Glee Season 4 Wishlist

So. The new season of Glee starts tonight. I've been careful not to spoil myself too much with information that has been released. I felt like I was much too spoiled for the majority of season three, so my new season's resolutions include the determination to stay away from things that could ruin my enjoyment of watching each new episode.

Many of the things I talked about before season 3 still stand, for the most part, especially if it wasn't addressed. This year, though, I'm more worried than I thought I'd be. The first half of season 3 was really good. The last half, while enjoyable, however, fell into something of a confusion similar to how things were going for the first five episodes of season 2. There were things that were beautifully done, and things that weren't handled well, not to mention the few stray random things that just didn't sit well. With that being said, I think season 3 was much stronger than season 2 was.

But enough about that. On to the wishlist.

Story, Plot, and Characters

I definitely want them to continue with story and character development, as they tried to maintain throughout last season. I think they are most successful when the conflict lies within the characters and their respective relationships and grand plans rather than random bits of "whimsy" that don't necessarily make sense within the grand scheme of things.

But, anyway.

• Please, oh please, no more dumb, annoying proposals and engagements, unless it actually makes sense within the development of the characters and their relationships. Will and Emma are fine, but I just want them to show the wedding and be done with it. I wasn't too keen on the Finn/Rachel engagement thing that they carried through the last half of season 3. It didn't carry them further forward; it only brought Rachel back five steps and left Finn even more confused than before about what his real dream was. My opinion is that it was a grand disservice to their characters and their relationship. 
• I want Finn to find something that will make sense as a path for him. The whole acting thing was crazy. That's not his passion. And has it been that? I mean, really? He needs to find a niche. (And I don't think joining the military is going to help...)
• I LOVE the crazy episode scenarios, even if they seem a little random. The Christmas special, the "Props" episode where they switch bodies, the mattress commercial, Fondue for Two--there's just something so special and silly and wonderful when these scenarios pop up. And it's so Glee. 
• On the other hand, I absolutely love the normal, true-to-life scenarios, and the show has proven that they handle them really well. The yearbook photos from Season 1, the anti-prom attempt in Season 3, Kurt and Rachel's heart-to-heart after they see the NYADA hopefuls, the beautifully-handled conflict when they put on West Side Story, bits and pieces of the class presidential race, Tina and Rachel driving to talk to Carmen, Artie encouraging Quinn as she attempts to reach the top of the handicapped ramp, Kurt trying to cheer Blaine up with the stuffed animal won at Six Flags etc. These moments are when the show feels the most truthful. It's the little things, you know? 
• I want Lauren Zizes back on the show. 
• More Sam impressions. More Unique. More Rory. 
• I'm eager to see Blake from the Glee Project on the show, but I have yet to see the season finale for GP, so at this point, I'm not totally sure what his character is going to be. 
• Slight spoiler: the first episode for this season is called "The New Rachel." I'm not sure how I feel about this, and will likely return to the subject in the 4x01 Yay/Nay segment in a few days.
• I just really want this season to be successful. I'm excited to see how New Directions functions as, basically, a brand new club. The vibe is going to be interesting, and I'm super excited to see how they handle the story lines with the characters so spread out. (My worry is that this will fail; I don't want anyone to be forgotten or overlooked. It could get very messy.)

The Song Wishlist

I did read one thing that said they'd be doing "Don't Speak" by No Doubt which makes me SUPER HAPPY, but I'm worried I will be disappointed. (When they did one of my favorite songs ever, "In My Life" by The Beatles, I was elated...and then I heard their version and wanted to cry because it was mediocre. I can't listen to it to this day. I was so, so disappointed.)

I also hear they're doing "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons. *fist pump*

In addition to the songs I listed last season, here are some of the songs I hope them to include this time around.

• "Everytime," one of my favorites from Britney Spears. They're doing another Britney episode. I don't know if this is one of the songs they're doing or not. *fingers crossed*
• I wonder how they'd handle a Disney-themed or '90s boy band episode...???
• Spice Girls. Kurt and Rachel mentioned it in season 3. I can't unthink it, and that's good because I really want them to do one of their songs. 
• Speaking of '90s songs, something by Alanis Morissette. 
• "Virtual Insanity" by Jamiroquai. And I think it would be really cool for them to try recreating the video. With Artie (in dream dance sequence?) or Joe Hart singing of course. (Samuel did wonders with "Stereo Hearts.")
• Any song by the All-American Rejects. Particularly "Another Heart Calls" or "Kids In The Street."
• Have they done anything by ELO? Can that happen? (See also: The Cars.)

Season 4 is going to feel so very different. But hopefully in the best way possible. Until the next Yay/Nay. 

Moments

When I was a junior in high school, we had an assignment in English class that required us to find a song that best represented any of the ideas of Transcendentalism. After going through all my CDs, I finally decided on "Parklife" by Blur, which to me best represented connecting to nature.* Jackie, one of my classmates, picked a song called "I Woke Up In A Car" by Something Corporate. I was so caught up in it, I had to ask her what the artist was and wrote it down in a margin in my notebook.

The song is really good. Some people might write it off as being too "emo" or [insert complaint here]. But honestly? It's a solid, well-written, well-produced track off of a strong album. I get annoyed with really particular classifications when it comes to music; music is far too diverse to allow for any accurate placement. Some songs pull from too many directions, and I really, really hate it when people use a song's "classification" as a reason against it, as if it's not worthy of our time because it falls into a certain category. But I digress.

I didn't get a copy of the song until shortly after my high school graduation, and since then I've listened to it over and over, repeating it on mixes and getting lost within its lyrics and musicianship and pure awesomeness.

I've been up and down over the last week. I've been trying to find ways of cheering myself up; I read Lola and the Boy Next Door over the weekend, and while I was cheered up reading it (because it's so, so good), I still cried at the end because it affected me so. I finished This Full House and loved it, but also cried at the end for different but related reasons. Work, as usual, provides me five hours daily to mull everything over. And over. And over. It's rough being inside one's head for too long. I was driving myself crazy. I hate finding myself in a funk; I have such a hard time pulling myself out of it.

"I Woke Up In A Car" came up on my iPod earlier tonight at work, and it must have hit me at just the right moment. The song talks about the joys of embracing the unknown, of finding peace with oneself in the moment. I don't know if I could survive without some kind of structure, but I like the idea of allowing myself liberation in the moment. I was reminded that the funk will lift.** The next couple years will be interesting, and will likely allow me these moments. And I'm so ready for them.

So, all in all, I'm not feeling 100% better. (I need Earl Grey.) But I am feeling marginally better.


*I remember obnoxiously singing along with it in class; if anyone reading this now happened to be in that hour, my apologies. I don't think I understood the difference between socially okay and socially obnoxious.

**I hate how sappy this sounds. *sigh*

Things

Life during the last month, some instances of which are in bullet points. 

• Our BFA reception was a few weeks ago, and it was lovely. I think I might have some kind of social anxiety, though, as there were a lot of people and I was very nervous and overwhelmed because it. We had a good turnout, and I was so happy that people were able to come see the show. 

• I'm very glad the show is over, but senioritis has hit me hard in the last week, and I still have a few things to finish up. I'm trying to stay motivated by not thinking about how in two and a half weeks, I will be graduating. 

• Today is one of those days in which music sounds really good. Which is nice, of course, because on Monday and Tuesday all I wanted to do was skip every song that came up on my shuffle. 

• As graduation approaches, I am feeling two different emotions: first, a sense of relief after what I've been able to accomplish and excitement at what is to come. I've never not been a student before in my life. This next year off (as I apply for graduate programs) should be interesting. Second, an oddly muted sense of sadness and nostalgia, because I fucking love this campus.  The people I've met and the faculty I've been able to learn from and the things that I've discovered about myself and my interests and life in general in addition to everything I've learned....That little part of me looks at things like how beautiful campus looks at this time of year and the experiences I've had in English and Art classes and Sigma Tau Delta and the place I've been to because of K-State and the sidewalk chalking and things like that, and suddenly all I want to do is curl into a little ball in the middle of the Quad and cry. Six years. I can't believe it. 

• I love thunderstorms, but not when the chance of tornadoes are involved. For about eight hours on the Saturday before last, I was convinced we were going to get hit, and hard. I went through my things, pulling things I wanted to ensure wouldn't get lost/damaged in the worst-case scenario and put them all into bags and toted them down to the basement. (My problem is that I over-worry. I tend to get carried away sometimes.) Luckily, we didn't have much worse than wind and other severe thunderstorm conditions. 

• I feel like I've experienced nearly every emotion known to man in the last four weeks. That's spring semester for you. 

• I had the urge to draw for kicks last night as I was looking for reference for my last illustration project, and it made me so incredibly happy, because that means I haven't learned to hate drawing. THE LAST TWO YEARS IN DRAWING HAVE NOT MADE ME HATE IT. I think this calls for a celebration!

• Last night's Glee was especially good, but it made my heart hurt, like, a lot. Before, of course, things got better in the end (I was really head-over-heels in love with the episode). So many feelings as of late....

• Two things I have been (somewhat) silently obsessing over: My So-Called Life and One Direction. MSCL is wonderful. Seriously: a teen drama that features realistic, subtle drama, lovable characters, and the main character of Angela, who is insightful and wonderfully imperfect. The only show that I feel justified in comparing it to is what I've seen of Degrassi, but even then the two seem different to me. It's completely unlike anything I've seen, and so, so much more interesting and wonderful than a lot of the stuff I've seen on TV lately. As for One Direction...I can't seem to quit them. 

• This is the grooviest song/video I've ever heard/seen. In fact, Gotye's "Making Mirrors" album is beautiful. 

• Last year around this time I wrote about the tight-rope walkers. I haven't seen many ropes this spring, but I have seen tons of hammocks strung between the trees. I imagine it's quite peaceful. 

• I am really, really going to miss my creative writing class. 

Another Quick Word...

Once again I am here, and have much I'd like to talk about. But I have much to do and not a lot of time to spare while trying to fight the urge to procrastinate (which I have already failed at doing at least three times this morning). One of these days I'll get around to talking about Spring Break* and Beatle cover bands and talks with my sister and how much I loved and want to gush about the Hunger Games film and, finally, Mockingjay (both of which I will address soon...)

But...my show hangs in two weeks and I am trying not to loose my head in trying to balance readings and artist statement drafts and ways to hang my work and InDesign things and maybe drawing if there's time to spare. I can't believe it's almost here...

In the meantime, though, I leave you with one of the grooviest, coolest songs the Beatles ever did. Happy Tuesday. 

*Edit: Also The Fault in Our Stars, which I finally had the chance to read last week during break, and ultimately loved and cried my eyes out over and really, really want/need to do a thoughtbox over. Did you know that Peter Van Houten is not a real person? I googled him, and he and his book, are not real. Mind = blown. 

A Brief Note about Wizard Rock

I have a lot of things I'd like to write about regarding my trip to the SigmaTD convention last week (New Orleans!! Amazing!!), but I have been trying to keep up with various BFA and classwork things since my return on Sunday. Plus, I have class in twenty minutes, so I need to be really, really quick about this.

Saturday is the fifth wizard rock concert here at K-State. It's this great evening full of book nerdiness and celebrating reading and Harry Potter and His Dark Materials and Hunger Games and other such awesomeness. It has become one of my favorite things about the spring semester, and there's just something really wonderful and special about being around people who love reading as much as you do and listening to really quality music celebrating the power of story and the books you love. 

For time's sake, I'll save more gushing about this until I have a moment or two. But for now, I leave you with Ministry of Magic's "Don't Leave". Happy Thursday! (And see you Saturday at the Alumni Center!)

The Terrible Thursdays

My sister, Heidi, has received multiple texts and phone calls from me this week as things have happened, both good and bad. So earlier today, she posted this video, "Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)" by Gotye, on my wall as a break from painting flowers.* 

And I was moved. It was the exact thing I needed to hear, and so beautiful. It's not just creative inspiration (for lack of a less possibly cliche way to say it), but also an example of how wonderful Heidi is. She always knows the right thing to say, the perfect advice to give, the right song to hear when your day is the worst of all. I am so very blessed to have the best sister in the world.** I don't know how I'd be able to get through each day without her. She's my best friend. 

*The subject of my rendering project for my illustration class.

The Terrible Tuesdays

I actually really like Tuesdays this semester; I have my drawing and BFA exhibition classes, and I have time to work on stuff without having to worry about waking up at the crack of dawn to get ready for work.

But today is not a good day. After a weekend of work combined with meetings combined with fitting in drawing whenever I could and trying to finish a slow moving first draft of the first of three short stories for my writing class this semester, I woke up with a bad feeling. It was doom, or some sense of it.

I don't know if it's the prospect of Valentine's Day next week, or the fact I won't be able to visit my parents over the weekend like I'd hoped (my birthday is Saturday). It might be both these things plus my stressing over waiting for a studio space plus the paper I should have gotten about four weeks ago. And the fact that I set up my BFA show on Easter Sunday. I try not to look at it in the sense that everything is working against me this semester, but it's really hard not to.

All I know is that when this song came on my iPod, closely followed by this one, I really had to try not to start bawling my eyes out. I hate getting overly emotional about stuff; I can hardly stand being around myself. It's like my rational side puts up with the comforting one for only so long, and then all I want to do is tell myself to get a grip and then just walk away and get a cup of Earl Grey to calm my nerves.

Perhaps I should try doing just that. Hmm.

P.S. - "Slow Me Down" by Emmy Rossum, for your Tuesday.

"Shake It Out" by Florence + The Machine

One of my Christmas presents was Florence + The Machine's "Ceremonials," and I think I may be a little obsessed with it. This is definitely one of those songs that is perfect for writing and drawing--and I'm sure that the entire album will end up going on my art playlist. Of the three CDs I got for Christmas, this album is the one that I've kept in my Walkman* the most. Everything about the album is amazing.

I updated my iPod playlist last night to include this album in addition to songs from the respective greatest hits collections of The Cure and Tom Petty. I get ridiculously excited whenever I add/switch around playlists--I wonder if that's any indication to how silly the things that make me happy are, but no matter. Music gets me through my day, and I love switching playlists around. I really wanted an updated playlist for the ride back the Tiny Blue Room later today.

Speaking of which...I've been up for three hours and I really should get stuff pulled together. It's so surreal that the vacation is almost over.

*My friend Jessica had to explain what a Walkman** was to her daughter, who is about 5 or 6 years old. When she told me that I nearly fell over. I feel so old (which makes sense, I suppose, since my birthday is coming up next month).

**In case you don't know what a Walkman is, it is a portable CD player that was really popular through the '90s and into the 2000s, just before iPods and other such mp3 players became popular. I think it also derived from the Walkman cassette player, which preceded the Walkman CD player. Anyway, a Walkman can be seen at about :41 or :42 in this early video from Mandy Moore. And the one she has there is super fancy--mine is a simple silver Sony Walkman.

One of Those Cliche End of 2011 Posts...

I think this year was one of the only years that I slept soundly Christmas Eve. I woke up once during the night when I heard the ringing of a bell, and though I knew it was not what I thought it was, there was a brief moment in which I wondered if, after all those years, I'd finally had some kind of evidence of Santa Claus. The semi-concious mind is a fascinating thing.

A lot has happened in the last year. I became a proud godmother. I have settled into the Tiny Blue Room. I read some of my poetry in Pittsburgh, PA, where Jessica, Kelsey, Laura and I hung out with other English majors, basked in all things English-y, and ate sandwiches topped with french fries. I discovered a lot about drawing and what it means to me personally and in my work. I've thought a lot about the future, and in the process learned a lot about myself and how I want to live my life. I went to see the final HP movie with my sister and my best friends. I was sorted into Ravenclaw on Pottermore. I tried my hand at nonfiction and found another mode of expression that I connected to, learning many things about myself in the process. I completed the requirements for both my French minor and English major. I am three art classes away from graduation. And I started this blog.

I have a lot of thoughts. But now is not the time.

Favorite Books Read in 2011

• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
• The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Jury Is Still Out Award 2011

• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Thoughtbox coming soon...)
• I Kissed A Girl, 3x07 of Glee

Favorite Glee Episodes Aired in 2011

• Silly Love Songs 2x12
• Born This Way 2x18
• Prom Queen 2x20
• I Am Unicorn 3x02
• Asian F 3x03
• The First Time 3x05

The Television Cool Point Award 2011

• Every single episode of Modern Family, one of my favorite shows ever. 
• The First Time, for many reasons.

Favorite Movies 

• Super 8
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
• Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Music (does not mean it has to have been released this year...)

• Florence + The Machine, "Ceremonials"
• Alanis Morissette, "Jagged Little Pill"
• Madonna, "Madonna"
• Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"
• Coldplay, "A Rush of Blood to the Head"
• Panic! At The Disco, "Vices and Virtues"
• Freelance Whales, "Weathervanes"
• Jessie J, "Who You Are"
• Adele, both "19" and "21"

See you in 2012. I'm off to knit and continue with my Glee marathon to ring in the New Year.

Imogen Heap, "Lifeline"

I've been poking around, looking for options for a project we're working on for Drawing III, which involves us compiling a list of our various formal and conceptual influences as artists. I came across this amazing, beautiful song and the accompanying video in my search for "new" non-artist influences. 

I absolutely adore Imogen Heap. She is an incredible, all-around poet, artist, and musician, and I can't help myself but get caught up in each of her songs. This song is no different. I cannot wait until this album comes out. Goodness me, is it good....I just wish I'd known about it before today. 

*adds it to list of inspirations for any kind of creative block*

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Don't Come Around Here No More"

Ever since we got cable, I have been glued to Fuse and Vh1 Classic (and any That '70s Show episode/marathon that happens to be playing at the time) any chance I've gotten. This morning during their '80s video block, this video came on.

I love watching music videos in general, but I adore older music videos, and the fact that Vh1 Classic takes the time to

1. actually play music videos and
2. features a wide variety of older clips

...is kind of awesome. But that's not the only thing that struck me about the video block, especially after seeing this video.

Aside from my obsession with '80s music videos, I love the take on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland--one of my favorite books of all time. I am fascinated by its nonsense. And everything I've heard from Tom Petty has been amazing. But that first shot of Tom Petty at the end of the long table sparked some kind of recognition in my mind. I felt like I'd seen it before, years ago. I didn't necessarily remember the rest of it--except the checkerboard room--but it must have been very early on when I saw it. I couldn't place where I saw it, how old I was, what was going on in my life. I just...felt like this morning wasn't the first time I'd seen it.

There are things we won't remember--regardless of whether the memories will stay buried or become uncovered by some kind of trigger. A small part of me is worried about never being able to recover those things; I wonder if it's even possible. The big things, the little things, everything in between from when I started comprehending everything around me to the things I should remember but have lost, even from today. There is a slight fear that if I can't, I will never fully understand my place on this Earth. As if maybe if I'd paid more attention, I wouldn't feel so unsure about everything. Life and its complexities with cracks, with holes that will lead to somewhere I will never be able to access.

I know that I will never reach a complete understanding of everything life possesses, how life experiences connect and function, why things happen as they do. Not in this life, anyway. And as cliche as this may sound, until then, I'll just sit and ponder.

Hodgepodge #3

It's been at least two weeks since we've moved into the house. Our dining room still has some boxes (all of them belonging to the other girls; Alisha and I have both unpacked/set aside our own things), and I still have to figure out what posters I want up in my room. If they'll fit within my limited wall space, anyway.

We had a cook-out Sunday night as a kind of house-warming to celebrate. A handful of friends came to eat food and hang out with us. Andrew and Nate came from KC to visit--both of whom we don't get to see very often, so it was great to visit with both of them. Maybe it was just me and my simplistic expectations, but what I thought was going to be a leisurely, mellow get-together turned out to feel more like a let's-get-crunk "leisurely" party. Prairie and Emma were drunk. Alisha was tipsy and wanting to start a kind of dance-party thing in our living room (something I wasn't completely opposed to, but was still in that things-will-break nervous state). Amanda left at one point with John and a few of their friends, and my camera was passed around (ninety percent of the pictures from the party were not taken by me).

Overall it was a success--and it really was a lot of fun. The best part was getting the chance to see most of our friends in one place at one time. I am just not the kind of person who handles social situations very well. And there was a lot of loud talking and laughing and I got a little nervous.

The Glee Project's finale is next week. I was devastated and a little miffed when Hannah was sent home two weeks ago. (I mean, seriously, Glee Project? You're going to send home Hannah--who is the show--in favor of the two people who can sing better than her? Who furthermore, incidentally, received more criticism from Ryan Murphy than her. Explain that to me, please.) Anyway, I'm really hoping Damian will win, and I have a strong feeling--a.k.a. I'm wishing hard--that he'll be the one to come out on top. Or Alex. I wouldn't mind Alex winning. Samuel is incredibly talented, but we are still finding out things about him. What is his deal? And Lindsay...I don't know what I'd do if she wins.

Classes for the fall semester begin on Monday. I'm very discombobulated at the moment concerning this. The end of the summer "vacation" has taken a kind of toll on my patience and positivity. I don't know how to describe it; I'm not really angry, per say, nor am I in a bad mood. There have been days where I have indeed had the chance to sit back. But those days were few, sporadic, and never lasted longer than three days. Why didn't I take off a week or two? And why did the summer go by so fast? I need some time at home, away from everything here. I want to see my parents longer than just three days. I want to be able to meet up with Maggie so I can visit with her, and also see my goddaughter Emilyn, whom I haven't seen since the beginning of June. I want to see my cats Angus and Naomi (both of which I'm technically barred from bringing to live with me at the new house). I don't want to have to worry about work or classwork. I want to start the sweater I've been meaning to knit for my sister (if my poor knitting mojo doesn't let me down, that is).

C'est la vie. I think this will make Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks all the more special, however. I wonder if it's healthy for this kind of thing to happen to a person. (I'm almost sure it isn't.) This is why there are paid vacations at Big Kid Jobs and breaks in education. Everyone needs a moment to pause or they'll combust.

I'll leave you this afternoon with new bits of awesome from Lady Gaga. Music is a wonderful thing; there is something really special about losing yourself in the sounds and the words. For some reason I keep thinking about that one part of Disney's Fantasia where they try to recreate the visuals of the sounds. I don't know if the two things have an actually connection, but it makes sense in my head.

Rainy Friday

It's currently raining. Such a calming thing. There's a little bit of thunder, too. As much as I don't want it to be raining as we're loading stuff tomorrow, I do love it, especially now.

Just an observation. I leave you with "Rain" by Mika.*

*Also "Rain" by The Beatles, which is another great song appropriate to the beauty of this moment. Well, for the most part. 

"San Francisco" by Scott McKenzie

I love this song. I remember asking my dad about it whenever it came on the radio--I'd always forget who performed it--and he'd always point out that it had a link to an actual event that took place in San Francisco. It wasn't until today in class, when we were watching a video detailing the Summer of Love in 1967 that it finally connected in my brain the meaning of what he was saying. Wow.

I've been having moments like this off and on for the last three weeks: thinking about the stories my parents have told me, constructing a mental timeline, finally connecting event to event, letting the realities of things that happened sink in and envelop my mind. Not only am I slowly gaining a better understanding of where we are as a society today, but also how I relate to my parents to my grandparents...and suddenly I feel more passionate. I honestly don't know how to explain how or why, but I feel it. There is so much going through my mind right now, I'm overwhelmed. I know now how much I care about what happened during the sixties--because it affected so much. I might touch on this more a little later, but right now I find myself lost in what had happened in my parents' generation, and really, being two days away from being done with the class, I really need to focus on all the essays I have to compose in the next week. 

In the meantime, I'm going to pop in all the 60s music I know of so I can concentrate. And this one will be played a lot. 

"Calling All Angels" by Train

There are few songs that have played on the radio in the last ten years that have given me that soaring feeling every single time, and Train is certainly at the top of the list. I heard this on the radio earlier today while at work, and it hit me that I had almost forgotten about it.

This was my very first ringtone on my very first phone. It makes me think of all the other great songs I listened to in high school that were on radio airplay at the time: Michelle Branch, Maroon 5....decent, decent stuff. I fear that today's music doesn't always have the same je ne sais quoi as music from the early 2000s did. Perhaps it was carrying over from all of the great 90s stuff...I don't know. I'm not an expert by any means. I just know what sounds good to me.

Also, thinking about this makes me feel old. Because, you know, it came out about 8 years ago.

Yay/Nay for Glee 02x22, “New York”

Watching "New York," I had a hard time believing that this was the finale to the season that started with Mr. Schue singing along with "Toxic" (this is the only scene ever in Glee where I have to look away) and odd things like promise rings and inappropriate/unnecessary side plots that led nowhere. But yet this episode celebrated more than just New Directions' stellar efforts in past competitions and hard work: it celebrated how far each of them has come in the time since they joined glee club. Kurt begins the episode reminiscing about their humble beginnings, and in that moment it hits you how far they have come. It is wonderful.

This episode was awesome. As always, spoilers ahead.

Yay: "Hey, do you know why it smells like it's wet here all the time?" and "Most of the other teams split by sexual orientation." I was in stitches. Have I mentioned how much I love the writing of this show??

Yay  (something you may not have noticed the first time through): Brittany's one-liners. Responding to Kurt's "I feel like Eloise.": "I have pills for that."; "And I'm going to be anxiously awaiting just like everyone else to see if their babies are Asian, too."; In response to "You're my best friend": "Yeah, me too."

Nay: The kids' lack of preparation until they actually are in New York. I mean, I guess it makes sense as they are at their best when they're loose. Still. I would be freaking out a little if I weren't prepared for a competition that was DAYS AWAY.

Yay: The juxtaposition of the happenings the boys' room to those in the girls' room. Also? The pillow fight and the fact that Kurt was a part of it. *fist pump*

Yay: Dreaming big. From Rachel in Sardi's to New Directions' attempt to gain inspiration from the city to that beautiful scene in which Kurt and Rachel visit the Wicked theater, we see these wide-eyed teenagers from Ohio getting a taste of a kind of life that Ohio is unable to match, see everything they dream of possible. They can be whatever they want. This is exhibited beautifully when Kurt is telling Blaine all the reasons he's not totally upset about ultimately losing. In comparison to what they know from life in a small midwestern town, New York is one one that allows them to achieve their dreams.

Yay: Rachel and Kurt's friendship. My favorite part of the episode is that of their adventure through the city. I LOVED that they did breakfast at Tiffany's. I LOVED that Rachel's final motivation for talking to Patti LuPone was because Kurt would want her to. I LOVED that Kurt insisted they break into the theater. I LOVED their duet from Wicked--hands down the best song of the episode. I LOVED how Kurt encouraged Rachel to make a choice through song. And I LOVED their discussion about the future. They are both dreamers, highly talented, and they have an incredible understanding of each other that the others will never be able to match. There's just something about their friendship...."For Good" is marvelous. I clapped at the end of the sequence because it was so amazing. Thank you, Glee.

Yay: All the references to romantic comedies as Finn and Rachel make their way through the city. Funny and wonderful all at the same time.

Yay: Finn and Rachel. It took freakin' forever, and not without a lot of trouble, but FINALLY... I was exhausted from all the build-up. (I was rooting for Finn all the while Rachel was being difficult. I'm glad she finally came around.)

Question: Does Quinn really know that Santana's a lesbian? Or does she just know about the rumor but no confirmation? I couldn't tell if her "I'm flattered" comment was meant as a joke or if it was because she knows...

Yay: The scene with Quinn's breakdown was very good. Great acting from all three of them.

Yay: Rachel and Sunshine resolving their issues. I'm so glad Rachel is growing up. Great character development for her.

Yay: While it was heartbreaking to see New Directions lose--it upset me to no end--I appreciated the fact they didn't win quite yet. You know what I mean? Glee puts a lot of focus on the journey, and as cheesy as that sounds, as viewers we are drawn to the events that lead up to a big moment. I love that the writers aren't afraid to have them lose. It makes it so much more worthwhile if it goes the other way. If New Directions make it to Nationals again next season (and I'm really hoping they do), it will make it even more exciting if they place first at nationals. It's also realistic; they were up against 50 other schools, and they placed 12th. That's pretty impressive if you ask me. I can't wait to see what they have up their sleeves next season as they make their way toward nationals. And they will win. They have to.

Yay: "Light Up the World" was excellent. I like "Loser Like Me" a little better--I feel it has a little more 'oomph'--but "Light" is quality. It's almost a fusion of the things the glee club has had to overcome over the season: speaking up, perseverance despite whatever may be in your way or if you are unsure of yourself, being who you are rather than what someone else may want you to be and so on. And that mentality worked, didn't it? They made it to Nationals. Also, I loved how there were multiple solos on the song. Strong way to go out.

Yay: "It was the Superman of kisses. It came with its own cape." LOL. Finn is awesome this week.

Yay: Kurt and Blaine and "I love you." JOY!!!! HAPPINESS!!! Such a beautiful moment. No words can describe how happy I am. (cue happy dance) "You know, when you stop and think about it, Kurt Hummel has had a pretty good year." Yes you have indeed, Kurt, and I am SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!

Yay: I also loved the bit leading up to that and after with Kurt telling Blaine about the aftermath of the competition, complete with flashback of Santana chewing Rachel out in Spanish. Also, when Kurt is talking about the Pippa Middleton musical, and Blaine gives Sam and Mercedes that "He's so silly" look. Slightly related: I'm glad that Mercedes was sporting a shirt from the competition.

Yay: HOORAY FOR SAM AND MERCEDES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JOY! HAPPINESS! Not a minute after cheering for Kurt and Blaine's beautiful moment was I cheering again because Mercedes had someone to love. I'm fairly sure that the last eight minutes of this episode put me on cloud nine. The only thing I don't understand is why Sam and Mercedes are being so secretive about it. Why not tell the world??

Yay: Brittany's bit of wisdom in her conversation with Santana.

Yay/Nay: Talks of the future. It makes me sad to think of graduation, but I loved how it was hovering over the end of the episode. Definitely a different kind of feeling.

It's going to be a long wait for Season 3. But it will be worth it.

Good Article Alert....

...concerning Blaine and Kurt, of course.  Many thanks to a friend of mine (Hi Crystal!) from Facebook as well as Deconstructing Glee for the heads up: there is an excellent three-part discussion of the two characters' singing styles in relation to current societal norms entitled "The Countertenor and The Crooner". (Part 2, Part 3)

Quotage #1:

“Defying Gravity” both reflects Kurt’s character and transcends him, presenting the feminine male voice, as, quite literally, defiant. In Colfer’s hands, this song becomes a manifesto for a new generation of queer kids. Kurt is here defying the dominant gender norms that would keep his voice from taking flight, as well as defying the sex binaries of American mainstream culture that would prevent from him playing a girls’ role. In Glee’s narrative, Kurt protests at not being allowed to sing the song because “it is a girl’s song.” “Defying Gravity” is the beginning of Kurt/Colfer’s gradual erosion and queering of the gendered/sexed norms surrounding popular singing, which Glee most often presents through Kurt’s reclamation of the diva.

(McCracken, from part 2)

Quotage #2:

Glee celebrates the crooner for the very qualities that masculinist America does not: his alignment with the cultural feminine through his preference for romantic songs and commercial pop, his status as an erotic object for male and female audiences, his beauty and sensitivity, his emotional openness and transparency. And Glee’s producers have cast an actor as Blaine, Darren Criss, whose star persona emphasizes and extends these same qualities to a remarkable degree. Like Kurt/Colfer, Blaine/Criss offers a new model of American male performer, one that goes beyond being gay-and-girl “friendly” to truly embracing a gender-queer performance style and persona. Blaine/Criss retains the sincerity of the crooner even as he performs beyond the boundaries of a fixed or normative gender identity.

(McCracken, part 3)


It's an excellent series (and definitely worth checking out). Beautifully written, wonderful points...I especially loved the historical context McCracken provides; it is strange to see how things have begun, changed, and evolved over the years, how society has changed. There's a lot of stuff, too, that your average grade-school history class leaves out (but this is not the time and place for that discussion).

This is the kind of thing I'm talking about: the wonderful things Glee is doing with gender and stereotypes and other themes and traditions. And it makes me so happy. Bring it on, world.

(Sort of related: My dad told me earlier tonight that he thought Kurt's version of "As If We Never Said Goodbye" was the best version he'd ever heard--and I did a little happy dance because I agree wholeheartedly.)

Yay/Nay for Glee 02x21, “Funeral”

This week's episode was good. There were a few problems with it, but once again, Glee gives us a balance of heartfelt storytelling with the nonsense and humor it's known for. Also, I have a confession. I full-out cried watching it. It was the first time I'd cried watching the show; I get emotional watching any of the episodes, and I've teared up, had a lump in my throat, felt happiness, elation, the pang of anger and despair, etc...but this was the first time that I actually shed tears. It was nowhere near the "reading-the-last-hundred-pages-of-Deathly-Hallows" kind of cry--but still. It was unexpected. I knew I was going to be sad, but I didn't expect this.

As always, beware of spoilers.

Yay: Jesse is such an ASS this week. It's wonderful/annoying/entertaining. I love the way he's written. So freaking clever!!

Yay:...and that includes his preoccupation with treating the auditions as a reality TV show. Hilarious. *claps*

Yay: "...Maybe you could come on Fondue for Two and judge my cat." LOL

Yay: Sue this week. No words. Jane Lynch is AMAZING.

Yay: The return of Rachel's signature star! I've missed it so. Also, slightly unrelated: Mr. Schue's vests. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME HOW MANY HE HAS.

Yay: Finn taking lead with Kurt and encouraging the others to help Sue out. Finn's a born leader. (And he makes a lot of good points this week. Good for you, Finn. Don't let Jesse's zombie poop comment break you.)

Nay: WHY is Mr. Schue actually going to be in April's show? (This is just me frustrated because he hasn't told New Directions/lied to them about it.)

Yay: The funeral. Oh man. I'm pretty sure that when they open the doors and we see all those people, and the decorations, I was already crying. The heartbreak was palpable. Beautiful...

Yay:...and the Best Song of the week is "Pure Imagination," hands down.

Yay: The auditions. Rachel, Santana, Mercedes, and Kurt all nailed their respective songs. Man oh man, were they good. Rachel's and Mercedes' performances were especially breathtaking. I also loved the fact that each of the songs matched up perfectly with the characters (I'm pretty sure that Kurt singing songs from Gypsy is the greatest thing since sliced bread).

Yay: Did anyone else notice that ridiculously adorable cat picture Jesse drew during Santana's performance?

Nay: What happened to the Finn/Quinn discussion post-funeral? It is SO GOOD until after Finn asks if Quinn if she feels anything, and then it seems to evaporate. You know? (Or am I still in that post-semester haze and/or crazy?)

Yay: ...but I do like how much tension there was in the scene. And I'm glad Finn broke up with her. All Quinn cares about is being prom queen (but I love how her character is obsessed with the idea).

Yay: "Correction: you had feelings for him, he made breakfast on your head."/Sue's Herman and Eddie Munster comment. Best. Lines. This. Episode.

Nay: At the end of the episode, Finn tells Quinn that he's glad she didn't quit glee club. The problem is, she had never mentioned she was thinking about quitting in the first place. (The clip was in the promo, but nowhere to be found in the actual episode.)

Yay: I LOVE when Mercedes drags the mic off stage with her as she storms off after her audition.

Yay: The scene in the nursing home. Again, no words.

Yay: Becky's back on the Cheerios! This was also a great scene.

Yay/Nay/Inbetween: I don't think Sue will ever completely stop trying to bring down the glee club, but I really like the conversation she has with Mr. Schue at the end of the episode. (I also have a theory that Terri will be back despite her apparent move to Florida.)

Nay: POOR FINN! Not cool, Rachel, not cool.

Yay: Perfect way to end the penultimate episode of season 2: Quinn's cryptic promise.

Is it Tuesday yet?

Glee and "Yeah!"

This week's Yay/Nay for "Funeral" will be posted tomorrow (if everything goes as planned--it's been a busy day, and tomorrow is sure to be busy as well)...but I simply could not wait to comment on this.

Behold, the Glee version of Usher's "Yeah!" performed by "a rival glee club." This is the moment in which the 15ish year-old inside of me leaps for joy because this song is awesome, and this version is awesome, and if I were in a club and this came on the speakers, I would lose it. Okay, that's not entirely true: I lose it whenever I hear it regardless of the current location. And granted, it won't ever be as good as the original, but man is it legit.

You know what else I love about it (and about what kinds of things Glee does in general)? The fact that it sounds like it is performed by primarily girls and the song itself is societally deemed to be sung only by a male performer; I'm no expert to speak at length about gender issues, but I am certainly interested in it. It's very much like the Warblers' performing "Bills, Bills, Bills"--the lyrics are not changed (or if at all, the changes are minor). Glee has played with gender issues before (exhibit A being Kurt singing "Defying Gravity" in season one), and I love it. I might have to return to this topic at a later date....hmmm...

Yay/Nay for Glee 02x19, “Rumours”

I am a tad later than I had wanted to be with this, but better late than never! This week's episode was pretty mellow in terms of action, but there was a lot of great, heavy character stuff. 

As always, spoilers ahead.

Yay: Artie's conversation with Brittany. Great character moments for both of them, and I kinda felt a punch in the gut when Artie asks, "God, Brittany, why are you so stupid?" 

Yay: The scene at the beginning of the episode, when Finn and Santana call out Sam and Brittany, respectively. I thought the acting was really strong here, and the tension high (and it successfully carries out throughout the rest of episode).

Yay: The music this week was wonderful; it melded fabulously with the plot and helped make the episode brilliantly cohesive. I'm not too familiar with Fleetwood Mac, so this was the first time I'd heard at least half of them. (I think I'll slip into Hastings one of these days and get the original album. Really great stuff.) My favorite was Artie's solo, the one with all the acoustic guitars. Well chosen, Glee. I like the idea of basing an episode off an album. If they decide to do this kind of thing again, and it's as good as this was, I'm all for it. 

Yay: Gaaaaaaaaahhhhhh Quinn's attitude this week. I don't necessarily agree with her reasons and her bitchery, but I really like how she has fleshed out as a character since the beginning of this season, where she seemed so...unQuinn-like. I love how tangible her frustration, etc. was during the episode.

Nay: That look of sadness/indecision/general [insert grand emotion here] that Mr. Schue had on his face when New Directions were performing the last song. It made me nervous. I want to know what he was thinking....

Yay: There's a reason Finn and Rachel are such a good team. I love that it was both of them, together, going to talk to Sam at the end of the episode. (Yay co-captainship!)

Nay: Finn and Quinn singing together. There is also a reason for this. There's a lack of spark. (I did like how there was tension during the song, however.) 

Yay: Finn and Quinn's relationship. Is it me, or do we see some serious unhinging? 

Yay: Lord Tubbington's debut on Fondue For Two. He is ridiculously awesome. 

Yay: Sue Sylvester as David Bowie and Anne Coulter.

Nay: Can we please have more Mercedes? I feel like we've been deprived of her for ages....

Yay: Thank you, Glee, for having more on Sam. And it was an awesome story line (cool points go to Sam, Kurt, and Quinn for Being Awesome). 

Yay: All the stuff with Santana. Awesome times a billion. 

There's more, tons more that was awesome about this episode. I loved the fact everything was so smooth: the story flowed well, the characters were in tune with one another, the tension and feeling that everything would collapse at any moment....I found myself caught up in the drama, the lies, the rumors....strong episode. As for next week,  it's Prom! *pulls out dancing shoes*