#Ml phillipe

[dangermousie]

I'm watching Sadistic Love, my first mini, and having SUCH a great time! What other minis do you recommend for enjoyers of the torrid and unhinged?

Welcome to the wonderful world of minis!!! Here are some recs!

THESE ARE ACTUALLY QUALITY

These may be minis, but between the cinematography and themes, they are as good or better than a "proper" drama:

Ancient Love Song - a haunting time travel romance with no destined easy out, this is about a modern scholar who travels back in time and interacts with an empress loathed by history. But their timelines flow in reverse...

Butterflied Lover - a period constable, his vampire wife, and one of the most gorgeous dramas out there.

A Familiar Stranger - Cheng Lei before he hit is big in "proper" dramas, the director of Blossom and fourth sister (aka best sister) in Perfect Match. The OTT premise is a face swap, but after that it's an awesome period romance between a general and a woman who he rescued a long time ago. It's torrid torrid torrid btw.

Fortune Writer - even the picky Douban viewers rated this one 7+. This is a story of villains in love but even more interestingly, a knowing fight against the narrative.

Hard to Find - fantasy and tragedy and doomed love; the story is like a darker old school cdrama but it's the gorgeous cinematography that places it in this portion of the list.

Love in a Dream - it’s a mini that has the most gorgeous cinematography I’ve seen in 2024 except for Fangs of Fortune and Eternal Brotherhood. I loved the vibes and the story and its feeling of tragic love and lost time.

TRASHY FUNNNNNN

Always My General - lady general, revenge, a very bi ML and just great fun!

Beauty Strategy - a mini of what a few years ago would have been a proper angsty drama of palace scheming enemies while lovers, powerless emperor etc etc. Honestly, I loved it.

Bound By Sin - subbiest Republican era ML ever.

Broken the Heart - super duper bonkers, with an evil royal tormenting the pure wife but for REASONS.

Circle of Love - this drama is a nonsense trash heap on fire. After a typhoon hit it. Republican era revenge romance and a ML who's insane.

Enslaved by Love - the ML is toxic enough to be banned by the Geneva convention but FL does get some of her own back and also if you ever wanted to see blindness-curing sex, boy do I have a drama for you!

Is Xianzun Whitewashed Today - this is 100% BL and a SVSSS rip off. Thanks for snoring, censors.

The Killer Is Also Romantic - mild mannered citizens by day, assassins/agents by night. This is a period Mr and Mrs Smith

Lovesickness - a good time about a woman traveling back in time and falling for a powerful but doomed duke.

Maid's Revenge - the ML of Sadistic Love and even more unhinged and slutty than in that one.

My Villain Husband - my first mini! FL wakes up in a novel! As the villain's despised wife. What shall she dooooooooo

Palace Shadows: Between Two Princes - ML pretends to be his own twin, bdsm and sluttiness ensues. I cannot even explain how wild this drama is but the acting is on point and way way fun!

The Prisoner of Love - more like the prisoner of bdsm.

Provoke - in love with one's stepmother? Indeed. But there is also a surprisingly solid plot under the bonkers.

Rise from the Ashes - a wacky as hell mini where reborn FL wreaks revenge with help of her fake uncle as they carry on as some sort of Borgia/Phillip II of Spain fame hybrid. If you don’t need to use your brain, you could have a worse time.

Rising Feather - a woman leading on son in law general (lover) and father in law minister (husband) for revenge and delicious trashiness.

Secrets of the Shadow Sect - head of sect lady and her very very subby bodyguard. What’s not to love?

Stolen Love - general, his first love, a LOT of make outs.

Your Trap/Imprisoned Love - the plot of this mini made no sense but the softcore vibes of sanitized 1990s cinemax were on point!

[moonshynecybin]

i know marc is a liar and all but i actually don’t think he held back on purpose in valencia 2015… i believe him when he says he didn’t have extra motivation but i also believe he meant it when he said “(When we arrived) in Valencia, I say ‘Please we need to win the race because if not … he will complain.’” (from https://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/01/motorsport/marc-marquez-motogp-valentino-rossi/index.html) and that honestly makes it that much more tragic to me. i think he was waiting for an australia type moment but dani caught up to him and messed with his rhtym, which fwiw also seems to be mat oxley’s view:

“If both Repsol Hondas had managed to get past Lorenzo, then Rossi would have been champion. But they didn't. Perhaps Marquez was riding shotgun to Lorenzo. But if that's true, why was he on the Ml's tail throughout the race, with his body language - loud as always! - telling us he was building towards a last-lap attack, most likely at the final hairpin, which would give Lorenzo no chance to come back at him?

And why didn't he give Lorenzo an easy time, following him around at a respectful distance, rather than hassling him lap after lap? Those are all questions to which everyone has their own answers.

The only fact was that Lorenzo's M1 had better acceleration grip, so Marquez could never get the drive he needed to set up a pass at the next corner.

It is also worth pointing out that Valencia is a grim track for overtaking. It's a slow, narrow, one-line, follow-my-leader circuit with a dead-slow entry onto its only straight. It is the polar opposite of wide, fast and open Phillip Island. The Valencia layout leaves little opportunity for riders to prepare a pass exiting one corner and into the next, especially on heavy MotoGP bikes with traction control and carbon brakes. At five of the last nine dry-weather MotoGP races at the track there wasn't a single overtaking manoeuvre at the front. Not one.” (from https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/motorcycles/motogp/what-really-happened-motogps-2015-finale/)

[astr0exe]

I come to you requesting a Phillip Graves x extremely socially anxious TM reader, like so anxious that poor boy can't order his own food at a resturant or fast food place without making at least 20 grammatical errors in a 10 word sentence(too real)

Lil anxiety baby (me) basically gonna be projecting so bad on this but oh well !! Some sweet domestic fluff w/ dominant Graves who orders for you. :) short but sweet !! 3 posts in 9 hours is crazy lol ‼️i hope you like this ml <3 have a great day 🩶

Your hands are always shaking, or fidgeting with something, especially your husband’s hands. Graves is always there for you, even when it’s slightly embarrassing despite how smug and happy it makes him. He doesn’t even need to ask what your order is, already knowing (this man has amazing memory) from the last time you guys came here. His hand is hold yours softly, letting you play with his cold rings as you keep your head down at the table.

His voice is confident as he speaks, conveying both your orders to the server without a second glance or any hesitation. Smiling at you once he has ordered, knowing it helps you makes him happy. All he wants is to help you and for you to be happy. If that means ordering you food then he will do it until he dies.

[bravo4iscool]

HIIII I LOVE UR WRITING SO MUCHHH!! CAN U DO A NEIGHBOUR!GRAVES AND READER JUST MOVED INTO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD SOMETHING LIKE THAT? THANK U ML🖤

HIII IM GLAD YOU LIKE IT HAHAHA. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH🤍🤍. as someone who’s a crazy perfectionist compliments and asks like that mean the absolute WORLD to me😭🫶🏼

this would be my first time writing something for graves but i’ll try my best!! i hope this isn’t too ooc for him, since i’ve never experienced him in the game before. i only have mw (since christmas lol) not mwII🥲

(masterlist)

REQUESTS/ASKS OPEN!

You hated moving. You absolutely hated moving. There was too much stress, too much heaving and too many boxes. Pretty much too much of everything.

You curse as you bend down to pick up another box when someone calls out for you: “Excuse me,” you straighten up and again turn around.

There’s a man standing a couple meters away from you, smiling. “Do you need help?” he asks and your expression changes from confused to surprised. “I’m Phillip by the way. I live in the flat beside yours,” he adds, remaining in his position.

“I uh-“ you look around you, staring at all the boxes, just waiting to be moved. “I think I could use help, yes…” you nervously chuckle, wiping a couple strands of hair out of your face. You really weren’t made for labour; absolutely not.

He smiles again and steps closer. “Which one is the heaviest?” he asks and you think for a moment. You didn’t really know…

“I guess that one,” you point at the one with all of your kitchen utensils. “I had help packing my car so I don’t really know which one is the most heavy.” You blush, rubbing your neck. Why is he making you all squirmy? You literally just met him.

“Alight,” he claps his hands together and picks that box up with ease. You stare at him for a second before you remind yourself that you should do the exact same. You try to follow him as fast as you can, almost tripping over your feet. You really can‘t get by without embarrassing yourself…

„You can just..put it here,“ you instruct him when you reached your flat, placing your box on the floor and pointing to your kitchen. „I‘ll sort it in later.“ He grunts out a ‚okay‘ and sets the box down.

And so you and him pick up box after box, placing them in your flat while you try to already sort them after their belongings. When the last box is safely secured in your bedroom you wipe your forehead and smile at him. „Thank you so much Phillip. I don’t think I would‘ve been able to do it so fast without you.“ You blush once again when he returns your smile, readjusting the sleeves of his sweatshirt.

„It was a pleasure,“ he cocks his head, looking around and heading for the door.

You walk two steps into his direction, „Can I thank you with a dinner? Obviously not…yet,“ you nervously chuckle and look around. It would take one or two weeks to fully settle in but…

He stops and turns around. „Dinner sounds good.“ He winks and you feel yourself blushing even more. You know him since like one hour. Why were you going crazy over him?

„Thank you again.“

„Not for that,“ he waves it off, saying one last ‚see you soon‘ before he leaves you alone in the mess that‘s supposed to be your new flat…

[gardenwalrus]

As George knew several more guitar chords than John or Paul, every time he showed them a new one they tried to write a song around it — and it was in this period, possibly at Upton Green, that Paul wrote one he called “In Spite of All the Danger,” a chugging and melodic country-flavoured number with a couple of extended lead guitar solos created by George. For this reason, the song was a unique deviation from the Lennon-McCartney credit: it went down as McCartney-Harrison. The tune of “In Spite of All the Danger” was entirely Paul’s, but it leaned heavily on the melody of Elvis’s “Trying to Get to You,” a song that includes the lyric “[in] spite of all that I’ve been through.” Using an existing song as inspiration for the writing of another is standard practice, but the rock and roll era was already littered with outrageous examples of plagiarism seemingly free of legal action — possibly because the song being copied was not entirely original to that composer either.

— Mark Lewisohn, Tune In (2013)

PM: And then there was Percy Phillips' place in Kensington [Liverpool] where we did 'That'll Be The Day' and 'In Spite Of All The Danger'. [...] Anyway, John did 'That'll Be The Day', which was one of our stage numbers, and George played the opening guitar notes and I harmonised with John singing lead. Then on the other side I sang the lead, I think so anyway. It was my song.* It's very similar to an Elvis song. It's me doing an Elvis. ML: Any particular Elvis song? PM: Yeah, but I'm a bit loathe to say which! "Yeah" is all I'm going to say on that. I know which one! It was one that I'd heard at scout camp when I was younger and I'd loved it. And when I came to write the first couple of songs at the age of about 14 that was one of them.

— Mark Lewisohn, The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions (1988)

*Seventeen years later, without the advantage of hearing it in between times, John recalled what he could of the session: “The first thing we ever recorded was ‘That'll Be the Day, the Buddy Holly song, and one of Paul’s called ‘In Spite of All the Danger. It cost us fifteen shillings and we made it in the front room of some guy’s house that he called a recording studio. It had all the equipment, and it was a 78. And I sang both sides. I was such a bully in those days I didn’t even let Paul sing his own song. That’s the actual first recording we ever made.”

— Mark Lewisohn, Tune In (2013)

[wyllzel]

my very correct reviews of the bridgerton novels 😎

stars and spiciness (scale of 1-3) and tidbits below

please note that the following numbers are my opinion and largely exist relative to one another and to my limited understanding of the genre haha

The Duke and I (⭐ 3.5/5 +🔥): Ok I have very mixed feelings about this one haha 😞 The dub-con/non-con scene between the leads is framed as a mistake by the perpetrator (Daphne), which is good! But it's also not fully acknowledged or apologized for... which is bad... But at the same time, there's some really good things in this novel - the chemistry between the leads, Simon's persistent issues and Daphne realizing that she can't fix him overnight, Daphne recognizing her own privilege, the humor and comedic timing, Daphne's Weird Girlness...

The Viscount Who Loved Me (⭐ 4/5 +🔥🔥): Anthony as a character was very fascinating, and Kate's sororal relationship with Edwina was lovingly written! I also thought Quinn's approach to mental health as something unknowable & unpredictable was great (her descriptions of panic attacks were pretty spot-on too)

An Offer from a Gentleman (⭐ 2/5 +🔥🔥): 2 stars for Benedict chokeslamming the abusive stepmom, 0 stars for Benedict creating a toxic workplace environment 🤮

Romancing Mister Bridgerton (⭐ 4/5 +🔥): Penelope is a very interesting character, and the primary conflict being one of jealousy between the two leads was really interesting!? (ie. Colin is jealous of Penelope's success 👀)

To Sir Phillip, With Love (⭐ 5/5 +🔥🔥🔥): Really complex and I'm glad that a) Quinn allows her leads to make mistakes and b) Phillip was not insta-cured by marriage or A Woman's Healing Touch but instead had to do some self-reflection and come to conclusions on his own (with her help)

When He Was Wicked (⭐ 4.5/5 +🔥🔥🔥): 5 stars for Michael being pathetically in love, -0.5 stars for Michael being an active participant in English colonization 🫥 It's thematic, and his commentary sounded accurate to contemporary stuff I've read lmao, so I see the vision - but given that Quinn is a modern author, she should know better and it could've been handled better... The overall gothic/ghostly vibes were fascinating tho !

It's in His Kiss (⭐ 4/5 +🔥): Hyacinth is just like me fr, and Gareth was a nice change in pace from the Tall Dark And Handsome Brooding ML LOL Also the treasure hunt as a plot vehicle was fun!

sidenote but i just think it's so funny how phillip & michael each had a scene where they gave the FL an orgasm but didn't finish:

On the Way to the Wedding (⭐ 3.5/5 +🔥): Gregory is a goof and I appreciate his madly-in-love vibes, also he shot a man??!!?! A well-executed finale to such a vibrant series 👏

but to be clear, none of these books are perfect, and there are definitely tropes/moments that quinn likes playing to but that i find dicey (such as most, if not all, her male leads having "sexy" (?) anger issues lol... also she is not the best author if you're looking for a critique of english classism/imperialism lmao)

yet there are also a lot of really good and interesting things (mostly internal growth/conflict rather than external, haha) that she explores through the Bridgerton Regency Tropes Vehicle 👀

also i think it genuinely takes a hugely skillful author to write good humor / erotica, which quinn definitely excels at, so i will give her her flowers there 👍

AND it's interesting to read a modern american woman's interpretation of early 19th century upper-class english society 👀 there's some interesting things going on there w historicity and the non/necessity of accuracy 👀 and ofc american-english cultural relations haha

phillip got up and jerked off in the bathroom LOL

meanwhile michael, possibly horniest man alive, just took a cold shower lmaooo

idk why this is so funny to me

also phillip and michael get extra kudos for going down on their love interests (gareth might have as well, i can't remember, if he did then good for him too)

and i will end this post on that note lol

[belmottetower]

This is a silly question, but if I want to get into soccer/football then…

Where do I even start?

I enjoy watching soccer games. If I had to pick a favorite sport, it would be that. But I’m not necessarily a “fan” of it, or I guess a follower of it, when I think I’d like to be.

Oooh not at all a silly question! So if you already enjoy watching football matches then I think you're basically there already! Since you're asking me, I assume you maybe want to get specifically into the Premier League, because I wouldn't know where to start when recommending MLS teams ow how to get into it. In terms of just like, where to watch the Prem in the US NBC, USA Network, NBCSports.com and Peacock all show it. And you might have a sports bar or a pub near you that would show games if you don't have access to any of the above.The current season is about to finish, but it starts again in August. In terms of getting into a team...first things first just watch some of the matches and maybe see if there is a particular team you enjoy watching more. If there are teams you do enjoy watching - for whatever reason - I'd recommend following a few of them on the social media platform of your choice because teams social media is always utterly ridiculous and I love it - not least because the players are a big reason why I like the teams I support, and getting to watch, for instance, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, and Kal Phillips take penalties through a window is always fun. I support four Premier League teams, which is a bit controversial to some, but I kind of want different things from all of them, and like them for a different reasons, and I don't like people gatekeeping how someone chooses to enjoy something so I ignore those people haha. The only team I'd tell you not to support right now is Arsenal, but that's because I hate them for not suspending Thomas Partey for as long as he's being investigated for rape.

Not sure if this remotely helpful in answering, but if you have any more specific questions about how the Prem works, or teams I am happy to talk football haha.

[louislupin]

phillip exudes such pnw energy and i love him (can’t wait for the mls to be back so i can see him in the flesh)

[maia-estates]

How to Get Started with Real Estate Investment

Real estate investment can be a lucrative and rewarding venture, providing a steady income stream and potential for long-term appreciation. However, getting started can be daunting for beginners. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to begin your real estate investment journey, ensuring you have a solid foundation to build upon.

1. Educate Yourself

Before diving into real estate investment, it's crucial to educate yourself about the industry. There are numerous resources available, including books, online courses, podcasts, and blogs. Some recommended books include "Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki, "The Millionaire Real Estate Investor" by Gary Keller, and "Investing in Rental Properties for Beginners" by Lisa Phillips. Understanding the basics of real estate, investment strategies, and market dynamics will help you make informed decisions.

2. Set Clear Investment Goals

Determine what you want to achieve with your real estate investments. Are you looking for immediate cash flow, long-term appreciation, or a combination of both? Your goals will influence your investment strategy, the types of properties you choose, and your overall approach. Setting clear, measurable, and realistic goals will provide direction and keep you focused.

3. Assess Your Financial Situation

Real estate investment requires capital, so it's essential to assess your financial situation. Calculate your net worth, analyze your income and expenses, and determine how much money you can allocate to real estate investments. Consider consulting with a financial advisor to ensure you're in a solid financial position to start investing. Additionally, research different financing options, such as mortgages, home equity loans, and private lenders.

4. Choose Your Investment Strategy

There are various real estate investment strategies to choose from, each with its pros and cons. Some popular strategies include:

Buy and Hold: Purchasing properties to rent out for steady cash flow and long-term appreciation.

Fix and Flip: Buying undervalued properties, renovating them, and selling them for a profit.

Wholesaling: Finding discounted properties, putting them under contract, and selling the contract to another investor for a fee.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): Investing in publicly traded companies that own and manage real estate portfolios.

Choose a strategy that aligns with your goals, risk tolerance, and available resources.

5. Research and Analyze Markets

Location is a critical factor in real estate investment. Research different markets to identify areas with strong growth potential, high demand for rentals, and favorable economic conditions. Look for indicators such as job growth, population growth, low crime rates, and good school districts. Websites like Zillow, Redfin, and local MLS listings can provide valuable market data. Additionally, network with local real estate agents, investors, and property managers to gain insights into specific neighborhoods.

6. Build a Team of Professionals

Successful real estate investing requires a team of professionals to support you. Your team should include:

- Real Estate Agent: A knowledgeable agent can help you find and evaluate properties.

- Mortgage Broker/Lender: They can assist with financing options and securing loans.

- Real Estate Attorney: Legal expertise is essential for navigating contracts and regulations.

- Accountant/Tax Advisor: They can provide advice on tax implications and financial planning.

- Contractor/Handyman: Reliable contractors are crucial for property maintenance and renovations.

Building a strong team will help you make informed decisions and streamline the investment process.

7. Start Small and Scale Gradually

As a beginner, it's wise to start with a small, manageable investment. This could be a single-family home, a duplex, or a small multi-family property. Starting small allows you to gain experience, learn the ropes, and minimize risks. As you become more comfortable and knowledgeable, you can gradually scale your portfolio by acquiring more properties or exploring different investment strategies.

8. Perform Due Diligence

Before purchasing a property, conduct thorough due diligence to assess its condition, value, and potential for returns. This includes:

-Property Inspection:  Hire a professional inspector to identify any structural or mechanical issues.

-Comparable Market Analysis (CMA): Evaluate similar properties in the area to determine a fair purchase price.

-Cash Flow Analysis: Calculate potential rental income, expenses, and cash flow to ensure the property will be profitable.

-Review of Legal and Zoning Issues: Ensure the property complies with local regulations and zoning laws.

Thorough due diligence will help you avoid costly mistakes and make informed investment decisions.

9. Secure Financing

Once you've identified a property and completed due diligence, secure financing to purchase the property. Work with your mortgage broker or lender to finalize loan terms and complete the necessary paperwork. Be prepared to provide documentation, such as income statements, credit reports, and proof of funds for the down payment.

10. Manage Your Investment

Effective property management is crucial for maximizing returns and maintaining the value of your investment. If you choose to manage the property yourself, be prepared to handle tenant screening, lease agreements, maintenance, and rent collection. Alternatively, you can hire a professional property management company to handle these tasks for a fee. Regularly monitor the property's performance, address any issues promptly, and keep detailed records of all transactions and expenses.

11. Explore Investment Opportunities in Bangalore

For those interested in investing in real estate in Bangalore, the market offers a plethora of options ranging from super luxury apartments in Bangalore to upcoming luxury projects in Bangalore. The city is known for its high-end residential projects developed by some of the top builders in Bangalore. Investing in property in Bangalore can provide significant returns due to the city's rapid growth and demand for premium housing.

Conclusion

Getting started with real estate investment requires careful planning, education, and a strategic approach. By following these steps, you can build a solid foundation for your investment journey and work towards achieving your financial goals. Remember, real estate investing is a long-term commitment that requires patience, diligence, and continuous learning. With the right mindset and resources, you can successfully navigate the world of real estate and reap the rewards of your investments. Happy investing!

[dangermousie]

Middle (sort of) of 2024 list - cdrama edition.

Yeah I realize it's neither the end of the year, nor half a year, but what's the point of being predictable? It's also gonna make my end of year post easier. This is only going to cover cdramas that aired in 2024; if I watched it but it was made in a different year, it’s not on the list.

DRAMAS WATCHED

(In order of liking from least to most as opposed to pure quality; I am including if I’ve seen enough to make up my mind; yes I realize that’s inaccurate, but that’s my list)

42 My Divine Emissary - it's actually a pretty good drama year when the worst cdrama I've checked out this year is merely utterly shrill and brain dead but not horrifyingly offensive to good taste.

41 Fight for Love - they had wonderful actors and a great premise and utterly wasted it. There might someday be a good drama about a female general torn between a royal and an enemy general but this ain't it.

40 Peacock in Wonderland - I am a few decades too old for this brain dead fest but I am glad Zhou Jun Wei is not canceled at least.

39 Her Fantastic Adventures - honestly, this, MDE and Revenger are all the same type of subgenre - they aren't offensive they are just as empty as air. This also suffers from casting an utter dud as ML and a charisma boat as SML. Why?

38 Lady Revenger Returns from the Fire - the main thing I remember from this is that Miles Wei must have stolen the wig maker's parking spot. That wig is the one that should have gone into the fire.

37 Your Trap/Imprisoned Love - the plot of this mini made no sense but the softcore vibes of sanitized 1990s cinemax were on point!

36 Fox Matchmaker: The Red Moon Pact - it's so pretty, so full of gorgeous costumes and actors and I enjoyed the first few eps, but ultimately it was like watching colorful paint dry. It was so dull, I couldn't even hate watch it, and that is more damning than anything.

35 The Unexpected Marriage - cutesy dumb period romcom. Could be worse, not that this is much of a praise.

34 Love’s Rebellion - so twee, so precious, so full of cutesy awful CGI and actors who aren't bothering. I am not sure why Zhang Linghe and Jing Tian are in this mess that looks like rainbow vomited on a xianxia set.

33 My Wife's Double Life - her life may be double but her brain is only half.

32 Jade's Fateful Love - I lost some braincells trying this one, but (a) it's gorgeous and (b) no transmigration say you? Multiple transmigration in first ep alone! Good for you, makers!

31 Follow My Heart - how do you have Luo Yunxi, Song Yi and Cheng Lei and waste them so utterly? First few eps were nice and then it's like exercise in how much you can tolerate before you call it quits.

30 Sword and Fairy 4 - it's kinda a mess but I loved the actors and some of the plots and you can do worse.

29 Blossoms in Adversity - dumb as a set of particularly dumb bricks and ML I don't think could act if his life depended on it, but it was strangely addictive and I watched it often before better dramas. It's just a genuinely good time somehow!

28 Judge Dee - it's not you it's me in action. It's smart and gorgeous and well acted, I just don't do procedurals.

27 The Substitute Princess’ Love - it's like some of those trashy web novels I enjoy. It was clearly cut, its budget was equivalent to loose change found in the pockets of makes of Fox Spirit Matchmaker, but it was a surprisingly fun watch, though I enjoyed the first half better than the second. Also as a drama old, it was a fun blast from the past seeing Dylan Kuo (if you have never watched the old twdrama The Outsiders, what are you even doing with your life?)

26 Rise from the Ashes - a wacky as hell mini where reborn FL wreaks revenge with help of her fake uncle as they carry on as some sort of Borgia/Phillip II of Spain fame hybrid. If you don't need to use your brain, you could have a worse time.

25 The Legend of Heroes - it suffered from me seeing other versions of this tale before that I liked more and not loving how dark looking it is but that cast is A+ and Wang Hongyi was a revelation as Yang Kang.

24 Beauty Strategy - a mini of what a few years ago would have been a proper angsty drama of palace scheming enemies while lovers, powerless emperor etc etc. Honestly, I loved it.

23 Lovesickness - this year's gender-reversed Ancient Love Song, not as artistic or good but still a good time about a woman traveling back in time and falling for a powerful but doomed duke.

22 Fragments of Kylin - demon slayer falls for a demon; this one came out of nowhere and didn't have much of a budget but is surprisingly lovely.

21 Enslaved by Love - the only reason it's not the most fucked up drama on this list is because Shadow Sect, Palace Shadows and Burning Flames exist. The ML is toxic enough to be banned by the Geneva convention but FL does get some of her own back and also if you ever wanted to see blindness curing sex, boy do I have a drama for you!

20 Secrets of the Shadow Sect - head of sect lady and her very very subby bodyguard. What's not to love?

19 Palace Shadows: Between Two Princes - ML pretends to be his own twin, bdsm and sluttiness ensues. I cannot even explain how wild this drama is but the acting is on point and way way fun!

18 Dashing Youth - I had no expectations of this drama (either indifferent to or dislike everyone in the cast, wuxia and wuxia-adjacent is rarely my genre, the number of characters is huge) but I loved how under its bright colors, it eventually gets very dark (it's quite old school that way) and somehow I am invested in everyone in the huge cast. This being a prequel to The Blood of Youth makes us know the fates of many of the characters and this adds the air of tragic inevitability to it all.)

17 The Last Immortal - a surprisingly sweet and touching xianxia that works largely because Zhao Lusi and Wang Anyu are so so so so solid separately and together.

16 Burning Flames - the most gonzo drama on this list. I love it for committing to insanity as it should (if you pick insane source material, commit.) Humans taking on the worst Gods since Olympus, fur and chains, sentient crystal FL, ML who goes from Crown Prince to mine slave to rebel leader, bare chests and fur, demon elves, a villain that leaches color from the world - this drama has everything and I loved its unhinged glory.

15 Lost You Forever 2 - it would have been higher except it fell apart in the last third so badly I am still wondering how the makers could misunderstand their own characters and their own narratives so badly. The first season was a masterpiece. This is a hot mess.

14 The Princess Royal/The Grand Princess - I am in the minority of finding this drama very mid. The acting was fine (except for former eunuch dude), the writing was fine, but I never really got invested alas. I don't even know why. I think it's just not my type of narrative; there was no intensity.

13 Different Princess - a ridiculous amount of fun and ship about an author falling through to her own novel and falling for the villain.

12 Sword and Fairy 6 - I love this tale; the young OTP (a whale weapon and a clone of her trigger? More wholesome than you think) who are so ride or die for each other, the other amazing characters (sect leader who has to live as a man and her "twin" who is an ancient trapped spirit, a wolf demon, etc...) It's just genuinely good and proof that targeted to younger audience doesn't have to be bad.

11 In Blossom - sure, we all know JJY can't act, but the narrative was so fun and the visuals were so gorgeous and Liu Xueyi so gorgeous and magnetic in his first proper Male Lead role, it was all worth it. I liked the first half when they were still cautious of each other more than the second but this is just a good time!

10 Hard to Find - my second favorite mini on the list, this is an aesthetic feast. The doomed couple from enemy kingdoms, the vengeance, the twists - if ever a mini deserved to be a proper drama, this would be it. But alas, if it was they'd probably not let it.

9 The Double - unhinged web novel vibe done so perfectly in the inimitable Yu Zheng style. The leads were so good even the amazing villains didn't truly steal the show. Like with a lot of cdramas, it lost a lot of steam in second half for me, but still a great watch.

8 Fortune Writer - the best mini this year and better than most "proper" cdramas (Douban raters agree), this tale of villains in love fighting the narrative has a lot to say about writing cliches and writing conventions. I love how clever it is and how it actually made me care for the characters.

7 Tender Light - except for that ending, this was in the running for my favorite 2024 cdrama. The writers' lack of ability to commit and carry through pushed it lower but otherwise it's a genuine masterpiece. The acting, the chemistry, the looping narrative, what it has to say about abuse and complicity of society and blazing your own moral path is something else.

6 Derailment - who knew a little quasi scifi modern would be this high but this one is amazing. If you watch one modern this year, make it this one. Our FL is a rich girl a little in the future who somehow wakes up in a different timeline a few years back in the body of that universe's version of her (who is poor and has been missing) and her one connection is a young man who was in love with that universe's version of her. I don't want to say more so as not to spoil because the twists are twisty but this is EVERYTHING and also addresses transmigration, what it means to love, what is ethical etc etc. And that OTP!

5 Snowfall - a fever dream of a vampire narrative set in an alternate universe of the Republican era, it's gorgeous, passionate, hella queer and just like watching the most amazing fanfic come to life.

4 Heroes - a complete masterpiece about three men about to be on the scrapheap of history in the Qing Dynasty about to fall (a constable devoted to obsolete norms, who spent his whole life studying for the imperial exam which got canceled, the world's best swordsman in the era of guns, and a former imperial guard who emerges from prison into a different world) whose stories intersect as they search for treasure and the women and other people in their lives. This is smart, impeccably acted, filmed in a stunning way, bleak and funny at once and - I don't use the term masterpiece often but I will use it here.

3 The Legend of Shen Li - I am often indifferent to xianxia that suffers from too much CGI, hella immaturity and not enough stakes. Shen Li is everything. It's gorgeously filmed, it's adult, it gives the story time to breathe and centers it on characters and relationships. And the OTP is everything you can ever dream of - it reunites Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin, totally healing those Princess Agents wounds - their chemistry is still utter fire but the narrative supports them every step of the way.

2 Eternal Brotherhood - if JoL2 did not come out this year, this would be my favorite cdrama of the year. It's clearly a passion project with a small budget but this complex and grim tale of three rather different sworn brothers in a world at war is gorgeous, smart, well acted, dark and inspiring at once. There are shots that take my breath away, the love stories are amazing, the pace is perfect, and ohhh our complex mainsssssss.

1 Joy of Life 2 - nothing can beat this masterpiece. The first season was perfect and somehow the second is even more perfect. It's smart, it's funny, it's heartbreaking, the cast is still impeccable and Zhang Ruoyun still gives a completely jawdropping performance as the focus of all the madness Fan Xian. If you watch only one cdrama this year, make it this one.

FAVORITE DRAMA

Joy of Life 2 - there is not one second I forwarded, not one unnecessary scene, not one weak link character. It's a smart, fierce masterpiece.

Eternal Brotherhood is a runner up - it came out of nowhere and owned my whole heart. It's the sole other cdrama this year where I did not ff a second.

WORST DRAMA

My Divine Emissary - honestly, this is a decent year because even this drama was just "forget it" not burning hate.

FAVORITE MALE CHARACTER

Fan Xian (Zhang Ruoyun), Joy of Life 2 - how could it ever be anyone but smart, irreverent, fierce, broken, idealistic, funny Fan Xian. The man who fights against the horrors of the universe, who remains human while being so larger than life. This character is everything.

Runner up: Zhou Luo (Zhang Xincheng), Tender Light - idealistic loner who refuses to compromise his principles even as it would be easier to, even as it destroys his life, ZXC has always been a solid actor but here he is beyond.

Alternatively, Zichuan Xiu (Yang Xuwen), Eternal Brotherhood - only way to describe Xiu is "trauma sunshine." He's funny, he's irrevocably fucked up, he is magnetic and intense and he fights for his hopeless ideals and he breaks and he keeps going.

or Xing Zhi (Lin Gengxin), the lonely ancient god discovering the pleasure of life for the first time in aeons.

FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTER

Shen Li (Zhao Liying), The Legend of Shen Li - so fierce, so certain, so alive. She is a goddess but ZLY made her feel so real.

Runner up: Nan Ya (Tong Yao), Tender Light - an abuse victim who keeps trying to find a way out, she's strong and damaged and complex and honestly, one of the best performances this year.

Alternatively, Jiang Xiao Yuan (Liu Haocun), Derailment - she makes a character that in other hands would be boring or trite, someone I want to reach through to the screen and protect and love.

NEEDS TO BE MURDERED

99% of the denizens of the town in Tender Light - selfish every day denizens monstrous because of their very everydayness - they watch abuse and choose to blame the victim and gossip and enjoy the view. I hated them all.

FAVORITE SHIP

Shen Li x Xing Zhi, The Legend of Shen Li - the chemistry, the yearning, the slow inevitable collapse into admittance, the way he protects the world and she protects him, the way they dance around each other, her being the aggressor, his surrender to forbidden emotion, their utter mutual belief in each other's competence. They are everything to me.

Runner up: the OTP in Derailment. Those two went through some mind and soul breaking stuff and made it out.

FAVORITE SECONDARY OTP

Amusingly enough, Fu Xin Bo is the male actor in both - the crossdressing sect leader x wolf demon OTP in Sword and Fairy 6, and First Prince x Eldest Princess in Joy of Life 2. What can I say, man knows how to pick them. Those OTPs are both utterly adorable!

If we are talking about an OTP where it's not that it's not the main but it's not a ship-centric drama so they don't get much time, then we have either Fan Xian x Lin Wan'er from Joy of Life 2 - she is his peace and sanity

and Si Yilin x Ka Dan, Eternal Brotherhood - they are both such desperately good people in a mad world, tender with each other despite surrounding cruelty.

NOTP

The couple in Fox Spirit Matchmaker - such pretty people, and so bland and boring and pointless together. It was kinda amazing.

FAVORITE SCENE

God, so many good scenes this year so far - Fan Xian watching the death of the old censor and the aftermath, in JoL2; his confrontation with Wan'er after she finds out about the truth behind her brother's death, the scene where he poisons Second Prince, his scene with the registrar. Xiu giving up his future to protect the surrendered soldiers only to come back and find Di Lin executed them all in EB, the scene in Ning's bedroom when he tells her how he really feels because she can't hear, the very end of that season and Di Lin striding into the light, Ka Dan and SYL's night. The last scene of LYN and his girl in Heroes, the way Heroes always intercuts the golden past of the guard and princess and the dreary present (especially when we see her bicycle spin out of control back when and her husband lose it in the present and this time there is nobody to catch her), the big reveal in Derailment and the hairwashing scene, Mi Lan touching Vamp Daddy's face as their thing in Snowfall, and the cage stuff etc etc.

BIGGEST CRUSH

Shen Zhiheng (Gao Weiguang), Snowfall - Vamp Daddy made me hormonal in a way I haven't felt for a cdrama lead since the heady days of Darren Wang in The Wolf. Those outfits, that hair, that height, that restraint, that lack of restraint. THE CHAINS

BEST SCENE STEALER CHARACTER

Liu Duan Duan as Second Prince in Joy of Life 2 - what a performance! Unhinged, magnetic, pitiable, terrifying and always mesmerizing. The Second Prince is Fan Xian's foil and a worthy one. LDD is always a great actor, and with a role that actually gives him something to sink his teeth into - wow!

MVP OF THE YEAR

Liu Yuning (Heroes, Eternal Brotherhood) - there is only one actor who somehow managed to be a main character in two of my five top 2024 dramas. His ruthless, driven Di Lin in EB, who knows he's doomed as the ruler's executioner but has no other way forward, and the man out of time (best swordsman in a gun era) in Heroes are both unforgettable characters in amazing dramas.

ACTING SURPRISE

Ouyang Nana - Li Muge performs miracles. He made Yang Chaoye be good in Heroes (2022) and now Nana, who was always as wooden as a post, is a revelation as blind abused girl who becomes a vampire in Snowfall.

NEEDS A SEQUEL

Joy of Life 2 of course - I need to see the looming confrontation between Fan Xian and the emperor, though not sure how that will pass censorship.

NEEDS SCISSORS TAKEN TO IT

FF button has cured me of finding contenders for this category, but perhaps cutting out a lot of terrible acting and lack of stage presence of "not yet a eunuch" dude in The Princess Royal, would have improved it.

TOO MANY SCISSORS TAKEN TO IT

Lost You Forever 2 - there were other issues with it, but all the cuts couldn't have helped with coherency.

TROPE THAT NEEDS TO DIE

Same as last year - the emperor cannot be irredeemable. WTF, China, you are a communist country! Though they are nibbling at the edges this year.

FAVORITE TROPE WE’VE SEEN A LOT OF

Men (and women) knowingly fighting for a doomed cause because otherwise they'd cease to be who they are.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Lost Your Forever 2 - the first season was my favorite drama of 2023 but LYF2 just fell apart so so so badly, it was almost fascinating. It totally eviscerated the characters and the meanings of the story.

BIGGEST GOOD SURPRISE

Three out of the top 5 dramas on my list are not dramas that were on my radar at all before airing - Heroes, Eternal Brotherhood and Snowfall were not anything I anticipated, let alone I realized how much I'd love them. Same for Derailment and Tender Light. This has been a year of surprises.

2024 DRAMAS I HAVEN’T SEEN THAT I MOST WANT TO WATCH

I have honestly watched almost everything I wanted. Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty 2 will be the one I will list since I still need to finish s1.

BEST NON-2024 DRAMA I’VE WATCHED IN 2024

Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty - I, a procedural and mystery hater (especially when there is close to no romance) somehow fell like a ton of bricks for this gorgeous, smart, impeccably acted show.

MOST ANTICIPATED

This is always a bad idea and kinda a curse but I really really want The Story of Pearl Girl, with Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning because I love them separately and together and the thought of them reuniting is a dream come true. Also Eternal Brotherhood 2 (it's filmed but they can't air it until a year from EB1), Love of Nirvana with Ren Jialun and Li Landi, and Snowy Night: Timeless Love with Li Qin and Zheng Shunxi.

[windfallgardenschenleyfarms]

Japanese Maple Propagation by Hardwood Cuttings 

Culture and Propagation of Japanese Maple

Guy Phillips

Professional Paper submitted to the Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Forestry

As mentioned previously, hardwood cuttings are those that are taken during the dormant season. For a deciduous species such as Japanese maple, this means that the cutting is merely a stick with some dormant buds that is stuck in a suitable medium. The lack of foliage allows a propagator to forget the worrisome balance between keeping leaf surfaces evenly moist while at the same time maintaining the medium at a state not too moist, and well aerated. For hardwood cuttings, bottom heat is recommended, but air temperatures can remain cool, ideally below the 15.5oC (60oF) range, especially at night. These environmental factors – no misting, moderate bottom heat, and little to no air heat result in a very economically efficient way to propagate. The fact that dormant cuttings are taken during the time of year when nursery activity is all but dormant too, means another kind of economy and efficiency is achieved as well: the economy and efficiency of time. One paper from the annals of the Combined Proceedings of the International Plant Propagator's Society stood almost alone on this subject. I include a summary of it here because I consider the notion of hardwood cuttings of Japanese maple to be of unrealized merit. 

The experiment with hardwood cuttings was begun due to a surplus of grafting scion material. The greatest success has been had with Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' varieties. This is the name commonly given to Japanese maples that have red colored leaves of varying shades and retain this trait, in varying degrees, when propagated from seed. Successful rooting and survival of this variety has been between 60 – 70%. However, experiments with the dissected leaf varieties have proven more challenging, as is common for these same types when propagated by softwood cuttings. Success is often as low as 25% (Carville, 1975). 

Cuttings were taken from field stock plants during the first week of January (Rhode Island). Material was between 4.8 - 9.5 mm (3/16 – 3/8 inch) thickness; possessing 2 –3 nodes. The previous season’s growth is taken, ideally as thick as possible, 15 - 20 cm (6 –8 inches) long. Wounds were made, 2 on each cutting, 19 - 25 mm (3/4 - 1 inch) long. Many hormonal solutions have been tried and Jiffy Grow TM was found to be the best. (10 second dip; 29 mL (1 oz.) Jiffy GrowTM to 87 mL (3 oz.) water; Jiffy GrowTM is a mixture of IBA .5%, NAA .5%. boron .0175%, phenylmercuric acid .01%). Medium is a 2 parts peat / 1 part perlite. Medium was slightly firmed and watered; cuttings were stuck; all was watered again then “ignored”. The temperature of the medium was kept between 15.5 - 20oC (60 – 68 ̊F). Air temperatures were kept below 20oC (60 ̊F) at night; no mention of the daytime temperatures. “Excessive top heat and /or overwatering will lead to complete failure, thus my statement to the effect that the cuttings should be ignored. The medium should feel almost dry to the touch and at no time during the first 4 weeks should you be able to squeeze water from a handful of the mix (Carville, 1975, p. 40)" 

Roots appear in about 4 weeks (callus in 15 days). Vegetative buds will soon be swelling after roots have been observed. It is imperative not to overwater during this time. Roots will rot very easily at this point. Newly emerging leaves need shading. A mild fungicidal solution is thought to be helpful in controlling Botrytis fungal infection. By mid- March the rooted cuttings can be potted, perhaps planted into fields directly in milder climates. 3.77 - 7.5 L (1 – 2 gallon) potted plants can be expected to reach 30 - 38 cm (12 – 15 inches) tall by late August (Carville, 1975). 

Carville (1975) concludes by noting, “Unit cost of production is far less than that from softwood cuttings and is considerably less than that from graftage (p. 41).” Another advantage he mentions is that rooted hardwood cuttings are in “phase” with the normal spring time growing conditions and therefore no extra work nor fuss needs to be placed on the necessity of forcing growth before fall, as is the case with softwood cuttings (Carville, 1975). 

I found only one other article on the subject of hardwood cuttings of Japanese maple. A researcher in Poland used Acer palmatum var. atropurpureum (again, this name indicates generic red leaf Japanese maple) to test various times and temperatures of storage of hardwood material prior to sticking into pots of a 1:1 peat and sand medium. It was found that cuttings obtained in November, stored in plastic bags at 55.4 ̊F for 3 weeks and then stored at 35.6 ̊F for 6 weeks worked best. The researcher suggests that the storage period improves callus and root initiation so that the timing of root growth does not lag behind the development of bud break, once the cuttings are stuck (Marcinkowski, 1988). 

January 18, 2024 Nothing to lose trying to root these Red Cut Leaf Japanese Maples cuttings from a branch vandalized & broken off a once beautiful healthy potted tree at Oakland Ave. & Forbes in Oakland.

[findasongblog]

Find A Song about worshipping false gods

My Life Story - I'm a God

The modestly titled ‘I’m a God’ is not an autobiographical reference to singer/songwriter Jake’s on-stage pop star moves but a shopping list of deities, some more deserving of reverence than others. Shillingford said; “I wanted to highlight how the media lazily awards everything and everyone divine status and consider if worshiping false gods is embedded in our DNA. I remember reading that even Prince Phillip was seen as a god by the Yaohnanen people”. He went onto say “It's a classic MLS listing song similar to 12 Reasons Why I Love Her - by juxtaposing a real god next to a false idol it creates a collage of lyrical contrasts.”

Added to FAS Spotify playlists indie pop and our times.

via Musosoup

[iwasbored777]

I went through Fandom Wiki to find info about Frozer for an ask and I'm crying at the end card cuz it's super dramatic love hexagon in the centre and then you have Phillipe girlbossing/not giving a single f*ck in the background 😂😂😂😂😂

[coatl-cuddles]

Looking good Gabe

[jessethegoat]

he's here and he's as beautiful as ever 🥺

looked like he has gain back the age he lost during his Leeds tenure 😅(again..just like Bielsa did. The transformation he'd been through during and post Leeds was night and day!)

[silvia7272]

The New Miraculous Ladybug Ship That Will Take The Fandom Away.

While all of you are thinking about MariChat and LadyNoir (This isn’t bashing I do love the Love Square as well as all the other ships, I am a positive shipper ship and be shipped.) I have come up with the best ship.

Thats right.

It’s the pairing youve been waiting for.

It’s!

.

.

.

Of course it’s these two. D’Argencourt and Phillipe. Two characters that have hardly appeared in the show and haven’t met and yet they’ve already grown on me and I’ve already started shipping them. Great me. Just great. My long time fans would’ve seen this coming. But it’s getting late now and I’m tired so I’ll update in the morning.