Don't forget to look ahead.......

When I get older I want to be the type of friend who has people over for drinks and excellent food.

We'll spend the evening talking about the wondrous things we've seen, the places.... the people... the food....the shows....the geographical places that make our eyes search every detail with wonder, never knowing if we will be able to make it back to that place again.

Of course I want to be this type of friend now, too.

When I get older, my house will be so organized that nothing will be hard to find and everything will be in order. Can you imagine?

I want it to be this way now, too.

When I get older and things slow down, I want to travel to far off places and explore hidden alleyways in cities, and book stores nestled in corners on streets that I have never been before.

I want to see my family more.

 

 

 

I want to do volunteer work where it really makes a difference.
                                                                       

I want to do all of this now, too.

I think the cool thing is, we always have something to look forward to. I may find time to fit some of these things into my life right now. But if I can't fit it all in, at the same time, I'll always have something just around the corner, waiting for me to enjoy.

In these days of seemingly mundane things, like work and work and more work and a little play here and there, and Mondays turning into Thursdays before we can blink, don't forget to look ahead. It's all out there, waiting.....

See you soon friend!
Tiffany

PS I wasn't kidding about wanting my house to be more organized. Such a daunting task! But one I can master, I'm sure of it. Maybe some rainy Saturday morning will begin with Breakfast at Tiffany's, and then....organization at it's finest. I'll keep you posted.

 

The treasure lies in them, not the things....

When an old friend becomes very ill, I begin devoting a lot of time in my thoughts to them. Really hoping they get better, really hoping for the best. That they don't leave us too soon. I think about their family, where they've been, and where they are going, at least, before they became ill. These thoughts have lead me to memories of days gone by. Such fond memories too. Being so young, in high school, having the time of our lives if we had only noticed back then.

You know, 'stuff' doesn't really matter. The cars we drive, the amount in our bank accounts, etc. It doesn't matter that much. What matters is people. Who we have in our lives, the relationships we nurture, those we spend our time with, our given, and chosen families. The treasure, lies in them. Not the 'things'.

It makes me sad to lose touch with friends, to then devote an entire day(s) of my thoughts to them, because they're very sick, and we don't know the outcome yet. Why did we lose touch? Is what I wonder. I know how it goes. Life becomes extremely busy, we grow up, go to college, get new jobs, move away from home....and before you know it, years have passed. It's not that we don't love our friends anymore, not at all. Life just gets really busy, doesn't it?

I just think maybe it shouldn't get so busy that we can't say hello once in a while. It just takes a few minutes to ask a friend how they're doing, if they're happy in their life.

Well, these are my thoughts tonight, as I sit and remember some great times with an old friend.

This is for Beth. Rest well friend, and continue to fight the good fight. My thoughts are with you and your family.

To you, my reader friend: call a friend you've lost touch with. I bet it will make you feel better than it does them.

See you soon,
Tiffany

Overheard at the Social Media Club

A few close friends and I decided to get together and have a social media club session, primarily for helping one of our own get her blog the way she wanted it as far as layout, rss feeds, etc.

When my friends get together you can count on these things to be so:
1. enough food to feed a small country

2. enough wine/beer for that small country to partake after they eat, or during

3. Cheese in gargantuan proportions, and many kinds

4. hilarity to the point of my stomach hurting from laughing so hard, yet all the while knowing that if I tried to explain to someone that wasn't there, it would end up being a "you had to be there" story.

5. love and support

The love is ever present, we support each others goals and dreams, no matter what.

As I found myself laughing as usual over the various discussions going on around me, I started taking notes. I mean we were all sitting around laptops at the table anyway, it's not like I wasn't paying attention to my friends. I was just, ahem, blogging.

And now for the notes.

Overheard at the Social Media Club........

Have you ever seen Yen Kitty? It's the cutest thing ever.
This is a little kitty that has a rainbow coming out of his nether regions that really, to summarize it in a nutshell, is just plain cute. I had never seen him before

So what do you guys think about Google + ?
There was a huge hear-hear! in reply to this one


http://www.botw.org/ <-------go here, The Best of the Web
Very cool, didn't know it existed

Search Submit Blog to Google, you can add your URL to google, may take a few weeks to show up in searches......
I didn't know this either, but here's the link if you're interested: http://www.google.com/addurl/?continue=%2Faddurl

Can you show me how to add the Like button for facebook to my blog?
There was some intense discussion and hand motions during this one, I promptly stayed as quiet as possible in order to allow them to concentrate.
Answer: It has to be generated from Facebook. Go to developers.facebook.com , Port Concepts, Social Plug-Ins, Like Button , and then just use the Standard Layout site for now.

As my peeps were "working" I was casually walking around taking pictures of various items, as is customary.
"What are we supposed to do?"
"Don't look at me, I'm not here, I don't have a camera, just carry on"
"I feel watched"
"Just pretend like I'm not here"

Did you try the cheese?
I tried the cheese. That cheese is the best thing I've had in my mouth in years. (quoting exactly folks)

But did you try the BACON?
I tried the bacon, and may need 911 later. Oh.My.God.

'Oh sh** I can get me a twenty dollar mani-pedi!' (my friend that uttered the phrase is funny anyway, but when this exclamation comes from him, I die) He's pretty much our go-to guy for anything internet, all things web, and new and upcoming gadgets. I'm pretty sure he can build a planet, given the right tools.

So where do you go to buy domains?
GoDaddy.com

"Do you use that one I got you?" "um, what is it again?" "Because I pointed it to your blog for you" "tiffanydavis.net"
Um that's not right, this is some kind of Hollywood thing. Which could be me, but it's not, just sayin.

**please note, it's not tiffanydavis.net. I haven't received word back on what it actually is. Stay tuned for further developments.

I like your shirt, where did you get it?
uh...the internet. I think it's theshirtguys.com or something. I'll look it up. Wait, I don't think that's it. Checking.....wearscience.com/design/robot ....yeah that's it.

I read my friends blog post about going to the Farmers Market where she then shared that she got some fabulous fresh basil, one of my favorite smells.

Meanwhile, Daybreakers is playing in the background for those that are not participating in the social media discussions, loud enough for France and surrounding countries to hear. *sharing is caring

I believe this is the same bottle of wine I brought back from Paris, I said, to no one in particular, as I was musing to myself in the kitchen.

"I don't have a business card, so yeah you know those PR cards, I want to get one of those with all of my info, and then have it tattoed on my wrist so they can scan it with their phone"
What?
(he's dead serious too)

"OMG I want a baby panda!" (as they look at my Friday facebook post)

So are we all in Google + ? Cuz we're gettin ready to Hang OUT ya'll!
There's a nifty little video chat option in Google + called "Hanging Out", try it. It's fun!

"So read my blog post so far".....Title: "10 Social Distortions Cause by the Consumption of Cheese"

Annnnnd the previously mentioned movie playing in the background can now be heard by small third world countries. *note to self, bring earplugs at the next gathering*

Hey does anyone want to do Community Theatre with me?
"no. I love you. but. no"

"I don't feel comfortable smiling, if I'm not actually smiling about something"

Hey can you set up my RSS feed on my blog?
Can I sit? (removal of the enduser and doing it yourself is often warranted)

random: "I'll eat coconut meat, but I don't like Coconut shavings on things"

You know really, friend, there is no way to capture everything being said at one of these gatherings. This is just a little peek into my world, it can get crazy in there, but oh man do I love these people.

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS For some tasty breakfast ideas, visit my friends new blog here http://wildjennostyle.blogspot.com/ she's just starting to do what she's always wanted to do, share the recipe, the food, and her life. I say YAY to that!

My Saturday 10

I had a fabulous lunch with a friend today and received a really cool fortune from the inside of the fortune cookie "You will travel to many exotic places in your lifetime". I loved it, and immediately thought, I'm very lucky that I've been able to reach two of those dream destinations already, Paris and Hawaii. I reminisce a lot about both trips, go back and look through the pictures that were taken and it's as if I'm back there. Paris, if I'm ever lucky enough to see you again, I will be grateful, I promise. The picture above was taken along the river seine, with the best friend that made that trip happen.

And onward to my top ten favorites this week:

1. Absolutely nothing on the agenda for today, and tomorrow. I am in dire need of downtime, I love being able to just sit quietly and relax. This is good mentally and physically, it's been a very busy month!
2. Good friends with new music/artist suggestions that take the time to text me and have me check them out. William Fitzsimmons is playing as I write this....then Broken Bells "The High Road" (love this song)
3.Although I don't like getting behind on my favorite shows, I just don't watch T.V. as much as I used to. But I love knowing that I have five episodes of Grey's Anatomy waiting for me when I finish this list. I managed to avoid learning the finale conclusion, so shhhh.
4. Impending visits from various friends this summer, really looking forward to seeing everyone and going home myself (Missouri) at some point and getting together with everyone.
5. PacMan. Google. Not sure it gets any better than that. I spent quite a bit of time playing that game yesterday, thank you google for placing it strategically above the search box on your page. And Happy Birthday PacMan.
6. Going to a favorite spot on Friday night with a lit patio, and great friends. I love going where it feels like home and everyone knows me. I hope you have a spot like this too.
7. Making someone belly laugh. I so love that.
8. Hearing "me too" when I've shared a thought.
9. Knowing that this year has two weddings forthcoming, both of which I will be a part of and can't wait to attend.
10. The smell of Coppertone. Yes I know, weird. But it's summers perfume, and I love it.

What are your favorites this week?

Lets have breakfast on the patio tomorrow!
Until then,
Tiffany

Saturday 10

I'm doing the "these are a few of my favorite things" thing again. It's Saturday, I choose this day happily as my favorite day simply because it's comfortably sandwiched in between Friday, not a bad day in itself, and Sunday, still a day away from work but closer to it than Saturday.
Saturday, is like a blanket to me. The one you wrap yourself in, get comfortable, and read your favorite book. Nothing can touch you on Saturday, it's there for the taking, the "I get to do whatever I want" day.

I'll begin with that.

My 10 favorite things this week:

1: Saturdays! You'll find me at the pool today, I love you Dallas spring weather! Hold me.
2: Knowing that my house will be full of friends tonight. It's game night at Tiffany's, a not intentioned, fast becoming ritual that sprung out of nowhere. LOVE.
3: Twitter. You're often times inspiring, a lot of the time hilarious, always connecting to cool people, social media outlet that I've grown to love.
4: Purchased plane tickets to far off island destinations. Aloha! That trip can't get here fast enough. Dear Hawaii, I'll be kind. I can't speak for my travel mates, who may take advantage of your generous nature.
5: Starbucks. I can't ever quit you, my love. We may grow into different people along the way, but we'll always be together, discussing life while the hot water drips through ground coffee beans through a paper filter, into my cup. Friends for life we are.
6: Sleeping In. Because I can. No alarm clock, just waking to the sound of a dove cooing outside my window. I enjoy this every weekend lately, what with this warm Dallas weather. Windows open, I feel like I wake up in some sort of paradise.
7: Friends that care so much they go out of their way. I had a yucky day at work Thursday. Just a PLEASE LET ME GO kind of day. Friday, a coworker and awesome friend brought me a book, a lovely card, and a way cool coffee mug with my favorite Alice in Wonderland '10 quotes on it. Just because she noticed my Thursday sucked, she made my Friday fabulous. Can you say grateful? (thank you Melanie, you rock)
8: Unexpected phone calls from old friends. I love this.
9: Going to sleep knowing I did my best. This is more powerful than most realize. If you know you tried, gave the day your all, do you sleep like a baby? I do. This is that "at the end of the day" cliche. I like.
10: Quotes. No matter the source. It could be a favorite movie, a book, a celebrity, a poet....I love them.

"When you can live forever what do you live for" — Stephenie Meyer

What's your top ten this week?

Enjoy your 2nd weekend of April 2010,
Tiffany

PS Haunted Elevator, I haven't forgotten. It's just creepy! I've been taking notes too. Share soon.

Soulmates, Muses, Friends

A best friend and I talk on the phone a lot because we live in different states now. She's the kind of friend where geographical distance means absolutely nothing. Telling her what is happening with me and my world is my comfortable, 'feels like going home' place, where there is nothing but unconditional love. You know the old saying, most people have a lot of acquaintances, but can count their true friends on one hand? Well she counts as two fingers, one wouldn't be enough. I could rob a bank, she would drive the getaway car. Don't worry, we're not planning a Thelma and Louise trip across the country. (Um, unless Brad Pitt is in my script, thennnnnn maybe we will, just sayin) If I call her and say "I'm an idiot" she will reply with "then so am I". She won't tell me I'm not one if I've done something stupid, but she'll join me. My point is, and I'm sure you get it already by now, she is the kind of best friend that I hope everyone has at least one of, in their life. We begin the conversation as though we're already in the middle. I can get a three word text from her that makes me laugh out loud for an hour.

Todays conversation included something we talk about a lot. Muses. What is a muse? One definition reads,
"the power regarded as inspiring a poet, artist, thinker, or the like"
When people question why others come into their lives for a short time, I often say, "maybe you were their muse". You inspired them, to be better people. To become who they dream to be but are afraid to try to achieve that dream. You gave them confidence, made them believe in themselves, boosting their ego enough that they took steps they were afraid to take before they met you. The "short time" part sucks, especially when you become attached to someone. But if I'm right, sometimes your story is just written that way.

Then there is the soulmate conversation. I read something once that I've kept since I saw it the first time, it was a different perspective on what I had always thought a soulmate was.
(Excerpt)
Elizabeth Gilbert writes: ""People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.
A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave....."
 
Sounds like a muse to me in a way. The muse isn't supposed to fall in love with who he/she is inspiring. They are to just "inspire", and not overstay their welcome. I don't know if I'm in total agreement with Elizabeth Gilbert, but I really like this part "the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life."
 
Which brings me to friends. A true friend won't lie to you. If you ask them if the new haircut is becoming, and it truly isn't, they will tell you the truth. Let's hope that truth has kindness in it =). I know the good friends that I'm blessed to have well enough to know who wants the real truth and who wants the inspiring words that will help them get through whatever tragedy they may have going on at the time. I'm not saying the inspiring words are lies per se, but raw truth needs to be administered in small doses, depending on the receiver.
 
BEST friends will say, oh honey, it will grow out, don't worry. (lol and yes I am, laughing out loud for real)
 
I'm lucky, I think I've had a very nice combination of all three, four if you include best friends. Whatever role anyone in my life plays, I'm grateful they are here. I usually learn something about myself, that's what it's all about......
 
So the thing is, there are going to be times when you feel like there is a big question mark hanging above things that happen, people that come and go, relationships that shift and change and take on new roles......don't question all of these things. Let some of them just, be. And learn.
Okay?
 
“It's always been a gift with me, hearing music the way I do. I don't know where it comes from, it's just there and I don't question it.” Miles Davis
 
The next time you have breakfast at Tiffany's, remind me that I have to tell you about the haunted elevator at work. You think I'm kidding don't you.
Until then, sleep well friend.
Tiffany
 
PS This post is dedicated to Muffin, thank you for throwing pom poms in the air every time I do something. Oh and sorry about telling the interwebs your childhood nickname that still follows you around. (LOL I can't wait to get the text about this one)
 
 

 
 
 

Fighting Fires is Dangerous Business

And so is turning off the water when your kitchen is flooding when the washer breaks. Without warning. I said, this is SO getting blogged.
So it's Thursday and I have a very busy next 3 days planned, it's Oscar weekend people! I'm the paparazzi at an Oscar party (you don't think I'm making that up do you?) Alice In Wonderland opens tomorrow, I have to empty the kitchen and bathrooms for new floors, appliances, and cabinets. Saturday I have to help a good friend get READY for the Oscar party. Then I have to get ME ready for said Oscar party Sunday.
Work is crazy, doubled work, same small team, I don't need to go on......
I come home and decide it's time to get laundry done so I don't have to mess with it over the weekend. Do yoga while the first load is washing. I notice that the sound of running water that usually stops once the washer starts the "washing" is still going, I don't think too much about it. The rinse cycle starts and I'm still doing yoga but still hearing that water sound, so I push pause and walk in the kitchen to see, a flood. I'm not kidding. Water is seeping out from under the washer, snaking its way toward my kitchen rug I have laying in between the stove and kitchen sink. I grab that and put it up, and go investigate to see what in the hell is going on. The water isn't shutting off. AT ALL. I turn the washing machine off. Water still going.
Um.
I attempt to turn the blue knobs off that are behind the washer. Yeah you know how this ends. I can't get them turned at all. I try wrapping my hand in a towel to no avail. Now panic is beginning to set in.
I call the apartment complex office and get to the emergency maintenance line. The "answering service" is who I speak with, explain the situation and am told that maintenance would be paged immediately.
I go back into the kitchen and realize I've probably got about 5 minutes before the washer fills so full that its going to overflow. I use a pitcher to get some of the water out and dump it in the kitchen sink. Getting the wet clothes out  was loads of fun let me tell you. Those now reside in the bathtub, as do the rest of the clothes that were sorted by colors and whites, and are now completely soaked by the flooding water.
I call the emergency maintenance line again, good news, I knew to press zero right away this time, progress!
In giving the 2nd person an update of , "its going to be like the 2nd sinking of the titanic very soon if they don't hurry" I don't feel very confident that maintenance has a sense of urgency.
Still removing water from the washer, I realize that I have to call for other help, like. NOW.
"911 what's the address of your emergency?"
"I don't know if this is what you would classify as an emergency but my kitchen is flooding and I can't get the water shut off" (Bear in mind my neighbor who would save the world if he could, is not home right now)
"No problem, I'll send the fire department"

Oh my god they're going to roll firetrucks for this. Guilt is settling in, but I'm standing in 3 inches of water so....
This is how the City of Coppell rolls, no pun intended. If your cat gets stuck in a tree they roll 3 firetrucks and one patrol car along with 9 professionals to save the day. *I love living in Coppell.
I live very close to the police station and fire station (hey friends!) so less than two minutes later I hear the sounds of, what I thought was, one firetruck.
I race to the door, to see a firetruck parked sideways right outside my door, and 3 firemen headed my way. They wasted no time at all getting to my kitchen to shut the water off. He said, you must have loosened it for me.....as I cringe when he shuts it off with one twist. *sigh
I look back over towards the door to see 5 more firemen enter my living room. Trying to keep my mouth from hanging open I weakly asked, "um so, how many trucks did you roll for this?"
"Oh only two, no big deal. We're gonna get you all fixed up" Sinking slowly down on the couch I reply with "gulp. okay."
Two shopvacs and 8 firemen later, I've got a full house, we have enough people to play cards or rearrange all of the furniture, whatever. I'm sitting there watching them like, I seriously can't believe this is happening. And these people are the friendliest guys on the planet. And extremely funny. Very sociable even above the din of what sounds like a new house being built. Have you heard two shopvacs going at once?
One of the guys says Um Tiff we can come over for coffee, you don't have to flood your house, just sayin.
OMG he even says just sayin like I do. We're bff's ya'll.
Then the electricity goes out.
All of this shopvac activity blew a fuse. Now I'm sitting in the dark with 8 firemen. People, I couldn't make this up if I tried. 8 flashlights come on at once. I think I now know what it's like to get ready to walk the stage at an event such as the Oscars. Preparedness. These guys are doin it right.
They get the lights back on, and continue with their quest of saving my home. Still talking to me like I've known them for years. "So....I hope I'm not keeping you from a real fire emergency". "Nah, we were just waiting for you to call"
Right after the 2nd shopvac is turned off, maintenance shows. What timing, you're just so eloquent. *sigh again.
So maintenance guy speaks with lead firemen guy, and the others are wrapping things up. I show them to the door, politely thanking them profusely for their efforts. We make plans to meet at Starbucks sometime, we're now tight, and it's right down the street and all.
Lead firemen guy lets me know that I did the right thing in calling. It was only then that I exhaled and let go of the guilt for bothering them. "It's no bother, we're here to help you" he says.
Maintenance guy number two shows, and they now begin emptying the washer to take it away, "you deserve a new one" they say. Well thank you.

As I write this I am now 8 friends richer, have wet carpet, fans blowing, a very clean kitchen floor, a bathtub full of wet clothes, a new washer on the way, and a new blog post ending in 3....2......1

To the City of Coppell fire department, I thank you.

When I have breakfast with them, you can come along. Maybe their story will be even better than mine.
Until then, sleep well friend
Tiffany

Broken Glass

A friend came to me today with: "I'm broken". In emotional pain over family issues. I know this friend well, so my response came to mind almost immediately.

Well, when we break, guess who is there to pick up the pieces of glass. Friends. The forever friends we're blessed with. Don't feel alone. Sometimes I feel like broken glass. But it's so SHINY. And imperfect. It even catches the sunlight in a dazzling way, our imperfections. They're what makes us unique.
Ask yourself what you want, and make a list of what's going on, and what you want fixed, and what you want to let go of. Then, on the "I want this fixed" list, decide how you can go about doing that. If you try, anything can happen. On the letting go list, extend your arm out in front of you, open your tight fisted grip on these things, palm up, let.them.go. If you don't, that hand won't have room for all of the good stuff that wants to land there, its too full of the stuff not worth holding on to.
After an apology of "I dont want to be a dark cloud" I felt compelled to say, 'you're never a dark cloud to me. I see your light even when you don't. Which is why we're friends for life'.

Do you have room to accept all of the good stuff that wants to come your way? Do some house cleaning, make room. It will blow you away.

Until next time,
Tiffany

That dreaded word we all hate. The C word.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

I don't know if I have an irrational fear of getting cancer, I don't think I do, but when one of my dearest friends is diagnosed with the devil disease, it rocks my world as though it were me hearing the three words we don't ever want to hear; "you have cancer".

You know that feeling of your legs buckling out from underneath you? The oxygen being removed from your lungs? That's how I felt when I heard the news. Anger, immediate anger. WHY HER? It's not fair, and I pulled out my virtual list of why its not fair. This is not supposed to happen to her. But it's not supposed to happen to ANYone for that matter. I was absolutely amazed and instantly grateful at her take on this diagnosis. Humor intact, and providing the facts with ease, she updated our group of friends the best way she could, giving it to us straight, and all at once. I thank her for that. Living in different states she could have chosen to go through this without sharing and we may never have known. I am so glad she did not choose that, but instead, chose to let us in her private world that I am sure was rocked to the core.

In keeping with my idea of a "dia"blog I am sharing a bit of conversation I had with her today.

Me: I'm learning so much about this that I didnt know. I wish I was learning it from a freakin magazine instead of through you, but you are going to get through this. I would GIVE MY LEFT LEG if I lived there so I could help you. You know, sit there while you cuss at me, be the target . I'm a good target.

Friend: You know, right now I'm not feeling like that. EVERYONE has been so supportive.....it makes me get weepy when I think about all the people that really do care about me. I can be such a b**ch at times, but when the crap goes down, everyone is standing right beside me. I'm very lucky!!

I got tears when I read that alone. This friend considers herself lucky. She has cancer folks.

Me: dude I get it, it's easy to forget that peeps care and love, but I'm not going to let you forget, because I ADORE YOU. And I always will.

Friend: Everytime I talk about people supporting me, I really do start to cry. My mom's friend (who I have never met) made me a little knit hat. I'm writing her a thank you note and sobbing. I think it's just a lot of emotional stress and I'm not venting it enough or in the right direction or something.

Me: I totally get it. Every day I always ask myself what I would be feeling if I were going through this, I'm telling you, this sh** has effed my mind a little. When you told me about it, I was so MAD, I kept saying this is not supposed to happen TO HER. Its not supposed to happen to anyone, but I'm sayin. and then I've walked myself through what I would feel like, and quite frankly, I still think I dont know. I will say this, you're handling it beautifully, and if you have to cry, for godsake cry. Let.it.out. It's cleansing, then your insides are cleaner. (I admitted I was on caffeine overload at this point, but I too, turn to humor, always)

Friend: LOL...I like that...cry your cancer away. My new self help book. You can help me write it.

Me: omg THATS IT. What are we going to wear when Matt Lauer interviews us on the today show?

My message today is this: Be grateful. Choose to live. Fight for whatever is necessary to do so. And yes......if my friend and I are right, cry that damn cancer away.

Croissants were delish mon ami, thanks for having me.

Until then,
Tiffany