This week has been a bit crazed for me. Each year during the week of district softball, I log more mileage on my car than any other week of the year.
During said week, I tend to forget what day it is, let alone remember to do things that aren't in the context of high school softball.
However, no matter how busy my week is or how little sleep I get, nothing can stop me from watching my latest television obsession.
That's right folks, I'm a full-fledged, die-hard, total Gleek. "Glee" has become a part of my regular TV viewing and if I miss an episode, it's a sad day.
I know it's corny. High school kids who randomly bust out into song with choreographed dancing that everyone just happens to know... but who cares? It's entertaining and hilarious all at the same time.
I could go into the hilarity that is Sue Sylvester or my favorite blonde ditzy cheerleader Brittany, or into that I think Lea Michele, who plays Rachel, might have one of the best voices I've ever heard. I could even go into how I have a huge crush on Mr. Schuester. But I'm not - I'm here to volunteer my ideas for what I'd like hear performed in future episodes of "Glee."
In the mode of Broadway, which should be performed at least once a season, a version of "Tonight" from West Side Story sung by Rachel and Finn would be fantastic. However, I'm waiting for some sort of "Rent" rendition pretty soon.
As for Mercedes, who is played by Amber Riley, an "American Idol" reject, every time I hear Alicia Keys or Mary J. Blige, I think about what she could sing. If she sang "I'm Going Down" by Mary J. Blige, I'd be in heaven. I'd even settle for some old-school, pre-drug, Whitney Houston.
And after the "Dream On" song the other night with Mr. Schuester and a fantastic guest spot by Neil Patrick Harris, I want Schuester to sing some more! I was feeling the rock-n-roll, so how bout some Bon Jovi? If he could sing any monster ballad for me, I'd be OK with that. There might be the constituents of Team Finn or Team Puck, but I'm Team Shoe all the way.
The dance teacher in me cannot give all these suggestions without providing an idea for a huge dance number. "Proud Mary" with the wheelchairs was awesome (if you have not seen it, I recommend a YouTube visit). And last week's "Safety Dance" with Wheels, who for being in a wheelchair might be the best dancer on the show, was amazing.
But we, the fans, need, bigger, better, knock-us-off our feet dance routines. Though I know that buying the rights to any Michael Jackson song is as much as some third-world countries are worth, how awesome would it be so see a huge Michael production put together. I'm just saying.
I know I'm not the only Gleek who reads my columns and I would be very interested to see if anyone else has been brainstorming on what else we'd like to see in our new favorite show besides what Quinn will name the baby and whether or not the "Vocal Adrenaline" coach is really Rachel's mother. I have my doubts on that one.
A side note: I am embarking on my six-year anniversary at the Tribune and I've been trying to come up with some ideas. I need my readers to start thinking of my old columns. I'll tell you all about it in two weeks.
Until then, keeping singing and dancing, because that's how Dana Sulonen, not Sue Sylvester, sees it.