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Active Rain Friendships - Letters Across Time

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Austin Texas Homes, LLC 453249

Please bear with me as the point of this post will take some time to develop, but I think you will appreciate it.

 

I recently watched a movie on cable with my wife called "The Lake House" with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves.  I didn't honestly expect to like it very much, although I love Sandra Bullock in most of her movies (she is an Austinite, so I guess I have to say that, but it's true in her case).  I loved Keanu Reeves in the "Bill and Ted" movies, "Parenthood", and "The Matrix", but frankly his stuff has been a bit more inconsistent in my opinion other than those aforementioned. 

While we were watching this movie, my wife made the comment that Keanu Reeves' character must not live until the end, simply because the title of the movie was simply too sad.  I kind of agreed with her, but I won't divulge the ending, just in case you have the urge to rent it from Netflix or Blockbuster, or wherever you get movies. 

Overall, I would give the movie a B+ or possibly an A-.  Keanu is remarkably good in his role, and Sandra puts in a very solid performance.  Their chemistry is great, even though they don't share a lot of time on the screen together.  Why is that?  Because the film's premise doesn't allow for it. 

The basic premise is this: Sandra Bullock is a single doctor living at a lake house in 2006, and Keanu is an architect working on the house in 2004.  They discover their ability to communicate across time by using the lake house's mail box, and they fall for each other and start to arrange a meeting in 2006.  Quirky and entertaining.

While we were watching it, my wife made the suggestion that they should have called it "Letters Across Time" if it were a simple romantic movie, since it seems so much less poignant.  I was thinking about the friendships that I have developed here at Active Rain, and it struck me that what we are doing here is remarkably similar.

 When I write and post this blog, I will likely go to bed soon thereafter.  When I wake up, there will probably be a few comments awaiting me.  These comments are like the letters written between those characters in the film.  Time passes.  Someone may make a comment that sits unanswered for hours, then I am able to respond when I have time to do so.  In this way, these comments are "travelling through time" to some degree. 

Although I have spoken with some of my AR friends, there are many that I feel a kinship with that I have never once spoken to.  Unlike IMs or live chat, our comments to each other may be made days apart, but that doesn't lessen their impact. 

I enjoy receiving these letters across time (or notes, really).  It is amazing to see the effect of our words.  What a cool phenomenon.

Thanks for taking time to read this one.  I appreciate it.

Copyright 2007   Austin Real Estate     Jason Crouch   All rights reserved

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If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary website at www.austintexashomes.com.  Thanks!

Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
TOM - I also count you as one of my friends here, although we have never spoken (yet).  Thanks for your continued support and for the compliment.  Glad you liked this post!
Oct 31, 2007 03:56 AM
Sharon Yeary
Sharcom Realty - Southlake, TX
You'll Be SOLD on us!
Jason, I saw the movie and normally I don't care for things that are sci-fi or wierd but this one was great.  Yes, I thought it was a chick flick and a good one.  Just think, people in years to come could be reading words we are typing now and thinkn we are so outdated or are wierd.  Kind of like the time capsules we buried years ago. I bought the first apple McIntosh that came out and now even thinking about it - how outdated it is now. 
Oct 31, 2007 08:06 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
SHARON - Thanks for your great comments.  It is interesting to think about our words being captured at a particular moment, then preserved.  I appreciate you taking time to read this one.  Our first computer was a Radio Shack TRS-80.
Oct 31, 2007 08:08 AM
Sandy Noll
(RSVP Real Estate) 425.890.0878 - Gig Harbor, WA
RE Pro Serving Snohomish to Thurston Counties
Hey Jason I have not seen the movie but I agree with you about AR.  Our posts and comments are there for now and into the future.  I really have enjoyed my time here and eagerly look forward to many more hours, weeks, months and years.  Before we know it someone will plan a huge AR Family Reunion somewhere!
Nov 02, 2007 06:44 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
SANDY - I feel the same way.  It's funny that you called it "Family Reunion", since that is the name of my weekly "Family Ties" wrapup post.  I would love to attend (or maybe even organize) an event like that.
Nov 03, 2007 02:39 AM
Sandy Noll
(RSVP Real Estate) 425.890.0878 - Gig Harbor, WA
RE Pro Serving Snohomish to Thurston Counties

Jason count me in on the planning and attending!!  Wouldn't it be a blast!  I think the Family Reunion part comes from KW's yearly family reunion which I have not attended yet, but will probably in 2009. 

Nov 03, 2007 12:48 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
SANDY - I know it would be an absolute blast!  As for KW's reunion, is that here in Austin, or do they move it around to various locales? 
Nov 03, 2007 01:41 PM
David Dee
RMX REALTY - Alhambra, CA
Real Estate - San Gabriel Valley (L.A.) & N. Orang

Jason,

I have seen the move "The Lakehouse". It is a "sad" movie but I would say it is fairly good. That is a great analogy that you made in comparison to what we are doing here on AR. I don't believe many of us have ever spoken with each other since we've been blogging. However, the strange thing is that we feel as though we know one another simply through the text we see on the screen as the sole means of communication. Another movie that is also in line with this concept is "YOu've got mail".  

sssss....ss.s..s..s..s.ss...s........ 

Evad (i'm going back in time......in a couple of hours.......it'll be 1 hour back .. ...in......time.... .. sss....ssss...s.s.s..s.s.s.s.s.s......s....

Nov 03, 2007 02:10 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
DAVE (or EVAD) - Thanks for your comments.  I am glad you liked the analogy here.  You're right - "You've Got Mail" is another one that works well here.  I have had the pleasure of speaking with about 15 AR friends on the phone, but I know that is not really the norm.  I have many other friends that I know simply from their words on a screen.  Have a terrific Sunday (or maybe you are back in Saturday now).
Nov 04, 2007 01:49 AM
Sandy Noll
(RSVP Real Estate) 425.890.0878 - Gig Harbor, WA
RE Pro Serving Snohomish to Thurston Counties
JasonKW's Family Reunion has been in Las Vegas the past few years but they moved it to Atlanta for 2008.  I think there were 12,000 mostly KW agents in attendance last year.  It is open to non KW agents for anyone considering a move.  It's probably the best way to see the KW culture in action.  From what I hear it's an exceptional way to move your business to the next level!
Nov 04, 2007 07:19 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

SANDY - I am sure it's a lot of fun.  12,000 is huge!

Nov 04, 2007 09:06 AM
Sandy Noll
(RSVP Real Estate) 425.890.0878 - Gig Harbor, WA
RE Pro Serving Snohomish to Thurston Counties
Jason it is huge but those who have been say it's very intimate.  Gary Keller and Mo Anderson are there to lead the way and Gary Keller usually performs with his band. 
Nov 04, 2007 10:22 AM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
How did I miss this one, Jason?  Sorry for just now showing up, but it was another great post.  Letters across time....LOVE IT!  And doesn't it just start your day off perfectly when you wake up to everyone's comments?  It puts a smile on my face, first thing in the morning (and that's hard to do before an entire pot of coffee)
Nov 04, 2007 11:06 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
SANDY - That does sound entertaining.  What kind of music does the band play?
Nov 04, 2007 11:33 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
LISA - I am glad you found this one, and I'm glad you "got it".  It is fun to wake up to comments, or to be away for the day and return to friendly remarks from across the country. 
Nov 04, 2007 11:34 AM
Sandy Noll
(RSVP Real Estate) 425.890.0878 - Gig Harbor, WA
RE Pro Serving Snohomish to Thurston Counties

Jason I believe it's blues and Gary Keller plays the saxaphone.

Nov 04, 2007 11:59 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
SANDY - Cool.  For some reason, I may have already known that.  After I wrote that question, I was thinking he played the sax.
Nov 04, 2007 12:13 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
Jason, I just watched "The Lake House" with my wife this weekend.  I knew somebody had recommended it, but couldn't remember who.  I had an inkling that it might have been someone on Active Rain.  So, this morning I did a blog search for "lake house" -- that pulled up to many posts as you can imagine with Realtors selling homes on lakes, etc.  So, then I searched for Keanu Reeves -- a less likely real estate topic.  Sure enough it landed me here on this post.  Enjoyed the movie, too.  Just thought I'd let you know.
Feb 18, 2008 11:44 PM
Melissa Grant
A Serendipity World - Greenbackville, VA
The Law of Attraction In Life & Business
Jason - I agree with you about "letters across time" there are days when I really look forward to that comment or email in my inbox from someone. You never know the impact it can have on someone's day !
Feb 18, 2008 11:52 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

BRIAN - Thanks for letting me know, and for taking the time to comment on this one.  I have a couple of movies in my Netflix list that were recommended by friends from AR.  Glad to hear that you liked it!

MELISSA - You're exactly right.  I often look forward to the comments or messages from my friends here.  Have a great day!

Feb 19, 2008 12:55 AM