On the plus side I have some cute new duds

I went into Macy's this afternoon to go to the bathroom.

And came out minus $106.

Keep me away from Macy's!!! And drugstores for that matter. Kryptonite.

Always be prepared for fun!

Overpacking for my weekend adventure?

Perhaps.

What are you gonna do about it? Sue me?

Didn't think so. Happy Carmageddon 2012, people! And welcome to L.A., Courtney!

Men in glasses...SIGH

Matthew Perry looks so stinkin' good in glasses!

So does Ray Romano. Shoot.

Also, if you're not already, you should probably be watching "Go On." It makes me laugh out loud. It's also on occasion rather touching (and DUH, you should be watching "Parenthood"!!)

Christmas shopping?

I'd like the one with the T-rex vomiting a rainbow, please:

Nowvember's Etsy shop

Sometimes I forget about things...

I just saw this ad and thought, "Betty Boop! I almost forgot about Betty Boop!"

Sigh.

My brother just made two Facebook posts that greatly upset me.

The first: his new phone has texting.

Ugh.

The second: he can update his Facebook status via phone.

I thought he was with me for the long haul on this anti-technology train.

Just don't get an iPhone, Riley, and we'll be okay.

How did that happen?

I just recently realized I haven't had any caffeine today.

I can't believe I don't have a headache. Not even an almost-here-I-can-feel-it-on-its-way headache.

Score. Although I'm kind of sad I didn't get my daily cup (or 2, or 3) of java.

Guess I'll just get to have extra tomorrow. Served with a side of Luke Danes, please! I mean, served by Luke Danes. Potato, potahto.

Mystery

I have been pretty lazy -- physically exercise speaking -- since moving to SoCal.

I've gone for some runs, some walks. But...meh. Not a whole bunch of working out.

Yet curiously -- oh so curiously -- I often find myself stopping to glance in the mirror at the surprisingly fit nature of my arms these days.

I've really got nothin' to explain this. I mean, I certainly can't say the same for my stummy.* Perhaps I'm doing push ups in my sleep?

If you know me semi- to quite well, you know that I have quite strong arms for a woman of my stature. It's true. But they just look so good these days, as good or maybe even better than they do when I'm bothering with some upkeep.

...Hmm. Stumped.

Meanwhile, I need to sign up for a race soon to get myself a-movin', but I'll be enjoying these toned upper limbs, you can count on that.

P.S. I get to see my baby kitty boy in less than a month. Yaaaaaaaaaaay.

*Not a typo. I call it my "stummy." Is that weird? Creative? Adorable? Not as original as I think?

This is a pretty small post. You probably shouldn't click on it.

How is it 9:33 already?

That's all.

Smooches.

--DB

Winners in my life

I have pretty fantastic friends and family.

I am faced with a pretty big decision, and so many people have come to my aid this weekend to listen, offer advice, prayers, love and support. Even lunch, in one case. You guys are the best.

Over and out, peeps. Have a great week!

Love,
Daily Bailey

Quick ramble, and a Giveaway!

Hey friends,

I am stitching white thread on white fabric. Goodbye, 20/20 eyesight...

And now for a giveaway!

Be the first to spot the latest change to the blog (hint: answer is not that this post is new) and win these awesome glasses. Comment below. Ready, go!

Huge love for this classic group

I

LOVE

Peter, Paul and Mary.

For the record, if you ever need to get me out of bed in the morning, bring me a steaming cup of coffee and crank this song real loud. You will experience positive results:



That harmony! The energy! The heart! And how beautiful was Mary?!

And if you're looking for my Christmas gift, here ya go.

My mind is starting to feel like alphabet mush (not soup)

Remember that time I went to my job during the day -- where I write, edit, rewrite -- then came home to edit an essay I'm submitting for contest?

Yeah, me too.

Might be break time soon, my friends...I love working with words and I'm glad I get to do it for a living, but I have my limits for a 24 hour period.

Prayers and thoughts for all those who lost someone 11 years ago.

This morning I was driving to the office and passed a flag at half staff. I wondered why, then my hand flew to my chest as I remembered what day it was.

Saturday afternoon with Bails

I just got back from Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts, where I went a little crazy.

It's okay, because I mostly bought cheap or clearance items.

I was on a primary hunt for cross stitch materials, and a secondary hunt for beading materials.

Here's the thing with cross stitch. I love doing it. It's colorful, soothing, metric, etc. But a lot of cross stitch patterns out there are so grandmotherish and tacky.

Now, I am rather grandmotherish myself, as well as, on occasion, tacky. But when I finish a project, I never really know if someone will want it as a gift.

Today I decided to embrace the tackiness. I picked out one full price item, and then I found the clearance stuff. Oh boy did I get some tacky items (as well as some that could actually be decent gifts, depending on how young or forgiving the recipient may be). I ended up putting the full price item back, as I had amassed quite a few sale pieces to keep me occupied for some time yet.

Before I continue with my story, a sampling of what I bought:

I think this one needs to be hung up in the office cubicle.

Fun fact: my dad calls me Bling Bling. I'm not entirely sure why. He came up with the nickname around the time he was still carting me to my job, before I had my own car; I thought maybe it was because I was earning money?? You know, independent woman, making money to buy bling? It later occurred to me it might be because of my initals. I could put my journalistic skills to work here and solve the mystery, but meh--why ruin the fun?

(Meanwhile, back at Jo-Ann's) My goods were all packed up for me at the register in a brown paper sack, instead of something with the company name on it. I walked to the parking lot looking like I had just purchased some spirits and cigs. With my stitchery contraband, I imagined a run-in with law enforcement.

"Remain calm, Officer. It's just embroidery floss and beading thread in here. Nothing to see here, folks. You need to confiscate the threading needles? All right, that's fine. They came with the kits anyway, and I have more at home. This little thing that says "KOOL KAT"? Yes, under 5 dollars. Right inside there, go all the way to the back of the store, toward the left. I think I grabbed the last one, but you might get lucky and find another. Uh huh, you have a nice afternoon, too."

Am I excited about all my tacky crafting contraband?

You bet your bottom clearance dollar I am.

The gang from the (P) hood

Since you asked,

I have taken it upon myself to categorize the characters from Parenthood into my faves and not so faves. Now, I would never use my blog in this way to discuss real people, so you don't need to worry about me "rating" you in an upcoming post.

However, I have decided to leave kiddos and babies (Jabbar, Sydney, Nora, Max) out of it, because that's not fair. They might be fictional characters, but come on. Teens, meanwhile, are held accountable for their attitudes and actions, even if they are from a script.

I tried to make this a simpler list of love, dislike, and somewhere in the middle. As you will find, it got more complicated (this was really hard, I tweaked this list a lot*). Here goes. See you on Tuesday for the premiere!

LOVE:

     Sarah, Zeek, Christina

Love:

     Amber, Drew, Mark

Like quite a lot:

     Crosby, Millie

Somewhere in the middle (i.e., she's okay/growing on me):

     Jasmine

Tolerable, but let's be honest I wouldn't want to spend a lot of time with him:

     Adam

These two are in the category of: I liked them more at first, but now I'm not as big a fan. I do love that they represent a family with woman as breadwinner:

     Joel, Julia

Annoying, needs an attitude check:

     Hattie

How do you categorize these peeps?

*My brother, Patrick, is probably rolling his eyes times ten right now. He thinks I analyze TV characters way too much.

Excel, the new distraction from colds

First, I am home sick today.

Go ahead. Feel a little bad for me.

Next, I wanted to share with you that, to occupy my time (I'm currently waiting to hit a conk out stage when my body is ready to take a nap) I am literally making a spreadsheet to help decide when I should take a trip to see family and friends this year. Obviously if I had endless money and freedom to travel, I would travel home more than once or twice this year, but for now I'm turning to Microsoft Office to help me calculate.

The spreadsheet involves columns of family members and my besties. The rows represent holidays or events, and in each cross section I indicate the likelihood that I will see each family member or friend at that event.

The final column is headed "yesses," and displays the current tallies for number of people (approximate, not counting spouses and kiddos) I will see at each event.

Do you think I should draw from a hat instead?

Oh my goodness, I just realized I didn't put Dibbs on the list. What is the matter with me?

Sneezerson

So, my allergies are being obnoxious, and I'm hungry for just about everything, apparently.

First one to bring me tacos and a soda wins a prize.

Prize equals a hug, probably. If you're a cute single male, we might talk about a kiss. ;)

Wow, that was forward. We'll blame that on the head fog. Also, who's really going to bring me a taco? I think you can safely send out flirtations via blog if you can largely assume they will be unrequited.

Going on that logic, first one to bring me a taco wins $100.

Of course, if you accept that prize, you might have to pay for the overdraft fee from my bank. You're probably safer accepting the hug.

Over and out, peeps. Clearly I am saying more than I should with this nasal distraction.

Almost!

One.

Week.

Til.

This:



Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!! Just around the corner!!!!!!!

P.S. Ray Romano!!! (I hope his character doesn't break up Mark and Sarah; but Ray Romano as a person and actor--yay!)

Love you, Lyds

I found some panda-shaped strawberry flavored cookies in the gift shop in the building where I work earlier this summer.

Thinking of my friend Lydia, who enjoys things like panda-shaped cookies (kind of the way I enjoy crayons and coloring books), I purchased a box for her.

I mailed them to her, and received this today in an email:

"OMG I GOT PANDAS IN THE MAIL!"

I wrote back and asked if she tried them and if they tasted good. Her response:

"Yes, they are good. When I was little, I used to get strawberry flavored 'Pocky Sticks,' which are like the exact same ingredients except they are sticks dipped in the strawberry stuff. Same brand, too. They had them at the Chinese grocery stores."

And, the clincher:

"These pandas must be a more recent evolution of the Pocky stick."

She's a riot.

Important matter to discuss

I am sad to report that chocolate covered bacon,

(this next qualifier is important, please pay attention)

AS EXECUTED AT THE 2012 L.A. COUNTY FAIR,

was not great. Let's get even more specific: it wasn't good.

I'll get to the details in a moment. But first let me explain that I think the concept of chocolate covered bacon

(which I have creatively named "pork chocs")

is a great one. Among the pork-eating among us, of course.

My case:

Sweet and salty combinations have been satisfying those with working taste buds for years. I would say centuries, millenia, but I'm not that educated on the exact historic timeline of salty/sweet combos, so I'm going to keep it safe and say years.

People love bacon. People love chocolate. Sweet and salty have been proven to please, so how can you tell me that salty bacon and sweet chocolate combined could not also please?

In fact, this already exists in several forms.

Unfortunately, however, the bacon I partook of yesterday had several issues with it.

1. It was cold.

You're surprised by this, yes? Of course you are. I'd be willing to guess that 95 percent of people who are presented with the idea of chocolate covered bacon for the first time are going to think of something that is either warm or room temperature, but not cold. Show me the research against this and I'll humbly concede the point, but for now I'm sticking with this.

I've been known to eat leftover cooked bacon from the fridge without reheating it. I've enjoyed it. But there is a definite taste difference between cold and hot bacon, with hot clearly being the winner. As my favorite undergraduate professor taught me in our psychology sensation and perception class, temperature affects particular tastes. Why do we drink coffee hot? Because things that are bitter taste less so when heated. I believe the same is true for salt. Try and drink some tap water with salt added; um, no. Salty soup? Fried chicken? Absolutely. You don't notice how loaded up with salt something is when it's nice and toasty. Nor do you notice the taste and texture of fat in bacon quite so much when the bacon is warm.

2. The bacon to chocolate ratio was way too small, further disrupting the opportunity to taste any otherwise delicious bacon.

The entire strip was covered with chocolate -- which I was expecting, but wasn't expecting this to be a problem -- and the layer was rather thick around the bacon. So the bacon taste was not only underwhelmed but difficult to even pick out.*

I found this unfortunate. What I felt I was eating, essentially, was a lot of chilled chocolate, followed by very little bacon taste that I had to really concentrate on in order to notice. Also, in proving my earlier point, the fact that it was cold made the fatty taste more enhanced than that salty, porky taste bacon so uniquely offer us. In its warmer persona, of course.

I realize I said I had several issues to discuss, and then only numbered 2 items in the above list. But as you will notice there were several subpoints.

So I leave you with this. Again, I think the concept of pork chocs is great. I really do. I just think that the bacon needs to be no colder than room temperature. It also should be crispy. I think it should be lightly dipped in chocolate. We're just looking for a hint of chocolate, people, not a thick casing.

What's more, I think we should test this out, and in so doing we will perhaps find that just dipping a slice of bacon part way, so some of it is not dipped in bacon (the way one might dip a fry in a Frosty, for example -- you wouldn't douse the thing, would you? Of course not), is actually better than dipping it fully. We could get artistic about this, even, in the patterns we choose to coat the bacon with chocolate. Diagonal lines, dribbles of chocolate, etc.

But not too artistic. It's chocolate covered bacon, for crying out loud.

If you happen to see a fairground employee, please pass along these thoughts. Thank you for your time. Your opinions on the matter are important to us, and you are safe here to freely discuss them. Please join the conversation in the comments below. We (and by we, I mean I) welcome you.

*Do I sound like a food critic? Editors of the world, leave a comment and I'll be happy to pass along my resume. :)