Sugar Water Festival - A Bust!

Here I am all dressed up, got my locks rockin' steppin' out to the Sugar Water Festival featuring Erykah Badu, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott and Floetry.

The X had hooked us up with 14th row seats and I was excited. I rushed home from work and fired up the old Caruso Steamer, put on a nice neo soul kinda outfit. The X was sportin' some nice, cool linen and we wuz lookin' good yall...Sorry didn't get any pictures of us other than this one snapped as we were leaving. I didn't want to be late, but...

It was down hill after that!

The concert tickets stated an 8 p.m. start. We got an email earlier in the week saying the concert had been rescheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start. We arrive at 7:45 and all I see is a mass of beautiful brothers and sisters mingling, drinking, fanning (it was 100 degrees although we were inside, there was a lot of us.) So I'm thinkin' cool - we haven't missed anything. By 9 p.m. the doors still aren't open. By now the natives (including myself and X are getting restless.)

Finally they let us in about 9:15 and then the band takes another 45 minutes for the sound check. They don't even pull the curtains - no videos playing on the big screen - just us watching some guys "test, test, test." Finally at 10 p.m. Jill Scott comes out. She apologized, it's their first stop on the tour, this usally doesn't happen...blah, blah, blah, blah, blah...I'm thinking, sing something and see if that will make it better. It did! The gurl is B-A-D and what a range! I had no idea she was that talented. I could have listened to her all night - actually wished I could have.

Ahhh...but back to the drama...we wait another 30 minutes while all of Jill's bands stuff was removed from the stage and Queen's setup, adjusted and another sound check. The only good part about this break is that I ran into my gurl TRA in the ladies room. We screamed and hugged and compared locks. Her braidlocks were slammin! They don't even look like braidlocks anymore - they look just like Sisterlocks and she was as beautiful as ever, but I digress...

I got mad love for Queen, her versatility and accomplishments - but she's no concert performer. She was very out of place on this ticket. She has very little stage presence and didn't sing with any conviction. The X and I literally fell asleep during her set. I kid you not - if you don't believe my version, check out TRA's post on the subject - she fell asleep too!

O.K. we suffered through Queen - and guess what - you got it! - another 30 minutes while the stage hands break down then setup for Erykah. Again, they don't draw the curtain, no music, no videos, nothing...By now it's almost 12 midnight and we have been there sine 7:45!

Erykah's my gurl - and my home gurl too. She finally took the stage about 12:15 a.m. We lasted through two very odd "new tracks" that she was "testin' out on us." They were weird. You know how you love Prince - but sometimes he goes to a place that only Prince knows about?....well, Erykah started off her set in her own lala land...we didn't know where she was and wasn't feelin' the two new songs (don't release them Erika!) We just couldn't take it anymore....we were tired (this was a Thursday evening and we had to work the next day.) I had a pounding headache from my $15 dollar drink so we headed on back to the casa.

Mad props to the X for doing everything to make this a great night for me (he doesn't believe in going to concerts "when you can just listen to their cd." I'll be hard pressed to get him to take me to another. On top of that, he purchased the most expensive tickets, paid $25 for VIP parking so that I wouldn't have to walk so far and who we really wanted to see, didn't even show - Floetry!

The best part of the evening was seeing my girl TRA and all of the beautiful natural and locked sistuhs and brothers there. We are such a beautiful people!

Note regarding my hair style: I used the Caruso Steam Curlers, but I used fewer locks per roller and used all of the rollers for more curls and body. I finger styled, shook my head and the results are what you see here. Despite the 100 degree weather, the curls held. Actually it's two days later now and the curls are still holding.

The Cowrie

I attended a luncheon at work yesterday, attended by my peers in the other colleges of the university. Of course, I was the only African-American amongst 16 other 40-60 year old white women. One woman walked up to me and said, "Shirley, I need your earrings and purse to go with my outfit."

She was wearing a nice top adorned with cowrie shells. I opened my mouth to share the history of the cowrie shell with her, but decided against it. I've been reflecting on that lost opportunity since yesterday.

Today the cowrie shell has become a fashion statement adorned on anything from earrings to purses to necklaces and clothing and worn by anyone and everyone, many people who do not look like me.

I was at Chili's a while back and a white waitress admired my cowrie earrings. She said they would "go with her necklace." I asked if she knew the name of the shells, replying she said, "no, I just liked it, so I bought it." My ex and I shared the name, spelling and history of the cowrie. She was amazed. I wondered, how many others are unaware of the historical significance of this precious shell.

Cowrie shells (also spelled "cowry") were used as a currency in Africa and elsewhere, like China where the shell or copies of the shell were used as a means of exchange. They are also worn as jewelry or otherwise used as ornaments or charms, as they are viewed as symbols of womanhood, fertility, birth and wealth.

Centuries ago, parts of West Africa used cowrie shells for counting. It was considered taboo to count animals or people so they used cowrie shells as a substitute. They also used shells for money. They would trade their shells for produce or necessities.

Another use of the cowrie shells was to make decisions. They would toss the shells to give a "yes or no" answer similar to tossing a coin ( "heads or tails"). Also, cowrie shells were used as beautiful decorations for jewelry.

Throughout Africa, and South and North America, the cowrie symbolized the power of destiny and prosperity.

Like so much of our history that has been usurped by others...the cowrie shell has been claimed by main stream America. My brothers and sisters as you wear this beautiful shell I encourage you to wear it proudly understanding, knowing and embracing it's significant role in our history.

BlaqKofi Here & Now

Greetings to all of my beautiful locked sisters and brothers! Blaq here feelin' wonderful. Check out my locks at 13.5 months. These pics were after work and I'm lookin' kinda tired and no makeup - ahhh but the beauty of Sisterlocks - they still look good even after work! This is a 1 or 2 day old Caruso Steam Roller set which I absolutely love.

I haven't been doing much creatively with my hair. Texas is experiencing it's typical 100+ degree summer, so I usually pull it back with a head band or scarf. This is my first summer experience with my locks. I understand now why some with mature locks trim or cut them during the summer.

Here's my hair regimen. It hasn't changed much and it's nice and simple, just like I like it!

Wash

• Every 10-14 days using Avalon Organics Lavender Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner
• Band hair into sections using small "scrunchies" (I stopped banding and braiding at 12 months.)
• Using a spray bottle with 1/2 shampoo/water, spray each section (I got this smart tip from Leighann's blog)
• Take down one section at a time, use a raking motion with fingers to detangle & work shampoo through locks
• Squeeze shampoo through locks
• Rinse, repeat
• Condition
• Remove excess water using a towel and wrap head with towel for 10-15 minutes
• 10 drops of Jojoba oil while hair is still damp, separate locks
• Once a month deep condition with Sisterlocks Moisture Treatment

Day-to-Day

• Most of the time: Soft curl set using the Caruso Steam Curlers. I pull my hair up into a pineapple at night. The next morning the curls are maintained. Even better results when I wrap the pineapple in a silk scarf before bed.
• Sometimes: Solar Roller set...I don't like sleeping on them, but the curl last for 3-4 days.
• Run my fingers through it and go....

Retightening

• Certified consultant and friend, Gigi Johnson continues to beautifully maintain my locks. I visit her every 4-5 weeks religiously.
• 468 locks - retightened in 2 hours. I love it. When I get there, the chair and my consultant greet me. No more wasted hours in a beauty salon!

Supplements

• Wheatgrass smoothie - at least five-six times a week
• 1 One A Day Women's vitamin daily
• 1 biotin (hair, nails) growth supplement

Oh, in case you didn't know - I love my Sisterlocks!

Freestylin' w Blaq

Yall know that I never freestyle...just haven't gotten there yet. But check me out after a fresh wash today... I typically have a lot of shrinkage for the first 1-2 days after a wash. The white you see around the hairline are my gray hairs - which are becoming more and more prominent. I'm deciding what to do with them - if anything...

My new job is da bomb! Such a relaxing atmosphere being on a beautifully landscaped university campus. Totally different world from corporate America. Very laid back and nurturing. I'd feel much more comfortable freestylin' to work at the university than in corporate America. When I get a little more length I'll rock the freestyle fo sho!

Rouge Lock!

My locks at about 13.5 months and right after a fresh wash. I thought I'd introduce you all to my rouge lock that just wants to grow and grow and grow...