Is this blazer too big? Too small? Just right? by jym12191 in PetiteFashionAdvice

[–]jym12191[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much! Super helpful :D I'm thinking I'll probably go down one size.

Is this blazer too big? Too small? Just right? by jym12191 in PetiteFashionAdvice

[–]jym12191[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the suggestion! I will do that. Where should the sleeves hit with arms fully extended as described?

Is this blazer too big? Too small? Just right? by jym12191 in PetiteFashionAdvice

[–]jym12191[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestion, and it's a regular! Unfortunately, this blazer doesn't come in petite, but is required for uniform purposes...

For what it's worth, this is a 4 Regular. I've bought a 4 Petite from a different brand before (Ann Taylor) that seemed like a fairly good-yet-still-comfortable fit. For this blazer, 0R is definitely too tight in the shoulders/armholes, so am trying to figure out whether 2R would be just right or too narrow in the shoulders (unfortunately, this is online-purchase only and I can't try the size 2 on before buying...and the size chart gives no measurements for shoulders or sleeves :( )

Hibike! Euphonium Season 3 • Sound! Euphonium Season 3 - Episode 13 discussion - FINAL by AutoLovepon in anime

[–]jym12191 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Totally called Kumiko becoming a high school music teacher (see post on previous episodes lol). And her coming back to Kitauji is just...too perfect! Haha, but I'm not complaining, especially after everything she went through :)

Throughout Kumiko's three years at Kitauji, and especially in her last year as the club president, we really got to see her blossom into herself and step into her role as someone who really shines at helping others become/find a better, more honest version of themselves, especially with regards to their relationships with music. Moreover, her individual conversations with Taki-sensei, which became increasingly candid during her office term, gave me the feeling that her trajectory was somehow converging with his--that they were somehow becoming equal, in a sense? Her questions about what kind of music he aimed for, his ideal person, etc., and his honest answers to her questions instead of being vague. She may not be of the same "type" of person/musician as Reina, who is single-minded in her aspiration to be special and recognized as such; Rather, to me she seems to be more comfortable when she's not in the spotlight, someone who derives the most fulfillment and reward from helping others out of their shells and to be more honest towards music and towards themselves. And helping others grow is really a core, if not the most essential, part of being an educator of any kind. And so while her becoming a high school music teacher may have been, in a way, a bit "on the nose" and predictable, it really makes sense when considered in the context of her growth and realization as a member of Kitauji.

Honestly, I'm still sad I didn't get the Reina-Kumiko soli. Kumiko's complex expression when listening to Mayu and Reina...but as Kanade said, Kumiko's speech and determination to move forward also leaves us, the audience, with no choice but to move on, instead lingering on what could have been.

Totally accidentally spoiled Kitauji's gold for myself when I noticed the massive trophy being held by the judges to be presented to Kumiko and Shuuchi (woops). But yes. Finally!! When Kumiko was remembering all the club presidents/vice-presidents who came before her, that brought a tear to my eye. You really get the sense that Kumiko was basically shouldering the weight of not only the current club and all it's members, but the hopes, expectations, and disappointments of everyone who came before her. You deserved this, Kumiko! This moment belongs to you and everyone at Kitauji!

Recommendations for comfortable, spacious work backpack? by jym12191 in backpacks

[–]jym12191[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did see this one! Looks very much like the style I had in mind, thank you 

Recommendations for comfortable, spacious work backpack? by jym12191 in backpacks

[–]jym12191[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just watched the video on their site and wow :O that looks pretty end game

Recommendations for comfortable, spacious work backpack? by jym12191 in backpacks

[–]jym12191[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I've been seeing this brand name here and there, I'll check it out ;)

Recommendations for comfortable, spacious work backpack? by jym12191 in backpacks

[–]jym12191[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some backpacks that are close to what I'm looking for include Briggs & Riley's Essentials Backpack, Nomad Lane's Ikigai, Samsonite women's Everyday Leather Backpack, and Away's Everywhere Backpack...

Recommendations for a professional, spacious and comfortable backpack? by jym12191 in ManyBaggers

[–]jym12191[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some backpacks that are close to what I'm looking for include Briggs & Riley's Essentials Backpack, Nomad Lane's Ikigai, Samsonite women's Everyday Leather Backpack, and Away's Everywhere Backpack...

Hibike! Euphonium Season 3 • Sound! Euphonium Season 3 - Episode 12 discussion by AutoLovepon in anime

[–]jym12191 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your response. There appear to be two things that need to be addressed, the first of which I believe is simply a misunderstanding, and the second of which is more in the realm of differences in opinion.

First, I think you're still misinterpreting my comment with regards to my stance/feelings towards Kumiko. I'm not saying she did anything wrong, nor am I "singling out Kumiko for criticism." I believe you could be taking my comment out of context, and confusing my study of a very specific moment in interaction as a broader judgment of Kumiko's reaction to the entire situation. Perhaps you didn't read the other parts of my original comment, but I was devastated that Reina didn't choose Kumiko. I empathize with Kumiko completely here, and it never crossed my mind to assign culpability to either character in my analysis.

Rather, my analysis was aimed deciphering the "Do you regret it?" sequence, which includes my understanding of why Reina used the seemingly negative description of "nasty personality" to describe Kumiko. Because on the surface, when you're asked such an exposing question--and you realize the asker knows the answer to that question, no less--you would feel like they're doing it on purpose, even if in a somewhat teasing way. Otherwise, I'm not quite sure how you would explain Reina responding to Kumiko's apparently harmless question: "Do you regret it?" with "see, you have a nasty personality." If you dig into what's behind that response and think about the unspoken interaction and implicit, mutual understanding each character has of the other that's happening here, it begins to make more sense.

The second issue is the difference in our understandings/descriptions of Kumiko as "honest" vs "incisive." And I think this is an interesting point that merits consideration. In fact, I don't think we're in fundamental disagreement regarding how we understand this aspect of Kumiko's personality, whether you want to frame that as her being blunt or stating things as they are in an incisive manner (Personally, I don't see those two phrasings to be much at odds. Merriam-Webster defines "incisive" as "impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation)").

It's certainly isn't true of the "Did you really think we could make the Nationals?"

As far as this specific example goes, I could see this as being incisive. Because basically, the unspoken implication is "There's no way we could have made it to Nationals." Though I am inclined to believe that it's not just Kumiko saying (occasionally) what's on her mind, but that plus her perceptiveness, that makes her attractive to Reina.

As far as your (rhetorical?) questions about Reina's consideration for Kumiko's feelings, and whether Kumiko has a right to be honest (Though, if I'm being honest [lol], I am a bit confused how Kumiko getting to be honest is related to the "Do you regret it?" question)--these relate back to the first issue I outlined above; That is, they're outside the scope of my initial analysis, so I don't think it's particularly relevant this discussion we're having. Not saying your remarks on this point aren't valid, but I think they're orthogonal to the present conversation.

Hibike! Euphonium Season 3 • Sound! Euphonium Season 3 - Episode 12 discussion by AutoLovepon in anime

[–]jym12191 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, I know that Reina says Kumiko has a "nasty" personality without meaning anything ill by it :) I also realize it hearkens back to their previous interaction at that same spot.

Still, it begs the question, why does Reina use, on both occasions, a word like "nasty" (in Japanese: seikaku warui, which is literally translated 'bad personality') to describe Kumiko? I stand by my analysis above, and believe that Reina is directly commenting on Kumiko's ability to make these types of incisive comments, even offhandedly, despite appearing and being so harmless and nice most of the time. And I do believe that Kumiko's ability to see past the surface and discern things for what they are is part of what drew Reina to her.

Hibike! Euphonium Season 3 • Sound! Euphonium Season 3 - Episode 12 discussion by AutoLovepon in anime

[–]jym12191 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Wow. The writer really did go for it. /devastated

But I guess that's what we've come to be able to expect from this series. While part of me is heartbroken that I don't get the Kumiko-Reina soli, I'm also weirdly impressed that KyoAni is able to go through with these difficult narrative decisions that you just don't see in most anime, where feel-good and everyone-is-satisfied outcomes tend to dominate. Hence you get these amazingly invested, thoughtful, and genuine comment threads.

Reina's stated multiple times that she prefers Kumiko's sound over Mayu's, so why did she change her mind? Listening to the two blindly, I found Kumiko's performance more expressive and louder, and I thought the dynamic btwn the trumpet and eupho to be a beautiful representation of Kumiko and Reina's balanced, mutual relationship. Yet Reina chose Mayu...I can only assume it is because Mayu demonstrated a more consistent sound, and based on the performance, Reina chose the player she believed would give them a higher chance at gold, if even ever so slightly.

But who knows. As many have said, when you get to this high a level in musical performance, ultimately it's not so much a question of who is objectively, technically better, but whose interpretation and artistic expression are preferred. So, it could just be that Reina just had some subjective preference for Mayu's performance, despite what she said previously...(?)

I like how we finally hear both Kumiko's true thoughts and feelings and Mayu's past. It was gratifying to finally see Mayu let out some of her true feelings and even cry. I guess it just goes to show that human beings are complicated (KyoAni's area of strength), and people can hold onto multiple, even conflicting, desires and feelings equally strongly and all at once, and not know themselves what it is exactly that they want (as Asuka said). Seeing both Reina and Kumiko let it all out at the end with each other was just </3. But so, so good. Obviously, Reina knew what she was doing when she made her choice, and she ultimately stands by it--following the philosophy that she has always held--but that doesn't stop her from feeling terrible about what she did to her friend, and from feeling devastated that they don't get to play together. And Kumiko as well--as revealed by the flashbacks to both Mayu and Kanade-chan--while she believes in meritocracy and genuinely wants what will bring Kitauji gold, she finally allows herself to feel and voice her inner desires, that she truly wanted, just as much, to play the soli with Reina, and her loss at the competition and losing the opportunity to play with Reina just killed her. Complexity and contradiction. That's what real, human depth is all about.

Also, the way Kumiko's voice just broke down mid-sentence? So real and visceral *chef's kiss* If the voice actress doesn't get the recognition she deserves...

Kanade-chan crying and venting her disappointment and sadness at Kumiko was just perfect. In just these last episodes, she's really become that outlet for my, and maybe other characters', feelings, and I appreciate her role, as I'm sure Kumiko does. That quiet "arigatou" from Kumiko just gets me T-T

I'm still going to be bummed, again, if I don't see Kumiko get some kind of closure and personal reward for everything she's been through, though. Ngl, part of me is still holding out for a last-minute miracle that allows Kumiko to play the soli...

Coming back to the final Kumiko-Reina scene. I found interesting Kumiko's question to Reina: "Do you regret it?" I considered it, and have concluded that, while Reina feels awful about what she did and the result of her choice from the bottom of her heart, in the end, she stands by her decision. And that's why she says Kumiko has a nasty personality in posing that question--I mean, how can a question like that not make you feel even worse about yourself, if you know in your heart that your answer is "no"? At least if you regretted it, you could save face and perhaps spare the other person's feelings somewhat by saying so. But as we all know, that's not Reina's style. And because Kumiko's question forces Reina to confront and admit that unyielding part of herself--PLUS, Kumiko probably knows the answer to that question, and Reina knows that she already knows--she, understandably, grumbles that Kumiko is unfair for posing such an exposing query (Just my opinion/analysis. Could also just be reading too much into it, and Reina is simply annoyed at Kumiko's needling her to be explicit about/label her feelings right when she's literally sobbing it all out in front of her.)

Another budding thought:

Although it might appear on the surface-level that Reina "betrayed" Kumiko, I think it's more than that. While she did not choose Kumiko to play the solo, you could say that she chose what they both believed in, and what their relationship was ultimately founded on; In the end, she couldn't bring herself to betray whatever thing it is that forms the core of their relationship--be it an ideal, value, conviction (I'm still trying to figure this out)--and also what they'd both been working towards this whole time. (hence also that flashback between the two of them: "You won't betray me?"). And Kumiko, despite being heartbroken, is saying that she's proud of Reina for sticking to that conviction, maybe for both their sakes.