Eric woke me up at 10:00am this morning. I’m getting into a VERY bad habit of going to sleep late and waking up late. That will not serve me well when I got back to work, which I hope will be VERY soon.
I had breakfast and watched the two hour finale of BOSTON LEGAL. Unfortunately, that wonderful show has come to an end, and the last two hours were fantastic. I really think it’s one of the best shows on TV in the past 10 years. Most of the cast was over 50 and it appealed to an older audience. It was smart, and witty, and touched on every major subject that has been in the news for as long as it has been on TV. It was always funny, and touching, and maybe unrealistic, but endlessly entertaining, and it was sometimes exactly what you’d WISH could happen in a courtroom, instead of what does happen.
Anyway, it’s over and they’re replacing it with another reality show. I am guilty of loving and watching those, too, but at least I supported BOSTON LEGAL while it was on. I wish it would go on forever. The good news is, you can watch it in syndication and if you’ve never seen an episode – I suggest you start now!
I wrote out some cards and worked on the computer. Then, I decided to go for a walk this afternoon, to enjoy the beautiful weather, to get some exercise, and to get me some STARBUCKS!!!!
I put on my pedometer, took a small purse with a wrist strap and put my keys, my cell phone, a few tissues, and my Starbucks card inside. Then, I took off. First, I put my cards in the mailbox. Then, I proceeded down Clairemont Drive. It’s about 1.4 miles each way on Clairemont Drive, from my apartment to Balboa Avenue, so it’s a little less than three miles altogether.
It was 2:30pm and 63 degrees. All I was wearing was a t-shirt and pants. That, to me, is heaven on earth. Even though I spent last winter in San Diego, it still amazes me that it is so nice in December. It still astonishes me when I step outside every single day. It’s something I will never get used to – especially since this is my last winter here!
Anyway, I got to Starbucks and got my drink. Then, I sat outside at a table and called my parents in Florida. My sister, Audrey, is visiting them this week and I got a chance to talk to her, too.
Then, I started walking back. As I was walking, I would look around – at the construction going on, at kids walking home from school, and I also kept looking up at the beautiful blue sky with the soft white clouds. Suddenly, I saw an eagle. Yes, an eagle! I was thrilled. They’re not really uncommon here, as many live in the canyons. It was gliding along in the sky so effortlessly, and I imagined that the eagle was enjoying this afternoon as much as I was.
At times it stayed in one place and kind of fluttered its wings. I don’t know if it was looking at something on the ground (perhaps me?) or if it just enjoyed the feeling of weightlessness, feeling the wind pass through its wings.
I watched it for at least a minute, until it flew away – towards Mission Bay. At that moment, filled with wonder, I said, “That is God. That Eagle is God.” I felt blessed to have seen it – to have had that experience.
So, here’s what I think: God is not someone you go to visit in a church or synagogue. He’s not someone you pray to in your time of need. God is everywhere and everything and in each one of us. He is an eagle flying over my head as a walk down Clairemont Drive with my mocha light frappuccino in my hand. And I thank God for that moment. It filled me with peace and allowed me to walk on with a light heart and a smile on my face.
When I got back I called Eric to tell him about the eagle. Eric always enjoyed seeing things like that, especially when we were traveling in the RV. He was excited to hear about my experience.
After our conversation, I jumped in the shower and got dressed to go get a manicure before my cut and color appointment in Hillcrest at 6:15pm.
I drove to the Clairemont Town Square shopping center where HAPPY NAILS is located and was lucky enough to get Tina, who always does my pedicures, to give me a manicure. Unfortunately, because I got in the car and drove to get my hair done without waiting long enough, I’ve put a little smudge in 3 or 4 nails. It’s a very light lavender (which matches the dress I’m planning to wear), so it doesn’t really show, but I should have been more patient.
When I got to HAIRSPRAY, John was waiting for me, which was great, because a lot of times he’s running behind. He was all ready for me. He gave me a smock and I sat down in his chair. Next thing I knew there was a magnificent little Chihuahua standing there. I found out she belonged to John and her name is Coco Chanel. He asked if I wanted to hold her. I figured she’d be jumping around and out of my arms in a minute.
This quiet little angel sat in my lap for 45 minutes without moving as I pet her. She looked up at me with those giant brown eyes in that tiny little brown and white head and I was in love! I kept thinking about the fact that I could get sick from holding her, but I couldn’t let her go. She was so sweet and calm and didn’t even change positions.
I told John I was astounded at how calm and quiet she is, because you always think of Chihuahuas as being very high-strung, hyper, and yappy. She never barked, never moved, practically didn’t blink. She was just happy to be held. John said she’d sit in your lap 24/7 if you let her. I said she seemed like a dream come true!
After he put the dye in my hair and I sat for a while, it was time to wash it out and get my hair cut, and he finally took Coco from me. Someone else immediately asked to hold her. She doesn’t want for attention, that Coco.
I told John I was ready to cut my hair short, even though I had originally said I wanted to lose 10 pounds before I did it. I had lost 5 before I left for NY, but gained it all back, so I was back to square one. John suggested that I wait until my next haircut, because the holidays were coming, and lots of social events, and if I didn’t like it I would be unhappy.
I told him that I’m VERY easygoing, and that I never complain about a haircut. I’ve had my hair VERY short, pretty long, and every length in-between. It’s been my natural color with highlights, red, and blonde. I’ve never had a haircut that made me cry or anything like that. My philosophy with hair has always been to be adventurous, because it’s going to grow back – whether you like it or not!
Anyway, if he didn't want to cut it short, I asked him if he would just cut it a little shorter than usual, and then figured next time I’d go “all the way.” Next thing I knew, I saw hair flying everywhere and knew he was cutting it all off. He took his time and it really felt like an artist was working on me. He would step back, look at me and then come in and shape it some more.
It’s definitely a little shorter than I would have liked, but my theory on that is – it will be the perfect length in a few weeks!
I know I have the office holiday party tomorrow, and the Bar Mitzvah next week, but I just don’t care. I guess I just have a lot of self-confidence, because I really don’t worry about whether people like it or not. I told John I think half of how you look is how you feel – and it feels GREAT! I know I can pull it off. I’ve had very short hair many times in my life, but the last time I had it cut short was the early 90s, so it’s been a while – and I know a lot of my friends have never seen me with short hair, so it will definitely be a shock. Fortunately, it will be many months before they see me in person, so I’ll have plenty of time to get it perfect!
In the meantime, I really am enjoying it. When I took a shower (as soon as I got home, I laughed out loud while I was wetting it, because it just felt so different. I have always said that I find short hair liberating – and I feel totally liberated!
During my haircut, John mentioned that he was going to go to a drive-through Mexican place on the way home and get a $4 quesadilla. That sounded good to me, so I asked him where it was and he told me how to get there. It was about 4 blocks away and it turns out that Eric and I went to eat there once and loved it.
I got a fish taco and cheese quesadilla for $6.50. You can’t beat that! When I got home I showered (my third today), and then had the fish taco and a small piece of the quesadilla and I was stuffed. I guess I’ll have lunch for tomorrow!
I had called Jimmy while I was waiting on line at the drive-through, because I knew he’d be excited for me! I told him the news of my new haircut and told him that I will take pictures tomorrow night at the party and will post them on the blog, so you’ll all get to see my haircut by Monday!
Meanwhile, I will be busy on Sunday, because John invited me to the HAIRSPRAY holiday party on Sunday night. He said everyone brings a dish (I’m bringing my chocolate-covered strawberries) and they have karaoke and dancing, and it’s a wild and crazy party. I can only imagine a room full of hairdressers! It was so sweet of him to invite me and it sounds like a lot of fun! Two parties in two nights. Wow!
After dinner I watched some TV (HEROES), worked on the computer and looked at myself in the mirror a lot. My hair is really short. It’s a shocker – even to me. I love the feeling already and know it will be so much easier to care for. Even though my hair was low-maintenance (wash and go), it was still a pain, because of the shedding (my hair was always all over my clothes and the apartment), and the fact that I didn’t always like the way it looked. I know people thought my hair looked the same every day – blonde and curly – but I felt I had good hair days and bad hair days. Also, I used to think my hair looked fabulous and then I’d see photographs and hate it. So, I think I’m going to be much happier with my short hair. I just have to get used to the way it looks and I hope everyone else likes it as much as I do!
This was a wonderful day. I'm over my cold, looking forward to the party tomorrow, had a great walk and a magical experience seeing the eagle, and then had a great adventure by cutting all my hair off. I even got invited to another party. I think it's things like this that make life exciting. Change is good!