District of Wenzel | Update 116 - (Ouisconsin County) Morgan Town: Rival to the South

[wwetom1 831]

Great industrial areas! They look great.

Congrats on the #1 spot!

[coolwiththecool2 827]

Nice job, to me, these look a little more lower middle class, expect for the last few...l.....l

[dfnva 34]

Great updates, keep up the great work! I particularly like the change in character as one heads west on Fort Orangeport Dr from the wide park-filled avenue to the small undivided 4-land road. The map is great too, I like having the smaller map to orient myself in your updates.

-Dan

[Morlow 23]

packersfan - what parking lots are those around the stadium and in other screenshots? They are very nice!

[packersfan 667]

Great industrial areas! They look great.

Congrats on the #1 spot!

Thanks, you guys make it happen by stopping by.

Nice job, to me, these look a little more lower middle class, expect for the last few...l.....l

Yeah, the City of Martin is a lot more middle class.

Great updates, keep up the great work! I particularly like the change in character as one heads west on Fort Orangeport Dr from the wide park-filled avenue to the small undivided 4-land road. The map is great too, I like having the smaller map to orient myself in your updates.

-Dan

Thanks. Yeah, Fort Orangeport Drive definitely changes when it enters the Village of Hohler.

packersfan - what parking lots are those around the stadium and in other screenshots? They are very nice!

I use

Update 80 - South Mayers Road: Fort Orangeport Dr to Axelrod Ave

Today we take a "drive" south on Mayers Road, the border of the City of Martin and the Village of Hohler between Fort Orangeport Drive and Mulholland Avenue.

Milwaukee-style apartments line Mayers Road.

Butler Mayers High School

Albany Middle School

Albany Neighborhood by day.

Albany Neighborhood at evening.

You are here.

Here is another "drive". Been working on the northside of the city while also busy with school. Hope you enjoy this update.

Check out the District of Wenzel Street Map to get an idea where we are.

[vivapanda 422]

W Netherland Avenue YAY!

This update summarises exactly how I imagine the suburban Mid-West to looks like!

[coolwiththecool2 827]

love valentine ave./netherland ave pic! looks like it just rained too

[packersfan 667]

Replies to Your Comments:

W Netherland Avenue YAY!

This update summarises exactly how I imagine the suburban Mid-West to looks like!

Thanks. That is my goal.

love valentine ave./netherland ave pic! looks like it just rained too

Really, it looks like it rained...I've tried for that effect before and having it look cloudy. Interesting you think it looks like it rained, cool!

Update 81 - TRINITY: Northside Ring Suburb

Today we check out Trinity, a very green and suburban ring town just north of Clement Avenue and I-55. We will check out the main drag through the eastern edge of Trinity, Trinity Boulevard, next time. Today we look at the area around Frontier Road and the passenger rail line that runs through the heart of Trinity.

Amazing houses from JMyers and Mattb325. Thanks, you guys are awesome.

Awesome condos from Mattb325. Thanks!!!

First Trinity Church, first church in the suburb of Trinity.

So much green in Trinity.

You are here.

I downloaded an excellent set of houses from JMyers, low wealth, which really spruce up the low-wealth housing with more realism. Mattb325 made those excellent condos that really help fill in the city.

Check out the District of Wenzel Street Map to get an idea where we are.

[Charlie_Zane 963]

The suburbs look amazing, so realistic!

The cemetery looks great too!

Looks like some kids had a bit to much toilet paper, along Stowe Ct! In the 4th pic from the top! haha

[Benedict 3,119]

Great new update. I was wondering what the F and T represent on the map?

[SimCoug 5,977]

I agree, Mattb and jmyers have created some awesome looking houses, and you have put them to good use in this update.

[packersfan 667]

Replies to Your Comments:

The suburbs look amazing, so realistic!

The cemetery looks great too!

Looks like some kids had a bit to much toilet paper, along Stowe Ct! In the 4th pic from the top! haha

Thanks. Yeah, those cool little tidbits they stuck in SC4!

Great new update. I was wondering what the F and T represent on the map?

Those are county highways

I agree, Mattb and jmyers have created some awesome looking houses, and you have put them to good use in this update.

Yeah, they really make things less monotonous.

Update 82 - TRINITY: Trinity Grand Mall

Merry Christmas Eve! Nice how this worked out; today we check out Trinity Grand Mall and so far there have been no drunk Santas at Trinity Grand.

Trinity Grand Mall

Trinity Amusement Park

You are here.

Merry Christmas. Was super excited last night booking flights for my girlfriend and I to America. She got her travel visa. But I have hit a road bump with the tickets. Picked a bad website it seems and they are struggling to verify my identity and credit card and trying to charge me fees for the delay, sigh. It slipped my mind to cross-check the flight plan on Orbitz and I could have gotten the same deal there with no hassles...Sorry, I strayed Orbitz, I love you.

Check out the District of Wenzel Street Map to get an idea where we are.

[coolwiththecool2 827]

Nice update! Your neighborhoods have even more trees than mine! And like how you used those diagonal roads

[packersfan 667]

Applying for a U.S. Travel Visa of My Girlfriend

I'm disappointed by the lack of comments, but oh well. Here is a little bump post, haha. I've noticed other people (popular journals) include some real life interludes in their thread, so here is mine. The last few weeks have been stressful to say the least. Wing, my girlfriend, applied for her U.S. travel visa, we had "Christmas" at school, and booking flights was a little bit of a nightmare this time around.

First, applying for a U.S. travel visa in China is daunting and nerve-wracking with all the recommendations and information from the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai making it seem like an impossibility. Throw in all the rumors from Chinese people, Wing's most trusted experts on the matter, and needless to say it was rough.

We had to gather up $16,000 to put in her bank account before the bank would give her a statement to use for the visa interview. She was also under the impression she must have this much money to even be considered for the visa. Turns out it is just a rumor. We finally went to the Consulate on December 17. She had to stand in line outside before being admitted inside the mall and the actual consulate. All her items were in order, so she was able to begin the interview right away. The officer asked her why she wanted to go to America: Travel. He then saw that she was an English teacher. He asked in English how long she had been teaching: two years. Scan a little more of the online application document. Congratulations, you have a U.S. travel visa. She never provided any evidence to satisfy the burden of proof that she will not immigrate. All that unnecessary hard work.

WING STANDING IN LINE TO BE ADMITTED TO THE EIGHTH FLOOR

STRANGE STANDING BEHIND A MALL TO BE ADMITTED INTO A U.S. CONSULATE

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN SHANGHAI

One problem down. Next time, Christmas at DDDragon English...the most unorganized, un-Christmas like time of year.

[snakeboy 2]

Hi packersfan, I have been following your CJ for quite a while now, enjoying it thoroughly. Somehow you manage to capture the essence of city building. I find it really interesting since you don´t seem to lose yourself in details with mmp´s, or get overly realistic with RHM, GLR or rail transitions, etc, but it still comes across as the most realistic city I have ever seen. It looks so simple, but only deceptively so. I have been trying to imitate some stuff, but every time I have to exit and stare at your work again to find out how you make it work, and realise how well everything is placed and thought out. Must have taken years of staring at maps and building to get that natural flow! I hope you stay inspired to go on, and 'finish' this masterpiece one day.

[packersfan 667]

Nice update! Your neighborhoods have even more trees than mine! And like how you used those diagonal roads

Thanks, really embracing the trees, haha.

Hi packersfan, I have been following your CJ for quite a while now, enjoying it thoroughly. Somehow you manage to capture the essence of city building. I find it really interesting since you don´t seem to lose yourself in details with mmp´s, or get overly realistic with RHM, GLR or rail transitions, etc, but it still comes across as the most realistic city I have ever seen. It looks so simple, but only deceptively so. I have been trying to imitate some stuff, but every time I have to exit and stare at your work again to find out how you make it work, and realise how well everything is placed and thought out. Must have taken years of staring at maps and building to get that natural flow! I hope you stay inspired to go on, and 'finish' this masterpiece one day.

Yeah, I wish my realism was better, but there are limitations in SimCity and I'm not an expert or even very familiar with lot editor, etc. I work with what I have and it somehow turns out alright. Just a lot of referencing to google maps and earth and real life experience. Good luck!

Update 83 - JEFFERSON: Newberg's Creek and Fremont Pocket

Now we are on the other side North I-55 on the northeast side of the City of Jefferson. The extreme northeast area contains a few subdivisions in between Newberg's Creek, I-55, railroad, and N-45. South of West Monticello Drive and west of North 16th Street is a little pocket of the City of Martin called Fremont Pocket.

Little subdivision tucked in between the railroad, West Virginia Road, N-45, and Newberg's Creek. Not the greatest location, though, as planes are on approach to Martin Municipal Airport.

Old section of the City of Jefferson.

Anna Clara Junior High School part of the Jefferson Trinity Unified School District

Hobson Community Church

Subdivision in between Lampson Avenue, I-55, and Newberg's Creek.

Fremont Pocket. JMyers created these incredible low-wealth houses. Thanks!

You are here.

Hope you enjoyed this update. Filled in the gaps between the City of Martin, City of Jefferson, and the City of Trinity. It is a little difficult to fill in between N-45, the railroad, and I-55, especially north of Virginia Road.

Check out the District of Wenzel Street Map to get an idea where we are.

[vivapanda 422]

I recently read a similar story from a women applying for a visum into the Schengen Zone from the UAE. Quite a horrible beaurocratic story, she had to start fill in a 101 questions paper, and so on.

Great suburbs, very green an peaceful

[snakeboy 2]

Yeah, I wish my realism was better, but there are limitations in SimCity and I'm not an expert or even very familiar with lot editor, etc. I work with what I have and it somehow turns out alright. Just a lot of referencing to google maps and earth and real life experience. Good luck!

O but I actually think those limitations work in your advantage. Realism is a tricky thing: the more details you start using, like with mmp's, often the less real it looks because it somehow turns attention to the artificiality of it all. It also detracts from the harmony and order of textures. It's nice to make one tableau with, one still life, but it hardly works when creating an entire metropolis from scratch like you are doing. Also, that's why I think the new simcity will disappoint, apart from everything else that is disappointing so far, because it's 3d functionality will render it less realistic and more fake. The nice thing about the isometric projection of sc4 is that it has an inherent order and harmony, and thus beauty to the eye. It has the pleasing quality that is typical for miniatures, and in that sense I think you take sc4 to a stunning new height, by capturing the essence of complete regional city building. That's pretty brilliant, often leaving things out is more important than what you put in.

Woops, sry for the wall of text, just trying to put my admiration into words. All the best for Martin County in 2013!

[coolwiththecool2 827]

nice job

[Fox 1,444]

Great update.. loved the tour of the suburbs.

The regional picture at the end looks amazing.

[wwetom1 831]

Wow, wow, wow.

The cemetery, the power lines, creek, and especially the suburbs look amazing!

Excellent job, I'm looking forward to the next update!

[tshirt23 75]

Great update! Your cj was one of the first ones I really got into, and its still my favorite keep it up!

[SimCoug 5,977]

Wow, I've been away for too long. I'm glad the visa worked out. I really think your MMP work has improved greatly, especially from the looks of the last update. Great work, and I'm looking forward to a new year of DOW updates.

[simlink 1,098]

Nice little personal interlude, glad everything worked out. I have no clue why I haven't been commenting here recently - fantastic work though! Your lush greenery surrounding development is superb. I'm definitely envious of your skill.

[Jack³ 291]

I absolutely admire your work. You must have put so much time and effort into this. Great job.

[Benedict 3,119]

Congratulations! (#5 on the Top 100 for 2012)

[packersfan 667]

Replies to Your Comments:

vivapanda: I recently read a similar story from a women applying for a visum into the Schengen Zone from the UAE. Quite a horrible beaurocratic story, she had to start fill in a 101 questions paper, and so on.

Great suburbs, very green an peaceful

Yeah, the visa turned out to be quite easy...surprising considering all the stuff on the Consulate website and all the rumors from her Chinese contacts. Yup, a little more peaceful than the City of Martin.

snakeboy: O but I actually think those limitations work in your advantage. Realism is a tricky thing: the more details you start using, like with mmp's, often the less real it looks because it somehow turns attention to the artificiality of it all. It also detracts from the harmony and order of textures. It's nice to make one tableau with, one still life, but it hardly works when creating an entire metropolis from scratch like you are doing. Also, that's why I think the new simcity will disappoint, apart from everything else that is disappointing so far, because it's 3d functionality will render it less realistic and more fake. The nice thing about the isometric projection of sc4 is that it has an inherent order and harmony, and thus beauty to the eye. It has the pleasing quality that is typical for miniatures, and in that sense I think you take sc4 to a stunning new height, by capturing the essence of complete regional city building. That's pretty brilliant, often leaving things out is more important than what you put in.

Woops, sry for the wall of text, just trying to put my admiration into words. All the best for Martin County in 2013!

Yeah, SC2013 seems a step back in realistic look, though the game engine might prove to be an upgrade. I feel the drawbacks on my realism is that I don't spend time relotting to get the perfect flow for parking lots or driveways, etc, like a guy like Mr. Beer did very very well. Thanks for the thumbs up, though!

TayMay27: nice job

Thanks

Fox: Great update.. loved the tour of the suburbs.

The regional picture at the end looks amazing.

Thank you. This is just the START of suburbs...not even full-on suburbia yet.

wwetom1: Wow, wow, wow.

The cemetery, the power lines, creek, and especially the suburbs look amazing!

Excellent job, I'm looking forward to the next update!

Thanks, I get some things right, haha.

tshirt23: Great update! Your cj was one of the first ones I really got into, and its still my favorite keep it up!

Thank you. Glad you follow me!

SimCoug: Wow, I've been away for too long. I'm glad the visa worked out. I really think your MMP work has improved greatly, especially from the looks of the last update. Great work, and I'm looking forward to a new year of DOW updates.

Thanks, definitely trying to spice things up and cover things up with MMPS.

sim_link: Nice little personal interlude, glad everything worked out. I have no clue why I haven't been commenting here recently - fantastic work though! Your lush greenery surrounding development is superb. I'm definitely envious of your skill.

I'm envious of your style! Thanks.

jack3oh3: I absolutely admire your work. You must have put so much time and effort into this. Great job.

I wonder how much time I put into this compared to others around here. I'm not sure if I put more or less. Thanks.

Benedict: Congratulations! (#5 on the Top 100 for 2012)

Thank you very much. Thanks everyone who helped this journal move up one spot in the Top 100! When I think about that, I'm a little surprised considering the massive pushes I had at the 50th Update and everything, but nonetheless, +1 spot is never a bad move!

Update 84 - JEFFERSON: A New Year's Overview

One more look at the City of Jefferson before we head back down to the South Side. Jefferson has expanded rapidly during its fifty year history. Along with the City of Trinity, Jefferson seems intent on halting the expansion of the City of Martin northward. Trinity and Jefferson are further linked by the Jefferson Trinity Unified School District. As of this update Jefferson has a population of approximately 17,000.

Above: Jefferson High School (JTUSD), home of the Tigercats.

Below: Early Jefferson forming around the intersection of Sussex Pike (future D15/N45) and Grove Street (soon renamed Monticello Road and eventually Monticello Drive).

Thirty years later Jefferson spread significantly as factories rose alongside the railroad.

Today, Jefferson is directly adjacent to the City of Martin with the city line at Fremont Road.

Expansion has slowed, especially to the north, though the City of Jefferson and the City of Martin are racing to annex land to the north around Martin Municipal Airport.

Intersection of North 8th Street / Main Street (D15/N45) and West Fremont Road (County Highway F).

Downtown Jefferson

Erie Park

West Monticello Drive headed west out of downtown towards Trinity

Jefferson Body Plant: one of the first large businesses to open up shop in Jefferson along the railroad.

You are here.

Hope you enjoyed another North Side update. Next time I will either tour the Martin County Park System or head down to the City of Hawthorne on the South Side. The map has been update to reflect some work I did on the South Side a while ago.

Check out the District of Wenzel Street Map to get an idea where we are.

[Charlie_Zane 963]

Your suburbs are just beautiful!

[wwetom1 831]

Wow! I love those mosaics

[vivapanda 422]

I like the subtle editing you apply to every picture.

Magnficent suburban scenes and side information!