I'm such a dork.

[tj_dragonblade]

So. Yes. Like a good little sheep, I stole the Saiyuki mood theme too. And I am ridiculously pleased with myself for having read instructions and FAQs and managed to apply it properly. ^_^ Maybe one of these days I'll figure out how to build one myself completely from scratch and use pics completely of my own choosing.

But yes. While the little dragons, being dragons, were apt and cute, I was never entirely satisfied with their range of expression. Plus...this is Saiyuki. ^_^ So.

And dammit all, I'm sick again. I am so tired of being *sick*. I average once or twice a year. This is like...six times so far this year. Bleh.

Also. Yesterday I got hypnotized fascinated by a mockumentary on Animal Planet about dragons. Interesting speculative scientific stuff, regarding how they might have managed flight and fire-breathing all told through some very impressively-rendered CGI. Including a courtship-and-mating sequence that stole my breath. Yes, I'm a dork. Hence the subject line. Were Hakuryu not the sole dragon of his sort ever seen in the series, that ritual would very likely find its way into fic. Of course, there's always Goujun and his primary form to consider...hmm...

Ugh. Sinus meds and cough syrup and bed. That's what I need.

Comments

[kintail.livejournal.com]

Awww sorry to hear you're sick. Lots of vit C for you.

Tav has already installed that mood theme too, and I'm about to (I'm just disorganized).

Dragon courtship and mating! I'm so jealous! You will have to tell much more about it when you're up to it.

I admit to having considered Goujun-and-wife het-dragon fic... poor wife doesn't even have a name, much less a full personality in my own mind yet, though, so that will be a long time in developing if it ever happens. Besides, I have Hakkai/Hakuryu first time and Goujun/Kenren first time fics to finish first. Not to mention Discovery being still in progress.

[tj-dragonblade.livejournal.com]

http://media.animal.discovery.com/convergence/dragons/

^_~ Click the Sneak Previews menu and then Dragons in Air and Water to get a quick look at the mating sequence. It's based on--well, one of the guys said Sea Eagles and one of them said Bald Eagles and I've heard of it in relation to hawks so it's a very bird-of-prey derived idea. But it involves aerial courtship dances around one another while climbing to dizzying heights, then locking talons (and other essential body parts, apparently) and spiralling in a free-fall to the ground, breaking away only at the very last second before impact. It looks spectacular. And it fires the imagination.

There's plenty more on the show at that link, too, should you feel inclined to poke about.

Also. You tease me terribly with your fic-mentions. Really, as far as I'm concerned, you can keep turning out the dragon smut and I will be a very happy TJ. ^_^

[kintail.livejournal.com]

Agh, that link isn't wanting to work on my mac/firefox. grr. I'll have to check it on Tav's computer tomorrow. *sigh*

Y'know, that's pretty much what Goujun shared with me about dragon sex, but once again I copped out about taking the time to explore such things when I should have in my writing. Argh.

Still frustrated about the state of my writing in general right now. The dragon smut is not being turned out, and I am not a very happy Kiro. Tried to rant/ramble/explore the issue in my own journal, and just ended up feeling more angsty about it. And kinda lonely and isolated, too. Damn.

[tj-dragonblade.livejournal.com]

Did you manage to get the link to work for you yet?

Also, will definitely go read your journal but in the meantime-- (hugs)

[kintail.livejournal.com]

No, today was a very surreal angsty day until I finally hauled my ass out of bed and poured my mood into a surreal angsty Goujun fic, so I didn't get a chance to go on Tav's computer. Will do that now.

[sychogrl.livejournal.com]

Oh, you'd like the original Journey to the West story, then. Dragons all over the place. And Goujun has siblings. :D

[kintail.livejournal.com]

Yup, I got up to chapter fifteen so far, and I've counted six Dragon Kings (of four Seas and two Rivers), plus a Dragon Monster King, and a Dragon Prince who is GoujunAo-jun's third son (and Kannon rescues him from execution to become the ikkou's transporation).

[sychogrl.livejournal.com]

More dragons around than humans, in that story. *grin*

[kintail.livejournal.com]

I particularly love how Goujun's dress and appearance exactly match the "human" form of one of the river Dragon Kings (the one who gets outwitted by Chin Iisou the fortuneteller). Posted about it here (http://www.livejournal.com/users/kintail/19424.html).

[sychogrl.livejournal.com]

He he. There are so many depths to this story. I love it. :D

[tj-dragonblade.livejournal.com]

Someday I really must get ahold of the original tale. And make time to read it. Urhm...how many versions are out there, anyway, to your knowledge? Is there any specific published telling that you'd recommend?

And you do realize that talk of dragon mating rituals coupled with mention of Goujun having siblings on top of all the incest themes running through Saiyuki is sending my mind to a very bad place, don't you? ^_^;

[kintail.livejournal.com]

I'm very much enjoying the translation in four volumes by Anthony C. Yu, University of Chicago Press, 1977, but it's loooong. There are many shorter versions, but they probably leave a lot out about the minor characters (ie, the dragons). It's a fairly light and quick read though, for its size.

The Dragon Kings of the other Seas seem to be Goujun's brothers, Ao-kuang of the East is eldest, and Ao-ch'in of the South is addressed by Ao-jun as "second elder brother". However, Ao-jun seems to be the most level-headed, at least when dealing with Sun Wu-kong, ignoring the the WTF centuries later with his son the dragon prince.

Meantime, I've figured for a while that there just aren't that many royal/celestial dragons in existence to keep them from being quite imbred, and I assume that Goujun's wife is at least a cousin. I've always pictured her as a black (North) dragon, too, for some reason. (West = white, East = green, South = red, centre/Heaven = yellow)

[sychogrl.livejournal.com]

You should. It's very good.

There is an abridgement of the tale, done by Arthur Waley. It's a good start to deciding if you want to invest in the full 4-volume set....

There are at least 4 publications of the full set available on amazon.com. I would go with the translation done by Anthony C. Yu, as I have had the chance to read much of it and find it very enjoyable to read. Also, it received an average of 5 stars, as opposed to the others getting 4. *grin*

And you do realize that talk of dragon mating rituals coupled with mention of Goujun having siblings on top of all the incest themes running through Saiyuki is sending my mind to a very bad place, don't you? ^_^;

But it's a GOOD bad place. *mad laughter*

[hemlock-inyx.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I hope you feel better soon! And that the Kids from Hell *ahem* don't drive you up a wall.

But I was going to ask if you ever got around to watching that yaoi porn I sent you and if you got chapter 14 of CH?

[tj-dragonblade.livejournal.com]

I...sent that back just yesterday, didn't I? To your PopCult addy?

And no, sadly, I have not yet made the time to watch the porn. >_< I really should.

[baka-gaijin.livejournal.com]

~ perks up ~

Porn? Yaoi Porn? I would like some yaoi porn.

~ gives big wide bishounen eyes of pleading-ness ~

[baka-gaijin.livejournal.com]

I salute your Dorkness and admit to being a dork too. I cannot begin to tell you the squee of delight I felt when I figured out how to do a simple lj cut for text. The LJ FAQ and I are not exactly on friendly terms.

~ cough... I'm computer illiterate.. cough ~