My youngest was in dire need of a haircut. I generally do them myself as its more work than its worth to drive them down to the Kuttin Korall when all I generally do is shave them nearly bald and call it done. Of course, I *always* shave it into a mohawk and act like I'm done, and then after the appropriate whooping and then wife-scowls, I finish the job.

To my utter surprise, this morning she let me get away with it. Well, mostly. I couldn't get her to let me go completely bald on the sides (just the smallest comb), but it looks really cute and he loves it. And honestly, knowing the tidal wave that he is, it fits him perfectly.

But why a mohawk? You see, my wife and I were punk rock back in the day. We reveled in the music and the straight edge lifestyle - as did all of our friends. We were hardcore - boots, painted/studded leather jackets, bright green Manic Panic dye and yes, the most awesome haircut of them all: the mohawk. I wore one for awhile - jet black and almost a foot tall. It was supreme when put up, although it made driving a chore as I'd have to tilt my head at a very uncomfortable angle. Yes, imagine it. I even met my mother-in-law to be for the first time in such glory.

But time crawls on, and 15 years later we are a happily married couple with 4 kids and the lovely family baggage that generally entails. Soccer. Ballet. Boards of Directors. Corporate lackey. etc. So I wax nostalgic at times regarding our more, ahem, vivid lifestyle.

So here is one for the mohawk. Go Liam!

PS. Kids today have more-or-less normalized what was fringe and exciting about punk, which kinda makes me sad. But I do see some of that original spirit every once in a while, so it ain't all posers and corporate "edgy" garbage.

Tags:Portraits