I know who I am, do you?

I never saw this coming.

I was at the mall on Saturday and many, many people made positive comments about my purple hair. Women working in stores, passersby, whomever. Women came up to Brett and told him how cool my hair was.

Children especially love my hair. They say, “How did you make purple hair?” I say I dyed it but I first had to get permission from my mom. Mothers are grateful for this warning.

Saturday night Brett and I went to see a friend’s band, The Silent Game, and people liked my hair. This wasn't a surprise since most people at shows are musicians and purple hair is as unique as a tattoo or pierced ear.

Today I went to sushi with Eliz and the first thing the waitress said was, “I love your hair!” Later when Eliz and I were shopping, a guy totally checked me out and smiled at me (and my hair). Wow, that never happens... at least not when Brett's around.

But here's the weirdest experience of all. Brett and I were shopping at Trader Joe's this evening and a women who worked there said, “Oh! I love your hair. How did you get it so purple? You look really great with short hair! That looks so good on you. What made you decide to go purple?” We had a three-minute conversation about it.

Then we went down a different aisle and two women (who didn't know each other) both said, at the same time, “Oh, I love your hair! That is a beautiful color. What made you decide to use choose color?” One of the ladies said, “You must be an artist!” The other said, “... Or a very creative person!” I didn't really know how to respond to all the attention, and I stammered, “Well, uh, I've painted a bit... and I'm a musician; I was in rock bands... and oh! I'm a graphic designer?” The ladies both nodded as if that explained everything. One women said, “You need to check out the quote on this card I'm buying.”

No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist. —Oscar Wilde

Thirty seconds later, as the ladies walk away, an English couple rounded the corner and complimented me on my hair. The man said, “I like your blue hair!” I said, “It's purple, but thanks!”

At that point I got weirded out, but not in a bad way. I was thinking that the universe/god/whatever must be telling me something... but what?

As the cashier rang up our groceries the total came to an even number. A bell was rung and the TJ's staff cheered. Apparently, if you spend more than $25 and the after-tax total is an even number you get to spin the prize wheel. We won flowers.

Maybe this means something. Maybe it just means my hair looks cool. Maybe people get excited by novelty. Or maybe I'm projecting a considerable amount of self-confidence that asks, “That's right—I know who I am. Do you?”