Hi Vash,
I must say, I really enjoyed myself reading your post. It was a blast! Hahahah, I had a good laugh.
But of course, there's also a more serious aspect to your post. And that's something I've encountered as well - having attention on the question whether people perceive you as a skinhead, a thug, a bully or some other shady member of society.
Yes, it can be tough at times dealing with this. And the worst thing is: you mostly deal with yourself (with your mind) most of the time rather than with people's actual reaction. You wonder how people perceive you. You wonder whether the weird looks you get, whether the less than friendly reaction you get from people when you deal with them, is due to the fact that they think you're a thug or skinhead or something.
Sure, you can always smile to make sure people know you're none of these things. But that would be insane. Why should you smile all the time like an idiot? Sometimes I don't feel like smiling. Sometimes I'm upset or angry, sometimes I want to look mean for some reason or another, just like everybody else (especially "normal" people with hair). And Tyler can't be smiling constantly when he's lifting I don't know how many pounds at the gym. None of us can.
I think it's best to just express whatever you feel at any given moment in time, and not get stuck on the idea how you might look to others. Now, I'm not saying that you're stuck on this. Not at all. But as far as I'm concerned, it sometimes happens that I have my attention on these things. And I think we should not let the fact that we're bald affect the way we express our emotions or our attitude to the outside.
It's a hard thing for most people (not just bald people) - being "themselves". And with us it can be even more difficult, for we look different from most people. And difference is always a tough thing to deal with in society, especially if it's you who is different. It's got to do with acceptance, it's got to do with other things as well. But if we stay true to ourselves then, in time, these petty little things will no longer bother us.
You're a great poster - I really enjoyed reading your post. How come we haven't seen more of you so far?
Hope to read more from you from now on...
Harry
PS: a month ago or so I checked out your website. You're one hell of a drummer!
I'm still practising with the spoons...