Is This Real Life?

I am unemployed. I am broke. I am an artist. Today, it all feels official.

For the first time in my life I have the time to write what I want, whenever I want. No master, no authority figure. On one side, it is liberating; the only rules and bounds that I face are those that I have set for myself. The other side of the coin, however, comes with a world of uncertainty and fear.

Writing is great, but paying my rent is even greater.

A travel journal, originally, this place has seen all sides of my opinions and view points - from my thoughts on Glee to Pat Robertson - so now, it is time for another shift. This will be my outlet, a portal into the life of a nobody Brooklyn writer trying to become a somebody.

For some preliminary information about my writing side, I am a film, theatre, and television writer with an odd love of pretentious literary fiction (I do hold a BFA after all, so it comes with the territory). I am terribly opinionated. I like what I like, and when I really hate something I always have a reason. Hate then, is separate from appreciation. I can appreciate a piece and yet truly hate the way it is written (cough, Virginia Woolf, Gertude Stein, cough), and I think that this is a necessary awareness for all writers. Appreciation of voice. Because, answer me this: what is a writer without their voice?

-E

[yes, I am aware I used "their" for "his or her" - I hate that gender neutral thing.]

Glee: That's More Like It!

I know, I've become known as a Glee Basher as of late, and that's completely fair. But this week, I am whistling a different tune. Why, you might ask? Because Glee actually did something right.

I don't know how often they switch up the writers, but whoever writes the non-preachy episodes should get a raise. You see, that's become my main gripe about the show - that it is too much of an afternoon special knocking the audience over the head with a message (ie. "I'm in a funk. Don't you like funk? Give up the funk.").

Tonight's episode really showed more of Kurt and hit on current events that are so important right now. Everything really touched on the topic of bullying and how it can play out in all different medians, and, to top it off? The music was unrelated. They sang songs to sing songs, and they were beautiful.

I really don't think I can find one thing to really harp on in the entire episode, and that is no small feat. My roommate will be the first to tell you that I like to pick, prod, judge, and critique just about everything I watch and read, so, this just might be a first.

-E

Best.

The world's two greatest evils combine!

Classic? I think so.

-E

The Rocky Horror GLEE Show

Can someone please, for the love of Pete, tell me what is going on with Glee?This week's episode was just ... just ... I am at a loss for words. A literal loss for words. And that's saying something. I'm freaking opinionated!

Jezebel says it perfectly, in my opinion.

And if you don't want to read, this picture says it all:

There were only two highlights of the entire episode (and this is coming from a Rocky Horror fan):

1. Mr. Shue being shirtless - simply because I like to objectify men (as the Cheerios do to the guys in this episode) and stare at pretty things.

2. Uncle Jesse singing - this could have only been improved by a cameo of Brian Wilson ... and the Olsen Twins.

Thoughts on Tuesday night's episode?

-E

Glee: Stop Ruining Good Music!

The more I watch Glee, the more is aggravates me, and tonight's episode only helped fuel my disappointment. This week's after school special was focused on the ever tricky subject that is religion. Now, I give them props for even trying to cover the topic, it's a risky one that can backlash in an instant if not done well. So, how did it fare? In my opinion, not so well.

I have become continuously more irritated with the "here's our theme for the week so let's shove it down your throat" concept since the Back-9 episodes premiered last spring, and it seems to be getting perpetually worse. I appreciate a little consistency, and mathematically it would be assumed that I would love this episode (they did sing 2 of my favorite songs), however ...........

let's rehash:
Only The Good Die Young -- Puck, I love you and I think you're gorgeous, HOWEVER, you just butchered Billy. I mean butchered. The beat and the pacing was all wrong, his voice was no where close to competeing with Billy's rough beautiful, and the over all introduction of the song was pathetic, lame, and contrived.
Papa Can You Hear Me -- Rachel. You are not Babs. You will never be Babs. Get over yourself and stop ruining her music, especially songs from Yentil.
I Want To Hold Your Hand -- I don't tend to support Beatles covers, but I thought that Kurt did a wonderful job. The flashback images of an identicle baby Kurt playing with Papa Hummel didn't hurt.
I Look To You -- Mercedes, that was actually a beautiful cover. Clap on the back.
Bridge Over Troubled Water -- NO NO NO NO NO. That song is slow and painstackingly poignant for a reason. It is two men and a piano for a reason. That is one of the only songs in the world that it will never be OK to cover. NEVER.
What If God Was One Of Us -- Actually, this one wasn't too bad. It was catchy, I'd listen to it on my iPod. And Mike Chang had more screen time, so I was happy.

The only moments that saved the episode involved one Sue Sylvester, primarily because I am putty in her hands when she has moments of pure emotion. The plot with her sister is wonderful, and the times when She shows true compassion are gorgeous.

A friend of mine wrote a really killer link for Death and Taxes, and lately, I can't help but agree with her. Has Glee already seen it's hay day?

Oh, and my top 5 songs, if I had to choose?
1. Thousands Are Sailing - The Pogues
2. Only The Good Die Young - Billy Joel
3. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
4. Losing My Religion - REM
5. For Emily, Where Ever I May Find Her - Simon and Garfunkel

-E

Oh, and PS: My friend at work just sent me this link, and I think it's amazing...