Lockin' Away

I was out with one of my BFF's this evening and she commented on my hair. She wanted to know was my hair twisted. I told her..."no, these are sisterlocks and I'm coming up on three years on lockdown!"

She replies: "REALLY??!!"

I'm like: "Yeah, gurl! I've been lockin' right underneath your nose for close to three years and you didn't EVEN notice!!"

It was High-Larry-Us! We both fell out laughing!

When I locked down almost (3) years ago, I knew no one would notice. The install looked very similiar to the 2-strand twists I wore....so my sisterlocks install and subsequent wearing was a non-event...until lately! DAng, I'm noticing the changes AnD so are OtheR pEopLe!

I now have that wash and go hair like Lisa on Real Housewives of Atlanta!! (That's what I told my BFF - REally CrAcked Up on ThaT CoMmEnT!!)

Don't Hate...Relate!!! LMAO!!!


Lexus Prefect has left the blogosphere...

Cleaning Out the Cobwebs

Goodness, I've been away so long I need to perform some cleaning on this blog: removing cobwebs, dust the furniture, open the windows and air out the place and burn a wonderful vanilla candle to get a warm baking scent up in here!

Life has been busy since the last post...God only knows when that was! This year I've been to the Inauguration, Skiing in Colorado, Miami South Beach, Freeport Bahamas and have plans for another destination -- where? Haven't decided but I'm going somewhere.

The hair? OMG!! This stuff is growing, changing by leaps and bounds! I decided to take over the tightening of my hair during the summer. I had a nasty flu earlier this year and had to take medication. Everytime I take medication my hair at the top of my head changes. Plus, I think I was getting my hair tightened too often and too tight in my sensitive areas. So the summer tightening by moi was to experiment with tightening less often and not so close to the scalp. It's working, my sensitive spots are recovering and doing nicely. I'm trying to tighten on a 3-month schedule......not working! My hair is growing so much, I have to tighten passively every 8-weeks.

I've gotten my hair colored this summer and new products were recommended. It's funny eventhough I have sisterlocks, the "needs" of my hair haven't changed. It is still proned to dryness, it still needs moisture and occassional conditioner when I wash. The normal cravings when I used to wear 2-strand twists with the exception: Conditioner EVERY time I washed. The (3) new products I use are put into my hair when I wash and (1) time during the 2-3 week wash cycle. My natural hair beautician, who put in my color, and made the recommendation. She wears palm rolled locks and she has quite a few locked customers. The (3) products I'm using are:

• Pro-Line Comb-Thru Softner
• Sulfur8 Loc Twist & Braid Oil
• Lottabody

I use a quarter size amount of the Pro-Line product it truly helps to lock in moisture. I like using this product when my hair is wet from washing. Sulfer8 Oil, I love this product. I tend to put on my hair and scalp after washing also and will use in between washings on my scalp and in areas where I'm dry. I've mxed this oil with water in spray bottle with a little Lottabody works nicely when I'm freestyling. I like the oil and water mixture when I'm wearing my hair curly. I'll spray on my scalp to freshen up my hair when it's needed. Not often maybe once a week.

Humidity:
I've forgotten how much hair LOVES humidity! Especially my hair and skin! While in the Bahamas my hair was at its' peak in moisture and manageability. Granted wearing curls wasn't an option but freestyling was awesome! Normally, when I freestyle, where I live, my hair looks a bit shoddy. My curlie ends tends to straighten and my uneven ends are quite noticeable. NOT in the humidity! Curlie ends were TIGHTLY curled, hair looks even...I was HOT...I mean really hot and sweaty but the hair looked GOOD!! Saltwater, sand and rain were all met without fear, actually I was craving those elements just to see what this hair would do. Heck, I just can't imagine wearing my hair any other way....but then again, I did see a really NICE natural hair style and if I knew what I knew now back when I went natural the look I seen I definitely would try. It was fabulous! A beautiful bobbed cut with natural curls to boot!

Here's an updated picture. The curls are from my wash and set last week. Since my hair has gotten longer and the hair is now turning to locks...drying takes longer, curling takes longer so, I tend to opt for a weekend wash/curl marathon and during the next two-three weeks I've got lasting curls. I use the softspike curlers - they are comfortable to sleep in and my color combination: Green and Pink is so cute who needs a "do-rag?"

Wow...it's Been a Long Time

• Good grief!! I can't believe it has been 7 months since I last posted! Seven months!! So much has happened in the last seven months, here's the list:
  
  Broke out with Shingles
  Requested help on my job - DENIED
• Quit the job - HA HA HA!
  Got a new job - HELL YEAH!
  Love the Job - I'm so happy you hired me!
  Planned to attend a ski trip in Breckinridge, CO - Freaked out on the weather
  Backed out of the ski trip - because buying the gear was costing more than the air fare and Ski Chalet rental, plus I found this REALLY cute ski outfit..wasn't prepared to drop the Benjamins -- I mean, really?
  Spent the ski weekend in San Diego - HELLA fun!
  Got to see the top of a palm tree from the base of the palm tree -- yep way too many Bloody Mary's and Patrone Tequila Shots -- it wasn't my fault the guy dropped me...
  Dine About Town in January is awesome found some really good restaurants who are on my favorite list.
  Loved my winter hair - I did not tighten as much allowed the new growth to shine through in ALL it's glory!
  Hair grew too much during winter - tightening myself became a chore
  Spring and first paycheck from new job - Went to consultant and she tightened me up real good, had to cancel the 6-8 week appointment - no hair growth. I think my scalp is in shock!
  Paid off a loan - YIPPIE!
  Assisted in consuming a $200 dollar bottle of wine - Don't trip, once you go "high-end" it's hard to scale back -- thinking stimulation money from the government might just purchase one botle of the wine...
  
  So overall things have been good!
  
  Hair is doing great. It is changing. Wearing sponge curlers and soft spikes have tested my patience. I've now moved onto twists swirled into a bantu knot. I like this look and it is working for now. I'm sure over time my hair will crave the curlers and soft spikes. One day when I figure out how to upload from Photobucket I will post pictures. The pictures are sitting there doing nothing - waiting for me to upload to my blog...lol
  
  I've taken up Spring kntting it's an intermediate class. Love it! I'm making a pirate beenie hat - it's so cool! It's so Lexxus! I shall post when I finish and after I figure out how to upload.
  
  I'm off to beautiful Santa Barbara for the holiday! I LOVE that part of California. It is truly California in the "warm sun/beach/bikes/tanning/laid back kind of way... actually all of Southern California is that way. Northern California - Bay Area Specific is very cosmopolitan - 'nuff said. So, I hope to take in beach and sun and return to the Bay Area a few shades darker. I'm taking my So. Cal English translation book...every word has the reflection of a question? (See I'm writing the same way they talk...lol)
  
  Example: Hello? OMG this chair is for my friend?
  My answers: Uh..Hi OMG your friend isn't here and seeing as though you don't know...I'm sitting my arse in the chair!
  
  That's it,
  
  Lexus Prefect

You Go Super Employee!

I have to give a BIG shout out to a person who raised his shield and sword and fought the machine!

I have never experienced someone fighting a lay-off! Most people will take their pink slips, severance and call it a day...not today NOT Monday (10/29/07)-- not the Super Employee I know of...he fought the machine today.

Granted in the end... the lay-off notice was signed, but NOT until after he was heard!

I wish I was a fly on the other end of the line...

• I'm wondering if any backtracking, Elmer Fudd stuttering was going on.?
• Was the ear-well of the phone moist with perspiration due to nervousness or sheer shock?
• Was their a constant tapping of a pencil against the desk pad? Or was the knee banging aganst the desk?
• Were eyes rolling thinking: "this person has the audacity to question me about a lay-off?"
• When the call ended did the person on the other end exclaim: "WTF?"

Big-UPS to you Super Employee!

Things I have never seen nor experienced has been reduced by one.

Lexus Prefect

Tightening and the Hoop La Ha

Sigh...so, Aya, Helga and myself took the retightening class back in September. It was a beautiful day in California, I cleaned my apartment, hid all of my papers behind the sofa under the rug AND prepared a nice lunch for the students and the instructor. I EVEN went out and purchased Pelligrino (love this carbonated water) to serve as a delightful accompaniment to my roasted whole chicken which was to be used with the mixed salad greens (with a nice selection of herb seasonings tossed in) to create a wonderful roasted chicken mixed green salad! I'm not EVEN going to mention the salad dressing...I'm getting hungry just thinking about it...

I love my hair and sisterlocks but I really LOVE my savings account...after paying for the class, paying for the Tightening Kit (you receive hair products plus the 2 tools) I felt as if I was being forced into purchasing something I did not need; a necessity to a business to push product. I would've preferred the tools only and NOT the hair products. I don't like stock-piling hair products in my bathroom they take up too much space. I have products I use for my hair and love them to death...

Anyway, the classs went very well. It was fun and engaging. The entire writing down notes is crazy. Why can't I have an instruction booklet that tells me how to tighten my hair? This same instruction booklet should show how to start a new lock if you happen to take down a lock because the lock got tighten into another lock. I'd be damned if I'm going to cut my hair...I've taken the locks down to perserve the 10 strands that inadvertantly tightened into the lock next, under or on top of it. Note to future tighteners: Be careful when tightening, locking two locks together aint no joke! Continuing with my comment: It seems to me that within the amount of money that has been allocated and paid one should receive MORE (I mean information) for their investment.

It took me two weeks to tighten my entire head. Mind you I was working a little at a time. I would tighten a few rows in the morning before work. Tighten a few rows in the evening during a boring show, tighten a few rows before going out with friends...etc. I did allocate an entire day (Sunday it was) to finishing tightening my hair! That was a hair-raising experience...

I lost the goofy clip tool to my sofa! Let me comment on this ergonomically challenged tool: STUPID-RIDICULOUS TOOL!! I don't understand why a tool has to be so small, have a hook that is open and catches on hair while going pulling through the rotations, the spring mechanism is hard to open (which causes the skin on the index finger to peel back - ok that's dramatic - but writing: "ya finger gets sore" is so bland). The tip is sharp which hurts the scalp and the weight of the tool - too light! This is suppose to be the "popular" tool for tightening one's hair....it needs re-tooling...I have a list of suggestions:

1. The spring mechanism should open and close easily.
2. The hook should close into the spring mechanism to prevent snagging on hairs while working through the rotation
3. The tips should be dull and rounded
4. More weight should be added to the tool so it feels like a tool versus styrofoam used for packing a box for mailing. (this is my comparison of the weight)
5. More user friendly

OK...so I was frustrated with the tool...

Clip Tool and the Sofa...

So, when I lost my clip tool to the sofa...I panicked. I couldn't find that goofy tool for nothing! Then it occurred to me...I have a metal needle I use for yarn sewing! I pulled out the needle it was a nice metal weight. When it would fall from my hand, I could hear it hit the floor....YES! I threaded my lock through the needle and worked my rotations...IT WAS WONDERFUL! The yarn needle has a dull rounded tip, the eye of the needle was long/wide enough to thread my locks and I didn't experience any snagging of hairs while working through the rotations! Plus, I realized this needle costs me WAY less to purchase if I happen to lose it to the sofa. There were two negatives: (1) Needle could be shorter (I should stop by Michaels and see if the needle comes in a shorter length) (2) REALLY need to be careful to prevent catching other locks into the needle. Same as the Sisterlock Tool - this is just the cautionary standard.

Sisterlocks or Needle Locks?

I have SISTERLOCKS...will always have SISTERLOCKS! The tools "recommended" by Sisterlocks may not become my "tools of choice" because of reasons stated above. Damn it - I spent my SISTERLOCKS money and aint no one EVER, never EVER gonna tell me what I don't have!

Do I like tightening my own hair?

It takes some time but I like the freedom...I guess. I can control how tight (rotations) I use per lock and I can tighten at anytime. I'm one of those lock clients who prefer tightening every eight weeks. I enjoy the new growth look...I feel rasta :::lol:::

I'm still annoyed about the "kit" cost and "What you Get for the Money!"

I JUST wanted the tools...sigh...It seems I've said this before -oh, well!

Lexus Prefect

11 Months of Sisterlocks

It's been 11 months of sisterlocks!

The well of my right eye has started to irritate me...I couldn't understand why...it occurred to me that my lock on the right side of my face likes to land in my right eye well and just hang out there! Who knew I would be faced with such a problem??

Other Problems:
Itchy Neck and Shoulders - Yep the hair is trying to nibble on my neck! Sometimes it feels as if something is crawling on me and I'm constantly trying to get "it" off...it's sorta like that feeling you have ants crawling all over you and you can't see them because they blend into your skin color but you feel them moving on your skin! It's the most annoying feeling when it's actually ants - but hair? Who knew?
Shoulders - I'm constantly thinking a string is hanging from my hair/earrings and brushing against my shoulders - wrong I have a lock or two that wants to try out stretching yoga moves and see if they could touch my shoulders - Who Knew?

I cut a few ends off last week. I noticed a split end on one of the straight hair ends...since this hair isn't going to lock...the split end had to go. So while I was snipping away at the split end, I decided to trim down some other straight ends so I can get to my natural curly hair ends and they can lock accordingly.

I have realized this process is going to take a while. It's ironic how my hair is getting straighter over the years I hope I don't lose all my kinks - I LOVE THEM!!

Next weekend I am taking the tightening class - I guess it's time, but I rather enjoy having my hair done by my consultant, maybe I'll tighten all areas in the front top and sides and let her tighten the back of my head...then I won't miss out on her TIVO movie/program selections, her occassional Costco Cherry Pie and the great conversations.

I had read a book and the author was discussing the comforts that a black women finds sitting between the knees of another black woman. This comfort of being between other women knees came out of slavery...which today is translated in getting our hair done. It is comforting to sit between someone and have them "work" in your head. It's a place where you can bring your frustrations, anger, happiness - get advise and just feel you belong to something that is truly culturally yours and can't be crossed-over into mainstream society.

Little girls learns this from sitting between the knees of their Mothers...crying when the tangles were painful, falling asleep on Mom's knees when the combing, braiding was taking way too long...I was this way as a kid and my seven year old niece is the same way today...who knew?

11 Months and all is good on the locked front.

Lexxus Prefect

Dining Alone

Sometimes a Diva has to travel alone. Waiting for female and/or male friends to get their passports in order, tickets purchased, hotels reserved and spending money in order takes too much time and you always end up with someone opting out due to lack of funds and poor planning.

I recently visited Seattle, WA. I was there on a business trip and decided to extend a day to become a tourist for a 24-hour period. I had a wonderful day (more about that under a separate post) I decided I would top off my day by going out to dinner at an interesting restaurant myself and co-workers found the evening before.

After my whirlwind sight seeing tour, I returned to my hotel to freshen up and change for my dinner out. I decided I wanted to look casual yet chic...

• casual = pair of straight jeans
• chic=button down blouse buttons cleverly left undone,
• high-heeled open toe sandals and of course my new Nordstrom Rack Rafe handbag and coordinating wallet!

I walked to the restaurant from my hotel, walked straight up to the host/hostess and requested a table. The hostess advised that she would not have a table available until 11:30pm...uh...huh...she did however, suggest that I could sit in the lounge area they serve the restaurant menu there. No problem I said, and ventured into the lounge to find a seat in a strategic spot - preferrably near the bar so I could watch the NY Yankees/Boston Red Sox baseball game...no luck - bar seating was taken...so I planted myself at a high table towards the front of the bar/lounge and towards the front of the restaurant. I believe the host (male) took note of me and the next thing I knew, he had brought a waiter to "wait" on me...I felt so important and a bit embarrassed! The waiter and myself discussed wine pairings with a particular fish entree I was going to order. I placed my wine, salad, entree order and sat back to watch the game and relax from that "everyone is looking at me sitting here alone - feeling." There was 2 couples (friends) sharing the table with me and I would occassionally listen in on their conversation...

It took quite a while for my wine to make its way to my table. I noticed the bartender was taking his little sweet time in pouring my wine and overall completing drink orders for the restaurant. It must have been 15 minutes - before the waiter appeared with my wine glass and an entire bottle of wine which he was going to top-off my portion (possibly because I had the last pour). Before the waiter poured the wine into the glass I told him he should return the wine because either cork or something else was floating on top of the wine in the glass...he returned with another glass of wine...this time someones lipstick was encased around the rim...I sent the glass back - 3rd time my wine order was correct. The guy that was part of the group next to me was marveling over the restaurant...blah...blah...blah...was the conversation. He was quite surprised that my wine order wasn't correct. He assured me that this type of service NEVER occurs at the restaurant.

While sipping my wine and waiting for my salad - a gentleman entered the restaurant and inquired with my about the NY Yankees/Boston Red Sox Baseball game. I gave him the score and we started chatting. During the conversation, I learned he was dining alone and I invited him to sit and dine with me. Ladies, this is one of the PERKS of eating out alone...there are OTHER men who eat alone also....LOL BTW: Knowledge of sports is always good!

My entree arrived -- to the food delivery person I advised "you will need to return this entree to the kitchen, I would like a fresh entree prepared I do not want this dish returned after sitting on a hot plate...I ordered a salad and I prefer to consume before the entree. The waiter returned to the table to inquire the problem...I told him they brought out my entree before my salad...blah, blah, blah...at the same time, I advised my waiter, I now have a dinner companion and he would like to order wine and food, to which the waiter obliged accordingly. (I sound so proper - tee hee)

Salad appeared at my table...I ordered a mixed green salad with goat cheese, and seasoned pecans w/a vinegrette dressing...Hmmm...salad tasted boring! It occurred to me that I had received the bottom of the bag of pecans! Every pecan but one was totally crushed and looked like crumbs upon my salad! I called the waiter over again, and commented on the salad and advised I'm not going to pay for this salad. The waiter was cool and said "of course" he tried to explain the crumbed pecan thing to me...but he's talking to an experienced food eater and that explanation was totally bogus! Never does the chef totally crush pecans after seasoning and throw the crushed pecans on the salad! How can one taste the so-called seasonings if the item to be seasoned is crushed to bits??? The couple next to me just couldn't believe this fiasco was happening.. the guy asked: "Are you a food critic? It's apparent they must think you are, you have them unnerved!" I gave that raised eyebrow look thinking to myself "He's polite to state that I must have unnerved these people because "he and they" think because I'm a minority I don't know food?" I told him, "if they feel I'm a food critic I've just begun to return food and I'll certainly give them something to become unnerved about!"

My dinner companion was laughing at this scenario! When he received his meal the gravy looked as if it was baked onto the smashed potatoes and the meatloaf a bit overdone - he didn't complain to the waiter but he did tell me. He was very hungry and when you're that hungry YOU just want to eat!

Entree arrived -- I'm sure everyone was holding their breath regarding my reaction to my actual meal...I tasted - thank God it was good!! The fish was so fresh and tasty, it nearly melted in my mouth. I was asked how's the entree - to which I replied: "YUMMY!" Finally, something decent to eat in this restaurant that was created by a chef rockstar, and whose dinner reservations in the dining room was not available until 11:30 pm! The couple next to me were happy to see that I was enjoying my entree and the guy who recommended to his friends apologized for the service and my displeasure. Internally I was amused. I had nothing but time for these people to get my order right and serve me something that was truly worthy of the expensive decor!

Afterwards - Dinner companion and myself took a stroll around downtown Seattle. Seattle is such a great walking town!

It was nice to meet someone in Seattle who lives in the Bay Area...we are planning an actual date...or should say "A fun night out"

Notes to Self:

There is always a silver lining to everything...look for the positive spend less time on the negative and beauty compliments are always good!

BTW: Sisterlocks were gorgeous!!

Lexxus Prefect