Photo of me at a friends b-day party a few years ago. She (in the background) dared me to wear the hibiscus.
Well New Years has come and gone. I didn’t make any resolutions this year, feeling (blaming? Making excuses?) that the past hew years have been so tumultuous that I would just try to cruise on, keeping my head, and it’s to be hoped my weight and cholesterol down. I qu
it drinking years ago smoking decades ago, and carousing quit me even perhaps before I was quite accustomed to the idea of quitting it. But hey, I’m alive, I am employed, I am (at least intermittently) loved, and safe. My only wish is that for the rest of the world.
So the Christmas appearance of good weather was fleeting: it would be whining in the worst possible way when other parts of the country are chipping their way out of inches of ice or digging out their cars (or houses), or just now getting power to complain that we got rain, so I am not going to. To be honest, we do need it, badly, and the bulk of this is happening in places where it can fill reservoirs and replace snowpack so color me thrilled. We did get a decent amount in the past few days as evidenced by the photo- usually the level of the water in the pool here is in the bottom quarter of that “3”, and no, the deck does not drain into the pool- that is just rain.
Even getting caught in it wasn’t that bad. I was coming back from the market when it started schvitzing- no problem, not worth stopping. Then actually raining. Well, still no problem as I was just a few California Rolling Stops from my building and I would get wetter stopping to put up the roof. Just as I got to the gate, it opened up (don’t know if the video will upload) so I didn’t get drenched. Bullet dodged. I am hoping to passers-by that the sight of me zipping along in my car with the top down read as young, carefree and insouciant and not “old fart in a crappy car who is too stupid to come in out of the rain.”
Don’t burst my bubble.
It’s been raining off and on ever since, in a way that I find perfect- it will be grey during the day with maybe some showers, but the real rain comes after midnight, and I love that sound. I do look forward to February if this keeps up- we should get emerald green hills that look like special effects until we dry out and go back to gold. For the cold and rainy weather I have been pulling out gleefully the heavy hitters- dousing myself on Guerlain SDV or on days where I don’t have to go into the office indulging in the almost onanistic pleasures of MKK or Ambre Sultan
So my resolutions in 2023? Spend less. Food prices have gotten out of hand and it’s time to rein that in a bit. No “oh well, I feel like expensive take-out and it’s just for today” because it’s never just for today. No gadgets- I have purchased a new MacBook, iPad and iPhone in the past two years so that’s it. I don’t care if the iPhone 15 tells me I’m pretty and has automatic Photoshop to erase 20 years off me in zoom calls, unless it comes with it’s own stock portfolio and bakes I’ll stick with my 11. No new perfumes either. There I said it.
My other thing is get a haircut. I haven’t in months and my (admittedly enviable) problem is that my hair grows fast, which you can see in the photo. So it has gone from Barbara Bain in series one of Space:1999, past series two and is now flirting with Farrah in Charlie’s Angels. What say you guys? Chop it all of like in the pic from a few years ago above? Trim it? Leave it until I can flip it and say “freeze” like Jill Munroe” The photo doesn’t show the whole magilla- it’s long enough in the back for a French Twist, so I could be attending costume parties as Melanie Daniels- I’d just need a few cardboard crows and a bottle green dress. I’ll take all hairdo suggestions.
So what are your plans for the new years? Taking up a new hobby? Planning a life change? Places to go and people to meet? Please talk about it in the comments- I live vicariously through you people, I really do. And I hope you all have a happy, healthy and fulfilling new year!
Photos: Mine and Pixels
Heya Tom,
HNY buster.
Grow the hair. Just once in your life have nipple length hair. I’ll come to LA and French Braid it for you.
Resolutions? To use up the lions share of my samples/decants. I’m seriously looking forward to all the extra space that will create in the perfume room.
Portia xx
Actually I had it almost that long once. It was huge. And blonde.
I think your plan is brill. And getting everyone to play as well is even more so.
I’m so glad you are back on the Posse, Tom, and omg I have serious hair envy! In my 60s, my hair is thinning at an alarming rate and has to be styled “just” so to cover my head. Do what makes you happy, you would look great with that Hugh Grant foppish look. And your skin looks great, too.
Thank you for the kind words! You have certainly gotten my 2023 off to a pleasant start! Hope yours is wonderful!
All that rain sounds lovely, although I know it can come with unwanted side-effects, like so many things in life … you have a gorgeous, full head of hair! I’m giggling because it looks a lot like mine right now in terms of length, color and cut! (Short for me, long for you!) I think you should do whatever makes you happiest. The problem with a short cut of course is the maintenance, I got bored with that myself although I loved my pixie.
My “problem” is that short doesn’t stay short for long, and my “cheap” barber is getting less and less cheap. The great thing about short is that it’s zero maintenance. I put some shea butter in it to keep it down (like in the photo) and that’s it. The long hair is even less work.
Yes, the rain can be a pain, especially when it won’t stay mainly on the plain (sorry!) It’s causing awful problems up North and they closed Laurel Canyon today between Mulholland and Hollywood to put up k-rails to direct any possible mud.
Glad to hear California is getting much-needed rain, Tom. Our weather has broken the thermometer in one week going from 7 to 70 — unseasonably cold to unseasonably warm! Please, make up your mind! So yesterday I actually went out and did some yard work. My clothing and scent wardrobes have gotten quite a workout trying to keep up with this craziness. Love your silver hair! Since it’s so full and healthy, how about a cut that showcases the shine of the hair.
Hi Dina-
I got notice from friends in the East and Midwest that it was doing just that: one day 40 degrees, then down to -20, then up to 60F, all in the space of 72 hours. The part that stank for my Midwest peeps was that it got warm enough for the snow to melt, then froze. My friend’s parking lot was a skating rink that she dared not try to maneuver.
I vote for short like in the first picture.
Happy New Year everyone X
Thanks! I’m leaning towards chopping it off when the rain subsides.
Which at this rate might be 2024
I do like an short back & sides with a good fade. Some how ageless & suits all. Can be worn floppy, like Hugh Grant or with a holding product as you have in the first photo.
No NY resolutions here, life is out of control at the minute & Im not going to foist more stress on myself.
I have managed to do my Lucky Dip/Thunk It project for 3 consecutive days though & have just dipped the 4th. Today will be Neela Vermeire’s Trayee. There is very little left in the sample so it’s likely to be my first official Thunk of 2023.
Good news on the rain. Fingers crossed for no wild fires in 2023
I do like the look of the short hair, and the low maintenance. I don’t like having to have it cut every three weeks to have it look neat and tidy. Oh well if that’s the worst I have to complain about I should be kissing my elbows.
Happy new year-ish! I have ‘plans’ which need to start to take shape this year. So far, all tech is happily chugging along. Long may that last. Had a takeaway the other night and yup, that’s that — between energy and food price inflation the restaurant has had to raise prices precipitously to keep going. I despair at my garden which is a swamp. Nothing to be done about that till probably end of Feb. Hair … I vote for short. Much easier and if you don’t go too short you can still faff around with it.
I hope your plans keep chuggng and your tech keeps teching.
I honestly feel like an old grouch but when did it become standard for a hot dog and a coke to be $20? Am I meant to only dine out at CostCo on samples, with a slice of pizza as a birthday treat?
I’ve always been lousy at predicting the future. Did a life change last year. Had a tarot reading that said I broke my ancestral karma and am now free. Yay! Sounds good to me.
Your hair does look good in the first picture but I have a different idea. You don’t want it long. That usually has the effect of trying too hard to look young. Do it like you have it in front all the way around and neaten it up a bit. That should give a carelessly casual and somewhat free-spirited effect. Own it and you will seem younger. Aren’t you glad you asked. lol.
I am, actually!
No resolutions for me, trying to keep trying to work on self-improvement and practice gratitude. I envy your fast-growing hair. I vote for short; however, more important you wear it however it makes you happy. Wishing you a great start to the New Year!
Thanks, you too!
I like your hair in the top photo, I vote for that. Same resolution as you, spend less. I’m moving on Saturday and opening up a new chapter in my life. Aiming for nothing less than a complete transformation. Go big!
Good for you! Is the move close or far? In my yoof I picked up stakes and moved across state lines like I was a fugitive. Now moving down the street seems like a hideous chore.
Lordt! but your hair is purty!
And LA in January – as long as you can keep the mud on the hillsides, I’m all for the rains – and yes, you do need it!
Happy New Year, darlingest!
xoxoxo
Happy new year to you, my dear!
Looks like January is going to be a wet one- but yes, we do need it.