Bangs, Gel, and Boredom

Okay, I`ve had the basic same hairstyle for YEARS now. I cut my hair off to a pixie cut a few years ago and it has just now gotten back to shoulder length (this taken with the fact my old hair dresser couldn`t understand the meaning that to trim is to gently nip the edges off.. not thwack four inches off at a time!) My hair is of a different color to say the least and I`m ready for a change. My dad has strictly forbidden me to dye my hair, but I have recently gotten my hands on some LA Looks Mega Mega Hold Styling Gel, and some free time, (*where I`m from that doesn`t come often*).... I`ve included a picture of myself and what my hair looked like a year ago. It`s a LOT fuller than what that picture shows, and I have my bangs trimmed to right above my forehead. I`ll try to get a new pic up sometime soon... In other words, I really hate my hair in this picture, so I`ll try to get a new one posted soon so you can see what it actually looks like. I`d like to try something freaky with the gel and some Aussie Hairspray I have laying around to freak out my friends and just generally have some fun. Hopefully a look that doesn`t take long to put up or take down and PLEASE no straight pony tails. That`s all I wear now, besides the look of a folded under pony tail. Anyway, I just want to do something new, and I`m stuck... Help!!!!!!!! O_o?? HellO?

If there is any more information needed, just post it below with any tips, styles, or stuff like that... My hair is reallly really thick so... *shrugs*