The Problematic of the Unproblematic

JoAnne: I have to start saying no to things, and I don't mean pie. Well, pie too, but that wasn't what I was talking about at the MOMENT. kakashi: A good topic. One of my employees told me something he's read in a book and I'm SO going to implement this. If you get an invitation to a talk (for example), you have to ask yourself: 'would I say yes if it were next Tuesday?' Most things won't be important enough! But if it takes place in 6 months or so, it always looks like you have nothing on then and you'll think "why not". Okay, that sounds like a good barometer but...if you DON'T have a lot happening six months from now, why wouldn't you say yes? (there is ALWAYS something happening once you get closer to the date, that's the problem) I'm assuming it's paid appropriately and within your field of expertise, of course, and probably in front of a group you don't have a previous reason to avoid. Trotwood: That is excel

Chapter 61 written by LigayaCroft edited by kakashi&Panda It had often been said by Lian Song that there was no loyalty in all the Realms that ran as deep as the one that Gun Gun and Mei Lin’s Li-Gē had for one another. Despite being a couple thousand years apart in age, the two had been known to be thick as thieves since the day they had first met as kids. Li-Gē’s precocious personality was medicine for Gun Gun’s serious and melancholic self, which was a product of the silver-haired boy’s cloistered childhood living in the mortal worlds and then Dìyù. It wasn't long afterwards that the two were getting into a lot of trouble on their own.

Chapter 40 written by kakashi edited by LigayaCroft & Panda “Are we resting here?” Shao Wan asked breathlessly. The air was cold and thin this high up in the mountains, but utterly clear; the view of rows upon rows of other peaks rising out of the morning mist like an island kingdom in the sky was spectacular. She was too proud to tell Mo Yuan that his speedy cloud-jumping had made her heart race and her head spin… she felt quite nauseous. Out of stubborness, she hadn’t held on nearly as tight as she should have - several times, she had feared for her life. But if he said: “Hang on tight!” she felt an immediate impulse to not hang on at all… why was that?

JoAnne: Such a quiet week in dramaland, nothing happened at all. kakashi: We're in a new ERA! The post DF era .  It will be interesting to see who does what, in the aftermath.  Not even 24 hours later we were seeing other entities making moves. SakiVI: I'm worried for the Chinese dramas. There are plenty of sites for kdramas . Also, no one talk to me because I'm finishing up Ruyi. Of course, I was going to watch Age of Legends after that, but what is the point now? Trotwood: I find it interesting how the world has changed. It seems not that long ago when so many were lambasting Dramafever for coming in and effectively shutting down fansites, and now people are in mourning over its demise with so many new viewers not remembering the days when you had to search through bad connections and sometimes shady sites to get subs. We still haven't gotten back many of those old shows and movies from those sites. But then again, I also remember when Hulu was free. Pffft. I r

Chapter 39 written by kakashi edited by LigayaCroft & Panda “... and then, the King pierced his opponent with his sword, look, like this… swoosh! and his heartblood sprayed everywhere, like this, woosh-woosh-woosh , coloring the King’s robes the darkest red. ‘This shall be my wedding gift for you, my love,’ he proudly said to his cherished bride. Surprised at getting no answer, he turned around… only to find her pierced through the heart by an enemy arrow. Though her limbs were entirely lifeless and her eyes already glazed over, it had kept her upright against the tree he had hidden her behind - making it seem like she was just waiting for him to vanquish his foes and to finally unite with her. Finding himself so suddenly bereft, with not even the chance to say goodbye, the King wailed in anguish and let himself fall into his own sword, cutting his heart in two, hoping with his last breath he would at least be able to reunite with his Beloved in the afterlife. The End.”

Chapter 60 written by LigayaCroft edited by kakashi & Panda There had only been two instances in his very long life when time had completely stopped for The Observer. The first had been when he found out that his Beloved was sentenced to be forgotten forever, a fate that was worse than death.

Chapter 38 written by kakashi edited by LigayaCroft & Panda Eyes like deep pools of midnight shadow in a perfectly sculpted face. The long hair loose, sweeping teasingly across bare flesh, the movement graceful and yet dangerous like a predator. Immaculate skin shimmers golden in the sparse candlelight, her hands already know it feels like the most precious of silks, but they falter in midair helplessly as his expert touch sets her ablaze. A moan escapes treacherous lips, unsuccessfully shut tight a mere moment ago in defiance to deny him the reaction he was seeking. His victorious smile as he peers down at her quivering, defenseless form is far too smug. He always wants to win - and he often does. It’s because he knows how to play her… like an instrument.

Some are finished by now, whereas others (like me, Kakashi) have barely begun :D thanks, feather, for the pic :D

JoAnne: How are we? All present and accounted for? No one under the weather? Anyone being threatened by the weather? Anyone being threatened by anyone at all? Could be a neighbor, could be your government, you never know. A threat is still a threat, so protect yourself. Sometimes all you need is a pen. Hey - anybody doing anything fun this week? kakashi: I escaped work madness and am currently in the mountains. Let's see whether that does anything to my drama watching. Continuing Ashes of Love with the little one and developing a crush on Deng Lun . SakiVI: I did something super-stupid this week: I misjudged a distance and feel hard on my back at work on Wednesday. Our floors there are barely-carpeted concrete, and I still feel bruised. This is 10 days after I healed from a riding accident. Ouch. Trotwood: I'm behind in lots. This was family weekend at my uni, so I was work every day until 11 or midnight. I got free french toast sticks and got to shoot off the t-shirt

Chapter 59 written by LigayaCroft edited by kakashi & Panda It had been many a millennia since Shao Wan walked around in a strange body and she had once sworn never to go through such a humiliating episode again. Yet here she was today, in possession of a body that mimicked her son’s, passing by Celestial servants who tended to the upkeep of the area where members of the Sky Clan were traditionally laid to rest.

aka the Chen Kun appreciation thread

JoAnne:  Okay I'm feeling a bit more back on track after vacation upheaval and then last week's madness - how about you guys?  Did you rest up and take vitamins so you could tackle debut week for all the new dramas? kakashi: My life sucks, haha. I used to have fun. I don't even remember what that is anymore. And I'm jealous of all you people who keep watching all these wonderful dramas. Plus now I have a fever and will stay at home tomorrow. Oh goodie, maybe I'll watch some Phoenixes. Trotwood: I'm exhausted. I have no time and work is piling up. I'm not sure when I'm supposed to get studying done when I have so many projects. I'm watching some shows but only because by the time I get home, I'm too tired to concentrate on work but too stressed to sleep. The political news has done nothing to reduce my anxiety. I gave up on starting any of the new dramas that aired during the week (sorry, Jang Hyuk, I still love you), but since I'm in the m

Chapter 18. Your suffering is the pain that makes you alive written by Bunny consulting/editing: Le, LalaLoop, LigayaCroft, kakashi Incense smoke snakes out from the burner onto the still air. Hovering in shifting shapes, flexing rings, pulsing domes, billowy bubbles. One tendril moves forward as though questing. And when a faint breeze passes by, its tip lifts like a snake’s head.

Chapter 58 written by LigayaCroft edited by kakashi & Panda Compared to that time when she woke up after the Cǎibǔ ritual, Huo Zheng opened her eyes feeling refreshed, encased in A-Li’s strong arms. For the first time in quite a long while, she felt happy. With a restrained squeal, she snuggled closer, placing her nose close to the crook between A-Li’s shoulder and neck.

Chapter 37 written by kakashi edited by LigayaCroft & Panda “Are you completely out of your mind!” Shao Wan raged at him, yet kept supporting him with her shoulders underneath his uninjured arm on their slow way through town.

Here we go again :D

JoAnne: Sorry, ladies...I'm not sure where my head is at lately! SakiVI: Mine has been with the Kavenaugh hearing and the buildup and the aftermath. Waiting for Avenatti's lawsuit now. Also, everyone needs to see Forever with Fred Armisen and Maya Rudolph. kakashi: Mine was at the conference I organized with 40 people this weekend. Very successful! I wish I could take time off from work now, but nope. There was a guy from the North of England... my GOD, his accent! I will have to rewatch North and South this weekend. Oh, and: We've reached 13mio. page views! Panda: Congratulations on the success of the conference K! I have had a terrible week with what Saki said and the entire ugliness and hopelessness... So, no drama update this week :( Thanks Jo for making Ning Yi posters, WITH GLITTER! Trotwood: I got sucked into talking about Love by Chance, a Thai show that has my internet ablaze despite the fact that it only airs once a week, and by MooLil's sending me