Taking a Break

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You say potato, I say "Yes, please!!"

Lately, I've been reading about different diets, organic eating, etc., etc. While some seem helpful, others would simply cost a fortune to follow. Yes, I want to incorporate variety, but no, I don't want my weekly grocery bill to be an average of $200. Dismissed.

What I find truly disturbing, however, is this pattern of not eating potatoes! Too much starch, something else bad, blah, blah, blah. Yes, I want to eat healthier, but if you want me to give up potatoes, you'll have to pry them from my cold, dead hands.

I love the potatoes - mashed, fried, boiled, au gratin, whatever - I'll eat them all...just maybe not at the same time. Although, can't say I haven't done that before.

One magazine went so far as to tell me to replace mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower. What? Who thinks that is a good idea? I love cauliflower, but not as a replacement. As a stand alone, yes. I'm Irish, we don't just give up potatoes like that.

So for this post, there's no moral, no deep thoughts, no life-changing written words. It's simply me sharing my experience at being appalled, APPALLED, that someone would suggest that life is better without the potato. Perish the thought.

Glass is potentially half empty with a possibility of half full

These past couple of weeks have not been some of my finest. Yes, some of that is my own fault. I'm holding down a couple of jobs, doing my work for the Porchlight board and committees, joining two more DAR committees, helping to plan my 10 year high school reunion, and producing a play. Fine, I overcommitted - again. However, nothing new so that's not really the root of the crappiness.

It's because my arms hurts. There, I said it. I have a high pain tolerance and usually handle it just fine. When I got my wisdom teeth out, I took some Nuprin and went to marching band practice the next day. When I broke my finger, I wrapped it up in a drugstore brace and went about my business. But this endless pain/ache in my right arm and no feeling in my right middle finger for almost two weeks is driving me nuts. I have things to do! None of this semi-handicapedness - "I ain't got time to bleed." (Thanks, Jesse Ventura!) Tests come back negative, doctor give somewhat useless advice - and I'm still hurting.

So...right arm is not cooperating. To top that off, Friday my wallet is stolen. Most irritating part? Not calling all of the banks and filing a police report. Not not being able to take out any money in case of emergency. Most irritating was the loss of the wallet itself! I loved that wallet!! It was cute and tiny and had a leather owl on it...grrrr....

Glass half empty.

However, that said...good things can still happen. I had a great time doing dinner and the theatre with a friend. This morning I'm cutting down the alley to catch the bus and my regular homeless guy wishes me a happy day and to stay warm. After my morning meeting (on a Saturday), two of my fellow committee members offer me a ride downtown. Then I'm looking at movie times and the guy exiting a movie tells me I'm pretty.

Maybe...glass half full.

Now, tonight, I'm chillaxing in my adorable apartment with a happy cat, a good movie, and delicious leftovers. Yeah, my arm hurts and I can't buy online this beautiful coat that is 80% off. Yet in the larger scheme of things, la vie est belle.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

The kind of cold where you think "maybeIshouldwearfivescarfsandtwosweatshirtsandalinedcoatandsomelongunderwearmaybetwopairsandthenIcanaddacouplehatsandmaybethenIwillbewarmohnevermindIamgoingtojuststayinside."

You know...that kind. My evidence? My backporch.

A few of my favorite men

Unlike my dear Sister, who only watched Criterion DVDs, I have no standards when it comes to movies. I love them all. Bad or good, I'll probably still watch it. Which justifies, hopefully, my unmitigated excitement over this 2010 coming attraction:

Overload of action? Check
Ridiculous plot? Check
Jason Statham and his saucy Britishness? Check
Sylvester Stallone and his guyliner? Check
Evil dictator aided by Stone Cold Steve Austin? Check
Rumored cameo by Ahhhnold Schwarzenegger? Check

Me with my Diet Coke and soft pretzel on opening day? Check!!

I'd just like to say...

I feel sorry for my children and I haven't even had them yet. I mean, yes, I do plan on having them...someday. Of course that would require I actually go on a date and not treat it like some kind of social experiment. Actually, that would mean I go on a date, full stop. But that's a different subject for a different time.

The reason I sympathize with my as of yet hypothetical offspring is that approaching my 28th year, I have some low personal standards for myself. Some of these include the following:

• Freezer burn is a myth - if something can be heated up, then it's fine.
• Napkins, at times, are a totally acceptable substitute to toilet paper.
• Toilet paper, in turn, can substitute for kleenex.
• Mascara can last at least a year - more if it doesn't go totally solid.
  
• Leaving meat out overnight doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be thrown away.
• Wearing contacts too long in order to save money by having to buy less is brilliant.
• Not having a certain ingredient in a recipe doesn't preclude finding a substitute based on the fact that said substitute at least looks similar.
  
• 7-11 is a worthy stand-in for the actual grocery.
• Sweeping the most visible areas counts for sweeping the entire apartment.

Before I list anymore I have two caveats to this list. I a) was not raised like this - don't think badly of my mother; and b) actually live in a sanitary, clean environment - almost obsessively so, just maybe not using traditional methods.

So why the pity for future generations? Because, sometimes, I barely take care of myself (and Sugar). Cereal for dinner, ignoring chores for work, sleeping to the last possible second before work, etc. I have friends who are mothers and I totally respect them for all of the extra work it takes! I mean that's sacrifice. In turn, granted, you have the unconditional love of your kids and whatnot and that is truly valuable...agreed, but I feel like it requires one to operate in some Nancy Meyers-like film well the settings are gorgeous, the food organic, and the flowers fresh. Realistically, I am aware that it's not always like that, but just run with me here, eh?

The folks that lived in the apartment before me had a baby...a BABY! In this smallish one bedroom. I was amazed, needless to say. All I could think was, "Man, where would I put all of my shoes?" So, obviously, I'm not in that place yet, thank goodness! But I in fact applaud young parents everywhere for their tenacity and skill - go forth and multiply some more.

Me? I'm off to get out my some 4 month old package of frozen edamame and boil it until it's green again. Or maybe I had this package in the old apartment? Not sure...

Ahem...excuse me?

2010? Oh, it's on.

Happy New...yeah, whatever.

Well it's that time of year again...you know, when the year ends and whatnot. Meh. I mean, sure it's a time for self-reflection, setting new goals, etc., etc., but I'm not sure if I want to do that. Or really, if it's even an effective method of re-evaluating. I mean, New Year's resolutions are a lot of pressure.

One thing I have done, though, is to reassess my 100/10 list. Just small tweaks that make the list better and more mine. Although, I did have a second party listen to my proposed changes and approve or not. I know, you might be thinking "Cheater!" But really, the list is mine to complete and enjoy (along with you all my dear blog readers). And no changes make the list necessarily harder or easier...just better. I'm super excited! 15 goals complete in 1.5 years - right on schedule, eh? Smooches to anyone that finds the differences.

That's it really, that's all I got. No deep thoughts - rien de moi. So, I leave you with someone who does have serious thoughts and reflections...

Star Wars - I has it.

I have been totally negligent...my blog and my 100/10 goals... To the point where I have forgotten to post about one! I know - totally my fault. I'm busting out the ashes and the sackcloth now.

So...moving on. This past fall, I, and several lovely other friends, were hosted by the newlywed Kincaids in their apartment for a super fun party. But not just any party, oh no. It was a Star Wars party. All six movies, one day. Start time - 9:30am. End time - 11:30pm. We. Were. (Storm) Troopers.

It was a great day including lots of good food, blue drinks, and a ton of random Star Wars quotes. We watched the movies in chronological order per the story, not the release date. Thus, the first three were the newest ones that, I'm sorry, just aren't good! I'd seen them before and was prepared to give them another chance, but they're just awful. By the time we finished those, I was wondering how the heck I would ever get through three more.

However, the three original movies continue to be ridiculously good. The time flew by and all too soon we were done. All of us agreed that we could watch A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, and The Return of the Jedi over and over - but maybe not again until next year...

(Now for some phone pics)


Done and done - 79) Watch all six Star Wars movies in a row

Choo-choo

Last week during my sojourn in Indiana for the holiday known as Thanksgiving, Mom and I decided to gallivant about the countryside to satisfy my need for stark pictures that would look good in black & white (I lean towards those as I commence my burgeoning photography career). Lo and behold Mom used her detailed knowledge of what seems like most of southwest Indiana and we ended up at some cool railroad tracks. I immediately exited and took pictures of the empty train station, the tracks, signs, etc.

In pursuit of a great picture, I did exactly what one is not supposed to do - I walked the tracks (this is art, after all). Figuring it would be fine (i.e. trains wouldn't come that often), I walked towards the bridge. All of the sudden, I hear my mom shouting, "Katy...there's a train!" I turned around and saw this engine barreling around the bend in the tracks. I jumped off the tracks, waded through some waist high weeds and got about 20 feet away. And then proceeded to take tons of pictures - definitely some hot photo action time.

But the real moral of this story (which is in fact, not a moral at all), is that one of the greatest rushes in life is standing by railroad tracks as a train goes flying by. The train that day was probably going around 55, and it was so great.

I'm not the train buff that my dear Dad is...probably never will be. However, I do love riding trains, reading about the evolution of the rail system in Great Britain (Anglophilia, what?!), and learning more about really old trains (think Stourbridge Lion). So my Thanksgiving encounter was more thrill than scare...

But what I really want to do is ride in an engine of fa reight train poring on the speed in open country. I think I will make that an unofficial goal of mine. But, if anyone figures out how I could do such a thing before I do, just a reminder that I turn 28 on April 12th, and that would be the best birthday present...ha.

So True

The sad thing is - I've done this before. Not play with a fuzzy mouse (I'll leave that to Sugar bear), but rather laid down and put the phone on my face when I'm super tired.

So true.

A new buddy

A couple of weeks ago, I was leaving for work. I typically exit through my back door and cut through the alley. On my back porch I have a little covered area where some brooms, shovels, pots are stored (I haven't cleaned it out yet since taking over the lease). Well, a couple of weeks ago, I was completely freaked out by a noisy squirrel that made a hasty exit as I came through the door. Fine - squirrel wants to hang out, fine by me. The scene has been repeated several times since. Although, now that I know where all of the noise is coming from, I'm no longer scared witless before I've had my first hit of caffeine.

Yesterday, same thing - I exit and so does the squirrel. However, as I looked over, I noticed something new. My squirrel buddy has made a nest of newspaper and plastic over the past few weeks. Looks like he's decided to stay. Fine by me - he's not making too much of a mess and is pretty cute.

Looks like I have a roommate after all.

It's time for some Musical Theater

I heart musical theater. I've seen Phantom like 14-some odd times at theatres around the world. I love the big, grand productions, but also the small, intelligent shows found off, off, off, off Broadway. And by that, I mean they're not even in NYC...ha.

So after a couple of years in Chicago missing the feeling of being involved in theatre, I decided to make the move and become a part of a smaller theatre here. I did some research, talked to some peeps, and finally settled on Porchlight Music Theatre. I e-mailed them with some interest and got a reply to meet with some board members and then attend a board meeting.

Long story very short - last month I became a board member of PMT. And I have to say, it's been fantastic. I mean, if I get up on a Saturday at 7am to make it to the northside at 9am for a committee meeting, that says love. I have our fall benefit on Monday, an opening next Sunday, and lots more to look forward to in the spring. We're doing Into the Woods. What's not to love?

I look forward to sharing my experience there. And hopefully, when you're in Chitown, you can come with me. Theater needs all kinds of support.

Oh yes, one more completed: 27) Sit on the board of a theater

Reasons I Heart the Autumn

• Pumpkin spice candles
• Hooded sweatshirts with comfy jeans
• Snuggling up with a book and tea under an afghan
• Hot apple cider
• History Channel specials on the history of Halloween and the origins of Thanksgiving
• Colorful knitted hats
• Pumpkin muffins at The Corner Bakery
• Colored leaves
• Going for runs in my neighborhood and seeing the university back in session
• Theater shows and opening nights
• Scarves and fingerless gloves
• Cozy after-work drinks with friends
• Good movies at the theater
• The chill in the air in the evenings
  

Guy Ritchie, we need to talk

Because I'm pretty sure you took the amazing literature of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and crapped all over it. Why do I say this? Because of this monstrosity...

What...what is that? I felt sorry for you when Madonna took away your masculinity and coerced you into making the disaster that was Swept Away. I gave you the benefit of the doubt and actually paid to see RocknRolla.

And what do you do? You take the beloved story of Sherlock Holmes and make it into some twisted action movie with bad comedy and worse (looks like at least) plotlines. For the love of all that is sacred and holy, why? Look, I know that SH was a drug user during his time, but that doesn't mean the audience show be required to do the same just to get through this monstrosity of a film.

And it is going to be released on December 25? What, you're trying to kill my Christmas, too? Bullocks to that, mate.

Because you can take your bare-knuckled fisting, bad joke making, wimpy looking, bad accent using Sherlock Holmes and stuff him somewhere that won't see the light of day. Because, my friend - Jeremy Brett is better than you'll ever be. So put that in your pipe and smoke it.

A Love Letter

Dear Public Library,

I'm so sorry I've let the love between us die. The siren song of myriad Chicago bookstores led me astray. You've been good to me for years, and what do I do? I leave you stranded on the street corner as I give the cold shoulder on my way to the nearest Borders.

How could I forget all the good times we've had? The years of Book-it where I got to read all I want and earn free pizza. The hot Saturday afternoons where I would enter your air-conditioned halls and pick out books for the summer reading program. You gave me free internet when I had no computer. You helped me prepare for high school, college, and my GREs.

Oh public library, without you I would have never discovered the glory of Leon Uris, the fun of the American Girl Series, the mystery of Victoria Holt, or the beauty of Wordsworth. Sans my library goodness time, I would never had my themed reading summers during college: the Japanese theatre during WWII, the wives and children of Henry VIII, and history of the Jewish population in Europe.

So I'm sorry for all of the lost time - the years we've spent apart. But I am here to make amends. I visited you today, and it was everything I hoped it would be. I can't wait to start my new biography of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. I look forward to renewing our relationship and being the good friends that we once used to be.

I heart you public library, don't you ever forget it.

Love,

Katy

The Wisdom of The Princess Bride

As Count Rugen said in this classic film, before being killed by everyone's favorite Inigo Montoya, "If you haven't got your health, then you haven't got anything."

So true.

Normally this blog doesn't get overly personal, but tonight, my friends is different. I've put on weight since moving to Chicago. A lot of weight...let's not sugarcoat anything. I finally, finally realized this an hour ago as I tried on dresses for our opening gala in a few weeks and nothing fit. And not in the girl way of just finding an excuse to buy something new...literally. nothing. fit.

This gain is due to a lot of factors: eating as a solution to stress; a lot of late nights; having two jobs, taking classes, being involved in the community, and moving - twice; going out with old friends and making new friends; eating on the cheap; McDonald's when it's convenient.

But I'm out of excuses. As well I should be - no more "I'll start eating healthy tomorrow," or "I'll get up early to work out," (when do I ever voluntarily wake up early?), or "I'll give myself a free day to eat whatever I want." Because obviously folks, that's not working.

And if you can't tell so far, I'm pretty angry at myself. At 27, I should be in great shape - instead my clothes don't fit and I have high cholesterol. Stupid, and I know that. In high school I was always worried about being heavier than my classmates, but now I would kill for that body!

So, done. That's it. No more excuses, no more putting it off, in short, no more bull s***. I've always been a strong, disciplined woman and there's no reason to stop now. If I've survived living on two continents, graduating with my masters at 24, moving across the country twice, and working for one of the best orchestras on earth, I can sure as hell put down the donut.

So while this is a battle cry to myself to eat healthy and work out, I am still cognizant of two things 1) I've said this stuff before to no avail and 2) In the morning light, everything could seem fine. But, I feel different - ready for the challenge and eager to prove myself wrong.

So if someone asks me if I'm going to hit up the salad bar, pound the pavement, hit the weights, or take my racquet to the courts, I'll say, "Tell them I'm coming, and hell's coming with me. " (See Tombstone)

Princess Power

So I'll cop to the fact that when I was but a wee girl I liked the Disney princess movies. I watched the Sleeping Beauty, the Cinderella, the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. My hands-down favorite "princess" was Belle, though, from Beauty and the Beast. She's wicked smart, a brunette, loves to read, doesn't give in to social pressure, has a good relationship with her Dad, and let's be honest, truly saves the day.

However, I'm slightly terrified of the turn the "Disney Princesses" have taken in the past several years. Disney has grouped them altogether in a pastel pink world where little girls can wile away their days with fancy dresses and dreams of a Prince Charming. Barf. And what about the non-princess heroines like Pocahontas, Mulan, or Esmerelda? Are we stashing them away so Disney can subtly indoctrine young girls with a belief in the class system?

I mean, seriously.

However, recently I stumbled across some artwork that warms my heart that is two sizes too small. While spending sometime on Total Film, I read an article about "6 Dark Remakes Starring Disney Princesses." My hope upon hope that Rob Zombie had somehow gotten the rights to The Little Mermaid turned out to be false, but I was introduced to some amazing artwork that meshes my past-love of Disney and my current love of horror films. All thanks to DeviantArt and DeviantArt regular Jeffrey Thomas. And again, my favorite is Belle - now a more feral version with a badder beast (awesome).

A close second? Sleeping Beauty - now as a vampire (brilliant).

You can see TotalFilm's article here and the rest of the princesses here. Enjoy!

2009 Europe Trip - The condensed version

Due to the following factors: 1) lack of time 2) my immense enjoyment in posting pictures on Facebook and 3) the fact that I have several other things I want to blog about, I have decided to forgo the traditional approach to assigning a blog to each of the cities I visited. Instead in this blog for each of the remaining cities I will post one picture and give you my 5 favorite things from that experience.

If you want to know more about my trip, let's go old school and actually talk to each other live and in person...

Auschwitz
1) Finally getting to see a place that I have read so much about.
2) Witnessing history that should never be forgotten
3) The 1.5 hour drive from Krakow to Auschwitz
4) My amazing tour guide who balanced extremely well the facts and the emotion of the experience
5) Never forgetting


Malbork
1) Standing in a place where the Teutonic Knights once were
2) Dominika's father's "informal" tour
3) Seeing firsthand a medieval castle
4) Walking around in the rain
5) Goofing around with friends


Gdansk
1) Seeing the gorgeous waterfront
2) Communist apartment blocks
3) Walking through the open market
4) Taking pictures in St. Mary's Church
5) Kebobs - the Polish Taco Bell



Kartuzy
1) Spending time with the Fard and Szreder families
2) Witnessing the wedding of two wonderful people
3) Cute, friendly Polish kitties
4) Hunter's stew
4) Vodka, good food, and throwing glass against a rock


London
1) Troilus and Cressida at The Globe
2) Ordering the same sandwich at the same place (from when I was a student in 2003) and having it tasted the very same
3) The Florence Nightingale Museum
4) Cute 21 year olds who ask me to go salsa dancing
5) The 39 Steps


Also fulfilled another goal: 45) See Auschwitz

2009 Europe Trip - Krakow

These past couple weeks I have been on a...wait for it...vacation! I know, me, right? Two full weeks off that didn't involve moving, changing jobs, or a family event. I'm a little closer to being a saint, because surely that is a miracle. The trip consisted of a few different cities, with the main shindig taking place in and around Kartuzy, Poland - the marriage of a close college friend!

On today's agenda - Krakow. What can I say? I friggin' love this city! I had no expectations when it came to traveling to Poland - I am very interested in the history of the country thanks to my Polish and Lithuanian Commonwealth class in college and the stories of Leon Uris. But modern Poland? I knew very little. Thankfully, the city and I got on like a house on fire.

I stayed in a hotel near the old town which is more of a tourist part of the city, but also provides easy access to all the main sights - perfect! First on the agenda was a trek to Wawel Castle - where the country's rulers used to be located for five centuries. Wawel Hill contains the castle, the cathedral and the surrounding land. The cathedral is amazing and beautiful, especially the tomb of Queen Jadwiga. After flying from Chicago to Paris to Krakow, however, Wawel Castle was the only thing I could handle the first night!

The next couple of days consisted of a trip to Auschwitz (more details on that later), a golf cart tour of Krakow, visits to the cloth hall and the main square, yummy Polish food, walking around the city, and taking lots of pictures.

However, my hands-down favorite part of the city was Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter. I find the history of the area fascinating and took plenty of time to explore the area including several synagogues, both active and not. My favorite experience, however, was at the Stara Synagoga (Old Synagogue). Heavily damaged by the Nazis during World War II, the synagogue was rebuilt and is now a museum and conservation center. I attended an exhibit there called "And I Still See Their Faces," which consisted of images and photographs of Jews pre- and post-war. What was amazing was the where the photos came from - family members that had emigrated, photos found in clothing taken at concentration camps, photos and glass prints found hidden in Jewish homes, etc. The experience was somewhat emotional - especially after witnessing images of entire families that had been wiped out in a concentration camp.

But this history buff still managed to enjoy the present as well - watching the fire dancers in the square, shopping for fun souvenirs, eating gelato, trips to several beautiful churches, and basking in the sun while people watching.

Unfortunately, I only got three days there - I could have stayed much longer!! However, I definitely have totes good memories from this incredibly beautiful city.