Some Cool Hairdos

My roommate at college is really good at styling hair, considering she's never been trained.  She taught herself pretty much everything she knows about styling hair.  Last semester, before going to a series of parties and events, I was lucky enough to have her do my hair.  Below are some pictures of what she came up with for my rather long hair.

Hairstyle 1

Hairstyle 2

Hairstyle 3

Hairstyle 3

Hairstyle 4

The third hairstyle also consisted of a long braid laying over my left shoulder.  There was one other hairstyle that was awesome this past semester, but for some reason we forgot to get a picture of it specifically.  It was two braids wrapped into two buns stuck to my head.  I wore my hair like that for Halloween because I was a bumblebee!

When I was in high school, I can remember it being a rare occasion to see someone in braids.  Upon observing high school students now, or at least over Winter break, it would seem that braids have become a regular hairstyle.  I would assume this is because of the Hunger Games, as that was where I got my inspiration of course.

Catching Fire: SPOILER ALERT

The film began with scenery reminiscent of the Twilight movies, so you can imagine that it brought me to laughter at its start.  However, the outdoor setting relating back to the ridiculous Twilight movies quickly turned legitimately intense as Katniss attempted to shoot a turkey.  Her reaction to shooting the turkey and having a vision of killing a tribute shows her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, not exactly her emotional state.  I've heard it argued that Katniss was more emotional in this movie and that the actress better portrayed Katniss' emotions.  I disagree.  In the books, Katniss is not a very emotional person, she's very thoughtful (as in, she thinks a lot).  Throughout Catching Fire, the book, Katniss has many more outbursts, as a result of her being traumatized, leading her to have many more in this movie, contrasted to the previous one.  Katniss in The Hunger Games serves as a participant; now, in Catching Fire, Katniss must deal with her past and start dealing with the trauma it has caused.  The adrenaline has worn off (now that she doesn't need to literally survive), now she's stuck processing everything she went through and everything she did while also struggling with the more physical consequences of her actions.  Overall, I believe she, and the other actors, did a great job portraying their characters; or, I was just too distracted by the awesomeness of the movie to notice bad acting.

I understand that the writers of the film must have chosen to also have Gale in this opening scene in order to speed up the process of showing his and Katniss' potential love interest, but I honestly think the book's opening scene would have been more powerful.  A sixteen-year-old girl drinking away her traumatized past would have hit the audience more dramatically and driven home the point of her suffering more thoroughly, I think.  By the way, I hate how the world is creating a "Team Gale, Team Peeta" around this story.  It was okay to do that with Twilight; because, other than an obsession with being young and beautiful, Twilight made few statements about society worth looking more deeply into.  The fact that we're taking this story and turning it into a fetish about who is the "better guy" for the heroine means that we are doing exactly what is so disgusting about the Capitol inhabitants.  We are failing to recognize the grotesquery (I may have just made up a word) given to us in the story.  THE STORY IS ABOUT CHILDREN KILLING OTHER CHILDREN BECAUSE THEIR GOVERNMENT FORCES THEM TO AND THEIR PARENTS HAVEN'T STOPPED IT.  Yet, we, as a society, allow ourselves to get caught up in the very, very slight, insignificant romance in the story.  The romance was only important to the extent that it provided some relief to the dreary aspects, even though the romances often also exacerbated the problems.

Another thing that makes me sick is the advertisements by Covergirl.  I get that the brand may have done the make-up for the movie, but they shouldn't be advertising the styles as something we should mirror or repeat.  The whole point of the Capitol people looking that way was to cover-up the nastiness beneath and to juxtapose them and those from the Districts.

Suzanne Collins may be brilliant.  She has let us mirror what she has shown us is so wrong in her books.  However, if she were really feeling this way, I would hope she'd voice this opinion.  But, perhaps she's either not that brilliant after all or she's also fallen prey to hypocrisy.

Other than the scenery given in the opening scene, the only other scenery I had a major problem with was the Victor's Village.  I pictured it to indeed be "sanitary" but more colorful, or at least grand, from the outside.  The movie made the village look like a cemetery.  The arched entrance looked like one that would be at a cemetery entrance and each home looked like a tombstone.  This was not what I pictured at all.

I really appreciate the looks we get at the gamemaker's studio and the president's house through the film interpretations.  However, I was surprised they didn't put in the part about Plutarch Heavensbee showing Katniss his watch at the president's party though.  That would have been wonderful foreshadowing!  I was very impressed with the arena and the attack of Cinna before Katniss entered the arena.  The only problem I had with the arena was that I was very confused with where Katniss and other tributes were when she dove in the water and ran on the platform.  I also couldn't figure out why Finnick, being such a natural swimmer, wasn't able to reach Peeta and help him when he was fighting the other tribute in the water.

I would have also liked more character development of the other tributes.  And, Finnick was NOT cast right.  Sam Claflin is not very attractive in the way Finnick should have been and really doesn't seem to fit the mold for smooth, charming, cold, passionate, and deceptive all at the same time.  But, I'm not very surprised he was given that role.  After his appearance in Pillars of the Earth, then in some PBS movies, and finally in Pirates of the Caribbean, I knew he'd get a role in one of the big "blockbusters" loved by teen girls.

I really, really, really liked Katniss' hairstyles!  Although, she is supposed to have drastically longer hair.  Her hair for the president's party was SO intense!  I loved it.  I also liked the general braid they chose for her this time.  I don't really understand why they changed her costumes from what she was supposed to wear in the book though.  I definitely pictured different suits for the arena as well.

Well, for now at least, I've run out of things to say and I'm very tired.

Astrological Signs of Popular Fictional Characters

Because I'm really into archetyping, here is a work in progress on fictional characters and their astrological signs:

Aries
- Angelica Pickles (from The Rugrats)
- Arya Stark (from A Game of Thrones)
- Bart Simpson (from The Simpsons)
- Daffy Duck (from Looney Tunes)
- Emma Swan (from Once Upon A Time)
- Fred Weasley (from Harry Potter)
- Gale Hawthorne (from The Hunger Games)
- George Weasley (from Harry Potter)
- Jon Stark (from A Game of Thrones)
- Lydia Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Mako (from The Legend of Korra)
- Mulan (from Mulan)
- Scarlett O'Hara (from Gone With the Wind)

- Tinkerbell (from Peter Pan)

- Wendy (from Peter Pan)
- Ygritte (from A Game of Thrones)
- Zuko (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Taurus
- Bolin (from The Legend of Korra)
- Caris (from World Without End)
- Charlotte Lucas (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Gendry (from A Game of Thrones)
- Homer Simpson (from The Simpsons)

- Katniss Everdeen (from The Hunger Games)
- Kermit the Frog (from Muppets)
- Kuvira (from The Legend of Korra)
- Lady Catherine de Bourgh (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Petranilla (from World Without End)
- Toph (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Gemini
- Aang (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Arthur Read (from Arthur)
- Captain Jack Sparrow (from Pirates of the Caribbean)
- Daisy Buchanan (from The Great Gatsby)
- Donald Duck (from Mickey Mouse)
- Draco Malfoy (from Harry Potter)
- Edward Cullen (from Twilight)
- Gwenda (from World Without End)
- King Robert Baratheon (from A Game of Thrones)
- Kitty Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Kitty Fane (from The Painted Veil)
- Mr. Wickham (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Mrs. Phillips (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Muffy Crosswire (from Arthur)

- Peter Pan (from Peter Pan)
- Primrose Everdeen (from The Hunger Games)
- Si and Am (from Lady and the Tramp)
- Theon Greyjoy (from A Game of Thrones)
- Zaheer (from The Legend of Korra)

Cancer
- Albus Dumbledore (from Harry Potter)
- Betty Draper (from Mad Men)
- Daenerys Targaryen (from A Game of Thrones)
- Lysa Arryn (from A Game of Thrones)
- Mr. Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Princess Yue (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)

- Snow White (from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
- Spongebob Squarepants (from Spongebob)

Leo
- Azula (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Bugs Bunny (from Looney Tunes)
- Cersei Lannister (from A Game of Thrones)
- Ginny Weasley (from Harry Potter)

- Harry Potter (from Harry Potter)
- Jaime Lannister (from A Game of Thrones)
- Jane Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Juliet Capulet (from Romeo and Juliet)

- Mr. George Darling (from Peter Pan)
- Neville Longbottom (from Harry Potter)

- Rhett Butler (from Gone With the Wind)
- Samantha Jones (from Sex and the City)
- Tommy Pickles (from The Rugrats)

- Winnie the Pooh (from Winnie the Pooh)
- Wulfric (from World Without End)

Virgo
- Aurora (from Sleeping Beauty)

- Bella Swan (from Twilight)
- Caroline Bingley (from Pride and Prejudice)

- Hermione Granger (from Harry Potter)
- Marilla Cuthbert (from Anne of Green Gables)
- Mary Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Mr. Collins (from Pride and Prejudice)

- Nick Carraway (from The Great Gatsby)
- Prince Wu (from The Legend of Korra)
- Sherlock Holmes (from Sherlock Holmes)
- Suyin Beifong (from The Legend of Korra)
- "The Earth King" (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Tyrion Lannister (from A Game of Thrones)
- Zhu Li (from The Legend of Korra)

Libra

- Atticus Finch (from To Kill A Mockingbird)

- Carlisle Cullen (from Twilight)
- Carrie Bradshaw (from Sex and the City)
- King Renly Baratheon (from A Game of Thrones)
- Momo (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Mr. Charles Bingley (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Opal (from The Legend of Korra)

- Superman (from Superman)

Scorpio
- Darth Vader (from Star Wars)
- Desna (from the Legend of Korra)
- Dylan "Dil" Prescott Pickles (from The Rugrats)
- Eska (from The Legend of Korra)
- Iknik Blackstone Varrick (from The Legend of Korra)
- James Bond (from James Bond)
- Khal Drogo (from A Game of Thrones)
- King Joffrey Baratheon (from A Game of Thrones)
- Lord Petyr Baelish (from A Game of Thrones)

- Mickey Mouse (from Mickey Mouse)

- Minnie Mouse (from Mickey Mouse)

- Mr. Edward Rochester (from Jane Eyre)
- Mrs. Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Sokka (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Walter Fane (from The Painted Veil)

Sagittarius
- Charlie Harper (from Two and a Half Men)
- "Don Draper" (from Mad Men)
- Iroh (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Robin Hood (from Robin Hood)
- Ser Jorah Mormont (from A Game of Thrones)
- Snoopy (from The Peanuts)

- Thor (from the Avengers, and others)

Capricorn
- Aliena (from Pillars of the Earth)
- Catelyn Stark (from A Game of Thrones)
- Ebenezer Scrooge (from A Christmas Carol)
- Eddard Stark (from A Game of Thrones)
- Eeyore (from Winnie the Pooh)
- Elizabeth Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice)
- Jacob Black (from Twilight)

- Jane Eyre (from Jane Eyre)
- Jay Gatsby (from The Great Gatsby)
- King Robb Stark (from A Game of Thrones)
- Lin Beifong (from The Legend of Korra)
- Lord Voldemort (from Harry Potter)
- Lucy (from The Peanuts)
- Merthin (from World Without End)
- Miranda Hobbes (from Sex and the City)
- Peeta Mellark (from The Hunger Games)
- Severus Snape (from Harry Potter)

- Suki (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)

- Tiana (from The Princess and the Frog)

Aquarius
- Alice (from Alice in Wonderland)
- Appa (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)

- Batman (from Batman)
- Bran Stark (from A Game of Thrones)
- King Stannis Baratheon (from A Game of Thrones)
- Lily Potter (from Harry Potter)
- Lisa Simpson (from The Simpsons)
- Tenzin (from The Legend of Korra)

Pisces

- Anne Shirley (from Anne of Green Gables)

- Ariel (from The Little Mermaid)
- Catherine Morland (from Northanger Abbey)
- Charlotte York (from Sex and the City)
- Cinderella (from Cinderella)
- D.W. Read (from Arthur)
- Jack Builder (from Pillars of the Earth)
- Jenna Maroney (from 30 Rock)
- Katara (from Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Korra (from The Legend of Korra)
- Patrick Star (from Spongebob Squarepants)
- Romeo Montague (from Romeo and Juliet)
- Ron Weasley (from Harry Potter)
- Sansa Stark (from A Game of Thrones)

What do you think?

*some of these are solely based on the birth dates prescribed to the characters by their creators

"The Hunger Games" Series in Review

I never thought I could ever be so depressed and affected by a series of books in my entire life.  I am disgusted by the lack of humanity and hideously confused as to why anyone would recommend reading the series.  Book 1 (The Hunger Games) isn't so bad, though all the characters, perhaps only possibly excluding Peeta, lack humanity and morals.  Book 2 (Catching Fire) isn't too bad either until the last chapter, which is full of anguish and misery.  Book 3 (Mockingjay) is horrific and spews misery from page 1 to page 390 (aka the entire novel); don't read it, stop with the first book if you desperately feel the need to read any at all.

Part I
"The Movie"

Going in to see the movie Wednesday, March 28, I knew that if I was even somewhat impressed by it, that I would read the series, though, as usual, I kept this quiet.  I don't like people to think they can influence my decisions by recommendations.  Needless to say, I was beyond impressed with the movie, although it kind of gave a Spy Kids 3D vibe, leading me to begin reading the series.

The movie was entertainingly and beautifully constructed.  I was impressed with the story and the costumes.  Before viewing the film, I remember hearing about someone being upset over racism in casting, but after reading the book, I noticed that the complainers are not justified.  Rue and Thresh are described as having dark brown skin, so people need to get over it or harass the author over racism.

Of course the movie lacked some details in the book, but it was just as moving, and mostly grasped the overall concept.  In the movie, it is easier to sympathize with the characters, I think, because in the book they lack identifiable personality and humanity (except Peeta), which is of course brought on by society.  The movie does not fully portray the importance of tricking the Captiol and how life threatening the act is when Katniss suggests the berries.

Also, I think it's very weird that they chose a twenty-two year old actress to portray Katniss, who, except in the two-page epilogue, is only between the ages 16 and 17.  The actress, though skinny, is also too full-faced, you would expect someone extremely gaunt and thin to be playing a girl who was nearly starving to death.  The actress did portray Katniss well, but I think Dakota Fanning (with dyed dark hair) and her little sister would have been perfect for Katniss and Prim.

Part II
"The Books"

I don't understand why people are so into the series.  It has never been explained to me.  So many people talk about it as if they're talking about Twilight or Harry Potter.  These books are nothing like either of those series.  Twilight is a strange romance and Harry Potter is a fight between good and evil.  The Hunger Games is a sci-fi horror series, portraying what could happen to the world.  It isn't fantastical at all.

After watching Suzanne Collins in interviews, I am skeptical that she wrote the story, or at least that she has any idea what she wrote.  She seems to underplay the atrocious nature of the books, and prefers to look at it as simply a story that she tells.  This is confusing.  Watch one of her interviews, maybe you'll see what I mean.  I'm also surprised that she is happy and excited that her books are becoming movies.

By an "atrocious nature", I mean that the society of Panem either enjoys and exploits the Games or allows them to go on.  I don't even mean that it's worse that children are forced into the Games than adults being forced into them, if that were the case.  The part about it being children just opens up an audience of teenagers and makes the series more marketable.  No one tries to stop the Games in the books, not even Katniss.  When President Coin suggests the idea of hosting another Hunger Games with the Capitol's leader's children, the majority votes for them to continue.  No humanity.

The society of Panem also seems extremely confused by the idea of humanity.  Katniss considers her reasoning for using the berries to save herself and Peeta during Book 2 on page 118, "If I held them out to save Peeta because I knew I would be shunned if I came back without him, then I am despicable.  If I held them out because I loved him, I am still self-centered, although forgivable.  But if I held them out to defy the Capitol, I am someone of worth."  Katniss doesn't even consider the idea that she may have held them out because she couldn't fathom taking another human's life without it being in absolute defense.  It shows how backwards and inconsiderate her society is.

Another interesting observation I made while reading is that there is no mention of a God.  Katniss never considers her reason for living and doesn't even respect her own life.  The books are flowing with her determination to commit suicide.  They never really explain why she doesn't actually do it.  Katniss never discusses the "why am I here" idea that most people would do at some point in their life.  No one really tells her that she is a special individual either.

When Prim dies, I am surprised that Katniss didn't immediately think, "why did I do all of this".  The whole reason the uprisings began was because of her act of taking her sister's place.  Katniss never intended to cause the rebellion, though she never really defines anything particular that she wants from life except to be left alone.  When her sister dies, you would think that Katniss' world would have just ended, but instead she takes her revenge on Coin, which brings me to my analysis of Coin and Snow, the two major "Presidents" of Katniss' society.

Coin is the President of the infamous District 13, while Snow is the President of Panem.  Coin represents efficiency, greed and plainness; while Snow represents perfection, purity, and the sugar-coated.  District 13 is the opposite of the Capitol, where Snow presides, in that everything is rationed strictly and frivolity is absent.  Snow presides over the sugar-coated Capitol, as if a layer of pure, white snow covered a disturbing creature, vile inside.  Think of all the evil witches in Disney Princess stories that transform themselves into something beautiful, like in The Little Mermaid.  Snow's mouth is full of sores and blood, while his outside is inviting and beautiful.  By this, Snow maintains his power.  Coin represents herself plainly.  Coin, like money, symbolizes greed; she is greedy for power.  She is willing to wipe out anything in her way in the swiftest and most efficient manner.  Coin determines that her loss in healers and Capitol children is a necessary cut to make a quick end, whereas Snow realizes that it would be a waste and would prefer to find a different way.  Snow, at least, is worthy of some sympathy in the end, but Coin is almost worse.  Coin hides behind the rebellion to gain her power, it was her investment, but Snow works for his power sneakily.  Perhaps this is a little too obvious.

I will probably at some point think of more to say (I know I have more to say, but now's not the time).

Part III
"Astrology"

I don't have much to say about Astrology in this book.  Technically Katniss (birthday May 8th) is a Taurus and Prim (birthday late May) is a Gemini.  I don't know that either of them necessarily fit these classifications.  Gale is probably an Aries because he supports an aggressive attempt at destroying the Capitol and Peeta is probably a Capricorn because he is so deeply in love with Katniss and for so long.  I don't think that any of the characters can be accurately classified by an astrological sign because none of them have enough personality.  I suppose this is because of the society they live in; their personalities are seriously dulled.


Reading complete at 5:07am on Friday, April 6, 2012.