Campaign Trail

I'm really not looking forward to the Presidential election. It's the peacemaker in me. If the Democratic nominee campaign is a foreshadow of what's to come, I'm in serious trouble. It's like junior high but with more money and expensive suits.

Last night I was with some people who said, "'F' the Republicans!" I'm sure the Republicans are at home saying, "Pray for the souls of Democrats!" I already stated my case earlier this year. I just don't know if I can take it. I'm sure both parties are already storing up juicy stories to try and bring down the other party. Is this what we have to do to elect the leader of our country? By November we won't want to elect either candidate.

Pump Up the Volume

Spoken by me last night:

"Can you turn up the TV. I can't hear it over my chewing."

I am so unbelievably sexy.

Head in the Stars

My nephew has a unique acne problem.

Spare Me the Details

Hello friends. I know, it has been a few days since I last posted. I'm tempted to go into the tiny little details of what my parents and I did this weekend during their visit to Chicago. I could say things like: saw my dynamic show! Improvised Shakespeare Company! Architecture Boat Tour! Eating pizza and ice cream! Napping! But I won't. Because you may be so filled with jealousy and rage that you'll be tempted to despise me.

Speaking of details...I read last week that an actual addiction to details exists. It's in the psychology books! Reading more about it I began to wonder if I suffer from addiction to details. When people ask, "What did you do this weekend?" I tend to give them a step by step replay of events. How boring for the other person! Do you really need to know that I ordered pizza from Pequods - which is really delicious by the way - or that I slept on the pull-out couch? Let me not forget that mom and I got manicures and pedicures. We both selected a reddish color for the toes and I ended up getting the color that she selected (Cherry Bomb) and she got the color I selected (Garnet). hahahaha! Oh that's hilarious! (dry the tears) There's plenty more great stories where that came from, but I'll spare you. What did I tell you? Detail addiction? Check! What I left out and am obsessing over is the detail that it was Essie brand nail polish. Necessary information? Maybe.

One more tiny detail from this weekend: We went and saw Baby Mama starring Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. I had to support my girls on their opening day! I mean, when do you ever see a buddy comedy starring two women? NEVER! It was a cute movie. Not great, but cute. I found myself being more jealous of their collaboration than anything. I want to do a buddy comedy with my BFF! I much prefer working with a team than working alone. That's why I'm much better at volleyball than golf.

Two Things

1) Mom and dad fly in tomorrow and they're bringing the warmer weather with them. A high of 81 on Friday? I may have to bust out the air conditioning. It's beautiful really.

2) I have a show with The Senate tomorrow night! 8:00 p.m. at The Playground (Belmont and Halsted).

Take Care of Those Tender Warriors

Ladies, let me open up your eyes to one of my most important discoveries of 2008: Intimacy, the bra-fit specialists. Let me tell you, my world has been rocked.

No doubt - well, maybe a little doubt - you've read about my past bra-fitting sessions at one popular lingerie store with freakishly skinny, big-boobed models that shall remain unnamed. I was measured and my bras fit fine. I'd wear them until the underwire started squeaking whenever I moved my arms. They stretched, lost shape and no longer did their duty to serve and protect.

Kelly had mentioned her favorite bra store a few months ago. I decided that after turning 32, I am indeed an adult - an adult WOMAN who wants to make sure her assets are well taken care of in their adult life. It was time to be evaluated by the real deal bra specialist. Sunday I marched in there with Kelly and made an appointment for an hour later. Naturally I chose to go eat a huge delicious brunch before my fitting. I mean I had time to kill. Oh the sorrow of regret! I was feeling much more attractive and worthy of being viewed in all my glory before the big meal. Learn from me ladies.

An hour later, I returned to the store and was ushered into a tiny fitting room. Let me warn the weak of heart and the modest little ones out there: you don't go in alone. My specialist was all business. "Take off your shirt and turn your back towards me." She grabbed the back of my bra and began yanking it around to find the right fit. She pulled so hard that the front of my bra almost flew past my boobs and up to my neck. When I went to reach for it she said, "Girl, no you don't. Hands down. I'm going to have to see it all honey." I'm as modest as a college frat boy so it didn't really bother me.

She checked out the "girls" and brought in about twenty bras for me to try. I found three fabulous bras that I can wear with anything. There were also two of the most adorable bras that I really really wanted. We're talking lace with precious bows and flowers. Things that make a girl feel sexy. But really, who wears stuff like that!? My wardrobe isn't adorable bra-friendly. But then I thought...well maybe...I'll just try my cotton shirt over it. Ummmm....I looked like I had diseased breasts. In this case, what was cute underneath the shirt did not translate well from the outside.

Another discovery, though not so pleasant: Bras are expensive y'all! I had to justify my purchase by telling myself that I wear a bra every day and it is worth spending good money on a good fit. It's like a good pair of jeans. Oh dear, I'm becoming so entitled....

So next time you see me, be sure to compliment my breasts. I'll be offended if you don't.

Lobby Hero

Saturday night I had another opportunity to do a student film for Columbia College. I was cast as Dawn from Kenneth Lonergan's Lobby Hero. She's a rookie police officer who is "befriended" by a security officer in a condo building. But we didn't have a police uniform available (Thankfully! Those pants would have looked horrible on me.) so I was quickly elevated to "detective." Typical detective uniform: Boring black shoes - check! Jeans - check! Bas-ass black leather jacket - check, double check! A killer glare - check! Badge that said "Special Police" and handcuffs from a children's police officer kit - check! Teenage acne - sadly, check.


We filmed in an awesome office that was way cooler than my real office. We had the whole lights, camera, action...and lapel mics that were not-so-discreetly placed. Hilarious moment: John forgot to turn off his lapel mic before going to the bathroom. Seven and a half hours after arriving we were done. I was hungry and delirious at one point and kept screwing up one line. After I finally got it, we all gave a "Thank God!" and moved to the next scene.


I'll post pictures when I have time to upload them. My scene partner, John, drew a caricature of me with my tag line for the day, "I'm a cop!" I'll post it too.

Size Two? Really?

I'm too depressed to blog right now. I have seen nothing but Mariah Carey splashed all over the place. Perhaps that has something to do with her CD coming out this week. I admit that I was home Tuesday night bored out of my mind and watched American Idol. Class got cancelled - a rare treat. Mariah Carey mentored these young reality stars as they sang her songs. I think she probably came off a little nicer than she is in real life. Anyone notice that she ended each description of a contestant with a closed mouth smile? Maybe she was just uncomfortable and really wanted to say, "THEY ALL SUCK! THEY'LL NEVER BE ME!" I don't know, I just didn't see the Diva in her until she sang with a sparkly/bedazzled microphone and stand during the "reveal" show.

I digress... Why am I depressed? Oh yes! It has to do with something I read. I heard that she dropped three sizes and 20 pounds in eight months. She went from a size eight to a size two. I must admit that she looks gorgeous, but seriously, a size two? Come on! That means all those little Sarah Jessica Parkers are size negative sixes. It just got me thinking that oh my goodness! I can't eat like a freakin' teenager anymore. I couldn't even eat like one WHEN I was a teenager. I need to call Mariah Carey's nutritionist ASAP! I need my mouth wired shut. I need to not be passionately in love with food anymore. See, this is what we call a desperately guilty panic moment. I must have just eaten a cookie. I think I've had a cookie every day this week. Why? I don't know. I have no will power.

I'm using my blog as a type of confession today. Maybe if I blurt out the fact that I have a problem, I'll actually do something about it.

So anyway, I don't think she's an actual size two. My sister and I made lots of snarky comments about it. But I won't deny that she looks fantastic.

Sigh.

Fashion 411

What a discovery! This will definitely feed the fashionista side of me.

General Petreus Recognizes Heroes 4 Heroes

Congratulations to my brother-in-law, Chris, and all the great things Heroes 4 Heroes is doing to support the troops.

Here's their mission: We work directly with members of the United States Military, corporations, and the general public to provide portable media to active troops in order to boost morale and keep our men and women in uniform culturally tuned-in. We gather, organize, and send entertainment material such as comic books, DVDs, CDs, books, magazines, MP3 players, and game systems to our Heroes.

Click here to read the letter!

Tina Fey Fey

Last night while waiting for my prescription to be filled at Walgreens, I perused the magazine aisle. "Prescription?" you ask. Don't worry, I'm not sick. It's just the teenage acne I will deal with THE REST OF MY LIFE! Saw "hot doctor" yesterday. It's always lovely when "hot doctor" has to peer really closely at your acne-skin. He agreed to a refill and warned me incessantly that I CANNOT get pregnant on this pill or it's bad news bears. I promised that even though I'm not on birth control, I won't get pregnant. "Well, what are you using as a contraceptive?" "Um...how about not having sex?" And there I sealed the deal that he thinks I'm a lesbian. I'm so tempted to call him and say, "Um, hi Doctor. I just wanted to clarify something with you real quick...."

But that's neither here nor there. What was I saying? Oh yes, I saw Tina Fey on the cover of Marie Claire and thought to myself, "I like Tina Fey. She's so freakin' talented, witty, and smart. I think I'd like to read this article. Oh wait! AND it's an interview by Amy Poehler. This should be good." You know what? I was SO right! I laughed out loud in Walgreens. The way they communicate and play off of each other reminds me of me and Beckles. So please read the article found here. Hilaire. You may have to actually pick up a copy of the magazine to read the whole thing, but it's worth it. TRUST ME!

Wedding Pics

Here's the link for more pictures from the wedding weekend.

Pictures from the wedding:


Here's a pic of a few of the cousin's at a wedding shower on Saturday morning:


Notice my chest is pretty much normal in this picture:


Now below you'll see the tragic response my skin had to the sun. I swear Chicago warmed up 10 degrees once I got off the plane from the radiating heat from my chest.


Me and the happy couple - Jeff & Alyse


I love this picture! Liam's cracking everyone up, as always.


They are watching uncle Bob sing. You can't tell that I'm totally tearing up. It was wonderfully sweet.


And then we party a little. Here I am tearing up the dance floor with dad.


Now what are the chances that I'd take two different pics with two different nephews and both would be crying and reaching for their moms. Well, it happened.

Sunny Delight

Jeff and Alyse's wedding in Austin was more fun than I could have ever imagined. (more pictures to be posted later) It was a perfect night for an outdoor wedding and an outdoor reception. I made it my goal to spend as much time outdoors as possible. If I was in a car, the sunroof was open. If I was eating at Chick-fil-a, I was eating outdoors. If I took a shower, I took it indoors, but made sure I looked out the window at the blue sky. I was obsessed.

After an early morning family shower for Alyse, Jessie and I headed to the pool at my parent's hotel. We still had on our dresses but hoped to catch a few passing rays while we had the time. Twenty minutes later I felt like I had absorbed a little sun and decided to go inside so I wouldn't get burned. There was no color yet, so I thought I was playing it safe. Five minutes later I looked in the elevator mirror to see if there was any color. Nothing. Ten minutes later I look in the bathroom mirror. FIRE ENGINE RED! Seriously, my chest was blazing. I should have known better and worn sunscreen on my pastey winter skin.

I looked dashing in my black and white dress accessorized with a red chest. Seriously, it was just the chest. Not the arms, neck or face. I tried to cover it up with my long locks, but the redness kept peeking through.

Riddle me this: why do strangers find it perfectly okay to point out to you that you're scorching red? I go to the bar to get a glass of wine. "Hi there, I'd like a glass of pinot noir please." "(GASP) YOU'RE SOOOOO BURNED!" "Yes, I am, thank you for letting me know. I never would have noticed or FELT MY SKIN STINGING LIKE CRAZY!" Really, I couldn't go five feet without a comment. Two days later and the skin is still blazing. So here I go again...

Lesson learned: Wear sunscreen at all times...and turtlenecks.

Seven Day Forecast

The good news: Wednesday is supposed to be 73 degrees AND sunny here in Chicago!

The unbelievable news: It hasn't been over 70 degrees since October 21, 2007. That's six months. I felt like we really suffered this winter and deserve an unbelievable summer. I have a feeling Chicago is going to be a little wild as people bust out of hibernation.

Until Next Week

Here are a few updates from my life:

1. Fabulous fun wedding in Austin this weekend. I'm leaving tonight, but more on that later.

2. I had TWO fantastic On Camera classes these past two weeks. I performed two dramatic scenes: one from A League of Their Own (thank God she cast me in Gina Davis' role and not Rosie O'Donnell's. Had it been the opposite I would have wired my mouth shut) and another from some random movie about Richard Speck called Moment of Rage. I got kudos for both! It felt unbelievably amazing to feel like you nailed both scenes. I wish I could post the scenes online, but I most likely will never see them again. boo.

3. Last night's show with The Senate had a scene that we labeled "Supermarket Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle." It was so utterly random (like the rest of the show) and I loved it. I was in love with a man who thought he was a Ninja Turtle. It was beautiful really.

I should be thrilled that I'm not flying American tonight. I should also be thrilled that I'm not flying out of O'Hare. It is a rainy mess in Chicago and my hope that I'll fly out on time...or even tonight...is dwindling. Why so negative, Katy? I don't know, maybe it's because the periodical hit today.

The GOOD news is that I'm flying to Austin for my cousin, Alyse's wedding. I love family weddings because my family is so fun to be around. Our love for each other is equivolent to the thought of standing on a beach and holding hands around a campfire singing Kumbiah.

I'll also be spending time with Katherine and Jennie from college and Kellsey from high school. I CAN'T wait!

Showtime!

The Senate performs tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. at The Playground (Halsted and Belmont). $10 and BYOB. Come see us LIVE! Wooohooooo!

Young at Heart

Sign me up! I cannot wait to see this movie! Jessie and I saw this preview before we saw a really depressing movie. I had tears in my eyes watching it. I think it defines "warm fuzzy."

Beckles emailed me that she saw a segment that the Today Show did on Young at Heart.


I've got nothing but warm fuzzies going....

Algebrating Saturday Night

Saturday night + sunburn + Lindsay's birthday + Strongbow cider + improv show + 60 degree weather + crummy audition + trip to anthropologie + omlette n' mash =














OVER THE TOP people. I so almost had him.

Boo-Tay

Friday I realized for the first time since the fall that I have been missing one thing from my life. Wearing a short leather jacket, walking to a meeting near work, two guys stopped to look at me and said, "DAYUM!" Ah yes. Big fat puffy coat has kept my hind quarters under wraps for so long. It made a debut Friday and didn't even know it.

Should I Be Concerned for Myself?

My dreams this week have consisted of:

1. I made friends with a Lion and we ran through an open field together.

2. I got my hair cut short-er. It was a little past my chin. But the guy that cut it was a barber who used large metal scissors that were rusty. It kind of hurt. Maybe I subconsciously want to watch Sweeney Todd.

3. I danced a few saucy latin dances with a really cute guy. This was a great way to wake up this morning.

4. I dreamed that I was at camp in a cabin that had six bunk beds. It was also well-known that there was a ghost of a girl who lived in the third shower stall. She was a really friendly ghost and gave us all high-fives. I also asked her to refrain from scaring me and that it would be kind of her if she kept in her shower stall first thing in the morning. But then she became really needy and said, "I'm scared, can I sleep in your bunk with you." Uh, no. You're crossing the line girl ghost.

That's all I can remember this week. I think I need to cut down on the pre-bedtime chocolate.

Best April Fool's Joke Ever?

This better be an April Fool's joke. And if it is, it's pure brilliance. This photo has been burned upon my eyes for all of eternity. I don't want to be alone in it. That's why I'm sharing it with you. The "Mansy" goes on sale April 1st. Hence my belief that it's a joke.

This is one brave soul. Bravo man, bravo.

Happy Birthday Pattie-Poo!

Today is my big brother, Patrick's birthday! Patrick is one of the most sincere, generous, loving and hilarious people I know. He's just an all around loveable guy. Plus he can out bench any one of you.

Happy Birthday Patrick!