Dredlocks & Strangers...

Hey All! So, it's happened twice in 2 days that I've gotten e-mail messages about this paper I wrote 5 years ago about my hair. I wrote it initially as an assignment for my History of Textiles class, and I put it up on my allottment of school webspace when I was learning HTML and needed to practice. A while after I put it up, I started to get occasional e-mails from people who had somehow found it on the web, read it, and liked it. Since then, I get 2 or 3 of these e-mails each year. And I got one yesterday, and one today. The one I got today actually provided a link to the paper, which is cool, 'cause I haven't been able to find it online for the longest time. I read it today, and it's a pretty decent piece of writing. I'd make changes if I could, but five years later I'm not embarrassed about it. Here's a link to the dred paper, for anyone who'd like to check it out. The person who wrote yesterday told me that she found my paper from a link on a website called Nappturality.com, which is dedicated to the various manifestations of natural, kinky (aka nappy) hair. It's pretty cool, but sometimes the pages don't load correctly, or it's superslow. A good resource, though.

I guess I'd stopped thinking about hair as being such a big deal - I've been in my own little world for a while, only really moving around within my close circles. It was more of a presence when I was encountering more people, more strangers. Funnily enough, I just finished a major hair maintenance project with the indespensible help of Superawesome Ian. See, I found out last week that I have a couple of job interviews lined up, and I realized "Oh shit! - I have to make myself presentable on a professional level!" So I washed my hair and Ian and I spent a good portion of Saturday twisting, de-knottning, and braiding it. It looks pretty good - it's all wavy from being braided. And not a moment too soon, because I have my internship interview TOMORROW! Oh yeah! So I'll have to reinvest in professional appearances, which I really haven't had to do consistently in over a year.

Otherwise, life is good. Stella is almost to the point where she doesn't need to be surrounded by pillows when she sits on the floor. And she's using her thumbs more. Thumbs lead to great things. And she's making some supercute talky noises. She's back into the excessive spitting, though, which is my least favorite of her occupations, but it's better than random loud screaming.

I'm excited about these first glimpses of spring - warm weather will be such a relief.

I've gotten to a point where I'm feeling like I can get back into taking good care of myself, which I have not really been doing since Stella was born. I've been doing my best (most of the time), but now, I have the distinct feeling that another door has opened, one that will lead to better care of myself. I've found that that's the best indicator of what's possible for me these days. I get this feeling of possibility - like there's more space to move, or room to breathe. The world opens up a little bit, and I can do a little more. So here's to more showers, breakfasts, general hair maintenance, and more exercise. Maybe I can find a free or cheap and easy to get to Mom and Baby yoga class.

Anyway, gotta straighten up the apartment. Take care everyone, and enjoy the sunshine!

Atena McShowerseveryday

Comments

[yaf air]

You are a talented writer, 'tena. Keep it coming.

love, ria
xo