Celebrity Spotting

Chicago has its fair share of famous natives, and there are a few that even still own real estate here along Lake Michigan. However, this city is not like L.A. or New York where celebrities crawl the streets as often as homeless people.

Therefore, when we do host a few famous ones, it is a pretty big deal.

Last night, I was invited to attend the screening of the new season of "My Boys," a TBS show that is set in Chicago. Three of the cast members all attended, too, and it was quite fun.

As you can see, Kristen, Katie and I met and talked to the cast, and had fun getting to laugh with Kyle Howard (very cute in a boyish way) and Reid Scott (downright hot). I spoke with Michael Bunin, too, but he wasn't around for the above photo. Interestingly enough, Michael knows and is friendly with my cousin Molly through Improv Olympic in L.A., and he was nothing short of hilarious. And totally real, which is always refreshing.

All in all it was fun to meet them, yet we didn't act like those girls who hung around, clinging to their every word, just hoping that the guys would fall in love, pluck them from the mundane reality of Chicago life, and whisk them off into the sunset of Los Angeles. Yeah, right, ladies. It was funny watching the "cougars" wait, ready to pounce.

Simultaneously, my friend Katie got a call from her boyfriend Jeff who was dining and cocktailing at Park Grill at Millennium Park. Apparently he was enjoying the musical stylings of a friend who was playing there, and looked up to see Jack Johnson at the bar. Jack Johnson! Having cocktails!

Jeff walked up to him and shared a few words, and was thrilled to meet the star. Katie and Jeff are actually heading up to Alpine Valley in Wisconsin tomorrow to see Jack Johnson's show, so it was a dream to get to talk to him, just like a regular guy, on a random Thursday. Hoorah! He was as nice as you'd assume he was!

Lookout New York. We're chomping at your heels as the coolest urban city celebrities like to roam.

And, there are fewer homeless people to step over as you do.

Idiots on the Loose

I'm sure you all saw this news story yesterday, but it is just too weird to let it go without discussion. A 40-year old man in Ohio was caught, and charged with a felony for, having sex with his picnic table.

After you digest that little nugget, I'm sure your next thought is, uhm, how? (Hold the 'why' thought. I am not sure I can answer that one).

Turns out this guy's a genius, and a crafty little pervert. He flipped his own backyard picnic table on its side, and used the umbrella hole for, ahem, pleasure. His neighbors caught him in the act, on video, on multiple occasions, and I for one am glad that video has not yet been released. Although I'm sure trashy Fox News channel will release it soon enough. One has to wonder if the picnic table had consented to the act...

The next question you may be asking is, ok, that's gross and strange, but how is that a crime?

Apparently Table Pervert lives within a certain number of feet from an elementary school, and since he was in the nude performing a lewd act, it is a felony. And, it was in broad daylight.

Did I mention that the guy is married with three school-aged children? That's one way to teach your kids about resourcefulness.

When I was discussing this topic with my friend Jenny, she recalled an incident of similiar gross proportions during a summer residing in New York City with her father. Her dad's building was on 3rd Avenue, in a very nice part of town. She was coming home from dinner with friends at about 11 pm on a weeknight, and just three doors down from her dad spotted a guy literally having sex with the sidewalk.

In her words, "I mean, one could argue that he was having sex ON the sidewalk, but given the lack of actual partner, I can’t help but think the cement was his intended."

The best part of Jenny's story is that he was not just going for it, he was talking dirty to it. Trying to get the sidewalk into the mood, you know. When he noticed her walking by, he stopped, stood up, and pulled up his pants. At least he has some decorum.

Talk about chafing.

And, I notice that it is Wednesday as I once again write about perverts. Maybe today truly is Hump Day?

Everything but the Kitchen Sink

This gives new meaning to bringing a brand to life. And, I must credit Kristen for bringing this article to my attention.

IKEA, the Swedish company known for its cheap, put-it-together-yourself furniture and funky styles of art and housewares is letting a comedian live in its 700 square foot display room while his NYC apartment is fumigated for cockroaches.

Apparently it is being documented for his website. He claims it has more living space than his regular apartment, which given New York's real estate situation, I don't doubt. But, the sinks and toilets (or TVs, for that matter) don't function, causing him to need to use the staff faciltities.

Oddly, his wife isn't too keen on the idea, and chose to stay elsewhere.

I can hear that conversation now.

"Honey, seriously, let's move into the IKEA store in the 'burbs for a week. It'll be an adventure!" The audible rolling of eyes matched with the angry sigh and the slam of the bedroom door.

I'm sure she wasn't thrilled with the thought of having strangers traipse through her bedroom.

However, I personally think that's one way to meet new people.