Sure, Jan

Mark your calendars for February 16, guys. Because it's about to get real up in here.

Why?

IT'S JANET VARNEY'S BIRTHDAY!!!!

Wait, what? Who's Janet Varney? Why should you care? Homie, I'm about to answer those questions, and much, much more. 

Remember when we celebrated Grey Griffin's birthday? This is gonna be a little bit like that. So let's get down to business (to defeat... Amon?)!

First things first, look at that baby face. Isn't she adorable? She's not only adorable, but she's a professional nerd. That's right. She gets paid to be a nerd. And an actress, but still. 

Unlike Grey, you really might not have heard her voice or seen her face before. Although, if you're a fan of Avatar, you have definitely heard her voice before. Because she is Korra.

That's right, my friends. This blonde-haired, blue-eyed, light-skinned, 38-going-on-39-year-old woman is in fact the voice of the dark-haired, dark-skinned, deep-voiced (and that's actually her real speaking voice), somewhere-between-17-and-21-at-any-point-in-the-series, Avatar Korra.

Maybe you already knew that about her. But did you know that she runs a podcast on The Nerdist? Did you know that she played Carly on Burning Love? Actually, you might not have heard of that show, but it's SO good! And a little inappropriate, but good. The podcast she runs is called The JV Club, and it's about the awkward teenage years and the times that never changed since then. You might have known she hosted TBS's Dinner and a Movie. Or maybe you didn't. She was also in a relationship with fellow nerd Chris Hardwick, but I feel like I shouldn't mention that since this is a "Happy Birthday" post, and the last time I made one for a voice actress, they actually read it.

Not to mention her teeth are really straight.

But whether you already knew who she was or you really have never seen or heard her, you definitely should pay attention now.

Her voice is beautiful.

She's one of those people that could read the dictionary to me and it would sound interesting. She could talk about quantum physics and I would still listen. In fact, I listened to an hour-long podcast between her and Seychelle Gabriel, with absolutely no video, and zoned out half the time because I was surfing the Internet, but her voice, though. I just love hearing it. And Seychelle's laugh was pretty adorable, too.

She's a legitimate nerd.

There's celebrities who go to Comic-Con simply because they're contractually obligated to, and then there's celebrities like Janet. She is a hardcore Korrasami shipper, guys. I don't really ship them (I thought I shipped Makorra, but I'm not sure I would have been happy if Korra ended up with him, either... maybe I didn't want her to end up with anyone), but still. She's fully invested in her work. She's even cosplayed-ish Korra before, with Naga, bending and all. Like, what's cooler than that. I feel like when I become a voice actress, I will probably have issues separating myself from the character (I even have issues realizing I'm not Eponine... and I only played her for five minutes... at an audition...). She's just all in.

Her characters seem like an extension of herself.

I may or may not be thinking of Carly, but sometimes it's just so hard to realize that she is acting. I tried to find quotes to back this up, but I just couldn't decide which to include. But maybe the video I linked will provide enough evidence.

I could list so many other reasons, but I have a bad habit of writing posts that are way too long for one's enjoyment (I'm still working on my Legend of Korra farewell post). 

But didn't you fall in love with her? Even a little bit? I know I did. Although I've been a fan of her for awhile, anyway.

But seriously. Is she NOT the coolest woman to roam the earth?

Happy birthday, Janet! I hope it's a good one!

Top 5 Cartoon Theme Songs

...In no order whatsoever, here are my top five cartoon theme songs/credits. If none of these songs bring back memories or make you smile, well... I can't help you, dear.

1. Danny Phantom

"He's gonna catch 'em all 'cause he's Danny Phantom!"

2. Kim Possible

"It doesn't matter where or when there's trouble, if you just call my name!"

3. The Legend of Korra

"Earth. Fire. Air. Water."

4. Hey Arnold!

5. Teen Titans

"When the world is losing all control, Teen Titans GO!"
~~~
I can't believe I can't think of any more than this. Maybe I'm not as big a cartoon fan as I thought. Hmm. I guess I'll update this... someday. Maybe. Hopefully. No promises.

How to Flirt With: An Avatard

I decided since I've been blogging about animation lately (I promise, that animated role models post IS coming... I'm just lazy), I decided I would have a flirt post! It's half-serious, I guess.

This post is on ways to flirt with those in the Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra fandoms.

1. Approach gorgeous guy. DO NOT say hello. Before introducing yourself, BE SURE to say, "Flamio, Hotman!"
2. Once a conversation with him/her has begun to die down and he/she begins to walk away or talk to someone else, say, "That's a sharp outfit, (insert name). Careful! You could puncture the hull of an empire class fire nation battleship, leaving thousands to drown at sea (put emphasis on "thousands"). Because," point to their shoulder or location of sharpness of outfit, "It's so sharp!" Azula used this pick-up line and is still single. Strange.
3. It is very important for a potential partner to see you in action, doing something you love.  After winning a game of volleyball or some other sport, set the net on fire and shout, "YES! We have defeated you for all time! You will never rise from the ashes of your shame and humiliation!" Seriously, how is Azula single?
4. Now, as of breaking up with an Avatard, make sure they're throwing an illegal party. Show up (after you've already been there as a guest... there might be some good food there) unexpectedly in the middle of the night and bring some friends with you. Then say, "We've got some bad news for you. Party's over." And that's when you and your buddies destroy his house. His parents will kill him. BEST break-up EVER.
5. When showing him/her your fancy ride, be it a bison or a car, just before starting it up, say in a really seductive voice, "Yip... yip."
6. If he has a tree house, and you happen to see him in it, say, "Nothing's braver than a guy in a treehouse." If he's big enough of an Avatard, he'll know you're referring to Jet.
7. Right after he/she asks you to be his/her girl/boyfriend, say, "Together, you and I will be the strongest couple in the entire world! WE WILL DOMINATE THE EARTH!" It's beginning to seem clear to me why Azula is single. And here's a note: This works best if you can firebend.
8. Instead of saying "I love you" or "I think I have a crush on you" or something like that, say, "I don't hate you." If they respond "I don't hate you, too," then give them the engagement ring.
9. Once you become a couple, call them "Twinkle Toes."
10. Get your Zuko-impersonating-Azula on and say, "Listen. You can date me or I can do something unspeakably horrible to you and your friends. Your choice." Make sure to pop out your hip, whether you're a guy or girl.
11. At homecoming or prom, cry, "[insert name here], get over here! I want you to dance with me!"
12. When he proposes or when you two get married, say, "I guess this means we'll always be together! Always."
13. If you're feeling bold, go on and kiss the girl. Then proclaim, "Baby, you're my forever girl!" She will marry you.
14. Whatever and however you do, say the word "Honor". I cannot stress this enough. Avatards love honor. Anything from the musical number in Mulan "Honor to Us All" to cheap puns ("I am so honored to be with you"). 
15. A way to ask an Avatard out is to say, "I'm thinking maybe we could do an activity together?" Now, for Sokka, that activity ended up being him trying to keep his girl from giving her life to the moon spirit. So, make sure this activity doesn't involve death or guilt.
16. Sing "Secret Tunnel" for them. It will make them smile. In case you don't know the lyrics: Two lovers forbidden from one another / A war divides their people and a mountain divides them apart / Their dark path to be together / Yeah I forget the next couple lines but then it goes, SECRET TUNNEL / SECRET TUNNEL / THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS / A secret, secret, secret, secret, tunnel! Or, you can sing the line "If you're lost, you can't lose the love because it's in your heart." It made Katara blush and she ain't even white.
17. If you approach your crush alone, say, "Look at us. You and me. Two alone people." Funny, Bolin is single, too.
18. Ride a dragon into battle and then jump into a volcano. Maybe I shouldn't take advice from Jinora. You'll literally need ice for that burn.
19. You could always escape to a dangerous forest after trying to find your ex boo thang (or, according to "The Search," full-on thang). You'll probably become a spirit but Jinora would find it romantic.
20. Give her flowers. Make sure you don't walk in on her kissing your brother. Hashtag, awkward.
21. Eskimo kisses are always cute. Or, should I say, ESKAmo kisses?
22. Your reasoning for dating her? "She's strong; I'm strong. She's fun; I'm fun. She's beautiful; I'm gorgeous!"
23. After a mutual break-up, or a relationship that ends on good terms, smile at them and say, "Stay flamin'". You might be crying but it will lighten the mood.

And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is how to flirt, date, and break up with an Avatard. Also, we like fire flakes. Lots of fire flakes.