"pic_10.jpg" Another angle. I'm beginning to embalden here. Starting to feel like my dad. [Actually, I've started thinning ontop for real now.... *sigh*] "pic_11.jpg" If I didn't know these guys loved me... well, in fact, they hate me, but people were watching too closely for an easy "accident" "pic_12.jpg" Leslie, waiting expectantly for blood. (Caption competition #1!) "pic_13.jpg" If it weren't for that cider I'd have run off by now. Well, that and the fact that I was holding very, very still... "pic_15.jpg" I'm proud of this. With the grin nailed to my face, only my tie shows my nervousness, as Arno stands behind me, muttering "so what does this do?". "pic_14.jpg" The big guns are out now - or rather, the buzzing things (NO! Kill that thought!). Fortunately, they hurt less than the scissors. "pic_16.jpg" This is a new look, next year's fashion: I call it "the cancer look". I'm a cancerian, you know, so it's all deep and apt and meaningful. Honest. "pic_17.jpg" Saved by the bell... there's a lull in the action as the phone rings, forcing Arno to retreat, still snarling and brandishing the trimmer. "pic_18.jpg" One of the bad things about having your scalp exposed after seven years of hiding is everyone gets to see the lousy condition you've been keeping it in. "pic_19.jpg" I call this one "the Tutankhamun look". Suits me, right? Very regal. "pic_20.jpg" Now they've pulled out the razors, and I am beginning to think they're enjoying themselves far too much. "pic_21.jpg" Yup. I was right. "pic_22.jpg" "Ommm, I can cope with this, I can, just hold myself still, ignore the maniacal cackling, relax, don't open my eyes or I'll collapse screaming." "pic_23.jpg" Hey, that tickles! "pic_24.jpg" Trying to look dignified is easy when you don't know you've got shaving foam in your ears. And nose. And beard. And... "pic_25.jpg" The aftermath. Now to clean up. "pic_26.jpg" "Oh my... HEAD!" This just didn't feel like me. It was like looking at someone else imitating my actions. "pic_27.jpg" Here I discover the first advantage - it washes so FAST! "pic_28.jpg" It feels so strange, I can't stop fondling myself. (No, my head! Geesh. You guys.) "pic_29.jpg" It just looks so WEIRD! Here, Graham laughs at me. I was to become used to this reaction. "pic_30.jpg" Here I discover the second advantage - it dries fast, too. And the first disadvantage, as I straighten up and bang my unpadded head a moment later. "pic_31.jpg" Worryingly, as I walked through the office, people kept collapsing in tears of laughter. So much for the "hard" look. "pic_32.jpg" Bravely, I wander back into the office. Arno doesn't even try to hide his tears of mirth. "pic_33.jpg" I was asked to hide the head, as some people were beginning to choke to death with laughter. "pic_34.jpg" Back to work. Or, as they say Up North: "allright, lads - back on yer heads!" "pic_35.jpg" Strangely, my hair accessories no longer seem to work (note the pink scrunchies on the ears). "pic_36.jpg" I would almost look cool with the new look... "pic_37.jpg" ... if I didn't keep SMILING! "picrr.jpg" Some other photos may be coming up here soon. (Caption competition #2!) [Infact, I never did scan those pics in. Ah, well!] "pic_6.jpg" The only surviving "before" pic - apparently I opened the back of the camera. Looks like I've been drinking here. Well, maybe a little. Dutch courage, you know. "pic_7.jpg" Les lets his facade as a boring accountant slip, as he leaps in, pen clenched between his teeth, to hack off a chunk. Meanwhile, Arno finishes lunch and reaches for the scissors. "pic_9.jpg" Closeup snip off the back. Those scissors are uncomfortably close!