Note to Self #43

When preparing for a five mile race, actually do some preparation. Otherwise you're destined to feel like you've been hit by a truck. Then you'll find yourself lying on the couch for seven hours straight watching Ben Kingsley's Academy Award winning role in Gandhi. During intermission you'll decide that you do indeed need to take an intermission, so you eat a huge pizza meant for two people and then nap for two hours. Later you'll wake up a groggy mess and wonder what day it is and if you've slept through the night and forgot to go to work. When the panic subsides, you'll have enough energy to do two loads of laundry and consume a healthy dinner made up of leftover chocolate cake from a birthday party your roommate threw for her sister-in-law. Coming down from the sugar high you'll then watch yet another movie. It's well worth it since it's a Wes Anderson film. Minutes will be lost as you daydream about what it would be like to be one of Wes Anderson's friends and get to be in all his films. During this lovely daydream, you'll walk into your room and slip into bed. While sliding, you'll think to yourself, "I really must shave tomorrow."

Keep It. My Treat.

Saturday night I attended my first Chicago Bulls game at the United Center. The Bulls walked away with a victory. Maybe I should attend games more often. Perhaps their win is contingent upon my presence. They need me!

Sitting between Alyson and Kelly, I decided to have a post-hot dog with mustard piece of gum. I opened the little Orbit pack and out slid one of the pieces and it fell to where it was sitting between the back of the chair of the person in front of me and her back. She obviously felt it. She turned around to see what it was and leaned forward. The gum then dropped beyond the back of her pants and into her crack. OH MY LORD! Thankfully she was gracious and said, "I don't think you'll be wanting to have this back." I said, "You're right. You keep it. My treat."

Pictorial

Finally! Photos from my birthday week (which is still continuing...hence the elastic waist pants) and from Easter (hence the elastic waist pants). Click here to view them all!

Boyz to Men: A, B, C, BB, D

I found this while reading this blog. I have a love/hate relationship with blogs created by freakin' creative people. All of a sudden I find myself thinking, "Why am I not creative like that? I should be spending time making everything beautiful!" Then I remember that I have a full-time job and an incredibly time consuming passion. I'm doing good if I make my bed in the morning...which I did today. Check!

How I do love taking little quizzes and sharing with everyone EVERY. LITTLE. DETAIL. OF. MY. LIFE!

A - Attached or single? Last time I checked I was single.
B - Best friend? Beckles!
C - Cake or pie? Hands down, cake. Not too much icing. But I do love pie with crunchy, sugary crust.
D - Day of choice? Any day that doesn't involve me sitting in front of a computer in a cubicle.
E - Essential item? I'll agree with my mom on this one: lipstick.
F - Favorite color? Red
G - Gummy bears or worms? Hello, Bears! Worms have a chalky feel to them. Am I right or am I right?
H - Hometown? Frisco, TX
I - Favorite indulgence? Shoes and purses
J - January or July? Where am I living? Chicago = July. Dallas = July. So I guess its July.
K - Kids? None that I know of....
L - Life isn't complete without? FAMILY! and a passion.
M - Marriage date? Tomorrow
N - Number of brothers and sisters? 2 Brothers and 1 Sister. All are awesome.
O - Oranges or apples? Both, all in one sitting.
P - Phobia and fears? Fear of failure. I'm getting over it. But I also hate bugs...just ask my roommates....oh, and rodents. ick.
Q - Quote? "I went shopping for my wife Bonnie. I buy most of her clothes...."
R - Reason to smile? FAMILY!
S - Season of choice? Chicago falls, Texas springs, Hawaii anythings
T - Tag three people: Kate, Heidi and Kathie - because I know you'll blog it.
U - Unknown fact about me? I can't sleep wearing pants or shorts. I like sleeping in the undy-pundies.
V - Vegetable? Technically tomatoes are a fruit...so I'll go with asparagus.
W - Worst habit? I blow bubbles when I chew gum...and I mumble.
X - X-ray or ultrasound? Either when I'm in pain.
Y - Your favorite food? That's like asking me if I like my mom or dad the best. It's irrelevant!
Z - Zodiac sign? Pisces - "Oh, you're a water sign." What the heck does that mean?

Please Pray

There are two great things about having this blog:

1. People I haven't seen or talked to in years get to read about my underwear problems or my boob size.

2. I can share stories of friends in need of prayer...and I know you'll pray!

This morning I received an email from my dear friend, Alyson, telling me that her old roommate and best friend may have cancer. I asked how to pray and she said, "just know that she's my 'Becky' and you'll know how to pray." (Beckles is my BFF in case you're wondering) Here's her email below so you'll know more of the details:

I received some pretty devastating news today. One of my best friends, Lisa, went into surgery today and turns out they removed a tumor from her lung that they are fairly certain is malignant. It will be a couple days before test results are back to confirm. It was about 4 inches. She's 31 yrs old.

Lisa and Leanne were my roommates before I moved to Chicago. Leanne is the one whose dad died this past October of cancer. Needless to say, both Leanne and I are taking this quite hard. Not only have we each lost our dads to cancer, now our best friend quite possible has it, too. And, to speak for myself (but I think Leanne is the same), I find it quite challenging to be hopeful. But, I feel this overwelming responsibility to be strong and hopeful for Lisa and her family.

So please pray for hope, healing, peace and wisdom...a miracle!...and anything else you think might be helpful.

Thank you!

Back by Popular Demand

This Easter weekend consisted of three B's: babies, bunnies, and a butt-load of candy. I've been delinquent in posting these past couple of weeks. I can't promise its going to get any better this week. Things are crazy y'all! I am doing a staged reading on Monday and have rehearsals galore until then. Stay strong friends! Stay strong.

Until then, enjoy these two pics from my trip. One is from my flight to Dallas from Chicago. The other is of the ever-smiling Archer.

Homeward Bound

I'm leaving in a few to catch a plane to Dallas to celebrate Easter with my family! I'll get to snuggle with Erin, Archer and Connor tonight. Life is good! And it will be much warmer in the Lonestar State.

Real Life at IHOP

Rehearsal for The Senate last night tested my boundaries and pushed me way outside my comfort zone. That's why I felt so exhilarated after I walked away!

Six of us were available to rehearse last night. Instead of our normal coach, we had a guest coach who was fantastic. As soon as we walked up he said, "I cancelled your room. We're going to do improv in the real world." Immediately my stomach turned as I thought about how I was probably going to have to make an ass out of myself in front of "real people." The stage is much more comfortable than real life.

He issued us three challenges:

Challenge 1 - We had fifteen minutes to go off by ourselves and do anything to get a stranger to compliment us. We couldn't ask "hey, like my jacket?" or anything similar. I saw the Starbucks immediately and thought, "they love to give compliments!" Disclaimer: I had just started my period and contemplated just sitting on a bench in the fetal position. Instead I flashed my biggest smile and gave a very friendly performance. Nothing. "I went to the dentist today." BLING! (big fat smile) Nothing. Obviously my charm wasn't working. I walked a loop around the block smiling at everyone I saw. Nothing. If I hadn't been in Boys Town, I'm pretty sure I would have gotten a date out of it.

Two out of the six were successful. Matt made up a story that he was going to see a girl he knew from college and hadn't seen in a year and was nervous. He got two compliments right away. Oh, we can make up stories? But I don't like to "play" with real people who don't know they're playing a game.

Challenge 2 - We paired up and had 15 minutes to get a stranger to console or comfort us three times. Tim, who was even more petrified by this exercise than me, was my partner. We walked a few blocks and finally zeroed in on a couple standing by their car waiting for someone. I said, "Hi, I locked my keys and my cell phone in my apartment. Can I please user your phone to call my roommate?" They were really friendly, but slightly distracted. I called my own cell phone - thank goodness it was on silent - and left a message for myself - "Hey Katy, it's me." It's funny. I still have it. We got a "poor thing" and a "good luck!" Good enough for us.

Challenge 3 - The final challenge! We split up into couples again. Paul and I were couple #1. We each were given a piece of paper with a motivation written on it. We couldn't share that piece of paper with anyone; especially our partner. We walked to IHOP and our coach went in first. He took a seat so he would be able to watch all of us. Our assignment was to assume this character choice as soon as we walked through the doors. We went in one couple at a time and took different seats around IHOP. We ordered some drinks and just improvised conversation using our motivations.

My motivation read: "You don't want to be with him. You can't stand this relationship anymore and want to end it. Decide how badly you want to hurt him and then leave forever." Ouch. Pretty quickly I figured out that his was that he loved me. We sat down in a booth and our conversation turned heated pretty quickly. We spoke in normal speaking voices but there were a couple tables around us that couldn't stop staring at us. It was hard to stay focused knowing people really thought we were in an argument. It was fun to come up with a back story as we began talking. There were things like, "you've been gone for nine months. You asked me to move with you to Chicago and then you leave for weeks at a time on these business trips." "I am seeing your old roommate." "I moved out two weeks ago." And in the end it crescendoed with an "I don't think I ever loved you. You're an asshole." And then I stormed out! It was fabulous! When would I ever do that in real life? I hope never.

Our coach said that there were tables who couldn't pay attention to their own conversations and were straining to listen to us. HILARIOUS! The servers got a nice tip before we left...and a few stories to keep them going through the night. At least I wasn't a couple that had to pretty much make out. I would have died.

Bicuspid

It's been confirmed: I'm an AVOIDER! I noticed a trend today that I tend to avoid all preventive medicine. Sure I need to go to the dentist and gynie regularly, but I don't want to! I mean, WHAT IF something was wrong? Heaven forbid it make a black mark on my "perfection." I mean, shouldn't it mean more that I catch something early before it turns into something HUGE? This is what I'm dealing with people. I realize the ridiculousness of it all.

Today I went to the dentist for the first time in *cough* two years. Eek! My parents raised me to go to the dentist every six months, not every two years! I was nervous, of course. At least I had one thing going for me - I floss EVERY DAY! But would that cut it? Let me go ahead and answer that question for you - NO.

The office was incredibly fabulous. I'd use "fierce" but that word is so completely over-used these days. And since when did anyone say "hot mess" after 1995? I guess it's back. Blah blah blah. Back to reality. Seriously, everything was completely high-tech. Lots of computers, digital cameras and x-rays. I saw everything right before my eyes on a flat screen. I even picked out the cavities before they did. Yes people, I have cavities. So tragic. That's what you get for two years away from the dental chair and ice pick. AND I clench my teeth. Hello bite plate. You and I are going to get to know each other well.

I did start to feel panic rise up in me. There were a few murmurs and then some discussion in a language I'm not familiar with....since I'm not a dentist! Then there was a "Hmmmm, do you grind your teeth or clench your teeth when you sleep? Yes, I can tell. Just look here." Where? Where do I look? Sure, whatever you say. Suddenly I was chiding myself for not having perfect teeth and gums. Repeat your mantra Katy! You're perfectly imperfect...and acceptable JUST THE WAY YOU ARE! Cavities and all.

Got to go call the gynie.

Bathing John Malkovich

This video disturbed me to no end for the following reasons:

1. It confirms the fact that John Malkovich is getting older...and has a borderline case of man-boobs.

2. The bathtub is way too small for grown men. Is there actually water in the tub?

3. I'm obsessed with the question, "Are they really naked?"

4. John Malkovich seems to have no problem with a man sitting close behind him, washing his hair and asking him questions.

5. They need candles in order to create a little ambience and warmth.

6. John Malkovich lost 60 pounds in 60 days eating only jello. I don't have the discipline. I would be a raging, desperately-in-need-of-a-shower girl.

7. They performed THE WORST IMPROV SCENE EVER! John Malkovich as a McDonalds employee?

8. I felt a little dirty watching it.

9. It made me want to get my hair cut so I could have someone else wash my hair.

10. Why didn't I think of this first!

A Present! For Me!

Mom did GREAT for my birthday!

I can't wait to bust these out! Maybe when I fly to Texas this weekend it will be warm enough to wear whimsical clothing.

Checking in with the Orenders in Colorado

Pictures from Dad in Beaver Creek, CO.

Wishing I was here with my family instead of here:

Celebrate by Eating

GEEEEESH I haven't updated in a while! That's what turning 32 will do to a girl. Actually, I've been busy celebrating by eating 32 pounds of everything. And Beckles was in town all weekend. You know you're best friends when one person hops out of a cab and you realize that you have on THE EXACT SAME THING! Seriously, even bazillions of miles away, we still end up wearing the same thing. As roommates we'd walk out of our rooms, look at each other, and one of us would say, "I'll go change." That sealed the deal that we are indeed kindred spirits (ah, Anne of Green Gables).

I'll post pictures tonight of my party on Friday.

Happy Birthday...

...TO ME!!! Yes, it's a birthday dedication to myself! I am 32 and...I know, I totally look young for my age, thank you dawling!...have so much to be thankful for! I am blessed with wonderful friends, family and adventures.

Today is a marathon day of delicious foods being put in my mouth and sent through my ever-decreasing metabolic system. Bring it on! I'll probably iChat with the family too. It's sunny and warm-er out. All in all, a GREAT day!

However I do want to point out that my ears are starting to clog. Before you ask, yes I do clean them out regularly. Am I going to be 32 years old walking around with cotton balls in my ears keeping the wind out? I'm so afraid.

P.S. It's also my movie star crush's birthday. Not that I have it memorized or anything.

Weighing In

I just finished losing all of my "holiday/winter weight" and now the birthday week hits. I've already eaten my weight in sushi, cake and guacamole. And no I didn't have all three at one meal. But I might tonight!

Other good news: I've been so incredibly exhausted from extra-curricular activities lately that I've forgotten the meaning of "alone time" or "down time." I know all you mothers are whispering to yourselves that I don't even begin to understand the lack of "alone" or "down time." And you're right. But you see, I'm doing this to myself! However, I received a call today that my class was cancelled tonight AND rehearsal is cancelled for tomorrow night! Woohooo! Dare I go running? Ew, I just made myself sick with that thought.

South Side St. Patty's Day Parade

Today we braved the cold and snow to walk in the South Side St. Patrick's Day Parade. My organization was the Grand Marshal. It was such a fun day and provided many photo opportunities. Unfortunately I'm suffering from extreme bed-head due to sleeping with wet hair and having less than five hours of sleep thanks to daylight savings time. What one will sacrifice for the good of the children....

Happy Birthday Liam!

Happy Birthday to the silliest, giggliest and most entertaining of nephews! Liam turned one yesterday and had his first bite of birthday cake. It looks like he enjoyed it. Here's a few pictures from the past year.

Today was his birthday party but Connor celebrated his second amongst family and friends. I was fortunate enough to iChat with the family during his party so I got to say hello to friends and neighbors I don't get to see enough of these days. Patrick pushed the computer along the floor so Liam could chase it. He kept saying "hi" over and over again. Heart melting! Then Erin told me that Connor said my name a couple of days ago! The first time I hear him say my name my head will explode with excitement! And of course little Archer could not be any cuter. I was the virtual attendee at the party and I was so thankful to get to be a part of it.

Happy Birthday Connor!

My nephew, Connor McCroskey, turns two today! He's no longer a baby but a rambunctious, chatty two-year-old little boy. He went from being a baby that wouldn't smile under any circumstances to a little boy who loves to laugh; especially when he gets in trouble. I have a feeling he's just like his dad.

Happy Birthday Connor! I love you and can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks! Just remember, I will always be your favorite aunt!

Texas Snow

Check out the snow in Texas!

On a Personal Note

I just went to the bathroom and realized I had my underwear on backwards...and I'm wearing a thong. This explains so much.

Beau-RED

Just a few things:

1. I was up until 1:00 a.m. last night. Why? I had to watch the Project Runway Finale of course! Yay Christian Siriano! He's pretty fantastic (I refuse to use "fierce" here). But I absolutely LOVED Jillian's collection. I would wear her clothes in a heartbeat! Jillian, let's be friends.

2. It's snowing in Texas. Yeah, you heard me right. Too bad my aunt left sunny Chicago to visit my parents in snowy Dallas.

3. LOST tonight! Enough said.

4. What do I want for my birthday? All I could come up with was new pajamas which basically means a tank top. Oh and some shoes. And I must not forget that my parents already got me a freakin' awesome trench coat.

5. I could use a nap right about now.

6. Why am I retaining water in my hands? Our office is so stinkin' dry.

That's it. I've got nothing for you today. So keep your chin up and maybe I'll have some entertainment for you tomorrow. Jason told me Sunday that my blog entries aren't really all that interesting lately. Thanks Jason. You're special. And you had a good show last night.

Life of a Second-Child

This is for all you second-born people out there. We get each other.

Dad sent me this article in the mail today. Back when Archer was born in October my sister had mentioned that she and Chris felt like they were cheating on Connor. I began to realize how hard the second-born kids have it in this world. It made me wonder how my parents felt about me when I was born. I mean, did they question if they would love me as much as they loved Patrick? Probably. But of course they said, "No. Never. Not you Kathryn." Yeah, right. Dad was a second born, so he gets it.

Does me being a second-child have anything to do with my desire to be an actress? Wait, that might have more to do with me being the middle child. Do I need to stand out in everything and to get everyone's attention? Apparently so.

On Set

Yesterday I took off work so I could film a scene for a Columbia College Student film. It was a scene from Sam Shepherd's Cowboy Mouth play. Yes, the same Sam Shepherd that played Chuck Yeager in The Right Stuff. Did you know he was also a playwrite that usually produces dark and intense work?

Let's just say that I would MUCH rather spend the day on a set than one in front of a computer. Can I get an AMEN? It was all very professional. There was a sound guy, a Director of Photography, set people, a director and of course, us tiny little actors. And let me not forget to mention that there was catering. It was basically like a Thanksgiving meal minus the football game and nap time.

We arrived around 10:00 am. I began helping set up the newspaper clippings on the wall. The set is a motel room where we have been living for three months.

We began shooting from the beginning of the scene. We did it several times from different camera angles. We had to alternate shooting, rehearsing and being quiet so that the film crew next door could shoot their film. I began with strumming the guitar, to moving to the bed, to standing against the wall, to sitting on the floor and then finally sitting in Michael's lap (my scene partner). It was all very intense. They put out a dolly on rails where they were able to move the camera back and forth. I had to wear heavy eye makeup so I would look like someone pretending to be someone she's not. That was a fun train ride home. I'm sure people were thinking "oh, she'd be such a pretty girl if she didn't wear all that eye makeup." That's totally soemthing my mom would say. Yes mom, I've heard you say it.

All in all I can't wait to see the finished product. I hear it's in HD and in black and white. We should see it in a month or so. I can't wait to do more!

Love Letter

My little brother, Andrew, writes so beautifully. In class they were asked to write a love letter. His teacher read Andrew's aloud and said he'd probably steal the last paragraph to use for his wife's Valentine's Day card. Seriously, what girl out there wouldn't love to get a letter like this?

You have seen me at my best and you have seen me at my worst.
Sometimes even both in one single day. The truth is that you bring
the best out of me. You give me a reason to try and be my best and
even when I falter you are there to catch me with your warming embrace.

I will always remember the awkward moments and the times that you
laugh with no end. I will always remember how you always have to make
sure that the volume of the radio in my car is set to an even number.
I will always remember those times when you cannot stop laughing and
ask you what is so funny. You always give me the same reply,
"Nothing.", and you continue laughing. I love that. I will always
remember killing songs for you when I sing them with you in the car.
I like to think you enjoy my singing even when you say you don't. I
will always remember how on those quiet drives you always have to
point out that it is not an awkward silence but you are simply tired
and don't feel like talking. I will always remember how on weekends
when i ask you what you are doing, you always say the same thing,
"Whatever you are doing.". Those moments make me feel real, like I am
more than just another person trying to make their way through this
world. I know that I am yours and I will cherish those memories for
the rest of my life.

Writers can write poems, musicians can write songs, and directors can
film dramatic moments. I have read the poems, I have heard the songs,
and I have seen the desperate attempts at capturing true emotion on
film, but none of them have rendered the feeling that I get when I am
holding you in my arms. I know that everything, at that moment, is
just right and no matter how hectic my day, it is the best day of my
life as long as you are a part of it.

Yeah, as my mom said, go get your kleenex. I mean, he's 17 people!