The Woe-Begotten Hair.
Many people have known me as a long-haired surfer-looking (I've never surfed) optimist - but of this, the hair is the most important. At it's prime, it could be straightened out to hang down to my nipples (i remember this cause it tickled. weird right?). aside from a few times, it was a curly blondie-brown birds nest, either tied up in a ponytail or at the very least tucked under a backwards skate-related trucker hat. those were the days. i should mention that i originally grew it out to be like my good friend Travis, but he eventually cut his and went to Africa like a saint... I grew hippy hair.
Finally in fourth year, i felt the need to get a job upon my graduation and gave in to a society of vanity and sharp looks. i got a girl named Jaclyn (random hairdresser who had a slot free that afternoon) to chop it off! she almost refused, saying it was too spectacular. although i agreed, the time had come and away it went! so no big deal, whatever - looked fine, people gawked and commented for a few weeks.
More recently, I've been up to hair-related shenanigans again! since 2011 (yea.. december 31 - nothing to do with a resolution though) I have avoided washing my hair with products - so no shampoo, no conditioner, nothing.
a few people noticed like.. RIGHT away; my Mom notices every time i see her even, but for the most part, no one seems to notice. i should admit, it looks a bit greasy if i leave it for more than a day (which is often), but i think if i were to shower in the morning like a normal person, it would be very difficult for someone to notice at all!
So why do this? in high school a teacher of mine, let slip that he hadn't washed his hair since he was in university. While most of the class was disgusted or laughing or whatever it is high school kids do to people that do stereo-typically gross things, i was considering the man a hero! he was the spark to my current fire against consumerism! yep, the truth comes out - this isn't about rebelling against parents or being a bad-ass, it's about fighting the man of the necessary products category.
so water-only hair cleaning. it's a thing! but there's a catch. it takes a good 3-4 weeks for it to be manageable and typically unnoticeable. if you look like a trailer park boy when you wear a hat, this is going to be a rough few weeks! i water-only washed it every day for the first few weeks and nothing would stop the massive amount of glisten i had going on! i decided that my hair must normally compensate for the natural oils that i was washing out with shampoo, but producing a ton of them and it wasn't yet used to me not crushing all its efforts. now, on the 99th day of not washing my hair, it's actually not that bad. like i said, my mom notices, i'm sure other people do too, but if i actually kept up a typical hygiene schedule, none would be the wiser!
So: a) stop washing you hair b) get a hat c) be a champ d) fight the man!
And that is the story of Ben's W0-Begotten Hair! there are many more elements to it, like the time i straightened it (had it straightened... i didn't do it) or the time i got it caught in a longboard wheel while going about 30km/h (yea...) but those stories aren't worthy of the internet, but more so a pub table n a pint or two!
-Dominus vobiscum!
