Movie Review: Stranger Than Ficion

I don't especially love Will Ferrell movies, but there are three that he's done that I absolutely love. One is "Elf," the second is "Curious George," and the third, which I'm going to review today, is "Stranger Than Fiction.

I saw this in the theaters with a friend when it came out in 2006, and loved it. It was about books, it was about writing, it was about life, and it made you think, about all of that and more. And so, when I found out Nathan hadn't seen it, I added it to our Netflix queue.

The second time watching it was no different. Well, except for the brief nap Shelby and I took, but that's expected during Sunday afternoon movies on a cold January day. But the plot, the events, and quote in particular still struck me. And the idea of someone writing and narrating your life and affecting your choices, deciding whether you're in a comedy or a tragedy, all fill the space of something bigger. How do we write our own stories? How do we go along with the choices that are written for us: Do we simply sit and wait for plot to happen to us or do we make the plot? And are our lives sometimes really stranger than the fiction we wrap ourselves up in?

Here's the quote that has stuck with me through today, and it's what I'll be thinking about today:

Sometimes, when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for Bavarian sugar cookies. And, fortunately, when there aren't any cookies, we can still find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin, or a kind and loving gesture, or subtle encouragement, or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort, not to mention . . .  an uneaten Danish, soft-spoken secrets, and Fender Stratocasters, and maybe the occasional piece of fiction. And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause.

Loving Lately

Hello dear readers! I have some big projects in the works this week, including a new desk and etsy projects (including one listing already done), so posts will be light. But to hold you over, I wanted to share some of my recent favorite things.

*Nathan got me some new art for my office from Vol25 on etsy.

*I've been addicted to In Plain Sight, a show on USA about witness protection. Very interesting.

*I've been trying to give up pop, so I've been drinking cranberry lime seltzer water, occasionally mixed with juice.

*I have a lot of fun projects planned in the coming weeks that I will definitely blog about, including a household notebook, another dinner plan, and creating a basement bar.

*And here's a preview of my new desk. Nathan and I took the design from here, and reworked it to fit the dimensions of my room. We documented the building process, and as soon as I have everything organized, I'll take a final photo and put a post together.

Book Review: Time Of My Life

It's early morning (well, early-ish--Nathan's already gone to work and I've already been up for two hours shoveling the driveway) and I'm sitting at my desk looking out on the snowy backyard and drinking a cup of tea (because I'm trying desperately hard to kick the pop habit). Shelby is all curled up in her favorite spot in the living room--the rug by the front door--tired after playing in the snow this morning. I have meetings in Omaha today but not until 11, so I'm grateful for some time to write and reflect. And I think this is my favorite part of my new adventure, two weeks in: Getting some time back, getting myself back. I didn't realize how unhappy I was professionally (not personally old coworkers--you know I love you dearly) and how much that affected my real life until now. And so I'm enjoying my time, and even more glad that the opportunity was there--I realize that it really wouldn't be possible in many other circumstances, and that I'm truly lucky to be able to take this chance.

So, that was my way of briefly updating you on my new life, but also segueing into a book review. You must think I haven't been reading, since it's been so long since we've had a review, but truth be told, I've been rereading a lot of books I found in my boxes: the Shopahloic series, to be exact. Love them, and would review them, but they're definitely too fun to do that. Instead, I give you "Time Of My Life," by Allison Winn Scotch. Here's the synopsis from Publisher's Weekly, as taken from Barnes & Noble's Web site:

In her latest novel, Scotch tackles an oft-asked question-what if I had held on to the one that got away?-with an engaging, fast-moving, high-concept drama. Endearing Jillian Westfield seems to have it all: a loving lawyer husband, a healthy infant daughter, and a lovely home in Westchester County, N.Y. But cleaning spit-up and dealing with her husband's long office hours have begun to wear on Jill, and it hardly helps that she's just learned that her post-college boyfriend, Jackson, is getting married. The day after a deep, chi-clearing massage, Jill wakes up and finds herself seven years in the past, giving her the chance to revisit her life with Jack in Manhattan, when she worked as an advertising executive. Hindsight, of course, is anything but 20/20, and Jill's new choices hold unforeseen consequences for herself and those she loves. As Jill, through trial and error, rethinks her biggest decisions-such as her choice not to reconcile with her estranged mother-Scotch keeps one dexterous step ahead of page-flipping readers eager to guess the outcome.

I am definitely "what-if guy" (anyone watch "Cougar Town" last night?), and I think it's healthy to sometimes think about what could have been, in terms of different jobs, different arguments, different paths overall. I think it gives me perspective. On the one hand, it's easy to think that whatever path I didn't choose would be better, but on the other, it helps me appreciate what I have, both of which happen to Jill. She is able to see what would have happened, had she made one different decision, and while she thinks it will be better than the life she has, she realizes what she had, and what other decisions she made affected her current life. And while I don't necessarily have the desire to go back and time and see where I end up, I think Scotch makes an important point in that it's our choices who make us who we are and affect the paths of our lives, and it's up to us to make the most of what we choose. The book is also very much about the relationship between mothers and daughters, so definitely check it out if you have (or will have!) babies.

Denver Highlights

This weekend, we drove out to Denver to kick off my birthday week, because I hadn't celebrated my birthday at home since high school, even though it technically wasn't quite my birthday. Here's what made it a great trip:

*Doggie Drammamine
*GORP, sandwiches, and water bottles
*Rest areas with dog runs
*Walks around the lake
*Macy's and the Tattered Cover
*Cupcake wine
*Visits with grandmas, aunts, uncles, and cousins
*Ham gravy and chocolate cake
*Early presents
*iPods with 90s music

More Than A Job

As a senior in college, I was just as uncertain about the future as I was as a senior in high school. But my circumstances were different. When I graduated from high school, I knew I was ready for a new beginning, and I wanted to go out into the world and start over, meet new people, learn who I was. And thanks to some truly awesome friends, I did that in college, and we created wonderful memories. I’d just broken up with my first serious boyfriend, and felt overwhelmed by the thought of trying to start somewhere new, without the friends who had been there for me not matter what and become my Lincoln family. I didn’t think I’d be able to make friends if I moved, especially after my stint in D.C. the previous summer. And I found that resumes I’d sent out to my dream jobs were coming back unanswered.

So, I decided to take a job at a local publishing company when I was offered it the day before graduation. It was a logical decision—even though I knew nothing about technology, I could learn. And I would be able to write, stay in Lincoln with my friends, and support myself on my salary. I never expected that it would create such wonderful opportunities for me.

Even though I was hired as a writer, I started as a copy editor because they needed one temporarily, and it would give me the chance to learn about the magazines I’d be writing for. Within a week, I felt overwhelmed by the thought of trying to write, and so I took the easy way out and stuck with editing. But I’m glad I did. I’ve learned a lot these past few years, not just about technology, but working with people, communication, and editing and grammar.

I’ve also made some amazing friends, even though I never thought I would. Just like my college friends, they’ve been there for me through good and bad. They’ve supported me and encouraged me. (This blog would likely not even be here if it weren’t for them. Or have readers!) We can talk about our personal lives just as easily as we can about work (which we tend to do a lot, even in mixed company . . . sorry about that.) I told Nathan after our Christmas party that I think we’ve turned into a big crazy family that spouses have to marry into, with inside jokes and traditions of our own. I’m so grateful to have met such wonderful people, especially when I didn’t expect it, and that because we have gone above and beyond a co-worker relationship, we’ll still be close even when I’m not working here.

I’ve also gained something else valuable from my first job: Nathan. When I started, I wasn’t looking for a relationship with anyone, and I’m not sure Nathan was either. But we started talking, and then started hanging out, and then started dating, and it just evolved into a marriage.

And so, even though I am currently seeking other opportunities, this job was meant to be, because it was so much more. It has made me a grown up and set up the course of my life, I think, and I can’t wait to see what happens from here.

Looking Forward: 2011 Words

There are two ways to look at the start of a new year. The first is to treat it like it’s a chance for a fresh start, to make resolutions and try to stick to them. The other is to treat it as if nothing’s changed and keep doing what works for you.

I’ve always been a fan of the first way, and it’s not just New Year’s that I make resolutions. I make them in January, at the beginning of my no longer existent school year, really, whenever I can. But like most people, I never manage to stick to them. I do pretty well in the beginning, but gradually my motivation fades.

This year, I’m not going to make any resolutions. Instead, I’m going to choose words for the year (inspired by reverb10
and small notebook).

Last year’s word was change. As I talked about Sunday, this year was a big for me, and for us. I think, hope, that this year will give us a chance to experience our new normal, rather than creating it.

As for this year, I have a few words in mind.

Challenge. When I started searching for a new job, it was for many different reasons, the main one being that I wanted to make a difference. But it also had a lot to do with the fact that I no longer felt challenged by my current job, which led to boredom. And I realized that most of the decisions I’ve made in recent years have been safe, and it was time for a change. My new job is something that will take me completely out of my comfort zone, and the part-time work also means that I will be able to explore some of my other goals, such as this blog, my writing, and my etsy store. I have the opportunity to take a chance on myself, and while that is going to be a challenge, it’s a challenge that is worth it. And I look forward to seeing what will happen this year.

Focus. As I said above, I will be working part-time, giving me the chance to take a chance on myself and see what I’m capable of. However, this will definitely require me to focus on the goals I want to accomplish and take the steps to achieve them.  Focus also means that I want to really pay attention to the relationships that are important to me, to spend quality time with my friends, family, and husband. I think it’s easy to get lost in a work and home life rut, and I want to really spend quality time with people, especially those I won’t be seeing every day anymore.

Simplify. I want to simplify my life in several different ways. I want to pare down our stuff, stop buying more things I need, and work with what I have. I also want to simplify my emotions, spend less time angry or crabby, worrying, overthinking, and not let the small things bring me down.

So, there are my words for the year. I hope to update you on how I’m doing with keeping them in mind this year. So far, I’m doing pretty well with simplify—I’ve gotten rid of six things from my boxes that my mom brought home for me. But more on that later this month . . .

What are your words for the year? How would you sum up last year?

Looking Back: 2010 In Review

Before I talk about 2011, I want to show some of the highlights of 2010. It was a big year for us: We moved in together, got married, went to Europe for the first time (and experienced our first International flights), got a puppy, and made a lot of improvements to the house (even though we were forced into most of them!). We went to concerts and plays and visited Vegas and Denver. We've had friends and family members celebrate babies, engagements, and weddings, and we've enjoyed times with those dearest to us. Overall, a very good year, and I can't wait to see what 2011 brings.

Top pictures: Our wedding; the Colosseum; Little House On The Prairie: The Musical. Bottom pictures: Shelby; Las Vegas trip; our family at the end of 2010