Stephe snapped this the moment I lost. Justin is literally saying, “This shit is rigged! Let’s get out of here! We’re going to Harry Caray’s!” And Sandy can’t hear over Justin and still thinks they might have said my name.

I DID get to meet Billy Dec! That’s right, Virginia Madsen took home the big trophy last night at the Best Of The Midwest Awards. The swank affair (read: FREE Effen Vodka drinks!) was held at Rockit and we definitely got our party on. Schadenfriend, Steve Delahoyde, who was up for “Best Short Film” and “Best Editing” for our opus “Regrets: Kid”, also went home empty handed — so at least I was in good loser company. My favorite moment of the night was when Richard Roeper (one of the presenters), mixed up Queen Latifah and Jennifer Hudson in his effort to make a point about how more films should be produced in Chicago. Lots of bizarre and funny little moments like that made this loser feel like a winner. (Awwwwww!) Thanks to the Schad.net readers who voted for me — Delahoyde and I will be back in 2012 to take back the swing states!