Haircut Transformation: Father Cuts Off 12 Year Old Daughters Hair!

Man…

Not exactly sure how I should start off this post, but… here we go!

As some of you may know, I have a little girl known on here as The Mini Rebel Rouser. During the early years of this blog she would be featured sporadically throughout my postings on various social media platforms. As she grew up, she didn’t just grow up in front of me, but in front of the readers as well! It has been extremely appreciated whenever a reader would comment on how much she’s grown. I mean, I did have a pretty decent hiatus from blogging, so it only makes sense! But still, I appreciate how invested some people have been not only in terms of reading about pomade, but also my personal life.

Here’s another aspect of that journey I would like to share with you all!

Throughout this quarantine year, she’s had some time to self-reflect and start developing her own level of critical thinking. Whether right or wrong, it’s up to her to make those decisions, and it’s up to me to guide her to understand the rationale behind it. She’s developed her own style and aesthetic when it comes to the material garments such as clothing, and sure enough, hair would soon follow suit…

She brought about the concept of wanting shorter hair. So we’ve weighed out the options in regards to how short. As time has gone, her mind was set on short. And for having worn long hair throughout her life, it was a big change that I wasn’t ready for!

Think about it… As parents, we’ve witnessed their growth from the start. We’ve all envisioned how they will look when they grow up, who they will become, and everything in between. No matter how old they get, they’ll still be that innocent child with wonder and happiness in their eyes, and we’ll never see it any other way. But, there’s a point where they grow out of that. It’s not when boys become a factor or they hit 18. It happens much sooner and it hits like a truck!

The reality is here that she’s her own individual, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m just thankful that’s she’s letting me be apart of it! And with that, I’d like you all to be apart of it as well!

I know there aren’t a lot of similar situations out there where parents are as equally understanding about their kids decision making. I mean, trust me, I’ve made lesser decisions that’s garnered far worse reactions! So, hopefully this sort of video reaches someone who may benefit from it, or knows someone that does.

The Barbershop: Is it an Essential Business?

First and foremost, I want it to be known that I am not a political individual and don’t claim any particular leanings. Because, in short: I don’t give a damn. But this year has been one hell of a trying year and has put everyone to the test, which has caused me to pay attention more than usual. Still loosely, but more-so… Regardless of your situation, we were all put to the test and it sure as hell sucked. For some it was worse than others. Myself as a barber was out of work for six months. SIX MONTHS. As someone who is all about earning every single penny with the work they put in, this was hard. I can’t lie, it was extremely difficult on various levels. But with the community and foundation I had built with clients, there was an immeasurable amount of support and I can’t help but thank each and every one of them every time I see them. Without that foundation, I don’t know if I could’ve had an “easier” time getting into a good headspace, as many of them described. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for many…

Even so, not every barber, let alone every barbershop has that. So that raises the question: Are barbershops essential?

Early on during the initial Shelter In Place, a lot of people had deemed the barbershop (as well as salons. For the sake of my profession and not having to type it out ever single time, the industry will simply be referred to as barbershops) as non-essential. To a certain degree, I get it… It can be considered a luxury expense. The hollow argument of ‘you can do it at home’ will always be there, and should that be applied to everything else in life? I mean, do you have to eat out? Not at all. Yes, while to some it’s a luxury to eat out all the time, but it’s also healthy to change things up every once in a while. It brings back that mystique of a home cooked meal and the appreciation for the effort took. While many of us are creatures of habit – myself included – it doesn’t mean we should be put in the position to make such drastic changes and accept it.

Change is healthy. Change is necessary. So changing your surroundings and interactions on a day to day basis has really shown its importance. It was little variables throughout the day that many of us took for granted, and spent the last half year missing out on it. Understanding and appreciating these day to day variables is becoming more and more evident each day, especially as we stay at a distance from getting any closer to them. We’re dealing with a constantly moving target, and it’s wearing people down.

Since the vast majority have been ‘given’ the ability to work from home, it means that everything else they did on a day-to-day basis followed suit. Cooking, working out, maintaining “social interactions” with their work peers. Some like that, and some like to be a homebody and not interact with people on a day-to-day basis. As a professional homebody myself, I get it! This is change. A dramatic one at that. But once this level of change becomes normal (and it does became normal real quick,) is it good change? How sustainable is it for a healthy headspace?

Coming back to the barbershop and having began interacting with people again was great. It was exciting and to a certain degree, emotional. Why? Because having kept our interactions to a bare minimum, you lose that sense of community; Of primal human interaction. As much as no one would dare admit: We’ve all developed a bit of prejudice when you’re around people. You don’t know who they are, what they’ve done, if they’re sick, etc etc. (This is not to be misconstrued as an “is it real” argument. Save that for your own social media accounts!) Common courtesy was thrown out the window. Common decency was met with distasteful looks. Far and few were acting as —simply put— a good person. Something as simple as passing an acquaintance on the street and greeting them is met with short, uninterested notions of existence. The weird times we’re in has made people even weirder, and not in a good way. This isn’t the part of the emotional spectrum I’d want to sustain on a day to day basis. Due to the circumstances we’re in, it’s an unfortunate constant. Working ourselves out of such levels of negativity is difficult on our own.

“Faster alone, further together.”

I started to notice how important it was to maintain interaction with people. I mean, previously I was working six days a week. I’ve had PLENTY of human interaction on a day to day basis. While it was draining, I enjoyed it. It’s a part of my job to enjoy interacting with people. As introverted as I inherently am, I realized how much I enjoy interaction. I mean, having gone to VLV at the peak of my blogging “career,” all I cared about was meeting people, developing rapport and relationships with them, and having a great time. Granted… those interactions were fueled by PBR and whiskey… BUT STILL… Those interactions were very important for me getting comfortable enough to consider barbering. And eight or so years later, I’d say it was impactful.

As the days I go by and I start interacting with more and more people, I couldn’t help but notice that some maintained a bit of normalcy by hanging out with friends (whether it be socially distanced or not.) But for the rest, I couldn’t help but see something… How draining it has been for them to maintain social interactions through a screen, and not have any real interaction with a person IN PERSON… There was definitely some social ineptitude developed over the lack of exposure to other human interactions. Granted, I don’t know how they are outside of the shop, but I can’t imagine the interactions being all too different outside of it. Overtime these socially inept individuals become more comfortable in the barbershop. Passing by they point out to whomever it is they’re accompanied by that this is their barbershop. They’re proud to point it out and start to build their own community by referring coworkers and friends to the shop. They unknowingly encompass a part of their lives around it. Whether it’s parting ways with someone before their haircut, or meeting someone after their haircut to get dinner and drinks, the barbershop became a pivoting point in their day. For something to be a pivoting point in my day, it has to be important.

But, does that answer the question: Are Barbershops Essential?

A bit more time goes by and people start coming to get back to the shop to regain some level of normalcy, I realized how much the barbershop is an essential business to the community it services. Not because of my own bias of wanting to work throughout this entire time, but for other people in my chair. For the community we service, to the individuals that heard about us on social media and wanted the experience while they were in town, or the individuals that travel from all over to be a part of our shop. We are absolutely an essential business. But why? Is it because of the way we cut hair? The adornments on the wall? The prices charged or the products sold? What is it? What makes the barbershop essential?

What I’ve deemed the barbershop’s most qualifying trait of being considered an “essential business” is what we offer to the individuals that sit in our chair. Haircut and product aside, we offer whatever it is they need. They need someone to confide in? Someone to shoot-the-shit with? Some time to decompress from work for however long, in order to reset their mindset and get back to it? Whatever it is they need, we offer it. We offer escapism. And escapism from all the non-sense going on all around us is definitely essential to the well being of the people coming to the barbershop.

What was just a simple T.V. trope has gotten it’s own show on HBO by Lebron James. Showcasing one aspect the barbershop has to offer besides haircuts: dialogue. I mean, if a barbershop was solely about getting a haircut, would there have been a show made about it? Absolutely not.

With us finally being able to open up our doors, patrons are now able to get that bit of time away from the confine of the walls of their homes that now has become work. To get a bit of quiet away from their families. To see someone that’s not on a screen but physically in front of them and have an actual conversation filled with agreements and disagreements. In one place we can offer so much that was lost throughout this year. After interacting with so many people, they too come to realize how important the visit to the barbershop really was to them. Whether it’s every week, or every five. They’ve realized how important it is to them to decompress from home/work. Not just decompress during their commute, but how important it was for them to decompress in the barbershop. The patron knows that whatever it is they have to say stays in the confines of the chair. To get away from the same conversation at home/work and actually create dialogue with someone? Does anyone know how much emotional relief that is? It’s incomparable to any other business out there.

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of shops that have built their business around rapport and community. And unfortunately, I get it. Certain business models are impossible to get out of. (This is a topic for another day!) But this shouldn’t deem the industry as a whole as “non-essential.” If people can now have alcohol delivered and get alcoholic drinks to go and drink them in public, they should be able to go to the barbershop for that small portion of the day to get a more viable and sustainable source of escapism. Even if the shop may not as invested in the patrons as ours is, it doesn’t mean the patrons don’t rely on them for a quick conversation to clear their headspace.

The true testament to my sentiment —that barbershops should be looked at as essential businesses— is the fact that barbershops have been the epicenter of the communities they service since the very beginning. It is one of the oldest trades around the world, and there’s more than enough reasons why. Regardless of style of shop it is, barbershops will always be around and the community it’s propagated will stand by and proclaim how their local barbershop is essential to them.

Barber Shop Update. 10/10/14

As most of you know, I’ve seen been cutting hair down in the Peninsula (20 minutes south of San Francisco) previously in Redwood City and now (currently) in Belmont. And for some of my San Francisco based clients, it wasn’t feasible to make the trek down to see me… which is perfectly understandable. But for those clients that have stuck with me through the transitions: I appreciate y’all! But… there’s some good news to be had!

Starting October 21, I’ll be splitting my time from my Belmont location with the brand new barber shop in the Dogpatch district, Cream’s Barbershoppe, owned by none other than Chris Eliares. He was one of the barbers I worked with at the beginning stages of my career that helped me progress in this craft, so getting back into the swing of things alongside of him will only lead to more progression! I definitely can’t wait to be back up in San Francisco, cutting hair, no less!

For the time being, I will only be working on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the potential of being opened on Mondays given the demand.

So, if you’re one of my previous clients from San Francisco or looking for a barber in the San Francisco Bay Area, book an appointment with me at the new location. There’s some fun to be had! Book an appointment with me via email:

therebelrouser@yahoo.com

Other methods of booking an appointment will be updated in a later date.

Hope to see y’all soon.

Barber Poles.

Whether their stained glass and lit by a candle or they’re plugged into a wall and spinning, it’s always awesome to see em outside of barbershops. I get stoked whenever I drive by a shop that still takes pride in having theirs looking clean, red, white and blue… It’s an added bonus if it’s spinning!

All The Way From London.

This came in the mail, this past weekend. I forgot to mention it.
My sister went and got a picture she took with Mr. Ducktail printed into a postcard. Pretty cool, I think. I don’t travel all that much, let alone send postcards, so I didn’t know you can do this. So suck it.

Good thing that smudge or whatever didn’t ruin his smile, eh? Just fuckin with ya!

Thanks again Big Face.

G.L.O.R.I.A.

Choosing a barbershop, is like choosing a tattoo artist. Yes, it’s a pretty drastic example since tattoos are “forever…” But you wouldn’t trust just anybody with your hair, as you wouldn’t trust anyone doing your tattoos, right? Exactly. Today, my buddy Bryan has found the shop he’s been looking for all this time.

He has been contemplating getting a haircut for a little while now. The only thing is, he didn’t know where to go. So as most would do, he went onto Yelp and looked for a barbershop that took walk ins. And there aren’t too many barbershops around here…

He stumbled upon All Star Barbershop, here in downtown San Mateo. I knew the location, but it was a new barbershop which took over the spot of a barbershop that has been there for around 20 or so years. So how was the transition?

Entering the shop, you automatically notice the sports memorabilia from various sports such as baseball, boxing, and football. There are a total of 3 chairs inside, and the first one of the shop was in use. After finishing up the first customer, my friend hopped into the chair and showed her a picture of what he wanted.

A little into the haircut, conversation ensued between the three of us and the character of the shop started to take shape. The barber, also the owner, Gloria was easy to talk to and pretty much felt as if you can talk about anything. Which is awesome, when trying to find a barbershop you can call your own. She was very welcoming and of course, as most barbers would, had a ton of stories to tell.

She definitely knows hair, and how to work with how your hair grows. And my friend happened to have strange hair that grew in every which direction, she was able to work with it and give him the cut he wanted. A simple taper at the sides and back, a little trim on the top, just enough to let it grow in the way he wants it to.

Taken at Target!

The cut was plain and simple, but she knew what he wanted and gave it to him. And that’s what we all want from a barbershop, right?

All Star Barbershop is what you want to find in a barbershop. People who are humble, skilled, and have plenty of stories to tell. The shop seems to still be under construction, as there is only one barber in the shop, Gloria. There are two stations up for rent, and she’s looking for male barbers. If anyone out there has experience and is within the area and wants a spot, come check out All Star Barbershop!
I know I’ll be dropping in every once in a while to talk with Gloria. And maybe in the future I’ll be getting a haircut from her. Who knows ;).

So if you’re in the area, come check her out.

322 East 3rd Ave.
San Mateo, CA.
94401.
(650) 579-2070

No more shops like these around…

Here’s a clip from a rockabilly barber, back in the 1990’s.

The only “commercialized” rockabilly barbershops I know of, are Something Hells shop, ran by Mr. Ducktail. And by the creators of Layrite, Hawleywoods Barbershop ran by Donnie Hawley.

Edit: Guess what I meant with the title is, there aren’t shops that do low production commercials, just like any local salon. They’re all up and publicized by way of the interweb.

First Impression: Golden Shears Barbershop.

Ever since having cut my locks, I’ve been yearning to get my hair cut in an actual barbershop, with some older, humble cats that can offer a badass cut and a couple of badass stories. (I use badass a lot, obviously.)

Don’t get me wrong, the guys who cut my hair are great guys. My buddy Shane from Headshots Barbershop and Leonard from Terry De Marcos Barberia. But I wanted to whole feel of things: a humble greeting, a handshake, something… ANYTHING…

I first found this place while walking around Menlo Park, during their Arts and Wine Festival. The first thing I noticed, were 6 original barbershop chairs inside. I had high hopes that this place would be the place where I got a legitimate* ducktail hair cut. Outside, they had pictures and medals of some sorts. And they had a poster showing traditional hair styles, which shown a flat top with fenders. Like the one below…

I thought I was good to go… One detail of this place that I noticed, was that it didn’t have a traditional Barber Pole. They had one painted on the corner of the building. Could’ve meant that the city didn’t want that thing being an “obstruction” on the side walk, or they had “changed” with the times, and aren’t really a traditional barbershop.

A couple of weeks later, my lady, kid and I made a trip down to Menlo Park, JUST so I can go inside and meet the barbers and get a feel of the place. Because, you really just can’t trust anyone with your hair, unless you want to find an Easter Egg…

As soon as we walk in, I notice that it isn’t busy at all. It was a Monday, so it’s surprising enough that they were even opened on Mondays. ( checked on  yelp first;) ) The two barbers who were cutting their clients, were younger than expected. Did not even get a hello, a greeting, ANYTHING for the first 5 minutes I was standing around in there. Not until the first barber (not in the first chair) noticed I was looking at them, did he ask “Did you need something?”
Jeeze buddy. At least greet your guest first…

Stood around, and waited until someone was done cutting, so I can talk to someone. I remembered one name from a yelp review, and saw that they were the second barber who was cutting. As soon as he finished, he just stood around talking to the first guy… He glanced over to see if I were still around… Did not even ask if I needed help or a cut…

Fuck that noise.

I could give them the benefit of the doubt… It was right after their weekend, not the earliest during the day (1pm or so,) etc etc… But still… A simple greeting, ANYTHING would’ve been nice.  I didn’t even want to walk back to take a picture of the awning for the blog.

But here’s a picture of the store front…

Golden Shears

I’m sure they do great cuts, and there are other barbers who probably would meet my expectations… But my first impression, was definitely not a good one…  Maybe in the future I’ll give them my business, but for now and the later time… Shane and Leonard will be handling my hair.

*I said “legitimate” because I wanted to get a barbershop hair cut, in a barbershop. Even though Leonard works out of a Salon, he is from the 50s and 60s era, and knows those hair styles/hair cuts first hand, and has some crazy stories on top of it all. Diamond in the Rough? Just kidding. I’m sure the salon is great…

If only he ran his own barbershop… WITH A FREAKIN BARBER POLE!!!