Me: Hair

For those of you who hadn't seen me before December 8, 2001, I used to have hair down to about mid-back. I started growing it out freshman year of college, when no one had a car and the closest barber was a long walk away. Just became simpler to cut my own bangs and have someone even out the back twice a year. Plus it keeps the back of your neck warm in the winter and prevents you from getting sunburn there in the summer. But after ten years, I decided it was time for a change and after thinking about it for a few weeks, got it cut short.

It's very strange having your appearance change dramatically, especially when almost everyone you know has never seen you any other way. The first week was full of double-takes and disbelief which always makes life entertaining. Probably the best was the strange comments.

For many, cutting my hair was regarded as a major achievement - "Congratulations!" or "I'm so proud of you," as if I had given up smoking or drugs. I even got handshakes and hugs. Still don't quite understand this one aside from the people that want me to talk to their sons with long hair. Maybe we can start a support group!

Other people opted for obscure compliments. "Now I can see your face" as if my hair were long in the front as well, or "You look nice now" which leads me to wonder what they thought of me before!

By far the best quote was, "But now you blend in with all the normal people!" I think this one pretty much sums it up. I responded by tapping my fingers together along with my best "Mouhahahaha..."

Everyone wants to know why I cut my hair, so I've tried to think up entertaining responses. "I had to sell it for money to buy food." "Do you know about the Gift of the Maji?" "It was a close friend's last request." or when asked by a balding person that I know well "I was just jealous of you."

It's amazing how many people say something, though. I've even noticed people I don't know but have just seen a lot do double-takes. Probably the most surreal was the woman at airport security that said, "Wow, Troy, you got your hair cut." Never had met her in my life, and then realized she had just looked at my drivers license."