14 August 2006

"Joey doesn't work here any more."

"Joey doesn't work here any more." Those were the words that have sent my world wobbling on its axis.

I called Tomo in Alameda this afternoon with my fingers crossed, hoping to make an appointment for a haircut either tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday. I never know what to expect. I could hear "Joey's on vacation" or "His first available appointment is September 19th" or "What time would be good for you?" But today's bad news took me quite by surprise. The receptionist didn't offer any further information and I didn't ask although I should have. Maybe I'll call back tomorrow and see what I can find out.

Before I start to panic or mourn, I need more information. Fortunately I have his email address and, yes, I wrote. And as I did I started worrying about not getting an answer. What if he doesn't want to cut my hair any more and doesn't write back? Should I have been a bigger tipper? Over several years of regular and faithful patronage I only went there with slept-in hair ONE time.

I've only had three excellent relationships with stylists (is that the right word?)over the last 30 years. Joey has been cutting my hair for several years. Prior to that was a man who had a heart attack one day on the way to work and crashed his car into a concrete wall. They weren't sure which caused his death. And before that was Andi, the brightest of them all. She gave me a mullet before they were trendy. I had Tom Bailey's hair before The Thompson Twins were famous. But she left town to move on to Hollywood and I never saw her again.

Granted, I could save a lot of money by being less fussy about my hair. I seldom comb it anyway. Maybe I should invest in a Flowbee, if they're still available, and master it. Shaving the head is a last option. I came very near to trying that once and it wasn't pretty. I ended up scaring a whole shipload of people and one of my best friends who hadn't seen me in a while. Sorry, Leslie. Oh, and sorry about scaring you with the pierced nipples too. They're long gone now, in case you didn't know. (The jewelry, not the nipples.)

So I may have to go out looking for a new cosmetologist. (Is that the right word?) Since I know that channel 4's Joe Ducey also sees Joey, I may have to find out what he plans to do. Maybe we can split the cost of a Flowbee and do each other with it.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just called Tomo's today and heard the same words, "Joey doesnt work here anymore, he actually opened another business." I should have asked where but didnt. So i did a google search and ended up at your website. Funny. Did you ever email Joey and ask where he is now?

Jim Webb said...

Just about the very first thing I did was sent him an email (at home) asking what was going on. He still hasn't responded and I guess I don't expect him to.

But I do have news. I'm planning to write about it but here's the basics:
- I was told he's "over" cutting hair.
- He opened a new business at Alameda Towne Centre (Southshore) called "Color Me Mine." I haven't looked at the website yet but it's www.alameda.colormemine.com

His replacement, if you can call him that, at Tomo is Jafet. I finally gave up on the idea of finding a cheap barber to go to, called Tomo for an appointment with whomever was first available and got him.

The jury is still out on the haircut he gave me..but I like that he has definite opinions, didn't use the clippers and washed my hair when he was done.