The Governator

It's that time again. Time for my somewhat yearly hair straightening appointment.

I went in on Saturday to have Joe do his thang to my hair. I was somewhat overdue for the treatment, as I wanted my hair in curls for the wedding and so put it off. But you may recall on previous occasion I have spotted various celebrities during this experience in hair luxury. Saturday proved no exception.

About halfway through this three-hour straightening process, in walks no other than the Governator himself - Arnold. No less than five secret service agents - recognizable by their matching wrist watches with faces the size of jelly jar lids and ear pieces stringing up from their shirt collars - surrounded the entrances and the stairway leading up to the private room especially designated for celebrities and the like.

For an hour I sat, in various states of chemical hair, waiting for him to come back down. I had barely seen him when he went in, and I was determined to get a good clear look at him as he left.

And sure enough, I did. With no less than full-on saran wrap around my head, I saw the Governor of California. He walked - or lumbered is really a better description - down the stairs with an unlit stoggie clamped in his teeth. He is as wide as he is tall... a true hulk of a man that is impressive in real life. He was up there for the better part of an hour... a long time for someone with short hair. He was dressed in deep brown shorts and a white Tommy Bahama-esque short sleeved shirt. And white tennis shoes. He came down the stairs, out the door, and right by the window where I was sitting. He even paused at the window to turn and talk to his secret service before heading down the back alley to what I assume was his waiting car.
Seriously, the guy is huge. And starting to show his age a little in his face... which is a not a knock. We all show our age. But I had just finished watching True Lies just last week, so it was a little surreal to see him standing there, cigar in mouth, literally larger than life not more than four feet from me.

Joe said the day before, Sly Stalone was in having his hair done.

I'm personally very pleased to have seen Arnold. I'm a pretty big fan, especially of his warm fuzzy movies like Kindergarden Cop and Twins. (incidentally, david had to put up with me telling him everything was "not a tumor" all the rest of the day). But who would you be most thrilled to see - saran-wrapped head and all - in your hair salon?