That's right, the ponytail is getting chopped. Friends have been begging me to do this for years. "You went from having a mullet to a skullet" they like to remind me (they're very supportive). "The entire sad mess has slid backwards off your head!" Maybe they figured out that I have a ridiculously shaped noggin, and they want to see me brought down a few pegs. Maybe they just want my neck to be cold in the Chicago winters. Then again, maybe they're right. So I thought about it, and discussed the matter with my wife, and finally decided that if my frenemies want to see this happen so badly, they can pony up some cash, and together we can do a bit of good. Sure, much like the Samson of the IT department I'll probably lose my uber-geek powers when my lovely tresses are shorn, but the kids in need of a cure will benefit far more, and that's what's really important. I can read a "...for Dummies" book to get back up to speed on IT matters. Childhood cancer research doesn't fund itself. So go ahead, click on the "donate" button, and if you're in the neighborhood join me to honor these brave children. If you can't make it, I'm sure someone will be happy to send you a picture of my new 'do. I won't. I'll be out trying to find a hat -- it's still very cold here in the Windy City.