These Are My Confessions, And It's Now Or Never

There are a lot of occurances in this past week that have sparked thoughts and curiosities of my persona and my observations of others. One is my first visit to the El Capitan theater, taking me into a trip through time and sparking imagery of old Hollywood and what fame and stardom must have been worth in the past compared to now. Connected with this cinematic visit is my viewing of Prince of Persia in this very theater, given the theme of the film, with the subtitle "The Sands of Time", is of time travel, and whether or not I could (or would) change the past if I knew what is to become of the future. Then there's the time I began chatting it up with a friendly fellow while we were both in line for the Indiana Jones ride, who I would have spent more time acquainting myself with had I not already planned on leaving for dinner soon after, adding to the ways I have seen Disneyland bring people together, be they family, friends, significant others, acquaintances, and in this case, merely strangers. There is also the most recent news that I have been chosen to portray the role of new employee in a job at a location I felt could be nothing short of perfect for me, selected for this one open position out of hundreds of applicants, giving my best in the group interview, and the likeness of the excitement felt when I received the phone call telling me I got the part compared to that of finding I have received one of my dream roles. Maybe these are all worth writing about in the very near future, or maybe they will just disappear after more blogging takes place, clearing away this entry and others from the front page, only to be found after a click or two back in time into previous entries.

It would not be so out of character, however, for me to quickly mention my thoughts on this series. Many of my friends have strongly recommended I watch Glee. For someone who has been performing in choirs since I was eight, school and community shows since I was twelve, and a deep love of performing that was not utilized as well as it could have been given the unfortunate circumstances that made up my childhood and teenage years, it has thrown some people for a loop that an entire first season has gone by and I had not watched a single episode of this show. I hesitated at first, but a friend of mine who happens to own every episode of Glee suggested we make this happen, and with a few days to spend with her in this nothing-to-do town I currently call home (though I love it here nonetheless!), I caved. We made a marathon out of it and watched the entire first season in the course of a few days. And simply put, it was good.

I wish I could think more of it, and in a way, I'm disappointed I do not, but I am not so won over to call myself a gleek (yet?). Admittedly, I have searched and viewed some of the clips on Youtube, and I do have a few covers in my MP3 player, but the parts of the show I dislike weigh it down, namely the storyline, the inconsistencies, and the extreme amount of unnecessary songs added into the second half of the season. It's funny to think, but now I kind of understand why people who are not a fan of musicals, because of the random moments where people break out into song, are annoyed. And this is coming from someone like me, a lover of good musicals and the spontaneity they have of breaking into song and dance at moments that may or may not be fitting. Also, there are times when the covers just didn't work for me. Some artists shouldn't be transposed, and others just aren't worth covering in attempts to make sound better (i.e. Lady Gaga). I suppose most of my problems with the show came from the second half of the season. Actually, I'm sure that's where it comes from, because although the first half was faulty, it surely felt more entertaining than the second, with a better balance of story and song and smoother transitions in plot and character development.

Of course, I'm glad I watched it. And although problematic, it isn't a bad show. It idealizes what I wish I could have experienced in high school and is reminiscent of a few memories that I have of those years (given we didn't have glee club, but having done choir and musicals, there are the similarities). I may even recommend it to people, or at least those lovers of musicals. It's enough to make me want to watch more in hopes that perhaps the show will vastly improve in the second season. Or at the least, I can hopefully look forward to a few more better covers sung by the members of Glee, and mash-ups. I will say, the mash-ups are great. So, only time will tell, and that's okay, for I am in no hurry for September to roll around.

And to end on the note of Glee, this mash-up has been in my head for a while, which I also added to my music:

Free Dinners: Gifts to a Starving Artist

I wish I could feed the missionaries. Once I am able to feed myself, I intend on helping to feed them too.

Last night, my friend took me to The Cheesecake Factory. After I obtained the high score in our Toy Story Midway Mania vehicles, only further digging me into the pit of Disney game-themed ride geekiness, our time was of the essence to make room for a comfortable dinner and a few more hours at the happiest place on earth. 90 minutes of comfort food, endless conversation, an adorably colorful waiter, and perfect weather for outdoor seating helped to make the evening as enjoyable as it was. The cherry on top could have very well been the fireworks that started as we were ready to make our cheesecake selection, if only they proved to be visually present as well as audible. It was not so much the fact that my friend was willing to dish out earned money to cover our meals and service at a somewhat pricey restaurant (could I have very well settled with the likes of a Del Taco? Absolutely!), but more of the fact that he wanted to make sure I was well fed and could enjoy dinner with him. Does it make me feel like a mooch? Guilty? Ashamed? Yes, and I had to convince myself not to feel these thoughts when he brought this offer to the table. Truly, as a starving artist, it is one of the greater gifts I could receive at this moment, and to be even more privileged to have friends like him, who are so considerate and thoughtful. And to add to those adjectives "fun to be around", because after finishing our meal, we were back at the park making the most of a few hours before closing, and in many ways, there is nothing more exhilarating than several screams and lots of water and a sharp drop into a briar patch at 11:30 at night.

I do not say this as a form of pity given my current state of being. If nothing else, this is a bigger lesson I am experiencing in this game of life, one that I will grow from and take to be more self sufficient, that I can take care of myself. And in learning to do so, to take this perspective into the near future, I will be able to help support my husband in our new life together, as well as any children that may be brought into our lives. Meanwhile, I am also continuously growing in gratitude for the people around me and all else that I do have, because as low as my life has felt at times, I have a lot to be thankful for, and so much more that will be brought my way in these years to come.

This prompts me to an additional gift in the form of a graduation dinner where I will play the date of an unlikely fellow this Friday night which, strangely, I am looking forward to.