October 2008 Archives

Posted - Oct. 30, 2008 - 11:49 a.m.

Check out Tribune columnist John Kass' piece about Newsheimer's Disease, "in which the politician pretends he didn't read the paper, so as to avoid comment" and how this "disease" relates to U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez and Mayor Daley.

Other definitions of Newsheimer's disease include this one from Newsweek writer Christopher Dickey: "Newsheimer's disease, which I guess has been around for a while to describe a mind overwhelmed with 24/7 headlines and unable to retain important information or to impose order on it."

Gene Amole, author of "Amole One More Time" described Newsheimer's disease as "the inability to remember what I wrote yesterday."

Which definition do you prefer?

Posted - Oct. 29, 2008 - 10:00 a.m.

My partner in crime (and rhyme) on the Blue Side, Tribune reporter Kevin Pang, had a story this week about Japanese Barack Obama impersonator Nozomu Sato, or fauxbama as I am calling him.

Sato recently spent five days in Chicago filming a game show pilot called "To Sign a Contract" for which he had to convince Chicagoans he is Obama, according to the Tribune. 

Good thing Sato's not attempting this task on Halloween. He'll have a lot more competition then. Obama is leading Halloween mask sales on Amazon.com 54 percent to John McCain's 46 percent, Reuters reports.

Interested in being a fauxbama this Halloween? Check out Tribune cartoonist Rick Tuma's printable Obama mask.

Or looking for an even more ubiquitous getup? Here's a link to Tuma's well-crafted (and printable!) Sarah Palin mask.

Sorry we don't have a mask for the truly uninspired Halloween costume.

For the record, my costume doesn't require a mask. I am going as this for Halloween.

What's your costume?

Posted 12:29 p.m., Oct. 28

Lauren on Letterman Monday:

Posted Oct. 28 at 11:52 a.m.

Man, not a week goes by without "Going Public" receiving a complaint about CTA smart cards.  Personally, I've only broken one and since I swing with the simpler Chicago Card (upload and go), I haven't had much grief.  But riders are getting hotter and hotter under the collar about issues from cards getting gobbled by machines, balances being reflected inaccurately, etc.

So here's what we're going to do.  Starting with this month, I'm compiling a list of rider beefs and then I'll send them to CTA staffers.  I know that agency prez, Ron Huberman, has said his ultimate goal is to get the CTA out of the smart card business and move toward different media, but in the meantime, maybe some improvements can be made. 

To be clear: I'm adding from my inbox.  Feel free to submit your card gripes as comments. 

Here goes:

Oct. 28: Card snapped in cold snap

Rider Kathleen complains Chicago Card broke because of cold and she wants the replacement fee waived, plus has a complaint about the rudeness of customer service personnel.

Oct. 27: Three weeks and no replacement?

Rider Catherine has waited three weeks for a Chicago Card replacement and says she is having to pay out of pocket until it slooooowly arrives.

Oct. 10 -- Can't even cancel Chicago Card Plus?

Rider Joe D. from Uptown says he tried to cancel his card and since they are proposing no discount for Chicago Card holders and was told by customer service that those fees are non-refundable and he could only change his credit card information and let the balance zero out.  Oct. 28 update: Some signs of life in CTA customer service, as Joe tells me that the agency did refund the amount remaining on his Chicago Plus card.   

Posted 11:49 p.m., Oct. 27

In case you missed it:

Posted 11:47 p.m., Oct. 27

Here's your best quotes:

#1: “I felt like he’s in and out of my life. But I feel like I need to go back to him. You know you’re like one of the greatest guys I ever met and I want to you be part of my life. But right now someone else still has my heart.” - Audrina to Corey about Justin Bobby

Translation: I know I'll probably regret this later, but I have to get back together with Justin.

#2: "Ninety percent of my time with you is pretty right on, it’s really good. When I think about you, I don't think of anything negative whatsoever. I will pretty much always be there for you...I want you to be with me.” - Justin Bobby to Audrina

Translation: Let's get back together. I can't promise things will be different though.

#3: “Think of how many times you wanted to end it with him. There’s been a reason for that every time. He can't just keep coming and sweeping you off your feet…I think he gets scared when he thinks he’s going to lose you and he likes when he feel like he's got you wrapped around his finger…I just don’t want you to fall back into the same trap you’ve fallen back into 15 times before.” - Chiara to Audrina

Translation: Don't dump Corey for Justin. Think Audrina. Remember all the bad times with Justin?

#4: “It's really not that exciting...lf Brody comes I'll take him aside and have a talk with him." - Cameron to She-Pratt

Translation: Oh, I'll totally defend you to Brody but not really.

#5: "I'm not going to get emotional." - Corey to Audrina

Translation: I'm getting dumped but I won't cry on TV.

#6:“At least I’ll have a protection if Brody says anything to me." - She-Pratt to Lauren about Cameron

Translation: Cameron will protect me from Brody.

#7: "Please god, I would love for Cameron to say one thing to me. I'll be like, 'Listen homey, why don't I pull you outside and tell you a couple things about your little girlfriend you don't know.'" - Brody to Lauren about Cameron

Translation: If Cameron says one thing to me, it's on.

#8: "Hey, lighten up." - Lauren to Brody

Translation: Don't start a fight with Cameron.

#9: "Did Brody go?...Let me guess, he didn’t stand up for you? Oh, my gosh.” - Spencer to She-Pratt about Cameron

Translation: Your boyfriend is a coward.

#10: "Why are you not in your bikini?" - Brody to Lauren

Translation: Why are you not showing any skin?

Posted 10:43 p.m., Oct. 27

So this episode only raised questions - the 5 Ws:

> Why does Audrina break it off with Corey?

> Who is the guy with Lo at the club?

> What is that on Cameron's face?

> When will Lauren figure out not to be friends with She-Pratt?

> How does Spencer manage to still torture She-Pratt?

> Where has Holly been?

They're all questions that weren't answered but let's at least talk about the first question: Audrina and Corey. She dumps this awesome guy with a hot Aussie accent, who treated her nice for Justin Bobby?!! She makes me want to pull my hair out. This is the same Justin Bobby who was talking about a hall pass in Cabo and the same Justin who kissed another girl in front of Audrina at a club and lied about it. C'mon! Audrina, you need to drop him. Chiara is even telling you to and reminding you of your pattern to go back to Justin. All Justin had to say was I want you to be with me. How many times has Audrina said that to him?

And breaking up with Corey after he gives you a tiny koala bear and invites you to Australia, wow, he had no idea this was coming. It's like Audrina knows Justin is bad for her and wants to be with him because he is. Does she really need all the drama he creates?

The other scene stealer is Cameron - She-Pratt's BF. Yep, he was only in one scene at the club but talked about through the episode. Let's count the ways: She-Pratt tells Lauren they had "the talk," which I guess makes it official they're together. Brody tells Lauren if Cameron talks to him, he's going to take him out and tell him about all the evil things She-Pratt has done. Spencer gives She-Pratt a hard time because Cameron didn't stand up to Brody and ditched their brunch. And then She-Pratt can't even answer on a scale of 1 to 10 how much she likes him and almost wants to break up with him after her meal with Speidi.

To be fair, it's not Cameron's job to confront Brody on things he's said to She-Pratt when she wasn't with Cameron. Maybe if words were exchanged at the club, then he should've said something. But Brody behaved. However, Cameron, if you say you're going to confront Brody, then stay true to your word. You didn't do anything, even when you're prompted by She-Pratt. Way to go "homey."

Posted - Oct. 27, 2008 - 3:43 p.m.

A recent New York Times story examined recessonistas, who are fashionistas on a budget because of the economy.

The Times said the word has gained momentum in newspapers and women's blog Jezebel.com, a favorite site of this girl.

The Times also noted the popularity of the term "recession chic," and traced the phrase to The Times of London, which used the headline "Recession Chic" for a column about a return to tailored dressing among businesswomen.

Mary Hall, an IBM marketing manager in California and author of therecessionista.blogspot.com, told the Times her friends like the word so much they have nicknamed her Recessionista. "It is more lighthearted to say 'I am the Recessionista, and I don't really go for that,' instead of saying 'I can’t afford that or I don't want to spend the money,'" Hall said. 'The 'ista' on the end there, it gives it a little touch of the bling, I think."

I've noticed over the past few months that I have bought fewer clothes or waited until sales (shopportunities) to make my purchases. How have you tried to stay fashionable during this unfashionable economy?

Posted 2:35 p.m., Oct. 27

Monday night is LC night.

First, "The Hills." And then be sure to watch David Letterman tonight cause Lauren blogs she'll be a guest.

I wonder what Dave will ask her? Maybe about her Audrina feud?

Posted 1:41 p.m., Oct. 27

All the speculation is about whether Lauren's done with the Hills. Will this be the last season? Could Speidi take over the role of narrator - you know they'd love to.

The show wouldn't work without Lauren, Brody told OK! magazine.

"They will never find anybody to replace LC," he said. "She's an incredible girl and there will be nobody to replace her."

"If everything works out then we'll do a fifth season and if not it's all good," Brody says. "We'll all go our separate ways and we'll always be friends."

Brody's got his own "Bromance" show going on and Whitney has "The City." So who's next to get a spinoff?

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Posted - Oct. 24, 2008 - 4:57 p.m.

Do you live in a food desert?

A food desert is a large area that has limited grocery store options and a heavy concentration of fast food restaurants or convenience stores, according to  Mari Gallagher, whose North Side research firm has been studying Chicago's food conditions since 2006.

RedEye's map series this week explores Chicago's food deserts. We plotted seven major grocery chains and showed where the main food deserts are located (Roseland, West Englewood, Grand Boulevard and Washington Park).

Gallagher's research in 2006 found that a half-million Chicagoans live in a food desert. Gallagher plans to release updated food desert numbers next month.

Do you live in a food desert? What are your grocery store options?

Posted 3:34 p.m., Oct. 23

Well, well, well. I wondered (kinda) where Kristin went. Let's see, the last thing I saw her in was a Gavin DeGraw's music video.

NY Post Page Six reported earlier this week that she hooked up with Chris Evans from "Fantastic Four" in Miami last week. But she says NOT true.

"I hear that too! No, we're just friends," Kristin told Usmagazine.com. "I've known Chris for awhile – just through mutual friends. I've known him for a few years, actually."

She said it's been hard to find a guy in LA who's her type: can make her laugh and secure with himself.

"They're prettier than the girls! There are a few good guys, though, but I haven’t found one lately. Or ever."

Ouch!

So what has Kristin been up to? Filming her guest role on "CSI."

She plays a handbag designer "who's kind of in her prime and has everything going for and then she gets caught in the middle of a crime investigation. And that’s all I can really say."

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Posted 3:18 p.m., Oct. 23

Want to look like you're on "The Hills?"

Of course, all the girls on "The Hills" are beautiful (even if some had some work done). Now, they're sharing their beauty secrets.

Lauren is the spokeswoman for Mark cosmetics. Skintimatetips.com features Whitney's beauty tips and offers a chance to win a phone conversation with her. Audrina blogs about how pumpkin is good for the skin and gives recipes for a pumpkin mask and spice scrub.

No word on what product Heidi, Lo or She-Pratt are endorsing...

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Posted 3:07 p.m., Oct.23

Oh, gawd. Another Speidi sighting.

This time, Spencer was spotted wearing a "Palin For VP: God, Guns, Glory" T-shirt and Heidi had on a "Read My Lipstick: Vote McCain-Palin" top, according to Usmagazine.com.

But that's not all. Spencer was photographed carrying a shotgun and beer and Heidi was holding a copy of Henry Browne’s You Can Profit From A Monetary Crisis."

What those two won't do for a cheesy photo. Are they even registered to vote?

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Posted - Oct. 23, 2008 - 9:30 a.m.

The New York Times had a story a few days ago about the extreme approaches people take to be green. Call them carborexics.

One woman grows her own produce and air-dries her clothes while one man said he "occasionally relieves himself on his lawn in order to 'save a flush.'"

The "saving a flush" concept is an idea that I encountered in 2004 when I spent a summer in Minneapolis. My roommates and some other Minnesotans I met didn't believe in flushing for fluids. I wonder if this unique to Minnesotans and carborexics? I've lived in a few other states since then and haven't heard of "save a flush" since reading the Times article.

Anyway, feel free to post the ways you are being green here or on my co-worker Supriya Doshi's blog, "Practically Green."

I'll start: I've been using those cloth bags a lot more in and out of the house. They're a popular giveaway at races, and I figure I should put them to good use.

Posted 11:09 p.m., Oct. 22

On the next episode, it looks like Audrina dumps Corey for Justin (big shocker) and Brody shows why he and Spencer were once friends when he talks about She-Pratt new BF and says "Listen homey, why don't I pull you outside..."

Posted - Oct. 22, 2008 - 2:30 p.m.

The Tribune plays the name game with a photo gallery of all the restaurant puns around Chicago. What's your favorite? I like Hearty Boys Catering.

Posted - Oct. 22, 2008 - 9:30 a.m.

My RedEye cover story Tuesday examined the different styles of arguing people employ when they are in a rage match. Take the quiz and find out whether you are a pit bull, a cobra, a golden retriever, a roadrunner or an eagle.

And if you love to argue, are you a below-the-belt pelter (stunning opponents by exploiting their weaknesses); loud-talker (all arguments are in CAPS LOCKS) or a defender-bender (always on the defensive even when you are not under attack)?

Does sharing this anger with others make me a cobra?

Posted 9:31 p.m., Oct. 21

Audrina called in from Pittsburgh where she's filming "Sorority Row" to talk to Ryan Seacrest Tuesday about the rumor that Lauren hooked up with Justin Bobby.

She said when she heard about the rumor, she called Lauren, who hung up on her. Probably because she was insulted that Audrina even asked such a thing. It's not like LC has been rooting for Justin Bobby this whole time.

Eventually, the two talked and the cameras were rolling. Audrina also talked to Justin Bobby on camera. Both denied anything happened between them. Can't wait to see the footage.

"I don't believe the rumors," Audrina told Ryan. "At this point, I don't believe that they did. But if they did, for some crazy reason I somehow really find out about it, at this point I don't even really care, it's not worth it," she said.

Yeah, right. How many times has she said she's done with Justin Bobby?

Posted 8:49 p.m., Oct. 21

What do you think of Whitney's new show "The City" filmed in New York? She leaves the Hollywood Hills for the Big Apple. Take a look here:

Posted 8:45 p.m., Oct. 21

In case you missed it, here it is:

Posted - Oct. 21, 2008 - 2:30 p.m.

Fare thee well, Zima. MillerCoors announced Monday it will discontinue Zima because of "declining consumer interest," according to the St. Louis Business Journal.

The malternative beverage was a favorite among underage female drinkers -- zimadonnas -- typically in high school or their freshman year of college.

What will replace Zima as the training bra drink at college parties?

Posted - Oct. 21, 2008 - 9:30 a.m.

Jason Biggs does not regret being a piesexual in the "American Pie" series.

"No, no regrets at all. It's done wonderful things for me, I mean it's opened up so many windows. Not doors, windows," Biggs recently told New York magazine.

Biggs currently stars in the off-Broadway play "Boys' Life," about a trio of man-children.

"I'd like to believe that we can do this slapstick kind of stuff, but as long as the emotion is there and the relationships are real, it's gonna be fine," Biggs told New York. "To use 'American Pie' as the example, there's some pretty outlandish stuff in there, and yet the reason the movie works is because you have these characters that are grounded in reality."

Posted Oct. 21 at 8:36 a.m.

An operator whizzed by you without stopping on a rainy day, even though you were standing right under the sign.  Another gave you a verbal smackdown when your Chicago Card didn't work.  And don't forget the day you sat, fuming, while an operator stopped at a Mickey D's and grabbed a Big Mac -- midroute. 

Here's what some riders have told me about bad bus experiences, a topic I tackled in today's "Going Public," along with a story of a superb CTA employee.  Feel free to post your bus tales -- good and bad-- to the discussion.

But first, check out some factoids supplied by the CTA about the number of commendations and complaints for the employees so often on the front lines of our experience with the agency.  CTA spokeswoman Wanda Taylor said the comparisons aren't apples to apples because of a 6.7% spike in ridership and more channels for rider feedback in 2008, but here goes:

>4,631: number of full- and part-time operators in 2008

>4,537: number of full- and part-time operators in 2007

>217: number of commendations bus operators received through September in 2008

>264: number of commendations bus operators received through September in 2007

>2,529: number of complaints about bus operators through September in 2008

>2,175: number of complaints about bus operators through September in 2007 

Youch...even taking the ridership increases and enhanced CTA feedback channels into consideration, there are waaaay more complaints than kudos.  We're talking about 8-10 times more year over year.  I know most riders are likely to report bad bus behavior, rather than great or even fair treatment, but dayum....

Riders, do those stats look about right to you?  Operators, are you being judged unfairly?   

Posted 10:20 p.m., Oct. 20

The 10 best quotes are:

#1: "You left me for another guy." - Justin Bobby to Audrina about Corey

Translation: I can't believe you chose another guy over me. You'll be back.

#2: “I really like him. He treats me good. He wants to be with me...When you’re ready to grow up, come talk to me." - Audrina to Justin Bobby about Corey

Translation: He's exactly the opposite of you and doesn't hurt me like you do.

#3: “I think you need to think about what’s right for you, honestly what makes you happy…honestly you need to not talk to Justin anymore...If you want to be with somebody and you want a boyfriend, you can’t look to Justin because he’s not going to give that to you. Maybe it’s time to let him go. Justin doesn’t have a hold over you.” - Lauren to Audrina

Translation: Get rid of Justin. He doesn't make you happy.

#4: "I still love him." - Audrina to Lauren about Justin

Translation: I still love Justin.

#5: "All girls are shady." - Doug to Frankie, Brody, and Justin Bobby

Translation: All girls are shady.

#6: “Did you guys invite sleezies?" - Lauren to Doug

Translation: Are there girls coming so you guys can hook up?

#7: "Spencer and my mom don’t get a long too well but that doesn’t change my opinion. My mom’s not dating him.” - Heidi to She-Pratt on how family feels about your boyfriend

Translation: I don't care what my family thinks of Spencer and you shouldn't care what your family thinks of your boyfriend either.

#8: “I’m free. Hall pass." - Justin Bobby to Doug

Translation: I can hook up with other girls and not be in the dog house but I still want Audrina.

#9: "Once I get a little food in my system, I’ll get a little friendlier." - Spencer to Cameron

Translation: I'm always a jerk and can be a real one if I'm hungry.

#10: “You should be appreciative that A.) I talked to you, B.) I went to dinner with you and your new boyfriend and C.) paid for dinner...Why don't you start being loyal to your family…I’ll be nice to somebody who’s loyal." - Spencer to She-Pratt

Translation: I am going to torture you as long as you're my sister.

Posted 9:46 p.m., Oct. 20

This episode was AAA: All About Audrina. I guess She-Pratt also got a little camera time.

The main question is will Audrina finally leave Justin? We all want her too and she was headed that way in Cabo. That's what makes her the main scene stealer.

>>> Audrina: Playing hard to get

The trip is off to an awkward start when Justin Bobby is sitting by himself in Doug's private jet and then Audrina shares a room with Lauren so she doesn't have to stay with Justin. And then Frankie gossips about Corey and you know Justin's got to be jealous. One, he didn't even know Audrina was calling Corey her boyfriend and even though he insists he's got a free pass, he doesn't seem to be into all the other girls at the pool party.

You've got to be proud of Audrina for telling Justin what's she supposed to do if he doesn't want to be exclusive and then tells Justin why Corey is better for her. But Audrina's defiance is short-lived. The preview of the next episode shows Audrina going back to Justin.

>>>She-Pratt: She's got a boyfriend and she introduces him to Speidi. Why would you subject a new guy to that? And right off the bat, Spencer is berating her about being late. And then Spencer brags about kicking out Holly,Heidi's sister. And then Cameron makes the mistake of talking about how he used to know Brody. And that doesn't sit well with Spencer. Next week, looks like Brody is talking about Cameron.

Posted - Oct. 20, 2008 - 2:55 p.m.

RedEye's gadget guru Ryan Smith, also known as D. R. Fantasy in the sports page, wrote a column today about Google's cure for drunken e-mails, which Google calls Mail Googles. I'm calling it Beer Googles.

Before sending a late-night e-mail, Google prompts the user to answer five math problems. This is supposed to prevent regrettable e-mails.

Do you think Google should help stop foolish drunk messages? Isn't that responsibility up to the sender and his or her friends?

And just think, where would America be without the drunk dial?

Posted 2:13 p.m., Oct. 20

Hills references have been popping up on other shows lately - last week's "Gossip Girl" and "Greek." And the Hills cast is making cameos all over too. LC is supposed to be on Greek next week, Audrina had a guest spot on a Fox show and now Whitney was on Entourage.

On Newsday.com, Mark La Monica blogged, "She had just about as much face time in 'Entourage' as she did in some of the early season episodes of 'The Hills.'"

I'm guessing she didn't get much face time.

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Posted 1:49 p.m., Oct. 20

On tonight's episode, expect some drama between Justin Bobby and Audrina in Cabo. Apparently what happens in Cabo doesn't stay there.

In a clip on Usmagazine.com, Audrina tells Justin she's done and gives him the finger.

Watch Us Weekly Hills Exclusive in Entertainment Videos  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Posted Oct. 20 at 11:25 a.m.

There's no denying that the CTA is listening to its riders more.  No, you don't have everything...okay, most of the things, you want in mass transit, but Huberman and Co. are definitely making changes.  Reader feedback to their Mystery Shopper program and even the "Going Public" or "Hey, CTA!" columns seem to be resonating in terms of rail and bus improvements.

I don't want to sound any false alarms, but it seems the CTA very recently re-jiggered service along the Red Line, after hearing from riders (including those who spoke to me) last week.  Those riders reported that the CTA was running two-car trains in the early morning hours around 5 a.m., and that it was insufficient for the number of riders during that time period. 

I let the CTA know about it, they said they were rethinking the situation, and voila!  I got this note from a rider featured in last week's "Going Public"...Let's hope it wasn't a fluke:

I just wanted to first thank you for running my comments in the Red Eye, but the biggest thanks is for resolving the problem. Monday morning I was so happy to see a train arriving with 4 cars! I enjoyed hearing how almost all the riders who boarded expressed their satisfaction that the CTA was once again running the four cars and not two on the Red Line. It's good to know that we  can make a difference.

Ride On!

I'll let you know if I hear from the CTA on this, but for now, I need my early-morning riders to keep me posted all this week.  Are there enough trains on the Dan Ryan Branch during those eary bird-hours?

Posted - Oct. 17, 2008 - 3:53 p.m.

The end is here, my friends.

The Pontiac, the patioed hipster watering hole steps away from the armpit of Bucktown, is closing its doors this weekend. Barmaggedon is upon us.

My ex-boyfriend first introduced me to the Wicker Park bar a few years ago when I was living Downstate.

We would spend lazy Sundays people-watching and soaking up the facesun on the Pontiac's patio. He would thumb through "The Fountainhead" "Atlas Shrugged"; I would read the Times' Styles section.

You go to the Pontiac for the atmosphere, not for the drinks, and especially not for the food.

I gave up ordering food there years ago after a few bad sandwiches. The drink mess-ups would be almost as bad: They'd serve me a margarita and forget the tequila or forget my order altogether.

No matter -- the Pontiac was more for the views than the booze.

I've read on Chicagoist and Time Out Chicago that the Pontiac will be holding one long farewell party this weekend. Please raise a glass and toast one of the last great Wicker Park institutions. Moonshine, you better stay put.

Posted 3:08 p.m., Oct. 16

Want to see what happens between Audrina and Justin Bobby in Cabo? Oh, and who She-Pratt's new boyfriend is?

Posted - Oct. 15, 2008 - 4:39 p.m.

Who hasn't suffered for fashion? After hobbling through Monday in a pair of three-inch BCBG heels, my feet tried to cecede from my body.

Today's RedEye cover story is about coutorture, all the different ways men and women suffer for fashion.

One of these ways is by wearing high heels too often and for too long. RedEye reporter Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz writes that excessively wearing high heels can contribute to pump bump, a bony enlargement on the back of the heel.

What are your clothes woes?

Posted 3:34 p.m., Oct. 15

Lauren showed her collection at LA Fashion Week and from the pics it looks like there was a focus on flowers: flowers on heads, around the waist and in prints.

The pictures also revealed who was in attendance at her show: Lo of course, Holly Madison (formerly Hef's #1 girl), Frankie, Jason (her ex), Kyle Howard (from "My Boys" and rumored to be dating LC), and a guy that looks like Gavin DeGraw (maybe it's him - he wasn't named in the photo caption.)

Posted 3:14 p.m., Oct. 15

If you've given up on Lauren and Heidi becoming friends again, there may be hope.

Turns out Lauren was at STK (restaurant) in LA and Speidi was there at the same time, Usmagazine.come reports. Heidi was seen going up to Lauren and the two then hugged.

"Yes, it's true. Heidi was at STK. She came in to the after party to congratulate me on the show," Lauren told Usmagazine.com. "It was nice of her. I appreciated it."

But if they were to make nice, and forgive and forget, it wouldn't be at a restaurant filled with people. And what about what Lauren said - that she wouldn't be friends with Heidi if Spencer's in the picture, which it looks like he still is unfortunately. Let's not forget LC blames Spencer for starting the sex tape rumor and now for running to Perez Hilton and telling him about the Justin Bobby rumor.

Yeah, I know they both admit on TV they miss each other, but I wouldn't call this outing a reunion quite yet.

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Posted 5:10 p.m., Oct. 14

Oh no, I think Lauren is ready to call it quits.

"It's coming to a point where I love this show so much, but I'm ready to kind of walk away," Lauren told Extra. "I've been doing it for five years now. Five years on TV is a really, really long time."

Maybe all her friend drama is draining her - first Heidi, then She-Pratt and now Audrina. Don't even get me started on all the guy drama.

Who could blame her if she's getting tired of living her life on camera?

"It makes it more difficult. It's more difficult when not only everyone knows about your problems, but they make them worse because things escalate and things get twisted. It's hard to have an actual friendship be torn apart in the media."

Now, she's under even more stress with getting ready for her showing at LA Fashion Week. She recently had a scare with the SoCal wildfires.

"Where I have my production offices -- there were fires all around them and there was no electricity. My entire collection was there and they couldn't get to them," she said. "They actually just got into the factory and were evacuated again but they luckily had all of the samples with them."

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Posted Oct. 14 at 4:55 p.m.

How the heck do you evacuate a train?  Well, the CTA is telling us. Can you say P-S-A?  Check it out, yo!

Over a week ago, (Monday, 10/06), I must have left my shoes on the train or on the bus.  I had just finished my first day of work, so I had a lot on my mind.  I arrived at the Red Line stop at State and Lake around 5:15 pm.  I got on the train going Southbound and I got off at the 87th street stop.  I then got on the 87th street bus heading Westbound.  I got off of the bus at Washtenaw.  Somewhere inbetween leaving work and getting home, I misplaced my shoes.  They were brand new black boots, women's size 10. 

Posted Oct. 14 at 12:35 p.m.

UPDATED  POST on Oct. 14 at 1:04 p.m.: In addition to today's news about better CTA communication, the agency today announced that on Monday, the following buses will join ctabustracker.com:

No.6-Jackson, No.11-Lincoln/Sedgwick; No.69-Cumberland/East River; No.79-79th; No.87-87th; No.145-Wilson/Michigan Express; No. 151-Sheridan; No.157-Streeterville.

See below for the full release about new CTA communications, which mention the e-mail service alerts, a revamped transitchicago.com and a new emergency information hotline customers can call.

Download customer_communications_plan_press_release_final.doc

First, we got clearer signage.  Then, we've got word next-train info is on the way.  Now, the CTA is stepping up its communications even more, offering e-mails to riders regarding service disruptions caused by events including equipment problems and construction, according to the Trib.  Stay tuned for more updates on this topic.

But off the bat, this definitely a huge step in the right direction, but what other actions would you like the agency to undertake for clearer communications? 

Posted 10:53 p.m., Oct. 13

Audrina blogs that she's featured in the November issue of Maxim which comes out next week. The all-day photo shoot was over the summer in Malibu. And she's wearing a gold bikini.

"At one point I had to hike up a rocky hill in 5 inch stilettos!! Then for the last two setups I was in the water which was sooo cold! Hopefully you guys think the photos turned out well and it was worth it for me to brave the freezing waves! :)"

And Lauren is on the November cover of Cosmo.

Can't wait to see the pics.

Getty file photo

Posted 10:37 p.m., Oct. 13

If you missed tonight's episode....

Posted 10:30 p.m., Oct. 13

Here are the top 10 best quotes of the episode:

#1: "It's just insane. I don't know who I dislike more – Heidi's sister or her mom." - Spencer to She-Pratt about Heidi’s family

Translation: I cannot stand anyone related to Heidi or her friends, mainly because none of them likes me and are trying to take her away from me.

#2: "Holly is like the mooch of the century. I have to spend my day in the coffee shop because Holly's in my office all day long." - Spencer to She-Pratt

Translation: Holly needs to go. She's at the house all day, every day.

#3: "They already started war when they came out here and bombed me like Pearl Harbor." - Spencer to She-Pratt about Heidi's family

Translation: I hate her family.

#4: "What do you want me to do?" - Heidi to Spencer about Holly

Translation: I'll do whatever you want.

#5: "I just can't live with your sister anymore so it's either her or it's me." - Spencer to Heidi

Translation: Again, I'm forcing you to choose.

#6: "I think that it's time that we figure out somewhere else for you to live…because it was only supposed to be for a week or two until you got on your feet...I don’t know who much more to help you while sacrificing my life at the same time." - Heidi to Holly

Translation: You're coming between Speidi.

#7: "I just don't understand why it's got to be one or the other." - Holly to Heidi

Translation: Why are you choosing between Spencer and me and I'm your sister.

#8: "I think she needs someone to be able to appreciate her for who she is." - Whitney to Lauren about Audrina

Translation: She needs someone who doesn't play games or take her for granted.

#9: "You could go in and I can watch...If you took your top off and went over there, I’d probably have to chase you." - Justin Bobby to Audrina

Translation: I want to hook up with you.

#10: "He's a weird one. I don't get him…Normal's not fun." - Audrina to Lauren about Justin Bobby

Translation: I don't know why but I still like him.

Posted 10:03 p.m., Oct. 13

MTV keeps promoting this episode as the steamiest one - Audrina hooks up with Corey and Justin Bobby. SO many boys, so little time.

That's what makes her a scene stealer.

Audrina - the guy magnet. A new guy comes on to the show, but he's just new to us. Turns out Audrina was hanging out with Corey last Halloween. They go on a date, in what is obviously an attempt to get over Justin Bobby. And Corey is so much better than Justin Bobby - cute, still edgy, interested in her, and doesn't burp in public...and he's got a great Australian accent.

Drama is on the horizon though. After what I assume was a sleepover since Audrina and Corey were eating breakfast, Audrina invites him to Cabo. At the party in Malibu later that day, Corey and Audrina are in the pool when Lauren finds out from Frankie that Justin Bobby was invited to the Malibu party and to Cabo. Apparently Frankie and Brody hang out with Justin Bobby and Doug.

When Audrina and Justin Bobby talk about Cabo, Audrina is in the pool. Justin Bobby basically says he wants a free pass to do whatever...sounds like she's never going to get a committment from Justin. Even when she takes off her swimsuit top. Now, that's the steamy, racy part of the show.

On the after-show, Audrina says she's not with Corey but they're still friends. Aw.

The other scene stealer is the one coming in between Speidi. No, it's not Heidi's mom, but it is her sister.

Holly - the other Montag. It starts with Spencer and She-Pratt going to Karma coffeehouse. Wait, let's think about that...karma. Hmmmm. Anyways, he complains to She-Pratt who I thought was supposed to be out of his life because she was Lauren's friend. Maybe they're talking now She-Pratt and Lauren aren't really hanging out. At the coffeehouse, he bitches about Holly and Heidi's mom, calling her a stalker mom. He complains Holly made Heidi write a letter to Lauren, a letter he never read or spellchecked. Could it be killing him that Heidi did something without him knowing?

Somehow he gets Heidi to see that Holly's got to go. Brainwashing? He convinces her that family shouldn't break them up. And then he gives her an ultimatum: her or him. It should be an easy answer and unfortunately for Heidi she chooses Spencer. So Holly's going to have to leave.

Posted 4:43 p.m., Oct. 13

Despite her fans, Audrina hasn't always been well liked, especially in high school.

"I got picked on," she told Fox News last week. "Girls were always rude and catty to my sister and I. They will say anything to put you down and make themselves feel better."

"I had a few close guy friends and the girls didn't like it, so they would call me names and spread terrible rumors," she said.

"You just have to hold your chin up and take it as a compliment that certain people dedicate that much time and effort to talk about you. I don't think I'll ever stop experiencing that, I have just gotten better at understanding and dealing with it."

Getty file photo

Posted 3:58 p.m., Oct. 13

Will it be Holly or Spencer to leave the Speidi casa? Here's a snipet of what to expect tonight.

Posted - Oct. 13, 2008 - 12:19 p.m.

I was watching "Pulp Fiction" with a friend last night and we were discussing which are our favorite scenes. My friend said he liked the part when Vincent Vega is trying to convince himself in Marsellus Wallace's bathroom not to advance his relationship with Marsellus' wife (played by Uma Thurman) past canoodling.

I personally enjoy the royale with cheese discussion. I'd link to it off YouTube but it has a curse word and this is a family blog, people. Quotes courtesy of imdb.com.

Vincent (John Travolta): Alright, well you can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam, and buy a beer. And I don't mean just like no paper cup, I'm talking about a glass of beer. And in Paris, you can buy a beer in McDonald's. And you know what they call uh...a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris? 

Jules (Samuel L. Jackson): They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese?

Vincent: Nah man they got the metric system, they wouldn't know what the --- a quarter pounder is. 

Jules: Then what do they call it? 

Vincent:  They call it, uh, Royale with Cheese 

Jules: Royale with Cheese?

Vincent: That's right 

Jules:  What do they call a Big Mac? 

Vincent:  A Big Mac is a Big Mac, but they call it Le Big Mac 

Jules:  Le Big Mac, what do they call a Whopper? 

Vincent:  I don't know, I didn't go into Burger King.

Since it's Monday and a holiday for everyone but journalists, let's keep this light. What's your favorite Pulp diction? Keep it clean ...

Posted - Oct. 10, 2008 - 4:22 p.m.

My RedEye cover story, which also appeared today in the Chicago Tribune, is about the 2008 Chicago marathon.

There are a lot of changes to the marathon this year because of last year's scarathon, during which 11,000 runners stopped before finishing, about 315 runners went to medical tents or hospitals, and one runner died after collapsing on the course.

This year, marathon officials say they have beefed up the number of water stations, medical volunteers and dropout vehicles, among other supplies. Also, an emergency alert system has been instituted to inform runners about weather conditions and developments along the course.

This year's race -- sponsored by Bank of America, which acquired last year's sponsor LaSalle Bank -- has special significance as Chicago inches further along in its bid to host the Olympics. Race officials say Sunday's marathon will showcase the city's ability to bring together a large number of athletes and move them through the streets of Chicago.

I'll be at the marathon on Sunday morning cheering on Supriya Doshi of "Practically Green" and other co-workers. I'll be around 18th and Halsted with a puffy paint sign. Any one else planning on watching the marathon?

Sidenote: It was an indescribably beautiful day along the lakefront trail this morning. But if you do decide to run the trail this weekend, please note, "ER" is filming near Ohio Street Beach. I watched them film for a little while Friday morning as I tried to figure out ways to get into the shot. Unfortunately, they were filming swimmers in lifeboats, not sweaty runners. Sigh, there goes my big break.

Posted 12:52 p.m., Oct. 10

Today is the start of L.A. Fashion Week and Lauren is going to be showing her collection on Tuesday.

Can't wait to see what goes down the runway or who's in the front row of the show.

A quick note: I didn't see Heidiwood or Heidi Montag on the list of lines and designers with fashion shows.

Getty file photo

Posted Oct. 10 at 12:50 p.m.

Keep your eyes peeled, Green Liners, and be careful. 

Word on the CTA street is that there may be a robbery ring afoot.  This according to Anna Friedman Herlihy who was unselfish enough to warn others about an incident during which she was nearly robbed on a train:

Attached is a flier about what happened to me with some tips for what other riders could have done to help, and what one should do if they are the victim of a similar crime. (Hopefully your mail filter allows attachments.) I'll be passing this out during the morning rush at my own el stop (Austin green line) tomorrow (F) morning, and am sending it out in email widely so that others may distribute it as well. (The community activist in me couldn't stand still just leaving it to the CTA and police to deal with.) See also the discussion on ctatattler.com, for yet another instance reported in the comments section.  There are also some pretty significant issues at hand in such matters--the lack of proper surveillance equipment on CTA trains and platforms, the poor visibility and locations for the attendant call buttons, the reluctance of the police to take reports resulting in much unreported crime.

Download GreenLineRobberyAlert.pdf

Posted Oct. 10 at 11:08 a.m.

Another CTA spy is blasting the dumpy conditions near an "L" station and sent pictures he hopes proves it.  See one really scuzzy specimen below.  Now, "Going Public" has heard from the CTA that sometimes they don't own the property near the railways that is loaded down with litter. 

So here's hoping they weigh in on what eagle-eye EPA Man is saying:  CTA Blue Line property between Western Ave. and Halsted Street appears to be an Open Dump.  This property is littered with wood, metal, plastic, paper, glass, landscape waste and discarded construction materials such as concrete, brick, dirt, and stones.

Posted Oct. 10 at 8:10 a.m.

Man, oh man, our CTA spies have been busy.  Taking photos of boorish bus riders, lamenting the dumpy appearance of an area near the Blue Line and, in one case, shouting out a mouse sighting in a station.  Yech!  So check out Part One of this week's intel report and then let me know what you've spotted around the CTA.

Double-Oh-Fo' is incredulous about a rider seemingly blocking an entire bus aisle.  He didn't even file a report per se, figuring this picture is worth a thousand words.  Now, moms, don't get mad at the messenger.... Cute baby, though. Stay tuned for part II.

Posted 3:29 p.m., Oct. 9

Well, it's no longer rumor. It's been confirmed.

Whitney's Hills spinoff filmed in New York will be called "The City" and will air in the beginning of 2009, People.com said MTV announced today.

Isn't this like the fourth spinoff? First was Laguna Beach, then the Hills, and don't forget Brody's Bromance show coming up. And now The City. What's next? Speidi show I bet.

Will people watch? I mean she is the most logical one on "The Hills" and I could see her staying away from drama. But she does have those faces she makes.

So what will we see on her show? Her job working for designer Diane von Furstenberg. and MTV says new friends and guys. Well of course!

“I am thrilled and honored to be in New York City,” Whitney said in a statement. “Not only working for one of the most renowned fashion designers, Diane Von Furstenberg, but to be able to mature as a young woman both professionally and personally.”

Of course, she said the right thing. She's the total package.

Getty file photo

Posted - Oct. 9, 2008 - 2:18 p.m.

My colleague and fellow 5on5 panelist Leo Ebersole offers today's word of the day: dinneruption.

Leo, a Lean Cuisine enthusiast, says dinneruption occurs "when a co-worker's meal explodes in the office microwave."

A pun in the oven! Those of us who have cubes near the microwave know that dinneruption is a frequent occurrence for Leo.

Have a word you'd like to see featured in "Word on the Street?" E-mail tswartz@tribune.com.

Posted Oct. 9 at 12:30 p.m.

Rising fuel costs, free rides for seniors, lower-than expected-revenue from the real estate transfer tax in a down housing market...These are all factors in the CTA's proposal today to increase fares to as much to $2.25, kill the bonus fare given to Chicago Card users and increase U-Pass cost by 20%. 

The CTA board still has to vote on this proposal, plus let riders sound off during a public hearing, but it seems the agency has mulled its options and a bounce in your bus and train cost is likely.

So will you, as the agency projects at least 1 percent of riders will do, jump ship?  Do you see this as a case of more-for-less or as a necessary move to keep transit going? 

Posted 5:01 p.m., Oct. 8

More drama about the Lauren and Justin Bobby rumors...

Audrina was on Ellen Wednesday and it sounds like she hasn't talked directly to Lauren about the rumors.

She called Lauren but "she hung up on me and that was my way of making an effort and asking her," Audrina said. "I never accused anyone. I just straight-out asked them if they did it or not, and I don't know what to believe."

Well, Lauren said she didn't on her MySpace page. As for Justin Bobby, she talked to him four days after the rumors and even then he "kind of avoided the whole question and turned it back on me, like typical guy," Audrina said.

"Neither of them have really talked to me or made an effort, so I really don't know what to believe. I don't want to believe it."

The reason you probably haven't heard from Lauren is because she's fuming and the rumor is just simply ridiculous. And you shouldn't believe it, I mean why would you?

So how will this rift between Audrina and LC affect the Hills? We hope MTV cameras have captured this. If the series continues past this season, we expect to see Audrina. LC and Speidi aren't friends but they're on the show still.

"We're kind of in a rut right now, and I'm just trying to decide what to do," Audrina said. "I'm a big part of the show, so you know, we're filming until December and then after that, you know, we'll see."

Getty file photo

Posted - Oct. 8, 2008 - 9:30 a.m.

Last year I interviewed man-thropologist Daniel Maurer, an editor with New York magazine, for my story about the popularity of bromances, the unsexual bond between two heterosexual males (the story has disappeared from the archives, so here's a link to a post about it).

Maurer wrote "Brocabulary: The New Man-i-festo of Dude Talk," which the New York Times described as a "lexicon for the Guyland dialect."

Maurer just wrote a post for nymag.com using some of his pub-related brocabulary. The highlights:

>> shred-it card: "a credit card that will likely be shredded by the maître d’ when it fails to cover the chef’s tasting"

>> dimbibement: "drinking in a dimly lit place is a good idea on a first date, but during a bromantic rendez-dudes, it’s not about mood lighting, it’s about dude lighting: frat-screen TVs and Miller Lite signs all the way."

>> shamburger: "a veggie burger that also qualifies as a ma’amburger because chicks are the only ones who’d order it."

>> smashedication: "eating while drunk, like David Hasselhoff trying to pick up a cheeseburger."

>> taparator: "a total player who operates on the gaggles of girls at tapas bars"

Posted - Oct. 7, 2008 - 2:02 p.m.

In my neighborhood, Wicker Park, cats are as popular of an accessory for men as ascots, skinny jeans and vintage bicycles that run better than they look.

Of the four male-dominated apartments I've lived in the Bucktown/Wicker Park area in the last year-and-a-half, half have also been dominated by cats. Often these cats have been rescued and domesticated into a hipster lifestyle.

So it's interesting to see that this trend is growing in popularity, according to a New York Times article about how more men are unabashedly embracing their love of cats.

Adam Fulrath, 37, of New York, told the Times that his shorthaired, bicolored, mixed-breed cat Parappa is "my primary relationship."

I've only dated one guy with a cat, and yes, the cat does come first. Its whining sometimes serves as an alarm clock, and the cat is more than happy to make muffins on your skirt while you're trying to read or get work done.

Don't get me wrong. I don't have a bad cattitude. During my senior year of college, I fed a homeless black cat that often sauntered up to my home in the student ghetto at the University of Florida. I named the cat Edna after my favorite writer Edna Buchanan; luckily, my roommates were smart enough to not let me keep Edna.

I believe in part in the crazy cat lady theory. I know cats can be good companions but a whole house of them seems to doom women to a life of spinsterdom.

As for men with cats, the Times quoted Elizabeth Daza, 28, a video producer in Manhattan, who dated a cat-owning man for eight years. "They make the best boyfriends because they're totally cool with staying home and watching a movie," she said. "Straight men with cats seem to be really secure and stable. They don’t need to be running around the park and proving their masculinity like the dog guys."

I don't believe in that cattitude either. Which do you prefer men with cats or men with dogs or just men, sans pets?

Posted 10:56 p.m., Oct. 6

If you missed tonight's episode, check it out:

Posted 10:55 p.m., Oct. 6

Ah, sentimental moments and snippy ones too. Here's the 10 best quotes of the show:

#1: "It's super sad. She basically said all she wanted for forgiveness and I forgave a long time ago. Does she - I mean I don't know how to say it - she has good friends, right?...But it's not about her. It's about the person she's always with. I can't bring myself to be civil to him after what he did to me." - Lauren to Holly about Heidi

Translation: I could be friends with Heidi again but Spencer's got to be out of the picture.

#2: "He's the reason why you and Lauren can't be friends again...She said it straight up. It won't happen as long as you and Spencer are together...The point is there’s still a chance and especially since it doesn’t involve you, it sounds like a great option." - Holly to Spencer about Lauren and Heidi

Translation: If you would leave Spencer, nobody would be fighting.

#3: "You don't think I want to be catching up with her and hearing about how her life has been for the past two years? That was my best friend and now I'm the only one who can't talk to her because of something I had nothing to do with. I think it's hard too because I think Lauren thinks she was the only one hurt in this. I’ve been the one on my own and to lose my best friend and to lose all my friends, it's just been so hard." - Heidi to Holly about Lauren

Translation: I miss Lauren too and it's not fair everybody else is friends with her.

#4: "It seems like a very genuine letter...She must feel really, really lost and lonely...Heidi must feel like she absolutely has no girlfriends and she clearly really misses you." - Whitney to Lauren about Heidi

Translation: The letter is sincere and maybe you should think about being friends again.

#5: "So now since Holly moves in, you've started keeping secrets from me?…When you don't tell somebody something, that's a secret." - Spencer to Heidi

Translation: Don't you know Heidi you're supposed to run everything by me?

#6: "That was a great couple years that we had. We had so much fun. We were the best friends. I think it's better to look back at that and be like I'm so glad we were friends then and not be angry towards her because she really was a good friend to me for a long time...It's not so much her that I have a difficult time handling. It’s him and they're always together...Do you know what’s really weird to think about though? Where do you think we'd all be if Heidi never met Spencer?" - Lauren to Audrina about Heidi

Translation: I wish Heidi never met Spencer and then we'd all be such good friends.

#7: "Who's talking to you is what I want to know?" - Spencer to Holly

Translation: I'm trying to talk to Heidi and you're butting in.

#8: "Until I find a guy where I completely forget about Justin, Justin's always going be in the picture I think...One day I'll be over that guy." - Audrina to Lauren

Translation: I wish Justin wanted to be my boyfriend.

#9: "Pull your chair out?…You've got a winner, dude...Nice is good. Nice gets you far. He went so far that he's not here...There's ways to go about things maturely and maybe immaturely sometimes. You're a heartbreaker." - Justin Bobby to Audrina about dating

Translation: Go ahead try to go out with other guys but you'll be back.

#10: "I'm the happiest drunk you will ever meet. I love everybody when I'm drunk." - Colin to Audrina

Translation: I won't be mean, like that Justin Bobby guy you're talking about on our date.

Posted 9:32 p.m., Oct. 6

Well, it was almost an episode without Spencer. Almost. We did manage not to see She-Pratt since she's on the outs with Lauren. And sadly, no Brody either.

But this episode was about the friendship between Lauren and Heidi: Will they or won't they ever be friends? Not if Spencer's in the picture. The episode theme was "If she never met Spencer..."

Here are the scene stealers this episode:

>>Holly: the other Montag

She means well and isn't as sneaky or conniving as She-Pratt thankfully. From the start, she's been trying to play peace maker and surprisingly it's not going too badly. For the umpteenth time, she tells Lauren how much Heidi misses her. And it's sad Heidi doesn't really have any other friends. It's probably because Spencer won't let her. So, peace maker Holly encourages Heidi to write a letter to Lauren. And that letter gets read aloud by Whitney on television - how mortifiying! But it's Heidi reaching out again to Lauren, apologizing for how their friendship ended and how Heidi feels. So what will Lauren do?

It makes Lauren ask Holly if Heidi has any friends and there's a moment where you know she's got to feel bad about that. Well, now isn't Audrina her friend? Lauren said she forgave Heidi a while ago. Really? I don't buy it. Anyways, Lauren said it's really about Spencer and until he's out of the picture, they won't be friends. I'm sure Heidi's family wants Spencer out of the picture too after the way he treated them. Even when Holly and Heidi are talking, Spencer needs to find out why they're talking about Lauren and asks Heidi why she's keeping secrets. But Holly's had enough and talks back to Spencer. He's not the only one with attitude in the Speidi home.

Audrina - Which guy will she choose? Justin Bobby or anybody else? We hope the answer is the latter. Sure, now that Justin has cut his hair, we admit he's a lot hotter. But I still have no idea why Audrina still clings to him. Even though she went on dates with a new guy, who says he's a happy drunk, she still can't get Justin off her mind - so much that she talks about him on her dates. Not good or smart to get another date. She's trying to make Justin jealous but he's not really because he knows Audrina keeps going back to him. And we want to know why?!

Posted 6:52 p.m., Oct. 6

On tonight's episode, Lauren gets a letter from Holly. But what will happen between She-Pratt and LC?

Watch the sneak peek:

Preview

Posted Oct. 6 at 5:03 p.m.

How said that ridiculous and needless violence has again claimed the life of a teen in Chicago, and on a CTA bus, no less...an enclosed space where customers are merely trying to get from A to B. 

This cannot be blamed on the transit agency, any more than the street corners can be blamed when shots ring out there. There are no metal detectors, armed guards or any other practical law enforcement tools onboard these buses, and surely the people who choose to act out on these vehicles know it. 

"Going Public" would like to take a moment to express deep sorrow and sympathy for the family and friends of Kiyanna Salter, a Julian High School student slain on a bus, the victim of a pointless argument between two strangers on Sunday.   

The details of her death, caught in the crossfire between armed strangers, are both saddening and sickening.  A wake-up call, not on CTA safety, but on big city violence. 

Earlier this year, I had the good fortune to speak with Ron Holt, father of another Julian student named Blair, also felled during a shoot-out on a CTA bus last year.  At the time we talked, he spoke of how random the violence was that took his son, who died trying to shield a seatmate from bullets.  What a shame to see a similar incident end another promising future.

There is not much to do in such cases, but if riders witnessed anything, please call police and share any details you can offer.  Show these offenders who turn a bus ride into a killing zone that human life does not come at so cheap a price. 

Posted 9:14 p.m., Oct. 4

So we know Heidi says she's voting for McCain but what about her sister?

"I'm totally for Obama," Holly told E! online. "Heidi's McCain, but I'm for Obama…I loved Obama before he was even running."

She says her and Heidi talk about politics. Yeah, right.

"I actually studied political science, so we definitely have a lot of conversations about it," Holly said. "But I'm always right."

Posted 11:01 p.m., Oct. 3

If you believe Perez Hilton's source, here's what went down: A friend of Justin Bobby told Audrina that Lauren hooked up with Justin Bobby. And then Justin Bobby confessed to Audrina, the source said.

I don't buy it. Even when Audrina caught him making out with a girl at the club, he denied it. So why would he admit hooking up with Lauren? Doesn't make sense. Plus, it's like Lauren didn't like Justin Bobby even when Audrina dated him.

Stay tuned...

Posted 10:43 p.m., Oct. 3

So, apparently Audrina doesn't know what to think about these Justin Bobby rumors. We told her long ago to get rid of him, but she kept going back.

Here's what she says about it on her blog:

"I woke up this morning and it seems like just about every gossip magazine or blog has a story about Lauren hooking up with Justin."

"I'm not sure what to believe. Though Justin and I have not been exclusive for quite some time, these rumors are very confusing and hurtful."

"I can't comment on whether they are true or false."

Well I'd like to know what Justin Bobby says.

Posted 10:24 p.m., Oct. 3

So Lauren posted a blog entry called Here we go again. And it's about more rumors...this time about her and Justin Bobby.

And she insinuates Spencer is the one running to Perez Hilton and spreading the rumor. What? Shocker!!!

Here's what Lauren says about the latest rumor:

"This accusation is insulting on so many levels. I'm being accused of being a bad friend, a slut and a liar all at once... Do they think I was swept away by his wonderful manners and his commitment to my friend? I love it when guys burp in my face. So hot! Seriously?? I have never even been in the same place as Justin when Audrina wasn't around. I have been there for Audrina for years of ups and downs with this guy. Now she is accusing me of hooking up with him?? It's the most awkward position to put me in because I can't defend myself without putting both her and Justin down."

"Bottom line, I did not and would never hook up with Justin."

"The worse thing is knowing that a friend, that I've known for years and even shared a home with, thinks that I'm capable of that kind of betrayal. I would NEVER hurt a friend like that! "

"Audrina - We promised we wouldn't let people get into our ears and make us fight. You KNOW I didn't do this and I have never given you a reason not to trust me. What you are doing is hurtful and I don't want to fight with you. Whoever is telling you these things does not have your best interest at heart. I have always been there for you and now I'm being attacked for something I didn't do. We are supposed to be there for each other when other people do this to us and today you are the one doing it to me. Today you are the reason people are saying mean things about me. You asked me if I did this and I told you I didn't.

Audrina, we're shocked. But we knew trouble was brewing when you started hanging out with Speidi again. Why would anyone want sloppy seconds you asked when She-Pratt wanted to date Doug. Do you really think Lauren would do the same with Justin Bobby. We don't.

Posted - Oct. 3, 2008 - 4:15 p.m.

First he denied that his wife, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, was pregnant. Now he's denying that he has lego hair.

"Here's the thing about hair; I think most people think that I have Lego hair, like I can just take it on and off in one piece, and that's not quite the case -- although pretty close," Wentz told People mag while he was in Chicago for fashion events. "I refer to this [phenomenon] as Lego hair, when people think that about me."

I had to look up lego hair in Urban Dictionary. The definition: "A particularly [bleep]y male haircut in which the sides cover the ears and the hair appears to be 'snap on.'"

What do you think? Does Pete Wentz have lego hair?

Posted - Oct. 3, 2008 - 2:34 p.m.

Fanic is spreading across Chicago. Both the Cubs and the Sox lost their playoff games yesterday for the first time in history. Talk about some Chi anxiety heading into this weekend, when both the Cubs and the Sox will try to keep their World Series dreams alive.

I've been spending a lot of time in Wrigleyville, home of the Cubs.

Last night before Game 2, which the Cubs dropped to the Dodgers, I played a word-association game with Cubs fans outside Wrigley Field and in nearby bars. I said a Cubs term, and fans responded with the first phrase that came to mind. Here's the Cubs word on the street.
.
** 0-2: Curse word
Katlyn Tomerlin, 24, of Lincoln Park, a California transplant who has never been a Dodgers fan
.
** Home-field advantage: Local bar
Matthew Goodstein, 25, of the West Loop, a Cubs fan since childhood
.
** Dream: DeRosa
Melissa Gumiran, 26, of Bucktown, who listens to every Cubs game on the radio
.
** Nightmare: White Sox
Melissa Durand, 28, of Lincoln Park, a Cubs fan "out of the womb"
.
** Lou Piniella: Hackysack
Patrick Van Slee, 31, of Andersonville, a casual Cubs fan who doesn't own Cubs gear
.
** Dodger: Dog
Donald Smith, 24, of University Village, a longtime Cubs fan but more of an anti-Sox fan
.
** Failure: Strikeout
Sarah Austin, 22, of Lincoln Park, a new Cubs fan from Texas because the Cubs are the "most fun team."

How would you have responded?

Posted on Oct. 3 at 1:30 p.m.

Rejoice, my South Side fam.  We have not been forgotten in the ctagifts.com store.  There was a scare yesterday when an evidently uninformed ctagifts.com rep sent an e-mail to a rider saying that South Side items for the customize your shirt, mug, baby bib, etc. were not yet ready to be shipped. "Going Public" got in on the action to avoid transit tranvesty.

But luckily, the rep's comments were not accurate, as confirmed by Adam Case, the CTA's guru of Customer Information who called me to make sure I got the memo.  South Side stops are also available when you order your custom item on the site.

What a relief!  Despite my threat in yesterday's post, I was never that good at making my own T-shirts with bubble paint and didn't want to start now to make sure the stops south of Cermak showed up. 

Let mass transit memento-buying resume!

Posted 8 p.m., Oct. 2

So, somehow Audrina's made enough money to buy a $1.2 million, three-bedroom home in the Hollywood Hills. Nice for being at the right place at the right time when MTV asked her to be part of "The Hills."

"It's amazing. I love it. So beautiful," Audrina told Usmagazine.com.

"I love the house. I saw it, and I fell in love with it."

We hope so if you bought it. And what's not to love? Her home Us says has 2,100 square feet, city views, a wine refrigerator, outdoor barbeque and fountains.

Getty image

Posted 7:40 p.m., Oct. 2

Lauren's a cute girl but even she doesn't like certain parts of her body.

"I'm always trying to hide my thighs, whether it's with a longer T-shirt or a skirt with a natural waist," she told Us Weekly.

Please, we think she looks fine.

Getty image

Posted Oct. 2008 at 4:55 p.m.

I've got to go old-school and say "hecky naw" regarding a CTA slight that I heard about from a fellow South Sider this afternoon.  I've got no bias, as I love my North Siders and hang out all over this swinging town.  If I have a bias, it's a bias against bias.

So, evidently, does Danielle, a rider who let "Going Public" in on a little exchange with an employee at the newly unveiled ctagifts.com store.  Apparently, those cool customized rep-your-stop gifts I shouted out in this week's column, do not yet include South Side stops of 87th and 79th.

Stunned, South Side?  Well, here's a note from customer service that Danielle forwarded to me after she complained about the MIA merch.

"Hello-
We are still working on developing more merchandise and had hoped the South Side merchandise would be available before we launched. Please sign up on our mailing list at CTAGifts.com to stay informed on the latest in CTA merchandise."

Danielle called this note proof of South Side bias and I have to agree.  It was rather short-sighted of the CTA not to have all the stops ready to go.  it does feed into the notion -- real or imagined-- that we get slighted South of Cermak.

Why not wait and unleash all the inventory at once to make it fair?   

This store just got started, but seriously, the CTA may want to rethink their approach to these inventory issues.  And don't worry, Danielle.  All we need are black T-shirts, some old-school puffy paint (in Red), and inspiration from CTA signs on the southern part of the Lines. We'll make our own darn shirts until the CTA store gets its act together. 

Posted - Oct. 1, 2008 - 9:11 p.m.

Sorry I haven't been posting lately. I've been spending my time reporting at Wrigley Field from my "Cub-icle." Tonight I wandered around Wrigleyville and did a round of Fan on the Street, approaching random fans and asking them about their thoughts on the Cubs.

So I leave you with today's slang from Chicago Tribune reporters Kayce Ataiyero and Jason George. Their word is yellow hammer, a "difficult-to-throw and difficult-to-hit curveball that dives sharply, like a yellowhammer in flight. A yellowhammer is a small bird in the bunting family also known as a northern flicker. Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood is known to throw a yellow hammer -- the pitch, not the bird."

Posted 12:41 p.m., Oct. 1

The Hills is just getting really good and next week looks like it could be better. Will Heidi and Lauren make up? What is in the letter that Lauren gets? When will somebody knock some sense into Heidi?

Check out next week's scenes:

Posted Oct. 1 at 11:45 a.m.

CTA, you are asking for it.  I know you're trying, but you'd better find a way to serve your public transit peeps better.  "Going Public" had barely settled into my seat this morning when I received not one, but two separate rants from riders about train service on different lines.  Not to mention that Twitter was going nuts a day or so ago about ridiculously long Green Line delays.

But I digress.  Check out what rider Kim Charbonneau has to say in an e-mail sadly titled: "Frustrated."  You've got to give this woman points for trying not to complain too much.

"Every day I tell myself to write a letter to Kyra…but then I get to work and try to calm down after a painstaking train ride to work and tell myself that it’ll get better…WELL…It never does!!!  Today I left at 8:15 from the Bryn Mawr station.  I live 6 miles from work.  Why did I get to work at 10:00??  Oh, yes, “defective equipment..”  then fix the damn thing!  After everyone had to exit the brown line at Sedgwick, nobody knew what the hell was going on or where to go, or how to get to work from there.  There were no CTA personnel around.  After 20 minutes of standing there with our thumbs up you know where…a bunch of us went downstairs to get train delay notices, and the one CTA worker took 15 minutes to give 3 passes out.  THEN I had no idea how to get to the loop from that station...I don’t live around there! I had to follow the mass of people and get on the #11 which was insanely packed of course.  I finally got to work at 10:00 AM.  I will have to make up this time.  It is very unfair.   I despise the CTA."

And wait, there's more.  I'm going to run this next letter in its entirety in a "Hey, CTA!" coming up, but check out a taste of the heat rising off of this Logan Square rider who said he was bypassed by four express trains along the Blue Line's O'Hare branch.

"I think that a better hold needs to be caught on this whole mass transit deal, because this has really gotten out of control. But fares are still on the rise."

Yes, the CTA doles out millions of rides, but this is just a sampling of the sentiment in my inbox.  Did you have a frustrating commute today?  And if so, what caused it?  Share, and let the healing begin.  Hope you're listening, CTA.