liralen | Reading

Well, if Armageddon returns, I at least have my minor pleasures. Like a gas bill in the minus numbers and a tax refund that's only slightly less than last year. And it's less thanks to the dental plan which is still a win. Then I was pleased to see the Folio Society has an illustrated Howl's Moving Castle available. Either my eyesight was acting up or someone miscoded the webpage because I saw the price-- $1000-- and was hell no. Only it's actually $100, which is more like. Maybe see how expenses go this month-- I have a crown that insurance won't pay for and a tree trimming on the 20th-- but perhaps after that...

Finished nothing but a Dr Priestley or two this week. Tiktok is all I'm up for in these antsy latter days.

flemmings

Well, if we're heading towards the apocalypse at least we're doing it on a sunny day. A cold sunny day, mind: snow on the rooftops when I got out of bed at an unwonted 9:30. Vanished in the April sun when I eventually went out to catch the 4 pm opening of Sushi on Bloor. Had a bento, very pleasant except for the guy who came in and plonked himself down two tables from me. He'd been smoking before he came in and reeked of it. Had to put sanitizer on my upper lip to kill the smell. I know most people don't smell most things, and smokers certainly can't, but it's a misery for those of us who do. I suppose it's like those with perfect pitch who have to listen to rock singers who definitely don't.

Otherwise sun and snow do make a change from the chronic rain showers and also what was probably thundersnow last night. Whether it's the rain or whether it's a new stage of decrepitude, but my wrists are now catching and panging arthritically in the fashion of my April elbows. Last month I could skip acupuncture no problem, but having missed last week's session was clearly a bad idea. Have also ballooned with water weight as my ankles and scale inform me, alas. Time to drop the vodka coolers and reintroduce the 1.5 litres of water again.

flemmings

Yeah, rain. And wind. And when the weather page said it would all stop, ie late afternoon, it started to snow. Well, sleet: little white things bouncing off the bunker roof. So I stayed in and did nothing much. Easter Sunday is not a day to go out to eat anyway.

Found a site with a downloadable .pdf No Canvassers sign but I do not have a printer and the library is closed tomorrow. I have no confidence that one pass will be enough for the Liberals or the NDP so must get it up before next weekend's last push and the following Monday's Day Of push.

The cure for Cabell's itchy-making idiocy and longueurs turns out to be, of all things, Plato. Reading the Meno in the Mentor paperback's small print, and the Euthyphro in the more legible but not as polished Loeb translation. Occasionally glancing at the Greek facing text and wondering how I was ever able to read that. Oh, and polished off my disintegrating translation of Inanna's descent into Hell, fifty years old or more, complete with editorial comparisons to Orpheus, Vergil, Dante, Swinburne-I-think (ETA no, Milton), some Irish hero I don't know, TS Eliot, and I forget what else. No doubt she'd have thrown in the Provencal poets too, like everyone else of that generation, if only they'd written about travelling through the netherworld. A quick consult of wikipedia suggests she should have been referencing Gilgamesh, but she didn't.

$mdlbear: blue fractal bear with text "since 2002" (Default)$

mdlbear

I walked every day this week! And they were good walks -- the shortest was .64km. We'll see whether I can keep it up. My blood count is still low (as of my appointment Wednesday), but it's stable and high enough that they aren't going to recommend a bone marrow biopsy. Whew! I mentioned the hip/back pain that limits my walking; I need to ask my GP for a referral to PT.

On the other hand, they didn't have my compression socks ready by my Tuesday appointment, so it got rescheduled to next week. Another week of uncomfortable leg wraps. Still better than it was before they started.

Still no action on Lizzy's repair or Scarlett's charger.

I posted a Songs for Saturday yesterday -- the last post tagged with s4s was in January. I need to write more.

Linkies: Desolation (One Small Step) by Mike Whitaker made me cry. And from Friday, A Dandelion on the Seder Plate - Keshet For trans love and celebration.

And then there's What’s The Difference between Utopia, Eutopia and Protopia? In case you were wondering what Naomi's book -- subtitled "Stories from a protopian future" -- is all about.

( Notes & links, as usual )

Current Mood: anxious
Current Location: Schildhaven in Den Haag

reviews_and_ramblings

If you’re looking for a historical BL that doesn't just pull at your heartstrings but actively tries to shred them, "Kill to Love" (2025)—adapted from the novel The Eternal Silence of Mountains and Rivers (Shan He Yong Ji)—is the one. Produced in Singapore to navigate the censorship hurdles of mainland China, this 12-episode series has quickly become a "trauma-core" favorite in the community. The story follows Xiao Shu He (Mi Jin), the gentle and artistic sixth prince of the Southern Kingdom, and Duan Zi Ang (Zhang Zhe Xu), a mysterious assassin from the North. Their meeting is built on deception—Zi Ang is a spy—but they form an intense, forbidden bond. The turning point comes when Zi Ang kills Shu He’s brother (the Crown Prince) to "protect" Shu He’s path to the throne. This act shatters their relationship, leading to a five-year time skip where Zi Ang returns as a mad, obsessive Emperor of the North, determined to conquer Shu He’s kingdom and the man himself. This isn't a fluffy drama. It leans heavily into themes of obsession, betrayal, and "yandere" energy. Zhang Zhe Xu’s performance as the love-crazed Emperor is terrifyingly good, capturing a man who would burn a world just to keep his lover in a gilded cage. Despite being a lower-budget production, the chemistry between Mi Jin and Zhang Zhe Xu is electric. Their "micro-expressions" during the more tense, intimate moments are spot on. Unlike many censored "bromance" adaptations, Kill to Love explicitly portrays their romantic devotion, including a landmark same-sex marriage scene that has been hailed as a historical moment for the genre. For a web series, the cinematography is surprisingly lush. The soundtrack, particularly the ending OST, perfectly underscores the "beautiful tragedy" vibe. With only 12 episodes (approx. 35 minutes each), the latter half of the series feels rushed. The transition of Zi Ang from a spy to a world-conquering Emperor happens quite abruptly. You won’t see massive Game of Thrones-style battles. Because of the budget, many "wars" are implied or shown through small-scale skirmishes. Without spoiling too much, keep your tissues close. It follows the "Tragic BL" tradition where love is a double-edged sword. If you are a fan of "broken" characters and the "enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-again" trope, this will likely be your favorite drama of the year. Just don't expect a happy-go-lucky ending! Watch on Gagaoolala. Heat Level: 4/6.

reviews_and_ramblings

A dark romance about a painter who refuses to paint and a nobleman who will do anything to make him. The full-color Boys’ Love webtoon/manhwa sensation finally makes its way to English print! And don’t miss out on seeing these characters (and others!) in Lezhin’s new BL game, Zerowake GATES!

Na-kyum is a talented artist who excels in painting beautiful gay erotica, though he does so under a pseudonym. Yet recently, he has given up painting, vowing never to create lewd art again. But the notoriously lust-driven nobleman Seungho Yoon didn’t get the memo—nor will he accept it—and forces Na-kyum to become his in-house painter, demanding the artist create his erotic works just for Seungho to enjoy. Can Na-kyum endure being Seungho’s personal painter of the night or will the late-night activities be too much for him? For Mature Readers.

My Rate: 8 (amzn.to/3Omkbub)

Painter of the Night by Byeonduck is a titan in the BL manhwa world, often cited as the gold standard for historical "dark romance." It is as famous for its breathtaking, high-detail art as it is for its polarizing, heavy-duty themes. Set in the Joseon Dynasty, the story follows Baek Na-kyum, a prodigious painter of erotic art who has given up his craft. His retirement is cut short when Yoon Seungho, a young nobleman known for his hedonism and terrifying temper, forcibly recruits him. Seungho is obsessed with Na-kyum’s work—not just for the art, but for the visceral way Na-kyum captures desire. Byeonduck’s art is arguably the best in the genre. From the intricate details of traditional Korean hanboks to the hauntingly expressive eyes of the characters, every panel feels like a painting. Without spoiling too much, the character development (especially for Seungho) is massive. He shifts from a literal monster to a deeply complex man haunted by trauma. The series uses its historical setting effectively, incorporating class struggle, political intrigue, and the suffocating social expectations of the Joseon era. It isn’t just "smut." It is a heavy psychological drama that explores how two broken people can—very slowly and painfully—find a way to exist together. This is not a "fluffy" romance. The first season is particularly difficult, featuring dubious/non-consensual encounters, physical abuse, and severe power imbalances. For a long time, the relationship is built on coercion. While the story eventually moves toward a "Happy Ending," the journey there is paved with emotional trauma. Na-kyum’s obsession with his manipulative teacher, Jung In-hun, provides some of the most frustrating (yet narratively necessary) moments in the series. Read it if you love historical dramas, incredible art, and "enemies-to-lovers" stories where the "enemies" part is taken to a dark, psychological extreme.

flemmings

Yesterday achieved the dizzy heights of 22C, which means patio weather in TO, so after voting I went and sat on a patio and watched the great white clouds of summer lumber overhead. Evidently no matter the restaurant, fish and chips in this here burg means a great slab of deepfried something. Maybe I'm just confused by the fish fingers of my childhood because I always expect something more dainty. However Pour Boy's is better than Paupers' and the servings as ever were generous enough that they sufficed for lunch today.

When I went out to the polls I half expected rain shortly, just from the grey-banded clouds and the fretful wind. But those were presumably the last hurrah of the overnight rain that flooded all the street corners. I still ached and was abominably stiff all through yesterday so my 5600+ steps were accomplished in misery and wanhope. Today, with temps back to seasonable cold, I'm much more limber. Still not venturing outside because, sun or not, the weather pages are saying heavy rain. Am indoors with vodka and beanbags, trying not to spend the whole day on tiktok and failing miserably.

mdlbear

... is Hurrian Hymn #6, addressed to the goddess Nikkal (wife of the moon god Nanna) and dates to around 1400 BCE.

Here it is on YouTube. The actual song, with lyrics in Hurrian and English, starts around 8:20. That's what I encountered first.

Here's an article on OpenCulture.com, which quite a few different videos; the first of which has the lyrics all on one screen (under the cut). I'm going to assume that the song is public domain. By a lot. The article has a quite a few good related links.

( lyrics, if you don't want to click through: )

Current Mood: intrigued
Current Music: see post

reviews_and_ramblings

Head 2 Head (2025) blends the classic "enemies-to-lovers" trope with a supernatural twist. Starring Sea Dechchart and Keen Suvijak (who previously charmed audiences in Only Boo!), the show is a mix of sweetness and tonal inconsistencies. The story follows Jerome (Sea) and Jinn (Keen), childhood rivals who have spent years competing in everything from academics to car racing. After a racing accident, Jerome begins having vivid, supernatural visions of the future—specifically, a future where Jinn is his soulmate, but also one where Jinn is in constant danger. The series explores whether Jerome can change fate or if his attempts to save Jinn only bring them closer together. If you liked SeaKeen in Only Boo!, you’ll likely enjoy this. The chemistry is "electric" and the romantic scenes feel more mature and tender than their previous work. Moving away from the typical Engineering/Medical faculty, the characters are fashion design students, which provides a more aesthetic and vibrant backdrop (though the "fashion student" outfits were just basic shirts). The secondary couple, Van (Java) and Farm (Surf), had a very nice "friends-to-lovers" arc, which I found emotionally satisfying despite having less screen time. The show struggles to decide if it’s a lighthearted comedy or a dark, supernatural thriller. One moment you’re watching silly bickering; the next, Jerome is sobbing over a vision of Jinn’s death. The "future vision" rules are a bit murky. Sometime I found the timeline of events hard to follow, leading to "plot holes" that made the supernatural stakes feel less impactful by the finale. While the beginning is strong and full of tension, the middle episodes are a bit repetitive, with the final arc feeling rushed to provide a "magical" solution to the conflict. Watch it if you love high-tension bickering and "fated soulmates" vibes. If you’re a stickler for consistent world-building and logical plot progression, the supernatural elements might frustrate you. HEA. Watch on Youtube. Heat Level: 3/6.

reviews_and_ramblings

Every kiss is cursed! Haekyung's got it all: looks, personality, job. But there's one thing messing up his seemingly perfect life — a jinx. Whenever he kisses someone, he gets dumped, his projects fail, and general misery ensues. Now freshly single, will Haekyung be able to overcome his jinx.

My Rate: 7 (www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/lovejinx)

Love Jinx is a popular BL manhwa by author Geonhan that leans heavily into the "toxic red flag" and "fated connection" tropes. It focuses on a supernatural-esque bad luck curse. The story follows Lim Haegyung, a man plagued by a bizarre jinx: whenever he kisses someone, his life immediately falls apart. His boyfriends break up with him, his career hits a wall, or disaster strikes. After a particularly messy breakup, he ends up crossing paths with Kang Woojin, a younger man from his past who Haegyung believes is the actual source of his "jinx." Due to a series of financial and housing woes, Haegyung ends up living in the same house as Woojin, leading to a high-tension, obsessive power struggle. Lim Haegyung is competent and hardworking but emotionally exhausted by his "curse." He spends much of the story trying to escape Woojin’s influence while grappling with his past feelings for him. Kang Woojin is a quintessential "Black Flag" lead. He is obsessive, manipulative, and possesses a "yandere" streak. He has been fixated on Haegyung for years and will use any means—financial or psychological—to keep him close. This is not a "fluffy" romance. The relationship is built on obsession and a massive power imbalance. The story keeps you guessing about whether the jinx is a literal supernatural curse or a psychological manifestation of Haegyung's trauma regarding Woojin. The art is top-tier—clean, expressive, and very "handsome." Geonhan is known for drawing aesthetically pleasing characters that make even the most questionable behavior look tempting. It is a high-heat series with frequent explicit scenes that drive the plot (or the "jinx") forward. Like many "dark" BLs, the boundaries of consent are often blurred or ignored by the male lead. Woojin frequently manipulates Haegyung’s circumstances to make him dependent. Read it if you enjoy the "obsessive stalker-ish lead" trope, high-drama reunions, and top-tier art. It’s great for fans of BJ Alex or Painter of the Night.

reviews_and_ramblings

Fourever You is a Thai BL series that feels like a nostalgic nod to the classic college-campus romances of the late 2010s. Directed by New Siwaj Sawatmaneekul (known for We Are and A Boss and a Babe), it is an ambitious project that attempts to juggle four distinct romantic storylines based on a popular novel set. The series follows a group of friends and roommates as they navigate the chaotic waters of university life and unexpected romance: Easter & Hill: The "Second Chance" trope. Easter moves to a northern university to escape his past, only to run into his ex-flame, Hill. North & Johan: The "Debtor/Creditor" trope. North gets into a drunken mess and ends up owing the wealthy, stoic Johan, leading to a forced-proximity romance that is the highlight of Part 1. Typhoon & Tonfah: Explored more deeply in Part 2, focusing on the "Childhood Friends" dynamic and the pain of long-term separation. Daotok & Arthit: A more unique pairing involving a character who can see ghosts and a quirky senior; to be praised for its freshness compared to the more standard tropes. Bas Hatsanat (North) and Maxky Ratchata (Johan) stole the show. Their "rich serious guy vs. poor goofy guy" dynamic provided the most consistent entertainment and emotional payoff. As the series progressed into Part 2, the cinematography became moodier and more polished, moving away from the bright, flat lighting of older BLs. The "Doctor group" and the Art club friends provide genuine, funny interactions that capture the feeling of real-life university friendships. With 17 episodes in the first part alone, the story felt "stretched too thin": conflicts which could be resolved in two episodes sometimes dragged on for six. Despite the "Four" in the title, the screen time is not always balanced. Part 1 focuses heavily on Easter and Hill, not allowing the other couples a right development until much later. The romance between Easter and Hill relies heavily on the "protagonist is oblivious" trope, which can be taxing if you prefer more direct communication. Fourever You is a "comfort watch." It doesn't reinvent the wheel, and it leans heavily into clichés you’ve seen before (drunken brawls, engineering vs. medical students, accidental kisses). Watch it if you miss the classic 2010s-era Thai BL vibes, love a good "debtor/creditor" romance, or are a fan of Bas Hatsanat's comedic timing. HEA. Watch on Viki and WeTV. Heat Level: 4/6.

flemmings

The one thing it reliably does in April is rain. It rained last night and this morning but stopped enough to let me get to Fiesta around 4 for more Savoyard omelette ingredients, against this weekend's double closures. Crammed enough that I had to wait for a basket but nothing like what Saturday will be. And Saturday is supposed to be heavy rain again-- oh these special weather statements, how they oppress my soul. Wind, rain, thunderstorms all spring, yielding to heat and air quality alerts all summer.

But tomorrow should be both dry and sudden!warm, though 18 with a wind is not quite the same as Monday's 20 in sullen sun. I will probably go to the advanced polling at the school beyond Fiesta for our by-election since our MP is being sent off to Ukraine. It finally registers that the advanced poll is located much much closer than the day-of polling station, and the Easter weekend allows four days for it. Last year's federal election fell on Easter, thereby allowing three days for the actual polling. This seems to be Carney's strategy, and go him. Doug Ford, take note.

And maybe restaurants will be open Friday and Sunday and maybe they won't be too crowded but am not getting my hopes up. Maybe I will just stay tiddly and beanbagged until this most unchancy of holidays gets itself over with. My elbows are unhappy and my sinuses are unhappy and, well, April is a cruel month all in all. Not the cruelest, whatever Tom says: that's July. But pretty bad.

mdlbear

Today I am thankful for...

The successful launch of NASA's Artemis II mission.
Contact forms -- when they work.
The fact that I can dry-roast almonds in the microwave.
For that matter, microwave ovens. And convection ovens. And let's not forget dishwashers and other kitchen appliances we didn't have when I was a kid.
Blue cheese.

Current Mood: grateful
Current Location: Schildhaven in Den Haag

reviews_and_ramblings

If you’re looking for a Thai BL that breaks the standard "high school or engineering" mold, Every You, Every Me (2024) is a refreshingly experimental anthology. Starring Mick Monthon and Top Piyawat, it’s a journey through multiple lives that feels like a "greatest hits" of BL tropes, but with a clever connective tissue. The series follows the concept of two souls destined to find each other across a thousand lifetimes. It consists of five distinct stories spread across 8–10 episodes, featuring the same lead actors in different roles: Story 1 (Fantasy/Soulmates): Two colorblind men who can only see color when they meet their destined partner in the rain (similar to the "Color Rush" or "La Pluie" concept). Story 2 (Office Romance): A classic boss-secretary dynamic between a strict manager and a capable newcomer. Story 3 (Melodrama): A heavy, emotional tale involving a car mechanic and a grieving man. Story 4 (Music/Healing): A washed-up musician and a fan's brother who find a connection through guitar lessons. Story 5 (The Meta-Twist): The final arc cleverly ties the previous stories together, revealing the overarching "thousand lifetimes" lore. The real draw here is watching Mick and Top shift personalities every two episodes. They go from shy and naive to strict and professional, then to "gremlin" energy and "thirst-trap" flirtation. It’s essentially an acting showcase for the duo. The cinematography is cinematic and atmospheric, especially during the rain-drenched fantasy scenes and the gritty garage settings. Because it’s an anthology, if you don't like one trope, you only have to wait two episodes for a completely different vibe. Some arcs are significantly stronger than others. The first story is a bit clunky and derivative, while the third story (the mechanic arc) can feel slow and overly angsty. Switching from lighthearted rom-com vibes (Story 2) to heavy, "theatrical" sobbing (Story 3) can be jarring if you prefer a consistent mood throughout a series. Like many Thai BLs, the product placement can be quite intrusive and sometimes breaks the immersion of the more serious scenes. Watch this if you love the "soulmate" trope, enjoy seeing the same actors play different roles (like in Seven Days Before Valentine), or want something more mature than the typical campus setting. Most of the individual short stories within the series conclude on a positive or hopeful note. HEA. Watch on Gagaoolala. Heat Level: 5/6.

flemmings

Yesterday was a total washout, literally. Monday night was a nuit blanche interrupted by rolling thunderstorms, so I read until 4 and slept in to headachy noon. It continued to storm and deluge all day and especially into the evening, as the temps dropped from Monday's muggy 20C to something more seasonable overnight. Had the heat on when I went to bed because we were hitting 4C by morning. Today, well, got up to Loblaws for milk and such, bundled up garbage for tomorrow's pickup, and made zucchini fritters. I'd grated the zucchini and potatoes yesterday with my *extremely* achy elbows-- apparently pressure changes and damp are registered in the arms now-- and tried to squeeze out the moisture through the cheesecloth I bought on the weekend. Discover that kitchen scissors and nail scissors will not cut cheesecloth. Shoved the mixture into a tupperware and had something else for dinner. Today I used a linen tea towel and that worked fine, but the carrot I was going to add had gone rubbery unpeelable and ungratable. Tossed that, added soupçon of flour and egg to the mix, and fried them up. Passable, but if I ever do this again will definitely add onion. And maybe baking soda like they say, to make the things lighter.

Have had a Dr Priestley on the go since forever and still not finished it. I want country house murders and this is about a syndicate that steals stuff. Finished Cabell's The High Place, wondering why I still read Cabell and his extremely unlikeable protagonists, a murderer in this case, as well as a horndog like *every last one of his male characters.* There's a name for why I'm doing it, which I suspect is masochism. 'My critics think I am an enemy to marriage,' James whines. 'As a married man, I take exception to this.' Yeah well, all the guys you write can't stand their wives and go around having it off with any nubile thing available, so no wonder. I need to stop reading male authors, is what.

mdlbear

Welcome to March 32, 2026!

Current Mood: ?
Current Location: Schildhaven in Den Haag

reviews_and_ramblings

Cat for Cash (2026) is a masterclass in the "healing" drama genre. If you came for a standard rom-com, you might be surprised by the emotional weight, but if you came for the powerhouse chemistry of First Kanaphan and Khaotung Thanawat, you’re in for a treat. The story follows Tiger (First), a debt collector who is a massive cat lover but—in a cruel twist of fate—is severely allergic to them. After the passing of a kind cafe owner, Tiger inherits a magical ability to understand and talk to cats. He crosses paths with Lynx (Khaotung), the late owner’s estranged son. Lynx is a prickly interpreter who actually dislikes cats and wants to sell his mother’s cafe to settle her debts. Tiger, moved by the cats' pleas to stay together, tricks Lynx into running the cafe with him. After intense roles in The Eclipse and Only Friends, it is refreshing to see them in a more domestic, albeit supernatural, setting. First plays "tough guy with a soft heart" perfectly, while Khaotung’s portrayal of layered grief and eventual softening is heart-wrenching. While the "talking cats" element provides some whimsical comedy, the core of the show is about reconciliation and grief. It explores the regret of things left unsaid between parents and children. The feline "cast" is genuinely charming. The show uses them as a bridge for the human characters to express emotions they otherwise can't verbalize. Despite the cute title, this show is a heavy "slice-of-life." The first and final episodes, in particular, are known for being absolute sob-fests. It is a slow-burn romance. The focus is often more on the cafe’s daily struggles and the characters' internal growth than on high-octane plot twists. You have to suspend some disbelief regarding the "magical" inheritance of cat-talking powers and the logistics of how the debt collection business works alongside a cat cafe. If you love cats and don't mind crying a little (or a lot), Cat for Cash is a beautiful, grounded series that proves First and Khaotung are some of the best emotional actors in the industry today. But don't worry, the series concludes with a "bittersweet-sweet" resolution. While it deals heavily with themes of loss throughout the final episodes, the ending for the main couple and the feline cast is very much positive. HEA. Watch on Youtube. Heat Level: 3/6.

reviews_and_ramblings

Burnout Syndrome (2026) is one of the more artistically ambitious GMMTV projects to come out in recent years. Directed by Nuchy Anucha Boonyawatana (who also helmed the acclaimed Not Me), it marks a sharp departure from the typical "university rom-com" formula, opting instead for a moody, neo-noir aesthetic that explores the intersection of art, AI, and emotional exhaustion. The story follows Jira (Gun Atthaphan), a struggling, 28-year-old artist who is losing his passion in a world increasingly dominated by AI-generated art. Desperate for money, he takes a mysterious job from Koh (Off Jumpol), a reclusive, insomniac tech mogul who despises human interaction. The deal? Jira must act as a social proxy for Koh in business settings, while Koh serves as a muse for Jira's paintings. The situation is further complicated by Pheem (Dew Jirawat), an AI coder who is also burnt out and finds himself drawn to Jira, creating a heavy, emotionally charged love triangle. This is easily some of OffGun's best work. They move away from "cute" dynamics into something much more raw, mature, and occasionally toxic. The show is gorgeous. It uses a "soft noir" palette—lots of cigarette smoke, jazz-infused soundtracks, and intimate close-ups. It feels more like an indie film than a standard TV drama. It tackles the modern anxiety surrounding AI and the "commodification of beauty" in a way that feels very timely for 2026. Often criticized in past roles, Dew Jirawat shines here as Pheem. He brings a quiet, weary vulnerability that many viewers found to be the heart of the show. Without spoiling too much, the finale divided the fanbase. I felt the "moral of the story" was lost, especially regarding the resolution of the AI ethics conflict and the toxic nature of the central relationship. If you prefer straightforward romance, the "morally grey" nature of all three leads might be frustrating. There isn’t a clear "good guy." It is a "masterpiece of vibes" that occasionally trips over its own plot, but it’s a must-watch for anyone who wants a more "literary" and artistic take on the BL genre. It's not really an HEA since it suggests some people are just addicted to their "burnout" and the people who cause it. Watch on iQIYI. Heat Level: 5/6.

flemmings

Woodsman #3 comes this morning. Actually gives me a possible start date so may actually come through with an estimate. Must contact a fourth company, the one SNDs spoke to last summer, and see what they can do with the rest of my tree. And then I can go back to sleeping in, at least until they actually start cutting.

Garden waste pickup has started again. If I feel energetic tomorrow I may bag those leaves from last fall, if I can remember where I put the bags. Also bundle up the various branches that the wind has stripped off the linden.

Cabell reads better on the tablet than in dead tree, courtesy of Faded Page. Gutenberg is supposed to have more but Gutenberg won't load for me any more than substack will. Technology, bah.

$mdlbear: blue fractal bear with text "since 2002" (Default)$

mdlbear

Not a bad week, though not nearly as productive as it should have been. (I know -- I shouldn't should myself. But still, some stuff needs to get done.) I have noticed that my brain doesn't distinguish well between work and health-care-related stuff like appointments. And to be fair there have been a lot of those. Explanation, not excuse.

Part of the problem may be that writing and music aren't getting done because they're prioritized behind tax and other business paperwork, email, phone calls, and similar unpleasant and sometimes difficult things. So while I'm "busy" not doing those, the more pleasant things aren't getting done either.

I did walk six out of the seven days last week, so there's that. And I got (laptop)Lilac configured to the point of being usable on extended trips. (See Tuesday.) That's probably worth a curmudgeon post at some point -- it involved setting up an encrypted directory tree, and installing a DongleHider+ to put the (Logitech)mouse and (Lenovo)keyboard dongles on the same expansion slot.

From Monday, A Boy And His Atom: The World's Smallest Movie. From Tuesday, Geneva's CERN takes antiprotons for a spin in a never-before-tried test (there has to be a country music filk in there somewhere). Also, did you know there's a Socks Wiki?

( Notes & links, as usual )

Current Mood: annoyed with myself
Current Location: Schildhaven in Den Haag
Current Music: not much; see post

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Kill to Love (2025)

Painter of the Night by Byeonduck

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Songs for Saturday: The oldest known song

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Love Jinx by Geonhan

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Every You, Every Me (2024)

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