"It takes a pair to beat the odds" In Review: 50/50

Although the Doctor continued to talk, all the while never looking directly into Adam's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) eyes, the scene blurred at one word. Cancer.
I felt it. I knew right then, that I would react the same way. Not hear another thing that was said, after "you have cancer".
Eventually Adam comes to, at least enough to begin I asking questions. "ME? This doesn't make any sense! I don't smoke, I don't drink......I RECYCLE" When that last part was uttered I laughed and thought, so this is how they've done it. They've pulled off a movie where someone is told they have cancer, and still make me laugh while the story unfolds.

Now you know me. I'm not going to ruin this movie for you. When I feel compelled to write about a book I've read or a movie I've watched, I want to talk about it but not make you feel like you don't have to read/see it anymore because I gave away all of the secrets.

Seth Rogan, I love ya but I don't go see a movie just because you're in it. I apologize if this sounds rude, it's not meant to be. I'm explaining this because I want people to know that this is not one of your usual "comedy" movies. Yes, there are some really funny lines, and scenes in this one. But it's not overdone, which made it brilliant in small ways. I wasn't sure how in the world a movie like this, about someone learning they have cancer, could be considered a comedy. But trust me, when it's time to have those serious moments, it delivers beautifully. And quite frankly, even with your quirks, (okay, your character, Kyle's quirks) I think I would want you in my corner if this were to ever happen to me. Actually, I know I would.

A very strong theme came to mind somewhere in the middle of this story, so much so that I couldn't ignore it and will mention it now. Adam doesn't drive, he doesn't have a drivers license. And why? "because you can get killed in a car accident and and and......" (not a direct quote, but same meaning).

Cancer can kill too. Is there some irony to this? I think he thought so. I did too. It was rather insightful as the human side of him showed more clearly after the diagnosis. I learned, at least for him, what not to say to someone that is going through this.

I must mention that Bryce Dallas Howard is an excellent actress. If I'm supposed to dislike her character's (Rachael) actions, she proved me right again. Notice that I didn't say I disliked her character. I think she just didn't know what to do or say.

I know people that have fought this disease and won. I wondered if certain parts of the movie would make them relive scenes from their own journey that they wouldn't want to relive. At the end, I decided that I think they should try. It's a touching, heartfelt story laced with hilarity, a few curse words, adult content, parental relationships, loss.....and views from the other side of the coin.

"It takes a pair to beat the odds" ....a tagline for this movie.

Having many friends in your life is great. Having one truly wonderful, "I will always be there" friend, is the best.

See it. Let me know what you think!

Tiffany

PS Anna Kendrick plays Katherine, Adam's therapist, so well that I wanted to sit on the couch in her office and talk to her about nothing and everything. And I don't think that Katherine was confident that she was doing any good is what's interesting. Have I hooked you yet?

What makes you feel nostalgic?

nos·tal·gia   


noun

1. a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time

I've been feeling nostalgic for a few days. I don't always relate this to feeling homesick, but it can at times. Looking through picture boxes can really trigger nostalgia for the days when my sisters and I were the hardest playing kids in the neighborhood, as if we were getting paid to play! Wouldn't that be fun.
"I think I'm going to build a fort in the backyard"...."I'll pay you five dollars to do it!".

I can be a daydreamer sometimes, taking simple tasks and creating ideas around them. As I was sweeping the kitchen floor this morning, I thought well isn't this like life?. Gathering little piles of things to throw away because everything looks and feels cleaner when they are tossed in the garbage. If there is something that I no longer need to hold onto, and I know my life would be better if I gathered it up and escorted it out the door, I do. Things like resentment, or grudges. Negativity.

I was doing one of my most favorite activities last night, utilizing the fireplace, when I realized that the beautiful fire I just built, was like a healthy relationship. It needed oxygen. Room to breathe. A solid foundation beneath it. A safe place where it is built, and then cared for throughout its lifespan. I had to tend to the fire every once in a while, to make sure the logs were placed just so. If they had shifted too far to the left or right, I gently moved them back into place, and added more wood to keep the flames burning. 

I love to read, so I have many books laying around, either waiting to be enjoyed, or revisited if they ended up becoming a favorite. One in particular comes to mind that I pulled off the shelf today while dusting;  "Epiphany" by Paul McCusker.
"Richard Lee may be gone, but he's not yet departed. In this captivating Christmas novella, as the unseen observer of the family events that follow his own death, Richard watches his children return to their hometown to attend his funeral, settle the estate . . . and come to terms not only with their father's passing, but the general direction their lives have taken"

I've always loved the word epiphany. I was walking through a bookstore one very cold December Saturday when I stumbled upon this little gem. When I read the excerpt that I just shared with you, I chuckled a little as that is my sons fathers first and middle name, Richard Lee. I thought, well this was meant for me to read obviously, especially given the fact that it has an unreal "It's a Wonderful Life" quality that leaps out of the page from almost the beginning. I hope I've enticed you enough to read it.

Reading a book again, is like visiting an old friend. A comfortable place where you go to become warm inside. Learn about life, or just sit quietly.

What makes you feel nostalgic? I've noticed the feeling coming around after I've just spent time with my family. I was able to walk the beach every morning with my sister(s) over the Christmas holiday. Watching the kids romping through the sand, drinking coffee, laughing hysterically as we are trying to get everyone to stand still and look straight ahead for pictures.....are my favorite memories from this trip. Both my mom and Dad were there, it was monumental to say the least. My youngest sister has become quite the photog, you can visit her here http://www.sincerelysara.zenfolio.com .  In her "About me" portion of the home page, my favorite part reads "I read once that "the days are long but the years are short."

Indeed.

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS If I could have THIS with breakfast every morning, my world be a very zen place.

Leap! 2012

This morning I tweeted about Starbucks new coffee they started brewing today. A medium, rather than dark/bold roast, called "Blonde". It was delicious, I'm glad I tried it but somewhat surprised that I did considering I really like the bold, dark coffees.
I'm a creature of habit, and don't care for change that much. Or at least, I didn't use to like change that much. I've come to find out that actually, change isn't that bad. It can bring many new, exciting things to your life if you decide to embrace it, instead of running from it. Of course, a leap of faith is usually involved.

LEAP!



This is my One-Word for 2012. How appropriate given that February will have that extra day this year. But really, I'm not selecting it because the calendar has an extra box tacked on to the end of the second month of the year. I chose leap because it kept pestering me today. All day long.

Serenity talked about her word here http://www.serenitybohon.com/2012/01/my-one-word.html , and Felicity kicked off the New Year with her word here http://www.felicitywhite.com/2012/01/one-word-365-dare/ . Both blogs are always a favorite place to go if I want to visit a friend, be inspired, laugh, think, or maybe just sip coffee and reflect, so naturally this one-word idea has been percolating for a while.
I'm not sure where Leap first appeared, it definitely wasn't a neon sign flashing above my head, or a  BOLD printed word in a cartoon bubble that followed me around, capturing my daily dialogue.

It's just the idea of it. I want to LEAP right into 2012, with arms raised and total belief that where I land will be right, every time. I know it won't always be perfect. But that's where faith comes in. Right?

I have a tendency to find small niches that I fit comfortably in, and plant myself there for what seems like centuries to some. I've always heard that when one becomes comfortable, it's time for change! Or something like that. I can be brave when I have to, and do a leap or two, but it's not what I'm known for. Felicity wrote "this year I want to be daring". I can't read that statement and not want to leap out of a comfort zone of sorts and do something, anything, that requires gumption and dexterity.

That would probably tie in with a new exercise regimen. Let's face it, when I tried yoga for the first time two years ago, I wasn't sure I would be able to get OUT of a downward dog position, much less get there to begin with. Now, I can do it with ease because practice makes perfect. But, that's one position. There are so many. I'm determined to shake things up a bit with cardio and stretching and pilates and the like. It's time to reach past the comfort zone and.....leap. Maybe I could even start running! (You have no idea how far that statement is from my comfort zone). But why not? Why can't I run? My mom always says "can't never did anything". And she thought I wasn't listening, psshh.

I'm really hoping that in my work life, I don't have to leap out of necessity, rather, because I choose too. You know the "reduction in forces" time, I've discussed it before. It's upon us yet again. I won't dwell long here, but I would like to select something at work that scares the hell out of me that previously I've always said I can't do, and go to my manager and say, "give this to me, I can do it". Then......after he recovers from shock and checks my temperature, I.....leap. I can dig in and attempt to excel when I'm given no choice. But in 2012, I'd like to stand up and choose with the attitude of  "watch this".

Not that a new health regimen, and work aren't personal, but let's get more personal for a moment. In You've Got Mail, one of my favorite movies, Kathleen Kelly poses a question: "Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around?"

I've never felt that my life wasn't valuable. But I have felt that it was rather small, not in a bad way mind you, a more comfortable, this is me world! I don't want to be loud or in-your-face in any way.

I just want to Leap. More. Unfathomed. Trusting. Brave.

Good grief, what have any of us got to lose?

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS There are so many fantastic words that exist, I can't wait to see what word you select. Breakfast is a good word. When you add "at Tiffany's" it's even better, yes?

Getting to Know You

This is that post where I get to ask YOU questions instead of babbling on about myself.

1) You're on a boat sailing across the ocean, what song(s) do you want playing in the background?

2) Do you laugh out loud when you watch The Big Bang Theory? Do you watch the Big Bang Theory? (these questions may be out of sequence)

3) If you could donate 4 hours of your time tomorrow, which charity would you choose?

4) Do you read every day?

5) In the movie made to tell your life story, which celebrity plays you?

6) Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, Myspace, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, Klout, FormSpring..... do you think we're done, or will there be many more social media platforms in the future?

7) Do you like to cook?

8) What's your favorite word? (I know, it's hard to pick just one)

9) What is your dream vacation destination that you haven't been able to cross off the list yet?

10) Do you believe in God?

I'm looking forward to reading your replies!

Tiffany

PS This morning for breakfast I combined a few favorites, Starbucks coffee, oatmeal, and a banana. Can't forget the fruit =)

it's just as much filled with promise, as yesterday was

Hope


Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,

Whispering 'it will be happier'...

- Alfred Lord Tennyson

I think we all have that clean-slate, fresh start feeling come January 1. In spite of the year's 12 months-of-our-daily lives, for some reason when that calendar flips to the last month and counts down to the last day of December, the hope of a new year rises within us and we celebrate what has been, and what lies ahead.

I don't like taking down my Christmas Tree.

 It's not because of the physical labor that's involved. I just don't like letting go of the holiday season. I give myself the same speech every year, "we carry that holiday spirit with us all year through, if we so choose". I do pretty well with this mantra. But I decided that I need snow to keep my holiday spirit going. Oh come on Mother Nature, you've done some crazy things this year. What's a little snow in Southtown going to hurt, hmm?

I spent Christmas in Florida this year, with my family. I wasn't sure if it would feel Christmasy to me, given how warm it can be at the beach. I found that the Christmas Spirit resides just about everywhere, even where there are seashells. I walked the beach Christmas Day, and found a glimpse of exactly what I was looking for.

A family had left a message by the ocean, a Merry Christmas by the shore. Complete with a pile of shells and a signature from each family member. I smiled when I stumbled upon it, and had to take a picture so I would remember.

I thought, well it doesn't matter where you go. Christmas, and it's spirit, arrives wherever you are. I didn't give the new year much thought when I was on vacation. When my family gets together, and it's been a very long time since we ALL have been together at Christmas, it's nothing short of slight chaos. Chatter and noise and kids running around and conversations I can barely keep up with,  and music and boat rides, and....well you get the gist. I lived in each moment, and had a fabulous time.

On the long drive home, I had a lot of time to reflect. I was excited for 2012 to arrive, and started feeling that "it's going to be a great year" idea long before I reached Dallas. With tidbits of sand everywhere (and I mean everywhere) I smiled and thought about a resolution or two, as I drove part of the beach home with me. As I type this post, I look up to see the new calendar above my desk, shouting "It's January 2012!" and think about all that I have to fill in on those blank boxes. A wedding to go to (my sister got engaged Christmas Eve), pending visits from my family in May, a possible visit to Cozymel in June with friends, a trip home (Missouri) in my favorite month, October, for Mizzou football and hopefully a KC Chiefs game too. Many things to look forward to, as January rolls in and brings that clean slate.

I do like the "off with the old, on with the new" feeling, but I don't want to erase. I just want to flip the page over, and write the next chapter.

I hope your new year has started off with great things, and has reminded you that it's just as much filled with promise, as yesterday was.

Happy New Year my friend,
Tiffany

PS Breakfast at Tiffany's will be mostly protein and fresh fruit for a while, it's time to get in shape for good things to come!