So I've been wanting to do this since my 3rd year of college. Not because I wanted to be black, or not because I wanted to fit in with the balla crowd. But because I liked the uniqueness of it, and after having pretty much the same hair style for the past 8 years or so, you kinda want a change.

So my hair wasn't long enough, but after several consultations over the phone, I found a lady that could do extensions on my not-so-long hair. It was fitting that she was in Central LA as well, as I wanted the true experience - not some suburban middle-aged white woman doing it, but one that understood the cultural implications of braiding and its value in society.

So off I went. You know it's the ghetto when it's not Martin Luther King Blvd., but simply King Bl. Putting aside my fear for my life, I pressed on. I arrived at her salon safely and sliding in the chair, I tried to make myself as comfortable as possible for the long ordeal. It was a 3 hour experience of pulling, yanking, twisting, knotting, my eyes closed shut from the pain. No tears were shed though, as my pride and ego simply could not allow it.

So here is the end result. It was as good a time as any - while I'm still young, without a family, able to enjoy the freedom of expression without worrying about responsibilities. Love it, hate it - it's all good.

 

3 hours?

my friend did mine in an hour and a half for free. no extensions. i'm all natural

spur of the moment type thing while my hair was long. it's been cut since then.