For April Fools We’re Deleting This Entire Site Sayonara You Weeaboo Shits

If you were wanting to buy "deny defend depose" merch or send money to pay for Mangione's legal fees, consider instead donating to the Innocence Project. Instead of sending letters to him (he's probably getting plenty already), consider writing another incarcerated person who doesn't have the same media coverage!

do you guys know about the internet roadtrip? right now somewhere between 500 and 900 people are collectively 'driving' a car on google street view trying to make it to canada. it's fun i recommend it

happy holiday everyone!

On this day, July 27th in 1987, a single was released that would change the world forever.

It's Rick Astley's debut single, Never Gonna Give You Up!

This is the Eposette Sonatina (as opposed to a Sonata, because I think I played a bit too fast and loose with the form to call it that) I've been working on as a steal for @lesmisshippingshowdown ! It was a bit of a rush job since I only started it last week, but if you listen I hope you enjoy! I like to give a narrative to the music I write, so I've posted an 'analysis' explaining the narrative of this Sonatina under the read more of each movement - warning: it gets long! Bear in mind, it's going to be a very vague plot since it's just the idea of what's going on in the music, not a fully developed story

Before I start with an analysis of the movements, I want to break down the instrumentation. The brass and woodwind instruments are each meant to be the "voice" of a specific character, while the string and percussion are the accompaniment generally either representing the physical or emotional atmosphere. The instruments used are

Piccolo - This is Cosette's instrument. I chose it because of it's clear, cheerful, and bird-like tone that I thought suited her.

Oboe - This is Eponine's instrument. I wanted an instrument with a lower range and more "scratchy" sound than the Piccolo, both because of how Eponine's voice is described, and because I think it suits her personality.

Bassoon - This is Valjean's instrument. I want it to be a low-pitched instrument, with a warm sound. Originally I considered the Double Bass but I decided I wanted him to be a woodwind like Cosette.

Trumpet - Gavroche! Trumpets can sound both playful and heroic, which I thought was perfect for him. Also, his first appearance in the Sonatina is to annoy Eponine, which I feel suits a Trumpet pretty well.

Saxophone - Thenardier. So fun fact, to write this song I used MuseScore, which anyone who uses it will tell you... the soundfonts for the instruments are not the best, so I used the free BBC Sounds Orchestra plugin to make the instruments sound 1. more like the actual instruments and 2. prettier. Guess what instrument the plugin doesn't have. The Saxophone. I think it works though, the other instruments have a much smoother sound while the Saxophone comes in sounding abrasive, which was my intention anyways for choosing this instrument. I debated using a different instrument because technically the Saxophone wasn't invented until after Eponine died in canon, but I just feel like it's sound is so good for Thenardier.

French Horn - Javert. Brass instruments have a bit of an association with authority in Europe, so I knew I wanted him to be brass. I already gave the Trumpet to Gavroche (for completely different reasons), and I thought the Tuba was too low and the Trombone was too welcoming for Javert so... French Horn!

Harp - The Harp is the only constant in the entire Sonatina. It's there more for atmosphere, but to me it alternates between being Paris, water, and the sky.

Viola, Cello - Originally added to the score by mistake, but I decided to keep them!

Violin, Double Bass - I won't lie to you, I added these because the final movement felt too hollow without them. They can represent whatever you want, their real purpose is just to make the song sound more whole and warm.

Celesta - Generally, the night sky.

Glockenspiel - Generally, stars (in their multitudes).

None of the movements have all of these instruments at once, The first two movements have three instruments each, the third movement has everything but the Violin, Double Bass, Celesta, and Glockenspiel, and the final movement has everything but the French Horn and Saxophone.

Movement I: Retrouvailles

Instruments: Piccolo, Oboe, Harp

0:00 - 0:05 : This first bit of melody here is inspired by the sound of lark song, I though it would be a nice idea for her melody.

0:00 - 0:22 : This is the introduction to Cosette, the melody is largely quick in rhythm to try and convey her personality as being cheerful a full of love of life.

0:22 - 0:47 : This is the transition to the B section, I imagine this as being a transition along the streets of Paris from where Cosette is to where Eponine is.

0:47 - 0:54 : This is Eponine's theme. It's slower in rhythm and largely descending to try and portray the underlying sadness in her life.

1:00 - 1:24 : Here Eponine pulls herself into a cheerful mood and bumps into Cosette.

1:24 - 1:51 : Eponine and Cosette, not recognizing each other, have a brief pleasant conversation.

1:52 - 2:01 : They introduce each other, Eponine gives Cosette one of the letters from her father asking for money.

2:01 - 2:12 : Both girls begin to find each other familiar.

2:12 - 2:17 : Eponine realizes who Cosette is. The Oboe plays a dissonant note as Eponine's kneejerk response is a mix of jealousy and resentment.

2:17 - 2:25 : Eponine tries to shut down her initial reaction, realizing that in their switched positions Cosette is much kinder than Eponine was.

2:25 - 2:30 : Eponine half admits who she is.

2:38 - 2:51 : Cosette realizes who Eponine is, and in doing so remembers her childhood and panics.

2:52 - 3:15 : Cosette's theme has returned, but now in a minor key. What she has remembered has thrown her off, and made her feel off center.

3:15 - 3:34 : Transition to the Thenardiers residence.

3:34 - 3:51 : Eponine reflects on the encounter with Cosette, feeling like shit about it.

3:51 - 3:55 : Cosette's little motif plays at the end to show that both of them are on each other's minds.

Movement II: Regrets en variation

Instruments: Oboe, Harp, Trumpet

00:00 - 00:14 : Eponine is reflecting on her childhood with Cosette, feeling uneasy, the melody ends with a reference to Cosette's two note motif.

00:14 - 00:31 : Eponine realizes the unease is guilt, and that she doesn't know how to excuse it.

00:31 - 00:36 : Just as Eponine starts to really work herself up, Gavroche appears.

00:36 - 00:44 : Not knowing what's bothering her, Gavroche mimics Eponine's moping.

00:45 - 00:46 : She snaps at him.

00:46 - 1:00 : Gavroche gets Eponine to admit what's bothering her

1:00 - 1:07 Gavroche essentially says "oh well", since there's nothing that she can do about it now, and tells her to not be a dick to Cosette if they run into each other.

1:07 - 1:23 : Eponine agrees with him, he brags about being wise which she thinks is funny, and they sit together.

Movement III: Réconciliation du trio

This movement is traditionally a Minuet & Trio in a Sonata. I've swapped the Minuet for a Bourree, and this is ironically the first movement in my sonatina to NOT be a trio.

Instruments: Piccolo, Harp, Bassoon, Viola, Violin, Oboe, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn

00:00 - 01:05 : Cosette reflects on her childhood and her current life The melody starts with a version of Eponine's motif, but with the notes played at half the rhythmic value, as Eponine is on her mind.

01:05 - 01:19 - Cosette calls for Valjean and asks him about her childhood. He is evasive, Here, the viola and cello pass a contrasting melody back and forth to show the clashing between what Cosette wants Valjean to tell her and what he wants to tell her.

01:19 - 01:39 : Cosette admits to Valjean that she remembers some things, and reassures him that she can handle whatever he isn't telling hre.

01:39 - 02:14 : In the repeat, Valjean tells her what he can without mentioning his own past. She realizes he is still hiding something, but he assures her that it has nothing to do with her and he will tell her eventually. Reassured, Cosette feels secure in her identity and makes peace with her memories.

02:14 - 02:28 : Cosette thinks on it and decides she is glad to have run into Eponine since it gave her the clarity of remembering how she came to live with Valjean.

2:28 - 2:37 : Upon remembering Eponine, Cosette feels sympathy for her situation.

2:38 - 2:47 : She remembers the letter Eponine gave her, adn decides to go with Valjean to offer them help.

2:48 - 2:54 : This new section is a waltz, since it features Thenardier I thought it would be fun to reference his songs in the musical. Cosette and Valjean arrive at the Thenardier's, where they exchange pleasantries with Thenardier and Eponine.

2:54 - 3:07 : Thenardier begins to recognize Valjean. Valjean, Eponine, and Cosette all try to evade this.

3:07 - 3:18 : While note convinced, Thenardier allows them to keep up the charade.

3:18 - 3:27 : Thenardier realizes who Cosette and Valjean are.

3:27 - 3:30 : Thenardier attempts to blackmail Valjean. Gavroche arrives on the scene.

3:30 - 3:34 : Valjean and Eponine try to bluff their way out of it. Gavroche realizes what's happening.

3:41 - 3:44 : Thenardier insists he knows them while Cosette and Valjean continue trying to deny it. Eponine threatens to scream for the cops if he doesn't leave them alone. He continues

3:44 - 3:48 : Eponine screams. Javert can be heard approaching. Thenardier panics.

3:48 - 3:50 : Just as Javert is about to arrive on the scene, Eponine, Gavroche, Cosette, and Valjean flee.

3:51 - 4:11 : Javert confronts Thenardier, who tries to talk his way out of the situation. Both instruments play some dissonant notes to portray how each of them is threatening in their own way.

4:15 - 4:44 : Cosette, Eponine, Valjean, and Gavroche have a conversation as they are secure that they were not followed.

4:44 - 5:20 : Cosette and Eponine discuss their shared past, making it clear to each other that there is no underlying resentment.

5:22 - 5:57 : Cosette reflects on the past few events, finding that even though it was scary she feels content knowing it's behind her. Valjean is just happy that she's happy.

Movement IV: Romance Finale

I've run out of time to post the analysis! Safe to say, it's mostly just Eponine and Cosette continuing to meet with each other and their relationship growing romantic. When you hear the Bassoon that means Valjean is interacting with them, when you hear the Trumpet then Gavroche is there. The first section takes place in Cosette's garden where her and Eponine have a pleasant conversation, during the first waltz it's meant to show that Eponine is on friendly terms with Valjean as well and is regularly around as Cosettes friend. The first time the trumpet plays it's Gavroche popping up to tease his sister, but he quickly gets distracted by talking a mile a minute to Valjean. After that each section is essentially just Eponine and Cosette growing closer and their relationship becoming romantic.

Instruments: Harp, Celesta, Glockenspiel, Oboe, Piccolo, Violas, Cellos, Violins, Double Basses, Bassoon, and Trumpet.

EDIT: I realized that the player might not showing how long the song is, so the final movement is 7:55 according to musescore

sygol framed poll (handle with care), 2024 mixed media on tumblr post

the fact that pro-monarchy arguments have degenerated, over the past few centuries, from “the king rules by divine right and is accountable to nobody but god”, to “uhm the royals generate a lot of income from tourism” will never stop being extremely funny to me

in school they used to call me semipermeable membrane for my habit of allowing some things to pass through me

Burrowed in the furrows 'tween the eyebrows of the cliff face is a woman, dark and narrow, with her posture like a spiral. "In the furrows," she is saying, "in the furrows."

Wei Wuxian's Name - The Meaning of Wuxian

C Fans think this is likely the poem behind his name. And after analysing this poem, I think this is also the inspiration behind his character. OMG MXTX YOU’RE A GENIUS 😍.

Before I start, please inform me if you want to use this meta. This analysis is solely mine in every shape and form. There is only 1 Chinese interpretation online and it’s done with Baidu’s MTL. And if I do allow you to use it, PLEASE link it back to me because there’s a very high chance that I will refine this. This is the only translation/meta that I’m particular about so please respect my wishes. 🙏

The term “Wuxian” comes from the Ming Dynasty poem “Living Alone 闲居” by the poet Xiu Ben 徐贲. Sadly, there isn’t much information about the context so I’ve tried to interpret this to the best that I can. There are so many aspects in mdzs/cql that are reflected in his poem.

谢事返丘壑，退耕理田园。

To retire to the hills, to return to farming and prepare the land.

谢事 - To retire and get rid of mundane things, or to die

丘壑 - Hills and ravines. A secluded place in the mountains. A metaphor for somewhere far away.

退耕 - To resign from government service and to return to farming OR to convert land that was used for farming back to other use.

兹心获遂初，稍得洒中悁。

His compassionate heart has attained his wish, and slowly loses itself to anxiety in wine.

兹心 - I think this is related to 慈悲心 which refers to the concept of Compassion in Mahayana Buddhisim. 慈 refers to giving others happiness.

遂初 - This means attained his wish. OR to leave a government post and return to seclusion

悁 - This refers to anger, anxiety and melancholy.

(T/N: 获 and 得 both means to gain, so the poet is emphasising what he has gained)

振策升崇巘，扬舲溯长川。

Whipping the horse (or urging) to ascend the lofty mountain, sailing against the river that never ends

振策 - This term also means to urge or to push someone forward

长川 - It either describes a river OR something that’s never ending.

(T/N: some websites use the word 巘 (mountain), but others use 褵 (a marriage veil). I don’t have enough info, so I’ve gone with the mountain translation.)

惊湍信汨汨，清溜自涓涓。

The water gurgles flows steadily and swiftly, the crystal clear water from the small stream trickled slowly naturally.

(T/N: 汨汨 and 涓涓 are both sounds of the water flowing. 汨汨 refers to gurgling, 涓涓 flows slowly)

新兰艳迟日，密竹曳丛烟。

The new orchid blooms in spring, the dense growth of bamboo gather as they sway like the mist.

迟日 - this could mean late, or spring

烟 - This likely refers to 烟云 (literally translated to mist and cloud), but it also refers to a hermit deep within a faraway mountain.

东馆朝燕坐，西林暮独还。

To meditate in the morning the temple in Chang an, to return from the temple alone at dusk

东馆 - This either refers to the Eastern Temple, or a temple nearby Chang an. The dictionary says it’s 豫中 ‘Yuzhong Temple’ (term was used specifically the Han Dynasty), but I can’t find which temple it is specifically. LOL

西林 - This term does refer to the Xilin temple on Mount Lu. But subsequently it was referred to temples in general. As this a more modern poetry (aka Ming Dynasty), I’ve opted to use ‘temple’ instead.

(T/N: there’s a dawn to dusk imagery in this line, from 朝 (morning) to 暮 (dusk))

朋旧固云旷，山水聊夤缘。

Old friends are resolute and vast as the clouds, and to sit beneath the mountain and rivers to chat about establishing connections.

云 - The imagery of ancient clouds in ancient poetry is uh, not exactly regarded as a good thing. It’s usually related to sadness, or something that’s fickle (ie. a cloud is fickle, it changes shape whenever it wants to, sometimes you see it, and sometimes you don’t.

夤缘 - this means to climb up, establish connections and building relationships)

(T/N: This whole line is interesting and filled with contradictions. 固 refers to something resolute, but 云旷 means vast as the clouds. Of which, clouds symbolise something that’s anything but resolute. And in the second part, 聊 usually refers to a causal chat or even gossip, but 夤缘 refers to using connections to climb higher.)

居喧暂云遣，习静久乃便。

the noise at where I'm at at has stopped for now, dissipating like the wind. And so, the quiet life has persisted for long time.

居 - there are various meanings to this. The most common meaning is to stay/current location so I’ve gone with that

便乃 - this means “hence” or “so”

已幸驻灵药，复能讽瑶编。

It’s already lucky that the magical drug has rooted itself here, and I can memorise the precious books repeatedly

驻 - This is a very interesting word because it’s usually used to mean to garrison or to come to a standstill. It isn’t usually

复 - Repeatedly

讽 - This word usually means to or to mock. But I think it’s used as 讽书 in this case, which is to memorise.

既无羡鱼志，外物非所迁。Even if there isn’t any wishful thinking, the things outside are inhospitable and ever changing

无 - This means no.

羡鱼 - Wishful thinking. This is where Wei Wuxian’s name comes from (MXTX uses 无羡 instead of 羡鱼). This term comes from the idiom “临渊羡鱼，不如退而结网” which literally means, “instead of standing by the water to dream about catching fish, you should go home to make a net to actually catch a fish.” (ie. instead of being envious about another person’s achievements, we should put in the effort) So yes, Wei Wuxian does mean “do not (无) think wishfully and covert over the achievement of others” (羡)

非所 - Inhospitable, where someone cannot live normally

迁 - this means ever changing.

MY ANALYSIS

SO I HAVE SO MUCH FEELS. I believe that MXTX based some parts of Wei Wuxian’s behaviour according to this poem. Allow me to do a line by line analysis.

1st line: “To retire to the hills, to return to farming and prepare the land” - is this why our boy has such a fascination with retiring from his “post” and returning to the simple life? It’s interesting that the terms in this poem repeatedly emphasises on ‘retiring from government.” You could say that wwx’s life, starting from the time that he was a Jiang Clan disciple, and to being a soldier was a form of a post. So the author sets up the stage of what he thinks to “retire” is. And the “hills and the mountains” suggest a secluded far away. IDK about you but it screamed Cloud Recesses to me.

2nd line: “His compassionate heart has attained his wish,” - AGAIN I could scream about this. I feel that Wei Wuxian does embody the concept of “慈悲” in the simple sense of the word. “慈” as in compassionate. He brings joy to people around him and cares for others around him. 悲 as in sadness; he feels the suffering around him and hence he tries to deliver people from it. This is obviously demonstrated when he tries to save the Wen Clan. This line also emphasises that retiring away from all things political is what he wants. And the second part “slowly loses itself to anxiety in wine”, sadly he does this ever so frequently in the novel and almost amplified in CQL.

Line 3 and 4: “Whipping the horse (a metaphor for quickly, almost urgently) to ascend the lofty mountain, sailing against the river that never ends” “The water gurgles flows steadily and swiftly, the crystal clear water from the small stream trickled slowly naturally.” - in Line 3, the first part “ascending the lofty mountain, almost urgently so” reminds me of how he attained his ghost cultivation so quickly over a span of 3 months. And “sailing against the river that never ends” sounds very much like how he was always moving against the criticism of the masses in his first and second life. The lines about the water gurgling and trickling feels that the tide was always against him, be it swiftly or in small trickles.”

Line 5: “The new orchid blooms in spring, the dense growth of bamboo gather as they sway in the mist.” - the imagery of the orchid sounds a shoutout to Jinling. And the dense bamboo dusting in the mist reminds me of the parts where they were in the cold pond. I’m not sure if the CQL directors were equally inspired by this. (I can’t remember if there were bamboos in Cloud Recesses novel wise. 😂😂)

Line 6: “To meditate in the morning the temple in Chang an, to return from the temple alone at dusk” - HMM I don’t have a clear inspiration for this line unfortunately. But it could be a reference to the days spend in Cloud Recesses. The Lan 蓝 was a Buddhism references so it totally fit the bill. (I’ve mentioned it before in Taming Wangxian but if you can’t remember it, well that’s okay, I am to bring it back here eventually)

Line 7: “Old friends are resolute and vast as the clouds, and to sit beneath the mountain and rivers to chat about establishing connections.” - again the comparison of friends with clouds. It does suggest that he has a lot of friends; friends who are as fickle as clouds who aren’t there when the time calls for it. And as for the ones who are “resolute”… well we know who they are. And as for “establishing connections”, this is a common theme in the novel. It actually reminded me of JGY, who was essentially trying to curry favour to promote himself politically.

Line 8-9: “the noise at where I am at has stopped for now, dissipating like the wind. And so, the quiet life has persisted for long time.” “It’s already lucky that the magical drug has rooted itself here, and I can memorise the precious books repeatedly” lmao does the magic drug refer to the incense burner haha 😂😂 the vibe of the last two lines remind me of the end of the novel, whereby the “noise” of society has faded and he’s back to the quiet life. And as for the books that he can read, I’m guessing that’s probably referring to the Lan Family’s library

Line 10: “Even if there isn’t any wishful thinking, the things outside are inhospitable and ever changing” this is WWX and the moral of the story I guess?

(There were about 60 different references and I'm too lazy to link them all lol. They were mostly dictionary links or other poems that used the words in a similar manner. If you want a reference for a particular phrase, please let me know. XD)

In case you missed it, I’ve also analysed Wei Ying previously.

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Meaning of Wei Ying

I miss when I would get Tumblr asks that actually said things and weren't just digital panhandling scams.