#sunsetblvd

[misterrds]

I was shopping at my local Target getting some creamer, I turned around and the view caught my eye. #target #sunsetboulevard #sunsetblvd #hollywood #easthollywood #view #shopping #kindacrazy #instagood #wow #lovinit #ktown #ktownla #koreatown #koreatownla #losangeles #california 🤩🌲 (at Target) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmco-aZPrfk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#target #sunsetboulevard #sunsetblvd #hollywood #easthollywood #view #shopping #kindacrazy #instagood #wow #lovinit #ktown #ktownla #koreatown #koreatownla #losangeles #california

[aworldforastage]

2023 Q1 Reading Recap

Writing up my thoughts on these 10 danmei titles (out of 15) that I read in the first three months of 2023.

相见欢/Joyful Reunion

天官赐福/Heaven Official’s Blessing

督主有病/Governor’s Illness

日落大道 /Sunset Boulevard

我成了虐文女主她亲哥/I Became the Older Brother of the Heroine in an Abusive Novel

魔尊他念念不忘/The Demon Venerable’s Wistful Desire

唇齿之戏/The Plays of Lips and Teeth

粉黛/Concealed and Blended: Fendai

妃嫔媵嫱/Fei Ping Ying Qiang

铜雀春深/Tong Que Chun Shen

(audiodrama cover art for Joyful Reunion, Governor's Illness, Sunset Boulevard)

I don't have a good reason for the cheesy song lyrics except that my mind was very preoccupied by Taylor Swift songs when I was writing this up ….

Famous titles: "I got a list of names, and yours is in red, underlined"

I finally got to four widely-recommended titles that has been sitting in my personal to-read-list for nearly a year. And honestly? Yeah, I think they are worth the hype.

相见欢/Joyful Reunion -- In a crumbling empire plagued by foreign threats and an impending succession crisis, young Duan Ling learns that he is the crown prince who needs to take on the burden of saving his nation. He eventually meets a love interest who gives him the exact type of warmth, strength, and security that he needs on this journey. Joyful Reunion stands out to me for a supporting cast that act like people who want to live and thrive in their society, not characters rounding out someone else's story. There are no chess masters who can see three steps ahead or control the entire board, but each party moving their own pieces end up creating a Gordian knot for the protagonist anyways. On top of all this, Duan Ling still manages a very satisfying coming-of-age arc.

天官赐福/Heaven Official’s Blessing -- No introduction needed of course. I'm not the biggest fan of Hualian, but MXTX, as usual, wins me over with a universe full of people, relationship dynamics, and themes that can stand up to dissection under a microscope: there is just SO MUCH going on. To me, TGCF is a story about power, self-concept (including moral values), love, and the sacrifices people make for them. It's very similar to MDZS in that it exposes systemic flaws in the world and society that remain (mostly) immutable, but still gives individual characters (mostly) happy endings, and arguably at the character-level it's a bit happier than MDZS … I think?

督主有病/Governor’s Illness -- On his first trip off the mountain at twelve, Xiahou Lian saves a young master around his own age from assassination and learns what it means to be born and raised in Qielan, a mysterious assassin organization. Everyone he knows is meant to eventually die for Qielan, but that little young master, the titular future Governor, gives him hope and faith in the potential of life. I have never met two characters who like each other so much who are so bad at getting together. This feels like an old-school wuxia story about sects, secrets, honor, and growth, but it's also a brutal deconstruction that highlights the dark side of this way of life, and the practical and psychological cost of wielding the power to kill.

日落大道 /Sunset Boulevard -- Zhang Jue breaks Chen Boqiao out of prison when the latter is framed for a crime. Chen Boqiao barely remembers them having attended the same high school, but Zhang Jue has been secretly in love with him for a decade. Ka Bi Qiu's writing style is smooth like fine silk; it elicits vivid imagery and emotions with deceptively simple language. I think its one relative weakness is that the plot feels very thin aside from the relationship arc, but its only around 160K words long and the relationship arc has earned a reputation as one of the most well-known "insecure one-sided secret pining" stories in all of danmei.

(audiodrama cover for I Became the Older Brother of the Heroine in an Abusive Novel, The Demon Venerable’s Wistful Desire)

Rebirth and Transmigration: "I think I've seen this film before and I didn't like the ending"

I read four novels in this category, though the two I really like at the moment are straight-forward novel transmigration stories -- kinder treatment from a transmigrated "canon fodder" turns scary "boss" character into a puppy-like love interest.

我成了虐文女主她亲哥/I Became the Older Brother of the Heroine in an Abusive Novel -- Cannon fodder in palace intrigue novel tries to change his family's ending by befriending the "villain", who decides he'd like to be more than friends. It's soft and fluffy because the love interest never gets close to his supposed darker persona after the protagonists' intervention. I really enjoyed the part with them temporarily living in the palace as teenager, a very heartwarming process of kindness begetting kindness. The "hidden main plot" in the story is also very engaging.

魔尊他念念不忘/The Demon Venerable’s Wistful Desire -- Teen transmigrator ends up in the body of the boss's canon fodder nemesis in a Xianxia novel, and becomes very committed to avoiding or being nice to the future Demon Venerable. The original novel plot completely veers off track because the (future) Demon Venerable is now only interested in find his missing cultivation partner and dual-cultivating with him. There is a subplot about the hypocrisy of the so-called righteous sects, but this story is mostly a feel-good romantic comedy in the xianxia setting.

P. S. Is there some unwritten rule that novels in this genre must have very long titles???

(audiodrama cover art for The Plays of Lips and Teeth, and Concealed and Blended: Fendai)

Pleasant surprises: variations on familiar themes

Entertainment/celebrities: "The camera flashes make it look like a dream"

This genre often makes us think of idols, musicians, and actors, often A-lister who are secure in their fame and talent. This quarter I read two different takes with this setting:

唇齿之戏/The Plays of Lips and Teeth actually tracks very similar to other celebrity stories, in which the fame and talent of the main characters are never challenged. However, focusing on more specialized careers like that of a host/producer and a comedian/xiangsheng performer is a refreshing change; needing to worry about things like bosses and management makes their careers feel a bit more down-to-earth.

粉黛/Concealed and Blended: Fendai explores the intersection of artistry, identity, sexuality, and fame, also through a story about atypical individuals in the industry: a "cross-dressing" celebrity makeup artist and professional gamer-turned-actor. Both main characters are uncertain about their purpose and the personas they put on to stay in the industry, and it's a story about their personal growth as well as professional achievement.

Concubines and consorts: "But it dies, and it dies, and it dies a million little times"

The concubines, aka non-official spouses, are among the most widely vilified demographics in cnovels, even though they are often the most powerless people in that dynamic. They are given the spotlight in two HE stories I found this quarter. (Warning: the "husband" in both stories are intimate with other members of his harem.)

妃嫔媵嫱/Fei Ping Ying Qiang tries to do a realistic take on the male concubine, who needs to clear significant personal and political hurdles to stand next to his prince. The concubines, male and female, do not enter their marriages intending to become manipulative usurpers of the wife's affection, in a narrative that shows it's only human that they hope to have affection in their family and survive this life with dignity.

铜雀春深/Tong Que Chun Shen makes a protagonist out someone who would usually be a failed romantic rival. Contrasted with the reserved and stubborn foreign prince, its the character who does not guard his sexuality, who leans into his partner's expectations, and who does not come from noble origins or have the political capital to fully assert himself, who finally gets to have his feelings and dignity put in the spotlight.

#TGCF #dzyb #cczx #fendai #fpyq #相见欢 #天官赐福 #督主有病 #日落大道 #我成了虐文女主她亲哥 #魔尊他念念不忘 #唇齿之戏 #粉黛 #nwnz #xjh #rldd #hyrz #sunsetblvd #my reading #danmei faves

[alejandromogollo]

Heading into the weekend like... Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in Billy Wilder's masterwork Sunset Boulevard: "We didn't need dialogue, we had faces!" #gloriaswanson #normadesmond #sunsetboulevard #sunsetblvd #billywilder #masterpiece #oldhollywood #AlejandroMogolloArt https://www.instagram.com/p/Cki2dwvI5Xj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#gloriaswanson #normadesmond #sunsetboulevard #sunsetblvd #billywilder #masterpiece #oldhollywood #alejandromogolloart

[wilsonneate]

The Cinerama Dome on Sunset. Los Angeles. April 2022.

#cineramadome #sunsetblvd #hollywood

[tomchatt]

Day drinking in Echo Park. Mango margarita at @rodeomexgrill #cocktail #echopark #sunsetblvd #eastside https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp6HJomPwFs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#cocktail #echopark #sunsetblvd #eastside

[josemangin]

#tbt our favorite bar on 🌎 @rainbowbarandgrill #sunsetblvd #hollywood #california @melissammangin 🔥 + close family friend @shepherd_0f_fire in front of the world famous #lemmy statue #lemmyslounge #rainbowbarandgrill #metalambassador #lemmykilmister #motorhead #siriusxm #liquidmetal #octane @sxmozzysboneyard @sxmliquidmetal @sxmoctane #metalheads @headbangforscience (at RAINBOW BAR AND GRILL) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp3KywgPOyz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#tbt #sunsetblvd #hollywood #california #lemmy #lemmyslounge #rainbowbarandgrill #metalambassador #lemmykilmister #motorhead #siriusxm #liquidmetal #octane #metalheads

[slanderus]

🚨🚨🚨 MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨🚨🚨 We are beyond thrilled to announce we be opening for the legendary @fearfactory along with @lionsatthegate at @thewhiskyagogo on Cinco de Mayo!!! 🇲🇽 These awesome bands @sleeping_faceless , @plaguesovkhaos , @againstthegrave and @infinitesleep will also be sharing the stage. Thank you @bravewarriorzexperience and the Whisky for this amazing opportunity! 🤘🤘🤘 Can't wait for this epic show! DM us for tickets now before this show sells out 🎟️🎟️🎟️ #slanderus #slanderized #fearfactory #thewhisky #whiskyagogo #hollywood #sunsetblvd #lionsatthegate #infinitesleep #againstthegrave #plaguesovkhaos #sleepingfaceless #progressivemetal #industrialmetal #heavymetal #forevermetal #cincodemayo #facelessthemachine (at Whisky A Go-Go) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoK_4d8PIbG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#slanderus #slanderized #fearfactory #thewhisky #whiskyagogo #hollywood #sunsetblvd #lionsatthegate #infinitesleep #againstthegrave #plaguesovkhaos #sleepingfaceless #progressivemetal #industrialmetal #heavymetal #forevermetal #cincodemayo #facelessthemachine

[zecaffeinatedmumbler]

9PM, Sunset Blvd Blues 💙 #LifeOfAWanderingWanderer #SunsetBlvd #SantaMonica #PacificPalisades #LateNight #9PM #WeOnlyComeOutAtNight #TheDaysAreMuchTooBright #Mood #Reflective (at Pacific Palisades) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoEXfeBOX4qbUoXAuez7l2rNOBZ_f4IR-iojXo0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#lifeofawanderingwanderer #sunsetblvd #santamonica #pacificpalisades #latenight #9pm #weonlycomeoutatnight #thedaysaremuchtoobright #mood #reflective

[k3ro]

🔦🔦🔦 #leicaq #shemad #sunsetblvd (at Sunset Boulevard, LA.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnbVo4bO4Yl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#leicaq #shemad #sunsetblvd

[suns3tbou1evard]

#sunsetblvd

[jackarbizu]

Enjoying the rain #lovinglife #livingthelife #rainyday #sunsetblvd (at Downtown Los Angeles) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnBkKieO8BX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#lovinglife #livingthelife #rainyday #sunsetblvd

[jeremiahjahi]

I was at the chick-fil-A drive thru on Sunset Blvd. He was sitting on a car trying to get what he can. I take pictures of ish that grabs my spirit and won't let go. Lean in and Keep moving. #passion #needfood #mindsetiseverything #growth #cinema #travelphotography #worldcinema #blackcinema #playwright #sunsetblvd #scriptdevelopment #CINEMA #WORLDCINEMA #nightwalk #brooklynnights #drivethru #BLACKCINEMA #support #hollywoodhomeless #helpthehomeless #PLAYWRIGHT #CREATIVITY #mindsetmatters #KEEPMOVING #leanin #PERSERVERENCE #INSTAGRAM #FACEBOOK #CULTURE #WORLDCULTURE https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm34vPOLQEN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#passion #needfood #mindsetiseverything #growth #cinema #travelphotography #worldcinema #blackcinema #playwright #sunsetblvd #scriptdevelopment #nightwalk #brooklynnights #drivethru #support #hollywoodhomeless #helpthehomeless #creativity #mindsetmatters #keepmoving #leanin #perserverence #instagram #facebook #culture #worldculture

[designandmanage]

Throwback to living in LA and a French artist by the name of Vincent Lamouroux transformed the entire abandoned Sunset Pacific Motel + palm trees. He painted it all white limewash that’s biodegradable. Looks cool when you drive by. #tbt #LA #art #streetart #lifesize #whitepaint #palmtrees #whitewash #limewash #whatupLA #losangeles #silverlake #sunsetblvd #cali (at Silverlake, CA) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmM1AZ8vWpN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#tbt #la #art #streetart #lifesize #whitepaint #palmtrees #whitewash #limewash #whatupla #losangeles #silverlake #sunsetblvd #cali

[gastronomistmd]

Sunset & Beach’s ☀️ 🌊 . . Awwwww… Naples is exactly what the pictures said about Florida. Pure white sand beach, turquoise sea and golden hour sunset. . See the second pic. If seen similar pic in so many car plates never thought it would be so similar. LOVELY . —- Naples is must visit place. . #sunsetblvd #floridalife #naples #naplesflorida #naplesbeach #gastronomist_md #beachlegs #goldenhourphotography (at Naples, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmF_ZPujU2T/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#sunsetblvd #floridalife #naples #naplesflorida #naplesbeach #gastronomist_md #beachlegs #goldenhourphotography

[djuptownstl]

Sun setting on the drive home. #sunsetphotography #sunsetblvd https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckrq8G6jmOX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#sunsetphotography #sunsetblvd

[rtrucios]

#sunset #sunsets #sunsetlovers #sunsetporn #sunsetlover #sunsetsky #sunsetsniper #sunsetphotography #sunsetbeach #sunsethunter #sunsetmadness #sunsetview #sunsetting #SunsetBLVD #sunsetvision #sunsetstrip #sunsetlight #sunsetcolors #sunsetphoto #sunsetpic #sunsetsofinstagram #sunsetpics #sunsetgram #sunsetcliffs #SunsetTime #sunsetoftheday #sunsetpark #sunsetlove #sunsetchaser #sunsetoftheworld (en BuenaVista Café) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkO-22Lruwm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#sunset #sunsets #sunsetlovers #sunsetporn #sunsetlover #sunsetsky #sunsetsniper #sunsetphotography #sunsetbeach #sunsethunter #sunsetmadness #sunsetview #sunsetting #sunsetblvd #sunsetvision #sunsetstrip #sunsetlight #sunsetcolors #sunsetphoto #sunsetpic #sunsetsofinstagram #sunsetpics #sunsetgram #sunsetcliffs #sunsettime #sunsetoftheday #sunsetpark #sunsetlove #sunsetchaser #sunsetoftheworld