h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On March 12 2005, I participated in the Leukaemia Foundation’s “Shave for a Cure”.

I was always told when I was younger that “Fortune favours the bold”, “He who dares, wins”, and all of those adages. To be honest it was never something that appealed to me. I’ve never been a competitive person, much less a daring one. I am a creature of habit, always have been. The running joke amongst my friends is that, in an ever-changing world, I am the one constant. I am the only one amongst them who has lived in the same place, had the same job, and has basically the same routine that I had five years ago. Most of my family and friends will know what I’m doing at any given time. I’ve been a rut-dweller for most of my life and am unashamed in the admitting of it.

But every now and again you have to step outside of your comfort zone. I suppose the personal equivalent of throwing yourself in the deep end, to see if you can swim. Even rut-dwellers like myself have to shake it up every once in a while, and I was determined this year to try to push my boundaries, even if it was just slightly.

So this, coupled with my resolution to “become a better person”, lead to my registration in the Shave.

There had been second thoughts, anxiety, and everything else that comes with making a big decision. I had thought I would never cut my hair again, and to shave it all off was a little nerve-racking, to be honest. Luckily though, most of my nervous energy had burned off by the time it came to get my head shorn.

Well, until I saw the stage, that is.

I had been informed that their were places that were holding events on the day, and were shaving people’s heads for free. I thought “Well, I may as well go somewhere where they won’t think I’ve lost my mind when I ask them to shave it all off”. What I didn’t know was that they were actually doing it in Shopping Centres, on a stage where everyone could see.

But every now and again you have to step outside of your comfort zone, right? Fortune favours the bald!

So I made my way over to the line, and casually asked if this was the line to get your head shaved in. Initially the lady looked at me as though I may not have understood exactly what was involved. But after I assured her that I had registered, had been taking donations, and was prepared to get it all lopped off, she became a little more enthusiastic.

Not nearly as enthusiastic as Jennifer, the young lady who had been allocated as my Shaver, I must say. Jennifer squealed with delight at the thought of releasing me from my locks, and insisted everyone watching count down as she chopped the braids from my head (and this was the point at which embarrassment overrode fear). She also spent the duration of the shearing blurting out the occasional “this is so exciting!” and jumping about.

Bless her.

Before I knew it, it was all over, and I was to show the family my new monk ‘do.

There are a few things nobody warned me about, like the elements. The first time I felt the wind on my head, and the first time I had a shower were rather bizarre experiences. And I didn’t realise how cold my ears could get. But there’s always an upside…getting ready in the morning doesn’t take nearly so long, and I don’t have to worry about where my hair is when I’m cooking, or out at the pub. I know where my hair is. It’s in a bag in my lounge room.

And of course it’s all been for a very good cause.

It’s nearly two weeks later, and my hair’s already started to grow back. Now that I’ve gotten over the initial shock of being practically (well, for me anyway) bald, it’s time to start preparing for the “awkward growing out” years…

…But I would like to send a big “Thank You!” to everyone who has supported me through this. The reaction from everyone has on the whole been fantastic, and I want everyone to know that I appreciate it. It was something I was unsure about, from the time I registered through to the “bald transition”. It’s been quite an experience, one that I won’t soon forget…

PS I will keep interested parties posted when I get the photos

What can I say hun, you made a commitment & you did what had to be done!Good on ya!

Howdy Jazz

Well yes

One of the guys at work bet me 10 dollars I wouldn't do it. I said I would, because I'd rather look like an idiot because I had no hair, rather than looking like a coward because I backed out of a challenge.

And that's the basic gust of it

Yeah, I suppose but still that's a radical change! But belated Easters'n'es & all, how was your weekend?

I've heard change is as good as a holiday...and seeing as I won't be having a hoiday any time soon...

Easter was good, just laid back no worries kinds of stuff...which is nice to have (a holiday without trauma )

How was yours ?

Actually very quiet here too, not mucheither...but all the surplus eggs &s go on sale now!

The boy suggested that we go shopping and stock up on Easter eggs in the post-Easter sales…

…not for next year mind…just so we had more in the house

Well it’s *well* past hometime for me, so I best be off – hopefully I’ll catch you tomorrow

Ok, bye*blowses*

Did the bloke who bet you $10 pay up? That's the main thing.

By the way, as I could *not* get that site to work, I lobbed a donation into a general collection that was being put together at the office. It won't show up on your tally, of course, but you might as well have the warm inner glow.

congrats Tanzen
of course if fortune does favour the bald life can only get better for me in the years to come

Hi, Tanzen,

Well done, that took a lot of nerve especially in front of an audience. Have you any idea how much you raised? I couldn't get the site to work for me either which is a shame.

Did you have straight hair before it was shaved off? If so is it coming back curly? My other half had his shaved off many (many) years ago and it came back tight curls.



Websailor

I missed the site thingee; what was the worthy cause?
I hope they realise how lucky they must be!

Well done Tanzen!
I would have been happy to get shaved with ya, if I'd known... and of course if we were in the same place.

At the moment it's somewhere around $600 which is great

And yes, the guy who bet I wouldn't do it paid up, he ended up giving me $20...that's what you get for challenging a goat

Thanks all, I appreciate the happy thoughts

Websailor, it was already a little curly...at the moment it's just growing...straight up..it looks like a baby echidna has fallen asleep on my head

Well Kristy,sounds like you made the news eh ?,,,,were you on tv then ?errmm,,,,a worthy cause tho,,,,keep up the good work !!!

No I wasn't on the tv...thank

Having people watching me at the time was enough for me thank you

Thanks Gazz

Any pics at all ?

Funny you should mention that, I just got some today...will be sending it in to az at some point in the near future

soz bout my semi silence,,am STILL awaiting new keyboardstill usin remote

Poor kid

I’m w**king, so I will be drifting in and out a bit anyway…

no probs,,,time for me t snooze now,,,I bid you farewell Kristy,,,tc now's n 's xx