33 Comments

1. 

   Art Munson on August 2, 2009 at 10:46 pm

   Nice clip. My thoughts and prayers to your friend.

   My wife is a two time cancer survivor and it puts a lot of things in perspective.

   Take care

   Art

2. 

   Genius on August 2, 2009 at 11:13 pm

   Possibly the most powerful video you’ve posted thus far, especially considering the context of the past couple of days. Perspective is in short supply, but small doses do wonders.

   I offer a toast to friends lost and friends yet to be found. Keep fighting the good fight.

3. 

   DCRogers on August 3, 2009 at 2:35 am

   A friend of mine (gone) used to say, “Laugh or cry“: with all that is thrown at us in life, those are the only choices that make sense.

4. 

   3clicks from da Beach on August 3, 2009 at 3:25 am

   Jim,

   Hang in there and my prayers to your friend. I got a glimpse of the trailing cloudes this evening and for a brief moement, I wondered what the sunset looked like. Thanks.

5. 

   jeff horwitz on August 3, 2009 at 6:04 am

   Last Summer I was re diagnosed with NHL. I went through traditional chemotherapy and when finished, I had a stem cell transplant at City of Hope. So far, it worked. I am cancer free. Dont ever lose hope

6. 

   David on August 3, 2009 at 6:56 am

   Jim,
   Very sorry to hear about your friend. Best wishes to him, his family and friends.
   Thank you, again. Many of us may not comment every day but we do read your blog all the time and really appreciate your time and effort that you put into this blog.
   Best,
   David

7. 

   François Caron on August 3, 2009 at 7:13 am

   I lost my dad to liver cancer a couple of years ago, so I understand what you’re going through.

   And yes, for better or for worse, life does go on. We have so little time on this world, so we better make the best of it while we still have the time.

   My thoughts and best wishes to your friend.

   Hang in there, Jim!

8. 

   Jim the Realtor on August 3, 2009 at 7:13 am

   Thanks everyone.

   He is a she, 50 years old, two kids.

   Stage 4 = 6 months, or less.

9. 

   JAP on August 3, 2009 at 7:58 am

   Sorry to hear about your friend Jim.

   My girlfriends mother is in stage 4… she could go anyday now. The morphine is making it a little more comfortable for her.

10. 

    Mozart on August 3, 2009 at 8:30 am

    Yes, let’s pick it up; not take work or money too seriously and keep a sense of humor. Family and friends and time spent with them are true wealth. Great sunset, great perspective.

11. 

    justme on August 3, 2009 at 8:35 am

    My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer more than 20 years ago. She is coming down next weekend to go to the races in Del Mar. I know that she is literally one in a million, but there is always hope. My thoughts are with your friend and her family.

12. 

    GameAgent on August 3, 2009 at 8:45 am

    My neighbor is a doctor at San Diego Hospice:
    http://www.sdhospice.org/

    Whenever I need a reality check I just ask him how his day was.

13. 

    Genius on August 3, 2009 at 8:46 am

    When I agree with Mozart it frightens me. Well spoken amigo.

14. 

    The Blur on August 3, 2009 at 8:56 am

    Good to to have you back but very sorry to hear about your friend, Jim. It’s good to put things into perspective every now and then.

    As for the blogging and comments, I like that you wear your heart on your sleeve. Being in sales myself, I take it very personally when someone even insinuates that I’m acting without integrity. If you weren’t passionate about what you do, you wouldn’t be so good at it. Keep sticking up for yourself.

    I think many times we forget what your job is. Yes, we all know you’re a realtor. But I’d say your job is to sell houses in the market you’re in, and understand it AS IT IS TODAY. I’d also guess you have little interest whether the market goes up or down so long as you’re always giving good advice and selling homes.

    Many of your readers, however, seem to be in the speculation business, and don’t like hearing about potential frenzied housing markets. Amazing how much praise you get when you say “there’s nothing price won’t fix,” then the backlash for announcing foreclosures are selling over list. You’re just reporting what you see doing your job every day.

    I hope I’m not putting words in your mouth here Jim, or misrepresenting your profession – it’s just one blogger’s opinion. I come here for data, insight, and entertainment, and I think it’s all great. So thanks for the blog!

15. 

    Erica Douglass on August 3, 2009 at 9:02 am

    Thanks for this blog, Jim. I really appreciate what you’re doing here.

    -Erica

16. 

    Consultant on August 3, 2009 at 10:10 am

    Hang in there. I can only imagine.

17. 

    Myriad on August 3, 2009 at 10:10 am

    Jim, I appreciate your efforts here on this site and as I’m sure many others also do. Times like these remind us that we can’t take everything for granted. That we should make the best of what we have and try to make a positive impact to others around us.

    Best wished to your friend and their family.

18. 

    Chuck Ponzi on August 3, 2009 at 10:18 am

    Thanks Jim, for helping us all reflect on the value of our lives. While we know that life is short and we often get caught up in what is not important, hopefully we’ll all reflect on what is of permanent value in life and focus our energy on enhancing those parts of our lives.

    With all of the stupidity of the housing bubble, I know that my wife and I have grown closer by focusing on us and our children; spending as much time with them as possible. I can speak for ourselves that my wife stays at home with our kids and will probably do so until they go to college. While we are financially not as well off as the rest of OC, we think this provides us with experiences you simply cannot buy. If I were to go tomorrow, I know that I will have lived my life to the best I know how. No regrets.

    Luckily for your friend, whatever happens, she at least has an opportunity to get her affairs in order and if needed, say goodbye. Many never get that chance. Here’s to hoping for her recovery!

    BTW, my wife worked for the American Cancer Society, and there are many examples of people who have come through Stage 4 breast cancer. The hardest part is simply coming to terms with uncertainty. Friends are great with that because cancer endurers need support no matter what.

    Chuck Ponzi

19. 

    househippie on August 3, 2009 at 10:19 am

    Absolutely best wishes, Jim. Your words ring true. We get so caught up in our pursuits we tend to loose sight of the grand purpose in life. John Lennon said: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” You’re a super agent! Your blog is very informative. Participation should be in the spirit of sharing good thoughts and ideas, and having a little fun. Thank you for everything.

20. 

    Jim the Realtor on August 3, 2009 at 10:44 am

    Blur, I think that sums it up nicely. I’ll add that I don’t voice much, if any, opinion on where I think the market is going, because there is no telling these days with the mixed messages.

    And you ain’t seen nothing yet! I’m working on a video follow-up on the investor from the Nightline piece. She bought five houses cash, and is now flipping a couple of them!

21. 

    Locomotive Breath on August 3, 2009 at 11:22 am

    Nobody knows where the market is going.

    You call’em as you see’em, whether readers like it or not. I don’t always agree with your opinion, but I have no doubt you’re telling us exactly what you think is happening, not what’s in your best interest.

    And that makes your opinion and blog very valuable.

22. 

    Jim the Realtor on August 3, 2009 at 11:26 am

    Thank you to everyone for your warm thoughts.

23. 

    sdnerd on August 3, 2009 at 11:42 am

    Nice post Jim – puts things in perspective. Best wishes for your friend.

24. 

    Susie on August 3, 2009 at 11:54 am

    Jim, this video will ALWAYS be my favorite video no matter what other videos you do in the future because of its powerful and poignant message.

    At 42, my late husband was diagnosed with cancer and waged a heroic near 5-year battle. He and we who loved him (and still do) never gave up hope. It’s what sustained all of us day after day.

    *Wiping Away a Tear* And what were my husband’s last words? Nothing about regrets or “stuff”. He wanted us to know how much he loved us. His words–though garbled from the morphine–were simply eloquent in the fact that he repeated them so there would be no doubt: “I don’t want to leave! I don’t want to leave!”.

    I found it fitting that he passed away only two days before Thanksgiving that year knowing the kind of man he was… ie “Thanks for giving”. John Lennon really did say it best: “All you need is love. Love is all you need”.

    Focus on hope and love, Jim. It will help sustain you. Believe me, I know what you’re going through. I will keep you and your friend in my thoughts and prayers.

25. 

    Liane on August 3, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    I’ve long read your blog, but never posted. I wanted to post now to thank you for your work on this blog and in the field, which is so very helpful to a lot of people, including me and my husband. Keep up the good work!

    I also wanted to say best wishes to your friend, her family, and to you, her friend. There are very few people lucky enough to have not had some experience with cancer (either themselves, or family or friends). It can be a frightening ordeal. I hope you all have lots of support.

26. 

    SD_suntaxed on August 3, 2009 at 12:41 pm

    Best wishes to your friend in the fight ahead of her. I’ll hold a good thought for both of you.

    Thanks for all you do in ‘telling it like it is.’

27. 

    propertysearch on August 3, 2009 at 1:20 pm

    What a great video and reminder that relationships truly are the MOST important thing in life.
    I hope the best for your friend and her two children.

28. 

    ocrenter on August 3, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    a surgeon once told me he is removing more tumors then he has ever done in his 40 year career.

    what is the cause? most likely the food we end, the chamicals we use, and the fact that we are more stressed than we have ever been. and what do we do to relief our stress? we often find that the best outlet for our stress is to apply stress on to others.

    cancer from a loved one always bring things into prospective. especially stage 4 cancer. I wish Jim’s friend well. but take a moment to reflect, walk more, eat less, and be nicer to each other.

29. 

    Anonymous on August 3, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    Jim, you are a good man – love your work and intellectual honesty. You have great perspective to boot – sorry to hear about your friend. Life is funny that way – the unexpected.

30. 

    tj and the bear on August 3, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    Jim,

    Have yet to be somewhere where I can play the video, but the comments have enlightened me on the content. Cancer’s robbed me of both my parents (among others). Losing a friend is tough, but having had them is priceless.

    Take care!!!

31. 

    CA renter on August 3, 2009 at 3:51 pm

    Jim,

    What a heartfelt and poignant post. I am so sorry about your friend.

    You nailed it WRT the important things in life, and how we should all keep things in perspective.

    May your friend and her family find peace, no matter what happens.

    Good to see you back, Jim.

32. 

    chrisanthemama on August 3, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    Whatever happens, it will all be well.

    Take care.

33. 

    Jack on August 5, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    Jim, my thoughts and prayers to you and your friend. Life is short, live it fully and without bitterness.

    God Bless,

    jack