So it begins…

The plan is, get done with class around 9:30pm, get picked up by my traveling companion Jake, and head for KC.  We should arrive some time around 4am, if all goes well.  I’d assume a trip to the local Wal-Mart to procure neccesities and amenitites, and then nap by the gate until we fly around 11am.  At some point, we will make contact with the third member of our party, Ben(but not PartyBen).  Then its off to gorgeous Miami via stifling Texas.  Then we sit around for a few days, interspersed with a Rehearsal and Wedding to attend.  I’ll let you know how it goes, but I’m assuming my seratonin will be shot by the end of the week.

Day 4: Royal Crown

For day 3, refer to the end of the last post.

By day 4, the Murray’s should be all gone from your hair, leaving it a lot softer and more pliable.  But what if you’re like Hugh Laurie, and need the extra hold? That’s where the Royal Crown comes in handy. The idea is to use the product that leaves the least amount of residue, because you can’t add more Murray’s until your hair is completely clean.

OK, you can add Murray’s, but it won’t have the same affect.  And a good way to get the look without the extra leftovers is a hair product so good, bands fight over who gets to the keep the homage in their name.  By now, you should be familiar with the Fonzie move, so get some goop on your hands go at it.  This washes out much better than Blue Magic, leaving you free to pile the hair ridiculously high tomorrow!  If you’re ok with the Mike Ness look, another alternative is Vitalis, available at drug stores and your grandpa’s medicine cabinet everywhere.  Squirt some into your hands, and run them through wet or damp hair and slick it back.

Now, you’ve got way more information and resources than you thought you’d need.  But hopefully this will help all the little greasers out there, and it sure killed the dead space before my lunch break!

Day Two: Murray’s and Blue Magic…

So now you’ve taken your hair out for a spin, to a car show or concert, or maybe to the local watering hole in search of a lady. It’s now the morning after, you get out of the shower to find that your hair is still thoroughly encased in Murray’s. How now, brown cow?

Depending on how much you put in your hair yesterday, you might be able to get by with just repeating the last few steps from day 1. Just put the hot, wet rag on your head, remove, then style.

If you were a little more conservative with the Murray’s yesterday, you’ll find that your hair stays in place, but lacks that je ne sais quoi to be truly pompalicious. No worries, that’s where the Blue Magic comes in.

It may look like some kind of axle grease or joint compound, and in a pinch it is very helpful in getting small gaskets and O-rings in place. But it’s also the secret weapon in the slick-hair arsenal.
Simply step out of a hot shower, or use the hot rag trick, and then comb your hair into the closest approximation of the style you desire. Take a small amount of the Blue Magic, rub it into your palms, do the Fonzie Motion until you have a light and even coverage in your hair. Now style the finishing touches, and your hair might even look better than with Murray’s alone.

Pomp and Circumstance: Murray’s day one…

Because I’m bored, and because Back to the Fifties is next weekend, I figured I’d post a little how-to on having a great looking pompadour.  Also, I don’t anticipate having enough hair to pull one of these off within the next couple of years, so there’s no time like the present.

I use Murray’s Original Pomade, because it’s sold at Target, Wal-Mart, and pretty much anywhere else.  I can’t vouch for the Lucky 13/Murray’s product, and I ain’t payin no $8 for stuff for my hair.  Murray’s comes in two strengths, original and Super-Light.  As in most other things, stick with the Original.

If your hair naturally grows in any direction other than straight back, start with either soaking wet hair, or straight from the shower and towel dried.  Comb it back from your forehead, and if need be you can use a hairdryer to dry it in place.  Don’t worry if it doesn’t look right, this is just the first step.  Otherwise, let your product-free hair dry in place.

Next, just like you would as if you were putting shoe polish on a rag, rub your fingers around the top of the Murray’s until you have a good-sized glob on your fingers.  Now insert it into your palm, and vigorously rub your hands together until you have it evenly spread onto both palms, and slightly melty feeling.

• Note, Murrays is a waxy but petroleum based product, and heat will cause it to go from solid to liquid.  You can use friction or a blow dryer on the hot setting to cause it to melt.

Quickly run your freshly melted Murray’s across your hair in the direction you want your pomp to go.  This is an almost Fonzie like move, but it’s worth it.  Repeat the last two steps until your hair is coated on the outside.  Again, this will not necessarily resemble the finished product, but it’s a step in the right direction.  Your hair may clump, or look like it’s been coated in plastic, but that’s fine.

To “cure” your hair, take a rag and run it under hot water until it’s thoroughly soaked and almost too hot to stand.  Wring some of the water out, so it doesn’t constantly drip, and drape it over your hair.  You’ll want to make sure the top and sides of your head are covered, as the heat and steam from the towel will help the Murray’s become one with your follicles.  As you feel the rag start to cool, usually 30-50 seconds after you put it on, remove the rag and quickly come your hair back from your forehead.

It is at this point that you can style your pomp to your particular desire.  Some will want a pronounced peak at the front, which gradually sinks back to the scalp at the back of the head.  Others will go for a more boxy look, like Mutt Williams’ hair in Indiana Jones 4.If you don’t get it right the first time, fear not.  Simply repeat the hot rag trick, and you can always take another crack at it.  Once it’s good,  you can ride down the highway in a convertible doing 90 and your hair will stay mint.

Tomorrow, day two: Murrays and Blue Magic.

Bwee, but awesome…

This post will start nerdy, and then proceed to intensify at an exponential rate.  This is my promise to you, dear reader.

Someone took the time to recreate some iconic photographs with Lego people.  Check out his photostream, as it’s quite amazing.  This is exactly the kind of thing I originally wanted to do for my 4-H project in 8th grade.  But we ended up shooting off model rockets instead.  I think I did a better job at rockets than I would have with the cheap automatic camera and limited amount of Lego’s.

Now on to nerdness-squared.  Following a link from one of the resources used by the Lego Photographer, I found these guys.  They make custom and aftermarket Lego weapons and people.  Seriously, check it out and tell you wouldn’t have mowed lawns all summer long just to get your 7th grade hands on some of these weapons packs.  I would, and I for damn sure wish I still had the time and toys to make it worth dropping $25 for a the complete set of guns.