Recalling my geek-rant from a while back, I'll continue an observation that is centered upon the F-7 key, or more accurately, connecting a laptop to a projector.

The observation here is the attraction of bystanders to oversee the elaborate process of plugging the computer into the projector - like seagulls on a chip! And if things get moderately involved, like having to change screen resolutions, look out, it's on for young and old. Really, what is the draw?

I'm doing my best to draw some analog with the LCD projector's technological predecessor's, namely the overhead transparency projector and before that the humble flipchart. Did people gather around to hover over the shoulder of the would be presenter as they assembled their transparencies (viewgraphs for the North Americans amongst you)?

Perhaps the best I can come up with is a childhood memory where, as a sub-teen, I would watch the older kids stand around gazing knowingly into the open engine bay of their mate's crappy, third-hand car (think Ford Escort panel van, circa 1977). What were they looking for? Perhaps some esoteric insight into fan belt tension or rocker covers, perhaps not.

Mind you even this behaviour is now antiquated. Nowadays guys in this age group are probably coveting one another's motherboards, cell phone ring tone or worse still, frosted hair highlights.

OK, I'm done, and so will do my best not to revisit thiis subject again.

I've just returned from having my hair cut. While sitting there in the chair, I basically wrote this entry in my head so I'm going to do my darndest to recall "the gold" that was conceived while I was being sheared.

While I'm not claiming that mine is anywhere near the perfect haircut, I will humbly concede that my coiffure is consistent. By this I mean that, give and take a bit of creative license by the person cutting my hair, when I walk into a hairdressing establishment, I'm reasonably confident that when I walk out, I know what I'm going to get.

My secret - a simple picture that I printed from a website.

You would be surprised how pleased and in some ways relieved, the people that cut hair are when you produce a picture of what you want. Immediately the language barrier, that eventuates when a customer (especially a male customer) tries to explain what they would like their hair to look like, is dismantled. Moreover, because you are using the same 'source code' again and again, you tend to pick up the barber-speak associated with your hair which further improves your chance of getting a good "do".

My particular hairstyle of choice is the one sported by Hugh Grant in the movie "About A Boy". I am quick to point out that should not be confused with the foppish, slim-hipped nancy boy hairstyle most associated with Mssr. Grant.

My current printout is only a few weeks old, its predecessor, having served me well since 2002, went through the wash. Yes that's right I have had essentially the same hairstyle for 4+ years (about 35 haircuts). But here is where the magic happens.

Much like musicians who cover a classic song in their own style yet still retain the essence of the original, my hairdressers over the years have reinterpreted my simple printout according to their creative whim, or lack thereof, while still keeping the follicular foundation intact. OK so perhaps that's a touch melodramatic, but you can appreciate that, given a visual cue, arriving at a hairstyle without being butchered is less likely.

Perhaps this is simply a case of managing expectations - both mine and the hairdressers.