They are back.
About 2 years ago I had someone dread my hair and add dread extensions and it was fabulous. But I was left alone to do the aftercare and the sort of dreads I had, crochet, were not a big thing then. Not many youtube videos on it, which is of course the only way any of us learns anything. So I didn't get how to do the roots. I didn't understand about sleeping with a t shirt or about how to wash them with baking soda. All the wonderful things I know now as I embark on another dread journey. So the first time they lasted only 3 months and I cut them off rather then be overwhelmed with the paramount questions I had on maintaining them. But now they will be here to stay. My friend Goog put in some but now I am finishing the rest myself. Its just easier to sit in front of the tv and dread and I don't feel guilty making someone else do it. Cause its a long process. I will make a how to video on it after I get mine up. Ill save one for you to demonstrate the technique.
Here is a photo of how it looked 2 years ago.
I'm making the length only to my shoulder because too long is too long. I want length and fun stuff going on but I don't want bother. My mother hated when I had dreads because it goes against what she thinks is pretty. But I dig em. And I feel prepared now. I know what I'm doing. I can dread my own hair, the extension hair, and attatch it in myself. Empowering. But why dreadlocks you ask? I like hair brushing against my shoulder. I like hair covering my neck. And something about ratted up hair sticking out like, well, sticks, with beads and shiny things stuck in it, makes me happy. Makes me feel creative. By golly I could put anything in my hair! Little fake birdies and butterflies. That in itself is worth the experience.
So if you think you are stuck with your hair the way it is you are not. And you don't have to wait to let it grow. You can do whatever you want to your hair Suzi Says So. Dreads are tribal and makes me think of goddesses and strong women and art. That's why I like them. But it's a pain, for sure, to put them in. Fun too, but tedious. I do a little each day because I can't sit down and do the whole thing. I don't have that kind of stamina. But I should just do it so I can get on with my life already. I think I started a week ago. I have like 30 more dreads to go. Im going to add felted wool ones for color. and make my own big fimo beads TELL ME THIS ISN'T FUN!
In other news....my book was spotted today in an Alabama Barnes and Noble by my friend Ajae McCain. I haven't been to our local B&N in Minnisota so I don't know if it's there yet. I need to go and experience that. It is very not real. I get emails and I know people are reading and love the book but the fact that it is in a bookstore I regularly shop at feels unreal. As does most good things after my father has passed away. I can't touch it or put my finger on the feeling. Not a lot feels real. It has been 6 months since he has been gone and it feels as unreal as ever. But at the same time I know it's a good book. I know how hard I worked and that it is worthy of being on those shelves. It explains exactly how to do what I do. I don't hide away secrets or leave you only with pretty pictures. I want you to learn. I want you to do what I do. I'm already down the road onto the next thing so I'm not worried. I want you to catch up. I want you to want to go where I am going. I want to go with you.
