Every so often, it’s good to unplug the computer, step away from the mass of CAT5e cables that wend their way through our house, and spend a few hours being completely girlish.

Today, Natalie and I bleached my hair all the way out to platinum, or most of it. She didn’t take the ends all the way out because they were pretty saturated, and she didn’t want to melt my hair. Of course, the very ends ended up on the floor, as we cut off five inches, leaving me with a sassy, flirty atomic pink bob.

To me, it doesn’t seem that different, except under fluorescent lights, when the very top is kinda purple. but not really. And yes, I know y’all want pictures, but I don’t generally put identifiable pictures of me on my blog, so those who desperately need them will see them via email or a locked LJ post.

After I get my eyebrows waxed.

It must look pretty cool to other people, because when we walked into Sushi Zone for dinner, the woman at the next table said, “Oh, my god, you have the best hair. You must stop and let me stare at you. You’re beautiful.”

I’m not, of course, but it was cool to feel so for a bit.

Also, the sushi was excellent, the service was great, and we’re so going back.

In other news, I bought four bras and a pair new pajamas.
Never underestimate the importance of good bras.
Or pretty pajamas.

I’m off to get my hair re-pinked, and I’ve just been playing with my site design (yes, again), because I liked the African Safari theme, but it was feeling dark and heavy, and sometimes I like whitespace.

I’m not sure if I’m going to keep the above image – it is both a nostalgic choice (when I was at USF we had regular midnight trips to the Mel’s on Geary on Thursdays, since none of us had Friday classes before 11 AM), and a play on my name, and I like retro and vintage. I have a thing for classic, vintage pin-ups as well, because they’re fun and flirty and I see them as empowering rather than objectifying. I mean the painted pin-ups, not actual photos.

Did you know there were several successful female pin-up artists?

Now you do.

Anyway, it’s the day before Easter, yes, but I think it’s okay for my blog to be wearing white a little early.

Happy Saturday.

You are Strength

Courage, strength, fortitude. Power not arrested in the act of judgement, but passing on to further action, sometimes obstinacy.

This is a card of courage and energy. It represents both the Lion’s hot, roaring energy, and the Maiden’s steadfast will. The innocent Maiden is unafraid, undaunted, and indomitable. In some cards she opens the lion’s mouth, in others she shuts it. Either way, she proves that inner strength is more powerful than raw physical strength. That forces can be controlled and used to score a victory is very close to the message of the Chariot, which might be why, in some decks, it is Justice that is card 8 instead of Strength. With strength you can control not only the situation, but yourself. It is a card about anger and impulse management, about creative answers, leadership and maintaining one’s personal honor. It can also stand for a steadfast friend.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

So, Sara assigned me the task of coming up with ten things that begin with O, that somehow relate to me. I’ve done a Thursday Thirteen about both the letter O and the color Orange already, which is why I’m doing a podcast this time.

Or at least I was going to…until I realized it’s almost two am, and I broke a tooth earlier, and I really should sleep and stuff.

So…look for an audio post tomorrow.

Really.
Well, if I can talk.

Today’s questions from the Monday Music Mambo are about Irish bands:

1. What is your favorite traditional Irish artist or band?
2. What is your favorite non-traditional Irish artist or band?
3. What is your favorite instrument used in Irish music?

They’re old school, but I grew up listening to the Chieftains and they’re music is still among my favorite. Do they count as traditional or not? I have no idea. I’d say they count as both since they’ve been through several incarnations.

As to my favorite instrument? Other than the human voice, I’d have to say the fiddle. Fiddle music is always so merry and bright and while technically the same instrument, the style of music is so much freer than the much more formal classically played violin.

I love cello, but part of me wishes I’d studied violin, just so I could play fiddle music.

I say… And you think… ?

1. Paranormal :: romance
2. Alarm :: clock
3. Operative :: word
4. Changing :: rooms
5. Framed :: for murder
6. Beer :: operated girl
7. Referral :: fee
8. Unmasked :: superhero
9. Movie star :: kiss
10. Handbook :: practical

Like this meme? Play along here.

For CafeWriting, this month’s Seven Things is to write about Influential People:

Please note that this is a sampling of the influential folks in my life, and not the entire list. Also, please note that people who influence me NOW may not be quite so important tomorrow.

1. My Mother: We call her hurricane Susan but it’s meant with a healthy blend of irony and affection. She can be brittle, judgmental, moody, stubborn, bitchy. She is also funny, fragile, brilliant, generous, and supportive. She encouraged me to find my own path, and while hers is vastly different, we come to crossroads fairly often, and exchange stories.
2. Ray: Preschool teacher, mentor, recently resurfaced, all around cool guy. He really deserves his own post, or own series of posts. I’m enjoying getting to know him as an adult, in small doses.
3. Clay: Because it’s all about rhyming games you know? Seriously, while he’s relatively recent in my life (2003, I think?) he’s become muse, sounding board, sage adviser, fellow dreamer, and source of inspiration. Two seconds of phone time with him, and my creative juices are always recharged.
4. Ben and Julia: Two people, but they’re a couple so I get to cheat because, hey, my blog, my rules. Ben gives me an alternate male perspective. Julia brings out my girly side. And did I mention they have dogs? Dogs rock.
5. Ira: My stepfather. We’re good friends now, though we weren’t always. I think I provide a release for him – someone he can vent to about my mother. He does the tech-picking on a lot of my SF work, and also sends me nifty science snippets. Also, he makes the best orange juice ever, and it completely balances his unhealthy attraction to recreational math.
6. Fuzzy: Not as much an influence in the traditional sense, as a balancing force. He’s the string to my kite, the grounding wire on my plug. I go off on tangents and he pulls me back to earth, but slowly, and with great love. Probably the only person on earth who can really put up with me 24/7.
7. Natalie: My hair stylist. She’s the one who helped me embrace the pink, and continually encourages me to play. We share the same philosophy: “It’s hair. It grows back.” Also, she’s very zen.

Or actually, Eee-Pc. I don’t need another laptop but these are so inexpensive I’m tempted to buy one just to fiddle with. What are they?

Linux-based ultra-portable notebooks with SSD storage, 7″ screens, and built-in wifi, cameras, and microphones.

And did I mention they come in pink?

(Thanks to Centerfire @ LJ for sharing the link.)

So, I bought something today. No, not a back rack, because while they’re useful things, they don’t really work on Subaru Foresters.

No, what I ordered today was the latest offering from Brent Spiner. It’s called Dreamland, and it’s a CD, but it’s more than just music – it’s also a radio play and a stage musical (albeit without the actual, you know, stage).

I’ve listened to some of the clips from the CD that are available online, and, a couple of weeks ago when I was stuck in bed sick, sat through the intro video that is running on his site and on YouTube (and is embedded below, because I’m all about spreading the geekiness around), and I’m really looking forward to the physical disc.

And yes, I sprang for the personalized, autographed copy.
Because if you’re gonna geek, you should go all the way.

Oh, and, to make it EVEN GEEKIER…many of the characters are voiced by Mark Hamill