Of course one of my New Year’s resolutions was to cut down on my smoking - it’s the same resolution I make every year! And I have cut down, I probably smoke half what I used to. I hate that sometimes my mind is telling me it doesn’t want to smoke right now, even as my hand is reaching in my purse to light another cigarette. I don’t pretend to want to quit altogether because I like smoking! Heck, even my promotional photos show me with a cigarette in my hand! I like that when I walk down the street at night alone I have a burning object in my hand that could be used for protection if necessary. The very act of smoking says to a potential attacker that I am strong enough and crazy enough to light on fire an object filled with poison and inhale that smoke directly into my lungs! So watch out, buddy!

Now that smoking is illegal in the bars of Chicago and clusters of smokers huddle in the cold every night in front of each establishment, I like the way the other smokers on the street give you that little nod of recognition as you pass with a cigarette in your hand like, yeah man, we understand, we are outlaws now, too.

Even when I am driving and smoking I like to see other “smoking drivers” in the rush hour traffic with snow falling so hard you can barely drive - give me that little nod, like, yeah, life sucks - might as well smoke up! There are two places that I absolutely cannot be without a cigarette in my hand, in front of the computer and in front of a slot machine. The two just seem to go hand in hand!

When I go to have dinner with my mom at her Senior Living center the mere mention to her friends that I may go outside for an after dinner smoke (the best smoke of all) elicits a barrage of antismoking warnings and stories complete with descriptions of every tar filled lung or early cancer death anyone at the table has ever encountered. Of course, after all that talk of smoking, tar, and death, and destruction the first thing I feel I have to do is excuse myself to have a cigarette!

I’ve always said I’ll quit smoking when I start dating a non-smoker again. Smoking is known to be a substitute for sex. If I am dating a non-smoker all he has to do is kiss me each time I feel like smoking and voilah, I’m okay! I don’t want to have smoker’s breath when I actually have the possibility of making out instead. I’m addicted to nicotine but I have my priorities!

So to all the people who love me and want me to quit smoking so you can have me around longer, I just want to say thanks for not bringing it up, you just saved me from having one more cigarette!

Top Fifty Sexy Men and Women of Hollywood

Be sure to check out our Top Fifty lists of sexy men and women stars of Hollywood (50 Most Beautiful Women, 50 Sexiest Hunks). For the record I want to state that although I gave a few suggestions here and there, our editor, and other staff members, painstakingly compiled the lists. I have met some of the men on the Top Fifty Hollywood Hunks list and would never place them in that exact order. Actually, I would find it impossible to place them in a permanent order anyway since I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings and because my order of their importance and sexiness keeps changing as I meet them! I did, however, order our editor to remove Lee Majors and Spencer Tracy and replace them with Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando. I mean, come on, they are dead, yes, but still sexy as hell.

My Audition for The Drew Barrymore Show

Also this month check out my stirring account of my audition for an MTV reality show. For those of you who watch reality TV shows or hate them and wonder what it entails to audition for one, here is my story of how it feels to go through the process. Hey, I didn’t get the part so I may as well get a little mileage out of the experience!

Kim Katz on Facebook!

After realizing that I am one of only a few people left in the US without a Facebook listing, Kenny helped me set up my profile on Facebook! After trying it out, I see that it is more fun and immediate and private than Myspace. I hope all my friends will go there to

stay in touch with me and just to have a laugh! Don’t be confused by the high school year book photo of me on my profile page, I am doing the Benjamin Button thing. Instead of current photos I will post younger and younger pictures of myself until I get to the ultrasound of me as a fetus. And don’t forget, a picture is worth a thousand words, so a video must be worth a million words so keep visiting my Youtube account once in a while for more of my home video creations at www.youtube.com/kimkatzbuzznews!

Now that I'm here, Now that you're near in Xanadu

Also coming this month, my reviews of the Biggie Smalls biopic Notorious and the Chicago Drury Lane Theatre production of Xanadu. Xanadu was one of my favorite fantasy films of all time! Check it out and enjoy.

Happy Inauguration to all my Kitty Friends, Barack is IN and we all made it happen!

Hurrah!

Keep warm and save me a place by the fire!

Love, Kimberly Katz