why I shaved my head

Why not? Ok, well there are actually a few more reasons..


The first one is that I'm a curious person, and while curiosity may have killed the cat, it also resulted in some interesting experiences. I've always wondered what I'd look like bald -- now I know!


The second is that my partner (the one who wielded the clippers) has a thing for bald chicks. I like making people happy, especially ones I love. It was also amazing having my head lovingly wrapped in hot towels, lathered, and tended to for a couple of hours. Mm.


The last reason is more of a personal one -- maybe even spiritual. I've always admired the open, beaming faces of women with no hair. Maybe it's because I'm a Buddhist, but I can't think of anything more freeing than shaking off attachment to a piece of myself that I not only don't actually need (hey, I can knit hats) but that costs me rather a lot of money to maintain to the standards that are deemed acceptable by my appearance-obsessed culture.


I was walking downtown yesterday, feeling serene and breezy and laughing a little at the averted eyes of strangers (or the stares of children). I walked by no less than four pricey hair salons and positively beamed in the window. I also grinned at the lady in the bead shop who insisted on informing me that they were looking for lotus seeds for customers who wanted to make their own malas.  I must've looked *really* serene!


Above all, I enjoyed connecting eyes and smiles with those who understood that beauty comes from being happy with oneself, rather than what products you apply to your body. I'm thrilled to have claimed a little piece of freedom.