new thread
Hello hairy people!
No worries, I'm fine -- just been ridiculously busy the past several months. I sincerely apologize for causing any concern by being so absent from here; but as John Lennon once said (at least I think it was him), "Life is what happens while you're making other plans."
When my home computer died in October of last year, and my partner researched the problem on his iPhone, the estimated cost to repair our computer was around $700 - $800 -- money we just didn't have (my partner is disabled, but Disability simply dropped him without explanation). At stressful times like this, I basically shut down: "If I lived the first 50 years of my life without a computer, then I can live without one now!!" And so, I let my computer go dark (and STAY dark)...
I've also had a major job change (yet still work for the same company) -- my first-ever sit-down desk job!! So my focus has been elsewhere, trying to learn my new job responsibilities as best I can. (I haven't even had time to "lurk" here!)
Some very good news though, as of just today: my partner just got word from the law firm working on his Disability case, and we were thrilled to hear that yes, he has just been reinstated! It's been approximately a full year since Disability dumped him out in the cold, leaving me to have to shoulder the full financial responsibility of paying all of the household bills.
As far as our favorite topic, HAIR, goes: nothing has changed with me -- my hair is still at terminal length (approximately belt-length), although at the very bottom it sure seems quite thin down there! I'll try to attach the pic that I used to use as my avatar photo, which went with my old email address (which I'm unable to access, so I have a new, work-related email address). The old email used to be: "ken@kengourley.com"; but don't bother trying to write me there, unless you don't mind turning as grey as I am now (LOL)!
The Board of Directors here and the Moderating Crew are welcome to write me at my new email address; but in general, because the only way I can access my emails is from my work computer, I ask everyone else to please not write me personally -- just communicate with me here on MLHH.
A big THANK YOU to Mark (AKA "Hairball") for letting everyone here know last week that I'm perfectly OK, just had not been on the hyperboard for a long time.
The attached pic is from January of 2012 I believe, and has been my avatar pic ever since (and my big "secret" re. how my hair can look so realistically naturally blonde, instead of the silver-white that it really is, is that I took the photo in very later afternoon, when the sunlight is the most golden-orange it can get - LOL)....
Long Lox 4ever,
Ken in San Francisco
Thanks again to Mark "Hairball", who took this pic of me near sunset time at San Francisco's Baker Beach, in September of 2011... How cool is that, with the Golden Gate bridge in the background, and my hair almost touching the rocks that I'm sitting on?
(My apologies that I forgot to wear a flower in my hair that day - LOL!!)
"Onward & Downward!"
- Ken
Howdy Ken!
Great seeing you post to the board again after taking a brief absence:) In a way its nice to know you were missed when people start asking about you.Before I spoke with you recently the last time we chatted was back in November of last year.At that time you did mention about doing a position change at work.If it results in more income more the better!
I hope things are working out better for you and Eve also.Gosh, I haven't seen him in like ages but I'm glad we got together that one time last October at the fair.This pic you posted brings back great memories and what a gorgeous day that was:) I'm looking forward to returning again after this summer so if your work schedule has changed maybe you will be around on the weekends.
Anyway welcome back and hopefully we'll all hear more from you.I know the computer failure is a bummer but you can really do most of the same stuff on a smart phone in regards to e mail and surfing the net.When I go to Cali I don't even bring my laptop anymore as the phone is sufficient.Have a great weekend and chat with you soon my friend.Cheers
Mârk
Hey Mark,
Yes to both: yes, I have weekends off now (YIPEE!!), and; yes, I'm working more hours (plus a recent modest raise!), so it will be nice to have more money, too!!
Too bad you can't also come out here for the Haight St. Fair in June -- it's the 50th anniversary of the Haight-Ashbury scene's "Summer of Love"
I just realized something pretty amazing, too: my first time ever in California (including visiting San Francisco) was in the summer of 1967. My dad and step-mom planned this big road trip, driving from Chicago to LA thru the American Southwest, on the famous Route 66, camping in KOA campgrounds, State Parks, and staying with various relatives we didn't know all that well yet (LOL).... I was only 13 years old at the time (turned 14 in July). We arrived in SF in June, me and my 4 brothers all having buzz-cuts and matching dorky clothes (we hated both - LOL); but that summer I saw my first San Francisco hippies!!!
Anyway, for sure we will celebrate when you visit out West here in September; but just thought I'd also mention the Haight St. Fair in June, "just in case!"
Long Lox 4ever,
Ken
PS - Yesterday we met up with Larry and drove down the coast to Pescadero, eating at Duarte's Tavern (can you believe Eve even joined us?) -- it was a gorgeous day by the ocean!!
Ken,
This has to be one of the best long hair compositions ever posted here. Right in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. I took a desk job too after my knees could not take working in the redwoods every day 50 hours a week. They were so sore that it was painful to go up stairs. But I rested my knees under that desk. They have recovered well. If I had kept working outside, there would have been permanent damage. Have missed your posts with the wonderful combination of humor and positive feed-back. I’m celebrating the 50 year anniversary of the Summer of Love by listening to “Maiden of the Cancer Moon” by Quicksilver Messenger Service.
Don
It's good to hear that you are fine..
outrageous
If you have a monitor keyboard and mouse you can buy a new decent tower for $250-$300. Or you could get a decent laptop for less than $500.
I am glad to hear it!
At stressful times like this, I basically shut down: "If I lived the first 50 years of my life without a computer, then I can live without one now!!" And so, I let my computer go dark (and STAY dark)...
I do hope you will be able to solve this problem really soon. Personally I can not imagine my life without a computer! Two days without the internet and I go crazy.
By the way you can use email and visit websites on the iPhone.
Hi Markus,
I guess we are just opposites about this issue -- I actually find it a bit of a relief to spend time away from my computer and the internet. The happiest days of my life, back when I was in my mid to late 30s, I had no computer, no cell phone, and even no TV... But, I was in great shape, ran on the beach every day, took a lot of dance classes and went out Swing dancing, Salsa dancing, and Country & Western dancing -- and LOVED every minute of it! Too much time on the computer or cell phone deprives me of that.
- Ken
Hey Ken;
Thanks for the update and I am glad that the reason(s) for you absence was mostly because you are enjoying life !
It was our old friend Justin who put up the alert that you had not been heard from for a while.
Keep Well, Keep Happy and Keep in Touch
Walter
Hey Walter,
Justin should talk! He was absent from MLHH waaaaay longer and waaaaay earlier than I ever was; so go figure!
Regardless... I will try to be better about staying in-touch here!
Thanks,
Ken
Lovely to hear from you again, Ken. I have always enjoyed your reflections and conversation. I tend to be a bit scarce too, but my hair too is pushing onwards and downwards - almost mid-back now after 3 1/2 years.
It's good to know you are well and still enjoying life in your sunny part of the world.
Anthony
Thanks for the reply, Anthony, great to hear from you again!!
Life goes on, regardless of how often or infrequently we visit each other here at MLHH; but I definitely treasure this place, it helps and supports a lot of people, as well as builds a nice sense of camaraderie that's a joy to be a part of -- prior to the Internet, something most of us rarely experienced in this way.
Mid-back is pretty looooong in my book; so a big CONGRATS to you!!!!
"Onward & Downward!" (and onward even more - LOL!)
- Ken in San Francisco
Great to have you back Ken ! I wish I lived close to where you are so that I could have given you one of my many computers :) I tend to collect a lot of electronics working in IT. Take care sir !
Thanks for the kind words, Patrick! Soon... (I hope REAL SOON...), we will either fix our old computer -- or buy a new one.
Unfortunately, however, the person typing on the computer (meaning, myself), whether on a new or old machine, is still only as stupid as the brain that's underneath all that long hair! (LOL)
- Ken
Just shows you that we are paying attention!
LOL, and great to hear from u 2, Alun!
I always wonder what happened when long-term members have gone silent - I just hope they are either very busy, or (shudder) no longer are long-haired. Anyway, glad to hear all is well with you, though life has apparently kept you occupied.
If I were you, I'd consider a new/refurbed computer once you are financially able to. You can get a factory refurbished one for about the price you'd pay to fix yours. You could also consider an inexpensive Android tablet, that would let you access the MLHH at home, and your email. You can buy basic ones for less than $50, a decent one like a Samsung Galaxy will run about $300. I have a $35 no-name one, it gets little use, so I went cheap.
Did your partner have some form of federal disability such as SSI or SSDI, or was this a through a work-related insurance policy? It's very unusual for someone to lose their SSI/SSDI, but it does happen. Glad a lawyer was able to fix that situation, but if it was federal, I believe he's entitled to lost benefits for the period he didn't receive benefits, at least if it was SSDI, SSI is a bit different.
Do miss your outdoor pics and that hair (as I'm sure many here do), but happy to hear all is well overall, even if life put a few bumps on the pathway. Drop by once in a while, when you have a chance. And hopefully things will get better for you & your partner as you hurdle over those bumps. You are an inspiration for the young newbies that find their way here, and even the older ones wanting to make the journey (cuz you're never too old to start) because you've kept it long for so long. I'm always happy to see the long-term members here, encouraging the newbies. And I've been here a long time myself, as a female supporter of guys choosing to wear hair long. Take care, and don't be a stranger!
Thanks for the kind words, Carol, I really appreciate it!
My partner has a rare disease: Fibromyalgia -- some folks in the medical field don't even consider it a "valid" disease, and yet there's no doubt in my mind that I can see him suffering, especially on the bad days (the disease can vary from day-to-day, as well as week to week). The US Government plays games with people on Disability sometimes, and his case is a good example. I don't feel like typing out all of the gory details here; but let's just say that thank goodness there are lawyers who specialize in taking on Disability cases -- and, thank God, we just got news that he will soon be reinstated!
I always enjoy reading your contributions to this board, Carol, you are a very valuable member of our community!
Long Lox 4ever,
Ken
I have Fibromyalgia, so I know all the ups & downs you can have. Interestingly, males tend to have it worse. I've found what helps me to function, but it's different for everybody. The stress of losing disability probably didn't help him. Good you got an attorney who can fix stuff like this, and benefits will be paid out once again.
Good to hear from you Ken. I'm sorry to hear that you've had stress in your lives this past year. Hopefully with your partner's reinstatement you can put that behind you.
I wasn't concerned for one second that you cut your hair. The expression "Snowballs chance in hell" comes to my mind when I consider that!
Keep it flowing!
Bruce
LOL, "Snowball's chance in hell", I love it! Yes, maybe when they start offering free ice fishing classes in hell, that's when I'll consider giving myself a buzz-cut for the summer!
Thanks for the reply, Bruce, always nice to hear from you!!
- Ken
Hi Ken,
First of all, my apologies for the extremely late reply, and I hope that you see this "welcome back" post to you. Thank you for checking in, and of course I am sorry to hear about all the stress that you and your partner have been faced with. It's great to hear that things have finally been worked out for his disability payments, though, and I hope that there will be no further issues.
I know that I have been more or less absent from the hyoerboard for a long time now. I stepped down as a moderator well over a year ago, mainly just because I didn't feel that I was active enough to justify being a moderator.
As is the case with you, my hair hasn't changed much at all, and I am thankful to have a full head of hair at my age. I will be turning 64 in August. Although I would like to have more length, I will take what I have.
Welcome back again, Ken, and thank you for checking in and letting us know how you're doing.
Take care,
David
