Tag Archives: TSTOPatric

Friday Filler – Why Do You Still Play the Game?

Posted on August 14, 2020 by | 37 comments

Thank Grog It’s Friday!

I have to admit, I was happy, and a little heart-broken when Alissa sent me a text message late Tuesday night. It read, “An update was released. You’ll have to let me know if they upped item limits.”

Oh ye of bliss-ninny faith…

I affectionately call Alissa a “Bliss Ninny” as she always wants to believe that EA is going to listen to us, and TSTO is going  to return to its former glory. I love her for that. We need bliss-ninnies in the world right now. It’s no wonder that Disneyland (either coast) is her favorite place to be.  I can see her teaching Riley and Sammy that if they “clap loud enough” they can save Tinkerbell and the rest of the fairies.

But, unfortunately, I had to be the bearer of bad news, with a simple reply of “Nope.”

It’s been almost a year and a half since the last time EA upped the Item Limits by even a handful.  And yes…it sucks.  And yes…it greatly impedes my “joy of designing.”

SO…WHY DO I STILL PLAY? (as  more than a few of you have asked, when I hold EA and “Bob’s” feet to the fire).

The answer is pretty simple.
Continue reading →

37 Comments

Posted in Friday Filler, Tapped Out

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday Filler – I May Have Killed Christmas

Posted on December 6, 2019 by | 71 comments

Thank Grog It’s Firday!

I am starting to suspect that the lack of a Christmas Event in TSTO may be my fault.  I know…I know…I’m just another blogger with an opinion. But, the correlation between game play and real life is starting to make me lose my freakinshirt!

This is the first year…ever…that there are some huge changes around my favorite holiday in our household…I mean huge.

Just like TSTO, “something is off” when it comes to tradition, and following any kind of regular schedule.  And like TSTO, we are waaaaaaay behind on checking the boxes for this year’s celebrations.

But, even more terrifying to someone like me, who loves Christmas, is that it is starting to feel like the boxes are not only not being checked…but are being removed by a power outside of my control!  It’s as if TSTO and life have suddenly changed, in ways that I never expected, nor really wanted! And, it may be MY FAULT!!

Continue reading →

71 Comments

Posted in Friday Filler, Tapped Out

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday Filler – When You’re Out of Ideas Offer Donuts

Posted on August 23, 2019 by | 44 comments

Thank Grog It’s Firday,

I’m not going to lie. This week almost did me in.  As Ringo Starr once screamed into a studio mic, “I’ve got blisters on my fingers!!!” (between Revolution No. 9 and Helter Skelter on the White Album). In fact, it is likely just blisters from juggling…and juggling…and juggling.

So when one of my true escapes from my “clown circus life” starts getting lazy, it really bums me up. TSTO/EA/Gracie is really dropping the ball in regards to content for this update…unless you are a new player…which I am not.

I hate whining at this point…as we should all just be happy the game is still around. But, come on… a dozen donuts instead of a Major Premium Character?
Have they lost their minds??????
Continue reading →

44 Comments

Posted in Friday Filler, Tapped Out

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday Filler – Of Family, Friends, and Fripperies

Posted on July 26, 2019 by | 21 comments

Thank Grog It’s Firday!

I think the old saying goes, “You can’t pick your family, but you can pick your nose.”  Or something like that. But, the reality is (and has been since there was family) you may be related by blood, but you may not be friends with members of your family.  In other words, it comes down to that other old saying, “I love you, but I don’t LIKE you right now.”  I hear that more and more these days as politics and religion become the unsocial side of social media.

However, in our game,  Family, Politics, Religion and all sorts of other related topics became fair game…and the writers did themselves proud, with some of the funniest dialogue in years!

I’ll dive into some of it, right after I answer this question.  “Since when are “mini-events” (which Flanders Family Reunion Clearly Is) two weeks long???”  The answer?  Since EA and the writers have decided to stretch everything out, in order to make less work for “the team.”

EALP or SLAW?  You decide.
Continue reading →

21 Comments

Posted in Friday Filler, Tapped Out

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday Filler – What’s A Little Earworm Among Friends?

Posted on June 21, 2019 by | 20 comments

Thank Grog It’s Firday!

As many of you have pointed out, one of the nicest surprises with this Event is the “new music” that plays in the background. I put “new music” in quotations for a reason…mainly because it isn’t new...just new to us.

What?? You play with your sound turned off?  Then you are missing one of the best features of the event.

I agree that sound can get crazy when grinding every 4 hours, and my wife would be the first to scream, “can you please turn the sound off?” as she is trying to sleep through one of my 10:30pm grindfests.

But, this music serves a purpose beyond entertainment. It is a little earworm of a tune that runs with a time signature and running time that is perfect for tagging, or just keeping track of how long you are tapping.

And most important, if you let it become a true earworm, it can be a bit of a soundtrack for the rest of your life!

But, who wrote it??? 
Continue reading →

20 Comments

Posted in Friday Filler, Tapped Out

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday Filler- Finding Shelbyville

Posted on February 8, 2019 by | 36 comments

Thank Grog It’s Firday!!

Let’s start with a reminder.  This game, the show, and all of the “definitive guides” that are offered up in the pantheon of Simpsons lore, is just that…lore.

It’s made up by people who either work every waking hour to unravel the mysteries of a specific topic, so as to become an “expert,” (or become conspiracy theorists and get talk shows), or they are just well-meaning fans that have their opinions about where things are, and how they work, in a world that is completely malleable…because it’s all made up.

That said…we now have yet one more cluster of items to add to our own self-imagineered towns…the much anticipated, much desired, much sought after, Shelbyville!

And if we are all honest…it landed with a bit of a, “Is that all there is? Thud!”

But, to continue on with a mild debate about “Where things are, if you are following “Simpsons Canon” we have a couple of important pieces of archived evidence, that may, or may not help you decide “Where’s Shelbyville?” 
Continue reading →

36 Comments

Posted in Friday Filler, Tapped Out

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday Filler – Killing Three Geese With One Stone

Posted on January 18, 2019 by | 47 comments

Thank Grog It’s Firday! 

I can’t believe how many questions the addition of the Golden Goose Real Estate building opened up!  Three HUGE questions, or “goose chases,” that really forced me to do some serious research, math, and some additional Goose Guessing!

The Questions?
1. How Many Land Sections Are There, and how many do I have left?
2. Does it make sense for me to hoard my Free GGR land certificates, or should I move ahead and turn them in for Free Donuts?
3. Where in the heck is “True North” in TSTO?

Well…as much as it seems to be an impossible task to answer all of these in one single post, I am just the tapper to take it on!

Let’s start with Goose Guess Number One…
Continue reading →

47 Comments

Posted in Friday Filler, Tapped Out

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday Filler – London Calling and More Town Tours

Posted on April 20, 2018 by | 39 comments

Thank Grog It’s Firday!

I have to admit, I have enjoyed Act II of this over-extended, insanely grind-tastic event.  Mostly for selfish reasons. It has actually created some serious conversations between my wife and I about taking a “once in a lifetime” (actually twice) trip to Europe, before we croak.

As of late, the vast majority of our time and treasure has been dedicated to our kids, as in 5 college educations, 4 weddings (one to go) and a ton of travel to “see the kids” who are spread out all over the place, North, South, East and Northwest. Add grandkids (one due any minute!), and you have additional reasons to make your travel time, “family time.”  There’s nothing wrong with that. But does lack a bit of variety (even though we turned one into a 9.600 mile, 30-day cross country trip a couple of summers ago).

But…we both did extended trips to Europe when we were young. For me…that was almost 50 years ago. I hear a lot has changed in 50 years… When I went, there was still a Berlin Wall…a Communist help Czechoslovakia, and a ton of debris left over from 2 world wars. So…yes…change is good!

When we began our “world tour” in TSTO, it got me wishing that could go back again, and see some of our favorite spots, as well as check a few boxes off of the “I really want to see that…”  list that has grown over the years. I want to return to the British Isles, including Ireland (at least 2 weeks) and Deb wants to return to Spain and Italy, while adding France and Denmark into the mix for extended family. I also want to tour some WWI battlefields in France and Belgium, and want to go to Austria, Germany and Switzerland again. So…yes…this would be a HUGE, long trip, which we will have to wedge in between a trip to Uganda, another wedding, and who knows how many more grandkids. Retirement?  Pfffffffftttttttttttt… not gonna happen.

But in the meantime, I can visit the imaginative towns and places that have cropped up as a result of my “Town Tours” feature, started a couple of weeks back.  This week, I’m focusing on a couple more “Friends of Ebron,” as well one of my favorite neighbors, and a look at my own English homage.
Continue reading →

39 Comments

Posted in Friday Filler, Tapped Out

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Friday Filler – Town Tours and To Jack or Not to Jack?

Posted on April 13, 2018 by | 57 comments

Thank Grog It’s Firday!

I don’t know about you, but I am flying through this Act, and am almost done with the prize track. Yes…I have several of the Premium Peeps (5) earning, and yes…I immediately maxed out the Bonus 20% on my Tower. So, that made it EAsier by a long shot.

But, that did open me up to a philosophical dilemma as it pertained to one, “Jack. The. Ripper.” in our towns.  From what Alissa says (and checking the comments), this may be one of the most divisive characters to come to our little burgs in the history.  Even more so than Nixon…or Dracula…or Herman, or…well a ton of others that seemed controversial at the time.  I pulled the rip cord on our Ripper, but mostly for selfish reasons.

I’ll get into my decision on Jack, along with a look at at another outstanding new neighbor’s town…and believe me, the “Gold Standard” may have shifted…or at least been expanded.
Continue reading →

57 Comments

Posted in Design Guide, Friday Filler, Tapped Out

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Friday Filler on Thursday- Kicking Off a New Regular Feature – Town Tours

Posted on April 5, 2018 by | 154 comments


Thank Grog It’s Firday…er…uhm…Turday?

Because we know that Act II is going to hit tomorrow, and we didn’t want this to get lost in the clutter of new posts about Act II (including the Calendar!), we are doing the Friday Filler on Thursday…which kind of kills the thrill of the work week being over. But, hey…I could just treat it like a Friday and start to “Get My Grog On” early!  Sounds like a plan!

As intimated (briefly) in the last Friday Filler, I am going to start featuring some short videos to showcase some of the best of the best, in designing and innovative use of their tapping time.  I was besieged (in a nice way) with replies…and had to remove the call to submit after only a few hours.  But, I will continue doing this for the foreseeable future, as I LOVE seeing people that actually put time and effort into their designs (No PLOPPERS PLEASE). It also inspires me to make changes and additions to my own town.

So, let’s dive in. I think you are going to be amazed.
Continue reading →

154 Comments

Posted in Friday Filler, Tapped Out

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,