too much perfection

I was walking tonight, around 8pm when the light was just starting to fade, but before it had completely gone, up on the nearby hill. there was the magnolia bluff across the valley, next to the puget sound. water, barges, sailboats, clouds, distant Bainbridge Island, a long sidewalk along a beautifully manicured road with a walking path and huge trees and street lights, lots and lots of open air in between everything. the sun was hitting the lawns of the empty mansions, blossoming trees doming the road and stone half-wall along the path. breeze, sun, birds chirping, falling evening. I wish I could describe it. I recently resigned from my job and won't be working again for three months until September, and have been researching places to go for a vacation, places like Honolulu, but I can't imagine it would be more beautiful and peaceful than the neighboring hill in the early evening.

it reminded of those moments of too much perfection that keep popping up in life. that moment when, as a child walking home in the dark 6pm winter night with your nose full of cold air, you get close enough to see the lights in your house, your home, and you know you get to go in there, and it's the most exciting and reassuring feeling. mundanely doing dishes, and you glance out the window, and oh wow the sunset! laying on the grass after spending the day with friends at a music festival, feeling the prick prick of the grass leaves and the dampness of the mud underneath. moments. moments of too much perfection. I've come to trust in them, and whether rich or poor, harried or peaceful, childless or dogless, they come.

at lunch today my boss asked me if, after a certain time, I'd be willing to act as a consultant for the company on occasion. I told him august, I'd be happy to help. to feel wanted and like you've succeeded, even if they forget you by July because the person they hire to replace you is younger and more up-to-date with a exponentially flexible mind and fingers for computer work, too much perfection has already happened in the moment your boss asked that question. that's the best thing about too much perfection moments, they stand alone. it's actually a quote in a movie I like- the leading woman gets a bouquet of thornless lavender-colored roses with a note that says "thank you for a day of too much perfection". I know what that means. and because it's indiscriminate of my circumstances, I think everyone has those moments, it's part of life for everyone. I wouldn't be able to enjoy it if it was just me.

Song of the day

Red Right Ankle - The Decemberists

and, I'm ashamed to admit it, "Indie Weddings" iTunes essentials mix. pre-packaged mixes are usually so shamelessly bland. this one has Cyndi Lauper singing "At Last". I just like it!

The barber of seattle

last night I had a very disturbing experience. I was drunk-cut.

once a year I get my hair cut, afteall it's only hair and usually it looks ok for about a year inbetween when I go to the salon. and it's kinda expensive. after an interesting and kinda sad experience with my last haircutter, last july I sought out someone new. I was at the university mall and just in the mood to get it cut, and walked in to a salon and had the best haircut of my life from a guy named Bill. he'd just gotten back from a trip to hawaii and was fun to talk to and very good at what he was doing, he's around 50 and has been cutting hair for years.

so the time came again when I thought "I need a haircut." last night I went to the same salon, and after waiting a bit, Bill came in saying "where's my once a year client?!" in a joking way that immediately put me at ease. he'd just gotten back from a month in Hawaii again and was in a good mood. I was at ease all through the appraisal, where I sat in the chair and said things like "I like the length, so maybe just a trim and a little bit of shaping?". last time I didn't even give him that much instruction and the results were great. I wasn't worried. I was at ease when we went to wash my hair, and I was even at ease when he first started snipping.

then I smelled the alcohol. and the conversation started to lead me to believe Bill might not be in his best hair-cutting form. he was telling me about Hawaii:
".. and then the hotel manager came out and said 'You really must try this bottle of (can't remember), it's on the house!' so of course we were all exstatic..." (oh dear)
"uh-huh, wow, that must have been great.." I say.
snip snip snip
"uh huh, and there was this bellboy, with the most AMAZING blue eyes..!" (OH dear)
snip snip snip
"um, that's great.." I say.
snip SNIP snip

by the time we were done he was exstatic about my new look- double-decker hair. there's a distinct ledge across the back of my head near where my neck meets my shoulders. I thought, it might not be that bad, he left my hair in it's natural somewhat curly state, maybe I'm not seeing things right?..
"you look gorgeous! I just saw this same haircut on michelle pfeiffer, I'm so sick of straight hair. it's a masterpiece!"
I'll have to do some research. it seems sorta doubtful that michelle would choose that particular style, but I haven't seen her lately so maybe she did go bi-decker with her hair?
I thanked him and went to pay and thought about warning the receptionists that Bill might not be quite, um, fine. but didn't. today I think I managed to even it out a little after a good long look and realizing that yes, there were definite problems.

this is not the worst thing that can happen to a head, and hair grows out, so it's no big deal really. but if you get that first whiff of alcohol on the breath of your stylist while they are preparing to snip your hairs, remember this story. remember, it's not worth the ledge!


the author this morning

This week

two things of note this week- first, the second monthly French Dip Tuesday is happening tomorrow, feel free to join in. second, pictures are up on cindy's blog of last friday's bowling event with the stake singles. cindy made us pick bowling names, it was brilliant.