OK! One more. If you did not watch FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, then you are missing what may be the greatest piece of recent television or at least one of the finest written programs in 30 years. It is not a show about football! And, it is. Football is the story telling vehicle for this fine piece of television. The show takes place in a fictional Texas town of Dillon, Texas. It could be any town in Texas, particularly a small, one high school town. For those of you who grew up in a large urban setting, the show will not resonate as much as it does for those whose formative years were spent in the Dillons all over Texas. With typical Hollywood abandon, some of the story lines were just not "real." The manner in which the public schools were run and decisions made were just laughable; however, once again, the whole set up was to tell a story. I have to admit that I do wince a couple of times about certain actions depicted on the show because I did see, up close and personal, them in my years as a cheerleading coach involved with high school football programs. But, the show is so much more than that.

For the skeptics , just watching the television treatment of the marriage between "Coach Eric and Tammy Taylor" makes the entire series worth while. It is rare to see Texas through Hollywood's lens depict a serious relationship with truth, compassion, honesty, and true regard for the hard work that marriage is. How Connie Britton or Kyle Chandler have not won an Emmy is beyond me. I encourage you all to give it a try. I will remember, forever, a pivotal scene when, "bad girl," Tyra's college essay is read. It was one of the finest pieces of writing I have heard in a long time. This little show that was at death's door several times is a study in redemption, survival, raising kids, staying together, and "Texas Forever."

I see a lot of former students in "Friday Night Lights." I have taught the Matt Saracens, the Tim Riggins, the Lyla Garrity's , the Tyra's, the Jess' , and all of the wonderful characters shown week after week. FNL is available on Netflix and on ESPN. I think it is one time that Hollywood has come close to hitting home runs that can make a difference. Do yourself a favor; you will not regret it. And, you will cry!

GLEE: "Don't Stop Believing."

Who would have thought that a couple of years ago in the hour after the "American Idol" finale (and who won that anyway?), America would be introduced briefly to the next big television phenomenon? Since I gave up on Idol when Taylor Hicks won, I stumbled on the preview of new show, "Glee." And, I am so glad that I did!

For those of you who do not "watch" TV or who do not venture past PBS let me tell you why I think "Glee" is worth a try. I watch "Glee," first and foremost, for the music. With the dearth of music worth caring about, this show is reviving a genuine appreciation for people who can sing...I mean really sing dammit! [let me acknowledge right here that Gwyneth Paltrow is an exception to that rule] And every time they have Kristen Chenowith on I yell at the screen, "Why don't you make an another album Kristen?" It is interesting that the episode showcasing Madonna's music was watched by approximately 13 million people. It was not out of a love for the "Material Girl." It was to see what these actors would do with the music. They sang the songs better than she ever could even on her best days. They can sing everything from Burt Bacharach (if you are under 45 you may need to Google him.)[Kurt's version of "House is Not a Home" will make you cry just a bit] to Journey to Bruce!!! They have taken "Lady GaGa up a notch, reminded the Tweens about a singer named Stevie Nicks with "Landslide," and the late Amy Winehouse's "Valerie" was given a fresh new twist. This show is making kids who sing fun to watch. And, every time I watch it, I think of all the kids in I taught that were in the drama programs [ Stuart, Laura, "Talullah" Artemis, et. al.] toiling away in those dark and smelly auditoriums for their two or three big productions and UIL contest. They were not the money makers like the football team nor flashy like the drill team or cheerleaders. They were not even a mob like the band. I found those students to be some of the funniest and smartest students in the school, but they had their priorities and they were not always about making straight A's. And, yes, like many of the students portrayed on "Glee" those students were not the popular kids...they had their own version of Slushees being thrown in their faces at times. Guess what? For every type of student portrayed in this television show, a real one is their doppleganger in high schools across the nation. From the serious to the absurd, the topics some of these individual shows have covered are real whether we want to acknowledge them or not. And, like the fictional Glee Club, any drama student I knew always carried on with pride and dignity.

When a production was coming down to dress rehearsals, the only voice that mattered was Marilyn Miller's :), the drama teacher from Cypress Creek High School, Houston, Texas. She was God, Goddess, Shaman, and all things to those students. They loved their singing and dancing, The set builders , lighting and sound crews were just as adamant about their role in the stage productions as the main performers. So, I want those students to know that every time I watch "Glee" I do think about you all.

However, I think that I most grateful to this show for exposing young kids to music and musical type theater helping them realize that Justin Bieber, Britanny, The Jonas Brothers, and dare I say, Miley Cyrus and their "body of work" are not going to be around 35 years from now. That "American Idol" produces a lot of "wanna be's" who are soon, and rightfully so, forgotten. As schools cut arts programs and groups in choir and drama now have to meet during "zero" hours more students will stop participating. So, if you have not watched "Glee" try to. To quote the first song sung on "Glee," "Don't Stop Believing!"

Sleep Until I Wake Up!

From the time I can remember, my life was centered around a clock. In the early part of my youth, my alarm clock was my grandmother, Miss Dolly. We started school "back in the day" at friendly to learning hours...that is about 8:45 a.m. Around 7, she would start with "Karen, get up." In about five minutes, 'Karen Twitchell, get up." In another five, "Charlz Karen Twitchell, do not make me come in there!" It was the world's first snooze alarm! All through out public school that was my daily routine. I really never got to sleep in on weekends because her business was in our house and we lived in a really small house. And, of course, Sundays were for church--twice. In college, I was a geek in that I did not miss class and always had to take early classes due to my obligations with marching and symphonic bands. And, then the fun began...40 years of setting my alarm to get up for work each and every morning.

I will never forget when Cy-Fair ISD moved the start time for high schools from 8:15 to 7:30 am. I thought about changing careers, seriously. However, the need to pay bills and survive combined with basic laziness prevented a change in careers. I can not explain how much I hated the morning alarm. I don't care if it was a traditional alarm, a pleasant little chime or buzz, or the blare of a radio station. It was still too "damn early." One would think that I had to get up and plow 400 acres with a mule. I would love to see a study based on people's attitudes towards mornings and late nights. For 40 long years, I was basically miserable from 5:30 am to about 9:30 am. And, I can NOT believe that I taught first period most of those years! Well, the kids didn't care, they were asleep too :)

Even though in my heart I knew I was a night owl, I had to go to bed at 9:30 ish each evening or be more evil the next morning. I really admire parents who have to get up with the kids at all un-godly hours. I probably would have been hauled off for child abuse had I tried to raise a child. And, so I continued to carry-on with my circadian clock forced into some arbitrary pattern. And, behold! Retirement came.

I have heard of us "old" folks getting up at the crack of dawn to go to the coffee shop, to read the paper, or whatever. However, I have to confess that NEVER since June 30, 2009 have I had that urge. I have no problem what so ever sleeping until the spirit moves me to get out of bed. 7:00 am comes and I simply don't care. My conscience is clear and my work ethic is just fine. I am not sure what to make of this, but I know I like it. I have stopped apologizing for my ability to stay in bed for as long as I want to. I have even purchased very high thread count sheets and new super duper pillows to make the experience even more decadent.

There are many things to like about retirement....but I am too busy luxuriating in 1000 thread count to count them right now.