Hidden Costs To Be The Boss

Me at 24 years old.

I first noticed it when I was 25 years old. I didn’t want to do it….after all I was only a quarter of century old. Isn’t this something I should be going through years down the line? But something eventually had to be done. I was dang near headed to be the Hair Club for Men President…or at least the Parliamentarian, LOL. When I started seeing pictures of myself with my head tilted back and I already looked bald, I told myself, “Ok Carlos, you know what you need to do”. After over a year of debating, I decided to go for it. I remember sitting in the barber chair and my barber asking me, “You ready? This is it!” I said, “Yeah, I’m good….Wait!” I sat there for a minute and then just told him to cut my hair off, lol. It was already almost gone anyway. What was the point of holding on?

As I was getting my hair shaved, I started getting excited about how much money I was going to save. Getting my hair cut every 2 weeks was $20 a pop, plus tip. So I was looking at potentially saving $45-$50 a month. Yeah….this shaved head thing won’t be so bad after all. Plus it was so hot outside that Summer, so I was glad to feel any kind of cool breeze on my head. Then the reality set in. After getting tips from multiple friends, family members and my barber, it was time for me to shave my own head….only 3 days later! I thought I was balding…why was my hair growing so fast!? I started thinking I may have gotten in over my head on this one. After a few bloody massacres, I eventually was able to shave my head without getting too many nicks, lol.

But there’s one thing nobody told me….RAZORS ARE EXPENSIVE!!! The razor I use, the Schick Hydro 5, costs $10.94 at Wal Mart for a 4 pack refill. I shave my head and face all at once, so I can only use each razor twice before it gets dull. WTH?! So that means every 8-10 days or so, I’m back in the store buying another refill. So in a month’s time, I’ve gone through almost 3 refills which….only a few dollars cheaper than my regular hair cuts were…SMH. Not to mention trying to grow a beard or sideburns. Unless you have a very steady hand with a straight razor and great clipping skills, you may come out with a lopsided trail of hair across your jawbone. Aaagghhh….so that leaves it up to a professional to do. Which costs about $15. WTH?! Got to be more careful….

My favorite shaving cream, from The Body Shop

Ok, so maybe I didn’t really calculate all the costs associated with going bald, lol. Nevertheless, I still enjoy it and other than the days I have to shave in the morning, I just get up and go. And maybe I didn’t realize all of the tedious effort that goes into shaving, but unless I want to look like a wolf, it has to get done, lol. I know I’m not alone here….you may laugh now but I know  you have a situation where you didn’t quite count up all the costs. True, mine is more visible, lol….but we’ve all been there before. So let’s hear your story….

I Said I Never Would….

Fried crawfish and a baked potato. This is what I usually get when I go to my favorite restaurant, Pappadeaux. I almost get offended when they give me a menu, lol. “What do I need that for???” I think you all probably know by now that I love food. When I have a favorite thing in any facet of my life (including food), I can go overboard with it sometimes. Tradition and habits are sometimes good, but  if we keep doing the same things over and over again, are we really living? I’ve begun to think more about turning 30 soon. No I’m not rushing my life away, but I’m 27 now and it will be here before I know it. I just don’t want to look up one day years later and realize I always played it safe, didn’t take any risks and only stuck to the things I liked.

Here are a few things that I took a leap of faith on that have all turned out to be positive for me.

Not Your Average Frat Guy

I never really grew up feeling like I was fit to be a fraternity guy. A lot of the reasons I would hear why people joined just didn’t seem to apply to me. I never had a longing to be a part of an in-crowd (maybe cause I’m an only child) either. But during my freshman year in college, I kept noticing that many of the guys around me who were helpful and mentors just happened to be Alphas. I thought, hmmmm….there may be something more to this that I should look into. Almost 8 years later, I’m so honored to be a member of this brotherhood and organization.

My favorite line jacket I had made when I was in college...

Taste This…

I used to be one of those people who you couldn’t pay to eat sushi. My first time trying it was last June during a happy hour at work. Surprisingly, I loved it! For now I’m just sticking to the California and Shrimp Rolls (or anything cooked). I haven’t graduated to the raw sushi yet, lol. Baby steps…I accidentally ate Rainbow Sushi once with raw fish and it actually wasn’t bad. I think it’s just the thought of consciously eating raw fish that gets to me. Now you can’t keep me out of Ra Sushi, a restaurant in Plano, TX. I like it so much, it’s where I had my book signing event for my poetry book, Blurred Vision!

RA Sushi...one of my new favorite restaurants.

To Be Or Not To Be Bald?

My hair started thinning when I turned 25. As much as I wanted to deny it, I knew that I eventually had to do something. And Rogaine was not an option for me, lol. I contemplated going bald for over a year before I actually did it. But I was nervous about how I would look bald. But on August 14, 2010 I decided to go for it. I’ve been keeping the bald look ever since and other than having to shave every other day, I love it. I miss having hair sometimes, but not enough to keep it and let it be thin.

Back when I still had hair....

Me with no hair, about a year ago....

So what are you trying that’s new? Or are you just going through the motions doing the same ‘ole thing, day in and day out? What you said you would never do, just might be the best thing for you.