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Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year

Today is Day One of 2011.

I don't try to hold any illusions that somehow, magically, the passing of one day is going to make all the difference. "Oh let's shake off the dust of 2010"... Okay, but why not shake off the dust of Thursday on Friday or shake off the dust of November in December?

I do hope, however, to get myself back on track.

As I sit now, the road has been long with many a winding turn. And somewhere along the way, I forgot the declaration I made (and was then made fun of for) on my first day of beauty school 10 years ago:

"I want to specialise in vintage styles and work on movies about the past."

Yes, all the Jerseyliscious wannabes in my class laughed and scoffed that I would have such a specific desire... But I saw my desire as no more specific than "I want to work on Oprah's show" or "I want to own my own salon".
Of course, when it came time for fingerwaves and pincurls, I got laughed at even more because I didn't get it quickly. Once someone OVER the age of 30 taught me though, I got it and now I can fingerwave like a mo-fo.

So why, when I had such a dream for myself, am I now working in small town Indiana and praying daily that someone will want something more than "just a trim". How I hate those words!
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I have to remind myself that "just a trim" will put me right back to square one when I move again in 4 years. I know I won't be able to pay for rent in Toronto with trims, let alone the higher general costs that Americans associate with living abroad (someone from Toronto, please quash that belief!).

So as I come in to 2011, I'm feel like I've found the beginning of that trail I walked down for so long.

I am going to specialise in vintage hair.
2 nights ago, I had to cut my own hair because - after a year - I can't find anyone in this town that puts themselves out there as a vintage hairstylist. Goodness, I even got ahold of the Vintage Pattern Library which is based in Indianapolis for advice. Nobody.
So not only am I going to specialise in vintage hair, I am going to market myself as a vintage hair specialist.

Once I have such a reputation, I'm sure I can take my skills and portfolio to Toronto and not start at square one again. It will take work, but I can do work. In 2 years, I went from working at a front for Polish gangsters to teaching barbering to other stylists. It happened with work. I can do it again!

2 comments:

  1. Well I hate to say it - but I am one of those "just a trim" kinda girls lol :) But I wanted to wish you luck and it sounds like to me you know what it will take to achieve those goals that you have set for yourself - Go Get'em Girl :)

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  2. Thank you much, Morgan!
    I'll tell ya what... How about, as a special treat for your stylist AND for yourself, you try out a deep conditioning treatment.
    In my salon, we use Redken's "Chemistry System" recovery treatments. They're perfect for winter dryness and they can really perk up long hair.
    I've found that Indiana's water is MUCH harder than what I'm used to in Chicago. If you add on a "Malibu Treatment" to your next trim, you'll very likely notice that your hair is easier to style and has a lot less frizz and TONS more shine.
    If you try out either of those, be sure to post the results on your blog. I think it will be surprisingly different!

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