Anduin Valley Revisited

[jacqulina 162]

hiya john,hows you my friend,yes there is so much you can do in this game,a lot more if time is taken to do it.i love what you have been doing along those shore lines,excellent terraforming.and your coves and the details along the shores are awesome.i allways have loved your cj and the work you do.im building towns lol at mo,im not to good at that but giving it a good go lol.wonderfull pics.

take care

[Haljackey 17,398]

Wow, nice pic John! Its neat to see that although you level the ground, you leave room for some hills and whatnot. I've never seen planning like that, and it gives me some ideas as well.

Looking forward to an update, and congrats on your Trixie as well!

Best,

-Haljackey

[GMT 389]

very nice very nice very nice and so on and so forth...

Love the step-by-step development around the coit uhm... monument ;-)

Didn't you win a trixie lately?

congrats on this and... uhm... yes, waiting for a trixie-dedicated update :-P

[sobol 1]

Hey John,

I can totally agree about the car. My wife loved the Impreza and hated a better equipped Legacy. Funny thing, the cars were almost identical. I liked the Impreza as well. Anyways, we are getting some snow again, and it looks to be really cooling down here as well. We had a couple of days in the 30's and two in the 40's. THough apparently our local groundhog Molly.. has decreed that we will have 6 more weeks of winte.r. and the gods decided to humour her.

I am looking forward to the update.

[deathtopumpkins 43]

Mmm.... can't wait to see that new area developed! Looks nicely planned, and I see some FAR usage!

[dedgren 830]

Happy Fourth Anniversary, AVR! John, something tells me you have a keeper here, eh? Or maybe give it a bit longer...

This is the Ur-City Journal, folks. Everything you could want to see in one (except explosions- I don't think John does explosions) is here in these last 172 pages. It just doesn't get any better than this.

David

[metarvo 711]

I figure I'll go ahead and join the AVR Anniversary celebration, too.  Congratulations, John!  I have heard so many good things about AVR that I just couldn't stay away any longer.

[Haljackey 17,398]

AVR turned 4th? I'll have to post again just for that to congratulate you for that!

4 years in and still going strong. That's an incredible feat! Anyways happy aniversary and I hope you enjoy your day!

Best,

-Haljackey

[threestooges 0]

John,

It's been far too long. I hope all is well. I was browsing through 3RR at SC4D when David mentioned AVR's fourth anniversary. I couldn't very well miss that. Then I come to find out things are jumping again in Bywater. Heh, I thought we were supposed to be giving you presents and such on this occasion. You certainly haven't lost your touch, and the pictures are just as good as I remember them. You are certainly putting the flora packs and new NAM developments to good use, and your attention to detail is top notch as always. 

I'm glad to see you gave my bridge a shot, though I'm sorry to hear it didn't quite fit as desired. The wash around the pillars is a game effect and I would be happy to remove it for you (or if your familiar with the Reader a bit, to give you the steps, it's pretty easy) if you would like. I'm not sure if there are any darker ones to replace it with (but that's something to look into for another time) but without it, the pillar's transition into the water can look a bit flat. However, that would almost be preferable compared to how it looks in a small body of water. 

How have you and your family been? I hope all is well, and I'll certainly be back for the next update. Until then, take it easy.

-Matt

[un1 41]

Wow, four years that seems really long for a CJ. I think it is the longest yet? (Not too sure)

Anyways congratulations on your feat of four years!

[mightygoose 92]

your continued dedication was well met by your honours in this years trixies, great to see such an influence on my playing style still pushing on... keep it up

[Livin in Sim 83]

Anduin Valley Revisited Marks 4 Years 

The nurses all gathered 'round

And they gazed in wide wonder

At the joy they had found

The head nurse spoke up

Said "leave this one alone"

She could tell right away

That I was bad to the bone

Bad to the bone

Bad to the bone

B-B-B-B-Bad

B-B-B-B-Bad

B-B-B-B-Bad

Bad to the bone

I broke a thousand hearts

Before I met you

I'll break a thousand more, baby

Before I am through

I wanna be yours pretty baby

Yours and yours alone

I'm here to tell ya honey

That I'm bad to the bone

Bad to the bone

B-B-B-Bad

B-B-B-Bad

B-B-B-Bad

Bad to the bone

I make a rich woman beg

I'll make a good woman steal

I'll make an old woman blush

And make a young girl squeal

I wanna be yours pretty baby

Yours and yours alone

I'm here to tell ya honey

That I'm bad to the bone

B-B-B-B-Bad

B-B-B-B-Bad

B-B-B-B-Bad

Bad to the bone

And when I walk the streets

Kings and Queens step aside

Every woman I meet

They all stay satisfied

I wanna tell ya pretty baby

Well Ya see I make my own

I'm here to tell ya honey

That I'm bad to the bone

Bad to the bone

B-B-B-B-Bad

B-B-B-Bad

B-B-B-Bad

Bad to the bone

Was anyone else listening there that night at the Saloon #10 in Deadwood, SD, late 80's, I think,  when 4 guys in cowboy hats jumped on the stage during a break?  It was George and 3 of the Destroyers!  We knew at the first chord.  They were in the area for a show at Rapid City the next night.  Just checkin' out Deadwood, they couldn't keep quiet.  Oof, they took the walls off that jam packed little bar.  Those were the good ol' Deadwood days...

Bonjour, and félicitations, John (bébé )!  What a week, a Trixie and an anniversary.  I can't wait to see what you've got for us on that prime piece of real estate.  The piece which you indeed have gently terraformed and not torn up. 

Hey, how do you think Mayor Liv knows what the Typing Monkey says?    So you are in good--if a tad "bad-to-the-bone"--company.  (If you can sing Angus, you can no doubt emulate George, correct?)

Til Saturday, then.

--Liv

[deathtopumpkins 43]

Happy 4th Birthday AVR! Here's to 4 more!

[rooker1 4]

Happy 4th Birthday AVR!

Hey John,

Great to see this CJ going so strong after 4 years.

I have sent you a Pm over at SC4D.

See you around,

Robin

[lifeless08 1]

4 years! WOW, that must be some big city now

[Darmok 34]

art128

Thanks Arthur

As for the Trixie, I owe it to AVR supporters.

The best in the business! ;-)

-John

Benedict

Hey Ben,

Yeah the sneak peek was only a tidbit to show that I'm still there and playing the game...

As for the previous one, it represent several hours of work/play, lots of blasting and redoing involved in that process, but lots of fun nonetheless.

The Trixie is so much appreciated considering the fact that I had an almost idle year SC4 speaking... and I owe it all to AVR supporters.

My only wish is to see that Trixie medal pinned on your avatar next year!

Take care my friend

-John

suomi2005

Thank you suomi... (Finland??)

I find working with Chris Admas flora a real joy and and a nice change of pace from the zoning and doing regular "development" in SC4.

It makes the game more versatile, when tired of zoning we do natural stuff and vice versa...

Looking forward to reading you again.

-John

lifeless08

Hi lifeless,

When I begun AVR, I thought that it would last something between a few weeks to a few months at best.... now look at it almost 4 years later... I'm the first to be amazed at how long it endured.

Thanks to readers who're still stopping by to leave a comment.

Hat's off to you for reading it all, it's just a shame that several pages are missing some pics... Someday I'll try to do a pdf version of the whole thing, I've saved each and every page since the beginning.

Take care

-John

jacqulina

Jacky,

I'm doing good my friend, and I hope all is going well for your too.

As I said to Suomi, working with Chris Adams flora is such a joy that it's almost impossible to go wrong!

I really have to visit you more often my friend I've been real negligent these past months. But of one thing I'm sure, once you put yourself to a task you do it with elegance, so I'm sure that your towns are and will be gorgeous.

See you there!

Regards

-John

haljackey

Hi Hal,

Yeah, I've debated long enough in my head wether or not to flatten that portion of land... and finally go for kind of tiered effect, it does not show a lot on that last pic but there's 3 "levels" in that particular spot I guess it'll show on closeup pics... I try to avoid doing to much flattening, but sometimes, like in Real Life, it's just there!

When doing that kind of tiered effect the thing I try to do is to avoid steep grades in roads, which is not always easy due to the space available...

Thanks for the good words and see you soon.

-John

GMT

Torben!

Hey, good to read you!

Hehehe... yeah the Coit monument, the people at Maxis have a strange sense of humor...

Yep, did won a Trixie, thus proving that AVR readers also have a good sense of humor ;-) I guess AVR is still a relax place and people like to hang around once in a while. I never would have thought it would endure for such a long time... but then again I'm having a great time here, so as long as there will be readers, there'll be work/play done here.

Again it's really great to hear from you, and don't worry I'll prepare something... I just hope I'll have the time to do what I want before saturday! My week is already booked solid including evenings... Oh well! some white nights in perspective...

Looking forward to seeing you again

Regards

-John

sobol

Hi Nathan,

If I remember correctly the Impreza "feels" more nimble that the Legacy, but then again, those things are so personnal, same thing with guitars, I've played with guitars worth 7,000$ and didn't "connect" with them while loving playing with my Gibson SG (see picture below)

which cost WAY less than that! I guess it's always in the eye of the beholder...

Weather's kind of mixed these days going from minus 20 Celcius to +1 with rain (that's the forecast for sunday) I hate rain in winter! Oh well... Spring's coming soon anyways.

See you

-John

Deathtopumpkins

Hi Connor,

Here it goes, hope you like it! Yep some light use of FAR pieces, not much yet, but slowly getting there. Now if we could only be able to zone correctly, meaning perpendicular to the road, on those diagonals and wide curved roads... you know something like this...

But were stuck with the game grid system... so... But I must say that we can accomplish a lot even with those limitations, all we need is a little imagination.

Have a good weekend

-John

dedgren

Thanks David,

You never miss one do you, I wish my mind would be as organized as yours! Sometimes I think that if my head wouldn't be attached to my body I would forget it at home!

Hehehe... explosions... no, I don't do explosions, nor disaster for that matter. For those all we have to do is opening a newspaper. As you say, not my style. I prefer peace and tranquility... except when I'm playing hard rock that is! ;-)

Take care

John

metarvo

Hi Metarvo,

Thanks for stoppin' by and the good wishes.

The more the merrier, and more so on an anniversary.

John

haljackey

Hi (again) Hal,

Yep 4 years of pleasure and 4 years of meeting great people!

See you

John

threestooges

Matt,

Long time no read my friend, but seeing all the work you're doing I'm not holding any grudges, who would I be to do so anyways, I hardly ever post these last months, I'm always immersed in my (bad) guitar playing hoping to improve (I guess we're never satisfied...)

Seriously, I'm glad to see you here and having some news.

The wash is not that bad, it's just that when the bridge is low on the water the effect doesn't seem as natural as when it's sitting at a more appropriate height. I've also seem a mod on the LEX that removes it, but I'm not sure it would be good not to have it... I guess I'll give it a try but it looks like a choice between two evils... Another in-game limitation. I'm familiar (to a certain extent) with the reader, so perhaps I could try your method.

BTW your bridges are very good looking, just waiting for the good spot to showcase them.

About the flora, Chris Adams did a fabulous job on those pieces, those are exactly what I was waiting for, the swamp pieces for instance, are great to enhance shorelines! they give that natural look and make the transition between water and shore more credible!

The family's well, we're all a bit tired of winter and looking forward to springtime. (Doesn't everybody?) Well I guess that people in California doesn't have that problem but I'm sure David can relate to that!

And here's the next update, I hope you'll appreciate it.

Good to read you Matt,

Regards from the north

-John

un1

Hi un1,

Thanks for the good words!

And yes, it's a long time for a CJ, don't know if it's the longest, but probably one of the longest.

See you.

John

mightygoose

Hey John,

Good to see you too!

Goodness, it's beginning to look like an old friends reunion, you know something, as much as I appreciate the Trixie, seeing this many of the old gang here today really is making my day!

The recent changes in the game are giving me new challenges and I like that.

Regards

John

Livin in Sim

Hehehe...

Hi Liv,

Bad to bone.... yep I can relate to that!

Our keyboard player is back from Costa Rica and the band played thursday, some of our playing must have lifted the roof at some point... so yeah.... Bad to the bone... hehehe

But we also played some "Gilmourish" kind of impro which was more on the "esoteric" side of music all that was missing was the long hair I was wearing in the seventies and all the rest, peace and love patches on old military surplus coat smelling patchouli... well you know... al that junk... sighhh.....

Anyhow I digress... Excellent muxic choice as always, I could never chose a better Radio Station Manager for AVR... You're the Gal...

I hope I don't offend you in any ways with my informal banter Liv, I never been one to wear Tux and ties and it reflects in my behavior I guess, so just tell me if I'm a bother I'll adjust.

Yep. Trixie, anniversary and good friends dropping by for the occasion... what can I say, I'm sure enjoying this.

The terraforming topic, yeah, I tried to do it gently, keeping as much of the natural elevations as possible while giving as much room for the new development.

Hehehe... yeah, I think I'd feel better dressing like Goerge than Angus... As for their music I like both their styles.

By for now Livvy!

-John

deathtopumpkins

Hey Connor,

Thanks for the good whishes, good of you to make the extra post!

Apprecite it.

-John

rooker1

Robin!

Goodness, it's good to see you man!

I've just read your PM, and I'll respond shortly, In short I'm really glad to read that all goes well. More details in my e-mail soon.

Warmest regards to the family my friend!

-John

lifeless08

Hi lifeless

Well, the region itself is not that big, I've seen bigger.

My goal was rather in creating a region where I'd like to live. I'm not into very big cities, I'm more a country/small city guy. Though I really like to see the urban sprawl some CJ'er can achieve with uncanny details, Aleking work comes to mind on that topic.

See you

John

So here it is....

Already working on the next one, hoping to make it for next saturday.

In the meantime have a great week and don't forget to enjoy every day!

-John

[Haljackey 17,398]

Wow John, what an update! There's just so much going on there I don't know what to talk about first!

Interesting trick you use with your zoning patterns, I've never quite seen anything like it before! Oh, and nice application of filler lots for the alleyway and the school, it makes it look that much more realistic. Your scenic road along the waterfront is looking great too (oh and by the way you spelled road wrong in the second caption ) along with your slope applications.

Again, excellent job with the update! It was very entertaining!

And by the way, you can call me Ryan when you are replying to your comments.

All the best,

-Haljackey

[Raysfan16 5]

Wow! Simply....breathtaking!

Great update, I love your use of custom content, I'd love to live in such a beautiful place like that.

[SirUnger 13]

Awesome update, I love the pic of this town and I can't wait to see more of this fantastic work.

[sobol 1]

Jeez, what an update. While living in the Southwest.. I looked at some of the rural developments in AVR with envy. Now that I liv ein New England, I can understand the charm of such "bedroom" communities. I swear this place is looking like where I live now.

So, I've been scoping out a 08 Impeza WRX and I've had it twice for full day test drives, and what I really dislike is the tranny/clutch/shifter combo that comes stock. Feels very lazy to me. SO, instead I am starting to look at 09 Impreza GT (it's a less aggressively tuned WRX with a nice automatic. Or maybe a 09 Forester GT/XT.. or something like that. Not sure.

Yea, I completely understand about guitars. I had to give up on collecting them many years ago. Just no time really.

Great update by the way.

[Benedict 3,119]

That is an amazing update. Plus I can't believe how much time you take on your replies - I'd love to see a trixie next to my name, too, but I'm guessing i'll have to be a more consistent updater to even stand a chance...

[art128 4,622]

John, this is nawesome ! I like this area lot !

Many ingenius work there my friend !

and Happy 4th Birthday AVR!

[choco1 4]

Darmok! Remember me?

My second journal in a long time, after Emerald Falls of course!

And you are still amazing, and awe-inducing too! I'm filled with awe. And as an awe-filled individual I have a great desire to start playing SC4 again... do I dare? It's been so long!

But still, this journal is looking amazing, looking back over the last few pages you're very intuitively and inventively using the new NAM and I see you're still the best barometer of new and classy downloads. And 172 pages! Wow, I remember back when it was in two digits! Haha, does that make me old?

Seriously mate, looking wonderful here.

Take care, Max.

[GMT 389]

John

amazing update, as always.

and the way you provide us with step by step things comes close to tutorials ;-)

speaking of it, I really like you you set up the elementary school. looks very realistic!

same for the 1x1 zoning idea. never thought of doing it this way, once more you inspired me. Hope you can live with this burden... lol

can't wait for more

[PhilsCafe 8]

Salut John! Merci beaucoup pour les félicitations et le commentaire dans mon journal. Je n'ai pas vraiement compté sur ce prix, bien que j'ai réalisé les nombreux commentaires positifs de tout-le-monde. C'était une grande surprise pour moi. Anyways, congrats to your Trixie too my friend. I was really glad that you won this particular award, because you're very deserving of it.

I loved your latest update. The layout of this development looks very natural, the 1x1 zones have an amazing effect on it. I particularly like the way you bypassed the residential sector with the scenic road. And the commercial zones are a nice detail as well. Although I can see that parents might not be very happy with an Ice Cream shop and a McDonald's near their kids' schools .

I'm looking forward to your next update, they're always very inspiring! Take care!

- Phil

[Gayowulf 15]

As usual, absolutely fabulous. I love the way that residential sector turned out. I can just hear the blasting and the bulldozers...

So, when do we get treated to another high-resolution overview?

[Livin in Sim 83]

Shameless Sea

Aimlessly so blue

Midnight moon shines for you

Still

Silence drifting through

Nowhere to choose

Just blue

Ceaselessly

Star-crossed you and me

Save our souls

We'll be forever blue

Waves roll

Lift us in blue

Drift us

Seep right through

Color us blue

Wait for me

Shameless you the Sea

Soon the blue

So soon

Soon

So soon

Back to back David Gilmour, with Marooned, at the 50th Anniversary of Fender Stratocaster Celebration, then taking you right into The Blue.  Relaxing licks for your listening pleasure in the wee hours here at 94.3, KLIV, Anôrien's Morning Star.  Skies are partly cloudy, that full moon is trying to peek through, winds are out of the south at 3, 93% humidity, 2 degrees at 3:05AM.  We'll be right back after this word from our sponsors, Stone Cold Creamery in Bywater...

John, you got the show on the road a day early.  Yes, plopping those curves then connecting them does save a lot of menu hopping.  The Scenic Byway of Bywater is going to be a popular cruising spot, and so close to the High School.    Getting those nice gentle knolls isn't quite as easy as it looks.  I like how the rooftop balcony of the apartments over the commercial looks out over the trees.  Some Jeroni seasonals might look good in there.  They are so beautiful, I made several 1x1 lots with just a single tree, lovely.  Ah, yes, Schmidt Place and Hackney's Hobble (why not hovel?), a bit dodgy, doomed, doomed.  Have you ever tried the American Foursquare Houses by Homefreyes?  I like them along with those you've got growing.  And Beebs has just BATted some Craftsmans.

The pleasure is all mine in throwing on a few tunes.  I hope they aren't too "classic" for the younger set.  I do like Nickelback, Rob Zombie and others, but KLIV just doesn't seem like that format.

Let you know if you're a bother.    Whyever would I think that?  Oh, sure, you're such a bother, always taking the time to shoot the breeze with me, talk SC4 and real life, would ya knock it off?    You better not knock it off.  At the risk of bringing to mind another Billy Joel song, I like you just the way you are.  And I hope you don't think I'm sitting here in my evening gown and pearls.  Nope, I save them for when we go to Rob Zombie.

Well, my desktop has blown 2 power supplies, so I'm stumped over this last one.  Into the shop she goes, to see if it has taken anything with it the last time.  The first time I was lucky.  My SC4 days are in limbo until the issue is resolved or I get a new computer, youch.  Wish me luck.

Bye for now.

--Liv

[fabsies55 5]

looks really good i really like your layout and everything, i see why it has come a long way.

[fabsies55 5]

looks really good i really like your layout and everything, i see why it has come a long way.

[fabsies55 5]

looks really good i really like your layout and everything, i see why it has come a long way.