Amber & Hat Hair

Since August 1989, I have pretty much had the same hairdo: a chin-length bob. It has been different colors and slightly different lengths and of varying quality of cuts (some self-done). Every now and then I decide to get something new. In Madison, the stylist suggested I get "piecey texture." That was bad.

But, for some reason, I always go back to the bob. Recently, I discovered why this is. Apparently, when my hair has layers or style, I get horrible hat hair. This is me post-Zoo-Lights tonight.
According to certain friends, I remember that I like the bob because of hat hair every time I get a layered look in hat season. The worst is that when I brush my hair, it gets slightly better, but still looks like I have a sagittal crest to rival Baraka's.

Amber & Freezy Breezes

I awoke to no heat or hot water this morning. This mean I was forced to wash from a bowl, Victorian-style.

Although I was able to clean myself enough to not be stinky for the office, my hair is a bit crazy. It's like I have hat hair, but also like I was struck by lightning. I keep combing it down and it keeps rising back up. Just like the proletariat.

Only less righteous. And less coated in day-old hair product.

Amber & Japan, Hair

I made a hair appointment with Jacqueline for Friday. On our last episode of Amber's Hair, Jacqueline gave me a super cut and a nice, cinnamon color. I've been thinking about going shorter now that it's getting pretty hot when I'm out weeding the Garden on the weekends and have been doing Research using the Internet.

I found this site, apparently famous for its wide selection of dos. They have a whole "Hairstyle Gallery" specifically for short hair (or maybe short women?) So far, I really like this one best. But, I'm not sure my hair is capable of that kind of body, except after hat-wearing. Or, maybe I like this one?

Amber & Déjà Zoo

So, it turns out that my job in the Bronx is actually very much like my old volunteer work in D.C. Of course, there are a few small differences, but there are also many similarities. Let's examine them.

Instead of greeting visitors when they enter and thanking them for coming when they exit at Zoo Lights in extreme winter weather, I am greeting and thanking at Garden Plantbuildings in an cold spell. (Sure there are trains, but really the historical and landmark buildings made entirely of plants are really the main attraction.)

At both, hotdrinks are key to staying warm.

At both jobs, I face the challenge of 8-hour hat hair. And, at both, I have an indoor job where I have to take off my hat. Only, at the Zoo I didn't worry so much about what my colleagues thought.

Photo by James

At both, I face the challenge of dressing appropriately for spending an excessively long time standing around outside. At the Zoo, though, I could dress more casual style. But, at both I wore name tags.

Photo by James

My Zoo tag was way cooler because it said I was friends with apes and lemurs.

I miss gorillas. Zoo Lights wins.

Amber & New Winter, New Hat

I love this hat I got with Amy Bee last year.

But with my new shorter hair, it is super itchy on my head.  To the point where, if you are in Boston and it is totally winter, you might still choose to go hatless to avoid the itching.

So, I got this new hat today.

Pretty nondescript and a little like the fuzzy "gorilla hat" I had back when that guy wrapped central park in orange fabric.

(I had such a nice time.  Jimmy, you rule.)

But...

SURPRISE!

There is a (faux) animal on the top of it.

I had planned to cut the animal off, but it's really grown on me.  But, if I change my mind, it will make a great cat enrichment device.

Hats and friends are indispensable in winter.

Amber & In Between Daze

We're here again: I'm got my hair done today and the in-between-lengths are so challenging that I was tempted to abandon the Quest for Puffs and go short. I am not good at awkward phases (those who knew me in high school will know exactly what I am talking about).

So, this morning when I was video chatting with CRD...


I asked him to do that thing he does where he puts one person's face on another person's body. Only, he got confused and put Dame Shirley Bassey's face on the mid-length hair I thought was a likely outcome.


I think it looks good. That CRD is magic with the computer photo retouching.

Actually, it turns out that, without having read my blog (I hope) Jacqueline worked her magic and landed me at the final phase of the Six Hair Plan.


I swear I'm not afraid of my iPhone; I'm trying to peak at my self while not blocking my face with the device.

What lies ahead? Puffs! Which, I think, in its resting state will look like this.

Amber & Multitasking

How do I do it, you ask?

Work full time for Mother Goose Inc. (and pretty darn well if my department's contribution to the bottom line is any evidence)?

Stay in touch with both my friends and pop culture (my BFF)?

Maintain compelling web content meant to maximize audience engagement on this blog, a go-to source for serious journalism on topics as broad reaching as Hat Hair, Kitties, and Television?

And, all the while, manage to kick the behind of my own Sudoku score?

I have an amazing muse, darling reader.

Muses, even.

Amber & The Tragedy of Winter

I like winter.  At least when it's cold I can bundle up; there's not much you can do during the hottest days of summer and not get arrested, really.  And I like puff coats, and boots, and wool socks, and hand-knit scarves.  It's a good fashion season for me, maybe because it's so covering.

Plus, if you live in New York, as I do, there's not much use in wasting energy hating the seasons.  They come.  And, they go.  Sunrise, sunset.

But, it sure is hard on my hair.

It's mostly a bummer because my hair is just starting to get flippy again, and I know CRD will never get to see it as long as the weather necessitates wearing a hat.  CRD loves flippy almost as much as he loves girl detectives.

Did you ever notice how unsymmetrical my eyes are?  I sure just did.

Amber & Advance Apologies

No hot water. People who see me today, I apologize for my hair. It
couldn't be helped. I'll wear a hat. Indoors.