Away From Home

Studio Time Update

gfitz — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 00:15:00 GMT

Long time since I posted a story update here. We're still writing believe it or not. This chapter was particularly emotional.

Always in collaboration with skyburned

Studio Time: Chapter Forty Eight

It's Been A While

gfitz — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 17:32:03 GMT

I thought it might make sense to post something here so it doesn't look like I've abandoned this journal. Have a pic of Randi Taylor.

Quiet Time

gfitz — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 21:14:24 GMT

~ taking a break ~

Blast from the Past ~ Blogthings

gfitz — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:29:15 GMT

The first time I did this meme, I was The Star.

You Are The Fool

You are a fascinating person who is way beyond the concerns of this world.

Young at heart, you are blissfully unaware of any dangers ahead.

You are a true wanderer - it has be difficult finding your place in this world.

Full of confidence, you are likely to take a leap of faith.

Your fortune:

You are about to embark on a new phase in your life.

This may mean changing locations, jobs, friends, or love status.

You are open about what the future will bring, and free of worry.

You have made your peace with fate, and you're ready to start down your new path.

What Tarot Card Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Writer's Block: Daylight Saving Time

gfitz — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:19:02 GMT

If I had one more hour in the day, I would choose an hour when everything is quiet, either early morning or late at night and when everything around me is hushed. I would listen to the quiet, absorb it, close my eyes and create something in my imagination - a story, an idea. I would sit with my notebook and pencil and free write. I would take my camera and find something in that hour that speaks to me and I would try to capture it since I may never find it again.

Most of all, I would try to find peace in that hour where the world's pressures and stresses cannot touch me.

Update at Studio Time

gfitz — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:41:23 GMT

Chapter 17 is posted. Be warned of language, adult situations and explicit erotic images displayed in the background. If it bothers you, don't read.

We could not come up with a decent prompt for this one so we decided not to put it up at simfic50. Who knows what we will do with the next one.

As always, Studio Time is a collaboration, not just done by one person but by both myself and starling_1

Thanks for supporting us through these last few years. We are glad to be back.

Seek and Ye Shall Find

gfitz — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:37:43 GMT

I read somewhere, either at GoS or on someone's (possibly Pooklet) journal about having only 10 skin files as opposed to the 40ish that you get when you recolor a skin. I don't know if that is making any sense at all but I am looking to recolor some skins for personal use and would like to know if anyone knows or remembers how that is done. I think that YA, Adult and elder share a skintone? I may be getting that wrong but if there is someone out there who knows what I am talking about, can you point me on the right path?

Also, there was a tutorial about using simPE to create the darker skin tones and avoid the pixel problem. I could use a point in the right direction there as well.

We are getting close to an update for Studio Time. Not sure how soon but soonish.

Studio Time Announcement

gfitz — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:46:16 GMT

Fireflies from Remy ~ for Beth

Studio Time is going on a temporary hiatus. As most of you know this is a story that Beth and I collaborate on. We are both struggling right now with real life issues as well as game issues. Unfortunately, the desire to continually produce frequent updates that are fresh, lush, and unique is taking its toll on both of us.

It has been particularly hard on Beth who has had to take the majority of the shots because my game cannot manage the sets right now. The stress of interpreting the writing into a shot, finding and mapping poses, getting the sets to look stunning (no one does it like she can) - the list goes on. It is too much.

Therefore, the story is going on hiatus until things ease up. This could be brief or it could be longer. Once the pressure has lifted a little and things are on a more even keel, we will be back, I promise. And the updates will (hopefully) be better than ever.

We appreciate your understanding and your support. Please don't give up on us, we just need a vacation.

~ Thanks

P.S. Cross-posted everywhere

Meme - Ugly Post is Ugly

gfitz — Sat, 07 May 2011 17:54:50 GMT

Snagged from saozinha

Take the Quiz here!

You are Marianne Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! You are impulsive, romantic, impatient, and perhaps a bit too brutally honest. You enjoy romantic poetry and novels, and play the pianoforte beautifully. To boot, your singing voice is captivating. You feel deeply, and love passionately.

Birthday Wishes

gfitz — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:42:42 GMT

In honor of starling_1 whose birthday is today. These are wishes from her many friends. Beth, you are a good friend, supportive, inspiring and always there for everyone no matter what life throws at you. This is our way to say thanks for the gifts you give to us.

Also posted at Blogger

"Birthday - Wishes - Our wish for you" (1 - 3)

"Happy Birthday Beth! Wishing you vibrant life, lots of laughter, and more love than you can stand." ~ Muzegoddess (4)

"Wishing Beth, many more years, filled with sunshine." ~ Tanja (5)

“This year I wish for you all the serenity you desire and all the love and warmth you deserve.” ~ Goodbye_Sun (6 - 7)

“My very best wishes for Beth’s birthday: Beth is a very supportive blog buddy, always comments and visits my blog, and offers encouragement in all my endeavors. Hard to believe 4 years have passed since we met through the Sims. Hope we all continue to find enjoyment in the stories, the process, the writing, the sharing.” ~ Drew (8)

My Wish for Beth:

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler. Long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
But as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black;
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
But knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Someday ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference."
~Robert Frost

Beth, I cannot possibly know all that you have endured this past year, but I do know some. And with what I know, I have seen you become even stronger then you already are. You are a strong, good, and kind woman. You are always generous and ready to help, offering words of faith and support and love. You are a true angel, a beacon of kindness and bright light. I wish for you to let that light shine as you set out on a new Life Path. It may be rough around the edges, with branches that may trip you or snag at the hem of your clothes at first, but it will be new, and less traveled... and hopefully, that will be the difference for you, and lead you on to sunnier, greener pastures. Happy Birthday dear Beth. ~ Christi (9)

“Wishing you all of the happiness that you deserve. Wishing you many more candles to come. Happy birthday.” ~ Christina (10 - 11)

“I wish Beth a very happy birthday, happiness, and peace.” ~ Qui (12)

“May you be able to travel to all the places you want to see." ~ KelseyPinkShoe (13)

"May the rest of your year be filled with love, laughter, and play." ~ The Lunar Fox (14)

“Calm amongst whatever storms life may bring, a shimmering bubble filled with good wishes.
Happy Birthday.” ~ Genlisae (15)

“Beth, I hope you have a great birthday and an even better year. May you find joy in even the most unexpected places.” ~ Saoz (16)

"For all her days to be filled with smiles and laughter." ~ Mela/Simtopi (17)

"I hope Beth wakes up with a smile on her face everyday! ^^ " ~ Ning/Collidingwithme (18)

“Wishing you laughter and a huge smile,
That will last longer, than just a little while.” ~ Lucid Dreams (19)

“My wish for Beth is to be completely happy and comfortable. I know that you're going through a tough time personally but I hope that you continue writing and find happiness again. I hope that you continue being part of this lovely writing community I've stumbled upon. I hope that your next year is one of growth and excitement and immense happiness. I hope you have a very happy birthday, dear and many more with love from friends and family.” ~ Chocobeans (20)

“A quote: ‘Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.’ - Khalil Gibran” ~ Lepifera (21)

“Treat yourself and take it easy.” ~ Rachel (22)

“My birthday wish for Beth is joy.” ~ Carla (23)

“You don't know how amazing you are.” ~ Rad (24)

“That life might lift you
back up, not to where you were,
but higher, not to what you've known,
but what you haven't, yet,
like you were only biding time
before you really began.” ~ Laura (25)

“My birthday wish for Beth is Joy.” ~ Emily (26)

“The peace of simple joys and clear pathways through life.” ~ Veron (27)

“For Beth's birthday, I wish her boundless inspiration in the upcoming year, the energy and the thrill of music, grand romantic gestures and also, the kind of shoes that mean business.” ~ Penelope (28 - 31)

“There are a lot of things I wish for my friends, but if I had to choose one wish for Beth, I think it would simply be for some peace. She's been through hell and back this past while and nobody deserves that, and certainly not someone as kind and selfless as she is. So... that would be my wish for her.” ~ Van (32)

“Beth, I wish you happiness and health on your birthday. May your day be full of whatever laughter, family and friends (and cake!) Wishing you all the best! Hugs and Happiness” ~*Phoenix (33 - 34)

"I wish you...friendship, love and light ever-present, continuous and neverending. Happy Birthday!" ~ gayl (35)

Quandry

gfitz — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 03:00:40 GMT

So if you PM a creator asking for permission to modify a mesh (which of course I cannot do but would have to ask for it to be done) and they never reply but their TOU says not to modify their meshes...what is the protocol there?

Meme for a Rainy Day

gfitz — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 23:57:15 GMT

tagged by kittykat2010 for this meme.

The rules:
1. People who have been tagged must write the answers on their blog and replace any question they dislike with a new, original question.
2. Tag eight people. Don't refuse to do that. Don't tag who tagged you.

Sorry if you have already been tagged and I missed it...

goodbye_sun , starling_1 , glitterenvy , dinuriel , phoenixfg , maonao , muzegoddess

1. Make a list of 5 things that you can see without getting up:
Notebook, windows, Ozzy, books, dresser. (assuning that means while I’m in bed)

2. How do you style your hair?
long, wavy unless I blow-dry it, wash and wear

3. What are you wearing now?
Black t-shirt and jeans

4. What's your occupation?
Systems analyst

5. What do you hear right now?
Heavy rain

6. Who was the last person you hugged?
My sons

7. What is/was for dinner?
I don’t recall eating dinner last night. Tonight I’m not sure

8. What did you do today?
Worked

9. Dog person or cat person?
Both. Currently have a cat because they are low maintenance

10. If you had to change your name, what would you change it to?
Amber Skye (just kidding; I probably wouldn’t)

11. What was the last thing that you bought?
Coffee this morning at Starbuck’s

12. If you could afford to go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand…anywhere my heart desired

13. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Six feet under. Or not. Seriously I have no idea where I will be in five days

14. Where's your birthmark?
One just below my right breast on my rib cage. Shaped a little like a heart

15. What are you doing this weekend?
Working, sleeping and hopefully writing

16. Which book are you reading at the moment?
I am working through the Amber Series

17. The last movie you've seen?
Wow…I do not go to the movies…I can’t recall

18. What are you doing tomorrow?
Sleeping (hopefully) and writing. And cleaning the pig sty that is my bathroom

19. New years resolution? What would you like to do better? or just stop doing.
I’m going to work on my photography and writing.

Crash-Bang Update and Some Thoughts

gfitz — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 02:43:48 GMT

First of all, thank you to everyone who offered suggestions and support for my game crashing issue. It has been relatively stable although I still get the random crash (don't we all) and I am still weeding out CC (and adding more).

I've taken on a project which I will admit is way over my head but I am going to attempt it anyway. Back in the day Louis skins were all that...and several of our characters are in Louis skins. I am sure I don't need to point out that there are some amazing, smooth, clean and gorgeous skins out there now and they put those Louis skins (which I will have to admit have been run through enough times to degrade the quality) to shame. My mission is to clean those pixels up. Please don't get me wrong, I am not criticizing Louis skins, I just think they have gone through Body Shop so many times that they deteriorated.

I followed a tutorial by pooklet that was a huge help however the base skins don't improve much and in fact bring out the flaws. I have tried newer skins but, because of changes in nose masks and lips, it changes the look of the Sim. Thanks to witheredlilies suggestion (amaryll over on GoS) I have been blending the features. However I realized that my default skintones are...wait for it...Louis. I bring this up because I noticed that those gorgeous new skins seem to have the same issues as the ones I tried to blend and I am fairly certain that it should not look like that. I'm curious as to whether or not the default skintones will affect how recolors and other skins appear.

I'm going to experiment with some different defaults (and hope I don't break any sims in the process) to see what happens. First, though I need to finish those teen tunics for dinuriel

Starting the New Year with a Crash-Bang

gfitz — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 20:58:49 GMT

I've been struggling with game crashes for the better part of the year, that year being the one on which we just closed the books. Awhile back I installed the Anygame Starter and have been using it to test CC and weed out the offending items. I got the Downloads folder stable albeit still far too full. But no crashes. I moved this Downloads folder into my regular game. Catalog crashes and lot crashes ensued.

What causes this is beyond my ability to understand. Corrupt houses? Corrupt character files? It's odd because this is a brand new NB with brand new character files. I even moved the NB folder into the Anygame directory. It still crashed.

I wish I knew how to read the crash reports. Maybe some insight into what or why would help me fix it. I don't know where to go for help. I've done all the usual things, weeding out using the 50/50 rule etc. but now that I have a downloads folder that is stable everywhere but in my actual game, where else do I look?

I don't know if anyone who reads this has words of wisdom. I am so tempted to post this in a forum that is well known but honestly fear the tongue lashing I might get. I've searched. I've tried all the usual things.

Long Time No See

gfitz — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:43:34 GMT

I am very bad about posting. For those who don't know we started the next progression of Sessions called Studio Time.

Read the first post here -> Studio Time: One

Read the current post here -> Studio Time: Two

Because I have nothing better to do

gfitz — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 02:14:50 GMT

I have been wanting to do this for a long time. The project will take some time but, in my never-ending quest for realism, I need to genetically alter these eyes. So if you go by the rule of thumb that Brown/dark blue is dominant and green/gray/light blue is recessive and that there could be something in between I have scientifically labeled these eyes. And by scientific I mean I sat here with T and a Bombay and tonic and arbitrarily picked.

Dominant = 1
Recessive = 2
Somewhere in between = 1.5

If you would change these values on the eyes below from what I have indicated what would you do?

where for art thou

gfitz — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:56:55 GMT

X-Posted at Blogger

I am looking for is some decent athletic (workout) outfits and undies for men. Particularly workout clothes. What I have is either shoeless due to sexy feet borking the Maxis meshes, is old and crappy looking, or has odd shadows on the legs that make my sim men look like they forgot to bathe or have an exotic disease. I looked on MTS and...meh. I really don't know where else to try. There is always a ton for women but not for men so please point me to a good place to look?

To Re-install or Not to Re-install

gfitz — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:02:12 GMT

That is the question...

X-Post from my Blogger verbatim

I decided I am going to install Mansions and Gardens this weekend. That in itself is not a huge deal. The huge deal is that when I installed my game the last time I used Clean/Empty templates and made sure that my install was SecuROM free. I launch my game with a No CD crack. I do remember reading somewhere that if you install something new, either the templates or something needs to be put back from the original install. Maybe it was the NBs. I know for sure I need to remove the crack until the install is complete.

Suffice it to say I cannot find the files. OK I have the original executable files that the crack replaces. I can't find the original NB files. I swear I saw them recently. I really did.

I have all the steps necessary were I to completely install from scratch or I can take my chances on hosing my existing install and having to re-install from scratch anyway. What to do...what to do...

I could search forums to see if there are tips or advice out there. However the time it takes to search and read 452 pages worth of posts and scan and kill my shoulders might be best spent just biting the bullet and doing it right?

Sessions Update - Scars and Souvenirs

gfitz — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:41:54 GMT

New update at Sessions -> Chapter 32 Call Your Name

Small WCIF-ish Question

gfitz — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:20:14 GMT

So I have this pose box by Ang, the one that you can read books. It comes with accessories. Can't find them. Anyone know where the accessory books can be found?

Also, paintings for the floor, paintings that lean against the wall rather. I've seen them. No idea where they come from or where they are in the catalog.

Character Study: Ryan - A 10 Things Meme

gfitz — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:20:24 GMT

As requested by starling_1 and phoenixfg I have put up Ryan's 10 Things. This was like pulling teeth since Ryan is already very private and reluctant to discuss himself much. I added his mosaic to it as well and may do so with the other ones I put up. Not really sure yet.

Again, I am not going to tag anymore storytellers and please, PLEASE if you tagged one of mine and I missed it let me know so I can do it.

Link takes you to Blogger -> Character Study - Ryan McDermott

Cat and Mouse

gfitz — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 23:52:34 GMT

One day I will learn to organize things in a way that helps me find them again down the road...that day however is not today. I've been smiling at the recent cat pictures and decided to put a couple up of Ozzy. I was looking in particular for a shot of him in a shoe box...still looking for it and when I find it I will put it up but in the meantime here is my boy.

He loves the alien, I think because it is always so warm. I have to clean it out constantly thanks to the cat hair.

Cat and Mouse

I had completely forgotten about this one...

Chapter 27 and 28 of Sessions

gfitz — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:42:39 GMT

Gah, I keep forgetting to update here. I am SO BAD about that! We have put up two more updates to Sessions. Things are getting more tense now.

Following the shock of seeing his wife in front of an adult video store in a seedy building with rooms for rent, Cooper reacts and gets more than he bargains for.

Sessions 27 - Not Meant To Be

Moving right into the next section of this arc. The storm takes a turn for the worse.
I don't usually post warnings. Anyone who follows our work should know by now that we write an adult story. However, aside from language, I'm not sure when the last time was that we include other adult situations. For that reason I will mention that this piece includes strong sexual behavior.

Sessions 28 - Closer

Character Study - Tagged by Muzegoddess and Dinuriel

gfitz — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 20:29:25 GMT

This character study was requested by muzegoddess and dinuriel. I was also tagged by starling_1 and phoenixfg to do one for Ryan (and it is about half done) so I hope to finish it soon. You can read Cadence's 10 things HERE. Link takes you to the post in Blogger.

I am not going to tag anyone else since this has gone around a lot. I did want to tag some of the fascinating characters from the imagination of goodbye_sun but since she is waylaid with an injured digit, I am refraining from adding to her stress.

And since I am behind on my reading, if you have tagged me and I have not mentioned it here, please give me a poke. I am on vacation for a week so I might actually have time to finish them.

Carrying a Torch

gfitz — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:51:44 GMT

Ryan sure does cut a fine figure of a man does he not? We have a new update as Sessions, wonderfully written by starling_1 despite the fact that she is not feeling well at all.

You can read it here -> Sessions 26 - Torch