It’s not very often that Pete and I would try to go to midtown for dinner on a Saturday, much less a second Saturday.  The parking, the crowded restaurants; we never usually think to make a reservation.  But this night was different.  We had two gallery openings to attend during the 2nd Saturday art walk. The first stop was at the Urban Hive.  This was an exhibit of work by teachers, including our neighbor, and friend, Linda Clark Johnson.

Her work for this show consisted of some rather colorful and witty collages. They were each a study for a larger piece she created in watercolor.

The gallery itself is an interesting, light filled cooperative.  They bill themselves as the “un-office”.  Studios and a “cafe style” work place are what they offer. It’s a perfect gallery space, whatever the purpose.

We then headed over to the E Street Gallery and Studios, to not only view the wonderful ceramics by our very good friend, and colleague, Deborah Pittman. But unbeknownst to me, a Clarinet (Deborah Pittman) and Violin/Viola (Randy Fisher) duet.  The gallery was small, and the temperature a little on the warm side, but Deborah and Randy are so talented, that we stayed for a number of pieces.  The work of the show itself was exquisite, of course!  That’s why Deborah is my only artist in residence at Cobalt Salon & Gallery!

For dinner, Pete had taken at stab at finding a restaurant that we hadn’t been to many, many, many times before. Pete managed to do a great job, and acquire a reservation on one of the busiest nights of the month!  He succeeded beautifully!  We had read about The Lounge on 20 in several publications, and since they had a table open at the perfect time, he grabbed it.

What a great find!  The food is good enough, our drinks were perfect, and the people watching was the highlight of my week.  The Lounge on 20 is at the corner of K St., and 20th, of course, which sites it perfectly to watch the blocked off 20th street.  Wow.  I had no idea Midtown Sacramento had become such a hot spot!  I’m not joking, it was pretty crowded, in a laid back, dare I say, mature way.  It reminded me of a waaaay less fashionable version of the promenade in Italy.  With People walking their dogs and children, while rubbing elbows with artists, neighbors, and gays (did I mention this is the epicenter of Lavender Heights?).  It was a Sacramento I haven’t seen in my 18 years here. I’ve said it before, and I don’t mind saying it again, don’t call this a cowtown.

The weather was on the warm side when we arrived, but in true Delta fashion, the evening breeze kicked in, and with our drinks in hand, we were feeling pretty fine. After consulting with the waitress, Pete ordered a Ginger Spice. He’s a sucker for anything with ginger, and a cocktail is no exception.  I ordered an especially tasty sounding drink, tequila, grapefruit juice, and sparkling wine, who’s name I’ve unfortunately forgotten.  It was so good I’ll be going back to find out what it was!

Now, I don’t generally like things with ginger.  Oh, gingersnaps are good, as is a little ginger bread, and ginger ale if I’m not feeling well, but overall, no.  Pete, on the other hand, is a sucker for anything with ginger.  That is usually OK for him, but often ginger can really screw up a good idea.  This time it was a bullseye. The sweet and sour combination of ginger liqueur, gin, and lemon juice was a perfect warm evening drink.  His second drink, however, was in a highball glass filled with ice.  We can’t remember the name of that one, but Pete says it wasn’t good, too strawberry-y, or something.

We spent quite a lot of time looking over the menu.  What with the lazy heat, the wonderful drinks, and the interesting people strolling by below us, we were happy to linger.  In fact, sitting having drinks here would be perfect any day of the week.

We both decided to go with the $25 fixed price dinner.  Pete and I both chose, and were very impressed by, the beet salad to start.  The meal comes with three courses.  Soup or salad, entree, and a sampler dessert.  It seemed like a fair deal to us.  We both enjoyed the beet salad.  It had a generous serving of beet, cut thin and arranged with an accompaniment of spicy greens, lightly dressed. Perfect on a warm summer evening.  Pete chose the chicken for his entree, and I chose the salmon.  The meats were both terrific.  My salmon was cooked very nicely, and the fish was fresh and sweet.  I liked the way it was cooked.  As a friend of Pete’s said recently, “You can tell a good cook by his salmon.”  It goes from undercooked to overcooked in about one minute.  This salmon was just the way I like it. Pete’s chicken was tasty and nicely prepared.

The veggies were another story.  Mine were kind of strange, ranging from capers, which I love, what I assumed to be vine ripened cherry tomatoes (so far, so good), and then it went a little strange, random olives, overcooked peppers, and a little too freely splashed with oil.  It was good, but strange.

Pete liked his green beans, but he said they were a little overcooked.  A shame for green beans in Sacramento this time of year.  I’m happy with them raw!

The dessert is a charming representation.  You get to chose two from the regular menu, and they come in a sample size.  That gave us four options. Pete ordered Crunchy Hazelnut Chocolate, and the Raspberry Bavaroise, and I ordered Espresso Creme Brule, and a white Chocolate Delice.  Mine were very good, Pete’s were OK.

Between food and drinks, we spent over $85.  A little higher than we’d normally go for a dinner out, but this seemed like a special night.  We decided we’d definitely be back on a more boring Friday or Saturday to see how we feel without the crowds.  This is what the K Street development needs to strive for, reasons, both epicurial and entertaining, as well as spontaneous to attract the crowds.  Overblown redevelopment plans will only work if the buzz spreads.

I’d also like to point out that The Lounge on 2o would be a fabulous place to hang with friends, but one way or the other, I’ve seen the future of Sacramento, and it’s pretty damn cool.

Let me start by agreeing right off the bat, that I didn’t really need an iPad.  No one does. It’s just another fancy electronic toy.  However, in my defense, since I use my computer at work for scheduling and client records, I was getting a little tired of my heavy (ha) MacBook.  It wasn’t very practical carrying it around on busy days, and it was never where I needed it.  Not so with this baby!  It’s always with me, and rightly so.  I’ll go out on a limb here and say that this is the future of computers!  It’s the future I’ve been waiting for.

The iPad feels like something out of a sic-fi movie (as a matter of fact, I think there was something like it in Avatar).  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not there yet.  A few of the issues I’m having are with multi-tasking, printing, data transfer (I had to come up with a work around just for posting).  I don’t like a lot of the apps, I’m learning to finger type (a little ironic considering I think of my typing classes in high school to be one of the best class choices I ever made), and AT&T 3G totally sucks ass.  But overall I don’t regret the money spent.  The battery lasts for hours, the screen is fabulous, and though a lot of web sites don’t work well yet (come on Apple, no Flash?  Really?), I still have the good old laptop for emergencies!

Yes, at this point I didn’t need it, but I feel like I live in the twenty first century now.  And to a kid growing up on a constant diet of comic books, that’s worth almost any amount of money.  Now I just want my flying car…

Note: By the end of typing this post I learned to love the Quickoffice app, but I still had to “post” it with my MacBook…

Don't let the cuteness fool you, pure evil lurks in their hearts...

Pets are such givers.

Anyway!  After a few minutes of cleanup, eeeew, I was back on task.  The light was still great when I returned with my beloved Sony SLR digital camera.  It more than suits the needs of this amateur.

I started with a test shot, just something that caught my eye.  To see how the light was going to photograph.  It was so-so…

A similar shot edited...

and so I progressed to another test shot, and then a couple of light test shots…

A simple test shot to check light, framing etc.

A slightly better test shot, edited

A lighting and angle test

Then I hit on the shot.

The Ah Ha! shot

I call this shot, the Ah Ha shot, because it’s the magical moment when something clicks; and I become inspired.

With this particular photo, I love the way the light is almost from the side because the sun is so low (thanks mutts!).  The unusual angle of the light makes the flower glow, and the background is practically black.  It got me focused on the textures, and the fabulous softness of the flowers petals.  I love how the edges fade away, and give the flowers a feeling that they could be made of porcelain.  It’s not a perfect shot, but it sets the stage for what is to come…

The same composition with a slightly different edit

A new angle is better

Might be my favorite, definitely the best composition

Last one, then the sun was gone :-((

A better edit...

This illustrates what my painting teacher used to describe as the happy accident.  Letting the work take you where it will, until something good (hopefully) happens that you would never have taken yourself to intentionally.  The happy accident.

He's actually got a few brains as well as the good looks.

Anyhow, after he fled while howling, I sat and thought about what a stupid cat he is.  It’s all beauty for the poor fellow.  And when I focused on my closet, I realized what a neurotic I am as well.  My closet is an organizers wet dream.  I’m a neat freak.

No, Pete's side doesn't look like this, but it's closer than it used to be!

I had suspected it for a while.  My first marriage fell apart because of what a slob my ex-wife was.  Or was it because I was a neurotic neat freak?  Oh wait,  I remember,  it was because I’m gay…awkward.  And my ex-wife was a slob.  I love her like a sister, and if we had been a little more compatible, she probably would have been willing to be my beard for years.  But I’m neurotic.  I truly hate chaos.  Eventually I fled to my own Immaculate 1 bedroom apartment, in fashionable “east” Woodland.

So, there I am having my neurosis epiphany, and  I think, “Wow!  What a fabulous wardrobe…

Our best selling TIGI product just happens to be one of the products I use pretty much every day in the salon.  In the Bedhead line, Afterparty is one of the best finishing creams I’ve worked with.  It’s a light, and slightly opalescent cream.  A very small amount, worked through dry (or damp) hair to finish, creates a shiny, smooth, and moveable head of hair!

Switching to the CATWALK line, I next recommend Root Boost.  It’s a surprisingly light feeling foam, with a delivery system that puts the product right where you need it.  The roots!  Hence the name.  Spray the product freely at your roots, comb through to the ends, and style with a round brush.  You will be well pleased by the lift, volume, and light hold.  Finish with Masterpiece hairspray from the Bedhead line for a super hold and maximum shine.  This spray is also perfect for finished styles and up-do’s; giving a brilliant polish to the finished look that is fabulous under lights and in photos.

Going back to the original Bedhead product, I can’t recommend, highly enough, the Bedhead stick.  This take no prisoners wax stick is perfect for maximum hold (think spiky do’s and mohawks), and rock and roll shine.  Applied to dry hair like you’d use a glue stick, this product stays pliable, which is great for an always perfect disheveled look.

Without a doubt, the best complete Beadhead line that I push, is the Superstar line.  With a really nice shampoo and conditioner, my best selling spray conditioner (never ways down even the finest of hair), a spray thickener, Queen For a Day, and the best blow dry thickening lotion on the market.  These products leave the hair in a very nice condition, and never weigh the hair down.  Even hair the texture of fine silk.

In addition to all of these terrific products, I’ll give a nod to the Dumb Blonde shampoo and conditioner.  Great for dry, over-processed, bleached, and highlighted hair.

I’m continually impressed by this product line, by the way.  Whenever I’ve decided to take a chance on one of their products, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find they really work.  Take the word of a busy stylist who doesn’t have the time most days to re-wash and style a clients hair when I have a product failure!

And one more point I’d like to make.  Yes, those products you see in the store are probably the same price as mine, they probably aren’t bad, or dangerous.  But remember, the products I sell contribute to the ambiance of Cobalt Salon & Gallery.  My renters pay the rent.  I live off of my wages, and product sales go to upkeep.  So if you’re going to spend your hard earned money, ask my opinion to get the correct product, buy it from me for the same price, and be sure that you get the best haircare, in beautiful, and well maintained surroundings.

“My job is to make hair fantasies into hair styles.”   -David Martin

I shall return to my Happy Place soon, in the meantime, here’s a rant…

Why (as a businessman) should I support federal taxing & regulation?

I often hear blowhard politicians (especially at Tea Party gatherings of late) talking about small business owners, and how they’re the “core” of the party.  Average Americans like you and me.  Providing innovation, employment, and economic growth!

Well guess what?  I am literally that “average American”.  I am a small business owner.  Eventually I will add employees, but at the moment it’s me, and some contract associates at my small business.

The Tea Party rabble rousers, and by that I don’t mean the average person who’s been scared by internet rumors, or anti-tax rhetoric, but the higher-ups, making millions, while scaring the hell out of the average person (yes you Sarah Palin and Glen Beck) talk about small business owners as if we all want unrestricted free market conditions, and that “businesses” want freedom to run their affairs as “they” see fit.  I guarantee you that when they say that, they don’t mean me, the average man on the street.  I love government over-site.  I like safe beef (which by the way isn’t as safe as you might believe), I want caltrans working in the middle of the winter fixing my roads, I want a Public Fricking Option, and I love the fact that the government polices me and my fellow cosmetologists.  That’s right, my business is regulated.  I, and my associates can have our licenses revoked for poor behavior.

Think about that, if I hurt a client, or even practice improper safety procedures, I can be fined, fined for me and my sub-contractors, by the way.  If I hurt someone badly enough I could be tried for malpractice, or even gross negligence.  I guarantee you, if I somehow managed (god knows how) to kill a large population of wildlife, and possibly a good portion of a communities livelihood, in the performance of my business… I WOULD GO TO JAIL.  Even if it was one of my contractors, or an employee.  My ass on the line.  And that’s exactly how it should be.  I like knowing that my field of expertise has a watchdog agency.  It not only makes me stay on my toes, but it gives my field a solid standing in the community.

I’ll even go a step further.  If I had my way, the Board of Cosmetology would require continuing education and testing.  That’s right, I don’t think my industry is regulated enough!

I’m a big fan of regulation and public safety.  I like knowing that medications are put through a test of some sort.  I like knowing that vegetables are tested.  I like knowing the fire station will react when my house is on fire, I like to know my trash will be picked up, my storm drains cleared, I like to know my bank is secure, wait, what?  Oh yah, no we don’t need to do that one do we?  What could possibly go wrong?  Dammit, we need a strong government, not some pussy pushed around by the school yard bullies!

Now, let’s compare that to BP oil and the wonderful customer service and safety we get from this company.  Will someone loose they’re job, probably, a scape-goat.  Not the CEO, unless he “retires” with a bonus.  Will they pay, loose the right to do business, go to jail.  Probably not so much.  The inequities are monumental.

I remember a ruling recently.  A corporation is a person.  Well I think any corporate “person” that has the potential to do this much damage to the “people” of that region, and considering how much taxpayer money will probably go into this, I think they should be so regulated they can’t even think of a business plan without the peoples approval.

I’m not joking.  This environmental catastrophe will destroy an ecosystem or two, and plenty of peoples livelihood, they don’t even know how to stop it.  It’s going to make the Valdez look like a test run.  And they’ll end up blaming some poor schmuck like the captain of that famous ship.  My renters don’t pilot ships, but I’m responsible for them if they don’t put the lid on the garbage.  Seriously, we get fined for that sort of thing.

How is it that the politicians of the last few decades have managed to turn us into Anarchists.  Yes, that is what Palin and her crowd really are.  They tell us that government is the problem.  Get rid of all the agencies that regulate the environment, agriculture, education, social services; what they’re really saying is, no government.  Reagan started it in the 70’s and 80’s by convincing us a weak government was better. That’s the definition of anarchy.  Not conservatism.

I’m a small business man, I don’t mind paying taxes, I want to know everyone in this county is cared for, even if they walk the streets.  And I want my government to monitor the potentially devastating business practices of the monopolies of this county  And I want my government to not tell me who I can and can’t love.  What I don’t want, is my government dismantled piece by piece.  I want it here protecting we the people.  That’s what we created it to do.

Ah, Kauai.  My happy place.  These are things that Pete and I will do when we are there in June; so take that for what it’s worth.  We’re also going to spend a lot amazing amount of time sleeping and reading, that’s one of the main reasons I keep pushing to go back.  Lot’s and lot’s of napping, by the pool, on the beach, in the condo. It’s so freakin’ relaxing.  I think it’s the scents in the air.  Pete always says, “No, No” the whole time I’m planning a trip to Kauai, and then he thanks me when we get there.

This is the first in a series.(Screw that, way too much work while I’m in the islands)  I actually started it as an email to a friend of mine as recommendations on what to do while on Kauai. She will be there three weeks before Pete and I!  While I was proof reading, however, I realized it was a great pre-amble to the posts I plan from our trip!

So, our favorite place to eat in all Kauai is the sunset seating at The Beach House Restaurant.

This is the best picture I could find (can't get to mine on crashed computer), this doesn't do it justice.

Make sure and bring a camera, the staff is very helpful with sundown photos in front of the beach!  The food has always been fabulous.  Pete and I usually stay at the Prince Kuhio Resort condos when we’re in Kauai.  It’s right across the street, and we make our way to the bar every evening for dessert and a night cap!  The Prince Kuhio resorts are a real bargain.  We pay around $800.00 for a week for a studio apartment.

Brennecke’s Restaurant and Bar, right across from Poi Pu state beach park has a good view while you have your meal.  This is probably the second most popular beach on the island, so don’t try for lunch right at noon. Their drinks are really good, even the virgin ones.  Happy hour starts at 4:30.  The only reason we’re not there every evening is because it’s too far to walk!

Duke’s is always safe, and makes us feel a little touristy, in a quaint Hawaiian sort of way.  It’s in Lihue at the Kauai Marriot Resort, and not only is the food reliable, but it has a stunning ocean view.  I’m not necesarilly recommending the Marriot.  I’ve never stayed there, and it might be quite nice, but the location is probably the worst on the island.  Unless you like being near the airport, and business district.  Kioki’s Paradise Restaurant in the Poipu Shopping village is similar to dukes (because it’s owned by the same company), and very “Disney does Hawaii”, the shopping is OK, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually purchased anything here.  The galleries are nice, and Pete lusts after a hot dog at Puka Dog Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs every time we are here.  The hamburger joint here is good as well.

The Oasis Bar and Grill Point at the Sheraton Kauai is one of my favorite spot’s anywhere.

David's happy place, the Oasis Bar and Grill, Sheraton Resort, Poipu, Kauai.

You can sit outside a few yards from the beach and have a pretty decent lunch (well, it turns out they’re not open for lunch for some reason now, but the happy hour is worth the trip!), or even just a cool drink judging by my photo! Just find the swimming pools, and then take the beach path out to the point to your right as you’re looking at the beach.  I believe two currents meet here.  It’s a rugged sort of beach with a very exuberant surf!  This is my happy place when I meditate.  I actually “fell asleep” here while reading the second time we were on Kauai.  I don’t think you can pass out after one drink, right?

We’ve been to all of these beaches.  They’re all very nice.  Ke’e is my second favorite beach after tunnels, but Mahaulepu beach is worth the trek, the beach is one of the prettiest on the island, lots of shade, very sheltered swimming cove, and a great walk up the bluffs, the snorkeling’s not great, but it is worth the effort.

Ke’e beach is the one at the very end of the road to the North side of the island.  It’s where they filmed the harbor scenes in South Pacific.  Somewhere nearby, right across the road from the entrance I believe, is the native gardens. Pete thought the stroll was absolutely nothing, I thought it was a little hot, but it was definitely strolling, not climbing!  This is where the Napali coast starts, so when you’re in the water, and you look down the beach, that’s pretty much people free!  That’s where the Napali trail hike begins, it’s not a stroll, I don’t recommend it unless you are at least a moderate level hiker.  It is considered one of the hardest hikes in the US.  Though we’ve never done it, I hear it’s spectacular if you make the trek.

When you travel through Hanalei, and you will since it’s on your way to the North side of the island, time your trip to stop for lunch at the Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant.  It’s right across the bridge, I’m pretty sure it’s the first thing on the right when you enter town traveling west to east (and north).  If the weather is right, you should sit on the deck.  From the deck you will see people kayaking past on the river.  The last time we were there, there was a gallery connected to the restaurant that Pete and I enjoyed perusing.

Practically every town in Kauai is cute, and worth stopping in for a short time, with the exception of the Princeville area, just kinda normal high end modern resort town, and Lihue, which is sort of like Vacaville. Hanapepe Town, which is really easy to miss, Old Koloa Town, and Hanalei Town (of Puff The Magic Dragon fame) are the ones you should plan to stop and spend a few hours in.  Hanapepe for instance is an artists colony.  A quite funky one, I’m not sure how many times we’ve stopped here, but we have always found interesting shops, don’t let the run down appearance put you off.  Old Kaloa has a couple of good restaurants, a Lapperts Ice Cream shop, which we go to every day, and my very favorite shop on the island, the Island Soap and Candleworks.  I’ll be featuring there products at the salon when we return!

Though I do recommend you drive west to Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park, which is where you end up at the end of the canyon road, there’s not much to see in general on the west side of the island.  A client of mine loves the beaches all the way to the end of the road (past the base) on the west side, but Pete and I didn’t think it worth the effort.  Not much shade, not very safe swimming, and quite a long drive on rutted roads near the end.

Kokee State Park has the best view on the Island, if you’re there before the fog/cloud cover moves in!  I’m such a late starter that Pete and I have never seen it!  And Waimea Canyon really does resemble a miniature Grand Canyon. Most of the towns and views in this area are pretty pedestrian.  None are dangerous, just boring.

If you decide to snorkel, start at Poipu State Beach.  It’s simple to get in, it’s not deep most places, it’s very protected, and there are lifeguards.  Honestly, I snorkel about 4 hours a day. It’s the easiest sport in the world, it’s easier than swimming.  Just learn to breath through the tube normally, make sure to go to Snorkel Bobs and get the premium package, they will fit you quickly, explain how to use the lens goo (you’ll fog up without it), and tell you the good beaches for that day.  You can bring the equipment back if you don’t like it, but the best mask you can afford is absolutely essential.  Breathing is something we like to do water free. Especially salt water free.  But if you stay calm, and float gently (you don’t want to scare stuff away by Swimming) you will see a whole new world.  If you don’t forget your sunscreen for your back and legs, you will have the best day of your life after you see your first Humuhumunukunukuapua’a (that’s Reef Trigger Fish for non-natives).  The stingrays, eels, coral, octopi, pipefish, puffer fish, sea turtles, crab, parrot fish, etc. are just bonus after that!

If you’d like to see sea turtles, they are always at Tunnels beach (and as we found recently, they are also at Ke’e, Lawai, and along the point at my happy place!).  Tunnels is a beach that is rather hard to find, ask for extremely detailed instructions at Snorkel Bob’s (or somebody that likes to snorkel there), it is before Ke’e beach, off the highway, or at the parking lot near the caves.  If you get in at the eastern beach area, near the parking, you can swim west along the beach line (out near the rocky area, the tide will be very gentle if you’ve been told it’s safe and you stay within the reef.  I’ve seen Turtles every single time I’m there. But this is not a good beach to learn on, you have to go out a ways where it’s calmer, by the reef about 10 yards out, so you want to be comfortable with the feel of swimming in the ocean.  As long as you stay near other snorkelers you should be fine.  I’ve never experienced a rip tide here.  Ask a lifeguard to explain how to deal with a riptide, knowing how easy it is to escape, I didn’t worry about being out there after the first few minutes.

If you insist on doing a Luau, I think they’re all cheesy, but here’s a little advice if you haven’t made plans already.  If your resort doesn’t have a good one, you can try the Sheraton, they have a beach side Luau, the one we did at a Plantation near Lihue was fine, it’s called Gaylord’s.

Don’t forget to stop and see the Spouting Horn, and the open air market right near it, at the western side of Poipu.  We get a lot of inexpensive gifts for friends and relatives at the market.

Here’s a fabulous website about Kauai, it’s where most of the above links derived.  www.gohawaii.com. Have fun and let us know if you have something we shouldn’t miss!

Mahalo!

]]> http://davidmartinsstyle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=879 0 http://davidmartinsstyle.com/blog/?p=844 http://davidmartinsstyle.com/blog/?p=844#comments Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:03:35 +0000 Hairslave http://davidmartinsstyle.com/blog/?p=844 It’s been way too long since I’ve written!  So much has happened, it’s been like a whirlwind!

This year I actually got paid to work my dream job!  I didn’t see it at first, but during my second year working back stage at the West Coast Spring and Style Show, in beautiful down town San Jose (some dreams are smaller than others :-) ), I realized that ever since I went to my first hair show, waaay back in 1987, I had dreamed of being a color educator and working a hair show!

It was such a long shot in my mind, that when I eased my way in, I didn’t see that I had arrived.  I mean, it doesn’t pay much.  Honestly, I don’t do it for the money.  I do it for the ego boost.  I love teaching in salons, but doing the show is a whole nuther level.  I get to do things I couldn’t really do in the salon, and I get to show off my work to my peers in a way I never could without a company backing me.  It’s quite an honor in many ways.

This year I was handed quite the job.  During the morning triage backstage, I was asked to remove 6 inches of a blackish color from the last 6 inches of one of the model’s hair, brassy dark blonde from about 4 inches in the middle, and balance these two decolorized sections with the 2 inches of natural regrowth, all of this on extremely thick (albeit fine) hair past the shoulder.  As soon as I sat her down I warned her that we had an 8 hour job ahead of us.  I wasn’t joking, I am extremely accurate at scheduling.  I was, however, wrong.  It was nine hours.  It was nine hours, and I had a partner.  It was nine hours, occasionally with a partner, and often an assistant!  It was a challenge I relished.  Relished, I tell you!  Too much?  Well I’m still a little euphoric. But honestly, have you ever actually used that word about your job?  Relished?  I hope so, otherwise most of your life is harder than it should be.  This was a chance to do something that I had only ever done in theory.  I’ve used doll heads, I’ve run it through in my head a million different ways, I’ve done 3-5 hour color corrections, but this is an opportunity that I may never get again.  As soon as they said what they wanted I thought, “oh shit, I can’t do that!  What if I totally f it up in front of some of the top talent in the hair industry?”  I’ve got one of the smallest egos in my field.  I don’t like to feel foolish.  I had two whole seconds of scared sh&tless, and then I used a trick I learned a few years back.  I thought, “I don’t have a choice, I am really good at what I do, and this is simply a self destructive reaction of fear”.  And then I did my job.  It was awesome.  I learned more in those nine hours than I’ve learned in the last five years.

A very bad camera phone picture of a bad picture. :'-(

Sorry the picture sucks, my phone was the only f&^%ing camera I took! Smile Samantha!

At hour four I had decided I was going home at the end of the day.  The models were all tiny, we stand on concrete all day, and my back was killing me.  I was as close to exhaustion as I’ve ever been.  But somewhere around hour 6, I realized I was having a ball.  By 5:45 that evening (they turn the lights off in the windowless convention hall at 6, on the dot), we had her shampooed and heading home, soaking wet.  That means, that after nine hours of work, we had no idea what the color would actually be when she showed the next morning.

At this point I wasn’t planning to leave, my pride is much stronger than that, and I couldn’t leave without seeing the results, but I wasn’t coming back next year.

When the model showed up at 7 the next morning, with the most amazingly perfect “boosted” natural red that I have ever had the pleasure to produce, I realized I would be back next year, and as many more as my poor body could take.  The rest of the show consists of producing the runway shows.  That’s easy.

You have no idea how hard it is to be a model. Who would sit in a hard plastic chair for 6-9 hours having their scalp tortured for $250.00?

For the color geeks out there, I reveal the formula. I have to state right off the bat, that Betty Mayes is the most talented colorist I’ve ever come across, and she did all of the actual formulation decisions (with my consulting).  I did the first 4 hours of bleaching; Betty relieved me for a short time while I did a blow-dry. She did a little more bleaching, and then she and I both filled, and applied the final glaze.  It was a four person application at the end!

Step one, bleach:  decolorizing the ends, which were a faded level 2/3, very ashy and muddy colored, was our priority!  I applied ISO Active Lift, and 40 volume developer to the ends, twice.  While the second application on the ends processed, I applied Active Lift with 30 volume developer to the mid-shaft.  When the two were at a level 8, we applied to the scalp.  This was applied in stages.  It lifted quickly at the re-growth, and we were shooting for a 7 level red, so we didn’t want it too light or cool, ideally not past a level 8.

Step two, fill:  after shampooing and conditioning with strengthening conditioner (in our case it was ISO Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner) we applied a filler consisting of Zero Lift developer, 7cc, and less than a ribbon inch of ING.  The ING was added for a little more gold.  Yellow (gold) is a larger molecule, so it gives red (a much smaller molecule) something larger to “hold” to.  A very useful tip from Betty.

This processed for 20 minutes, and was then shampooed, and again conditioned.

Step three, glaze:  after a rough dry, we applied a level 7cr, with 20 volume developer (I might have used 10, or possibly a demi on my own, but Betty thought 20 plus ammonia would give it more of a boost), again applied scalp to ends, and processed for 35 minutes.  We wanted to do 45 minutes, but literally ran out of time.

Step four, pray:  since she left wet, we really had no idea what we’d see in the morning.  We hit the jackpot.  It was absolutely, precisely, what we/I had hoped for.  Evenly colored throughout the bulk and length of the hour, which meant they could cut it any way they wanted on stage without fear of hitting a dark or muddy spot!  The artists have reputations to uphold, after all.

Actually Step four might have been:  if it was “streaky”, “splotchy”, or “muddy”, all very technical terms, we would have added a glaze, probably slightly darker to even any rough patches, or a brighter red if it was to dull or muddy. This would almost surely have been done with a demi, in our case ISO illuminate.

Is there any wonder I always tell anyone who will listen how much I love my job?

The other day a good stylist friend of mine changed a client’s hair from grown out level 8 blonde, with level 6 roots, to a level 6 red.  By the time I saw the work, she had used icolor 6r (level 6 true red) with iso’s zero lift, scalp to mid-shaft, and was wondering what she should do from there.  The scalp to mid-shaft was perfect, but there is more to color correction than just slapping some color on the ends.  I advised filling the ends with a demi-permanent glaze, and then glazing again from roots to ends.  Kinda a kamakazi filler job.  I’m not sure how it went, but I know she had to do a little more work the next day.

I realized upon thinking, that this is an example of what “by the book” is for.  Yes, following the manual can be boring and predictable, but that’s because it works.  The correct procedure, was to fill the ends first, preferably with a level 6/7 copper/red shade.  I’d use icolor 1 part 6cg & 1 part 7gc, with zero lift developer, mid-shaft to ends, and follow with a glaze of illuminate 6cr (and maybe go crazy adding a little 4rv!) scalp to ends.  You can glaze again if it’s not perfect, but it probably will be.

Now, the beauty of following the manual, is once you have the experience of doing it in your sleep boring, you can seriously switch it up.  Fill with two separate fillers. Use the 6cg and the 7gc separately in a baliage technique to fill, and then go over it with your final color.  It will create a beautiful multiple tone red.  Instead of the glaze of 6cr, try 1 part 7r and 1 part 4rv with zero lift, or go with illuminate 5m and 7b for a subtler rich mahogany shade, etc.

If you “follow the book”, you can really do some marvelous things, the other night I saw a man turn a horrendous bleached-out blonderexic, into a rich plum brown on Bravo’s Shear Genius, in only two hours.  And I’m proud to say I know how he did it. By the book, of course!

If my friend had followed the book (we literally have books with this written in it, most salons do), she would have saved herself a lot of work.  And made more money in the bargain…

1.  I (we) opened a new salon!

Cobalt, week minus one and counting...

It seems stupid to list the most profound first, where’s the tension in that?  But honestly, everyone who reads this blog probably already knows, and it would seem cheesy to push it to the end of the list.  The thing that most people don’t know, is the pits in the road along the way!  I thought the project was doomed several times.  Not for money reasons, as you might suspect in this economy, but for incompetence reasons.

I swear we had the worst craftsmen on this job (except for the most awesome handyman in the state, Sam the handyman!!).  EVERY SINGLE JOB GOT SCREWED UP.  I had to yell to make sure you believed me.

The plumber plumbed the job wrong, oh I’m sorry, I should have said the plumber’s helpers.  It turns out the man who bid the job, and assured me he had done this type of job before, never even saw the work!  When I called him in a panic to inform him he’d installed the plumbing too wide for the base of the stations, he told me he hadn’t seen it yet, and when they came back to fix it, they charged me!  The water heater still doesn’t work quite right.  Hubby Pete had to read the manual to the plumbers to show them what they did wrong, and it still isn’t correct.

At one point our electrician caused an arc in the unit, and blew a whole in a copper pipe.  I don’t know if I’m being charged to fix that yet, or not.

The floor is beautiful, as long as you don’t know what it’s supposed to look like.  It looks like wood, and that’s good.  Unfortunately, it also looks like wood that’s had big gouges taken out.  when the installer leveled he did the worst job possible.  The concrete trowel marks show through, and they left concrete pebbles under the flooring that I have to find and pulverize with a hammer.  He hasn’t shown up to fix it, and I’m hoping he doesn’t.  I’d rather just not pay him…

The stations were made in China.  You can tell by the falling apart problem, and one of my shampoo stations is crooked.  Not installed that way, made that way!  It will be fixed.

I have to say, however, I love the salon.  And it’s just the way I wanted it to be.  Oh not the falling apart part, the colors, the location, the people.  It will be the best salon in town.  With beautiful deep black/brown woods, soft quite textures, and bold and bright blues and silvers.  It’s cool, and inviting. We will make magic.

Oh, and 2.  We’re not selling our house.  At least not right now.  I still want to downsize, but as I’ve told anyone who will listen; If we had sold and moved, I’d be in a very soft room at the moment.  And I might be restrained.

The house sold, and then un-sold.  We had decided at the beginning not to keep it on the market during the holidays, then we decided to open a salon.  No way it’s goin back on the market now!

That wasn’t much of a list.  Tells you how fried my brain really is.  It was still the only way I could keep track…