Summer Projects

It's been a very long time since I last posted. Remember when I said this was going to be more regular now that i'm back in El Paso, yada yada? Spring semester always gets in the way...too many contests, concerts, and extra events to keep me busy. Besides, I keep up with the majority of the people I know on Facebook. This blog is for the people I know who aren't on Facebook, the people I know who are on Facebook but will listen to me ramble, and to fan my hopes that maybe one day my genius will be discovered by either someone very wealthy or handsome or both. Anyway...

Now that it's summer I have time for some projects. The first:

Dreadlocks! Those of you who know me well are not at all surprised. I think I put them in to act as a sort of filter. I've discovered that far too many people who meet me assume that I am somewhat straight-laced and boring, perhaps because I have a steady job and read a lot. That couldn't be farther from the truth and I decided it's time people knew up front. I created them with a combination of the backcombing and twist n' rip methods.

Right now, they are a lot of work. Dreadlocks before they mature are like children before they mature. They need a lot of individual attention but have to be left to their own devices every once in awhile too. Some days they behave and some days they are terrible. I'm having a few issues because I wash my hair a lot-usually every day. This means that it's a little harder to keep them together, because even though dreads have to be clean to knot up the constant washing is hard on them. Summer in the desert is sweat and dust city, though, and I just can't leave that junk in my hair every night. Also, Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap is my new favorite thing.

Also, I'm totally leaving these things in when I go back to school. My AP said she doesn't care what I look like as long as I don't smell.

Second:

Warehouse finds!

My fellow teachers and quartet members went with me to the district warehouse yesterday and we picked up some cool stuff for free! My most exciting find was seven keyboards in working condition. I teach a composition class and these will come in tremendously handy for my kids in August. I also scored a couple of filing cabinets and a chair with the frame and base in good condition. The upholstery was grody, though, so I am reupholstering as we speak. Here is a before photo (afters coming as soon as I'm done):

When it's finished I'll have the coolest office chair ever!