Quick!Paddle!!

I'm in mourning. There's no way to describe how sad I am that my I.O. 5b performances are over. Quick!Paddle!! has come to its end (at least for me this week). Once again we had a great show this Sunday. Other classes mentioned after the show that our class "always puts up a solid performance." I've worked with the most talented, creative, supportive and encouraging people through the I.O. program. I feel a great loss. It's almost like high school graduation; knowing that you love these people but you'll never all be together again in the same capacity. If I had my way, our class would be chosen as a team and we'd continue performing our steadycam form together. The great part is that I think we all feel that way. Who knows!

I've added a picture of our group. We're missing a couple of people and you may notice a tall bearded man that looks like a cross between Jerry Garcia and Santa Claus. His name is Thax Douglas and he is a poet that opens for bands around Chicago. He has opened for us twice and it always brings an element of sophistication and weirdness. I love it. We are the first improv group he has ever opened up for in his life! He's never seen improv. I'm honored.

I'm also honored that my group asked me to intro the show seeing that it was my last time to perform with them and that my dad and aunt were in the audience. Let's just say that openings are not my forte. I stuttered and stumbled but somehow made it through! People were probably wondering how I could ever perform improv. You know they got that nervous cringe feeling while I was up there. Oh well. They got over it after our fine performance.

This time around, our suggestion was "greasy monkey." We began in a restaurant that turned out to be the Rainforest Cafe. We had simulated apes and guides popping out throughout the show. Hilarious. I played a small part that ended up being mostly a game. But I loved being able to be someone small but energetic at the same time. I think that only made sense to me and the other people who may have seen the show.

So I'm mourning a bit tonight.

A New Look

I'm ready for a new look. I've curled my hair for the past two days and I'm just feeling the need for a change.

I'm introducing this change in my blog too. I'm computer illiterate and needed a template that would spruce me up a little. So here you go. My new blog! Notice it's the same name, just a different address. Just like I'm the same girl, but with a different hair-do.

So I'm going to post this and give it a whirl. I want to see what this whole thing may look like.

Deep Thoughts by Katy

I've had really deep thoughts this morning. Left to contemplate the issues of life, I've discovered the following:
This looks like a woman with big boobs lying down on her side:
o3:<
Save me from myself. PLEEEEEEASE!

Oh and I also had a dream the other night that I could harmonize with everything. It was one of the most awesome dreams I've ever had. I'm almost positive that I was actually singing out loud in my sleep. Even more awesome.

Sex in the City

This morning as I finished running with my old roommate and we were visiting a friend I began to feel like something wasn't right. Remnants from my dream the night before started sneaking into my thoughts. When all of a sudden I gasped and said, "ewwwwwwwwwww." They looked at me and all I could say was, "I just remembered my dream last night!"
It's one of those dreams that scares you a little. It makes you wonder, "what if this happened in real life? What would I do?!" I dreamed that I was getting married to someone that I really didn't know. He seemed nice and was definitely a good looking person but I just wasn't attracted to this person and the thought of spending the rest of my life with him scared me to death. Of course the process for getting ready for the wedding in my dream took forever. The razor kept slipping out of my hands as I tried to shave my legs. I couldn't find my clothes and people were running around everywhere. Then I found a pair of underwear he had given me to wear for the wedding (random! and ewwwwwww). I'm sure if I liked him I would have been more keen on the sentiment. Somehow we ended up getting married and the whole dream ended with me telling my mom I wasn't going to go on the honeymoon. Being the wonderful mom that she is, she just hugged me and told me, "I thought so."
SCARY! The thought of that happening in real life is just a little too much. Note to self: Be careful with who you date! And what possibly could have prompted this dream? An episode of Sex in the City at 10:00 last night. You know the one where Charlotte marries Trey even though she has major reservations? Yep, that's the one. Second note to self: No more Sex in the City before I go to sleep.

Weddings, Bouquet Tosses and More

Sorry I have been away and absent from updating my life stories. I have been a professional wedding attendant recently. A couple of weeks ago I read at my older brothers wedding. It was an amazing weekend and Patrick and Alicia were so happy and in love. I saw people who I hadn't seen in 10 or more years. What fun surprises! And yes, I was also the hot sister thanks to my dazzling and expensive dress. It did the trick and was well worth the cash.
Then last week I was in Little Rock Arkansas for my friend Katherine's wedding. Once again, I saw people I had not seen in almost a decade. It's wild to see old friends married with their kids running around. The marrieds and the few of us singletons sat around talking. We all agreed that sometimes, many times, the grass appears greener on the other side. The singletons want nothing more than to be married and the marrieds are jealous of the freedom that the singletons have in their lives. I walked away from that weekend happy for my friends and content in my life. I think that's a huge blessing. I also got to spend much of the weekend with my friend, Hannah, who lives in Summit County, CO. She's a rockstar. She is a ski patrol by winter, river guide by summer and apparently treks India in the fall. She'll put any of us so-called athletes to shame. She's also an amazing singer and guitarist. A Renaissance woman...if you will.
After my tour of weddings completed, I got news of my best friends engagement! Lucky me was in on the surprise. Her fiance, Russell, allowed me to see the ring before mailing it to him in Texas. GORGEOUS! It was an honor to play a part in the whole thing. I would be so lucky to have a guy and...of course a ring like she has! So it looks like the tour of weddings will begin again in the spring. But I don't mind. Who doesn't like to celebrate? She better make sure I look hot in that bridesmaides dress. And please no throwing of the bouquet. Thank you Kat and Patrick and Alicia for opting out of that tradition left best to kids just out of college. I don't like being the only 29 year old on the floor with 13 year old cousins. Seriously, why do people insist on dragging you out there and making a show of you being in your late 20's and still single? NOT FUN nor FUNNY! Soap box over.
I had my two shows for IO and Level 4 at Second City Sunday. I have to say that I was really pleased with the Second City show. We had 20 minutes to plan right before the show taken from suggestions made in class. It was wild and intense coming up with an improv set that included 5 scenes and 4 blackouts. There were quite a few laughs and definitely some scenes that needed to be nixed. But it was a first time performance of the improv set and I was proud of my class.
My IO show continued in it's weirdness yet I still liked it. This time I played a twin with Kristen and we talked at the same time. It got old for me after a while. Oh well.
I do have such a talented IO class. I wish we could all stick together and perform as a team. Not only are they talented, but they are wonderful people. Nothing but love gushing after the shows. It's a nice change from what my Second City class can sometimes be like. But from what I hear, that's normal. Tension in a class of debutantes is nothing new.
Whew! That's quite the update. I think I may be the only one who read through the whole thing.

Single HOT Sister

What is the deal? WHAT IS THE DEAL???????!!!!!!! I have an issue. And that issue is the fact that I cannot remember where I park lately. It's just better that I don't drive. Why you may ask? Well, because I keep getting parking tickets! Why can I not remember that I parked in the school zone? It's not like it's a measley $25 ticket. NO! It's 50 smackers each time I forget to move my car by 7:00 AM. So not only have I done that once in the last two weeks, but TWICE! Count 'em, one, TWO! I guess the work bonus I just received will go straight to parking tickets. And maybe a purchase at Anthropologie (I spelled it right this time John). Or maybe a gold pair of shoes to go with my new dress.
Why did I buy a new dress? I didn't buy one just because I like to spend money on myself. I didn't buy it because I needed one more thing to put in my closet (which broke by the way....I think that says something). My older brother is getting married!!!! Patti-O is finally tying the knot! This my friends, I could not be more excited to celebrate. One week from tomorrow I will be watching my older bro make his vows to the lovely Alicia (who could not make a better sister-in-law!). Naturally with the older brother getting married and the younger sister having a baby, I have to look my hottest. I say this because I have to! I am the single sister. Do you understand what this means? All eyes will be on me (I'm so narcissistic) and wondering, "when is she getting married?" So you can see that I need to be the single HOT sister at the wedding! There, I've said my piece.
Well, maybe I should be the joyful sister who loves her family and is loving her life! That might be a bit more like me than the single hot sister. That's just a little too trampy sounding for me. Besides, all my brothers friends are married. Well, there is one...but as always, I am Patrick's younger sister! FOREVER!

Sing Some on the Side

This weekend was completely exhausting. It was exhausting, exhiliarating and exhausting once again. I felt great accomplishment after pulling off an event with the help of wonderful volunteers that hosted almost 10,000 people (according to the news). I love the feeling of sweet success and the peace that comes after it. Now I need a massage.
My exhaustion clearly played a role in a recent audition I had Monday night. It wasn't for anything super special but it was an audition and I always like to succeed. I should have known that things wouldn't go as smoothly as one would hop when I couldn't finish my own sentences. Words escaped my brain and I obviously wasn't thinking clearly. But hey, I went for it. Right?
Twelve of us were funneled into a tiny room and stood before 10 writers and directors. One by one we had to go before them, introduce ourselves and perform a given task while speaking about our careers. Okay, not too tough. Nothing I haven't done before in an improv class. But you must know one thing about me, sometimes I have a difficult time talking and performing an action. So you can see where I'm going with this. I was the last one to perform. I was given the frantic event of having just burned a lasagna in the oven (how they know me so well...one would think it should be second nature). Well, I was so frazzled that I wasn't thinking and just started speaking. I don't even know what I said! But I do remember the last thing that came out of my mouth. I had begun a sentence and didn't know how to finish it. It went something like this (picture me waving an improv towel in the air to break up the improv smoke...yes it looked as ridiculous as it sounds), "And then I also......ummm....ummm...(brain fart)...sing some on the side." WHAT!????? ME? SING ON THE SIDE???? Blatant lie! Bad girl, bad girl! Well, maybe if you count singing happy birthday to a friend an hour before hand. Not only did I lie but I got caught. Not 30 seconds later did they ask us to sing two songs....TWO!!!!
So now the running joke is that I also "sing some on the side." Sing in my shower and car maybe. Or when my roommates and I bust out with an 80's love ballad.
I am so shocked that I didn't receive a call asking me to be part of the show. SHOCKED!!!! Well, you can't have everything can you?

U2

OH MY GOSH!!!! Miracle of miracles and God has blessed me greatly...yet again. I WENT TO A U2 CONCERT WEDNESDAY!!!!! My favorite band of all time...that's no secret if you've read my profile. As of Wednesday morning I was a lost little girl who had no idea what events would be unfolding before her in the following hours. A friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend sent out an email that she had 4 tickets to U2 but last minute couldn't go. So you know what? I crossed my fingers and sent out an email saying I would buy two of the tickets. I knew I could talk someone into going with me. I mean, it's U2!
You know what? It was worth every penny I spent. I would be happy to spend an arm and a leg on a U2 concert. How often does one get to go? Well twice. I attended the POP tour in 1998 just after college. This one was much better and much more intimate of a setting. Do I feel guilty that people are suffering and are homeless due to Hurricane Katrina and I spent $$ on a U2 concert? Yes! But I'm planning on giving more now. So everyone wins!
Picture this: you're sitting in the lower part of the second level directly behind the stage. Bono is only a stones throw away. The stage is circular so you get to see the entire concert from the view point of the band. Occasionally Bono will turn around and star directly up at you and sing "All I Want is You." Damn straight! A-MAZING! Let's just say that I had chills from the moment the concert began to the very end. I did not want it to end. I mean THREE ENCORES!!! THREE!!!! It couldn't get any better.
Well, maybe it could have been better. One lucky lady in the front row of the pit (so need to get those tickets next time) was pointed at by Bono and then was asked by him to join her on stage. She got to dance with Bono!!! (I love Bono but let's face it, the Edge is my favorite). I was filled with mixed emotions. One: Lucky girl that she gets to dirty dance with Bono and run her fingers through her hair in front of thousands of people. Two: What the heck would I have done if it was me? I had visions of myself doing something more like the white man's overbite and giggling nervously.
I've noticed something about Bono....if he wasn't a musician he would definitely be an interpretive dancer or into modern dance or poetry readings. It reminds me of an improv group I was in for a short time...couldn't handle the resemblance it had to interpretive/tribal dancing.
Are you jealous? Really? No...no, please don't be jealo...okay, you can be slightly jealous.

Big "A"

How is my day going? Funny you should ask. Let me just start by saying that my pants ripped. Ugh! Why does this always happen to me?!!!! I am wearing my cute new work pants that happen to fit me unlike the baggy ones I've been sporting since my Green Monster days. These are cute new ones from Anthropologie. They have a button flap front. Very nautical....or page boy...whichever you prefer. They look fabulous and you're feeling WAY cute. And then you sit down on the el and the pockets poke out to reveal that the pants are slightly pulling around the glutes area. Then you're feeling only semi-cute. You're walking around the office making copies, faxing things and finishing up an important mailing...only then do you realize after half of Chicago has seen you...your pants ripped....AGAIN! Seriously! It's just slightly at the hip. I'm only revealing an inkling of skin. Yet it's so unattractive. It says, "yes I did have ice cream 3 nights in a row this weekend!"
So at lunch (yes I continued to eat even after this incident), two co-workers and I walked through Nordstrom and one of them (who is tall) points out that it's unfair for there to be a petite section and not one for tall girls (oh, I'm so sorry you're so tall and skinny!). So I said, "It's unfair for there to be sections for long and lean women and not one for women with a BIG "A"!!!!!!

Peacemaking

I, Katy, have done what I thought would be impossible. I have brought together a Democrat and Republican in sweet harmony. Pat. On. The. Back. I always knew I was a peacemaker. Ever since I was little I've been unable to withstand conflict and tension. It eats at me and causes me to crawl into the deep recesses of my soul. Perhaps that's why I could never be a politician...nor would I want to be a politician. Just watch me marry a man who will enter into politics and be a great leader. The next thing you know his presidential hopes are shot because someone read this blog and saw that I didn't want to be a part of politics. Do I give myself too much credit? Perhaps so.
So maybe I was more of an instigator in this dramatic saga instead of a peacemaker. I faithfully read my friend, John's blog. He's one of the bestest (love that word) people out there. Here is the web address. Someday I'll figure out how to make a link...but I'm not so hot with technology...though I do know how to work an ipod (though not to its fullest potential). I digress. Save it on your favorites. I do. John gave a heartfelt, passionate and somewhat (to say the least) emotional opinion of the Gulf Coast tragedy. Of course being the conservative that I am and knowing how my best friend would feel about this blog emailed Becky and said, "Do you want to read something that will make you mad?" and attached the link. Little did I know that Beckles would make a comment....a very very long and passionate response. Please go read it so you can enjoy the tension.
I must say that John's public response to Becky's comment impressed me greatly. Kudos to you John! The next thing you know, Becky emails John to apologize and then John emails Becky. There were lots of "you made a good point" and "you're probably right about that" and it was just a huge love fest. A freakin' love fest between Democrats and Republicans. Y'all! There is hope for the world! It truly can happen! Let's drop the extreme's of everything and begin to look at people as individuals. Fear drives people to say and do crazy things (aka. politicians). Fear can bring out the best and the ugliest in everyone. Too often we see the ugly and the media is only too quick and happy to share those stories. What the heck did Barbara Bush say? Mercy! Blah, whatever.
So let's lift up our glasses and give three cheers for hope and peace!

Hurricane Katrina

The news and reality of Hurricane Katrina is more devastating than any of us can imagine. A good friend of mine's husband went down there to help with the rescue/relief effort. He said it was a living hell and that it's worse than it appears on television. But he also mentioned how amazing it is to see so many people pulling together and helping.
There's so much finger pointing and blaming going on that it makes me sick. How can we focus on that when there's so many people who need help at the moment? Let's get these people help and then we can disect the federal and local governments.
I'm going to choose to focus on the more positive stories. Going home to Texas this weekend I was blown away by all the Lousiana, Mississippi and Alabama license plates. People are relocating to Texas and other nearby states. Reunion Arena in Dallas has become a shelter for evacuees. Many of my friends were able to go through their churches to help feed, cloth and comfort those devastated by the Hurricane. They heard many stories of miracles, of tragedies and of hope. Those are stories that you have yet to hear on the news. I know people who are housing strangers in their homes because those people have no where else to go. There are stories of apartment complexes who are offering free shelter to families who have lost everything. Corporations and individuals are matching donations given to those who are in need. Yes, it is so tragic, it's devastating. BUT, there are so many people who are out there helping physically, financially, emotionally, etc. These are stories you won't hear about for a while.
Until then my heart, my prayers and my money are being sent for those who have been ravaged by the storm. There is a long road ahead. My prayer is that they are not forgotten once the news stories have stopped or a war between republicans and democrats insues.

Home Sweet Home

I will be walking through my parents home door in almost 31 hours!!!!! I have kept a countdown each hour for that moment for about 3 days now. Can you tell how excited I am to go home? It's been 5.5 months since I've seen the Texas terrain. Sadly my accent is gone and no one notices anything different about me except my over-usage of the word, "y'all." Notice I put in that .5 because I am somehow amazed by the fact that I've been away from home that long and yes, those two weeks do make a difference. Would I dare leave out the fact that I ran 5.5 miles instead of just 5? Heck no! I like to show my accomplishments or brag about my woes.
Things I want to do while I'm home:
1) Hug my family.
2) Throw the ball for the dogs.
3) Get a sunburn.
4) Lay by the pool and read a book while my sweat drops onto the pages and stains them.
5) Have a cookout (which is happening).
6) Shop in a mall.
7) Finish reading "Wicked"
8) See my sister's pregnant belly and new house.
9) See my future sister-in-law's bling bling on her left ring finger.
10) Laugh myself to tears with my best friend.
11) Get a pedicure/manicure.
12) See a movie in a cold theater after sweating from the car to the theater's door.
13) Run into a friend I haven't seen in FOREVER!
14) Learn to play the piano.
15) Go Skydiving.
16) Cure Cancer.
17) Meet Bono.
18) Get my haircut.
19) Take a nap while it's raining outside.
20) Be satisfied with my trip!

Chris & Eugene

I'm such a giddy girl at the moment. Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy are teaming up once again to create pure brilliance! "For Your Consideration" is bound to be the next cult classic. My friend just sent me this article about the movie and I am wishing that I could be in this movie! Does anyone out there know how to get to Christopher Guest or Eugene Levy or any of their peeps? Huh? Help me please! This is a major dream of mine! A movie that is slightly scripted but allows room for improv and character development = bliss! I'm a slightly talented actress who makes up for any lack of acting skill with good people skills. You know how there are only six degrees of separation? This blog could be only six degrees away from the eyes of Eugene Levy or Christopher Guest. Now I'm sounding stalkerish. Perhaps you could edit this article before it's placed before their eyes. Perhaps I should attach my long resume also known as "my body of work." They may be tempted to hire me merely because of things like "Dixie Hicks," "Mockupations," "Sable." or not hire me because of things like "Dixie Hicks," "Mockupations," "Sable." Whatever, I just would LOVE this opportuntiy. I'd quit my job and move in a heartbeat.
I'm thinking this could happen. If I prayed and God saw fit to make it happen, it could and would.
So join with me in prayer.

Stale Bagel

Today at work we cleaned out a storage unit to take inventory of supplies. Someone found a bagel with cream cheese that was left in a box FROM A YEAR AGO!!! That's nasty. She was inquisitive enough and brave enough to actually look at it. I was fighting gag reflexes.

Vegas Baby!

I must be the only person who has ever been to Vegas, not gambled and went to bed two nights in a row at 10:30 pm.
VEGAS BABY!!!! I'm probably also the only person who has ever been to Vegas with her dad.

Mayor Daley

Today on the way to a work event, we passed Mayor Daley on 290 driving to see the President sign the transportation bill. I must say that I was pretty excited. I knew something was up when we passed a navy blue Ford car and the driver had one of those clear spiral earpieces in his ear. The next car up we see Mayor Daley slouched in the back seat having a deep conversation with one of his advisors (or who I assume to be an advisor).
So you know what I did? I totally pulled a Footloose. I rolled down the window (I was in the front passenger seat) and began waving my arms at Mayor Daley. Then he rolled down his window. The next thing I knew I had my right leg out the window and aimed it towards his car window. Traffic was moving at a slow but steady pace. At one point I had a leg in each window and was doing the splits while in my Britney Spears (baby baby) school girl outfit. My friend yelled out, "Ariel, don't!" and pulled me into the car just before a semi-truck hit me. Mayor Daley waved goodbye with a disappointed look on his face. You could tell he wanted me to jump into his car to talk about politics. I'm sure he couldn't wait to hear my opinions and advice about recycling, street cleaning and those damn parking tickets that haunt me.

Bleep

What makes a cuss word? And who the heck decided that these words would be words that had conotations less than desirable? So now I'm restricted from using these words freely. Okay, so many people could care less that these words are "restricted." But lets face it, it's me, Katy, I care.
I've also had issues with the whole middle finger thing. One person decided that sticking up your middle finger was something bad so now I'm not allowed to use my middle finger as I please. Personally I'm happy to use it as a pointer. It makes sense. It's the longest of the digits on my hands (which happen to be very small....yes I have small hands). I think the middle finger should be liberated.
Laura and I were discussing the whole cuss word thing as we walked around the block trying to quiet a friends baby. What if the word kitchen were a cuss word? I hear by declare the word Kitchen a cuss word! I'm not that keen on cooking, so it doesn't bother me. What if I decided that the name, Michael, was a bad word? See, it's all really subjective. Perhaps I didn't like a girl named Shania in high school, so I declared her name a bad word.
Now I do know the origins of some of these so called "bad words." It's just all really weird if you think about it for too long. I guess it's been one of those days.

Hot Box

The CTA is not on my good side this very day. The el was like one big Hot Box this morning. Why on earth was the air conditioning not working? It was nothing but stillness and hotness overwhelming us poor passengers. I could almost feel the germ filled air entering my lungs. A little circulation would have been nice.

Middle Child

Great news has descended upon my family this past week. My little sister is having a baby! Such incredible news. She was shocked, as was her husband, that she could get pregnant after being off birth control for only two weeks. Note to self....
The fun news is that the baby is due 3 days after my birthday. My niece/nephew and I could actually share the same birthday. Lucky kid. I mean to be able to share a birthday with someone as great as me! And Liza Minelli.....oh dear.
But my best friend, Becky, just informed me that my 30th birthday could be overshadowed by this blessed event. If you know me, you know that I don't like having my birthday overshadowed! Picture this, just as my cake is being brought to me with 30 flaming candles, Erin's water breaks. Now, there is a very very sad pattern in my life of momentous occasions or moments of vulnerability that are disrupted by outside forces. Knowing me, this would totally happen. But I'm not going to let this happen! If Erin's water breaks, I'll not let anyone notice it. I will hold the court! "Katy, the baby is crowning!" "I don't care! As I was saying, I am blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and fam..." (noise of baby crying). "What's that?" "Oh, it's nothing...yes, 30 wonderful years I've been on this earth..." It would be totally classic if the baby was born before or during my 30th birthday celebration. So I'm in a quandry of what to do. I LOVE big birthday bashes and I will have one by golly...even if I have to throw it myself. You think my future niece/nephew could have the courtesy to be born at a convenient time. It could be it's first present to me.
Yes, big news has surrounded my family this year. Older brother getting married, little sister having her first child...the first grandchild in the family, little brother switching highschools (big deal b/c we all graduated from the same school). So what is the middle child to do? I need to have a little action is this game. What can I possibly do to get some attention? Becky recommended posing for "Playboy." That would surely get me some attention in my family.
I am such the typical middle child. When did this happen?

Home Alone

There's something I realized about myself last night. Or maybe it would be more fair if I said, I re-recognized about myself. I feel so lazy and get antsy if I am sitting still for more than an hour. Last night I had to force myself to stay home. I could have gone to class but it was raining outside. It was the perfect setting to a night home alone cuddled under a blanket and watching a good movie. Well after an hour of that, I felt guilty and like I should be doing something. I ignored the call of the dishes in the sink and the soap scum building in the tub (not really). I literally had to force myself to sit there. I ignored the phone because that only leads to "you're doing nothing too? Well, let's hang out." And before I know it it's midnight and I'm just brushing my teeth before bed.
So now that I'm rejuvenated from a night in, I need a nap from a carbo-loaded lunch. I think nap time should be mandatory. I just need a quick 10 minute nap. That's all it would take.
Today is the most gorgeous day Chicago has seen in a couple of months. The torrential rains last night brought blue skies, low humidity and cheery spirits. I wish I could go read a book in the park today. I would even go running...I've been bad the past couple of weeks. Days like this make me love this city.
My little brother is coming into town tomorrow. This is the first time that he has come up here since before I moved to Chicago. I think we will have a great time. There are plenty of things to entertain a 14 year old (who looks older than me because he's 6'1"). I'm sure he'll want to leave home and come live with me because we'll have such a great time! He says he has a present for me. I love surpises.
I love GOOD surprises...let me clarify that one.

Despise

I DESPISE going to the grocery store. I've never liked it. I think it's because I become overwhelmed with the crowds of people and the many selections. I've never been great at making decisions (as I've mentioned before). So the grocery store is one big fat nightmare for me. Not only that but it's the juxtaposition of easy cooking with trying to eat healthy. Is there a happy medium. Plus I have a schedule that causes me to only want to eat cereal at night because I'm too tired to fix anything else. Some may call that laziness, I call it simplicity! But I did in fact visit Trader Joe's last night. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But it still overwhelmed me and then as I lugged 5 heavy bags of food up 2 flights of stairs I realized another reason I hate the store....BRINGING IT HOME!!!!! I miss having a garage the opened directly into the kitchen. Once again, simplicity.
I also had an overwhelming urge for Wendy's last night. When's the last time I ate Wendy's? I don't know! My roommate and I ate fast food in a car. I don't remember when I did that last. It made me feel like a collegiate all over again. You know what fast food chains I miss that Chicago does not offer? SONIC AND CHIC FIL'A. Seriously, what's wrong with this city? A Cherry Limeaide would be perfect for the summer heat!
Bad move #1 yesterday: Wearing white work pants that can only be dry cleaned when it's raining outside. I get annoyed at the spots that the shoes kick up on the back of the pants.
Bad move #2: Trying to drive to Target while Cubs game traffic was entering the city. Cubs fans are terrible drivers; especially in the rain.
Bad move #3: Eating Ben and Jerry's at 9pm last night. Why do I do that to myself?
Bad move #4: Turning off my alarm this morning instead of exercising. That's not simplicity, that's laziness.
Good times. All in all, life is swell.

Catching Up

I've become one of those annoying bloggers who never writes in her blog. It irritates me when I go to some of my favorite blogs during a desperate need to be entertained and it's old news! I am exactly that person. I'm sure no one visits my site anymore because they'll just see the same old thing for weeks on end. And for that, I apologize. Maybe I should set a goal of writing more frequently. It's the least I can do for my 6 friends who read this blog.
I've noticed something interesting lately. Ever since the bombings of the tube and the bus in London, the red line has been sparce. I have honestly had a seat everytime I've ridden the el to work and home again. I don't know if it is because it's been so hellaciously hot outside or because people are frightened that Chicago might be next.
I have to admit that if I were to think about it too much it would be frightening. There is a slight peace from the fact that each time I'm on the train there are police officers and dogs sniffing out the train. It produces perhaps a false sense of safety, but I'll take it over paranoia that's unfounded.
My roommate gets married this weekend. I guess she's not my roommate anymore. Boo hoo. She's already moved out of her room and my other roommate moved in her room with just seconds to spare. The abandoned room was much larger than Janell's old room. I can't blame her. I would have done the same thing. My cousin moves in soon and should be a delightful addition.
So we were without a couch for a good 4 weeks or so. It's amazing how much less t.v. I watched (not that I've watched much lately anyway). There's no central area for congregating and it makes having the opposite sex over a little awkward. "Hi, we don't have a couch....and I'm not particularly keen on sitting on my bed and socializing." I'll be thankful when my new "adult" purchases arrive....meaning NEW COUCHES!!!!! I'm such an adult these days. I even bought a new set of dishes. I'm slowly working my way out of having to register when I get married. That way people can just give me money. I mean give US...whoever he may be...money.
I ate too much pizza today. Goodbye skinny ass self. Hello sweatpants! I need to get a grip. It's got to be hormonal. I have a zit on my chin.

Nothing

I have absolutely nothing to say. Do you wonder why it's been so long since I've written in my blog? Because I have nothing to say. Perhaps this means that I've been experiencing a great lack of adventure/excitement in my life recently. That's because my life has been filled with work, exercise, work, improv, improv, work and finally sleep. I sound grumpy. I'm not. I'm just uninspired at the moment.
I'm hoping that this flyfishing trip I'm taking this next week will bring new stories and adventures. Yes, yes, you heard it right. I'm going flyfishing. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing but I'm sure it will be fun. Plus I get to spend 3 days on a boat with my dad, brother and his new fiancee (who is really cool). Until today I was the only girl going. So this is a blessing!
I've prepared for this trip today by getting my eyebrows waxed and nether regions waxed as well. It's all rather exciting. It wouldn't be a blog by me if I didn't mention waxing. Apparently it runs my life. I also got a pedicure yesterday. It was a rather expensive pedicure but it had been so long since I'd had my toes worked on that I didn't care. She was sloughing off so much dead cracked skin from my heels that it was flying everywhere. I honestly was pretty disgusted. But that just showed my incredible need for a pedicure. Now when I arrive in Montana, all the fishermen will be in awe of my perfectly pedicured feet and my precisely manicured eyebrows. Or they will laugh at me and wonder what the heck I'm doing in Montana flyfishing. It's probably the latter. But hey, I'm going to give it a shot.
For having nothing to say really I sure did use up a lot of words.

Now I See

This morning brought revelation and understanding in my life. I have been quite exhausted this week. I thought this was all due to helping take care of my roommate who had emergency surgery on Saturday. I thought this exhaustion led to a severe need to cry (plus I haven't cried in months) and irritability. Tuesday I forced myself to cry. I laid on my bed and put on the two saddest songs I could find and just cried for 10 minutes. I felt so much better. I just didn't want to be around people and found myself thinking such negative thoughts. Most unlike me! Then my appetite came back with a vengeance and it was unstoppable.
So this morning as I woke up and did my usual visit to the bathroom, I suddenly discovered that I was not crazy but instead just PMS-ing. You have no idea what a relief it is to discover that fact. I overheard a friend saying Monday night that there is actually a hormone in our body that makes us forget about our menstrual symptoms. Now isn't that a unique but helpful insight?

Katy's Secret

It's official. It's been measured (right there in the store). I am no longer a 36C. I'm a 34B. Tragic weightloss consequence. I might as well wear a training bra.

Appetite

OH LORD HELP ME!!!!! Not only is my appetite back in full swing, but it's turned into a monster. I want to eat everything in site. And even if it's not in site, I want it. From where did these cravings appear? Seriously, I thought the Lord had answered my prayers and finally turned away my obsession with food. It looks like the obsession has only grown stronger with its absense. I need another miracle!
To make matters worse, our organization won a big award this past weekend so people keep showering our office with flowers and.....chocolate of all things! We work for a diabetes research organization. We don't need chocolate here. We need fruit. Where are the fruit baskets? I need help to save me from myself! Doesn't one kind soul understand that an office of women needs something other than an entire huge basket piled with chocolate delicacies. Chocolate heaven. Mount chocula? Or wait, maybe the person knows women all too well. But I need someone to tie me to my chair so I don't run in the kitchen one more time to take a nibble of that chocolate goodness. Decadence people. That's what it is and I can't resist.
Our office looks like a florist shop. It's beginning to smell like a hamster cage though. Have you ever noticed that? Too many flowers thrown together in an air tight place and things begin to stink. It reminds me of rush my first semester of college. After bid day, the dorm smelled of hamster cage. Perhaps it smelled a bit of urine too. And it was from the gorgeous flowers! Perhaps the smell of the flowers will make me so nauseated that I won't want the chocolate anymore. Please Lord?!!!!!

Champagne Dressing Room

I made my second trip to Bloomingdales ever...and was it EVER successful! Or damaging to the pocket book...well let's just say both.
My cousin, precious cousin Lindsay, is getting married Memorial Day Weekend. Thanks to my sudden weightloss, my dresses don't really fit me right now. So I HAD to go shopping for a new one. Bummer!
Sweet Maria came with me to 900 N. Michigan for a little shopping extravaganza. We went to one store that ended up having an event. They offered us a mini bottle of Champagne. We couldn't turn that down! Maria couldn't get it open so she put it in her bag. When we were in Bloomingdales, she noticed that it was leaking.
So after trying on about 20 gorgeous and way too expensive dresses, we decided to try to open it again. I of course got it open!!! There we sat in this huge dressing room surrounded by shrouds of material sipping out of this mini champagne bottle. I felt like a high schooler sneaking alcohol...at least what I assume one would feel like. I was a good girl and was never tempted back at that age. After not having eaten in hours, the champagne bubbles made me a little tipsy. But we were such REBELS!!!!! Or maybe we were just dorks. Either way it was fun and made us laugh.
I walked away with a gorgeous dress that hugs the curves. Hopefully it's not too much for a wedding. I tried on some other fun dresses that ended up being "askanky." That's my new term for dresses that bare it all! Wouldn't that be interesting....me in a skanky dress reading I Corinthians 13. Mercy! Thankfully God loves me for who I am!

Unsolicited Compliments 2

Yes, another comment about my backside this week!
As I was walking to rehearsal on Sunday night, I passed a man on the sidewalk who so generously stated the following:
You are the first ray of sunshine I've seen all day. Thank you for that A$$.
And there you have it, it's a phenomenon! I just gently tipped my head to the side and kept walking like I never heard anything. I have to admit that it made me nervous.

Unsolicited Compliments

Let's hear it for unsolicited compliments!! Hooray!
Today at lunch I decided to go and buy some bedding that I've had my eye on (a whole 24 hours). I've been looking for bedding for over a year now and just couldn't seem to find something that really hooked me. I have been concerned about myself ever making a decision about who to marry because apparently I can't even decide on what to put on my bed. Well, things are looking brighter because I made a decision! Hooray!....on the bedding that is, not the husband. I haven't been taking applications recently. So I buy this bedding in the basement of Bloomingdales Home Store (love that place!). As I am about to walk out the doors I notice it looks really dark outside and wonder, "when did they get tinted windows?" You see, it was warm and just slightly overcast when I went to the store, but as I left, the darkness had taken over the earth and paid it's revenge by pelting down rain! Drama! So with these two huge bloomingdale bags in my hand I decide that I have to run for it. No umbrella, no coat, no common sense. I was soaked but thankfully my new bedding stayed dry in it's plastic wrap.
Here's where the highlight of the day enters the picture. As I am crossing the street with my bags, a man runs past me and yells, "WOO HOO! WHAT A BOOTIE!" I look around to see who he's so boistrously commenting upon. Then I notice I'm the only one around. So with a raised eyebrow and my head cocked to the side, I give an approving nod. You know it! The Lord broke the mold on this one when He created it! Don't think I don't think He thought it was special! (three snaps in Z formation).
I ended up reaching the office soaked with both of my booties: the one I purchased and the one that God gave me. Now I have the song, "Do you like pina coladas, and gettin' caught in the rain" stuck in my head. At least it's Friday!!! Hooray!
Moral of the story: God made us all unique and beautiful. We need to take what we have and make the best of it. Appreciate it....and of course WORK IT!

The Diet

So what has girls all over Chicago wanting to make out with me? It's simple...my stomach virus. Everyone is hoping to catch a tidbit of this virus that has taken away my appetite and left me 12 pounds thinner. I think the weight loss is obvious considering my pants were about to fall off of me yesterday. Now, I do feel crappy and am very concerned that I have absolutely no desire to eat (because it's NEVER happened to me before) but I am elated that I'm half way to my goal weight. Thank you Lord?!
I finally went to the doctor yesterday to make sure I didn't all of a sudden come down with Type 1 Diabetes. Working for an organization that faces this disease everyday will sometimes make you paranoid that if you're really thirsty or have to go to the bathroom a lot one day that you have it. I'm pretty sure I don't but the doctors took my blood anyway.
So now I'll just have to force myself to eat "bland" food. What is "bland" food? Food I don't normally want to eat anyway! I'll figure something out. My aunt just called to tell me not to eat too much fiber for fear that the Green Monster will come back (is that too much information?). Good to know Auntie. I'll limit my intake of oatmeal.
Please don't make out with me. I'm not accepting any proposals at this time.
Thank you.

Green Monster

Is it sad when you rejoice that you've lost 7 pounds in a matter of a few days because you've been experiencing a touch of the stomach flu....or what I affectionately call it, "the Green Monster"? I believe I lost 5 of those pounds on Sunday alone. I guess I just got a jump start on my goal of losing 30 pounds in the next year. WAIT! I only have 11 months now.
I haven't even been able to eat much food. The thought of eating food makes me want to gag. It's quite the opposite of the problem I was experiencing last week. Shall we call that one PMS? Yes, I couldn't stop thinking about food and if I saw food it went directly into my mouth. It's like I didn't even have to pick it up. My internal hunger created such a force field that the food would just fly into my mouth. Seriously, what is a girl to do? If only I had gag reflexes when I saw something that I wasn't supposed to eat.
Now before you think I am borderline anorexic, take a breath. I AM NO WHERE NEAR HAVING AN EATING DISORDER. Don't need to send any interventions my way. I'm trusting that everything will be ship shape once I see a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Just what the doctor ordered! Can't you just see me with a pint of Ben and Jerry's Half Baked gagging as I'm shoving it my mouth. That stuff is irresistable. If I were held in a prison camp and they put Ben and Jerry's infront of me. I'd talk. It's that simple. See, now all of you know my weakness! Just promise me you won't use it against me.
Unfortunately I think I've only lost water weight and should be hooked up to an IV of fluids right now.
Here's to hoping the Green Monster will soon leave so I can live in peace. Cheers!

Pedestrian School

What if us pedestrians used the same tactics as cars when we make our way through the city? The following are a list of possibilities:

1) Airhorn: use this device when someone is walking too slow or to alert someone when you are rounding a corner. This can also be useful if someone cuts you off.

2) Left side of the sidewalk: This is to be used for the speedier of the pedestrians. Do not use this side if you are: walking a baby, carrying a box, walking with children, wearing high heels, over the age of 75, or have the day off.

3) Flashlight: This can be used as a more passive agressive defense compared to the airhorn. Flash it twice to alert pedestrians that they are about to get ripped into by you. This can also be used to alert pedestrian traffic that there is a large group of you trying to stick together.

4) Vocal: Don't be afraid to vocalize just as enthusiastically in public as you do in your car about how someone does not deserve to live because they can't read your mind! How dare they cut you off as you are trying to pass them in the cross walk. How dare they take the stairs slowly when the el train is pulling up. Don't they know?

5) Gestures: This would really add some great communication between people. Pedestrians in Chicago do not communicate with one another. We're all too afraid that someone will ask something of us that we aren't willing to give. This could open up that line of communication.

6) Portable windows: This can be useful when you happen upon a panhandler. Feel free to roll up this window and pretend that they aren't talking to you. This way you won't feel "uncomfortable."

7) Pedestrian School: for people who like to break the "unspoken rules" of the sidewalk.

What do you think? Add your own ideas or comments to the comments section below.

Ripped

Oh, it's just been one of those weekends. You know how I feel about my jeans. I hang onto them for years and expect them to love me back with as much respect as I've given them. Apparently I've loved one pair of jeans more than the rest.
I'd noticed that the inner thigh area of my jeans was beginning to wear thin. It's to be expected considering my thighs are best friends and sometimes a relationship this close can cause friction. Perhaps there was just too much friction recently. It all came together at one moment this weekend in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Climbing into my cousins huge car, I stepped up onto the floor board and stretched my legs so I could reach one foot to the ground and one into the car. As I tried to hoist myself up with my right arm and jump off my right leg I heard that noise....you know, the one where you pause for a second and say to yourself, "no, it can't be." And then you look between your legs in broad daylight without a care in the world because your precious jeans have...ripped! After a brief glance, you confirm the worst. You announce to the car load of people that you have indeed ripped your pants. You pretend it's not because the jeans were too tight but because they were loved too much. That my friends is what I claim and hold to as unwavering truth.
The part I really didn't enjoy was seeing the small part of fat spill out of that tiny hole. See, a good pair of jeans holds it in as if it were a girdle. Picture a zip lock bag of pudding. Squeeze the top so that it all is pressed into the seems of the bag. Then snip the bag at it's corner and squeeze again. You have a visual image? There, you're seeing what I saw that day. Mercy Lord!
I do tend to write about more of the shallow things in life. Maybe it's because I'm just so deep in every other aspect of my life. Ha! No, I want everyone to just enjoy themselves and not be bogged down by the burdens that life can sometimes present. Perhaps someday I will write about something more life changing than a pair of jeans ripping in an unfortunate location.
Notice the new comments section at the bottom of the page. Fun fun!

Blind Date

The email I didn't send:
Hi,
You know I had a great time getting to know you on saturday. I'm still laughing that our friend ditched us. I had a moment where I thought I was in high school again. I really would like to get to hang out with you again. I think we had a lot in common.
Anyways, I know you asked me to email you so you could have my number. I'm just giving it to you because you asked that I send it to you in case you wanted to use it. I mean, you don't have to use it. I'll understand if you don't. But if you do use it that's okay too. So don't feel like you have to use it. You just wanted me to email it to you so that I wouldn't feel awkward. Or maybe you asked that I just email you so that you wouldn't have to call me. You know, that's okay. I really didn't want to get to know you anyways! No really. It's fine that you don't want to call me. I have lots of friends and other potential dates. So just leave me alone! I don't want to hear from you. Got it? I HATE YOU!

Lookin' Good for Your Age

So it actually happened yesterday. I don't think that my new age of 29 deserved such a comment. I know the guy meant to be nice and everything but...puleeeeeeeeeeez!
Last night in class I was just chatting with a friend of mine. He caught in our conversation the phrase "it was my birthday this weekend." He promptly said a cheerful "happy birthday!" I, embarrassed, said "thanks." He asked which birthday I just celebrated. When I said 29 he paused for a moment. As soon as it sank in he just whispered a "wow" and then looked at me again, an almost up and down glance. He just stopped and thought for a second. He then said the words...the words that I never expected to hear. "You look good for your age." IS THAT A COMPLIMENT? How does one take that? It's not like I'm 75 years old and look like I'm 30. I'm a 29 year old who happens to look 22...so I've been told, ahem. At least now I'm old enough to where I won't get asked where my hall pass is if I go to visit my little brother in middle school. It seems like yesterday that I was carded for a Rated R movie. Oh wait, it was only 2 years ago.
This just gives me a mindset of how young these actors really are in my class. I mean, they think 29 is OLD???? Seriously peeps, let's get a grip on reality. Perhaps in the acting world, 29 is a bit late to get started, but come on! I'm not quite old enough to be on the show, "Thirty Something." I don't say things to them like, "hey, do you need to change your diaper?" or "call your mom to see if you can go out with us."
Whatever! I'm young, vibrant and love life. I'm not going to let this one get me down; especially since I know he didn't mean it in that way. He's just probably disappointed that I'm too old to date him. Yeah, that's it. I knew it. Poor thing, his dreams are crushed. That's a positive way to look at it. And I'm a positive person!

Sugar Withdrawl

I'm struggling through a serious sugar withdrawl. I have never eaten so much sugar in my life as I did this past weekend. I have the excuse that it was my birthday. Would somebody please tell my body? Here's a sampling of all the sugar/fat infested foods I had this past weekend:

1. Pint of Ben & Jerry's Half Baked (half Thursday night and the other half on Sunday night).

2. Chocolate Chip Cookie

3. Split a Chocolate Souffle and Creme Broulee.

4. Pancakes! And Mimosas!

5. More Chocolate Souffle and banana cream pie thingy.

6. Two and I repeat TWO cinammon rolls from Ann Sathers. And that was before the real meal. Call it an appetizer if you will.

I'm disgusting. I don't know how I could do this to myself. Monday and Tuesday were definitely days of complete narcoleptic exhaustion. Sitting at a computer could not have been harder (exaggerated by the fact that I was up at 4:50 am making airport runs for my sweet friends who came to celebrate with me). Weaning myself off of sugar was hard. Remind me never to do drugs. Especially drugs like meth or heroine....even cigarettes. Heck, caffeine is bad for you (haven't had it in 3.5 years...pat myself on the back).

All of this sugar prompted Becky, Wendy and I to set goals for ourselves this next year over a bowl of Chocolate Souffle with Peanut Butter Ice Cream. These are my goals:

1) Lose 30 lbs. by 30th birthday. A kind friend said I would be dead if I lost that much weight. Sadly, I'd still be alive and there would still be enough meat to feed a few stranded people on top of a mountain.

2) Go on four dates. I'm starting this one off this weekend. It's not really a date but more of an "introduction." No this has nothing to do with eharmony.com. Thank you very much.

3) Get an agent. This would mean I need to do something with my sad headshots.

4) Actually get paid for an acting gig. It still counts if it's $20 right?

5) Do some acting work outside of the Second City world.

I'm sure there are more that I will come up with but these are it for now. I think I have my work cut out for me. But at least I'm setting goals. Right dad? You taught me well! I want to end my 20's with a bang!!
I laughed so hard this weekend. It's so great to be around friends that know you so well. You don't have to say anything because you know what eachother are thinking about certain situations and the next thing you know, you're doubled over with laughter. We also had a great time sharing about our struggles this past year. Honesty and authenticity are refreshing!
I'm homesick for Texas this week. Maybe it's the fact that it's actually spring in Texas. I'm somehow able to smell the Texas spring. I can even smell my parents house. I just want to hug my mom and dad, pet the dogs and force my little brother to snuggle with me on the couch. My sister and I will laugh at ourselves while my older brother and I develop some new comedic character. I love the uniquenss of my family. My dad said our family motto is "love 'em anyways." My mom quickly said that she would never allow that to be our family motto. Secretly, I think we all know that fits us just perfectly.

It's Awesome!

You know those times in your life when you perform to your potential and you know you just nailed it? No, it wasn't me performing my gymnastics beam routine. I never nailed it. I had split the beam too many times in practice. I was very afraid of that event...and for good reason too. What I am referring to is me yesterday in my final Level 1 Conservatory class. It was just the greatest feeling ever! I didn't want to leave class. It was one where you knew your classmates wondered how you did it and even your teacher was a little impressed. I am still living off of my instructors comment a couple weeks ago when he said, "Katy, both times you went up there were awesome. How did it feel?" "great." "Well, it should. Good job." I mean, a compliment from Gellman? I was on Cloud 9.
Oh dear, I just bragged on myself. Well if I can't brag on myself in my blog, then when can I? (don't answer that roommates)
I'm pretty excited about my 29th birthday coming up. I really think this will be a great year saying goodbye to my 20's and ushering in my 30's. I still look 16, so what does it matter? Just think of all the potential great things that can happen this year! There will probably be some tears, some heartaches and challenges. But I also know that there will be great adventures, new friends, life changing memories and many wonderful surprises (there better be!).
Yesterday was the first spring like day we've had in a long time...well since that freak day back in January. I think everyone crawled out from under rocks and from their homes. Chicago really is populated. You can't tell that so much in the winter. Only in Chicago will someone be wearing shorts and no shirt throwing a frisbee when it's still 50 degrees out. But to us, it's like a nice summer day. I think we all are just desperate for warmth and the hope of spring. Not only for the weather but for our lives. We are sick of hibernating and want to experience life outside of our four walled homes. Pretty soon I'll be smelling hot dogs as I leave the el and walk home. The summer Wrigley crowd will get on my nerves and the drunk post-game people will yell under my window. It will be beautiful!
But for now, I'll suffer through the current snowy and 30 degree weather. My how things can change in a matter of hours! But just as things can change for the worse, there's always hope for the better. I'll hang onto that one for today.

Gotta Be the Jeans

Yesterday was a little reminiscent of last year's trip to Victoria's Secret. I needed a new pair of jeans. I have two pairs of great Lucky jeans. I bought one pair in 2003 and the last pair in 2004. So I figured now that it's 2005, it's time for a new pair.
I had read on "Daily Candy" that there is a new place called "The Denim Lounge" on Rush. It's supposed to have a whole downstairs room of different kind of jeans...ones that are sure to fit any body type. Alleluia! So yesterday I skipped on down to The Denim Lounge to check out their variety of jeans. They had so many! One woman asked if she could help me. I said "Yes. I am looking for a new pair of jeans. I'm a little larger in the thigh and hip region (which some people are a fan of). Do you have any jeans that are more friendly in that area?" I mean, Katy got back. With a questionable face she sucked in air through her clinched teeth, "well, we used to have a large amount, but most of them sold out." Shucks. But I came to realize that they sold out of those because EVERYONE is made that way. They had so many left over "skinny" jeans because no one could fit into them! Blah blah blah blah blah....you know the drill.
So she began pulling out a few pairs that may or may not work for me. The skinny thing pulled out a great pair of jeans and said "these are the kind of jeans I'm wearing." Well that pretty much sealed the deal that I wasn't about to try them on because no way would my body fit in a jean that housed skinny thighed women. I don't want anything to do with those! I did decide to try on 5 pairs...each got more depressing as I struggled to get them over my thighs. Seriously though, it's a little sad that some of these "thigh friendly" jeans were tight around my calves. I think it's because I'm an "athletic" girl. I run and have calves that don't like to be squeezed into those fashionable knee high boots. I have to go for the stretchy fake leather boots that hug my calves oh so nicely. It's not like they are "fat" calves, they're extremely muscular with a horseshoe shape to them. Enough defending my calves that were hand crafted by God.
I left the store with shoulders rounded and slowly made my way to Bloomingdales where I had a meeting in 30 minutes. 10 pairs of jeans later I had found 2 that worked. Of course they are a good 4 inches too long in the leg. But who cares! I found 2 pair that looked semi-decent on me. So what if I had to spend an arm and a leg on them, I look good! I do however need to invest in undershirts that cover the "crack" area that likes to be revealed in today's more fashionable jeans.
When you find a good pair of jeans, you've got to jump on it. Some guys may be thinking this is an insane concept. But all the women out there know exactly what I'm talking about. Think of it like this guys...jeans are to women like an x-box game is to guys.
Hmmmmm....think on that one.

Body Wrap

So I have a new boyfriend...he doesn't know it yet. His name is Nathan and he works at the Red Door Spa in downtown Chicago.
You may remember me mentioning the wonderfully generous gift my mother gave me for Valentines Day. Yes, I was the recipient of a "Shea Butter Body Wrap" from the Red Door. Honestly, I had no idea what this meant. It just sounded like it would moisturize my skin which is something I could use during this dry and violent Chicago winter. At times I resemble a snake molting. Very sexy I must say.
I scheduled my appointment for President's Day because I didn't have to work...hip hip hooray!!!!! I read on line that this treatment involves body exfoliation and being wrapped in cellophane. Sounds good to me! When I scheduled the appointment they said Susan or someone like that would be doing my treatment. Fabulous!
So yesterday I eagerly entered the Red Door Spa (which is a little under construction so it seems ghetto when you enter the building. The spa itself is in good shape). I pranced to the welcome desk, gave them my name and showed them my gift certificate with a smile...BING! The kind woman said that Maya would do my manicure, Margarita my pedicure and Nathan my body wrap. Perfect...wait, NATHAN????? Wait a second, that sounds a little masculine to me. No big deal. I've had a massage by a male before...he was gay so it didn't bother me. But wait, this whole body exfoliation thing made me wonder if I knew what i was in for. I mean, I've had exfoliation done before and let's just say that it wasn't for the modest. There was no hiding anything there.
Oh well, I was quickly being escorted to the changing area and didn't have time to really think this whole modesty thing over. I changed into those spa shoes and oh so comfy spa robe (I wanted to steal it but it wouldn't fit in my purse). I sat in the waiting are where they offered us beverages of cucumber or lemon flavored water. A room of women sat quietly afraid to disturb someone elses relaxation. Slowly but surely, the staff would come by and read off a name and a woman would quietly rise to receive her treatment. I was left alone to contemplate my impending destiny with Nathan and how he was probably gay so it would be no big deal. But before I could think too much, a young man with a ruddy complexion and curly hair read my name from a piece of paper. I could tell from the way he read it that he was a straight arrow.
He escorted me back down a long hallway that had many twists and turns. I have to admit that it's an odd feeling being led into one of these rooms. You know that there's great relaxation and pampering on the other side of the door but you also feel like a cow being led to the slaughter. We walked through a door into a dark room where there was soft music and a comfortable massage table. He said that when he left the room I could remove my robe and slip between the towels on the table. He also pointed out the disposable panties that I could use if I felt more comfortable. AWKWARD!! "Oh, okay, thank you very much." "I will be exfoliating your body. Is there any area that you would like me to avoid. For instance, I will exfoliate your stomach unless you feel uncomfortable." "No, no, that's fine. I'm fine with everything. I'm totally comfortable. This is totally normal. I'm not modest or afraid. I have no problems stripping down to the bare essentials and letting a stranger exfoliate my skin...a male stranger that is!" So with an awkward smile, he left the room and I psyched myself up to remember this is nothing. He's done this before. He's an expert. He went to school for this for goodness sake! It's almost like seeing a male gynecologist. Except that it's nothing like that. Gynecological visits leave you feeling a bit violated. I would leave this feeling totally relaxed!
So there I laid as he entered the room. I just closed my eyes and pretended that a woman named Bertha was scrubbing my body. Thankfully he was very appropriate and I didn't have to bare anything that wouldn't normally be seen in a bikini.
I just let myself enjoy it. Not only was I wrapped in warm oil and cellophane, I also got a head massage and a neck and back massage too. I just wanted to put him in my pocket and take him home! It was one of the most relaxing experiences EVER! I highly recommend it...and be sure to ask for Nathan.

Hot Date!

HOT DATE!!!! You may be asking your self in excited anticipation, "Katyo has a date?!!!!" Oh, I so wish I could be saying those words. No it's not me....it's my 14 year old brother! That's right, Drew has a date. Well it's more of a movie date with a group, but his "main squeeze" will be there. When my sister IM'd me that Andrew had a girlfriend I almost went bolistic. I mean, this is his first girlfriend. Of course I called him immediately after work to get the scoop. He was a little distracted because he was IM'ing people so I scolded him. I said, "I am your favorite sister who never sees you and you can't take 5 seconds to tell me about this huge development in your life!?" Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating a bit but I said something similar. I asked what she looked like and if I knew her (since I worked with his class when I did K-Life). He responded saying, "She's the cutest girl I have ever seen." Uh, my heart just broke because he was my little brother, my 14 year old brother, crushing hard on a girl. I have to say that it's just so sweet and I couldn't help but be giddy. He said he "dropped hints" to let her know that he liked her. So cute! He also said that she was a really great Christian girl. Music to my ears. Erin, my sister, read some of the letters they exchanged (he let her). She said it's the cutest thing ever.
So I have to admit that I had an angry fit/pity party on tuesday night. I don't know what came over me because I had an incredibly fun girls night (aka. Ro-Tic party "romantic party with out the MAN") at my apartment on Valentines. It was mostly me, God and my journal. I had some words with Him. Mostly saying things like, "I mean, my 14!!! freakin' year old brother has a girlfriend!" This is completely immature and most unlike me. I mean hadn't my roommate, Janell, just mentioned to me earlier that weekend that I'm an inspiration to her because I rejoice in my singleness? I must have had a weak moment...or week.
You may be wanting an update about my eharmony.com adventures. Well, I've become the entertainment for all married or currently attached women in my life; especially my office. I must give updates about findings almost hourly. I do have to say that Jim from Wheaton and I have really progressed far in our relationship. We're in stage 4. I've gone the farthest with him. That's a joke. Yes, if you did online dating, you would understand that joke. But you don't, so you don't get it. Ha! I have an inside joke...with myself.
I really hate the whole idea of online dating. I prefer there being some sort of connection. I am pretty much forcing myself to do this so I will "take a risk" and have some adventure in my life. But it also provides for some great writing material. Research, yes research! That's why I'm doing this. It sounds so much less pathetic! But it is kind of fun. Can I just make a suggestion to all guys out there? NEVER and I repeat, NEVER take a picture of yourself without your shirt on and post it online in expectation of making girls swoon over you. That immediately sends me to the "close" button and "click" you're gone forever. Have some tact peeps!
I'm off to do something fun this weekend! Who knows what it holds. I hope it's filled with laughter, fun stories and adventure. I wish you all many blessings!

Be My Valentine

Monday is Valentines Day. Once again, let's chalk up another year of me being single on Valentines Day. Each year I wonder, "maybe this will be the year! Maybe a year from now I will receive a valentine from someone other than my family." But each year I end up wondering the same thing.
I should really think of it in positive terms such as: I don't have to spend money on a present my valentine may or may not like. I don't have to have that awkward "what do we get eachother since we've been dating only 3 weeks?" conversation with myself. I take a moment to give thanks for all the wonderful friends I have in my life. My parents take pity upon me and send me wonderful Valentine gifts. I don't have to wonder if my boyfriend of 14 months will finally propose on valentines day. There are no expectations...therefore I have freedom. Ha! I am so lucky! I am free....to do what I want...whatever that is.
I do have to say that my mom gave me an incredible gift. At this point, if I had to choose between a mediocre boyfriend or the Spa Package my mom gave me, I'd choose the Spa Package. Hello! Me and the Red Door Spa have a date! And it could get intimate. I do believe I saw a Body Butter selection in the package.
So in honor of me being single once again on this holiday (I'm not bitter, just aware), I decided to sign up for eharmony.com. Now I didn't pay anything b/c I don't think I could do it. BUT, I did have fun filling out 200 questions about myself. I'm weird like that. I like learning more about myself...how wonderful I am...the usual. I've received some interesting "matches." I have yet to receive one that lives in my same city. It's kind of sad. I have no match here in this city. NO WONDER I'M SINGLE!!! I guess I'll have to move. Must of my matches live in California. What does that say about me? I'm weird. Gotta love the quirkiness.
Let's see about my matches:
Warren - lives in Cali, love sports, Jesus and sounds a bit competitive. Has promise.
Brian - lives in Pennsylvania, likes to socialize and laugh, has a good time. I enjoy those things too.
Jose - lives somewhere in Wisconsin, admires Mother Theresa, very close with his family. again, could be a match.
Cheong - Lives in Cali, sounds smart, loves Jesus, a little more serious than me.
Roger - can't remember much about him.
Anyways, hoping for a few more pick's. But I'm sure these are lovely gentlemen. I have to admit that I signed up for this but when I read about other people who do I think, "oh, they must be lonely and can't meet anyone." That is such a double standard! Maybe they are normal people like me (if you call me normal). They are just willing to take risks and don't struggle with their pride like I do. So I merely am humbling myself and allowing God to work in ways I swore I would never allow myself to take part in. He's funny like that. And I'm proud like that.
Oh wait, another match...please God, please!

Update on Me

My mom called me while I was at a friends house over Christmas to tell me that my headshots had finally arrived! With great anticipation I flew home to open up the Fed/Ex package. I dropped the contents on the kitchen island and began to scan over the pictures. Let's just say, blech! Not a one was pleasing to my eye. Maybe it's because I was looking at the whole picture instead of all the individual shots that may hold some potential in them. Deep down I knew they sucked. You know when your mom and dad look at the pictures and say they look nothing like you (and in a bad way) that they aren't any good. Even my yearbook pictures from the awkward teen years looked better than these! Am I to believe that I was more photogenic as an early teen with braces and bangs than I am now? I mean, when did my nose get so big? And yes, the makeup looked caked on. It just wasn't me! I think I would have had better luck taking pictures of myself with a wind up camera. Somehow I'll have to make them work for now.
It's 50 degrees today! 50 degrees...in Chicago...in February! The Lord has blessed me and made His face shine upon me!
It's definitely a big change from the blizzard that we had here a couple of weeks ago. It just happened to be the weekend that my parents and older brother came to visit from Dallas. It was hilarious. We went to see 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (great musical...a little off on it's theology). As we walked out of the building it was like being on top of a mountain during a white out blizzard. In our heels and lack of hat or scarves, we hoofed it back to our hotel. We were laughing so hard because we had no choice. The wind was whipping the snow across our faces leaving sting marks and trains of mascara. We found refuge along with the homeless in these small doorways along Randolph and Michigan Avenue. We would stop for only a moment to psych ourselves up to head back out into the cold. I have to say that we did it with great humor. We took a picture of Patrick's hair and he looked like Richard Gere. I am pretty impressed with the heels I wore. I jogged one mile in those suckers...in the snow. Impressive.

How Observant

I must be an idiot or someone who just doesn't get it. Everytime I go in for a facial or an eyebrow waxing, I get excited for the pampering and the fact that I'll walk out looking better than I came in. It's like I'm doing something good for myself. I should walk away feeling confident and simply gorgeous! Everytime I leave from a facial or an eyebrow wax, I feel anything but. What is it with me and waxing? I had an appointment at the Nordstrom Spa on Friday. It's very convenient, just down the road from my office. I am taking headshots tomorrow so I wanted to make sure that my eyebrows looked manicured and perfect for a closeup of my face. As I am escorted into a serene room, I am asked to lay down on a bed that is covered with an expensive material. I'm lying there eager for the outcome when all of a sudden, the esthetician pulls a circular florescent light right up to my face. If I hadn't closed my eyes quickly, I'm sure I would be suffering from blindness from this day forth. She begins to poke and prod my face. She asks while pointing to an obvious monstrosity on my face, "are you pre-menstreul"? I wanted to say, "DUH!!! Aren't you observant. Hey everybody, it's Sherlock Holmes! He does facials now." I go in for a simple eyebrow wax and they can't just focus on that area! Why do they have to pick apart all of the flaws of my skin? Fun Memory: My mom, sister and I had a fun girls weekend in June and we stayed downtown in a gorgeous hotel and decided to have a spa day. We were giddy for our facials, massages and manicures. Each of us left for our individual facials with a smile. Each of us returned with tears filling our eyes. My mom said, "I feel ugly and old." My 20-something sister had a similar comment. I felt like any moment I would come down with skin cancer and I should put all sorts of ointments and moisturizers on my face or there would not be a hope in the world for me. I would end up wrinkled without my nose at the age of 30. I felt as though I was in the principals office being scolded for something I really had no control over. I was waiting for a spanking for daring to have teenage acne at the age of 28.
Back to the present: So I have these headshots tomorrow and wouldn't you know it, it's prime time pre-menstreul blemish explosion on my face. WHY GOD, WHY!!! I'm hoping the photographer can do a nifty little thing with photoshop. Then she asks, "would you like me to wax your upper lip." "Sure, why not, I want to look magnificent!" As I am handed the mirror, I almost screamed! My eyes had strips of red skin just under the brow while my upper lip looked as if I had a red mustache. The horror! Even more horrific, I had to go out in public like that. How could I make my way from the 3rd floor or the Northbridge mall to the streets of Michigan Avenue with no one asking me what happened to my face. You have to give us women credit, we do some pretty ridiculous things to look good. As I passed a store, I was enticed by the material goods so I had to walk in to make a possible purchase. I caught one glimpse of myself in the mirror. It was worse than I thought! I practically ran out there and cursed the weather for being too warm for a scarf that day. I could have wrapped it around my head and walked around incognito. Thankfully it was dark and raining outside. I had one hour before I met friends for a movie. I spent that hour walking up and down Michigan Avenue hiding my face with an umbrella and hoping the cold air would sooth the stripped skin. I felt anything but confident and sexy. Is it an estheticians job to make you feel bad about yourself? No, but it helps their career to point out all your flaws and say that your only hope is them! You just can't win!

I'm the Kind of Person Who...

I'm the kind of person who:
1) enters the bathroom and makes faces at herself in the mirror or performs some sort of broadway musical dance. I do this mostly to let out my inner wild side...and only when alone or with a very close family member or friend.

2) prefers to sleep in a tank top and underwear.

3) dresses and undresses even with the curtains open because I really don't care who sees.

4) walks around naked in my apartment when no one is home...now I don't come home, undress and walk around naked just because I can. It's usually when I am getting ready...drying hair, etc. It gets hot!

5) doesn't always write honestly in my journal for fear that someday someone will make a movie out of my writings.

6) hopes that someday someone will make a movie out of my writings.

7) doodles on papers so I look busy and important.

8) is more visual.
9) can't flirt worth a lick!

10) changes underwear multiple times a day depending on what I'm wearing.

11) thinks it's important to floss but is lazy when it comes to flossing.

12) sings at the top of my lungs in my car.

13) busts out in song if someone says something that triggers that song.

14) will make up the words to a song if I don't know them.

15) can wake up in the morning with my hair looking just as good as it did the night before without even brushing it.

16) can't seem to get all the mascara off my eyelashes at night.

17) likes to laugh at herself, even when no one else does.

18) could eat Ben and Jerry's ice cream for meals.

19) will sleep in my bed without sheets if I'm too tired to put clean sheets on my bed.

20) loves anyone who made it through this list!

Life Soundtrack

I so think that my life would be more interesting and dramatic if it had a soundtrack playing in the background as I walked through life. Right now I'm listening to Maroon 5's 'She Will Be Loved' and I'm picturing myself walking along the Michigan Avenue Bridge alone while it's dusk and there's a slight chill in the air. While longingly a tall dark and handsome man looks down from his office and says to himself..."now there's a woman!" Wouldn't life seem so much less lonely if you knew that a soundtrack was playing?
People reading this might think that I'm obsessed with movies and the more dramatic side of life...is it that obvious? It's not like I'm a hopeless romantic or anything...please!
Sitting in my cubicle right now I'm thinking more of a Dolly Parton's 'Working 9 to 5'. Oh yeah, what a way to make a livin'.
Walk into my apartment and you would think the appropriate song would be more along the lines of 'Frosty the Snowman' or 'Winter Wonderland.' Yes, I am aware that it's not even Thanksgiving and I have my tree up. Get off my back and let me enjoy it! Geesh!
I'm waiting for 'It's Raining Men' to even be an option on the Life of Katy Soundtrack.

Mr. Darcy

So much has been going on. I'm sure you've been waiting with baited breath to know all the goings on of my life. I've completed two half-marathons...put them together and you got a whole one. Bada bang bada boom. Interesting thought: both my times put together makes for a faster marathon than any of my other three. Another interesting thought: I trained for one and not the other yet felt much more in shape after taking off 1 month from running. My new training method = no training at all! Woo hoo!!!! Yet I will continue to carb load for months on end.
The other day I found myself driving along lakeshore drive staring out the window at the rugged sea (aka. Lake Michigan) and wondering "where the heck is my Mr. Darcy?!!" Proudly I admit that I watched all 6 hours of A&E's version of 'Pride & Prejudice' this weekend starring the love of my life (for this moment anyway), Colin Firth. If I really thought about it, Elizabeth Bennett destested Darcy until the very end and I don't want to marry anyone that I detest. So maybe I don't want a "Mr. Darcy" per say but more of a Colin Firth that makes you melt when he stares at you with that half smile. You can hear women around the world giving me a hearty "AMEN!" I am trying my hardest to hold back from having a Colin Firth dedication week. I do believe my next favorite characters would be, of course, Mr. Darcy in 'Bridget Jones' and that of the sweet broken-hearted man in 'Love Actually.' I may fall into temptation this week. It doesn't look good.
I also want to warn all of you that there are dangers associated with shopping. It was one fateful evening in October when I was tempted to try on a cute hot pink zip up velour hoodie. I slowly put down my purse and on the way up I pulled a muscle in my gludious very maximus area. I just want to say, BE CAREFUL! Only I could pull a muscle shopping! Maybe God's trying to tell me something. Hmmmm....
Today is my most wonderful dad's birthday. His 60th!!!! But he'll be the first to tell you that he feels 25, except that he pulls muscles every week. He is the kindest, most generous and loving father anyone could ask for! And so funny and wise too! Perhaps I'm not married b/c he set way too high of a standard for me. Alas....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

Garden State

So I haven't written in a while. That's becoming a common phrase with my weblog. It's because I've become so busy and important. You should feel lucky that I'm even writing in this at all. I'm busy and important and am only taking time out of my busy and important life to write in this because I've been asked by all the non-busy and unimportant people to write something new.

Actually, I've been reading Zach Braff's blogs from his Garden State website. He's really hilarious. You know, I think we could be friends. Seriously. You know all normal people like me say that about stars they have a semi-crush on. I was inspired by his blogging and decided to write a little blog myself.

So I had a dream about him the other night. Actually, he was in my dream. Lucky him. He was dating some gorgeous friend of mine (not my friend really but someone I made up in my dream that was my friend and happened to be pretty) but he really wanted to be dating me (of course!). What does this dream say about me really? Not quite sure.

Go see the movie Garden State. I thought it was a beautiful movie. Can I please play the part of Natalie Portman sometime in my acting career. Maybe I need to take up writing again so I can write myself a part like that. Hmmm, I'll do that when I'm not so busy and important.

Two fun/funny awkward things happened recently.
1) a guy in my class pulled me aside and said that of all people he knows, he could really see me going places in the improv/acting world. Then he followed it up by saying, "I'm not hitting on you or anything, I have a girlfriend." Okay, thanks. But seriously, that was kind of him to say that.

2) I walked up to my apartment after class and the entry way doors were open with two guys looking at the mailboxes. I said hi and they wouldn't stop talking with me. One guy kept asking me questions. He asked if I was from here and of course I responded that I was from Texas. He said, "I could tell." "Why, is it my southern charm?" "No, it's just that you said hi."
Okay, I get that. But then he would stop me mid comment and say, "You have really nice eyebrows. I like the thickness and shape of them." Okay, thanks. "I really like your cheekbones." "You have great teeth and a beautiful smile." Gee Whiz, you're so kind. "Do you have a boyfriend?" Caught off guard I responded, "no, do you have a boyfriend? I mean, we do live near boys town." Plus the eye brow and cheekbone comments threw me a bit.

So I have pretty eyebrows, cheekbones and a gorgeous smile. Plus I'll become a star actress. Not bad for one night if I do say so myself.

I'm going to go stare at myself in the mirror and contemplate my eyebrows.

10 Year Reunion

Reunited and it feels so good....
I can almost hear the music playing. Hmmmm.

The 10 year high school reunion has finally arrived. I remember being back in high school and feeling like the 10 year reunion was a lifetime away. I can't believe it's actually 24 hours away! I'm really looking forward to spending time with friends, seeing people who I have not seen in 10 years, and seeing how much people have changed or remained the same. Personally I think that I am basically the same person. Others may not see it that way. NO ONE but my closest friends would ever have believed that I would move up here to Chicago to pursue a comedic acting career. I'm sure they thought of me as the snobby girl who wouldn't talk to them. The truth is that I was too shy to talk to people who weren't my close friends. That's a little extreme. I made many friends but wasn't exactly "miss outgoing."
Somethings about me have changed and some haven't. For instance, my thighs have altered a bit but my teenage acne is still here. How can I be 28 and still have teenage acne?!!! Shouldn't clear skin be a reward for making it through the teenage years? Apparently not. The sad thing is that I really didn't have acne in high school. Maybe I'm just a late bloomer. I didn't lose my baby fat until I was 23. But suddenly I've gained it again. Hmmm, how did that happen? Two words: BEN and JERRY.
In high school, I imagined myself at my 10 year reunion. I was married to a wonderful man who loved me, loved Jesus, loved the idea of a large family. We would live in Colorado and work for a summer camp with our three kids in tow. It sounds like one big MASH game (which I have to admit I still play. The last MASH I played had me married to Aaron Eckhardt, driving an Infinity FX with my 6 kids, working as an actress and living in a Ranch house....not too shabby). Oh, and I would have been 20 pounds thinner. DANG! I forgot to lose 20 pounds before the 10 year reunion! I don't think I can do that in 24 hours and still be remotely healthy enough to attend the festivities. Oh well, I'll just have to go as myself. I feel that I am more secure now that I was back then. I hope that's true for all of us.
I had quite an exceptional class. I was honored to be with the most brilliant, beautiful, kind, loving, hilarious and creative people. I'm excited to see where we've all come and to know how we got there. No doubt these stories will be interesting.
In the meantime I'm just going to figure out what I"m going to wear. That's a whole other issue. Seriously! What does one wear to their 10 year reunion? I want to look sophisticated, not 16. But I don't want to look like I work in an office. You can't go wrong with cute, but then again, I've been "cute" my whole life. Maybe it's time for another look. Too bad I haven't cut my hair in 4 months and I'm in dire need of a pedicure. It's a little late for "Extreme Makeover." But I don't need to take those drastic measures.
Maybe I should invest in a good pair of SPANX

Prized Idiot

I walked into work on Wednesday feeling cool and refreshed after a five day trip home to be with my family over the Independence day holiday.
I looked cute in my new Banana Republic skirt with a nice sweater tank top that sported my nice tan (praise the Lord it covered up my drastic running tank tan line...again, not that I've been running). I sit down and greet those walking in and all of us chatting merrily about our holiday weekends. That's when my boss walked up to remind me that we had an important meeting that morning and I needed to go home and change into a suit. THE HORROR!!! First of all, I don't like doing things wrong. If I've done something wrong, I want to be the one who recognizes it. So red faced from embarassment and moments away from a panic attack, I raced home in a taxi ($12 down the drain thank you very much) and changed into a suit (and we all know I don't like suits). Then as I'm walking to my car to drive back to work, a hem of one of my pants comes undone and I have to tack it up with huge safety pins. I park my car ($12.25 more down the drain) and sneak back into work so that no one really notices. The meeting went great but my esteem was shattered. Ultimately no big deal, but I might as well have had the word IDIOT pasted to my forehead.

Last night I had a fun 50 minute journey home from class. As I stood on the platform waiting for the Red line for 30 minutes I kept contemplating jumping ship and riding home in a taxi. But due to the previous days' events I decided I needed to save the money. FINALLY the el arrived and I stepped into a crowded car. One thing I've learned is that if they el is running late, expect it to be packed with people when it arrives. I wasn't disappointed. I noticed people weren't sitting in the seats and then I noticed why. Hot Dogs smashed on the floor. Hamburger buns sticking to the windows with a paste of mustard and...gag...ketchup (can't stand the smell of ketchup). Now I'm no detective but I'm going to guess that someone had had a food fight.
So I ride home trying not to dry heave and pretend that nothing is abnormal with food thrown all over the car. It's late but I decide to walk through the alley anyways. Honestly, it's better lit than the side walks and plenty of other people decided to take the same route (don't worry mom). Some random man with a back pack starts singing at the top of his lungs and swaying back and forth. He starts looking behind him and I immediately speed up my pace to just get out of there. As soon as I pass him, I notice he stops behind a dumpster. Next thing I know, I hear something similar to Niagra Falls. Well that just made my night. I got to hear a man urinating in the street (don't like that word either). I exchanged comments with a fellow innocent bystander and headed home to the safety of my apartment.

What an exciting life I do lead.