• On Life and Love

    First Hair Highlights

    I did it! I’ve had locs twice now, for a total of almost five years, and each time I’ve gone, “I should be bold and dye my hair!” But it’s very permanent, especially since my natural hair color likely needs to be lightened for color to show much. Plus, lightening hair can be damaging. Last thing I want is to have my locs falling out. I’ve literally spent years growing these things; I’m not ashamed to say I’m a little attached to them, even if I don’t name them or count them. But finally, with the aid of recommendations from friends and family on a beautician, I got my hair…

  • On Life and Love

    A Return to Hair Simplicity

    Three-something years ago (okay, okay, three years ago on February 25, 2008), I started growing my hair out into locs. I plaited my 2 inches of ‘fro and let it go. This was a month after I left teaching and the night before I started my first post-teaching job, and it was a big life transition for me. I was mourning having “failed” at being a teacher and wanted something personal to accomplish as I reentered corporate software development.

  • On Life and Love

    Locs

    So, I was glancing through some photos on Facebook from the Hannah/Alex wedding this summer (where the back of my head was camera-happy, evidently), and I realized that my locs are kinda awesome. I’ve done a pretty good job of weaning myself off of being all hair-ful and stuff, but the photos surprised me a bit. There’s color variation I wasn’t expecting, and… personality. They’re moderately “mature” now — I’ve had them for about a year and a half, and while I’m not sure if they’ll tighten up more, they’re definitely well-entrenched. I used to (and still do) ogle the locs of other folks when I’m out and about; now…