Insert alliterative title here.

Now, unlike some people, I do not normally do a Friday Five. However, today is Friday, and there are five things I want to talk about. So, by default, my first Friday Five:

1. I don't often wear makeup for my skin, but my interest was piqued by Sundry's review of Bare Escentuals makeup a few months back. The nail in the coffin was when Alice raved about them too. So I finally ordered them, and they showed up last night.

At first, I wasn't incredibly impressed. This might be because I have never worn foundation in my life (normally I stick with tinted moisturizer), so I didn't know what to expect. Yeah, it went on and blended in perfectly, and yeah, my skin looked pretty smooth afterward (but to be fair, it looked pretty smooth beforehand too). But it didn't look AMAZING and damn it, that's what I wanted.

In sum, after I put the makeup on, I went into the living room and Torsten exclaimed enthusiastically, "It's great! You look so different!" in a way that was code for, "I see no change whatsoever but I know that I'm supposed to."

However, the stuff has grown on me. I'm wearing it today and my skin does look a little better. I look overall better-rested and more alert, I think, and the makeup is helping. But I think that this might be the kind of product that is more exciting to people who have tried other foundations, or who have problem skin in some way.

2. I think those of you who suggested that my necklace may have gotten caught in my sweater and twisted are right. There's just no other explanation. Torsten definitely did not switch the chain--it had the same clasp, and where would he even have found a stiff, 25" chain to switch it with? Also, he allowed me to proceed with exchanging it without 'fessing up. Anyway, I got my new chain yesterday, and so far all is well. Knock on wood.

3. Speaking of the necklace, yesterday I wore the pendant on one of my normal sterling silver chains, just for one day, ONE DAY. And yet, thanks to my obnoxious nickel allergy, I now have the beginnings of a rash around my neck. Oh, I am grumpy about that.

4. So, who watched the caucuses last night? I have to say that I was not expecting the Huckabee win or the Obama win, but I think I'm glad about both. Torsten loves Obama, and while my feelings are not nearly as strong, I do think he would be a pretty good president. Huckabee, on the other hand, does not seem like a terribly strong candidate for president. So, given that I want a Democrat to win the presidency, I should be rooting for the Republican party to nominate their weakest candidate. Which might be Huckabee.

HOWEVER. I'm no political analyst, and I have no idea if Huckabee is really that weak or if it's just me thinking that in my own head. So what if I root for him to get the Republican nomination, and then he turns around and wins the general election? President Huckabee? Even though I KNOW that who I'm rooting for matters not at all, particularly for the Republican party where I will not be casting a vote, I would be pretty upset with myself if things turned out that way.

5. I'm glad you all agree with me that Pilates are hard. I am especially intrigued by Ana's suggestion that I try out some dance videos, since I had the same thought while I was doing the same old aerobics routine that I've been doing for years. I'm going to keep working on this Pilates thing, but there's no reason not to add some variety. So now is when I need your help, yet again. I want something bouncy, fun, interesting, and challenging but not impossible that gets me dancing and my heart rate elevated. What's a good dance video for me to try? Or at least, what are styles or elements I should look for when trying to pick a dance video?