From: Wales.Larrison@ofa123.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Re:  Cranial Covers
X-Sender: newtout 0.02 Nov 17 1992
Date: 21 Dec 92  21:49:48

Michael Schiffer writes:
>   "This is getting long-- obviously I really don't want to go back
>to studying bankruptcy.  :-)  But I already know about _my_ hat(s)-
>- what I want is to know about other people's.  I remember Wales
>wears a fedora, and I know Taldin wears a hat with a feather,
>though I don't recall what kind offhand.
> ...
>      "Now I'm really finished.  So what, if anything, are the rest
>of you wearing on your heads?"
  
   Sitting at his table in the back of the bar, Wales chuckles.  He
runs a finger along the brim of his fedora, and touches the brim
with his index finger in salute to Michael.
   "Hats.  A good subject for discussion in the bar.  One upon which
many have opinions, and one in which the expression 'from off the
top of my head' may have particular importance."
    "I wear the fedora in the bar in violation of good etiquette.  A
gentleman should always remove his hat indoors.  However, I use it
plus several other 'visual' devices as part of my persona, here.
And, since I'm using a pseudonym, the wide brim of a fedora hides
my face in the shadows rather well."
    "Other hats I wear?  Well, at work I wear a number of different
hats -- but that's figurative, and not actual. :-)."
    "Let's see....  I've got a...
     - Hard hat, used for construction areas, primarily work
related. I've also got a clean room hood and facial 'veil', which I
sometimes use at work to inspect hardware before it gets installed
in spacecraft. (The veil is since I have a beard -- all exposed hair
has to be covered in the clean room)
     - A couple of fencing masks -- one general purpose for
practice, and one really good one which I know will pass the FIE
tournament regulations, including the punch test and electrical
conductivity test.
     - Several battered broad brimmed "stetson" types, in Panama
cane.  These get used a lot, as I do a lot of mountain hiking and
gardening in the summers.  (Did I mention that I grow and exhibit
prize-winning roses?  Have over 125 bushes in my yard...).  I don't
like the usual "cowboy" hats with the high turned brims on the
sides.  They work fine keeping the sun off of your face and neck,
but without side protection, you still sunburn on the cheeks and
neck -- and I sunburn real easily (Scotch/Irish ancestry).  So I
get the more flat-brimmed stetson types.  And since these are
'working' hats, rather than 'show' hats, I don't get the 'show' lacy
cane hats or the hard-to-clean felt types.  Most of mine are heavy-
duty Panama Cane, which is pretty durable.  The best I've found is
the 'Resistol' brand -- which holds it's shape pretty well after
much thrashing around, and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.  My
most recent has survived about 2 years, including being used by my 2
year old to practice the Mexican hat dance, with the expected
results.  I'm planning to hit the after Xmas sales and look for a
new one, but it's still serviceable.
   - Army surplus fatigue hat, also primarily used for hiking.
   - Riding helmet, for equestrian adventures, which are becoming
all too infrequent .  Yep, one of those little black hard hats with
the button on top.
   - Scottish peaked clan hat, with my clan badge.  It's currently
gathering dust with my kilt and bagpipes.  (You don't practice much
if you like your neighbors and are out of practice.)
   - A large, floppy Renaissance gentleman's hat, complete with
Peacock feather.  I used this quite a bit when I was teaching
fencing at the LA area Renaissance Pleasure Faire, but at the moment
it's packed up with my Renaissance costume.
   - Several baseball hats with different logos on them -- primarily
picked up for souvenirs or to keep the sun off when needed on
travel.  Used primarily for softball, or boating while on vacation.
   - Several winter knit hats.  These include a "good" one (in grey
raglan, used for winter business travel), and several rattier ones
used for winter hiking and camping.   I don't wear them around the
home or elsewhere, since in my neighborhood knit caps and their
close cousin 'Naval Watch Caps' are used as gang insignia.  I
normally don't fit the gangtype mold in dress, but sometimes with a
pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and an open oversized flannel shirt used
as jacket, I will get a second look.  (All are elements which have
been used as gang insignia in this area)."
  
   Wales grins and sips from his beer.  "As for hat etiquette --
well, I would recommend a copy of Ms. Manners.  Gentlemen always
remove their hats indoors, with very few exceptions.  Removing them
in an elevator is also highly recommended, for the simple reason
that in a crowded elevator a large, wet hat is not something you
want waved around your face -- and you don't want to be guilty of
doing this to someone else.  The same for theaters or any seated
gathering of folks.  And you never sit at a table in a hat." <Grin>

--- Maximus 2.01wb
Newsgroups: alt.callahans