i did something today that i have never done before. i went to a salon to get my hair cut. this may be common for other people, but for me it is a very big deal. i have never had a stranger cut my hair before. it has always been cut by my mother or me. my hair is very personal to me. to have someone i don't know cut it is an invasion...it's hair molestation. needless to say, i was very nervous about getting my hair cut. in fact, i was going to go get my hair cut two days ago but i chickened out.

i looked in a local rag that awards "best of" businesses in different categories and came across the top three hair places in santa cruz. that is how i happened to choose to get my hair cut at tonic in downtown santa cruz. the owner (or one of them--i don't know if there is more than one), carolyn, cut my hair. she chopped off what was dead and layered what was left. as she was cutting my hair, several of the employees were gathered round to learn by example. that was a bit strange but i picked up some good hair cutting tips.

by coincidence, tonic was having a bit of a charity drive today. all haircuts and eyebrow waxings were at a reduced price with proceeds going towards brain cancer research at ucsf. so not only did my money give me a new look and teach me a little about hair cutting, it also went towards a good cause.