20 Month Looks

All of the styled looks were accomplished with the Caruso Steam Curlers. The set only last for a couple of days, but it's my favorite look. Someone wrote and asked how I accomplished my "styled look." Here's a pic of how I roll my locks with the Caruso's. The fewer locks per roller the nicer the curl.

Tagged at 20M!

Katika and Sister-in-Locks tagged me! I'm to share five things my readers don't know about me. It has taken me a while to come up with things I felt comfortable sharing, but after reading some of my other SL friends' tags, I've been inspired tonight, so here goes....


1. Music and movies are my passion. If I could choose any career it would be singer or musician. When I was younger I wanted to be a dj and would call the radio station and quiz the jocs on how to become one of them. I have a vast music collection now turning into a vast digital music collection. It is my pride and joy. Oh, I neglected to mention - I have no musical talent...LoL...My consulation is my son graduating from college with a Radio,Television, Film (RTF) degree. He is a dj, sound engineer, pianist and composer by night until he gets his big break. Y'all gone see me at the Grammy's with my son one day. I'mo give a shout out to all da SL ladies! hehehe....

2. I am a shy person and pretty much a loner. People find that hard to believe, but I am. I would rather speak to a group of 1,000 than walk into a small, intimate setting where small talk is required. I've learned to master it over the years, but I always get very anxious. Yet, I love public speaking and will jump at any opportunity to speak or present to a group, no matter the size - the larger the better. Perhaps that's the "performer" in me.

3. I was a tomboy growing up and much preferred being outside playing tag football or basketball with my brothers and the neighborhood boys rather than playing with dolls. I was awarded Most Outstanding Female Athlete my senior year in high school lettering in varsity Basketball, Volleyball, Track, and Tennis. I was a sprinter and held several high school records. I was also the only African American in my graduating class as a member of the National Honor Society, graduating with honors.

4. I'm a techy geek...LOL. I love technology, computers and gadgets. My family and friends tease me saying I'm the only person they know who actually reads product manuals. I love finding out everything a gadget will do.

5. I have to credit Sister-in-Locks for the strength to be able to share this last "unknown fact" with you. I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to before reading her experience, so thanks SIL - we share a previously unknown common bond.

I was bullied in elementary and middle school by the "popular girls" - not because I was rich or pretty - but because I was smart, made good grades, was quiet and my mom always dressed us nicely (although we were extremely poor). I loved school and learning, yet dreaded school because of the mean girls. I remember one summer praying, "God, please don't let me make all A's this year." I was afraid to go to recess and hated the lunch hour.

When I was in the 6th or 7th grade a gang of girls caught me in the bathroom and beat me up really bad. It was retaliation - one day on the way home the leader was alone - without her gang and two sisters. She was talking that yang, yang and I stood up to her. She shooved me. She was twice a big as me, so I picked up a stick and hit her in the head - then took off running...LOL. She had to get about 3-5 stitches. Her and her girls beat me up the whole next week until we all got suspended for a week for fighting. It was a horrible

How did this affect me - I like the way SIL put it ... it made me stronger and gave me a quiet self-confidence. I believe it's why I am more of a loner today with a few select friends. But I like it like that. Some people take my confidence as being "stuck up," but it is my protection. I respond, however, to those who take the time to get to know me. That's why I love the DFW Sisterlocks ladies so much - they welcomed me with open arms.

I will admit, when I have my locks styled and slammin' and I'm all dressed up, I do feel like da sugar-honey-iced tea...LOL!!!

(Oh by the way, those "popular mean girls" now approach me saying..."I remember you from school. Gosh you look great! You look the same as you did in school." Unfortunately, I can't say the same for them...tehehe!)

6. I'll cheat and add one more - which probably isn't a secret to anyone who reads my blog - I love to write. My son encourages me to publish something one day....for now, I'll start with this blog.

Thanks for the tag Katika and SIL!

Black History Month Viewing at 20M

I've been attached by the flu bug that's raging in Texas - flat in bed for 3 days. A nasty little virus causing fever, chills, cough and body aches. Today's the first day I feel well enough to write. Being bed ridden forced me to relax some and watch some movies. I had the pleasure of viewing these three wonderful Black films. I highly recommend all three, particularly Color of the Cross - a must see for all Christians IMHO.











HBO's awesome Lakawana Blues, based on the acclaimed autobiographical one-man show by Ruben Santiago-Hudson (who wrote the adaptation and appears in the film) co-produced by Halle Berry and Santiago-Hudson.

The film's full of African American talent and heavies - MosDef has a role as an oh-so-smooth performer in the jook joint - gettin' everyone jammin'. (I love me some MosDef ta def!) Del Roy Lindo, Terrence Howard, Louis Gossett, Jr., Rosie Perez, Macy Gray, Jimmy Smits (who gives a great performance,) the incomparable Jeffrey Wright - an unhearalded super talent (watch his performances in Shaft, Boycott and LB - phenomenal!) Of course, LB wouldn't be LB without it's two key actors young Marcus Carl Franklin and S. Epatha Merkerson, who convincingly became "Nanny" Crosby, owning the role which garnered her an Emmy, and rightly so IMHO. (I've never known how to prounce her name. I have a whole new respect for her acting talents after her performance in this film.)

It's interesting seeing the processed hair of both men and women of the period. There's a wonderful scene where Rosie Perez is hotcombing Macy Gray's hair and accidentally burns her.

The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings('76) starrying Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones and Richard Pryor. I had never seen this film before. The title is so misleading - no wonder I'd never seen it. I only stumbled upon it this weekend while channel surfing. It was fun watching all the greats. I enjoyed the writing and seeing Billy D all sharp, cleaned and processed in that yellow suit in the closing scene!


Color of the Cross

The first depiction of Jesus as a black man, Color Of The Cross is also the first to suggest that the Crucifixion could have been racially motivated. Color of the Cross presents a fresh, never seen before perspective on the history of Christianity.

The movie addresses four areas: Jesus and his disciples, the state of mind of the Romans occupying Judea, the issues facing the Rabbis in the Sanhedrin, and the family life of Joseph, Mary and their remaining children as they were affected by Jesus' persecution.

The film blew me away! It's one that I will watch again and again because of it's depth. I love the fact that it's references and script are historically true to the KJV of the bible and the portrayal of Jesus as a wooly haired Black man took my breath away and moved me. Debbie Morgan's portrayal of Mary is intense and dynamic giving me cause to "see" the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixation in a broader, human context.

(These opinions are mine - and not intended for public debate.)

D'Hat & Locks

I was cleaning my closet recently

and came across

this hat that I purchased for a 70's party.

It's still uncommonly cold and rainy in Texas.

So rather than curl my locks

I sported d'hat last weekend

at my nieces birthday

skating party and got my roll bounce on!

It was fun and I didn't fall once.

Are those my Sisterlocks hangin' like dat?