Musings by the Hairslave

Just got back from a wonderful trip to Montana. We went for a few days for a family wedding. I love hanging out with hubby Pete’s family. Other than his nephew and his husband trying to give us alcohol poisoning, we had a blast (actually, the alcohol poisoning was fun too, but I have to give them s**t for it). Pete’s family is fun, welcoming, and truly generous.

While we were there we took a trip over the Beartooth Mountains to Cooke City, Montana.

Beginning of the pass

The scenery is breathtaking. As is the altitude. We both fought panic attacks from the lack of oxygen, and neither of us slept very well that night. The food was nothing special, and the drive back through parts of Wyoming was not nearly as pretty…

but I think this was one of our better vacations.

The tool party we came back to (to build a doghouse for the soon-to-be newly weds puppy), the rehearsal dinner, the wedding, and the reception, were warm, inviting, and fun. This is a group of people whom I always look forward to seeing again. Every family has drama, but this one is so large, none of it is of much import. They are all deeply religious, but in a very real, non fundamental way. I would be happy with any one of them deciding the course of this country.

The Nowlen clan.

I would bet that at least 99% of them support the “public” option.

Now, who are these communists (or more accurately, socialists, artistic license with the title)? Almost every person you see in the photo below (and above)!

Socialists enjoying Shoshone National Park.

Most of them have no idea, but we all are. These people are enjoying, and I bet 99% of them would vote to protect, “public” lands. A national forest is a public project, just like the “public” option. Would any of them vote to eliminate medicare, public schools (well, at least 60%), post office, “public” works? I could actually go on for quite a bit, “public” libraries for instance. Come on, get over it already democrats. We need to be demanding at least a public option! In a few years these nut jobs are all going to be proven wrong. Again! I’m not even going to list the religious rights failures. And just so you don’t get me wrong. Unlike my ex-wife Laurie, I am not an atheist. I consider myself a true Christian, though I truly think I would fall in most people’s category of Agnostic.

Laurie will be sad to hear this, but Pete’s family inspires me more and more to follow Christ’s teachings. If he existed, which I don’t really care about, he taught only about love and forgiveness. Pete’s family lives it. They are not only welcoming, but celebratory, of my and Pete’s marriage, and our young nephews B and T. But I also believe that Laurie could be absolutely, 100% right. She usually is, and her arguments are always eye-opening. But I’m human, and I doubt. So I just try to live correctly.

I don’t think of the religious right as “christians”, I think of them as Bible-ists. True Christians follow the teachings of Christ. A prophet, maybe a real man, maybe the son of God, maybe completely myth. Whatever I truly think of him, I follow his teachings, much as I follow the teachings of Buddha, and a few other ethicists. The average evangelical, follows the teachings of the bible. They don’t truly ever sit and think about what Jesus would do, they are too concerned with what the old testament, or Paul, or Peter would do. So even if I don’t have the faith they do, I have the honesty of my convictions. Based on logic. And love. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, said Jesus. That’s not religion, that’s not faith, that’s the golden rule. That’s the “public” option.

Laurie, by the way, is one of the truly finest Americans I’ve ever met. I might be able to say “the”, but I always doubt there’s not someone else up there with her, like her mother, or Pete. She’s much more passionate about individual rights, and common sense laws, than I. I trust her as much as I trust Pete’s siblings.

Well, I was very excited about my new position as an ISO advisor, but now not so much. I think since I was recruited in the early spring, I have had two classes, more if you count the backstage work at the show (which I loved), but absolutely no teaching scheduled. In the mean time, my work has increased quite a bit, part of the problem is I’m just too busy to be included in classes that are scheduled within just a few weeks, or days.

However, I have to say I love the new ISO wet line. Between the Bouncy Curl créme, and the absolutely awesome Tamer foam. I am a big fan.

I have to admit to being a bit of a snob at first. The products are all priced quite a bit lower than my next favorite line, and the packaging is rather dull, but these products do what they say they do. Oh, not all of them. I don’t really like the daily foam. But the daily shape, and daily finish, are among my top 10 finishing sprays. I don’t really care for the color care line. Sorry, but fragrance is a big part of the package, and all of these products smell like baby powder. Honestly, no one wants their hair products to smell like baby diaper. Anyone who has a child, or younger sibling knows baby diaper smell. Ick.

On the other hand, every single product from the Bouncy line is fantastic. They are light, fresh scented, and moisturizing, just what curly hair needs. The shampoo and conditioner are fine, but the styling products are the true asset. The Bouncy spray is pretty good for styling, or actually better, refreshing naturally curly or permed hair, but the Bouncy créme is the best. It can be used on damp or dry hair. Apply a moderate amount (enough to coat all of the hair), and comb through for best results. Dry with a diffusor, or scrunch and allow to dry naturally. Then scrunch a smaller amount through dry hair to define curl and decrease frizz.

But hands down, my favorite line is the Tamer line. It took me a while to warm up to these products. I tried the Tamer foam first. It actually feels like snot (not a great first impression), and you have to use a lot, and comb it through extremely well. In the end it magically disappears, but it took 3 or 4 uses before I didn’t feel I was going to have to re-wash my clients hair. I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a better straightening product. And I’ve tried dozens and dozens. The gel is a lighter version of the same, and I even like the shampoo and conditioner.

As I said, I really like this product line, and whole heartedly endorse the company. Always keep in mind, however, I endorse many different lines. One persons favorite product will be totally useless to their best friend. Try lots, you will only look more stunning for it.

I got to do a wedding today. Leading up to every wedding I’ve ever done, I’m a nervous reck. It doesn’t matter how well I know the bride, or what kind of wedding. I think that’s a fear we all face, and hopefully surpass. But the day after? I am so jazzed! I literally get to be part of, and a great contributor to (I hope), the happiest day of someone’s life. No, it doesn’t matter how the marriage ends, it will always be the happiest day of your life. Unless of course you really don’t want to get married, which I have never encountered.

I have been blessed with some of the happiest brides of anyone I know who does weddings. I like to think that’s because I am a reassuring presence in a big portion of the run-up, and actual, wedding day.

I regularly spend somewhere between 5 and 12 hours (not including the wedding), being literally beside a bride on her special day. I don’t allow anyone to pester. Whenever I’m working on their hair, they will only perform wedding duties if it’s in a calm and happy manner. I enforce this strongly, when I can.

E’s wedding was, luckily, a very fun wedding. E and her bridal party totaled 11 people. I think. It was a very energetic group, so it was hard for me to keep track.

E was one of the more difficult jobs I’ve done. Not because of her. As a matter of fact, we did 3 run-throughs, with my blessing. E was very positive, and trusting. After each appointment, I expected her to call to cancel the wedding day appointment. I was never happy with the concept, and neither was E, but she kept coming back. That’s a trusting bride.

We were well rewarded for our patience (and hours of doll head practice). E looked stunning. I can’t wait to get pictures of her in her dress. She will be truly breath-taking. The make-up artist, and artist she was, did a fabulous job. Everyone looked sexy, and subtle, a very hard combination to pull off. Especially when the bridal party includes beautiful women from 16, to well, let’s just say past 40.

All of the bridesmaids look perfect. Sharon did at least 3 up-dos, plus a blow dry, and a stunning side pony. I did two french twists, the mother of the groom, and the older sister of the bride. They had to be very distinct. I also did the younger sister, the mother of the bride, and of course, the bride.

We had plenty of time, and we try never to seem rushed or worried. Sharon is one of the most professional people I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. She helped me finish one of the twists (one never stops learning), and manages to finish her creations in about a third of the time it takes me.

Sharon and I often discuss the weird phenomenon of the “notice me” bridesmaid. We almost always have one (no, I don’t keep track, it’s never that big of a deal). It’s that bridesmaid that has to “hate” her hair, even though it’s usually discussed at length before any styling begins. It can often reach the point of tears. Come on women, it is so truly not about you. You’ll get your day!

Honestly though, never one bridezilla.

The truly amazing part to me, is how great it makes me feel. The day before the wedding, I had one of the most difficult days of my 23 year long career. I swear to god I’m not bragging, but I can never remember a client asking for their money back since the first or second year of my career. I believe that is simply because I try very hard to listen. Obviously, I’m not perfect (yes Pete I do, in fact, know this), and I have had many people come back over the years to have a cut “tailored”, but no refunds. In my defense, this particular client admits she told me to do “whatever I wanted”, that is a verbatim quote, not exaggeration. But she hates the cut, too much off. Go figure. I react very strongly to these situations. It won’t happen for another 20 years, I guarantee.

But the point is, I am still on a little bit of a high right now. That’s how much I love a wedding.

Pictures and details to be posted when made available to me…