(no subject)

[llywela]

Having spent most of the weekend feeling frankly miserable, headaches and whatnot, I decided to treat myself this lunchtime. Since I'm not having driving lessons at the moment, because of Mr Instructor having retired (the plan is to book myself in for that darn theory test and then take an intensive course just to get me through that last little bit of confidence boost I need before the test, just can't seem to get around to it...) I decided to put the money I'm saving on lessons toward a decent haircut. I never go to the hairdressers. I dunno why - maybe I have some sort of deep-seated aversion to them or something. I'd let my hair get to about halfway down my back, seriously in need of a trim. So I went along, found a hairdresser in town, and told her to have at it.

It's just below my shoulders and very tidy now. I'd like to say I will turn over a new leaf and go for regular trims now, but I know I won't!

I then completely blew my 'justifiable expenditure' thing out of the water by popping into the bookshop and coming away with three new books. Well, they were in a three-for-two offer! I got Tom Holland's Persian Fire, which I've wanted ever since I read his Rubicon, Helen of Troy by Bettany Hughes, and Alison Weir's Isabella.

Yeah, I'm back in historian mode once more, after reading nothing but trashy novels and Terry Pratchett for absolute ages. I've always been fascinated by Isabella, who influenced 13th century English history so enormously without ever wielding any kind of practical power. She's the one depicted in the film Braveheart as having a fling with William Wallace. Now that never actually happened, but she did run off with a Marcher Lord and then returned years later to throw her husband off the throne and install her son in his place. That son then turned around and had his mother incarcerated and her lover executed. They had, after all, committed treason. Don'tcha just love the Middle Ages? So anyway, I'm looking forward to reading Weir's interpretation of Isabella. And had a fantastic chat with the cashier about the role of strong women in history!

Comments

[nikkimisplaced.livejournal.com]

I had wondered what happened to your driving lessons.. well now I'll nag you to book your theory ;) :)

I'm like you with hair cuts, if I have 2 a year that's amazing for me! I just don't trust them, don't like paying for it, don't like change! lol

Yay for new books! Very appropriate icon! *hugs*

[kirsi27.livejournal.com]

Hello Joanna! :) My hair desperately needs cutting as well, but I hate going to hair-dressers. I don't like the feeling of a stranger fiddling with my hair - I'm that neurotic. :D But I'm sure your hair looks great!

The books sound very interesting! I hope you'll enjoy reading them. My brother has persuaded me to read his books about political history - he has dozens of those, most from Amazon. So I just finished a book called "Mao", surprisingly about Chairman Mao, and it was quite good and interesting. But also gruesome because he really wasn't a nice little communist.. :s

[koldism.livejournal.com]

Hey Jo... you're gooooooorgeous. :) I'm reading Persian Fire right now... it got suggested for my ancient history course so I'm reading it to get one up on everyone else who'll be taking the subject. *G*

[galathea-snb.livejournal.com]

Sorry you weren't feeling well over the weekend, Jo *hugs* Treating yourself is always a viable option :D I go for that as well quite often *lol* And now you reminded me that I am in desperate need of a haircut myself *sighs*

[rosie55.livejournal.com]

"had a fantastic chat with the cashier about the role of strong women in history!" - that sounds just the sort of conversation I have in bookshops! And I love the sound of Isabella and will ask daughter whether she has it before I sneak off to add it to my tbr pile! She read medieval studies at Uni and read a lot of fiction about the period, too because she just loves it!
Hairdresser - well, I have a great hairdresser who has been cutting my hair for 26 years and now cuts my daughter's hair, too. Our kids were born about the same time and we've compared notes on their lives and ours all the way along, so he's a friend, too. I have quite strong wavy hair, though and unless it's really well cut, it looks horrendous and I get totally neurotic about it and it spoils my whole life then. Not that I'm very good at doing any fancy stuff in between but it does at least lie tidily! On the rare occasions when I have tried someone else, (like when I was living in Surrey - his salon is in Cheltenham!)I have regretted it. I go about every 6-8 weeks and always make it a treat day by having lunch in Cheltenham, too and trying not to get carried away in the bookshops! But if, for any reason, I couldn't have my hair cut by him, I think I might have real trouble finding someone else. Obsessive, moi?! It seems to be love or hate with most people, though, doesn't it! Stuart has clients who come to him while they are visiting family all the way from Saudi Arabia, so obviously a lot of women don't want to change once they have found a decent hairdresser!

[bagpuss1966.livejournal.com]

Jo, post a piccy. Go on, go on - we want to see your new haircut!

I didn't know Mr Driving Instructor had retired. Has he retired from Dalek making too?

[rua1412.livejournal.com]

A new shiny hair cut, Go Jo.... new shiny books are a great thing too though ^_^