Chris Occasionally Shares Something

A year ago I made the decision to grow my hair and donate it for cancer. It took two years of growth, but this past Sunday I was able to fulfill that promise at the most uplifting event. Evelyn's BFF (Breast Friends Forever) is a support group for women with breast cancer that meets monthly for fun, support, and charity. It's a wonderful organization and this month - to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month - was their second annual Pamper Me Day, where survivors could come get a hair cut, massage, and facial all for free at Aveda Vicara Salon (the salon's manager Princess is also a survivor).

The BFFs were kind enough to let me share that day with them, and let me tell you the amount of love, energy, and spirit in that room was amazing! Coincidentally, there was a Friendfeed post on Sunday that posed the question, "What was the last thing you experienced that was magical, or even transcendant?" Going to that event on Sunday and being around those inspiring women was definitely a magical experience for me. Thank you to Evelyn, Berda, Princess, Kiok, Jean, Sonia, and the rest of the survivors for sharing that experience, and to my step-mom Suzanne for inspiring me to do this. I'll be back in two years with more hair to donate. Go go tribute hair!

(Check below for some before and after shots. Princess was able to shave a breast cancer ribbon into the back of my head.)

My hair has become my own personal growing tribute. For much of my life, I kept short hair, but ever since that first grow out I've found some way to honor an important person in my life through my hair.

That first time, it happened by accident. I hadn't intended to let my hair grow, but after several months of indecision, it just made sense. We were celebrating the anniversary of my Uncle Don's passing, who was infamous for his trademark long, wispy mane. I was going through somewhat of a life transition, and I could think of nothing better than to grow my hair not only for myself, but in remembrance of my uncle. I let my hair grow for over three years without cutting it once. I still fondly recall the first time a family member came up to me and said, "Chris, your hair reminds of Uncle Don!" Exactly.

My second tribute was more deliberate. I had been going through a random series of growths and cuts. It was starting to get pretty long again, and we were approaching the big celebration of my great-grandmother's 100th birthday. Bok-Bok had always preferred the short, clean cut look on me, so I cut it in deference to her. I've allowed that to become an ritual; I grow my hair out for a year, and cut it around Bok-Bok's birthday.

Well, now is the time that I would normally cut my hair. As much as I love my Bok-Bok, it's time for me dedicate my hair to another special person in my life. On Saturday, my step-mom Suzanne remarked, "Son, your hair is getting long. Wanna give some to me?" Prior to chemotherapy, she had epically big hair. Troy Polamolu big. It was gorgeous. So rather than cut my hair, I'm going to grow it out for my step-mom and breast cancer, until it's long enough to donate. Go go tribute hair!

(Side note, please check out Suzanne's cancer fund page. Every little bit helps!)

The wait is over. The decision is made. After all the hype, frenzy, and scrutiny - of which there will certainly be more - Lebron James will move to South Beach to lace his sneakers up for the Miami Heat.

It's the right decision.

If Lebron's main objective is to win NBA championship, Miami provides the best avenue towards that destination. The other options certainly had promise. The Bulls have Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Carlos Boozer; the Nets have Brooke Lopez and Devin Harris; the Knicks have the lure of New York, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Mike D'antoni's fun and gun offense; the Cavs have money and well, more money than anybody else could offer him. The Heat have Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, little else in terms of roster, and the real secret to this whole deal:

Pat Riley.

For a team to win a championship, it takes the right combination of players, and the right coach. Lebron's biggest handicap in Cleveland wasn't the talent of his teammates, but the limitations of his coach. For all of Mike Brown's good qualities, he's just not a championship-level coach. The list of coaches in this league who can deliver a championship is short: Phil Jackson, Greg Popovich, Larry Brown, and maybe Doc Rivers. Riley isn't coaching now, but he's shown in the past that he's willing to remove a good young coach (Stan Van Gundy) in favor of himself of it gives him the opportunity to coach a champion. Erik Spoelstra's a good, young coach, but Riles can take that team to a championship level.

1. Black Thought only does one verse per track now. Exceptions: "Dear God 2.0", "Doin' It Again", "The Fire".
2. Black Thought doesn't do hooks any more. 
3. Dice Raw does do hooks. While singing. Poorly. I'm not sure when it happened, but Dice got Nate Dogg'ed.
4. While all previous Roots' albums had either a love song or a "Black Thought is better than all these other lame ass emcees" track, How I Got Over has neither. 
5. With nine studio albums in the last 17 years, The Roots are the most consistent, long-running hip-hop act of all time. Brava.
6. Oh, and they're still the best band in hip-hop.