Trisha: Got it.

Hair: Clarified yesterday, not a moment too soon. The one and only leave-in was blended spray conditioner; style was a single braid.

The ends of my hair are beginning to dry out and kind of spread apart from each other. Their texture is different and they're becoming more translucent than the rest of my hair. This always happens after about 3 months without a trim.
So instead of serum, I'll likely have to start using ELOO as an end treatment again. At least most of the time.

Also I've been seriously considering using a salon brand shampoo with my usual Pantene conditioners. It would be more expensive and I'm not sure how compatible the idea is on an unemployed budget but I do like the idea of eliminating lauryl sulfates from my hair's "diet."
    It would be a sort of slap in the face to Pantene's decision to use harsher detergents in their new shampoos.

Speaking of which, I took the time a few days ago to post product reviews on their website, from playfully positive to scathingly negative. I discovered that I'm by far not the only person to be disappointed with the new products.

Makes me wish that the American Pantene product lines were the same as those in the UK. Or that I could afford to travel halfway across the globe whenever I ran out.


Etc.: The folks at the Tea Party rally changed the band's play schedule when they arrived yesterday and it ended up taking half the day. My dad had to do it on about 3 hours' sleep. So glad I didn't go.
    My mother made the hour-long drive to pick up my father when it was done and take him to Disneyland in the evening. They brought me back a Jack Skellington coffin dessert, which was basically a small, decorated bitter chocolate cake...or something. I'm having it with my coffee this morning.

Today my mother has a second interview with the first company that's been interested in potentially hiring her. It would totally figure if they do, meanwhile I've been interviewing with just about every company in the county for over a year without any luck.
    But I really hope that she gets the job - it was one that I'd been interested in and she's by far a better receptionist than I will ever be. And it would be great to have a little more income generating in our household. Good luck, mum.

As for me, same ol', same ol'. To be quite honest, I'm probably trying too hard. It's my nature. I shouldn't even be looking on places like Craigslist because it's 99% BS...but I do anyway. Out of desperation.

Ahem. On a happier note, my nails are now a deep shade of purple with a hint of silver sparkle. Not the greatest manicure I've ever had but it's interview appropriate and will work until next week. I'm thinking of wearing the glittery black nail polish that Trisha sent me for Halloween.
   
And speaking of Halloween, I haven't yet decided between a costume and just dressing up. When participating in my relatives' haunted house, I would dress for whichever role I was playing, which was easier. This is the first year in a long while that I'll be staying home to pass out goodies and left to my own devices for a costume.

Several options here. I could parody myself and go as a wild rock star - God knows I have the wardrobe for it. And my father has a funky, rainbow colored mylar wig that I could borrow - left over from his own wild rock star costume 20 years ago.
    Or I could borrow a high school friend's idea and go as a movie theatre floor - with popcorn and candy wrappers pinned to black clothing. Clever and easy.
    Or I could just pull out the finest skirt, corset, boots and jewelry that I own and revel in the fact that Halloween is the perfect occasion to do so.
    Decisions, decisions.

Has anyone seen this yet?



Makes me chuckle.

Trisha: They're nice colors and all, but being that they're OPI, I have to wonder what they look like when they set. Maybe they just fade to black...ohh, how dramatic!

And I think we're all aware that no one can really "go goth!" as easily as sweeping on dark nail polish.

Hair: Attempting a WTC today with a deep conditioning treatment made up of Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, aloe vera gel and honey. It's actually really chunky and gross. I won't be using this combo in the future. In fact I'm actually thinking of trying Pantene's conditioning treatment for Curly hair when the budget allows.

Anyway, after rinsing this mess out I'll chase it with Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly conditioner. Anything to get rid of it. Leave-ins will be the same as yesterday - blended spray conditioner and ELOO. Styles for this entire week will likely be a bun or braid since the weather has heated up again.

Etc.: Well, my mother got the job that she interviewed for yesterday. Huzzah. I'm happy for her and I know it will benefit everyone - more money for the household, it will give her something to do and it will give me more time alone. It's great...except that the focus of blame and criticism is back on me. Not that it was really anywhere else, but being the only unemployed person in the family I'll be under the microscope more than ever. I can expect to hear the word "deadbeat" every day. I can expect to hear about how much I'm not trying to find work, how I'm perfectly content to sit at home in my room and sponge off of the government and my family, how I have no drive, no ambition, no goals. I can expect to be reminded that my life is one big constant and pointless failure and that I will never amount to anything. Yep, it will be back to that. So while I am happy for my mother, I'm all too aware of what's in store and that part's not easy to take. Two sides to every coin.

But there will be other days and other opportunities. There's nothing to say that I won't find an even better one than my mother has. And just because one person or a few people or a group of people think something, that doesn't make it true. All I can do is all I can do. It's a waiting game. An absolutely maddening, demoralizing, depressing waiting game...but not a permanent one.

Trish, Mel, Curlgirl: Thanx, guys. So much support here! I truly appreciate it.

Hair: CWC's for the last 2 days; an ACV rinse yesterday but not today. I'm now using Suave tropical coconut as a light conditioner.

Leave-ins are blended spray conditioner and ELOO, same as ever.

Been reconsidering the salon shampoo idea for budget/convenience reasons. I'll probably just stick to Pantene...use whichever of their products that I can while riding out this dreadful "hair type solutions" phase.

Etc.: Went to sing with the boys last night and there was no bad blood. Grateful Ed even commended me for sticking to my guns and not playing the Tea Party and he hopes that Lizard won't schedule any more.

Worked personal connections this morning for a job lead that went nowhere. The search continues.

In other news, we have more relatives visiting from WA and they want to go to Olive Garden tonight. Soooo I guess I'll go and put myself together...try to look rock & roll enough for a public appearance.

Ciao, dahlings.


You Are a Vampire



You are charming, sensual, and even a bit manipulative.
You can't help but get people to do what you want.

You have sharp senses and a strong predatory instinct.
You go after what you want, without mercy.

While you have the heart of a killer, many people are drawn to you.
You are elegant, timeless, and mysterious. You are the ultimate fantasy object.

Are You a Vampire or a Werewolf?

Hair: CWC + the usual leave-ins. ELOO made the ends greasy as usual so I twisted my hair into a crazy updo, decorated with black rose hair clips from Claire's...which ended up getting badly caught. It took quite a bit of work to finally get them out...poor hair.

Tomorrow (well, today technically) is clarifying day.

Etc.: My grandfather and his girlfriend have returned from their cruise and I guess the lot of us - Washingtonians and Californians alike - will all be getting together tomorrow.

Naturally since my WA family is in town, they've brought rain with them. It always happens that way. I told my grandfather this afty that if he moved here CA would never have another drought.
    So far it's just been a lot of teasing with heavy, gray cloud cover and sprinkling but it's supposed to actually rain on Monday or Tuesday.

Lately I'm really starting to turn off of mineral foundation. The sheen that it causes just isn't worth it. It also doesn't seem to cause any less breakouts than its liquid counterpart.

Oh yes, and it looks like we'll be doing all of our Halloween decorating a week beforehand.


You Are Black



You are a serious and thoughtful person. You spend a lot of time in quiet reflection.
You are a friend of the honesty, and you don't sugar coat anything. You prefer the truth in all its complexity.

While you may relate to the color black, it doesn't necessarily mean you're a dark person. You just don't hide from the dark side of life.
If anything, you tend to be sophisticated and classic. You don't follow trends, and you have your own style of doing things.

Are You Black or Orange?

Curlgirl: Oh, of course. I even make my own from time to time but they fail for the same reasons that regular foundations fail. That and it's difficult finding a tinted moisturizer when your skin has no actual tint. I probably just need to bite the bullet and order white foundation and powder from Manic Panic...when budget allows.

Mel: The nearest Ulta is about 20 miles away but we have Sephora everywhere which is pretty much the same. I'm familiar with most of the brands that you mentioned but conventional makeup doesn't agree with my skin at all.

As far as drugstore v. designer, it really depends on the product. In many cases I've found drugstore brands to be superior. Other times there just isn't a big enough difference between them to justify spending 2-5x as much. I personally use both. And I've had dreadful luck with  L'Oreal's Voluminous mascara...and any volumizing mascaras for that matter.

Hair: CWC this morning with Suave tropical coconut light conditioner, Kenra Volumizing shampoo (which smells heavenly!) and the old Pantene Moisture Renewal conditioner (R.I.P. ).
    Leave-ins were Kenra Daily Provision and ELOO. Style was a bun held in place with a single bobby pin. Upon taking it out, I discovered without surprise that the entire length was quite damp. It's been raining heavily all day so I naturally had to be out in it.

Etc.: My mother starts her new job on Monday. Still no luck for yours truly. But it will happen.

Looks like it's supposed to rain all day tomorrow as well. Pity that I don't have a proper black mac to run around in. Another thing that will have to wait for finances to allow. Following new shoes, of course. Nothing like a good rain to remind one that their soles have worn through.

Halloween a week and a half away? Better start decorating!


You Should Be a Naughty Nun or Priest for Halloween



Your friends see a whole other side of you on Halloween - brash and bold.
You may be reserved and conservative most other days, but on the 31st... look out!

Costume suggestions: A stripper or naughty priest / nun

Signature Halloween candy: M & M's

Scary movie you should celebrate Halloween with: Bram Stoker's Dracula

What's Your Halloween Horoscope?