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PSA: I'M ANNOYED AT MY PAIN, NOT AT YOU.

I CAN SOUND REALLY IRRITATED WHEN MY PAIN LEVELS ARE HIGH.

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This Week in BL - new entries upset the rankings

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

April 2024 Wk 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

City of Stars (Fri iQIYI) ep 11 of 12 - Like most Thai BL pulps, this show doesn’t have much story to it. But I'm discovering that what it does have I actually really enjoy. I love that the gay boys got to play matchmaker for a change and I like how just GAY they are. It's nice. Refreshing.

We Are (Weds GMMTV iQIYI) ep 1-2 of 16 - University ensemble BL featuring PondPhuwin, WinnySatang, AouBoom, MarcPawinPoon. I like it. It’s old school Thai BL, but having fun with itself and its tropes. I’m not expecting much, so I don’t mind it waffling. All the couples are comfy. Chemistry is okay. Friendships are nifty. I like Pond's floppy hair. We fine. 

Two Worlds (Thurs IQIYI) ep 5 of 10 - What an extremely bloody episode. And bad guy turned out to be very bad indeed. And now pretty much everyone is dead. Nice kiss. Of course. 

Deep Night (Thurs iQiyi) ep 6 of 8 - It’s cute, they happy, not a ton happened. Random gratuitous bathing. As you do in BL. And I still think the sides should just end up in a thrupple

Only Boo! (Sun YouTube) ep 2 of 12 - Oh they very cute. Also very silly. 

1000 Years Old (Thurs iQIYI) ep 9 of 12 - No. NOT THE GUITAR. YES abandon guitar for the sniff test! Love this for them. And me. My most favorite trope defeated my least favorite trope. VICTORY!!!  

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Unknown (Taiwan Tues YouTube & Viki) ep 8 of 11 - It’s just so good. Baby went away, grew up, and learned how to become a temptation... and a husband. 

Gray Shelter AKA Gray Currents (Korea Thurs iQIYI) 1 of 5 eps - SooHyuk, only just surviving, reunites with YoonDae, his (brief) younger stepbrother who feels abandoned. They end up living together. The younger brother is played by Lee Jae Bin of Choco Milk Shake. OMG. STEPBROTHERS TROPE. Lucky me! Two in one season. Yay!!!! It's Korea so great visuals too. I shallow but yeah, this is great.

Living With Him AKA Kare no Iru Seikatsu (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 1 of 10 - Kindly Ryota goes off to uni only to find his new roommate is his childhood bestie, Kazuhito. Kazuhito doesn’t have a girlfriend and Ryota tries to help him figure out why. Same director as Old Fashion Cupcake. It’s utterly charming. I am charmed. Also the framing is gorgeous (of course). Very stylish.

Love is Better the Second Time Around AKA Koi wo Suru nara Nidome ga Joto (Japan Weds Gaga) ep 6fin - I don’t know. Kind of a flat ending with the leads apart for most of it. I enjoyed this show but it never really hit with me. 

Summation

After a teen betrayal and resulting separation a reporter reunites with his first love. That love wants him back. I enjoyed the authenticity of a reunion romance explored in Japan's quintessentially contemplative yet surreal way. The juxtaposition of the tenderness of the sex scenes with this Japanese style of authenticity was oddly elegant but all in all this still fell a little flat for me. There's nothing objectively wrong with it, but in total the narrative felt sluggish and the main couple were just... stiff (in the wrong way). Frankly, I'd rather just rewatch Tokyo in April is. 8/10

Love is like a Cat (Korea Mon Viki) eps 3-4 of 12 - What is going on with this show? No, I get the plot. I just don't get the show or why I’m watching it. Annoying. 

It's done, but I suck

What Did You Eat Yesterday Season 2 AKA Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2 (Japan Gaga) 10 eps

To Be Continued (Sat C3 Thailand grey) ep 7-8fin - I can't for the life of me find the final 2 episodes. Haven't had a real hunt, but yeah. No dice so far.

It's airing but...

Takumi-kun Series 6: Nagai Nagai Monogatari (Japan Furritsubs) eps 1-? of 10 - I may wait and binge it.

Lady Boy Friends (Thai WeTV grey) 16 eps - reminds me a bit too much of Diary of Tootsies only high school. Not my thing. DNF unless it turns a corner and is truly amazing.

Kiseki Chapter 2 (Sun iQIYI) 6 eps - It’s so boring DNFed at 2.

Close Friend Season 3: Soju Bomb! (Weds iQIYI) 6 - The problem with situational comedy BL is it must be situational, comedic and a BL. This show gets 1 of 3 claims correct. 33% is not a passing grade. Dropped at 3.

Memory in the Letter (Thai WeTV) - only 4 eps, tell me if I should bother?

Next Week Looks Like This:

4/18 At 25:00 in Alaska AKA 25 Ji Akasaka de (Japan Thurs Gaga) 10 eps - Yuki lands his first starring role in a BL drama alongside superstar Asami (previously his senior at uni). Said superstar suggests they form a sham relationship until filming concludes. As they actually begin to fall in love, the spotlight begins to burn. I think I've seen this before (joke) and also the trailer doesn't inspire confidence.

Still to Come in April

4/25 Boys Be Brave! AKA Roommates (Korea Thurs Viki) 8 eps - Trailer Jung Ki Sub is Kim Jin Woo's slacker friend - and secret crush. So when Ki Sub crashes at his place, his heart tingles to be near him everyday. But as the short stay turns into permanent mooch, how long can Jin Woo keep his true feelings under wraps and hold back from confessing?

4/26 My Stand-In (Thai iQIYI) 12 eps - adaptation of Chinese novel "Professional Body Double" by Shui Qiang Cheng. Stars Up (Lovely Writer) and Poom (Bake Me Please) directed by the same team as KP (not a recommendation IMHO - my biggest criticism of that show was the clashing directing styles). This one looks complicated, lemme try: Joe is a stuntman for famous actor Tong. Joe falls in love with Ming but Ming sees Joe as nothing more than a Tong-replacement. After learning this horrible truth, Joe dies. Joe then wakes up in the body of another man also named Joe. He manages to rebuild the same life as before—with the same people eventually re-meeting Ming. Ming wants Joe back but Joe doesn't understand why. But Ming seems to know what's going on and wants to give him some kind of explanation.

I'm exhausted just trying to describe the plot.

Knock-Knock Boys (Thai WeTV) - 4 college friends conspire to help their friend lose his virginity. Familiar faces like Seng (yes, Billy's previous pairing) and Best, news here. But will it actually air this month?

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

NOTE: It looks like one of my personal favorites of last year Unintentional Love Story is getting a spin off!

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENT

Sniff test turning into a make out sesh? Please and thank you. City of Stars

(Last week)

Streaming services are listed by how I (usually) watch, which is with a USA based IP, and often offset by a day because time zones are a bother.

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly

If ya wanna be tagged each week leave a comment and I will add you to the template. Easy peesy.

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I’d like to ask you to stay and have a drink but I’m afraid you might accept.

-Jean-Mi, Danger by Design

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boston legal is like

'here's an episode containing one of the most scorching, powerful indictments of the death penalty that you will ever see on american television. now, here's an episode about a couple getting divorced because he fucked a cow and said the cow's name in bed.'

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art deco light mode AO3 site skin

Back at it again with another site skin. You can find the code on AO3 here.

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tw: mention of r4pe and SA.

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I really love Medusa, outside PJO, and she is a great character of greek mythology, however i'm kinda conflicted and between the sword and the wall, with some of Rick's decision,the reaction of pjo fans and ppl who love Roman and Greek myths

I get that Rick wanted to explore the narrative of the roman version (Poseidon r4p1ng,SAd or abuse her and Athena blamed her and turned her into stone), because it got popular for the narrative of the women and victims getting blamed and villianized and punished for the actions caused by men and abusers, in religion, and it got turned into a symbol of "me too" and causes more ppl to want to raise awareness.

Nothing wrong with the purpose,I'm all for BRINGING AWARENESS to others about r4p3,SA,sexual violence,etc. Everyone who is not sick, wants those non consensual acts that harm ppl to dissapear

but I think he could have used another myth to explore those topics,because using that portrayal of Medusa and Poseidon, makes things weirder??, for these reasons:

1. The book portrays Poseidon's and Percy's father-son dynamic: Percy's anger towards his father, but VERY deep down,craving for some of his attention,shifting towards a neutral, polite leaning towards a positive relationship, and the book portrays him like a man that is trying to be a cool father,despite his mistakes. And the book sometimes praises him for that??

Having in mind, the pjo series is supposed to teach and make kids,no matter their gender,sexual and romantic orientation,race and nationality,neurodivergencies and disabilities, we all can be amazing,smart,talented in our own ways, and deserve the same respect, wouldn't the parent-child dynamic Percy and Poseidon be weird? If ur main character keeps contact with someone like that??.

Wouldn't that normalize more than already is, of ppl,but mostly men, of keeping contact with nasty men,just because he is a relative or a friend?? and didn't hurt you?.

2. Why THE Sally Jackson, dated someone like Poseidon or even finishing in good terms?? like if my ex bf was an abuser with other ppl and not me. It doesn't matter,that relationship is ending in bad terms??

"Rick said he wanted to explored it. But he didn't say Medusa got r4ped,maybe he just abused of power. Or athena blamed Medusa because Poseidon crushed on her, pg-13"

Come on, Medusa's lines and way of wording references the roman version,besides everyone even kids ranging from 10-12 know what happened to Medusa

"But myths changes and develop, just to send a message,provides awareness"

You guys literally CHANGED the ORIGINAL myth of Persephone/Hades/Demeter, which HADES KIDNAPPED PERSEPHONE, AND DEMETER SEARCHING FOR HER DAUGHTER., and rewrite it with Persephone going WILLINGLY WITH HADES, just for u to fit the narattive of a "goth bad boy scary looking with bad reputation,but is chill and dates a flower softy girls,that he treats like queen".

and the reaction that the pjo fandom had to Medusa's backstory, is similar to any other fandom when a traumatised character exists, that can be harmful, it feels like a way of romanticizing? and I'm tired of it

"I'm glad they gave Medusa more depth"

Can we as a society stop acting like being victim of mental/physical/sexual abuse?, or any kind of trauma, gives you more depth??. No, trauma doesn't give us depth or make us more complex. Our point of view, our philosophy,our interests, our talents,our personalities does.

Because of that, I have seen middle schoolers and teenagers wanting some sort of trauma,just to be complex?? Which is sad and alarming.

I'm not sure what Riordan is planning or how is going to not mess up,but I hope I can see more of the cast acting more scenes of the book.

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lydia davis

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Witchcraft, Wisdom, Death...

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Me is this 🤏 close to leave social media when that thai remake will airing ( cause still remember gmtvv stans bulled/report fans account and harras Actors from oryginal 🍒🎩(at least mamy people said so i have not see this one) only with news about adapt so i can't even image shxt show will be when it going to be airing) you know mental h and now they are all over about thai remake/adapt make SE better then korea ( i like se but still consider it overreating)

I am Kind of for in the name of money gmtv will try remake most of popular bl for different country😞😞

So, you need to do whatever you need to do to protect yourself. But here is something that might help.

It's about human behavior in response to parasocial relationships with fictional characters. It will help you understand why people are they way they are in fandoms:

Imaginary friends and real-world consequences: parasocial relationships | Jennifer Barnes | TEDxOU

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The scene in TTC where Thalia and Percy were gonna kill each other during capture the flag because they inherited their dad's temperaments, except Bianca and Nico have blasts of lightning ingrained into their brains as a terrible, horrible thing even if they don't know why, so when Thalia throws her first blast at Percy, the ground shakes and shatters, skeletons and ghosts pouring out from the crevices, crowding protectively around the two who unconsciously called out for help in their sudden onslaught of fear.

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A sudden, terrifying thought

When you see an animal with its eyes set to the front, like wolves, or humans, that’s usually a predator animal.

If you see an animal with its eyes set farther back, though—to the side—that animal is prey.

Now look at this dragon.

See those eyes?

They’re to the SIDE.

This raises an interesting—and terrifying—question.

What in the name of Lovecraft led evolution to consider DRAGONS…

As PREY?

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BUILD A CHARACTER (Masterpost)

>Naming

Websites:

- NameChef - Name Generator - Reedsy Generator - Fake Name Generator - Fantasy Name Generator - Baby Names - Baby Center

Lists:

- Long Names List by @leafvy - Giant Name List by @serifsystem - Dark Academia Inspired Names by @victoriahazelnut - Dark Academia Inspired Names part II by @victoriahazelnut - Modern Names Similar to Constellations by @victoriahazelnut

>Personality

Websites:

- Personality Generator - Random Character Traits Generator by @lucalicatteart - Random Zodiac Sign Generator - Zodiac Generator

Lists:

- 638 Personality Traits - Character Traits List with Examples - 800 Character Traits: The Ultimate List (+ How to Develop a Good Character Step-by-Step) - The Signs in a Relationship by @neo-wonderland - Character Flaws by @madswritess - A List of Character Quirks by @psychidion - Victorian Detective by @iamacuteapplepie - Little Quirks for Future Reference by @elvenwinters - Things your Character Might be Afraid of by @rpmemesbyarat - Masterlist of Characters’ Deepest Fears by @bailey-writes

>Backstory

Websites:

- Kassoon Backstory Generator - Character Biography Generator - How to Write Compelling Character Backstories: Step-by-Step Guide - Childhood Memory Generator

Lists:

-  33 Life Events For Your Character’s Backstory by @creativerogues - Important Life Events - Past Traumas by @blackacre13

>Goals & Motives

Websites:

- Character Goal Generator - Character Motivation Generator - Motive Generator

>Secrets

Websites:

- Secret Generator

Lists:

- 300 Secrets for your Character by @crissverahelps - What Secret does your Character Keep? - 150 secrets/plots by @sunshineandtearph

>Appearence

Websites:

- Appearence Generator - Portrait and Figure Drawing References

Lists:

- Appearence Adjectives - Adjectives to Describe People 

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"In certain kinds of writing, particularly in art criticism and literary criticism, it is normal to come across long passages which are almost completely lacking in meaning. Words like romantic, plastic, values, human, dead, sentimental, natural, vitality, as used in art criticism, are strictly meaningless, in the sense that they not only do not point to any discoverable object, but are hardly even expected to do so by the reader. When one critic writes, ‘The outstanding feature of Mr. X’s work is its living quality’, while another writes, ‘The immediately striking thing about Mr. X’s work is its peculiar deadness’, the reader accepts this as a simple difference of opinion. If words like black and white were involved, instead of the jargon words dead and living, he would see at once that language was being used in an improper way."

"Many political words are similarly abused. The word Fascism has now no meaning except in so far as it signifies ‘something not desirable’. The words democracy, socialism, freedom, patriotic, realistic, justice, have each of them several different meanings which cannot be reconciled with one another. In the case of a word like democracy, not only is there no agreed definition, but the attempt to make one is resisted from all sides. It is almost universally felt that when we call a country democratic we are praising it: consequently the defenders of every kind of régime claim that it is a democracy, and fear that they might have to stop using that word if it were tied down to any one meaning."

-George Orwell, Politics and the English Language.

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'Boun' Noppanut Guntachai and 'Prem' Warut Chawalitrujiwong Promoting their New Series for the Studio Wabi Sabi Line Up (23/11/23)

[X][X][X]

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| Foggy Forest Walk by Alberia Relax

| contains: no jumpscares- ethereal ambient music, footsteps, birds