Jes Reaves

I’ve been debating, for at least a few months now, about changing up my hair color. I LOVE (with many an exclamation point) having my hair red, but I’m coming up on a very very busy few months and it’d be nice to not have to worry that the red is fading, etc. SO. I’ve decided to change my hair back to what I think is my natural hair color.

I say “think” because I haven’t actually seen my natural hair color since I graduated from high school and changed it to green/blue/gradient… so there’s a bit of guess work behind this, but it should be some shade of light brown.

I don’t have any idea how long I’ll be able to stand it, but if I absolutely hate it I can always go back to my trusty #108!

I’ve got some snacks (or what might very well become dinner), so let’s do this!

BTW.. best. icecream. EVAR

Since more than likely I won’t update this after my hair if finished dyeing.. whether because of wine or the fact that I just won’t (lazy).. here’s a before and after I did in Photoshop. Enjoy!

Before

After (maybe..ish)

I use EPIC a lot when describing my weekend trips to LA.. and it’s because they’re always fun, filled with some of my favorite people, and have plenty of embarrassing photos and stories that will never be seen or talked about with anyone outside the group… EPIC indeed.

This past weekend was no different.  There was a last minute gathering planned (and when I say last minute.. it’s Wednesday and an invite is sent out for Saturday.. and I live 6 hours away) to go to the Star Wars Exhibit at the Discovery Science Center, see Episode 1 in 3D, and go to Disneyland.  I’ve never been to Disneyland before, and I’m down for anything relating to Star Wars,  so I worked it out and figured out a way that I could go down for the weekend.

Saturday:

First stop was the Discovery Science Center, which was “ok“.. the Star Wars exhibit was cool, but not as interactive as I was expecting, AND they didn’t even have a model of the Death Star… but all around it was still enjoyable.. the rest of the DSC was rather disappointing, except for a giant pile of dinosaur poop that me and Jen found absolutely hilarious, because it’s a giant pile of dinosaur poop and they had “poop balls” coming down from a dinosaur into the pile of poop… poop.

Poop Action!

After wandering around the DSC we headed to a shopping center called “The Block” and went and saw Episode 1 in 3D, which was like seeing it regularly while wearing 4 dollar glasses.. I personally didn’t see anything that stood out as 3D in the movie, but it’s still nice to see any Star Wars movie on the big screen.. plus I’m still a fan of Darth Maul.. what?!

After the movie food was then eaten, beers were drank, and those that lived close went home and the 5 of us that lived further away stayed at a hotel room across the street from Disneyland.

Sunday:
DISNEYLAND!!! I’ve never been to Disneyland before, so I was extremely excited about finally going.  The first thing we did after everyone arrived was get a fastpass for Star Tours (Star Wars is always important with this group), then we went and rode the Indiana Jones ride, Splash Mountain (where I got soaked), Haunted Mansion, and Big Thunder Ranch.. at that point it was our time to go and ride Star Tours so we headed that way, got another Fast Past and rode Star Tours.. I don’t really remember everything.. my brain was kind of overwhelmed about 2 hours into entering Disneyland, but I also remember riding Space Mountain. Jen bought me an Indy fedora which is AWESOME.. even though I don’t really wear hats.. I tried to wear it, but couldn’t for more than a few minutes.. I was afraid of getting a weird red hat line across my forehead, and when you’re not used to wearing one.. it’s uncomfortable.. but I’ll still wear it around my house where I don’t care how bad I think I look in hats.. I wear my Link hat my friend Jamie made me for Christmas all the time..

Next we went over to California Adventures, where we got a beer (alcohol is always important with this group).. then we rode the Tower of Terror, Toy Story, MuppetVision 3D show, California Screamin’, and Soarin’. Out the all the rides we went on in California Adventure, the most enjoyable rides were Soarin’ and Toy Story.. Soarin’ is a simulator that gives you the impression that you’re flying over California ala Superman (or in a hang glider..).. that ride made me wish my latent mutant gene would seriously give me my super powers already so I can fly and do other awesome things like turn invisible and fight evil with my telekinetic katana.. I don’t ask for a lot, really..  Toy Story was a hell of a wait in line, but was a fun interactive ride where you play fair style games along the ride.. aka tire your arm out by tugging on a ball really fast and shoot virtual darts, balls, rings.. you can imagine the gutter jokes.. we also went and walked around ElecTRONica and played games at Flynns before heading back to Disneyland to finish the evening..

Finished off our time at Disneyland riding Indy, Space Mountain, Captain Eo, and Star Tours again before we departed ways. *tear*

Monday:

Which brings us to now.. today.. when I’m writing this… I still had to work half a day, so after sleeping for maybe 5 hours, I got up at 7:30 and drove back to the Bay Area and went straight to work.. fun bit about that is on the drive back I spilled a bit of my coffee in my lap, and since I didn’t have time to go change or another pair of pants with me.. I sat at work smelling like a soy chai latte.. so there’s that.  Hopefully I won’t be too tired by the time I get home that I can catch up on a bit of TV (Walking Dead and Once Upon a Time are musts) before I crash old lady early..

*pictures approved for viewing will be shared at a later date.. when I get them.. poop..

I’m heading back to Ohio to visit my family this week, and even though I’m excited to see everyone.. this trip feels.. different..

The last time I was home was in July 2011..  I was going through all my old stuff that had been accumulating in the attic for the last 29 years, throwing out things I’d never need, packing up boxes I wanted my mom to send me, and breathing in the final moments that this house would be my home.

After my grandparents passed in 2010, the family decided that (for many reasons) we would sell the house.. it was on the market for about a year and at the end of 2011.. it finally sold.  I knew the day would where my childhood home would no longer be where I came home to when I traveled back to Lima.. but this is the very first time I’ll be coming home, but not to my home.. it’s tough.. it’s bittersweet..

One chapter ends.. another begins…