South Fork River

Today was our first day on the river. Ten of us floated the South Fork river in Idaho. I thought Idaho was all fields of potatoes. Turns out I was wrong. It was beautiful. My mom and I fished together today and we each caught around a dozen or so. It was a very lucrative day on the river! We were proud of ourselves for not losing too many flies or catching each other too many times. I can't wait to get back on the river tomorrow morning!

More from the Grand Tetons

Todays hike was to Taggert Lake in the Tetons. It was a beautiful easy three mile hike through the meadows. This is the way to get your exercise! Then I follow up that exercise with the practice of eating everything in sight. I need to get a grip.

Our first day of fly-fishing is tomorrow! Dad just told us that we need to be "in the car and rolling" at 6:30 a.m. Ugh! I'm already tired just thinking of it. But a day on the river beats a day in the cubicle any day.

Greetings from the Grand Tetons!

We are having a blast in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It's been one outdoor adventure after another. Here's a little sneak peek of the sites.

Jess & Jay

Here's an updated picture of Jess & Jay after the engagement. You can see her gorgeous ring in this one!

We all were home later Tuesday night and had our own roommate toast with champagne for Jessie and Jay. It made for a fun workout the next morning. Read: not so much.

Aren't these two just adorable?

Dream Weaver

It's interesting that my little brother, Andrew, just wrote this blog about thinking. I am an avid thinker and day-dreamer. I'm probably more of a day-dreamer than a thinker. Sometimes it can be good: Day-dreaming about scenes, acting success, athletic acheivement, what to wear with my patton-leather red wedges (my cute new navy suit, of course!). And sometimes it can be bad: Dreaming about the man of my dreams. Seriously, who could ever live up to that? So I am resigned to do my darndest to live my life instead of day-dream it.

I'm sure my thoughts will still consist of wonderful nuggets like, "Sometimes I want to take a straw and my Oreck and give myself homemade liposuction."

Onward to Jackson Hole, WY

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wedding Bells

I am one excited girl to be able to bring you such happy news! My cousin, Jessie, and her boyfriend, Jay, got engaged this weekend up in Door County! I am so excited to welcome Jay into the extended family. He has no idea what's ahead of him in regards to the family reunion. All I know is that I want him on my sand castle team. He'll add a little artistic touch.

I'm sad to lose Jess as a roommate. We're trying to convince Jay to move into her tiny little room. We'd be one happy family!

We wish you the best Jess & Jay!

Photobooth

Here are a couple of pictures of me, James and Cristin from Saturday night at the Town Hall Pub after our show. Photobooths really do add so much to an evening. I also attached our favorite of the four. I have never looked more creepy in my life. I love it!

So True

Quote of the day:

"The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get to the office."

That Robert Frost sure knows what he's talking about.

Show Saturday Night!

The Senate is playing tomorrow night, June 14th at The Playground. 8:00 p.m. BYOB. $10 for three great groups. Our group is incredibly talented and I love performing with them. Don't miss out!

And in other fun news...I get to go see Glen & Marketa, the peeps from Once, in concert Sunday night at the Chicago Theatre!!! I'm going to work really hard to not sing along. There's nothing worse than a tone deaf person singing next to you at a concert. One of the best things about a U2 concert is that they play so loud you can't hear anyone singing next to you. I wonder what it would sound like if they suddenly turned off the sound and you heard everyone belting out the songs.

Updated List

Living far away from your best friend sometimes forces you to update each other on your lives quickly through email. Today I made a list for Beckles and here it is:

A few things:

1. period and white pants. bad idea jeans.

2. starbucks gave me caffeinated coffee today. i was climbing the walls and freaking out about my career.

3. my scene partner last night said, "You mean that last summer you were even smaller than you already are?" I could have kissed him.

4. i went down over 5 pounds this week. PRAISE GOD! But you need to gain weight b/c you're pregnant and incubating a life!

5. I'm struggling with my talent. I know it's there but I don't trust myself or have enough confidence at the moment. Pray for me.

6. My bike got fixed and I can't wait to ride it! woohooo!

7. 8 days until I see my family. I could cry.

8. I can't believe i'm missing your shower. Know that i'll be there in spirit. My spirit will be skinny dipping while everyone eats bbq.

9. I've avoided the 10 pound chocolate bar in the kitchen for two days. I don't know how much longer I can hold out. It's like telling a two year old not to throw a fit. It just comes naturally.

10. My legs have never been so pasty white. We're talking the color of fine white linen.

That's So Punny

For a good time, read here.

10 Pounds of Chocolate

It may be time to commence the wiring shut of my jaw. Seriously. At one of our fundraising events last night, a donor bought a 10 pound bar of chocolate in an auction. He kindly (?) donated this 10 pound chocolate bar right back to us so we could eat it at our office. WHY IS GOD TESTING ME?!!!! I added it all up: The bar has 24,860 calories and 1,469 grams of fat. With all the estrogen and pregnant hormonalness going on in our office, that bar will be gone in 24 hours. I kid you not. Is there no mercy?

Happy Birthday Erin!

Happy 30th Birthday to my amazing sister, Erin! We're celebrating the love, joy, laughter and warmth she brings to everyone who knows her! Last night the family got together for a birthday dinner at my parents house. I even attended via iChat. They placed me on the table and I watched them eat delicious TexMex. I was glad just to be a part of the celebration.

I love my sister dearly and she is one of the most hilarious, fun and generous people I know. She has such a servant's heart. She'll do things for people I would never do because she's so filled with love.

So celebrate her today!

Go-See

Yesterday I went on my first "go-see." It was just like America's Next Top Model except not at all. All I knew was to dress "nice-casual" and that it was for a drug store company. I had a meeting earlier in the day so I was wearing my cute black dress and pink and black polka-dot heels. Lovely! I arrive at the photography studio and see a line of people standing down the sidewalk and around the fence. Whoa. Normally this would be no problem, but today it was a big problem. It wasn't so much the line as the 90 degree, wet and muggy weather. This does nothing for my hair or my face. Well, it actually does a lot. Poofy, windblown hair and french-fry grease face. I was the essence of attractive. And let's not even mention the effect of muggy, humid weather on my thighs when wearing a skirt or dress. Long distance walks only means pain.

So I make friends with a cute little red-headed five year old. There are kids and adults of every age, ethnicity, size and cuteness. Most were normal people but then you had those male models that were obsessed with checking out their hair in the window. Yes, your hair looks fine. Keep moving! My thighs and face are melting. The studio was really amazing. The guys photography was incredible...though completely inappropriate for children walking through. I mean, INAPPROPRIATE! Those poor parents. No telling what questions they were asked that day.

Finally it was my turn with the photographer. I quickly powdered the nose and stood in front of the lights. Quick headshot facing forward, then a full body to the side and then she asked, "do a different pose." Suddenly my mind seized up and flashes of Tyra Banks saying, "Fierce!" and "No, not like that. Like THIS!" ran through my head. I amateurishly put my hand on my hip and gave my best friendly smile.

We'll see. I would LOVE it if you saw my face every time you walked into a Walgreens or CVS. Let's just hope there wouldn't be a sign under my face saying, "This is the face of herpes." I'd get plenty of questions from my family after that one.

Please Pray

Please pray for my friend Liz's nephew, Mark. He's just a little guy and is struggling. Click here to read more of his story. I can't imagine the devastation and hopelessness the family must be feeling. Heartbroken.

Letter from Andrew

I'm laughing and tearing up just reading Andrew's new blog post. I couldn't receive a better compliment EVER.

There is a road that we all follow, a road that stares us down and challenges us every day. No Wendy it is not the yellow brick road, it is not Dallas PKWY, it is the road that God has laid down for us to follow that leads us to him. Eventually most of us will lose hope that it is actually possible to make it through all the temptations alive. Fortunately there is hope, and it is everywhere. I have found it in the form of Patrick, Katy, and Erin a.k.a. my brother and sisters. I watch them everyday and realize that if they can make it then I can make it. They encourage me, the example they have set for me to follow. I am so proud to have them as family. (They are very lucky to have me as a brother) They give me a reason to fight temptation and to challenge the challenge that faces all of us. I want to be like all 3 of them. I've seen the adults that they have all become (Erin is still immature) and there is nothing about any of them that I want to change. I have 1 more year until college and I have been told by many grown ups that college is the year that all good kids break out and go crazy. I don't want to be that kid, I want to hold strong convictions like Patrick, be creative like Katy, be hilarious like Erin, and be as great as all 3 of them. I find encouragement in everything they have become and find hope that it is actually possible to follow the road that God has set down before us.

I love you Erin Katy and Patrick!

Seriously, we are so blessed!

Sex and the City!

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

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

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


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

Tchotchkes

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

Dream #412

Last night I had the most incredible dream! I was so sad to wake up and realize that it wasn't true.

The dream involved me auditioning with Sydney Pollack for the new movie filming in Chicago, Public Enemies. You know, the movie with Christian Bale and Johnny Depp. I was auditioning using a role that had already been cast. It was a fantastic role with hopes of an Oscar nomination. He liked me so much that he said, "Here's what we're going to do, I'm not longer going to have that other girl in this role, I'm casting you." Next thing I know I'm almost in tears with joy and riding the el home reading the script and glancing at the wardrobe for my character. You know how much I love clothes! And a wardrobe made for me and this character? Solid gold. I was so enthralled with it that I missed my stop. I was also cast opposite one of my high school friends. Seriously, I was on cloud 9. It was devastating waking up to reality! But hey, there's hope.

Two things:
1. Sydney Pollack just passed away from cancer. I read that bit of news yesterday which crept it's way into my dream.
2. I saw the set crew setting up for Public Enemies on Lincoln last night. They turned all the shops by the Biograph theater into 1930 storefronts. They were also putting down the faux cobblestone streets. I can't wait to see it!

Drewby's Visit

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

Mr. Fantastic

The reason I love this show so much!



I'm still blown away!

Reality TV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Seal is HUGE!

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

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

And there you have it.

Updates

Here we go:

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

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

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

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

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

Under the Weather

I've been holed-up with kleenex up my nostrils since Friday. Today really isn't that much different. I've got cabin fever and don't want to open up another packet of sudafed. But I will go ahead and thank God for the So You Think You Can Dance Marathon that was showing all weekend long on MTV. I watched almost every episode from the 3rd season. It was like visiting old friends again.

Season 4 starts this Thursday!! I seriously wish I could be on that show.

Graffiti Like You've Never Seen

Things like this blow my mind! I have neither the creativity nor the patience to pull off something like this:


MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

It's 6.5 minutes long, so make sure you have a few minutes to sit still and watch. It's totally worth it! You can check out more of his work here. Of course I found this on Pop Candy. I'm addicted to that site.

Where are You Dolph Lundgren?

I've debated on whether or not to say anything because I'm a perfectionist and heaven forbid if I didn't do something perfectly AND EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT! The shame! The horror! But I'm a grown woman now, so I'll go ahead and lay it out there. Besides, your prayers would be lovely.

Are you scared about what I'm going to say? What thoughts are running through that pretty little head of yours? If only I could know! I'm sure you're waiting for me to announce that I am indeed a lesbian. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not. And no, I'm not moving back to Texas. And before you even mention it, I've decided not to cut my hair short anytime soon.

Drumroll please! Don't you think drumroll's are usually a prelude to something underwhelming? Not here! Drum away!

Things have been exciting in regards to my acting career lately. Through taking classes I have found someone who believes in me and what I'm doing. Hallelujah, praise the Lord! Not only that but she's well connected and wants to help me move forward in getting an agent. So Tuesday I have an audition with a great Chicago agent. I am doing a short monologue and then perhaps a cold reading. So if you know me, you know that internally I'M FREAKING OUT! I'm going through all my mantras trying to calm myself down. Months of therapy are leading me up to this moment - one where confidence and truth triumph over anxiousness and fear of failure. It's just like Rocky IV. "I must break you."

I would love your prayers!

And in case you're wondering, Dolph is really tan and well coiffed.

My Family

Saturday was the screening of a film I shot a year ago. The director just finished her MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago. They hold screenings of their students' films at the end of the year. Ours was shown along with four other short films ranging from two and a half minutes all the way up to 38 minutes. I expected our film to be 10 minutes long. I was wrong. It is 38 minutes. So now I have to sit through nearly 40 minutes every time a friend or family member wants to see it. I do have to say that it was surreal seeing myself on a big screen.

You all will be happy to know that I didn't see myself on the big screen and immediately want to throw up and yell FIRE! so everyone would have to leave the theater. I was doing my best to act calm and collected as my friends held my hands beside me. My final thought was "That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." Sure the sound wasn't the best but it ended up being somewhat charming. I'm mostly proud of the director because she came so close to giving up half way through the project. I was also secretly delighted because she received the most interest/questions from the audience.

It was such a fun experience to go to the screening and see people share their creativity and stories. It's a fun thing to do on a weekend if you ever get a chance to do it in your local city. My favorite was a guy who did a home movie that lasted six minutes. It combined black and white 16 mm footage with no sound and kid-like art/cartoon crafts to tell a story about his family. It was thoughtful, sweet, truthful and creative.

I have a DVD of our flick if you ever want to see me running around Chicago carrying a rug. I'm not kidding. I did a lot of that. Oh! and I didn't appear nearly as sweaty as I thought I would. I did notice I have really shiny hair.

Monday Morning Mess

Poor Dad! Thankfully he's okay. I can't exactly say the same thing about the car. He wore his seatbelt, he's doing fine, and it wasn't his fault. Note to self: Bad things can happen when you run a red light.

Surprise Party

Yesterday I had fun singing both Greatest Hits albums from The Judds on my way to Decatur, IL to celebrate my cousin, Lindsay Kay, and partake in a surprise birthday celebration. I have not seen some of these wonderful family members since our family reunion nearly two years ago. There was lots of laughter, beer, cake and kiddos. Somehow I became the main attraction for the kids. And by main attraction I mean jungle gym and punching bag. I loved it!

Happy Birthday Lindsay Kay!

White Sox

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

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

The List

I wonder what it would be like to be a guy that makes five 30-something year-old women giggle with delight after an elevator door opens to reveal you in all your handsome glory.

Last night I was feeling tired and looking rough. My unwashed hair was on top of my head in a bun and my greasy bangs with sprouts of grey were held back by a headband. My eyes were puffy from too much salt and I could barely utter a "hey" when in my mind I was saying "Hello gorgeous!" Really, he was THAT good looking. We held our cackles until we left the building and it turns out we were all thinking the same thing - "Why didn't I pretend to forget something so I could ride the elevator with him!" Really, I need to be more prepared when it comes to my game. Here's my new regimen for supreme readiness:

1. Shower - it will always elevate the odds.

2. Smile - when in doubt, smile. It's much better than a cranky stare.

3. Make haste! - Girl, have your excuses ready! Drop everything when you see an opportunity.

4. Awareness - When you're riding the bus and you notice five cute guys boarding, remove the headphones and close the book. Makes you more approachable. Then apply points 1 - 3.

5. Lipstick - I'm not sure why other than my mother always tells me to put it on.

Please feel free to share your tips. All of us single people in the blogosphere are appreciative.

KISSSSSSS

What is the best way to begin a new acting class filled with strangers? Kiss one of them! Well, actually he kissed me. Indeed it's going to be a wonderful class!

I finally began the Advanced Scene Study class I've been wanting to take for a while. It's going to be intense. Not only is it four hours long on Mondays, but I also am required to meet with my scene partner twice a week outside of class. It's going to kick my butt and it's going to be awesome!

My first scene is from John Patrick Shanley's Kissing Christine. It is funny and the lives of the characters are intriguing. Right away we did a cold reading in front of the class. Of course he called our scene to go first. There was a slight verbal "ugh!" that escaped my mouth. I was nervous! I don't know any of these people and automatically I was trying to remind myself, "You are good! They let you into this class for a reason!" It wasn't too bad and it was even - GASP - fun!

The partner of one of the guys in our class couldn't make it so our teacher asked me to do the cold reading from their play. I just glanced through it quickly, noted the inappropriate things I'd be saying, and took a moment to realize I'd be kissing a stranger. No problem, I'm a professional. A quick handshake and exchange of names before the scene began and then we were off! Blah blah blah blah blah, "come here baby," smack smack, hug hug, "you smell good"...and scene! Thank you ladies and gentlemen, thank you.

It's all in a days work people.

World Premiere!

So a year ago I shot my first student film. Let me stress the word STUDENT. In a few years I'll be saying, "After my first Oscar-winning performance where I had to makeout with Matt Damon...." Oh that will be beautiful. Anyway, where was I going with this? Oh yes, a woman from the graduate program at the Art Institute of Chicago did a film about a family. How do I know this? It's called My Family. That's really all I know about the film. That and my character was obsessed with rugs. I was beginning to lose hope of ever seeing it because we filmed it so long ago. Well wouldn't you know that last week I got an email from the director. Not only do I get a DVD of it but I also have the opportunity to go watch myself on the big screen! It's such an awesome film that it's premiering at 10:00 AM this Saturday at the Gene Siskell theater. Only awesome films premiere at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning.

In all honesty I'm a little scared to go see it. Okay, a lotta scared. It was my first film. We also shot it in the middle of the summer with me wearing a full suit under really hot lights. And by the transitive property, you have SWEATY Katy. I think I'll also die when I see my butt bouncing down Michigan Avenue as I run away from the camera while holding a big rug. It's going to test the strength of my self-confidence. Hopefully I can just laugh at it instead of wanting to go hide in a corner and give up on my dream.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Another Dream...

What the heck did I eat last night?

So last night I had a dream that I had a baby. It started out that both my sister, Erin, and I were pregnant. She had her baby an hour before I went into labor. She kept telling me, "Trust me, you'll know when it's labor." Then immediately my pelvis began hurting. I said, "OH MY GOODNESS! I'M IN LABOR!" Next thing I know, I am holding a baby boy in my arms with dark hair. The funny thing is that both Erin's and my baby could walk and climb things. They were tiny little tikes to be walking and climbing. We both had boys. I couldn't decide on a name. Random names like Greg would pop up and I'd say, "No, that's not it." My husband was no where to be found although I'm pretty sure I was married. I kept wanting to call the baby Archer and then I'd think, "DANGIT! That name is already taken!" Erin and I were sitting in a dark room in the middle of the night breast feeding our babies...and I didn't care who saw my boobs. I kept waiting for it to hurt really bad like it does when you first start out. Then I woke up.

SO WEIRD! Can anyone interpret that one for me?

UPDATE:

Here's what Becky thought. She's a licensed counselor so it may have some merit.

I used to have dreams about having a baby many years ago. My mom once told me that she had the same dreams and sometimes the baby in the dream signified herself. Just food for thought.

Thoughts about Erin going first: marriage & baby.
Thoughts about the gender: maybe you're dreaming finding the "right guy" (like how you couldn't choose a name...but by the way, Greg S. is taken. Sorry. Oh, and you can't marry Archer.)

For real though, I do think baby dreams are about new birth in our lives, whether literal or figurative. Do you need to give birth to something new? Are you putting it off for fear it will "hurt?" Are you ready to be shameless about this new thing? (ex: no shame in breast feeding your baby?)

Interesting...

Campaign Trail

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

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

Pump Up the Volume

Spoken by me last night:

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

I am so unbelievably sexy.

Head in the Stars

My nephew has a unique acne problem.

Spare Me the Details

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

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

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

Two Things

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

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

Take Care of Those Tender Warriors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lobby Hero

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


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


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

Size Two? Really?

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

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

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

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

Sigh.

Fashion 411

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

General Petreus Recognizes Heroes 4 Heroes

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

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

Click here to read the letter!

Tina Fey Fey

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

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

Wedding Pics

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

Pictures from the wedding:


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


Notice my chest is pretty much normal in this picture:


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


Me and the happy couple - Jeff & Alyse


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


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


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


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

Sunny Delight

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

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

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

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

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

Seven Day Forecast

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

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

Until Next Week

Here are a few updates from my life:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Showtime!

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

Young at Heart

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

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


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