Souled Out Summer Shoot

I'm a little late in posting this, but these are a few pictures from a photo shoot I did in July for our weekly comedy show, Souled Out Comedy.

The Lady in Red

A solo shot from the shoot!

This photo was taken in July. A very hot day in July. How hot? Just one hour earlier my locks were actualy curly! Style change, courtesy of the humidity.

A New Curler In Town???

Today I experimented with the Flexi Rollers I've been hearing so much about. Actually they're called Twist-Flex Rods. Not a bad curl considering I left the rollers in for only three hours. Dare I dream that an overnight might actually last more than a day? Next on my list to try? The Soft Spikes of course. (The gentleman in the photo is fellow comic Keith Price,and was taken after I saw his wonderful one man show: Ebony Chunky Love.)

Off to Khamit Kinks

Not a day goes by when it's not all about the hair (/:-) so after the Golden Girls DVD signing, I treated myself to a visit to Khamit Kinks! This was my first time going to a salon in the four years I've been locked, and it was interesting.

The shop is beautiful. I was startled to see that almost everyone (customers and staff) had locks!!! Men and women! Times have truly changed. I remember when natural hair care meant you just wanted a press and curl; and braids done by anyone but your Mom was big time.

I was pleasantly surprised when the lady at the front desk knew immediately that I had Sisterlocks and complimented me on them. She had very small traditional locks, but said she wished hers looked like mine. We chatted for a bit and she couldn't believe that I maintain my locks myself and find the retightening process relaxing.

Now I thought I was just "checking out" the salon, but when I explained what I wanted -- a wash and a trim -- I was able to get those services done on the spot. This is where it gets interesting. I think I was a little more low maintenance then they're used to.

Sesh was going to wash and condition my hair. "No. No conditioning," I said. "My hair is really soft and the locks around the hair line will slip."
"After four years?" she said.
"Yes."
When she took a closer look she concurred and suggested a leave in conditioner on the ends. "Okay." There's a first time for everything.

I must confess I'd forgotten how good it feels to have someone else do your hair. I've never been the salon type, but I may have to consider treating myself to this a little more often. The scalp massage was magic. The shampoo smelled wonderful and familiar. She used Nature's Gate Herbal Shampoo, one of my favorites!

When they put me under the dryer, some of my locks didn't make it. They sort of hung past the bowl and dripped on the floor. Major points to Sesh, who noticed immediately and had me sit back while she put my locks into the bowl. Thankfully, the air from the dryer never got burning hot. It seemed to consistently be just the right temperature, and my locks dried very quickly, like they normally do. A lot of folks with traditionals who were under the dryer when I sat down were still there when I got up.

Nene, who has a beautiful set of two year old Sisterlocks, did a light trim. I was tired of the uneven/scraggly look of my locks in the back when I freestyled. I thought they looked horribly uneven. Nene politely told me it was all in my mind, but trimmed a couple anyway. She was ready to do an all out cut, but I truly wasn't ready for that! (These are the few ends she cut. Not much at all.)


She asked if wanted my scalp oiled.
"No."
"Styled?"
"No."
"A light oil on the ends for sheen?"
"Hmm...... well...... okay."
She gently rubbed a green tea scented oil on the lower half of my locks. I didn't like the smell of at first, but it grew on me when I left the shop.
"Do you oil your scalp?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Really."
Then she said, "If what you've been doing for four years has been working, keep doing it."

I don't know if it was the light conditioner, sitting under the dryer or the cut, but I think my locks are looking really great now. I'm leaning toward the cut because I'm really digging the neatness of it. I guess that appeals to the Felix Unger in me. (Am I showing my age with The Odd Couple reference? Oh well. :-)

Thank You For Being A Friend!

That's right! I braved the Nor-Easter that whipped through the city today to get an autographed copy of the Season Three DVD of The Golden Girls!!!!!!! It was well worth the four hour wait. I got to Barnes & Noble in Chelsea at 10:30am, but some folks were in line at 6:30am this morning! I'm a big fan, but not that big.

Rue McClennehan (Blanche) and Betty White (Rose) were delightful. Bea Arthur (Dorothy) was a bit aloof. I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt though. At 82 years old, she is the oldest of the group and more than entitled to be a little cranky if she wants. :-) Estelle Getty (Sophia) did not attend. To see a photo of The Girls, go to www.leighannlord.blogspot.com.

Locks in the Park

On Sunday, my Mom and I took advantage of the temperate weather to visit the park across from the house and take pictures of the Fall foliage. It was a beautiful day. We had such a great time walking, talking and taking pictures that we asked ourselves, "Why don't we do this more often?" Why indeed.

As we were about to make use of my tripod to take a picture with the both of us, a shifty looking man walked by, took notice of us (and our moderately expensive camera equipment) and started to linger. Spidey senses tingling, we were quickly reminded of "why we don't do this more often." Thus, no photo of the Dynamic Duo.

Ahh, to be a native New Yorker. :-)

***********
A few other pix from my nature "photo shoot" before we were "interrupted."
It really is a beautiful park. Thankfully, New York (Queens) isn't all big buildings and concrete.

Caruso Steam Rollers

Inspired by LaChanda, I broke out my set of Caruso Steam Rollers last week and this was the result. I had forgetten what a good job these rollers do at giving me a quick curl on the ends. Because of the length of my locks, I don't get a root to tip curl, but I do get some body and a bit of bounce. Of course, the more curlers I use the better.

SL's & Questions of Ethnicity

In my last year or so with Sisterlocks (four years now and counting) I get more questions about my ethnicity then ever. I am African American, but given my coloring, it's obvious that there has been at least "some" ancestral mixing going on. But my parents are African American. My grandparents are West Indian American (Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad). However, as my locks have gotten longer, I've had a few people assume that one of my parents is white or that I wasn't even Black at all. (????????) Dominican perhaps? It's as if my African Americanness is not immediately obvious. I was disturbed by this at first, but now have become more curious. It is amazing how other people see you in ways that you cannot or do not see yourself.

In Conversation....

In e-conversation with a fellow Sisterlocks blogger Chantal I e-mailed the following which I thought would be cool to post here:

Before I took the plunge I tried to meet as many people as I could with Sisterlocks to see what mine would look like. HA! I learned that Sisterlocks look different on everybody! To be honest, I saw locks that looked good and not so good. Somehow I took the leap of faith that mine would be okay, although I wasn't exactly sure how they would eventually turn out.

Looking back, I didn't meet anyone who's locks looked like how mine have turned out. In fact, my locks, and people's response to them, continues to surprise me -- pleasantly.

You Always Want What You Can't Have

This picture was taken with the New York City skyline in the background which you can see through the window and through my locks! Don't get me wrong, I love my locks, but I've always wished I had thicker hair.






That's why I much prefer to take pictures like this one with no backlighting. Yes, I'm vain. I'd like to say I'm working on it, but I'm really not. It's just easier to look for the right lighting. :-)

The Bobby Stick

The Bobby Stick by scunci is one of my favorite ways to do a quick and easy updo. My mom bought one for me and I loved it so much I went out and bought two more so I'd always have one on hand for a quick style. I keep one in my handbag and one in my travel toiletry bag. Can you tell I used to be a Girl Scout?

I've seen them for as low as $2.99 at CVS or Walgreens.

12/28/06 UPDATE: For a photo tip on how to use The Bobby Stick go to my post, Bobby Stick Tip.

Lock Stalker?

I almost became a lock stalker yesterday. I saw a woman on the train with the longest set of traditional locks I have ever seen. They were absolutely beautiful and way past "down to there." I'm talking mid thigh!

All I could do was stare and smile. When she got off one stop before me, I was tempted to follow her, just to ask how long she's had them, and take a picture. I chickened out because I didn't want to get arrested as a lock stalker and have my locks end up in a mug shot. :-)

Cute Lock Day!

Thanks to the bobby stick I was able to pull off this cute style that got me a couple of nice compliments from some natural sisters while I was shopping at Carol's Daughter in Brooklyn! They of course thought I had braids, but on closer inspection (with permission) were amazed to see locks so small. So I'm glad my locks were freshly washed and twisted!


Special thanks to my Dad for taking these two pictures, although he couldn't understand why in the world I would want pictures of the back of my head. :-)

www.veryfunnylady.com