Groom Me

I went to see Shannon a few days ago for a retightening session. As soon as I sat down, I began telling her about my dissatisfaction with the current state of my locks. My freestyle, the style I wear the most, was looking a bit too free. They didn’t hang as before. There were more than a few locks that looked rather scraggly. Also a good number of locks had balls (big and small) on the ends that looked rather distasteful.
As I spoke, Shannon looked through my locks and suggested a grooming. A grooming? Yeah, its time for a grooming. After explaining what a grooming was, and showing me before and after pictures of past groomings she had done, I quickly agreed.
I was very pleased with the results. The overall look of my locks were so much better. We took some before and after pictures but the before pictures didn’t turn out so well. No, I haven’t purchased a new camera. The one I used was a Kodak disposable one. Hope you’re able to get somewhat of an idea of the grooming looks. I don’t think the quality of the pictures are all that great.

That Darn Camera!!!!!!!

I've made several attempts to post pictures but have been unsuccessful. My camera won't download the pictures I've taken. I suspect it is the USB cable or something within the camera. I had a problem before with this camera and was sent a new camera from the company. With this being the second time I've had trouble with this model, I don't think I'll send this one back to the company for round three. I would only be delaying the inevitble: a need for a new and better camera. When that happens, hopefully soon, I will post pictures of my locks.

Anyway, I celebrated 10 months of sisterlocks four days ago. For the most part, they are coming along fine. I'm even beginning to notice a little more length. However, the growth rate is uneven in different sections, making my freestyle not as uniform as before. I guess this is part of the "teenage" phase.


I was hoping by now that each lock would be fairly thick and uniform in diameter due to the locking process. A majority of them are, but quite a few are not, for they look thick part of the way down the length of the lock, then look very thin the rest of the way. Others are thin part of the way down and then thick the rest of the way down. I sure hope the thin areas thicken up. A part of me fears that the thin sections will break off. Has anyone else experienced this? Your input would be great.

All in all, still loving my locks. I can't even imagine the alternative.

Peace.

Sisterloc Retightening Class

Hello All! My computer has been out of commission for awhile, but now I am back in the mix. Not only that, life has thrown a few curve balls my way causing me to direct my attention to other pressing matters. Anyway, I’m so glad my computer is working, and I can update you all on the latest with my locks…..

On September 29th I took the Sisterlock retightening class. Shannon, my loctician agreed to travel with me to Oakland, to my sister’s house, to teach us how to retighten our hair. Helga was in town on business and joined us too.

During the class you’re taught to use two types of hooks; the long hook and the short hook. We started our learning to use the long hook. I was stressed out trying to use that darn long hook. I even ruined one of my locks trying to use it, and had to have Shannon redo the lock. When we learned the technique of using the short hook, my confidence returned some for it was much easier to use. However. I did not like the way I had to manipulate the short lock tool to attach it to my lock.

It seemed to me that Lexus Prefect ( the eldest sis) seemed the most comfortable tightening her hair while me and Helga were not so sure.

Though once home, and with some practice, I feel I am getting the hang of it. I will see tomorrow when I go and see Shannon for my retightening. Once she gives the ok on my work, I hope to do more of it on my own.

Although I wasn’t that pleased to have to pay $250.00, I’m glad I took the class for I do feel more empowered. Also, Shannon did a very good job teaching us.

I am now nine months locked, but decided to wait to post pictures till after my retightening. I’ll post them soon. Blessings.


Here's a picture of one of our new bunnies, Ayu Starr! (Named by my daughter)

8 months strong

Woo hoo, I made it to 8 months and still lovin’ dem locks. Since my 6 month locversary, not much obvious change has occurred, but I have noticed more subtle changes. For instance, the challenge section of my hair (locks around the crown), is slowly but surely thickening and lengthening. It’s as if I am having to grow all new hair in that section in order for my hair to have strong enough locks that wont break off. Another subtle change is that I have noticed fewer balls replaced by more sealed ends. I call that progress.


This past week, following my last retightening session, my daughter took quite a few pictures of the latest lock styles I’ve been wearing. This was a fun mother-daughter project. She even prepped her “old school” mom for some of the shots. Teenagers!!!

The brown hair-tie, one of two, was a gift from Helga brought back from Norway. It is my favorite, so far, for it is sleek, stylish and versatile.



This is the other new hair-tie from Helga. I’m not sure if I ever told her that orange was my favorite color. The pink hat…..my daughter’s idea!!




Oh and the classic “freestyle and soft spike curls“………….


The “messy ponytail” has now become my favorite hairstyle. It is so easy to do, and your locks need not be long enough to fit into a ponytail. That is the beauty of it, for you want it to look “messy”. Wearing it with a hair-tie/band looks even cuter.




Oh and here is the “Undercover Ninja Warrior Photographer”. She poised and ready to take more pictures at her mother’s request (-: What a cutie!!!

Do you have a favorite? Hope you all enjoy the pictures and everyone have blessed and wonderful day!
Aya.

A Hair Salon Tale

Yesterday, I went to see Shannon, at her new location for my retightening session. Now Shannon is no longer at KINKS, for the shop no longer exists, sad to say. A very long and somewhat complicated story. Anyway, Shannon now works out of a shop where all the clients come in for chemical treatments, and hairweaves. I take my hat off to Shannon for doing this because she views this new working condition as an opportunity to introduce and familiarize those clients to sisterlocks and traditional locks. Fos Shannon does both sisterlocks and traditional locks.

So while I was there, I had three interesting encounters. The first was one of Shannon's already locked clients who was considering starting all over in order to get sisterlocks. All the palm rolling/twisting on her thin hair texture was becoming difficult on her scalp as her hair grew. Shannon felt that sisterlocks would be better on her scalp, etc. So when she saw me, she became very excited and was asking questions like, do you like them, is it easy to care for, how long did it take to install? I was happy to answer her questions,and sing the praises of sisterlocks. And, of course, she couldn't help herself but to have her hands all in my head. Since she was already a locked sister, that didn't bother me too much. I think she has now decided to get sisterlocks. I think they will look sooo cute on her.

The second encounter was from a client of another hairdresser. She walked in with a looooooooong black hairweave with gold colored highlights that reached to her middle to lower back. I must admit that it looked quite nice. When she walked in, she went straight to the mirror admiring herself and flinging back "her" hair. You can just imaging what I'm thinking. I could feel Shannon's thoughts without her saying a word. Next, she sat down in her hairdresser's chair waiting for her to arrive. That is when she noticed me and Shannon. She just stared, and stared and......It felt kind of awkard at first, almost as if some kind of self reality set in. When her hairdresser arrived and made a nice comment about my hair, the hairweaved client shook her head in agreement. Ok, I'll take that. Hey, Maybe, just maybe... you never know. Planting seeds are a good thing.

The third encounter was one of the other hairdresser's. She was wearing an obvious wine colored weave. She asked if I were wearing sisterlocks. I responded. She rendered a positive compliment and said that whenever she sees someone with sisterlocks, she considers it for a minute, but only a minute. We laughed. I said to her, when you are ready, nothing will be able to stop you. Also, I said to her "you wont regret it. Making the change is hard for many. Even hairdressers.

I think Shannon is on to something with working out of this shop. I figure if encounters like this keep up, she may run the other hairdressers out of business (-:

I am coming up on 8 months of sisterlocks. Hope to post pictures on my next posting. Blessings to you all!!!!!!

Joe's Crab Shack

♪♫ “Joes crab shack is a little old place where we can get together, crab shack baby…♫♪ The good old B-52’s. I liked that song. Well Joe’s Crab is where us Northern Cal Gal’s got together for another time of food, fun, and fellowship. It was located in Old Sacramento.
Nor cal Sister lock Gathering, August 2007
It was my intention to take a picture of my meal, but by the time I was served, I was sooooo hungry hat I devoured half my meal before remembering to take a picture. Sorry! But I did get a picture of my half eaten plate. The “shrimp trio” was quite tasty. It was pretty much the same group who met at the last gathering, but however there was a new face, Miriam, my co worker and friend. She was the sister lock baby in the group, having her for nearly 3 months. I’d like to think I had hand in helping her come to her decision to get sister locks for she really liked mine. Perhaps, perhaps not, I’m just glad that she did. looks great!
Alright, I digressed a little. It was so much fun seeing everyone again, and to see how each others locks had developed over the months. I was very impressed with Chocolata’s curls.
She said she used “wrap-a-lock” curlers to get her style. Belinda’s locks had really grown, and Gigirl had been cutting off her permed ends. My sister, Lexxus Prefect, well what can I say?, her locks are always looking good, but I did notice that her new growth is double the size of her initial locks. Oh, by the way, Lexxus Prefect has finally gotten her blog up and going, so give her a welcome. Just click on the link on the left hand side of my blog.

Ok, ok back to the gathering. To sum it up, it was a success. For me, just connecting and sharing our lives, our hair stories, and whatever else means a lot to me. I am a people person. I’m told our next gathering will be in December, cant wait!

Home again and back.

Hello All. I've recentally returned from the Central Coast where my parents reside. My kids and I took a 7 hour car ride to visit them two weeks ago. Helga and my oldest sister drove along too. I always like going home (my parents home) because I get a little spoiled. My father greeted us while doing what he does best- BBQ'n. He makes the best BBQ ribs. My mother is always good for having her homemade chocolate chip cookies ready for my son Justin. Not only that, two of my younger nieces were already there and were so happy to have a few more aunts and cousins to socialize with.

This visit home was great. The sad part is that I was so busy, I barely took pictures. Here are a few that turned out pretty good. (Pismo Beach)


(Sister Carol, Best Friend Pam, Daughter)
Helga and I spent time in each other's locks. Too fun! She even taught me some new styling options. I'm now 7 months locked, and happy to say that my locks are getting stronger. I love my sister locks.

Peace