@tctrek, i am so glad some people realize how crazy the general public can be. haha. working in atlanta i had that problem of too high of expectations. now in the smaller town i am in, people are so stoked just to have a good haircut. i feel sane again. my quote for most of my time working in atlanta was that "it's a haircut, not a miracle."

@shootingstar, thank you. i do monitor my health due to other health problems. drs never really talk about any of the chemicals i work around. well, maybe one, a chiro i had a few years ago was concerned.

i will say that i do feel the salon i am working in is very well ventilated though. the only time i feel too close to chemicals is when i am mixing them and after i pull out foils from someone who has had bleach highlights. it can take your breath away sometimes. all that ammonia. bleh. somebodys gotta do it, right?