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Want to hear about my daily doings??

Be my Fan on Facebook.

Yes, I used to make fun of my tv friends who created Fan Pages.

But when the boss makes the order, comply you must.

I've got my Happy Hour deals, Work it Outs, 'Quick Fix' cooking segments, and daily tweets and video blurbs all in 1 place.

Check it out!

Playing Catch-Up . Darn you, DVR

Just when I thought I was finally caught up with technology... a DVR disaster strikes.

Years after everyone else was Ti-Vo'ing Desperate Housewives I still had basic cable and a dial-up modem.

Finally months ago, we upgraded to a DVR Box for me to indulge myself and copy and record anything my little heart desires, including archiving my stories and live shots. Or BRAVO Watch What Happens!

The day after Christmas I was finally going to burn my on-air library.
I went to preview my list- which I had already logged, decided what and from when to burn, etc.. and it was empty.
Gone, baby gone.

Not one recording left over. Not one. After a mini-meltdown (not a big one, after the past few months of my life I'm only reserving big meltdowns for true tragedies) we called the cable company.

They've never seen anything quite like it. 6 Months worth of recordings zapped in an instant.

A Little Justin Booper

At the risk of having a Justin Booper fan call the station and demand an apology for me calling him "sweet, adorable, and just a cute little guy" I will be masking his name.

I interviewed 15 year-old teen dream Justin Booper or 'the Boopinator' as the bandos of Cobra Spaceship (yes, this bands name has been changed too) calls him.

He was darling, he had a great head of hair, and was already pretty media savvy for a teen.

I would have been a hot mess on camera at his age.

Watch Hailey's story as it aired on 39News.

Reporting from Fort Hood

As many of you know, I spent 3 days in Killeen, TX after the Fort Hood tragedy.

The night of the shootings I reported live from just off Post.

The next 2 days I spent on and off Post - Day 2 telling the story of one of the brave civilian officers who helped take down the shooter, Nidal Hasan.

Day 3 was the most meaningful for me. It was a Saturday, and around Killeen you could see how people were grieving, and showing their support for the families who lost loved ones.

Click here to see my story from that day.

Been a long time Gone

Back bloggin' at you after a little much needed hiatus.

Monday through Friday you can catch me going live @ 5 from fun happenings around Houston.

Our newest addition is live at Happy Hour on Mondays - obviously I have it rough :)

I've been back from Fort Hood for over a week now- even though I'm still playing catch up.

Walmart clothes I gathered on the trip still in my bag- it's about time to throw them in the wash.

Today I'm showing people how to make their own wine.

Not moon shine, but wine.

Not that you're allowed to make moon shine anyhow- so this is a better, legal option.

39 News @ 5 HELLO!

If you're not watching the 39 news @ 5 you're missing out!

Click here to see Hailey's live hits on the 39 News @5p - for the Original Greek Festival - sampling greek eats and learning to dance like the Greeks - Opah!

We've had so much fun this week.

Behind the scenes we spend the morning chasing down stories and thinking of exciting ways to deliver a little infotainment - a little bit of spunk with your 5pm news.

Monday was our launch - I talked Patrick Swayze's book release & did a story on the seemingly never ending road construction along Westheimer.

Tuesday I sipped on new Starbuck's Via - the instant coffee- to see how it compares to other quick brews (2x the cost and half the flavor, in my opinion).

Wednesday I spent the afternoon at the Original Greek Festival in Montrose- it kicks off on Thursday at 5p.

Those Greeks know how to have a good time!

Click here to find out everything you need to know about the Festival- price, parking, etc.

On a personal note- I tried Soymilk for the 1st time today. OPAH! delicioso! Never turning back...

7 Mile Sunday- Show Launch Monday

Taking my Saturday off from running- Sunday I need to clock 7 miles, which should be just like last week's 6 miles, but plus one.

duh. right?

Runners understand exactly my thought process behind that seemingly nonsensical statement.

Non-runners think anything over 3 miles sounds a bit looney tunes. I get it!

MONDAY is very exciting at CW39! We are launching our brand new 39 News @ 9.

We've all been working very hard to put it to air- it's a new show with a new concept, and should be a whole lotta fun!

Can't wait to see you then.

P.S. if there's a little look of fatigue in my eyes on tv, you can blame it on the 7 mile (that was just like the six mile, only plus one)!

You don't want to miss it!

Back & Refreshed

Back blogging from Houston this a.m. after a quick trip to visit the fam in Scottsdale, AZ.

yes, it really does look like the movies :)

gorg, huh? and that's my parents dinosaur, Colby.

Realized 2 things on this trip:

1- I feel much more at home in Houston than I did in Virginia (even though all my great friends are still there - and even though my time there taught me to 'eat fresh eat local'- and even though i wouldn't take it back in a heartbeat). This just feels a bit more comfortable!

and 2- I must have lost my brain planning to run 26 miles in January with my mom.

After originally planning to run the Chervron Houston solo in Houston - I've scratched that- and now will be running with my athletic mother - so we can clock in our first ever marathons together, or rather- she will be sprinting ahead of me toward the finish line so that she clocks in 1/4 of a second faster, thereby earning bragging rights that at 45, she beat her 24 year-old daughter in a race.

Will we blog during it? maybe- tentatively planning to video blog- that way it's easier to really convey how nuts we're realizing we are along the route.

My mom is already bloggin' away about her training.

Check it out!

Also- back to work today! planning, and practicing, and planning some more for our big 5p show premiere on Monday on CW39 News. Don't miss it!

Wine'n N' Dinin' then Homebound

For work today I'm off to the Kemah wine fest - it's a hard job, but somebody's gotta do it ;)

Looking forward to my long weekend - and my trip to Phoenix to see my family!

Sunday I'm off- Tuesday I'm back- it's a quick trip * made much easier by us now being in Houston instead of Virginia.

Also super psyched b/c Texas Junk Company is back open again- big cardboard sign outfront read 'Back Sept 18' - that was like 2 weeks ago.

How amazing would it be to pick your own hours- only open shop 2 days a week or so- that sounds like the life to me!

My tea's steeping - gotta jet!

A Little Taylor Hicks Gossip

   Last weekend was a 3 day weekend. Wonderful!

  Here's what I've been working on this week:

 Wednesday I had an interview with former American Idol winner Taylor Hicks.

 It was disappointing to say the least. He was aloof, rehearsed, and started taking his mic off before I was done interviewing him.

 Was I able to get what I needed to turn a story? yes.

 Was there any heart - excitement- or 'wow' factor? definitely not.

  Thursday I went inside an exclusive men's spa in Houston- it's the only one the company has opened in the U.S.  very swanky.

  Saturday morning brings TOP MODEL auditions- I'm SO looking forward to it! Maybe one of the next contestants will be from H-TOWN.

 

 

Bosom Ball dead ahead

Wednesday on 39 News I spoke with a patient of Dr. Conrad Murray- the doc who's still being investigated after Michael Jackson's death in June.

That link will take you to my story - hear about the web backlash after the Dr. released a video on Youtube.

Here's what's coming up

this week that is GREAT!

* This Saturday is Adult Wild Winks @ the Houston Zoo

this is so cool! An adults-only sleepover - I haven't got all the dets yet, but I'm picturing a bit of casual, cool partying, drinks- and great friends- and maybe a couple animals? one could only hope!

*Also Saturday- The Bosom Ball hosted by MIX 96.5 - I'll be there!

Sugar Ray, Fastball @ House of Blues proceeds go to Houston Fertility Institute

Click here to buy tix & support a great cause

Joe Bro Mania

The Jonas Brothers are zippin' through Houston Friday.

And this is kinda neat- I'll be riding in the tour bus with their opening act 'Honor Society' Friday afternoon.

I'll go to their appearances with them - it should be a blast!

Then 39 fans get to meet and greet with the guys late,late tomorrow night- I'll be there!

We'll dig up some dirt on those guys- and the band they open for-the Jonas Brothers.

Living Each Day- and chowing down

We are moving forward today- each new day is a gift (mark that under lessons learned)!

And even with the sudden loss of our Shelton we are looking ahead and celebrating the time we had with him!

Today it's back to the grind - and I'm looking foward to it.

You should, too- there's a lot of great happenings in Houston this week.

It is Houston Restaurant 'week'- and by week I mean a good part of the month- which is GREAT news for foodies like myself.

Click here to check the menu- scope out a new favorite place to dine- if you aren't familiar with it, here's how it works:

DOZENS of fab. Houston eateries take reservations from you- $35 per person for 3 courses- scratch that...3 AMAZING courses- lobster, duck, you name it...

You pick your favorite place (or in my case- a place I normally couldn't afford) and give it a whirl.

Happy Eating- and let me know if you find a place that I've just gotta try!

Back atcha w/a Look ahead this week

A day of news reporting Tuesday and I'm back into my work week!

  Here's what I'm working on this week...

 

  Some of the biggest diamonds in the world are in Houston @ museum of natural science - I'll be measuring cut & clarity & picking out my new bauble.

  Chris Daughtry's at Warehouse LIVE! on Friday. hope hope hoping for an interview before his set.

 Comedian Pablo Francisco is in town Thur through Sunday @ the IMPROV

And last, but certainly not least...Sugarland, George Strait, Julianne Hough ALL TOGETHER at Reliant. WOW!  what a show

 

News Bloggin'

Click here to see Hailey's story on a Chemical Plant that caught fire in Southeast Houston Tuesday.

For the Love of Sneakers!

Who knew people loved their sneaks so much!?

music pumpin, hip lookin' teens everywhere- and it wasn't a rap concert- it was a sneaker 'summit' in Houston. Basically a trade show.

Think The Bridal Extravaganza- for kicks-savy teens.

Their fancy shoes aren't just for covering their toes, they are pieces of art.

Some costing as much as $1500.

What would I buy with $1500 in spending money??

A blackberry (or IPhone), 3 hanging planters for my house, a bbq, an oil change..

I don't think that would even total $1500

I have to say- it was actually a pretty neat event.

Kind of like an art opening minus the fancy finger food and add a few gold chains...

Just keep kickin' it :)

Bizzy Bee

Today was a whirlwind!

  Up too-late - hair cut & color ( whew! it was getting rough there ).

  no run, no nutrition, my story on 39news @ 9 was beer & what it says about your personality.

  A LOT ... in case you were wondering.

In my case, I wonder what it says about my personality that I don't drink beer.

 In fact, it's now day two of the great tea experiment

  Today, Tazo Green Tips - wonderful, caffeinated!

  I presented at the HoustonPress Music Awards tonight @ Warehouse LIVE in Downtown.

Big, rowdy crowd!  First emcee-ing event in Houston- had a blast!!

  Heading into the weekend now! Let's make it a great one!

Tazo tea bloggin'

 

Tazo tea experiment 

day 1-  'Awake' tea = delicious.

Since I'm officially off the Java- and by officially I mean about 1 week removed- I'm ready to find my tea love.

  We'll start caffeinated..then, when I'm really feeling crazy, I'll go for decaf.

  Just back from a hot, hot morning run- only logging about 10 miles a week for now- real Marathon training starts in about 1 month- then bye bye morning freedom! 

Hello ripped legs, though- so it's not all bad.

 Wednesday is my Monday.

Wish me luck!  New technology to try to remember, then execute- I've got 5 pages of scribbled notes to fall back on.

 Happy Mid-Week!

Getting Back on Track

 Yesterday and Today are about getting back on track.

  We've made some big progress with unpacking &  settling in.

Just as soon as I get the 20 foot by 11 foot rolled up rug out of my guest room I'll be able to get organized in there.  Rug for sale! Get your rug here! no one on Craigslist is biting- bummer!

 Since the dogs can't sleep on the new-to-us couch or chair & ottoman we're off to get Shelton a Cesar Milan dog bed- no other dog bed will do;)

  And it's back to school shopping for Andrew.

 Lunched today w/PR girlies from Toyota Center - so nice to catch up!

2 hour tech training at work today- I now know how to upload, download, ftp, compress, and join the company's network to publish and archive my videos. 

Whether I can remember how to power up my laptop on tomorrow .. well, that's another story.

Went to B of A today to deposit a check- and scraped up the side of my car as I was leaving. 

yowza!

This is car incident # 2 in about a week- almost popped off my passenger's side rear view mirror the other day backing out of the garage.

Why so distracted?  Time to put down the caffeine

  Enjoy your Tuesday! 

 

New Movie Casting in Houston

Sunday's my Friday

   It's a great lookin' Sunday (which is my Friday).

 Woke up to husband watching World Championship swimming.

I've been poking around the web working on video formatting for my website- which, for someone who doesn't know how to successfully operate a DVD player, can be challenging.

  I've got the August edition of Runner's World- sadly, not July edition- which tells you a great training plan for a marathon. 

   Tonight is the HoustonPress Music Awards Showcase in Downtown Houston.

That's likely where you'll find me from 4:30 ish until our 9:00 show www.39online.com

  gee, i hope that hyperlinks...because I'm new to this format, we'll just have to see-

  

One last thought: my husband would be happy to report that I took out the trash this morning without being asked. Yes, this is a normal adult thing to do. No, I don't make it a habit of doing it.

  I'm a work in progress :)

Enjoy your day!

and remember to follow me on twitter   www.twitter.com/haileyfrances

Local Band to Rock the HoustonPress Music Awards Showcase