Olympic Dreams, Continued Comedy Adventures, A Ray of Sunshine in the Window

My brother Andrew is excited that Chicago is still on the short list of cities in contention for the 2016 Olympics. He's done a lot of art directing work for some of Daley's big "rah rah Chicago" events, including the one earlier this year where I was thrilled to see Barack Obama in person for the first time, and Andrew is hoping to stay on board as things progress.

Last night's Chicago Underground Comedy show was a whirlwind. Our headliner, Nick Vatterott, called just before the show started to say that he and Brady Novak, who we knew were driving in from Los Angeles, had just been pulled over in Aurora, but were hustling and promised to make it in time. They did, and Nick did great despite a couple of heckling drunkies in the front row, fresh from the Cubs game, but boy, I hope they're taking extra naps today. Comedy is exhausting.

TJ Miller, bona fide movie star these days (there he is in Cloverfield, at left), is in town for the Chicago Improv Festival, called Dan (thank you, Kristy!) and did a very last-minute set right before Nick. He also popped in after the show had begun, and I was a little nervous because I was running the show without Dan (hope you and Baby Novella are feeling better today, Dan!) so I was behind the video camera as the stragglers were arriving, but things went well. TJ introduced me to his girlfriend as "Elizabeth, Chicago comedy titan who rules with an iron fist." Indeed. You can get a lot done with lollipops and brass knuckles. Don't cross me.

Also, on the way to the gym this morning, I saw a friend, G., who is home just a few months from an 18 month tour of duty in Iraq. He's one of the kindest, most intelligent, reflective, and well-rounded people I know. We smiled and waved at each other as he sat in the window at Einstein Bagel eating his lunch, and I thought, wow. Sometimes I struggle with change and progress and new opportunities, but here's this person I know is thoughtful and compassionate, who spent months in a horrific, brutal environment, and god knows the terrible things he bore witness to, but he's back home, adjusting to living his regular life, and doing pretty okay. That's pretty wonderful.