extent, randomly generated by the game. (I love outsmarting the game.)</p> <p>Chelsea asked in her comment to the previous post whether beds would work as well as tents. As I remember, they don’t—a tired employee can “Relax” on a bed (at least at a home venue; I’m not sure about community lots), but not sleep.</p> <p>Yulia made more than $150,000 in this latest session at her store, which lasted from 4:06 p.m. Friday to Saturday 10:20 p.m. And, since time doesn’t pass at the home lot while a Sim is at a community lot, that means Yulia didn’t age! I now think it’s entirely possible to achieve the 5 Top-Level Biz LTW before your Sim becomes an elder, without any cheats or even the Elixir of Life. And I certainly think that the EASIEST AND FASTEST LTW OF ALL is: “Earn $100,000.” I think when I’m done with this blog I’ll experiment with that. Even starting with a CAS Sim, I’m guessing it can be done in a couple/three Sim days.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-82243188242114494052012-03-02T12:37:00.000-05:002012-03-03T13:28:22.061-05:00FINALLY!<p>The kids thought it was very unfair that they had had to go into school at the last minute on a snow day, but Yevgenya was a good sport about doing her homework. (Especially since her little sister had done her homework for her the day before.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tet5cAOOo4Y/T1JhgD04bLI/AAAAAAAAL_c/lu0Vbq1WxQE/s1600-h/ScreenShot0011.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot001" border="0" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tB-r8PLeIe8/T1JhgiBD3vI/AAAAAAAAL_k/Tb9Hi0FKkCo/ScreenShot001_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="395" /></a></p> <p>Yedrek—who had somehow misplaced his own homework—ran out to greet his dad when he came home from the hospital, </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YF1KcGebNds/T1JhgzLCRxI/AAAAAAAAL_s/daP-Mb-HcQs/s1600-h/ScreenShot0021.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot002" border="0" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T-s6EDHoKok/T1JhhaHeEsI/AAAAAAAAL_0/Plyn0DROKoU/ScreenShot002_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and asked for help doing Yanastasia’s homework.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q-mhdzXkqzU/T1JhhqLzDGI/AAAAAAAAL_8/_KgEBgKukk0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0031.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot003" border="0" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JJ5Ox-w74Gg/T1JhiX7z_1I/AAAAAAAAMAE/AqUjzrRaWns/ScreenShot003_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Genya went out to the bowling alley and played chess with Jan Tellerman.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YA0yqqsvh3k/T1Jhi-hPHpI/AAAAAAAAMAM/cXyXrid_QBE/s1600-h/ScreenShot0051.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot005" border="0" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KPUNKCQST_k/T1JhjZvgScI/AAAAAAAAMAU/jzQJ5Sl_Nqg/ScreenShot005_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="378" /></a></p> <p>Once Yulia woke up from her nap, she donned a thinking cap and studied Physiology (because she needed high Body skill in order to be good at restocking). Her twins both studied Cooking nearby.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wPwIjFduYis/T1Jhj6NL6uI/AAAAAAAAMAc/bCUBh3ZSllQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot0073.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot007" border="0" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PNQwTqVQ32Q/T1JhkMVMLHI/AAAAAAAAMAk/5wMRbyEtR0M/ScreenShot007_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="627" height="484" /></a></p> <p>It was time for Yasiu to grow up,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D4vZfg86qi0/T1JhkRrDeAI/AAAAAAAAMAs/t3lbly5x7Qc/s1600-h/ScreenShot0045.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot004" border="0" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZdLkKjmK1Ek/T1JhktRTiJI/AAAAAAAAMA0/2KUXh95JJLc/ScreenShot004_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="226" height="84" /></a></p> <p>but Derek was so tired from work that he needed to take a nap before celebrating.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QYnIZ9I_CmQ/T1JhlMnfTGI/AAAAAAAAMA8/5ElPwOSRK3I/s1600-h/ScreenShot0081.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot008" border="0" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uSgGio1zjbY/T1JhlXyqePI/AAAAAAAAMBE/q7XNMBfW-zc/ScreenShot008_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="643" height="484" /></a></p> <p>The home sports venue reached Rank 9 while he slept.</p> <p>When he awoke, he got Yasiu out of the crib,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-216xunTruNc/T1JhlwsQOYI/AAAAAAAAMBM/JnRLapOms5E/s1600-h/ScreenShot0091.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot009" border="0" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_oeFEgD7p8A/T1Jhmf1AGHI/AAAAAAAAMBU/jzxPHeIhWUs/ScreenShot009_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="421" /></a></p> <p>and brought the boy to the bowling alley for his birthday celebration.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hXFzhM23srU/T1Jhmty7HmI/AAAAAAAAMBc/iROD8j6u_Rc/s1600-h/ScreenShot0101.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot010" border="0" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OjDi0pRmCns/T1JhnPjf46I/AAAAAAAAMBk/QgY36kcLgqQ/ScreenShot010_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="624" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CSEf6W3tzpg/T1JhnyK0MXI/AAAAAAAAMBs/FUcjgaRi53U/s1600-h/ScreenShot0111.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot011" border="0" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j0uGv1N8E_Q/T1JhoQXB2NI/AAAAAAAAMB0/7B47274ZoBQ/ScreenShot011_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="565" height="484" /></a></p> <p>But the boy was so tired that he went right to sleep on the toddler blanket in his big brother’s room.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1uFsHNJcHzM/T1Jho3-eqSI/AAAAAAAAMB8/caV29bPvVD8/s1600-h/ScreenShot0134.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot013" border="0" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0Xc7nq76CMU/T1JhqTDOhWI/AAAAAAAAMCE/NlE4oz7GDA8/ScreenShot013_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="460" /></a></p> <p>Early Thursday morning, Yulia finished studying Physiology, and went outside to shoot hoops to try to raise her Body skill.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xD0E5LKivvk/T1Jhq1wFD7I/AAAAAAAAMCM/IIiQ29_Mlyk/s1600-h/ScreenShot0121.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot012" border="0" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ub429uICZ-4/T1JhrfbnGKI/AAAAAAAAMCU/WLVnGe0uAnE/ScreenShot012_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="474" /></a></p> <p>She reached Level 10 in no time!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d4rCQH5Fln8/T1JhrhKP2UI/AAAAAAAAMCc/FTqFZWzbpC8/s1600-h/ScreenShot0144.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot014" border="0" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BgQHma3YMm4/T1JhsEYsZ_I/AAAAAAAAMCk/ABck5QZwV3c/ScreenShot014_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Derek made and froze more mac and cheese entrees before work,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NQpJ2L-5hLo/T1JhsZ7AfXI/AAAAAAAAMCs/vRXBAVqujdY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0154.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot015" border="0" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AMgpE1P1oA4/T1Jhs9UFUMI/AAAAAAAAMC0/bhIJV_JLbv0/ScreenShot015_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="484" /></a></p> <p>while Yasiu played with his Charisma bunny nearby.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zN9cyGeUAK4/T1JhtCdmVNI/AAAAAAAAMC8/L_MEAgnaTU0/s1600-h/ScreenShot0164.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot016" border="0" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5hYDPWZpdkQ/T1Jhtsf2auI/AAAAAAAAMDE/UnLG07sB03Y/ScreenShot016_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="459" height="484" /></a></p> <p>After Derek left for work, Yulia invited over some of her friends, and got a smustle going in the bowling alley.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FEhB00H3l90/T1Jht4NQ2PI/AAAAAAAAMDM/F73kbPoWyyM/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot017" border="0" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-thtL23YnZFI/T1JhucXD4XI/AAAAAAAAMDU/OBTIVvW_7UE/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="408" /></a></p> <p>The kids came home from school and did their homework together.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o_Eu-MOsSqM/T1Jhuqm88gI/AAAAAAAAMDc/c654SCXLx_k/s1600-h/ScreenShot0184.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot018" border="0" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fOSJB0eQFYc/T1JhvOHs3FI/AAAAAAAAMDk/7nODbB_G_MY/ScreenShot018_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="411" /></a></p> <p>Derek came home and potty trained Yasiu.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q597jYJ4-rM/T1JhwOdsSlI/AAAAAAAAMDs/oA43tf2-8Vc/s1600-h/ScreenShot0194.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot019" border="0" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CjqE0ID-ajY/T1JhwgehlBI/AAAAAAAAMD0/P8IRFQPZSVM/ScreenShot019_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="484" /></a></p> <p>It was Genya’s birthday,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uD9YwDZ5ZTk/T1Jhw52obpI/AAAAAAAAMD8/Nx0e3YFT0Ug/s1600-h/ScreenShot0204.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot020" border="0" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WqdMXrIivRo/T1JhxeBY7DI/AAAAAAAAMEE/kbFmix6Loow/ScreenShot020_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="632" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and she grew up into a teen.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6oqYGkVuDF0/T1Jhx3gjmlI/AAAAAAAAMEM/cMCq_BLGZsM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0214.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot021" border="0" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XwKnUpS6pLE/T1JhyTE0zoI/AAAAAAAAMEU/QiMHl0NGC5Y/ScreenShot021_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="405" /></a></p> <p>As did her friend, Marsha Bruenig!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DMUScA4mGDs/T1Jhy2LBw_I/AAAAAAAAMEc/NsXmugJeXMo/s1600-h/ScreenShot0224.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot022" border="0" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Dcs1XUvwywQ/T1JhzZx9A0I/AAAAAAAAMEk/CXy7rqXKcYs/ScreenShot022_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Though the rest of the family went to bed early on Thursday evening, Yed stayed in the bowling alley and danced the smustle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5ML2kap6oFY/T1Jhz3ZDd9I/AAAAAAAAMEs/iqwUb_JvQRM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0234.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot023" border="0" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F27-tIDzibk/T1Jh0KKNV6I/AAAAAAAAME0/WG7HHJWDW1k/ScreenShot023_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yed eventually went to bed, but several of the family members got up just after midnight and got their own smustle going.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CusyZaQ3QOg/T1Jh0r-SE3I/AAAAAAAAME8/jEzcTZRNs1k/s1600-h/ScreenShot0244.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot024" border="0" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CF4j_uQC9oU/T1Jh1E2E_7I/AAAAAAAAMFE/cEJ7WzMWgmU/ScreenShot024_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="381" /></a></p> <p>Yulia took time out to continue potty training Yasiu.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IeUJfgCNcEU/T1Jh1QztdpI/AAAAAAAAMFM/Q6ibk1bLCPY/s1600-h/ScreenShot0254.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot025" border="0" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bT-3jjzRPK0/T1Jh12daKmI/AAAAAAAAMFU/izRLiS0uJhQ/ScreenShot025_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Derek got up before work on Friday and made smart milk for Yasiu.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c3uOdNEOY88/T1Jh2LpR4zI/AAAAAAAAMFc/oLh1V31KCHU/s1600-h/ScreenShot0264.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot026" border="0" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-692C5PNf5Co/T1Jh2nGJ2CI/AAAAAAAAMFk/EBtv6DExbt0/ScreenShot026_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="484" /></a></p> <p>After he left for the hospital, Yulia took advantage of the effects of the smart milk to teach Yasiu to walk,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3TQ3SsIP7p4/T1Jh3_Uaj8I/AAAAAAAAMFs/ArurueX4rPw/s1600-h/ScreenShot0284.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot028" border="0" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rGNIl0oPqHg/T1Jh4doV5LI/AAAAAAAAMF0/RoC63trODjw/ScreenShot028_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i7iRNtQ2_0U/T1Jh5Mksm3I/AAAAAAAAMF8/PATypW04Eyc/s1600-h/ScreenShot030%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot030" border="0" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3bB97g_66Nk/T1Jh5hLIETI/AAAAAAAAMGE/ceC2nf71kSg/ScreenShot030_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="484" /></a></p> <p>to be potty trained,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-THv7ZXClc4g/T1Jh6GJwW8I/AAAAAAAAMGM/xjjKe5R3K5g/s1600-h/ScreenShot031%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot031" border="0" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LOxDQj8Wis0/T1Jh6vqOaEI/AAAAAAAAMGU/IbUtWlf4qzs/ScreenShot031_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="532" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and to talk.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-txwJv9I_fCU/T1Jh6ytCsUI/AAAAAAAAMGc/VIGgENIaNu8/s1600-h/ScreenShot032%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot032" border="0" alt="ScreenShot032" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-omyRlmo_pcg/T1Jh7AT1aEI/AAAAAAAAMGk/QmjmEI1WUr8/ScreenShot032_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="410" /></a></p> <p>She was keeping on eye on the home venue, and knew that it needed only one more customer loyalty star to reach Rank 10.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0Zmdx4zBvVM/T1Jh7cjuf2I/AAAAAAAAMGs/lQgmt8SU7PI/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot029" border="0" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bJobkknpKxo/T1Jh7ud2xmI/AAAAAAAAMG0/7eRAXdPOZRc/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="147" /></a></p> <p>And that afternoon, it finally happened!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ePBlHOAFVgI/T1Jh8P0gUsI/AAAAAAAAMG8/n-Fwe0ODFdc/s1600-h/ScreenShot034%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot034" border="0" alt="ScreenShot034" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q0hNSCxh2wc/T1Jh8aPAjgI/AAAAAAAAMHE/fyD6XvhcCvY/ScreenShot034_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="565" height="484" /></a></p> <p>“Thank goodness!” Yulia exclaimed. “Now we can move to a house where there’s actually ROOM for us all!!!”</p> <p>____________________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>Yulia tried to open the store Friday morning, but both Bruce and Komei said they were too tired to come in. So, I just had her concentrate on getting the home sports venue to Rank 10 (which involved entertaining customers and making sure there wasn’t a speck of litter anywhere).</p><p>Now, on to build a gorgeous house!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-42984666633882112032012-03-02T11:08:00.002-05:002012-03-02T22:51:51.221-05:00Community Lot Skilling.<p>Tuesday, Yulia went straight home from her store, bought a chessboard, and sat down to increase her Logic so that she could improve her cash register skills.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2Kpq3S7Cwu8/T1EaJB-GHxI/AAAAAAAAL48/Lwib-Jdzd4c/s1600-h/ScreenShot0034.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot003" border="0" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sI6zuQ12b8Y/T1EaJ1UzpuI/AAAAAAAAL5E/TBVpppZqjH4/ScreenShot003_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="390" /></a></p> <p>Tuesday evening, the time came for the twins to grow up. Yanastasia was first,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r1gsGRlIx0c/T1EaKuaSJ4I/AAAAAAAAL5M/eU93iMJUqTg/s1600-h/ScreenShot0025.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot002" border="0" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lKROvd6RdKg/T1EaVst40xI/AAAAAAAAL5U/cEXkMZ0JEZE/ScreenShot002_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="317" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tj43p2o7BP0/T1EaWEblzKI/AAAAAAAAL5c/lJ1JPClij4A/s1600-h/ScreenShot0054.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot005" border="0" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rwNPxpN5xho/T1EaXTl9Y1I/AAAAAAAAL5k/INied5JXDZE/ScreenShot005_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="568" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and grew up into a nice-looking young girl.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AnAyXJ-5p3Y/T1EaYROxIzI/AAAAAAAAL5o/YisgSfFTHYM/s1600-h/ScreenShot0064.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot006" border="0" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7Dw1fAFjQMA/T1EaYwIom4I/AAAAAAAAL50/aSJWYJXNrjg/ScreenShot006_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Her dad immediately taught her how to do homework (using older sister’s Yevgenya’s assignment).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g8V2NvDZviU/T1EaZcAQBaI/AAAAAAAAL58/Zno6WwArdZs/s1600-h/ScreenShot0074.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot007" border="0" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jc_g-9Mz62I/T1EaaG82FsI/AAAAAAAAL6E/oYTpbK1FAmQ/ScreenShot007_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="461" /></a></p> <p>Then, it was Yedrek’s turn.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e6YuxCkSzVI/T1Eaab2DHGI/AAAAAAAAL6M/H25StIoAiLs/s1600-h/ScreenShot0128.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot012" border="0" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AqEexTlkGLQ/T1EabBmmd0I/AAAAAAAAL6U/A_DGd4E9_wY/ScreenShot012_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="369" /></a></p> <p>Yed was so high in “Active” that he immediately started bowling.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zxwkfPsgxdA/T1EabSY3JiI/AAAAAAAAL6c/MPpuQEVeAUI/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot004" border="0" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AqbP6plfn3Y/T1Eaby5g-2I/AAAAAAAAL6k/YxdxZBvZew4/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yana showed that she shared the family interest in reading cookbooks</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kdyl8QZs1fM/T1EacfF8haI/AAAAAAAAL6s/KAFMGOdo1w4/s1600-h/ScreenShot011.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot011" border="0" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EnogP7-20yg/T1Eae7YzSjI/AAAAAAAAL60/w6nVTMjdUw4/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Genya got up from her nap just as Yana was going to sleep,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tR_CZnLPoTk/T1EagoAHuUI/AAAAAAAAL68/VrL9s7cSBOY/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot008" border="0" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kux1O9S9XkM/T1EahNmDW2I/AAAAAAAAL7E/2DfRfXRLdHg/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="476" /></a></p> <p>and was delighted with the new chessboard.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3VK2Bb5DJiY/T1EahXw5l1I/AAAAAAAAL7M/8aNPRdV0doE/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot009" border="0" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EH30pHnEmOU/T1EahxCcC7I/AAAAAAAAL7U/w0cmWPuNRqA/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="547" height="484" /></a></p> <p>She played chess with her mother well into the night.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9fXbRRbRrGA/T1EaigO2LKI/AAAAAAAAL7c/3WA4yj22nUY/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot010" border="0" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MQG88slhDwU/T1EajIvuCEI/AAAAAAAAL7k/91w5tNTIZCQ/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="542" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Wednesday morning, there was so much snow that school was canceled! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H9YkGyBMC50/T1Eajsemu1I/AAAAAAAAL7s/ibwSqLcAnFU/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot001" border="0" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Nyr6pL8ryNY/T1EakFZ5aeI/AAAAAAAAL70/Xak8k-oUSM8/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="351" /></a></p> <p>Genya and Yana enjoyed pelting each other with snowballs,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T4gS_XoQyiU/T1EakqMbwrI/AAAAAAAAL78/aCTj6nVgJ_I/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot016" border="0" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rCqr8TD5AsQ/T1Eakx3OwzI/AAAAAAAAL8E/XYiMS_Wtx2M/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="409" /></a></p> <p> while Yed built a snowman.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F_hXC-7A-aQ/T1EalRF24lI/AAAAAAAAL8M/hh-ReUV1aTs/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot017" border="0" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DB1h1Ot-H5Q/T1Eal2NR5iI/AAAAAAAAL8U/JirBWC1YjCw/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="455" /></a></p> <p>Once the butler arrived for the day, Yulia left for her store. </p> <p>She assigned Shelby to the register, and both Bruce and Komei to restocking, </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gFTTGM4j5Jo/T1EamD-G3yI/AAAAAAAAL8c/VeG0PBTY2QU/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot019" border="0" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-piQxkrpuvB4/T1EampLilhI/AAAAAAAAL8k/bMAO_etBiGY/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="406" /></a></p> <p>and Christian to make more snapdragons, then sat down to play chess with Troy, who had a want to gain a skill point.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9N_MaIxDWlY/T1EanGNtglI/AAAAAAAAL8s/0e_f_1Z0_PQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot018%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot018" border="0" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ca9TAzuozZw/T1EaoIq8G7I/AAAAAAAAL80/tWAr1UiL01c/ScreenShot018_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Very soon, Troy had a Logic point, and with it gained a Gold mood and 1,000 aspiration points, and so was able to get and wear a thinking cap.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VskAjoPfPZ4/T1EaoXUPGWI/AAAAAAAAL88/n0ek2sVSE98/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot020" border="0" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vd4ORQkebWs/T1Eao_MdSWI/AAAAAAAAL9E/1udEPngiE58/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="484" /></a></p> <p>By evening, the store had reached Rank 9.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LVIHl9Jr2Kg/T1EapZI8fUI/AAAAAAAAL9M/pZIPHcHq75Y/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot021" border="0" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NbRmBKqPdrw/T1Eapql06_I/AAAAAAAAL9U/gd-4Rp2cJm4/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="286" /></a></p> <p>Yulia noticed that Shelby was in a Red mood, and wanted a skill point,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-upndO18W-VQ/T1Eap9zVLqI/AAAAAAAAL9c/UhaOhRGIBq8/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot022" border="0" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pZrv4rZkn48/T1EaqQwi6II/AAAAAAAAL9k/Nd_klzWxYNs/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="481" height="484" /></a></p> <p>so she sent the young woman on break, which Shelby enjoyed,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5KROGHTelhM/T1EaqwUFU4I/AAAAAAAAL9s/OMux9AkUikA/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot024" border="0" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fx1vk9UWKgo/T1EarMlIRrI/AAAAAAAAL90/wwRJj4I-PHM/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></a></p> <p>and took over the register herself.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GdS38kqqrRA/T1EarrQYXDI/AAAAAAAAL98/g6ZZvmHxlps/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot028" border="0" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SVVW46D4pDM/T1Ear5ZotvI/AAAAAAAAL-E/ii7zn7UoPr0/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="484" /></a></p> <p>(She had taken the precaution of resetting the prices of all of her merchandise,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RXCXwOYCHnY/T1EasQZSzUI/AAAAAAAAL-M/xkGb2P7DNk4/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot023" border="0" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a_s_9vc53Ko/T1Eas07dhaI/AAAAAAAAL-U/HSItHucRzQ4/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="419" /></a></p> <p>figuring that “Average” would slow down both the number of customers waiting to be rung up, and the demands on her restockers.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XMzfdosQ1Yg/T1EatDoJ9vI/AAAAAAAAL-c/_6a7vV6ap60/s1600-h/ScreenShot025%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot025" border="0" alt="ScreenShot025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DYwWFLPfKto/T1EatkydihI/AAAAAAAAL-k/MTYukR689uE/ScreenShot025_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="295" /></a></p> <p>Bruce earned a Silver restocking badge! Yulia congratulated herself for sticking with him, despite his early unsatisfactory performance.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uvQegbLjagg/T1EauOpAKCI/AAAAAAAAL-s/KDtExlWOWT0/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot026" border="0" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qd68YNGIg1Y/T1EauXVMXQI/AAAAAAAAL-0/CCfxj6y0-HA/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Because Yulia was busy on the register, she had Troy, one of her Managers, give Bruce a raise.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-65qjKRSQ-pw/T1Eau669ouI/AAAAAAAAL-8/XXijV08a-Ck/s1600-h/ScreenShot027%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot027" border="0" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y5_R-wWzuZE/T1EaweLGQsI/AAAAAAAAL_E/Jk7to62PcLo/ScreenShot027_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="484" /></a></p> <p>And soon thereafter, Yulia had Troy close the business for the day, because—though her register skills were supposedly a bit better now that she had maxed out Logic—she still couldn’t keep up with the customers.</p> <p>She also had Troy send Christian and Shelby home for the day. Troy crawled into one of the tents for some sleep, and Yulia, noticing that Komei wanted to reach Level 5 in Logic, played chess with him for a while, before heading home to her family.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gg6GHUgSWOU/T1Eaw_IvSRI/AAAAAAAAL_M/NpU3MAtzQzw/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot029" border="0" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uMgdSx2Y45k/T1Eaxe0iyzI/AAAAAAAAL_U/KU_4Ao8wOlk/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="588" height="484" /></a></p> <p>_______________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>Thanks very much to SirenPrincess for telling me yesterday that there’s a mod at MATY that allows skilling on community lots! I THINK this is the link below (but today MATY won’t let me in for some bizarre reason (and it accused me of being a "bran muffin" ??? when I tried to register anew!). I agree with SP that this mod is NOT cheating; it’s only reasonable that a Sim should be able to build a lot where she/her employees/her customers can skill. (That’s just real life.)</p><p><a href="http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,11216.0.html">http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,11216.0.html</a></p><p>When Yulia was trying to leave the house for her store this a.m., she clicked on her car and got "Go Somewhere". As soon as she passed her kids playing in the snow in the front yard, though, her car interaction disappeared, and the only one available was "Take to School". It was a SNOW DAY!!! So, in order to go to her store for the day, she had no choice but to take the kids to school, even when there was only an hour left in the school day....</p> <p>Here’s something I always forget—once you promote an employee to Manager, and he becomes controllable, the way to get him to restock is to make him the active Sim, have him click on himself, and pick “Restock”. I was getting frustrated having Yulia click on Troy, then click “Management”, and the “Assign” option wasn’t there. This doesn’t happen with the register, because Yulia can just click on the register and “Assign” comes up. (Same with the flower arranging bench.)</p> <p>I noticed a pile of shopping bags on the floor, so exited without saving and went back in to see what had happened. Matthew Smith had been the only person in line, and Shelby was at the register, and she still had “Be Cashier” active, but she inexplicably wasn’t ringing Matthew up. I clicked on “Ring Up These Customers”, and she rang up Matthew, but the problem kept happening. Her motives were all fully green (because of the snapdragons), except that her Energy was about half. Her mood was red, though, and she had a want to earn a skill point, so I sent her to play chess.</p><p>Remember that raising the merchandise prices temporarily will slow down traffic at the cash register, and also the pace at which the restockers have to keep up with their task. It's up to you what you want to accomplish at any given time--do you want to be selling Ridiculously Cheap items (and thereby increasing the customer loyalty stars/Business Rank), or do you want to take a couple of hours to increase a Sim's register skill without chaos (i.e., littered shopping bags everywhere) ensuing?</p> <p>Another great thing about Managers is that they can—as Troy did tonight—take over Management functions from your owner. Believe me, Yulia could NOT have spared the time away from the register to give Bruce a raise or close the store for the day!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-25848828607714352782012-03-01T11:25:00.000-05:002012-03-01T14:34:44.731-05:00Logic and Cashiering.<p>Tuesday morning, Genya shot hoops before school,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8DQaj4R1Y88/T0_NFsMg_UI/AAAAAAAAL1s/jTxLfieAMMk/s1600-h/ScreenShot022_thumb1%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot022_thumb1" border="0" alt="ScreenShot022_thumb1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BkAEwVNihIc/T0_NF39iBqI/AAAAAAAAL10/EH2YCoGp56I/ScreenShot022_thumb1_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" height="324" /></a></p> <p>and Derek socialized with customers in the bowling alley before leaving for the hospital.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nLJU2ahRWLo/T0_NHxiNdpI/AAAAAAAAL18/gOp1NgrmZUQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot023_thumb1%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot023_thumb1" border="0" alt="ScreenShot023_thumb1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RSzXe4zTCGQ/T0_NIVTCAKI/AAAAAAAAL2E/Q-JFP8z_XiM/ScreenShot023_thumb1_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="616" height="369" /></a></p> <p>Once the butler arrived for the day, Yulia headed for her store and called in her employees. She got a message that Troy couldn’t come in.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l4JGEnwb-QE/T0_NIi-_XSI/AAAAAAAAL2M/s9zt6XLVets/s1600-h/ScreenShot024_thumb1%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot024_thumb1" border="0" alt="ScreenShot024_thumb1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d81lRxOyphY/T0_NI-gmA0I/AAAAAAAAL2U/yNv_f5-_ajc/ScreenShot024_thumb1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="258" /></a></p> <p>Yulia figured she could move Shelby (who had already had a Gold restocking badge when Yulia hired her) from register duty to restocking duty to replace Troy, but didn’t think she could get by with just Bruce as cashier. She got on the phone and tried to hire someone with a cashier badge, but no one with relevant experience was available. Her friend Komei Tellerman at least had 2 Silver badges (though in unrelated skills), so she hired him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PUJ8ppd6s4Q/T0_NJPirRbI/AAAAAAAAL2c/H7SR7AtCU_U/s1600-h/ScreenShot025_thumb52.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot025_thumb5" border="0" alt="ScreenShot025_thumb5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F4hZ-we0Zxo/T0_NJquBLaI/AAAAAAAAL2k/_R6R7Op88LM/ScreenShot025_thumb5_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="353" /></a></p> <p>“Thanks so much for helping me out!” she greeted Komei when he showed up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2gz4NupQFHg/T0_NJz3BlYI/AAAAAAAAL2s/q5uh7uo16zs/s1600-h/ScreenShot026_thumb52.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot026_thumb5" border="0" alt="ScreenShot026_thumb5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hff4tBMU4So/T0_NKRk_IiI/AAAAAAAAL20/AyYMWpx4w3w/ScreenShot026_thumb5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="484" /></a></p> <p>She put him in a slightly different uniform than the one Bruce wore, because the two men looked so similar, especially from the back.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5M8KkIywMlE/T0_NKjDWAXI/AAAAAAAAL28/E8NonKTtmU0/s1600-h/ScreenShot027_thumb42.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot027_thumb4" border="0" alt="ScreenShot027_thumb4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a6vAC07Y3BI/T0_NKyOvOwI/AAAAAAAAL3E/urLurYI3peY/ScreenShot027_thumb4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="526" height="484" /></a></p> <p>With Shelby restocking one half of the store, and Bruce restocking the other half, and Komei on the register (and Christian making snapdragons in the back), Yulia figured she could get by for the day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qhNn8I5aKhI/T0_NLXRIYiI/AAAAAAAAL3M/roTIdV1JnIY/s1600-h/ScreenShot028_thumb72.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot028_thumb7" border="0" alt="ScreenShot028_thumb7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pmxUNDHjCww/T0_NLkj9Z2I/AAAAAAAAL3Q/4bY1hm4C6sA/ScreenShot028_thumb7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="433" /></a></p> <p>But soon there were too many customers waiting to be rung up,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VJXN-my44N8/T0_NMGhINfI/AAAAAAAAL3Y/uOQQ51f9K4A/s1600-h/ScreenShot029_thumb1%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot029_thumb1" border="0" alt="ScreenShot029_thumb1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sGFi1IZHny8/T0_NMeWKVfI/AAAAAAAAL3k/DuHaF8a1PS8/ScreenShot029_thumb1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="346" /></a></p> <p>so Yulia switched Komei and Shelby. Troy eventually did come into work, and was disappointed not to be able to work on his cashier skills.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5Z05bZO3hKk/T0_NMk21AZI/AAAAAAAAL3s/6n_NufXrv6I/s1600-h/ScreenShot030_thumb1%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot030_thumb1" border="0" alt="ScreenShot030_thumb1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KkZB5Cpkxmo/T0_NNHkibjI/AAAAAAAAL30/LW1WC0OwHW4/ScreenShot030_thumb1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="392" /></a></p> <p>“Maybe once Shelby gets the line down to a manageable number of customers,” Yulia told him.</p> <p>Bruce earned a Bronze restocking badge, so Yulia immediately gave him a raise.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FKR-aPQADTY/T0_NNfP17-I/AAAAAAAAL38/GJ8Hnvvo54M/s1600-h/ScreenShot031_thumb11%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot031_thumb11" border="0" alt="ScreenShot031_thumb11" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kgeVYgjJy00/T0_NNmZb3yI/AAAAAAAAL4E/_dWADZ0KKDc/ScreenShot031_thumb11_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="347" /></a></p> <p>Shelby was getting tired, so Yulia gave Troy a “Motivational Speech”, told Shelby to take a break, and put Troy on the register. Shelby got into one of the tents to take a nap.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZwMC6doFWX4/T0_NOYBqjNI/AAAAAAAAL4M/ZG32G1AEo6w/s1600-h/ScreenShot032_thumb1%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot032_thumb1" border="0" alt="ScreenShot032_thumb1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XyTOlXhYbic/T0_NOl17biI/AAAAAAAAL4U/v-u-hLvzzVU/ScreenShot032_thumb1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="316" /></a></p> <p>Before too long, though, the line at the register was once again unmanageable, so Shelby gave up her nap and resumed her cashier duties.</p> <p>Though Yulia needed only 5 more customer loyalty stars to get her store to Rank 9,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WH9BQSa2Bdw/T0_NO4t3ZtI/AAAAAAAAL4c/uJnKQVvtvC8/s1600-h/ScreenShot0345.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot034" border="0" alt="ScreenShot034" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HY44zN9t2B8/T0_NPZ7DVgI/AAAAAAAAL4k/JVpMySm2FfI/ScreenShot034_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="153" /></a></p> <p>she had learned her lesson from Sunday, and suspected that pushing on through to get the next rank might again end in disaster. So, she closed the store and sent all her employees home. Just at that moment, Komei got his Bronze register badge, so Yulia gave him a raise before dismissing him for the day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aDQpxZqYw_M/T0_NPhcg9YI/AAAAAAAAL4s/yF80ceOrAX0/s1600-h/ScreenShot035%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot035" border="0" alt="ScreenShot035" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H3ntpc6fFqw/T0_NP8-ia1I/AAAAAAAAL40/rJ-9FxKPBu0/ScreenShot035_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="559" height="419" /></a></p> <p>Yulia also promoted Komei to Manager (since, with the 2 Silver badges he’d already had, plus the Bronze register badge he’d just earned, he had a total of 5 badge talent points).</p> <p>_____________________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>Derek’s rocking that shirtless look, isn’t he?</p> <p>I’m still trying to figure out under what conditions employees don’t show up for work. Sunday, Yulia kept the store open till early a.m. Monday, and Troy—who had used the Energizer, so wasn’t that tired—was the last employee there with Yulia. Yulia went to the store Monday a.m., called in her employees, got the same message that Troy was too tired to come in. (WTF?—Counting from Yulia’s home-lot clock, Troy hadn’t been at work for about 30 hours! What the heck is this guy doing in his spare time???) Yulia went to the phone and tried to hire someone decent as an extra worker, but there was NO ONE worth hiring on Monday. So, I had her just go home, and didn’t write it into the story. </p> <p>So, now it’s Tuesday, Yulia goes to her store, calls in her employees, and gets the same message—that Troy is too tired to come in. This time, though, Komei Tellerman was hirable, has 2 Silver badges, and is a good friend of Yulia’s (from all the time he spends hanging out at the bowling alley). So, I was resigned to not having Troy for the day. And then he showed up! An hour or two late, but he showed up. More empirical research is needed!</p> <p>For a couple Sim days now, Yulia’s been rolling a want to get a Logic skill point. I think the game was trying to tell me something—that she needs to be high in Logic so that she won’t be useless on the cash register. Here’s a link to a concise explanation of the skills/badges relationship.</p> <p><a title="http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/sims-2/280706-sims-2-open-business-frequently-asked-questions.html#post4613864" href="http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/sims-2/280706-sims-2-open-business-frequently-asked-questions.html#post4613864">http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/sims-2/280706-sims-2-open-business-frequently-asked-questions.html#post4613864</a></p> <p>Tuesday evening at the store was another disaster—once Yulia sent Shelby on break, I made Shelby “Get In” to a tent and then “Sleep” (remember, you have to do them BOTH, although Christian Love always goes to sleep autonomously (which is good, because he’s not controllable)), and put Troy on register to increase his cashiering skill. The line got long, and he QUIT!!! (Though he was in Gold aspiration, and his needs weren’t bad--he was yellow Energy, but not orange.) I exited without saving and tried again, having Yulia take over the register and having Troy use the Energizer. Yulia’s still a disaster at the register, so customers threw their shopping bags down in disgust. Again, I exited without saving, and tried yet another approach. </p> <p>Shelby’s Energy had recovered enough that I had her get out of the tent and run to the register, and I exed Troy out of the register. Shelby was able to take over immediately (because she was right near the register) and saved the day with her superior skills.</p> <p>Re Yulia’s need to increase her Logic skill to achieve proficiency on the cash register, I tried adding a chessboard to the store, before remembering that Sims can’t skill on community lots. Troy couldn’t add any Logic points, Shelby couldn’t gain the one skill point of any kind that she wanted, and even Yulia didn’t get any Logic points from the chessboard. So that’s why Yulia closed the store for the day and went home, to buy a chessboard there.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-76512185895244873992012-02-29T07:41:00.000-05:002012-02-29T10:46:27.587-05:00Yasiu and his Siblings.<p>Monday morning, Derek and Yulia made and stockpiled more mac and cheese frozen entrees.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mA6FDmH9O9o/T05G_5AThUI/AAAAAAAALwk/Y6aw2EsbtKA/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot002" border="0" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0CrAc5bx8G8/T05HASJ9EaI/AAAAAAAALws/BAbbIkSzOQg/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="557" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yevgenya bowled before school,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IBWCnvbQ_r0/T05HA3F59kI/AAAAAAAALw0/21W87v13ZZM/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot001" border="0" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4degZvpEfCw/T05HBJWDhSI/AAAAAAAALw8/anE71EMU7KM/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="615" height="484" /></a></p> <p>while keeping an eye on Yedrek, who was boogying away to the stereo in the bowling alley.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hxiZvIXToxk/T05HBeJyrqI/AAAAAAAALxE/F_BPfjio1MQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot003" border="0" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A2wusCudtUs/T05HCFjSCpI/AAAAAAAALxM/rVh1J6PXblA/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="532" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yed even got some attention from the customers!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ArxeRRUbW9A/T05HCdtSC0I/AAAAAAAAL1k/WuqnvrwFGbI/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot004" border="0" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WwzSLIeSYEc/T05HC4yMJzI/AAAAAAAAL1o/kiYHbwmZpTo/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="574" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Genya left for school, and every now and then Yulia had to fish one of her toddlers out of the snow,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XvYvbHgyTUs/T05HDauPlOI/AAAAAAAALxk/T1wc9vda_3Q/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot005" border="0" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R05qsHPJFmU/T05HDsxABbI/AAAAAAAALxs/IlzOcV49YD0/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="466" height="484" /></a></p> <p>but otherwise they happily played with their Charisma bunnies all day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZocmxtL6aNM/T05HEGZ5RUI/AAAAAAAALx0/pZQHsNbMl9c/s1600-h/ScreenShot006%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot006" border="0" alt="ScreenShot006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-khyz_h_JyV4/T05HEtfRFTI/AAAAAAAALx8/jH-xRjzaRNM/ScreenShot006_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="493" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eSx7LNyL_Vs/T05HE5ypWyI/AAAAAAAALyE/3AWZm21kJn4/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot007" border="0" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bT8YQN7glTA/T05HFK45v5I/AAAAAAAALyM/OGse1Lyn7w8/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Mid-afternoon, Genya arrived home from school, and told anyone who would listen about her excellent grades.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--VDWuYjxMU4/T05HFiQKx5I/AAAAAAAALyU/enrCIvy7RN4/s1600-h/ScreenShot009.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot009" border="0" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ma-NLNrSdqw/T05HFw1ZTZI/AAAAAAAALyc/mY-zsO51SUI/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="484" /></a></p> <p>She played with Yana, then taught her a nursery rhyme,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9Z8RR0L7VcE/T05HGX990iI/AAAAAAAALyk/cxd9EIjQYns/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot010" border="0" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TKoH-kccivA/T05HGhzcvZI/AAAAAAAALys/MfX2vlp3Sug/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="484" /></a></p> <p>before grabbing a nap (and figuring she could do her homework later).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MqLE2NVXg-4/T05HG2S2juI/AAAAAAAALy0/Rny8LK9S4ls/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot013" border="0" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b5_DK5bey9Q/T05HHRd-k6I/AAAAAAAALy8/7krPqraTfJk/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="638" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Derek did his best to keep a smustle going out back in the bowling alley.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uniKEjD1o5g/T05HHzJIBMI/AAAAAAAALzE/XMS5nMf5JhM/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot011" border="0" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FVAiDRdBGs8/T05HIp5367I/AAAAAAAALzM/tNq7pPiYFHQ/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="558" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A0Hu2-Isih4/T05HI8qIGUI/AAAAAAAALzU/SrnyVXFkVrI/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot012" border="0" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fxdsQNOrO-w/T05HJLPalqI/AAAAAAAALzc/IDPNf5jB938/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428" /></a></p> <p>Yulia went to bed early, and just as she was about to lie down, the home sports venue reached Rank 8.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Uz-LDyW1w00/T05HJkwramI/AAAAAAAALzk/D4GAFcWTCaM/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot014" border="0" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eeEivl3yDsI/T05HJ50L_gI/AAAAAAAALzs/rb1nMD2hyTY/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="378" /></a></p> <p>She woke up in the middle of the night and, as soon as she did, she went into labor.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JerBs6AceDg/T05HKu-aXXI/AAAAAAAALz0/cXaX1O9h1zA/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot015" border="0" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BYwVqH7QWFA/T05HK77ForI/AAAAAAAALz8/bUdVVQGYuvY/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="463" height="484" /></a></p> <p>The couple had their 4th child, their 2nd son, and named him “Yasiu”. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uVXVA-zOeVg/T05HLeRHjBI/AAAAAAAAL0E/tEtG6lEp54g/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot016" border="0" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XSxc7i1-bYQ/T05HL3HhLDI/AAAAAAAAL0M/w41oFevKD_s/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="490" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yevgenya greeted her new little brother with enthusiasm.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cSHPTmm6UpE/T05HMPE9qLI/AAAAAAAAL0U/LfS9_HdOdnI/s1600-h/ScreenShot0186.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot018" border="0" alt="ScreenShot018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vKNQEDrrAKg/T05HMQ9m1oI/AAAAAAAAL0c/EUhLNgRLj-A/ScreenShot018_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="231" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yulia fed her new baby,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M_2bojAFB60/T05HM7C-jYI/AAAAAAAAL0k/3eNV0EHE8mk/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot019" border="0" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KP03u_8RDBU/T05HNQh8v0I/AAAAAAAAL0s/0qiaXD1IqhA/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and put him into Yedrek’s crib.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DkfOwVzpbt0/T05HNs7JYGI/AAAAAAAAL00/44BJoTCg6r8/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot020" border="0" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IHdt5dpaupo/T05HOIlnU-I/AAAAAAAAL08/x5Dw4gozUb8/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="631" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yed went to sleep on the toddler blanket near his new little brother,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nWrrRCiKhio/T05HOhAOrNI/AAAAAAAAL1E/d2WE2YgeCi0/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot021" border="0" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JUx8_BjlHgE/T05HO4ofQcI/AAAAAAAAL1M/zZjTstyEMeE/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="630" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and Yulia thought, with a tinge of guilt, ‘I really should do something about decorating this room for the boys. I just didn’t think we were all going to be in this house for so long. Or that there would be so many of us!’</p> <p>_____________________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>Here’s what annoys the crap out of me about this game:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UO4oMb7fSdQ/T05HPAvFm9I/AAAAAAAAL1U/ecqukEWvx20/s1600-h/ScreenShot00886.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot008" border="0" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lht4r33Ygb8/T05HPiLynHI/AAAAAAAAL1c/FIFXCky2XE8/ScreenShot008_thumb87.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="114" /></a></p> <p>Not only had Derek invited Daisy over to the home sports venue earlier that afternoon, he hugged her twice when she arrived!</p> <p>Raising the rank of this home sports venue seems to be taking soooooo long. It’s possible that it’s just my perception, because I tend to play the home lot at normal speed (because I have to keep an eye on all 5 family members, AND the butler, who often seems to engage in counter-productive behavior, such as interfering with the toddlers sleeping on the blankets and trying to put them in the cribs), whereas I play Yulia’s Emporium at triple speed.</p> <p>I got “Yasiu” from “Jasiu”, a Polish diminutive of “Jan” (so, “John”). It’s pronounced “Yah-shoo”, and my brother John’s nickname was “Yosh” all through highschool. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-41316198468315810602012-02-28T08:31:00.000-05:002012-02-28T11:46:21.615-05:00On the Homefront.<p>While Yulia was away at her store all day Sunday, Derek taught Yanastasia to walk,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xn8s5-c4n5I/T00BIK3ariI/AAAAAAAALtU/t9FqEVMH5t8/s1600-h/ScreenShot026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot026" border="0" alt="ScreenShot026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DpPFElUxt3o/T00BIksIC_I/AAAAAAAALtc/W2IlUQE2VE4/ScreenShot026_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and to talk.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MO_Rilp8T80/T00BI_A3MXI/AAAAAAAALtk/rO9luIcwfug/s1600-h/ScreenShot028%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot028" border="0" alt="ScreenShot028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SfSLrStMMCg/T00BJgG8caI/AAAAAAAALts/FTydYXWz1Hc/ScreenShot028_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="486" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Then he made smart milk for Yedrek,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bhZ_0FqikoI/T00BJxgb1jI/AAAAAAAALt0/hWEpX_cdVsE/s1600-h/ScreenShot029%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot029" border="0" alt="ScreenShot029" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lDoSf8IA-4Q/T00BKSE5gCI/AAAAAAAALt8/KRMHgKfhPfs/ScreenShot029_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and started potty-training the boy.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OJ45MmpOwxc/T00BKseVd8I/AAAAAAAALuE/wgafUB6EZlM/s1600-h/ScreenShot030%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot030" border="0" alt="ScreenShot030" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PQ1g2nRS6-c/T00BLXm_R2I/AAAAAAAALuM/OS_9Co9F6aU/ScreenShot030_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yana played with her bunny,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xDv4xXQDGm0/T00BLoTd6bI/AAAAAAAALuU/RAat7ELigmE/s1600-h/ScreenShot032%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot032" border="0" alt="ScreenShot032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OFcfPcV7nPk/T00BMGjww5I/AAAAAAAALuc/QL-Nabpxc1M/ScreenShot032_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="484" /></a></p> <p>as her sister sat nearby, reading a cookbook.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2ghJdGLdx24/T00BMRKUuPI/AAAAAAAALuk/33Udd66fYbg/s1600-h/ScreenShot031%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot031" border="0" alt="ScreenShot031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1WQznPKkPs0/T00BM_foEZI/AAAAAAAALus/AshHZZu_RG0/ScreenShot031_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="619" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Derek taught his son to walk,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yZbdVz2YcuQ/T00BNRrxBII/AAAAAAAALu0/Iaf6byRt-io/s1600-h/ScreenShot033%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot033" border="0" alt="ScreenShot033" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zQtlWpNj6PU/T00BNweEG3I/AAAAAAAALu8/22exAcCs8ZQ/ScreenShot033_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-alQgNezEWHk/T00BOCxDdiI/AAAAAAAALvE/VM__CTao5RI/s1600-h/ScreenShot035%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot035" border="0" alt="ScreenShot035" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xPifvnBG6Xg/T00BOlRzrTI/AAAAAAAALvM/rgGoTjFu3S4/ScreenShot035_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="484" /></a></p> <p>then finished potty-training Yana.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-30P909F34wU/T00BPsCTWQI/AAAAAAAALvk/vvhwZv5X_KI/s1600-h/ScreenShot037%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot037" border="0" alt="ScreenShot037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BAgVRq9chjM/T00BQD5ADrI/AAAAAAAALvs/KK_XBbUNboI/ScreenShot037_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="484" /></a></p> <p>The little girl went to sleep on the toddler blanket in her big sister’s room.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WSnv1RlGhoo/T00EqhJTmSI/AAAAAAAALwU/awSIHs8ezIA/s1600-h/ScreenShot034%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot034" border="0" alt="ScreenShot034" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9-NuxYw1Jp0/T00ErCivq9I/AAAAAAAALwc/zDa_2rwylus/ScreenShot034_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="449" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Genya maxed out her cooking skill, changed into her pajamas, climbed into bed, and gazed at her sleeping sister. ‘She’s okay,’ Genya thought. ‘Maybe when Mommy has her new baby, Yana can move into my room.’</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kv26zLwfnmA/T00BQSWhKDI/AAAAAAAALv0/Jt51rtVZFAo/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot002" border="0" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yZNo65inP9k/T00BQj8zohI/AAAAAAAALv8/8s7ftRWl4aA/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="402" /></a></p> <p>___________________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>Look—Yana is talking about money! What a mommy’s girl!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3d0n6U_NPn0/T00BRAtmJnI/AAAAAAAALwE/h8TDpQvxRFc/s1600-h/ScreenShot027%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot027" border="0" alt="ScreenShot027" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-11pRCJC_KWI/T00BRnHDI3I/AAAAAAAALwM/QoiWMjks_Wk/ScreenShot027_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="455" /></a></p> <p>I’m amazed at how quickly all the kids are learning skills. In Genya’s case, I thought it was just because it was Fall. But it’s been winter now for a couple of days, and the toddlers are learning lickety-split. Sure, Derek’s using smart milk, and a thinking cap, but I’ve done that lots of times before and don’t remember kids learning this fast. Could it have something to do with Derek having Level 10 in all skills?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6298414185146824899.post-52631239254246388352012-02-27T14:40:00.002-05:002012-02-28T05:47:00.323-05:00Good Day Turns to Bad.<p>Sunday morning, Derek made smart milk for Yanastasia, then taught her to walk.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7nngqSyjkrk/T0wwN1mvCII/AAAAAAAALnk/bfVNtlSN3sQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot001%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot001" border="0" alt="ScreenShot001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8-s560MmZF4/T0wwOUfWQeI/AAAAAAAALns/liyyIoPqvEg/ScreenShot001_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="630" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Yulia headed over to her store for the day, determined to raise its rank before she had her next baby.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uJHocfHmhCg/T0wwOpXMqBI/AAAAAAAALn0/uUstmDk-lgM/s1600-h/ScreenShot002%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot002" border="0" alt="ScreenShot002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MDu6900ARgo/T0wwPGALn4I/AAAAAAAALn8/zr1bEtlvhfI/ScreenShot002_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="576" height="484" /></a></p> <p>She made hot dogs for anyone who wanted them,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-58AK0kKwz5s/T0wwPpwk4JI/AAAAAAAALoE/yJ6Xqtjf5PE/s1600-h/ScreenShot003%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot003" border="0" alt="ScreenShot003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MRpCiP58W_o/T0wwP045T6I/AAAAAAAALoM/9POa2T_B6b0/ScreenShot003_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="337" /></a></p> <p>and did “Sales – May I Help You?” with confused customers,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oOG04XhzUs4/T0wwQQicrKI/AAAAAAAALoU/KyUG4Mec-fI/s1600-h/ScreenShot005%25255B65%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot005" border="0" alt="ScreenShot005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vqr_G5RzozQ/T0wwQteVGOI/AAAAAAAALoc/D9zLzIy-iqo/ScreenShot005_thumb%25255B65%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="402" /></a></p> <p>and Yulia’s Emporium reached Rank 7 within an hour of her arrival.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-akWM_04zGrY/T0wwRIMUyMI/AAAAAAAALok/dqwsqID2iiA/s1600-h/ScreenShot004%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot004" border="0" alt="ScreenShot004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xxKPpy-Y4P8/T0wwRjt1CNI/AAAAAAAALos/dDq2F56eyY4/ScreenShot004_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="349" /></a></p> <p>Around noon, she received another Best of the Best award,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UN2rd_8CVGw/T0wwRwHF5uI/AAAAAAAALo0/dP3na1YRM30/s1600-h/ScreenShot007%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot007" border="0" alt="ScreenShot007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XJ1nQPuQnk0/T0wwSBUDqMI/AAAAAAAALo8/GYia0kiUcW4/ScreenShot007_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and the customers started pouring in, making it difficult for even a Silver restocker like Troy to keep up with the inventory. Yulia helped out as best she could, but it was too tiring for her,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jHerJZoIXfs/T0wwStFrQJI/AAAAAAAALpE/LYyR8p_CYWY/s1600-h/ScreenShot008%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot008" border="0" alt="ScreenShot008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8xZXyUENjX8/T0wwTCUVW3I/AAAAAAAALpM/6y6ZS6LgZik/ScreenShot008_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="297" /></a></p> <p>so she decided to give Bruce a try at restocking.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LGPuhEQYkcA/T0wwTVx3v-I/AAAAAAAALpU/9FPRNhIXPDc/s1600-h/ScreenShot009%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot009" border="0" alt="ScreenShot009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cch3YP-Wvag/T0wwTs_n32I/AAAAAAAALpc/yR_xwpKtThI/ScreenShot009_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Bruce turned out to be pretty good at restocking, especially for a beginner,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4TmRPjNWsZc/T0wwUHMHmJI/AAAAAAAALpk/R1OTa_eaoX0/s1600-h/ScreenShot010%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot010" border="0" alt="ScreenShot010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_6lr7PQk_HA/T0wwUdhxnTI/AAAAAAAALps/EZpGcxEjEdI/ScreenShot010_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="326" /></a></p> <p>and Yulia did “Talk – Motivational Speech” with him, which temporarily raised his skill level.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PmH_IwtfOyc/T0wwUz8K9HI/AAAAAAAALp0/r6f_btEXyKw/s1600-h/ScreenShot011%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot011" border="0" alt="ScreenShot011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g_MzhJPlSr4/T0wwVZP2NOI/AAAAAAAALp8/i92pVESRNTg/ScreenShot011_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="351" /></a></p> <p>Exhausted, she climbed into one of the tents,</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kEgOmRqnFjA/T0wwVucVA5I/AAAAAAAALqE/OKpu_yX-7RA/s1600-h/ScreenShot012%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot012" border="0" alt="ScreenShot012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J1c2f0d7SlU/T0wwWEZyBqI/AAAAAAAALqM/rxvAGEoYMOk/ScreenShot012_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and Troy and Bruce soon had the store completely restocked and were managing to keep up with demand,</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DOoT4WPXPqM/T0wwWadgQTI/AAAAAAAALqU/j2hyWx8YXQA/s1600-h/ScreenShot013%25255B85%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot013" border="0" alt="ScreenShot013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ssPq2nQ3I3c/T0wwWh-wzkI/AAAAAAAALqc/AgZew5DEVCU/ScreenShot013_thumb%25255B87%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="384" /></a></p> <p>and the store reached Rank 8 by late afternoon.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N7uHOU9ye0U/T0wwXCVgNKI/AAAAAAAALqk/_aveNefhDW8/s1600-h/ScreenShot014%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot014" border="0" alt="ScreenShot014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W4E1SZ5hhDo/T0wwXdfioCI/AAAAAAAALqs/wm5cKRrRf1I/ScreenShot014_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="383" /></a></p> <p>Shelby gained a Gold register badge,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4O7RUMxU7Qc/T0wwXwmTonI/AAAAAAAALq0/O23jMqLSliU/s1600-h/ScreenShot016%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot016" border="0" alt="ScreenShot016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LSyLHC-t9dg/T0wwYC5GZtI/AAAAAAAALq8/1V8o4qPA0NE/ScreenShot016_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and Troy gained a Gold restocking badge.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SmIS1nBuAR8/T0wwYg7o7ZI/AAAAAAAALrE/tvYFOa-_v38/s1600-h/ScreenShot019%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot019" border="0" alt="ScreenShot019" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GxJHnX9_9kU/T0wwY1S_i3I/AAAAAAAALrM/gqZ_0HjQNHw/ScreenShot019_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="465" /></a></p> <p>Yulia gave each of them a raise.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yddTGV3i_ss/T0wwZYP4PoI/AAAAAAAALrU/eArXk9QGQuQ/s1600-h/ScreenShot017%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot017" border="0" alt="ScreenShot017" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HRdLcsufC-A/T0wwZ0H1fxI/AAAAAAAALrc/LQ-rd-fm7gk/ScreenShot017_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Bruce was too tired to continue with his new assignment, so Yulia sent him home for the day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qFb5QFt9Or0/T0wwaFb_lMI/AAAAAAAALrk/RKR4Q2esmB4/s1600-h/ScreenShot015%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot015" border="0" alt="ScreenShot015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c-STueFqYw8/T0wwatbr0-I/AAAAAAAALrs/d5wluyamxzg/ScreenShot015_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Because Troy had had a Want to get a Gold restocking badge, he was able to use Yulia’s Energizer!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hKG2LcKw5xI/T0wwa0GWJbI/AAAAAAAALr0/DmlbyePtbus/s1600-h/ScreenShot020%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot020" border="0" alt="ScreenShot020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rf6Z-Alsfl0/T0wwbMz5J0I/AAAAAAAALr8/XPS6YosMuMQ/ScreenShot020_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="452" /></a></p> <p>Shelby, though, was also tired, so Yulia sent her home, and took over the register duties herself.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hfon7osfLjI/T0wwbsAC6_I/AAAAAAAALsE/BQS5bOHZVy4/s1600-h/ScreenShot021%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot021" border="0" alt="ScreenShot021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JmoYA-L6A6s/T0wwcB_cr9I/AAAAAAAALsM/WRK0vRd97eg/ScreenShot021_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="472" height="484" /></a></p> <p>This turned out to be a mistake, because the steady pace of business was too much for Yulia’s cashier skills, and even too much for Troy to restock the store by himself.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UspGlNRzbR0/T0wwcXe6r2I/AAAAAAAALsU/btadRBCgXmM/s1600-h/ScreenShot022%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot022" border="0" alt="ScreenShot022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eW0nKOtu6os/T0wwcz0lazI/AAAAAAAALsc/ulkbniN4QRM/ScreenShot022_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="484" /></a></p> <p>The floor was soon littered with shopping bags whose owners had flung them down in disgust.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cHZG9krrMEU/T0wwdJcf6uI/AAAAAAAALsk/Wof0OGwszPM/s1600-h/ScreenShot023%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot023" border="0" alt="ScreenShot023" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v70JERUjz-k/T0wwdpKujQI/AAAAAAAALss/KTZIfPI2e1E/ScreenShot023_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="407" /></a></p> <p>Troy finished ringing up the last few customers who had remained in line, Yulia cleaned up the mess,</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tElsOUMGgXM/T0wwdws5ZNI/AAAAAAAALs0/ugw8YhPvI_s/s1600-h/ScreenShot024%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px currentColor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; background-image: none;" title="ScreenShot024" border="0" alt="ScreenShot024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HTgtAVunU2Q/T0wweUt-KMI/AAAAAAAALs8/-elvH2WQ0yw/ScreenShot024_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="484" /></a></p> <p>and closed the store for the day. ‘I really should have closed it earlier—when Bruce had to go home.’ She resolved to be more reasonable in the future.</p> <p>_________________________</p> <p><strong>NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR:</strong></p> <p>Why don’t pregnant women have outerwear???</p> <p>It’s always safe for your owner to take a nap right after she gets a Best of the Best award—nothing’s going to go wrong for a while. </p> <p>I think this is the first time I’ve been able to get an employee to use the Energizer! Yippee!!! It never occurred to me that could happen. </p><p>I should have been paying attention to Shelby's wants, and trying to satisfy them, so that she could be gold or platinum and use the Energizer, too. Then, she could have stayed at work, and the day at the store wouldn't have had such a messy end.</p><p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-43cyqNJvl9s/T0wwesuuhyI/AAAAAAAALtE/piXgR4xAABw/s1600-h/ScreenShot027%25255B5%25255D.jpg"></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2