Baz has hair. Baz has had hair for a very long time. Ever since his first, rather drastic, haircut at the age of two, I swore never again. I kept it half heartedly trimmed until he was about six and then decided - as long as he was happy about it - to just let it do its own thing. Throughout his childhood this was a bit of a battle with his other parent, step parent and grandparents all assuring him (and me) that he's be much happier looking like all the other boys, and threatening him that he'd be bald by the time he was twenty. I for my part assured him that this wasn't true, that short hair for boys was a relatively recent fashion and that he was adorable the way he was. Despite all the pressure on him - and the teasing he did get at school - Baz never wavered. He loved his hair. He has grown up into an absolutely smashing, lovely young man, open, very confident and very much his own person.
And he has started thinking about cutting his hair. Maybe he's proved his point. Maybe he's fed up with the washing and the brushing and the gallons of conditioner. Maybe he just fancies a change. A few years ago I would have been aghast - but now, knowing that it's his own decision, I'm just a bit sad. But all things come to an end, and once you get it into your head that you fancy a change, it's very hard to resist. I have warned him that I may not recognise him, however.
All is not lost though. When Baz told his friends that he was considering this radical move, many of them (mainly female, it must be said) begged and pleaded with him not to. Never one to miss an opportunity, Baz has now decided to auction his hair, in aid of an autism charity. Basically, people can pledge money for him to keep it, or to cut it off, and whichever 'side' raises more money, that's what he's going to do, and keep it that way for at least a year. He's set up a website to handle the rush of responses and pledges. At the end of the month, after his twentieth birthday, he will do the deed. Or not. It all depends upon the will of the people.
I have just visited his site and it does things as the curser crosses the photos.
ReplyDeleteIf he does end up having a short back and sides the hair that comes off could well be worth a few bob.
http://www.moneymagpie.com/article/7675/make-money-by-selling-your-hair/
Brian
Hi Brian
ReplyDeleteYes, we've thought of that - Jim's mother used to sell her hair, apparently. And she wasn't even a natural blonde!
if he keeps it, if he cuts it, you must be very proud of him!
ReplyDeleteOf course, since you would prefer him to keep it long he SHOULD cut it all off, possibly to the extent of shaving his head, just because the main function of children is to infuriate their parents, just as it is the main function of parents to totally embarrass their offspring! Ann
Oh I'm not that bad Ann!
ReplyDeleteIn fact, roles are often reversed in this house! ;)
Yes indeed, healthy rebellion. My only worry is what shape his head is, under all that... Still, I did suggest that if he did cut it all off, he could have it made into a wig for himself, in case he didn't like it.
ReplyDeleteBaz could increase his charitable giving by donating shorn locks to charity. I'm sure you have an organization in the UK similar to ours in the USA that accepts long locks to make wigs for children who've lost their hair. Here, I believe it is all collected through hairdressers. His fund-raising approach to this decision is both inventive and admirable.
ReplyDeleteMichelle