When you enjoy writing but also get easily distracted. Inspirations, snippets, art and quotes. If you like my writing, consider buying me some tea. My WIPs. (tags by WIP) #quote image <- tag for quote images
List under cut so it's not too long as a pinned post
Dragons and Kingdoms: No official title yet. A boy with anxiety encounters a dragon in the forest, and after they both panic, they start to realize that maybe neither is as problematic as they once thought. However, a traveling entertainer throws their tenuous balance into chaos. Classic fantasy with limited magic, the first draft is mostly done but it needs a complete rewrite. Inspiration also drawn from Irish mythology. Mental health/illness, generational politics and drama, fake dating, sibling rivalry, and more. #dragons and kingdoms
Dancing with Deception: A dancer dropout from Morocco meets a mafia’s chef in Lyon, France. Romance, frustrations, and kidnapping ensue. Cowriting with one other author, the rough draft is up on fictionpress and the next step is heavy editing. POC mains, queer, ED, mental health discussions, extended family politics, and such things. #dancing with deception #dwd
Frozen Sands: Nashida, a young woman from the sands of the south, meets Halim, a clumsy young man with a knack for trouble, in the ice up north just in time for the Festival of Lights. However, Halim's family found problems with a pirate in the past, and he's about to cause some real trouble. Plus, Nashida is starting to find some unsettling clues about the origins of the lifelike statues in the area... POC main characters, both bi, one trans with bipolar disorder and ADHD, the other with relationship trauma and anxiety. Writing with 1 cowriter. #Frozen Sands
Birds of a Feather: Labyrinth/Princess Tutu crossover. Sarah finally lands a job as a theater teacher. Fakir has finally graduated with Duck waddling beside him. Rue and Mytho are finally going to get married. And Jareth has found an excellent opportunity to stick his nose into everything and make a glittery mess. Uzura wants to help. The Oak Tree is amused. #Birds of a Feather
Does the Duck Receive a Happy Ending? Princess Tutu reverse isekai xianxia. Long ago a crown prince shattered his golden core to stay a demonic raven. Now the ancient world of stories is cropping up in a small rural Chinese town. Can a simple duck return order to the world, or will things only become more unbalanced? #ptutu xianxia
A cowriter and I have a sideblog with several more WIPs listed at @foxfireink (including some that used to be listed here)! Here
Please can you explain the difference of meaning between hanfu and huafu ? Sorry if you already got the question
Hi, thanks for the question, and sorry for taking ages to reply! (hanfu photo via)
The term “hanfu” (traditional Chinese: 漢服, simplified Chinese: 汉服) literally means “Han clothing”, and refers to the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese people. “Han” (漢/汉) here refers to the Han Chinese ethnic group (not the Han dynasty), and “fu” (服) means “clothing”. As I explained in this post, the modern meaning of “hanfu” is defined by the hanfu revival movement and community. As such, there is a lot of gatekeeping by the community around what is or isn’t hanfu (based on historical circumstances, cultural influences, tailoring & construction, etc). This isn’t a bad thing - in fact, I think gatekeeping to a certain extent is helpful and necessary when it comes to reviving and defining historical/traditional clothing. However, this also led to the need for a similarly short, catchy term that would include all Chinese clothing that didn’t fit the modern definition of hanfu -- enter huafu.
The term “huafu” (traditional Chinese: 華服, simplified Chinese: 华服) as it is used today has a broader definition than hanfu. “Hua” (華/华) refers to the Chinese people (中华民族/zhonghua minzu), and again “fu” (服) means “clothing”. It is an umbrella term for all clothing that is related to Chinese history and/or culture. Thus all hanfu is huafu, but not all huafu is hanfu. Below are examples of Chinese clothing that are generally not considered hanfu by the hanfu community for various reasons, but are considered huafu:
1. Most fashions that originated during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), especially late Qing, including the Qing aoqun & aoku for women, and the Qing changshan and magua for men. I wrote about whether Qing dynasty clothing can be considered hanfu here. Tangzhuang, which is an updated form of the Qing magua popularized in 2001, can also fit into this category. Below - garments in the style of Han women’s clothing during the Qing dynasty (清汉女装) from 秦綿衣莊 (1, 2).
2. Fashions that originated during the Republican era/minguo (1912-1949), including the minguo aoqun & aoku and qipao/cheongsam for women, and the minguo changshan for men (the male equivalent of the women’s qipao). I wrote about why qipao isn’t considered hanfu here. Below - minguo aoqun (left) & qipao (right) from 嬉姷.
Below - Xiangsheng (crosstalk) performers Zhang Yunlei (left) & Guo Qilin (right) in minguo-style men’s changshan (x). Changshan is also known as changpao and dagua.
3. Qungua/裙褂 and xiuhefu/秀禾服, two types of Chinese wedding garments for brides that are commonly worn today. Qungua originated in the 18th century during the Qing dynasty, and xiuhefu is a modern recreation of Qing wedding dress popularized in 2001 (x). Below - left: qungua (x), right: xiuhefu (x).
4. Modified hanfu (改良汉服/gailiang hanfu) and hanyuansu/汉元素 (hanfu-inspired fashion), which do not fit in the orthodox view of hanfu. Hanfu mixed with sartorial elements of other cultures also fit into this category (e.g. hanfu lolita). From the very start of the hanfu movement, there’s been debate between hanfu “traditionalists” and “reformists”, with most members being somewhere in the middle, and this discussion continues today. Below - hanyuansu outfits from 川黛 (left) and 远山乔 (right).
5. Performance costumes, such as Chinese opera costumes (戏服/xifu) and Chinese dance costumes. These costumes may or may not be considered hanfu depending on the specific style. Dance costumes, in particular, may have non-traditional alterations to make the garment easier to dance in. Dunhuang-style feitian (apsara) costumes, which I wrote about here, can also fit into this category. Below - left: Chinese opera costume (x), right: Chinese dance costume (x).
6. Period drama costumes and fantasy costumes in popular media (live-action & animation, games, etc.), commonly referred to as guzhuang/古装 (lit. “ancient costumes”). Chinese period drama costumes are of course based on hanfu, and may be considered hanfu if they are historically accurate enough. However, as I wrote about here, a lot of the time there are stylistic inaccuracies (some accidental, some intentional) that have become popularized and standardized over time (though this does seem to be improving in recent years). This is especially prevalent in the wuxia and xianxia genres. Similarly, animated shows & games often have characters dressed in “fantasy hanfu” that are essentially hanfu with stylistic modifications. Below - left: Princess Taiping in historical cdrama 大明宫词/Palace of Desire (x), right: Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji in wuxia/xianxia cdrama 陈情令/The Untamed (x).
7. Any clothing in general that purposefully utilizes Chinese style elements (embroidery, fabrics, patterns, motifs, etc). Chinese fashion brand Heaven Gaia is a well-known example of this. Below - Chinese-inspired designs by Heaven Gaia (x).
8. Technically, the clothing of China’s ethnic minorities also fit under the broad definition of huafu, but it’s rarely ever used in this way.
From personal observation, the term “huafu” is mainly used in the following situations:
1. Some large-scale events to promote Chinese clothing, such as the annual “华服日/Huafu Day”, will use “huafu” in their name for inclusivity.
2. For the same reason as above, Chinese clothing including hanfu will often be referred to as “huafu” on network television programs (ex: variety shows).
3. A few Chinese clothing shops on Taobao use “huafu” in their shop name. Two examples:
With the exception of the above, “huafu” is still very rarely used, especially compared to “hanfu”. It has such a broad definition that it’s just not needed in situations for which a more precise term already exists. However, I do think it’s useful as a short catch-all term for Chinese clothing that isn’t limited to the currently accepted definition of hanfu.
If anyone wants to add on or correct something, please feel free to do so! ^^
Hi! I want to say that I appreciate your blog a lot! Thanks for being accessible to the Chinese-illiterate T.T Controversial question... Your side of hanfu movement is positive! But some have the motive of Han-supremacy. I personally see the movement as more a push against Western influences, but I'm still worried. Is there a safe way to really participate in the movement? Also, what do you think about the term "huafu" (which was for the "Huafu Day") including minority ethnic groups' clothing?
Hi, I’m glad you appreciate my blog ^^ Thanks for the question, and sorry for taking ages to reply! (hanfu photo via weibo):
So, I received this ask (and similar asks) many years ago, but put them off because I wanted to focus on positivity & education and avoid negativity & controversy, especially given how limited awareness of hanfu was in English-language online spaces at the time. Now that hanfu awareness has progressed and stabilized up to a point, I'll answer these asks.
As I stated in my post here, "the hanfu movement is not a monolith. Ever since its inception in 2003, the hanfu revival movement has been a grassroots, bottom-up movement with members of various backgrounds, ideologies, and opinions". There is a variety of motivations, which I wrote about in my posts here and here. According to these posts, the main motivations behind the hanfu movement include affinity and interest in hanfu culture and traditional Chinese culture, aesthetics, and self-expression. Included in this is pushback against Western influences, which is explained in my post here. There are some motivated by ideals of Han supremacy, but that is not the main driving force of the current hanfu movement. There is a more in-depth discussion on this topic in this post.
As for safe ways of participating in the movement, I would just say find like-minded people/organizations that share the same motivations and values as yourself.
As for what I think about the term "huafu", I wrote in my post here that I find it "useful as a short catch-all term for Chinese clothing that isn’t limited to the currently accepted definition of hanfu". I think it's helpful and convenient to have an umbrella term for Chinese clothing that covers both hanfu and ethnic minority groups' clothing. Of course, the term "huafu" is not and should not be a replacement for the term "hanfu".
For more references, please check out my hanfu movement and huafu tags.
Unrequited Love - occurs when a person falls in love with someone who does not return the admirer's feelings (in psychology).
The object of affection rejects the would-be lover's pursuit or
may be unaware of the admirer's romantic interest.
Unrequited love is associated with:
idealized notions of romance, but
it inevitably ends in heartbreak.
Would-be lovers struggle with unfulfilled yearning, while
beloved individuals must discourage unwanted advances.
The unreciprocated attraction can hurt an individual's self-esteem.
Unrequited lovers can cope by:
accepting the reality of the situation,
acknowledging rejection, and
limiting communication with the object of their affinity.
Unrequited love is an enduring theme in literature. Popular examples include: Cyrano de Bergerac, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Gone with the Wind.
There are 2 sides to unrequited love.
The unrequited lover harbors romantic feelings for a potential partner. Admirers long for the object of their affection and indulge in romantic fantasies. They hope one day that the pair will start a relationship.
However, the beloved does not feel the same way, turning down the admirer. Some recipients never know the unrequited lover's true feelings.
The concept of unrequited love goes back to ancient times:
In the Egyptian civilization's writing system, called hieroglyphics, the symbol for love translated to "a long desire."
One of the most famous examples of unrequited love in history involves medieval Italian poet Dante and his muse, Beatrice Portinari.
Dante fell in love with Portinari at first sight when she was only 9 years old, but the poet was promised to marry someone else.
After Portinari's death in 1290, Dante chronicled his secret love for her in La Vita Nuova in 1295.
She also appears as his guide through Heaven in The Divine Comedy, completed in the early 1320s.
Unrequited love can manifest itself in different ways.
It can start as a crush,
which develops into a long-standing infatuation.
Admirers may desire someone from a distance, never telling the individual about their romantic feelings.
Conversely, unrequited lovers may relentlessly pursue the object of their affection, making their intentions known.
There are 2 main paths to unrequited love.
The attraction can be based on an existing connection or
the pursuit of someone more desirable.
Most often, unrequited love grows out of platonic friendships.
One friend may feel an underlying attraction toward the other.
It can develop in the workplace when a coworker has feelings for another employee.
It can spring up when a former flame wants to rekindle a romance.
Unrequited love can also occur during a mutually satisfying relationship when a person decides to leave, but the other individual is still in love.
Admirers may encounter unrequited love when they find someone more attractive than they are.
The person may possess physical qualities or personality traits that appeal to the would-be lover.
Pursuers may be drawn to the individual's beauty, sense of humor, or intelligence.
Unrequited love is quite common.
According to a 1993 study by psychologist Roy Baumeister, 98% of the participants said they had experienced unrequited love.
Men are more likely to fall for someone who does not return their affection, the study found.
Unrequited love is full of emotional highs and lows.
The experience can be painful for both admirers and the objects of their devotion.
Unrequited lovers sustain their passion for their beloved through hope.
They are optimistic the objects of their affinity will one day love them back.
Eventually, however, the admirers become disillusioned, realizing their efforts are fruitless.
The failure to pursue the one they love can leave unrequited lovers feeling hurt, humiliated, and depressed.
The stinging defeat of rejection can erode their self-confidence.
Most stories about unrequited love focus on the agony of the admirer, but the recipient also suffers:
At first, the objects of unwanted affection are initially flattered by the would-be lovers' attention.
However, as time goes on, the beloved must deflect unsought advances.
The recipient may become frustrated by the unrequited lover's persistent pursuit.
Recipients of unrequited love also feel guilty for wanting to reject their suitors, but they are afraid of hurting their feelings.
Instead of spurning them outright, the beloved individuals may avoid telling their pursuers the truth—that they do not share their romantic interest—and hope the infatuation fades.
To lessen the blow during rejection, the beloved individuals may also sugarcoat their words, saying they are not interested in a relationship at the current time.
However, this strategy can backfire:
The appeasing language may give the would-be lovers just enough hope to hang on to the possibility of a future romance.
In extreme cases, admirers' unrequited love can turn into obsession and stalking.
Unrequited love results in unhappiness and heartbreak. Admirers can cope with doomed relationships in 3 ways:
First, unrequited lovers must accept the reality of the situation. Pursuers must admit the objects of their devotion do not love them back. It does not mean the unwanted suitor is undeserving or unattractive.
Second, admirers must acknowledge rejection and the feelings that accompany it, including sadness and loneliness. They may realize they were not the right partner for their beloved, and vice versa.
Finally, unrequited lovers should minimize contact with the recipients of their affection. They are mourning the loss of a relationship they never had, but keeping in touch could keep the hope of having one alive. A clean break allows the admirer to move on from the infatuation.
Unrequited love is a common theme in literary works.
French dramatist Edmond Rostand's 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac follows the noble soldier Cyrano, a gifted poet in love with his beautiful cousin Roxane.
Cyrano, ashamed of his large nose, helps the handsome cadet Christian woo Roxane by writing romantic poetry to her under Christian's name.
In The Hunchback of Notre Dame, written by French author Victor Hugo in 1831, deformed hunchback Quasimodo falls in love with the stunning gypsy Esmeralda after she shows him kindness.
After Esmeralda is hanged, Quasimodo kills the priest responsible for her death.
American writer Margaret Mitchell's epic 1936 novel Gone with the Wind follows selfish Southern belle Scarlett O'Hara, who is in love with the mild-mannered Ashley Wilkes.
Ashley loves his cousin Melanie, but he does not fully reject Scarlett's feelings, which she hangs on to despite her many marriages.
The romance was adapted into a cinematic masterpiece in 1939.
Unrequited love is a phenomenon that almost everyone experiences. As people search for true love, they will likely encounter unrequited love and the heartbreak it brings on the way to finding a lasting relationship.
If you don't already know you have issues doing so, squat down real quick. Bend your knees all the way and touch the floor. Just make sure you can do it. Okay? For me? And then stand up all the way and make sure you can balance on one foot.
Like. You don't need to blow it into some huge thing. Just. Make sure all your bits and peices still work the way you think they do.
Can you turn your head to look behind you without twisting your shoulders? What about standing on your toes? If you sit down on the floor can you get back up without using your hands?
If there was ever a tumblr post worth sending to your mom, it's this one.
Just saying, bodies are a use it or lose it kinda thing.
okay so every time I see this post crop back up in queues and notifications I end up thinking about it. Because I made the post and even I'm still doing the thing where I read the post about maintaining range of motion in my delicate meatsuit and I nod and hmm and think yeah that's a good idea and then dont move from where I'm curled up shrimp style staring at the nightmare rectangle.
So like. Thinking real hard about moving doesn't count as moving. Major bummer. Anyways. Joints.
If your answer to any of those was "no", I cannot emphasize enough that this isn't just "bummer, guess it's gone forever". You can get that mobility back, it is actually very achievable with the right modifications for your level!
This is the very simple "starting from zero muscles" program I followed, highly recommend it or something similar:
Explore our hybrid calisthenics programs to build strength, muscle, and help lose fat with adaptable routines for all fitness levels. Achiev
