July, July!

Hey. You clicking this email is a sign from the universe that you should take a minute and take a breather and hear what I have to say. Or, read what I have to type, I guess. Semantics.

Before we begin, the usual disclaimer: You have every right to unsubscribe from this email. I may not have even asked you if it was okay, which is technically illegal, but in the way that VHS movies would threaten a billion dollar fine and Life in jail if you copied it. More frowned upon and discouraged. How do we know it's a law if we don't test it once in a while? And it's new enough to plead ignorance, like the new parking app that's a year old.

So I sent it anyway. I just assumed since you seemed cool. Maybe I was wrong. No hard feelings. I got an unsubscribe last month. I was taken aback; what's not to like about a good rant? Have you seen how popular Facebook is? But he'd only been in once in the past year, and some people don't collect spam like me, so I guess I get it. He's moved on, cutting ties. Yes, I see who unsubscribes. No, I won't make it awkward if he ever comes back, or if you unsubscribe. We'll go on, business as usual, but I'll know. I'll know. I won't be mad. But I'll know.

As I may have told you, I'm on staycation. Relaxing in my villa (house), eating tapas (Ritz crackers) and getting lost in a good book (doomscrolling). We may go enjoy the beach (RD River), or stroll the countryside (Clearview Ponds), then take in some local culture (Westerner Days fireworks as seen from the Sport Chek parking lot) before finishing it all off with a nightcap (a Bubly and No Name Cheddar Bacon chips).

I know what you're thinking. "Seth. Who cares. Cut to the chase. You're interrupting my real vacation or my day at work covering those on vacation to brag about your holiday, off gallivanting in the South of Clearview. We can't all be so lucky." And I get it, dear reluctant reader. Such is the life of a self-proclaimed influencer. I make no apologies. I am insufferable. I am the wind.

Last month's email was a rant, this month's is a preach. 

The last quarter has been very busy at the barbershop and I'm hashtag blessed to have you all come back for cuts and chats. Maybe it's an extended honeymoon period but I still enjoy even the long days. 

However, this is the first week off I've had in a year (not counting Yuletide break because it does not count). So although I was happy and had good days, my body and brain were telling me it was time to chill out for a bit. You asked me what I was going to do, and I said I was going to organize the garage and get stuff done, but if I get nothing done other than this newsletter, I'm 100% cool with it.

Work smarter, not harder, they say. Physical workouts need rest days. Athletes need an off-season. You work too hard, and you deserve to take some days off. That includes your phone that's always blowing up, emails to respond to (not like this slice of heaven that is a sustenance. No need to respond, just soak it in), or people who "just can't wait". I know your job is important, but if you can't take at least a long weekend without your work phone, you need to learn how to work smarter. That isn't the preaching part, that's just the dad in me. I care for you, pal. Nobody on their deathbed wishes they worked harder.

I'm privileged in that I can take time off and if one of my customers, clients, clientstomers, isn't cool with it, then I guess I've lost them to another barber. That's okay. There are more heads in the city. My mental health and time with my kids are paramount. 

This is where I tell a humourous story, and I had one brewing but I'm already 5 days late sending this email out. I had it half-written when I realized it wasn't even funny, and the ending would've sucked, so I deleted it all. And here we are. I have a sunburn, no a/c in my house (a thermometer in my bedroom told me it was 29 reffing degrees in my bedroom last night, despite being in the crossfire of 2 fans. I'm going to the grocery store to open the ice cream freezer and pretend to price compare but not buy anything. 

Anyway, thanks for enduring this.

See you soon,

Your Second Favourite Barber,

Seth

Seth's Hair Related Tips

Does your scalp get itchy and irritated? You may need to dry it more. If you let water sit on your table or floor, it's kinda ruined, right? Well don't let water sit on your skin either. Blow dry if possible, and better yet, use a diffuser, the attachment I use with the nice little massaging rubber fingers. It won't puff up your hair. Or dry better with a separate towel after the shower. Another tip is changing your pillow. My scalp was itchy and my crappy pillow was hurting my neck anyway so I switched it up, and my neck got better as well as my scalp. Go to Sleep Country and get them to set you up. I just learned you should change pillows every 2 years, and I'm a dozen overdue.