A Year Without 'Poo.. Shampoo That Is.

So I seriously just looked up in my calendar when I stopped using shampoo and it was actually almost 2 years (September 25, 2010) since I used brand name, chemical filled, and hair debilitating shampoo. Now this story has a happy ending for you, the disgusted reader, because I have to wash my hair here in Indiana... the humidity causes to much grunge.

It all started while I was getting my Master's and stuck at home all the time. Pinterest.com & stumbleupon.com became my new best friends, not to mention this blog! So there I was, stumbling away, when I came across a blog about the 'no poo' method. I was intrigued. You see, as unhealthy as I am, I wish I could be some all-natural, people loving, healthy eating, free love hippie... really! So I was interested to see how this 'no poo' idea would turn out. What did I have to lose? I was in a long distance relationship-- didn't have to smell good, wasn't working full time-- didn't have to dress up, nor was I ever working out-- no sweat to deal with! Perfect timing for an experiment.

This was a little too much grunge

Now if you were to read up on any of the no shampoo blogs, you would know that the first 2-4 weeks are a trying time. The lack of shampoo kind of turns your hair into a greaseball right off the bat. You also really need the perfect conditions to attack the 'no poo' lifestyle and grab it by the horns. I have complied a list of important factors if you are contemplating starting your own 'no poo' challenge:

1. Have no life-- preferably you should be in a long distance relationship and live with your grandma.

(Honestly #1 is cracking me up so much right now I am tempted to just leave it at that!)

2. Have no job-- Okay well no full time job at least, you can work 4 hours a week at your neighborhood golf course.

3. Live in Arizona --The dry heat really does wonders in zapping out grease, but don't stay out in the heat for more than an hour for fear of sweating.

4. Live 30 minutes away from friends --this really locks in any need to consider maintaining a social life and will insure Friday nights home with your own bottle of wine.

5. Ignore the haters-- Haters gonna hate, okay? We all know this. But even some of your closest friends will turn on you and your new lifestyle. Be prepared to defend your beliefs! (Lyndsie, Lucy, Amy, & Briana!) Also, when you do see your boyfriend once a month, he may think you are a little stinky... but don't let that deter you from your mission!

So there are you 5 easy steps. Also you need: long wavy hair, naturally not very much grease, and be able to do your hair in 15 minutes. 

This was a perfect amount of Grunge! Look how voluminous.

All you do is ditch the shampoo, wet your hair and massage it like you would if you were shampooing it (but you AREN'T!), put some conditioner on the ends, and boom! You're ready for the world, or the couch... whatever, I'm not one to judge.

Really, that's all there is to it! Your hair may be a little greasy around your face but there are many different remedies for that, many include baking soda. I would just suds up some of my bar of soap and rub that around my hairline.

Your hair will develop what I like to call a 'grunge' feel. Once you get used to it, your hair will be so manageable (no more hair falling in your face!) and it will have so much natural volume.

Don't hate it until you try it.. or do... I don't care... I'm just trying to make some money. Or wait, I don't get paid for this??

Boom. Posted.

Cross the Indy500 Off the List.

We having a saying in my family when we don't like something: "cross that off the list". Like the one time we went to this Chinese restaurant and the waiters just stared at us the whole time we were eating. Not to mention the fact that they tried to take away a plate from my dad while he was still chewing and not finished. He then had to make a bunch of grunts in order for them to set the plate down and back off and then he proceeded to explain to us that he 'didn't know how to say 'no' in Chinese'! Crossed off the list.

That was how I was feeling yesterday around 4pm Eastern Standard Time. Yesterday was the much anticipated Indiana 500 race which is apparently something of value to the Hoosiers, er I mean, 'us Hoosiers'.

If you know me very well, or even a little bit at all, then you know if I don't like something that is going on you're more than likely going to hear about it. Now this is something I have been working on fixing for many years and I honestly think I am getting better! But when lack of sleep is also factor, then it goes all down hill.. and quickly. So when I was informed that we would not only be attending the Indy500 (crowds, loud noises, hot sun & humidity, random people I don't know, and alcohol are all on the list of 'no thank you' for me now) but waking up at 4:30am to beat traffic... I gritted my teeth and put on my happy face, braced for the upcoming day.

Everything was going smoothly until about 2 miles away from the 'Coke Lot' (which I am hoping is referring to the beverage but never actually verified this) parking lot, when the traffic wasn't just slow, but completely standstill. We were stopped in the left lane trying to turn at the light for literrally an hour. The car was parked and off and the boys ran to go get McDonalds. Then once we made it through the light, there was another hour's wait through this neighborhood. The neighborhood, however, was full of 'lawn-sitters' with big "Parking for $10" signs out front so you could park on their grass lawns. Easily their biggest money maker of the year as each yard could park about 4 cars... a whole 40 bucks, woo!

We found a yard to back up into, lugged all of our crap to the track (it was at this point that I realized infield meant literally "in the middle of the track field"), and discussed where to set up camp. There is this really 'great little family-oriented, quiet, peaceful, and spacious' area on the 4th turn called the Snake Pit, and that's where we decided to set up camp. The Snake Pit is actually not described by the aforementioned adjectives. It was loud, crowded, raunchy and full of America's finest. BUT I had ear plugs, sunscreen, and a blanket... so all was good.


Close to the beginning of the race (did I mention that it was 8am and the race didn't start until noon?), we moved up to one of the grass mounds surrounding the litteral 'pit of snakes'. From there we could see the all the latecomers hauling their beer and sporting their 'USA' shirts with their Daisy Duke shorts... and those were the guys! One guy had on an American flag speedo and was using a dolly to push two, that's right TWO, kegs. That's dedication.

After a a little while, the empty space of grass to the left of us started to fill up with about 20 guys, each with a 40 pack of beer. Apparently it was a bachelor party and they had the HOOK UP. Canopy tent, 20 cases of beer, squirt guns, chairs, a pink inflatable kiddie pool for a cooler, and lots of charisma.

Blake and Ryan quickly planned how to get an in just in case our supply ran dry. Those guys definitely made the experience 'All American'. So the race started and the party continued. Some DJ was there and the rednecks were plenty. About 20 laps to go and it was time for us to go. We packed up and headed home, only to pass out on the couch for a few hours. I seriously had to google who had won. Then we watched the whole race on television, like we hadn't been there the whole freaking day!

It was a fun filled day but trekking it to the races was a one time experience and the Indy500 infield is crossed right off the list!

Boom. America....

Posted.