What makes entertainment magic?

I just finished watching the first season of the new Fox hit "GLEE". I was completely enthralled with the music but what really surprised me was how involved I got with the characters. Admittedly, it reminded me of my high school teaching days, but it was the writing that totally hooked me.

I was really surprised by this. I watch a LOT of movies. Always have. I am a big reader too so I know a little bit about escapist entertainment. One of my children is a film editor. THAT'S how much film has been around our home. We go to the movies every major holiday (as a family) and each bday. We coordinate for weeks ahead for our Christmas and New Year's movies so that we won't see them beforehand.

So, what was so special about GLEE? I was also starting on the 3rd season of 30 Rock. And this morning it hit me. I really cared about where the story was going on GLEE. 30 Rock was fun but I could care less what happened. I realize that this is not everyone's opinion. My family loves (with a capital L) LOST. Not so some of my friends. But for us it is like a wonderful mystery that you can not put down!! We talk about it and we argue about it. We try to guess what happens ~ and we all miss Charlie.

Everyone doesn't have to agree with me (although you SHOULD!).

I just know that when something ~ movie,TV show or song ~ takes me out of my life and myself, it is MAGIC!! There is nothing I have experienced like it. It gives me the tingles and makes me feel special.

What does this? What are some of the things that give me this feeling? (Now, I am only talking entertainment, not the wondrous moments of my life that are given to me by people.)

So:

TV ~ Everybody loves Raymond,Dawson's Creek,LOST,anytime Neil Patrick Harris appears,award shows, Kristen Chenoweth,Holiday parades

Movies ~ Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Gone with the Wind,ANYthing with Jimmy Stewart,Hitchcock,musicals,Meryl Streep (most of the time),Westerns

Song ~ Leaving on a Jet Plane, Broadway tunes,Donny Osmond, camp songs,Jim Croce,Lady Gaga (only kidding!)

Crisis Mode

Watching the devastating news of the earthquake in Haiti reminds us all that life is precious and that the earth we live on is a fluid planet. The earthquake could not have happened to a country that was more in flux than Haiti. Prior to it there was massive unemployment and a lack of infrastructure. Now we all watch in horror as thousands and tens of thousands are missing or injured. They are saying that there could be as many as one hundred THOUSAND people dead in the area around Port a Prince!

It makes me feel helpless. I pray for the people who have survived,who are helping and for those who are hopeless.

Life's stages

I remember when I was in college, the world seemed so open. I realized even then that I had a lot of choices.

Now that MY children are in, or finished with, college, I am beginning to see things a little different for myself. I feel like I am in the end game. But here is the weird part ~ I'm not. I am in my early 50s. With a life expectancy of 80+ years, I have a good thirty years to go at least.

I am however at a crossroad. With our last sweetie looking at colleges, my DH enmeshed in his career, and our eldest off building a new life in TX, I have some options. Yet, just like the end of high school, I wonder what I should do. I know that I would love to go to school BUT it cost money and we are paying for one college education already! I would like to start riding again. Injuries from long ago prohibit the running that I use to LOVE but I could start the horses again. That is where I am giong to start. I am signing up TODAY for a riding class. Having grown us riding with my aunt, I only know Western (who am I kidding?? Bareback was more our style) so I need to start over with the whole Eastern style of riding. I am looking forward to it ~

Hi ho SILVER!!!!