Little boy goes to Daddy, who's drinking his coffee before heading off to work.  He gives a weird look to Daddy, the kind which makes Daddy sit up and notice.

Daddy: What's up?
Little Boy:  Daddy, what does 'slap in the face' mean? I heard someone use it yesterday.
Daddy: Well, 'slap in the face' is like a surprise insult, when some great news suddenly turns not so great because of some unforeseen action.
Little Boy (pauses for a while): Would the time when Astro took you off indefinitely after hiring you as a part-time co-host be a 'slap in the face'?
Daddy (smiles): Exactly.

Well, I guess after having life pretty good recently, it was time I bumped back down to Earth where I belonged.  I was surfing the net yesterday doing research for my Astro slot this Sunday when my email alert chimed.  It was from Astro.  It read:

"Dear Jonathan,

I had a talk with my superior regarding the show that you appeared...we believe we need to make sure you are properly groomed, and improve your appearance. We have decided that this week we'll give you a rest. The Channel is very particular about appearance and they asked me to convey a message to you to keep/grow your hair.

I hope you wont get any wrong idea about this,its just Channel will always evaluate every episode and make comments and suggestions. I hope you understand.

I will sent you the November schedule soon.

Take care man,

Mr So-and-so, Producer."

Woah. The Channel has spoken.

I was slightly taken aback.  I am not one to care much for how I look, admittedly, but to take me off the air indefinitely just for my crew-cut hairstyle, my signature since 1999? That was a surprise.

Now, I'm not that attached to my hair to start a revolt against The Channel, to picket in front of Astro's headquarters for short-haired men everywhere.  Of course I'll comply. I'll grow my hair (apparently, they want some Mohawk gelled-looking hairstyle.  Anything, as long as it doesn't make me look like a wannabe '60s Cina punk-rocker). And I'll patiently wait 'til they put me back on.  No big deal.

But it made me think about alot of 'what if's.  As in, what if the next thing they ask me to do is to put gold caps around my teeth?  Take steroids for bigger muscles? Liposuction? Or more importantly, what if they tell me not to wear that ugly-looking cross around my neck anymore? Use 'fuck' more? Go get a hot model chick to parade around in future Astro events (hmmmm...)?

It's no wonder people have said television is the best market to sell your soul.  In a world that judges us based on everything but the most important things, it seems easy to give so much away for the sake of a little more fame and a little more glory.  I tip my hat to people like Bernard and Tabby, who refuse to let success in the entertainment industry cloud their belief that we are defined by more than how we look or who we please.

That's my rant for today.  I actually see the funny side of it (I've been told time and again to be more look-conscious).

Goodbye crew cut, hello Mohawk.

j