Yes, yes, and yes. I experimented with the chin length (still short underneath) from late 2008 until gradually cutting it all off before my trip last May. By fall 2009, I had cut everything except the long side bangs, which still required the flat iron.
After straightening, the flat iron, and still looking like a freak when I took my helmet/ski hat off, I decided to do what's best for my lifestyle. When I look at pictures from summer 2009, I look like a soccer mom. And that's when I wasn't being active. That style and all of the maintenance required would have been OK if I never moved. My hair frizzes just by pulling a shirt or sweater over my head. I am happy now, I've got the color the way I like it, and my hair stylist understands my lifestyle.