@king_of_simcity7 - Killing Sims (or harming them) is a playstyle or event choice (no judgement) :). For me, since I live in a world with a vast global history of horrible human to human atrocities, where murder has become common place and the concern for helping people improve their lives by eliminating or alleviating some human inflicted sufferings is becoming more and more disconnected; I can't imagine mirroring that in their world. I'm not on a moral/ethical soapbox, but living in a world where the effect of these events are seen and felt every day and everywhere, I find absolutely nothing entertaining, funny or the likes about wicked, cruel or brutal acts inflicted upon Sims.
@PalmArrow - (I awesomed you) - I don't dislike the paparazzi either. I have my celebrity Sims talk with them (after all, they're just doing their job). I do absolutely hate the part of the celebrity system which creates slanderous rumors. The friendship loss penalty is too high for the event no matter what was said.
Concerning their needs, I don't mind that so much because it's a part of life. If I had a dime for all the times when I was bone tired and had to choose between eating or sleeping, or bathing or sleeping, I'd have a good portion of the world's dimes :D! I fill my Sims needs based upon what they have to do and not what their meter says. If I know my Sim is going to have to do a task which will take up a good portion of their day; off to the bathroom they go before they start. I also use LTRs like 'Steel Bladder' and the likes for my Military Sims who have to go out on 'missions', I consider this as a 'learned technique' rather than a perk ;).
@emorill - There are several tricks I use when designing the layout of my Sim's home. One is the two space technique. This is where two spaces or 'a passing lane' (if you will) is used for rooms. I also consider how a Sim moves as routing will always direct them to the 'nearest' object. Lastly, I always keep in mind 'social' spaces because a Sim will stop to talk at any time, anywhere :D! Anyhow, I broke into...er...stopped by to check on one of my Sim's home while he's away on a case and thought I'd take a few pictures as examples while there:
Kitchen:
Food from the fridge gets prepared on the counter to it side. Food cooked on the stove is placed on the left or right counter. Food prepared in the processor (such as salad) is placed to the left and Microwave food is placed on the kitchen cart.
https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c6a8/poqd4nl8453xx0d6g.jpg
Living Room:
The furniture is placed in such a way to prevent bottlenecks and route failures. You'll notice the only furniture on the rug is the tables. The love seat is moved back to allow a 'passing lane', while the end tables create a single exit for the game to calculate routing. Sims sitting in either chair can exit to the left or the right of that chair unless there is a Sim leaving the loveseat in the way. In that case, the game can only route them to the unused path. Sims leaving the loveseat can only exit to the left or the right of the end tables.
https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e3da/3brp7w3b0jmpmf26g.jpg
Front Porch:
Two spaces makes it possible for Sims to greet their visitors on the porch instead of walking back down to the ground. Plus, they can visit outside if they like.
https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cd5f/81o330h5eokxn0t6g.jpg
Car Spaces:
Sims come to visit from all directions so, I keep cars moved back to allow for foot traffic. This has been most useful when throwing parties ;)!
https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d952/excib41ocpx1c796g.jpg
