Summertime in the City

I really am having such an amazing summer. I stopped taking classes, vowed to not partake in a play, and have sort of reacquainted myself...with myself.

Sunrise bike rides with Alyson, movies in the park with Jess & Jay, Ravinia with Cristin, laying out by the lake with Harry Potter, talking on a porch swing with a glass of Chardonnay in hand with Melissa, walk in the park with Kelly, So You Think You Can Dance with Janell and Carmen, mountain climbing in L.A. with Kathie, swimming with my nephews, cocktails at lunch with Beckles, High Tea with Mum, walks with Dad, dancing at Jessie's wedding with Erin, Bobtail ice cream, small group on Monday nights on Alyson's roof top, full moon reflection on the lake, pilates in Millennium Park with Jessie, etc., etc. I really could go on and on. I am so blessed for these gifts this summer. I'm looking ahead to the Family Reunion in Missouri this next week. I can't wait!

I haven't felt this way about summer since I graduated from high school. Feels good.

Working the Corner

Last night I went for a walk around the block to get some fresh air. It was gorgeous and the Pride Parade had finally disbanded and the neighborhood was de-trashed. Walking towards me a man said, "You know I want you, don't you?" Me: "Um, I do now!" Janell, let's just keep walking at a swift pace!

Must Protect This House!

One thing I don't get:

Micro-mini skirts and public transportation.

Seriously, I get the heebie-jeebs when I see girls board the bus in freakin' short skirts. Do they know who or what has previously sat in that seat? Protection from the elements ladies. Protection.

Shedding

When you've been bundled up all winter long in down coats, thick wool sweaters, angora hats and gloves, there's something odd about suddenly wearing a tank top in public - specifically one with spaghetti straps. I have to repeatedly tell myself that I am not a whore and that it's perfectly fine to wear a tank top in public; especially when it's 85 degrees outside (For the first time since October, bee-tee-dubs. It's been a LONG six months!). Am I the only one who feels this way?

Chicago is hopping right now. I spent my lunch hour getting my nails done (lovely Jelly Apple red by Essie) and running to pick up some frames for work. Hello tourists, you are back. But thank you for bringing the warm sunny weather with you! I am so happy it's warm that I don't mind the humidity making my hair frizzy.

EWWWWWW

So I'm walking out of Walgreens Thursday night with Jessie when a woman comes walking towards us. I make eye contact with her. She suddenly stops, looks at me and says, "ew" and then keeps on walking. WHAT?! Jessie and I were laughing so hard. I had to laugh or I would cry. It did help me that Jessie also noticed that the woman was talking to herself before she looked at me and then she continued talking to herself as she walked on by. I'm thinking someone was off her meds. God let that be it!

My mom did ask me, "What were you wearing?" What was I wearing? Do you think she was responding to my outfit? Then she asked, "Well did you at least have on lipstick?" Um, no. I had on black velour sweatpants and my big puffy kelly green jacket. I had also been crying a mere two hours earlier (kick a girl while she's down) and I absolutely did not have on any lipstick. Mom's probably thinking that the lady was correct and that I absolutely deserved her remarks. (for those who know my mom, you know that she would never think these things)

What is up with people making random remarks to me? I went running a couple of weeks ago along the lake and stopped in front of my apartment building to do a few stretches. A man stops me and says, "Can I give you a comment?" I should have looked at him right then and there and said, "NO!" But of course I didn't. Next thing I know, he places his hands on my spandex shrouded buttocks. YES HE DID! "Whoa! Don't do that. What are you doing?!" "I'm trying to tell you something. People up and down lakeshore will make you pay $100 for what I'm trying to tell you. (he proceeds to touch my shoulder, then elbow, then wrist, over and over again) I have to touch you to show you. So..." Then he again places his hands too near my back side. I pull away and said, "Um, DON'T DO THAT! Move along." GEESH! Crazy middle-aged white man who appeared normal at first look. If anyone asks if they can give you a "comment" don't confuse it for "compliment."

Sunday Morning

I think this is officially the longest I've gone without posting in years. And I haven't even been on vacation! I've been working and rehearsing. That basically sums up my life the past couple of weeks. Oh, and I've been running. The Indy Mini-Marathon is in five weeks. I was supposed to run an 8K today called The Shamrock Shuffle. It's a big Chicago tradition. It was thundering and snowing when I woke up this morning. So I just turned over and went back to sleep. It's too dangerous to run in the slush and snow when I have a race coming up. I'm not broken-hearted about it. I got the free t-shirt.

Last night I had a Playground show. Since everyone was supposed to be taking part in "Earth Hour" we decided to celebrate it with our show. In case you haven't been connected with the real world, it's when everyone is supposed to turn off their lights for an hour last night from 8:30 - 9:30. I, of course, accidentally left on a lamp in my apartment. I don't like coming home alone to a dark apartment. So, there went that idea.

What was I talking about? Oh yes, our show. We decided to have all the lights turned off to perform the show. This is normally called a "Bat" - when you can't see anything on stage and you have to listen. It's a fun form. We decided to all bring flashlights and create our own lighting. It was pretty cool. Some of our scenes suffered because of it, but some really came together. I don't know if the audience liked it, but we thought it was pretty interesting and created interesting atmospheres and situations. I'd totally do it again. This time we will at least have an idea of what we're doing instead of discussing it as we warm up in the theatre bathroom five minutes before our show. That's improv. And I love it.

Hope your day is much sunnier and warmer than ours here in Chicago. I did watch a movie with the rooommates. Happy-Go-Lucky. It was a cute/interesting movie. I was just happy to be relaxing and not running off somewhere.

Renewals

Have I really lived in Chicago long enough to need to renew my driver's license? Seriously, where has the time gone?! Yesterday I was at the bank getting quarters for laundry. I tried to pay with my debit card and he asked for my ID. I showed him and he said, "I'm sorry miss, your license is expired." Wha, Wha, Wha, WHAT? I completely forgot that I needed to renew my license this 33rd birthday. I remember when I first got the license and thought that 2009 was so far away. Now it's here and gone. I wonder if I'll still be here in Chicago in 2014. FREAKY! I just scared myself.

Now onto deeper issues. What should I wear for my picture tomorrow? This photo must stand the test of time. If only I had bought that Medieval Times dress. (shakes fist) I'm just excited that in the "weight" category I may be able to drop it a few pounds. Yeehaw!

Published

My old trainer, Shelby, wrote this article. I feel like a proud parent. (wipes away tear)

Note to Self #463

Do not wear mint-flavored lip gloss when it is negative 9 degrees outside. They will burn.

Chicago Commute

Last night was a wintery wonderland. I heard from a few friends who had four and a half hour commutes home from work last night. Mine only took me an hour and fifteen minutes. That's about 25 minutes per mile. The commute may have been ugly but the view was spectacular.

Sunday night I hardly slept. The wind was howling and woke me up nearly every hour. I was ready to get up by the time my alarm went off and I had to head to my workout. It was seven degrees and I can't even begin to explain the wind chill factor when I turned the corner to walk to my car. I was at full tilt and barely moving against the wind. My door was frozen shut and after pulling with all my might I finally creaked it open. It almost slammed shut on me as I hopped in the car. I turned the car on to heat it up, grabbed my ice scrapper and prepared for the impossible. A sheet of ice had glued itself to my windshield. After five seconds of scraping, I realized it was useless. My face was burning from the wind and I quickly grabbed my things out of my car. The wind blew from behind and scooted me out to the sidewalk from the long alley. For the first time in my five years here I caught a cab to the gym. It really was scary windy outside. It was like those windy days when you wait by the bus stop and fear that the bus stop sign is going to be blown off the pole and decapitate you. Luckily I'm still alive.

To Be a Mermaid on Someone's Arm

I'm changing this blog to telling stories solely about my hotness. It's edifying.

Thursday night I went to a diner near my apartment for dinner with Amanda. She had to leave just as the bill came (of course!) to go to a haunted house. No thanks! So I walked up to the register to pay for dinner. The man working the counter is also in charge of the place. He's incredibly extraverted and LOVES his job. He took my debit card and said, "Huh, Mary. I could hook up with you and it wouldn't matter. I could call out your name and my wife wouldn't think twice because her name is Mary." Oh my word. Inappropriate! Then he continues by pulling up his shirt sleeve to reveal his forearm. He said, "See, this is my wife." It was a tattoo of a mermaid. A mermaid and her exposed boobs. "Wow, well your wife is way more beautiful than I am." "Oh no. I took notice of you when you walked in. You've got incredible features. You're like a fourties or fifties bombshell moviestar. Don't worry. I'm flirting with you but I'm not hitting on you. Just flirting." I just left it with a "thank you and I already left the tip on the table."

You Have to Email Him!

Kelly and I had lunch together on Thursday. As we walked to the corner so she could catch a cab, we noticed a man look at us and then he smiled and said, "Hello." We did the courteous exchange and then continued on our way. Then out of the corner of my eye I see him cross the street, turn around and smile at us again. Huh. "Kelly, someone is totally checking us out. I'm not sure which one of us. It could be either or both. Probably both, I mean OBVIOUSLY!"

So we hug goodbye and I wait for the light to change so I can cross the street and walk back to my office. But wait, the man appeared again on the opposite corner. So I walked by, turned and he said, "How you doin'." I smiled as I kept walking and murmured a quiet, "Fine, thanks!" Then I hear, "Wait, excuse me. Excuse me. I just...I want to give you my card. Will you take my card? You are just so beautiful. I had to come back around just to see you (slightly creepy, but flattering. They often go hand in hand.) Beautiful." "Oh, thanks. You're really kind." Notice, this is when I start getting flustered and turn into a 12 year old girl with braces. "What is your name? I'm _____. I would love to give you my card." Blah blah blah. I really don't remember what happened next other than saying "thank you" and making my way back to work.

All the girls at the office are mad at me because I won't email the guy. He's a sports writer for a Chicago newspaper. I know, he sounds ideal and they keep saying things like, "But what a fun story! You could tell people at your wedding rehearsal dinner how you met!" GEESH! Slow down! My word. I don't feel too comfortable emailing the guy. I know it could make for a very interesting story. I'm reminded once again of something wise and truthful my dear brother, Patrick, once spoke - "Single people are entertainment for married people." You ain't kiddin'!

I do want to give props to the man because he's much more courageous than most.

Radio

I, Katy Orender, was interviewed this past Sunday by WGN Radio host, Dean Richards. They wanted to interview someone who coordinated the Walk. They had a remote trailer at our Walk site. It was fun and exciting! Of course I was nervous. I often get the "jeopardy" syndrome which basically means that I know the answer to everything until someone asks me and I have to answer under pressure.

When asked about our mission I said, "Well, our mission is simple. It's um, um...(so simple I'm forgetting) um..." Thankfully I was quick to come up with, "um, to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research." I think I also used the words "cure" and "research" a bazillion times. But quickly I warmed up and bantered about the Cubs, spandex and donating on our website. Whew!

Enjoy some pics!

Alley Thief

A couple of weeks ago I walk out to my car to drive to rehearsal. I'm parked in an alley, along with hundreds of other cars, in tight little parking places on a slant (makes for fun times in winter). I start my car and immediately it sounded like a hot rod. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY CAR?! Not only that, but my key has been getting stuck in the ignition and I can't turn off my car. As I've mentioned before, when all hell breaks loose with anything vehicular, I never feel more alone or single.

I made a few phone calls and decided it must be my muffler. I drive to the car fix-it place with my sunglasses on and my hand waving a "Hi, yes I know my car is rather deafening at the moment. Sorry about that." The mechanic says to me, before he's even looked at my car, "I think your converter was stolen." WHAT? First of all, what's a converter? And second of all, why would someone steal it? A few hundred dollars later, I found out why. Because it's worth a few hundred dollars! Someone said they just saw this on Dateline. Thanks Dateline for teaching people how to steal converters. Well, my car is O-L-D. So take that thieves! You got a rotten, old, nasty, rusty converter. Sell that! You probably did me a favor. I have a nice, new, pretty converter.

I also discovered that I needed a whole new cylinder for my ignition. We've been through a lot of years together, my car and I. I'll be sad the day I have to let it go.

I Need a Shower

In testimony of my laziness and detestment of hot and humid weather, I drove to work today. I couldn't stomach the idea of a full suit, long hair, cute 3 inch red patent leather wedges (no I'm not a hooker) and sticky weather. I just couldn't do it. So I coughed up the $17 bucks it takes to park right next to my office building. I mean, I could have fed a handful of people with that from my sticky, sweaty, water-retaining hand.

4th of July

Good morning readers of Katy on the Loose! I hope you enjoyed celebrating our country's independence this past weekend. I did so by spending an entire day on a boat on Lake Michigan. It was the perfect way to celebrate July 4th...or so I thought.

I have been saying for a couple of years now how much I want to go on a boat on Lake Michigan. I see the sailboats from my bedroom window and it's a tease. So Alyson said her sister's friend had a boat and a few people would be going out on the 4th. Yes! My dream come true! We were excited, got there early and sat on the big and beautiful boat awaiting departure. Slowly but surely more and more people arrived and got on the boat. So many people got on the boat that we were pushed to the very front. I didn't mind, it was more comfortable and beautiful. Plus there wasn't much room in the back from all the coolers of adult libations.

With 30 people on the boat, and all but five of them strangers, we headed out on the big blue. Word spread that we were going to the "Play Pen" at Oak Street Beach. I kept repeating it to myself over and over again: "the Play Pen." Hey, this doesn't sound nice and relaxing. We pull into the area and there are already boats tied together with tens of people aboard dancing and hopping boats. Professional DJ's spun their music as fake-boobed women flaunted their medical procedures.

Our boat began to cruise the area, checking out other boats, seeing who it wanted to hook up next to. I felt like it was a Discovery Channel episode. I could almost hear the quiet male voice say, "And here, the male bird, flaunts his feathers attracting the attention of the female in hopes of mating." It was sickeningly hilarious. To their delight and our dismay, they found the perfect boat: DJ playing house music (sounded like techno to my untrained ear) and strippers - I mean ladies - dancing their hearts out. Someone wanted some action! As you can see, I was completely out of my element. I had no idea this world existed. Someone on the boat stated it perfectly, "it's like spring break for 35 year olds." It's not an attractive world. I tried hard not to be judgmental, but I couldn't help myself.

I left the day with a sunburn and some great memories. Oh, and check out the last picture. I'm totally getting a back tattoo for Christmas.

Tchotchkes

Check out this article in TimeOut Chicago. It features my first friend in Chicago, Jolene Turner. We sat next to each other at a Second City student orientation. She really is this creative, fun, and quirky.

Drewby's Visit

Andrew's visit this weekend was just perfect! We laughed like crazy and enjoyed the perfect weather. Now he's home and I'm exhausted! Highlights of the weekend included the Segway tour, my show and the Sox game. Here are some pictures of us. As you can see, we can hardly take a serious picture of ourselves.

White Sox

Yesterday was a perfect day for a baseball game! It was even more perfect because I took the day off so I could have a dentist's hands in my mouth for the first three hours of the morning. Numb-faced with a persistent ringing in my ears, thanks to the drill, I met up with James to go see the White Sox take on the Twins.

The air was cool, the sun was warm, and the hotdogs were plentiful. I'll cut to the chase: the Sox won. I also learned a new phrase from the 50 year-old southside lawyers sitting behind us: Quiche-eaters. That was their phrase for northside Cub fans. I guess it symbolizes their opinion that northsiders are prissy and high-maintenance - men and women alike. Hilarious if you're from Chicago.


I had some winning moments and some losing moments during the game:


Winning moment = sitting on the sunny side on a 60 degree day.


Losing moment = the last bite of my Brat falling out of the bun and onto the cement ground. I'm pretty sure the whole stadium heard me shriek.


Winning moment = knowing that "Danger Zone" is by Kenny Loggins.


Losing moment = forgetting to wear sunscreen, yet again. I look like Rudolph today.


Winning moment = drinking a beer at the ballpark. I'm not a huge fan of beer but I did it because baseball games call for it.


Losing moment = trying to drink a beer out of a bottle while the whole left side of your face is numb.

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.