fishy business

Out shopping... buying a piece of fish for my tea...a nice piece of salmon in fact which I’m going to have with fried dumplings... I love fish... but I digress this is not fish encounters!!! Anyhow an elderly woman in the supermarket says... “Hope you don’t mind me asking but how long have you been growing your hair?” I said “well I started to grow them at 15 and I’m now ** yrs old.” She looks at me and then shouts in a very strong Jamaican accent “JESUS CHRIST you only look 19.”

I smile flattered but when she tries to hold on to me because she wants me to wait for her daughter `to finish her shopping i beat a hasty retreat.

Skool Dayz

Working with 7 & 8 year olds today... spend all day having my hair tugged, stroked and generally child handled... my fault... forgot to wear my hat... one girl looked at me all serious and disapproving and then said... ‘Did you really do your hair like that on purpose?’ I reply apologetically with a humble ‘yes’ She shakes her head in disgust and walks away. Children don’t you just love them!

Today’s update...walked into town (takes an hour) half way there a man approaches (sorry no raincoat) says how beautiful my hair is (yes head was swelling) then asks for my number...I decline (probably a nutter) says if he meets me again he will ask me out. Here’s hoping I see him before he sees me.

Also today... in town in a shop...quiet... only ambient music interrupting the silence...until a young child...I’d y about 3 or 4 years old shouts out ‘look mummy look at that hair’... everyone turns to look at me... so much for going by unnoticed!!!

Finally walking back from town...red shoes purchased feeling happy... I hear a man talking behind me ‘look at her he says’ (head getting ready to swell again). Until he says ‘they used to be our slaves until some idiot set them free.’ I was too shocked to turn around. They walk past, three of them... they’re only young...students perhaps...the future... I feel sad...very sad.