Day 23 – Most annoying character

Whoops, I missed yesterday!  I'll blame it on having a wonderful day date with The Hubs.  We went to see My Neighbor Totoro at at theater in the district, and I simply adored it.  I haven't seen the vast majority of Studio Ghibli movies before, and I must say, I have enjoyed every single one wholeheartedly.  Totoro, though... it was just so wonderful.

I wanted to put something cute up here, because I'm about to go on a bit of a rant.  It's okay, though.  It's Most Annoying Character day.  There can only be one, and she annoys me very much, especially lately.

Rachel stinkin' Berry.

Look, I get that the point at the beginning of the series is that Rachel is annoying.  I know that her annoyance is sort of part of her charm.  I get it.  I do.  But it's been a couple of years now, and I'm just... I'm really tired of watching The Rachel Berry Show.  Lea Michele is enormously talented.  She's got a voice that I can't comprehend.  Girl can wail.  But... I'm kind of over it.  I want to know more about other characters and less about her.  Why is it that so much of the New York storyline follows her and not Kurt?  Or even when if involves Kurt, it's him talking about or worrying about her.  He had his own life.  Chris Colfer also has a voice I cannot comprehend.  LET THE BOY SING.

It's possible I'm still a twinge bothered that she got into this fake NY performance school after she flaked on her audition when Kurt didn't get in and he nailed his.  Yes, I know it's an entirely unrealistic TV show that I should have broken up with a long, long time ago.  Suspension of disbelief and moving on.

I'm very open that I'm only watching Glee at this point to hear Chris Colfer and/or Darren Criss sing.  I know that's not the point of the show.  However, if I have to sit through one more oversung solo, especially one oversung popped out solo of a RADIOHEAD song, I don't know what I'm going to do.

Clearly, I won't stop watching.  These are all idle threats.  But either give Rachel something to do besides diva out, or GTFO.

Reason Eleventy-Billion Why I Think My Hubs Is the Best

I adore my husband for many countless reasons, most of which revolve around the fact that he's not only my hubs but my very best friend in the world who totally and completely gets me.

Below is a direct quote from The Hubs to me sent just a few minutes ago via email:


"Did you know that Glenn Beck plans to create a tv show that's going to be an "anti-Glee"?  He says "it's horrifying some of the things that they're teaching high schoolers."  Then he says, "but it's brilliantly done. It's produced, brilliantly. Its music, brilliant. Its acting, brilliant. Its cinematography, brilliant. All of it!"

I wonder if he's ever actually watched the show...

In response I've decided to start my own anti-Glee.   It will still deal with all the issues in Glee and have all the gayness Beck fears, but will be devoid of plot holes, actually have a driven story, have far less over production on the music, get rid of any mid-western white guy rapping, and do away with the cumbersome theme episodes that cram seven songs into an episode for the sake of itunes sales."

Why do I love this?  
Well, it's hilarious, but also, for someone who claims to dislike Glee so much, he certainly does know a lot about it... I'm guessing someone's paying far more attention than they let on on Tuesday nights.
(Side note: Oh, Glee.  You big steaming pile of hot mess.  I wish I knew how to quit you.)

Something's Comin', Something Good.

It's that time of year again!  What time?  The new TV season, of course!  Yay!  I love New TV Season!

This year, I've decided to break up with Grey's Anatomy, despite how much I enjoyed most of it last season.  My Thursday dance card, even with DVR, is just too full.  Plus, I have to make way for new shows to love. This year, my shows are: HIMYM, The Sing-Off (full season YAY!), Glee, New Girl (because I swear it's about me...), Raising Hope, Parenthood, Community, Vampire Diaries, and The Office.  Man, do I love New TV Season.

So... my first happy of the year comes from (der) Glee.  More specifically (der), Blaine.  Darren Criss sang my absolute FAVORITE song from West Side Story last night, "Something's Coming."  I think it's just the most perfect song from WSS.  Tony is so sweetly excited about what's to come, and he doesn't even know what it is but he knows it's going to change him, to make him better.  The music pulses along in the background, and I grin every time I listen to it.  When I heard Darren would be doing this, I was, needless to say, really damn excited.  Upon first listen, though, I was simultaneously impressed and dissatisfied.  I just thought it was done better in the movie.

Then, when I saw the performance last night... well... just wow.  He blew me away... So, for your viewing and aural pleasure, I've included Darren/Blaine's version below, as well as the Richard Beymer/Jimmy Bryant version for comparison.  I couldn't find a video from last night's Glee (or figured that when I found out, it would be immediately taken down), but you can watch it here.  (Thanks, tumblr!)

I'm such a girl.

"Don't they get together in the end?"

SQUEEEEEEEE.

That was the sound that my entire neighborhood last night around 8:30 eastern when Blaine finally declared his feelings for Kurt, and they shared a precious and lovely first couple kiss.  Oh my stars and garters, I know The Hubs and The Pup were both quite happy to be elsewhere during the show last night, even though my squeal was so high-pitched that only The Pup could have heard it anyway.  I checked out my Tumblr dashboard this morning, which was not-so-shockingly filled with animated gifs and gorgeous graphics from last night's Glee, most of which featured The Kiss.  I'm actually surprised Tumblr was still operational after all that.

To sum up, I was pleased.

Say what you will about Glee, but thank goodness there is a show that's not afraid to show true love and emotion between two people, no matter their gender or orientation.  Chris Colfer and Darren Criss acted the everloving CRAP out of that scene, and I applaud their talent.  It was one of the truest, realest kisses I have ever seen on a television show, especially one centered around "teenagers."  Their chemistry is undeniable, and we all benefit from seeing it unfold.  I hope this kind of emotion continues to plaster itself all over my television from here on out.

Also... MAN, Darren Criss has the prettiest eyes.  SERIOUSLY.

Nuthin' But a Glee Thang, Baby.

I've mentioned my love of Glee many times on this blog, so... you know I love this.  It also combines Glee love with my love of Heather Morris as well as 90's hip hop.

"No regrets, just love."

This will be my earworm until 2011.  I love Darren Criss and his super cute eyebrows.  Though... Blaine?  Really?  No.  Not really.

"Just might feel like singing autumn song..."

After last night's Glee hilariously titled "Grilled Cheesus," I wanted to write about how I loved their take on religion, on how interesting it was to see many characters openly claim that they are atheists.  However, I don't want to get into any kind of deep, philosophical conversation about that right now.  Plus, I've heard somewhere before that you should never talk about religion or politics... but I think that's only when drunk.  Eh, whatever, it still works.

Instead, I want to discuss something that's come to my attention in the past week or so.  Here in VA, the temperatures have cooled tremendously, taking us from balmy humid monster temps one week, to wearing jackets, scarves, and long sleeves the next.  My FB and Twitters blew up with people complaining about the cold, the dreariness, the sad fall taking away the happy shiny summer.

Frankly, I couldn't be more excited.

I am not a summer lover.  In fact, I kind of hate it.  I hate sweating, I don't tan (thanks, Polish genes!), I'm super pale from the non-tanning, I don't like the beach, I hate wearing bathing suits, etc. etc.  Granted, I can vacation at the beach, especially if family/friends are going, but it's not something I would choose for myself.

However, I love the fall.  I love the smells, the food, the activities, the reemergence of weather and seasons, the leaves changing to beautiful bright shades, the boot wearing, the sweaters, the everything.  A vacation I would choose for myself would be European, culture-filled romps of museums and food and sight-seeing, with no summery heat to ruin the walk, especially if it fell around my November b'day.  There would be nary a bathing suit in sight.
So I read all these complainer messages about the Departure of The Hotness, and all I can think is, Good Riddance!  Bring on the pumpkin lattes!  Bring on the changing leaves!  Bring on the football, and the cider, and the arm warmers, and the knitting!  Bring it on, Autumn!

Maybe that's why I enjoyed that year in Rhode Island so much...

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

...if you have an addiction to television.  That's right, it's not just any old Thursday.  It's Emmy Nomination Thursday!  Woooooooo!  Can you dig it?

Alright, I'm not posting my guesses for who will win yet (I'll do that once we get closer to the event on August 29), but I'll give you my quick, knee-jerk reactions to the nomination list.  Here goes.
*GLEE!  Lots of noms for Glee, but the ones that make me happiest are Lea Michele, Jane Lynch [obvi], Mike O'Malley, and Chris Colfer.  Oh oh, Chris Colfer.  Love him in a way that's not even right.  I knew he was getting a nod when this happened.  Holy crap, it's amazing.  He just OWNS it, makes it his own, makes you forget about Ethel Merman, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters.  LOVE IT.  I also love the Mike O'Malley nod because I think his role on Glee is one that is so important in times like these.  This man, while obviously uncomfortable with his son's homosexuality, could not love his son any more than he does.  He FIGHTS for Kurt, shows his love as well as says it.  The great American public needs to see that there is nothing wrong with acceptance, even when you don't have understanding.

*I am so OVER Tony Shaloub, it ain't even funny anymore.  Thank Zombie Jesus there's no more Monk so hopefully he can STOP being in this category and taking away perfectly good nominations for people like Joel McHale.  And, while we're on the subject...

*Where's the love for Community???  Nothing?  NOTHING?  Have these people been watching the same show I have?  Did they NOT see the Paintball??  I mean... wow.  Just... speechless with passing anger.  And... it's passing...

*Okay, so.  I'm also excited that, while HIMYM irritated me this year, NPH got another Supporting Actor shot as well as an Outstanding Guest Actor nod for his Bryan Ryan role on Glee.  I listened to him singing "Dream On" in the car this morning, and while I don't think that's particularly Emmy-worthy, he wails on those high notes.  Like, wails.  [Sorry, couldn't resist...]

*CONAN!  Heeeeeeee.  I am really, really, REALLY anti-Leno.  I still refuse to watch it.  I always change the channel when he comes on, and I have since his stupid 10 pm travesty was on before he came back like a little whiny McWhiner.  I won't even watch it if my favorite stars would be on there.  I don't care if the guests are John Cusack and Lauren Graham and Paul Rudd and the musical guests are The Beatles from the 1960's who arrived via DeLorean.  DON'T CARE.  NOT WATCHING.  Conan's team was nominated not just for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series, but ALSO in the Outstanding Writing category.  I usually root for the Daily Show to win the Writing category because we met one of the writers a few years back and it's fun to see him on TV, but sorry buddy.  I'm all Team Coco this year.

*I'm also glad that 30 Rock didn't get a million zillion nominations this year.  I know that people find the show to be high-larious, and I myself have been compared to Tina Fey more times than I can shake a stick at [God forbid a woman with straight brown hair wear glasses, but it beats the previous Lisa Loeb reference], but I've never really been entertained by 30 Rock.  I feel like it was made for people like me too, people who watch a lot of TV and see it as art and know its ins and outs and therefore can make fun of it.

That's all I got for now.  When I get to August, you'll get some predictions.  Also, on Saturday, I'll be heading out of town to visit my friend in St. Louis! Woo!  So I might not post next week, or they'll be short.  Yay!

Give up the funk.

So... no rounds done on the future Sock Puppet last night.  Why?  Because I decided to get margaritas with co-workers instead.  Therefore, as much as I want to finish the sock(s), I feel I should be making friends too.  We still don't really have that many people we hang out with in town, except for my favorite Katie, so it's good to get out and be ridiculous sometimes.  I forgive myself for not knitting when I got home.  And you should too, you judgers!

Okay, so I have been very vocal about my love for Glee and how it is, to quote a sparkly vamp [and a Mormon housewife], my very own brand of heroin.  I hear what people say about how ridiculous it is and how it makes no sense and how nothing that happens could logically or realistically HAPPEN, and I just brush it off.  I know it's out of control, but I don't really care.

However, last night's penultimate Funk left me... well, in a funk.  I have been able to ignore the gaping plotline holes for a while, but there were too many that grated me last night.  Why did Jesse go back to Vocal Adrenaline when TWO WEEKS AGO he and Rachel were back together?  And, last week, he wasn't even THERE, so... did they break up?  I mean, all it would take is one line of THROW AWAY dialogue to say, "oh, yeah, Jesse won't return my calls, it's so bizarre."  And then, when he was back in VA this week, the viewer would say, "OH, remember last week?  How he disappeared?  Turns out, it's because he's a d-bag!  I got it!"  But, no.  Inexplicably back to the enemy.  Not really into that.  From what I'm reading on the interwebs, I'm not the only one feeling this way.

And yet, I find myself wishing that Glee would do more fantasy-like sequences a la "Loser."  While I thought that was a supah random choice for a song, I thoroughly enjoyed their zombie-like faces as they wandered through Sheets-n-Things.  It reminded me of what Six Feet Under used to do that never failed to entertain me.  Plus, if they did more fantasy sequences like this, it would make the Assignment of the Week angle disappear, or hopefully it would.  I like that there's a theme every week, but it seems forced to make these kids have weekly "assignments" and then they sing their "assigned" songs.  I think it would be better to have a weekly theme, and maybe the entire group sings a theme-y song together (like last night's Give Up the Funk), but the Glee kids could have theme-related fantasy numbers. 

I would really like that, alright, Ryan Murphy?  Look into it and get back to me.

Bonus: in looking up that video of Claire, I found what is my top #1 favorite series finale ever.  Enjoy! (um... spoiler alert warning if you've never seen the SFU finale...)

Continuing the same theme...

HOLY CRAP, I am so thankful for this.  Oh my freakin' goodness, this is what I'll be listening to for the next like six months.  Awesome.

Rainy Day Grateful List

This weekend, I had a lot of conversations about how this year and last year and the one before were all filled with pretty crappy things.  Granted, 2008 had its share of horribleness, but I also got married and went to Italy, so sometimes it's hard to complain about that.  Either way, I'd like to concentrate on the good things in my life at present and the things that make me happy.  So, without further ado, here are a few of my favorite things today.

*Sugar Bush Maple coffee- it smells and tastes like pancakes
*Glee Volume Three on sale today with NEIL PATRICK HARRIS
*The episode of Glee tonight with NEIL PATRICK HARRIS
*The possibility of hanging out with awesome friends this weekend to celebrate a 30th birthday (though I'll have to go back to Richmond to do it...)
*Wearing the pashmina I bought in Italy, which makes me think about Italy
*Beautiful Creatures, the new book I'm reading, where the teenage male narrator is kinda girly but I don't really care
*my Sketchers Shape-Ups, which may LOOK like Frankenstein shoes, but they are really REALLY comfortable, so I don't mind much, and plus I already gots a man so I'm not trying to impress you
*My hubs, who is sweet and cute and loves me and is pretty much just awesome all around
*Lost will be over soon, and while that doesn't make me happy, it means my questions will soon be answered, and THAT'S what I'm looking for
*my dog, because she's just so dang cute, and I'm so glad we saved her from a sad fate

These are all kind of surface-y things right now, but I don't want to delve too deep on the internet.  Either way, read it and like it.

Rant.

I have MANY things bugging me right now, but only one I feel I can verbalize.  In case you haven't seen it, Newsweek published an article stating that Americans cannot take a gay person seriously in a straight, romantic role.  He cited cases like Jonathan Groff on Glee, Cynthia Nixon on Sex & The City, Sean Hayes currently appearing in Promises Promises on Broadway, and Neil Patrick Harris on HIMYM.  Part of his argument is that we in these United States are so obsessed with sexuality that we cannot process outside of that.

I have been stewing on this for a few days, and the more I think about it, the angrier I get.  I would like to say that I can't believe this amount of closed-minded thinking still exists in our country today, but I know that's not true.  I will never understand why we can't accept people for WHO they are.

The other thing about this is, basically, this article states that we cannot separate real people from the roles they play.  Sure, every actor or actress puts a bit of themselves into a role.  HOWEVER, does this mean that I'm supposed to think that Sarah Michelle Gellar slays vampires?  That Johnny Depp is a pirate, a man with scissor hands, or even Willy Wonka?  That Sam Waterston can serve as my attorney?  That Lee Pace can awaken dead people for one whole minute using his index finger?  That Adam West/Michael Keaton/Val Kilmer/George Clooney/Christian Bale IS Batman?  That Anthony Hopkins EATS PEOPLE?  It's ridiculous!

I know it might seem like missing the point with the examples I've given.  As I already stated, the writer's issue lies in romantic roles.  However, what about a straight person in a LGBT role?  Like, for instance, I don't know... HILARY SWANK in Boys Don't Cry, which won her an ACADEMY AWARD?  Or the aformentioned Lee Pace in Soldier's Girl, which earned him countless accolades AND nominations for Emmys and Golden Globes for this breakthrough performance?  Or even Alyson Hannigan as Willow, Eric McCormack as Will, Christopher Meloni as Chris Keller in Oz, or Michael C. Hall as David Fisher?  And, to use a not-so-modern example, Billy friggin' Crystal in Soap?

I can't totally formulate how much I hate thinking about this.  I can't put it into words that express my deep disappointment that this idea has been thrown out into the ether.  In general, it just breaks my heart to know this kind of thinking exists in this world.  Breaks my heart.

...in a good way.

For Administrative Professionals' Day, the entire OA staff was treated to lunch on the Downtown Mall and even bonus Appreciation cake :)  I ate way too much, but in that good way.  I also just changed the background on my iGoogle to the Crumbs Bake Shop background, so I feel like I'm about to go into a diabetic coma.  Also, in a good way.  (P.S. way to my heart = bypass Jack + Crumbs Red Velvets... HEAVENLY!)

Every night when Hubs and I eat dinner, we always turn on the TV and find something to watch while we eat (since our dining room table is only used as a desk and for fancy occasions).  Usually, Law & Order or Bones or something is on, so we'll watch that (unless the Bones is at the beginning, because that's when they are the grossest and not for dinner watching).  Last night, though, nothing worth watching was on... until we reached the Starz! section.  Then it was like biggity-bam!  Mallrats!

It's been a smoking, burning, hot minute since I've watched Mallrats.  Usually, if I'm feeling Kevin Smith-y, I just pop in Clerks cartoons (the fave of the Hubs) or Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back.  So, we're watching Mallrats, and I'm cracking up like I haven't seen it hundreds of times.  We were quoting lines left and right, even with perfect inflection.  And Jason Lee looks like a wee little baby!  Granted, it's probaby due to lack of 'stache, but still... loves it.  Freakin' loves it.  Made me feel very high school... in a good way.  Since that is apparently the theme of this blog.

I know I haven't mentioned the most epic hour of television ever yet in this blog, which is strange considering how I feel about my own personal brand of heroin (aka GLEE).  Instead of gushing about how much I loved it or talking through all the best points, I will simply say...
watch it!

"The whole [bleeping] world's against us, dude, I swear to God!"

On my lunch break today, I went to the Local Blue Store With The Giant Yellow Tag to buy the new Glee/Madonna ep, as well as FINALLY get the new She & Him album.  While there, I saw Party Down for the low, low price of $15 (woot woot!), so I picked that up.  Then... THEN... OH MERCIFUL ZEUS, THEN...

I saw that the LBSWTGYT had the entire Buffy and Angel catalog on sale for $20 each season.  TWENTY.  DOLLARS.  EACH. 

Wasn't it just a few months ago that I had to order the entire series of Angel from Amazon because it was available in NO STORES?  Anywhere?  EVAH.  And, don't even start with Buffy...

Now, suddenly vampires are all popular again, so there it was, plain as day, MOCKING ME with its LOW LOW PRICES.

I got the 3rd and 6th seasons (3rd since it's the last one with my most fave DB, 6th so I can watch Once More With Feeling on reeeeepeeeeeat). 

In other news, I heard this song on the radio today.  Can't imagine why... my favorite part is "everybody solo!"

Breaking the first rule of Salad Club...

Some of the other office ladies and I have started a Salad Club.  Each Friday, we sign up for ingredients to bring in, and on Tues, Wed, and Thurs, we lay it all out buffet style and make our own salads.  This week is the first week of this amazing club, and I must say that it might be the best idea ever created in the history of salads.  I know it seems kind of crazy for me to be this ridiculous about salad, but dude.  It was delicious.  And I ate a salad yesterday BUT made a totally DIFFERENT one today.  This is so simple for me to be this excited about, but I am.  Everyone here is trying to lose weight (just like everyone everywhere), and this is a fun, easy, and cheap way to socialize and eat well for lunch.  Today, I had lettuce, tomatoes, red & yellow peppers, cucumbers, hard boiled eggs, zucchini, a sprinkling of cheese, a couple bacon bits, some BBQ tuna, and honey dijon dressing.  It. Was. Awesome.  Someone brought in some strawberries, so I had those for dessert.  Sometimes, eating healthier makes you feel really good.  Today is one of those days.

WHICH, hopefully makes up for the Cake Batter ice cream I had last night.  Seriously, it's from a homemade soft serve place in Harrisonburg called Kline's Dairy Bar, and it made my life.  Even if this doesn't make up for it, I don't really care.  That ice cream was TOTALLY worth it.

Also, last night, I watched a Lost that finally FINALLY lived up to my expectations (maybe because they have gotten lower?), and a brand spanking new GLEE that made  me... gleeful.  I had to miss out on Parenthood (aka Lorelai Gilmore & Casey McCall in California), but I can catch that online or possibly on demand... Either way, Tuesday is shaping up to be my new favorite day of the week.

Planning on working some more on the socks tonight.  I haven't done anything on them since Spring Break, but hopefully I'll have a chance soon.  Maybe in the car on the way to the wedding we're attending this weekend...

Glee, TB, and Travel-y

I read this quote today in an interview posted on Yahoo about Glee's Golden Globe noms.  It makes me smile a lot and be very anxious for April 13.

"Okay, listen. We had Kristen (Chenoweth, Menzel's "Wicked" costar), now Idina's coming," gushed actor Chris Colfer (Kurt). "I don't . . . I can't even fathom that. I can't even talk about it. I am so, so excited. I just . . ."

"I think you just peed a little bit," joked actor Mark Salling (Puck).

"I did," Colfer replied. "I think I just did."

Hee.

I've been watching "The Sing-Off" to try to stave off the jitters.  It's been kinda fun, though nothing like my own personal brand of heroin.  I think Nick Lachey talks WAY too much and I fast forward through everything Nicole the Pussycat Doll says, but I enjoy the singing.  It makes me miss Low Key, and I'm looking forward to April for Glee AND for the LK reunion.  I can't believe we started it 10 years ago...
 

So the role of Alcide has been cast for this upcoming season of True Blood, and he will be played by Joe Manganiello (see left).  I have seen some pictures that have not impressed me, so I found this one and thought, "Okay, he'll do."  However, no matter what I will see him in, I will always think of him saying that the Eggs Benny is redonk and how he'll go halfsies on a gravy boat. 
 
I just really love the character, especially in the 3rd book.  As the series rolls on, I find that I kind of want to smack him royally about the face and neck, but I love him and Sookie together at the beginning.  He reminds me of one of my friends from the way back days, which is funny to ME because Jacob Black ALSO reminds me of this friend, and I feel like Alcide is the Jacob of the Sookie-verse.
 
In other non-tv related news, I'm feeling the urge to travel, and what sucks is that I don't have the funds to back up said urge.  We're going to Florida after Christmas with the in-laws (which is never as bad as it sounds when you have my in-laws!), which will be nice... BUT... that's not the travelling I'm looking for.  I've been emailing back and forth with a recently reacquainted friend, and I'm certain this is what has caused my travel fever.  She lives in Missouri (a state I've never seen outside of its airport), and I'm really looking forward to it.  HOWever, it's not until June.  I think what I really miss is having close girl friends to hang out with.
 
DOWNER! 
 
At least I'll be able to get in some good girly times this weekend.  It's the annual girls party, and it should be food, drink, and silly-filled.  Also, Sherry already figured out who all the Secret Santas are, so there won't be any surprises.  Just like last year... 

An Open Letter to My Favorite Show

Dear Glee,
First off, I have to tell you that you are my crack. It's true. From the very beginning. I remember when I first saw you in May, and you were the bright shiny light in my dark, BHLPC-filled world. Then, you magically reappeared in my life in September, reminding me why I love TV and why I love singing. You made me forget my old bitter feelings toward people I used to sing with and showed me that I truly missed performing. You sang songs that I loved for years, and you made me laugh out loud. Television doesn't surprise me or make me laugh unless it's truly something to behold. You have been that something.

Now, I see you're leaving me until April? What's that about? How will I be able to go on? And AMERICAN IDOL is taking your place? I am officially TOO OLD to be the next American Idol, and that means it needs to be done. What have these Idol contestants even done lately? (Hey, Adam Lambert, sit down.) This is just plain mean, leading me on like this only to leave me in the cold. I do not appreciate it.

However, like a jilted lover, I will come back to you with full forgiveness. You know I could never leave you.

Also, stop making me cry. I don't know how you do it, but just quit.

Sincerely,
Jessica Sheehan

P.S. Seriously. Lea Michele and Amber Riley need to quit making me cry with their amazing powerhouse performances.