Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Boy, you just never know when life will throw you a curve
ball! Yesterday, as I plopped down into his chair to settle in
for a good shearing, my barber, Jim, told me that he was
retiring in a couple days and that this would be my last haircut
from him. This is really bad news.
This is a big deal in the lives of many men. I mean, once you find a barber who can cut what's left of your hair without it looking like he used a bowl one size too small, you want him to cut your hair forever. It's a comfort to know that you can just sit there in a semi-stuperous condition and not worry about an errant snip clipping your ear. It's a good feeling to know that your barber can perform such magic that your wife smiles the first time she sees your latest trim. It's even better when he's a guy with whom you can swap stories and share interests, as was our case. As he pruned my locks yesterday, Jim told me of men for whom he had performed this service for four decades being driven to tears when he announced his retirement to them. I understand the feeling.
So, now it's over, and Jim is going to put his feet up and take it easy. The legs are the problem. After cutting hair for five decades, his legs have had it. All those years standing on linoleum tile floors have taken their toll.
Now Jim's life will be filled with even more fishing trips, more tinkering with cars, more family gatherings, more time with his lady friend and - best of all - more time to just hang out with his buddies, some of whom go back to his early childhood.
So, thanks to Jim - for his patience and skill. Thanks for the wise counsel and the jokes - ah, the jokes. Thanks, and good luck.
Now I have to go find a new barber - Drat!
3:42 pm pdt
This is a big deal in the lives of many men. I mean, once you find a barber who can cut what's left of your hair without it looking like he used a bowl one size too small, you want him to cut your hair forever. It's a comfort to know that you can just sit there in a semi-stuperous condition and not worry about an errant snip clipping your ear. It's a good feeling to know that your barber can perform such magic that your wife smiles the first time she sees your latest trim. It's even better when he's a guy with whom you can swap stories and share interests, as was our case. As he pruned my locks yesterday, Jim told me of men for whom he had performed this service for four decades being driven to tears when he announced his retirement to them. I understand the feeling.
So, now it's over, and Jim is going to put his feet up and take it easy. The legs are the problem. After cutting hair for five decades, his legs have had it. All those years standing on linoleum tile floors have taken their toll.
Now Jim's life will be filled with even more fishing trips, more tinkering with cars, more family gatherings, more time with his lady friend and - best of all - more time to just hang out with his buddies, some of whom go back to his early childhood.
So, thanks to Jim - for his patience and skill. Thanks for the wise counsel and the jokes - ah, the jokes. Thanks, and good luck.
Now I have to go find a new barber - Drat!
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