catalogs of worlds

[nnozomi]

・ Translating some last-minute Olympics/Paralympics stuff. I keep being disconcerted by the appearance of "OOC" in the text, which here, of course, means "Olympics Opening Ceremony"...

・ Translating a very interesting paper on the history of popular culture which, although it doesn't say so in so many words, is in part an argument for the role of transformative works. It mentions the evocatively named kabuki "Catalog of Worlds," basically a list of stories which Edo-era playwrights could draw on when creating new plays, putting their own twists on familiar scenes and characters. Although it's not exactly analogous, my first thought was "proto-AO3!"

・ I think I've actually finished revising book 1? For the moment? I still have the feeling there are things to be done, but everything is crossed off the list for now. In the process of revision it has grown about 4K to a total of 92K words. Also now with title! Next step: rough outline of book 2 (I have a few scenes already written, but the revised outline needs to happen first).

・ An arrangement of the Ninth for solo piano on the radio. It's not bad, but...why would you do that. The Andante in particular loses a lot without the orchestral timbres. (I've always wanted to arrange some of the Beethoven piano sonatas for orchestra, but would the opposite problem apply?)

・ Still watching The Rebel, up through episode 15. Given my limited scope of reference, it seems like in cdramas as elsewhere, older actors get delicious parts (see: most of The Rebel main cast, Zhao Xinci, Wu Erbai...) while older actresses are out of luck (about 0.3 of an exception for Qu Ying playing Piaopiao in LTR, actress and character both beautiful women in their forties, but otherwise who?). Depressing.

・ Photos: the catalog picture of the umbrella I mentioned last time (I have a feeling "Art Nouveau-ish" was all wrong, oh well), this year's first hibiscus photo (I think), and an old friend from the zookeepers' school in town.


Be safe and well.

Comments

[laireshi]

I keep being disconcerted by the appearance of "OOC" in the text, which here, of course, means "Olympics Opening Ceremony"...
Oh wow, that is confusing!

I think I've actually finished revising book 1? For the moment? I still have the feeling there are things to be done, but everything is crossed off the list for now. In the process of revision it has grown about 4K to a total of 92K words. Also now with title!
Yay! Congrats!! Good luck with book two - I'm looking forward to it, too :D

I love the umbrella! And the capybara!!!

[nnozomi]

Good luck with book two - I'm looking forward to it, too :D
Thank you, hon! Your help was so much appreciated. Will keep you posted on book 2.

I used to work nearer this capybara's residence and I miss seeing them all the time...

[trobadora]

Translating a very interesting paper on the history of popular culture which, although it doesn't say so in so many words, is in part an argument for the role of transformative works. It mentions the evocatively named kabuki "Catalog of Worlds," basically a list of stories which Edo-era playwrights could draw on when creating new plays, putting their own twists on familiar scenes and characters. Although it's not exactly analogous, my first thought was "proto-AO3!"

Oooh, this is fascinating, I love it. And "Catalog of Worlds" is an excellent name!

Congrats on finishing your book 1 revisions! :D

The umbrella is SO gorgeaous and I want it, OMG.

[nnozomi]

"Catalog of Worlds" really is too good not to use in some way.

Maybe the umbrella makers ship to where you are? I'll find out! <3

[maggie33]

Given my limited scope of reference, it seems like in cdramas as elsewhere, older actors get delicious parts (see: most of The Rebel main cast, Zhao Xinci, Wu Erbai...) while older actresses are out of luck (about 0.3 of an exception for Qu Ying playing Piaopiao in LTR, actress and character both beautiful women in their forties, but otherwise who?). Depressing.

After reading this I tried to remember an older actress playing this kind of an interesting part in cdrama and only one came to mind - Alyssa Chia, who's 46 playing 49 years old Noble Consort Wan in The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty. I mean, I haven't watched that many cdramas, but still, judging from the ones I watched, I agree it's depressing.

[nnozomi]

Alyssa Chia, who's 46 playing 49 years old Noble Consort Wan in The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty
Oh, that's interesting! I wonder what older actresses generally end up doing, just taking small parts or else retiring... sigh.

[marycrawford]

I love that 'Catalog of Worlds', that's so evocative, as you say! Fascinating that there was such a resource, and that I guess audiences didn't care if familiar stories were retold.

[nnozomi]

I guess audiences didn't care if familiar stories were retold.
Yeah, this is why it made me think of fanfic--I mean, look at how many Guardian post-episode 33 fics there are, and we (rightly) love them all.

[clevermanka]

The umbrella is more art deco than art nouveau but I'd still buy it!

[nnozomi]

It is sort of deco-y, isn't it? I'll find out the maker!

[luzula]

Woohoo, congratulations on being done with the book revision! \o/ What is the title? *curious*

[nnozomi]

Thank you! Your help was invaluable. The title is The Morning Generation, at least for the moment.

[luzula]

Interesting--my reaction to it is that the main characters are doing new and exciting things and developing their art/science, so that makes sense! But also, war is presumably about to break out, so there's also some irony to it, or bittersweetness, maybe.

[nnozomi]

I'm glad you like it! In the book the earlier practitioners (Rowan's father, etc.) are called "the dawn generation," so I worked from there. (Realizing that "dawn generation" was a semi-conscious calque from Japanese, oh well.)

[china_shop]

I keep being disconcerted by the appearance of "OOC" in the text, which here, of course, means "Olympics Opening Ceremony"...
Hee! That would make my brain stutter every time! :-)

It mentions the evocatively named kabuki "Catalog of Worlds," basically a list of stories which Edo-era playwrights could draw on when creating new plays, putting their own twists on familiar scenes and characters. Although it's not exactly analogous, my first thought was "proto-AO3!"

Very cool!

Much congratulations on finishing book 1, yayay! *balloon drop* Love the photos! <3

[nnozomi]

I love it when interesting fandom-adjacent things pop up in my work.
and thanks for congratulations! now back to the grindstone re book 2... <3

[umadoshi]

That umbrella is absolutely gorgeous. *^^*

[nnozomi]

I love it! Will put the manufacturer's name in my next post for reference for anyone interested :)

[tinny]

I keep being disconcerted by the appearance of "OOC" in the text

Same. :D In my work context, the abbreviation OTP (one-time password) comes up a lot. :D

"proto-AO3!"

Awesome! \o/ I feel like in the west, people have always been stealing from Shakespeare, it just wasn't ever *organized*. I like the officialness of this.

I think I've actually finished revising book 1? For the moment?

Yaaaaaay! \o/ I knew you could do it! And even if there are things still to be done, this is a milestone! <3

(I've always wanted to arrange some of the Beethoven piano sonatas for orchestra, but would the opposite problem apply?)

I totally agree with you there.

while older actresses are out of luck

Yes, depressing. And apparently the same everywhere. :(

the catalog picture of the umbrella I mentioned last time

I imagined it exactly like that, so: perfect!

Wombat! <3

[nnozomi]

In my work context, the abbreviation OTP (one-time password) comes up a lot. :D
LOL. (The Games have a ton of 3-letter acronyms behind the scenes, I'm just surprised I haven't seen WTF or ZAP or something yet.

I feel like in the west, people have always been stealing from Shakespeare, it just wasn't ever *organized*. I like the officialness of this.
It is fascinating! And then Shakespeare also got his plots from all over, much like the kabuki people too...

And even if there are things still to be done, this is a milestone! <3
A good way to think about it! Thank you so much for your help. <3

Wombat! <3
Close but no cigar! It's a capybara. Lovely melting black eyes, evil wood-destroying teeth ;)

[tinny]

Close but no cigar! It's a capybara.

Muahahah, ooops! (she says two months later.)

p.s.: reading through your comments, I agree with Elenothar that the mother in My True Friend was excellent.

[elenothar]

I keep being disconcerted by the appearance of "OOC" in the text, which here, of course, means "Olympics Opening Ceremony"...

Oh dear. I would have that same mental hiccup. I suppose you could argue that due to the pandemic, sporting events are all somewhat out of character :P

It mentions the evocatively named kabuki "Catalog of Worlds," basically a list of stories which Edo-era playwrights could draw on when creating new plays, putting their own twists on familiar scenes and characters.

Oh, that is so cool! Had no idea this existed but I might look into it more. And the name is great.

while older actresses are out of luck

I've been trying to think if any of the cdramas I've watched featured significant roles for older women and yeah, I'm also drawing up blanks. There were short bits in Joy of Life that I thought were good, but they were by no means large roles. Or even medium roles. Though I haven't watched much cdrama in modern settings - maybe it's a little more even there? I think at least some people liked the mother in My True Friend, but I haven't seen that myself yet.

[nnozomi]

I suppose you could argue that due to the pandemic, sporting events are all somewhat out of character :P
LOL, too true to be funny ;)

Had no idea this existed but I might look into it more.
Same!

I've been trying to think if any of the cdramas I've watched featured significant roles for older women and yeah, I'm also drawing up blanks.
I still haven't watched CQL properly, but I was thinking that if they hadn't fallen back on the "cultivators always look young" thing and had cast Yu Ziyuan to look 45 or 50, I might find her a lot more interesting...

[elenothar]

Ah, I got somewhat scared off thinking about Yu Ziyuan too much by all the angry discourse (the cql fandom can be a little bit exhausting on that front and im easily spooked, which is another reason guardian glomped onto me so efficiently), but I can see that. Especially since Jiang Fengmian does look comparatively old.

[nnozomi]

(the cql fandom can be a little bit exhausting on that front and im easily spooked, which is another reason guardian glomped onto me so efficiently)
Yeah, I have been careful about the distance I keep from the CQL fandom, but I do enjoy reading all the fic. Let Yu Ziyuan be older! It's not like she can't be just as pretty.