Mirror mirror on the wall

They say what you dislike in others is merely a reflection of what you dislike about yourself. If that is true then I'll need to move to a very quiet place and hope they have lot's of delivery services. I was asked to write a column for a new web site going up for the modeling industry. I was extremely flattered and also at a loss as to what to say. Now just so you all know, I am never at a loss for words! While writing for a large group of readers about hair is going to be a wonderful experience, what do you say to them on the first read? "Hi, my name is Rick and I'm going to write about hair?" So I did what I always do, procrastinate. OK, figured the words and style would come to me when I needed them. And they did. Pulling a rabbit out of a hat as I always seem to do, I wrote about something that I was doing that day and turned it into how it could help others. Now, the owner of the site said he loved my style of writing from what he had read on this blog and I should pen the column that same way. With that I let the readers know how I was lead to make assumptions along with putting my foot into my mouth. Figured humor was the way to go. Happy with the finished story I was a bit surprised to see the owner of the site rewrite the article. As I read the new story I thought fiction. Total fiction. I can now understand how writer's in Hollywood must feel. So I took a good look and wondered if I was this person he had written about? After sending him an email explaining my thoughts he reread my original article and explained he was quick to the draw. Kinda like I was with regard to what inspired my article in the first place. What I see in the web site owner is that he is very hard working. Very much a perfectionist and wants only the best of the best. Which brings a smile to my face when I think about it. Now I have never met him but I think we are going to get along just fine! R-

Is that a snow suit? She was wearing a bikini when we started

I have to laugh. I go to the Walgreen's and use their picture making machine. I have it down to a fast few seconds. I have started using mini books for the agencies and photographer's. It costs more then a comp card which most use to show their work but it looks more impressive. And I can change the images whenever I want. I would go after midnight and before sun up. Had the store to myself. I could be in and out within seconds. They knew me by name! Then the store shut off the machines at 11 PM. Now I have to wait behind every amateur photographer with a CD and a finger. Today,after much procrastinating I waited just under 15 min ( timed it) so a guy could pick images of his kid in a snow suit. Loaded in my CD then waited, and waited then BAM. Frozen. Twice. OK, at least I saved the second CD from the same shoot until the end. Thankfully I managed to choose and edit images. Until the computer spit out the CD and shut down! At least I got the CD back. A thank you for coming and spending $56.00 would have been nice. That shoot left me cold anyway. Not in the same way as that kid in the snow suit but non the less. Now I find out I can make prints 24/7 again or stay home and email my order! I'm just afraid I'd get the prints from that kid in the snow suit! Which when I think about it, would be funny. R-

Here's to ghosts, trains and 06

They say there's a reason for everything. Like getting stuck at the train when your already late. Or sitting in a traffic jam for what seems like miles and endless minutes wasted only to find your now driving faster then the speed limit. Trying to go to familiar web pages that now you must sign into to gain access. Again. I try and look past these things. The ones that drive me crazy. Like finally getting the contractor to show up. In my case my web guy to finish work on my web site. We are so happy when things get back on track we forget if there is some lesson we needed to learn? I have found that some things are easiest explained by the ghost in my house. No, it isn't "the not me ghost". I have no kids. Just some energy that was here long before I moved in. Looking for some answers just like me! So to my readers and my ghost/s Happy 06 and expect the unexpected. Again. R-

Some toys are just not meant to play with at any age

Finally. I have been linked. My web site http://www-ricks-hairandmakeup.info has been linked to my blog! Big deal you say? Well, yes it is! Thank you very much. Maybe for the new year one of the things I will learn is how to better understand a computer and it's workings? See, this linking took almost a year to do. Wait a minute, what am I thinking? Boy if you all could see the look on my face! Me and computer technology. Better keep my artistic talents to hair, makeup, and fashion. I just remembered what I did to a toy I had called Mr Machine. Ouch. Poor thing. Maybe it's the spirit of that toy that visits my computer every once and a while? Is that smoke coming from my lab top? R-

And a whatever to you too!

OK, am I crazy or did I miss something? When did we start worrying about merry holidays or happy Christmas? If this is the new social issue plaguing us as a nation, we have bigger troubles then I thought. In case anyone cares, some of us have lost a good month of our lives. Some, have lost their lives completely and are desperate to rebuild a future. If deciding between a merry or a happy is the biggest problem you face, then you've missed the true meaning of Christmas altogether. Now that is ironic don't you think? R- http://www.ricks-hairandmakeup.info

Twinkle twinkle little wrinkle

Yesterday I joined my friend Virginia Alexander, and her friend Sharon for a
luncheon hosted by Botox cosmetics. Now that in it's self is kind of funny. Sorry, my quirky side is showing. I have to say they had a very nice seminar for the beauty professions that attended. The Four Seasons Hotel in Miami was the location and lunch was great. The desert, even better! I sat and listened to a panel of doctors who are more then qualified with a testimonial from patients and thought, "I wonder if they have a room that they inject each other in?" Imaging a Botox party of sorts. Looking at these people I was sure they injected this stuff into their veins. Hailing this as an anti wrinkle drug discovered from a side affect to what it's real purpose was for. Correcting excessive blinking and individuals who were cross eyed. Their purpose was to inform us that there's a right and wrong way to use the product. To get us to spread the word. If we can't get rid of stress then we can get rid of the signs that it exists. Happy Happy Happy. Think they're a bit late cause if you looked around the room at the expressionless faces you knew. I'm not saying I didn't learn something, I did. Always go with an open mind and leave with a goody bag! One free treatment, a t-shirt which is going to the dog I sat for. His nick name is Botox and that's what the shirt says. In rhinestones. A great fitting ball cape and the most wonderful pen. Can't help thinking that their commerical is targeted for the shollow. I mean, I had a good hair day? I found a great pair of shoes on sale? Yet there I was. And I thought I was living in delusion. R- http://www.ricks-hairandmakeup.info

Back away from the computer and put down the drill.

Don't you just love to spend hours on the computer, tweak your writings, answer the questions over and over until you've hammered the keys into the ground and poof. Gone. That's what happened to my first post! Times two. So I typed out this new one. I wish computer people remembered that some of us aren't good with power tools and computers! Good thing because I see a drill with this computer's name on it! R-

"You can have the car in any color you want, as long as it's black"

Isn't that what Henry Ford said about his new car's? Don't you love when someone says to you, "oh you do what you think is best, or I don't know, your the expert." Only to argue at the end because they don't like it so your told you didn't listen. You did what you wanted, not what I wanted. Your made to feel selfish. In fact no matter how many times over the years I've encountered this situation and thought I saw it coming before I started, I was wrong. Wrong from the other person's perspective. Wrong cause I still get sucked in. I should protect myself by having it writing, get a tape recorder. Something! If you asked for my opinion and you don't like it fine. But if you pay for my opinion, tell me to do what I think is right only to give me shit for it afterwards because it isn't to "your" liking then yes it is my fault. Mine because this is never going to change. I can spot the problem within the first minute of conversation so I should walk away. You are thinking then why not give them what they wanted. Doesn't always work because sometimes it still isn't right. I say this because I do get paid for my opinion when it comes to making decisions on hair, makeup, and fashion choices. Now this is regarding modeling. When it comes to my private clientele that's different. There we both have a say. Now I hate to be the one to tell you this but, No, the customer is not always right. And I can say this because I get paid for my opinion! R-

Biggest sale ever

Again. And again. It's Friday, the day after Thanks Giving and people everywhere are foaming at the mouth to spend money (they probably don't have) wait in long lines before the sun comes up, kicking, screaming, fighting for a parking place, all to get what, those gifts on sale? The ones that get returned on the day after Xmas? The one day only get up early pre-sale? What is that? You can't tell me it isn't all going to be on sale again. For an even better price. Because it will be. (the day after Xmas) And what about the poor sales people that have to put up with it all? I sat at the dinner table yesterday between dinner and desert and listened to the conversation about today's plans. Who had what, when to get there, oh can you get this for me while your there and I'll buy your... And my Mom bless her. She tried her best to enlist my help and go shopping with her. Tried all kinds of ways. Years Of shopping as a sport have taught me that the Friday after Thanks Giving and the day after Xmas are better spent having a root canal. Have fun Mom, call me when you and poor Dad get back. Oh and while your there can you pick me up... R-

IT'S TIME TO PLAY WHO HAS THE MOST DRAMA!!!!!!

Ever see those people with broad shoulders? The ones some mistook for having bad fashion sense cause they are still wearing shoulder pads? They aren't pads. They are the dumping off point of others dramas. Yesterday between the house phone and my cell, I clocked hundreds of drama miles. Too bad you can't cash them in for some spa time. Every phone call or persons visit contained drama of some kind. And some came with attitude. Must have been the you have three minutes to talk. Hey, that was about all the time there was between the calls. I think it would be a great game show to lay out your personal drama in front of say a panel on non experts and see who they thought was the best of the best. Not to make light of some things but why yesterday, I have no idea? And to think that they all think I am the stable one. The voice of reason. What scars me is that with many of them, I am. R-

Can you believe it

The other day I was driving on interstate 95 with one of those donuts for a back tire. I have been told not to go over 55mph. I was doing 60 and was in the slow lane. I had to go to work. I was yelled at, honked at and cursed at. Excuse me but in some places the speed limit was 55. I had a truck up my trunk trying to intimate me. The final straw as the cement truck that ran me off the road. Sorry wasn't going fast enough in my porsche. But honey, I got the tire replaced now. I would be scared. Very scared. Cause I really do own a porsche. R-

Take my money. Please.

OK, I know I'm one to do things differently but I am one person who is resourceful if nothing else. I am still without power since Wilma blew through South Florida and parts North. No power means no business and money isn't rolling in. So I am rolling my change. And no one seems to want it. Well, too bad. That's what I have and that's what you'll get. Now some are happy to get the rolled dimes and nickels. They don't have to go to the bank. Speaking of... The bank doesn't want it unless I roll it and have an account. But the 800 # I called said yes for a fee they would roll it. I can take it to the grocery stores but they want 8 cents on the dollar. Hey I have lots of coins. So I sit and roll a little everyday. They should be glad I'm not bring them my pennies. And I have lots of those. R-

I wonder what it would take...

Last night it took four people, and over a dozen phone calls to get someone to do something about three live wires sparking and flying free around in the air. The first 911 call was at 8:50 PM. The power company showed up at 2 AM to fix the wires. The beeping from the meter took 17 hours total to shut off. Glad it wasn't serious. R-

What am I doing wrong???

Without power for the last few days, trying to get by with the aftermath of Wilma I pondered what I would write about when I could... My Dad is trying to reset all the clocks in the house. That should be enough said. My poor Mom. It's going to be a long night. And then we have to turn them back at 2 AM. Anyone got any aspirin? R-

This poor dog

For those who know me, you better sit down. I am dog sitting. Yep. I am watching a clients dog. And he is watching me. Ever heard it's like watching paint dry? I can truly said I have done so. But that is another entry. Jag is his name. A 4 year old boxer. Nick name Botox. Smart, cute, loving, well trained. Kind of what you want in a mate. Bored. This poor guy is bored to tears. When I had my fish, that was easy. Every morning you just looked to see they were all upright. Time to clean the tank, I just bought a bigger pump. If they didn't get along they never showed it. Trying to hold on was tuff enough. I have to entertain him. I did find that when we play tog of war I have cleaner floors. I just drag him around the house from one end to the other. The benefits are pretty good. My arms are looking good. And he goes down for a nap right after. Think he does windows? R-