Hair

In Jiu-Jitsu class I sometimes get called "Pippi Longstocking". When I was only training Karate, I would just put my hair in a ponytail for class, but that's no good for Jiu-Jitsu. A ponytail simply cannot contain my mop of hair while grappling, and I would lose handfuls. I tried doing french braids, but I could never get it tight enough. Finally one day I put my hair in two pigtails and braided them, and I haven't really had a problem since, except for the occasional hair tie coming off of the bottom, or breaking. Once in awhile someone will trap me by accidentally stepping or kneeling on my pigtails, but intentionally choking me with them is strictly forbidden!

You could say that hair is a "girly" subject, but since I know a few men with long hair who train, including my husband, I would say you're being sexist! Joe usually loses a lot more hair than I do in class, because for some reason boys seem to think they look silly with braided pigtails. Joe has cornrowed his hair for competition before, but that's just too much work.

I've had short hair a few times in my life, but I never liked it, so I don't want to cut it, even for Jiu-Jitsu. Although some days I do get the urge to have a Britney Spears meltdown and shave my head, especially in the summer. If my hair is actually dry (and not still drenched with sweat) before I take my braids out after class, I end with with the most spectacular ginger fro! Skyler says I look like Merida from Brave, and I do have a thing for bow and arrows. It's certainly better than Pippi Longstocking.

"Let it fly in the breeze
And get caught in the trees
Give a home to the fleas in my hair
A home for fleas
A hive for bees
A nest for birds
There ain't no words
For the beauty, the splendor, the wonder
Of my...
Hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair!"