At the risk of becoming overly focused on celebrities with genetic conditions, I can't help but comment on Christina Applegate's interview on Good Morning America last week. She speaks openly about her recent breast cancer diagnosis and reveals that she has a genetic mutation in her BRCA1 gene that makes her at a very high risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. In what some are calling a controversial decision, Applegate opted to forgo radiation and chemotherapy treatment and chose prophylactic removal of both breasts instead.

After watching the documentary In the Family, I have a new found appreciation for the agonizing decisions about surgery that women with BRCA mutations are faced with. Genetic counselors learn to present BRCA-positive women with a choice: prophylactic removal of the breasts and/or ovaries OR close surveillance using mammography, MRIs and ultrasounds with the hope of catching developing cancer early. This film, which brought a room full of GC's to a deafening silence, very clearly illustrates the lack of support for women who choose the "surveillance" option. Time and time again the heroine/director Joanne Rudnick is gently pushed towards choosing surgery by everyone around her.

Here's the movie trailer:

Christina Applegate doesn't talk about how long she has known about her BRCA status, nor does she speak about her decisions surrounding ovarian cancer screening or surgery. Given the gravity of the decision I imagine that she prefers to keep this information private, and rightly so. She does, however, credit her breast MRI with saving her life, and has committed to creating a foundation that will raise money for the costly MRI screening for women at high risk for breast cancer. I applaud this effort - especially because it will provide some much needed support to those who would like to choose surveillance.

In the Family will air as part of POV on PBS on October 7, 2008. Although it is very heavy, I highly recommend it. For more information about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, click here or here.

Your idea for the cameo/stamp/explanation patent has taken my breath away. Proceed post-haste!

I spent today among the younger generation, and then more of today convalescing by reading the gossip blogs. As we once discussed, while there is the classic pantheon of the tabloids, there is a new crop of unfamiliar demi-gods. I don't know their names, and when I am forced to read about their lives (forced!) or assess their fashion choices/tanning abilities, I wonder if I am losing the edge that got me so far in life (where and how are other stories, for other times).

Angelina=Hera (she makes for a spectacular Hera, of course)

Brad=Apollo (tricky, because he isn't Zeus, but I just don't think he is Zeus material. Thoughts?)

Jenifer Anniston=Penelope (not a goddess, which makes sense because she really doesn't work much, but we still watch her waiting for her hubby to come home, and she keeps almost marrying all these other suitors...unweaving the loom, perhaps? Of course this now means that Brad is Odysseus, but lets just say that I can mix my epics and pantheons for the sake of parsing these everpresent idols. I love the word "parsing" by the way.)

Paris/Heidi/Lauren=I want to make them all (and their like) the Scylla. Not sure why. It might be that the Scylla has a growling wolf head growing from her waist. Which, as I type, sounds cooler than I would like to allow for this pack. Hmm....they are awaiting further definition.

There are so many more. Perhaps you could help me in my classifications? As for these other newbies, Gossip Girls, I guess, I am struck with how they have arrived at celebrity without my acknowledgment of their existence. Is this what aging is--less acknowledgment of existence?

In other news, I read today that Christina Applegate is recovering from her double mastectomy by making lace roses by the hundreds, as reported by friend Lance Bass (via Jezebel). He seems to have said it with wonder, adding "she doesn't know what she is going to do with them." This all makes me very sad, and yet it does seem to capture how healing and loss create some odd artifacts in their wake.

Yours,

Carla Fran

Last night I went to see "The Rocker" a comedy about a washed up 80's drummer helping out his nephews band by playing with them at the prom. Now, in the theater last night I felt old. I was born in 1981 and was well over the average age of the patron in the theater. However, these 14-16 year olds that filled the theater weren't alive in the 80's and had a hard time following some of the jokes. I'm sure they still enjoyed the movie, but having some knowledge of the 80's could help.

"The Rocker" starts out showing Robert "Fish" Fishman (Rainn Wilson) as the drummer of the 80's glam/hair band "Vesuvius." Fellow members of the band include Lex (Will Arnett), Ker (Fred Armisen) and Trash (Bradley Cooper). These three are in the movie for only a short period of time, but are hilarious. In their opening 2 minute performance they hit every one of the patented 80's rocker dance moves! Ker even had a pink bass guitar! After the concert Vesuvius's agent comes in and sends "Fish" out for beer and then tells the rest of the band that they have a deal, but they will have to drop "Fish" in favor of the label president son, Sticks (Lonny Ross).

After initially refusing, the band decides that "Fish" will be alright and they agree. "Fish" doesn't take the news very well which leads to the very humorous car chase scene. Next we move 20 years into the future with "Fish" working in a call center of sorts when his co-worker Aziz (Aziz Ansari) is struggling to open up the brand new Vesuvius album. After he starts playing the album, "Fish" attacks Aziz which leads to his firing. He then goes home and gets dumped by his girlfriend. "Fish" is forced to move into his sister's attic. His sister (Jane Lynch) shows "Fish" tough love and tells him to get a job and move on.His nephew, Matt (Josh Gad), is an overweight nerdy type kid who sees his band's (A.D.D.) opportunity to play at the prom as his only chance to meet girls, but when their drummer gets suspended from school for the results of bringing in hash brownies, it seems all hope is lost. The other members of the band are the angst ridden lead singer/song writer Curtis (Teddy Geiger) and hot hip/punk bass player Amelia (Emma Stone).

The band brings in a few different "drummers" for auditions, all of which are lame. One is actually a beat boxer another one used exclusively loops which leads to a funny moment from "Fish." They eventually ask "Fish" to play even though he has not played the drums in 20 years. The gig goes great until the very end when "Fish" goes a little crazy and ruins the Prom King and Queen dance.

This leads to "Fish" begging to get back into the band by promising a gig. The gig leads to "Fish's" sister kicking him out of the house, so he goes and lives in the boiler room of a Chinese take out place. As you've probably seen from the commercials, this is when they set up their rehearsal network and "Fish" plays naked. At this point I saw WAY more of Rainn Wilson than I would ever have wanted. The rehearsal is observed by Matt's sister who posts it on YouTube where it becomes an instant hit.

This leads to the band being signed and going on the road. At first we see "Fish" partying hard and destroying hotel rooms, which is taking a toll on his 40 something year old body. It also leads to the band going to jail and being bailed out by the kids' parents! In a compromise Curtis' mom, Kim (Christina Applegate), agrees to chaperone the band on the rest of the tour. It turns out she was a rocker in her day and knows what it was like to lose out on her dream.

During their rise to fame there is a scene where the band makes a music video with a "renowned" director. The director is played by comedian Demetri Martin (hilarious!) who decides to have them record the video backwards and mouth the words backwards so when they play it forward it will look correct. Later he is seen directing them to move a tiny bit "not a regular bit or even a small bit" so that he could film them "stop action" style. I love Demetri's stand-up, and loved this scene. Find some Demetri here.

The crux of the story comes when the up and coming band, A.D.D., is asked to open for Vesuvius at their Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame induction. This leads to "Fish" leaving the band, cutting his hair (this was a painful scene for me) and getting a "real" job. The label hires a new drummer to which Matt says "It's like Abercrombie is making people now."

Eventually they get "Fish" back and you get to see A.D.D. rock "The Q" (however, the location they use is defiantly not "The Q"). A humorous scene takes place when A.D.D. are walking down the hall and run in to Vesuvius. Kerr recognizes "Fish" as someone they knew "when we were American." For some reason the whole band had picked up English accents (I'm guessing this is a knock on Madonna's new English accent).

Overall this movie was very well written, is extremely funny and has a good plot. It's never in doubt that everything will work out, but that is ok. I won't spoil it, but Vesuvius' final performance is a great moment in rock comedy!

Quote of the movie: David Marshall (Jason Sudeikis), their agent, is in the studio and after hearing the new upbeat "I'm Not Bitter" jam says "John Lennon just rolled over in his grave...to hide the boner he just got from hearing that song!"

I would give "The Rocker" a solid 3.5 out of 5. It was an awesome get away from the gray skies of Fay and is great if you need a laugh.

Christina Applegate never runs out of surprises. As a fixture of the comic show, “Samantha Who?” it does not surprise anyone to see her deliver her comic act right on cue. Recently however she delivered one act that caught everyone in shock – she had both of her breasts removed.

Good Morning America reported that Christina Applegate, 36, decided on a double mastectomy to ensure that she won’t be bothered by breast cancer again in her lifetime. Although doctors do not totally eliminate the possibility of a recurrence,prophylactic mastectomy reduces the risk by about 95%.

How far would you go to ensure your own survival?

Oncologists described Ms. Applegate’s decision as a “courageous act”, while most women her age and stature may have opted otherwise to receive chemotherapy and radiation. Christina did not have much of an option, as the genetic testing which was performed on her, when she had a lumpectomy, showed a grim picture –  BRCA1 positive.

The presence of the genetic mutation, BRCA1, indicates a patient is more likely to develop cancer in her lifetime or have a recurrence, even if earlier efforts to halt cancer proved successful. Apparently, Ms. Applegate would not want to put up a comic act when her life is put on the line. A tough decision, it must have been for her, but she decided to tread the unbeaten path for most celebrities.

But she only had cancer in one breast – did she over-react to treatment?

Unfortunately for Christina, the presence of  the BRCA1 gene runs in her family as her mother was also stricken with cancer. Perhaps this family history firmed up Christina’s decision not to think twice about a double mastectomy.

Not everyone would have the courage to make this decision in such a short period of time like Christina did, but one thing is certain, there is more to life than having to worry about a pair of breasts. When forced to choose between keeping them or losing one’s life, most would surely - albeit grudgingly – put up a heroic act like Christina’s.

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]]> http://adriansilvan.wordpress.com/?p=602 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:31:24 +0000 adrians http://adriansilvan.wordpress.com/?p=602 Christina Applegate s-a vindecat de cancer la san, maladie cu care a fost diagnosticata luna trecuta, cu ajutorul unei operatii chirurgicale reusite.
Ea a declarat, in emisiunea de televiziune "Good Morning America", ca s-a vindecat de cancerul la san in urma extirparii ambelor glande mamare si ca, in prezent, este "curata suta la suta", insa urmeaza sa fie supusa unor operatii de reconstructie a sanilor in urmatoarele patru luni dupa cum spune bbc.co.uk aici.

Actrita va participa la un teledon care are ca obiectiv strangerea de fonduri pentru cercetarile privind cancerul, eveniment la care vor mai lua parte actritele Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston si Charlize Theron si care va fi transmis de CBS, NBC si ABC.

Alte articole pe aceasta tema: Christina Applegate alias Kelly Bundy

Visual DNA

A friend of mine sent me this link for an interactive test to discover your Visual DNA.  You are taken through a series of pictures where you are asked to click on the photo that most appeals to you in that category.

At the end of the visual questionnaire, you will have a profile that describes your visual personality.

I took a test like this once at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art.  It was set up during a big social function for people to determine their dating personality.  The funny thing is, at the end of the test, you were assigned a color and a corresponding "match" color.  The idea was for everyone to wear their sticker and you would then be better able to identify your perfect mate.

Click here to determine your Visual DNA.

Get Ready to Laugh Out Loud

On a recent trip to the library, I was reviewing the New York Times Best Seller List, in hopes of finding an interesting new read.  I was immediately drawn to Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler.  Mainly because it was a take on my all time favorite book from adolescence, Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume. 

I certainly wasn't disappointed by this hysterically absurd memoir written by comedian Chelsea Handler.  My only disappointment, was not skipping my girls night out two weeks ago, and driving the 10 miles to Barnes and Nobel to meet her when she was in town.

Be aware though, she is very irreverent.  There were a few topics that I was a little bummed that she poked fun at, but I think that's her shtick.

Irresponsible and Disturbing

MTV has initiated a casting call for young women from 17 and 24, five foot nine and six feet tall, and between 130 and 190 pounds to be a part of their new reality show Model Maker.

Here is an excerpt from their press release:

"Women come in all shapes and sizes, but models don't. The term model conjures an image of stick-thin, towering beauties oozing confidence, glamour, poise and sexuality from every pore. "Skinny," "no body fat," and "size zero" are the words and phrases associated with models. "Chubby," "well-fed," and "big- boned" are not."

It goes on to say, "With weekly eliminations looming, models must put their best foot forward at all times while staying focused on losing weight."

The winner will receive $100,000, a modeling portfolio, a personal trainer for a year and "the chance to jumpstart the career of your dreams."

Can you say disgusting?!

Source: amNewYork; theCut

From Buns to Bust

Have you ever dreamed of transplanting the extra junk in your trunk to your bust?  According to a recent report in the WSJ, the option may be on it's way to the U.S. 

A procedure that couples a person's own fat cells with stem cells is already being administered in Japan and Europe and may be a better alternative to saline and silicone.

With recent news from Christina Applegate's courageous battle with breast cancer, and her subsequent election to have a double mastectomy, using the patients own fat cells, may be a welcome option for breast cancer survivors.

All I have to say is, I am more than willing to donate some of my belly fat to science.

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There it is, the first Papa Gino's I ever ate at. Your first spaghetti basket will change your life.

This summer we have seen everything in the realm of comedy from forty-year-old children and weed fueled action heroes to bumbling super spies and blackfaced primadonnas. It has truly been the summer of high concept, but the audiences are just about ripe for something solid, something familiar and something just under the radar. Who knew it would come in the form of Dwight from The Office?

The Rocker follows the dream which never quite came true for our main character, Fish. He was the drummer in a band, but in order to rocket their career to unheard of levels, they had to drop him. Drop they did, and Fish dwindles into obscurity and ambivalence towards life itself. Twenty years later the universe smiles on him once more and he gets the chance to play drums in his nephew's band. Through a series of pop culture twists and turns the band ends up becoming an overnight sensation and Fish runs wild through the fields of his waking dreams, while learning the lessons of what it really takes to be the member of a band, not a one man show. Of course, he is not the only one learning lessons, but he's the main dude on the poster, you know how it goes.

Getting myself comfy in the cushioned theater chair, I was fully expecting a slapstick style, overgrown childhood movie with Rainn Wilson taking charge of the blundering and buffoonery, but what flickered on the screen in front of me was much more than prop jokes and prat falls. The Rocker sneaks by the chuckles and laughter and weasels into your heart with a subtly touching story and some really soft moments. Rainn does get hit by numerous objects and suffers more than his share of bodily harm, but he also never wavers from believing his dream is right and true, not some childhood fantasy. The more subtle comedic moments are left to Josh Gad, who plays his socially awkward nephew/keyboard player. Josh delivers more than a few times and his style felt oddly akin to Dan Fogler ala Balls of Fury, a kind of straight line delivery for a ludicrous line on the page. Rounding out the bandmates are Emma Stone and Teddy Geiger. Emma personifies the "i-hate-everyone-but-the-people-in-this-band" chick, while Teddy has no problem with his sensitive, soulful lead singer persona. For those who don't already know, this is a touch into the area of typecasting since Teddy Geiger already has a wildly popular album called Underage Thinking and he lent his pop music talents to almost all the original music in the movie. Since they were able to write songs from the characters perspective and not just layer in current pop tracks, The Rocker tips gently into the genre of musical, because the songs actually investigate the emotional state of the characters and move the story along. Also, while Teddy is selling movie tickets and soundtracks, Emma Stone is doing what few actors, especially at the young age of twenty, get to do; open two movies in the same week! The Rocker beat it to the punch, but The House Bunny opens this coming Friday and Emma co-stars in that alongside and Anna Faris and Rumor Willis. It's a one-two punch for the young ingenue who last charmed people as the girl of Seth's dreams in Superbad.

Lending a hand to the laugh level were a number of cameos and side characters. Jason Sudeikis from SNL drops by to play the slimiest of record label agents in recent movie history. There are moments you want to punch him, but then you wonder what might get on your hands and if it would wash off later. Christina Applegate plays Teddy Geiger's mom and tries to balance out the adult-to-child ratio in the mix. She does a decent job and has some truly biting lines (rebutting being called a MILF by replying with calling the man a PILS, you'll have to see it to get the definition, but I think my best friend will be using it for the rest of her life). Demetri Martin also shows up as the epitome of pretentious, film school drop out, ultra hipster music video directors and it gave me a medium level of anxiety just imagining being on a set with a character like that.

This was honestly the last movie I had any inkling would stir any feelings beyond a bubbling chuckle in my belly, but there is a sweetness to the story and an honesty to the message. It all boils down to follow your dreams, no matter the cost. If that message is spoken faithfully, no matter what story you wrap it in, there will be some people in that audience walking out a little lighter in their step, just itching to get home and pull out their old hobbies, guitars, etc. Don't get me wrong, this is no Rocky, I doubt many people will suddenly become rock stars after seeing this, but they might just get a tiny bit of inspiration from the best place possible; somewhere unexpected.

Recommendation: I was completely surprised by it, but I'm a sucker for a sweet story. Some good comedic moments, but they are outweighed and outnumbered by the more heartfelt ones. If you're looking for down-and-out comedy, this might no be crude enough for you. Yet, if you want something simple, with a nice rhythm, this could be the right beat for your Saturday afternoon.

p.s. Christina Applegate also holds one of the best honors ever, being mentioned in the P.M. Dawn song, Set Adrift on Memory Bliss. Let's be honest, where can you possibly go from there?

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

This evening I was swimming alone in the neighborhood pool. It was fairly windy and waves rippled across the surface, breaking on the sides. I swam back stroke, fighting the waves and trying to swim straight. As I looked up into the sky, I thought about Christina Applegate's recent double mastectomy and Formerly Fun's aunt. I thought about women. About my body as it glided through the water.

I realized I am so hard on myself for every perceived imperfection: if I gain 10 pounds. If I develop more cellulite. If my hair gets frizzy while out on the town. If I have stretch marks or a waddle. Would I be able to have a mastectomy should I need one? Would I choose death and vanity over a life without breasts?

As I swam, from one side of the pool to the other, my body found its rhythm. My legs kicking, my right arm straight- flying out of the water and reaching behind my head, while the left one bent beneath the surface propelling my body. Then switch. I watched the clouds forming above me in various shapes, the light growing dimmer and I noticed that the wind stopped and the water was still.  My body was delighting in the harmony of my breath, my legs, my arms, the movement. I felt I could swim forever.

I was at peace.