Thursday, July 22, 2010

Short is all relative

Current location: Chester, CA

No, I'm not talking about Tracy! :) (hee, hee...sorry, honey)

One of the things we give up as fulltimers is a visit to a known and trusted hairstylist, along with doctors, dentists, etc. Others have written about shedding tears upon leaving their longtime providers. Back in Colorado I had my hair cut by the same lady for over 20 years. I would drive an hour after a long day of work just to go to her. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, I was forced to switch to someone new about 6 months before we left Colorado. So you would think that finding someone to cut my hair wouldn't be all that traumatizing.

And it isn't really traumatizing...I just dread doing it so I procrastinate until I can't stand it any longer. So I finally got up the nerve in May to get my hair cut here in Chester. I was very conservative, just asking for a trim. I fully blame myself because I didn't want her to cut it too short. And she didn't. It was great for a couple of weeks, but it quickly became longer than I like. My hair is very thick and straight, so when it gets to a certain length, it becomes very heavy and I need to blow dry it in order for it to look good. I prefer the ease of wash and wear and would rather not have to deal with blow drying. But because I procrastinate, I've been blow drying my hair for the last 4 weeks or so.

Once again, I reached the point of needing a haircut NOW, so I made an appointment for this morning. I had returned to the same lady...she seemed to do an ok job last time. And I had made up my mind that I wanted it shorter this time. For those of you who know me personally, I keep my hair pretty short anyway, so going short is not usually a big deal. When I went in this morning, I told her I wanted it shorter than last time, kind of spiky all over. I told her I wanted a wash and wear cut. So she asked if "finger length" was about right. I looked at my finger and thought, a couple of inches, yeah that sounds good. Then she asked if I wanted my bangs longer and I said no, about the same length as the rest (I can't stand it when my hair falls in my eyes). So she started cutting and I had my eyes closed due to all the hair falling.

Imagine my surprise when I opened my eyes. Her fingers must be really short! Maybe she said "finger TIP length". My hair is maybe an inch long. I basically have a long crew cut and she left me no bangs to speak of. Yikes!

Well, it is short and it is wash and wear! No blow dryer for me for a long time!! Be careful of what you ask for!! It's a good thing that I'm not all that attached to my hair. And now I'm really thankful that it grows fast. I guess next time I need to be a little clearer with my directions...and maybe a picture wouldn't be such a bad idea either!

8 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about being attached to your old providers! I'm like that. I miss my doctor, hair dresser and dentist. Yesterday I was traumatized when going to a new GP. And I've started dying my hair myself. Haven't had it cut in nearly a year after getting it cut every six weeks for 30 years!

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  2. I remember getting "scalped" by a Navajo hair stylist in New Mexico in 2008. It was so memorable, I can't seem to forget it! :)

    Pretty much, I just use a Walmart for haircuts. No matter what, it'll eventually grow back, and if you move around a lot, nobody knows you anyway. :)

    Your post gave me a good chuckle.

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  3. LOLOLOL Oh boy Connie. Yeah, a picture usually works. Just recently when I had my cut, I brought in a picture and taped it to her mirror for reference. My cut and style was exactly like the picture. I have another appointment tomorrow already for cut #2. She's been cutting mine and Jackie's hair for years and I trust her.

    On the upside of your new do, less shampoo, air drying will only takes moments and it should be a lot cooler. Hopefully you won't have to put sunscreen on your head though. ;)

    Connie

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  4. I've always said that changing hairdressers is worse than changing gynecologists....LOL!

    As to the finger length, when a hairdresser says that they mean the width of a finger. Watch how they comb your hair and hold it in their fingers. You probably wanted two fingers, which is about what I get used.

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  5. Hey...Tracy isn't short. She's altitude challenged.
    --Rod

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  6. Oh I can so relate to your story. It is the hardest thing to give up the comfort of our "specialist." It does grow and you will be cooler. I remember my first cut on the road...I did the same thing you did. I told her just a little cut, not much. She did a great job. The lady in Gulf Shores last winter didn't do quite as good but it did grow out.
    I'm glad Donna (Froggi) told us about the finger length thing. I never knew that. Thanks Donna!!

    Mike & Gerri (happytrails)
    http://freedom2roll.blogspot.com

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  7. A few years ago, I let my hair grow long enough to donate the ponytails to Locks of Love. I've always worn my hair sortta short and couldn't wait to get it cut. Gin gave me a buzz cut and it felt great!

    You may want to look into getting a Flowbee. It's a hair cutting machine. Google it. The little vacuum would be good for an individual trim. I know it sounds goofy but we have used ours for at least 20 years and it's real easy. It'll grow out.

    Syl

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  8. i like short... oh wait i am short...

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