Wednesday, June 27

Blue Hair Chronicles | Volume 1


I have blue hair. My wonderful, lovely, talented, adorable, good company, sweet, friend Anna came over and dyed it for me. She wanted to give someone mermaid hair and I was over my red and wanted some change for summer and voila! Mermaid hair!

Allow me to say that I truly enjoy having blue hair. It makes me feel pretty when I see it in the mirror or get a glimpse of it from the corner of my eye. It's a super fun change and I love that it's different from anything that I've done. Plus it pops these baby blues of mine like you wouldn't believe. Where is the bad?

With that being said, I live in the Bible Belt, but in small town Bible Belt. With a lot of colorful (like that pun?) close-minded-traditional-super-religious folks that could never understand why any self respecting person would dye their hair an unnatural color. So when I did this I considered what kind of reaction I'd get from my fellow Haywood Countians. 

That's what this is about. It has kiiiiiind of turned into a social experiment of sorts for me. I do those a lot when I'm out but, this one is a little different. These are specific verbal encounters, I won't waste our time noting all of the stares and glances I get.

First Encounter:
Habitat for Humanity. A male employee sees me and my friend Marlee shopping for some goodies for her classroom. We're keeping to ourselves with quiet conversation talking about the neat doors they have in the back and we hear, "LOOK AT THIS HAAA-R DO!"He proceeds to follow us up to the front of the store calling people's attention to my hair and "WHY WOULD SHE DONE DO THIS TO HER HAAA-R?" During this episode a woman to my right comes out of the woodwork - literally - and walks over to me and reaches to touch my hair ....did I give you permission for that? No? I didn't think so. But thanks for trying.... and tells me she likes it, it's pretty. Why thank you madam. Finally stalker employee gets over his fascination and we move on with life.


Second Encounter:
I'm walking in Walmart with Marlee looking for something... I can't remember what exactly, when we hear "I LIKE YOUR HAAA-R!" from a young girl with her Mom. The Mom looks at us askance but I thank her daughter nonetheless.

Third Encounter:
Today with my dad and there were 3 high school kids playing around and as they pass the aisle I'm on they all back up in sync and one gets bold enough to tell me she liked my hair. It was cute.

Fourth Encounter - and my personal favorite:
I am searching for some fabric and I pass a mom, sister and 9 year old. The 9 year old calls out "MOM!! MOOOOOM!!!!!111!111!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I want her hair! I WANT HAIR LIKE HERS!" Whoa... So I back up so good ol' Mom can see what the heck her 9 year old is in a tizzy over. She peers around the corner of her aisle and takes one look at me and blanches and says, "Uh, no." In that mom fashion. You know, that kind.

Fifth Encounter - second favorite:
I run into my favorite little pizza joint for a to go order.  Chat with the pleasant cashier about nothing and as she turns her back to me I turn around to see if there is anyone in the place I know. Not joking you guys, EVERY single person in the dining room was staring at me. As my eyes reached theirs they all quickly averted their eyes and started talking amongst themselves and eating, like nothing had happened. Picture that scene in Beauty and the Beast when Belle turns from reading her book and the villagers quickly resume their lives after singing a song about how odd she is. Now, for those of you who don't know me, I have a booming laugh. I can't help it and it get's really REALLY loud when I'm super tickled. Once they had resumed their dinner I just burst out laughing and no help for it.

The general glances are either appreciation for it OR instant judgement. The judgement glances are my favorite - cynicism, I know. I don't have any tattoos (yet), I don't do drugs, I'm not a menace to society, I'm not a hirsute lout, I love Jesus, and I'm a pretty nice person that just wanted a change for summer. But, those folks won't ever know that about me.

To experience this kind of social reaction first hand is a lesson to me. It encourages me to always keep my mind and my heart open regarding people I don't know. It's also teaching me to continue reveling in and celebrating my individuality.  I'll keep a log here and share it with you when there is something worth sharing. Happy Wednesday!



xo Shannon



11 comments:

kat @ withachanceof said...

I love it! I've had hair in ever color of the rainbow. From blue, to orange, violet and beyond. I've been toned down since I've become a mom but once my hair get a little longer I'm going purple.

It's amazing how much people get judged by the way they look. It's sad but true. I'll admit, I do it sometimes too, ut because I've been judge falsely I always try and look deeper.

The blue looks great on you. High five to you for being able to work it in public! ;)

Oakley Seal said...

I think it is absolutely beautiful! I am in love with finding individuality and fun hair!

-Oakley Seal
WWW.brilliantbblog.blogspot.com

jamie said...

... have none of these individuals been to Asheville? ;]

love it, dear! xoxo

Mama said...

In that "mom" fashion? Uh uh, you did not! Watch the 'tude, blue hair! Or I'll ground you.

shannon*bear said...

Smart ass.

shannon*bear said...

Kat, Oakley, & Jamie - thanks ladies! I love it and it's fun to rock. Just something different :]

Sara said...

Always lovely to see words and images from you. I think the hair looks great. I once shaved my head just because I felt like it and it turned into a social experiment for me as well. It's really pretty crazy how people look at you differently and what people assume about you based on something so simple and silly as a hairstyle.

Kristin said...

I love it! (and "mermaid hair!? Awesome!) Colored hair freaks a lot of people out. Even in a not so small city, there's such a stigma around it which has always surprised me. It's hair. And people seem to *really* make a fuss about it.

shannon*bear said...

@Sara: I LOVE that you shaved your head! I'm not that brave ;-) Photos of it? It is incredibly interesting, no? I think pink may be in order after the blue!

@Kristin: Mermaid indeed! I agree with you, it's hair. No need to get in a fuss or look at me like I'm an alien or I'm going to cast a spell on you!

miss teacups said...

I've always wanted blue hair but I just can't do it right now as my hair's black and would damage my hair too much to get the colour I want :( so instead I will live vicariously through you. It looks lovely!

Amber said...

Love the hair and good for you! I live in a small area (on Lake Norman) and under the bible belt too so I get crazy stares when I wear a short sleeve or sleeveless shirt and they can see my tattoo. I felt weird at first but got over it and realized I'm a good person and my actions are louder than my tattoo (you should see the looks on peoples faces when I say 'ma'am/sir' and 'please' or hold the door open after seeing I have a tattoo)

xo Amber
http://theowlsden.blogspot.com

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How lovely! I love to read your comments and I'll be sure to return the favor! I'm glad you're here! xo, S