OTE: This was supposed to have been published this morning, but there was a problem with the server.

Well, I’m just rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and trying to wake my ass up. I realize it’s only an hour’s difference, but my body clock is still on Florida time. What a rough life, right? I know!

The Dark Knight Gala at Navy Pier was exciting. I arrived by cab at about 5:50 p.m. but I had to get out and walk a bit since security was tight and they weren’t letting any cars go down the street that’s right in front of Navy Pier. Now let me tell you, that’s quite an interesting experience when you’re the only one walking in a long, black dress with 4 inch heels in a sea of people wearing shorts and sneaks. Can you say “stuck out like a sore thumb?”

I didn’t get to see Christopher Nolan, Gary Oldman, and Michael Caine walk the red carpet since I had to go inside to the makeshift Will Call to pick up my ticket. The energy inside the theater was pretty awesome though - thick enough to cut with a butcher knife. Just that feeling alone was worth paying $450 for my ticket.

Nolan and his wife were very fashionably late. The tribute to him was supposed to start at 6:30 p.m., but didn’t get started until some time after 7 p.m. I don’t blame them though - they were probably at their posh hotel pretending to jump into the boatload of dough they’re going to make after this weekend’s opening. I’m predicting U.S. sales of over $250M. What are your predictions?

This guy was dressed as The Joker sitting behind me, and there was a skinny little man (maybe 2 inches taller than me and I’m 5′1″) dressed as Batman that sat next to me at the dinner in the Crystal Ballroom. There always have to be a few screwballs added to the mix.

Unfortunately, Mr. Bale was a no-show. That was a bit disappointing - for a lot of people. I figured he’d be making his way over to the event since he did the New York premiere on Monday and his wife, Sibi, is from Chicago. Plus, he’s always talked about his admiration for Chris Nolan. Oh well (insert big schoolgirl sigh here). Shit happens.

Bill Curtis (the A&E voiceover guy and a staple in Chicago’s history) introduced Nolan, Oldman and Caine to the crowd in the IMAX theater and then there was a 10 minute montage of Nolan’s work featuring actors gushing about working with him (Bale included). That was pretty neat. I totally forgot Nolan did Insomnia. Then, the big moment arrived - they played The Dark Knight. It was actually nice to not have to sit through 15 minutes of bullshit trailers - we got right to the movie. No foreplay - sweet.

I don’t want to spoil the movie for anyone, so I’ll just say that the opening scene is amazing and will grab your attention right away (sign of a great movie), and a couple of surprising people die. One is surprising because of who it is, the other is surprising because of the way that person dies and by whose hands.

I’ll write some more posts later today. I have some very important shopping to do on the Magnificent Mile …