Leonardo

Few things that can be had for ~15 bucks make me happier then a nice haircut after one is overdue. Well, sure--love, a child's laughter, sunsets--but come on, a straight razor with some hot lather, a nice smooth neck finished off with a slather of Bay Rum aftershave is right up there. There was a brief period when I went to an actual salon in St. Louis because someone recommended it when we first moved to town and I guilted myself into getting 3-4 more haircuts there to support the nice single mom stylist. But the 25 dollar price tag and the discovery that I don't really enjoy paraffin hand dips soon had me heading down the street to Wyoming Barbers. They trimmed my mad scientist eyebrows, which trumped parrafin. Plus, the pack of junior high girls constantly chasing me through the streets when I had the fancy haircuts got old after a while.

I had a good place in St. Paul, Schmidty's Sports Barbers, where you had your choice of the boxing coach or the Army Ranger or the Elvis-looking guy as stylists. My first guy ever was Merv on West Main in Anoka, him and Leon did good work; my dad still goes there.

I found Leonardo's Barber Shop right after moving to Boston. It's right down the street from us and might be my favorite place ever. Leonardo is probably pushing 70 and came to America from Italy by himself when he was 14. His yellowed barber's license on the wall is from 1961. I'm not sure from which era this dates:
I had to get one haircut at Liz's salon when Leonardo was back in Italy suing his sister for fraud after she cashed the bonds Leonardo's mother had left him in her will by forging a signature. He offered the sister a portion of the inheritance but she apparently wanted it all and he'd "rather see every cent go to lawyers than see her get a F-ing penny." He won. Here's a few things I learned yesterday while I was waiting for him to finish up on the old coot (just off camera) in front of me:


ACORN bought the last election, stole the last election, and caused the housing crisis (presumeably he didn't understand what stealing and/or buying means); proper shovelling technique (lift with your legs, take frequent breaks). No bleeding heart himself, Leonardo has much Catholic memorabilia hanging on the wall, along with three dollar bill with Clinton on it. Oh, and hats, lots and lots of hats. My favorite are these, however.



Can't go wrong with the astronaut. I once heard him fail to agree with some guy who made a borderline racist comment about an upcoming Carribean music festival, however, so there's that. He does good work, Leonardo does.