Sprucin' Up

August 19, 2009 — I do not suppose it's unusual for a man my age to still have all of his hair. I do not have any sort of seriously receding hairline and I certainly do not worry about those issues. My Dad died at the young age of 46 and he was bald on top from the pictures I've seen. My three brothers all had most of their hair when they passed away, so it doesn't appear that baldness is a hereditary issue in my family. What I do know is that I do not really like to let my hair grow long. How do I know when it is getting too long? When it starts to flair and feather out on the sides like I had wings or something (I look like the Flying Nun when this happens) or when it feels uncomfortable to wear a ball cap which I do a lot of the time. That is when it is time to go see my haircut lady.

Betty is my barber and she owns Geezers barbershop. It's a one chair shop and she has very loyal clients most of which are retired Air Force. Betty use to work at the barbershop at Bergstrom AFB when it was still open here in Austin and that is where these guys come from. Now Betty is quite the character. She is ultra conservative in her opinions and generally does not have one good thing to say about any politician. She has no qualms about discussing anything with you. She also plays CDs while she is cutting hair. The music ranges from classical, to opera, to crooners such as Frankie Lane and some I have never heard before, to music that I find hard to describe sometimes. It definitely is not pop stuff. I was once had a great discussion with her about a very old TV show called The Hit Parade. It was on in the 50's and my Mom loved to watch it and I learned to do so. It had such singers as Rosemary Clooney, Snookie Lansen (not sure of the spelling here), Giesel McKensie, and one other whom I can never remember the name. It was a 30 minute show and they would do all the popular numbers of the 40's and 50's. Well Betty and I had a great time talking about that show.

Betty does a nice haircut. Nothing fancy and can make you look like you are in boot camp if you want. Well I am headed to Geezers today as I need a haircut. On Thursday I will attend an orientation in one of the school districts where I have been accepted to substitute teach this school year. One of the requirements of course is that you have a photo badge, so I am goin' to get a sprucin' from Betty. I am sure I will end up looking very teacher like and at least I won't look like the Flying Nun...it's what really matters!