Thank You Ronald Reagan

It may seem hard to believe that Presidential acts really do flow down to everyday citizens. It may be even harder to believe that the tearing down of the Berlin Wall has had a profound impact on my life, but it has.

Thanks to Ronald Reagan and his crushing of the Soviet Onion (yes Bob, that one is for you!); I can now get the best haircut in the world, for $19 plus a tip. It’s true, the best haircut in the world.

Reagan gets the thanks because now, there are real Russian Barbers in the United States that can give a man an honest to God haircut. Time was that didn’t happen here. I tried strip mall hair stores (the fast food version of haircuts), Salons…not to be confused with saloons, of which I have also tried a few in the past. I’ve tried friends, co-workers, shops that have been recommended. For a while I even considered doing it myself. As a matter of fact I gave up haircuts in the ‘70’s, but that may be a different story.

What has made it so frustrating is my hair doesn’t require a lot of work, or styling, or treatments, or conditioners, or fluffing and spraying and blowing. It merely needs to be cut. I figure with the amount of hair I have, 15 minutes ought to take care of it all.

I was on my way to giving up hope, until a friend of mine recommended the Russian Barber Shop. It sounded like a great plan, so off I went. Without an appointment, or booking, or reservation. As the song say, walk right in, sit right down….

It doesn’t start out with a shampoo and massage. You sit in the chair, tell them what you want, and they go to town. They either carry on a conversation with you or not, depending on your wants and desires.

I was in last week and mentioned that I had a headache, and immediately was offered some aspirin and a cold bottle of water! Man…or as Emeril would say , BAM!

What a start. Then you sit back and relax. There are some different TV’s on, sports, movies, news (yes Fox News). Or you can join in the conversations, there are always a few interesting subjects being covered. Or, close your eyes and relax.

The best part of it all is when they near the end. First it’s the trimming of the eyebrows. Then, now we’re getting to the point of it all, a hot lather trim, with a straight razor. This is when you know the cold war has been one. Sitting in a chair, relaxed, hot shaving cream on your face, and a Russian poised over you with a freshly bladed straight razor.

Still there’s more. Once the trim is over, there is the piece de resistance, the hot towel on the face. It comes out of a nuclear oven, and it’s just steaming. The barber drapes it on your face, rubbing your forehead and neck, and then lets it just sit, the heat just making your face unwind. There is nothing like it in the known world. Nothing. I say again, nothing.

And this is a truly international ordeal, because once the hot towel treatment is over, the handheld, stainless steel (probably German), Swedish Massager. This thing could vibrate the dead back to life. Over the shoulders, around the base of the neck, the scapula. And finally, some skin bracer to bring you back to life.

This is what a haircut should be. Thank you Mr. Reagan!

Sailing.........

“If the wind is right you can sail away, and find serenity”




And fortunately that was something I was able to do this week with three friends, spend the day on Lake Pleasant, sailing. Sailing is a fascination, and hobby that came on me by surprise. It certainly wasn’t something that I grew up thinking about, or having any aspirations about. As a matter of fact, it came on quick, and has never left.

I was working in Maine for the summer, and on a day off we decided to try a sailing trip. Her name was “The Blakcjack,” a restored 33foot Friendship Sloop, sailing out of Northeast Harbor, Maine. One of the nice things about the boat is she is made of wood, and her sails are real canvas. The trip was an hour and a half sail around the bay, and like I said, I had never really thought at all about sailing previously.

We got on board, if I remember right there is a max of 6 passengers plus the captain and one other crew member. I remember looking around some thinking this is kind of cool, I hope we don’t sink or tip over or something like that, fairly normal thoughts for me when doing something new that I know absolutely nothing about.

Anyhow, the captain started up the engine (diesel) and we pulled away from the dock and headed out of the harbor. As soon as we got clear of the harbor and into the channel they raised the sail and cut the engine. The wind snapped the sail, filling it, the boat heeled a bit catching the wind, and we were sailing. I swear that as soon as it happened I felt something click inside of me, and the thought hit me, this is what I want to do. And I’ve been pursuing it ever since.

Luckily I’ve been able to do some sailing over the years, and we currently own a MacGregor 26D. It’s a hobby that never ends, and I can have nearly as much fun working on the boat as sailing.

Sailing is just right. Wind, water, sun, friends, some skill, some luck, some work and a lot of relaxation. What a gift, and it’s one that I’m always happy to share with others.