A Biker Dude Totally Harshed My Mellow That Wasn't Even Very Mellow To Begin With

An open letter to the Biker Dude who couldn't get past that I had a hair cut he's never seen before:

Dear Biker Guy;
Um, I sure hope your large banana split you had Monday night at The Dunes Restaurant in Ocean Park, Washington was delicious. It looked just heavenly dangling from your overgrown and unmaintained goatee. Thank you for taking the time out from scarfing down your dairy treat to glance at your wife and whisper in the LOUDEST whisper I’ve ever heard, “Hairdo!” and nod in my direction.

Your wife seemed confused and asked you time and time again what you were talking about. When you pointed directly at me, it should have been clear for her. You wanted her to look over at me nonchalantly and look at my hideous hair. From what I saw, this went on at least four times, before you rolled your eyes and finally gave up.

Biker Dude, let me gently walk you through something here. My ‘hairdo’ that you insisted on pointing out is called an A-line cut. Yes, the back is slightly shorter than the front. I intended it that way. My hair is naturally curly. I have no control over its unruly nature. You can take that one up with my mother.

And yes, it was awkward for you that I caught you talking about me and my curly mop while you were seated only seven feet away. Remember when you and your wife covertly discussed my hair then thought it was safe to glance at me? You were wrong. That’s why I didn’t look away. As my husband helped get my infant daughter settled and kept my three-year-old son from spilling his apple juice, you and I locked eyes for an uncomfortable seven seconds. I wanted you to know that I saw you talking about me. Your face turning red as you looked away told me you knew you were busted.

When my son caught me looking at you and then stared in your direction too, I did nothing to stop him. I sure hope that didn’t make you feel uncomfortable. When my daughter did the same, looking at you and your cool “My Bitch Fell Off The Bike” shirt I hope you didn’t feel self-conscious one bit. By the way, I loved that shirt. Twelve years ago.

Here’s my advice for you, Biker Guy, you never have any idea what someone is going through on any given day. Maybe someone is having a fine day and your comments would be brushed off without another thought. But sometimes that someone just finished up a rough seven hour drive on the road with two children and husband. Maybe one of those children was suffering in pain from an atrocious ear infection. Maybe that someone hadn’t slept well the night before because they were worried about their child and their health and not being able to get to a doctor or pharmacy because in this small town they are in, the nearest after hours is hours away. But don’t worry, their regular doctor has phoned in a prescription but since the pharmacy next door wasn’t open all weekend, it can’t be filled for another two or three hours. Maybe that someone, after being weary from travel, little sleep, consoling little ones just wanted to sit down, relax and enjoy a quick meal.

So next time you want to pop off, about someone’s appearance, you shouldn’t. It's something many of us already know. That’s why I never told you that you had ice cream dribbled on your precious biker shirt as you left the diner.

Loves, Jen

I don’t know why, but I kind of let this bother me for a few days. I even took a bunch of pictures of my hair to make sure I wasn’t crazy. My hair isn’t weird is it?

Vay-Cay

The Aviator
So our little trip to Seattle this month marked Henry's first time on an airplane. He loved the airport and all the people and planes! Honestly, we could have probably just spent three days there and he would've been thrilled. Once we were on the plane, Henry made fast friends with Joan, the flight attendant, and scored on treats, drinks and several winks! He mostly looked out the window and said, "We go real fast!"

The Great Northwest
Well, the weather was wonderful for us in Seattle and we hit the streets and sights immediately. Henry was super excited that there was a train "up high in the air" that ran by our hotel (the Monorail). We walked the town and took in tons of good food.

The boys at the Space Needle

Waiting on the Monorail

Riding on the Monorail

Boys Day Out
I was busy with a day-long conference on Friday, so Jeremy and Henry hit the town together. Although Jeremy tried to keep Henry in the hotel room as long as possible in the morning, once Henry saw I had my shoes on, he insisted that he get his on too. They visited the Seattle Center first, looking for our favorite breakfast place. Jeremy was sad to find that it had relocated and changed up their menu and they wouldn't be open until 12:00. They then walked on down to the waterfront to tour the Aquarium. Henry was facinated with the otters and the sharks. Next, it was clam chowder time! Although Hank wasn't too impressed with Seattle's finest soup, he did like the complimentary oyster crackers. They next walked Pike's Place Market and watched all the vendors setting up for the day.
Something at the Aquarium caught his eye

Jeremy & Henry at lunch on the waterfront

Henry and the famous Pike's Place Market Pig

See-at-l
There was more fun to be had the final days of our vacation. We hung out at the Seattle Children's Museum where Henry got to meet Bob the Builder face to face. (He wasn't impressed.) But he did enjoy the interactive Bob the Builder display of kid-sized construction trucks and tools for him to use. We stayed and played until Hank could play no more. He fell asleep on our way back to the hotel. He slept and slept, and snored and SNORED!

Fun at the Seattle Children's Museum

More fun at the Seattle Children's Museum

Something Smells The third night we ordered in some Thai food (again, Henry was not impressed.) So, Jeremy ran and picked up a slice of pizza across the street. This slice of cheese pizza was so laden with garlic that you could smell it coming, I swear. To make a long story, short, has anyone ever smelled a 2-year-old running around a confined area such as a hotel room working up a sweat after he's eaten garlic?

Hotel fun

Even more hotel fun

The Emerald City The last few days of our trip were dedicated to Hank since he'd been such a good sport riding around the city in his stroller. We visited the Pacific Science Center and hung out at the Seattle Center just running around and playing at the small carnival where the World's Fair was once held.

"Going real fast" in the Seattle Center Park

Pacific Science Center Dinosaur Exhibit

Pigs can fly!

Tired, cranky boy

Hungy boy

Driving at the fair at the Space Needle

Driving at the fair at the Space Needle