alexandral | Misc: Blay and Qhuinn, Kdrama recs, Swimming, Broadband Horrors and Bob Marley

Entry tags:

Misc: Blay and Qhuinn, Kdrama recs, Swimming, Broadband Horrors and Bob Marley

My huge apologies! It always happens to me that after a LJ break I find myself a little slow to get into the habit of posting and commenting again. However, I must start posting regularly again, because my head is full of unexpressed thoughts and opinions (to the point of bursting), hence I have many many fragmented things to say:

1.“Black Dagger Brotherhood” book series (by J.R Ward): I am still obsessed, mostly with the relationship between Qhuinn and Blay . The series have many interesting characters and I am in love with at least 70% of them but Blay and Qhuinn are my favourites. If someone told me a month ago that I will be obsessing over a relationship between two men so much, I would have not believed it. But I guess relationships between two best friends growing into something romantic have always been my thing. I also like vampire fiction. Plus I adore "opposites attract" cliche , and besides, I do love characters with major parental issues and self-destructive behaviour (like Qhuinn) . As a rule, I also adore true-to-the-bone nice guys like Blay.

And the fact that one of the pair (Qhuinn) is totally in denial about the nature of their relationship makes it all even better. To add, there is a genuine obstacle in the way, which is always a huge plus for me (so often romantic pairing obstacles are just invented willy-nilly), as coming out is not an easy thing to do, especially for someone in a rigid “vampire aristocracy” society. Still – I need to find something to move on to, otherwise I will spontaneously combust. The new book in the series is out in April/May 2011- obsessing for 8 months is not healthy!

2.Asian drama recs request: I need to move on to something nice and obsessive-feelings inducing. Ignoring the “Bad Guy” ending disaster, I would love some new Asian drama recommendations. ** puppy eyes ** What is making you obsessed nowdays, ladies and gentlemen?????? Please recommend? I need it!

3.Swimming: I am getting old and my bones are achy, it is true, but I have started swimming!!! Leeds Uni have opened a new shiny swimming pool right next to us and I have been swimming few times already! This is going to be a good addition to my weekly ice-skating sessions. The swimming pool:

4.Broadband Support terror: But the longer I live, the clearer I realise that I do not like talking to Broadband Support People. I get annoyed terribly every time I have to talk to them (is it their patronizing tone? Is it their total lack of any knowledge of what they are supposed to be supporting? ) Our home Broadband was down yesterday, both the Modem and the Wireless Router. I have spent 2 hours on the phone, the time that I am never going to get back, talking to various people... As the result of 2 HOURS OF MY TIME: by 22.00 the modem was fixed but the Router was still not working. At the end, I got too annoyed for words, Googled the Router myself and fixed it. There are three professions in this world that I dislike intensely:

- Parking wardens
- Broadband support
** Disclaimer: I am not really serious, I am sure there are plenty of good folks in these jobs. In fact, one of the guys I spoke to yesterday (the one that fixed the modem) was good.

5.Supernatural season 5 : I am breezing through this show. I am deep in the season 5 now and I find myself liking it. Well, one has to admit that “Supernatural” has a big problem with description of women, as in “Women? Who needs women? What women? Do they even exist? They all are demons!” sense, but still, even though the season 4 was quite useless the season 5 is rather very good so far! Apocalypse! Lucifer walks the Earth! Castiel is great! I wanna see Michael too!

6.True Blood 5.08 - more Eric last week! YUM YUM YUM.

7.I am in a huge Bob Marley moment. I have always loved his music and I periodically go through Bob Marley periods. My favourite song of the moment is “Redemption Song”. Just love it, can’t get enough of "Old pirates, yes they rob I, Sold I to the merchant ships" and "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery". "Burnin’ and Lootin’" and "No woman , no cry" have been my absolute favourites before, but it is time for "Redemption Song". :

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

absolutely agree about the ending of Bad Guy. I was so angry I deleted every single episode of it. couldn't tolerate it.

Hee! This is EXACTLY what I did too (and I have loved it up to the episode 11). This is going to be remembered as one of the worst endings of all times, I think.

the last two episodes did not make any sense. here he is losing his memory, here he regains it, then he is broken because they are his real family -- although he has no connection to them whatsoever but for his blood and his revenge (and I should point out for everybody of the children -- but for the eldest -- he did really good by saving them from their own predicaments) and after that he just lets this stupid little bitch to shoot himself and then bleeds to death -- just after kissing the girl that loves him and whom he does love.
it is like, you know, total bullshit. and not in a good kind of way.
no sense whatsoever.

This does not make sense. I knew the ending is going to be tragic because all dramas of this writer end tragically (or almost all). But usually the endings make sense. But this one is SO WRONG ** is enraged **

I'd recommend you the jdramas of this summer. I haven't checked all but I'm currently following around four or five. For want you're asking I'd recommend Joker, if you want laughs: Unubore Deka; if you want cute moments: Hotaru no Hikari 2 or Natsu no koi wa... (but this one I've only watched ep. 1, the rest I've seen the subbed ones).

YAY! Thank you! I completely forgotten about "Hotaru no Hikari 2"! I am going to watch this!

I checked "Joker" but it was a little too "very heavy crimes" for me. I might get back to it.

I've been marathoning dramas, well k-dramas, like there's no tomorrow. I really should collect my thoughts and make some sort of post about all of em. If I can still remember what I thought, ha. Not sure any of them is your cup of tea though. And I believe you've seen 'When it's at Night', which so far has been the one I liked most. 'My Woman' wasn't too bad either. I'm about to start 'Giant'... and 'Comerades'. What? I'm multitasking. XD

I'm so glad I decided to wait with Bad Guy. Saved me from loads of grief.

Got caught up with 'Warehouse 13' too while I was at it. WH13 and White Collar are my 'in' shows atm. :)

I have been mostly marathoning Western shows recently.

I loved "When it's at night", it was not 100% perfect but still very good.

I am going to give "My woman" a try, I have been wondering about it for ages and your recs always work good for me.

Giant I might start at some point, but may be when it is over and I can marathon.

OH! WH13! one of my other Lj friends loved it. i might start this one too.

Well, I have this 'thing' for Go Joo Won, ha. His acting range is kinda limited but I loved him in OB/Gyn and as I'd wanted to see My Woman for a while now I decided to see what's what. I ended up liking it, despite it's very obvious flaws. And the fact that Se Ra, the hero's 1st love interest was annoying as hell, especially in the beginning. But it's one of those dramas where just about everyone is flawed to begin with. They all change, for the better. I found all that stuff about ship building industry rather interesting as well.

WH13 is such a fun show. I'm glad I picked it up again. I watched the 1st ep way back when but then something came up. You know how it goes. :)

I just realised he is the secondary brother from "kim Soo Ro" ? I have a HUGE thing for him too. "My Woman" is going to be so my street. I am going to start this today.

And WH13 - as soon as I am done with Supernatural (shouldn't take long the way I am burning through it) I am starting this one too.

Did you watch OB/Gyn? He's ADORABLE in it! ;P His character is a pediatrician, a very competent one too. Go Joo Won and babies = yummy! XD I'm going to tackle Kim Soo Roo once I've got some of this other stuff out of the way. Pity there are no subs beyond ep 12. If I like it I might watch the rest raw.

Have fun with My Woman! There are scenes I really liked a lot and re-watched but I also did a fair bit of ff-ing. A fun anecdote, the title doesn't actually refer to a woman but it's how they call the ships they build. I find that sweet in odd sort of way. :) Oh, one word of warning though, there's loads of engrish. Some of it good some of it... not so much, ha. Because of the storyline, international ship building, they have several foreigner characters. Who for once are not totally cringeworthy.

Ob/Gun - I will start this one too, ASAP.

Kim Soo Ro subtitles disaster is a bit frustrating. I even got some strange comments in my old Kim Soo Ro post. I will wait until someone picks it up for subbing - I loved watching in on my big TV.

I have a suspicion about the title actually, it is like in English where ship is a "she". This is one of the big differences between Russian and English - in Russian ship is generally "he" (only boats are female in gender for some reason). The difference becomes quite big in a way Russian and English fiction refers to ships.

OB/Gyn is a pretty good one as well. If you can stomach all that hospital stuff. Plenty of operations etc. There's even one whole episode dedicated to fighting blood loss. But is has a solid cast and I liked all of them. The romance is a slow and rather understated one but I liked how it played out. Btw. Did you ever see

darkeyedwolf's pimp post (http://darkeyedwolf.livejournal.com/349941.html) for it?

Yup, I believe koreans refer to ships as a 'she' too.

I have seen darkeyedwolf's post at the time, but even that wasn't enough to get on board with Ob/Gyn . Now I like Go Joo Won , so I might check it.

I have watched 7 eps of "My woman" yesterday - I can't wait for the pre-story to end. ** sigh **

I have started WH13 as well and I like it!!!!

Dude, don't you know? If MBC subs it, won't the srts be available at some point...somewhere?

** sigh ** I wish Miss Korea did it, she is so good.

People who can't access Dramafever keep asking so maybe she will? IDK. We'll see. I mean, how can an European watch it? For some reason I feel like MBC woudln't release the srts sooo idk.

She really is good.

I am sure subs will appear one way or another, but it is such a pity we won't be getting them sooner than later.

OMG MAYBE SHE WILL SUB IT!!! Let her know!!! I'm going to register an account because mine is set to private and if she doesn't follow me back she'll never see my messages and yeah, I'll tell her, too. I think we should spread the word! I mean, North Americans are set with dramafever, but what about the rest of the world who can't see that site? Yup, let's spread the word.

I might joing Twitter just for that> :D

I'm so dumb about tech stuff that when I get irritated at being talked down to, you know it's bad - and it happens a lot. So yeah, they're rude and idiotic.

I think for me the fact that I probably know more than the average support person (I just don't have their tools to re-set the modem), and I am still usually talked down to is the most annoying.

But car mechanics? I don't know much about cars and I don't even venture there. They are insufferable.

Edited 2010-08-14 11:37 (UTC)

I am loving NatsuNiji (3 eps subbed now) and Tobo Bengoshi (subbed up to 5 I think)

I like HnH2 but I have a strange fixation on Ayase Haruka that might not be shared by everyone.

Otherwise I can't say.

Thank you so much for the recs! i will check both.

I think Ayase Haruka is beyond awesome too.

What is the third profession? I am in suspense! :)

Hee! There were Traffic Policeman there at some point as well, but I relented and removed them. They are not that bad, it is just I am admittedly not very prone to wearing seat belts.;D

Oooh I MUST read that series. I'm so intrigued. I used to like vampire fiction, but for some reason I'm not much into anymore. That's the only downside of that saga. If it wasn't set in a vamp-land, I'd buy that book right away; it's totally on me list now though.

Re: broadband support. I feel your pain! I've had wonky connection for days and then a few days ago, it totally stopped working. I called to ask if they had any problems on the line and they said no. They even did their tests and all and everything seemed to be working (for them. I couldn't connect to the Net). I checked and re-checked and even though I was fairly sure there was nothing wrong on MY end, I ended up buying new router because they INSISTED everything was working and I started doubting myself (after all I'm NOT an expert). Turns out, they HAVE problems on the line (and maaaaaany users have had problems in my area) and it took only oh IDK 10 phone calls to have them admit that they do, indeed, are responsible for this fuckery. Thing is, no one is going to refund me money for the new router. >_> Stupid useless broadband support! I'm still raging.

Re: Bad guy. OMG! It was ALL over the place, wasn't it? The last 2 eps were...omg! I can't even. So many plot holes. Overall, I liked the drama and I don't regret watching it, but oh my god! I wish the writers hadn't lost touch with reality. LOL If I switch my brain off completely I can buy the ending, flaws and all, I'm just curious, what of those care packages? WHEN DID HE SEND THEM? When he was bleeding to death? Did he prepare them BEFORE the omg-my-original-plan-needs-adjustments-I-need-to-push-Madam-Shin-to-attempt-my-murder-so-I-can-have-some-sort-of-justice-now was set into motion? Did his partner in crime send them? I was so BAFFLED! XD By God, why couldn't they do it right?

Dude, watch Sherlock! BBC rocks. It's awesome (except ep 2 which was racefaily like WHOA! You can totally skip it even if you're going to miss a few epic John/Sherlock moments). I'm currently having fun with Life is beautiful. Mind you, it's flawed, there are a few storylines that I don't like and dammit they're at the beginning, but I'm SO in love with Kyung-soo/Tae-sub (OMG first kdrama gay storyline which is done sensitively and in a touching way. FTW! The drama is worth watching, if only for these two) and for 2 more couples. Seriously, KS/TS always put a smile on my face. Then agian, it's a family drama so hmm, it might not be your cup of tea?

Black Dagger Brotherhood : The series are quite porn-y, but I am hopelessly obsessed. The first book is "Dark Lover". The vampire side of things is somewhat different, they are more of a different species than anything else. They can't "convert" people and they only drink each other's blood (the blood of the opposite sex) to feed.
If you like m/m romances, there is plenty of "brotherhood" stuff in every book and there is a good pairing running slowly from somewhere round about 2nd book, but this first one (between Butch and Vicious) ends with nothing which is a bit of a boomer. It was clear they aren't going to be together from the start , though. I know you don't like spoilers - but this was a clear case from the start. Butch is a straight guy and he gets a female OTP from the book 1. Vicious is bi-sexual, though.
Second pairing appears in the 4th book, with the young guys Qhuinn and Blay. It is totally not clear where all this is going just yet, so no spoilers!

Re: Broadband support. What you describe happened to me every time there is a problem. My current installation is new (we installed faster Broadband at the same time we bought HD channels), so it is even worse at the moment as I am new to this one.

I am going to start "Life is beautiful" ASAP. i need me good gay storylines. Usually I adore family dramas as well. I was hesitating because the amount of episode is HUGE, but I am getting on board with this ASAP.

I do like M/M romances :)

Dude, I had to call again today cos even though my computer was connected to the network, it still refused to surf the Net. I called the support and I had to reset the router YET again cos they told me the line seemed fine. IDK. At least the guy was kind.

Yeah, it got an extension just like DOng-yi (and it figures, the one time I start watching 50 eps dramas as they air, they both get extensions! *facepalm*). I really really like Kyung-soo/Tae-sub. I've read plenty of positive comments about them, but many bemoan the fact that there aren't explicit scenes (what? Were they expecting them to have sex on screen? on a family weekend drama? 0_o I think TPTB are as explicit as they can be) or that they don't do much, but I disagree. Their story is all about tolerance, homophobia and prejudices and how they're both struggling with reality, their feelings and their families and THAT is the strong point of their storyline imho. So touching! They're so cute. I've tried to explain this before and I failed, but when I watch them, it feels like a fresh storyline. I mean, I've watched my fair share of movies about same-sex couples, from the most innocent story to explicit almost porn-like ones, and even though I've seen, say, guys holding hands on screen before or having a heartfelt conversation about their future, when KS/TS do that, it feels new, maybe because for Korean TV is and for some reason I get a thrill? IDK. I still giggle and grin like an idiot when they're on screen. Dammit, I wish they had their own kdrama! ^^ That said, you are going to HATE some things about LiB. Seriously. Brace yourself for many cringe-inducing scenes and/or storylines.

I have started LiB, I have breezed through first 3.5 eps and I think I like it. This said, I am yet to feel any interest to anything but THE GUYS and may be, a little bit , to diving. I love diving, water is so my thing. The boys are indeed lovely. BUT CONFUSING. I know this drama goes very VERY far with all the homosexuality thing for a family kdrama, but still - I am a bit confused. How did they meet? Why are we robbed off their "first meeting" scenes? Do they actually have any sexual relationship? All this is slightly confusing.

Yeah, that was exactly my same feeling, but I started to care about most of the couples and most of the family members gradually (the young brother Ho-sub is so cute omg...so yeah, don't get discouraged.

TPTB will tell you about Kyung-soo/Tae-sub's first meeting kinda late, but at first they're just really, really close friends who would like to get closer. Meaning, they're in love, but tae-sub is still torn. And yes, they will have a sexual relationship and slakdjsaldjasd You don't get to see any action (sorry), but as I said, tptb made it as explicit as they could imho. Gah, I don't want to spoil you too much. But you WILL see something. Sorta. And they're SO Cute. OMG!

I like the younger brother, but his romance storyline is straightaway not really my thing. I like something more "torn". The younger sister annoys my socks off, though.

but at first they're just really, really close friends who would like to get closer.

This is what I deducted as well, but I wish it was a little clearer.

I love the guys but I can't help it but to feel for the parents too - they have a bomb coming there!

Oh Cho-rang grows on you. She did on me. I'm less fond of Ji-hye ( Cho-rang unni) and omg I REALLY do not like Byung-tae (the youngest uncle). Oh I can't wait till you see my second favorite pairing, which shall remain nameless cos I don't want to spoil you.

I think the writer didn't want to scare the viewers so she eased them into the KS/TS relationship gradually. Me? I wouldn't have had a problem with a more direct approach, but what about a 70 grandmother? Heh, different story. I think that kind of slow approach to their storyline benefited the drama and its popularity. By showing that Kyung-soo and Tae-sub are sons and men first rather than "oh those gay guys who do naughty things to each other", that actually helped imho. \o/ Dude, I am so happy that Song Chang-ui and Lee Sang-woo got even more popular (I totally thought they'd get death threats or something). They so deserve that for what they're doing and in particular Song Chang-ui; I really can't believe the things he's doing to help the LGBTQ community, Hedwig first, now this?

Yeah and laksdjlasdj I can't say anything!!! *shuts up* Please keep me updated on the eps you watch, ok?

PS: and for the record, no storyline is as straightforward as it seems *shifty eyes*

Edited 2010-08-15 23:18 (UTC)

I also do not like the younger uncle and the older sister.

I hope the better looking uncle is getting an OTP at some point. :D I like him, I think it is gonna be good when it happens.

As you I also like that this is the first drama that shows two people rather than two gay men. I wish we saw more of them than of the NAUGHTY GRANDFATHER (I am getting at the end of my patience with this storyline).

Oh, please do not be afraid to spoil me, I lurve spoilers.

The older sister gets better at some point (where I am atm) although there's going to be yet another storyline about her and, well, that should be interesting and a LOT less irritating then the first one, which I HATED with a burning passion of 100 fiery suns. Maybe it's already started for you? I started feeling for her during her second storyline. I don't think the younger uncle will get any less annoying unless TPTB introduce a love interest for him so he stops whining and throwing tantrums. What? With the extention it can happen. I'm fairly sure he wasn't supposed to have a storyline on his own: he was there for comic relief and/or create havoc, but that's it.

I'm not gonna say anything. My lips are sealed. ^_^ Like you, I love him. Has he bought anything yet?

Oh that's the storyline I hated. Granted, he got slightly better, but I really couldn't stand that storyline. Maybe because I didn't like it, but it felt it dragged forever and ever.

LiB is an easy watch, don't you think? I watched ep after ep and each ep felt like 20 mins, not 60. Of course it's not exciting, but it's a feel-good drama imho. I never fail to smile or giggle.

ooooh are you going to watch Sungkyunkwan Scandal? I forgot to add it to my list. I wanna watch it. I'm a sucker for girl-gets-mistaken-for-a-guy storylines. ^^

Please tell me more about the good-looking uncle. :D

Yes, this is the thing I find with family dramas - they are easy background kind of watching that always puts me in a good mood.

Must check Sungkyunkwan Scandal ASAP!

Pretty early on he buys a bike and he rides it all the time. He wears his leather jacket and alksjdalsd he's so cute. You'd think he was cold, but he's really a sweet guy. His pairing is my second favorite, #1 being obviously Kyung-soo/Tae-sub.

*nods*

It seems promising. Can't wait!

I've just started it. Is Yu Hao supposed to be a)the main male lead b)the "hot guy" of the group? Because hmm, I think I like Dan Li jie better.

I was also all about Dan Zi. I don't think it is a drama with a clear-cut protagonists (apart from the female lead) . It is more psychological than that. There is plenty of Dan Zi, though!

*high-fives* I'm glad to hear there's plenty of Dan zi! \o/ He's got brains and looks. Woohoo

I am completely obsessed with Gloria. It's pretty much everything I want in a drama (hope it doesn't let me down); it has two wonderful OTP, a love square with branches parting from the sides, angst and so on. Bad thing there are only two episodes subbed so if you want to check it out you might want to wait for more.

내 여자친구는 구미호 - My Girlfriend is A Gumiho :) SMA is really well-casted.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Misc: Blay and Qhuinn, Kdrama recs, Swimming, Broadband Horrors and Bob Marley

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Kim Soo-roo!

Re: Kim Soo-roo!

Re: Kim Soo-roo!

Re: Kim Soo-roo!

Re: Kim Soo-roo!

Re: Kim Soo-roo!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

long comment is long

Re: long comment is long

Re: long comment is long

Re: long comment is long

Re: long comment is long

Re: long comment is long

Re: long comment is long

Re: long comment is long

Re: long comment is long

Re: long comment is long

Re: long comment is long

Outsiders

Re: Outsiders

Re: Outsiders

no subject

no subject