Round the Bend

Does anyone know any barber shops in the Big Bend?  I'm now living in the stuff where Western legends and films were made. No gas stations or barber shops for at least 30min or 1hr away. But the beauty of living here is beyond words. But where are the barber shops??? I can't even get phone service in the place I'm living in. Welcome to West Texas. In the middle of nowhere.

Anyways, yeah, I got a job. A job that's challenging yet rewarding (at the end of the day at least). Well, I'm now workin' with "at-risk" teens from 16-19yrs of age.  Mainly boys. And boy, what a bunch they are. From all kinds of fucked up backgrounds-drug attics, gang-bangers, homeless, abusive families, etc. Yet, these kids have so much potential to change their lives for the better. They just have to believe it themselves. So far, I've been working with them for a couple of months, and I'm planning to do this for about a year or so, for now. I want to seriously think and plan for my future, about what direction I want to go, if I decide going back to school or military again. Either way, this job is a life-rewarding experience for me, it's honestly a godsend really. Everyday, I learn from these kids, they teach me so much about myself, about the impact of the decisions I make or they make, about social intelligence.  And of course, discipline in how to give it and to deal with the consequences of actions. To stick to your decisions and be accountable for them. They show me how much promise life can give. And they also show me the darkness in human nature. Some are also social-paths in the making or already are. One day for me is like a week's experience in dealing with people at work or kids from any other school.

I've already been threatened with getting punched or hit at, been cussed it, been accused of something I didn't do by these kids. I'm really surprised I haven't been hit at yet. Some of these kids are emotional time-bombs waiting to get set off. Lots of drama. Some are as dumb as bag of rocks that it boogles the mind, some (like a handful) are college material for a 4yr university and quick learners. Some are ignorant about people (like gays) and of the world that it's unthinkable for them to think in that way or differently than what they think. Some are a hot mess. And some just don't give a shit, about anyone or their future. Again, everyday is filled with life lessons for me. And at the end of the day, I know I have in some way, contributed to these kids' lives and impacted them in some way. That I tried to impact them positively or to teach them about the consequences of their actions. Well, I'll update you some more later....