Alchemy the Hair Salon

So this is always a…we’ll say funny scenario here at Alchemy. It isn’t often that children are so blessed as to have parents that are kewl enough to take their kid to Alchemy for their snips. Even more seldom do the kids put up any sort of fight. But when they do… Ay Dioth mio. At any rate this particular snapshot of this kid’s terrifying ordeal struck me as funny. This odd miniature man of a toddler, with his hardcore singer/difficult B.M. face looking directly at the camera. His eyes almost pleading with the photog, screaming without words “No you don’t understand! She is actually cutting me! She’s scalping me as we speak! Don’t laugh!” Which is exactly what I would expect to be happening hearing the ferocity with which these kids often howl. It’s blood-curdling. And somehow it kinda pisses you off. Like how that classic digital alarm clock sound hits a certain frequency that make your brain hurt. Even if you hear it in the middle of the day.

There is one thing about this account that is slightly disconcerting. This kid’s hollerin’ like he’s been thrown in hot oil. The mustachioed, bald (and not to mention extremely handsome) guy at the front desk is so over this kid that he’s attempting to quell his cries with Jedi mind control tricks. All the while the wicked duo of Tali and his mom are laughing up a storm. It’s enough of a spectacle so as to warrant photo documentation and to be (eloquently) written about on the world WIDE web. How bummer is that? Now this is likely going to be a picture that the kid’s whole family is gonna taunt and tease him about well into his young adult life. Believe me, I know, but that’s a whole ‘nother story.

But I guess it all works out well in the end. I mean this kid does get to have a picture of Tali’s butt for the rest of his life as well. Fair play?

Our very own desk dude, Josh Erickson, recently took first prize and top honors at this months local Alley C Rat race and we couldn’t be more proud. I’m sure he’s especially stoked to win, among myriad other swag, a free hair cut from Alchemy! But Josh, ever humble, will tell you that he rides not for the fame nor the riches, not even for the babes, but simply to ride. To live.

This writer begs the question: Is there something to be admired and learned from such glorious selflessness? That if we as a community could follow such a fine example would it make for better living? The growth of brotherhood? Philosophically… possibly. Realistically… not likely. BUT, surely there is something to be gained from all of this. That life itself is merely one long, arduous rat race and that if we all could just ride…to ride…to live… the U-N-I-T-Y of our little city would shine and strengthen as the race goes on. And at the very least we could say that we had one more kick ass day as we pedal toward life’s final ribbon.

Chew on that for a while. Peace, love, and hair.