1. I hated getting my haircut.  Even though I didn’t know any different, going to run-of-the-mill cosmetology chain locations just never felt right.  I hated the smell (you know, that perm junk smell), they always played bad music, and had a magazine selection to make most men gag.  On top of not liking the environment, I was never very pleased with the haircut I got.  It seemed like the attending cosmetologist was just focused on getting my hair cut as quickly as possible.  I understand the idea of making money and more customers means more money, but come on! You don’t have to look at a crappy haircut everyday!

2. I would go months between hair cuts. Since I hated going to get my haircut I would push it off as long as possible.  This lead to very poor appearance and may have been why I never had much luck with the ladies.  I hated the idea of shelling out $15 for a haircut that I probably wasn’t going to enjoy from a place I hated going. It just didn’t make sense.

But one day, something happened.  My mother, completely disgusted with my appearance, ordered me to get a haircut.  I explained how much I hated the places I had been going and she then chose to inform me that our elderly neighbor was a licensed barber and had a chair in his garage.  So, begrudgingly, I went over to Mr. Allen’s and asked for a hair cut.

I have probably had hundreds if not thousands of hair cuts in my life, but up to that point I didn’t remember any of them.  But I remember the day Mr. Allen cut my hair.  It was perfect.  His garage smelled like grass clippings and gasoline.  His chair was leather and extremely comfortable.  He took his time, we talked about sports and the weather and girls.  It was the first time I ever enjoyed getting my hair cut.  And to top it off, it was probably the best hair cut I had ever received.

This lead me to decide I was never going to go to a “Chain Store Haircut Emporium” ever again.  Unfortunately, Mr. Allen moved away shortly after he cut my hair, leaving me once again shaggy and unkempt.  Luckily, I was able to find a classic barber shop on the main street of my home town where I now get my haircut every other Friday.

So, what was it about Mr. Allen that made his abilities at cutting hair so much more proficient?  He knew how to cut men’s hair.  I didn’t know it at the time but there is a real, fundamental difference between cosmetologists and barbers.  Here is a short breakdown of the difference:

Cosmetologists:

-Trained in both men’s and women’s styles.

-Trained in other areas such as: pedicures, manicures, waxing treatments, facials and makeup application.

Barbers:

-Trained only in men’s styles

-Trained more for facial hair trimming, using a straight razor (most states don’t even allow those with a cosmetology license to use a straight razor)

On top of those differences, take into consideration the fact that barbers are trained to cut hair with shears, while cosmetologists focus on scissors.  Shears are the main tool used for cutting men’s hair because of the closer cut styles, while scissors are used primarily for women because of their longer styles.

Another interesting fact is that, while there may not be as many barbers out there and one could argue there isn’t as much demand for barbers, according to education-portal.com, barbers are paid an average of $3,000-$7,000 more annually.  This leads to less of an emphasis on shuffling customers out as quick as possible in order to make more in tips.

One of the things I enjoy most about going to the barbershop is having the chance to “chew the fat” with other men of the town.  Our mayor, county police chief, and several county office officials all get their hair cut at the barber.  We also have a large military base nearby and the barber offers special discounts to our fighting men.  This leads to great conversation and a chance to rub shoulders with some fo the movers and shakers of our community. Not to mention the fact that the barber himself, Alan, who has been barbering for 40+ years in locations ranging from a Navy Aircraft Carrier to the factory of his previous employer, has great stories to tell and is just an interesting guy to talk to.

If you have never gone to a barbershop, I highly encourage you to do so.  Get a great hair cut, a relaxing neck shave with warm lather and a straight razor, and just enjoy being a man.  If you don’t walk out of the barbershop feeling manlier than when you went it, turn around and make sure you didn’t accidentally walk into a Great Clips or something like that.

Cheers

Tim

1. Marrying my wife.
2. Getting into full-time ministry
3. Deciding to live my life relationship based

Part 3 is what led me to be able to be part of the Super Bowl Half Time Show.  Shortly after graduating high school I became heavily involved with community theatre.  I did several musicals at the Indianapolis, now Booth Tarkington, Civic Theatre and was contacted by someone I grew close to while doing those musicals.

To quote a friend, “It feels like this is an elaborate joke at my expense.”  Even as I continued to receive email after email alerting me of practices and directions for the weeks leading up to the superbowl, I was still skeptical.  Till the day of my first practice, I didn’t know what to expect.  Instead of boring you with a lot of details, here is the cliff notes of practices for the Super Bowl.

1. Panera. A lot of Panera.
2. Hot. Hot. Heat.
3. Cee Lo walks by me. Cool head nods are exchanged.
4. Madonna adjusts my robe for me.
5. The show is incredible.
6. I sit around a lot. A. LOT.

Finally, the day comes that we have been preparing for.

I would love to say that walking out of the tunnel at the Super Bowl caused me to get goosebumps all over, but that wouldn’t begin to explain the feeling.  There is no other sporting event like it and not only that, it’s the biggest stage in the world.  This Super Bowl was watched by over 114 Million people, most watched program in history and the halftime show was the most watched portion of the game. I didn’t know all that when I walked out of the tunnel, but I knew it would be close.

Someone posted this minutes after we were done.  Just so you get a better view of me.

Sometimes it’s easy to get bogged down with the weight of everything going on in day to day life and then something comes along and reminds you just how incredible the experience of life is.  Sometimes it’s a day in the park and sometimes it’s performing during the Super Bowl.  Either way, as a modern vintage man in today society, whether you are on the stage with Madonna or taking out the trash, it’s important to enjoy each moment we have been given.

**For fun this is my family watching the halftime show.