Why my hair is blue and mohawkish ...
Editor's note: This is the second part in a series written by Will while on his vacation to his hometown of Tampa. He booked the trip more than a month ago to coincide with the possibility that the Rays would make it to the World Series. The Beehive does not officially endorse any professional sports team.
In the photo above, you can see Dave of Le Salon on Blackstone putting the final touches on my head of awesomeness. One of things I've missed living 3,000 miles away from my baseball team is the fever being swept up around Tampa Bay. When some of the Rays players started sporting the mohawk look, fans followed suit -- and the look was dubbed the Ray-hawk.
I said to my wife, if the schedule works out for me to catch a Rays game, I wanna get a blue mohawk. She said, "Awesome."
Now Dave here is from Chicago, and from the first time he cut my hair, he's talked about two things: how his Bears are better than my Bucs and how much cooler I would be if I only had a mohawk.
And Dave, what with his tats on his neck (and presumably rest of his body -- I don't know, we're not THAT close) and his bulging biceps, knows all about cool. But I work at the newspaper, and I sometimes have to talk to people who may not have time for me to explain why I have a mohawk. So we usually just go for something safe.
Anyway, we made a bet for this year's Bears-Bucs game: I'd buy a round or two of drinks if Chicago won, he'd give me a free haircut if Tampa Bay came out on top. Turned out to be a popular bet -- I also snagged a free lunch from one of The Bee's assistant news editors.
So after the Rays went up 3-1 in the championship series, meaning that at worst they'd be playing a Game 7 the Sunday night that I'd be in town, I texted Dave and told him to start thinking about the mohawk he's always wanted to give me -- and for free. (I forgot that he might also be bitter, since my baseball team also beat his White Sox in the postseason -- good sports month for me, not so much for him.)
Being the good sport that is, though, he gave me the professional treatment. His only request, that if I get interviewed by ESPN or something, that I mention him. Well, I did get quite the facetime on the JumboTron at Tropicana Field before the top of the ninth inning Sunday, and I'm writing this blog -- so I'd say we're even.
Thanks, Dave.
Comments:
Ray-Hawk looks good Will. Looking forward to a good Series. Props to Mrs. Will for being understanding. Can't say I'd be as nice if my husband wanted to sport a mohawk.
Posted by: Tiffany at October 20, 2008 10:05 PM
No self-respecting Bears fan is also a White Sox fan. Dave is trying to be Jungian, showing his duality of nature, but the bicep guns and tatts give him away. He's secretly a Cubs fan...
Posted by: Stephen at October 21, 2008 1:48 AM
'...Fresno Blue (fay) Ray, this is NY NightOwl2:
'...Have arranged security for you and yours while near phila and phila fans during world serious,
though we're having to up the price by half, (need to speak to Scheckie)
-still: avoid consumption of following foodstuffs during games (or have surg. team close-by)
no pretzels
no cheesesteaks
no 'tastycakes' products of any sort (especially butterscotch krimpets.)
Anything 'Italian Food' based...
Anything 'Greek'
-Spanish food: okay...
(up wait... (teletype coming in...)
-Nope Spanish food out...
WE recommend a diet of library paste and bottled water from France.
avoid also Philadelphian native beverege: (apparently it's called 'Beer')
Be cautious around 'Nuns' and 'Nun associated religious observants,'
Priests are also not a great idea at this time...
Exercise caution around all Rabbi's,
-keep an eye out on Protestants
(We're finding it safer if you avoid contact with any religously observant or non religiously observant carbon based life forms from Philadelphia in fact...)
Oh yeah.
-There are Phillies Fans who have gone mobile against Rays Fans, but we've narrowed the field and are confident that their vehicle choice is pretty easy to spot,
(so if you see them coming you should be able to get out of the way.)
-apparently they have an affinity for:
-(4dr.) asian sedans (sometimes U.S. sedans, though they've been known to use European makes, (and occasional 2dr. models as well...)
Oh yeah: SUV's ---sometimes they drive SUV's (or it could be pickups or motorcycles.)
---apparently they hate Bicycles, but I'd not rule them out...)
-again, just keep an eye out for that type, and you'll be fine...
We have determined if you stay outside of a 6000 mile radius of Philadelphia you should be okay...
Do NOT contact Jarah, (she's gone to the other side apparently...)
Try to blend in,
(Sheckie and Mumbles says thanks for making their job so much easier by dying all hair on body blue...
we're having to fly out the guy from Madera and a bunch of unemployed smurfs to act as decoys... (tip them well.)
Do not sleep in any large states surrounded on three sides by salt water that has significant populations dedicated to rodent focused amusement parks, fishing, resettlement of elderly N.E. natives, and motorsports...
That is all...
Nightowl2 out...'
Posted by: wet pretzel (that just doesn't sound right, does it) at October 21, 2008 7:54 AM
dear wet (whateveryourecallingyourselfthesedays)/nightowl2 ...
im not in philly. the series starts in tampa bay. i'm going to the games wednesday and thursday night. i'll be back in fresno for the provisional game 6 (so lets hope they sweep, yes?).
but thanks for the headsup if i ever go to philly.
Posted by: will at October 21, 2008 8:07 AM
Yeah I remember the incredible pandemonium that took place in St. Pete when the Bucs won the Super Bowl. The early bird special was off the hook over at Too Jays. Seriously, remind me again why we keep Florida around?
Posted by: billh at October 21, 2008 10:12 AM
Cool hair!
Posted by: Jeremy at October 21, 2008 2:24 PM
...oh.
Posted by: wet towel at October 21, 2008 3:24 PM
Awesome hawk Will! :) Although I'd prefer a black and orange hawk.... and of course Mrs. Will is cool with the hawk.. she's one happenin lady!
Posted by: Renee N at October 21, 2008 4:08 PM
Why do I keep thinking of De Niro in Taxi Driver?
You talkin' to me?
Posted by: Craig Kohlruss at October 21, 2008 7:23 PM
that looks like henry perea jrs' hairdo
Posted by: dave at October 21, 2008 8:20 PM
GO PHILS!!
and it's Tastykakes, Mr. Towel/Pretzel whoever you are - the snacks of champions
Posted by: Marty at October 21, 2008 11:42 PM
That is quite the look Will. ha ha ha. :)
Posted by: Kristen at October 22, 2008 9:32 AM
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