6.08.2010

Glee: Funk

photo from gleeimages.com

Episode 21: Funk

Jesse heads back to Vocal Adrenaline.  Their sneak performance leaves the New Directions crew in a funk.  How does Rachel deal with Jesse's betrayal.  Can Quinn express her feelings about Puck and the baby?  And do Sue and Will have feelings for each other?

Things I Loved:
  •  the pearl necklace Sue wears on her "date" with Will... with her tracksuit.  Sometimes I love how well they have designed the caricatures in this show.
  • the cheerleaders loosing it when Sue looses it.  What will they do with out the National Championships?
  • Kurt at the National Championships.  Chris Colfer is one of my favorites.
  • Finny D and Pucky Puck.  Good Vibrations.  Took me straight back to the 90s.  And I found myself wanting to get up and dance.
  • All the guys sticking up for Rachel.  They are a team! :-)  Oh, and Kurt sitting down as soon as Will tells them to.
Things I'm Not a Fan of:
  •  Will going to Sandy for drugs to get out of his funk.  Seems out of character to me.  
  • Terri crushing on Finn.  Already done... multiple times (Dawson's Creek, The OC).
  • Rachel getting egged -- I could have cried!  Mean Jesse.  Bad Jesse.  Never come back!
Favorite Lines:
  •  Kurt: Rachel's one of us. We're the only ones who get to humiliate her!
  • Kurt: I'm so depressed, I've worn the same outfit twice this week.
  • Will: Today, I want to talk to you about regrets. Who has some?
    Rachel: Giving my heart to Jessie, just to have it crushed like the stage floor at a performance of Stomp.
    Quinn: Thinking "Trust me" was a sensible birth control option.
Ok, who is ready?  The Journey to Regionals CD was released today.  Safe to say I'll be listening to it all day at work.  The Season Finale is tonight... 9pm.  I am so excited -- but also really sad.  No new Glee until the Fall.  What will I do?  What do you think happens?  Will New Directions or Vocal Adrenaline win Regionals?
 

6.07.2010

Glee: Theatricality

photo from gleeimages.com

Episode 20: Theatricality

Rachel meets her mom.  Burt sticks up for Kurt.  Everyone learns that deep down inside, they are all freaks... and a team.

Things I Loved:
  • The Finn/Kurt/Burt scene.  Talk about intense -- but good.  Burt sticking up for his son, talking about the weight words can carry.  All great.
  • "Beth"  The "Kiss-mates" did a great job -- and it made me totally fall for Puck, again.  One of the producers said in an interview it would... why do girls love to see bad boys be good?
  • Rachel and her mom: the same love for Gold Stars, too cute.  And their rendition of Poker Face?  Made me actually like the song!
  • Matt finally spoke!  Yea!
Things I am Not a Fan of:
  • The boys dressed up as Kiss.  No one should ever wear spandex, especially boys.
  • Finn in the giant, red, Lady Ga-Ga outfit.
Favorite Quotes:
  • Tina: My mom won’t even let me watch Twilight. She says she thinks Kristen Stewart seems like a bitch.
  • Artie: (about Tina's new look) It's so weird.
    Finn: This so isn't you.
    Tina: I feel like an Asian Branch Davidian.
    Will: Tina, are there any other looks you can try?
    Santana: Biker chick?
    Finn: Cowgirl?
    Mercedes: Hood rat.
    Quinn: Computer programmer.
    Brittany: Cross-county skier.
    Puck: Catholic schoolgirl.
    Brittany: Happy meals, no onions. Or a chicken.

6.06.2010

Glee: Dream On

photo from gleeimages.com

Episode: 19: Dream On

We all have dreams.  Some attainable, some not so much.  If all of our dreams from High School don't come true, do we turn into bitter, star-sucking, black hole-creating adults, or do we just shift to more realistic dreams?

This weeks episode explored dreams lost, dreams attainable and dreams unattainable.  Does everyone's dream come true?

Things I Loved:
  • First and foremost: Artie's Safety Dance.  OMG, was it beyond awesome.  I immediately rewound the DVR (can you rewind a DVR???) and watched it again.  That's right, didn't even finish watching the show to watch it.  That is how killer the dance was.  Kevin McHale is an awesome dancer -- too bad he is in that wheelchair! 
  • Emma being an actual guidance counselor to Artie.  She properly guided him to realize that he may not walk again.  Heartbreaking to watch, but I like how Glee doesn't try to sugarcoat EVERYTHING (although most is sugar coated)
  • Neil Patrick Harris.  He was awesome and made me laugh out numerous time.  The best?  Those jean jackets!
  • The flashback of Will in High School -- more of those awesome 90's styles please!
Things I am Not a Fan of:
  • The cheese level, especially coming out of Will's mouth?  NPH is creating black holes by cutting the Glee Club.  At some point we just have to say enough!
  • Emma being an actual guidance counselor to Artie.  Yes I loved it... but I also hated it.  I just felt so bad for Artie.
  • I felt like their were two endings -- The "I Dreamed a Dream" sequence and the "Dream a Little Dream" -- I know it was because there were two storylines to close out/preview to... but I just felt like it was too much.
Things I am Not Sure About:
  • Jesse -- So we see why he really change schools.  Makes me not like him -- yes, it gives Shelby depth, but we see that Jesse might not really care for Rachel.  And I don't want him to hurt Rachel.  I guess I really want to like Jesse and I can't decide if I can or not.
Favorite Quotes:
  • Rachel: (About a cassette with her mother on it) What if she's singing on the tape? What if she's terrible? Or worse - what if she's better than me? 
  • Bryan: (to Will) I was introduced to Jesus. He was my Honduran social worker. I straightened up, put down the pipe, met the love of my life, Wilma, and now I run a successful used Hummer dealership. Don't make that face. Global warming's a theory
  • Will: You take away glee, you’re not just putting out those kids’ lights. You’re creating 13 black holes.

6.05.2010

Glee: Laryngitis

Photo from gleeimages.com

Episode 18: Laryngitis

Our favorite Glee characters all deal with loss.  Rachel loses her voice, Kurt loses his identity, and Puck loses his Mohawk.  How do they deal with these loses?  And do they learn anything from them?

Things I Love:
  • That I now know how to spell Laryngitis.  Seriously, have to type it out for this post has helped me.
  • The song choices -- I was a fan of all of them this week!  Jesse's girl was a classic -- and Cory (Finn) sounded great!  And you can't go wrong with U2's One.
  • Lady is a Tramp.  Did Puck (played by one talented Mark Salling) look and sound great or what?
  • Kurt's "Rose's Turn"  Chris Colfer is quickly becoming on of my favorites to watch.  His comedic timing is amazing and boy can he perform.  I believe Mike O'Malley (who plays his dad) once said something along the lines, "You just get out of the way of that talent."  
Things I'm Not a Fan of:
  • Will you just stick to one pairing of couples?  I mean -- Puck hits on Rachel, then he hits on Mercedes, and isn't he supposed to be having a baby with Quinn.  At the end of Episode 13, didn't he want to be with Quinn?  I get he is a player -- but let's have some longevity to some of these pairings.  If we don't then we won't have any couples to really back. 
  • The whole singing "One" with the paralyzed guy -- it was awkward to me.  I get why they did it for the storyline, but I just couldn't handle it.
  • I would have loved to see more of the character solos -- but I know we only have one hour to work with here... but still.  They were all looking to find their voice -- what would Quinn have sung? or Artie? or Tina?


Favorite Lines:
  • Rachel: In my case, the obstacle is you. 
  • Puck: Watch out black girl whose name I don't remember.  The Puckster is about to make you his.
  • Rachel: I'm like Tinkerbell, Finn!  I need applause to live!

6.04.2010

Glee: Bad Reputation

 Photo from gleeimages.com

I took a small hiatus from blogging in May -- mainly unplanned.  BUT, here I am again, attempting to be consistent.  Lots to update you on, including all of my thoughts on Glee.  As June 8th is the Season 1 Finale, I thought I would do a countdown of sorts, where I recap and give my thoughts on some of the episodes I have missed.  Are we ready?

Up first, Episode 17: Bad Reputation.

A Glist surfaces -- a list of the Glee members with the worst reputations.  Will has to hunt down the conspirator or risk having the Glee Club shut down.  Puck is the prime suspect, but did he do it?

Sue gets a taste of her own medicine when some Glee members leak a rather embarrassing video of her.  Will she get redemption?

And on the musical side of things, we see some rather awesomely bad songs get re-vamped and re-done, Glee style.

Things I Love:
  • The Puck and Rachel story line. I love Puck and  I am not afraid to admit it.  And so any thing that showcases him, well, I will typically be a fan.  Loved seeing them together, seeing their chemistry.  Also glad to see it fit well with the story line.
  • Run Joey, Run video -- it was ridiculous.  Almost too ridiculous, but it was also hilarious.  Loved seeing Sandy Ryerson (the creepy teacher and previous Glee coach from the first half of the season) prance across the lawn -- good use of his character!
  • Sue's sister!  Sue has a heart and when you bring in her sister you see it.  
  • All of the dancing!  It was BRILLIANT!  Especially the "You Can't Touch This" scene.  Heather Morris (plays Brittany) can MOVE! 
  • Quinn being the Glist maker.  We are getting to see how hard being pregnant and still homeless (we don't know who she is living with yet) are just hitting this once popular cheerleader very hard. 
Things I'm Not a Fan of:
  • The Physical video.  I don't know why I didn't like it... I just didn't.  Maybe because it felt so forced in the story line?  I mean really -- Olive Newton John just happens to see it and wants to re-shoot?
  • The ballet dance to "Total Eclipse of the Heart."  Like the song, normally like the dancing.  But this time is just didn't do it for me.  Maybe it is because I don't really see Lea Michele being much of dancer.  Sorry that wasn't nice -- but kind of true.


Favorite Lines:

  • Artie: I'm kind of getting cold feet here.
    Brittany: Can you even feel your feet?
  • Will: (about the Glist) Puck, seriously, did you do it?
    Puck: I said no! I'm a delinquent, sure. I like setting stuff on fire and beating up people I don't know. I own at. But I'm not a liar.
  • Puck: I try to be a good guy. I go to school and I say, ‘Be cool, Puck. Be nice.’ But by second period I have a fire extinguisher in my hands and I’m spraying some dweeb with it and I don’t know how I got there.
  • Emma: You're a slut, Will!"
Overall we are getting closer and closer to "old" Glee -- before it was a massive hit.  I am sure to be watching "Ice, Ice, Baby" and "You Can't Touch This" over and over again... in hopes to pick up some mad dance moves! ;-).

What did you enjoy?  What didn't your like?  Are you even a Glee fan?

6.02.2010

Glee: Season One Finale

I may or may not be counting down the days, hours, minutes until the Glee Season One Finale.  I love this show -- as you can all tell.  I just wish I was as talented as them, wish life was a musical, and so this show fits me perfectly!

That being said, check out this sneak peak:




Does it make you smile as much as it makes me smile???

Teaching and Being an Evangelical

Found this article through a friend of mine.  That friend is the Josh Dickson interviewed for this article.  He and I went to college together and led in Campus Crusade together.  He is an amazing man who loves the Lord, and who is also very passionate about education. 

I have a very specific memory of being in a car with him, on the way to a leadership retreat I believe, talking about the power of education, how our father's being teachers affected us and talking about our dreams for education. 

I am excited to see where God takes him -- sounds like Josh will be used to change the world through education and social activism.  I am blessed to be able to call him friend and brother!

Take the time to read the article -- it is interesting!

Good Things: May 2010

I don't even know where I have been, blogosphere.  Good thing I really only do this for myself.  Here are my Good Things for May!

1- Dinner in Charleston, on the rooftop.  The Breeze and nice weather was more than I could ask for.
2- Boone Hall Plantation
3- 1st sunburn of the summer... not a great thing... but I love that it means warm weather is here
4- Home...
5- God provides (as always)!  My Boss takes me going back to school well; I finish with my pre-req class.
6- My CEO has a project she wants me to work on as my part-time position!  God is so good!
7- Shag Dancing :-)
8- Strawberry picking -- they were everywhere
9- filled out the FASFA -- dude, it was so much easier than I thought!
10- ...
11- Bible Study... just left encouraged
12- WICKED!  Need I say more?
13- very productive day at work... and dinner at Chipotle
14- orientation for school -- it is becoming so real!
15- lots of cleaning... boy did my apartment need it!
16- finished Angie Smith's book -- "I Will Carry You" -- easy read, but very encouraging
17- apt stuff not going super well... but lots of laughter with Laura
18- lots of new Glee music! :-), Wakey! Wakey! -- get their CD, it is so worth it!
19- Office Clean out day -- AWESOME!  My new clean office looks amazing
20- good time with Salem -- I have some great volunteers
21- Went to the NC Ag Fest... fun times! 
22- Lara and Bryan's Wedding -- Congrats!
23- found some quiet time
24- didn't have to work as late as I had anticipated
25- Glee and NCIS -- I lead such a sad life...
26- stared a new Scrapbook page... yea for creativity
27- flowers from my Wake 19 volunteers
28- check delivered
29- CASWELL!!! The sun came out and I got some quality time on the beach! :-)
30- shagging at Caswell... the awkward abounds, but sometimes that can be awesome.  Got to teach Josh Wilson and his wife! :-)
31- quality time with Laura.

Happy June!  Hope everyone has some awesome summer plans!