My Man Emmitt!

Oh my gosh! Somebody call me right now about Dancing with the Stars! It's been at least 45 minutes since I've talked about it and I'm having withdrawals! I've tried to convert the male populace recently about the greatness of this show. I've had some definite push back but only from the uneducated.

Tuesday night's dances were phenomenal! Once again I found myself smiling and wishing that I were a B movie star so I could be asked to be on the show. Here are my thoughts on the dancers/dances:

1. Joey Lawrence: I LOVED the tango. even though it was to the Addams Family tune and Edyta was wearing long ugly hair, I LOVED it. The strange stiff movements really worked with the music. Joey rocks at the ballroom dances! And let's talk about the Paso Doble...whoa (remember Blossom?). It was great!


2. Mario Lopez: His dances were rock solid as usual. I loved his partners short red wig. I wish I could wear my hair like that. I'd probably look like a chubby Dorothy Hamill.

I totally had this haircut in elementary school. My mom loved it and probably still wishes I had it. Tempting...

1. Mario knows he's good but he's a little arrogant. I'm not the only one who thinks so.


2. Monique: She tries so hard. She tries too hard. Her cha cha was fantastic and she deserves major props for that dance. But her first dance was a little too weird for me. You know what? I did like the dance but didn't like her lipstick or her dress. Too distracting.


3. Emmitt Smith: Foxtrot = eh. Rumba = omigosh he's amazing! I concur with Glen. I wish he could have given you an 11! He's still my favorite.

SPOILER ALERT!

Three cheers for Emmitt and Cheryl! I was so nervous that they wouldn't move forward. Then I would have cussed myself for not voting. My favorite moment of Wednesday night's show was Joey's face when they said he was moving forward to the next round. You know he's genuinely thankful! At that point we all knew that Monique was going home, even she did. She's great but just doesn't have the fan base. So long little lady.

I can't wait until next week! I'm so nervous!

Post Secret Bookstore Visit

Post Secret's Frank Warren is coming to Chicago again on November 15th. I have a work party that night, otherwise I'd be sure to go to Barbara's Bookstore. Scroll to the bottom to check out the tour schedule. I may have to purchase the new book he just published. The first one was pretty cool.

Happy Halloween

Connor roars on his first Halloween. He's excited to eat candy with his new tooth.

Hope you had a great Halloween!

Eliot Mooney

This post is to celebrate the life of Eliot Mooney. You may remember me mentioning him in an earlier post. I've been blessed to walk along this journey with Matt and Ginny as I've read every post they've written. Please pray for Matt and Ginny.

Week Worth Mentioning

This week was jam packed with events and non-events.

First, I had my Second City Touring Company understudy audition. It went okay. It wasn't spectacular and it wasn't horrible. It was just kind of...eh. But I'm glad I did it and I can't wait to do it again!

Second, I missed two days of work due to illness. I finally went to the doctor and he gave me a strep test. My throat was raw, soar, swollen and covered with white dots. A sign of strep? That's what I thought. When the test came back negative the doctor said it was just Post-Nasal Drip and that I should just take some Benadryl. All that for POST-NASAL DRIP!??? Well, at least I got caught up on my sleep and am feeling a wee bit cabin feverish.

Finally, when I returned home from the doctor, my roommate said that we had had a visitor. This woman claimed she was from the projects and had been receiving my mail occasionally. She refused to give it to my roommate because I wasn't home and she asked for a reward. UMMMM, a REWARD???? First of all, don't come to my house! Secondly, it's called good citizenship. Thirdly, do what we all do, put "Return to Sender" on it or "Wrong Address." I wouldn't be too upset but one of the envelopes has a check in it. The check has since been cancelled. The woman called last night and said she was on her way again to give me my mail. I just asked her not to come over but instead to take it to the post office. She then proceeded to ask for a reward. I did what the post-office told me to do....I said no. This whole thing makes me nervous.

Anyway, I just took an anti-histamine and now I have the shakes. What a week!

Wedding Pictures

Here are some pictures from Rachel's wedding.
















Me and my old college roommate, Rachel (not the one that got married). This also happens to be the dress that flew over my head.




















The church where they got married. It was gorgeous! The glass walls let the autumn leaves shine through.




















The happy couple.

Marilyn Moment

It was great to see my friends this weekend at Rachel Robinson's wedding in Little Rock. I was able to see a lot of them and unfortunately they were able to see too much of me. Wearing a cute dress I walked out of a hotel bar only to be hit by a gust of wind that blew my dress over my head. With a loud scream I thrust my arms down to pin the dress to my legs. Unfortunately I realized I was too late as I looked just ahead of me into the eyes of the brides brother. Yeah, he saw me...all of me. Once again, I can walk away blush free because I had on my cute panties.

Laffy Taffy Break

Tis the season for bags of individually wrapped candy. My candy of choice this week are Laffy Taffy's. I think I had a headache this weekend because of withdrawals. Now I have a sugar overdose headache.

The great thing about Laffy Taffy's isn't the gooey like texture or the chemical flavoring. It's the brilliant jokes they share! Here is one courtesy of Jessie E. from Knoxville, TN:

"Which President was the biggest Ham?" I don't know Jessie. Who possibly could it be? "Abraham" (Lincoln of course). hahahahahahaha! Oh Jessie, YOU'RE a HAM! No, You ARE! You're good Jessie. Thanks for the laugh!

Angela R. from McKenzie, IN has a more heartfelt one:

"What kind of ship never sinks?" Ummm, friendship? "Damn you, you stole it!" I know, I'm heartfelt. I can't help it. It's who I am!

**My responses can be found in italics.

Mia Famiglia

Erin, Chris and Connor came into town this past weekend. This makes 3 out of the past 4 weekends that I've had family in Chicago. It's been fabulous and I've loved every second of it. Connor and I did some bonding. I think I'm his new favorite person in the whole entire world. At least I thought that until I babysat him so Erin and Chris could have dinner together. He liked me for the first hour or so and then I just couldn't measure up. As soon as they walked back in the door he laughed and smiled. As my sister was breast feeding I asked her "What do you have that I don't?"

My favorite part was waking up this morning with him next to me. He smiled first thing...and then tooted...loudly...several times. Hence the smile...

I can't wait to babysit again. Erin and Chris are wonderful parents. It's amazing to see my little sister as a mother. It's fits her perfectly!














Aren't we cute?















Apparently my face tastes great.

Connor's already a comedian. Check out his impression of the Blair Witch Project. He's going places.




















I'm sure Erin & Chris will have more fabulous pictures from their Chicago trip. You can check out their website.

Anniversary

Sunday marked my three year anniversary here in Chicago. I celebrated by throwing a work event for over 10,000 people. It reminded me of how far I've come since I left on a 15 hour road trip with my dad three years ago. So much has happened in those three years. I've been blessed with great opportunities, wonderful friends and unforgettable memories. I thought it might be fun to highlight opportunities I've had since picking up my life and moving to Chicago.

1. Road trip with Dad
2. Slept on Kathie's couch for 4 months
3. Celebrated and mourned with the Cubs loss to the Marlins - Bartlett ball incident
4. Met Joss Stone
5. Got a great job, new roommates and an apartment all in ONE day
6. Ran 2 half marathons
7. Completed a sprint triathalon
8. Trip to Hawaii
9. Brother, Patrick, got married to Alicia
10. Erin & Chris had a baby
11. Best friend, Beckles, got married
12. Auditioned for the Second City Conservatory & got in!
13. Graduated from the Second City Conservatory
14. Made life-long friends from Second City
15. Finished the iO improv training program
16. Performed with Quick!Paddle!! at iO
17. Performed with Sable (my first improv show ever)
18. Auditioned and got cast in "Generation X-Communication"
19. Performed with friends in "Mockupations"
20. Asked to perform at House of Blues with Rebirth
21. First audition for a play and CAST!
22. One minute part in a seven minute play - "The Resignation"
23. Picked up Gary Hall Jr. from the airport
24. Learned to flyfish with my dad and patrick in Montana
25. Family trip to Vancouver
26. Climbed the Grouse Grind
27. Lost 20 pounds
28. Gained 20 pounds
29. Had many unsuccessful blind dates
30. Turned 30 and had my whole family celebrating with me
31. Skiing with my family in Breckenridge, Colorado
32. Went to Stacey, Rachel, Katherine and Lindsay's Weddings
33. Shook Harold Ramis' hand and talked to him about Second City
34. Re-introduced Chris & Marissa who ended up getting married
35. Bought a couch and oversized chair
36. Got numerous parking tickets
37. Part of the greatest small group ever
38. Live with my cousin, Jessie
39. Learned that I don't like beer but like a good Cider
40. Discovered Potbellies
41. Attended 2 plays at Steppenwolf with Helen
42. Met most of Chicago's top CEO's
43. Passed by Scott Speedman on Dearborn St.
44. Found the love of my life - "Dancing with the Stars"
45. Bonding with Auntie
46. Cubs games with roommates, dad, work, Ashley and Drewbie
47. Becky, Wendy, Katherine, Dow, Bunny, Marissa and Courtney visit me
48. Family Reunion in Myrtle Beach
49. Laser Hair Removal!!!
50. Discovered D'Agostino's thin crust extra sauce cheese pizza. mmmmm good.

I'm going to stop at 50. I think that's a good number. I am blessed beyond words and comprehension. So much can happen in three years. I took a risk by leaving everything I knew and look how much I've been able to do with my life. Three years passed by so quickly. I wouldn't change a thing. I want to make the most of the time that I have here.

I know that there are many things that I've failed to mention or momentarily forgotten. Please feel free to add any memories you've had with me over the last three years. I'd love to hear them!

Weekend with the Ladies

Last weekend I had the honor and privilege to spend a couple of days with some of the most incredible women I know. My mom, her three sisters and a cousin came to Chicago for a girls weekend. What a fabulous idea! I can't wait to do that with my sisters!














This picture is only slightly posed.

We stayed downtown at the Hotel Intercontinental. They put us in three rooms that basically connected together. I felt like I was at camp...a plush camp for women over the age of 50...and loved it! We sat around in our robes late at night and early in the morning drinking coffee, laughing and telling stories. I began to see how each woman is unique and how they all have different personalities. Aside from the fact that they look like they could be quadruplettes, their intracacies came out. But the wonderful thing is to see how they all fit together to make an incredibly loving and entertaining family. I haven't laughed this hard in months!

We saw my midnight show (I'm proud of you ladies for staying up until 2am!), ate long meals at amazing restaurants, shopped til we dropped and of course saw Menopause the Musical! The audience for Menopause the Musical was rowdy! I've never heard so many Amen's and applause of recognitions. These women have a secret club and only they know the lingo. It's fabulous.

They made me feel so loved and a part of the crew. They made me excited to grow older because they have such a zest for life. I hope I'm like them when I grow up! I couldn't help but cry when I left them because I would miss them each. But mostly I'd miss the product of the whole.















Lucky for them I've let a week pass me by and have conveniently "forgotten" some of our conversations and mishaps. Feel free to share your stories. I'll be sure to add any I suddenly remember and CAN talk about. My dating life always was a topic of interest. I didn't feel interrogated. They were great about asking questions and giving encouragement. No topic was a taboo topic for these ladies. It was GREAT! Thank you Mom, Mary, Kathy, Beth and Maryanne.

I miss you all already!

Car Troubles

There's nothing like hearing your car has major engine problems to make you want to immediately call your dad to make sure you're not getting scammed. Case in point: My engine light came on and began blinking. That was followed by serious massage like shaking of the car. One inspection and an arm and a leg later my car is driving just dandy.

I just needed to call my dad to make sure that everything was going to be okay. There's a certain vulnerability and lack of independence with anything involving car trouble that makes me feel anxious, but one "it's going to be okay" from dad and I'm fine.

Big Burly Beard

...skinny celebrity.

I had another brush with celebrity today at lunch. This time it was with one of my greatest all time secret celebrity crushes. Becky and I used to watch Felicity religiously and I couldn't get over Ben's soft spoken "hey" and his insecure quiet ways. Those qualities are much more attractive to watch on film than to experience in real life.

Walking down Dearborn Street just south of Wacker I saw a burly bearded skinny man walking towards me and Erin. I didn't recognize the beard but I definitely recognized the eyes. It took me a few moments to place those eyes. Basically I got caught staring and probably had to shut my slackened jaw. He watched us too as we walked by. YES! Sweet victory! I didn't think Erin would recognize him but when I slowly turned my head to tell her who we had just passed I saw that she had the same face as me. Clear recognition.

That made my day. Here's to you Scott Speedman for making my post lunch hours go by quickly! May I run into you again someday soon. Like maybe the Cubs game tonight????

Grey's Anatomy

Please read my cousin, Josh's perfect description of formulaic network television shows. It's good for a laugh yet makes you feel a little ashamed of these guilty pleasures.

Dancing

I'm sorry that I haven't updated much recently. I've been too busy selling my soul so that someday I can compete on Dancing with the Stars. You think I'm kidding.

My favorite competitors this season:

Emmitt Smith: How can you not like a Dallas Cowboy? He's got great skills. He's been labeled "twinkle toes" and I have to agree.

Joey Lawrence: Whoa. He's definitely way metro and his eyebrows look penciled on but he gives it 100% and he's fun to watch. Plus he resembles Mr. Clean.

Jerry Springer: He makes me laugh and he lives in Chicago.

I'm not a big fan of the ladies on this show. I like Sarah Evans because she's a country girl and her face resembles my cousins. I could take or leave the rest of them. Hopefully I'll warm up to the ladies as the season moves forward.

Until then I'll continue smiling as I watch and wishing it was me.

Inspiring Quotes

...from my life. What do they inspire? Laughter and tears.

Spoken while watching a Gap ad: "Skinny black pants is probably the worst news these thighs could possibly hear."

Janell said, "Katy, he's perfect for you. He likes to knit and enjoys doing Civil War re-enactments." My response: "Do you even know me?"

Olympic Encounter

Today was a great day. You may be asking, "Katy, why was it such a great day?" Well I'll tell you. Today I had the honor of picking up Gary Hall, Jr. at the airport. I was his chauffer for the day. Who is Gary Hall? Ummm, hello! Only the second most decorated Olympian of all time! He's the fastest man in the world! In the pool, that is.

He spoke to a school about having type 1 diabetes and how he was told he'd never be able to compete again. That was six years ago and he's won billions of gold medals since. Proved them wrong!

He was quiet and shy until he was in front of the kids. Too bad he's a hottie and also married with an eight month old baby. Will I ever catch a break?!!!

Here's a picture of him with me and my co-worker, Donna.
















He's a giant. And he sat in my car! I'll for sure be cheering him on to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The Removal of Moles and All Dignity

My doctor and the nurses were hilarious. I knew that they were trying to make me feel comfortable and were making sure I wasn't going to pass out as they stuck a needle in my body six times in three different places. After the slight burn of the numbing medicine I was feeling fine. I laid on my back and chatted away about improv, acting, Texas, etc. After the back of my knee and my upper back were finished I was told to flip over.

I made the mistake of telling them that we had to sing in our show. They kept pestering me to sing a song. ME! I had flashbacks of people saying, "Hey, do something funny." I wanted to say, "Excuse me but I don't feel much like singing a song considering you're working on my fully exposed boob and you happen to be stitching up a huge hole!" Maybe I would have worked with them a little more had they given me drugs to numb my mind and not just my body.

SOMETHING OF NOTE: I wore cute panties again to the doctor. This time they had more coverage. To hell with visible panty lines.

Opening Night

Tonight's the night! It's not actually THE opening night. It's more MY opening night. I need to go home and take a big fat nap before the big midnight show. I'm afraid I won't be performing as a whole and complete person. I'll be performing as a woman who is shy three moles and sporting numerous stitches. I'll try to work that into my character. Let's hope her biopsy doesn't show cancer.

Connor on Film

Oh my gosh! I just about died seeing this pictures. I wish I could just kiss those expressive eyebrows. Weird? Wait until you see the pictures!

I saw Connor for a couple of days while I was home in Texas. He's chubby and I like him that way. (Said while crying) I miiss him alreaaaaddddyyyy!