What I Learned from Tyra

I actually learned something from watching America's Next Top Model. That Tyra, she's so wise. She told a model never to push her hips towards the camera if she wants to make them appear smaller. She was so right! Case in point:



Um, yeah. I know I've got birthing hips, but seriously. The reflective gear doesn't help much either. Note to self: Do as Tyra does - push those hips AWAY from the camera. Tyra, I can't thank you enough.

Thursday Night Television

I can't even begin to explain to you how much I enjoy watching 30 Rock. I know I'm not the only one who loves it and Tina Fey has received more pats on the back than anyone this year. But last night's episode brought together two of my favorite things: Liz Lemon and John Hamm. The episode was hilarious and I giggle now everytime I hear the word "Generalissimo." If you missed it, you can watch the show here.

The deal has been sealed. I hate Grey's Anatomy. It's so bad it pains me. Seriously, I rolled off the couch onto the floor writhing in pain. PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!

The Office seems to be embracing the goodness of the old days. Thank you. And Andy Bernard, you're Nard-tastic.

The Snuggie

If you watched television at all over Christmas, you probably saw the informercial ad for Snuggies. We laughed our heads off in my family when we saw this ad. My thought was, "Why don't you just wear a robe backwards?" I have a feeling many a Snuggie will be given as a gag gift. The recipient will probably laugh and then secretly use it on those cold winter nights. I would love to see a man brave enough to wear it at a football game.

I thought this article was great. Do you think the Snuggie is awesome or useless?

Save Pushing Daisies for My Sister

Please do this for my sister. A note from her:

Katy, would you mind putting this on your blog? I know you have a bunch of viewers. It can be a stocking stuffer to me :)Pushing Daises is my absolute favorite show in the entire world. It is quirky, funny, and none of the smut that is on tv today. If you actually had time to watch tv I promise that you would LOVE this show. They have canceled it, and its breaking my heart!

I do watch T.V., but I only watch the smut.

The LB's

Why does news of Oprah's weight gain make me feel better? Whenever she gets really in shape the voice in my head yells a loud "UGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

99 Balloons

Today Eliot's story will be told on Oprah. Please set your DVR's or if you're in Chicago, you can watch it at 11:00 tonight.

Two years ago today Eliot went to be with Jesus. You can watch his story below. It's a beautiful story of one strong little boy and two loving and courageous parents.

Rachel Zoe Project

I have been OBSESSED with this show. I won't even say it's a guilty pleasure. It's just a pleasure. I love fashion and I especially love the Hollywood glitz and glamour around Oscar Season. I may be an actress but I'm more likely to watch the red carpet show and turn it off before the awards begin. I would DIE to get to dress up like that one day. Sigh.

I'm sad the season is over. I now imitate Rachel Zoe with almost everything I say. I also want a big bad gold panther ring and over-sized sunglasses. I can hardly help myself.

New Playlist

Last night I pulled together a new playlist. It was about time. It has some new tunes and oldie but goodies. Here it is!

1. The Garden by Mirah - yes, this was on SYTYCD. Loved the song and loved the dance. I adore the show - Go Joshua! yay!
2. Rehab by Amy Winehouse - She's messed up. I get it. But love her music.
3. Chasing Pavement by ADELE - Thanks Patrick!
4. I Wanna Be Sedated by The Ramones - in honor of Beckles labor.
5. Trouble by Ray LaMontagne - going to see him October 1st at the Chicago Theater!
6. Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own by U2 - makes me cry.
7. Hush by Waterdeep - also makes me cry.
8. Mercy by Duffy - a SYTYCD favorite. It also happens to be a favorite of my dad's. He dances like a mad-man to it. Gotta love any song that does that!
9. Mama He's Crazy by The Judds - I'm always in the mood for The Judds.
10. Sexy Mistake by The Chalets - I could run to this song...if I wanted to run.
11. Closer to You by Brandi Carlile - soulful like Ray LaMontagne.
12. All I Want is You by Barry Louis...something or other - Juno soundtrack
13. You Know I'm Not So Good by Amy Winehouse - please see above.
14. In Lonesome Dove by Garth Brooks - makes me nostalgic for the good ol' days.
15. Romeo and Juliet by Indigo Girls - reminds me of me and Beckles singing at the top of our lungs in my car with the windows down.
16. Mona Lisa by Indigo Girls - ditto
17. I Don't Ever Give Up by Patty Griffin - good song if you're an actress.
18. Diamonds On the Souls of Her Shoes by Paul Simon - good, solid, awesome song.

A Few Things...

First of all, the past two of my shows/rehearsals for The Senate have turned into impromptu BBQ's and other such fun summer goodness. Finally, it feels like summer! There were lightening bugs and citronella candels. All that was missing was the insane heat and humidity. It brought back the feelings of being a senior in high school and finishing your last final before graduation. No responsibilities and nothing but adventures and friendships. I'm jealous my little brother still gets to experience this. I wonder if parents get a taste of this feeling once their kids finish finals. I'm sure they do. It's probably like having to go back to school for a second time. As my mom said, "I didn't even like school when I was in it."

Secondly, I cannot believe Will was sent home last night on So You Think You Can Dance. I'm in shock. I think he is too. Sigh. My idea final four: Joshua, Twitch, Chelsey and Kaytee. I think the winner will either be Joshua or Kaytee. And I want to go ahead and mention that I have a crush on Twitch. Me and all the 14-year-old American girls out there.

Thirdly, I just finished the final book of the Harry Potter series - for the second time. I was in the lunch room reading...and crying. I was wishing I was by myself in my room so I could really cry it out.

Finally, Beckles asked me to make a CD of good songs for when she's in the hospital having a baby soon. Some upbeat songs that give you energy and motivate you. No pressure or anything on my part. So if you have any ideas of songs, please send them my way. I'd appreciate the help!

Onward to Jackson Hole, WY

First of all, how insane was Nigel last night on SYTYCD? Secondly, Mary was looking...like she popped out of the Flintstone's cartoon and had her hair crimped. Thirdly, I just love this show.

Now that that's over, let's move on...

Saturday morning I leave for Jackson Hole, Wyoming where I'll meet up with my family for a week long trip in the mountains and on the river. I CANNOT wait and am trying really hard not to think about it. It doesn't help that Patrick just called and asked if I'd be interested in camping overnight in the Grand Tetons. Ummm, yello...sign me up! I haven't researched much about Jackson Hole. I want to be surprised by it. I know it will take my breath away. People who have been there gasp when I tell them where I'm going all next week. I take that as a good sign.

Packing is always an issue. Warmer clothes during the day and a few things for the cool air at night. I asked Alicia what to pack and she responded with, "Anything that says North Face." Oh, gotcha.

I'll basically be out of blog commission next week. You may be saying, "But Katy, you've kind of been out of commission all the time lately." I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I'm not measuring up to your incredibly high expectations! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!!! Whew! I feel better. Don't you?

I love you and I know you love me. Hugs and kisses.

Sex and the City!

Ladies, today marks the day we've all been waiting for! Sex and the City opens today and you can guarantee my roommates and I already have tickets to a 6:30 p.m. showing. Martinis and fancy shoes will follow soon after.

Remember that time we all met Steve at Victory Gardens Theatre? He's a sweet goofball.

To celebrate this momentous day, I took many "Which Sex in the City characeter are you?" quizzes. Most of them say the same thing: Carrie. I may look like Charlotte...


Take the Sex and the City Quiz at Quiz Rocket.com!
Free MySpace Quizzes & Online Quizes.

Mr. Fantastic

The reason I love this show so much!



I'm still blown away!

Reality TV

I'm an actress and shouldn't like or watch any reality TV shows. Wouldn't that make me a traitor? But I can't help it! So You Think You Can Dance premiere's tonight. I'm as excited as a high schooler who just finished finals and is heading into summer. Okay, maybe not that excited. Really, there isn't a better feeling. Except maybe holding your child for the first time or something like that...but it's close! I dare you to watch this show and not love it. Granted it's just like American idol the first few weeks where they audition people in different cities and show too many of the terrible ones. Aw, but the personal stories...get me everytime.

I'll admit that last night I was home watching the longest two hours of American Idol ever. I'd admit that it was the biggest waste of time except I was also reading the most current In Style. So time wasting averted! I'm beginning to think I should have live blogged the event. I had so many "observations" that Jessie probably wanted to punch me in the mouth so I couldn't talk. Here's a sampling:

1. Amanda - Isn't she the one that sings like Janice Joplin? I'm pretty sure she had absolutely no desire to be singing and "dancing" for the group routines. It's my opinion that they didn't let her sing unless it was her solo.

2. American Idol hates the girl contestants. Seriously, why would they make them do choreography like that?

3. Did Sarah from SYTYCD (so you think you can dance) cut her hair off? Eeek! I'm not sure that was her. Tragic if it is.

4. SHAMELESS product placement everywhere. Mike Myers. Oh dear. I'm cringing so bad my butt is twinging.

5. Little young David seems a little lost and doesn't quite know what to do about all of these shameless product placements.

6. Seal is HUGE!

7. My junior high crush on Robert Downey, Jr. is back. Do you remember that movie Chances Are? He's pure adorableness.

8. Finally, the end! And the winner is???? WHAT?! WHY DID THE DVR STOP RECORDING!?

And there you have it.

Updates

Here we go:

1. I am back at work and feeling much better. A 7:00 am doctor appointment this morning confirmed that allergies do nothing for me but cause a raucus. I'll refrain from going into the transitional color of my mucus. Gross you out a little? I know. I totally did that on purpose.

2. My audition went...ooookay. I felt strong with my monologue but was thrown for a loop when they asked to see one of my typical improv characters. Ummm...it's improv. I really don't have a character I use as a "fall back." I guess I need to come up with one just in case this happens again. It's all a learning experience. I don't think I need to go into a long explanation with them about how my improv is more relationship focused. And FYI...I just threw a "character" out there to have something for them. I'm thinking it didn't exactly do the job. But hey, I did it!

3. It's official! Little brother Drew is flying into Chicago for the long weekend! We're taking a Segway tour, going to my show, cheering on the White Sox, hitting the beach and then I'll send him home exhausted. I can't wait!

4. So You Think You Can Dance. That show is going to steal my heart for the next umpteen weeks.

5. Off to Nordstrom for their semi-annual sale. Key word: Shoes.

The Name Game

I just finished putting together a baby shower game for one of my co-workers upcoming office baby shower. It's a celebrity baby name game. My mind just rotted. There are some "interesting" names out there. I'm trying to be diplomatic here. If you were a celebrity and you were having a baby, what would you name yours? I want weirdness people! Give me something like, "Brisk Morning Walk." The winner will receive a prize. I'm not exactly sure what yet, but it will be good!

For those of you who watched the Oscars, do you remember when Jon Stewart came up with his stripper name? You mix your middle name with the street you grew up on? Mine would be Kathryn Cliff Trail. Doesn't work so much. But if I took my dogs name and mixed it with my first car, then we have a name! Piper Celica or Hunter Celica or Woofie Celica or Georgie Celica. Something in there works as a stripper name. Am I sensing a stage name for me? SWEEEEET!

Bravo Designer Quiz

This is for all you Project Runway Season 4 lovers. Which designer are you? I was Jack. He's "big hearted." I think it fits.

DWTS Season 6

Most of you are familiar with the short-lived Dancing with the Stars addiction I had a couple of years ago. I realized after months of professional psychiatric evaluation that my addiction was mostly founded upon my love for all things Texas, aka. Emmitt Smith. Love him! (spoken with a sing-songy voice)

Well now there's a new pack of "Stars" ready to dance their way back into the spotlight. You can read the new list here. I'll just point out a couple of my favorites:

1. Kristi Yamaguchi: I wanted to be her! Did I ever mention I used to be an ice skater? Probably. I saw her once at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, GA. We were at the women's volleyball championship and she was sitting a few rows in front of me. She was gorgeous! And so tiny! Hated her. Kidding! I love you Kristi. Come over here and let me give you a hug!

2. Steve Guttenberg: What little girl didn't fall in love with the movie Three Men and a Baby? Police Academy defined "comedy" back in the 80's. He was the man. How come in the 80's, leading men looked like Steve Guttenberg and Michael Keaton? Now they have to look like Brad Pitt or Eric Bana. I mean, I'm not complaining. Somehow we all loved the geeky, funny guy. I still do. Sorry Brad Pitt. You're good to look at but can you make me laugh? You can? Well....whatever, you ruined my point.

and....I don't think I really am excited about any of the other dancers. Plus I refuse to get into the show. I have enough to think about with LOST (seriously, how amazing was Thursday's show?) and Project Runway.

Blue Ray vs. HD DVD

I don't get it. Someone just tell me what to buy already.

Where Are They Now? Family Ties

Family Ties is perhaps one of my favorite shows of all time. I don't know one girl who didn't have a crush on Alex P. Keaton.

It was fun to see them reunited for the first time in 18 years on the Today Show. And I still quote "Sit Ubu sit. Good dog." but had forgotten why until watching this interview.

Christmas Delights

'Tis the season for really cheesy Christmas movies on Liftime and ABC Family. Most of the movies have something to do with Santa being ill or missing and unable to fulfill his duties, so his wayward child takes over and learns a life lesson which inevitably makes them a better person. Can I get a side of hot cocoa with that?

Last night Janell and I sat upon the couch next to the lit Christmas tree and proceeded to watch Mario Lopez and Melissa Joan Hart in Holiday in Handcuffs. Oh yes we did watch it! I'll be honest, I forced Janell to watch it with me. It was predictably cute. And predictably, Mario Lopez had a scene in which he happened to be without a shirt. Merry Christmas to me! A.C. Slater is in fine form. Dancing with the Stars treated you right! A note to the readers: I did NOT shed a tear.