So You Think You Can Dance

Wasn't a fan of last night's show. They had the dancers re-create some of choreographer Mia Michael's most famous performances from previous shows. I understand that dances are often performed by various dancers, just as plays and musicals have different actors. But the dances they chose to re-create are so iconic...I identify the original dancers so much with the pieces, that the re-creations fell flat for me, even though I think this season's cast is just as talented as previous dancers. For me, no one can perform "The Bench" like Travis and Heidi did; I don't want to see anyone but Katee and Twitch dance "The Door." Kupono wasn't necessarily my favorite dancer in his season, but the intensity, the fire, the evil he brought to his portrayal in "Addiction"...as amazing as Cole is, he did not bring that same level of performance for me. He did it for Mary Murphy and for Nigel, but not for me. Even the "Butt Dance," which was never a favorite of mine, and Randi and Even were not my favorites in their season, while I adore Amelia and Will...even with that dance, Randi and Evan did it better. So I was disappointed. And very sad to see Amelia and Janelle get eliminated, although I'm a big fan of Lindsay too. librarianintx

Glee Project results

I thoroughly enjoyed this season of the Glee project. I thought the cast was refreshingly diverse and uber-talented, and I really could see all of them as characters on Glee. Their group numbers were superior to last season's cast in my opinion. Basically I was pleased with the top 3 contestants, although I thought Lily deserved to be in the finale as well. I thought I would be happy with whoever won, because I think all three showed themselves to be hard-working, accomplished individuals. But there was definitely one person I was rooting for, and she didn't win. When Kevin McHale was cast as Artie, Ryan Murphy and company defended their decision to hire an able-bodied person to play a person with a disability by explaining that they were unable to find a person with a disability who could act, sing, and dance. On this season of the Glee Project, they found that person. Ali is beautiful; has a Broadway-style voice; could play a heroine, a manipulator, or a combination, and more than kept up with the choreography on the show. She never used her disability to get out of tough situations, like the slushie shoot, or the grueling gym video. She won the homework assignment multiple times, and was the only contestant to never be in the bottom. She only had to do a last-chance performance one time, and that was when all the contestants had to perform. Ali sailed through every part of the competition - studio work, choreography, and video shoots. Her fellow contestants adore her, the judging team recognize her talent, and she is easy to work with and takes direction well, unlike some of the other people this season. I hope other opportunities happen for Ali. She is so talented, but the road is tough for a performer with a disability. I congratulate Blake, and I think he will do a good job on Glee. He is a very good actor, and will be popular. I wish Ryan would consider hiring some contestants from this season for at least short-term roles, and see how they do. In my opinion, people like Ali, Lily, Aylin, Dani, Charlie, Abraham, Nellie, and Mario are what Glee is all about - being a little different and finding your place in the world. Look at what happened with the season one Glee Project cast. Alex, who was a runner-up, arguably made a bigger splash and had a much more compelling storyline than co-winner Damian. It has already been announced that Damian will not return for season four, but there's been no word yet on Alex. librarianintx

Anxiety

The only good thing about a day of anxiety...the one redeeming quality of a long, frustrating, emotional day...is when I become aware that the anxiety has finally retreated. Sometimes I can actually feel it slink away, usually when I am in bed, my body finally becoming more fluid, my stomach and leg muscles no longer rigid, my mind no longer racing to worst case scenarios, my heart easing into a natural rhythm. Other times, it disappears without me noticing because I have been able to focus on something else. In times like those, I suddenly become aware of the changes in my body and mind, and I smile and say to myself, "All right. I've survived it again." No matter how it happens, its a cause for quiet celebration each time. And moments to reflect and remind myself, "See...you are always stronger that it is. You will beat it every time. It will never win. No matter how much it twists your body into knots or causes your mind to ruminate, you will make it through to the other side." Is it worth all the hard stuff, to have those few moments of feeling at least relatively proud and strong? I'm not sure it's exactly worth it. It's definitely not an even trade off. But its better than never feeling proud or strong at all. Last night my girls saved me. As they have done many times before. Concentrating on their energy, their enthusiasm, their uninhibited, fearless zeal for life, I climbed aboard their train of teenage giddiness and left my blanket of anxiety on the tracks. Unfortunately, I woke up this morning once again swaddled in that familar cloak. But I know I'll make it through, and at some point in the day I will realize I have shed that straightjacket once again. librarianintx