two firsts

The time has come for two new first. I thought I would try to learn to blog- so here's my first one. Actually, i was inspired by my friend Mike Edgerle. He and Tiffany regularly send updates to their blog and i feel like i always know what's going on at their house. I probably won't be as consistent as he, but if nothing else, i'll learn how to do this.

so, the first 'first' is this - my first blog.
hopefully i'll be able to keep interested people better informed on our lives. Who those

interested people are... not sure, but i'm sure there are two or three.

So what does one write about on their first blog? What are most people's first subject? i thought about going all the way back to the beginning - October 26, 1973 1:59 AM in Springfield, MO, - but i couldn't find any pictures - and i think you must have lots of pics for good blogs, right? Then i thought maybe, i would just start at our wedding - it all just seemed overwhelming. So, i decided i would start with today. Well, not literally, but close. Most of my far away friends haven't seen my new look, so here ya go.

the second 'first' is shaving my head. What drives a man to shave his head? I'm sure there's lots of reasons, but for me it was simple. I saw a picture of myself directing our church's youth choir. there was a lot less hair from back there than last time i had seen it.

I told Stacie i was going to just shave it, as i'd threatened many times before - to which she would usually respond with loud protestations. This time, she replied, "okay." it took me four days to get over the shock. finally, i walked into the barber shop and told them what i wanted. "things i didn't know about shaving your head" number one: i didn't know this - the barber WON'T shave your head. they'll only go to a one with the razor. the rest you have to do yourself. When she took the razor and went right down the middle of my head, i got sick to my stomach. "What have I done?!?" As she continued, i felt a little better. i woosily drove home (i know, "woosily"?), walked in the front door and Stacie jumped, then she forced a, "i really like it - no really." i thought, "oh well, no changing it now." so i walked into the bathroom and lathered up the and began shaving it the rest of the way. then i got really sick. I commited then to keep it for a month before i decided if i liked it or not. i really didn't want to have this feeling again.

"things i didn't know about shaving your head" number two: i didn't know you had to shave your head almost as often as your beard.

"things i didn't know about shaving your head" number three: you really need to plan to be in the sun after shaving your head for the first time. the worst part about a freshly shaved head - the tanlines.

Then i went to Staff meeting - let's just say mixed reviews. That night was choir rehearsal - also mixed reviews.

"things i didn't know about shaving your head" number four: i didn't know shaving your head opened you up to listening to everyone's opinions. 1/2 of everyone thinks it makes me look older. 1/2 of everyone thinks younger. 1/2 love it, 1/2 well... don't. i'm still undecided and am open to your comments. normally, i'd be sick of all the feedback, but in this case, i'm really not sure if i like it myself.

"things i didn't know about shaving your head" number five: kids react strangely to dramatic changes in the appearances of their parents. Oh, another funny story. later that night, i came home and Caleb greets me with, "Daddy's ho---" cut off mid sentence - he notices my new hairstyle (do you still call it a hair style?) and he just freezes. stares. stares somemore. looks at Stacie and says, "where's Daddy's hair?" i said, "i shaved it" he says to Stacie ( i think he thinks i'm deaf because i lost my hair - so he has to talk to Stacie), "tell him to put it back." i asked him if he wanted to touch it, he said no and started screaming running away. I chased him around the house. ah, what fun it is to torture a 3 year old. I've regularly asked him if he likes it, but now he knows i think it is funny when he says, "put it back on", so he just says that and laughs, then slaps my head and runs away.

"things i didn't know about shaving your head" number six: actually, i still don't know the answer to this. if you shave your head for a period of time, when you let it grow out - is it like a beard later? you know, all course and thick? hmm...

So, about your comments. don't just say you don't like it. here's the question.

if you don't like it - is it worse than the picture of the balding head above?

If you do like it, do you like it more than the balding head above? (okay, that just sounds stupid, but...)

thanks for reading my blog. i'll be looking forward to hearing your responses.