It's even more interesting to examine what I did, 6 years ago, with the context of time and insight like this. It makes perfect sense that I would chop off my hair. That group of people was my 'core group' for a while. I really, really don't like them now. I did opt to go by my middle name after shaving my head and since joining the business world I reverted. That's about 4 years ago I guess. Anyway, now I sometimes wryly comment that I know if I like someone based on what they call me: if you call me by my middle name chances are good I want nothing to do with you, because you knew me then. Used to sometimes get drunk and tell boys it was what I went by. I'd catch myself at that and realize whoever I was talking to already didn't have a chance.