I like the second pair, or the 4th pair, Aimee.

Fay, I'm sure some of the SFers would be able to recommend places. (Mine is much too far south of SF to be useful).

Speaking of which, today has just been incredibly stupid and gross so far, and I need distraction. I am getting my hair done this afternoon, and I think I am going to change the color.

What color would people recommend? Maybe a chestnut brown?

Also, if a dress is 46 inches from the waist to the hem, and I am only about 42 inches, would a crinoline and heels be enough to make up the difference, or would I probably need to get it hemmed?

I think the crinoline will make up most of the difference, but Jilli or JZ might be me able to opine based on actual knowledge.

I think a crinoline and heels ought to fix it, probably. I have a ballgown-length crinoline you can borrow if you want to test that theory.

Have you tried it on yet, Lee? Sometimes, the boobies and the behind will lift it up a bit.

Is this a bad idea?

Fay, I'm sure some of the SFers would be able to recommend places.

You should *hear* me donkey-laughing right now....

Ahem.

Yes, I'm sure that they could. One SFer in particular, in fact.

t edit Is that too snarky and bitchy? (See comment immediately below.)

ION, I am so fucking PMS-cranky right now, I just want to punch someone in the head. And I hate when I leave people messages -- YESTERDAY -- and they can't be arsed to call me back, especially when they're The Boy (I know, I know -- ADD, forgetful, blah blah; but I'm PMSing, so I'm peeved) and/or my best friend.

Bah.

That's what I was thinking, Aimee. I am still watching the bidding on one dress, so I haven't tried it on yet.

Thanks JZ-- I have a crinoline too, actually. (sorry about this morning, again, by the way).

Okay, what about the hair?

hate hate hate feeling self rightous anger towards friends. hate it. my neighbors and friends have owned and opperated the local coffee house for a number of years. Friend b is opening a new restaurant in town. starting with breakfast and lunch , which has had a lot of people worried because it is in direct competion with the coffee house. I though there were enough people in town- and since friend b was going more white table cloth- I figured there was room. Today friend C came into the coffee shop ( where he usually has at least 100.00 on his tab) and pulled paying customers ( only 1 actually went) to the new restaurant. just slimey. Not really sure what was happening at the new restaurant. If it is opening - why weren't we told? If it was a thank you breakfast or a test run - why were they stealing customers from thier friends? Competion is cool- underhanded slimy business practices that undermine your friend, really bad form

eta: also not real good for business, because there were about 10 people that were left with a really bad taste in thier mouth about the new restaurant.

So, at the risk of sounding too much like Hecuporn, I was wondering about getting my hair cut when I get to San Francisco. It's a month since I last had it cut, and it was SO nice getting it cut by an English-speaking person in the Western world, rather than doing the whole wave-hands-and-draw-sketches-and-pray routine. The last time I got it cut here it was butchered, to the point that I eventually cracked and put my hands over my head and yelled "stop! stop! enough! no more!" in panic-stricken Arabic. So I'm sort of tempted to leave it another month and then get it cut in SF.

Smashing idea!

Is this a bad idea?

Of course not!

'Cause I'll arrive with my hair looking crappy, I guess, but then I could have the whole fun of having it cut in the Western world, which would rock... is it expensive? Is it impractical?

Do you want me to find a stylist and book an appointment for you on Saturday morning? To be on the safe side I should probably escort you there and back as well, now that I think of it. No use taking chances with these things.

What day is Fay getting to SF? Seems like Friday morning would be better than Saturday. Also Saturday morn is hoped to be the book reading. Hoped, might you.

Is 24 hours long enough to wait if you've done an allergy test for hair color? You know how on the package they tell you to swab some on the inside of your elbow and wait 48 hours? I can't stand the freaking grey any more, and I have to be out and among the humans, tomorrow. Shouldn't I have reacted by now?

The thing is, I'm chicken, because I never color my own hair. I always get it done at the salon, and a lot of times, they use a demi color (although not so much lately, because the grey is getting assertive). I have L'Oreal something or other--a permanent color.

Do any of you know anyone who has had a bad reaction to hair color?