Okay, figuring it was a bandwidth problem yesterday morning, I tried it again now, 0650 EDT on a Sat morning.  Still crap.  I'm getting a half second break every half second.  I'm not watching it.

Bloom, I've just been looking the last couple days for a denim dress with a zipper like that - and you made it.  Thank you!  

I'm on DSL and that video is unwatchable.  If you're on dial-up, don't even bother to try.  If you have less than a T-1 connection, don't waste your time.

I wonder if the game play will be about the same...

While I'm being negative ... Oh, I know, EA is my friend!  EA is my buddy!  

This was a news article at scifi.com's fidgit this morning.

Electronic Arts promises investors to nickle and dime Spore players

In case you were worried that Electronic Arts hadn't learned anything from its ongoing attempts to balkanize The Sims 2 with eight expansion packs, nine "stuff" packs, and online micropayments for meaningless shreds of content, fret no more! They have indeed learned something and they'll be putting it into practice with Spore. They've learned that you're not going to do a damn thing about it.

Speaking in an investors' conference call, [CEO John Riccitiello] said he'd be keen to "monetise, if you will, body parts, plant parts, car parts and planets as a way to generate incremental revenue on an installed base of several million active users".

Oh, yes, your version is so much prettier, like it's been blow-dried and styled.  Just perfect, I love it!  Thank you!  

I'll believe that when I see it, and I'm willing to bet it's not true.

Pretty, pretty, pretty hair for guys!  Thank you!  

While reading the TSR first preview of the Sims 3 a few things jumped out at me.

The first thing, in just the third paragraph, made my blood run cold:  "anything at all to do with custom content was taboo this time around. Obviously very much more solid detail will be released nearer the 2009 release and later this year when custom content is finalised and work starts on building out the tools."    So they don't even want to talk about custom content, that's nice.  And, they're going to tack on something for it at the end.  Definately not a high priority.

"Wishes replace wants" -- that's like saying happy replaces glad.

"Young adult is the new default age and is changed to represent life between 18 and 30 years. Adult now considered more 'middle age' and includes wrinkles." -- WHAT???   That's going to change the way most designers create textures, I'm sure.  (If we're still able to make custom clothes, anyway...)

"No Loading when changing Lots or families, as the simulator is running for all Sims, all the time." -- this isn't news about Sims 3, it's just the part I hate the most.

And this one - Difficulty levels per family (suggest how hard a family is to play based on personalities etc) -- What the ?  Difficulty levels?  In the sims?  It's not that kind of game!!!  What's next, scores?  Time limits?  "Little Jimmy has 5 minutes to catch a fish or he fails math and stays back a year."

The graveyard has been down for what seems like several months.  Last I heard they had a virus that shut them down.

Does anyone know what's going on with Bienes/Sims2 Fashion?  They've been down for maintenance for weeks.

It sounds like you're using an old shortcut to BodyShop.  You need to be using the BodyShop for the newest EP/SP you've loaded which I guess would be Ikea Home stuff.  Try using your Windows Start button to get to All Programs, EA Games, The Sims2 Ikea Home Stuff, The Sims2 BodyShop and click on that link.  If it works, you can make a new shortcut from it.

Wow, this is beyond cool ... so many options!  Thank you very much!  

EAxis has pulled this bait and switch before.  Their first videos of "Sims2" made us all think it would start as one big combination of House Party, Livin' Large, Hot Date, Unleashed, Vacation, and Making Magic.

(giggling and blushing) Thanks gp!  

Thanks, Bloom!  I'm going to have those skirts posted at Simmergirl before too long.  I've just been doing more making stuff than uploading stuff lately.

Well, yes, you did put shorts on that template, but you don't want folks to get the idea that it's not a skirt - with the right skinning, it's definitely a skirt!