Chloe "Toast"

So I was interviewed on a Podcast last night called Cinema Jaw.  It should air next week sometime.

I was pretty nervous, but Matt K. is an old film buddy of mine, and his podcast really is great. I talked about Women In Film (although not as much as I wanted to), discussed new films, DVD releases and out top 5 favorite living actresses. I had to put Chloe Sevigny in my list. I have always loved her edginess, coolness, and of course I love her as Nicolette Grant on Big Love. But what I also love is this parody of her by Drew Droege. He is hilarious as Chloe, and I can't get enough.
FYI - my actresses in order were:
5. Michelle Williams
4. Zooey Deschanel
3. Chloe Sevigny
2. Tina Fey
1. Kathleen Turner
Now though, I would change that I'm sure.

Poker night...and Autumn Cleaning

I had one rule.  One rule upon marriage that I thought, as now a wife I could have.  NO POKER!  Bill has plenty of single friends, or at least friends that don't live with their significant other.  Dude apartments.  I tolerated poker for many, many years, in a much smaller apartment where I had no escape to go to, and the next day I found myself  fishing out Old Style Tall Boys turned upside-down in the sink (the thought is....what?  Draining the last drop so it doesn't get my recycling bin wet?)

Regardless, it has happened, when I'm out of town, or spending the night at my folks, whatever, as long as I'm not here.  Well, last Friday, my weekend of only cleaning, organizing, washing my tights, yes my tights,  and only ONE  birthday party - I decided you know what - I don't care.  Have poker here.  Why not.

And what happened?  It was FUN.  I went downstairs to find my neighbor Shirley (her husband was upstairs playing cards) and we had some Ouzo (left over from our wedding) and beers.  And we had a blast.  It was nice seeing Bill and his closest companions all under one roof.  It was a great night for all.  Would have been better if Bill took the money pot, but eh, it was still super fun.

Off to Milwaukee!

Mackie, Me and Mary-Frances

Bill and I haven't escaped this concrete city since our lovely time in North Carolina.  Now I'm going without him, because he has to work, to Milwaukee for Mary-Frances's Birthday weekend.
We are going to the elusive Irish Fest.  This is the other reason Bill isn't going - he's not much for fests, drunk people, Irish music, etc. I can barely get him to go to Greek Fest (which is next weekend and we are going).
So - highlights of Milwaukee:
Friday night, got there around 8:00 and I was super dehydrated and feeling terrible, so I went to dinner then resigned to the hotel room.  LAME-O!
Saturday morning I was up and alert so John and I went to Beans and Barley and there was a super cute farmers market in the parking lot, so John and I grabbed coffee and wandered around.
Moving onto lunch, we all regrouped and manage to eat together, too!  My favorite Mexican restaurant in Milwaukee, Cempazuchi.  The best shopping of the trip was Art Smart's Dart Smart and Juggling Emporium!  We were trying to make the brewery tour at Lakefront Brewery but sadly it was sold out.  So we had a couple beers on the river (not lake) and headed to Irish Fest!
After closing down the fest, we went to Bruno's on Brady.  A superior dive, with lots of dart games and an awesome jukebox!

Mary-Frances and Mackie at Lakefront Brewery.

John, Kadima, Me + Todd

John, Mary-Frances, Jeff and Justin post Bruno's!

Todd & Darren

Oh Rachel, I miss you so!

My wonderful friend Rachel was in Chicago for six weeks, from May 14 - June 22 and she stayed with Bill and I.  Rachel and I have a long strange history though working various jobs together, but our friendship was really bonded when she and her boyfriend James moved into good old 2350/52 W. Ohio.  The four of us were like Melrose Place, minus the fights, the sex scandals and drama.  Just good old fashioned fun, gardening, parties, and Cubs games.  On the roof of course!

Regardless, Rachel and James moved to Los Angeles in November, right after Obama's election.  It's been a long time, and here is hoping that the pilot she was working on Chicago gets picked up, because we need Jamesy and Rachel back!!!! NOW!  And as a thanks to Bill & me, Rachel bought us a ridiculously generous gift certificate to Longman & Eagle, just voted Best New Restaurant by the Chicago Reader!  And that also means Date Night!

My Six-Year Addiction

Behind the Scenes of LOST
There are very few things on television I can give a crap about.  I mean, I enjoyed Arrested Development as much as the next person, along with some gems like 30 Rock, Project Runway or  The Greatest American Hero.
Regardless, I LOVE LOST.  I have been waiting nine long months for the final season premier of LOST, which was February 2.  And it was amazing.  It's like a good friend that I have to say goodbye to, or something.  I can't believe its ending. On purpose.  People that love LOST have a strong commitment to all the secrets and puzzles.  And I'm so glad to have so many like minded friends that agree!

I will be sad to stop seeing Josh Holloway, aka Sawyer, for my weekly eye candy.

But the excitement does continue throughout the season, as it unfolds with the many questions we as viewers have.  So I cheers whoever, which is no one, that reads this blog, to my fellow LOST fans, that we have a great final season, and hopes that there will be lots of answers to come.