Day 22 (September 15, 2009)

I don't put a lot of stock today's mass media entertainment. To find a gem you've got to dig through a lot of coal. Today I found two gems.

First, I finally caught up with the show Glee. I haven't seen anything this well-done on TV since West Wing. It's a show that is fun and requires you to be observant using at least half a brain to fully appreciate its nuances.

The only other shows of the last while that are/were as well-written and required that kind of brain engagement are West Wing and 30Rock. It's the only show out there that I would classify put in the same category.

(Now those of you who know me well are asking, "What about "The Office"? Yes, The Office is a favorite and a must see on soooo many levels. It's just in a different category just like the Olympics and the World Series are in different categories.)

Of course, Glee has special appeal to parts of my DNA that it might not for others. Obviously, there's the latent music teacher that's still in me somewhere that wants to get out once in a while. There's the working with kids, especially high school aged kids thing that's a constant part of my life, too.

The other thing is the school setting. Yes, it's a caricature of a school. But being in a school is deep in my bones. I loved being a public school teacher. I miss it every day. Though I am confident in my calling and am honored at the opportunity and trust I've been given since leaving the classroom, part of me still aches to stand in front desks full of kids with a piece of chalk in my hand.

The other gem came today when I stopped by the RedBox and found the movie Grand Torino. I had heard that it was good so I spent my $1 to rent it and watched it tonight with Vonceil. I would have never guessed how good it would be.

It's a hard movie to describe; you'll need to watch if for yourself if you haven't already.

The thing is, it really spoke to another side of my life. With the exception of one or two scenes with really bad acting, the movie's portrayal of themes and situations is very accurate. There's no particular character I fully related to in that movie but I connected strongly to the situation.

It was good to experience both these stories in the same day. Both resonate with issues at the extremes of my life. Yet, the notes struck ring in harmony and sympathy in the key of my life and remind me of the Chord that I listen for to find the center of who I am to be.

Thanks for reading,

Jeff