Yesterday I went out to East St Kilda to have my dreadlocks worked on. I found a guy on the web suitably named "Dr Dread" and made an appointment. He and his girlfriend work from their share house and mainly do this job as something on the side. I was greeted by "Dr Dread" and he welcomed me in to a home that felt in many ways quite familiar. There was music playing with immediately tickled my senses and wooden floor boards gave the place a holiday house type feel. The Dr worked on my dreads by himself for about an hour before his partner arrived home. During this time we shared our stories. We both spoke of what we did for work, what music we're into and the many different concerts we had been to. It turns out that we had more than likely been to at least three of the same shows. It definately is a small world out there.
After a while, his partner rolled in after her day at work and she began to help tighten and make pretty my dreads. And again with her, we spoke of our lives and shared different experiences we had either shared or would share in the future. It turns out that we are all going to the Pearl Jam and Ben Harper show in November. Would be nice to bump into them there.
So after a while, the other housemate arrived and the conversation grew and developed. My good friend "The Captain" rolled up as well as he was to pick me up. Then phone call after phone call different friends started to arrive until the lounge that had once just occupied myself and the Dr was full. The stories were flying across the room, this way, that way and there was an energetic buzz.
At one point, the tenant's landlord made his presence via the back door (which led me to think his property was either behind them or he just enjoyed using the back door). Everyone asked how he was and this opened the windor for another eccentric story. The "Landlord" was very animated, probably in his late forties and explained his huge confusion over a DVD/VCR recorder, set top boxes and HD versus 'the old way'.
The Dr, a little earlier had gone into the kitchen and pulled out a six pack of beer and brought it out onto the coffee table, slid a cold one into a stubbie holder and handed it to me. I smiled and said, "Well this is service!" There was no question of, "would you like one?" no awkwardness but an unsaid understanding. It was very warming. As I listened to this household's stories, struggles and intricate dynamics, I felt like I had been flung into a reality TV show. I didn't know the characters, I didn't understand the problems as I had only heard snippets here and there. This was ok though. These strange new friends obviously didn't mind openly sharing their dirty laundry in front of a complete stranger and I didn't mind hearing it. I found most of the conversations quite interesting.
So the Dr and his girl started to finish up and at the end I went to the bathroom to inspect their work and then re-entered the lounge room. At this the Dr offered myself and The Captain another beer or any other sort of drink and we politely declined as we were off to have some dinner. Some of the guys who were there said to us as we left, "Pop in any time for a beer!!" "Cheers mate!" We both exclaimed and departed.
In three months or so, I will probably need to go back to have some more work done. I think next time I'd like to stay for that second beer and get to know these guys a little more. I found the whole experience very intriguing. Definately more fun than sitting in a beauty salon. There was a strong sense of community and belonging, even though I doubt it was ever spoken or studied. Was nice to slide into this little sub-culture and hear a few new stories.
Till I find my poncho...
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