First of all, I want to apologize to all of those new comment-makers on this site who haven’t yet gotten a comment of welcome from me. I’ve fallen behind in dealing with comments this month—and haven’t posted as many blog-posts as usual this month either—but I do intend to go back and give individual welcomes and try not to miss anybody. In the mean time, I offer a general welcome to you all.
New comment-makers offer us the wealth of fresh ideas. Veteran comment-makers offer us the wealth of familiarity with the clues found in the game and a familiarity with the reasoning about the game that we have produced to date. Both make this site richer.
And comment-makers generally stimulate me to write more blog-post than I would otherwise.
After twenty months of blogging about Rule of Rose, and time spent before that on Rule of Rose forums writing there, I can easily feel a bit burned out on the subject, even though it has been a great deal of fun for me.
I am, frankly, less inclined than I used to be to spend a lot of time thinking about Rule of Rose. I have other projects that compete for my attention now.
Comments from comment-makers have very often, in the past, served as either the direct, or the indirect, stimulation of my ideas for blog-posts, and I think that this will be an even more important factor in the future. So, find a clue and write about it. Think up new theories and debate them with others. Do that, and I’m sure that I won’t be able to resist jumping in myself to join in to the fun. Because it IS a lot of fun when we come up with interesting possible solutions to the mysteries of Rule of Rose.
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As usual, the most recent Month-iversary comment thread is the preferred place to put any off-topic (or hard to figure where they belong) comments.
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I’ve recently changed the visual background of this site. Please let me know how you like—or don’t like—the change.
Entries (RSS)
Hmm. The new background’s good,still has that rule of rose feel to it, but I have to say, I liked the old one a bit better. Just my opinion…
There are a lot of theories on here that no one’s responded to yet. Things that are “interesting” that no one’s really discussed. I wonder what would happen if you tried to tie it all together.
I had noticed a subtle shift in enthusiasm. To maintain the high level of quality of this site (or, for that matter, all things in life) takes a lot of effort and you have done (do?) an excellent job. For 20 months! Do you plan on having an apprentice to post the main blogs for you? A successor to the throne?
Background, schmackground. If my life depended on describing the last background, I couldn’t do it. Was it twirly, with roses?
Things for the month-iversary:
The less-than-clean toilet with the eye-like thing painted on it in the toilets opposite the filth room. Any blogs on that thing?
The mirrors that offer no actual reflection – even the puddles on the floor of the basement offer no reflection. The only mirror that is seen to work (as far as I know) is the one Amanda uses to apply the manic lipstick in the intro…
I rather liked all the mirrors too, from the airship to the orphanage. I think Jennifer’s comments about one mirror looking as though there was a man standing in it and another one reflecting the orphanage are well known, but I haven’t seen much talk of the mirror in the closet room where there appears to be a drawing of a monster (stray dog?).
I also can’t seem to find much about the attic map where one particular room is marked (the room with the mysterious piles of leaves) by a drawing that initially looked — to me — like a picture of stray dog. But after eyeballing it for about ten minutes it started to look totally shapeless so I have no idea. Though I’m probably late to the party and PN probably noticed already, but I thought I might offer up any observations that might help.
MincePiePrivateEye asked:
My blog-post Thomas’s Skull Drawings has a speculation that the message of the toilet eye is possibly connected to the message of the skull drawings.
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Thank you so much for your hard work and analysis of Rule of Rose. I was pretty confused when I finished the game, and this website has clarified many things for me.
It is certainly understandable that you might be a little “burned out” with thinking about RoR after all this time, especially since so much is left up to the imagination of the player. I can’t help wishing that the creators had given us more clues as to exactly what happened, and when…
Anyway, happy anniversary to you, and all the great posters/commentators here on the site!!
Welcome, MikiMata!
Thanks for the appreciation. I’m glad you’ve found this site to be helpful.
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A bit of personal trivia:
I named my kitty Miki… after the Miki of the “Marmalade Boy” anime.
Very cool blog, here, PN. I only got this game a couple of days ago, the day before I started posting here, and I couldn’t put it down until I’d finished it–needless to say, I didn’t get all the interesting little nuances of the game since I did my usual first-time-through frenzy without bothering to find any of the secret or rare objects (which is what I’m replaying it for now), or examining all the hotspots. I started reading this blog and realised just how much I’d missed, lol.
Anyways, since this is the place to stick off topic questions, and I can’t find this anywhere…could anyone tell me what it is that the game over screen says? It’s been driving me batty since the first time Jennifer died. All I can see is: “Little princess, little princess, precious little princess….loads I can’t make out…and they all lived happily ever after,” but that’s the bit that Stray dog voices for us anyway.
Also, I was bored, and needed to get some practice with my webdesign muscles, so I did this: RoR Wordpress Theme-ette (Mandigo with prettier pictures, lol).
Sparky wrote:
Very attractive in every way! I like it a lot. The four-leaf clover key at bottom is an especially nice touch.
First, I like the new look.
And, I’m replaying the game and clicking on everything I can.
Has anyone else peeked in the door of the sick bay during the “Sir Peter” chapter and seen Hoffman with the imps, before going and finding out about Peter in particular?
Is there a post about it/including it I can read? I don’t think I’ve seen anything about it, but I may have missed it.
Thank you!
Passerby asks:
See Hoffman With Imps, Viewed Through the Sick Bay Keyhole
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PokerNemesis wrote:
If you want it, just tell me where to send it.
I like the new background. >.<
Kinda like 1930s-ish or vintage-ish. It looked a little bit like the old wallpaper in my grandfather’s room. Nostalgic.
See what happens when I’m away? You go and change your background decor! What am I to do with you, PN? Okay, so I love it!
I’ve been busy taking lessons and classes to make up for what I missed when I canme back early. I certainly understand the burned out feeling. I live with it all of the time. The last three years and especially the last few months (since Dad’s illness) have burned me out completely.
Keep up the great work though, we’ll all do our part to help you along.
Kim
Sparky says:
pn@ruleofrosemysteries.com
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great background PN xD
reminds me of my old house back in the united states, but goodmess knows I have so few memories of it, because I just lived there from the moment I was born till I was 4 xDDD
Then it was off to Argentina with me
and now Brazil for college.
I suppose I’m a citizen of the world xDD
But enough about me.
I was looking back at the documents from after Jennifer arrived at the orphange, and I find it strange that Sir Peter is mentioned in Hoffman’s diary in May, when supposedly Wendy aquired the rabbit around the time Jennifer found Brown, which I suppose was in July? If Jennifer mixed everything in her dream, then what really happened around May? >_>
Love the background!!
Well, PN, you’ve done it to me again. The current string of posts has pulled me out of hiatus. The debates have been fun and I feel like mixing it up with my friends on this blog.
LOD is off with her fiance and will return next week when they get back from California and DisneyLand (they didn’t offer to take Dear Old Dad).
I will be returning to the classroom this fall. I’m nervous about it and feel exactly like I did all of those years ago as a brand new teacher. Scared to death!!
The most recent visit to the doctor was rewarding. I’ve been a good boy and the visiting nurse has gone bye-bye. All I have to do is behave myself. As I roll closer to my own anniversary I reflect on how precious life is and how close I came to not being her to debate the game we all love.
The burn-out that you discuss has infected me and the model has come to a dead stop. Nothing has been done to it physically for weeks and the editing on the photo albums has also paused. It’s not dead, just resting and waiting for my return. I have to take classes this summer to renew my license to teach and they are taking all of my time. Hopefully I can get back to it soon.
Keep going with the interesting posts. I’m loving it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gee, feels like the old days 8 comments (counting this one) in two days.
^_^- It’s not a bad thing.
Lost Orphan wrote:
I would love to see it when it’s finished. PN mentioned to me on another thread that you were building a model when I told him I was building a model as well (in The Sims 2 for a story project, granted, which is less impressive xD), but he also said that you might have some pointers for me since we have the problem of the house not looking the same on the inside as it is on the outside. Might I ask how you approached the issue with the windows and the size discrepancies?
I used the interior as a basis for window placement and general dimensions. The only thing that the outside was used for was feature identification (i.e. placement and numbers of dormers, exterior wall finish, layout of yard and exterior decor, etc.) There was simply no way to make the two work together (the interior and exterior) and so I made the decision that I did. It seems to be the right one. I did rely heavily on a book concerning benchwoork for model train layouts. this produced a table capable of supporting the weight of the model (2×4s wouldn’t cut it, I went straight for the 4×4s and 2×6s). The yard is divided into smaller sections on small tables (2×4s here) that can be wheeled away from the building so I can get close. The basement is on a drawer type arrangement so I can pull it out for viewing or work (it’s just an empty box right no, but eventually I want to have lights in it as well as soem of the rooms will have casement windows in them so they can be viewed from the outside)
I guess that I missed the conversation between you and PN. Where was it?
The only true pointer is to remember that it is YOUR model and project and since there is no real prototype to follow you pretty much have artistic license. So if you decide to make changes no one can complain. True, in my case, viewers of the photos (once I get them posted and finished with the editing process,it IS coming, I PROMISE!) will notice subtle differences between my orphanage and the one we see in the game. Commercially bought furnishings and internal features (doors, windows, carpet, fireplaces, light fixtures) rarely match what I have seen in the game. So I have had to make do with what I can find.
Also, plan EVERYTHING, I actually spend days planning out each room. This means that every room has a set of drawings (I took drafting in high school) that includes placement of lighting, doors, windows and fireplaces (if there is one). There is a wiring diagram for each room with the tie ins noted for the neighboring rooms. I also keep a ledger of the costs incurred (for insurance in case fire or some other disaster), it also serves to remind me how crazy I must be at times. I mentioned in a past comment that if I weren’t able to scratch build some of the items and were forced to buy everything that I couldn’t afford to do the project. This is insanely true. I am over two thousand dollars into the project and have passed the go-no go point. I’m committed to completion as I cannot afford to scrap it at this point.
If you have any specific questions I do read this blog on a daily or everyother day basis and will be glad to help in any way I can.
Thanks PN, for the recommendation. You did kind of pique my interest in the project again.
Lost Orphan asked:
See Nineteenth Month-iversary!, comments 32-38 (especially 35).
Thank you both very much!
I tried to compromise for the windows of the classroom, at least, so their positioning looks similar to the outside while trying to keep the same number of the inside. I thought it was very aesthetically appealing to go with the outside, and the project is mainly going to be for taking pictures on both the exterior and the interior. So I had to do my best to keep it nice and accurate all at once, which was very hard. But I appreciate your pointers very much, and I wish you the best of luck on your model. I can’t imagine doing such an expensive project, but it sounds quite amazing.
Sorry I’ve been away so long… my computer broke and I had to buy another.
Oh dear, that’s always awful. It’s good to have you back, though!
I do have one question that I’m unsure where to post: Near the end of the game when Jennifer enters the salon, the screen goes black and mentions that the room smells like snow, or something to that effect. I wondered if that had any significance of it that was just a random description.
Gabe,
In the “Rag Princess Sews” chapter it will say something like that when you enter the Dressing Room. That means that the Winter Perfume is there. It is the last of four perfumes (the other three are found in the “Sir Peter” chapter) that you need to collect in order to be able to exchange the set of perfumes for a key to the secret door (which you can only access in the “Rag Princess Sews” chapter.
The posts about the partial disarray in the salon and library of the airship bring a question to mind. Why only in these areas? I can’t think of any other areas in the airship where there is apparent disruption of rooms?
Lost Orphan wrote:
Sick Bay, in this same part of the airship, is also a big shambles.
Elsewhere on the airship:
The pantry is a shambles.
Perhaps the airship kitchen also qualifies… there are some fallen pots with spilled food on the floor.
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I wonder if these indicators of disruption are selectively focused on areas with a special association with Hoffman or Martha?:
Martha: food preparation areas (kitchen and pantry).
Hoffman: sick bay; salon (the salon has Hoffman’s china—and the reception room of the orphanage had a portrait of Hoffman as a young man); library (in the airship it has a portrait of Hoffman).
I had forgotten those areas. Thank, PN.
BTW, Hana, loved the photos of your project. I guess when I offered my advice I didn’t pay attention to the fact that you were building the orphanage in Sims2. I have the game myself and had never considered the project. But again, I think, since we see very little of the outside of the building that your best bet is to use the inside as a placement guide for windows and size.
My daughter asked me once how I figured sizes and dimensions and it was actually very easy. I live in a home that was built in the early 20th century. By looking at the doors and windows at my home (and similar homes, realtors are interesting when they think you are in the market) I was able to kind of decide that most homes built about that time had ten to twelve foot ceilings. Doors were about 30 inches wide and windows were also about that width but much taller (70 inches was the norm). By taking stills of the rooms and measuring the door I was able to measure room dimensions and came out with believeable rooms. Floor tiles, which are normally 12 inches by 12 inches were a great help in the main halls.
By applying these facts and the drafting classes I had in school the project became much easier.
LOD is back from vacation and as I type sleeping off jet lag. The future son in law promises to be interesting as he also loves RoR. That’s how they met. Who knows, maybe in a few years we’ll be hearing from Lost Orphan’s Granddaughter or Grandson.
I wrote:
Perhaps I should include Clara into the equation, as she is associated with the Sick Bay. I guess I am wondering if the disrupted areas might be connected (if only symbolically) with the disappearances of people.
Lost Orphan wrote:
Do they consider one of the game tunes to be “their song”?
: can so imagine the Once Upon a Time theme as she walks down the isle.:
^__^-
Lol !
But isn’t that the same tune as “A Love Suicide”? That title would definitely raise eyebrows at a wedding! O_o
Now my mind is getting flooded by silly thoughts like adding “I will break my arm” to the wedding vows! XP
Everlasting
True Love
I am Yours
…wouldn’t be bad for wedding vows …except for the fact that this vow didn’t really work out too well in the story.
Once Upon a Time has no words. ^_~ Hence it would be a good wedding march. XDD
“Ok… exchange the bear and brooch” (instead of rings. XDD)
That would actually be kinda cute if they were like pendants or something.
Actually, PN, when you said something about adding “I will break my arm” you were a little off. It could very well be “I will break YOUR arm”! Kim is a 2nd degree black belt in karate.
She actually loves the Piano Etude that is played during the OUAT chapter. I managed to get a copy of the soundtrack CD and she taped it for her own use. She loves to play along with it on the flute as well as our piano. I guess if there were any that they consider “their song” that would probably be it.
Masq, her nickname as a child was Kim-bear-lee as she loved teddy bears and collected them in all forms. Made finding gifts for her very easy. I don’t know about the wedding march but she likes the idea of having it played while they exchange vows and had mentioned it months ago.
… I’m pretty sure Kim and I were sisters in another life…
I was “Ker-bear” when I was a kid.
Cool, a sister! I always wanted one, but Dad said one daughter was enough. I can’t understand why. LOL
California was beautiful and I almost didn’t want to come back to the Midwest. We spent longer than we intended to out there, but Daddy told me we had better do it now before children start arriving. Something about money always being short. I know that being a college student isn’t the same thing as being a parent, but money IS always short.
Hey, Masq, how’s the writing course going? Still doing hair? We don’t correspond like we used to and I’ve fallen behind.
Daddy went and revealed my childhood nickname and had a good laugh over it. The nickname I preferred was actually “Kimmy-bear”, but Dad was kind and used both.
My college registration papers for the fall arrived the other day and I’ve been busy going over them since I got back to something resembling living (jet lag is a bitch). The last year promises to be a breeze since I’m over the hump. It looks like this girl is going to make it.
Keep writing and I’ll keep responding.
Cheers,
Kim
Am I still working on the course? Yes. It’s slow going, but I’m working on it.
Am I still doing hair? Again, yes. But I’m right now running two jobs and school It’s difficult to spread myself so thin. vv()
I do hair but not as often as I’d enjoy. But I’m keeping up with it.
Sometimes I feel like I’m alone out in space swimming towards a distant planet that I can barely see.
You know, Masq, I’ve felt that way a lot since starting school. I mean, I’m so far from home when I’m there and it takes so long to get home when something happens. This last year just dragged along (Dad being sick and all) and there were times when I can honestly say I felt the same way. There is light at the end of the tunnel it’s just that life throws curves at you on the way to it.
Success! I got Dad interested in getting back to editing the folders for viewing. Maybe the light at the end of that tunnel is getting brighter. He gets stronger and more sure of himself everyday. When I went on vacation it was kind of a dry run for him for when I leave to go back to school. He’s going to be fine, I keep reassuring him of it. You don’t realize how much your parents (in my case parent) mean to you until you almost lose them. It’s hard to believe that it has been almost a year since the attack. He seems almost like he used to, there are glitches here and there but for the most part he is his old self again. I’ve noticed an upswing in the number of comments that he is making to this blog. Another positive step.
My friend who was gong to start his own blog (The Onion Bag) flunked out of school. He totally blew his finals and actually just quit trying. I’ll probably never see him again
He made life interesting at school.
Now that I’m back I’ll be commenting more.
Cheers,
Kim
Th- that’s so awesome…
A Rule of Rose wedding totally had me salivating. Congratulations, Kim!
And thank you so much for your comments, Lost Orphan. I’m really sorry I missed them, my laptop hinges melted apart (?!?) and I had to send it back to their warehouse for repairs. They fixed it really quickly, but unfortunately things with FedEx got screwed up when it was on the way back here and they sent it back, delaying it another four days. Arrrgh it’s been so frustrating.
But I’m supposed to be getting it back today (I’ve had to survive by using my roommate’s laptop when she’s not using it), and then I can restart my RoR project after two weeks. ):
edit: …Just thinking about you and your fiancé, Kim, made me hope that my story is as cool as that. I would die happy if I could get married to someone with my wedding garb as an SH nurse and my SO dressed as PyramidHead. I think my family might look at me cross-eyed, though.
Hana wrote:
Was it a Hewlett-Packard laptop? I just recently had that happen to my HP and found out there was a recall due to a manufacturer’s defect (and a lot of people with broken hinges on their laptops). Unfortunately the time limit had expired just a few days prior to my laptop’s breakage. And the hinge-defect quickly caused enough strain to disable the power switch.
Just one of many problems I had to deal with recently.
I have a Sony laptop now. I’m hoping the Sony reputation for high quality is true and I can get a long period of trouble-free use out of it.
Oh jeez, that’s terrible. I’m sorry about that, especially in conjunction with all your other issues. I really hope you get them all taken care of soon.
But no, I actually have a Dell. I spoke to customer service and they kind of jerked me around a bit, told me to send it in for repairs but couldn’t tell me one way or the other if my warranty actually covered it or not. And I really -really- can’t afford to pay for computer repairs at the moment, so I took it in to someone who could tell me whether or not my warranty would cover all my damages and he assured me that it did, so I finally sent it in.
I suppose they…expected the problem? But I hadn’t heard anything about recalls, so I can only assume it wasn’t an issue that occurs often enough for something like that. I can understand in my case, since Sims really does seem to heat up my computer a lot. I just wasn’t expecting an issue quite like that. But I got it back yesterday and they fixed it completely, so I am a terribly happy individual. Now I just have to worry about packing, augh.