28 March 2011

How often do you get your hair cut?

Oy. Between now and about April 15th is like some kind of clusterfuck, and it’s not even that I’m a CPA doing other people’s taxes. Just too much work, too many volunteer obligations, too much child and family and friends stuff. And a trip to Seattle, even.

At the end of last week, I decided that my hair needing cutting - in advance of all of these various events - so Saturday morning I hauled myself over to the cheap salon. You know, the big boisterous local salon, the one that caters to little kids and blue-haired old ladies and everyone in between. I go there because it amuses me, and because you don't need an appointment, and because it's $24 for a women's hair cut. I've never had a bad haircut there. Undistinguished, sure, but bad? No.

Until Saturday.

I walked in and said I needed a haircut, and the receptionist asked whether I had a preference for a man or a woman. I said I didn't care, and ended up with the old man. The old man usually sits around, perched on one a vacant chair, peering eaglelike at the goings on, and not actually doing anything. I've always assumed that he owns the place, but I really don't know. I sat down, and he cut my hair. And it was crooked and I made him fix it. And I left, and I looked in the mirror when I got home, and I thought "this is the worst hair cut I have ever had". Old man. Don't let the old man cut your hair. Damn it.

I groused about it to myself, pissed off that I'd just wasted $24 (plus tip!) on a terrible haircut, until I remembered that Heidi had a hairdresser friend in the town where I was headed. Heidi texted me the phone number (and texted Ilene to warn her), and at 5:15, I settled in for the second haircut of the day.

You have to remember: I never learned how to be a real girl. I don't wear make-up, and I didn't get my hair cut by anyone but my mother until I was like 40. So the idea of two haircuts in ONE DAY was really just over the top.

But Ilene was great, and there wasn't anyone else there, and the late afternoon sun was streaming through the windows, and she had jelly beans.

The next few weeks are still going to be a clusterfuck, but at least I got a nice haircut to face 'em with.

15 comments:

FreshHell said...

I'm in the midst of one of those time crunch clusterfucks, too, and you know I almost got my haircut before I left town last week but didn't because I didn't have time what with all the orthodontic emergencies that required hours of driving.

I am not much of a girly-girl either but I like a decent haircut. I go about every 2-3 months. I used to pay a lot for a so-so cut and then....the cuts just got worse as I followed my stylist from place to place. Finally, it just got bad. I gave up. I found a stylist across the street from work who charges HALF what I paid the other girl and I get a much better hair cut. So, I'm happy now but I am still in desperate need for a cut. I'll probably call her tomorrow. Or Wed. Or....

Life As I Know It said...

I went to the hair cuttery once. After that I called it the hair butchery.
A good hair cut is worth the money. I go months between cuts, though. I don't think I ever learned how to be a real girl either, and that's okay :)

Janet said...

I don't wear much makeup, but I love to buy it, and I get my hair colored every 8 weeks or so. I'd be a q-tip if I didn't!

De said...

Since you asked...

I've had probably every hair style known to womankind. I never like any of them, and it doesn't matter if I pay a lot or a little.

I got excited last fall when I rediscovered a hairdresser who had done a great cut for me years ago, but I was not happy after her latest effort, and I swore I will never get my hair done again.

I did the dye removal treatment, which worked pretty well, and my formerly short hair is now medium layers. Once it reaches my shoulders, I will break my vow, go get it shaped up, and then swear off for another year or so.

It's just a matter of embracing the grunge style that comes naturally to me.

Rabecca said...

I'm haircut-averse. Hate everything about the salon experience and am actually afraid of "hairstylists" or whatever they call themselves. I have okay hair with a lot of texture, so I can get away with several months between cuts. When I can't stand it any more, I go in and get 3-4" cut off. I like to feel like I am getting my money's worth.

I also never learned to be a girly girl, but I would say we are both as "real" as it gets. :) Hope I get to see this new haircut in person...

erin said...

My hair grows so slowly that I only get it cut once a year!

I get it cut in a little bob and then let it grow down a little bit past my shoulders and then CHOP CHOP, start all over again.

Imperatrix said...

"Don't let the old man cut your hair" -- sounds like super=secret spy code to me!

PS: I sent you an email about that trade we're doing, and haven't heard back -- I wonder if my email went into your spam folder?

Jodi Pharo said...

i get my hair cut every SIX WEEKS. because it is super short. my guy is good. i tried leaving him once, ended up with the worst hair cut ever and came crawling back to him.

Jody said...

At home, I get a haircut every seven weeks -- I make the new appointment when I'm paying for the old one. I don't wear makeup, I don't buy nice clothes, I'm a stay-at-home mom, I'm going to take care of my hair.

Plus it's wispy and fine and needs good maintenance.

I used to go to Gr*at Cl*ps and I'm so impressed that you had someone who could fix a disaster so quickly. How nice. What a relief, too.

Bibliomama said...

I hate, despise and loathe getting my hair cut, which means I spend a lot of my life needing a haircut very badly. I have weird hair. Hair is one of the biggest pains in the ass on the face of...my scalp? The damned stuff just keeps growing all the time.

mayberry said...

I only go every 4 months or so. I used to have a great guy right near your office. He was fun because he was psychic, very Italian, and very gay. But he's retired to the Hamptons now.

Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo said...

no one but Sebastian the Wonder Hairdresser touches mine.

Ever.

And I have always loved the word clusterfuck. Totally is not used often enough.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I so cannot relate. I never leave my hairdresser's without my next appointment made--but it's because I have "that" kind of hair.

Have fun--it sounds like you have the potential to be busy, but happy.

RuthWells said...

I get my hair cut every 5-6 weeks (the pixie cut demands it). Never underestimate the power of a good haircut.

The Absence of Alternatives said...

I am so happy for you that you were able to have the second haircut right away and that it totally saved you from the first one.

It would have bothered me a lot: I really believe that haircut is the easiest way to update your look, for good and for bad. Glad you enjoyed the sunshine and all.