josieb1 | Reading

mark posting in

Good morning, afternoon, and evening!

We're doing some database and other light server maintenance this weekend (upgrading the version of MySQL we use in particular, but also probably doing some CDN work.)

I expect all of this to be pretty invisible except for some small "couple of minute" blips as we switch between machines, but there's a chance you will notice something untoward. I'll keep an eye on comments as per usual.

Ta for now!

reviews_and_ramblings

Forget your typical innocent-meets-Yakuza trope. The Japanese drama The Journey to Killing You (adapted from a Yaoi Manga) is a must-see for anyone craving a romance that's less "cheeky" and more intensely dark and complex. This series grabbed me from the start with its distinct atmosphere and commitment to its very Japanese intensity. I wouldn't say I liked it, I definitely really loved it, and it’s the kind of drama that stays with you long after the credits roll. The real brilliance of the show lies in its main characters. Both leads are dark, complex, and clearly grapple with significant behavioral issues. This isn't a story of a sweet bystander being swept off their feet; it’s a collision of two emotionally damaged people. Putting them together could have easily spiraled into pure tragedy, but fortunately, the story (and my love for deep romance) delivered an unforgettable drama. The tension was palpable in every episode, and the story kept me utterly hooked until the final scene precisely because I genuinely couldn't predict where their volatile journey was heading. For those wondering about the steam, the show handles intimacy with the same intensity as its plot: The one complete sex scene was very satisfying, serving the story and the characters' dynamic well. However, it was the reunion scene—the one in the car after they get back together—that truly surprised me. Despite the explicit context (they were having sex!), the moment was so incredibly sweet and full of raw emotional connection that I felt an almost unsettling desire to just cuddle them. It was a testament to the actors and the writing that they could infuse an intense sexual act with such profound tenderness. Final Verdict: The Journey to Killing You is not light viewing, but if you appreciate dark, high-stakes psychological drama with a complex, gripping romance at its core, this intense Japanese adaptation is absolutely worth the trip. HEA. You can watch on GagaOOLala. Heat Level: 6/6.

Heat Level:

1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses

2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles

3/6: full kisses, clothes on

4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on

5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds

6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds

reviews_and_ramblings

Look, I'm all for a steamy scene, but there's a point where "too much" becomes "too unethical," and unfortunately, the drama My Stubborn barrelled right past that line. I walked into this series with high hopes, especially after a fantastic trailer, but what I got was a misleading mess of questionable consent, unbelievable plotting, and a fast-forward button workout. My biggest issue lies with the handling of the intimate scenes. When you lean into a "stubborn" dynamic, you need genuine chemistry and solid writing to keep it fun, not uncomfortable. The central relationship between Sorn and Jun was plagued by this. One particular scene where Sorn continues a sexual act despite Jun complaining—only stopping when literally kicked out of bed—was deeply unsettling. What was clearly intended to be a funny or passionate moment instead felt unethical and wildly unnecessary. A show can be sensual without glossing over consent or resorting to such unbelievable push-and-shove tactics. Talk about bait-and-switch! I was excited to watch My Stubborn purely for the scenes teased in the trailer. Plot twist: none of them made the final cut! Where was the promised office drama, specifically the sex scene on the office stairs that supposedly gets caught on camera and becomes instant office gossip? That was the most compelling—and admittedly, dramatic—hook the show offered, and its absence leaves the viewer feeling cheated. It's frustrating when marketing promises a different, better story than the one you actually receive. On a personal note, the series lost me completely every time "Yoon" Phusanu Wongsasavanichakorn was on screen; I found myself reaching for the forward-skip button almost instantly. So, was there anything to enjoy? Only one thing: the magnificent physique of "Boat" Yongyut Termtuo. Given the amount of gratuitous skin-showing and frequent intimate scenes, you get a generous amount of screen time dedicated to his impressive abdominal muscles. In short, My Stubborn failed on nearly every front. It delivered too much problematic sex and not enough of the promised story, leaving me with only one positive takeaway—a muscular actor. Skip the drama; maybe just follow the actor's workout routine instead. HEA. You can watch on iQIYI. Heat Level: 6/6.

Heat Level:

1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses

2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles

3/6: full kisses, clothes on

4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on

5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds

6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds

alierak posting in

dw_maintenance

DW is seeing some issues due to today's Amazon outage. For right now it looks like the site is loading, but it may be slow. Some of our processes like notifications and journal search don't appear to be running and can't be started due to rate limiting or capacity issues. DW could go down later if Amazon isn't able to improve things soon, but our services should return to normal when Amazon has cleared up the outage.

Edit: all services are running as of 16:12 CDT, but there is definitely still a backlog of notifications to get through.

Edit 2: and at 18:20 CDT everything's been running normally for about the last hour.

reviews_and_ramblings

Huimin Seo happened to read a tragic BL novel where the two main characters had both his name and even his best friend’s name, Iheon Cha. But rather than remaining as an incredible coincidence, this book becomes a new reality for Huimin. Before he knows it, he is transmigrated right into a major scene in the novel where Huimin Seo, a rare dominant omega, gets bought off in an auction by Iheon Cha, a powerful dominant alpha. Aware of the complications in this love-hate relationship that he cannot escape from, Huimin must tread carefully to turn things around entirely.

My Rate: 8 (www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/cozy_obsession)

I initially hesitated to pick up this manhwa, as the transmigration into a novel trope isn't usually my favorite. I always find myself questioning how a genuinely happy ending can be achieved for everyone involved. However, the author here presents a remarkably clever and original plot twist—one I won't spoil, but trust me, it elevates the story above the typical fare. The second major strength of the series is its successful blend of comedy and drama. This is brilliantly highlighted by the artist's use of chibi style to punctuate the comedic moments. While some readers might find this irritating, I personally enjoyed it. As someone who prefers comedy to heavy drama, I found it a refreshing, genuinely funny element that enhanced the experience. The plot's darker undertones are actually quite downplayed, and the heavy drama barely features in the story. If you're looking for a lighthearted and creative take on the transmigration genre, this one is a great choice!

reviews_and_ramblings

While ABO Desire's two couples are both engaging, their dynamics offer a fascinating contrast. My personal favorite was the second pair, Gao Tu and Shen Wenlang, though I was genuinely disappointed by their lack of satisfying closure. My affection for Shen Wenlang comes with a significant caveat: he is painfully clueless. I adore him, but the man operates with the emotional intelligence of a brick wall and the decision-making skills of a toddler on a sugar high. It's almost impressive how someone with his power can be so consistently daft, fumbling nearly every opportunity to be sensible. In contrast, the main couple, Hua Yong and Shao You, are pure comedic gold. Hua Yong’s infatuation with Shao You is off-the-charts; he's so far gone it’s honestly embarrassing. He’s the type who’d crawl across glass just to breathe the same air as his beloved. Shao You, our grumpy "Alpha," constantly attempts to feign control while clearly drowning in his own feelings. Their relationship is a magnificent spectacle: watching someone powerful fall to his knees for a partner who can barely handle being adored. HEA. You can watch on GagaOOLala. Heat Level: 5/6.

Heat Level:

1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses

2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles

3/6: full kisses, clothes on

4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on

5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds

6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29

Life in Imagination

Reading

Database maintenance

The Journey to Killing You (2025)

My Stubborn (2025)

AWS outage

Cozy Obsession by Lee Hyeon, Ko Younghee and Yoo Seonghwa

ABO Desire (2025)

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February 2012

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