Shiver Me Timbers: Drastic Measures (Part Two)

No, I did not shave myself bald a la Britney. I merely had a haircut. It's just a bunch of dead cells, right? So what's the big f***ing deal? Why so overly dramatic? With much preamble, here's the explication.

I'm pretty much a self-proclaimed daredevil. I've always been adventurous, even reckless to a degree. I'm very much into extreme sports. I have 2 tattoos and 4 piercings. I even once squished horse manure with my bare hands on a dare. I'm that deranged.

I'm pretty much up for (almost) anything except when it comes to my locks. It's the length I'm quite anal about. I've always believed that a woman's hair can be her crowning glory or the bane of her existence. Over the years, I've been a brunette, redhead, even (near) blonde. I sometimes have it dyed jet black, and at one point, dark blue.

For nearly two decades though, I've managed to keep it at a certain length. The shortest being up to my armpits, and the longest, waist length. In the early 90's, when Demi Moore (in Ghost) made it uber cool to sport short hair, I wanted to be 'in' and get the same cut. I begged my mother to allow me to have my lock sheared. Her response being, 'If you seriously want your face to look like a huge siopao (steamed bun), by all means get that haircut'. I never asked again.

I couldn't possibly blame her as I was then extremely overweight. She would've been right. I considered keeping it long in homage of her as she has worn hers for nearly her entire life.

Since Rihanna came out with her 'Umbrella' music video many months back, Joel has been constantly bugging me to duplicate the cut. To please him, I went to the salon and just when the stylist was about to shear them, I changed my mind and got a coloring instead. To his dismay, I went home a (near) blonde. A few weeks later, I asked a sister to tag along for moral support. She ended up getting a makeover. Another few weeks pass, and with the intention of having it done (this time), I'm at it again. I went home with a Brazilian (if you have no idea what that is, then goood for you lol). Last week, Joel escorted me. Still, my hair remained untouched.

So why do it now when practically everyone, from Rihanna to Posh, Katie Holmes, even (our local) La Greta is sporting the same cut? I'm certain that by time you get to this part, you'd have no doubt that it wasn't a frivolous decision.

I was really upset the day I wrote Hyperspeed. I even considered putting an end to my blog. For some reason, the ghost of an ex-alter ego that I thought I've managed to exorcise over the past decade reappears on my site. Just when I thought I've mastered the art of forgiving and forgetting, I turned acerbic as 'it' managed to leave me a message.

I felt rage (just that honey, don't flatter yourself) as the memories resurface. Harry & Joan Mier once said, There are times when forgetting can be just as important as remembering - and even more difficult. So true.

In doing something I never thought I'd be willing to do, I was able to vanquish my negativity. Seeing a part of me cut off was like crushing those lousy sensations.

Only now can I truly say that I did hit the mark with my exorcising. And I feel so much lighter too.In hindsight, I know I did it for myself and nobody else.