panthersimcity4

Great scenery! I love the monastery.

Great use of scenery and flora!

Beautiful! I love how you made those rivers.

Hello, welcome to San Lorenzo, a city that is mostly void of "culture"... Okay, maybe that wasn't such a nice thing to say. There is SOME culture... although most of it is foreign. Take for example, Little Italy... that neighborhood has culture, it's just foreign. There's Native American culture (in particular, the Opekoi tribe), however because of racist policies in the past, it's mostly limited to the northern reservations near the skiing town of Opekoi. There is, however, POPULAR CULTURE! Yay! On Wikipedia, Popular culture is defined as: In other words, it's random crap that people find entertaining. One of most popular entertainment magazines in San Lorenzo (and New Loreto as a whole) is "PoP! Culture", started several years ago by an internet entrepreneur. It has since become not only a website but also a printed publication, distributed through magazine stands and grocery stores throughout the state. It features a combination of local entertainment news and also Hollywood entertainment news. In case you're wondering, Sarah Inglewood is a young actress who is originally from San Lorenzo, and moved to Hollywood. She's known for starring in "Holy Crap, Robots that Kill!", which is about, well... giant shape-shifting robots that terrorize downtown Los Angeles. Now that we've taken a look at popular culture, why not take a look at some, more... "refined" art. You know, like this CJ. In downtown San Lorenzo, by the waterfront, is the Lorenzo Museum of Modern Art, founded in 1962 by a group of very avante-garde artists. It is located in a former commercial building, which has since been converted into wealthy lofts for eccentric artists and trendy hipsters. Right now, the museum is hosting a "Kunst Kultur" exhibit, based on the art of local modern artist Klaüs (real name Joseph Anderson), who painted many famous designs and painting in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Above is Klaüs's most famous work, entitled "BLAAARRRRGHHHHHHH!!", which received a raving response from art connoisseurs. Andy Warhol himself stated, "I can't exactly describe this..." which of course means it's genius. Of course if being artsy and intellectual gives you an appetite, you can head to the café in the art museum, which offers obscure culinary experiences like the "Hamburger with Lettuce and Existential Dilemma" and also the " Haute Fries", which are like french fries but with a more sophisticated name. Now, let's wrap this update up with the most "refined", artistic film I can find:

Zulu2065: Thanks, I wanted to display the various crazy residents in this CJ. Adrianor: Yea, I made that sim in The Sims 3. And I did make that drawing myself, in GIMP. What can I say, I am a natural artiste!

NYCisbig.... : Thanks!! Schulmanator: well, of course. I occasionally keep a bit of Paprika in my car if I feel like making Goulash during Rush hour.

I think it's time I introduce a new story-line thing to this CJ that I have been working on, in preparation for the new Simtropolis 7. Because, y'know, I like doing random stuff. It'll be based on the character Tony Bushowitz, who does the field reporting for NLN's Lorenzo News segment. For the past couple of updates I've been kind of transitioning into a storyline style, because I feel that it would go better with this CJ instead of just showing pictures. My name is Tony Bushowitz. You might know me from Lorenzo News.... or maybe you don't. I report on scenes in the city of San Lorenzo, and frequently run into bizarre people. So shut up and listen... err, read. Sorry if I sound easily irritable, it must be the long work hours. You see, I start off over at the LN offices. You see that neat office building with the "N-L-N" sign on it? Yeah, that's not our office. We're behind that building... with all of the ugly equipment and newsvans. Anyway, I usually meet with Jean Noriega and the boss to find out who I'm supposed to interview for that day. Did I mention that I meet a lot of bizarre people? Tony: "Hello, this is Tony here with Lorenzo News, today I'm interviewing local mystic Olivia Brightonsmith, who was recently accused of assaulting a parking lot attendant near the Natural History Museum in San Lorenzo. Olivia, what do you say?" Olivia: "I see something in your future, Tony. I see... lust.... betrayal... fortune... and you telling me this is irrelevant to the interview." Tony: "Well, this is irrelevant to the interview." Olivia: "Ahh, of course. My predictions always come true. At least unless I suddenly recant them a the last moment, like that prediction of mine for the Great Canadian War of 2005." Tony: "Okay, so I'll ask again... what is your response to those who accuse you of assaulting a parking lot attendant here in downtown?" Olivia: "I have tarot cards, you want to see those?" Tony: "No, I asked..." Olivia: "About the alleged assault. Ahh, of course... it's complete hogwash. That simple. They said that I tried to assault the meter maid by weilding a crystal ball from my car... which is not true. If I did commit assault, I'd preform a hex on the fool. I even have a decapitated chicken and a canister full of paprika in my car trunk if you don't believe me." Tony: "Well, I guess Olivia has certianly proved her point, hasn't she?" Olivia in the background: Can someone give me a cigarette? I haven't had a smoke in over 30 minutes! Tony: "This is Tony Bushowitz, with Lorenzo News. Back to our friends at New Loreto News." Yeah... strange things happen every day. I sometimes I wish I lived in a more normal city... like Wichita... or Portland. But alas, I live in the most psychotic, mentally unstable city in the United States. A city that hasn't taken it's meds since they were banned in the late '60s for being abused by hippie communes. But don't let the hipsters and foggy air fool you, this isn't San Francisco. This city is unique...

Gorgeous! Of course, I guess I can't ride a raft down that waterfall...

Nice scenery. I also like the airport!!

I'm loving those fog effects!

Looks very nice! I like the mountains in the backdrop.

Thanks TekindusT, I actually came up with the name Sampson randomly. lol.

As you know, I'm Tony Bushowitz, a reporter with New Loreto News. My job is intruiging to say the least, and I often run into crazy people in this city. Jean Noriega: Hey, you're watching New Loreto News, I'm Jean Noriega. Now, let's head over to Tony Bushowitz, who has an enthralling story for us... because, well, I'm just the pretty girl who lures in pathetic old men into watching this stuff. Tony Bushowitz: Thanks, Jean. I'm here at what was the scene of a brutal attack on a 21-year old man, named Reynauld Sampson, here in St. Raphael by an infuriated former friend. The former friend, a Jonas Withers from Peregrine Creek, NL, allegedly injured Sampson when he hit him with a gaming controller. Sampson's mother, Theresa Samspon: "That slithering little devil will get his due.I cannot believe we live in a world where malevolent sociopaths can get away with attack with such a brutal weapon." Tony: Mrs. Sampson is now suing Japanese gaming console maker AKIO with a lawsuit accusing the corporation of encouraging violence with the shape of their gaming controllers. Withers' lawyer, however, debunked this accusation. Withers' Lawyer: "Mr. Sampson was arrested recently for possesion of a substance illegal to the state of New Loreto. Can we really trust a drugged-out junkie in the courtroom?" Tony: We will report more when the story develops. Back to you, Jean. Later at Tony's apartment... (which is the modern-ish apartment building right next to the elevated rail) *Tony's phone rings* (imagine Tony's parents with a thick Brooklyn-style Jewish accent) Tony: Hello? Mother: Tony... it's your mother. Tony: Oh, hi mom... how are you? Mother: You didn't call me last morning. What happened? Tony: Oh, sorry, I was busy... Mother: I saw you on our news channel here today, I was so excited I almost forgot to nag your father about his spending! Tony: Yeah, I had a long day. *Father takes phone from mother* Father: Hello son. Tony: Hello, Dad. Father: Let me tell you Tony, I didn't raise you to ignore your parents like a putz. I raised you to be a dependant on us. But no, you have your own life up there in fancy town. Tony: Dad, you two didn't have to retire in Shaston City. Father: Yeah, but this place gives me good memories. Like when me and your mother were at the motel jacuzzi... Above: The mentioned Motel Sunaker in Shaston City, about 30 years ago. Today, it is known as the Motel Crapolito. Tony: Yeah, let's just leave it at that. Father: Okay son, good bye then. Call your mother tomorrow, she's driving me nuts. OH, and find yourself a girl. That latino chick on your news station is a real fine shiksa. Tony: OKAY FATHER. BYE. Yes, those were my parents. Daniel and Sherry Bushowitz, who were originally from Brooklyn until moving to the West coast here in San Lorenzo, and then retiring to Shaston City for the warmer climate and gambling. So now you know them... but, you know, don't actually have to MEET them. ___________END OF STORY__________ ... this new Simtropolis will take some time to get used to, although it is pretty nice. I'll probably resize my pictures in a future update since they get cut off on the side.

Wow, great use of trees and scenery!!

Lovely pictures! The only problem is that for some reason in this part of the site the side part cuts into the way of the pictures.

I like the old and new buildings mingling together, it makes the city look like a modern, European urban center.

I like your diverse use of North-American style skyscrapers... the whole area looks very cosmopolitan and urban.

Wow, nice work! I love that coastline.

Retep Molinari: Thanks! avrelivs: Thanks for the suggestion. I suppose I could have made the colors pop out more, although I guess since it's been Winter I sort of had that seasonal feel when I was editing the picture. lol Adtrianor: Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

The Kingdom of San Pedro El Reino de San Pedro Capital: Carife Official Language: Pedrian Spanish Government: Constitutional Monarchy Reigning King: Jose Marcos III (1982 - Today) Prime Minister: Eduardo Mantilla Dorrego (2008 - Today) Independence: from Spain: 1353 Currency: Corona (C$) National Past-Times: Eating strange things, running from rabid bulls, and complaining about the EU San Pedro is an island nation in the Mediterannean, located near the Balearic islands and Corsica. The country consists mostly of ethnic Pedrians and Spaniards, along with many immigrants from the former colonies of the vast empire that the country once controlled. Once a Roman colony named Pedrianus, it later became an independent Christian kingdom after the fall of the Roman Empire. It is currently run by King Jose Marcos III, who inherited the throne in 1982 when his father, King Hernando VI, died. Make sure to check out the old thread where I have older updates. HISTORY The earliest known people of San Pedro were hunter-gatherer homo sapiens. Later on, the Romans colonized the island, naming it "Pedriona" and founding a small trading port named Pedrionus. The island was a trading center inbetween Taraconessis (Hispania) and the Italian Peninsula. After the Roman empire collapses, San Pedro became an independent kindgom, however it was then quickly invaded and conquered by North African Moors. They named the island "Al Pedir" and built on what was once Pedrionus, but was renamed Al Carifah. Then, the Spaniards sailed to the island and kicked out the Moors, claiming the island as part of the Kindgom of Aragon. Being the cantankerous bunch they are, the San Pedrians eventually kicked out the Spaniards and formed their own monarchy in 1353. A century and a few years later, the influence of Spain would encourage the start of what would be the San Pedro Inquisition. The Muslims and Jews of Carife were told to either convert or leave the island... or maybe just go a little farther south to the San Pedro-controlled enclave in North Africa because even if the Jewish merchants didn't follow the "one true religion", at least they brought in alot of revenue. Of course the real reason of the Inquisition wasn't actually to unify the country under one religion, as they told to the bishops and the Vatican, but because the monarchs wanted the piles of moolah which several wealthy Jewish merchants had amassed. The actual "jugdement" part of the inquisition, in which heretics were judged, lasted only a day when the main inquisitor, the monk Juan Mocopsicopático accidentally tripped and fell into a well, never to be seen again. After that, most people forgot about him and life went on. Move forward several centuries later... after Spain's civil war in the 1930s, the nation suddenly was covered in a large shadow cast by neighboring fascist ruler, Francisco Franco. It has been recorded that Franco was considering invading the tiny little island of San Pedro in order to spread his influence over the population, but when WWII started, San Pedro was temprorarily overseen by the United Kingdom, as the nation was very weak and was unable to potentially defend itself if one of the Axis powers invaded. Fortunately, most of the large Fascist countries didn't really seem to care about San Pedro at the end of the day, because it was too small. Adolf Hitler also fortunately seemed to overlook the massive community of Hassidic Jews in San Pedro's North African enclave, who to this day have remained relatively intact. Today, San Pedro is a traditional yet modern island that is a part of the European Union - reluctantly I suppose. A Land Under Many Flags Above is a table of different countries that have ruled this island. The Roman Empire came in and conquered the island around 97 BC, and placed it under the Tarraconensis region of Hispania. Once the Roman Empire collapsed, an independent but short-lived kingdom was formed, known by historians as the First Pedran Kingdom. About 200 years after the first kingdom was founded, the Moors from North Africa invaded and conquered the island along with nearby Al-Andalus, making the official religion Islam. Still, the Christians and Jews of "Pedrianus" were allowed to worship. Then came the Reconquista, and the following Inquisition. And finally in 1353, the country was independent again, founding its current Monarchy. Only 200 years later the Kingdom would expand into the New World, becoming an Under-estimated Empire to be reckoned with. This wasn't the case however once WWII arrived, and pretty much all of the previous "Empire" was independent. The country was hit very hard by the Great Depression, and the military was very weak as well. Since the UK was always an Ally to the island against the nearby Spaniards, they took temporary control of the island and spread some influence as well... (which many Pedrans saw as another sign of Britian's imperialistic streak) much of which can still be seen today with numerous British News and TV channels that are popular. Many British-Pedrans live in the southern area along the Riviera, many of which moved in the early 1980s. After World War II ended, Britian pulled out of San Pedro and the country was on it's own again, along with a new flag with a baby-blue and white color. The country's government is a Constitutional Monarchy, with a reigning king "Jose Marcos III" who was crowned in 1982, a year after the death of his father. Most of the politicians recently have been on the right-wing side, like the recently elected prime minister, Eduardo Mantilla Dorrego. Dorrego is part of the Central Party, which is a conservative party that is "focused on preserving family values, San Pedrian culture, and our politician's reputations despite what their ex-wives say." He's generally disliked by many people including: the Left-Wingers (because he's a Right Winger), the Catholic Church (because he doesn't actually support family values... he's had quite a few divorces), and everyone in general (He's a pompous idiot. Not that I have a problem with him... *cough* ) Anyways, that's pretty much it.

Note: New Cholula = New Loreto. I just changed the name. STATE INFO: State Motto: "A condor in the hand is worth more than almost anything really" State Capital: Redwood Largest City: San Lorenzo State Song: "Oh Lovely Little Loreto" State Bird: California "Freedom" Condor** State Tree: Coast Redwood **New Cholula has had a lengthy history of anti-California paranoia. The use of "Freedom Condor" instead of "California Condor" was first started in the early 1900s when state government accused California of encroaching on their state. In 1909, all references to California were replaced with different words. Anti-California sentiment has greatly decreased since then, but the name Freedom Condor still exists. New Loreto is a state in the United States of America. It is not listed as a "#th" state in any sources, which sure is strange. The name of the state comes from two places... the first one being one of the earliest Spanish settlements in Mexico located on the Baja California peninsula... the other is the city that the Spanish settlement was named after, which was a town in Italy with a famous pilgrimage site. Stratford Island, which is the main island and is the location of two of the major metropolises in New Loreto, which are San Lorenzo and the capital Redwood. As for the other islands, you'll have to wait for more info

lol, I loved it.