In Case You Haven't Noticed, I Love This Dress...

So, the other day I was driving through downtown Boise with my family. We happened to pass Anthropologie, which I had never dared enter before. But I know from interviews with Lou Erich that many of Quinn's wardrobe pieces come from there. I was just about to spring this little factoid on my less-than-interested family when I saw it: Quinn's New York dress. It was right in the front window! I vowed to return at a later time and scope it out...

I finally made it back Tuesday after my college orientation. I figured I deserved a reward after making it through THAT ordeal! I went in and found the dress almost immediately. Now, I did not plan to actually buy it--I figured I'd try it on, take a picture in the dressing room, and call it good. But it was love at first sight! I'm not much of a girly girl, but I love a good dress, and this is an AWESOME dress...much prettier in person than on film. All of the white detailing is actually embroidered, and it has TULLE under the skirt, for crying out loud! I love how it flares out when I spin around. And yes, I have spent a considerable amount of time twirling around in it. :)

I had a really interesting time with the staff, too. The gal that was helping me mentioned that they were all obsessed with that particular dress and she asked what had drawn me to it. I asked her if she watched Glee and she got all excited and fluttery and squealed, "This is Quinn's dress!" I told her THAT was exactly what had drawn me to the dress, and we had a fun little conversation about the show and the adorable cast. I told her that I'd just been to see them and she was so excited, especially because it turns out that Darren is her favorite. Then I went to check out, and the girl at the counter exclaimed, "Oh, it's Quinn's dress!" We had a little fangirl exchange, and I went on my merry way feeling invigorated for having spent a bit of time with some gleeks "out in the wild" so to speak.

And with that, I promise to never speak of this dress again. Thank you for indulging me!  :)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

You're the Inspiration...

This is not strictly Glee related, but the impetus sort of is. Several days ago, Warbler Curt Mega posted a video in which he asked for help with a "collaborative project". He wants to know what inspires people, and encouraged everyone to share. Sooo...

I garden. I'm a bit of a hobbit, actually. I love the sunshine and the trees and the feel of grass and soil between my toes. I'm obsessed with seeds. Everything I plant, I start from seed. Because there's nothing like the thrill of seeing that little green head poking out of the ground. The birth of potential!

I love that the outside appearance of a seed is not a reliable indicator of the potential within.

I love that although the potential is there, a seed won't grow unless it is planted.

I love that simply planting a seed isn't enough. Diligent nurturing is required.

Every time I watch a seed sprout, I wonder, "How did all of that get IN there?". And then I stop wondering and just marvel.

Seeds are a metaphor for everything beautiful--love, friendship, faith, hope, knowledge. Even the individual. Anything that starts small and grows strong with care.

Watching my seeds grow makes me think about myself and my potential. Because, what's IN there? What will I be when I mature? Will my roots be strong? Will I bloom? And while I'm busy cultivating  myself, what can I do to encourage the growth of those around me?

I like to think that there's something amazing inside me. Something you can't see just by looking at the surface. Will I ever reach my full potential? Will you reach yours? What are we meant to be? Let's tend to each other and find out together. :)

Glee Live! Vol.2

 I apologize for the stupid spacing and picture layout here. I swear it all looks great until I publish and then things sort of rearrange themselves. I've been working on this all day and lack the patience/skill to figure out what I'm doing wrong, so please just bear with me. I want to get it posted and hopefully I'll get it sussed out at a later date. At any rate...

I got back from my trip around 2:30am yesterday. Whew! What a week...I have a feeling it's going to take me a few days to recover.

We went to the beach, Disneyland, California Adventure, and Hollywood, all of which were first time experiences for me. I will, however, spare you most of that. We did make a few little stops that might be of interest to my fellow gleeks, though...

Here we are at Madame Tussauds in Hollywood. It was simultaneously cool and creepy. And look who we met!

 

I had hoped to swing by the Gap at The Grove, but I decided I'd probably be too self-conscious to actually take pictures inside a store, so instead we detoured to Eagle Hills mall, which you'll recognize as the shooting location for both flash mob scenes. I was surprised at how ghetto the mall was! It's very small, and the escalators empty out right at the entrance of a seafood market, so the whole place smells like fish.



So, the main event was Friday. We actually bought Ultimate VIP tickets this year, which was an upgrade from last time when we had regular VIP tickets. We saved up all year and opted to drive rather than fly and rent a car so we could roll all our available funds into awesome seats. And they were awesome seats! But I'll get to that in a bit.

I had two primary wishes for this show: One was to make direct contact with cast members. The other was to deliver a birthday gift to Chris, since we'd be there on his big day. I'll be honest--when I bought this ticket, I planned for this to be my Glee swan song, so to speak. In the beginning, the show made me feel so good that I let it become a much bigger part of my life than was probably wise. Then this season happened, and I found that the show made me feel frustrated, sad, and even defensive far more often than it made me feel happy. The thing is, I still love the cast, and can't imagine ever NOT loving them. So I decided to go ahead and share this last hoorah with my sisters.

Naturally, being me, projects ensued. I made Chris a Scrabble scrapbook. He likes crafts and he likes Scrabble, so it seemed like the perfect combination. I've made Scrabble tile jewelry before, and initially I thought I'd make a keychain or something. But I found it impossible to choose just one moment to highlight, you know? So instead I assembled a tribute to his "yes" moments--those times when he was invited, or included, or celebrated, or validated: those moments that give hope to struggling kids everywhere (mine included), regardless of orientation, that things can get better. I also included some pictures of him being silly, because I think he does a great service to his fans by allowing them to see that he's just a regular guy who has accomplished extraordinary things not because he's perfect but because he utilized his unique talents, set goals, worked hard, and refused to give up. I don't know if he fully realizes the impression he makes on people simply by being honest about his fallibility and inherent goofiness, or how empowering that candor is for his audience. but I sincerely hope he knows that while Kurt is amazing, his positive influence extends far beyond that character.

 

It turned out to be quite an undertaking. But I think it turned out cool! It's a complete set of tiles, and they still lie flat when in use. I made the little bag also...I thought the Kermit print was apropos. :)

I also made these banners. I painted them on fabric using flat fabric paint, because I wanted to be able to fold them up and cram them in my purse and still have them look nice. I confess, I have a soft spot for the Warblers.

So, we were to meet our group at 5:00. We got checked in, and they sent us to the merchandise area to wait for the meet and greet. I exhibited remarkable control and did not buy anything, even though some of the stuff was pretty cute.

Me waiting anxiously for something to happen...

The hosts finally rounded us all up and marched us down literally into the bowels of the stadium where we waited some more.

They told us that we couldn't take pictures or carry anything in to the meet and greet. Bummer. However, they did tell us that they would collect any gifts for cast members and give them to the production crew, who would then distribute them. So I handed over Chris' gift, and hopefully he got it. I won't ever know for sure, but I'm choosing to believe that he did!

Finally, they started taking us in to the meet and greet. We knew there would be two cast members there, but they didn't tell us who. It felt like Christmas! We finally got to the door and saw that it was Kevin and Darren, who I have to tell you are adorable in person. They hugged us and everything! I told Kevin we came from Idaho to see them and he acted so flattered and thanked us for coming so far and said he hoped it was worth our while. Darren threw me off a little because he opened with "Hi, I'm Darren". I was like, "I know who you are!" and he said, "Oh, I never assume people know who I am." I think I told him something like "I think you're safe in assuming that here", but the camera person was rushing us into position for the picture, so that was the extent of the small talk. I'm the lucky one because I got to be in the middle. They're touching me! And I'm touching them! Aaaaaaaahh! I wish the photographer had snapped candids of the hugging part, because honestly, the whole thing is a blur.

My favorite part (weirdly) is that Kevin's stripey underpants are visible. Heehee! Also, Darren is wearing man capris, which makes me love him even more than I did before. Awww, such cute boys! After the picture, we wished them luck, they told us to have fun, and we said goodbye.

We were then delivered to the pre-show party, where they had snacks and such. My sister, Megan, participated in a sing-off, which was fun. She's way more outgoing than I am, not to mention a much better singer. We also got our goody bags, which were pretty decent. I like the backpack better than the tote from last year, and it was nice to actually get a program, since that was the only item I had planned on buying. Maybe I'll use the binder and insulated tumbler when I go back to school in the Fall. We were also supposed to get Warbler ties, but those are apparently delayed and will be sent to our homes. I'm actually pretty excited to have a fun package to look forward to!

After awhile, the hosts rounded us up again and escorted us to our seats. I'm not good at interpreting seat locations from ticket stubs, especially in an unfamiliar venue, so I was pleasantly surprised once we figured out where they were. Actually, that might be a mild understatement.

As it turned out, we were surrounded by stage on three sides, and my seat was right at the edge of the walkway between the main stage and the pop-out stage.

 

 

That opening in the curtain? Various cast members entered and retreated through it all during the show, and used these stairs to get on and off the stage. They passed within inches of me!

 

I'm sure by now, those of you who are interested already know about the set list and have seen bits of the show and whatever, so I'll try to stick to the highlights here...

As the show started, I got my birthday banner out and ready. At the end of DSB, Chris was at the edge of the stage directly in front of me. He looked down, saw the banner, smiled his winning Chris smile, looked right at me and mouthed "Thank you", at which point I required CPR.  Direct eye contact achieved! A few minutes later he was on the walkway right next to me and he looked down and smiled at me AGAIN. The girl in front of me turned around and said, "That was awesome". Yes, it was!

 

They were RIGHT THERE! No zoom necessary!

The only disadvantage of where we were was that some of the action took place on a separate stage in the center of the venue. Unfortunately, that's where the Get Happy/Happy Days duet, Single Ladies, Amber's big solo, and Teenage Dream were performed. Also, during "stationary" numbers (like Friday, where the boys were on stools), their backs were toward us the whole time. Well, you can't win 'em all, right?

  

Luckily, the Warblers moved closer for RYG, so we got our other sign out. During that number, the boys sort of circled around and Riker and Titus both acknowledged us, which was cool. I'm really excited for the 3-D movie now, because I'll be able to see the stuff we missed or couldn't see well. I'm secretly hoping we make it into the movie, because our sign is actually visible behind the boys as they're performing. I know this because we've turned up in various youtube videos! If we're lucky, the editors will want to take advantage of the extra punch of Warbler enthusiasm. I guess we'll see. Now I just hope the movie actually ends up playing here! You have two months to get it together, Idaho.

 

So the show went on and we screamed a LOT. I'm pretty sure the cast was told not to engage the crazies in the pit on the way in to and out of the magic portal, because most of the time they sort of acted like we weren't there, moving briskly and very purposefully from point A to point B. I imagine this was for their own safety as well as in the interest of moving the show along, and I in no way fault them or feel slighted. They were so close to us so many times, and if there had been much actual interaction, chaos might very well have erupted. Not because of us specifically (promise!), but we all know that overstimulated fans can get scary and grabby. Cory did give us high-fives once and smiled very genially (as he does), Darren high-fived my sister, and at the end of the show, Mark and Amber smiled and slapped hands with us on the way down the stairs (different cast members used that exit at different times and those two, along with Chord, happened to go out that way at the end).

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8fTB2y8GKc

And that was it! We had such a glorious time and I'm so glad we went. At this point, I really don't know what my future involvement with Glee will entail, but whatever happens, I'll always have this lovely memory of time spent with my beautiful, hilarious sisters and the remarkable cast that has impacted my life in ways I never imagined possible. All of us laughing, dancing, and singing together. It was well worth the price of admission and so much more. <3

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

In Hopes of Sleeping Tonight...

I've been thinking about the last couple of Glee episodes a lot lately. To the point of distraction. I've actually lost sleep over this. Obviously, I, like Rachel Berry, care too much.  This show is so powerful, and reaches so many eager viewers, young and old(er) alike.  I worry about those who may be led to make decisions they wouldn't have made otherwise. I get that this is a television show, and firmly believe that parents are ultimately responsible for teaching their children values. But to say that they aren't influenced by the media, and especially by shows like Glee, which is full of likable, relatable characters, is simply untrue.

In the last two episodes, we learned that it's "unrealistic" to ask children to refrain from drinking or from sexual activity.  We also learned that celibacy is "lame" and "naive". From an adult. An educator, no less. Because apparently teenagers are so full of hormones, they simply can't be expected to control themselves. Evidently, the only reasons a kid would choose to be celibate are a) she doesn't understand the mechanics of sex or b) she can't find anyone to do the deed with. I'm baffled that a show that advocates inclusion and open-mindedness is so quick to ridicule kids who make choices outside of what's supposedly "normal". I am a parent and have worked with teenagers in many capacities. I know they are impulsive and hormonal. I'm all for education, but at the end of the day, telling a kid that he should just give in and do whatever he feels like doing is irresponsible. That's how Lindsay and Miley were built. Surrendering to every impulse doesn't make a person enlightened. It makes him an animal. An enlightened person educates himself and then makes informed, rational decisions. Yeah, kids struggle with that concept, because they are still developing both physically and psychologically. My point is that they need to learn. I'm not trying to sound preachy here. I get that all this was supposed to be funny and ridiculous. But it mostly made me sad. There were those few promising moments between Burt and Kurt, but nowhere near enough to counteract the "Holly Effect".

I would also like to say a few (!) words about the Santana/Brittany situation. I don't understand why this is happening at all, other than there were a bunch of screaming fans at Comic Con who thought it was a swell idea. So, this is now the third sexual identity crisis the show has highlighted. This season.  I'm not even including Kurt, or whatever it is that Brittany is experiencing. Not only that, but Santana's situation essentially mirrors Karofsky's: "I'm a bully who insults people and pushes everyone around because I'm scared and have feelings I don't know how to deal with." Am I seriously the only person who notices this redundancy?!

Meanwhile, what significant developments have occurred with the other characters? Aside from comic relationship drama, not much. Again, I am baffled. Glee boasts a broad array of characters including a goth girl, a girl who is not only one of a handful of black students in the school, but also overweight, a boy in a wheelchair, a morbidly obese girl, a boy with learning disabilities, a girl who had a baby and subsequently gave it up for adoption, and a girl with Down Syndrome. In a real school, these kids would struggle. A lot. And yet somehow, none of these kids are given any real issues to overcome. Have they all been dealt with off screen? It seems like the only issue that is ever taken seriously or examined in any way is being gay. There seems to be some reluctance to give weight to any other situation, or to suggest that maybe the struggles of all kids are valid and worth exploring. Why is this?

I get that it's the "issue of the moment".  Now, I am in no way saying gay kids don't have a hard row to hoe, because they do. My heart aches for them and the things they go through; things no kid should have to deal with. I, like most people, am horrified when young people feel the need to end their lives because of bullying related to their sexual orientation. It's not right, and it's not okay. What I am saying is that they aren't the only ones who have a rough go of things.  Most teen suicides aren't related to sexuality at all. Kids give up for any number of reasons; self-esteem issues, bullying because they are perceived as different or unattractive in some way, even clinical depression. In most cases, they were "born this way", didn't choose their circumstances, and can't control what's happening to them. They all feel hopeless and isolated. The difference is that special interest groups don't launch campaigns to save overweight kids. Celebrities don't line up to make videos for kids who are run-of-the-mill depressed. Or kids from ethnic minorities. Or kids with learning or developmental disabilities. But aren't they worth saving, too? Who will tell those kids that "It Gets Better"? Glee could. But the writers won't.

Santana's setup has intrigued me from the beginning. My impression of her has always been that this is a kid with crippling self-esteem issues. On the outside, she seems to have everything going for her: beauty, talent, wit, wealth (assuming her dad is actually a doctor), and popularity. Yet she is clearly unhappy. Something is missing--either in her life or in her heart, and she can't figure out how to fill the void. Hence the false bravado, the self-destructive behavior (drinking, promiscuity)--heck, even the boob job plays into this scenario. It never once occurred to me that she was gay, even with her involvement with Brittany. She likes Brittany because Brittany is completely non-judgmental and loves unconditionally. Since Santana doesn't love herself, she lets Brittany do it for her. It is certainly not unheard of for an emotionally vulnerable girl to become attached to another girl. I realize this is not a popular thing to suggest. I'm not denying that some people are legitimately gay, but when hormones and emotions come into play, confusion is not outside the realm of possibility. Brittany is sweet and nurturing, and that is like a salve to Santana's aching heart.

I expected (and hoped) that this would somehow parlay into an extended storyline about self-worth. Yes, there have been fleeting messages about this. But nothing deep or particularly meaningful. I envisioned that at some point, the other girls would figure out that Santana's feelings of inadequacy and self-loathing were to blame for her bad behavior. Maybe it wouldn't make much sense to them at first, because to these girls (who, if this was a remotely realistic school, would deal with a fair amount of grief of their own), it would appear that she has nothing to feel badly about.  But I bet Mercedes, Tina, Lauren, Rachel, and even Quinn must experience similar feelings, even though they are rarely shown and never leave any lasting effect. It would have been very moving to see these girls reach out to Santana and take her in to their care. We might have actually had the opportunity to find out exactly HOW the other girls gained the self-assurance they now have. With their varied backgrounds and life situations, I have to believe actual adversity and growth occurred at some point. I think of all the kids who could have been inspired by this story. All those kids who feel sad or empty or who hate themselves and have no idea why. Most kids probably relate to those feelings to some extent, but not all (or even most) of them can relate to being gay. But it seems like straight kids aren't allowed to have real, painful, crippling emotions. As if they should simply suck it up because they don't have to also deal with sexual identity issues. This story could have had almost universal appeal. But instead of taking the opportunity to explore these sensitive and potentially life-threatening feelings in a general way, once again the show goes with the idea that only those who struggle with their sexuality have a legitimate excuse for real emotion. I still hope that at some point, Santana realizes that her issues are bigger than her sexuality, and that her shredded self-esteem is at the root of her problem. It would be great to see her actually address those issues rather than having them miraculously resolved once she (I'm sure inevitably, now) gets together with Brittany. Much as I would like for her to figure out that she isn't actually gay, but rather seeking comfort from a safe, nurturing relationship, I realize such a development would cause a riot in the LGBT community and there's no way the show would risk offense. Now that they've launched that ship, I don't see how they can turn it around.

I know that every time a new "sexual orientation" scenario is introduced, the writers and actors get lots of reinforcement. These stories are written with care and purpose. They get praise from Ellen, Rosie, and Elton John. The media go crazy. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, or that the accolades are undeserved. The problem is that these are the ONLY stories that are written with care and purpose. As a result, these storylines have worked out very, very well for the show. And yes, they empower many kids and give them confidence to be who they are. But I don't understand why the writers feel the need to bolster the same group of kids over and over again. Kurt and his dad have softened hearts and opened eyes. Karofsky has given a voice to kids who continue to struggle and aren't sure how to proceed. Blaine is charming, affable, and (mostly) confident...the ideal role model. Doesn't it seem like the bases have been covered here?

I'm continually surprised by the tunnel vision exhibited by the writers. The ingredients to make a rich, well-rounded show are all here. Yet the writers seem content to make grilled cheese every night. There could be inspirational, meaningful stories galore for every single character. I sometimes wonder if any of these guys have ever actually talked to a teenager, or if they are working exclusively from their own recollections. Because if they had conversed with any teens of late, they would know that every kid struggles with something big. And every kid thinks his problems are way bigger than those of any other kid. Fear and loneliness and frustration aren't monopolized by a single group. These are universal, human feelings.  So why not spread the love? Maybe venture out and validate the struggles of kids who  don't get a lot of attention? Allowing each character the opportunity to work through legitimate trials does nothing to minimize the gravity of individual issues. Rather, these characters could learn from each other, gain empathy, and grow stronger together. Maybe seeing that played out on screen would boost a kid who feels homely, or who mixes up his letters, or has different beliefs than her peers.  Instead of forcing kids to grasp at straws and extrapolate inspiration from the mere presence of certain characters, why not give them something concrete and meaningful to cling to?

So, yeah, that's a lot.  I've been thinking about all this for a long time, and the past few weeks have sort of brought things to a head. The thing is, I love this show. Rather, I WANT to love this show. I did love it, now not so much. I keep trying to talk myself down, telling myself that it's *just* a show. But I don't really believe that. Because I see the good it does. It hurts and frustrates me when opportunities for even more good fall by the wayside. Adults are listening! Kids are listening! Take advantage of that power and say things that are worth saying! Respect independent thought. Cherish the individual. Inspire love of self and others. Don't play favorites--take the time to make EVERY story worthwhile. More lives will be touched, many may even be saved.

Dream Performances (according to me)


Maybe I'm imagining things, but it seems like lately the song selection on Glee has skewed toward more recent top 40 hits. This is not all bad: I really enjoyed the Glee versions of "Teenage Dream", "Hey Soul Sister", "Just the Way You Are", and some of the others. "Tik-Tok"and "Blame it on the Alcohol"? Mmmm--not so much.

Now, I'm the first to admit I could stand to broaden my horizons a little.  In the past several episodes, most of the songs were completely new to me. Yes, even the Bieber stuff. Shocking, I know. I guess I'm not exactly up to date. I'm aware of what's popular. I'm just not that interested. That said, I have a hard time getting excited about covers of songs that are already played to death on the radio, especially when there is pretty much a limitless supply of wonderful music.

So, the other night while I was waiting for my boys to finish their scout meeting, I was thinking about songs I'd love to hear performed on the show. For some of them, I have an idea about who I would like to have sing them. The rest just make me happy. :)

"Maneater" by Hall and Oates--how has this one not been done already?! It's like Santana's theme song.

"Teenager in Love" by Dion and the Belmonts--I think it would be adorable if Mike sang this.

"Bye Bye Love" by The Everly Brothers--also cute for Mike, but I think it would also work for Sam.

"Respect" or "Chains of Love" by Erasure--when I was a teenager, Erasure was standard at ALL dances...it's just fun, feel-good music. I love all of their stuff, but I think these would make great group numbers.

"Freedom" or "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" by Wham!--if you can't tell, I'm a huge fan of cheesy 80s music. It makes me very happy. Blaine channels that "happy" vibe like no one else. Blaine + cheesy 80s music=VERY happy me. :)

"Unforgettable" by Natalie and Nat King Cole--definitely on par with "Happy Days/Get Happy".

"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor--again, how has this one not been done?

"At Last" by Etta James--I desperately need Kurt to sing this once he gets his boy issues sorted out. His lower register is so gorgeous and I'd love for him to get a jazzy, meaty ballad that he can really sink his teeth into. I think he would also kill "Stormy Weather", "Someone to Watch Over Me", or "Can't Help Loving that Man of Mine".

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cindi Lauper. How cute would this be?

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears--another dynamite group number.

"In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel--Puck could use this one to make restitution for the "Fat Bottom Girls" debacle. Bonus points if he manages to scrounge up a boom box.

"Forever Young" by Alphaville--please, PLEASE let this be the last song of the series. I think this is my favorite song ever; the great, iconic song of my youth. It's the quintessential last dance.

Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list. It barely scratches the surface, actually. I didn't even get to The Cars, Whitney Houston, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Poison, Chicago, The Carpenters...not to mention the showtunes! The mind truly boggles...

 So, what songs are you dying to see covered on Glee?


xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Glee Live! Round 2

When I first saw the tour dates and venues last week, I was pretty bummed. I'd really hoped for something closer to home. Also, with all of the "happenings" on Glee of late, I wasn't sure if my sisters would even be game for going again. I called my youngest sister, Megan (the young, hip one), and to my surprise she was totally on board! I thought maybe we'd do Vegas, since it's the closest (only 15 hours...guh), but she's already going to see Gaga there next month. Like I said, she's young and hip. Instead, she suggested we really go for broke, drive to Anaheim and make a week of it. We're going to Disneyland! I've never been, so I'm super excited.

Since we're not flying like we did last year, and we've all been saving up in anticipation of this event since last year's tour, we decided to roll that money into REALLY good tickets. So, the fun began when pre-sales started Thursday. Due to a miscommunication with my AmEx carrying sister, we missed out on the first round of sales. Grrr! So the past few days I've been freaking out about missing the second batch of VIP packages, which were to be released today. I camped out in front of my computer all day practicing my quick-draw clicking so I could be ready when Anaheim opened up. I watched all of the other sales, and those packages were selling out in under a minute. Gleeks are a crazy, dedicated people indeed. As the moment of truth approached, I literally thought I was going to be sick, pass out, or both. I don't think I've ever been that nervous, which is really saying something as I've both gotten married and given birth (not simultaneously). I'm pretty sure the monster burrito I had for lunch coupled with the Pepsi Max didn't help matters much! The time arrived, I clicked like crazy (while shaking like a leaf and hyperventilating), got to the end, double checked the order, and it looked like they'd charged me for too many packages. At the bottom was a little box that said, 'Change your order', so I clicked it, and it KICKED ME OUT OF THE SYSTEM! Nooooooo! I had to start all over again, and I was sure in the 30 seconds it took for me to get back in to the order page, those tickets would be gone! By then, I was shaking like a leaf, hyperventilating, AND practically in tears. But the Glee Gods had mercy on me, because by some miracle, I got through and they still had my tickets. After all that, I took a long, brisk walk to regain my composure and to burn off some of the adrenaline. I think my poor kids were a little afraid of me for awhile there.

I have to give a shout-out to Barry, my long-suffering hubby, who didn't say a word about me sitting in front of the computer all day on Valentine's Day. Or about me blowing a big wad of our tax return on a silly concert. Or the fact that said concert takes place on our 16th wedding anniversary. What a guy, huh? I couldn't ask for a better Valentine. <3


xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Happy Hearts Day!

I can't call it "Single Awareness Day" anymore, since I'm not single. At least not yet. We'll see after today. Let's just say I have an endlessly patient spouse.  :/  But I digress. Today I'm celebrating "Half-price Candy Day Eve". Tomorrow, I'll send Hubby out to buy me twice as much candy as he would have today!

Also in the spirit of Valentine's Day...
I pass this street sign on my way back from my favorite burrito place. It reminds me of Chris Colfer every time. I like to think of it as the reclusive, socially awkward cousin of Lovers Lane. Heehee!

On a side note, I did a little Google Maps search out of curiosity, and it turns out there are actually three different Llama Lanes within 20 miles of my house. You gotta love Idaho.

Wishing you a squishy, lovey day! <3 <3 <3


xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Har Har

One of the (many) disadvantages of being technologically impaired is that I rely on my hubby to do anything that requires any degree of skill. Unfortunately, this also means I occasionally fall victim to his little techno-pranks. Because I have no idea what I'm doing, I can't fight back! This is what I found this morning...

 

I'm told this was up for a couple of days! Obviously, I haven't been paying very close attention, because I didn't even notice. Eep! I apologize if this little stunt caused any confusion. I assure you my fondness for all things Kurt and Glee remains unchanged. My fondness for Hubby, on the other hand...


Oh, who am I kidding? The guy's a saint AND a riot. No complaints from me. :)




xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Valentinebowl

Had my Glee girls over for the first post-hiatus gathering. We watched both "The Sue Sylvester Shuffle" and "Silly Love Songs", mostly so I could utilize both themes for the party. :)

 We had Valentine/ game day food. I even made chili dip using Matthew Morrison's recipe. It was pretty good.

 I do not love football, but I DO love cupcakes. And sprinkles.

My 11 year-old, Ethan, wanted to help decorate, so he made this Glee hand and heart out of Legos. It's hard to see the details, but the hand actually looks like it has three fingers curled down! He was pretty happy with himself, and the girls and I were duly impressed.


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Day...Whatever: The End

Okay, so I sort of ran out of steam at the end. I watched the last few episodes, but just couldn't summon the will to write about them. I wanted to say a few words, though, to close this project out.

When I decided to start this retrospective, I thought it would be a fun way to pass the hiatus. I was also looking forward to flexing my tired mom brain a little. I miss my brain sometimes, and this seemed like a good exercise. Thinking, writing, analyzing...the workout of cerebral champions! Combining this trifecta of mental stimulation with a bit of high school drama, some butt-kicking song and dance routines, and a copious amount of sarcasm seemed like the perfect idea. By and large, I enjoyed the challenge of writing off-the-cuff commentary, and, of course, I'm always looking for an excuse to watch my favorite show. The project did lead me in some unexpected directions, though, and not all of them were good.

During this process, I discovered several things. One is that I need a new keyboard. The keys stick and it makes me nuts. Another is that when I think about Glee too much, I like it a lot less. Case in point, when I watched "Furt" for the first time, I adored it. I thought it was sweet and joyful and beautiful. I still think that, in many respects. But the more times I watched and the longer I thought about it, the more upset I got. I was alarmed and perturbed by this development. This was obviously not what I wanted to have happen. I love Glee. This is my show. It's my THING, for crying out loud!

 So, here's what I've figured out. The Glee I fell in love with is gone, probably forever. This breaks my little gleek heart, but I guess it's like any dynamic thing worth loving. Over time, things inevitably change. And you can choose to go with it or you can choose to fall apart. When change occurs in people, sometimes they fight, break up, divorce, whatever. Other times, both parties back off a little, regroup, and give it another go. Recognizing that although things won't ever be the same again, maybe they'll turn out okay anyway. At the moment, it feels a little like Glee and I are staying together for the children. That probably sounds ridiculous. That's because I am pretty ridiculous. Be that as it may, I am completely enamored of these glee kids and the remarkable young actors who portray them. It's not their fault when the storylines get messed up or their character development stalls (or even reverses). I will continue to support them in hopes that the show which gave them life will eventually take responsibility and put their welfare above its own agenda and desires.

Another thing about love? Sometimes you have to turn a blind eye to certain things. Going in to the second act of Season 2, that's what I'm choosing to do. In the interest of maintaining the relationship, I'm going to try to focus on the positive! I love this show and what means to so many people. More than that, I love its potential. Whether that potential will ever be fully realized remains to be seen. I sincerely hope it will be. Because I WANT it to be great. I WANT it to reach out to even more people by expanding its focus. I WANT it to prove to me that my hope is not misplaced. Can you do that for me, Glee? The ball is in your court.


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Day 29: The Substitute

I am not a proponent of stunt casting, nor am I a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow. I don't exactly dislike her...more like I have no feelings one way or the other. I was, however, perturbed in advance of watching this episode because I knew she was getting a great deal of screen time and several songs. Not acceptable! Especially when main cast members are still scrambling for significant dialogue and solos. So imagine my surprise (and chagrin) when I actually loved "The Substitute".

I thought the "Forget You" sequence was darling. It seems like it's been a long time since we've seen the glee club let loose like that. Did you catch Kurt doing the running man off to the side of the piano? That's not something you see every day (unless you watch that scene on a daily basis. Which I totally don't). Free-wheeling moments like that remind me why I watch the show and why I love these kids.

When I was little, my brother actually had a Matchbox Le Car. It was yellow, and I always used it when we played cars together. I'm kicking myself now for not keeping it! I could have added it to my collection of completely random loosely-related Glee memorabilia. Like my Sorry! shirt. Do you remember where that reference comes from? If you do, you're a true gleek. :)


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Day 28: Never Been Kissed

Two words: Darren Criss. When I heard they were going to cast a significant other/ mentor/ whatever the heck he is for Kurt, my initial thought was, 'Good luck'. Because as far as I could imagine, no one would ever be a worthy match for the charming and perpetually adorable Chris Colfer. You know what they say about lightning never striking twice? It's bunk.

Two more words: Coach Bieste. I am madly in love with this woman. So sweet and vulnerable, yet absolutely terrifying when she gets fired up. She's got a hard shell with a nougat-y center.

A few more word pairs, for good measure:
Kurt confronts
Karofsky snaps
Buzzkill works
Bieste cries
Will kisses
Teenage Dream
Kurt smiles
Puck waffles
Artie pays
Boys apologize
All forgiven

Summary complete.


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Day 27: The Rocky Horror Glee Show

I was scared to death of this episode. And not in a cool, shivery haunted house way, either. After the Britney/Brittany debacle, I figured this would be yet another excuse to push the boundaries of decency and good taste. I confess I am not a huge "Rocky Horror" fan.  I've only seen the show once in its entirety, and that was probably 20 years ago. Since then, I've never felt the desire to revisit Dr. Frank-N-Furter and his band of merry--whatever they ares. I remember the basic premise and watched a few clips on YouTube to refresh my memory in preparation for this episode, but that's about it. It's not really my thing, but to each his own.

You will be surprised to learn that I actually like this episode. Probably no more surprised that I was, though! The music and costumes are fun and a departure from the regular Glee fare. Finn is an utterly adorkable Brad. "Dammit, Janet" is pure delight. His awkward physicality actually worked to his advantage for a change! Kurt's Riff Raff is somehow both cute and creepy. And I thought Mercedes made a fantastic Frank-N-Furter. Yes, that choice raised some eyebrows, but it works for me.

What doesn't work for me is the continuation of manipulative Will. You're a teacher, man! Pull yourself together! Now, we all know he isn't above a bit of treachery to get what he wants. I mean, back in the day, he planted drugs on a student and then proceeded to blackmail said student into joining glee. He's certainly no saint, but using his students and endangering the club ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS to aid  his romantic pursuits seems over the top. Which is really saying something.

Personally, I think it's hilarious that every time an interviewer asks Chris about coming up with the idea of doing a Rocky Horror tribute episode, he says something along the lines of, "Well, I wanted to do 'The Time Warp' ",  like he doesn't really want to take responsibility for the whole thing. I guess I don't blame him. The material here is risque, and honestly, not really suited for an early, primetime show. The source is a controversial, R-rated movie that is steeped in sex and reeks of fetish from beginning to end. It was sort of a bizarre choice, actually, because it pretty much guaranteed that hardly anyone would really be satisfied with it. The purists would be infuriated by heavy content editing, and the general non-Rocky public would be severely offended at worst and at best, terribly confused. I guess I'm somewhere in the middle: aware of the show but not a fan. The potential for disaster was pretty high from the outset.

The whole thing might have bothered me more had it not been for the brilliant "Sue's Corner" near the end of the episode. Here's a portion of that scene:

Well said, Sue.

I'm both encouraged and confused by this speech. On one hand, I think, whew--Ryan Murphy and Co. actually do understand that they have a responsibility to the viewing audience. That pushing the boundaries of decency just because the network will allow it isn't a good enough excuse, and that kids find plenty of questionable material all by themselves without adults handing it to them. I want to believe that this is an apology of sorts for previous missteps and an assurance that we will never again be subjected to students publicly pleasuring themselves or references to scissoring. This is not to say I want the writers to eliminate all potentially objectionable material. Glee is what it is because of the boundary-skirting issues and dialog. What I would like to see is "pushing with a purpose": pushing done thoughtfully, with an actual goal in mind, rather than pushing for its own sake or for shock value.

On the other hand, I get a little nervous when Sue emerges as the voice of reason. Do the writers intend for her to sound reasonable, or do they think she's being stodgy and ridiculous? Are we meant to watch her little speech and reel in horror at the suggestion of censorship in any form, or the idea that adults are actually doing a disservice to kids by not monitoring their media exposure?

I'd like to say the first case is more likely, but I'm honestly not sure. I suppose time will tell. Or not. It's awfully hard to know with these guys.



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Day 26: Duets

By and large, I like "Duets". After my last traumatic post, this, at least, doesn't feel quite as personal. It's a step in the right direction, anyway.

There are lots of great performances, in particular Mike and Tina performing "Sing!", which is probably one of the cutest things I've ever seen, and Kurt's "Le Jazz Hot". I'm dying to know if Chris did that glissando all by himself or if he had digital assistance. It sounds amazing! Also, I pray he never decides to grow a mustache.

I love Sam as this moment. I think it's darling that he does impressions and speaks Na'vi. It makes me sad that he subsequently loses these quirks, or at least they fade back behind the "jock" persona. Which is a shame, because the show could benefit from a good sci-fi/ pop culture nerd. One would think the writers would be all over that. Imagine the wealth of comic gold available from such rich sources as Star Trek, Star Wars, DC and Marvel Comics...the mind boggles at the possibilities. Sam has the potential to be a fun, unique character, and I hope someday he gets that chance.

I do not love Artie at this moment. Within a matter of moments, he goes from mooning over Tina to hitting the sheets with Brittany? Seriously? Not even a second thought, huh? And then he suddenly turns all self-righteous on her and sends her on a guilt trip because she took advantage. I don't recall hearing any protest on his end! And he obviously knew Brittany's reputation and her intelligence level. This whole thing was completely out of left field, and I HATE THAT! I can't really blame Artie for this lapse in judgment, though. The blame lies with the writers, who, once again, commit character homicide. This is not the Artie I know. And this turn of events is not cool.

I do appreciate the growing understanding between Kurt and Rachel. Despite Kurt's wishes to the contrary, they actually have a lot in common. I think it's sweet that Rachel manages to step out of herself for a moment, notice that he's hurting, and offer a hand to hold. Maybe she isn't a very nice person in practice, but she's capable when she puts her heart in to it. Hopefully, she'll start to figure out that building her friends up doesn't necessarily come at an expense to herself. That building another person up actually makes her stronger. And sometimes, it can even lead to a killer duet.


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Day 24: Britney/Brittany/ Day 25: Grilled Cheesus


Yes, I'm behind on my posts. A computer glitch left me stymied Thursday night. Then last night, a friend called, wanting to hang out and watch a movie or something. "Something" turned out to be a double feature of "Britney/Brittany" and "Grilled Cheesus". My friend has seen Season 1(at my behest), but not Season 2, probably due at least in part to my obvious dismay about the direction the show was taking.  My vision was that I would watch with my friend, follow up the viewing with a lively, enlightening discussion and I would then blog about it. Sort of a fun deviation from the norm, right? Well, what ended up happening is we watched, had a discussion, and then I came home and sat up all night wondering what the heck is wrong with me for being so committed to something that invoked both shock and horror in someone I care about and admire. I considered ditching this project, but I'm going to try and finish for myself. I say for myself, because I have no idea what is going to come out, and whatever it is, it probably won't be popular.

I'm not going to do proper write-ups of these episodes at this moment in time. I just don't have it in me. What I will say is that these two episodes caused feelings in me I'd never experienced before while watching Glee. More firsts, but this time, not the good kind.  These episodes marked the first  time I was actually embarrassed to call myself a Gleek. The first time I felt the need to apologize to my friends for inviting them over to watch. The first time I felt insulted by the writers; that they deliberately opted for shock value vulgarity over clever writing. This was the first time I felt violated; that watching left me feeling cheap and tawdry. And the first time I realized, through the haze of adoration, that the show was not actually plot or character-driven at all, but rather, whim-driven. Why else would they change history and characters more often than Kurt changes clothes? Did they think I was stupid and wouldn't remember? Emma didn't dump Will because he was boring! She dumped him because he CHEATED ON HER. And the sweet, dynamic kids we met last season? Where did they go? I hardly recognized them anymore, and it hurt my heart.

This was also the first time the creators took something sacred to me and made it an hour-long joke. And to what end? No apparent character evolution took place. No one was really any better off. Along with Finn, my faith was shaken. Not my faith in the divine, but my faith in the OTHER creators. The creators who gave us the world of Glee. And in the absence of faith, there is fear. Suddenly, for the first time, I was afraid. Had I been wrong to believe? What would happen next? Was this world I'd grown fond of and comfortable in slipping away?

Now, from its inception, this world was never perfect. Far from it, in fact. The environment was not safe for everyone, and discretion was necessary, but it made a great number of people very happy. I spent time with several thousand of these contended residents when I attended Glee Live in May. There were people old and young, male and female, from all walks of life. I remember in particular a grandmother there with her granddaughter, who looked to be about 10. And I thought how great it was to be part of something that brought generations together, opening hearts and minds through shared music and laughter. Seeing these episodes for the first time, I thought of those two people again, of them watching together. And I couldn't picture it.

Here's the thing about faith, and even if Finn doesn't get it, I do. Faith isn't about instant gratification. It's about sticking with something you believe in even when it gets hard. Even when things don't go the way you want them to. Faith is about believing that eventually, things will work out for the best, whatever the 'best' might be. My faith has been shaken, and a degree of trust has been lost. But I'm not ready to give up yet.


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Day 23: Audition

Season 2! After a hideously long hiatus, I was all geared up for more Glee. As I'm sure all of you were! My expectations were hazardously high. The writers hinted at more "intimate", fleshed-out storylines. There would be fewer production numbers to allow time for richer plot. Most intriguingly, new members would be coming in to the fold. I was a tad leery of the promised new characters. Would they be any good? How could they possibly measure up to the established characters I already loved? Was there room in my heart for an expanded glee club? 

When "Audition" aired at long last, I was thrilled. I was surprised and delighted to find myself instantly taken in by Sam, Coach Bieste, and Sunshine. Even better, several promising storylines were introduced. What follows is a rough approximation of my thoughts both during and immediately following the episode:

Sweet Sam-- the comic book-loving new kid worried about fitting in. He's also dyslexic. Those are issues lots of kids deal with. Definitely some usable material there...

Sunshine emerges as yet another tiny diva with a big voice. The perfect foil for the crazy-competitive Rachel! Imagine the hurt feelings and cat fights that will ensue...

Mike and Tina are dating? Hmmm. Okay...well, there must be more to it than Mike's abs and being Asian. I'm sure we'll find out more later...

Poor Artie! He obviously still cares about Tina. I can't wait to see what he'll do to win her back. Watch out, Mike--Artie knows what he wants and he won't give up until he gets it...

Quinn supplants Santana as captain of the Cheerios? That will cause some tension! I wonder how Babygate has affected Quinn's competitive nature. Will she let Santana push her around? How far will Santana go to regain her position? This will be an epic showdown...

Wow... Santana clearly has some serious self-esteem issues. Those issues probably fuel her promiscuous behavior. Many girls feel badly about themselves, so it will be interesting to see how Santana progresses. The boob job must be a set-up for the exploration of those issues...

I am completely in love with Bieste. She's perfectly heartbreaking and adorable and intimidating.

Well, one out of seven ain't bad. I guess.

Like I said, my expectations were hazardously high. Even more so after "Audition". Which is why, thus far, season two makes me want to tear my hair out! I'm not saying I've absolutely hated it. In typical Glee fashion, there have been many, many great moments. What eats at me, though, are all of the wasted opportunities for character and plot development. ALL of the characters could have sustainable, substantial story arcs. Some of them (particularly Quinn, Sam, and Santana) have the potential to make a significant impact. Maybe even save lives. For a show that prides itself on inclusion, the writers are surprisingly choosy about what issues warrant attention.  I just can't wrap my head around it. Glee has the power to reach out and inspire kids of all ages and backgrounds to embrace themselves and their differences. So the big question of this season is, why won't the writers actually do it?

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Day 22: Journey

I can't believe we made it to sectionals! I feel a genuine kinship with our intrepid glee clubbers today. Season 1 has been an epic uphill battle, fraught with frustration, heartache, tears, and the occasional errant slushie. And that's just me blogging about it! It's been WAY worse for the kids. Thankfully, we've all had enough good times to balance out the bad: plenty of laughs, loads of music, and a surprising amount of self-discovery to boot.

One of the (many) things I find intriguing about Glee is that even in the best episodes, the writing is a bit daft. This tendency possibly stems from the fact that the three writers are men, all of which are unmarried and childless. Case in point, I can tell you with surety that a gal can't just walk in to a hospital on a whim, sign a paper, and walk out with a baby. And yet, in the wacky context of Glee, it works! It's a tremendous testament to the power of the show that intelligent, rational people are by and large willing to overlook these bouts of crazy and just go along with whatever happens.

And there is a LOT happening here! Finn declares his love for Rachel, Matt speaks AGAIN (and delivers his line admirably, which is good considering it's more or less his swan song), and Quinn's mother resurfaces.  Will lays all his cards out with Emma. Josh Groban and Olivia Newton John boldly commit character assassination against themselves. Kurt, bless his heart, manages to act deadly serious while dressed as the Cracker Jack mascot. And all the tears! Is there anyone who doesn't cry in this episode? Even SUE tears up, for heaven's sake!  I must confess, I get a little weepy myself, especially during the Bohemian Rhapsody/childbirth montage. It's remarkable to me the way the two scenes feed off of each other, yet neither is diminished in intensity by sharing the same space. Beautiful. On a side note, I just have to say, Zach Woodlee is a gift to mankind. Since most of the performances on the show call for "dumbed down" choreography, numbers like this are a rare, savory treat. I love you, Zach!

"Journey", to me, is classic Glee. It has just the right mix of sweetness, suspense, comedy, melancholy, and music. If the writers could bottle that magic elixir and take a big swig every time they start a new script, they would never flounder again. Going a step further, why not market it globally, alongside all those tee shirts and soundtracks? Who wouldn't like to buy their own supply of vintage Glee? Light and bubbly with subtle, dramatic undertones. Sweet top notes. A bit of a bite, but smooth going down. And oh--it would make you feel so good! Giddy and satisfied, and a little nostalgic. I bet they could sell it by the box.


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Day 21: Funk

Well, if I had to pick my least favorite episode of Season 1, "Funk" would be the one.  It bears the unfortunate distinction of being the only episode with musical numbers that I actually skip. Other than that, there's really no specific reason for my distaste. It just doesn't ignite anything in me, you know? I've come to accept that not every episode is going to be amazing, and none of them will be perfect. That simply isn't how the writers roll. And that's okay. It doesn't make me any less of a fan if I feel ambivalent toward certain episodes. Apparently, the theme for this post is "Episodes"...

It's like this. I love my kids and I love my cat, and nothing they ever do will change how I feel. Even if they break my heart (kids), tear up the couch (cat), or barf on my carpet (could go either way), I will forgive their mistakes and go right on loving them. Glee is a bit like that for me. I don't always enjoy what's going on. The writers have made (and continue to make) some choices that infuriate and frustrate me. Still, I dearly love those glee clubbers. It's a good thing they're so cute--it makes forgiving the writers' folly that much easier.  :)

So, I'm curious. Are there any episodes that leave you cold?


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Day 20: Theatricality

I certainly appreciate the value of self-expression. In fact, I'm wearing 10-inch heels with my lady demon clothes right now. No, not really. I'm actually a pretty reserved person. I know--hard to believe, since I'm such a wild animal ON MY BLOG.

There's a lot of good stuff here. A little Gaga, a little Kiss...some mama drama...and spandex! Tina is brilliant. Why does she not get more to do? Rachel's critter dress is somehow a simultaneous win/ fail. And, in the spirit of ultimate self-expression--Matt SPEAKS.

The big moment in "Theatricality", of course, is the infamous basement blowout. My take is that no one in that situation is completely right or completely wrong. Ryan Murphy wrote this script, and I gather, based on Papa Bear Burt's lengthy speech, that he wants to cast Finn as the bad guy who is completely out of line. Here's the thing. Finn, like Kurt, is a teenager. A teenager who has been cornered, quite literally, into an awkward situation he has no idea how to deal with. He has already tried ignoring Kurt's advances, to no effect. Kurt persists. Now, I don't fault Kurt, either. He's in new territory as well. Finn is ridiculously cute, and nicer than most of the other boys. And, well, you can't always choose who you fall in love with, particularly if your options are limited and think there is even a remote possibility of success. So, Kurt pushes, and Finn freaks. Could he have been nicer about it? Sure. But, in that moment, he is done with subtlety. A huge, theatrical meltdown results. At the end of the day, though, they are both good guys, and neither of them really meant any harm.

It's freeing to be a little theatrical. We all have a bit of an inner diva, just dying to make a splash. We aren't soulless automatons. We're individuals! And that's a wonderful thing. Along with that delicious individuality, though, comes a degree of responsibility. I fervently believe that people should be free to express themselves, but only to the extent that it is respectful of others.  Okay, that sounds stodgy, but what I mean is that if people try to consider not only their own rights as individuals, but society as a whole while expressing themselves, I think there would be a whole lot more acceptance and patience in the world. Honestly? Extremes are threatening. So are Loud, Pushy, Condescending, Condemning, and a whole slew of others. They make people feel defensive. It's the whole "I'll do/ say/ wear whatever I please and screw you if you don't like it" attitude that causes so much grief.

So, back to Finn and Kurt. Kurt has the right to be who he is, no question. Finn has the same right, though. If Kurt had been paying attention, he might have noticed that Finn felt uncomfortable. He might have backed off a bit. Finn had something important to express, and was entirely within his rights to do so, but rather than thinking how hurtful his outburst might be, he allowed himself to lose control. In this case, a little mutual respect and consideration could have saved a whole load of turmoil.

That's just one example, and yes, I realize it's fictional. I also realize that the world is far from perfect, and therefore people will continue to behave badly. Still, wouldn't it be cool to live in a world where we could all appreciate each others' inner divas? Where I would cheerfully respect your right to express yourself because I would know that you likewise respected mine? A happy middle ground where 'I' and 'we' could coexist peacefully. Wii? Dang...already taken.


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Day 19: Dream On

"A dream is something that fills up the emptiness inside. The one thing that you know if it came true, all the hurt would go away."  Jesse St. James

I could, and probably should, leave it at that, buuuuut I won't. Because, darn it, there is food for thought here. If not a buffet, at least a soft pretzel's worth. On today's menu: dreams.

The lights in the WMHS auditorium don't run on dreams, but the souls in that auditorium sure do. Some precious dreams will bear fruit. Those are the ones that give confidence, fortification, and the desire to move forward and set new goals. Others are so lofty, they may never be fully realized. That's okay, though, because it's those really lofty dreams that make a person reach.

Artie steals the show, here. "The Safety Dance" easily makes my mental list of top ten Glee moments ever. Probably top five. In those two minutes of joyful movement, he makes it known that although his body is tied down, his heart certainly isn't. I love Tina for supporting and fueling his dream, no matter how far-fetched it might be. We all need a Tina; someone to tell us there's hope and that we aren't being completely ridiculous (even if we are being completely ridiculous).

Artie ultimately concludes that he needs to focus on dreams he can actually achieve. Realistic dreams are safe. We have some control over them. They aren't as likely to hurt us. There is nothing wrong with that. There's a certain wisdom in accepting one's limitations (I'm talking to you, first round American Idol contestants). The trick is balancing what truly is with what might be. Even if what might be seems like the proverbial impossible dream. So, maybe Artie never will dunk a basketball or kill a lion. But you know what? I hope he keeps those tap shoes.


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Fluff Post!

Believe it or not, when I launched the retrospective project, I intended for it to be fun and fluffy. I'd sit down, watch an episode, and then just write whatever thoughts came to me. Comedy assured, right? Well, it transpires that my spontaneous brain does not do 'fluffy'. On the other hand, who knew watching Glee could actually be an intensely philosophical and existential experience?  Color me surprised!

Anyway, in an effort to lighten things up a bit (and hopefully avoid scaring off the few readers I have), I'm doing a "fluff" post today. Literally. I thought I'd share a few more of my BABW creations, because they are "so fluffy I could die"! I put all blame for this project on Build a Bear Workshop and their ridiculously good coupon offers and generous reward program. Also ebay. Aaaand my bizarre urge to create Glee character effigies. I seriously couldn't help myself.

 This is Arfie Abrams. Doesn't he sort of look like Kevin?

 Here's my take on Finn. Can you guess his name? It's Finn...wait for it...CUDson!

 Can't decide if I want this guy to be Puckzilla or Pucksaurus. Either way, he's pretty cute.

And by "cute",  I mean "totally badass".

Because he's adorable, here's Kurt Hoomel again. Just in case you missed him the first time. 

I made his costume myself! He's probably my favorite.

I have several of the girls in progress...they're waiting for jewelry, costume revisions, and what not.  I'm really excited about the cute shoes I found for Moocedes! I'll try to get them in here at some point in the not too distant future.

Well, hope you enjoyed this little fluff piece! I'll be back tonight with Day...uh, whatever I'm on now. 18? 19? Anyway, I'll be back. See you later!


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Day 18: Laryngitis

It's fitting that this happens to be the episode of the day, as I currently find myself on the verge of a minor identity crisis. Bad news, glee clubbers: personal identity isn't a "one shot and done" proposition. You develop yourself over time. And, like most worthwhile pursuits in life, it takes concerted effort in combination with prolonged introspection. Although, it's entirely possible I'm  doing it wrong.  That would actually explain a lot.

In "Laryngitis", the glee kids face their own identity issues. What makes them tick? What makes them unique? And what happens when those qualities are lost (or ignored)? Although this episode is rather heavy-handed in spots, the intent hits home. The kids discover they are not simply the sum of their parts, and adding or subtracting a piece or two doesn't ultimately change who they are inside. Rachel is more than a voice; Puck is not just a mohawk. And Kurt will always be Kurt. No amount of flannel can change that.

The issues explored are relevant to every person walking the Earth.  Because who doesn't define herself by what she can do, or how she looks, or what she's accomplished? Everyone does that to some extent. The problem with hanging your identity on those things is that life loves a good joke. Not a good "ha ha" belly laugh kind of joke, either. Life jokes are usually the ironic kind that leave you feeling kind of had, and like you maybe should have seen it coming. Be that as it may, the entity known as 'you' can change in a flash. Then what? How will you find your voice? If you figure it out, let me know.


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Day 17: Bad Reputation

"Bad Reputation" is one of my favorite Back 9 offerings. It is totally ridiculous, the plot line makes even less sense than usual, and there are lots of men in singlets (no offense, just not my thing). Despite these strikes against it, I can't help but love the whole mess.

I could watch the "U Can't Touch This" sequence for hours. Come to think of it, I probably have watched it for hours, collectively speaking.  This is undoubtedly the "wishful thinking mom" part of me talking, but it delights me to no end that the most scandalous idea these guys could come up with was "getting their glee on in the stacks". Also, glee club must have a doozy of a costume closet! The cute little librarian slays me. Do you suppose they ever actually performed for the Sunday service?

Of the two music videos, only one of them does anything for me. "Run, Joey, Run" is, as Rachel would say, "Fantastically terrible". The melodramatic song combined with the cheesy editing (love the kaleidoscope effect) and over-the-top acting make for what I consider one of Glee's classic moments. I don't think Mark Salling is a particularly strong actor, but he's absolutely perfect here, right down to the anguished looks and heaving chest. The cameo by Sandy Ryerson is one for the ages--even in a bit roll he plays it for all it's worth.

"Physical" is just...no. And not solely because of the singlets situation. It felt completely unnecessary-- stunt casting for the sake of stunt casting, which is never a good thing. This was just too much, especially on the heels of "Vogue" in the last episode. I guess I sort of understand what they were trying for, tossing Sue on the reputation bandwagon. I still don't like it, though.

Aside from "Run, Joey, Run" (which I had never heard before), all of the songs featured in this episode were already on my ipod. Yes, even "Ice Ice Baby". I'm not sure what this says about me or my taste in music, but whatever it means, I'm fairly certain "nerdy" is in there somewhere. Also, old. "Bad Reputation" makes me feel enormously nostalgic, actually. I was in high school when most of these songs were popular, in particular "U Can't Touch This". I remember everyone comparing notes on how to successfully perform "the running man". I'm sad to report that I never did get the hang of it. The cabbage patch, on the other hand...


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