Primped, Pampered, and Prepared for the Party

Last Edit December 30, 1998

My "day" for the December 5th date with Fabio began with 1" of ice on the windshield of the truck at 7AM. I hate ice on a windshield. It was so cold that I chose to wear thick corduroy pants, wool gloves and my fake mink car coat (it's Dacron - I shot it at Sears). It took 5 minutes to get the wiperblades free. The washer fluid was frozen. Even for Northern California, this was as bad as I've ever seen it. I hate it.
I ran my son to his job (his first day of work!) tossed him from the car and hit the wide open freeway.
I have this routine down pat. Three trips in three months.
I had my SMALL suitcase, and a carry-on. I've had four hours sleep and those were under sedation.
Who could sleep when HE is waiting.
Not I! Tall blond gods disturb my sleep!
I was not flying first class - not that there is much of a difference in a one-hour commuter flight. They were running upgrade games - I blew my chance. It was a hard one. Pictograph of a Christmas Carol. I am not playing them yet. Silent Night was a knight in armor, masked, riding a horse, and going "Shhhh!". Mine was a deck of cards showing an Ace of spades in a hallway with a lot of doors - sure. NOW I know! Deck the Halls!
Ah well.
But, I am flying with two hernias and wrapped in elastic and told not to move so I request to board early - it's with the first class passengers. That and my ripe old age. And I did not do my hair. Why should I ! So I looked ragged. So I get to board early with assistance - Ha Ha.
I win.
It is a short flight. We had a tail wind.
I trooped off and went looking for a cab. But first, I felt strange, so I ducked into the restroom to check my face.
Yep.
Beet red.
I had been exposed to the sun on the plane. I was overheated!
Red blotched my cheeks and forehead and chin.
I was hot.
I was pissed.
It went with the nasty little scratch I had picked up last night. Any touching of my face will cause skin to slough off.
I had gone to see Enemy of the State. Unconciously scratched an itch.
Yipes!
I slapped on more medication. I was in sun block.
Then I went for the cabs.
I had forgot about Super Shuttle. I will not forget them again.
Ooops!
It was, in spite of my telling him that I knew the area, a Checkered cab ride from hell. I saw more back streets and alleys than you can imagine. Luckily, I also knew where I was.
Thirty bucks. Actually 27 but he made no attempt to make change. I ignored him. And made a mental note to stay out of cabs. I hadn't entered one in fifteen years. Be another 15 before I do it again, if ever. And they don't speak English well.
I got a receipt and checked into my hotel. It was early (11AM) but I got my room.
They have a shuttle to Juan-Juan - the salon where I will be pampered. Great.
I rip off my now hot clothes (yes, in the room) and put on something cooler.
A Boy Scout Leader is Always Prepared!
In LA, it's "nippy" at 60! Oh yes!
I try cold water on my face. I have Medifast and Decaf coffee. I flee for the salon.
From 12-4:30 I am to be cosseted, petted and pampered.
And boy, was I!
First, Juan-Juan had to bring in EVERYONE in the salon, tell them I had a date with Fabio, and cause a lot of hilarity.
They tell me that if I don't "get" Fabio, I should come back and get Vincent.
I had my hair oiled by Vincent (great neck message, good hands).
I had my color consulted - and we ended up with a burgundy base with "sparkles" - light frost in a non-white color.
I had my hair cut and thinned and shaped by Cody. They brought bangs and curls around to cover the red!
They are making me look "90's". They are trying to get the frizz and the curl out. My hair is naturally curly. And curls any which way it wants to. I laugh. They are going for the hang it down straight look with a slight detour for the thinning and layering that exists. My hair is heavy.
"How do I ever maintain this?"
"You can't! We're professionals!"
Curlers is how. I am doomed.
During this my face was as red as a beet. I was hiding under towels while they used the hair dryer. They used it for the oil. For the coloring. And the styling. I now had red dots back on my forehead.
A fellow customer fed me Tylenol in a vain attempt to get the red out. They all plied my with ice water. I probably should have had a tranquilizer - my blood pressure was up. That will do it. As I have now found out. Well, doesn't he raise yours?
Last of all, I had a manicure. My nails had never been done before. I was interested to see how long this would last (3 days).
I had to let them dry for 10 minutes so I posed with these people who have fussed over me for 4.5 hours and who have finally decided that I should "get" Fabio.

They have by now all voted on this.
So did the other customers.
Fabio is still getting over the flu. What would I do with him? (Actually, I spent the evening wanting to ply him with hot tea with honey and lemon, pat his back and feed him cough drops! That nagging cough! My mother's instincts were in overdrive!)
I left the salon by hotel van loaded down with products that would help me maintain. A trick since any hair color fades in 4 weeks.
I may come back for a visit. $300 for 4-5 hours of pampering. Nice idea for a birthday present. I wonder if my sons are listening.
I am wondering if the warm breeze will mess up my hair. Notice I said WARM.
I need to bathe. WIthout disturbing my hair.
I need to dress. Without disturbing my hair.
I only have 3 hours to do so.
I won't need a coat.