I cut it off!

I decided it was time for a change. I've been growing my hair for the past several years. I wanted to see what I looked like with long hair, but I was getting annoyed by it. It's really fine, but there's a ton of the skinny suckers and they like to tie themselves into knots any chance they get. It had even wrapped itself around my neck and tried to strangle me in my sleep! I rarely let it down and very few people ever got to see it. Here's what it looked like: (Looks so pretty and innocent doesn't it?)

The beginning

Yesterday I decided to chop it off. I soaked it down and pulled it back into the last tail it would ever form. Then I picked up my shears and chopped right through the soggy mass. I didn't care about even, I just wanted it gone.

The first cut

That first cut felt sooooo good. It splatted when it hit the floor and I laughed. Then with a snip snip here and a chop chop there I shaped the remaining hair into a funky chunky pixie.
I was having was much fun that I almost got carried away so I didn't let myself use the clippers (last time I used them I came out with less than an inch all over.). My husband tidied up the back for me.

The outcome.

After the cut was done I went outside and felt the wind in my hair for the first time in years. It was a beautiful feeling. I am now free!

It moves!

A better way to carry my bike locks

I've been looking for a better way to carry my bike locks for a while now. I had been carrying them strapped to the rear rack, but they got in the way and the amount of Velcro I had holding them down was a hassle to take on and off. Plus if I wanted to use my rack I had to either put stuff on the locks and not be able to make any other stops or put the locks in the front basket where they bounce and slide around affecting my steering.
After much web searching and brain wracking I came across this Instructables post. It seemed like the way to go. It's not elegant, but it is efficient and that was what I was looking for.

Inside view.

I was able to mount both my U locks on the inside of my rear rack, one on either side. They no longer get in my way or claim space that I can use to carry things and best of all they don't rattle, clank, or shift at all. So far it's working great!!!
When I get a paycheck coming in I plan to paint the PVC to make it look nicer. (Yep, I'm still waiting.) I added the slant to the cuts to make it easier to engage the lock Now I just have to figure out what to do with my cable, It won't fit with the other locks.
It only took me the weekend and a bit of help from my husband to get it finished, and I only lost a few ounces blood so it's a win. If Sylvia is ever lost we can DNA test her to prove shes mine. Friendly warning, hose clamps are very sharp and will screw the skin off your fingers if your not careful use gloves when holding them steady. Also, if you do this start with the bottom clamps and not the top ones. Then you won't be constantly rubbing against the already placed ones and will have more room to work. I wish I'd thought of that before I'd finished!

The finished look.

On a side note, my husband likes to tease me about how crowded my handlebars are so when I saw this bike while we were out shopping I had to take a picture. I love the little chipmunk! I may have to strap a furry creature to Sylvia now.

So cute!