Walt Now: home of Walt Jaschek. Go on. Laugh your ads off.

Believe it or not: THIS ISN'T ME!

[You'd have to see my new haircut to understand how much this DOES look like me.] [Or maybe you wouldn't.]

Funny responses to my head.

Yes, it was in 2002 that I abandoned that "wow, man, I'm, like, a self-employed writer-guy" haircut and decided men of a certain age might want to reconsider the very long, curly thing -- unless you're Howard Stern.

The cut, by stylist Marnie K. Mills, was liberating in itself. Then I emailed the above haircut pics to a bunch of friends. Below are their funny responses, in order received.

Need to borrow a hat?

JoAnn Patti
Gnat Princess

The latest from Ramallah is that Yasir Arafat is giving in to all Israeli demands just so he can get out of that compound and see your hair. The power of hair . . . Never underestimate it.

David Molho
Writer / Producer

The next step is: baldness. My 19-year-old son can show you how.

Dianne Guerra
Instructor
Webster University

Very spiffy! ... As much as I loathe the entire Homeland stuff, I would actually pay to see you drafted into their military forces. Within a week, they would all be getting in touch with their artistic sides, telling the commanders that they can't do morning calistenics because they haven't finished writing their "morning pages" yet.

Penelope6
(Published Erotica Novelist)

Now the mustache.

Terry Winkelmann
Writer/Editor

And I can't bear even to trim my beard!

George Stenitzer
Vice-President, Corporate Communicatons
Tellabs

You had long hair?

Carla Feuer
Director, Marketing Communications
Quilogy

As my father would say:
"About goddamn time!"

Don Secrease
(Comics Artiste)

WOW! My GI Joe is standing up at attention, you studhorse!

Tom Tipton
Toastmaster

I have three words to say about the 'before' picture:
Weird Al Yankovic.

Rick Zharadnick
Director
Alpha Productions

I have to admit -- I miss the hair. What can I say? I liked the hair.

James Maguire
Writer At Large

Hey, Walt, it looks great! I never thought I'd say that because I tend to be long-hair-lovin' kinda gal. And as for the news value -- hey, why not. This is the kind of news you don't mind getting. You know all that war and famine and peace negotiation and sex scandal crap can sometimes get pretty damn tedious to someone as superficial and shallow as me.

Susan Seymour
Professor
Webster University

Thank you for giving me a badly-needed excuse to blow off everything else this week, while I digest this earth-shattering news.

I think I need to go home and be close to my loved ones.

Paul Fey
President
World Wide Wadio

Oh what a loss,
what a blow too feckless!
Those long, curly locks,
Walt's lovely, full tresses,
now lost??
What a shock!
What cruel joke to the masses,
who mourn for his shoulder-length
curls, tangled in messes!
But wait!
What a change, what kind transformation!
It appears Walt's shortened hair
still stands tall with a message
of strength, yet a visage
of fair-headed-ness!
Still lovely, tho' short,
Walt's tresses now mess-less!

Deborah Bozsa
President
Deborah Bozsa & Associates

Ohmigaw! This is the first I've seen of the lengthy version. When did you turn into a hippy? I would have sent you an incense-soaked t-shirt from Santa Cruz. Now maybe a polo shirt fits the bill?

Jayme Curtis
Recording Artist
jayme@purrgirl.com

Whoa! That is weird! Just last week I got all of my hair cut off, too. The stylist didn't look like a Marine barber wannabe, or butch, but I guess she must have been. All I said was I want it short for summer and she took out the CLIPPERS! Now my hair is as short as yours...I'm not making this up. I was afraid my hair style made me look like a little old woman, now that's all fixed...I look like a little old man. So, I can sympathize with your situation.

Mary Dubois
Professional Super-Parent

Although I support your individuality and any choice you make, I must say I miss the hair already. Considering how little time I spent with it, I realize I have no say in the matter. I guess I should have asked for joint custody sooner.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day. Another day that your hair has a chance to grow to its full potential once again. With that, I must bid farewell, fair hair. You will be sadly missed.

Seriously, Walt, congratulations on the haircut. I know sometimes cutting off long hair can be a spiritual experience (think dreadlocks) or a form of discipline (think 16th century convents.)

Anisa Curtis
Writer / Philosopher

Beware of the insidious bronchitus now...
... and of the crazy chicks who'll see you ten years younger!

Corinne Noirot
Academic Genius, married to James Maguire, above

The haircut is so ... so '00s. (As opposed to '90s). As I commented to JoAnn, I don't get to enjoy the tonsorial experience with a hottie like Marnie. My hair is cut by a short Italian barber, Geno Gallo.

I was, however, reminded of the second verse from David Crosby's classic "Almost Cut My Hair"

Must be because I had the flu' for Christmas
And I'm not feeling up to par
It increases my paranoia
Like looking at my mirror and seeing a police car

Hey kids, stay in school and don't do drugs!

Rex Davenport
Writer/Editor/Wit/Hoosier

But the final words of the week on this important topic were, simply:

GROW IT BACK!

Terri F. Reilly
Director of Development
Laumier Park