Stat

My little brother, Andrew, is trying really hard to out do me when it comes to surgeries. I had two in one month back in the day. Gallbladder & appendix. I no longer have them. It's true. Andrew's about to go into surgery to remove an abcess that formed after his appendectomy. That poor kid! I must say he goes to extreme measures to take first place. What he doesn't realize is that I'm EXTREMELY competitive.

Hopefully he'll be home in a few hours. It's not supposed to be anything major. I secretly think he's just trying really hard to get out of even more school. Smart kid.

Mancrush

Who's your mancrush? Inquiring minds want to know! I have a crush on every single person on the top 10 list.

Sodium Carbonate

Yesterday's Lunch:

Appetizer of grape tomatoes with salt...and more salt
Appetizer of Tostitos Scoops chips with salsa and guacamole
Dessert of half Golden Delicious Apple
Entree of an organic cheese tortellini thingy with pesto sauce that was immediately thrown in the trash because it tasted like mint. I hate mint. And it was organic. I tried organic but I need to just embrace the fact that preservatives are for me.

Today's Lunch:
Appetizer of Tostitos Scoops chips with salsa and guacamole
Dessert of grape tomatoes with salt...and more salt
Entree of a Healthy Choice chicken and rosemary potato thingy. I ate most of it. It also had broccoli.

My current craving: Grape Tomatoes with salt...and more salt. I couldn't wait to get out of a meeting so I could go eat my salt with tomatoes. I'm going to be retaining pounds of water any day now. I just realized I've only gone to the bathroom once today. I think the water retention has begun.

Do the Hustle

Apparently I'm not THAT out of shape. Sure the muffin tops are still there but my pride remains in tact. I placed 53rd out of 192 for my age division in the 52 floor Hustle Up the Hancock! Yeah baby! Boo-ya! That would be 10:25 for 52 floors. That's 12.5 seconds per floor. It looks like training on the couch really helped me reach my goal. Why thank you. May I humble myself for a moment? A 74 year old man completed the 52 floors in 11 minutes. I guarantee that I would have knocked him down had he gotten in my way! I let NOBODY pass me. You hear that? NOBODY! You just wait until next year. I'm doing all 95 flights...on one leg...wearing slippers...and a thong!

Shape Up or Else...

I've come to the conclusion that I am indeed out of shape. (hangs head in shame) This comes on the cusp of my Hustle Up the Hancock race on Sunday. Since when have I turned into someone who doesn't train for races and who relies heavily on "winging it"? I don't know this person and I'm freightened.

Last night I ran for 28 minutes outside. It was my first outdoor running experience in over a month. Then this morning I ran for 15 minutes on the treadmill and thought I was going to die. I had to slow the speed down to 5.8. I've always been a 6.0 girl or more. I was afraid someone would notice my downgrade. I then hopped on the stairclimber for 12 more minutes of athletic achievement. I again was huffing and puffing. I told myself that it was probably PMS. No, just had that a couple of weeks ago. Maybe it's dehydration? Sure it is Katy. But it can't be because I'm out of shape! I've always been in shape. Maybe it's the muffin tops that have suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I swear this Chicago winter is doing nothing for my figure. Yes I have curves and have always been proud of them. But suddenly I have a few more curves...that hang over the top of my low rise jeans.

I'm doing the Indy Mini Half Marathon on May 5th. I must start training hard core this next week. I need accountability people! And I need a smaller pant size. Pray for me.

George Strait for Real

See? I was there! Thanks for the pictures Alyson!

Season 3

Oh you know it's going to be another great season of Dancing with the Stars!

Apolo Ono? Seriously? I have to see this. He'll be the new hearthrob who doesn't deserve it. I'll cheer for someone funny and chubby like Joey Fatone.

I'm in Love!

I seriously have a new crush.

My Little Brother and His Little Appendix

Andrew is having surgery in one hour to have his appendix taken out. It must be a family thing. My dad, older brother and I no longer have ours. This way when we decide to hike up Mount Everest we won't have to worry about having an appendicitis. 'Cause that could happen.

Please say a prayer for a safe surgery and a quick recovery for Andrew. Thank you!

Baby Shower

This weekend I headed home to Texas to help throw a baby shower for my uber-fantastic sister-in-law, Alicia. Here are a few pictures from the main event:















Here's a glimpse of the lovely ladies who love Alicia















The Happy soon-to-be parents. Patrick, the haircut looks awesome. I'll miss fluffy.















Could I be a more perfect hostess? But seriously, look at the decorations. you know I had nothing to do with them. But I did organize the sandwich display!

You can check out more pictures on Liam's blog: Lonestar Liam.

Tune In Tokyo

Tune in THIS Thursday night, February 22, to see my Level 1A Second City Conservatory teacher on my favorite show, The Office! Jean Villepique is crush-worthy, talented and an amazing teacher. She pushed us hard and made me go way way way outside my comfort zone. I hated her for it. Not really, but sort of.

All because of her I just got cast doing a small voice over! Do you remember that one snowy night when I had those auditions? One happened to be for a Chicago Comedy T.V. Pilot competition. Well, I'm doing a small voice over for one of the entries. Neato! It's only a matter of time before I too am on the office as Dwight's love interest! Move over Angela!

New Breed

I had to post this new one. We were crying laughing. Russ, your wife is A-Mazing.

Sexy Ladies

...if by sexy you mean utterly repulsive. But there is a sort of beauty that can be seen deep, deep, deep down inside.

Amarillo by Mornin'

Last night I went to see George Strait with my friend Alyson. George = awesome. He is the definition of classy and he's a gentleman through and through. Wearing his 10 gallon hat, starched Wranglers and cowboy boots he made us ladies swoon. Did you know that he has 54 #1 hits? He sang about 30 of them last night. Alyson got the best seats. He stood directly in front of us and I could have thrown a penny and hit him. Not that I actually did throw a penny. I just wanted to give you a visual. Have you visualized?

George is "Pure Country" and an ideal Texan. He sang a bazillion songs about Texas and flashed pictures of the various Texas landscapes. It made me homesick. Good thing I'm flying home to Dallas tonight!

I've had a few conversations with people who despise country music. And by despise I mean they would rather go down a slide of razor blades and land in a pool of rubbing alcohol than listen to country music. That just makes me sad. It's more like it's a pride thing with them. Country is beneath them. I actually had someone tell me that they disagree with everything that country music stands for: the south, conservatives, Christian beliefs, the prevelence of Jesus just to name a few. It's an uninformed opinion. If they just don't like the twang, that's fine. But knocking the people, that's a whole other story. I know that country music can bring out a few interesting folks who do not represent the best in people. But why classify all fans as being judgmental and small minded? Country music also represents family, national pride and a way of life. And who doesn't enjoy songs about divorce, truck driving, drunkenness, mama killed papa, rodeos and sexy tractor driving men?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope your day is filled with lots of love and many wonderful surprises!

Seeing as most people think of this as a romantic holiday I prefer to think of it as a day where I can share with my family and close friends how much I love them! I did this by not sending anyone any cards or flowers, but instead opting for the communication of love: text. Yes, I texted them "I love you." Nothing says I love you like a text. I know some peopleout there are textually challenged but thankfully not the circles I run in these days.

So do yourself and your loved ones a favor, send them a text right now. Yes! This very minute tell them how much you love them by pressing the buttons on your phone. That's good! Way to go!

To all my readership: I love you! Happy Valentine's Day! Hugs and Kisses!! xoxoxoxoxoxo

Man Muffs in Action

See? I tried them out. Still not sold on them. Sorry Jason.

Winter Storm

I just got released early today from prison. Did I say prison? I meant work. Chicago has been bashed with frigid weather and unending snow storms these past couple of weeks. Why do I live here again?

Here are a few pictures from my neighborhood. I totally need to do laundry tonight but considering I don't want to dig my car out of the snow drift it looks like I'll be washing my underwear in the sink...or turning it inside out. TMI? Yeah.

The Rules

So I have a little quirk. I thought it was a cute little quirk that could be shared and enjoyed by those around me. I learned last night that it is neither cute nor enjoyed by those around me. I love to sing. I find it nearly physically impossible not to sing when I hear a song I know on the radio, on the television or just in my head. I must sing! Here are my favorites:

• Any 80's tune
• Top 40 hits from the 1990's
• Anything U2 or Shania Twain (can't. help. it.)
• Indigo Girls: don't you dare cut me off in the middle of an Indigo Girls song to tell me some lame story that I will quickly forget.
• Musicals such as Phantom of the Opera and Grease

Speaking of Grease...my apartment has somewhat grown attached to the cultural phenomenon known as "Grease: You're the One that I Want." Grease is one of my all-time favorite movies. It was only recently that I finally grasped what some of the phrases and inuendos mean. Shocking. Grease was the perfect recipe for enjoyment for a young girl who loved to sing and dance. No matter how much we pretend we despise it we secretly love it when the wedding D.J. spins "Summer Lovin'" and we all dance and sing at the top of our lungs. Am I right? Don't deny it. I'll call you a liar. Liar. Told you.

So this brings me to last night's conversation between the roommates. I of course was singing along to "Jesus Christ Superstar" and Janell immediately turned up the television.

"What? You don't like it when I sing along with these songs?"

"No, you can sing along, just do it during the commercials."

"But it's not nearly as fun because there isn't music! So now there are rules for watching this show?"

"Not rules, just preferences."

"I'll be sure to try and respect your wishes. It will be tough and will take all I have to hold myself back."

"Thank you."

I couldn't help but briefly forget the rules and bust out during one of the male vocal performances. I covered my mouth quickly.

"Sorry, I forgot."

"Oh you can sing during the men's performances. You harmonize so I can hear them over you."

"Oh, so now there's new rules?"

I can't say anything because I established rules with Jessie when it comes to television and the guitar. She can't play the guitar during a show, only during the commercials. It's a miracle that we haven't driven each other to the brink of insanity.

Your Grayness

I can't stop looking in my magnified mirror and counting the number of gray hairs I have on my head. I feel like they are multiplying every day. I think this cold weather is causing the frantic sprouting of gray hair around my hairline. I can't pluck them because I don't want wire-y swirling hairs to grow in their place. Therefore I am plagued by this question:

When does one embrace the fact that their hair is gray and frequent color processing begins?

This is a BIG question because it means more frequent visits to the salon and more money down the drain. Not that I think that getting your hair colored is money down the drain. I mean, whatever keeps me looking young!

Okay, so there are only maybe 10 gray hairs. But they are 10 visible gray hairs. I could have sworn that I only had six last week.

Audition Blitz

Sunday began my whirlwind week of auditions. I have to say that I feel quite confident with my performances and encouraged by the whole process. That's the exact opposite of what I thought I would be feeling by the end of it.

Last night I braved the cold and snowy weather to go to two auditions. They were on opposite ends of the city but somehow, in Katy fashion, I made it really early to both and waited in my car trying to keep warm. The first was for some Chicago Comedy TV Pilot Competition. I was able to do some cold reading and it was fun! I haven't done comedy in a couple of months and I realized how much I miss it! They even had me read a couple of parts that would actually be voice overs. I was able to play with character voices which was a blast! The lead role, Maragaret, is described as "pinched, very thin, and librarian-like." Uh, probably not going to be me since I'd classify myself as "approachable, curvacious and dorky." But she did ask what my schedule was like in the next couple of weeks. We'll see!

The second audition was for Chekov's "The Seagull." When I walked into the room, the theater company founder cheerily said, "Oh! Your headshot is the one I really liked!" This baffles me because it really isn't anything great and I borderline cringe everytime I see it. But she proceeded to tell me that it's at a good angle, my smile is beautiful and my eyes are bright. Why thank you! I'll take those compliments any day. After my monologue she told me that I probably wouldn't be called back and then said slowly with almost a wink, "but that doesn't mean anything." Okay. Well that didn't mean anything to me either. I'm guessing that she might consider me for another play or something. That's the beauty of auditioning; there's always hope for the future! When I walked out of the room I overheard her say to the other woman, "Wow, she was charming!" She either said that or "wow, that was alarming." I'm going with the "charming."

Dancing with the Dogs

Becky shared this video with me. I LOVE Golden Retrievers. I'm sure my brother, Patrick, could teach his Golden, Cade, how to do a dance like this. This dog is way smarter than me.

Can It Be?

Me? An Angel? Who knew?!
















Ashley and I were psyching ourselves up for a little live band karaoke last friday night. I sang a GREAT rendition of Modern English's "Melt with You." There were about 15 people in the bar and I'm pretty sure 15 people cringed. But it was fabulous!

Despair, Inc.

Here's a fun article from the Austin Chronicle about my friend Kellsey's brothers, Jef & Justin Sewell. I remember when these Despair, Inc. calendars/posters first came out. They are just my sense of humor. If you've never seen them, please visit their website. Apparently they have video podcasts too. Why am I not this funny? Surely I can come up with a way to make money just by being myself!

Chicago Superstar

All you Chicago people, go see my friend, Cristin McAlister, in a movie she recently filmed. Click here and you can purchase tickets for the one night showing on Saturday, February 10. Yay Cristin! I'm so proud of you!

Speaking of Chicago superstars, I have three auditions in the next five days. I'm still keeping my new years goals!! Let's hope some of these dreams come to fruition.

Game Time Countdown

Puleeeeez! Computer games also chose Rocky Balboa to win over Mason "The Line" Dixon. SPOILER ALERT!!!! But you know what? He loses. So basically Madden '07 has no idea what it's talking about. And frankly, I'm not so sure if I do either.

All this to say that my Da Bears shirt arrived today! I look fantastic in navy!

High Kickin'

These are so cute! I need to have children right now so I can buy them adorable clothing. Then after buying them adorable clothing I'll hire a nanny.