A Refreshed Tattoo & Questions for other billboards

Seeing some of my fellow billboards gave me a bit of cranial envy b/c I seem to have a smaller head than others.  The good news is that my cranium measured 24 inches and one of the folks at Sunday's event said that an 18 to 19 inch head would be considered a pinhead. I guess that makes me just a petite head.

QUESTIONS FOR OTHER BILLBOARDS - Please comment:

1.  Did you enjoy the warm towel on your shaved head on Sunday?  I always wondered what a warm towel against a freshly shaved face felt like.  I always imagined someday having a warm towel pressed against my freshly shaved legs rather than my scalp.  I missed the hot towel treatment yesterday when our heads were reshaved.  THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT NOW MY HAIR CAN GROW AND GROW - no more shaving.

2.  What's the best reaction you've had to your cranial billboard?

3.  What's the most hurtful comment you've received?

4.  ARE YOU READY TO BE A KIWI????

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS CAN BE HIP

Tonight at Whole Foods I met a high school math teacher named Marla who proved white women can be hip!  She was familiar with the Air New Zealand campaign and told her students all about the cranial billboard promotion.  Marla has challenged her students to come up with both luxury and budget travel plans.  She has encouraged them to be creative using concepts like Air New Zealand's billboard idea.  Marla would really love it if a few billboards could make a guest appearance at the school.

Plus, Marla has been to New Zealand before, so she knows it's a land of adventure!

Do White Women Feel More Pressure to Conform?

Having a shaved head has igiven me some insight. Universally, my black female seem more accepting of my "new" look while some of my white female friends find it hard to look at me and suspect I've lost my mind.

My black friends have said: "You have a nice face" or "Wow, it really brings out your eyes - you're going to look great with short, short hair."

In contrast, some of the women in my office with shorter hair than I had have said: "Are you going to wear a wig or hats till it grows back?" When I said my head was Air New Zealand's cranial billboard for the next 10 days -- several said: "But they won't know if you wear a wig in the office." I said: "I'll know."

As a single white female, I've always wanted to be slender like Eva Longoria or Michelle Pfeiffer. Instead, I have boobs and hips. One of my black friends once even asked if I had some black blood in my ancestory since I have more of a bubble butt. I said: "No," and was a bit offended since I've always wanted a less conspicuous butt.

Whereas I've always wanted a better more perfect body as a single white female, my black female friends seem more comfortable in their own skin -- WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get. I'm still trying to reach that level of comfort.

So I may be hairless at the moment, but I'm gaining insight (which I'll be able to pack for my adventures in New Zealand). My other revelation is that I had more self-confidence in my hair than I realized.

Now We're Talking

A man behind me on the elevator said: "Gee, I think I want to go to New Zealand."
I told him about being a cranial billboard for Air New Zealand to promote flights from LAX to Auckland. He said: "Is it too late? I'd let them shave my head for a trip to New Zealand."

The woman next to him said she was headed to Australia in a week. She was ready for adventure. But she did not said she'd be willing to shave her head -- of course, she already has a ticket.

SHAVED HEAD DOES NOT MEAN I'M GAY

I'm blogging today in "girlie" purple as a statement of my heterosexuality.

Earlier in the week, another woman advised me that when she cut her hair really short, a lot of women hit on her.

Today, at Amandine, a man approached me after I ordered a piece of quiche.

Man: Since you're advertising --

Me: (thinking) Yay, he wants to go to New Zealand.

Man: (handing me a card): This is a new website for women seeking women.

Me: (trying to hand him back the card) But I'm not gay.

Man: But you may know someone.

As he walked off after refusing to take back the card, I stood there thinking: "But I want to go "down Under" not "down There." By the way, I am voting "No" on 8, I'm just wired to go for guys.

Tonight I'll give the card to Air New Zealand since the one woman at work who is rumored to be gay, would be offended if I tried to give her the card. . . .

I'm contemplating wearing a pink bow on top of my head. . . .

Tonight the Santa Monica Police Came to my Apartment!

Gee, every day is full of surprises when your head is shaved.  This is DAY 4.  On Day 2, my co-worker who kept saying "Oh, my God!" also asked if I was about to go postal.  Until tonight, I thought the conversation was irrelevant.  Gail said: "Well, you know before somebody goes postal (and shoots up a post office), they snap.  You look like you've snapped."

Last night I told my sister-in-law I was a little depressed at the lack of support from many women at my office.

Today, I went off to work without my cell phone and then took a yoga class right after work.  I got home about 8:15 and as I walked toward the elevator, two Santa Monica policemen entered our building lobby and said: "Are you Terry Gardner?"  And I said "yes," initially thinking "Gee, is Air New Zealand playing a joke on me?"  But then the cops - who were very cute - fireman cute (which made me wish my head had even an inch of hair) said: "Are you okay?"  I said: "yes."  

They said: "Please call your brother, Ma'am.  He's very worried about you.  He told us that you'd shaved your head. . . ."  

Aha, that's why they suspected I was Terry Gardner.

The policemen asked me to tell my neighbor who had buzzed me in that I was okay.  They left.  I told my neighbor, Mike, I was fine.  Sadly, Mike and I rarely ever speak -- I think he's always thought I'm weird.  As I stood there with my shaved head explaining I was a human billboard I knew I wasn't help establishing my normalcy in Mike's eyes.

I called my brother and sister-in-law, and they were so relieved.  So after the mixed reception I've received at work, tonight I felt very loved, and I know the Santa Monica police respond very quickly.  Better yet, there are some cute cops here.  I've only seen heftier ones out on the street on bicycles.  

So things are looking up.

OKAY, FELLOW CRANIAL BILLBOARDS, have the cops come to check on you or what?  Post your most interesting tales.  PLEASE.

TATTOOED FOR CHANGE

THE GREAT SHAVE OFF

MORE PIX BEFORE THE GREAT SHAVE

WAY OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE

Rob's post hits the nail on the head. I am suddenly so far outside my comfort zone, it's like I'm free falling daily through a range of emotions.

I knew I could be a bit down on a "bad hair" day, but I had never experienced a "no hair" day.

What's interesting about the response at the law office where I toil as a secretary (when not traveling as a journalist) is that the men have generally been kinder than the women. The men think I'm adventurous, while many of the women stare as they go by. Their glances and expressions suggest they are filling out applications to enroll me in an insane asylum. If these women had long luscious locks (like Rita cut off), it would be more understandable, but these are women with hair shorter than what I cut off. I thought they would embrace my sense of adventure.

Having done stand up comedy and pursued acting, I didn't expect to experience moments of diminished self-confidence. Instead of embracing my bravery, they look at me like I'm a freak.

As women we seem so quick to judge each other. I've been guilty of this myself. During the primary season, I first gravitated toward John Edwards and then Barack Obama because Hillary didn't seem as warm as Michelle Obama or Elizabeth Edwards. Hillary's great grace at the Democratic convention made me truly appreciate her for the first time. Yet, I was previously blinded to what a brilliant woman of substance she is -- I fell for style instead.

Having been to New Zealand and gone white river rafting and tandem parapenting in Queenstown about 10 years ago, my anticipation of new adventures gives me more joy than these minor slings and arrows can ever take away from me.

Who is behind the shell?

One of the most profound realizations for me has been the drastic difference in which women and men are treated based on physical looks and appearance. I did this together with my close friend Rita that had long, flowing red hair prior to the shaving. The differences between how people react to me and how they react to her has really opened my eyes to how much more women are faced with extremely rigid expectations about their physical appearance. For me it's been mostly pats on the back and responses of "cool" but Rita has faced many blank stares or even looks of contempt when she has gone out by herself. We all know that the person inside doesn't change or become less valuable just because of a change on the outside. However, I'm realizing that many people don't understand this. In many ways the head shaving is a real eye opener and a liberating experience that is a catalyst for building inner strength. We are all more than merely our physical form. This process has re-affirmed that truth for me.

THE MEASUREMENT

As my head got measured I figured I could still back out at the last minute. When they called out the "winners" a couple of ladies didn't respond. After the shaving began, one woman changed her mind after seeing how hair removal can really set off a lady's face.

The Invitation

Hey, your henna tattoo is fading

My co-workers keep coming up to me today worried about how much my henna tattoo has faded. Fortunately, Air New Zealand advised this would happen. It's surprised me that I've had to reassure so many friends. I guess they must think: "Poor girl, has she had her head shaved for nothing?"

VIEW PIX OF CRANIAL BILLBOARDS: http://www.carreonphotography.com/anz/ 

Day 2 - 10/27/08

I awoke up clinging to my pillow, scared to get out of bed and head to work to face my unsuspecting co-workers – including my boss, whom I’d failed to tell about the billboard contest.

The morning receptionist’s jaw dropped to the floor (okay, perhaps slightly less). Then she said, “I recognized your voice but not your face. You have such pretty eyes.” She seems to be rooting for me to perhaps transition to a military bob. When our former naval male receptionist saw me, he said I reminded him of a female drill sargeant.

Gail, who helps me manage our office suite could only exclaim: “Oh, my God.” As I tried to explain why my head was shaved, she repeated: “Oh, my God!” "Gail, I get a free airline ticket --"  "Oh, my God!"  All she could say for about five minutes was: "Oh, my God!!" 

In contrast, my boss who had been warned by two people to "brace himself" thought I was a sight fit for uproarious laughter.  He must have laughed for as long as Gail shouted: "Oh, my God!" 

Other tenants in our suite suggested I wear a wig or hat to stay warm in our suite which runs about two degrees warmer than Antartica.  I told them I’d consider a wig after I’ve been a billboard for 10 days.  They asked how Air New Zealand would know if I wore a wig at the office.  I said: "I would know."  How can a become a Kiwi if I cover up my billboard?

Lunch on the sidewalk of Wilshire Boulevard near Bundy, just outside of Quizno’s:
After staring at me for a bit, a woman approached and asked: “Do you have breast cancer?” I thanked her for asking and explained: “I’m promoting Air New Zealand’s nonstop flights from LAX to Auckland” and showed her the back of my head. She said: “Oh, that’s why people were staring at the back of your head.” She clearly spoke to me concerned that people had just stopped and stared at the back of my skull, no doubt thinking: “poor thing.”

The next woman who sat down at a neighboring table asked what was up with my head. I told her about Air New Zealand. She said “My boyfriend is from New Zealand. I’ve spent about four months there. It’s an amazing place.” It turns out her boyfriend is actually 2nd (or maybe 3rd) cousins with Phil Keoghan. She was pleased to know that hair was donated to “Locks of Love” since she’s growing hers out to be long enough to cut for a donation. I told her my hair probably was only long enough for a toupee.

When her colleague joined her at the table, she told him why my head was shaved and he lit up raving about his trip to New Zealand with his family. He had just turned 50 and they had adventures in New Zealand, then flew to Tonga and sailed around the island.

Later a female attorney in our law office asked me what the deal was. I explained, and she said: "I see, I see." But it was clear, she didn't see. Her subtext blared: YOU'RE NUTS! YOU'RE NUTS! But then again, I don't think she's ever been to New Zealand.

HEY, AIR NEW ZEALAND DYED MY CRANIUM!

DAY 1 - 10/26/08

Before arriving at Fairfax High School, I prayed: "God, if I'll look awful without hair, please make my skull the wrong size for Air New Zealand's cranial billboard.  After my skull measured 24 inches, I asked one of the staff what was the minimum size head.  I was told an 18-19 incher would be too much of a pinhead, but most others were acceptable.  Hmmm, if I'd look bad bald, maybe being a pinhead was a good thing.

As I considered withdrawing my application, I noticed a beautiful bald woman signing up.  She turned out to be 19 year old Kylie Bamberger.  She lost her hair at 15, due to Alopecia.  Seeing Kylie showed me bald can be beautiful.  "Hey, I think I can do this."  

Better yet, while 30 of us snagged either a roundtrip coach ticket LAX to Auckland, New Zealand or $777, Locks of Love would receive all the cut hair.

I found out later approximately 200 heads applied for the gig.  10 women applied and 5 of us were chosen.  The gleam in the PR folks eyes as women signed up, made me think being female increased my skull's chances for selection.

Phil Keoghan, host of "The Amazing Race" - a Kiwi himself (who is quite fond of flying Air New Zealand Business Class) announced the 30 chosen craniums.

SHAVED SKULL:

Hmm, suddenly my head feels like the warm chin of a freshly shaved man.  While we waited for our henna tattoos to dry, the newly bald compared notes.  If you touch a bare skull while speaking, you can feel good vibrations.

WHOLE FOODS:

People glanced from my face then looked away and I realized they must think I was in chemo or had recently had brain surgery.  As I checked out, the man behind me noticed my skull and said: "Great advertising."  Thank God.  Someone finally realized "NEED A CHANGE? HEAD DOWN TO NEW ZEALAND.  www.airnewzealand.com" was a positive message.

I could have hugged him for making me feel my head had a purpose.  We chatted about my being a cranial billboard for the airline.   He was disappointed he had not known about the competition because he clearly would have been willing to give up what little hair he had.

On the phone that evening, friends and family were disappointed I hadn't insisted on flying business class.  They didn't understand I wanted to revisit New Zealand so badly that I would have been willing to fly Air New Zealand strapped to a wing. Since it's a 12 hour flight, I would have definitely bundled up. . . .

Looking in the mirror, I keep asking: "Who are you?"  Eating dinner, I watched myself in the mirror.  With my bare skull, I can see my mandible work hard from my temple to my jawbone when I chew food.