Betty Chambers Has Spoken

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My Hair: It's Too Black!
Saturday, December 27, 2008

On Christmas Day, I flat ironed my hair. The day before I washed and deep, deep, deep conditioned it.

I'm actually sorry I didn't take a picture (see an example below). No big deal. Next time I straighten, and / or curl my hair, I will take one. I simply enjoy the comparison shots. I don't take a lot of pictures, because it is hard to position, and setup, myself to get a decent shot. Outside of my brother (who lives in the South), no one in my family takes a satisfactory picture.

Not my face (I wish!) but, my hair after I styled it.

I show up at my parent's house. My Dad says, "Is that all your hair?"

I start laughing. "It looks like a wig, right?"

He mumbled, "It's too black. Did you color it?"

Mom speaks up, "Her hair looks nice. And it is not black, her hair is lighter than that."

I said, "I don't know why it looks this dark. I usually see a little brownish / reddish under the lights. Maybe it's the castor oil or heat protectant cream I put in it."

Dad makes indecipherable noises, and again I hear. "It's too black."

My uncle says, "Your hair looks good. All you use is castor oil?"

"That's mostly what I use, after all these years, that's all I need." I'm thankful for the eyeglasses that keep the hair off my face.

A few hours later, my hair has climbed in height, getting shorter and puffier. I'm sweating, and I'm warm (could be the booze). By then, it's late evening, and I'm fed up with my hair. I'm not sure that's what's making me hot, but I want it braided.

My uncle promises to provide the name of a hair braider he knows. He lives in northern New Jersey. I'm hoping she's someone who wont braid tight, or try to remove all the hair from my hairline (edges). I've already had enough experience with that. No matter how much you ask, they still braid too tight!

Mom doesn't like my hair braiding plan, "Why must you do that?"

Frankly, I don't want to touch my hair for about 3 to 8 weeks, maybe longer, if I don't get an itchy, irritated scalp. "I want to rest my hair and stop the breakage between some parts." I point out the part at the top and behind my ears. It's not serious, but I'd like to give those areas a rest.

The moment my Mom finished plaiting my hair: the sweating stopped and I felt a chill. I had no idea the hair was making me so hot! I prefer braided hair, the long, straightened curly style, is not something I'm used to.

I will do it again, long after I get the braids done.

An exaggerated example of my hair shrinkage. Yes, and I change complexions too!

Labels: castor oil, hair, hair braiders, natural hair, New Jersey, plaits

posted by GoldenAh

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African History: The Perfect Armor
Saturday, December 20, 2008

I love museums. I try to visit a few every year. Even when I am seeing the same exhibits I can't get enough of them.

Europeans and Africans

I'm always looking for slices of African history in Western Civilization. I also like to see evidence of black people being in Europe, even before Columbus sailed off to find India and "discovered" the "New World."

Referring to the following image: the date of this slave trade does not mean that Africans were new to Europe. Historical forces came together in a "perfect storm", which meant Africans would be sourced as the new (more durable?) labor pool for Europeans to use.

Why? Europe was going through periods of depopulation due to the Black Death. Its countries were always at war, sophisticated mercantile commerce was taking hold, and naval competition for dominance of trading routes was growing. These bold explorations and territorial expansions required bodies.

Armors and Guns

I love love love looking at armored suits. I like that whole ancient European guns, swords, and ancient castle living kinda stuff. I wish someone would make a lightweight, superhuman strong exo-skeleton, bulletproof (bomb proof?) armored suit for today. Now, wouldn't that be awesome!?! Weird, right? Yet, I bloody love the idea. It makes me think of RoboCop for some reason.

Tell me these armor suits don't look hot? The black one screams, bad ass! I saw one in the UK that the Japanese had given the British. Aw, I should have taken a picture of that. You talk about nice.

The one thing I do note about all of these outfits, people back then were tiny: 5'2"-5'4". I think most of the armor weighed upwards of 100lbs, which has yet to include the swords, blades, guns, and other equipment they had to carry.

Check out the guns these folks had back then.

Use your imagination: slave traders with guns, breastplate armor, cannons on ships, versus dark skinned natives who had what? Arrows, poison darts, spears, and diseases to hold off the pale skinned invaders.

Starting in 1420, the Europeans begin to scatter African peoples around Europe, and then the "New World."

Four hundred years later, around 1865, they followed up by colonizing Africa.

And yet, people still talk today as though black and white people, or if you prefer, African and European descendants just met.

I have to read this book Guns, Germs and Steel at some point, maybe see if I can get an audio version and/or watch the PBS program.

Labels: African, Africans, armor, Europe, Europeans, germs, guns, museums, Portugal, slave trade, steel

posted by GoldenAh

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Tis the Season: Monday Random Thoughts
Monday, December 8, 2008

I love, and hate, this time of year. I actually like the cold weather, although the cold weather may not like me. I'm pleased to limit my personal exposure to this seasonal emphasis of, "Be Happy! Be Happy! Spend! Spend! Spend! Until you don't have a nickel to lend!"

Consumerism does not enrich the spirit, it impoverishes it. It's a national delirium, where folks end up trampling another human being just to buy a cheap import they will toss in three months. A shame, really.

*Ebenezer Scrooge is My Hero!

I can be as happy without this holiday as with it. Dates don't carry any special significance for me: I can't even recall my own birthday sometimes. Christmas lost its relevant religious connotation eons ago.

I like December, because that is when the snows first fall (at least around here). Otherwise, I'm rather blase blase about everything. I don't like Christmas parties. I don't like Christmas cards. I hate false conviviality. Bah! Humbug! Christmas has morphed and devolved into collective gift buying guilt.

Always remember that today's Christmas is corporate America's creation, which is to keep you spending.

Speaking of Spending

I've ordered and cancelled so many items in the past few days it's ridiculous. I'm trying to control myself. I'm forcing myself to put down the credit card and only use cash.

Struggling with that type of self-control makes me break out into a cold sweat.

I want a new laptop. The other one is busted, but I must wait. I must wait. I must wait. And yet, I want a new laptop! Now! I'm trying to decide between a Mac and a Dell. I don't think I can deal with the Vista O/S right now.

Alas, tis the season for getting what I need, not what I want.

It's going to be a long winter.

*One of my favorite Christmas stories: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Labels: A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens, Christmas, Corporate America, cynicism, Ebenezer Scrooge, laptop

posted by GoldenAh

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Hair Again - Vanity Check - hair washing routine
Sunday, November 30, 2008

Oh, joy. Washing hair is a drag in the winter. I prefer to wash in warm weather, it is easier to do, because I don't worry about a completely dry scalp. Unlike other mortal beings, I can't walk about with a damp scalp. It must be nearly bone dry.

Last I've checked my hair length may have been February 2008. I figure I'd take a look and review my hair washing routine.

The Lazy Method

I apply a moisturizing shampoo directly to the scalp. I don't shampoo often, but the stink smell of sweat was getting to me.

I also added a bit of pre-shampoo oil to the major part at the top of my head. That area gets dry and brittle so I wanted to protect the hair in that area.

At the same time, I slather the ends of my twists with heavy creamy conditioner, before I open my hair. That way I never have a knot that my hair doesn't slip out of.

I don't use a comb.

I open all the twists, the hair is basically in two parts. I make two big twists and wait a bit for the conditioner to sink in. It's winter, and I'm not hanging around long to catch a cold.

I wash my hair - scalp first with a moderately vigorous scrub. I spend the rest just rinsing, until the hair doesn't feel that slippery. I make about 3-4 parts on the two sides, and carefully wash into between the parts. I've been shocked in the past how much product stays in my hair if I don't let the water get into every section.

Wrap with a towel. Hair is left damp.

I rub in Garnier Fructis Moisture Works Fortifying Cream Conditioner, it makes parting the hair easier.

I also put in some heat protector.

I blow dry my hair with my favorite! The Conair Hot Air Styler has a built in comb. Be careful, it will take out a lot a hair if one is not gentle! Some days I yank out a lot. I shed hair like a cat.

I flat-ironed the ends a little. My hair type is very shrinky-dink, so no matter what I do, right after a blow-out or flat iron, it is going to shrink. I literally ran to take these pictures before I lost a couple of inches.

I finished "styling" with a heavy application of castor oil. Total time was a little over 2 hours.

Last note: It may sound lame, but I'll say it again: my hair has never EVAH! been this long before. I think keeping stress low, drinking water, keeping the hair moist (not brittle dry), and using conditioner are very important.

Before

After

After

Labels: castor oil, deep conditioner, Garnier Fructis, hair, hair dryers, natural hair, two-strand twist, washing hair

posted by GoldenAh

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Making Things: Ladder Shelves
Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Every blue moon I have to give into my urges. This past August, I gave into the strong urge to make something.

The last time I felt such an urgency to create, it was a couple of years ago. I bought material, patterns, and went to work on sewing a couple of pants and skirts. I didn't need the clothes; I needed to make the clothes.

When the feeling moves me to build, I feel like I could build a house. Oftentimes, I draw my dream houses. One day I may complete that project. As a kid I built a make-do desk for myself. I replaced the legs on an old coffee table, so I could have someplace to study.

I have no actual carpentry skills. I learn by observing, reading, drawing mock-ups, visualization, measuring and re-measuring.

Following are pictures of some of the shelves I've made. Over a three month period, starting in late August, I spent roughly $450+ at Home Depot (love those guys there!), and Lowes. I bought: an electric miter saw, nails, screws, corner braces, and lots and lots of pinewood. I created 7 shelves / cabinets, with one going to my Mom. Pinewood is easy to stain. I didn't do it, since I don't like the strong smell of that stuff.

Shelves: most of the wood was 6-8 feet, which I had cut into pieces ranging from 16-23 1/2 inches.
Sides: wood of 6-8 feet, a majority of which was 6 feet, only two shelves are 8 feet high.

Chaos.

1 for bathroom.

1 for Mom.

My first effort.

For the plants.

Labels: carpentry, electric miter saw, Home Depot, ladder shelves, Lowes, making things, pinewood

posted by GoldenAh

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The Shameless Society
Thursday, November 20, 2008

I'm not a Bible thumper. I'm not religious. I don't believe in end-times, or anything like that. I see myself as moderate, perhaps a tad conservative. I'm not a "liberal" or "progressive." Although those terms often seem to mean: I do not think. Rules are lame. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, society - everyone - has no say over me.

We live in a permissive, shameless, and immoral society. There is a massive group for whom delayed gratification does not exist. If it feels good, Do it! Damn the consequences. That's the motto. I'm not convinced there ever was a season of restraint amongst the peoples of this country, but now, I believe, we are completely boundless. Is technology and the ease with which spreading and making depavity fun to blame?

Whaaaa, Don't Judge Me

There are people who like to get out their favorite quote, which says: "Don't judge, lest you be judged." Online, no group seems to find this comment more empowering than black people. It's the default response to hearing / reading criticism(s) they don't like. I get it. I don't like anyone telling me what to do either.

However, if you don't want commentary, a rebuke, or a wagging finger of shame - don't invite it.

Conservative? Really? Get Out!

There seems to be a consensus on some blogs that the majority of black people are "conservative." I have yet to see any evidence of it. Attending church and voting against gay nuptials do not count. I don't know how much I agree with Bill Cosby. The "black community", while succeeding incredibly on some fronts, is tumbling down a flight of stairs, about to jackknife into the cellar, and then roll six feet into the ground - failing! - in other areas.

The evidence walks the streets in neighborhoods broken and decimated over the last 30-40 years. Single motherhood, single fatherhood, out of wedlock births, foster care, drug abuse, generations in prisons, dysfunctional schools, and fractured families have done their damage to the "black community." A civilization (not that I am certain that the USA is one, but it is part of the Western World) cannot survive with broken families. This kind of social breakdown will lead to more chaos, not less.

Marriage Is Not For Selfish People

I don't think marriage is the end all, be all. I agree with people who say they aren't made for marriage. However, when people bring children into this world, they refuse to show maturity by not getting married. You are selfish. Children are not pets. How is being a baby-mama or baby-daddy good for a child?

This is the sorry age we live in: me first. Do you even know what a family is? What a legacy is? What passing on traditions mean? Do you realize you have to give back to society as well? Do you realize your offspring, you, and your mate, are part of the building blocks of this civilization?

Some Lifestyle Choices Are Damaging

The decline of the black family is like a thread unraveling the fabric of a sweater called civilized society. It starts with "our" community, but it will hit the mainstream eventually. But no one is worried! Hey, let the good times roll. Why? Because it's a progressive and liberal lifestyle choice! Do what you feel, no one has a right to comment on it.

So, if black people really were "conservative" a whopping 70% of children would be born to married couples, with fathers around to raise them. Alas, they are not. Conservative minded individuals delay gratification, spend more time in school, and get themselves together before procreating. The principle is to be steady, stable, and secure before having people dependent on one. A strong family also makes it easy to have children early and in less than ideal conditions.

You Have My Pity

The way I look at it, if you tell the entire world that you are proud to have children without marriage, don't be surprised at the responses. I pity the people involved, especially the women who believe the men are "committed" to them and the children of these relationships. Adulthood brings responsibility, things that cramp one's style. It can be joyless and boring.

I'm the first to admit I would love to postpone adulthood, and continue acting like an adolescent indefinitely. People need to stop pretending, begin to act like adults, and get with the program. You are part of a civilized society, only barbarians and pirates get to do whatever they want.

Labels: adulthood, black men, black women, civilization, conservative, liberal, marriage, progressive, shameless, society

posted by GoldenAh

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The Election Is Finally Over!
Saturday, November 8, 2008

I feel like a bear coming out of hibernation. I wont joke. I spent a lot of time following the election, even as I said I wouldn't. I did not, however, stay up to watch the election results. I didn't expect any untoward surprises. I was a fivethirtyeight.com junkie, so I felt pretty comfortable.

We have a new President: Barack Obama. Thank goodness, it all went smoothly. That's the beauty of America. Obviously, it was history in the making. I'm pleased he's a sign of change in so many ways.

Overall, I'm content to some degree: the election is over, and the possible new direction of the country. Now, we have someone who is intelligent, well spoken, and thoughtful with a good temperament. Hey, I could do with those qualities in a husband!

I can be very pessimistic and cynical, but I'd love (and hope) for the federal government to run again with some degree of competence. Even if the new President can steer the ship of America in a different direction by 5 degrees, I think it would truly bring a great deal of positive change.

Labels: america, election, President-elect Barack Obama

posted by GoldenAh

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