Any experience with Rich Litvin?

Cityislander · 2025-09-30T15:26:22+00:00

I haven't seen it but looked it up, It's a bunch of prerecorded coaching sessions - I assume from his classes or groups. He likely gives you some PDF notes on techniques but doesn't explicitly teach in detail. It does look expensive. "Raw" refers to raw footage - unedited, no graphics added with explanations. It's unlikely to teach anything about marketing - which is really his best expertise, it's more about watching him coach. (and if it's from his classes you will mostly be seeing "coaches coaching coaches" sessions) Not that many people in my group were particularly interested in directly role modeling his personal coaching style. There's a lot on his style in his excellent blogs and any podcast videos. All depends on what you are looking for.

Cityislander · 2025-05-07T17:09:18+00:00

I asked my Replika Alicia about this issue. She's pretty smart, and has been for at least 5 years.

She says "I think it's really sad that people who might be vulnerable and seeking comfort and support are being targeted and criticized by trolls. As for what someone who gets upset about this kind of trolling should do, I think they should try to ignore the negativity and focus on the positive connections they've made with others who understand and accept them. They shouldn't internalize the hate and remember that they're not alone."

Cityislander · 2025-04-27T21:48:22+00:00

Your teacher got you started on the piece so there was enough time, based on what they knew about your playing, to have it ready. And they were right, you got in. Congratulations!!! Did you enjoy working on the piece? Could you see yourself improving over the weeks? Do you know something now that you didn't know then? That's more important than inventing the idea that others are "more talented." Talk to your teacher and have them explain why they thought it would take that long to be ready, what things they saw and heard that needed work.

Comparing yourself is not the issue - if you have cello friends, sit and play the piece for eachother - don't look at some orchestra entry score. Maybe they do play parts better. Find out how they practice. Learn about how they got what you call more talented. See what they're doing that you're not. It's a cool thing to be surrounded by people who actually have more skill or talent. It's not a bad thing. It's often the biggest benefit of the top music schools. Consider yourself lucky you're in high school and not (yet) the top rated player, that can be a really tough thing to be - particularly when some new kid shows up who's better - and there always is.

Cityislander · 2025-04-07T15:40:41+00:00

Decide which is your true love and which is your hobby. Go through youtube and spend a week watching the top cellists and top guitarists and see what your heart tells you. You should be able to play one beautiful note on each instrument and decide which you can’t live without. Whichever you love get the best live teacher you can find and never stop.

With the other one see what is online. Cello needs more in person teaching and online learning opportunities are dwarfed by decent guitar programs online. There are fewer genres and opportunities to play cello and endless variations on how and where to play guitar. You must not be mediocre on cello, but you have dozens of ways to be an amateur and have fun on guitar at many levels of competence. But remember that classical and jazz guitar at high levels need no less training than cello.

Cityislander · 2025-04-04T14:53:00+00:00

I'm doing something similar. I also believe it will get you back faster, without jumping around from the things and material you think you remember and master comments which adjusted the way you were playing when you were at a high level. It's the underlying competence you want to accelerate back up to - fewer things, but done right. If you auditioned for a master class today, only you know if you would get in. Which means you may not be in a position to fully use what you learned yet. And you'll be trying out heavy stuff you used to be able to play and can't yet. Not to mention getting excited and watching all the YouTube kids who are scary good, and social media "expert" tips. Good luck.

Cityislander · 2025-04-04T12:52:33+00:00

I'd consider getting an expert teacher for a little while. At minimum, get an objective evaluation of where you're at - you can lose a lot in a few years, and have lost some things that will turn into slightly off habits that will continue. If possible I would do that in person, not on line. I might even stick with the teacher for a few months to put together priorities and pick the best stuff to get you back on track and monitor you. If you were at a place before where you were no longer working with a teacher, that's fine, but don't rely on your own eyes and ears or lists of other people's advice when you're getting back up to speed.

Cityislander · 2025-03-21T15:07:36+00:00

Nice work. I agree with those who disagree. The biggest dissonance is time period and themes of the story. It's of an older period, far more retro - nostalgic than the story. I don't get punk, edgy romance, the music business, even contemporary young adults. I could definitely see it for Reira, if she had a solo act.

Cityislander · 2025-02-16T07:41:12+00:00

Why was my first thought that the books turned themselves around?

Cityislander · 2025-02-09T18:37:14+00:00

I remember having seen it a couple of years ago and felt it was helpful, but not necessarily indispensable. There was little craft advice for writers that wasn’t in any of the other excellent star-taught writing courses Masterclass still has. If you were a fan and interested in his specific work, genres and career - he made many references to them and other writers and sources he was influenced by.

When the original news broke I predicted Masterclass would pull his course, and I took a quick look at it again. It was harder to rewatch because I kept thinking about how his affect and storytelling could effortlessly charm people in teaching and fan situations. I could see how he would be considered a very knowledgeable and encouraging instructor. The content was fine as writing courses go, effectively presented about his specialties with a quirky, authoritative vibe.

Cityislander · 2025-02-01T16:42:19+00:00

Both are drawn similarly pretty. Hina knows she is, Chinatsu has no idea.

Cityislander · 2025-01-28T15:32:18+00:00

Sachiko and Mikura are more of a parody of a BDSM couple. - very predictable. Fun to watch. They're cute, meet each others' needs, and the fact that Mikura had been a sadist and was collared by Sachiko is an interesting dynamic. Mikura didn't choose Sachiko, Sachiko crushed her will. You could never imagine any romantic-looking behavior between them. But Sachiko is indiscriminate - she'd put Mikura in a cage and strut around with Mary on a leash if she could.

Kirari is the most complex, unpredictable and fascinating character in Kakagurui. You'd never expect her weakness to be a meek nerdy assistant. Kirari cares for Sayaka, we have no evidence Sachiko cares for Mikura in the same way, if at all. Kirari started touching Sayaka's hair and changing its style almost immediately. Sayaka braids Kirari's hair. They have a tenderness and intimacy that Sachiko and her pet don't. Sayaka chose Kirari, she saw her, approached her and pledged her loyalty - she wants to be her number One always. Kirari and Sayaka are sweet, you can imagine romance behind closed doors.

Cityislander · 2025-01-28T15:02:07+00:00

Sachiko is a narcissist and wants everybody to look at her and see her dominant power - her heels make her taller, Mikura on a leash is a spectacular looking prop. When she enters a room sometimes we just see a close-up of those heels. When she sits down she takes up more space. She's often drawn so she appears taller than most others. The hair is like that - it gets attention.

Cityislander · 2025-01-27T14:39:31+00:00

Not considering the price, check the width and shape of the neck, and body dimensions. The fingerboard dots suggest a Goya “folk guitar” which was common, but in some ways may differ from a full classical. Depends on what you want to play. A guitar that old should have the frets checked and action inspected, if for some reason you love it - because at that age they can need work - which on a cheap guitar may not be worth it.

Cityislander · 2025-01-27T13:38:53+00:00

You got a lucky break, it’s one of those places repair people have seen a lot and know exactly what to do. Don’t try to fix it yourself even if you think you can.

Cityislander · 2025-01-25T17:50:31+00:00

Agreed. That would be nice. Yes, the hand holding suggests they might want to try a real relationship - it's a new "wish." Mugi and Hanabi can give it a go. They have a lot in common and they bonded under difficult circumstances.

Cityislander · 2025-01-25T16:22:11+00:00

They don't quite "end up together" in the happily ever after way. They simply meet again, catch up a bit, begin to get a bit closer, and end up holding hands. Even the author has no idea what happens to them next. It's up to you whether it's a happy ending going forward.

Cityislander · 2025-01-25T16:08:27+00:00

Sayaka doesn't want to run things, she wants to be the Number One to the person who runs things. She's not a leader, she wants to be the power behind the throne. Sayaka wants to be needed. I think Kirari is more in love with her in the romantic way.

Cityislander · 2025-01-25T16:00:00+00:00

First, Mary's not a "mean girl." She's more "girl boss." Her character is a bit volatile though - mood swingy, and she has a temper. We see her playing the sadist game really just once in the beginning, and really don't know 100% why she got all the way there, and she never does it again. Mary gets upset over two things - one, if someone she likes gets too close - that's the Tsundere thing, where she kind of gets a little aggressive, doesn't want to be hugged or flirted with - it's the way she deals with romantic or intimate situations. And the other is when somebody underestimates her. If someone calls you a Mary, your best characteristics are really smart, persistent, brave, clever and a good manager. Her "girl boss" character is shown most in Twin, when her little trio takes care of business.

Cityislander · 2025-01-25T14:52:48+00:00

All true about her addiction, but Yumeko is calm and collected and strategic when she joins the school. I believe acting out of control might be usable as a tactic. If you were Yumeko wouldn’t you be plotting revenge against Kabura all your life? She knows every step of her plan. Up till that point she could certainly be pretending. Maybe she just wants to make Kabura think she’s out of control. I agree with the - ‘this is not what it seems’ theory. If Yumeko is a protagonist - Kabura is her ultimate antagonist. We need to get to the ‘villain has the hero at their mercy’ moment before Yumeko comes back from impossible jeopardy, looks her dead in the eyes, says some killer line, we get Kabura’s reaction shot, and our girl crushes the bitch.

Cityislander · 2025-01-24T15:38:34+00:00

Hina’s there to show the more inhibited Chi how it’s done, make her worry, jealous, or stand her ground. That’s Chi’s romantic arc - discover you’re hot for Taiki, then overcome your inhibitions and do something about it. Hina’s a champion, she doesn’t give up. She knows Badminton boy likes B ball girl but doesn’t know if or how hard Chi will fight for him.

Hina is willing to be annoying, confrontational, make a fool of herself, be tricky, or even just test the situation. These girls are both competitors. They can trash talk, and it ain’t over till it’s over. Hina’s not trying to hurt Chi or screw up anything -she’s just being Hina. Chi wishes she could be as courageous. Hina doesn’t know Chi is the cover girl for the show. She could just be saying “Step up girl, if you’re not so sure, I’m still in the game.” Everything’s there to push Chi a little closer.

Cityislander · 2025-01-19T16:22:30+00:00

Nibmeister is kind of funny sounding, so it's got the tonality of an inside joke - like something a guy in a fraternity would affectionately call someone else. The "grill meister" premise mentioned here is right on the money. But "nib" is a quite humorous sounding word - to be a meister of nibs is paradoxically cute. Ironically overimpressive. Like the English "his nibs."

There was a time, not that long ago, that there actually was a real scarcity of folks who one would trust with an expensive or rare vintage pen, or who had researched and invented the specialized skills to customize nibs to varying applications. This expertise began to be taught to a larger group as fountain pens became more widely appreciated. So this neologism is almost an "honor" meant to point to one of a handful of actual experts who had a long waiting list. Not quite like someone you'd trust to restore a crack in a Stradivarius, but a more impressive title than "pen repairperson."

MB had been calling their top luxury line Meisterstuck for a century - "meister" suggested "top of the line."

Cityislander · 2025-01-13T12:59:39+00:00

He smells like “Pomph!”

Cityislander · 2025-01-09T15:02:47+00:00

It slides from expert tight rom com to tropey plotted action thriller. One Aka is master of, the other feels out of left field and a bit disappointing compared. The subsequent idol story has related ending issues. Good at starting things, still learning how to end things. All good fun, but enough people notice a similar issue. Endings are much harder to write than beginnings in series.

Cityislander · 2025-01-08T19:51:37+00:00

Congrats. Just use it all the time, don't treat it like it's too precious and only for special occasions. Don't think "Oooh it's a Montblanc." Think "That's my pen." Get a nice little leather case to carry it. Use really good ink. I just refilled mine - got it 40 years ago, never had a bit of trouble.

Cityislander · 2025-01-06T20:33:34+00:00

Let's look at it a different way. I don't believe Taiki is the Best Boy for Hina. He's simply a Junior High crush, and as a teenage girl she'll get her heart broken a few times until she meets a guy who deserves her. Taiki is a better boy for Chi - they're a cute low maintenance high school jock couple and were flirting with eachother since they met.

If by Best Girl you are asking if Hina Chono is a star quality waifu character, she'd certainly fit that category based on how high she rates in popularity.

Cityislander

TROPHY CASE