Leighann's Haircut

This post is for those members of the family who have yet to hear, or have not been completely informed of Leighann's new hair style.

The first half of each year for us is filled with thoughts of what to get each other for our birthday. After August (as both our birthday's land within 2 weeks of each other) our minds turn to the end of the year, and the ceremonial gift exchanges which do occur at that time. With this dilemma upon both of our minds our thoughts turned to what we could do for each other.

In my family we have a tradition of making gifts for each other. I decided to follow in this tradition and I built Leighann a waterfall for our home, (in case you were wondering I also got her a filing cabinet, because that's the type of thing accountants like). Leighann took this tradition from my family a step further and blended it with the classic Christmas Tale, "The Gift of the Magi" . Not only did she "make" the gift herself but she gave of herself to pay for part of it.

If you are familiar with the story then you are aware that the wife sells her hair to purchase her husband a chain for his watch. His watch was his most prized possession. In our life, second only to the Atonement and our eternal marriage, my music is my most prized possession. Thus in the spirit of the Magi, and the Batemon family tradition, Leighann ventured forth to "make" a gift.

This is where the story gets a little long. If you wish you can skip down to the pictures, after which there will be a synopsis.

To approach this story as a surgeon and extract the single minute facts would leave us lacking. Thus a holistic approach would send us away feeling whole and intact. To fulfill this I must tell you of Six Flags October 2010. It was here that Leighann and I met Jodie while in line waiting for the Terminator ride. We learned Jodie worked for WB and ended up spending the rest of our night hanging out with her and her friend. At the end of the night we all added each other on Facebook. A few months later Leighann and I received an invitation to Jodie's 30 something birthday party, which was to be held at a Laser Tag arena in LA. We could not pass up hanging out with Jodie again, nor could free Laser tag be dangled in front of us without a positive reaction. At the party we met a couple named Koren and Emily. Koren works in the film industry and is the key to our story.

Jump ahead to November/December 2011 (I am not sure of the exact date as Leighann was keeping this next part a secret from me). Leighann decides that the best thing to get me is a recording session. After a few failed attempts due to the high cost of studios she turned to Jodie and asked for help. Through our network of friends Leighann was introduced, by Koren, to a man named Ashley Witt. You might recognize his work from such films as Titanic, Independence Day, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and many other films. He heard about Leighann's idea to get me a recording session for Christmas and offered to do it and gave her a ridiculously deep discounted 5 hour session. Now to pay for it.

Leighann had been wanting to cut her hair since at least October if not sooner, but never seemed to have the time to go donate it. With a head full of hair and excitement she looked into selling it. She posted an ad on Craigslist.com with a price of $400 to try to discourage non-salon inquiries. She was contacted by a salon in Temecula. After setting a date and time Leighann contacted a friend to go with her, just in case. The salon offered her a free $80 wash and cut along with $50. She took it because it was better than donating it (side note, if you want to donate your hair donate to Wigs for Kids, or the I feel Pretty project as Locks of Love has been called a scam by many).

So with a new haircut and the knowledge of a surprise in her hear, Leighann kept silent until Christmas where she revealed the details of the recording session and how it came to be. What a great present it was! That is the tale of Leighann's new hair. Here are some pictures from the San Diego Zoo to showcase Leighann's new hair.

Welcome to the synopsis. You really missed out if you skipped down here. I used some $8 dollar words back there! Plus the tale is epic! The point of the story is that Leighann sold her hair instead of donating it to help pay for the recording session that she got me for Christmas. Hope this satisfied anyone's questions about Leighann's hair.