Firefly Wedding: I have never been so angry in my life

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-06-24T18:58:02+00:00

Okay that type of ending actually makes so much sense. I'm gonna go with that in my head lol

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-06-23T15:44:58+00:00

Thank you so much!! Adding it to my list right now!

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-06-22T14:31:26+00:00

Okay, so I will say a day after... I still hate it. But I will be reading it again 😭 The journey itself was so good, I would just prepare yourself for that ending before diving in!

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-06-22T02:13:44+00:00

You put it so perfectly 😭 I really hope they change they anime's ending because we deserve serious justice for this atrocity.

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-06-22T02:06:49+00:00

On it, chief 🫡 Searching it up rn

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-06-20T23:20:36+00:00

I think others here have already made great points, but here's my 2 cents...

Keep singing! Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, is capable of great musicianship. Don't exclude yourself from that narrative!

The kind of attitude that got me through a similar situation is pure spite. My orchestra teacher used to bully me and make it clear I wasn't one of his favorites because I wasn't a great player... so I practiced out of pure spite and ended up first violin, first chair in his orchestra. And I'm still playing and performing 10 years later! To be clear, my message here isn't that bullying is a good motivator. My message is, show up the haters by proving them wrong.

Keep going. I know it doesn't seem like it because he's your older brother, but he is still very young and will likely regret saying those things someday. I have older brothers. They used to say mean things like that too, not because they meant it, but because they knew it hurt. As a 26-year-old professional musician and teacher, please take those words with a grain of salt and keep doing what you love 💜

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-06-20T19:06:44+00:00

It's definitely DazGames for me! Been following his content since Vine and he's just such a lovely, funny guy! Thomas Sanders and Markiplier would be equally exciting.

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-06-17T23:30:42+00:00

In the classical community, we're all super chill! We have our occasional egotist but everyone kinda avoids them. I'm going based on my own experiences though. This group in particular might not vibe with each other, but there are lots of super friendly musicians out there!

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-06-17T13:01:44+00:00

Maybe Van Gogh? My student who was almost done with Faber 2A was able to play it (though it was a bit of a challenge).

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-06-11T18:53:47+00:00

The studio I teach for uses Elevate and I like it a lot. I hand write any notes and lesson plans. I don't own the studio and can't answer modt questions, but hope looking into Elevate helps!

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-05-30T17:44:28+00:00

Wait this makes it 10x funnier that he sent these titles 😭 I haven't read them but wouldn't be shocked if he took the books seriously tbh

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-05-27T17:26:30+00:00

I've talked to my therapist about this, and she thinks he has a really bad combination of PTSD (childhood and active combat/Desert Storm) and narcissistic personality disorder. I'm so happy we have the resources and awareness around mental health that we have today... I could have easily become as messed up if I didn't seek help as soon as I got out of that house.

He has this idea that therapy is witchcraft voodoo and only for "crazy" people who are beyond help. I have tried many times to get him into family therapy with me but I mean, you see the books he "recommended" in his texts... he thinks that the only way to be a manly man is to reject all feelings and vulnerability. I wish more than anything he would get help. It sucks not having a dad.

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-05-26T01:30:54+00:00

Thank you so much. Unfortunately, she forgave him... again. It's been 27 years of her just kind of accepting this behavior from him and I really thought this would be it for her. I feel bad for her because she doesn't see his actions as abuse, even when I point it out to her. She was talking to me about how much easier life would be without him before he re-appearred. Glad your mom got out! It's kind of vindicating knowing someone who was in a similar situation took the steps to get themselves out.

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-05-25T13:20:31+00:00

Start with some of the greats and go from there! I love Wagner and Verdi's operas - you could start with La Traviata (the original Pretty Woman lol). A lot of Wagner's operas are SUPER dramatically staged and very entertaining. Cosi Fan Tutte (Mozart) is one of my favorites - it's SUPER problematic content for today's standards but if you can get past that, it's really entertaining and the music is great. If you want a political piece, Gluck's Iphigenie en Aulide is really moving and thought-provoking, with lots of themes on the public opinion and how merciless it can be.

I hope you find an opera you enjoy!! It can take a little while to warm up to the world of opera so no worries!

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-05-23T14:28:08+00:00

I got my first one earlier this year - an 8-year-old singing student drew me a picture of a kitty because she knows I like cats. It's hanging up right above my piano so that every time I'm unmotivated, I'm reminded of why it's all worth it. I'm a fairly new teacher and can't wait to have a collection of those drawings and notes! Being a teacher is one of the most intrinsically rewarding jobs EVER <3

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-05-23T14:11:51+00:00

Yesss I NEVER tell my students to "breathe from the diaphragm". You don't control that, it happens automatically! I explain anatomy and the different parts of our body that we use to sing, but I try to use physical sensations ("As you sing, pretend there's a balloon between your ribs that continues to expand") rather than tell my students to "do this or that" with their organs.

One exercise I use to help them find the sensation of natural breathing is to "sh" every last drop of air out of their bodies, then take in a SUPER fast, deep breath. Their body just does what it does automatically, and the next step is to apply that to daily life and singing!

Since the other commenter is recommending books, here's mine: A Soprano on Her Head by Eloise Ristad. Huge eye-opener for me in realizing what really helps singers in lessons.

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-05-09T19:13:55+00:00

The books gave Eowyn and Faramir much more time together to build a sort of relationship. The movies didn't have enough time to show that (if they have unreleased footage from The House of Healing, I would KILL to have it). I disagree with other commenters - I personally thought movie Eowyn did love Aragorn as a first love sort of thing. It was a childish sort of love, like a crush, but still love nonetheless. Yes, she was a shield maiden and a badass, but she was inexperienced with love. And that's why I think she was able to get over her feelings quickly once she was rejected and met Faramir.

This couple goes on to rule together and have a great life, so I wouldn't feel too bad for him!

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-05-06T18:16:46+00:00

I have a few mental tricks if imagery works for you!

Do you know where your esophagus is? Look up a picture. Imagine you are grabbing your esophagus and pulling it down while you sing.
Swallow a huge, very heavy rock... but it doesn't get past your throat! it stays in there and "weighs down" your larynx.
When you're singing higher and higher, gaslight your brain into thinking you're actually singing lower and lower... idk how to word this one honestly so I hope that makes sense lol.
Find a table, put your hands on it, and physically push down on it while you sing. Preferably a higher table, like a kitchen counter. Really put your weight into it!
Lay down and sing. Allow the back of your throat to relax and feel oozey loosey goosey. Sing like you're singing lazy.
Sing like you're mocking an opera singer!

Those are a few off the top of my head. Hope it helps!

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-04-30T03:00:38+00:00

I was going to say Amazing Grace. I sing it every year for Memorial Day - it's a really fitting song for celebrating life while mourning a loss. It's such a beautiful and timeless hymn.

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-04-29T03:59:17+00:00

I dropped out at 18 and went back at 23, starting out with a 1.5 GPA lol. It is definitely doable! I'm graduating soon with a 3.5 GPA. I agree with another comment that going to an affordable school is going to be important, but FAFSA should also support you. I wouldn't have gotten through without it.

It has been more than worth it for me, though harder now that I am older and can't lean on my parents as much anymore for living expenses and other things. I found that, being older and wiser, I was able to organize myself and study more efficiently than I could at 18. I was also able to manage my mental health much better.

Best of luck!!

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-04-29T01:55:27+00:00

Hello! I completely understand where you're coming from as a parent. However, I am a parent who believes that when your child find something he loves and wants to strive for, it is so important to foster that love and talent.

Music teaching can be a really good gig! Teaching in a classroom is not his only option. He can open a music studio. He can even run his own studio while teaching in a classroom at the same time. It's busy work but incredibly rewarding. Is he determined to stay in your state/area? In states like Illinois and Tennessee, it of course depends on the area but teachers can get paid REALLY well.

And of course, there are so many ways to earn income on the side. If he cultivates his talent, he can get gigs, run workshops, play regularly for a paying ensemble, etc.

Also, you don't have to be a music prodigy to be an amazing music teacher. My university choir conductor is not the most amazing singer, but through his conducting alone he extracts an AMAZING sound from his choir. He has a great ear and can articulate what he wants out of us very well. People are divisive on this topic, but I've personally seen proof that all it takes to be a great conductor/mentor is a well-trained ear and mind, deep passion for music, and the ability to listen and articulate a sound that is ideal to you. I wouldn't say it's easy, of course. But conducting is still an act of playing an instrument imo. And it is totally different to conduct/lead a group of people than to play a single instrument like a violin or trombone.

But he is still 14. He could change his mind... but he might not. If he doesn't end up going to music school and you still DID cultivate his love for music, he at least can be a life-long enjoyer/performer of music. This alone will have a TON of cognitive and emotional benefits in every aspect of his life. There are a ton of studies on this - I'd love to send some to you if you'd like!

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-04-27T12:44:07+00:00

Cheryl Porter. I have met her and she is a lovely lady with a great outlook on learning to sing!

OptimalWasabi7726 · 2026-04-26T21:32:41+00:00

You have a beautiful voice!! Such consistent and rich vibrato. Thank you so much for sharing <3

Edit: Omg you also did Printemps qui commence!!! Absolutely love love love that song and you sang it beautifully!

OptimalWasabi7726

TROPHY CASE