I had to pause episode one of Oh! Master after a certain scene because of post traumatic drama syndrome. But when I returned after stress cleaning the kitchen counters it was all good.
i watched the first ep last night without subscribing… or i think i did… did i? hmm…. did i sign up for a free trial or something? goodness, i might’ve just been so happy to find it i might’ve clicked on anything…
: D
To be honest, it’s not any fault of Viki. I don’t even know what dramas they’ve picked up or not, rather the problem is me not actually watching any dramas anywhere but this one for LMK and Nana
. I also cancelled Kocowa.
The number of dramas where six months later I vaguely think, “Oh yeah, I started that. Must get back to it” multiplied considerably in 2020. Let’s hope 2021 is better.
Yeah.. me too. I started so many dramas but ended up not going back to them again after a couple of episodes. The current crop is the worst I’ve seen so far, with no drama to lighten up the mood.
Some are gone forever. Some are far away. And some are slowly fading.
But when I reach for a bowl from the cupboard my fingers graze the leaded glass panel of the door. The colored squares and clear rectangles were soldered carefully in place by my father to my exact specifications. Tracing the lead lines, I recall sifting through his bins of glass to find just the right colors.
That’s when I realize I’m surrounded by the people I’m missing. Dad’s glass art is here on my kitchen cupboard and scattered throughout my house.
The birdhouse I see from my window was made grandpa. The soup I made last night came from the recipe card with grandma’s fine handwriting.
I’m wearing a scarf sewn by a sister. Another sister painted the portrait of my children that’s propped up on the bookcase. And yet another made the glass suncatcher hanging in the window.
Just last night I warded off a chill with the blanket crocheted by my mother. And this morning my feet are hugged by the socks knit by my daughter. I have enough for every day of the week. Jealous? You should be.
Over my desk hangs the quick sketches another daughter did for an art class. I stole them from her sketchbook. I steal her art a lot. She doesn’t mind. Much. I say it’s on loan, but if she becomes famous, I reserve the right to sell them. I might be teasing. Maybe.
The framed photos in my office show the buildings that caught another’s daughter eye as she wandered through Europe. I didn’t steal those, but I would have. She also gave me a small pottery dish she made, and I’m glad because it’s perfect for catching pocket detritus treasures.
I’m still missing people, but now I see they’re here. They’re here all around me. I just need to see them.
Not too jealous because I have a special drawing table made for me by my grandfather and an abundance of knitted and crocheted blankets from my grandmother and mother.
I am jealous. I surely am. One of the bed bug housekeepers I hired last year stole the afghan that my mom made me. The last thing she made before she went blind. But just because Im supes jealous doesnt mean Im not happy and warmed through by all of the love surrounding you. Thats lovely. Positively.
I’m so sorry that afghan was stolen from you. I’m speechless at the cruelty of that act, and if I ever get a time machine one of my actions will be to go back to last year and rip it out of that housekeeper’s hands and make sure it’s safe for you. That, and I’ll buy stock in Zoom, stockpile masks, make sure to buy that billion dollar lottery ticket, and well, do some stuff that probably shouldn’t be in writing…
Oh Egads. I do hope you come into a time machine. Or a billion dollars (then you could commission one!) But in thr mean time, I loved the coziness of this post. It felt warm like sitting by a fire.
Your commitment to lighting the block with festive Christmas cheer is exemplary. The swags of red and green lights arching over and under the giant yellow stars make me smile in February. I really do think it’s a bit of charm and whimsy in these charmless times.
Love, February
P.S. can you not let your dog bark for in the front yard for 45 minutes every night? I really really don’t want to call the city, but it is very annoying and we do have a noise ordinance.
My neighbor is a large medical research facility. For SOME reason, over the last year, all the broken or partially working lights have been repaired, and MORE lights keep getting added. Hmmmm.
From the window, I see the tops of two heads wagging back and forth. One small with a pink puffy pom-pommed hat. The other is larger with grey thinning hair. There’s some arm flailing, and legs kicking, until finally they get up and walk on, the tiny girl pulling her grandpa to go faster, faster.
Later, when I walk to the mailbox, I see the imprints of two angels in the snow. One big. One small.
I’m just here to inform you of the three best lead characters of 2020:
Nana as Goo Se-ra bringing sexy back
Into the Ring
Jung Yu-mi as Ahn Eun-young keeping the world safe one jelly at a time
School Nurse Files
And Bae Doona as Yeo-jin is just perfectly perfect.
Forest of Secrets 2
I’m not saying you have to watch these dramas to be my friend… well yes, I am saying that. Not that having me as a friend is an incentive. But well, why wouldn’t you want to watch the perfect political drama, the best fantasy adventure, and Bae Doona? Huh? Why?
And you know what none of these dramas has? Romantic angst and irritating and whiny second leads. So, go. Go watch.
(as always, gifs stolen from @mindy who needs to make more from these three dramas)
An Honorable Mention might be Kim Seo-hyung in NOBODY KNOWS. She was terrific as kick ass Det. Cha Young-jin. NK is definitely one of my favorite dramas of the year.
I swung by this evening, and I see some angst on the wall.
Something called Brahms seems to be causing you some pain. I’m not sure what the issue is, but I do remember when I was a wee angsty black clad adolescent egads, I might have worn out a Brahms Concerto cassette tape by playing and rewinding it in an incessant rotation with my favorite Cure cassette tape in my handy Walkman. (Some of you might have to google that, but just know I’m old, and way back in the day we had to deal with flipping over the tape and making sure you had spare AA batteries on hand at all times. Kids these days with their fancy Spotify have no idea how difficult we had it.)
Anyways… want to counter the angsty Brahms brouhaha?
Might I suggest Into the Ring?
Just do it. You will thank me. I promise.
(gif courtesy of the amazingly talented gif maker @mindy)
But sometimes we just want to make drama choices that make us sad. And then sit in our rooms alone and cry thinking about it. Seriously. This one is a downer.
*Teenage depressed CS had a cassette tape that was the Cure on one side and Depeche Mode on the other side. I was tons of fun.
Oh you didn’t have Joni Mitchell on tape along with James Taylor? Oh and I had tons of tapes with Bonnie Raitt that I listened to endlessly. I just never understood Depeche Mode
Oh, I cried plenty of nights to Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor, too. I was an equal opportunity depressive! Right now, I love a cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” that Bon Iver does. It’s beautifully heartbreaking. 🙂
It’s much more depressing than Chocolate – so much so that I’ve thought about how much fun it would be if someone would just put anti-depressants in the water. I’ve hoped for a well timed ToD many times to bring some fun to my viewing experience. I’m waiting to finish this angst fest and then I’ll bring some joy back by finishing Into the Ring.
Scene: Egads is watching FoS2 ep 13. Mr Egads is reading in his favorite chair.
Mr Egads: This looks good. Can you fill me in so I understand?
Me: Uhhh. (Thinks of 1.75 seasons of back story) Nope.
Also, Mr Egads put some soup cans in the canned vegetable portion of the pantry, and I just quietly moved them to their proper home without saying a word. Someone nominate me for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Confession: If I lived alone, there’s a pretty good chance my pantry would be somewhat alphabetized. I realize this is too much for others so I suffer with the chaos of garbanzo beans and black beans just mingling willy nilly.
Lol. I tried the same thing, its hard to explain why I’m biting my nails though, as I’m trying to explain about prosecutors vs. Police rights and who are the shady characters and why …
Luckily he wasn’t around for previews of ep14, he’d never understand why I was having a meltdown because a character (Shi-mok) YELLED. Omgomgomg
Day 7: A book that made you laugh:Assasination Vacation
I’m a trivia nerd. I’m was that kid who read encyclopedias and almanacs for fun. (Why yes, I did have friends. Why do you ask?) If Helene Hanff (of 84 Charing Cross Road fame) is my chain smoking scriptwriter alter ego, then Sarah Vowell is my nerdy historical rabbit hole writer alter ego. No tangent is too weird or off track for Vowell, and my trivia loving soul adores her for it. Anyways, even if you don’t care a bit about the assassinations of American presidents, check this one out anyways, because no one, and I mean no one makes assassinations or weird historical coincidences quite as much fun as Vowell. I also recommend her book about those Puritans no one else wanted the Wordy Shipmates, and if you’re a big Hamilton fan, check out Lafayette in the Somewhat United States. Hmm, I should reread that one and picture Daveed Diggs, who is always worth picturing.
Side note: Vowell is the voice of Violet in The Incredibles, and the audio versions of her books are fantastic and studded with celebrity actors, personalities, and writers.
It’s been much too long since she’s released a book. I should probably send an angry email.
Sarah Vowell is who I might want to be in my next life. I love everything about her. I get unbelievably excited if I’m driving and I hear her voice comes on radio.
Day 6: A book that makes you sad:Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala
This is perhaps the most brutal and moving book about grief I have ever read. Deraniyagala’s family, her husband, her two sons, and her parents were all swept away and killed by the December 2004 tsunami across the shores of the Indian Ocean.
This is not an easy read, but it’s also not one you should shy away from. Deraniyagala reveals the black hole of her loss with stark clarity, made perhaps even more intense as we go along on her years long journey to finally return to their home in London, only to find the mundane, yet devastating, remains of their life before they went on holiday in Sri Lanka. Her prose is beautiful without being overwrought, though who would fault her for any overwroughtness to be honest. But I was struck at how she captured her state of mind in the initial minutes, hours, and days after the disaster with the structure of her writing, and then this continues as she and the grief keep on. There is an end to the book, but this is no novel, so there is no neatly tied up resolution and pithy comments on the processes of grief. This real, and like all real life, sometimes there is no real resolution or revelation, there is just remembering.
I almost picked this up to read again the other day, but in the midst of this pandemic, and with the recent loss of my father, just moving it from one shelf to another made me a bit teary. I’m not ready to revisit this one yet, but it’s waiting.
There isnt a taglist. I just asked people to tag me because I like knowing what people are reading. Im nosy like that. Some people are tagging me like I asked and some havent which is cool as well.
I’m sorry for your loss. Losing a patent is very hard.
I have friends who use shows or books with a strong theme of loss as a cathartic tool to release their own feelings, but i always fine it a thin line to walk. I’ve been pushed over to the wrong side of that line unexpectedly before so definitely be careful with your feelings right now.
Day 5: A book that makes you happy:84 Charing Cross Road Here’s another book about books, or rather people who love books, and as an epistolary biographical story that is such a breezy quick read that is neither shallow nor trite, it hits a lot of my bookish happy notes. If you’re like me, you’ll wish you could also strike up a friendship with a bookshop in London, so you can send snappy letters berating them for not finding and fulfilling your esoteric literary needs quite fast enough. And yes, when I went to London I had to make a pilgrimage, and well, finding a McDonald’s there was a bit of a letdown. Anyways, this charming book is worth a look, but do also watch the film version. Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins are perfect.
But seriously, it took me all day to figure which one book to write about here because, well, books in general make me happy.
Oh, this sounds interesting – I’m adding it to my reading list. I adore an epistolary novel.
I feel you on how hard it was to choose a book for this one. You should see the document I wrote my posts in – it’s a mess of books. I’m trying not to repeat much, so there will be a lot of digging into my nostalgic faves over the next month. I half wish I were at my mother’s house so I have access to the majority of my library to refresh my memories.
What makes it even better is that it’s not a novel. Helene Hanff is one of the people at my dinner party of deceased authors who I just know I would be besties with.
I’m catching up to isa’s book challenge. Will I stick with it? Well, we’ll see. Or I might bring it over to my own dusty blogsite. Anyways @isthatacorner, here’s your tag.
Day 1: Best book I read last year: Last year, I read far far less than I normally do, but Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style hit my nerdy language loving, books about books loving, chatty footnote loving reading bone early in the year. So much so that I wrote about it here https://www.dramabeans.com/members/egads/activity/717026/
Yes, it’s a book about grammar and such, but it’s a fun book about grammar and such. Trust me.
Day 2: A book that you’ve read more than 3 times: I’m a re-reader. If I like a story, and it hits my reader spot just right, chances are I’ll give it another go. So, how to choose just one? I guess I’ll choose the one I last re-read: The Blue Castle. If you want my in depth thoughts on it, well, I wrote about it here https://www.dramabeans.com/members/egads/activity/793069/
Day 3: Your favorite series: Again, with the favorites, Well, since I’ve got LM Montgomery on the mind, I guess I could say Anne of Green Gables. But there’s also the Little House on the Prairie books, Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak mystery series, Ursula LeGuin’s Earthsea series, the Harry the Dirty Dog picture books, Harry Potter (even though the author has all but ruined it for me). You see my problem here. How do you choose just one?
Day 4: Favorite book of your favorite series:Anne of Green Gables would have to be the favorite of this series. Though that doesn’t mean I don’t also love most of all the books that followed. Someday, when the pandemic is over, and Canada once again will allow me across the border, I will be going to Prince Edward Island. I’ve got some places to stay picked out and everything. Also, Anne is great, Gilbert totally deserved to have that slate broken over his noggin, and this series definitely was and is a bosom friend.
Ohhh so many good reads! I read THE BLUE CASTLE thanks to your post a year ago, and really enjoyed it.
I still get immense satisfaction watching Anne break that slate over Gilbert’s head for calling her “carrots”. I loved Anne of Avonlea too, and the last book in the series (Rilla of Ingleside) broke my hearteu.
So many good books! I very nearly chose Anne of Green Gables for my favourite series – I’ve read them about a million times and they still make me cry in the sad bits. And Harry the Dirty Dog! We LOVE Harry round here.
Oohh The Blue Castle! I’ve only read it once, but I really enjoyed it.
I, of course, also have a deep love for the Anne of Green Gables series. I have fond memories of my mom reading them to me as a kid and then reading them on my own when I was older. Prince Edward Island has been on my destinations list for a long time although I’m almost scared to go there for fear it won’t live up to L.M. Montgomery’s descriptions.
I was looking at my Instagram and my post from January 8 is literally “It’s only been 8 days and already 2020 has been a RIDE” and now I laugh and laugh and laugh (until I cry) at how young and naive I was. Ah, youthful folly.
I was searching for something in an old text and saw that I texted “Everything You Need to Know About Coronavirus “ on January 22nd. 🤦🏼♀️
How innocent we were.
Oh, it’s gone for me, too. I honestly hardly noticed it anymore.
I didn’t mind it much, aside from a few bad MV choices of problematic artists. The site is obviously still not getting enough revenue even with people being able to directly donate, so I am willing to welcome something mildly irritating if it keeps the site online.
Also, it wasn’t present on the fan wall, which is where I spend most of my time.
I hope they took it down for good…
I thought it was cool at first but it was getting annoying. I’m pretty sure beanies know where to go if they want to see/listen to Kpop.
Huh it was really annoying but now it’s gone and I didn’t even notice 😅 You get used to anything. I need to work out how to donate because I’d be sorry to see this site disappear.
I think this kdrama home is going in my top five. It’s good to see Shin Dong Wook in it too, despite the fact that there is something skeevy about his character in My Unfamiliar Family.
Honestly, I’m kind of enjoying him being skeevy. He always plays the super nice guy, so the creepy super nice guy is change. Next, he can do straight up villain.
I haven’t been here much lately, so I’m not sure what this 30 day drama challenge is about. But I when I see the words “Best Male Lead” and don’t see this man:
I give all of you a stern glare.
Thanks for sharing, egads! That’s so spot on! I started watching and really liked many currently airing dramas but found myself unable to continue on, and it’s more me than them. This week, I’m finding comfort in re-reading old favorite fanfics from Sherlock and ofc, the Untamed.
I was about to leave a comment underneath, and then I remembered I accidentally deleted my account, so:
You summarised me beautifully, Egads. I’m one of those people who just never grew out of watching films on repeat. When I’m stressed, I retreat to my favourite dramas. Right now, Gokusen. When I’m in a slump with my reading, I’ll go back to my favourite book. Right now, If We Were Villains. At heart, I’m a joy chaser, and that can be seriously useful in times like this.
I’m having problems with my account so I dont know if I actually sent my comment so I’ll put it here just in case.
Yes! I’m so guilty of this. I rewatch Six Flying Dragons every year since it ended (sometimes more than once). My other go to rewatches are: Deep Rooted Tree, A Poem A Day, and Reply 1997. Super Junior shows are also on repeat. I feel like a big portion of Choding Junior video views on youtube is mine.
Interestingly though, I am watching four airing dramas right now (after being on a long drama slump). I am not stuck at home though so maybe it will be different once they close down child care centres.
Sigh. I wish I can go back to reading books. My attention span is just too short now, I can’t sit down and read a book. 😦 But for re-reads, one book that stands out for me is The Little Prince. It’s differenrlt every time I read it. I first read it when I was younger and thought the adults in the book are so awful and I felt more for the Little Prince. However, reading it again in College, I was more on the fence. Then reading it a few years ago, I felt more for the adults because I’m living their lives now. There’s always something new we pick up when we re-read or re-watch so I say just do you!
P.S. Children are exactly what you described. I’d go to the library to get them books every week but they made me read one book all the time. I had to extend the borrowing period for it twice! It’s not even in English!
After months of talking about it, I finally pressed publish on something on that book blog I\’ve been procrastinating starting. It’s bare bones. I don’t really have a plan right now. But let’s talk about books, but it seems I don’t have anything to say about dramas lately and I sort of miss talking to many of you. So, here’s the link, and remember don’t be a troll. https://booksandbeans.org/
I love the name!
I cannot comment because I have not a blog, but I can tell you here that I always turn to Jane Austen and Agatha Christie when I don’t know what to read. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve read their novels, I always find something new.
Today I had to go to my local warehouse store, and because I’m a morning person I went early with the plan to beat the crowds. So, I was little shocked to turn into the parking lot and find nearly every single spot taken. Uh-oh, I thought. This is not good.
The great toilet paper scramble has hit my area.
I’m a veteran of decades of retail. I’ve worked some seriously scary Black Friday sales. I’ve seen people literally play tug-of-war over a video game system, only for it to end in tears when one person lost their grip and flopped to the ground.
But the toilet paper hunters, they are feral and sneaky. I saw an old man snag a pack from the cart of a young family. I overheard a couple trying to figure out how to best circumvent the purchase limit. But worst, was the panic that seemed to be on the majority of faces.
I just needed some eggs, peanut butter, and tortillas.
Putting them in my cart, I then looked for the end of the line, which wound around allllllllllll the way to the back of the store.
Waiting, surrounded by carts full of toilet paper and bottled water, an R.E.M song popped in my head. Now, I don’t mean to make light of the pandemic. Anything but. But, I was a weird little island just buying some normal everyday staples surrounded by a sea of paper products.
It’s the End of the World as We Know it, really fit my experience.
(btw, I always have apocalyptic supplies of paper and cleaning products on hand. That’s my default setting)
DUDE! This was me at the store today. All I wanted was 1. Mint cookies and cream ice cream. 2. Gingerale Lemonade. 3. Fish Fry. 4. Cole slaw (for the fish fry). 5. Cara Cara oranges. Thats it! I was in line for 20 minutes for self check out and I almost impulse bought EVERYTHING in the aisle. Those pork and veg potstickers looked really yummy. Surrounded by a sea of toilet paper.
Fear contagion: “When people are stressed their reason is hampered, so they look at what other people are doing. If others are stockpiling it leads you to engage in the same behavior,”
“In times of uncertainty, people enter a panic zone that makes them irrational and completely neurotic,”
Alternatively, you can just blame Australia – I do. But if you want something to look forward to, all the sane people who stayed at home and didn’t panic buy toilet paper have now been forced to venture out for some because they’ve now run out (this is not me – I already had 60 rolls in my cupboard in a perfectly-normal buying habit considering I live alone). So even though a large chunk of panic buyers have buyer’s remorse and want to get refunds for their tp (bwahaha), the number who hit the stores when it first opens to clear the pallets of tp remains unchanged.
Also, this is not how I wanted to spend the apocalypse. I had grander plans.
My psychology professor had to give a statement for the local news to explain this… phenomenon. I’m learning social psych right now and I’m afraid of what I’d learn…
Great story! We haven’t reached this level of madness yet in my part of the world, but primary schools and movie theatres have been shut down. The kids are probably all driving their parents mad in this extended break…
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 24, 2021 at 11:01 AM
I had to pause episode one of Oh! Master after a certain scene because of post traumatic drama syndrome. But when I returned after stress cleaning the kitchen counters it was all good.
Ally
March 24, 2021 at 11:36 AM
I haven’t seen it yet!
nerdy
March 24, 2021 at 12:18 PM
That’s exactly what I thought! Apperantly I had PTSD from a drama I watched nearly 6 years ago.
Lee Min Ki’s characters should only cross the streets by pedestrian bridges.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
March 24, 2021 at 1:34 PM
I MUST know. Was any guyliner harmed in the making of this drama?
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 24, 2021 at 2:58 PM
No one is wearing guyliner….
nerdy
March 25, 2021 at 8:36 AM
But the haircut was exactly the same!
spazmo
March 25, 2021 at 12:55 PM
serious SUFBB deja vu/PTSD!!!
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 25, 2021 at 2:22 PM
Like I said, I had to pause and go stress clean.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
March 25, 2021 at 3:28 PM
It’s the first time in a long time that ToD didn’t make me laugh. The flashback did.
spazmo
March 26, 2021 at 2:25 AM
but the ominous statement from the guy dressed in white…
“you don’t have much time left…”
i am so happy to see LMK with Nana — and i’m trying not to remember this scene/statement….
: (
mugyuljoie is preciousss
March 26, 2021 at 4:32 PM
Hmmm, I took it as more of a “life is short” kind of statement.
velvetstuff
March 24, 2021 at 2:36 PM
Gosh a mandatory pause. They did it on purpose
Ally
March 24, 2021 at 8:16 PM
Omomomo! And then he had to have flashbacks of it! Why???
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 24, 2021 at 8:17 PM
they were purposefully torturing us
Ally
March 24, 2021 at 8:18 PM
I’m already having hypertension anc they do that. I should have checked it if I was thinking clearly.
spazmo
March 24, 2021 at 9:09 PM
are you watching on iquiyi?? where is it????
mugyuljoie is preciousss
March 25, 2021 at 11:18 AM
Yes. I broke down and subscribed.
spazmo
March 25, 2021 at 12:54 PM
i watched the first ep last night without subscribing… or i think i did… did i? hmm…. did i sign up for a free trial or something? goodness, i might’ve just been so happy to find it i might’ve clicked on anything…
: D
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 25, 2021 at 2:20 PM
Same. I cancelled Viki because I’m not watching anything else right now.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
March 25, 2021 at 3:26 PM
Viki is certainly falling short now when it comes to new K-dramas.
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 25, 2021 at 7:41 PM
To be honest, it’s not any fault of Viki. I don’t even know what dramas they’ve picked up or not, rather the problem is me not actually watching any dramas anywhere but this one for LMK and Nana
. I also cancelled Kocowa.
spazmo
March 25, 2021 at 6:57 PM
today i found it on d****c**l… it has a different title… Oh My Ladylord.
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 21, 2021 at 12:46 PM
Me and dramas in 2021:
Watches 1 or 2 episodes.
Oh, that was quite enjoyable. I definitely like this one.
Never watches another minute.
This trend better not continue this week.
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
March 21, 2021 at 1:57 PM
The number of dramas where six months later I vaguely think, “Oh yeah, I started that. Must get back to it” multiplied considerably in 2020. Let’s hope 2021 is better.
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 21, 2021 at 2:13 PM
I think I’m doing worse in 2021 than I did in 2020.
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
March 21, 2021 at 2:23 PM
I guess I’m doing worse since I’m not even starting dramas to wander away later.
mindy🍑
March 21, 2021 at 2:05 PM
Jooinjooinjooinjooin
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 21, 2021 at 2:13 PM
Fingers crossed. If not we’ll always have the teasers.
mmmmm
March 21, 2021 at 11:04 PM
Yeah.. me too. I started so many dramas but ended up not going back to them again after a couple of episodes. The current crop is the worst I’ve seen so far, with no drama to lighten up the mood.
Lucy🦋 | Hyun Bins First Love♥️
March 22, 2021 at 1:10 AM
this was me in 2020.
egads aka Dame Maggie
February 11, 2021 at 4:53 PM
Today, I woke up missing people.
Some are gone forever. Some are far away. And some are slowly fading.
But when I reach for a bowl from the cupboard my fingers graze the leaded glass panel of the door. The colored squares and clear rectangles were soldered carefully in place by my father to my exact specifications. Tracing the lead lines, I recall sifting through his bins of glass to find just the right colors.
That’s when I realize I’m surrounded by the people I’m missing. Dad’s glass art is here on my kitchen cupboard and scattered throughout my house.
The birdhouse I see from my window was made grandpa. The soup I made last night came from the recipe card with grandma’s fine handwriting.
I’m wearing a scarf sewn by a sister. Another sister painted the portrait of my children that’s propped up on the bookcase. And yet another made the glass suncatcher hanging in the window.
Just last night I warded off a chill with the blanket crocheted by my mother. And this morning my feet are hugged by the socks knit by my daughter. I have enough for every day of the week. Jealous? You should be.
Over my desk hangs the quick sketches another daughter did for an art class. I stole them from her sketchbook. I steal her art a lot. She doesn’t mind. Much. I say it’s on loan, but if she becomes famous, I reserve the right to sell them. I might be teasing. Maybe.
The framed photos in my office show the buildings that caught another’s daughter eye as she wandered through Europe. I didn’t steal those, but I would have. She also gave me a small pottery dish she made, and I’m glad because it’s perfect for catching pocket
detritustreasures.I’m still missing people, but now I see they’re here. They’re here all around me. I just need to see them.
Love, February
egads aka Dame Maggie
February 11, 2021 at 4:54 PM
@katakwasabi
@leetennant
@ally-le
@snarkyjellyfish
@msrabbit
@kat23
@hebang
@ndlessjoie
@yuyuu
@lugirl131415
@tspmasala
@willow
@moomoomoondog
@carmen
@mindy
@gadis
@coffeeprincess
@suriyana-shah
@pinklolipop
@egads
@rukia
@pineapplegongzhu
@thetinyl
@sensationalfantasy
@eazal
@rueffie
@raonah
@greenfields
@bammsie
@bcampbell1662
@beffels
@mmmmm
mmmmm
February 11, 2021 at 5:00 PM
I’m jealous 😂. You remind me that we all are surrounded by the love of so many people if we just ‘see’ it.
This is treasure.
Ally
February 11, 2021 at 5:47 PM
That’s so lovely! I have a crocheted blanket that are enveloping me right now while it’s 10 degrees outside— by my grandmother.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
February 11, 2021 at 8:13 PM
Not too jealous because I have a special drawing table made for me by my grandfather and an abundance of knitted and crocheted blankets from my grandmother and mother.
mmmmm
February 11, 2021 at 8:58 PM
*steals*
FlyingTool
February 11, 2021 at 8:53 PM
Lovely!
OLakes
February 12, 2021 at 12:27 AM
This is beautiful, egads. A good reminder that it’s amazing what we can see if only we really look around us.
sirena
February 12, 2021 at 7:26 AM
Comment was deleted
isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
February 12, 2021 at 4:58 PM
I am jealous. I surely am. One of the bed bug housekeepers I hired last year stole the afghan that my mom made me. The last thing she made before she went blind. But just because Im supes jealous doesnt mean Im not happy and warmed through by all of the love surrounding you. Thats lovely. Positively.
egads aka Dame Maggie
February 12, 2021 at 5:21 PM
I’m so sorry that afghan was stolen from you. I’m speechless at the cruelty of that act, and if I ever get a time machine one of my actions will be to go back to last year and rip it out of that housekeeper’s hands and make sure it’s safe for you. That, and I’ll buy stock in Zoom, stockpile masks, make sure to buy that billion dollar lottery ticket, and well, do some stuff that probably shouldn’t be in writing…
isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
February 12, 2021 at 5:25 PM
Oh Egads. I do hope you come into a time machine. Or a billion dollars (then you could commission one!) But in thr mean time, I loved the coziness of this post. It felt warm like sitting by a fire.
egads aka Dame Maggie
February 2, 2021 at 4:31 PM
Dear neighbor,
Your commitment to lighting the block with festive Christmas cheer is exemplary. The swags of red and green lights arching over and under the giant yellow stars make me smile in February. I really do think it’s a bit of charm and whimsy in these charmless times.
Love, February
P.S. can you not let your dog bark for in the front yard for 45 minutes every night? I really really don’t want to call the city, but it is very annoying and we do have a noise ordinance.
Crabby, All Year
Day 2
egads aka Dame Maggie
February 2, 2021 at 4:33 PM
@katakwasabi
@leetennant
@ally-le
@snarkyjellyfish
@bebeswtz
@msrabbit
@kat23
@hebang
@ndlessjoie
@yuyuu
@lugirl131415
@tspmasala
@willow
@moomoomoondog
@carmen
@mindy
@gadis
@suriyana-shah
@pinklolipop
@rukia
@pineapplegongzhu
@thetinyl
@sensationalfantasy
@eazal
@rueffie
@raonah
@greenfields
@bammsie
@bcampbell1662
@beffels
@mmmmm
@purplesheesh
FlyingTool
February 2, 2021 at 6:53 PM
My neighbor is a large medical research facility. For SOME reason, over the last year, all the broken or partially working lights have been repaired, and MORE lights keep getting added. Hmmmm.
Love your “ Crabby, All Year “
egads aka Dame Maggie
February 1, 2021 at 11:30 AM
The screech is loud and shrill.
So is the laugh that follows.
The interruption makes me look up.
From the window, I see the tops of two heads wagging back and forth. One small with a pink puffy pom-pommed hat. The other is larger with grey thinning hair. There’s some arm flailing, and legs kicking, until finally they get up and walk on, the tiny girl pulling her grandpa to go faster, faster.
Later, when I walk to the mailbox, I see the imprints of two angels in the snow. One big. One small.
Love, February
egads aka Dame Maggie
February 1, 2021 at 11:31 AM
This is sappier than my norm. Oh, well.
Are we tagging? If you want off my tag list, let me know.
@katakwasabi
@leetennant
@ally-le
@snarkyjellyfish
@bebeswtz
@msrabbit
@kat23
@hebang
@ndlessjoie
@yuyuu
@lugirl131415
@tspmasala
@willow
@moomoomoondog
@carmen
@sicarius
@mindy
@gadis
@coffeeprince4eva
@suriyana-shah
@pinklolipop
@egads
@rukia
@pineapplegongzhu
@thetinyl
@sensationalfantasy
@eazal
@rueffie
@raonah
@greenfields
@bammsie
@bcampbell1662
@beffels
@mmmmm
@wishfultoki
Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ 🦊⚔️🎥 ~
February 1, 2021 at 2:59 PM
Beautiful…
Eazal
February 1, 2021 at 11:49 AM
This is beautiful!
Ally
February 1, 2021 at 2:34 PM
Adorable!
egads aka Dame Maggie
October 20, 2020 at 7:02 PM
I’m just here to inform you of the three best lead characters of 2020:
Nana as Goo Se-ra bringing sexy back

Into the Ring
Jung Yu-mi as Ahn Eun-young keeping the world safe one jelly at a time

School Nurse Files
And Bae Doona as Yeo-jin is just perfectly perfect.

Forest of Secrets 2
I’m not saying you have to watch these dramas to be my friend… well yes, I am saying that. Not that having me as a friend is an incentive. But well, why wouldn’t you want to watch the perfect political drama, the best fantasy adventure, and Bae Doona? Huh? Why?
And you know what none of these dramas has? Romantic angst and irritating and whiny second leads. So, go. Go watch.
(as always, gifs stolen from @mindy who needs to make more from these three dramas)
mindy🍑
October 20, 2020 at 8:31 PM
Egads, have I told you that you have the best taste?
bong-soo
October 20, 2020 at 9:16 PM
An Honorable Mention might be Kim Seo-hyung in NOBODY KNOWS. She was terrific as kick ass Det. Cha Young-jin. NK is definitely one of my favorite dramas of the year.
pickleddragon
October 21, 2020 at 9:27 AM
I second this!! Kim Seo hyung was electric in NK! I loved every minute of her on screen.
💜☠️ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠️💜
October 21, 2020 at 1:46 AM
All the first gif is reminding me of is the forbidden love thriller Kill It wasn’t… and for some reason I’m still not over that.
FlyingTool
December 15, 2020 at 6:29 PM
It had all the pieces. It could and should have been So Much Better!
Argh.
💜☠️ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠️💜
December 16, 2020 at 1:26 AM
Yes! Thankfully I still enjoyed the cracktastic mess anyhow lmao
FlyingTool
December 16, 2020 at 6:04 AM
Welcome back from where/what ever you were!
egads aka Dame Maggie
December 16, 2020 at 8:07 AM
The “what” almost made me spit coffee all over my laptop. What was sic? There’s so many intriguing options.
💜☠️ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠️💜
December 16, 2020 at 6:02 PM
Wouldn’t you like to know, egads…
pickleddragon
October 21, 2020 at 9:28 AM
Does 2 out of 3 count? SNF is not my kind of drama, but the other two are top of my list for the year too! And of course, Bae Doona foreva!
egads aka Dame Maggie
October 21, 2020 at 9:58 AM
I guess……
SNF just blew me away, but if it’s a genre that really isn’t your thing, then I might let it pass.
Possum
October 22, 2020 at 12:36 AM
Bae Doona has become one of my favourite actors, through seeing her in Kingdom and the two seasons of Stranger.
egads aka Dame Maggie
October 19, 2020 at 8:43 PM
Hey Beanies,
Hi. How’ve you been?
I swung by this evening, and I see some angst on the wall.
Something called Brahms seems to be causing you some pain. I’m not sure what the issue is, but I do remember when I was a wee angsty black clad adolescent egads, I might have worn out a Brahms Concerto cassette tape by playing and rewinding it in an incessant rotation with my favorite Cure cassette tape in my handy Walkman. (Some of you might have to google that, but just know I’m old, and way back in the day we had to deal with flipping over the tape and making sure you had spare AA batteries on hand at all times. Kids these days with their fancy Spotify have no idea how difficult we had it.)
Anyways… want to counter the angsty Brahms brouhaha?
Might I suggest Into the Ring?
Just do it. You will thank me. I promise.
(gif courtesy of the amazingly talented gif maker @mindy)
CS
October 19, 2020 at 9:40 PM
But sometimes we just want to make drama choices that make us sad. And then sit in our rooms alone and cry thinking about it. Seriously. This one is a downer.
*Teenage depressed CS had a cassette tape that was the Cure on one side and Depeche Mode on the other side. I was tons of fun.
egads aka Dame Maggie
October 19, 2020 at 9:47 PM
First big non-local band concert: Depeche Mode
I was also super fun.
stpauligurl
October 19, 2020 at 11:58 PM
Oh you didn’t have Joni Mitchell on tape along with James Taylor? Oh and I had tons of tapes with Bonnie Raitt that I listened to endlessly.
I just never understood Depeche Mode
CS
October 20, 2020 at 6:55 PM
Oh, I cried plenty of nights to Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor, too. I was an equal opportunity depressive! Right now, I love a cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” that Bon Iver does. It’s beautifully heartbreaking. 🙂
mugyuljoie is preciousss
October 19, 2020 at 9:47 PM
It’s much more depressing than Chocolate – so much so that I’ve thought about how much fun it would be if someone would just put anti-depressants in the water. I’ve hoped for a well timed ToD many times to bring some fun to my viewing experience. I’m waiting to finish this angst fest and then I’ll bring some joy back by finishing Into the Ring.
egads aka Dame Maggie
October 19, 2020 at 9:56 PM
more depressing than a drama about a hospice? wow,
mugyuljoie is preciousss
October 19, 2020 at 10:04 PM
This one is over powered by depression and a lack of screen time for side characters that aren’t horrible people.
egads aka Dame Maggie
October 19, 2020 at 10:06 PM
I’m very very glad I did not jump into this melopit.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
October 19, 2020 at 11:13 PM
Go ahead, rub it in. I have no one to blame but myself.
stpauligurl
October 19, 2020 at 11:59 PM
Be glad.
Be very glad…….
PYC
October 20, 2020 at 6:02 AM
BUT, but there’s no other “Into The Ring”. I am in a total slump after FoS.
All I want is something as delightful as Into The Ring – but none around. It has set the bar too high now.
mindy🍑
October 20, 2020 at 8:13 AM
“amazingly talented” You flatter me, egads.
I’m the type of person who drops a drama as soon as it annoys me too much.
You know what drama never annoyed me?
Into the Ring~~~
egads aka Dame Maggie
September 26, 2020 at 5:54 PM
Scene: Egads is watching FoS2 ep 13. Mr Egads is reading in his favorite chair.
Mr Egads: This looks good. Can you fill me in so I understand?
Me: Uhhh. (Thinks of 1.75 seasons of back story) Nope.
mindy🍑
September 26, 2020 at 5:55 PM
My dad asks me to do this all the time when I’m already at the end of a show…
egads aka Dame Maggie
September 26, 2020 at 6:04 PM
I told him to watch season one, he’d like it.
egads aka Dame Maggie
September 26, 2020 at 6:07 PM
Also, Mr Egads put some soup cans in the canned vegetable portion of the pantry, and I just quietly moved them to their proper home without saying a word. Someone nominate me for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Confession: If I lived alone, there’s a pretty good chance my pantry would be somewhat alphabetized. I realize this is too much for others so I suffer with the chaos of garbanzo beans and black beans just mingling willy nilly.
beffels
September 26, 2020 at 8:30 PM
You deserve one! My pantry is organised chaos but it drives me nuts when my lovely husband helpfully puts the jam away where the cans go or something.
dramalover4ever
September 26, 2020 at 10:32 PM
My trigger is soft plastic in the😡 recycling bin. 😡😡
egads aka Dame Maggie
September 27, 2020 at 7:18 AM
Oh yes, and then there’s the dishwasher loading. I have a lot of triggers.
dramalover4ever
September 26, 2020 at 10:32 PM
Impossible – make him work for his pleasure.
Katrina
September 26, 2020 at 11:17 PM
Lol. I tried the same thing, its hard to explain why I’m biting my nails though, as I’m trying to explain about prosecutors vs. Police rights and who are the shady characters and why …
Luckily he wasn’t around for previews of ep14, he’d never understand why I was having a meltdown because a character (Shi-mok) YELLED. Omgomgomg
egads aka Dame Maggie
August 7, 2020 at 4:53 PM
Day 7: A book that made you laugh: Assasination Vacation
I’m a trivia nerd. I’m was that kid who read encyclopedias and almanacs for fun. (Why yes, I did have friends. Why do you ask?) If Helene Hanff (of 84 Charing Cross Road fame) is my chain smoking scriptwriter alter ego, then Sarah Vowell is my nerdy historical rabbit hole writer alter ego. No tangent is too weird or off track for Vowell, and my trivia loving soul adores her for it. Anyways, even if you don’t care a bit about the assassinations of American presidents, check this one out anyways, because no one, and I mean no one makes assassinations or weird historical coincidences quite as much fun as Vowell. I also recommend her book about those Puritans no one else wanted the Wordy Shipmates, and if you’re a big Hamilton fan, check out Lafayette in the Somewhat United States. Hmm, I should reread that one and picture Daveed Diggs, who is always worth picturing.
Side note: Vowell is the voice of Violet in The Incredibles, and the audio versions of her books are fantastic and studded with celebrity actors, personalities, and writers.
It’s been much too long since she’s released a book. I should probably send an angry email.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
August 7, 2020 at 10:15 PM
Sarah Vowell is who I might want to be in my next life. I love everything about her. I get unbelievably excited if I’m driving and I hear her voice comes on radio.
JillofAllTrades
October 2, 2020 at 12:49 PM
Based on what you said above, by any chance have you read anything of Bryant and May series by Christopher Fowler?
egads aka Dame Maggie
October 2, 2020 at 3:13 PM
No, but I will check it out. Thanks!
egads aka Dame Maggie
August 6, 2020 at 4:20 PM
Day 6: A book that makes you sad: Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala
This is perhaps the most brutal and moving book about grief I have ever read. Deraniyagala’s family, her husband, her two sons, and her parents were all swept away and killed by the December 2004 tsunami across the shores of the Indian Ocean.
This is not an easy read, but it’s also not one you should shy away from. Deraniyagala reveals the black hole of her loss with stark clarity, made perhaps even more intense as we go along on her years long journey to finally return to their home in London, only to find the mundane, yet devastating, remains of their life before they went on holiday in Sri Lanka. Her prose is beautiful without being overwrought, though who would fault her for any overwroughtness to be honest. But I was struck at how she captured her state of mind in the initial minutes, hours, and days after the disaster with the structure of her writing, and then this continues as she and the grief keep on. There is an end to the book, but this is no novel, so there is no neatly tied up resolution and pithy comments on the processes of grief. This real, and like all real life, sometimes there is no real resolution or revelation, there is just remembering.
I almost picked this up to read again the other day, but in the midst of this pandemic, and with the recent loss of my father, just moving it from one shelf to another made me a bit teary. I’m not ready to revisit this one yet, but it’s waiting.
egads aka Dame Maggie
August 6, 2020 at 4:20 PM
Are we tagging @isthatacorner
Is there a tag list?
I don’t know the rules here
isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
August 6, 2020 at 7:14 PM
There isnt a taglist. I just asked people to tag me because I like knowing what people are reading. Im nosy like that. Some people are tagging me like I asked and some havent which is cool as well.
egads aka Dame Maggie
August 6, 2020 at 4:24 PM
Update on her life: she’s now married to Fiona Shaw who played Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter films. I like this development.
Beverly
August 6, 2020 at 5:03 PM
I’m sorry for your loss. Losing a patent is very hard.
I have friends who use shows or books with a strong theme of loss as a cathartic tool to release their own feelings, but i always fine it a thin line to walk. I’ve been pushed over to the wrong side of that line unexpectedly before so definitely be careful with your feelings right now.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
August 6, 2020 at 10:32 PM
My condolences on your loss @egads.
egads aka Dame Maggie
August 5, 2020 at 4:36 PM
Day 5: A book that makes you happy:84 Charing Cross Road Here’s another book about books, or rather people who love books, and as an epistolary biographical story that is such a breezy quick read that is neither shallow nor trite, it hits a lot of my bookish happy notes. If you’re like me, you’ll wish you could also strike up a friendship with a bookshop in London, so you can send snappy letters berating them for not finding and fulfilling your esoteric literary needs quite fast enough. And yes, when I went to London I had to make a pilgrimage, and well, finding a McDonald’s there was a bit of a letdown. Anyways, this charming book is worth a look, but do also watch the film version. Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins are perfect.
But seriously, it took me all day to figure which one book to write about here because, well, books in general make me happy.
egads aka Dame Maggie
August 5, 2020 at 4:38 PM
Hmmm, now I really want to become penpals with a London bookshop. It seems like a pandemic friendly dream.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 5, 2020 at 5:08 PM
Oh, this sounds interesting – I’m adding it to my reading list. I adore an epistolary novel.
I feel you on how hard it was to choose a book for this one. You should see the document I wrote my posts in – it’s a mess of books. I’m trying not to repeat much, so there will be a lot of digging into my nostalgic faves over the next month. I half wish I were at my mother’s house so I have access to the majority of my library to refresh my memories.
egads aka Dame Maggie
August 5, 2020 at 5:17 PM
What makes it even better is that it’s not a novel. Helene Hanff is one of the people at my dinner party of deceased authors who I just know I would be besties with.
SnarkyJellyfish
August 5, 2020 at 5:29 PM
Ohh even better.
beffels
August 5, 2020 at 5:19 PM
I haven’t read this, I’ll have to look out for it because it sounds like something I’d enjoy.
I had heaps of trouble deciding as well – in the end I’m saving some of the other ideas I had for later categories so as not to repeat myself 😊
egads aka Dame Maggie
August 4, 2020 at 7:28 PM
I’m catching up to isa’s book challenge. Will I stick with it? Well, we’ll see. Or I might bring it over to my own dusty blogsite. Anyways @isthatacorner, here’s your tag.
Day 1: Best book I read last year: Last year, I read far far less than I normally do, but Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style hit my nerdy language loving, books about books loving, chatty footnote loving reading bone early in the year. So much so that I wrote about it here https://www.dramabeans.com/members/egads/activity/717026/
Yes, it’s a book about grammar and such, but it’s a fun book about grammar and such. Trust me.
Day 2: A book that you’ve read more than 3 times: I’m a re-reader. If I like a story, and it hits my reader spot just right, chances are I’ll give it another go. So, how to choose just one? I guess I’ll choose the one I last re-read: The Blue Castle. If you want my in depth thoughts on it, well, I wrote about it here https://www.dramabeans.com/members/egads/activity/793069/
Day 3: Your favorite series: Again, with the favorites, Well, since I’ve got LM Montgomery on the mind, I guess I could say Anne of Green Gables. But there’s also the Little House on the Prairie books, Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak mystery series, Ursula LeGuin’s Earthsea series, the Harry the Dirty Dog picture books, Harry Potter (even though the author has all but ruined it for me). You see my problem here. How do you choose just one?
Day 4: Favorite book of your favorite series: Anne of Green Gables would have to be the favorite of this series. Though that doesn’t mean I don’t also love most of all the books that followed. Someday, when the pandemic is over, and Canada once again will allow me across the border, I will be going to Prince Edward Island. I’ve got some places to stay picked out and everything. Also, Anne is great, Gilbert totally deserved to have that slate broken over his noggin, and this series definitely was and is a bosom friend.
WishfulToki
August 4, 2020 at 7:38 PM
Ohhh so many good reads! I read THE BLUE CASTLE thanks to your post a year ago, and really enjoyed it.
I still get immense satisfaction watching Anne break that slate over Gilbert’s head for calling her “carrots”. I loved Anne of Avonlea too, and the last book in the series (Rilla of Ingleside) broke my hearteu.
beffels
August 4, 2020 at 8:25 PM
So many good books! I very nearly chose Anne of Green Gables for my favourite series – I’ve read them about a million times and they still make me cry in the sad bits. And Harry the Dirty Dog! We LOVE Harry round here.
snowy
August 4, 2020 at 9:23 PM
Oohh The Blue Castle! I’ve only read it once, but I really enjoyed it.
I, of course, also have a deep love for the Anne of Green Gables series. I have fond memories of my mom reading them to me as a kid and then reading them on my own when I was older. Prince Edward Island has been on my destinations list for a long time although I’m almost scared to go there for fear it won’t live up to L.M. Montgomery’s descriptions.
Mani-chan
August 27, 2020 at 3:13 AM
Anne Of Green Gables as one of the first books which made me laugh out loud and I will always love it for this
egads aka Dame Maggie
July 22, 2020 at 10:20 AM
January 2020, when @leetennant and I got dark and didn’t have a clue how very very prescient we were.
Z❄️Ra
July 22, 2020 at 11:11 AM
Omg…
spazmo
July 22, 2020 at 11:29 AM
*shivers*
Playstore, Okay Or Not Okay
July 22, 2020 at 12:01 PM
Fast forward 6 months…. The darkness within us only intensified over the period.
SnarkyJellyfish
July 22, 2020 at 1:57 PM
I was looking at my Instagram and my post from January 8 is literally “It’s only been 8 days and already 2020 has been a RIDE” and now I laugh and laugh and laugh (until I cry) at how young and naive I was. Ah, youthful folly.
bbstl
July 22, 2020 at 4:40 PM
I was searching for something in an old text and saw that I texted “Everything You Need to Know About Coronavirus “ on January 22nd. 🤦🏼♀️
How innocent we were.
stpauligurl
July 22, 2020 at 7:29 PM
Yikes!!!! Please write something better for 2021 okay?
egads aka Dame Maggie
July 5, 2020 at 7:53 PM
*whispers* Is the video thingy gone for everyone? Is it gone for good? Can I celebrate its demise?
jillian
July 5, 2020 at 7:58 PM
The darn thing is no longer showing up.. maybe?
mindy🍑
July 5, 2020 at 8:00 PM
Oh, it’s gone for me, too. I honestly hardly noticed it anymore.
I didn’t mind it much, aside from a few bad MV choices of problematic artists. The site is obviously still not getting enough revenue even with people being able to directly donate, so I am willing to welcome something mildly irritating if it keeps the site online.
Also, it wasn’t present on the fan wall, which is where I spend most of my time.
earthna
July 5, 2020 at 8:15 PM
I just got back and omg yes!!
Z❄️Ra
July 5, 2020 at 8:22 PM
I hope they took it down for good…
I thought it was cool at first but it was getting annoying. I’m pretty sure beanies know where to go if they want to see/listen to Kpop.
beffels
July 5, 2020 at 8:25 PM
Huh it was really annoying but now it’s gone and I didn’t even notice 😅 You get used to anything. I need to work out how to donate because I’d be sorry to see this site disappear.
stpauligurl
July 5, 2020 at 10:30 PM
Oh my, I didn’t even notice it was gone until I read this.
***I’ll celebrate quietly with you……***
parkchuna
July 6, 2020 at 12:22 AM
🤣😄
Eazal
July 6, 2020 at 12:23 AM
It seems so! Yesterday it was a black screen all day long and today it seems to be gone for good.
stpauligurl
July 6, 2020 at 6:02 PM
😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄????
egads aka Dame Maggie
June 20, 2020 at 4:47 AM
I think this kdrama home is going in my top five. It’s good to see Shin Dong Wook in it too, despite the fact that there is something skeevy about his character in My Unfamiliar Family.
Eazal
June 20, 2020 at 7:11 AM
I’d love to live in that house.
I love SDW, but his character is creepy.
egads aka Dame Maggie
June 20, 2020 at 10:11 AM
Honestly, I’m kind of enjoying him being skeevy. He always plays the super nice guy, so the creepy super nice guy is change. Next, he can do straight up villain.
parkchuna
June 20, 2020 at 7:59 AM
I dunno why but i desperately want him to be a good guy..
egads aka Dame Maggie
June 20, 2020 at 10:12 AM
(good luck on focusing on work instead of DB)
Eazal
June 20, 2020 at 10:21 AM
I’ll tell you why: he’s a hunk with a library and you can talk to him about books.
egads aka Dame Maggie
June 20, 2020 at 10:25 AM
I don’t need to even talk to him. He can just sit in the corner while I browse the shelves. And this is not a euphemism.
Eazal
June 20, 2020 at 10:29 AM
There are guys you don’t need to talk to. Just saying.
And in the drama I feel that’s what happens to EunHee.
parkchuna
June 20, 2020 at 5:52 PM
Ahhhh what a dream!
egads aka Dame Maggie
May 5, 2020 at 8:23 AM
I haven’t been here much lately, so I’m not sure what this 30 day drama challenge is about. But I when I see the words “Best Male Lead” and don’t see this man:

I give all of you a stern glare.
egads aka Dame Maggie
May 5, 2020 at 8:23 AM
gif courtesy of @mindy
mindy🍑
May 5, 2020 at 9:19 AM
I love this one, LS told me to make it
egads aka Dame Maggie
May 5, 2020 at 9:37 AM
It’s very useful. LS was smart to order this gif made.
egads aka Dame Maggie
May 5, 2020 at 8:29 AM
And for the ignorant among you, that is the incomparable Nam Se-hee of Because This is Our First Life.
mindy🍑
May 5, 2020 at 9:18 AM
Right? I thought people on DB had taste smh. How can you not love him
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 23, 2020 at 10:08 AM
I\’m struggling to watch new dramas, and you know, that\’s okay. I wrote a little bit about it here: https://booksandbeans.org/2020/03/23/rewatch-reread-relax/
strawberry
March 23, 2020 at 1:42 PM
Thanks for sharing, egads! That’s so spot on! I started watching and really liked many currently airing dramas but found myself unable to continue on, and it’s more me than them. This week, I’m finding comfort in re-reading old favorite fanfics from Sherlock and ofc, the Untamed.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
March 23, 2020 at 2:50 PM
Thank you. This is perfect.
frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
March 23, 2020 at 4:44 PM
I was about to leave a comment underneath, and then I remembered I accidentally deleted my account, so:
You summarised me beautifully, Egads. I’m one of those people who just never grew out of watching films on repeat. When I’m stressed, I retreat to my favourite dramas. Right now, Gokusen. When I’m in a slump with my reading, I’ll go back to my favourite book. Right now, If We Were Villains. At heart, I’m a joy chaser, and that can be seriously useful in times like this.
earthna
March 23, 2020 at 9:07 PM
I’m having problems with my account so I dont know if I actually sent my comment so I’ll put it here just in case.
Yes! I’m so guilty of this. I rewatch Six Flying Dragons every year since it ended (sometimes more than once). My other go to rewatches are: Deep Rooted Tree, A Poem A Day, and Reply 1997. Super Junior shows are also on repeat. I feel like a big portion of Choding Junior video views on youtube is mine.
Interestingly though, I am watching four airing dramas right now (after being on a long drama slump). I am not stuck at home though so maybe it will be different once they close down child care centres.
Sigh. I wish I can go back to reading books. My attention span is just too short now, I can’t sit down and read a book. 😦 But for re-reads, one book that stands out for me is The Little Prince. It’s differenrlt every time I read it. I first read it when I was younger and thought the adults in the book are so awful and I felt more for the Little Prince. However, reading it again in College, I was more on the fence. Then reading it a few years ago, I felt more for the adults because I’m living their lives now. There’s always something new we pick up when we re-read or re-watch so I say just do you!
P.S. Children are exactly what you described. I’d go to the library to get them books every week but they made me read one book all the time. I had to extend the borrowing period for it twice! It’s not even in English!
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 18, 2020 at 8:36 AM
After months of talking about it, I finally pressed publish on something on that book blog I\’ve been procrastinating starting. It’s bare bones. I don’t really have a plan right now. But let’s talk about books, but it seems I don’t have anything to say about dramas lately and I sort of miss talking to many of you. So, here’s the link, and remember don’t be a troll. https://booksandbeans.org/
Beverly
March 18, 2020 at 8:41 AM
Congratulations! I love the name.
sirena
March 18, 2020 at 9:19 AM
Great idea 🙂
Ayan
March 18, 2020 at 4:43 PM
Yay! 🙂
Eazal
March 19, 2020 at 7:41 AM
I love the name!
I cannot comment because I have not a blog, but I can tell you here that I always turn to Jane Austen and Agatha Christie when I don’t know what to read. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve read their novels, I always find something new.
frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
March 21, 2020 at 5:56 AM
Oooh, I’m excited about this!
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 16, 2020 at 2:59 PM
Discord is down. My friends are all discord beanies, so now I\’m truly isolated.
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 16, 2020 at 3:01 PM
Posting this made it come back online. Everything is good.
saturtledaisy
March 16, 2020 at 5:02 PM
that was scary! i guess the servers cant handle everyone being at home and online
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 12, 2020 at 4:42 PM
Music March: my very first submission
Today I had to go to my local warehouse store, and because I’m a morning person I went early with the plan to beat the crowds. So, I was little shocked to turn into the parking lot and find nearly every single spot taken. Uh-oh, I thought. This is not good.
The great toilet paper scramble has hit my area.
I’m a veteran of decades of retail. I’ve worked some seriously scary Black Friday sales. I’ve seen people literally play tug-of-war over a video game system, only for it to end in tears when one person lost their grip and flopped to the ground.
But the toilet paper hunters, they are feral and sneaky. I saw an old man snag a pack from the cart of a young family. I overheard a couple trying to figure out how to best circumvent the purchase limit. But worst, was the panic that seemed to be on the majority of faces.
I just needed some eggs, peanut butter, and tortillas.
Putting them in my cart, I then looked for the end of the line, which wound around allllllllllll the way to the back of the store.
Waiting, surrounded by carts full of toilet paper and bottled water, an R.E.M song popped in my head. Now, I don’t mean to make light of the pandemic. Anything but. But, I was a weird little island just buying some normal everyday staples surrounded by a sea of paper products.
It’s the End of the World as We Know it, really fit my experience.
(btw, I always have apocalyptic supplies of paper and cleaning products on hand. That’s my default setting)
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 12, 2020 at 4:44 PM
Modified tag list: (Please do tell me if you don’t want to be tagged and have your notifications messy)
@leetennant @snarkyjellyfish @bebeswtz @msrabbit @kat23 @hebang @ndlessjoie @lugirl131415 @tspmasala @willow @moomoomoondog @carmen @hotcocoagirl @coffeprince4eva @suriyana-shah @pinklolipop @sicarius @kimbapnoona @justme @greenfields @wishfultoki @raonah @moana @anothernicole @khalessymd @oppafangirl @bammsie @natzillagorilla @acacia @sweetiepie54 @waterhyacinth @isthatacorner @fatcat007 @tsutsuloo @maybemaknae @rukia @pineapplegongzhu @eazal @babybeast @thetinyl @yyishere @stpauligurl @ayaan @outofthisworld @waadmay @mmmmm @rueffie @flyingcolours @pickleddragon @bcampbell1662 @edgarpordwed @ally-le @katakwasabi
isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
March 12, 2020 at 5:03 PM
DUDE! This was me at the store today. All I wanted was 1. Mint cookies and cream ice cream. 2. Gingerale Lemonade. 3. Fish Fry. 4. Cole slaw (for the fish fry). 5. Cara Cara oranges. Thats it! I was in line for 20 minutes for self check out and I almost impulse bought EVERYTHING in the aisle. Those pork and veg potstickers looked really yummy. Surrounded by a sea of toilet paper.
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 12, 2020 at 5:07 PM
I may have added a few things as I waited. Did I need those chips? No, but I have them. Oh, potstickers sound good. Now I’m jealous.
isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
March 12, 2020 at 5:27 PM
I didnt get them :/ with my car dying last week I am clinging to my budget.
Beverly
March 12, 2020 at 5:03 PM
I havent looked into it but why tp?? Like what about diapers, formula, or tampons?
It is so weird. How much do people use, lol.
egads aka Dame Maggie
March 12, 2020 at 5:10 PM
Fear contagion: “When people are stressed their reason is hampered, so they look at what other people are doing. If others are stockpiling it leads you to engage in the same behavior,”
“In times of uncertainty, people enter a panic zone that makes them irrational and completely neurotic,”
This article gives a fairly good description of why. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/11/heres-why-people-are-panic-buying-and-stockpiling-toilet-paper.html
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
March 12, 2020 at 5:29 PM
Alternatively, you can just blame Australia – I do. But if you want something to look forward to, all the sane people who stayed at home and didn’t panic buy toilet paper have now been forced to venture out for some because they’ve now run out (this is not me – I already had 60 rolls in my cupboard in a perfectly-normal buying habit considering I live alone). So even though a large chunk of panic buyers have buyer’s remorse and want to get refunds for their tp (bwahaha), the number who hit the stores when it first opens to clear the pallets of tp remains unchanged.
Also, this is not how I wanted to spend the apocalypse. I had grander plans.
FlyingTool
March 12, 2020 at 5:41 PM
Ok, I just have to ask – grander plans for the apocalypse?
LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
March 12, 2020 at 5:44 PM
It involved a tropical island and a large supply of gin.
BdxPelik
March 13, 2020 at 1:01 AM
My psychology professor had to give a statement for the local news to explain this… phenomenon. I’m learning social psych right now and I’m afraid of what I’d learn…
FlyingTool
March 12, 2020 at 5:16 PM
The end of the world movie for the Cold War generation like me ended with this song…We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn…
https://youtu.be/HsM_VmN6ytk
pickleddragon
March 12, 2020 at 9:25 PM
Great story! We haven’t reached this level of madness yet in my part of the world, but primary schools and movie theatres have been shut down. The kids are probably all driving their parents mad in this extended break…
BdxPelik
March 13, 2020 at 1:00 AM
You too?? The toilet paper panic attacked my town… I’m glad we stocked up 2 weeks ago.