I Can't Even . . .

[raeschae]

So it's 6:46 am, and I've been awake for almost three hours. Not cool.

Slight disclaimer: I am exhausted, all sortsa hormonal, and that makes me a little emotional. Still, I have to share this.

While I could have spent the last few hours writing, the epic incoherence of my brain in its sleep-deprived state would have resulted in some truly horrific story-telling. Instead, I decided to watch last night's episode of So You Think You Can Dance. Maybe my opinion is a little bit skewed by yesterday's smack down of Prop 8 (insert flappy hands and flailing squeals here), but this piece is not, as it was explained in the intro package, representative of a friendship breaking down. This is love when it's messy, imperfect, real, and beautiful.

Comments

[imaginethehappy.livejournal.com]

*GAH*
I heart Neil since he was on and i ADORE KENT. This was gorgeous and painful and Travis is amazing.

[ldyghst.livejournal.com]

Right there with you on the no sleep!

That is simultaneously the most heartbreaking and beautiful thing that I have seen in a while.

*hugs*

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

Travis was probably my all-time favorite contestant of all time (see what I mean about sleep-deprivation? Jeez, Rae, that's brilliant!), and I'm not sure he's choreographed a single piece that I haven't fallen completely in love with instantly. The one he did last season with the necklace? Shut up! And earlier this year, with Coldplay's "Fix You," I couldn't stop crying.

But there was something about seeing two strong men - Neil, come to my grabby hands, you acrobatic sex pistol, you - dancing that piece together that just tore me up! Most of the male/male pieces this season have either been so buddy-buddy, or so king of the mountain. It almost feels like they've been saying, "We're on network television - if the boys have to dance together, let's make sure that everyone knows they're not being ~gay." I think that just added to the punch of this one for me. I know I'm rambling, but I was seriously blown away.

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

Right? It's so compelling and tragic and, and, and... When it was over, Mia Michaels said that it was the first time she just had no words. I was just sniffling and nodding in agreement. It's just...yeah.

Man, I badly want to call in sick to work and just sleep but I know I'll feel guilty as hell if I do. Grrrrrrr.

[imaginethehappy.livejournal.com]

*snuggles* :) oh honey it's otay. I thought it was cute. You were *clearly* sharing your love for all things Travis ;)

And I agree! Kent is still just a squishy boy I kind of want a purse sized version of just to carry him around for always but he's still a *Strong* dancer. And again, NEIL HAHAH I typed 'nail' first Just blows me away every time i See him in something.

[nightporters.livejournal.com]

That was stunning.

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

I agree completely!

[nightporters.livejournal.com]

There has to be a fic in this.

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely! Something tortured and broody with a lot of 'I know I shouldn't be with you, but I can't stay away from you' angst.

[nightporters.livejournal.com]

It sums up that photo of our boys hugging at (Jared's?) wedding. You know the one I mean? I think it spawned a thousand fics. This could be afterwards.

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

I do know the one you're referring to, and I can totally see where you're coming from. You should totally write it! :)

[nightporters.livejournal.com]

Nope, not me. But it's a lovely idea.

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

Yeah, not me either, but at least the ideas out there now.

[mementis.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was just gorgeous and I'm totally speechless. Thank you so much for sharing it!!

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

Of course! I think I've re-watched it about twenty times now and it just keeps getting better. *sigh*

[mementis.livejournal.com]

I'm up to eight.

I think you may have just convinced me to start watching this show, with all this. And I never - seriously - never watch reality/competition shows but if they're doing professional-level work like this? Yeah, I may just have to start watching.

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

OH! I love converting people to my favorite things!!

I actually wasn't going to watch this season, but they switched up the format some and brought back a bunch of past contestants to pair with the current contestants as "All-Stars." It has really upped the talent level like crazy. Every year, they get crazy Emmy nominations for choreography - it's totally worth checking out. Next Wednesday night is the season finale, but they'll have the best routines of the season on that show. 8:00 pm (EST) on Fox. (I swear, I don't work for the show or the network - I just love it like mad!!!)

[mementis.livejournal.com]

Oh no, don't worry, I get the fannish glee involved in showing someone something you really like. Thank you! :) DVR's all set! :)

[taintedlove.livejournal.com]

I wish I could get into SYTYCD, but my roommate is so obsessed it's getting a little obnoxious. Of course, as I'm saying that I'm watching this video and thinking HOLY SHIT I LOVE IT.

[blackpanther07.livejournal.com]

So beautiful.

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to see what you think! This is so exciting!!!

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

Funny(ish) story? That is exactly the reason I didn't watch SPN for the first two and a half seasons. I used to work with a guy who talked about it all the time, and then I had another friend who got obsessed and wouldn't stop telling me that I had to watch it. The surest way to make sure I don't do something is to tell me I have to do it.

No pressure, but there's some amazing stuff on this show. I'm just sayin'.

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

I definitely agree!

[bella-dayenu.livejournal.com]

Travis Wall leaves me speechless. His talent is IMMENSE and just too strong for words. He reaches into my heart and rips at things I didn't even know I had. I, like you, can not think of a single piece has done that hasn't made me want to cry/shout/clap/laugh/praise......all in tandem. He is, in short, incredible.

I'm so glad to see I am not the only one that is totally in love with his art. ♥

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

RIGHT? God, I love Travis's work SO MUCH! I may have squeed a little the first time he showed up as a choreographer a few seasons back, but to see what he's done and how he's grown as an artist over the last few years has been amazing!

[gemini8.livejournal.com]

Did you see the season after Travis was on as a competitor when he auditioned in drag? It was spectacular!
The piece was beautiful (as all travis' choreography) and Kent and Neil are both magnificent. I hope Kent wins.
I normally tape SYTYCD and fast forward over most of the judges talking when I watch (I'm in it for the dancing) but Nigel asking Travis about the piece and Travis with a deer in headlights "but I'm trying NOT to tell you it's about love betrayed" look on his face was hysterical.
Hugs.

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

Man, Nigel makes me so uncomfortable sometimes. I don't think he means to - just sometimes he asks questions that make me go 'Dude, just...no. Don't say that!' "Did someone stab you in the back recently, Travis?" You're right, though - Travis's face was pretty priceless. And you could totally tell that Mia and Adam knew EXACTLY what it was supposed to be about.

Kent - dear, sweet EVERYTHING IS SO NEW AND FRESH AND EXCITING AND WOW Kent. He's a beautiful dancer, but I'm more of a Lauren girl. Something about his 'aw shucks' schtick makes him endearing, while also making me want to stomp on his face like Neil did.

Hm...were you maybe talking about this?


God, I love that man.

[gemini8.livejournal.com]

Yes!!!! Travis has great legs. And knows how to walk in heels! So fabulous. :)

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

I'd say he's pretty much the perfect man then. :)

[elliejane.livejournal.com]

Heya, wow that was amazing! I was just randomly browsing for fic, and instead tripped across this vid. I adore it, it makes me want to cry! Thank you so much for the link.

After seeing this, I wonder if you can help me - I've seen a vid before of a guy dancing in front of three judges, doing this contemporary style, who knocked their socks off. I loved that, but cannot remember the dancer or the show. At one point in the dance he takes his jacket off, then later, sitting down puts it on again. Does that ring any bells with you?? The guy wouldn't be the same guy who choreographed this, would it? I'm in the UK so none of the SYTYCD is familar to me!

[raeschae.livejournal.com]

I wish I could say that I know what you're talking about. Nothing springs to mind immediately, but there is a UK SYTYCD as well. I've never seen anything from that one - I only know that both the UK and US versions have the same host - but it's possible that's where you saw it. Maybe?

[elliejane.livejournal.com]

Thank you for replying! And I have actually JUST found the performer I was looking for (after thinking, I wonder if someone on my flist posted it, which of course they did, lol - this explains why I saw it even though I'm in the UK). Anyway, the dancer was Teddy Tedholm, so it wasn't the same person at all, they just reminded me of each other. This was the dance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9FkTn56UQc

I now have to bookmark the performance you posted so I shall know where to find THAT when I look for it again!