OK, I'm just gonna get this out there because I'm still laughing from my visit to EA's site this morning. New kids' clothes. I'm not sure where in the world kids dress like that (probably California or New York) but it ain't happenin' here in the Midwest. Yes we're boring but people do stick with the trends, they just don't go weird. The new clothes for kids at the official site are weird. I think they should've named it Lil Hoodlums and Harlots. What is with the jacket crap?! We wear jackets here for warmth because we have seasons. They're not a fashion statement. They're bulky, cumbersome, often noisy depending what they're made of, and downright unnecessary if it ain't raining, snowing, or freezing out. Maybe because we do have seasons here in Illinois, when the weather lets us strip off the layers we do. We don't layer year-round. We don't wear 3 shirts to be "cool". We don't wear legwarmers. Legwarmers? My mother made me wear those in the 80s and it's only because I walked to school both ways, uphill, in winter. They were for warmth, not some sick fashionista's fantasy. T-shirts and jeans folks. And sneakers. I dunno, maybe I'm just old and stupid but I play my game for fun and a creative outlet, not to see my sims wearing ridiculous clothes nobody in their right mind would consider. You folks on the coast make Japan fads look tame. Sheesh.

Sorry, just had to get that out. I'm still giggling from the obsurdity. I've never been a fan of atomic age stuff either. That's another set at the site for November. I don't like it when it's free let alone something I'm expected to pay for. I watched the Jetsons and ya know, that's where it stayed. With Astro and his automated dog-walker and Jane with her weird hair and way wide skirts. I don't see the charm in melting furniture and adding rings to everything. Eck!

So on to some more Pets fun and frivolity because I know you guys come here to giggle. I get enough PMs to know that. Horses. I've dabbled in horses lately. I made a sim with a trusty steed and loyal mutt. I made Artax from The Neverending Story. I liked that horse and it's a crime in had to die in the mud with nothing but a scrawny brat screaming at him for a farewell. Ah, Artax. So I have Artax and a border collie. Still not a dog fan but at least I like the way those look. Don't know why I'm shying away from cats right now. I've had cats all my life so maybe I'm saving the best for last. Anyway, horses. Um, have any of you given them a horse ball to play with? It's HUGE! And my horse, and I'm sure all horses, does this weird, um, well... retarded thing on it. I took some screenies because I laughed so hard when I saw it but didn't upload them here. Long story, don't feel like telling it. The horse just sort of lays on the thing. Like it's dead or suddenly had a seizure and is unconscious. I swear I can almost see the drool running down the ball from the horse's mouth. It's really disturbing. Buy a horse ball and watch your stallion suddenly become impaired. It's worth a giggle or two.

Something I did notice, and it's really hard not to, is my pets are smart. Yes, they are, for the most part, considering they are still pets. So far I've only meddled with the premade in-game animals. They're incredibly stupid and messed up. My horse taught himself the jumping skill and the racing skill, puts himself in the barn for the night, pees where he's supposed to without training, and is generally a non-issue. Except now he's getting into my garden and I have to scold him. All my sim really has to do is fix the hygiene now and then. And learn to ride. He is such a sad, sorry sight right now. What a dork. My dog taught himself the non-destructive trait. I really didn't do much reinforcing. A message just popped up one day that he learned it. Wow, nice. He brings my sim the paper every day, sleeps in his doghouse without being directed, and doesn't do anything with his pee and has always peed where proper without direction. No drinking the pee. No playing in the pee. He doesn't even play in the horse's pee. And, I just have to mention this. The horse's get a censor when they pee? I... really don't know how to take that. The dogs don't, male or female. Yep, Rex just lifts his leg and wizzes. No censor. But my horse stands there and just goes, in a censor blur. It's a horse. What is the big deal? Is there really something there EA? Shame on you if there is. This is Barbie World ya know! What are ya doin'?! Rotting our kids' minds with unfit visions of horse paraphenalia? I'm shocked and appauled. Not really, just wanted to be stupid.

Oh, one last thing. Ben Schmidt for cute babies and Gavin Pinkerton for EXTREME FEATURES!