For years I have gone to the barbershop and had my hair cut down real low. I mainly did went with a short haircut because I wasn't sure what else to do with my hair. I remember one time, when I was about 10 or 11, I went long hair so I could have a pony tail. Don't ask me why, I just thought they looked cool. Over the last couple of years though, I thought about making a change, but I still wasn't sure what I wanted to do.
About 9 months ago I went into my local barbershop to get my hair cut and I saw that the area that my regular barber cuts at was empty. I sat and waited until it was my turn and I asked the other where he was and he said he was no longer there. I didn't ask details, I just sat down and got my usual. That haircut was very awkward. He did a good job, but the barber that I had I have been going to him since I was 13. I was 28 at the time I went, so you do the math.
I never thought something as simple as someone cutting your hair could be something as deep. I kind of developed a bond to this guy and was so use to him cutting my hair, that anyone else who did it just didn't feel right. Women have the same feeling when they get their hair done I guess, only one person who knows what they want and knows how to do it to their liking has to do it. Haircut looked the same, but didn't feel the same.
I thought about what to do when I needed to go back for another cut. Would I still feel the same way and have to force myself to accept the other guy as my new barber, or would I go somewhere else and start over. I actually thought about this for a good while. As I thought, my got longer, about as long as the average black persons does in a 6 month period of time.
One day, my mom asked me if I was going to get a hair cut or let it grow out; I told her I was going to let it grow and get it braided. That bought me some time and I really started to think what I was going to do, and then it hit me, dreadlocks.
Seeing them on other people I always thought they looked cool and was interested, but I had no clue on how to go about doing them or who did them. The answer was right next door, my neighbor. Never dawned on me that she has had dreads for a couple of years now and I could just ask her. So I asked, got the info, set up an appointment, and yesterday got them done.
The woman that did them was cool and it really didn't take too long. I cost $100 for what she called "starter locks". Not a bad price for the time and materials used though. I really like how they came out and can't wait for them to settle and actually become solid (I guess that's what happens). I am a little worried though, because I did the dumb thing tonight and did a jiu jitsu basic seminar (with and stocking cap of course) and the back came out a little. I think it was mainly the stocking cap didn't come down over the entire head, so I lost a couple.
Other than that little hiccup, I am taking the proper precautions that were told to me. Three weeks from now I go back to her and get the maintenance done to them and hopefully they will set and I can enjoy them.
I will post more progress reports on it as time goes on.
