Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Minor details & ghost of the Texas Chief

Several days after trying on my remaining suits (to determine whether I might actually be wearing my women's pants suit to the wedding), and picking which pair of flats will look best, my wife told me that I'll be wearing my hair in a ponytail that day.   I showed her broken short ends of the hair around my face and on top of my head, which "care when blow drying" and "less use of a brush when wet" have been slowly helping to re-grow (but not yet back to ponytail length).  I also pointed out that it wouldn't look good with all those shorter strands flopping around on my face in the breeze.  She said she'll 'bobby pin" them, so they won't be an issue.   I agreed that she could do it for the wedding, and at that point let the subject drop.

However, later that day, we found that she'd be attending two bridal showers during our visit, and I'd probably have to drive her to D-I-L's parents' place each time, and hang around with our son, her dad and brother while the girls have their fun.  So, she got "that look" in her eye again about my hair, which having just been washed, and with noplace to go requiring it to be combed out or given any "greasy kid stuff," it was still in a bit of disarray.

I "headed the problem off at the pass" and cut right to the chase...with my own plagiarized version of "stink eye."   I said that if she's contemplating my hair being pinned up for more than his wedding day, "forget it."  I'll concede the issue on the day of the wedding, since there will be 250 attending (mostly her family), but that's the only time.  I want it loose the rest of the time.  It's how I look every day.   And though most of the family is from the very red state of Tennessee, I'm not.  So, they'll have to get used to dealing with that long-haired "hippie" from liberal ol' Maryland...and at least I'm the right age for the "hippie" part, having attended college in the SF Bay area in the mid-sixties!

She said my hairdresser could whack it back to a men's generic short style - then I wouldn't need a ponytail at all.  My response was to offer her "a deal" - if she finds a full cap wig (men's OR women's) that fits me, in a bob, generic pixie or other shorter style, I'd consider trying that, to give her something she can live with for special occasions like this.   Well,  as you might imagine, if looks could kill!   You probably don't have to guess -  the wig idea's DOA.  And the reason she's pursuing this is - you guessed it - "with your hair loose, you look like a woman."   First time I've heard that statement in a long while...and I'll take it as a compliment, though it certainly wasn't meant that way.

I'm not at all sure how this "hair thing" will work out.  I plan to resist further ponytail wearing - at least until the broken hairs have grown out enough to "stay in the elastic band without lots of help from bobby pins and hair spray."  But realistically, I recognize that such a relatively minor issue as a ponytail and some bobby pins is not worthy of a major "scene" (particularly in plain sight of the kids, or worse yet, others who don't know us)  at such a festive event.  Guess it's like the national "project" of trying to get the debt limit increased prior to the deadline for shutting down the government again.  The question is: who will blink first?

Like everything else, we'll see...

Recently, we had errands to run on the other side of the Bay, and she noticed a couple of men's stores advertising suit sales. (Something we never had reason to check before.)  One was marked for a sale - $149 suits.  She commented that we should stop there in the next few weeks. Apparently the allure of a cheap "men's" suit may be too much to resist.  So as the famous statement goes, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings..." (Gosh,  since I won't be wearing a dress, I hope nobody wants ME to sing...LOL!  Folks would be trampling each other as they scramble for the exits...)

At my most recent appointment with the stylist, I asked if next time I come in, she could pin everything up for me, so my wife could see a professional view of how my hair should look, without damaging it.   She said she could do that, and confirmed that two days in a ponytail (that day and the wedding day), "glued together" with bobby pins and hair spray, shouldn't cause any permanent damage.   I hope she's right.

From the archives - a couple pictures taken in Dallas, TX back in 2009.  First is a city scene on a clear night, as seen from atop the Adams Mark hotel.  Not a hill in sight...   The flat horizon gives it away as being from "out on the plains."  



Next is a ghost of the old Santa Fe "Texas Chief" - courtesy of a 2009 night photo session at the Age of Steam Railroad Museum in Dallas   This was a real adventure!  Equipment was operable, and looking at the pictures today still makes chills run up my back...it was wonderful!




You can tell the engine isn't in current revenue service because it isn't equipped with the two Federally-mandated ditch lights, one down low on each front side, to form a lighted triangle as the train is operating down the track.  And the light behind the number board is too dim.  Nonetheless, it sure is a pretty sight!   And it's such a traditional livery - everyone recognizes it!


Enjoy!


Mandy

4 comments:

  1. Hi Mandy!

    Yes that's a little bit of a rough comment! "with your hair loose, you look like a woman." But heck yes, I'd take the compliment no matter what the sentiment behind it is :-D

    But I love that you went all in and suggested a wig as an option. Nothing ventured nothing gained?

    I am wondering if the good people in attendance at the wedding would consider a pony tail much different than your wonderfully full natural hair? In my other-side of the country opinion I don't think so.

    The picture of the "Texas Chief" is beautiful. It reminds me of the electric train set I had as a kid. I remember setting it up on the floor. That's a memory I haven't though of in a long time.

    I hope all is well for you and your family!

    Hugs!

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Jen,

    Nothing was gained from the wig exchange...except gaining the immediate knowledge that wearing a wig to hide my hair around her is officially "DOA." And I really knew that most likely would be the outcome.

    As for people attending the wedding: Tennessee (where most are "from") is politically very conservative. I don't yet know the political leanings of the family, but if I were to guess, from limited observation, it would be "conservative."

    I haven't had any problems (that I know of) here on the Delmarva, though voters always seem to advertise for and elect local Republican candidates. But I understand my wife's concern - to let the "extended family" get to know us, as individuals, rather than pre-judging us simply on the appearance of artificial characteristics. As for which is less of a problem, the ponytail or the long hair, our son has both...and it's always in a ponytail. I believe that's part of the reason why the issue exists. The "rest of that reason" for her comment must be that with my nails, eyebrows, and other cues, I have a more feminine appearance, that loose hair will accentuate.

    Yes, the "Chief" train pic is pretty, and one of my favorites. I, too, had (still have most of it - got more modern track, though) an electric train set as a kid. However, it was New York Central, not Santa Fe. That SF "warbonnet" paint scheme is much more identifiable than the NYC "lightning stripes."

    We are well here, and send you the same good wishes in return...take care!

    Hugs,

    Mandy

    ReplyDelete
  3. My suggestion for the wedding is to try to make as few waves as possible. Weddings are high tension times for all involved...especially the mothers. Spring for the suit and let your stylist work with you in getting the hair and nails as compromised as you can handle. Your wife will appreciate it. Peace in our time can reap benefits down the road. Even if you get your hair trimmed it will grow back and having toned it down for the wedding you should not get carte blanche about letting it grow long..

    In my old Lionel set I had a locomotive that lookd like that one only it read NH for New Haven RR

    Pat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pat,

      Sounds like good advice! Will clarify the outfit issue with the bride soon, and then go shopping accordingly. I'm hearing Tux rumors again... If that actually turns out to be the case, then all bets are off. It will have to be rented on-site, and will extend our trip a couple of days (time to shop, rent, have it fitted, and return it afterward.)

      All for an outdoor wedding...where Tuxes aren't really appropriate. Oh, well.

      Just about everyone had one of those old Lionel trains "back in the day"...they seemed to be in every boy's toy box!

      More later...

      Mandy

      Delete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.