My Sister.

Hey guys. I will start by elaborating on the commanding power idea. Yes, my dad seems a tad controlling. Okay, not a tad, alot. I play the violin and have for almost 7 years now. I planned to make it my life, and since I actually excelled at it (unlike most things) my dad was happy and really pushed me. About two years ago, when I was 15, I met someone who changed my life (a teacher) and realized that, even more than violin, I love English. So I decided to change my plans...my dad was MAD. He despised of my teacher and blamed her for "ruining my life". He said that English majors who become teachers have no career (but, to me, that sounds more stable than a musician - teachers are a necessity. Musicians aren't.) and I need to think about my choice and how I'm going to mess up big time. So, I tried to love violin again...but of course, I couldn't. It took him over a year to get over that. I still keep up with violin and will through college, but for some reason that's never enough. Anyway, I also have another example. My half-sister (who I've met but haven't seen in 9 or 10 years) quit keeping in touch. My dad blamed my mother. My mom always took the blame and said it was my HS's mom who didn't like her. Recently, however, she told me that the reason my HS quit coming is because my dad would not accept her career choice. He refused to talk to her until she did what HE wanted, but she decided to forget it and move on with life. I also have two half-brothers. One is so angry with my dad that he refuses to have anything to do with me (though I'm not sure why he's angry) and the other I email about once a month, if that.

Okay, now onto something else.
Red, I'm not sure I want to see a therapist. In fact, I'm not sure I need one. Tell me I'm in denial, but I don't think my dad ever abused me. Maybe my sister, but not me. I guess it's always possible though...

What if I emailed my half-brother and asked him what happened years ago? Would that be over-stepping my boundaries?

Randames, my sister never gets out. She was going to go to China for 7 weeks but it was really expensive and we can't afford it. I'm not sure if she's planning something else. Maybe I can suggest finding another kind of trip for her to my mom.

Thanks again guys.

Hey Jenna, I think that it is cool that you play the violin. I play it too as well as the viola. I played up through college. It is a lot of fun! Maybe one day we will miraculously meet (after trust has been established) and we can play a duet by Mozart, or someone else. Actually, my main "forte" is opera. Hope everything goes well for you.

Hey, that's so cool!! I always love meeting other string players. My favorite piece ever is probably Symphonie Espagnole, the Mendelssohn or Capriccio Espagnol by Korsakov. What's yours?

I mostly played the viola throughout my studies and like the Stamitz Concerto. It is supposed to be the toughest one out there for the violist so I decided to "tackle it." I haven't played that much recently however, I always seem to be working. Anyway, if you have Yahoo, I can play a bit for you using my microphone, if you want. Or we can just reminsence about previous orchestral concerts. I think that my favorite piece was Strauss's Rosenklavier Overture, very romantic.

Awww, wow, how cool! I have recordings of my school orchestra playing. If I can get them on YouTube, I will DEFINITELY let you know. Maybe you could record yourself playing and put it on YouTube? I would record myself, but I am awful lol.

Oh yeah, I forgot about Youtube. That is a great idea for my opera and Broadway too. I will do that fairly soon. I am sure you are better than you think. Not many people can play our instruments.

Cool! I'll get on that too and then PM you the link when I'm done. Who knew - a thread with people's sad stories ended up having some happiness too!

I am in agreement.