I'm blue da ba dee da ba die!!!!

 by John Chan

Blue (Da Ba De)- EIFFEL 65

Blue (Da Ba De) by eiffel 65, has to be one of the catchiest songs I have ever heard in my life.  The addictive, up-tempo, techno beat combined with its memorable chorus will have you happily singing along, even though you may not know the lyrics.  A quintessential 90s throwback song, you will be hard pressed to find any 90s kid who hasn’t heard of or enjoyed singing along to this song.

Yo listen up here's a story

About a little guy that lives in a blue world

And all day and all night and everything he sees

Is just blue like him inside and outside

Blue his house with a blue little window

And a blue corvette

And everything is blue for him and himself

I'm blue da ba dee da ba die x 4

Major Lazer - Jet Blue Jet 

An extremely catchy, fast tempo song with an addictive, infectious beat. This song may not be lyrical genius, but who needs lyrical genius when you have such repetitive, obsessive beat?.  With very few lyrics (mainly repetition of the same lines) this songs does its job of being insanely catchy and getting you into the mood to party and or dance.  This party starter song is a perfect listen if you are off to go have a night on the town.  The song is bound to get you jumping up and down or at least have your feet moving under the desk. 

High like a jet like a jet blue jet
High like a jet like a jet blue jet
High like a jet like a jet blue jet
High like a jet like a jet blue jet

Put them up! Hands up!

Put them up! Hands up!

Hands up! Put them up!

Hands up! Put them up!

Lana Del Rey - Blue Velvet

Special shout out to my co blogger Isabella!! As a fully pledged “Lanatic”(yes that is a thing and I googled it) she kindly recommended me this song when I was stuck for suggestions!

This song is a little different from the others, and by that I mean a lot slower and sorrowful. 

Being my first time listening to, and hearing her songs entirely, you can’t help but feel immediately saddened by the vibe of the song. However, her voice perfectly matches her lyrics and she is able to truly make you feel the emotions of her song. This may not be your typical Saturday party starter song, but is perfect for those rainy Saturdays when you just want to lie in bed and get lost in waves of emotion.

She wore Blue Velvet
Bluer than velvet was the night
Softer than satin was the light
From the stars

She wore blue velvet

Bluer than velvet were her eyes

Warmer than May her tender sighs

Love was ours

That Dress.

By Kylie

Yes, we’ve all seen it – The dress that sparked the icebreaker for the day “black and blue? Or white and gold?” At first, I thought it was just another day of the Internet trolling. #teamwhiteandgold

It’s blue. Turns out, the dress is really black and blue. But some people would rather rip their arm off than accept this.

So, WHY? WHAT IS HAPPENING?

It all has to do with perception of colours in daylight. More specifically –

COLOUR CONSTANCY

(Brain’s assumption under different lighting)

Let’s first look at the example below. Squares A and B are the same colour. This is because our brain sees that square B is overcast with the shadow of the cylinder, and tries to compensate for it by perceiving it as it’s “true colour”, hence it interprets the square as lighter than it appears.  There is also a second reason:

• Darker elements surround square B, hence our brain perceives it as lighter.
• Lighter elements surround square A, hence our brain perceives it as darker.

In a way, our brain it logical – it sees what it expects to see.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checker_shadow_illusion#/media/File:Grey_square_optical_illusion.PNG)

Back to the dress. Usually we would see a larger field of view, so what we see would be influenced by how surrounding objects are illuminated. The reason why it’s so confusing is because the environment is ambiguous (not much seen in the photo but the dress). This means that out brain has to make assumptions –

Very dress. Much blue.
Source: (http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2015/03/17/4197384.htm)

If you see white and gold, chances are your brain is interpreting the dress under natural light that is more blue-ish. Hence the white would look blue, but our brain interprets it as white because of COLOUR CONSTANCY. This means – your brain would ignore blue hues (try to show it’s “true colour”)

If you see black and blue, may be interpreting the dress indoors under yellow lights. The brain would interpret the gold as a reflection off the black elements, with the blue being unaffected.

Although almost maddening, this optical illusion proved to great example of how easily our eyes can be deceived. 

Source:

http://www.livescience.com/50842-dress-debate-color-perception.html

http://www.wired.com/2015/02/science-one-agrees-color-dress/

http://www.livescience.com/49980-dress-color-explainer.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=most-popular

Too Good to be True Blue!

By Vanessa

Before digging into two yummy recipes here's a fun fact:

Source:
http://frokenskicklig.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/last-minute-diy-easter-eggs-with-red.html

Fun Fact:

Red Cabbage, yes 'red' cabbage, when cooked with heat, releases anthocyanins that causes blue pigments contained in the cabbage to bleed and turning your dish blue. Some chefs use red cabbage as a natural dye as there are naturally blue foods (other than fruits and vegetables).

To keep the cabbage red, add vinegar, lemon juice or anything acidic to maintain its red colour. 

Blue coloured food seems to taste better and is visually appealing. 
Not only are they tasty but blue fruits and vegetables have numerous benefits too. These include:

- Boosting immune system activity

- Fighting inflammation
- Contains anti-ageing properties
- Reduces tumour growth
- Is an appetite suppressant

 No wonder blue foods were good!

Now on to two tasty recipes for you to try

Source:
http://favim.com/image/2109430/

Breakfast
1. Blueberry and Black Raspberry Muesli
Kick start your morning with a quick, easy and super healthy breakfast. 
Blueberries and black raspberries provide the perfect sweetness to start your day with no added sugars and will also help boost your immune system.

What you will need:
- 1/2 a punnet of washed Blueberries 
- 6 washed black raspberries
- Plain muesli of your choice
- 1 1/2 cup of your choice of milk
- 1 1/2 tblspoons of honey

Directions:
1. Simply add the amount of muesli of your liking into a bowl
2. Drizzle the honey on the muesli and give it a nice toss to spread the honey
3. Pour the milk into the bowl and add the blueberries and raspberries on top
4. You're done! That's how simple this breakfast is. You can also add other fruits including bananas or raisins.

Source:
http://cincyshopper.com/raspberry-lemonade-slurpee-recipe/

Snack/Dessert
2. Blasting Blue Slushies
Summer is on its way and this refreshing drink is the ideal way to cool off.
The blasting taste and fizz of blue raspberry, with a hint of lemonade will leave you wanting more.

What you will need:
- 3 cups of crushed ice
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 8 drops of blue food colouring
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of raspberry flavoured extract or blue raspberry kool-aid
- 2 cups of cold lemonade

Directions:
1. Before starting, place lemonade into the freezer for 15-20 minutes
2. Add the lemonade, sugar, food colouring and the flavouring into a blend and blend.
3. Add in the crushed ice and use the pulse option till it has a smooth and slushie consistency
4. Pour into your cups and its ready to serve
To add an extra zing, you can sprinkle blue sugar on top of the slushie, add blue pop rocks or nerds and drizzle some lemon on top. There you have it! A refreshing summer's drink that will keep you, your family and your friends cool.



No lunch or dinner recipes?
As mentioned previously, there are no naturally blue foods (other than fruits and vegetables) however here are some foods that you can add to your dishes to give it some blue/purple colour
- Cook red cabbage without lemon juice or vinegar
- Boil, oven bake or roast blue potatoes/yams, which are deliciously sweet and is an alternative to regular potatoes.
- Cook up some blue cauliflower
- Add some blue cheese

Hope you can add these blues onto your plate and provide you with different and new flavours.

Sources: 

• http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1382920
• http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/fruits-vegetables.shtml#blue
• http://humantouchofchemistry.com/why-does-red-cabbage-change-colour-when-cooked.htm

Best Blue Buddies

by Amanda

Blue has become the new black in terms of characters. Whether it's a new character or a reboot, everywhere I look there seems to be a blue character taking center stage. So, whether it's from a movie, a tv show, game or book, this week the hype is all about the most memorable blue characters. Let me know if I've missed one of your favourite blue characters.

Mystique, Nightcrawler, Iceman and Beast

It appears that the X-men franchise has a thing for the colour blue.

Source: http://marvel-movies.wikia.com/wiki/Raven_Darkholme

Source: http://xmenmovies.wikia.com/wiki/Nightcrawler

Source: http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/sasuke-uchiha-vs-iceman-1647183/

Source: http://www.gaiaonline.com/profiles/x-men-beast-hm/3114862/

These four characters are part of the iconic X-men franchise created by Stan Lee. They are a subspecies of humans who are gifted with inhuman abilities, referred to as mutants. Consequently, Mystique, Nightcrawler, Iceman and Beast all receive outwardly blue appearances which they embrace.

Blue-Beetle

Source: http://www.dccomics.com/characters/blue-beetle

Blue Beetle is black and blue superhero identity taken on by three individuals in the DC franchise, Dan Garret, Ted Kord and Jaime Reyes. Recently, an announcement was made on September 17th confirming that a Blue Beetle movie was in development with plans for Greg Berlanti, creator of Arrow and the Flash, to direct the film.

Bubbles

Source: http://powerpuffgirls.wikia.com/wiki/Bubbles/Gallery

From the three Power Puff Girls, Bubbles is described as the "joy and laughter" due to her bubbly personality. The adorable five year old girl with brilliant blue eyes has worn her signature blue dress for over ten years.

Dory

Source:  http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Pixar-Changes-Its-Finding-Dory-Ending-Response-Sea-World-Controversy-38938.html

A little blue fish from the film Finding Nemo who offers her assistance and companionship to Marlin, the clownfish, as he journeys from the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney in search of his son. Dory is voiced by Ellen DeGeneres and will soon return to the cinemas in her own film titled Finding Dory.

Stitch

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stitch_(Lilo_%26_Stitch)

Also known as Experiment 626, Stitch is a furry blue koala like alien who is created to unleash chaos into the galaxy. Even though he's fur is blue, on Earth Stitch manages to pass of as a dog, more specifically a run over collie.

Cookie Monster

Source: http://www.incc.org.au/news/buy-cookies-to-help-our-reps-get-to-the-world-championships

Sesame Street's famous furry blue monster who first appeared in 1966. Cookie Monster is known for his enormous appetite, stuffing anything into his mouth.  However, the blue puppet's favourite food has always been cookies.

Smurfs

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j7ZaoKMxfY

The Smurfs originally started off as a Belgian comic released in 1958 which followed the adventures of a colony of little blue creatures.

 

Sonic the Hedgehog

Source:  http://thedimensionsaga.wikia.com/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog

What would a list of blue characters be without SEGA's famous blue hedgehog and his ability to run at supersonic speeds.

Genie of the Lamp

Source: http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Genie

In Disney's Aladdin, when Aladdin rubs a dirty old lamp, he never imagined it to release Genie, a powerful being created from blue smoke.

Sully

Source: http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Monsters,_Inc._galleries

Pixar's Monsters Inc. centred around Sully the big blue hairy monster. During the first week of the film's release, it  ranked number one in the box office. The success of the first film eventually led to a prequel titled Monster's University which centres around the blue monster's days at university.

The Na'vi

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_(2009_film)

James Cameron's epic sci-fi film Avatar brought to life the Na'vi tribe, a group of ten foot blue aliens on a planet called Pandora. Since the release of Avatar, Cameron has announced his plans to produce three sequels: Avatar 2, Avatar 3 and Avatar 4, as well as the possibility of a prequel.

Perry the Platypus

Source:http://superheroes.wikia.com/wiki/Perry_the_Platypus

Feeling Blue?

Feeling Blue?

By Alison

Statistics reveal that blue is the most popular colour amongst both men and women. Different tones of blue unveil different emotions and possess different meanings.

Blue is a colour of nature which paints both the sky and sea. This explains its soothing effect on emotions and the stimulation of calmness, serenity and tranquility. Therefore lighter shades of blue (aquamarine) as depicted here in the ripples and crystallization of the ocean can be associated with health, healing, understanding and softness.

source: http://symbolism.wikia.com/wiki/Blue

The depth and vastness of the ocean associates blue with open spaces, possibilities, freedom, imagination, self-expression and inspiration.

During the late 19th century in Paris, Saint Denis Basilica was rebuilt by Abbe Suger. He used cobalt coloured stain glass coupled with light from red glass to illuminate the church with a bluish violet light. Saint Bernard associated stain glass with the perpetuity of the Virgin Mary. Light passes through the windows without destroying it, just as Mary gave life to Jesus whilst remaining pure.
Here blue emotes piety, sincerity, wisdom, faith, divinity and intuition.

source:
http://uk.tourisme93.com/basilica/churchs-adornment.html

Explosions or overuse of blue signifies melancholy, negative energy, sadness and self-centeredness. Hence, the term "feeling blue" or "getting the blues refers to the extreme feelings of blue like depression. "Singing the blues" is used when someone continues to complain about their circumstances. The sadness of blue is carried through with "babyblues" - post natal depression.

source: http://www.bourncreative.com/meaning-of-the-color-blue/

Magical Blue Gems

By Izzi

Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska

If someone told me this would be the destination following a kayak ride and an ice climb over a glacier, I'd be all hands on board. The Mendenhall Ice Caves is a 20 metre long glacier located in Southeast Alaska, where you can experience each form of the water cycle at once. There is nothing more magical than water running over rocks underneath blue ceilings inside a hollow glacier. http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/mendenhall-ice-caves

http://thehigherlearning.com/2015/02/23/the-coolest-places-on-earth-mendenhall-ice-caves-photos/

Chefchaouen, Morocco

Chefchaouen is named one of the prettiest towns in the Morocco, and how could you disagree? An artsy, blue-washed mountain village is like it is its own world. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/morocco/the-mediterranean-coast-and-the-rif/chefchaouen 

http://www.placestoseeinyourlifetime.com/chefchaouen-the-blue-city-1818/

Blue is spread all across the streets, walls, every street and alleyway, and even inside homes. No wonder Chefchaouen is also known as "The Blue Pearl of Morocco"! http://jamesclear.com/photo-essay-chefchaouen-morocco

http://www.placestoseeinyourlifetime.com/chefchaouen-the-blue-city-1818/

Marble Caves, Chile

6000 years + crashing waves + calcium carbonate = the smooth swirling blues waters which is reflected on the walls of the Marble Caves located in Chile. Hop in a boat to view these amazing vibrant blue grey chambers in the turquoise waters of Carrera. http://www.amazingplacesonearth.com/the-marble-caves-chile/ http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/marble-caves-of-chile-chico

http://blog.fluentcity.com/51-places-to-travel-before-you-die-your-travel-bucket-list/

Peyto Lake, Canada

Banff National Park in Canada is home to a glacier-fed lake, Peyto Lake. Over summer, large amounts of glacial rock flow into the lake, which gives the lake a beautiful, bright, turquoise colour (it looks so illustrated in photos, its unreal!). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peyto_Lake

http://www.worldfortravel.com/2013/02/10/beautiful-peyto-lake-canada/