Keeping Up With the Torrezes pt. 1

This is a not-so-short "The story so far".  Not many pics, as I mostly took videos at the time, utterly unaware that with the default settings, said videos were about the size of a postage stamp.  And without audio to boot.

For the record, yes, I cheated.  In particular, I went a little crazy with the money cheats.  (Now I don't even know what to do with the money.  Ugh. lol)

There will also be a lot of aging "quirks".  The mother downs elixirs of life like alcoholics down booze.  On top of that, I've never really been good at keeping track of different playing times, or even wanting to.  So once someone goes off into college it's anyone's guess who I'll play, and in what order.  I know others do a lot of bookkeeping.   I am not one of those people, though I might make an effort at it one day.

Anyway, let's set the stage.

And here is how it all began.  A single mom, her lesbian daughter, and a son that was more of an afterthought.  Aren't they cute?  (Yes I have a thing for tophats.)

For the most part, I got used to the game itself.  Figuring out wants/fears and whatnot.  Delia aced her way through HS, winning a scholarship in the bargain.  She also aced part of Carlos's way through elementary school as I discovered just how demanding the little brat tyke was.  Much more concerned with having fun NOW, Delia was the one who did his homework a good portion of the time.

On top of her academic pursuits, she took up painting.  It seems there is a family skill -- two, actually.  One of them is creativity.

This particular painting remained in the main!Torrez house for a long time, as she eventually left for college without it.

One of the first times I saw the "OMG DON'T LOOK AT MY DIARY" panic.  They still amuse me.

 Family bonding, and Carlos is still adorable.

Eventually Carlos became a teen. Also, he took up drumming.  Like I said, creativity.  She also adopted a son, Alon.  He has no childhood pictures.  He became a teen shortly after Carlos went to college.

I also decided it was high time Carmen got her Romance on.  Got herself two steady girlfriends... until one found her with the other.  Oops.

Carmen: "Son, maybe you'll have an easier time having friends if I just birthed you one."

And so it was.  Felix Torrez, fathered by Zeeshan Trimble no less, and given utmost care and love. ... Ahem, utmost care and love!

That's better!  Even at this distance you can see Alon's resemblance to Nervous Subject.  Particularly in the nasal area.

He did a lot of the caretaking at this point, because, like I said, Carmen was living up to her aspiration.  And making me wish I hadn't switched her ltw from topping sports career to many many woohoos.

Then he went off to college and Felix entered school.  But not to worry, Carmen managed to bag herself the Count!

Say hi to Manuelo Torrez.  Delia's old bed is still in the background.  Wishful thinking, clearly.  This was also how I discovered that Count Adrian Shaikh had a really nice tan.

I'll end here seeing as all the main pieces are now on the field.  The newest child comes muuuch later.  I concede to, and apologize for, the ample supply of boring in this post.  It should get more interesting as I get actual material to work with, rather than hazy memories of "oh yeah, that was kind of cool."