Random things

[gurdymonkey]

Got to meet up withantoniseb in SF last night. What the poor man did not know is that Auntie Jehanne is hard of hearing. I had to go back DOWN the stairs of the Civic Center BART and stand in the entrance to use my cell phone because there was just too much white noise. Anyway, I called him, he told me he was on his way and would meet me on the corner, so I waited there and never heard the two subsequent calls he made to tell me he'd broken his glasses and could I meet him at LensCrafters? Not hearing back, he sensibly opted to meet me at the original spot and we walked the several long blocks down Market, winding through rush-hour pedestrians and catching up with each other's news, both at a brisk pace.

LensCrafters didn't have what he needed, but he got a referral to a very nice Chinese optometrist who agreed to stay open past 6 and wait for us, so it was another 4 blocks back up Geary to Mason.

Glasses repaired, we were both ready to find someplace to eat. We ended up in a tiny little sushi joint called Katana-ya right across the street from the Geary Theater. We both opted for a couple of appetizer plates of stuff each. The tuna and hamachi combo was very good, the gyoza piping hot and not too gummy.  Anton got a rice curry which was aromatic and flavorful without being at all hot. I didn't try the veggie tempura, but it looked nicely done (I'm generally not a fried foods person). I was able to identify the green and orange squashlike substance for him as kabocha. The couple next to us were slurping happily away at huge bowls of noodles and when I later looked Katana-ya up on Yelp, their ramen is evidently a specialty.

We had a nice visit. It was fun.

Now, I'm not the sort to spend $7 on a bottle of shampoo when I can spend $2 on a bottle of shampoo. Usually. That said, I did finally make time to hit Great Clips and have two inches of beat-up, split, broken ends lopped off. My hair is generally pretty healthy, but I do tend to shed bits of gurdymonkey all over the place. FWIW, I shampoo every other day, don't use a hair dryer or hot curling devices, use combs instead of brushes, and try to use wooden combs over plastic, except for the big wide-toothed detangling comb for right out of the shower. I've also been coloring my hair approximately every 4 weeks since I was in my 20s, thanks to the damn McGee premature graying gene.

I tried Garnier Nutrisse's Long and Strong shampoo and conditioner with no appreciable change over several months. I then switched to Suave's version, again for a couple of months. No difference. Last week  I bought the V05 version - it had a lovely orangey scent and turned my head into a grease slick after two washings. Anyway, I cut through the pharmacy section on my way to buy chicken at the Safeway, glanced to my right and saw that they had the new Pantene Pro-V Restorative line. They claim 90% less breakage in a month. Less breakage than what, I'm not sure, but if it's an improvement I can see, I'll be good with it.  Besides, my hair is about to spend several days in the desert, so a little splurge on some decent shampoo and conditioner is probably in order anyway.

Comments

[bedouinchick.livejournal.com]

I have fine hair and although it tends to be oily, it gets very dry at the ends and looks like hell when I don't take care of it. After years of hair that literally looked like dried straw (I got pix if you want proof), I started using Biolage Hydrating shampoo and Conditioning Balm. Pricey? Yes, very since the only place I can get it is at beuaty supply shops. But I buy bulk and it always lasts me at least a couple of months. My hair has never been shinier and healthier. I've been using this stuff for over ten years and I can see the difference in my hair immediately when I use cheaper shampoos or conditioners. Do yourself a favor and buy good stuff for your hair. You'll be glad you did, trust me.

[danabren.livejournal.com]

It's also important to have two different bottles of shampoo & conditioner available. Every 2-3 weeks, change out. This allows the "new" shampoo to strip out the buildup residue of the "old" shampoo, and you'll also notice an instant improvement in the conditioner.

[antoniseb.livejournal.com]

I had a much nicer time chasing down the new glasses with you being with me. Thanks very much. It was the best evening I had here this week.

Whoa - skim reading

[jupiterorbit.livejournal.com]

Skim reading too fast, I gleaned at first that you were switching from the orangey kind to the 90% chicken line of Pro-V Restorative.

I thought: "I must get that for the kitties."

Fructis helps me some, as does the Pro-V line. Pro-V has a line of specific winter conditioner and shampoo that is hard to find, but worth it in the winter months.

I also recommend a hot oil treatment - V05 sells little boxes with 2 little tubes in it. Quick, cheap, scentless - and 1 box you could do one before and one after Estrella.

Re: Whoa - skim reading

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

The Fructis Long and Strong was OK, but not outstanding.

I generally don't like hot oil treatments because my hair is naturally oily enough. However, I do treat my wooden combs with camelia oil (Ancient Japanese Secret) about once a month and if it feels like it needs it, I may rub a couple of drops between my palms and then run my hands through my hair.