Bleaching Naturally Red Hair

Hi,I looked through all the post here and didn't find the answer to my question, so I thought I'd ask...has anyone tried to bleach naturally red hair? I have short, spiky/messy-look (shaved on sides and back), red red hair and I want to go to light blonde...not quite white, but not that ugly lemon yellow some people get. I have used highlight kits before (have one I'm about to use after I get a trim), but I've never gotten light enough. The longest I've ever left it on is about 45 min (it was definitely lighter that time)...am I just not leaving it on long enough? I read somewhere that the red tones some people get when highlighting is because red is least resistant to the bleach...is that why I'm having trouble?Also, I have seen people with hair cut like mine and light blonde on top and then gradually fades to their natural dark color down the back and sides of their head. I like this, but do you think it will look strange with red hair? I want something different, but it has to look good and not make me stick out and look dumb!!Thanks a lot!!JoshP.S. - I did have it done "profesionally" a couple times, but they didn't get it right, either.