Day 55 ~ Barbertology ~ 10/7/13

Day 55 ~ Barbertology ~ 10/7/13
381 hours
5 guests so far

Posted to FB last night- "If you'd have told me the first haircut I was going to do on a guest was going to be a High & Tight I'd have said the chances were rare but possible. But as it turns out that is what is currently scheduled for 11 tomorrow. So unless they try to give me some other guest in that 9:30-11 opening this will be my first. But the knowledge that I have known my guest for about 3 years and that he's an awesome guy makes this well, awesome. Then I have a perm scheduled for 1 pm. Its got me concerned Time wise but otherwise I'm fairly excited. I want so much to get it done without any problems. Most importantly I want her to get a great perm and like it. I can settle for all other issues if the quality is there. But I'm saying this without my old fear. I guess I would call it slight nervous caution. I'm happy for this chance. I don't know if this person called in for a perm and was randomly given to me. Or if it's a regular I inherited from a grad. Or if its one of the cards I handed out bringing them in as a request. But its a chance. And I'm grateful for it."

Today's Hair: Pink bows on a tail. I'm in a time crunch and need to get myself out the door sooner in the morning so my styles may become a bit simpler or repeated. Being that it's October I may just do pink items and go from there.

Today was Monday on the Performance floor.
When I checked my appointments on the computer today to see if there was one before 11 I noticed that the 1 pm perm was missing so i asked about it. The other day when I booked my friend and then went back and double checked he was not on my listing. At that time the perm was. I got it straightened out to put him back in the 11 am slot. Today the perm was moved to someone else's slot so that we could all have a chance to have someone on the slower Monday. So I was kinda happy about that because while I would love to do the job, 1 PM is a bit scary for the amount of time. As it turns out I was able to at least observe what was done with that guest. It probably would have been a bit too soon for me.

That being said, I will let the words posted on my FB status by the guest himself tell the story of the 11 am.
https://www.facebook.com/PurpleBubba/posts/10151949288255799?comment_id=30883215

In other news, I walked the entire center on lunch just to walk. I had given my pocket cards to him so I had to wait to get home to make some more up. When I got home I took a walk to the corner and my card was accepted at a store. That's 35 now. I gave 2 cards during my weekend shopping.

I just made a friend on FB and will be booking her for next Wednesday. She seems like a great guest to help me learn.

I posted to my FB earlier today "i will never give up on this life, my life, again. love this too much" 
And that is where I stand right now heading into tomorrow's Mock / Practise State Board practical test.

Fun times ahead
Thanks for reading
~ No Tangles ~

Day 54 ~ Wash, Rinse, Straighten, Repeat ~ 10/5/13

Day 54 ~ Wash, Rinse, Straighten, Repeat ~ 10/5/13

374 hours
4 Guests so far

Today's Hair: White with colored flowers bow from Gymboree placed over a spin pin held bun. Tail had bands on it. I also put a few bobby pins in just to be safe. I took the picture right after I did it. I did put on more bobby pin in around 1 pm but it held all day without being tight.

Saturday and Monday are always Performance Floor days from now on. So today was a floor day.
I had a 9:30 guest today again but this time I was ready because it wasn't hectic with the celebration. Plus I only had what would fit at the station to unpack except for the bag to put in the locker.
My first guest of the day was a 12 yr old girl with an S name. She had come with her mother for Shampoo and Thermal styling. The mother was someone else's guest. I had a lot less fumbling about today so I got through the task without help. It took me 2 hours. Her mother was pleased and she was as well. Her mother at the beginning showed no signs of doubt in my abilities. I asked S how long she'd been coming and she said 2 years. So I was comfortable and confident in my abilities and relaxed and I got through it. I made a tip.
  
I asked if I had another coming in and I was told I had another thermal coming in at 2:15. I was either going to get a mother or her daughter. Took my lunch at 11:30 so that was 2 hours for the first guest. On lunch I posted to FB "sweet redemption. for yesterday and for 12 yrs ago. awesome day so far..... — feeling accomplished." and the reason I say that is not only did I get over the hurdle from yesterday but I straightened the hair of a child. A 12 year old. That's significant because she would have either been not born yet or a new born when I had the 9 yr old girl in my chair at the old school and touched her with the hot pressing comb 12 years ago in April. Today I held a flat iron instead. Its a little easier to use. But it did get a bit hot and there was a moment when it got a bit hot for S today. But no tears today. I took another walk today while the sun was out. It had been rainy today but not then. Just a walk today and no attempts to pass out cards. Just enjoying the positive.

As I was checking the computer for my upcoming clients I noticed that I have a 1 pm perm scheduled already on Monday. I don't know if this is one of my cards or if someone called and they gave her to me. But its mine at the moment to take care of and try to keep. I also have my coworker friend scheduled for 11. So that's at least 2 already for monday. Plus since I was looking at a view showing me all the way to 11/5 it was showing me Mrs D's name repeatedly and that was cool to see.

So after lunch I had some time to sanitize my combs and brushes and get ready. I also relieved dispense for their lunch break. And then I basically swayed and danced around my chair as I awaited 2:15 to come. I was feeling it. Kelly Clarkson's Catch My Breath was playing. It had played in the car on the way in the morning and again then. 
"Catch my breath, no one can hold me back,
I ain't got time for that
Catch my breath, won't let them get me down,
It's all so simple now"

So the mother and daughter arrived and it turned out that the mother was for me and the very young girl, probably 4 was someone else's. The mother who also has an S name had a chin length bob. So it wasn't as long as yesterday or today's earlier guests. I was on my game with her and she was pleasant and ready to help etc. I had my moment to interact with the little girl too and ask her about her pink animal and such. I did my job and although at the end Mrs S fixed it a bit for herself and told Mrs V that she was going to fix it a bit herself at home, she was happy that I did a good shampoo which is what she really wanted because she has oily hair. And Mrs V gave me a high 5. But what really made me happy was 1, I got her done before the little girl was done, 2, My watch said 3:25 so it was only just over an hour, 3, I got a $5 tip. While she may have seemed like she didn't like how I did it there is a possibility that I'll have her again and she may not mind. When she was doing her hair around the front hair line she was doing it to help show me for the difficult guests. So I choose to take that as she's willing to come back and sit in anyone's chair.

What I'm also really happy with is that the other students are really showing me some love. They're liking what I'm doing and letting me know. I feel like part of this class now. I'm not feeling like the newbie now. And I really really love doing my blow drying dance. I don't know what anyone else sees but I know I'm dancing around that chair back and forth. I own those tools. And I'm starting to own that flat iron too.
Monday I'm going to have a chance to own some clippers and chances are if I'm doing a perm there will be a cut involved. Lets see if I can get through that. I'm nervous about it, timewise. But I don't doubt my ability.
I know I'm where I need to be. 
I love this. And I love that I'm still writing about it. 
I love writing in my appointment book. So much nicer than the old notebook. So much more meaning to it. I put my name and address on the inside cover in case it gets lost. "I" have one. And I'm feeling like I have the right to have one. I'm not an outsider anymore. 

Mrs L tried to give me a nickname today so I told her I'm PurpleBubba.

~ No Tangles ~

Day 53 ~ 10 - 4 Good Buddies, Making Rainbows ~ 10/4/13

Day 53 ~ 10 - 4 Good Buddies, Making Rainbows ~ 10/4/13

I'm going to start off by reposting what I posted last night as a seperate entry in case anyone missed it then.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cosmetology Journal ~ The Last Night Of Before ~
I already did today's entry.
This is basically one of my status update pondering posts.
This is the last night of the what ifs. The last night of I failed. The last night of the past. Its time to find out just how much passion I have. Its time to stop worrying. I know I can't do it all. But I can do all of what I can.
I know I have the 1:30 roller set with Mrs D. I know that there's time before that. I know that Saturday is coming. One way or another I will have a frying pan to fire moment very soon. I'd be lying if I said it didn't scare me. But I'm starting to want the challenge. If I'm overwhelmed then so be it. Gotta do what I can. I know I can. Its time to use those beautiful tools I was loving so much a few months back.
I'm as ready as I will ever be. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now for today:
367 Hours
2 Guests so far

Today's Hair: I made a tail with 2 purple bands. Then I bunned it and put my purple hairsticks in. Then I put a spin pin aka hair scroo through the top. I wanted to make sure it was going to stay because I cannot be touching my hair out on the floor to fix it. It stayed and was not tight.

I took this picture last night of my Senior Student name tag since its official now.

Its Friday celebration day. I only had 99% attendance last week so I did not get a butterfly this week. But considering the flat tire reminder I had two days ago that showing up is not a guarantee I am more than satisfied with being there eveyday still. Besides the reason for being a tiny bit late last week was awesome and I wouldn't change it. I'd gladly do it again. Although I'd prefer to not have to play Footloose chicken with bull dozers and double trailer dump trucks. But I won.

I was a bit stunned by not getting that butterfly. But after sitting for a minute while they were actually dancing for the first time in a few weeks I got up and did some of whatever it was I did. Then as I was standing and watching a little kid dance the person who was at the desk today was handing out the client tickets. I got one and it said 9:30 - Shampoo & Thermal Style for Mrs S.

Ok backing up a bit, Last night I packed up a set of magnetic rollers to bring with me to A, have enough for today's roller set and B, exchange mine for the ones that came in my kit because mine have a rough texture versus the smooth plastic of the school kit. I want that texture to help grab the hair. And it was needed. So While we were dancing I still had 3 tote boxes on my station counter because I needed to put some back in the locker or something. I also had Deb with a full head of rods to put back in the locker. So there I was in scramble mode because the client was already there waiting and I had to change gears. If you read what I reposted then you know I expected this anyway. But still it was happening. However, although I was in a panic mode I still got focused and I composed myself as I was ready to go greet my guest.
I went to the lobby and spoke her name and greeted her. I asked if she'd been here before and she said yes. I nervously made my way through caping and then had Mrs J come over to get me on track. She said to brush her and then take her to the shampoo so I got my Denman out like we were taught and I'm about to start brushing when Mrs S asks if I'm going to brush her hair. I say yes because I'm supposed to. I didn't tell her but I'm telling you that its part of analyzing the hair. You brush the hair so you can check the hair and scalp for things. Without acting like you're examining the hair and scalp. But she was acting like she was annoyed by this. And I was being very careful with my sectioning and detangling so it was taking longer. Her hair was loose curls like waves at the time. She was there for a flat iron straightening. She said something to the guest next to her about This isn't gonna work or something. Then I got her to the shampoo and made my way through that. I was doing fine but because I was being careful it was taking longer. Plus I was doing 2 shampoos and then conditioner. But I got done and took her back to blow dry. I sectioned her for the blow drying and as I was about to start, and I was about to rock out with that thing (I don't remember if Mrs J was standing there already or if I had to go get her, or if she was behind me with the other student) Mrs S says, "This isn't going to work" and whether it was going and getting her or she was already there, Mrs J was brought into the conversation. Which led to Mrs S saying she wanted someone else because I was too slow, too new, too gentle. She asked if someone else could do it. Mrs J said there wasn't any other students. Note: I did not once tell her she was my first client. Nor did I mention my old school etc. So Mrs J started to blow dry her because Mrs S wanted to leave. Then she had me take over about halfway through. And I finished the blow dry. Then I went to get Mrs J to have her check and sign off. The office door was closed so I knocked and was let in. Then Mrs L the floor manager came back out with me and basically without asking if Mrs S still wanted to leave she started showing me how to do the flat ironing. As if she were doing a demo. And as she was doing it she was saying "Arc it like a rainbow" for each strand. She did the bottom portion of the right half and then had me finish the right up to the top. Then she came back and got the left side started and had me finish the left top. Then she came back and put the finishing touches on and gave a tiny trim. Then we three went to the desk and Mrs S paid and I got $2 tip. And then we went to the retail shelf to discuss some better products to try next time. Mrs S left happy and she'll be back again. I don't know who will have her next but we'll see. What was interesting was how Mrs S was acting like she was in a hurry yet she was there with someone and they weren't done yet. I don't want to bring race into this but it is possible that my book got judged by my cover. Mrs L, Mrs J, and I discussed it after like we do to learn what went right or wrong with something for all services and thats when Mrs L told me that's why she was saying Rainbow.
These instructors will have my back. They did not take over and do it all. I learned and did my job. I will make it. And even when the words came out that she wanted to leave I was just about unphased by it. I wasn't going anywhere. The whole time Mrs J was blow drying, even with the thought that she was going to leave I was just standing there smiling and knowing that I'll be fine.

I took my lunch at 12:30 so I could have the half hour after to prep for Mrs D to come for her roller set. I posted to FB "the story has begun but youll have to wait for the chapter till tonight. it was intetesting....."
Then I took a walk and listened to my Dare song. I didn't try handing out cards today. But I was in a good mood then. I mean I had what could be my hardest client already and she left smiling.

Came back and calmly prepped for Mrs D to come in. I was looking at the parking lot and saw a car pulling into the handicap spot and I guessed right that it was her since she has a rolling walker chair she uses. So I went out and waited to open the doors for her and greeted her as she approached. And she said it was a nice day. So we both went in and long story short we had a ball. I struggled with putting her 3ish inch hair on the blue rods without using papers and I probably would not have shared a picture of my rolling with you. But I got it rolled in time to get her under the dryer and she was done in time. And now that I know how that not as good one turned out ok I will be able to do it better next week because she is already rebooked for me. And I got another $2. And then while I cleaned up and did my trash can sani the dance music was playing so I was dancing on the inside.

Now comes the Busy Saturday. Fun times await. They have my back. What's to be afraid of? I'm going to make it. And my coworker buddy wants to come for a cut next week so that's already one for next week. I'm going to be there for it. If you're reading, thanks buddy, I'll get you all set :)

Thanks for reading and thank you all for getting me to this point. I hope we can all have some happy times to share if you are struggling.
~ No Tangles ~

The Last Night Of Before

Cosmetology Journal ~ The Last Night Of Before ~

I already did today's entry.
This is basically one of my status update pondering posts.

This is the last night of the what ifs. The last night of I failed. The last night of the past. Its time to find out just how much passion I have. Its time to stop worrying. I know I can't do it all. But I can do all of what I can.

I know I have the 1:30 roller set with Mrs D. I know that there's time before that. I know that Saturday is coming. One way or another I will have a frying pan to fire moment very soon. I'd be lying if I said it didn't scare me. But I'm starting to want the challenge. If I'm overwhelmed then so be it. Gotta do what I can. I know I can. Its time to use those beautiful tools I was loving so much a few months back.
I'm as ready as I will ever be. 

Day 52 ~ 360 Comes Around Again ~ 10/3/13

Cosmetology School Journey ~ Day 52 ~ 360 Comes Around Again ~ 10/3/13

360 Hours
I am officially Legal again to do services on the public as long as its in the school supervised.

Today's Hair: Purple Velvet scrunchie tail

Classroom Day: Today was day 2 of Chemistry and Properties of Hair & Scalp.The first part of the day was theory on the disorders of the hair and scalp. But instead of reading from the book we did a group project. We split the cclass into 3 groups and each group had about 6 words to incorporate into a story or a song or something fun.
Here is the story that I mostly wrote for our group.
Cory looked in a mirror and was noticing her horrible, horrible trichoptilosis. So she calls a local salon to see if they can fix her split ends. "There's no cure but we can trim them and give you a deep conditioning treatment and we have an opening at 1 pm if you would like to come in?"
Cory enters the salon and the receptionist greets her. Cory says she is there to have her ends trimmed. The receptionist, noticing her abnormal amount of face and body hair, responds "All of them?" The receptionist had never seen such hypertrichosis before.
The inexperienced stylist startled by this as well takes Cory directly to the shampoo area and then puts a black cape on her. The manager looking over sees an excessive amount of white flakes of skin cells. She asks the stylist if she noticed the pityriasis during the consultation.
Upon closer analyzing the manager observes that it does appear to be dandruff caused by the fungus called malasezia. The manager then notices some dry, yellow like crusts of scutula and the odor common of tinea favosa.
Suddenly something crawls across her comb. The other stylist exclaims "Oh my you have lice!!!" The manager says, "That doesn't look like pediculosis capitis."
Cory says "Oh I'm sorry, I'm a werewolf. Those are fleas."

We had to present them in front of the class also so I got to read it. Remember when I had a hard time speaking in front of people? Yeah me neither.
Then we set up to learn the steps of a scalp massage, not the shampoo one but while they are in the styling chair. Then we watched one of the soon to graduate students demo it. Then we shampooed our manikins or partners to get ready. I used my Suzie manikin from home. After lunch I practised the movements for a while and then Mrs C said we could blow them dry and then style them or whatever. So I blew her dry and then with the little time left I was attempting to do spirals with my marcel. But when Mrs C showed us the spirals in workshop I didn't get a chance to try it because I was doing something else at the time. So I asked her to show me. Oddly enough she was having trouble remembering how to do them. But she got it figured out. But by then it was 2nd break time and after break we went over what we needed to get for doing our mock state board next Tuesday.

I am officially in the computer as legal and can have people request me for appointments and such. Mrs D is on my books for tomorrow at 1:30. But that leaves a few hours before then to have a different first guest. So I'll have to wait and see what happens. But its upon me. Time to go the distance.

Card Report: I offered twice at lunch and was turned down. After school I ent to see my other brother and while there I gave some of my cards to give to his coworkers or whomever. Then on the way home I stopped at the first CVS from the other day that I gave the first 2 cards at. But it was later in the day so a different lady was working and she accepted a card. I told her something like "come let me help you relax"
So I'm up to 32 now.

Tomorrow is dance day.......... one way or another
~ No Tangles ~

Day 51 ~ Yay 350 Hours, Whoa Slow Down The Train ~ 10/2/13

Cosmetology School Journey ~ Day 51 ~ Yay 350 Hours, Whoa Slow Down The Train ~ 10/2/13

353 Hours

Today's hair: Just a simple tail with a Pink bow.

 

Performance Floor day: I started the day by going to station 11 and unpacking with the intent of doing a perm. I had Deb and short haired Penny still sectioned and ready to go except for wetting down. But right after roll call Mrs. V asked if anyone wanted to volunteer to go into Dispense so I jumped at it. I figured I could still do a perm back there anyway and its better back there. Student with a B name was also back there with me all day.
I had intended to try small perm rods again but since I would need to work the dispense I thought I'd better opt for something with less rods. So I took my time and did a basic perm on Deb with the orchid rods like I did a few days ago. Between that and doing the laundry and dishing goop I got done around 2:30 break. I came back and took her rods out and looked at my watch and it said it was just after 3. I didn't want to stand around for an hour so I told myself it was Go time. I had put her sectioning back as I removed the rods so she was ready. I didn't set the timer since the timer would be a teacher saying its "4, time for Sani's"
I think when I started my watch said 3:08. I was still handing things out while working. I got the last rods or two in right after my watch beeped for 4 pm. So while one took me all day I was able to get 2 done. That's 2 more of the at least 15 perms and part of the 80 total perms or relaxers. I need to check how many that is now. I might have them already. Although my guess would be closer to 12.

Card Report: I walked back and forth 2 times on lunch but I didn't quite catch up to many people. I think I asked 2. The second lady was actually approaching me with a penny and said something about "Here have a lucky penny" and I replied "can I give you something?" and offered the card but she declined. I struck out on all the ones I asked today. I think it was 3 or 4. But that's ok cuz I got that walking in and the practise.

After School: I'm not quite unstoppable yet. I had a bit of a reminder. My drive home is 8 miles. at mile 6 as I was about to turn onto my home road I heard a chunk noise as if I ran something over. As I turned the corner I heard my tire rumbling a familiar sound. I limped the mile to the intersection with a gas station and put air in it but it was gushing out. I went across the street to the mechanic that was still open but he doesn't have tires. The tire was already flat again so I got out my jack and spare and went to work. But when i got the lug nuts off I couldn't get the tire to budge. My thought was that there was some trick to getting the tire off since this car is newer to me. So I put the lugs back on and limped the .7 miles left home. Then my brother who already works his butt off saved the day and bashed the tire until it came loose. He got the spare on and I drove to the tire place and got there just before their 6 pm close. They put the new tire on for me at no extra charge. On the way back I stopped for gas and the cashier accepted my card.

I'm not stopped. Just slowed down for the moment. With a lot of help I'm still going to make it to school tomorrow and not be driving on a spare.
Flat tires plagued me last time. I guess they just like me when I'm in school.

So I reached 350 hours. Tomorrow is a classroom day. I know I've got Mrs D coming in for her roller set on Friday at 1:30. So she may or may not be my first guest. Plenty of time before that and Friday is a busier day. So we'll see. I also am there Saturday so who knows what I'll do. Regency does have Princess parties and we do get booked for them. So its always possible that I could have a kid's manicure, updo, and makeup.

Fun times ahead.
~ No Tangles ~

Day 50 ~ Senior Service Soon ~ 10/1/13

Cosmetology School Journal ~ Day 50 ~ Senior Service Soon ~ 10/1/13

346 Hours complete - 4 to go till 350. When is the day? Wednesday.

Today's Hair: Same braid with flowers as yesterday's entry. I fell asleep in my chair and decided to just keep it.

Classroom day: The next two weeks are Chemistry and leading into our first mock State Board. Which means we go through all the practical services as we would taking the real test. Oddly enough I'm not quite as scared about that as I thought I'd be. It seems more like just another project to get through now. Its a lot of prep work and putting things in containers and baggies. Ok bring it on. I gotta know how to do this stuff if a client comes in this week anyway.

We spent the day doing theory and book work and such. Not a whole lot to write about. We tested some of our products for their pH with test strips.

I asked Mrs C when I'm allowed to switch my name tag from Junior to Senior because I wasn't sure if I had to be 350 or not and she said I could already so I did. So whether it really is official or not I will be tomorrow anyway. I was going to get a picture of the name tag but its on my apron and that's in my other bag in the car right now so I have it to put on when I unpack into my station.

The other story of the day was that even though we were low on supplies I was able to restock my business cards and door knockers so I could prep some more to hand out. Then on break I asked a lady walking by if she'd like one but she declined. But that was my first try on a public person since the customer at the pizza place. The non employee people I mean. So during lunch I posted to FB "lets see if I can work while i walk — feeling curious." and I then proceeded to do my usual walk towards the west end. I got all the way to the corner without having the chance to catch anyone walking out or in a store. They were too far ahead. But I turned around and headed back and I was halfway back when there was a lady coming towards me. I said something like "Excuse me, would you like my card?" and she accepted. I got back to my usual standing spot in front of the school and posted "one walk = one card given"
I still had some time so I thought I'd walk the other direction and see what happens. Out of 4 ladies that I asked 2 accepted. So that puts me up to 30 cards given so far in 4 days. Its fun now. In the past a rejection could have crushed me. Doesn't even phase me now. OMG she said no. Who's next?.............
Just keep walking just keep walking. I know I can make the cards dissappear. So it just takes time. Just not as much as I thought it would. I feel unstoppable. I am untangled.

Onward ~~~~~~~~~~~~~>

Thanks for reading
~ No Tangles ~