Redheads and Stigmas

I am sorta, kinda, totally obsessed with redheads. It's not like I favor redheads, I just like going to places like Six Flags and seeing "my people" reapplying SPF 45 in thick white streaks. It's nice to know I'm not alone.

Redheads are actually a minority that doesn't get much cred. For example, have you realized that the number of redheads have declined over time? It's a dying trait. (Okay, okay,...I totally wasn't trying to make a joke, but it actually has a little situational humor. Sweet!)

There's actually a trait linked to some red hair genes that causes the red to fade out over time. (Like by the time you're in your 20's.) No wonder we're a dying breed, close to half fade into normal brunettes. Which is where I fall.

My hair color is still no where near a "normal" shade, but there's speculation. I was born with bright red hair, got a few carrot head jokes as a kid, and by middle school my friends were describing my hair as "cheese orange." Now I have people standing up to me left and right trying to convince me I'm not a redhead.

There are certain stereotypes attached to blondes, but blondes & brunettes don't realize that when you're born a redhead, it becomes a part of your personality. But some stereotypes are just stereotypes. People say redheads are hot headed and temperamental. Not always. When I get mad I eventually vent to someone but in the heat of the moment I just get quiet...and start cleaning. (Hence, it's good that my room is always soo messy.)

But even if your hair color fades, if you're a redhead, you will usually have an obsession for sunscreen only healthy for redheads. And because of the skin tone we get dealt, we'll always have at least a small amount of freckles. It just comes with the territory.

So why am I so obsessed with my hair color fading? (Because technically the summer sun lightened/brightened it up a lot.) Well, I had the realization the other day that my hair is a reflection of who I am, and I too have been fading into just going through the motions, again, and I've failed to let myself be fully happy.

In my process of getting back to taking a thousand pictures and going to shows every week, I made a decision. Over the course of the semester I've gotten 3 offers for a free home hair cut. A change would be nice, so I'm going to take Janie up on her offer. If you watch the show Gossip Girl you'll know that Jenny cut her hair off last season and it looks really good. Well Janie wants to give me around that length, with what she describes as "sharp" bangs, which maybe translates into fierce? And then to give it some more of my personality she's gonna give me some cute layers. I think all in all I might be losing 4 to 5 inches, tonight! Crazy. So hair cuts, they're nice. They can be drastic, but they're usually pretty safe.

That's why, if Janie can give my hair what I want, I'm going to get it colored a Jenny Lewis red! I know, I'm on a Jenny theme. But Jenny Lewis is my redheaded idol, even though I had to miss her amazing show last night. I'm excited. My older sister has always had this gorgeous deep red hair and people always compliment her hair before even looking my way. (Jenny's shade is in the middle of what my hair is now & what my sister's is.)

Thank God I live in Athens, where if I go somewhere to get a hair cut I have a good chance of running into hair dressers who have good taste in music and know what I'm talking about without a picture. I love this town.

I'm so excited, even though my internet is not working and the SLC has become my savior, tonight will wash all that away.

Popsicles, good friends, free hair cut, and Project Runway here I come!