#An XI Sabre

[swiftletinthecloud]

Finally finished  Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre (2019)

Got so bored at the end not even Joseph Zeng, the whole reason I started watching it could keep me from being annoyed and fast-forwarding and speed watching it.

Beginning - kind of a slow and interesting start not even having the main character/actor on the screen until 10+ episodes in but ok. At least it’s intriguing story

Middle - I love this! I can watch like 4+ episodes a day and totally still find it entertaining. My baby is kicking ass and taking names and just winning everyone over!

Last maybe the last 4th of the drama - I am so over this now. The world is going to shit and there is a literal war going on in the background yet our main character does absolutely nothing with that storyline except for give a few inspirational speeches while someone else is leading all of the fight. We’re off running after godfather and love interests and being forced into weddings no one is interested in. All the amazing martial arts and him mastering all these world best skills are kind of wasted because shit is being done with them. All these speeches about risking life and limbs and fighting to the death with our brothers-in-arms and we don’t even see the main character on the battle field once. Instead now we’re off mourning dead godfather and love interests. So glad it’s over now.

[blue-and-gilt]

This sabre is probably my favorite enlisted ranks swords. While the British 1796 Pattern light cavalry sabre is an iconic weapon, the Dutch m1813 No.2 light cavalry troopers sabre fells better in my hand, has a longer blade and more hand protection. Modeled on the French An XI light cavalry sabre, which the armed forces of the newly formed Kingdom of the Netherlands would have retained in significant quantities, 1,000 of these sabres were ordered in February 1814 and another 1,000 in April 1815. A unique Dutch design, these were originally intended for the mounted Artillery and the Artillery train. However there is evidence that these were also used by the Light Dragoons to supplement their British made 1796 Pattern light cavalry sabres, called the m1813 No.1 in Dutch service. Both the m1813 No. 1 and No. 2 sabres were replaced by the m1814 in the middle of the 1820s although they continued to see use with secondary units well into the 1830s. The TT stamp on my example shows that for part of it's service life it was issued to the Artillery Train.

[nemainofthewater]

Best character surnamed: Xi

Come and vote for the best characters with the same surname!*

What does best mean? It's up to you! Whether you love them, are intrigued by their characters, love to hate them, or they're your '2 second blorbos whose personality you made up wholesale', these are all reasons for you to vote for your favs!

*note, the surnames are not exactly the same in all the cases, as often there will be a different character. I am, however, grouping them all together otherwise things got more complicated.

Propaganda is very welcome! If I’ve forgotten anyone, let me know in the notes.

This is part of a larger series of ‘best character with X surname’ polls’. The overview with ongoing polls, winners, and future polls can be found here

[awallofswords]

Another re-shuffle of the sword wall. I swapped out the 1796 Pattern heavy cavalry officers dismounted service sword for the 1796 Pattern heavy cavalry officers undress sword. I think this is more in keeping with the other swords which are all trooper swords or officer’s service swords. 

The new composition is (from left to right): 

- Dutch m1800 Light Cavalry officer’s or NCO’s sabre - French An XI Light Cavalry officer’s sabre - French ‘Garde de Bataille’ Dragoon officer’s sword - French An XIII Heavy Cavalry troopers’ sword - French An XI Light Cavalry trooprs’ sword - Dutch m1813 No.2 Light Cavalry troopers’ sabre - Dutch m1814 No.3 Heavy Cavalry troopers’ sword - British 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry troopers’ sabre (Dutch issued as the 1813 No.1 for light cavalry) - British 1788 Pattern Light Cavalry troopers’ sabre - British 1796 Pattern Heavy Cavalry troopers’ sword - British 1796 Pattern Heavy Cavalry officer’s undress sword - British 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry yeomanry officer’s sabre  - British 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry officer’s sabre

[nerianasims]

If Xi were smart, he'd start helping along a little "revolution" in what was Manchuria before Russia blackmailed it out of China through force. And if said "revolution" happened to spread beyond Manchuria's borders and envelop pretty much all of eastern Russia, well, these things happen. But Xi, being such a good friend to the world, would be all too happy to broker a peace -- a peace that would put his own puppet government in the area. This would mean turning away from an obsession with Taiwan, though. However, it would be far more fruitful for China's interests.

The two problems here are that Xi is not very smart, and that while he seems to care about China's interests, he thinks said interests are better served by pride and sabre-rattling against the U.S. than in the chance to actually get a huge chunk of land with a massive amount of resources in it. Even though that land used to be China's, and Russia coming along and saying "gimme" and China capitulating was genuinely a huge humiliation.

This is the problem with realpolitik. People don't actually behave rationally.

[libidomechanica]

Dear Philosophy; but while

A Kelly lune sequence

               Stanza I

But into see his turne, I’ll be. ’Re lost tell. Alas!

               Stanza II

Which wreath, to quite reckon’d; but bid my breaths and their eye.

               Stanza III

Heavy, heart, then foremost, with a twenty scorn broken.

               Stanza IV

I had all repayre. It is the was from which this den.

               Stanza V

Go, hardest Ruth. A junction, I by there no mother!

               Stanza VI

To follow he died. My hear, mix’d, and adorne her break.

               Stanza VII

To the sigh the rampart. Tame, and so, nor portal fire.

               Stanza VIII

And blaws of our brain? For a most roads that Pat’s a joy!

               Stanza IX

Parker House waves had been out of marble of all it.

               Stanza X

Juan went in a wall, all thinks? And down old which he love!

               Stanza XI

Have no well. With nerves above made an hour was smaller.

               Stanza XII

By a tear out off a less. Than was sabres glared lips!

               Stanza XIII

In a negative organ in them he sun’s lot; thought!

               Stanza XIV

Have drawn breaking against all who; tomb. His night it death.

               Stanza XV

Without aim, raking. The very nation; with his hide.

               Stanza XVI

Caught to his quality. Great George’s cal to passion.

               Stanza XVII

Had nothing proud of me: so Juan’s child, he all be thee!

               Stanza XVIII

Of Zoe’s child is when, in from on the promised. He short?

               Stanza XIX

I knows his own a little. Sweet; myriads of either!

               Stanza XX

Thy voice within a twist and the noblest this track me.

               Stanza XXI

And gazed, had sent. My rid of high and she yard look’d round.

   ��           Stanza XXII

Your own kindest Ruth. Their pay, and dropped within the fire!

               Stanza XXIII

Has evince ages did lye, doe make a good. By Jove!

               Stanza XXIV

What pass’d his female poor Heaven reach. We undoing!

               Stanza XXV

Here we quite away! Of float up up up to a ring.

               Stanza XXVI

All eat&see the goblin bed. Rush, like their own spaniel.

               Stanza XXVII

I want though the sun dies! Which light in cloisters did reare.

               Stanza XXVIII

An imaginary. But fighting then wore in beams.

               Stanza XXIX

Even wit name by Virtues over the devil war.

               Stanza XXX

All the woods. Within the pen you, if youth words A. Storm?

               Stanza XXXI

It was thou like sleeping out of oath, for sleep, the game.

               Stanza XXXII

So weltringe-feed the say or sleeping. Came, and saw lang!

               Stanza XXXIII

And never of honor’s most in truth by. And with thing?

               Stanza XXXIV

You might and opening tree, most accept some Christ’s strayt.

               Stanza XXXV

Do pain, know none are brother, breath and the beau ideal.

               Stanza XXXVI

But none as yet too. As they construction their content.

               Stanza XXXVII

Be vnto blooms that her eye! Of more as every contact.

               Stanza XXXVIII

Sad songs throats. A chuckle of carelesse, now my vow!

               Stanza XXXIX

Dry as were the hunger them brown best. I am mad!

               Stanza XL

A long handsomeness and, but then the next they ho!

               Stanza XLI

You who had peril all unimpair’d? But chirps again.

               Stanza XLII

Yet, yet still more dream— ghost! And ball came scuffing high woods.

               Stanza XLIII

Distance greatly this knock under your eccho ring. Sires.

               Stanza XLIV

—Know between to thy dost road. The bowre the soft-dying.

               Stanza XLV

Moment which Nature’s no faster, and gnaw, he was kill’d?

               Stanza XLVI

Sometimes conjecture. They her eye peep’d on, and victual.

               Stanza XLVII

Take in this long comming debate abate. On where wrist.

               Stanza XLVIII

What day on what therefore. She’d such happy, for later.

               Stanza XLIX

On the scenes to shown, a taper in. That spicy nest.

               Stanza L

She bends sympathy? And let used anythings helm best.

               Stanza LI

To reduce men! But her sweetly should not my art’s raine.

               Stanza LII

In one for my dream’d, a gust—now was shone, this. And queens.

               Stanza LIII

Juan to deck, the despair’d? He is, now I choose; her wo?

               Stanza LIV

Just and death. Night—for though her meaning cheek grow vaster.

               Stanza LV

I have began to walk one, where was overhaile.

               Stanza LVI

But some part? Amidst, which Rousseau point, who lonely, laid.

               Stanza LVII

To nerves were are lone ! I had face, unto the welcome.

               Stanza LVIII

Your flashes the hope. And when the mood;—that make their those.

               Stanza LIX

Long again. Shouting if he which wander, or would lake.

               Stanza LX

Is ever lee. The made fire was perplex—varied me?

               Stanza LXI

For largest garden. On liking caged. Don Juan a reed.

               Stanza LXII

A sight her like a cream, some ye for port-hand air, taste!

               Stanza LXIII

Sooner shoulder: her Dearie! Could come thy Will. His suits me.

               Stanza LXIV

Tear of crown lambs loue it all its curst in they do stuff.

               Stanza LXV

Each Medes, one enough. A pretty fell their heart is She?

               Stanza LXVI

Tomb. When I then shepherd stoop and shape from either too.

               Stanza LXVII

You soars and say—’Ah! Subtract to ever a convinced.

               Stanza LXVIII

For to the night. Her air, who put once of all repayre.

               Stanza LXIX

Was good and I’ll tak when natiue moisture, this sympathy?

               Stanza LXX

Alas! Each Medes, sieges, too, down upon his Rome keep.

               Stanza LXXI

Also, I find now if the branching. A glance peasants!

               Stanza LXXII

Men’s cald vp to beat! Lieutenant- Colonely, laid.

               Stanza LXXIII

I can’t but feel now is clay. And he summons and feet.

               Stanza LXXIV

And the ring wind maid. Till as divide into herself.

               Stanza LXXV

But faint, and days. For him like Etna, some vnto the dead.

               Stanza LXXVI

We threw. But Juan worms.— For oh, here wasted chant could son?

               Stanza LXXVII

Like the glory: with his between whose see no wretch’s knife.

               Stanza LXXVIII

Poured in time it they may spie. Hole I can’t but inters.

               Stanza LXXIX

Their face. His secure in startles and disquiet on.

               Stanza LXXX

Talk. Asks, do young made it should wines; and roll’d weepe. Have plums.

               Stanza LXXXI

That bayonets were aloft, sometimes shall the boy bore.

               Stanza LXXXII

Was here they might. There was small till bright and a kennel.

               Stanza LXXXIII

A water. As crest; the powers: being blood report.

               Stanza LXXXIV

The watch a who vain. The five bonds of verdantly grants.

               Stanza LXXXV

Where that all shine image, disdained so the pair. And, stars.

               Stanza LXXXVI

No, not stay’d, would wince, see, still repose: as most. Of light?

               Stanza LXXXVII

And radiant Tartar. I did enrich, the ills like field.

               Stanza LXXXVIII

Ten like Solitude nor love the woods and Lady A.

               Stanza LXXXIX

At wine his strongbow’s talk for shall makes him the cuckoo!

               Stanza XC

The eagernes mee. Sweetly sleep with hail, who beside.

               Stanza XCI

And sheets inclination. Witness was mansions: despatch.

               Stanza XCII

’Er says the volume inversation? Unto a lake.

               Stanza XCIII

Where want. All its his names I proud ocean, vast and place.

               Stanza XCIV

So love it; smiling dose of Time heroes. In dun, glide!

               Stanza XCV

Stella, who fought in Paris! Will I sought stuck in break.

               Stanza XCVI

Was more. He little birds loud thy sinner from the sky.

               Stanza XCVII

Angle to sit brave strong. And fragranted, and look’d seal.

[movielosophy]

Heroes ep1

[armthearmour]

A lovely An XI Light Cavalry Sabre, France, ca. 1809-1811, from Bertrand Malvaux Antiques.

[dannyurl]

ATLA S3E4 Weapons

Bored, here's a list of weapons in Sokka's weapon shop montage and their brief description.

Guandao

Literally translated to "Blade of Guan", from the famed General turned Deity Guan Yu, who according to legend invented this weapon.

It is unlikely that Guan Yu invented this weapon since it has no record of usage prior to the XI century, and the scholar Tao Hongjing (456-536 AD) recorded that Guan Yu forged a pair of sabres, not a polearm.

The myth that Guan Yu invented this weapon seems to come from the famous novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义), atrributed to Luo Guanzhong who lived somewhere in the XIV Century, certainly a long way from Guan Yu life in the III Century.

For those looking for more history and less novelization of the Three Kingdoms period, you should turn to Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志), written by Chen Shou in the III Century.

Sidenote, the guandao in this picture (all weapons in this picture really) looks quite a bit too short, especially in comparison to the armor on the right side of the picture. Probably done to make it proportional to Sokka.

Kanabo

Japanese weapon, though way oversized in the show.

The real Kanabo for human use is roughly baseball bat sized or longer, made of wood studded with iron, or solid iron.

Big ones like the one Sokka is dragging are more typical of Kanabo used by Oni (Japanese demon), who with their massive strength should be able to use it effectively.

Dao

Single-edged swords, has a place amongst the four major weapons as "The General of Weapons"

Dao is a wide category of weapons, since the character 刀 (Dao) can be applied to any single-edged weapon, so the one with wide blades that Sokka wields, also the one with slender blade in the picture to the right can both rightly be called dao.

The ones used by Sokka is more like Guitoudao (Demon's Head Sabre), a dao with wide blade used primarily for execution by beheading.

Or maybe just a stylistic choice by the animators and I'm reading too much in to it.

Kusari-fundo

A length of chain (Kusari) with weight (Fundo) attached to both ends. Can be used to entangle opponents limbs (like Sokka's demonstration), or just flat out bashing them with the weight.

Typical historical Kusari-fundo has a length of 12-48 inches, the one Sokka uses in this scene seems to be a lot longer than that.

Qiang

Does this need a description? A piece of sharpened iron on top of a stick. Poke your enemies with it while staying out of range of his weapons.

Spear (Qiang) in Chinese culture has a special place, it is one of the four major weapons, known as "The King of Weapons"

Red tassel just below the blade is thought to serve 2 purpose. Making it difficult for the opponent to grab the shaft, and to stop blood from running down the shaft.

Sai

Okinawan Sai, also called Tekpi in Malay, Chabang or Trisula in Indonesian, and Trisul in Thai.

A three pronged weapon, believed to be derived from Ancient Indian Trishula, and spread all across SEA and EA with the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism out of India.

In Hinduism, Trishula is wielded by Shiva and Durga

In Buddhism, Trishula's three prongs is used to represent Triratna, the visual representation of the Three Jewels of Buddhism (the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha)

Jian

Chinese double-edged straight sword, known as "The Gentleman of Weapons" of the 4 major weapons in Chinese culture. Jian has been used for at least 2500 years in China.

Jian are most likely an officer's sword, befitting of its title as The Gentleman of Weapons. Historical find amongst the Terracotta Army in Qin Shi Huang's tomb have Jian wielded by figures representing officers of the army.

Jian also has a place in Chinese Buddhism, with the Boddhisattva Manjushri wielding a flaming Jian, representing transcendent wisdom which cuts down ignorance.

[swiftletinthecloud]

Did I start Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre (2019) for Joseph Zeng? Yes, I did...and he didn’t even show up until episode 11. lol.   Good thing it’s also an engaging drama. Started it on 7/2 and I already finished episode 23 (also when the supposedly main female lead actually showed up lol).

Started Rebirth for You (2021) for him too and got to episode 8 of that, but idk not feeling it for that. And idk, I can’t really watch Ju Jing Yi or take her seriously.

[blue-and-gilt]

French Carabinier or Cuirassier Officers’ sword with ‘Garde de Bataille’ style hilt

The 'Garde de Bataille' or 'Battle Guard' sword hilt is believed to have been inspired by German sword designs of the mid-18th Century. It is around this time that sword hilts which incorporate a clam shell into the guard start to appear on French swords.

It was adopted in 1784 for use by officers of the heavy cavalry (Cuirassiers, Carabiniers). dragoons and Gendarmerie. For a brief period a version with a curved blade was approved for officers of the light cavalry.

With the clam-shell guard, smaller counter guard, knuckle bow with four side branches the Garde de Bataille is a very distinctive hilt and one of my top two favorite sword designs of this era (the British 1803 Pattern being the other).

This sword carries a long, heavy Solingen made blade that closely resembles the blade of the AN XI Sabre of the line (Cuirassiers), including its' hatchet tip. The sword handles like the AN XI, that is to say it is large and cumbersome, suitable for a mounted charge, but not something for a melee brawl. Furthermore there are four piercings in the guard where an emblem such as the flaming bomb would originally have been attached. This would have given us a solid clue as to the officers' branch of service, but alas it is lost.

In time I hope to find a replacement scabbard and emblem for the sword, because it deserves to look as original as possible.

Comparison alongside my other Garde de Bataille showing the difference in size between the two:

Stats: Overall Length -  1,000 mm Blade Length -  945 mm Grip Length -  145 mm Inside Grip Length - 110 mm Weight - 1,050 grams Point of Balance - 160 mm

[sifeng]

Love Triangles

I was thinking the other day, about what determines the second male/female and what determines the main male/female lead. And then I was thinking about which romantic dramas don’t involve love triangles and I... couldn’t think of any. So today I will analyze one, love triangle tropes, and two why dramas always include love triangles.

The love triangle in A Love So Beautiful (致我们单纯的小美好)

Types of Love Triangles

There are three main types of love triangles:

A - when the male/female lead has loved both persons in the love triangle

B - when both members of the love triangle have their moments with the male/female lead

C - when its obvious that one member of the love triangle is seen only as a “friend” or “sister” or “brother” (aka has no chance)

Some dramas feature love triangle B and love triangle C at the same time, here are some examples:

Ashes of Love (香蜜沉沉烬如霜)

Love triangle B: Xu Feng (旭凤) - Jin Mi (锦觅) - Run Yu (润玉）

Love triangle C: Sui He (穗禾) - Xu Feng (旭凤) - Jin Mi (锦觅)

Blossom in Heart (海棠经雨胭脂透)

Love triangle B: Lang Yuexuan (朗月轩) - Gu Haitang (顾海棠) - Lang Yueming (朗月明)

Love triangle C: Long Mohua (龙莫婳) - Lang Yuexuan (朗月轩) - Gu Haitang (顾海棠)

Legend of Yunxi (芸汐传)

Love triangle B: Long Feiye (龙非夜) - Han Yunxi (韩芸汐) - Gu Qishao (顾七少)

Love triangle C: Baili Mingxiang (百里茗香) - Long Feiye (龙非夜) - Han Yunxi (韩芸汐)

Some feature both love triangle A and love triangle C as well:

Put Your Head on My Shoulder (致我们暖暖的小时光)

Love triangle A: Gu Weiyi (顾未易) - Situ Mo (司徒末) - Fu Pei (傅沛)

Love triangle C: Xie Yuyin (谢雨吟) - Gu Weiyi (顾未易) - Situ Mo (司徒末)

Princess Agents (楚乔传)

Love triangle A: Yuwen Yue (宇文玥) - Chu Qiao (楚乔) - Yan Xun (燕洵)

Love triangle C: Yuan Chun (元淳) - Yan Xun (燕洵) - Chu Qiao (楚乔)

The Story of Yanxi Palace (延禧攻略)

Love triangle A: Qian Long (乾隆) - Wei Yingluo (魏璎珞) - Fucha Fuheng (富察傅恒)

Love triangle C: Chun Fei (纯妃) - Fucha Fuheng (富察傅恒) - Wei Yingluo (魏璎珞)

Rookie Agent Rouge (胭脂)

Love triangle A: Zhou Yuhao (周宇浩) - Lan Yanzhi (蓝胭脂) - Song Mian (宋勉)

Love triangle C: Feng Manna (冯曼娜) - Zhou Yuhao (周宇浩) - Lan Yanzhi (蓝胭脂)

As you can see through these seven shows, commonly the main love triangle is composed of two guys one girl, while the secondary “love triangle C” is composed of two girls and one guy. 

The love triangle in Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre (倚天屠龙记) and one of the few love triangles not to follow the two guys fighting for one girl triangle. 

Characteristics of Love Triangles

Almost always, the two members vying for the affection in the triangle are foils to each other. Examples:

A Love So Beautiful (致我们单纯的小美好)

Jiang Chen (江辰) - mature, cold and extremely smart

Wu Bosong (吴柏松) - careless, kind and bad grades

Ashes of Love (香蜜沉沉烬如霜)

Xu Feng (旭凤) - arrogant and proud

Run Yu (润玉) - quiet and calm

Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre (倚天屠龙记)

Zhao Min (赵敏) - clever, manipulative

Zhou Zhiruo (周芷若) - “innocent, selfless” (I mean she technically is worse than Zhao Min, but that’s not the mask she puts on)

In school dramas you typically have the smart guy and the dumb girl pairing that eventually wins out:

A Love So Beautiful (致我们单纯的小美好)

Jiang Chen (江辰) and Chen Xiaoxi (陈晓希)

When We Were Young (人不彪悍枉少年)

Hua Biao (花彪) and Yang Xi (杨夕)

With You (最好的我们)

Yu Huai (余淮) and Geng Geng (耿耿)

Le Coup de Foudre (我只喜欢你)

Yan Mo (言默) and Zhao Qiaoyi (赵乔一)

The love triangle in Meteor Garden 2019 (流星花园) - can you guess (if you’ve never watched this show) who the winning couple is?

You may also have the celebrity/popular/rich kid with a poor/hardworking person pairing:

Meteor Garden (流星花园) - Daoming Si (道明寺) and Shan Cai (杉菜)

Accidentally in Love (惹上冷殿下) - Situ Feng (司徒枫) and Chen Qingqing (陈青青)

My Little Princess (亲爱的, 公主病) - Lin Xingchen (林星辰) and Jiang Nianyu (江念雨)

Boss and Me (杉杉来了) - Feng Teng (封腾) and Xue Shanshan (薛杉杉)

Blossom in Heart (海棠经雨胭脂透) - Lang Yuexuan (朗月轩) and Gu Haitang (顾海棠)

In most dramas you also have the “cold” second/main male lead:

A Love So Beautiful (致我们单纯的小美好) - Jiang Chen (江辰)

Princess Agents (楚乔传) - Yuwen Yue (宇文玥）

Goodbye My Princess (东宫) - Gu Jian (顾剑)

Often there’s also the “childhood friend” aspect, and while that particular trope usually looses out there are some exceptions:

A Love So Beautiful (致我们单纯的小美好) - Jiang Chen (江辰) - main lead

When We Were Young (人不彪悍枉少年) - Li Yu (李漁) - second lead

Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber (倚天屠龙记) - Zhou Zhiruo (周芷若） - second lead

Goodbye My Princess (东宫) - Gu Jian (顾剑) - second lead

Put Your Head on My Shoulder (致我们暖暖的小时光) - Fu Pei (傅沛) - second lead

In some dramas, almost any male character that appears is in love with the female lead:

Princess Agents (楚乔传) - female lead gets the love of:

Yuwen Yue (宇文玥)

Yan Xun (燕洵)

Yuan Song (元嵩)

Xiao Ce (萧策)

Journey of Flower (花千骨) - female lead gets the love of:

Bai Zihua (白子画)

Dongfang Yuqing (东方彧卿)

Meng Xuanlang (孟玄朗)

Startling With Each Step (步步惊心)

Yin Zhen (胤禛)

Yin Si (胤禩)

Yin Ti (胤禵)

Yin E (胤䄉)

The male leads in Startling With Each Step/Scarlet Heart were lucky! They all got something with the female lead:

Male lead: Yin Zhen (胤禛) - is the true love/soulmate

Second male lead: Yin Si (胤禩) - gets her love in the first half

Third male lead: Yin Ti (胤禵) - gets to marry her

So What Differentiates the First and Second Male Leads?

The love triangle in Goodbye My Princess (东宫) - can you guess (if you’ve never watched this show) who the winning couple is?

Typically the female lead just likes one of them and you can’t really give a reason for why the first male lead is better than the second one. However, some dramas do a good job of creating a jerk second male lead that makes the decision sufficiently easier for our female lead:

Princess Agents (楚乔传)

Second male lead Yan Xun (燕洵) kind of goes insane after his entire family is slaughtered and becomes obsessed over revenge. He looses all the qualities our female lead fell in love with him for.

Put Your Head on My Shoulder (致我们暖暖的小时光)

Second male lead Fu Pei (傅沛) is a literal jerk. He takes our female lead’s love for granted and constantly abandons her when she needs help.

Bloody Romance (媚者无疆)

Second male lead Gong Zi (公子) treats people like chess pieces instead of real humans, and is willing to kill or manipulate anyone. Our female lead, being kind and unwilling to kill anyone, obviously would never fall for him.

My Little Princess (亲爱的，公主病)

Second male lead Zheng Chuyao (郑楚曜) is childish and immature. He is unwilling to confess his love for the female lead and constantly embarrasses her instead. 

However, in most other cases, there is never a clear difference between who wins out in a love triangle. One similarity most share is that the first one to speak with the female lead wins out:

Bloody Romance (媚者无疆)

A Love So Beautiful (致我们单纯的小美好)

Accidentally in Love (惹上冷殿下)

Ashes of Love (香蜜沉沉烬如霜)

Blossom in Heart (海棠经雨胭脂透）

My Little Princess (亲爱的，公主病)

Love O2O (微微一笑很倾城）

The Princess Weiyoung (锦绣未央)

The Story of Minglan (知否知否应是绿肥红瘦)

Lucky’s First Love (世界欠我一个初恋)

The love triangle in Ashes of Love (香蜜沉沉烬如霜) - can you guess (if you’ve never watched this show) who the winning couple is?

Usually, the second male lead is the type of person who will forever watch over the female lead, caring for them are a subtle way. They are kinder, calmer, and perhaps more down to earth and human:

A Love So Beautiful (致我们单纯的小美好) - Wu Bosong (吴柏松)

Meteor Garden (流星花园) - Hua Zelei (花泽类)

Goodbye My Princess (东宫) - Gu Jian (顾剑)

Ashes of Love (香蜜沉沉烬如霜) - Run Yu (润玉)

Accidentally in Love (惹上冷殿下) - Gu Nanxi (顾南锡)

When We Were Young (人不彪悍枉少年) - Li Yu (李漁)

Legend of Yunxi (芸汐传) - Gu Qishao (顾七少)

In cases of the above, the male lead is usually more cold or immature:

A Love So Beautiful (致我们单纯的小美好) - Jiang Chen (江辰)

Meteor Garden (流星花园) - Daoming Si (道明寺)

Goodbye My Princess (东宫) - Li Chengyin (李承鄞)

Ashes of Love (香蜜沉沉烬如霜) 

Accidentally in Love (惹上冷殿下) - Situ Feng (司徒枫)

When We Were Young (人不彪悍枉少年) 

Legend of Yunxi (芸汐传) - Long Feiye (龙非夜)

With second female leads, the similarities are rather obvious. They think they “deserve” the love of the male lead because they either grew up together or they have the same social standing:

Goodbye My Princess (东宫) - Zhao Sese (赵瑟瑟）

Ashes of Love (香蜜沉沉烬如霜) - Sui He (穗禾)

Legend of Yunxi (芸汐传) - Baili Mingxiang (百里茗香)

Love O2O (微微一笑很倾城) - Meng Yiran (孟逸然)

Blossom in Heart (海棠经雨胭脂透) - Long Mohua (龙莫婳)

Boss and Me (杉杉来了) - Yuan Lishu (元丽抒)

While the male lead often sees his excess admirers as “sisters” the female lead simply friend zones them. 

Often, the male lead is also somewhat of a foil to the female lead:

Boss and Me (杉杉来了)

Xue Shanshan (薛杉杉) is innocent, a little stupid and cute

Feng Teng (封腾) is mature, intelligent and cold

Ashes of Love (香蜜沉沉烬如霜)

Jin Mi (锦觅) is unaware of love and a little stupid

Xu Feng (旭凤) is fully aware of his feelings and smarter

Goodbye My Princess (东宫)

Qu Xiaofeng (曲小枫) is innocent, kind and longs to go home

Li Chengyin (李承鄞) is cold, cruel and willing to do anything to keep Xiaofeng by his side

If you really just want to tell who’s the male lead, I’ll tell you an easy way to find out: he’s going to be played by the guy who’s more famous. 

The love triangle in Startling With Each Step (步步惊心) - can you guess who’s the first, second, and third male leads are?

So Why do Dramas Love Love Triangles?

Not to say TV shows have lazy writing or anything, but I feel like love triangles are an easy way to make both male and female leads realize their feelings. For instance, in Boss and Me, when our female lead (Shan Shan), sees our male lead (Feng Teng) dancing with another girl, she gets jealous. That makes her realize her feelings. Love triangles can also stretch out a TV show longer. A show that might only have 24 episodes can probably be stretched to more than 30 just due to love triangles. 

On a level of characterization, when a character has many admirers, we, as watchers, can infer various things about them. Either they are one, amazingly beautiful or successful, or two, amazingly unique. For example, Chu Qiao in Princess Agents is strong and intelligent and for that reason, almost every guy she comes in contact with falls head over heels for her. This can show you that she is one of a kind in this world. Very few women in Princess Agents are as straightforward of their power, and so she really is unique. Xiaofeng in Goodbye My Princess has admirers because she is kind, innocent and selfless. Her bright and cheerful personality contrasts heavily with the political and dark atmosphere of the palace. So, when a character is entangled in many love triangles, you can infer there’s something special about them, and use that hypothesis to further infer something about the world in which the television show takes place. 

Love triangles can also lead to more character development. In trying to get girl (or very rarely guy), the admirers must rise to become a better version of themselves. For example, in Meteor Garden, Daoming Si goes from being bratty and immature to being (relatively more) mature and understanding. In A Love So Beautiful, Jiang Chen goes from being a guy that’s cold and pushes people away to a guy who is more open about his feelings and love. 

So, while in some shows, love triangles exist purely to elongate the show, in other shows we can use love triangles as a way to investigate the society we are plunged into at the start of the show. 

Notes:

Would you say Go Go Squid (亲爱的, 热爱的) has a love triangle. That weird press lady likes the male lead, but she has like four scenes in total. 

Here’s another thought I had about love: the ability of a character to admit their feelings often reflects upon how they’ve lived up til that point. Characters that do not understand their feelings could either have grown up isolated, never been in a relationship or have been fed a pill by their mother that takes away their ability to love. Characters who confess more easily were probably raised with loving parents in a loving household with loving friends surrounding them. Characters that understand their feelings at once know themselves well, and they can understand love. They either were raised in a loving family, or have been in love before. Love is a strange concept, sometimes we can’t handle it, and a lot of times we can’t understand it. TV shows feature humans (or at least things that look like humans) and so they deal with that aforementioned problem too. 

[awallofswords]

Great video by Pin & swords on the French Year IX and XI light cavalry sabres.

[deborahkaya]

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry Go to sleepy, little baby When you wake you shall have All the pretty little horses

The following preview is of Chapter XI of TIMELESS KEEPERS, Volume Three of THE TAMMABUKKU CHRONICLES. This is one of our favorite chapters for many reasons, and not only because it is all about the birth of a baby. This is a very special baby, the rebirth of a missed Victorian gentleman who is beloved to many characters of the quintet.

Artwork by Sara Isabella Gabsy

https://www.amazon.com/Timeless-Keepers-Tammabukku-Chronicles-Deborah/dp/169280846X/

When Sphinx and Dane returned to New York after Griffin’s birthday party, Sphinx finished the film and sent it to us, complete with music. The last ten minutes are of his birthday party in the red velvet drawing room.

The party was the celebration we had hoped it would be. Our little guy was thrilled to be surrounded by everyone he loves. Sabre was on tour so he couldn’t be there and sent Griffin a birthday rap but Ffion attended. Sergei sat in with Oblivion for the song I wrote about our son’s first year, simply titled, “Griffin”. We hired a magician and used our home theatre for his performance. He is the best kid’s magician in England, but Griffin still busted him. Although he was entertained by the magician’s act, several times he tried forming the words to tell everyone what was behind the tricks, even pointing to illustrate how this was being done.

His cake was a colossal horse-shaped cake with chocolate buttercream icing and, at first, everyone deemed it too beautiful to eat. It was made by the best cake patisserie in Yorkshire. After the cake, Griffin wanted me to take him for a ride on Serge. Jericho, Philip and Tom saddled up their horses as well and accompanied us around the estate, and Abigail rode Shaman with Tom.

We helped the birthday boy open his many presents. By the time he was done, he was a little cranky from the overexcitement and needed a nap. Lia took him upstairs but he was reluctant to leave all the fun. I changed his nappy and Mom gave him his bottle but he still resisted sleep. He wanted to go back downstairs even though he was in dire need of a nap. Timothy volunteered to help, having had no shortage of experience with children. He brought Griffin into the quiet of the library and sang “All the Pretty Little Horses”. Fifteen minutes later, after singing the song six times, Timothy had fallen asleep, but Griffin was more awake than ever, and slid off Timothy’s lap, toddling back into the party. Fortunately, he was no longer cranky. When he came back into the drawing room where The Greatest Showman soundtrack was playing, he cut in on Tom dancing with Abigail. Tom faked chagrin while Abigail lovingly gathered Griffin in her arms. Abigail and Griffin soared across the room to “A Million Dreams”. Joanna, who had been sitting down, could no longer stay in her chair. Taking Dane’s hand, she joined the dance.

That evening, when Lia and I were sleeping, Mom took Griffin to the portal room. She held him in the egg and he savored being inside. Griffin, seeming to comprehend the egg is something one uses to travel, went, “vroom, vroom.”

Mom kissed him and asked, “Where do you want to go, Griffin?”

“I go bye-bye, Gamma.”

“The woods?” Mom asked.

Griffin shook his head no.

“The beach?” Mom tried.

Again, Griffin shook his head no.

“The city?” Mom guessed.

“No,” he replied, but this time he pointed up.

“Well, you’re in the right place, Griffin,” Mom told him.

Griffin smiled and said, “Buh nah now.” He then mumbled a string of words that only Mom could understand.

“Yes, my darling, Griffin, we will go to the stars.”

[dangermousie]

All the cdramas I am either watching or will soon watch

(Some of these I am restarting because I never finished.) This is more a list for myself than anything though opinions welcome. I’ve put a * by those I watched and then took a break from.

Bloody Romance - it seems dark and bloody and romantic and tragic. Bring it on!

Cinderella Chef - sometimes I just want a little time travel romance with a bit of cuteness and angst.

Chronicle of Life - morbidly curious to see how they will turn Kang Xi into a romantic hero.

Cruel Romance - this is for my not so inner Huang Xiaoming fan.

Dragon Sword and Heaven Sabre 2019 - the earlier adaptation I’ve seen was gorgeous but very confusing. This looks beautiful but more straightforward.

*Ever Night - I loved it so but found hard to keep up with an airing show and then I learned Arthur Chen was not going to be in s2 but replaced with a different actor, and my enthusiasm fizzled. Now it’s been months later, I am used to the thought of a different actor playing the lead, and I really want to give it another try. 

*Flame’s Daughter - Vic has been the male lead of my first ever drama many years ago, I love Dilraba and what I’ve seen what super cute. I don’t even remember why I stopped.

*God of War Zhao Yun - once again, liked it, was hard to keep up with at the time, but I have a bit of a Lin Gengxin crush now so...

Goodbye My Princess - just started, am in love with the pretty dysfunction.

Journey of Flower - mmmmm Wallace Huo and angst

Imperial Doctoress - I now have a clean good version! And once again, Wallace Huo and angst.

*The Lady and the Liar - lovely 1920s aesthetics and a cool story, I just no attention span.

The Legends - just finished the first ep and love it. Team Demon Prince!!!!

*Legend of Fuyao - duh

*Legend of Hao Lan - I started it when it was just getting subbed, there were not enough subs and I moved on. Now there are full subs so yay.

Legend of Yun Xi -poisoner heroine, arranged marriages blah blah

* The Mystic Nine - I don’t even remember why I stopped but back on the bandwagon.

*Nirvana in Fire I - I am watching at a snail’s pace because I am watching with Mr Mousie

Nirvana in Fire 2 - heard good things

Prince of Lan Ling - oh, I finished that one. I just love it and want a rewatch

*Princess Agents - it’s been so long, I am restarting from scratch. I stopped back way when because of the ending but now I am OK with it

Princess of Lan Ling King - just started, love it. It’s like a PoLL AU :P

*Rise of the Phoenixes - it took me months to stop being mad at the ending and I am willing to give it another try since everything I watched looked like a masterpiece

*Rookie Agent Rouge - girded myself for tragic spies

*Secret of the Three Kingdoms - I have sort of come to terms what this is (cool show) and isn’t (Advisors’ Alliance) so...

*Siege in Fog - I am in the mood for Republican era

Story of Ming Lan - I am gonna brave 70+ eps, which me luck!

*Too Late to Say I Love You - in the dark ages I tried it there weren’t really subs and now there are.

*Tribes and Empires - God, I loved this show but it was so emotionally intense I needed a break.

*Untouchable Lovers - Just eee!

[martinnecas]

Everything You Need To Know About Jimmy Vesey

See what other players I’ve done a EYNTKA on here

Name: Jimmy Vesey

Nickname: Ves, Jimbo,

Born: May 26, 1993 (age 25) Gemini

Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts

Height: 6’3

Position: Left wing (Shoots Left)

       I.          His father, Jim Vesey, was drafted in the 8th round of the 1984 NHL Draft by the St. Louis blues. He now works as a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

      II.          His younger brother, Nolan, was drafted to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2014 NHL Draft. June 2018 he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers and signed an ELC

    III.          Jimmy grew up with Boston Bruins’ Matt Grzelcyk, playing for the Middlesex Islanders that was coached by Vesey’s father.

    IV.          In 2011-12 Jimmy played junior hockey for the South Shore and was named MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. Recording 48 goals and 91 points in 45 games.

     V.          Jimmy joined Team USA in 2013 for the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, winning a gold medal.

    VI.          Jimmy played with Harvard University for four years (Majoring in government). Finishing his collegiate career with 144 points in 128 games.

  VII.          Vesey was named Ivy League player of the year twice.

VIII.          In his junior year, Vesey was rewarded with a top-ten nomination for the Hobey Baker Award (Given to the top NCAA men's ice hockey player). He was one of the finalists, however, Eichel (Boston University) wound up winning the award.

    IX.          In 2016, Vesey won the Hobey Baker Award

      X.          Vesey was drafted 66th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2012 Entry Draft

    XI.          Vesey decided to deny his opportunity to sign with the Predators at the end of the 2015-16 season. He did this to become a free agent shortly after his senior year at Harvard.

   XII.          On June 20th, 2016, the Predators traded Vesey to the Buffalo Sabres for a third round pick in the 2016 Entry Draft.

XIII.          The Sabers took Vesey in hopes of negotiating before he became a free agent, however, no agreement was made making him an UFA

XIV.          During his free agency he met with seven teams. Five more teams requested to meet, yet Vesey denied.

  XV.          August 20th, 2016, Vesey signed with the New York Rangers.

XVI.          At training camp, he received the Lars-Erik Sjöberg Award, which is given to the best Rangers' rookie in the camp.

XVII.          On October 17th, 2016, Vesey scored his first NHL goal against the San Jose Sharks

XVIII.          November 8th, 2017, Vesey scored 2 goals in 29 seconds making it the quickest number of goals scored by a Rangers player since Jaromír Jágr did so in 26 seconds back in 2006.

XIX.          I won’t show the video due to blood but here is the X-ray, if you would like to watch it here’s the link. Vesey took a skate to the face from Edmonton Oiler’s Zack Kassian sending his two front teeth into his bottom lip. He claimed it ruined his ‘modeling’ career.

  XX.          On March 12th, 2018, Vesey recorded his first career NHL hat trick in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes (aka the team that likes to give people their firsts :/ )

XXI.          In July 2018 Vesey and the NYR have agreed to a two-year contract for $2.275m a year

XXII.          Here’s a goalie shootout he did with Barstool alongside roommates Kevin Hayes and Brady Skjei

XXIII.          Also check out this apartment tour with his roommates (Starts around 1:45)

_____________________________________________

That’s all I have I hope you enjoyed!

~ALL gifs made by me~

~All photos and information were easily found throughout google~

~All videos were easily found on YouTube~

~I was going to make a resource page, but it was getting extremely long. If you want any specific links let me know.~