i have chi

so there is this styling tool -- a flatiron, really -- called a chi. it is the mercedes of hair styling tools. it is $169. that is about $134 more than i am willing to pay.

two of my friends have them. and their hair always looks styled. different. pretty. not like my normal look -- a windblown bird's nest within an inch of its life. my friend melissa practically begged me to get one. she loaned me hers and all its accompanying hair products. we had what might be called a hair intervention luncheon with two other perfectly coiffed women. don't they know i just don't care?

well, not entirely true. i got a chi. here is me, chi'd:



another, worse shot:



here is how i came to get a chi. melissa called me to tell me she was sticking a $70-off coupon in my son's backpack. so that brings the chi to $100. then, for props, she added a 20% coupon. that's another $20 (off the $100 -- keep up, people). then i realized i had a $40 credit at this particular store. AND, they were having a free chi class.

this can only be called divine intervention.

i could get a chi for only $5 more than i was first willing to pay. plus free instruction. what i hear: someone will play with my hair for free. YES, sign me up. i am THERE.

the chi not only straightens. it curls. it waves. it will sing you all your favorite songs.

this nice lady at the store did my whole head. well, she did half my head, and let me do the other half. then she corrected my half. the chi is very hot. it makes a sizzling fajita sound as it slides through your hair. but i'm not worried. it's got fancy-named stuff that means it does not fry your hair.

and plus, it makes your hair pretty. so who cares what it sounds like. we've got fire extinguishers.

i love chi. it's my new best friend. sorry, melissa -- but you're a very close second.