A small portion of my rant has to do with user error, but it still fits best in this thread so...
Today was the first time in a while that I played the game, and it's also the first time since installing all EPs except Seasons. Initially I wanted 3 people, with two of them made using the genetics of existing sims, but it crashed every time I tried to pick an outfit. Okay, fine, I'll just use my simself and make her a water-loving genie, and I like her outfits so no need to mess with perfection...well, upon choosing the genie option, it changed all my outfits. While I like the genie outfit, it doesn't really suit her/me, and she has it for everyday and sleepwear. Also, it's mostly yellow. Oh well, whatever. As long as she doesn't end up with some hideous formal dress it's all good.
Once I finally got the thing up and running, progress went swimmingly, so to speak. She met Triton King and Salty Seaworth, had attractions to both of them. After randomly being forced out of the water after opening a treasure chest (guess I'll leave that last for next time, sheesh), I decided to have her signal Salty Seaworth. Salty showed up, and I happily discovered that I could enscorcel him if I wanted to...mwahahaha. So he's a Gold Digger - nothing a little LTR can't fix should things go as planned. He can keep his traits. By the time he was no longer under my control, they were finding each other irresistible, so I sent them on a date to the Paradise Pub (or something - the place with the sleep slave bed on the top floor).
Here's where user-error comes in: by the time they got to the lot, my simself was low on energy. I wasn't planning to use cheats and generally prefer not to, but I wanted this date to go reaaaaaaallllly well, so in order to increase her energy, I proceeded to hit the 3-key-combo that I use the most often...command, option, escape. I have a MacBook. On the bright side, I saved right before they headed over to the pub. I'll take this as a sign that it's bedtime.