Eight's Great

I stole this from Jana's blog (friend from high school). She's much deeper and way more compassionate than I am with her answers. I'm going to try and rip right through them so I don't think too much. I have a habit of thinking too much and then becoming paralyzed to the point of not knowing what I really think. Hello perfectionism!

8 Things I’m Passionate About...

1. Jesus
2. My family (shocker!)
3. People
4. Stories (fiction or non-fiction)
5. Shoes
6. Acting
7. Traveling
8. Laughing

8 Things I Want To Do Before I Die...

1. Get married (please Jesus!)
2. Have kiddos
3. Travel all over Australia and New Zealand
4. Make a movie or do a play that I am proud of
5. Make the world okay with ending sentences with prepositions
6. Overcome fear
7. Write a book
8. Change peoples lives through story-telling (film, stage, book, etc.)

8 Things I Say Often...

1. Oh you.
2. Any quote from Waiting for Guffman
3. For realz.
4. I'm hungry.
5. But what if....
6. I got it at Anthropologie, of course.
7. Goodnight, sleep tight.
8. I need to shave.

8 TV Shows I’ve Recently Watched...

1. LOST season 3 finale (AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!)
2. Project Runway
3. Real Housewives of Orange County (guilty!)
4. CBS Sunday Morning
5. Scrubs
6. The Office (please come back on!)
7. ER
8. and that's about it

8 Songs I Could Listen to Over and Over...

1. Say it to Me Now (Once soundtrack)
2. Fix You by Cold Play
3. In Christ Alone (that one's for you Kelly!)
4. In 7th grade it was Whitney Houston's How Will I Know if He Really Loves Me.... remember that one Kellsey?
5. Jump for My Love by the Pointer Sisters
6. Sweet Child o'Mine by Guns N'Roses
7. Be Thou My Vision
8. Romeo and Juliet (Indigo Girls version)

8 Things That Attract Me To My Best Friends...

1. They make me feel safe
2. Sense of Humor
3. Their passion for life and people
4. They laugh at themselves
5. Love talking about books, movies...shoes
6. They challenge me to grow mentally, spiritually, emotionally (and thanks to Ben and Jerry's, physically)
7. Their contageous spirit of joy, peace, love and compassion
8. They are trustworthy

8 Things I’ve Learned (or been reminded of) This Past Year...

1. It's not about me!
2. I'm a perfectionist
3. I absolutely LOVE being an aunt
4. Life's too short to be afraid to fail
5. My parents generosity inspires me
6. All You Can Do is All You Can Do, and All You Can Do is Enough (Thanks Art Williams!)
7. God alone is my rock and He is good and trustworthy
8. The iPhone IS THE GEATEST INVENTION EVER!


8 People I Think Should Do “8”...

If you're tagged here, you can leave it on your blog or leave it in the comments section. If you're not tagged but want to share, do it!

Beckles, Kellsey, Lindsay Williams, Art, Erin, Mom, Cousin Kate and Dad

Where Are They Now?

It's time for a fun game of What Ever Happened to Michael Schoeffling? You may remember him as the hot sensitive jock from Sixteen Candles or the tall, dark and handsome type from Mermaids - yes the one with Cher. Are you secretly singing Cher's "It's in His Kiss" song in your head? I know. Me too.

What's become of Jake Ryan? He was every girls' dream. Of all the weddings I've been in, no one has surprised me by picking me up in a Porsche and then baking me a birthday cake. I'm still waiting. IMDB says that he hasn't made a movie since Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken. You know, the one about a diving horse and the cute/awkward girl rider who becomes blind but gets to marry the hot guy? Oh the summer of 1991 had me day-dreaming that I was a diving girl who goes blind and marries the hot guy. 1991! That's the last time we saw Michael Schoeffling. Where is he now?

Wikipedia (such a reliable source!) states "He now lives with his wife Valerie Robinson, also a former model, and their two teenaged children in Greentown, Pennsylvania, producing handcrafted furniture as the owner of a woodworking shop." Dang! He also makes furniture! I love furniture! He also was an "accomplished" collegiate wrestler. Dang! I love wrestlers!

So there you have it. The dreamy jock is now a family man who crafts furniture.

Why Am I Not Married?

This morning started out rough for me. At 6:00 a.m. I was at the gym working out with Shelby. I was crossing the room doing three-pulse lunges, that only Satan could have thought up, when Shelby says, "You have little something on your chin." I thought to myself that it was probably just a bit of grime I picked up from the gym floor while doing push-ups. I casually wiped my chin on my shirt. Then she says, "Well, now it's moved to the side of your face." Wow this is a stubborn little piece of dirt. I turn my head to take a peek in the mirrored wall and notice a huge lugie like thing spread across my jaw line. GASP! I immediately threw down my 15 pound dumbells to wipe my face with my shirt. Shelby says, "I didn't know if I should tell you now because you were holding weights." YES SHELBY! THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS YES!

Mortified.

I really don't know how it got there. I'm thinking it had to have been during my painful struggle doing lower back exercises. Cringing.

Folsom Prison

Archer seems to love his Christmas present from me. Let's hope that by wearing prison stripes now, he'll avoid wearing them later in life.

Everyone Needs a Little Chipmunk in Their Lives

A little hilarity to begin your day. I'm thinking Oscar Nomination here. Thanks Christine!



And someone got really creative with it here:



I just love this little guy.

I Do!

Beckles emailed me today and told me that she was feeling hormonal and therefore had the desire to plan my wedding today. By all means, go ahead. She sent me this addictive website that details different kinds of themed weddings. I don't really think about my wedding day but I couldn't resist this website.

My favorites are:

#118, #116, #113, #105, #88, #75, #73, #61, #44, #43, #20, #15 and #7. I'm seeing a theme of anything outdoors, quirky, rustic or vintage.

Oh this is too much fun = trouble.

Round Table Discussion

I don't know a family that has more fun with iChat. It was almost like I was home talking face to face with everyone.

Let's All Go to the Movies!

In honor of Oscar Nominations announced this morning, LET'S TALK MOVIES!

But before we get into this year's selections, I want to discuss some oldies but goodies. This weekend I decided to lock myself in my apartment (thanks to Chicago being all of 2 degrees...FAHRENHEIT) to snuggle with a blanket and watch movies that impacted me as a kid.

The first one is Empire of the Sun starring little Mr. Christian Bale. And that is when I developed my first film-star crush. Even as a youth I could see beyond the horrible wig they made him wear for most of the movie. I also had a little surprise when I recognized a young Ben Stiller. I had no idea he was in that movie. I think what hit me most was this young kid trying to hold onto his youth while having to grow up quickly in a prison camp during World War II. It's a beautifully filmed story and John Malkovich is brilliant as always. He has a way of making me want to punch him in the face. Kudos for him for not shying away from unlikeable characters. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and rent this Steven Spielberg classic.

The second one is The Power of One starring Morgan Freeman and Stephen Dorff. And there marked the development of my second film-star crush. Sure he's a mess now, but back then he was fighting for peace in South Africa. I had another one of those, "Oh my gosh, do you know who that is?!" moments. The newest James Bond, Daniel Craig, plays one of the most hateful characters in this movie. I don't know if I can ever look at him the same. Want education and a beautiful story all in one movie? Rent it.

Guess how many times I cried this weekend in movies. I'm thinking I cried three times in two movies. Not bad.

Now onto the Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture
Juno: I'm so excited about this one! Not only is the music fabulous but the actors charm the butt right off of you. I'm not kidding. I entered the movie wearing a size 10 jeans and left wearing a size 6.

Michael Clayton: I think this is a movie about George Clooney doing something to change the world...or at least a few peoples lives. I haven't seen it. I probably won't.

No Country for Old Men: I hear it's bloody. Yet I'm somewhat tempted to go see it. People either love it or hate it.

There Will Be Blood: I can't resist a movie starring one of the single hottest characters of all time: Daniel Day Lewis in Last of the Mohicans. Be still my beating heart. I'm sure I won't think he's hot in this movie. But anyone who will stay in character 24 hours a day while he's filming a movie deserves my money. Just think of the therapy he'll need afterwards.

Atonement: Hated it. No seriously, I really didn't like the movie. Story = eh. Characters...didn't really care what happened to them. I didn't find them likeable. However, the music was beautiful and the way the film was shot was a work of art.

Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress
Laura Linney, Ellen Page and Julie Christie = Fabulous! I love the surprise of Laura Linney's nomination. Ellen Page, that role was written for you. If only I could be so lucky. Philip Seymour Hoffman in Charlie Wilson's War was a pure delight.

Original Screenplay
Lars and the Real Girl: You stole my heart! Please rent this movie. Ryan Gossling's performance is refreshing and you just want to hug everyone after the movie. If only communities came together in real life like they did in this movie.

Those are my thoughts. I still need to see a couple of these flicks to really know who to root for should the Oscars actually take place. At this moment I'm thinking Juno.

Go Cubs Go!

I just spent five hours people watching while working a booth at the Cubs Convention. This is the Olympics of people watching. It is also the place where all weirdness from across the world comes together and embraces one another. To be diplomatic, there are some really nice and normal people there too. Let's shed a tear for dad's and sons bonding together in the name of the Cubs.

Convention = FREE CRAP! (and mullets) Experienced conventioners waddle through the crowds weighed down by plastic bags filled to the top with flyers, pens, shirts, koozies, power bars, etc. It's no wonder that they walk by our not-for-profit booth looking for free things. Ummm...it's not-for-profit. Nothing's free. We're in the business of curing diseases people.

Some people feel the need to stop and look at what you're selling or information on research because their guilt is just a little too much. Then they mumble something with a weak smile as they walk away like, "that's great what you're doing there. I'll come back later." How do I know they do this? I SAW it! And I happen to have done it myself a few times. GUILTY.

All high and mighty and with a twinge of the "you shoulds," I asked one woman if she had ever participated in our Walk before. She responded, "Well, I had thought about it but then I had just finished chemo...." Oh...nevermind.

And then the revelation of the night came as I watched a dozen men dressed in pin-covered bucket-hats with fuzzy "cub" ears sewn on to the sides. The Cubs are to grown men as the Care-Bears are to little girls. CARE-BEAR STARE!

What's Your Sign?

My Aunt Mary sent this to me today. She's an Aries but I don't think it describes her perfectly. She is energetic, athletic and witty...but selfish? I don't think so. She lent me a book she hadn't read yet last January and I didn't return it until November. She was generous and never complained (that I know of!).

So read your sign and let me know if it describes you. Seriously, I want to know more about you. Don't be shy. See that little comment box at the bottom? Click it. Go on. I dare you.

I'm a Pisces. It's true, I'm a dreamer and tend to be private (except when discussing waxing or my favorite kind of panties). Unselfish? Ummmm...not really. Good kisser? I'll be taking a poll at a kissing booth tomorrow. 3:30. At the park. Be there! And beautiful? Oh you. You make me blush.

Once you have opened this, there's no turning back. Below are true descriptions of zodiac signs. Read your sign, then forward it on, with your zodiac sign and label on the subject line. This is the real deal, try ignoring or changing it, and the first thing you'll notice is having a horrible day starting tomorrow morning - and it only gets worse from there.

VIRGO - The Perfectionist
Dominant in relationships. Conservative. Always wants the last word. Argumentative. Worries. Very smart. Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager. Hardworking. Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy. Often shy. Pessimistic.

SCORPIO - The Intense One
Very energetic. Intelligent. Can be ! jealous and/or possessive. Hardworking. Great kisser. Can become obsessive or secretive. Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Romantic. Can be self-centered at times. Passionate and Emotional.

LIBRA - The Harmonizer
Nice to everyone they meet. Can't make up their mind. Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and very social. Hates to be alone. Peaceful, generous. Very loving and beautiful. Flirtatious. Give in too easily. Procrastinators. Very gullible.

ARIES - The Daredevil
Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.

AQUARIUS - The Sweetheart
Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality. Very independent. Inventive and intelligent. Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional. Can be a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original and unique. Attractive on the inside and out. Eccentric personality.

GEMINI - The Chatterbox
Smart and witty. Outgoing, very chatty. Lively, energetic. Adaptable but needs to express themselves. Argumentative and outspoken. Likes change. Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense. Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent, But is only changeable. Beautiful physically and mentally.

LEO - The Boss
Very organized. Need order in their lives - like being in control. Like boundaries. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy. Full of themselves Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos. Attractive.

CANCER - The Protector
Moody, emotional. May be shy. Very loving and caring. Pretty/handsome. Excellent partners for life. Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious. Touchy-feely kind of person. Needs love from others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic.

PISCES - The Dreamer
Generous, kind, and thoughtful. Very creative and imaginative. May become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don't like details. Dreamy and unrealistic. Sympathetic and loving. Kind. Unselfish. Good kisser. Beautiful .

CAPRICORN - The Go-Getter
Patient and wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious. Tends to be good-looking. Humorous and funny. Can be a bit shy and reserved. Often pessimists. Capricorns tend to act before they think and can be unfriendly at times. Hold grudges. Like competition. Get what they want.

TAURUS - The Enduring One
Charming but aggressive. Can come off as boring, but they are not. Hard workers. Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid beings who are stable and secure in their ways. Not looking for shortcuts. Take pride in their beauty. Patient and reliable. Make great friends and give good advice. Loving and kind. Loves hard - passionate Express themselves emotionally. Prone to ferocious temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge themselves often. Very generous.

SAGITTARIUS - The Happy-Go-Lucky One
Good-natured optimist. Doesn't want to grow up (Peter Pan Syndrome). Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn't like being doubted. Beautiful inside and out.

The Senate, The Playground

Yay! I am now an official member of The Senate. The Senate was just voted in on Saturday to be a Pilot Team at The Playground.

Three high-kicks and a double fist pump!

Someday my face will actual appear here.

Same Time Last Year

Last year at this time I was here, here and here.

Two years ago around this time I was here.

This time this year it's shaping up to be more like this.

I know you feel real sorry for me.

Happy vacationing to Erin, Chris and Archer as they are soaking up the sun and sipping pina coladas in Cabo San Lucas with the Tuttles. And good luck to my parents who are watching Connor for the week.

Labels

I'm creating "labels" for most of my posts. That way those of you who say, "Hey, I really like Katy's waxing stories, I wish she had all of them available with one click of the mouse." And I can now respond, "All your dreams have come true!"

Be patient, I have around 550 posts to label. It's a good winter project.

RIP Cowboys

One Word: Penalties

Two Words: Jessica Simpson

Three Words: Cabo San Lucas

Four Words: Rest In Peace Cowboys

I know it's not Jessica Simpson's fault. But it sure is easy to point the finger that direction. Well, maybe it's more towards Tony Romo's direction. I'm not going to go there, it was a team effort. blah. It's a sad day for Cowboys fans.

On the brighter side - they had a great season and made football fun again for me. America's Team. I don't care what you say, it's true.

Wax On, Wax Off

Yesterday I got my eyebrows waxed. Again, little red spots are left as traces of evidence. But I don't look like I was beat up this time. When I was laying on the table I asked one of my "inane" questions: "Have you ever dropped a glob of wax in someone's hair? I mean, how would you get it out?" She hadn't and I didn't want to be the first.

Walking back to work I began laughing to myself as I remembered a funny story one of my extended relatives told me about herself and a bad waxing situation. She decided to try a do-it-yourself wax..for her nether-regions...never a good idea. She put the wax on her skin...AND IT WOULDN'T COME OFF! She even called my mom for moral support and any wax-removal ideas. She was afraid she would rip off her skin so she had a brilliant idea of getting into a bathtub of warm water to melt the wax so she could wipe it off. The wax did come off, but she didn't immediately realize that she was laying in what had become a tub of wax. Everything was sticky. Her towel stuck to her. The door knobs, the phone, the floor, the tub...all were sticky. Bless her heart. If this isn't a recommendation for professional waxing, I don't know what is.

It's a Show!

I'm sitting in on the uber-talented improv team The Senate. We're performing tomorrow night, as in Wednesday night, at The Playground (Belmont & Halsted) at 8:00 p.m. BYOB. BTOBS (Be There Or Be Square).

Bar Fight

I almost got in a bar fight Saturday night. I'm not even kidding. Kelly and I met Alyson at Mad River for her sister's going away party. The place was so crowded. We weren't even there 20 minutes when I had had enough of being bumped into and pushed so people could move past you. I'm sure having a "honky tonk badonkadonk" didn't help. Then feelings of claustrophobia began settling in. I needed to leave the place ASAP.

I squeezed my way through the crowd and almost reached the door when three little 22 year-old girls wearing bleached hair and their skinny jeans shove right into me so they can get through the crowd. Oh no you didn't! I raise my arms and gave them my best jazz hands with a "WHAT WAS THAT?" face. The last girl stopped in her tracks and looks at me with a "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" face. THAT'S IT! It was all I could do to not start something right there. All I said yelling over the crowd was, "Oh you'll see when you've been here longer than five seconds AND ARE ABOUT 10 YEARS OLDER!" Oh snap. I showed her! I didn't come off sounding old at all.

Goodbye Mad River. I will never step foot in your doors again. I'm "of age" to drink and therefore too old to enter your establishment.

Gina's Farewell Party

Recipe for a great farewell party:

1)Fun bar with no smoking (I am so happy about the no-smoking laws that went into effect last week!).

2)Brilliant soundtrack that's sing-a-long friendly.

3)A woodchuck cider.

4)Your favorite carpool members.

5)Man muffs.

MAN MUFFS? Yes, Man Muffs. They are a great crowd-pleaser/ice-breaker.

Vote Early, Vote Often

The word "caucus" makes me think of loci (plural for locus) and cicadas. I know it's where people in Iowa enter a room and stand next to a piece of paper vowing their allegiance to a presidential candidate; then they try and convince the people across the room, who don't have as many on their side, to see the light and join them. Doesn't that sound a bit like childish playground games?

And it has begun ladies and gentlemen - the next 11 months will be filled with extremism, bickering, finger-pointing and assumptions. I'm already overwhelmed with anxious feelings. Conservatives hate Liberals and Liberals hate Conservatives. People who have read a headline from a newspaper suddenly become experts on the subject and begin touting to anyone who will listen that this is the best way and whatever you think is stupid and sucks. Like-minded groups of people get together and have passionate discussions crescendoing with congratulations to themselves for being right and all-knowing. It happens on both sides. I see it. (I'm a Texan who lives in Chicago) Remember this: no matter how passionate and "right" you are about a political party, an issue or a viewpoint, someone is just as passionate and "right" about those topics on the other side. You're probably saying, "I know that Katy, but HOW CAN THEY BELIEVE AND SUPPORT THAT?" Give each other a break! Politics brings out such ugly self-righteousness in people. But don't be afraid to take a stand on something that is really important to you. Let me warn you though, some will hail you and others will loathe you.

I wish I had a solution to make people give each other respect. Assumptions about people who think differently than you are dangerous. Assume = makes and ASS out of U and ME.

Quit with the hateration already. My peacemaker obsession is going to give me an ulcer by the end of the presidential race. This whole post makes me sound self-righteous. I just don't like the fighting. I already want to buy stock in alka-seltzer.

Musings

What do Jessica Simpson and I have in common? Nothing.

Don't you think that wearing your puffy coat because the office is so cold constitutes the office needing to be closed? Me too.

Thank God I started my period today. My boobs were killing me.

I forgot my book today. I'm wondering how I'll survive the commute home. I may actually have to spend time thinking.

Is there something about me that says "Frosty Lipstick"? The lady at the Chanel counter thought so.

Project Runway.

Spin Class tonight? God help me, I need to go.

My friend, Gina, is moving to Iowa this weekend. She just stopped by the office to say goodbye to everyone. Boohoo. She gave me her calendar of inspirational quotes. I thought this week's was fitting for her. "I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied, 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way.'" M. Louise Haskins

New Year, New You!

Happy New Year! Hello 2008. I have a feeling we're going to get along nicely.

I am so glad I'm over the whole "New Year's Eve has to be exciting, fun and last well into the early morn." I've wasted some New Year's trying to make it "all that and a bag of chips." I've matured....obviously because Becky, Russ & I were the youngest amongst the grey-haired at the movies on New Year's Eve. We had a lovely dinner and then went to see Charlie Wilson's War (a fabulous movie that I highly recommend...and not just because you get to see Tom Hank's toosh). We were back at their house by 11:45 pm and welcomed in the New Year by saying sleepily, "Happy New Year!" Then their welsh corgie, Fatty Lumpkins, gave me a kiss. It is indeed going to be a wonderful year.

I'm also rebelling against the get fit craze that begins on January 1st. I'm never one to go along with the crowds, unless it involves stylish shoes or a good meal, so I'm going to wait until most people have quit their resolutions before I begin. Too much pressure at the beginning to be perfect and succeed, so I'm going to wait a couple of months to be perfect and successful.

I just ate a Milky Way Carmel mini-bar. Take that society!

Of course I do have some goals for 2008. I am my father's daughter after all.

1. Get an agent: I'm going to get on this PRONTO!

2. Run two half-marathons: I love them, I can't help it.

3. Do a triathlon: Another love/hate relationship.

4. Cook a nice meal once a week: Scratch that, too much pressure, so little joy.

5. Write my own show.

6. Get to a place where I can quit my job and act full-time.

7. Volunteer consistently.

8. Pray for my family consistently.

Those are 8 for 2008.

Anyone have goals they want to achieve? Feel free to share. I wish you the best of luck. Don't get down because it's January 2nd and you've already failed with one of your goals. Start again tomorrow.