Dyeing Your Hair!

Okay, so. This blog is going to be about hair dye. 

     At the end of this month, I'm going to dye by hair blue. I have dark brown/almost black hair, so it's going to be difficult to get my hair to bright blue status. So, obviously, the first thing you have to do is pick out a shade of blue. I'm going for something in between the pictures posted here. It's easy to find pictures of different colors you want, especially now that colored hair is becoming more popular. After finding which color you want, then you need to do some research. 

What color hair do you have? If it's blonde or white or something like that, it's going to be pretty easy to dye. But if you have dark hair... You're gonna have to bleach it. The hardest color to strip/bleach is black, then dark brown, then any shade of red. The first thing yours going to want to do is talk to your hairstylist. Ask them what bleach you should get and what type of color you should use. Or just let them do all that work. Be armed: BLEACH WILL DAMAGE YOUR HAIR. However, it's really not as bad as it seems. You've got to bleach it several times over a very short period to have it fall out. (Ask my friend, she bleached her hair five times in a summer.) But, it's fine. It's all worth it. I promise! You'll look super duper cool with whatever color you want to have, I'm sure. 

  

  

  

It's Okay To Like Things

So, it has recently come to my attention that lots of ladies say, "Oh, I'm not like other girls." What's wrong with being like other girls? Have you ever met another girl? Girls are so nice to each other! So, this is a post about how it is okay to like traditionally "girly" things. Like, who cares if you want to paint your bedroom pink and have a couple stuffed animals? I know I'd love to! (Well, maybe not pink, but pastels? Yeah!) Most of the girls I know have an excellent sense of style and are very kind people. In fact, Best Friend #2 inspires my current style. I'm currently renovating my room because I want it to look pretty. 

I absolutely adore things like this! I think this room is very pretty and I would love to have it! Interior design is actually one of my favorite things. So, if you have any reservations with doing your room the way you want it, please don't. It's okay to be like "other girls." I reiterate, most girls are fantastic! There are always going to be people who will be hateful about things that you like, but that's their fault. 

Here is a playlist to listen to while redecorating your room: 

Miss Independent - Kelly Clarkson

How It's Going To Be - Gerard Way

Love At First Sight - The Brobecks

Blank Space - Taylor Swift

Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson

Bulletproof Heart - My Chemical Romance

I Don't Care - Fall Out Boy

Defying Gravity - Wicked

Funny You Should Ask - The Front Bottoms

Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson

This City - Patrick Stump

Enjoy! 

Wake Trilogy - Lisa McMann

     Recently, I retread the "Wake" trilogy by Lisa McMann. Included in the trilogy are "Wake", "Fade", and "Gone." They follow the story of a teenage girl named Janie Hannagan, who has an unusual problem. (Or gift, depending on how you see it.) She falls in to other people's dreams. She can't help it, she can't stop it, and it's driving her mad. Whenever Janie encounters someone who is dreaming, she gets sucked into their dream. And no one ever remembers it, except Janie...

     Until one day. Janie is driving home one night down Waverly Road with the windows rolled down, and falls into someone's dream. For two years after that, she has no idea who it is. That is, until she encounters Cabel Strumheller. Cabel is special, in the case that he remembers Janie being in his dream. Together, they embark on an enlightening and terrifying adventure to figure out Janie. Is falling into dreams a gift or a curse? I suppose you'll have to read to find out. 

Janie:

Cabel: 

Studio Ghibli - A Brief Introduction

Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation company well-known for making brilliant alternate worlds come to life in a unique style of animation produced by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. It was originally formed on June 15th, 1985 in Tokyo, Japan. They have many feature-length films, as well as short films that showcase a wide variety of intriguing characters that live in different versions of our very own world. Their first film was "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" which was produced before they copyrighted the name "Studio Ghibli" amd formed the official company. 

Here are their major films, along with brief plot summaries of each:

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a story about a princess who lives in a world overrun by a toxic forest, and must find out the truth about it with the help of her companion. All the while, she is attempting to keep an evil man from destroying it. 

Castle In The Sky is the story of two orphans, one with a sacred amulet, embarking on a quest to find the mystical island in the sky, Laputa, and defend it from those who would use it's great power for evil. 

Kiki's Delivery Service is a tale about a young witch named Kiki, who must spend a year away from home as part of her itchy training. Along the way, she meets new friends and learns some valuable life lessons about the importance of friendship and relying on yourself for happiness. 

My Neighbor Totoro tells the story of two young sisters who move into an old house so that they can be closer to their mother, who is ill. While living their with their father, they meet spirits of the forest who teach them how important it is to love your family, and how to hold out hope for a brighter tomorrow.

 

Howl's Moving Castle is a piece from the point of a young Londoner named Sophie, who is turned into an old woman by the Witch of the Wastes. To rid herself of the curse, she travels into the Wastes and meets Howl, a wizard with the power to restore both her youth and her belief in him. 

Finally, Spirited Away is the tale of a bratty young girl named Chihiro, who finds a world of spirits and magic by accident, and must work hard and learn many lessons before she can have her parents back and go home. She meets a boy named Haku, who promises to help her return to the shores of her life.

 

In conclusion, Studio Ghibli shaped my childhood and taught me many lessons that helped develop my character as I grew and continue to grow. The artistic storytelling and heart-wrenching emotions these films draw from me and many others will continue to amaze people for generation to come. 

Get to Know: DanIsNotOnFire & AmazingPhil

Ah, the love able idiots. Here we go! But first:

A link to Dan's account: https://youtube.com/user/danisnotonfire

A link to Phil's account: https://youtube.com/user/amazingphil

Get To Know Dan:

Dan Howell, better known on the internet as DanIsNotOnFire, is a vlog-style YouTuber who records himself talking about experiences and other things that he knows of, then posts them on YouTube. (In case you didn't know, vlog means video-blog.) He posts an average of one video every two weeks. 

Dan is 23 years old, and currently lives in London with his best friend Phil. He is 6'3, and many hilarious stories ensue because of the his awkward height. He likes lots of video games, including Bioshock and Halo, along with lots of classics. Studio Ghibli also played a big role in his life from a fairly young age.

 

Get To Know Phil:

Phillip Lester, better known on the internet and radio as AmazingPhil, is also a vlogging-style YouTuber. His videos lean more in the innocent/funny direction than Dan's cynical, self-deprecating humor. Phil posts about three to four videos a month, but you can sometimes expect them a few times every couple of weeks! 

Phil Lester is a lovable 28-year-old, who doesn't look anywhere near 28. He loves anime and Studio Ghibli just as much, if not more than, Dan. He and Dan live in a flat in London, England, and share their daily routines with each other. They're absolute best friends. 

Honorable Mentions:

Dan and Phil are part of what many of the British YouTube fandom calls the "fearsome foursome." This includes DanIsNotOnFire, AmazingPhil, Crabstickz, and KickThePJ. 

Crabstickz: https://youtube.com/user/crabstickz

KickThePJ: https://youtube.com/user/kickthepj

Welcome To Night Vale - Pilot

\\\Welcome To Night Vale - Pilot

http://youtu.be/Ujksjzqrhys <-- Pilot Episode

     "Welcome to Night Vale is a podcast about a friendly desert community where the sun is hot, the moon is beautiful, and mysterious lights pass overhead while we all pretend to sleep. Welcome to Night Vale." - Common Place Books

     The podcast is about a fictional desert community called Night Vale, where strange happenings occur. It is narrated by Cecil Palmer, a resident of Night Vale who hosts the city's radio show, in his booth at the Night Vale Community Radio building. It is updated twice-monthly in the form of a radio broadcast, and is currently at episode 61. More are scheduled to be produced soon. 

In the pilot episode, a beautiful Latino scientist comes to town to study the strange happenings that occur there. A new dog park opens that nobody is allowed to enter, save for mayor Pamela Winchell and the City Council. Cecil provides a helpful color guide to helicopters, and what they mean. 

CHARACTERS:

Cecil Palmer: Cecil Gershwin Palmer is the narrator of Night Vale, as well as the city's radio host. He technically has no definite character description, but most of the fan community agrees that he has white hair, an extra purple eye at the center of his forehead, squid tentacle tattoos on his forearms, and glasses. 

Carlos: Carlos has no last name. In the first episode of Night Vale, he comes to the desert town to study the strange happenings, and has no idea when he will leave. Cecil describes him with "dark and delicate skin, a voice like caramel with oaky tones, and a strong square jaw." His hair is black with a "distinguished touch of" gray. 

Hooded Figures: The hooded figures are the things that rome the dog park, and the reason we can't go in. If they take your children, do not resist. Let them. 

     And, as it is and always will be: Goodnight, Night Vale. Goodnight. 

Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

http://youtu.be/egG7fiE89IU <--- Na Na Na

http://youtu.be/hTgnDLWeeaM <--- SING

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi8kCzCB1NYSG7UEIDpr0UD9AwjHtbGeU <--- Playlist for Danger Days

Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys is a concept album by my favorite band, My Chemical Romance. It is set in the year 2019,'in post-apocalyptic California, where a company called Better a Living a Industries controls everyone. A group of four legendary outlaws called the Fabulous Killjoys, along with their cohorts Dr. Death Defying and Show Pony, run around the Zones wreaking havoc and causing mayhem. A division of BLI called the S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W unit is after them. They're running for their lives. But will they make it? Watch the links above to find out. 

KILLJOYS:

Party Poison: Party Poison is the famed leader of the legendary Fabulous Killjoys. He has red hair and a yellow laser gun. Party keeps the others in line, and does his best to keep them safe. Well, as good as he can, considering the fact that they fight for their lives on a daily basis. He, along with the other outlaws, wants to bring back creativity to the citizens of Battery City and the surrounding Zones. 

Fun Ghoul: Fun Ghoul is the most rebellious rebel you'll ever meet. Best friend and second-in-command of Party Poison, he would kill every Draculoid that BLI could offer. Decked out in black, green, and yellow, he carries a matching laser gun, and often uses Kobra's when the Killjoys are being chased by BLI. 

Kobra Kid: Party Poison's kid brother. Both being originally from the destroyed Zone 6, neither has a home or a family, except for the other rebels and Dr. Death Defying's place. With hair slicked back and clad in red, Kobra Kid is known for his ruthlessness and quick efficiency. 

Jet Star: Jet Star is the peacemaker of the group. He has long brown hair, and often wears aviators from before the crisis that brought BLI into power. His suit is black, and his laser gun is blue. 

ETC.:

Dr. Death Defying: Dr. Death Defying is a companion of the Killjoys. He runs an illegal pirate radio station that plays the Killjoys songs, and often airs the traffic report. He's got long, stringy hair, and sometimes wears sunglasses. 

Show Pony: Companion and assistant of Dr. Death Defying, Show Pony roller-skates around and helps the Killjoys get ready for the day/week/whatever. He wears white leggings and a motorcycle helmet. 

The Girl: A curly-haired child that the Killjoys are trying to protect from BLI for unknown reasons. She is the main reason that they're doing what they're doing. She embodies creativity and youthful innocence. 

And most important of all: 

Incarceron

          Incarceron. A novel by Catherine Fisher set in a dystopian future, and told from two different perspectives. The tag line of the novel is, "INCARCERON. A prison like no other. It gives life. It deals death. It watches all." In the book, a teenage boy named Finn is trapped inside of Incarceron, a vast, living prison that controls the people within it so well, most don't actually believe in Outside. They have only the Legends of Sapphique, the only man ever fabled to have escaped Incarceron. Outside, there is a teenage girl names Claudia, the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron. Only the Warden knows what goes on inside the prison. And Outside, everything has been reverted to the Middle Ages. Years ago, a king decided that technology was a menace, and shut everything down. They now live in a Dark Age, with royals, peasants, beheadings, and much, much worse. Claudia is destined to marry the heir to the throne. There is only one problem. She doesn't love Caspar, who is a whiny, obnoxious shell of a boy, ultimately controlled by his mother, the Queen. When Finn and Claudia make contact through the most unlikely circumstances, they band together to help one another. Both to escape a different kind of prison. Can they free themselves-and each other-before it's too late?