It’s social season as the weather improves with warmer temperatures and sunshine βοΈ. It’s not yet deadly hot, so it is ideal for eating, drinking, and being merry.
Usually, I prefer a smaller quainter lunch so when I initially started organizing this one, that was the plan. Then, before I knew it ten people turned into 24 (including us)! We provided the setting and meat dish while others brought their table contributions. We definitely ate well! π¬
We also took advantage of our open terrace space this time so that people could spread out. It was a seeming success and no one left hungry or very sober. π
It was a great way to spend an afternoon before I head off to the States again for a couple of weeks.
Well, it was just barely a week – perhaps not quite since I braided on Wednesday and it was out on Tuesday…. Yup, it is what it is.
Sadly, my sensitive skin and physical nature just doesn’t like natural fibers or foreign products. When I say natural fibers, I mean things like wool which makes me super itchy. Foreign products that are not natural or organic however are my enemy.
While it is possible that the braiding was just too tight, whatever it was, my head broke out in hives slowly but surely. I gave it a few days with attempts at treatments, but alas, it was not to be.
So, this last Tuesday evening, I made M help me as watched TV together and five hours later, the braids were gone. On the plus side, my perm stayed and my hair seems to be a bit happier to be free so it is looking nice on its own. I also have a renewed appreciation that it is, at least, not straight.
Anyway…no more braids for the foreseeable future. If I ever do the style again, it will have to be with my own hair at a long length without any extras unless it is added at the end of the hair rather than near my roots. I cannot say that there will never be braids again, but I can say that my new aim is to grow the hair long and then see where my whim takes me!
I’m sitting here with a stack of printed pages that mark various expressions of my written work. One is a draft of the poetry book I want to publish, but need to read them to find themes and possibly re-order or reword. The other is a mere 82 pages of my novel that is finally back in the actionable part of my brain to get on the forward moving track of progress again.
While I generally try to save paper and keep most of my writing in electronic form, there does come a time when the physical print out cannot be beat. Now is that time.
With the poetry, it’s because I need to see how the poems are laid out and how they might read with spacing. As I want to consider how the page might look with possible images or combining some of the shorter ones on one page, etc. There’s more to a poetry book than meets the eye. Plus, poetry as a published form is new to me even though I have been writing poems for almost as long as I can remember writing in general.
For the novel, well, I think that my spontaneous method of writing has finally become a blockage where I forget where I left off in the various threads of the story. If I have it on paper, then it is easier to revert back to where I was. I also have bits of the stories written out in other documents, but I cannot keep track of whether or not I already included that in the main thread. So… with the printing out of it on paper, I am also returning to my software program where I can keep the flow outlined even if I am not necessarily writing it out in that order. If I can maintain a balance in being organized and letting the story come, then I think I can maintain my forward motion in getting this story on the page. I really need to get it out as I have many more stories in my head waiting in line to be allowed their moments.
So, it’s a wonderful way to start the week. In fact, starting my day with the writing made a difference since I usually start with “work”, otherwise known as the paid stuff. However, as I’m starting to consider a new creation of my creative activities, I am prioritizing my own work first knowing that the paid side-jobs will always get done anyway.
I know…I just can’t help myself. Back in October, I did what I really thought was the last time of braids since they lasted about two weeks before I got annoyed by the look, etc.
The problem, or problems are, is that I get bored easily with my hair and look. My philosophy that hair grows back or can always be made simple again makes it easy for me to make decisions about doing crazy/different things.
So, after I did the last set of braids, I got my hair permed in Japan because I trust my stylist there. I thought it would be enough for a while as my hair grew out as that’s my aim – long hair again.
Then, I got distracted and obsessed – again.
Whenever I see long beautiful braids on my social media feeds, I start to imagine the possibilities. I just love the look of them on others and on me, to be honest. Somehow, I feel it suits even if my sensitive head might disagree as it screams from the tension of the pulled hair to braid or the irritation of the foreign hair on the scalp.
This time, I started chatting with a lady who was advertising her braiding and hair extension services. She is located a bit far away, but her work looked amazing on the videos and pics she showed of her clients. I mentioned about my sensitive head and she suggested I use Brazilian wool instead of “hair”. After a few more exchanges, I think she might have gotten annoyed with me and my lack of knowledge about where to purchase the wool or hair if I just wanted extensions – because I love long hair these days.
In the end, I got back in touch with the original place I have gone to in Rome. She is always affirmative in her answers and I know that when I get there she will explain things. So, I booked myself in.
May 1st seemed a nice day as the first of the month as a new hairstyle start. Off I went on the early commuter train, which was actually very quiet since May Day is a bank holiday in most of Europe. Eight hours later by the amazing hands of Thomas from Nigeria, my hair was complete.
Thomas on the right – rare sight of two men working on hair!
So far, I’ve had two sleeps on it, given my scalp a light wash and rinse, done yoga, and it’s been good. The itchiness is still there, but the look still makes me happy. We’ll see how long I last with it, but as long as my head doesn’t go red, I feel good about it. If it doesn’t last, well, I’ll reassess if it’s worth it for a two-week look in the future… Or, maybe my own hair will get long enough that it can be braided on its own….
Anyway, you know my philosophy – it grows back and can always be adjusted!
