WANTED: A barber

I've lived in San Francisco for more than 3 years now and it has been a struggle to find a barber. This was a surprise to me because I am picky about almost nothing. I will eat most foods. I will participate in most activities. I will drink most beers. I will talk to most people and well, you get the picture. My overriding life philosophy is to go with the flow, see where it takes me and if I don't like it, jump back into the river. Today I had one of those jump back into the river moments when my barber answered his cell phone while cutting my hair. If he wasn't half way through rocking my wig, I would have walked out.

There are a few things I look for in a barber shop...

1. They have to take a straight edge razor to the back of your neck. This defines a haircut to me. I have been getting my neck straight edged since I was a toddler and there is no feeling like the warm lather of shaving cream followed by the blade whisking the whiskers away. My memories are vivid, they harken me back to the smoke filled barber shops of my childhood. I can still hear the 1950's rock and roll playing on the radio. When I close my eyes see my father and grandfather sifting through the newspaper and talking about the day's events. The razor on the back of my neck is important because it reminds me of a time when my biggest concern was whether or not we were going to get Tony's Donuts after.

2. It can't be a big box barber. Places like Great Clips and Supercuts are okay if you are desperate. I find the service and the haircut mediocre. I can not get over their big brother data bases that store your phone number (I always give them my dad's. Sorry dad!) and address. Plus, they never give you the straight edge service because they rarely if ever employ actual barbers.

3. My barber shop can not remind me of a Hooters restaurant. I really enjoy a good female barber, so that's not the issue. In fact, I go to Clippers just about every time I return to Portland, Maine. There is not one man with scissors in his hands there, but there is at least one barber shop in San Francisco that seems to hire only women who are a little top heavy before handing them a uniform top that is 2 sizes too small. I will not participate in a haircut where you have to wonder where to put the tip afterward. Plus the food at Hooters is terrible and I can't imagine getting my hair cut there.

 4. Lastly and perhaps most importantly. If you are a barber: DO NOT ANSWER YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE CUTTING MY HAIR! Are you an idiot? That is customer service 101. It is incredibly disrespectful and in poor taste. Worse than the food at Hooters.

So for now I will wander the city scape alone in search of another barber.

Update on the Life of Brian

Every time I start to write a new blog I stop. I'm not sure why. It certainly isn't because I don't have much to say, believe me, I've got plenty to share with the world. Work is going great. I'm working less at the store, more in broadcasting. Karel is super fun, supportive, and easy to work with. I have got the man some awesome guests lately including Macy Gray, Marcia Clark, Margaret Cho, and Idina Menzel. I enjoy producing as much as working in a newsroom because getting an interview with someone who isn't always easy to reach can be quite thrilling. I feel like most elected officials, business leaders, and law enforcers are all to eager to give you their spin on just about any situation. working in a news room can be ultra exciting or just plain mundane depending on the day. The art of the hunt and the excitement of the chase never dies while producing a talk show. The variety of subjects from serious legislation and violence on the streets, to a new album and concert tour, the possibilities are endless. I also enjoy the challenges that come along with working with the other hosts. Christine Craft, Matt Ray, Maureen Langan, Peter B. Collins, and Stacy Taylor are all people I am learning from. Each host has their own way of doing things and quirks that make their show unique. I've been teaching the Teen Media Program in Marin since January. It has been a lot of work and I am looking forward to a one month break after this Thursday. When I was in High School the process of making a radio news story interested me, but I had no idea how to go about doing it until someone at WGAN stuck a microphone in my hand and said "Here kid go do some field reporting." I really like the fact that I am not only showing students how to make radio stories, but how to show their personalities through their writing and follow up on things that interest them. Yellowstone National Park awaits in just under one month. I can't wait to go! I was blown away with all that Lassen Volcanic National Park had to offer. I am sure Yellowstone will be even more spectacular! Here's to staying out of the mouth of a Grizzly. My beer production has kicked up. I created a darn good Porter with Paul in my backyard. It was so good we decided to do it again, along with an IPA and a White IPA. We are also in a brewing contest to brew a Pilsner Urquell clone. I guess we'll see how that comes out. Round one of pilsner brewing is coming soon. The winner of the contest gets to tour the PU factory in Prague. Wish us luck. My good buddy Tom recently visited San Francisco. We took a day to tour Muir Woods and wine country while he was here. The photo above is from Hook & Ladder. Who can resist hamming it up in front of a firetruck?