book- perm

(Place on page 76,new para. after "Who knew?")

Easily the most stupid thing I did during this time, and possibly ever, was getting a perm. I really looked up to my brother Pat, who was a little more than two years older.  Pat was a good athlete and was a good-looking guy. He had all the best rock albums and dressed cool for the time. When he got braces on his teeth, I wanted braces on my teeth. When he got a perm, I wanted to get a perm.

Guys getting perms was the weird  style at the time. Maybe it looked good on some men. Mom tried to talk me out of it. I did have nice hair but it was straight and boring. I wanted to be like everyone else.

Once again, I should've listened to Mom. I looked ridiculous the moment I looked at myself in the mirror. A combination of Shirley Temple, Richard Simmons,  and a chia pet.

It was dear old Uncle Henry who told me the honest truth. "You look awful," he said bluntly.

It took a few haircuts to cut the curl out and I was back to myself. Lesson learned. It's not always good to try and be someone else. Thank goodness no photo exists as proof of my stupidity. Only the awful memories of my curls.