Much to address:
A. First off, I've got a big stand-up show at Girlbar on Friday, at 10pm. Doors open at 9pm, show starts one hour later. The $5 is the same for dancing later, so you essentially get in for the same. Come! It will be fun. Plus, I leave here the next morning, so come hang for a little.
B. PLEASE Vote for me in the Chicago Free Press Pressies! There is a category for Funniest Person, so it would be great if I could get a few nominations and get the ol' name out there. Only vote if you do, in fact, find me funny. Thank you in advance!
and,
C. I know I left you all without fun links for a while, so here are a few -
1. How rational are your beliefs on God? Take this quiz and see. I got a medal of honor!
2. Which Willa Wonka character are you?
3. Who's your Osbourne soulmate?
4. For the true cat lovers, ratemykitten. Do not go if you hate cats. Or go. Your call.
5. Need a cake for somethin'? Look at these fun guys!

UPDATE
GIRLBAR Friday - a constant?
Thanks to all that came to the GirlBar show on Friday! Things went great. Much thanks to Jen Slusser (who did a five minute opener for me), Ronit who taped my show professionally for festival and work submissions, and Jen Murphy (the owner) who let me go at it. Murphy said the night was a financial success - I got a great cut, and she's thinking of making it a staple - a comedy night where I am the host! Wouldn't that be enjoyable? So, if you've longed for a shot with the ol' mic, make sure you give me heads-up ... maybe we can work something out for you.

For REAL?
You guys, someone nominated me as a candidate for the 30 under 30 award in the Windy City Times, and I got it! I can't believe it! I have a photo shoot tomorrow. Isn't that spit-on-your-neck-slap-your-knee FANTASTIC?

Bruised, tired, and happs
I made it, everyone! Before I start with any details, let me just say that the survivors and majority of the people I met this weekend were wonderful, well intentioned, modern-day heroes. I am, however, going to give you a realistic overview of how it really was for me.

60 miles done, and my body paid the price, you guys. Of the 6,238 walkers, I think that at least 75% finished that first day. The other 25% weren't so lucky - there were a lot of minor injuries, as well as severe dehydration and hypnotremia (lack of sodium). The pit crews were EXCELLENT about reminding us to hydrate, literally stopping us to fill our waterbottles or camelbaks, and shoving Gatorade in our paws. Then, the rain came. The first day, we walked a long, rain-filled 19 miles. It was rough - each time you would take the emergency poncho off, the sun hide itself and rain would pummel us (seriously, I'm talkin' hail). It made for a rough time, but kind of in a delightful can-you-believe-this commiseration experience. So, I kept on stumblin', but around mile 15, I felt as if my foot snapped. Luckily (?), I kept going, and didn't take my shoe off until i hit camp, where my foot swelled immediately. The podiatry camp thought maybe I snapped a tendon. It was very painful, but I took much painkiller and ate, chatted it up, and slept. A lot of people left for hotels and their respective homes, as their tents and all their gear was soaked. To be honest, it disappointed me. Unless you had a serious medical condition, or you were pregnant, I pretty much thought that this was what we signed up for - you know, facing the elements, to survive them. I do know that this walk is really for you to face your own limitations, not everyone elses expectations, so of course I was understanding.

The next day, Saturday, I was determined to finish the longest day of the walk, 22 miles. However, when I awoke and literally lifted my leg out of the sleeping bag, I was alarmed to see the top of my foot was purple. Not enjoyable. So, I decided to do what I could, and go from there. Though there was a lot of stopping, I made it though 18 of those miles! When I again visited the medical camp, they red-carded me (meaning, I wasn't allowed to continue until further medical care was given) for the next morning - BECAUSE I HAD A STRESS FRACTURE! What the F?! I walked 18 miles with a little broken guy. Now, I know this is so dumb, but even though the walking doesn't actually cure cancer, people, pushing your own physical limits as a sacrifice for women that have been through so much more is just the experience you want to have. So, I wrapped the ol' foot, iced it up, took meds, drank fluids, and pressed on towards the final - and most important, last leg.

Then, yesterday, we finished. It was maybe the slowest I have ever, ever been, and it got worse as the day went on. My friends Kelli, Amy and I called this "flapdoodling" - i.e., kind of similar to the walking you do when you are drunk in college, just getting home to the dorm, and your body just takes you there after your mind has high-tailed it. I probably walked 70 miles by the end just getting to camp (we were in another area where extra tents were added about a half mile out). The last day was only 13 miles - something after the second day that I felt I could do in my sleep. 13 miles was like, walking to the mailbox in comparison to what we'd been through. Hitting Chi-town was one of the most exciting feelings EVER - I wanted to wrap my arms around the skyline and just give it a big ol' love-down. After we hit that postcard pic, however, there were still like, 6 more miles or some CRAZY SH*T. I know that doesn't sound like the worst, but my foot had caught fire and I was like, hallucinating that there were wolves on the bike path by now. Anyway, we made it in to the victorious finish line, where we were delightfully show-ponied around, and beautiful people clapped our pain (mostly) away. Thousands of people were there - family, friends, partners, mothers, fathers, kids. Wonderful. Honestly, the best time was watching those people come in that you lost sight of during the physical pain - survivors that struggled, a family of sisters that had lost a sister walk in together holding hands, a woman in a wheelchair barely making it, an 83 year old woman - 3-peating the walk.

Yes, the walk is commercialized now. Yes, you could see an actual change in people once they hit the Chicago city limits - quickly snapping back to their north-shore lives instead of continuing the hippie-mentality they had the hours before. But, this much is true, and this I will take away - this walk is to say never another, never again, no more. The only thing that has made progressive change in our lifetimes are communities that care enough to change the circumstances. So, that I believe in.

I am dying to post pics, but my digital camera won't upload to my computer. I hope you guys can wait for my (not for the faint of heart) purple foot. Again, thank you all for your support and sponsorship! It was a time I will remember for the rest of my life.