I'll take the physical challenge, Mark ...

So I'm in the middle of a two year long project. I'd like to call it the "Porn Star Hair Project."

My hair is hands down, my favorite physical feature. It reflects so much of my personality it is unbelievable.

The most obvious reflection is in the color. It's "called" strawberry blonde, but let's be honest here- it's bright orange. I give new meaning to the terms carrot top and fiery redhead. The color is a rarity among a rarity, and when the sun hits it- you can't take your eyes off of it.

::strokes ego like a cat sitting in my lap::

But let's get passed the whole fire burning in my soul and coming out of the top of my head thing. Its volume, body and thickness are fucking amazing. I have absolutely no complaints. My hair only looks bad when I haven't washed it in three days and have kept it up in a greasy, messy ponytail. It shows my strength, natural style and intensity. Not to mention my versatility and adaptability.

I think my favorite thing about my hair though, is where I got it from in the first place. My daddi. His nickname was Sunny as a child and Rusty as an adult. Now it's Old Man With Snow on Head, but hey. He's got the same passion and vitality in his hair and in his life. I love that my hair is a symbol and almost a tribute to my connection with him. Not to mention the Irish blood.

So in honor of this gift I have received, I have tried to be good to my mane throughout my life. But now I'd like to take that a step further. I want hair half-way down my back, with it angled up to a few inches below my chin in the front so as to not drag down my face. And oh it gets better. Loose, hugungus curls. Like a porn star.

Now I'm about 3/5 of the way there, and it's time for a trim. But oh, I'm losing my focus. The nice, warm weather is back... and I am having fantasies about chopping it all off like one of my old summer cuts right below the chin.

I am SO CLOSE, people!! And if I wait until the spring of '05 to do the chop, I will definitely have enough hair to donate to locks of love. This SHOULD be enough motivation to keep me on track... but I am seriously considering asking someone to be my chaperone when I go to the cuttery, threatening me with the look of death if I waver from my 2 inch trim.