new thread
Lately, it seems that all of you from the WEST coast have all the fun, I'm seriously jealous! It seems half the members of the MLHH live out there, know each other, and have great get togethers all the time, I'm talking about people like Bill, Ken, Elizabeth, Rick, Scott (Absalom), and I'm sure, if I sat down and thought about it, I could probably reel off a dozen more names as well. (I know Justin lives in Oregon, next state up from California, he's another guy I would LOVE to meet some day!)
It's really kind of sad in a way, there are NO MLHH members in Nova Scotia, Canada. If I didn't have family in Nova Scotia, I would seriously love to live out on the west coast, the climate's way better, the scenery is gorgeous, and above all, it seems that EVERYONE from the MLHH lives out there!
I don't know how many of you "West Coasters" saw my post below about my "dream trip" for when I retire in two years (I would love to hear from you and know how to get in touch with you!), but I plan to get out there in two years or so and hope to meet at least a FEW members of the MLHH when I get there, I hope you don't think its a crazy idea. Sometimes, it just seems so lonely out here in eastern Canada! (I think the closest living member of the MLHH who lives close to me is Jason, who lives in Massachusetts, and even he's probably 500 miles away!)
David
I am stuck half a world away, the closest member in singapore is missing, probably either busy or something. I cant go to the west coast of the US, probably forever because of visa issue.
Thanks a great shame.
What's your visa issue
I also wanted to add that it's great being able to "talk to you" by making posts to the MLHH, but NOTHING, and I repeat NOTHING, can beat the joy I would have in meeting as many of you face to face in person as possible at the time I make my "dream trip" in a couple of years. I certainly don't want to impose on anyone or invade on anyone's privacy (I'm a bit of a shy person myself), but I would love to hear from you, you can feel free to email me or respond to this post.
David
Your planned road trip 2 years from now sounds great, David (of course, to me, ANY road trip sounds great - lol)!! You are more than welcome to include and count on me in your meet-up plans, and of course you are welcome to e-mail me privately as well, --- especially when it comes to planning time. I'm sorry that can't offer you a place to stay while you're out here, because I live in a very small SF studio apartment (which now includes not only just me; but also my partner, Even, --- plus 4 cats!!!); but I will without a doubt take whatever time I can to be a good "tour guide" around our fair city, so just know and count on that!
It's interesting to hear your perspective on us West Coasters "all knowing each other". Actually, I think the reality is not quite how it must seem to you... I met Bill Choisser, for example, long before I even knew about the MLHH (long before I even owned or knew how to operate a computer, even!). It was Bill that introduced me to the MLHH, once I got a computer and learned about how to go on-line. It was also through Bill that I first met Scott (AKA Absalom). The big meet-up that happened last August (with Elizabeth, her partner Bill, Trolleypup, Rick, Bill Choisser, and Bill's partner Larry... did I forget anybody?) was the 1st time I had ever met anybody from the MLHH in a large group like that (other than Bill & Larry, and also Scott; but that's not a "large" group - lol)...
I agree, though, that it would be fun to meet in-person more MLHH members. One by one, I'm sure it will eventually happen. I'd say that 99% of my closest friends are all short-haired. Since they love me unconditionally, I can't help but love them back the same; but to meet and get to know and eventually become friends with another person that also has long hair as I do, for some reason, it does seem like a special thing!
Talk to you later... gotta run to work!
- Ken
Thanks so much, Ken, you are and always have been on my list of "people I want to meet" right from the early days of my having discovered the MLHH a few short months ago, you just seem such a down to earth guy who always seems so happy about everything.
I certainly would never dream of asking for a place to stay, I plan to stay in various motels along my drive through the US towards the West Coast but it would be AWESOME for you to show me around San Francisco! Perhaps we could arrange to have a get together with some of the people who live out there such as Bill, Ken, Scott, Rick, Trolleypup, and Elizabeth!(hope I haven't forgotten anyone, lol!). Again, the trip is around two years away, I'm just feeling things out right now. I'll email you when the time draws near.
All the best,
David
All the best
What can I say...any excuse to have a meet! I'll admit that inclination to organize things like that is pretty much devoured by the the tradition on LHC to have meets at the drop of a hat, but I would do my damnedest to attend one around here...even if it was just a "lets go to Ebisu this weekend" type of thing.
Happiness is a state of mind--not a state.
Now if you are talking about the weather, well that's another story.
You mention California but there are wide temperature ranges there too. SF can be cool whule San Diego can be very warm.
Of course coming from Nova Scotia you would think southern New England was nice--which it isn't. But at least by the end of Feb the temps are in the 40s. Big deal.
There are also many members in the UK, Europe and the orient.
All I have to say is that you will see many beautiful things but
whatever you do, please leave your rose-colored glassed home!
And remember these words of wisdom: :If the sun don't come you can get your tan
by standing in the English rain..."
Good Luck
Thanks Luckskind, you are very right, it's easy to see the world through rose-coloured glasses. The main point of my trip, after all, is to meet as many of guys from the MLHH as possible, the weather and scenery on the West Coast are simply "bonuses" to be obtained while I am out there! (And that's why I want to DRIVE there, not simply hop on a plane, as the drive and meeting people along the way is half the fun) I just feel it would mean SO much to meet some of the guys here that up to now, I only really know from posting to the MLHH.
David
Road trips are so excellent, I wish I had time to do them these days.
A part (sometimes a big part) of how much you enjoy where you live is sharing it with people who understand/share your interests.
Now, on to those rose-colored glasses. As a child and youth, my family did months long summer road trips, all over the USA and the southern bits of Canada...I also had about a year in England, so I've seen a lot of what is out there...and for me, it doesn't get much better than San Francisco...a big city with a temperate climate, diverse populance, and easy access to a mind-boggling variety of outdoor areas.
Out my new front door, 2.5 blocks to a National Park (with hiking and historical stuff), less than an hour walk to wild parkland (as a bonus, to get there, you have to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge). Within a few hours, you have access to true wilderness (summer AND winter hiking), snow sports, etc. Within that same distance are places of natural wonder like Yosemite Valley and ancient redwood (AND giant sequoia) forests.
When I had a choice about where I wanted to live, I chose the West Coast and San Francisco because there was not only better things for me, but more of them within reach...trading away: thunderstorms, the Big Green, clear and distinct seasons, and access to beaches with warm water[1].
As always, YMMV. But during our current cold snap, the high was in the low 50sF and the low in the low 40sF. Keep us posted, I'm sure we can arrange to meet you and maybe do alittle local road trip as well.
[1] I will conveniently forget the temperature, humidity, and bugs.
Thanks Trolleypup!
I can already see an awesome time in the making when I meet up with you guys in the spring of 2009! I'll add you to the list of people to see as well.
As for returning to Nova Scotia when the vacation ends, as all things must, well.... I'll have to think about that! (Justin already said in his post above that I am setting myself up for a trap! The pull of the West Coast, once I've been there once, will keep pulling me back!)
David
Now, David, Nova Scotia isn't exactly ugly! This is a picture I took of my partner Larry in Nova Scotia about ten years ago. We thought the foliage was fabulous!
Bill
Oh, wow, that's a beautiful picture.
I've been to both San Francisco and Nova Scotia for extended periods of time - my mother worked away from home (sometimes a new place every week!) as an SAP contractor for several years, and we stayed more than 2 months collectively in both places. I actually prefer Nova Scotia over San Francisco! I think San Francisco is a great place, but I have a lot more fun in smaller places with a little more isolation. San Francisco seems like such a big city to me. The Redwood Forests were very cool though.
My choice would be..Iceland! After having been there several times over the last few years, I can't imagine a better place to live (the Shetland Islands come pretty close though!) Too bad there's no MLHH members in Iceland :(
Pretty, ain't it?
DavidN - I think Minnesota's a bit far from the West Coast. Maybe when the time comes nearer there'll be enough hype to plan a meetup so it's worth it for other people to make the trip too!
That is a VERY pretty picture of Iceland, Gylfi, I definitely have to plan to travel more when I retire and see more of this wonderful planet.
It's great that you as well as Bill and Larry got to see my beautiful province, I hope you make it back sometime and experience more of our warm Maritime hospitality.
Actually, Minnesota may not be totally out of the question. Since I'm driving, I'll be planning a return route as well, my trip is still 2 years away. I still haven't totally decided if my return trip back home would be through southern Canada or the northern tier of the US. (I would love to see British Columbia as well as my former home in Calgary, Alberta, so I suspect it will be southern Canada) I would love to meet you as well!
All the best,
David
It's wonderful you and Larry got a chance to see my lovely province 10 years ago, I really hope BOTH of you get out here again some time, I'll show you around and treat you both to dinner at a nice resturant somewhere, and the climate IS nice in the summertime, a lot like San Francisco! As much as I'm sure I would like to STAY in California after my trip, the ties are too strong to my beloved province, all my family and friends are here. (it's really only the winter and early springs that the weather is bad, the summer and autumn weather is good). Unfortunately I can't see the picture for some reason, perhaps it's my work computer, I'll have another look when on my home computer later today.
All the best,
David
Better than New England, almost!
Larry's mom, who accompanied us on that trip and who had spent all of her 80+ years in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, said the Nova Scotia foliage was better than any she had ever seen!
And yes, New England's color is exquisite. One year we went to Colorado and photographed the foliage, thinking it was fabulous. We started with a roll in the camera that had ten exposures already taken. When the film came back, those ten shots were of foliage in VERMONT, taken one year earlier while visiting his mom. The New England foliage made that in the Rockies seem VERY dull in comparison. The vividness seen in New England's foliage, in Colorado's was wholly missing.
Bill
Yes, Bill and Luckskind, my province IS beautiful! And there are so many sights to see, the rocky shoreline, the Highlands of Cape Breton, Peggy's Cove, the highest tides in the world in the Bay of Fundy, and don't forget my home town of Halifax! And just remember, the weather in summer and fall is wonderful. Why don't you come and stay a while.
David
(Thanks so much, Bill, for posting that picture, I could not see it on my work computer but it showed up fine on my home computer)
If you are thinking of making a permanent change, I do recommend taking a smaller vacation (fly out for a week or so) to area(s) of particular interest, if only to take a bit of franticness off. Also, do that in a different season...I mean, what if you don't like fog and riding the subway an hour out to where it is 105F and sunny doesn't help with the SAD?
Never mind that seeing the entire continent in a couple months is a huge bite!
True. BUT... if I had to pick one state over any other that I knew I'd be happy living in (and I've also lived in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and also New York, as well as was born & raised in Illinois), then for me, that state is definitely... (drum roll, please)... CALIFORNIA (lol)!!!!
- Ken
...ANY place would be better.
You know RI is close to NYC and the people are hyperactive. Californians
seem so laid back...they'd throw me out for sure.
at least you can move to California from RI if you dont like it, no stupid visa issue like being in Taiwan... unless somehow Taiwan becomes the 51st state...
I took a trip a few years ago to San Fran in August to enjoy that wonderful climate; and I froze my butt off!! Being from the deep south, when I travel in August I take shorts and golf shirts. Needless to say, I obtained another wardrobe rather quickly. The wind off the ocean in the mornings had the temps in the 50's and wind chills even lower; I had goose bumps bigger than my nipples!
It was a good trip though; definitely worth seeing. Also the San Diego area; for those of you living there is Black Beach still the attraction it was back in the 70's? Really enjoyed that trip!!!
Big George
You came to San Francisco in AUGUST! HardeeHarHar! SUCKER! August is one of our coldest months. A lot of people come here to get away from 100-degree daily heat at home, though, and they LOVE IT!
April is by far our prettiest month. The weather isn't bad, and flowers are EVERYWHERE. All the grasses are a lush green, and flowers by the millions are waist high in fields. I strongly recommend to folks wanting to visit San Francisco to come in April.
By late May it all turns brown and stays that way until December. For about six months of the year we get no rain.
Bill
Actually I did love it once I obtained the proper clothing. Just didn't realize that San Francisco was south of the equator!
George
...what's that all about? I thought Mrs. Madrigal was always growing grass for her tenants...
...and now I learn that all turns a paler shade of brown.
The original name for San Francisco was "Yerba Buena", which to hippies' delight translates to "Good Grass". It's a Spanish idiom for "mint" though; the hills were found by the Spaniards to be covered with it.
The name of the town was changed to the same name the bay had, "San Francisco", a few years before the Gold Rush. "Yerba Buena" remains the name of the island that the Bay Bridge tunnels through on its way to Oakland.
Bill
California is larger than many countries.
San Diego is so different, weatherwise, than SF. I used to have
relatives there are they loved the weather.
I'm a cold blooded reptilian type; it seems that I am dependent upon
my surroundings for blood temperature control. But then there is
the uniqueness of the place which probably balances everything out.
Its isolation from much of the country by mountains and desert also adds to its seeming to be a separate land.
California indeed is one of the most diverse places in America. You can go from 60 degrees on the coast to 105 degrees in the valley, to deep snow still on the ground in the Sierra, in just four hours of driving. We have densely populated cities and desert valleys 60 miles long with no one living in them at all. In the summer one can take the BART train from here, where it will be about 60, and be in areas where it's over 100, in just an hour.
Culturally the state varies a lot, too. Last night I saw RickG (we went to see a silent movie that a friend of ours accompanied on the organ), and we were talking about how many longhairs there are on MLHH in NORTHERN California, but how there are few if any in Southern California, despite it having more people.
Bill
Hi Bill,
YOU are actually one of the reasons I would love to visit California when I retire, I do hope I have a chance to meet you when I'm there.
I also wanted to add that I can't thank you enough for starting me on the beard journey, it is YOU I have to thank for starting something that I never thought about doing in over 53 years! I am loving the beard more every day.
All the best,
David
David,
I look forward to meeting you for sure! And I'm glad to hear you're enjoying growing the beard!
Bill
My dad says he dont like Taiwan weather because its cold in the SF area and its hot in Taiwan... I bet no one spends alot on electricity in SF, cause no need to use AC ever.
No, we don't even have air conditioners here, except in large commercial buildings. It's not hot enough to justify having them. But we sure burn up the gas! We have the heat on 12 months of the year.
Though it's chilly here, it seldom freezes. We've only seen it below 32 once in 28 years here, and that morning it got down to 30. I've seen a few snowflakes here, but I've never seen snow stick.
Bill in SF
surely all that hair will insulate you from the cold?
Actually, it does! Much of the time in the daytime here the temperature is around 60 degrees. Most people wear a T-shirt, a long sleeved shirt, and a light jacket to deal with it. I find that, with my hair and beard, I am perfectly comfortable without the jacket. What this means is that I can roam from inside to outside without adding any clothes, and that is definitely a plus! All my hiking books say a man loses a lot of heat from his head, so this makes sense.
When my beard has been less than an inch long, I lose at least half of the effect. It really helps to have my "hair scarf" go all the way around, covering all of my neck.
Before I had long hair, I had to bundle up more than most people because I'm a bit cold-blooded, and when I'm inactive I get cold still. However, now, when active outside, I can forgo the coat.
One morning I was seeing my partner Larry off, standing at the bus stop in front of the house, barefoot, in jeans and a T-shirt, and a guy walked by who was bundled up, heavy scarf and all. I said to Larry, "To look at him, all bundled up, compared to me, you'd think we were on different planets." Larry replied, "Well, I've seen the guy; he's bald! He's probably COLD!"
The best benefit is when you're camping though. All that cold air that used to seep in through the top of my sleeping bag just doesn't happen. My mane and beard stop it cold. [pun intended - wink]
So, TaiFu, you are right. Lots of hair does keep you warm.
Bill
Unfortunately its bad in Taiwan because its warm most the year... sometimes so hot that you swear you were in a sauna all day...
David,
If you make the trip by road you are more than welcome to make a pit stop at my house. I would really enjoy your company.
I live about 25 miles north of Detroit. If you took the 401 to the Ambassador bridge you would cross at Port Huron, MI which is about 35 miles from me. I have a guest room and I am sure it would be fine with the misses, stay a night or a few days, what ever you would like, You are MORE than welcome.
Later,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Thanks you so much for the warm invitation to stay with you on the way! I certainly would never dream of asking for a place to stay from anyone, the pleasure is in meeting all my fellow longhairs on the way and on the return trip as well. I still haven't worked out my final route as the trip is still two years away, I know there are guys who live in New Engand as well as in the New York to Virginia/Maryland area I would like to see. Perhaps I could swing by Michigan on the way back, my route will probably be through southern Canada, (I think there are guys in the Toronto area) which isn't too far from Michigan.
All the best,
David
Hi David,
Yes, there is a lot to think about and it seems that you have plenty of time to plan your route. The invitation is open ended, I would really like to meet you as well as many of the others on this board, it REALLY would be my pleasure. I just figure at the cost of hotels $70.00-$120.00 average, save some money for gas and have a good time with a fellow longhaired dude. I would like to visit everyone in California someday but would have to take at least 4 weeks off from work to make it a good trip, never did like to hurry things. Keep lower Michigan in mind and if it will work to your advantage whether going to or coming back from California.
Later,
Chris
I've always liked the west coast, I've lived in several cities in Oregon and currently live in Seattle, Washington. As I mentioned before about all of the Pacific Northwest is similar in climate and general scenery. Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia have the same general feeling. The amount of rain over here annoys some people, but I don't mind it, it keeps everything very green and I always found rain and cloudy weather soothing. Of course it wasn't that nice when it was snowing earlier tonight and I was waiting for the bus to show up...
My return trip after seeing California will probably take me up north through Oregon (I would love to meet Justin!) and then up through Washington on my way to British Columbia and back east. I could certainly include you on my list of people to see.
David
I live in Toronto, Ontario (well a little bit North of Toronto, in Richmond Hill). Not sure how far it is in numbers though hehe. It does sound like a fun trip though, I want to see California at some point in my life:)!
-Mihnea
My return trip will probably be through southern Canada, and if there are any fellow Canadians on my route back, I would LOVE to see any of you as well! Mihnea, it would be awesome if we could get together as I make my return trip!
David