new thread
Firstly let me say, " Yay!! I made a year!"
Secondly let me say, " I am sorry I haven't been around much."
I have been up late many nights getting concert material ready for the two schools at which I teach, attending Professional Development, Beginning an OnLine Course to get my Teacher-LIbrarianship Qualifications, taking care of Union stuff, committees etc., providing time for my Wife and young daughter and trying to have some sort of life. It is busy. I love it! It is a life filled with outlets and opportunity, but sometimes I can't get to everything.
I've been lurking, mostly, but I do try to keep up on all your updates and the plethora of new members.
Well...
I made a year. I am very happy and plan on continuing this growth. Sadly, though, my wife just doesn't like long hair on men (yet, I say, 'yet') and so I hear about my hair a bit more often and a bit less positively then I'd like from her. Thankfullyehr older sister (mixed race and a fellow curly-head) is VERY supportive as are many of the female teachers at my schools; at least not ALL women think it's awful (just the one whose opinion counts the most).
Some new things I am doing/noticing
* I can now wear my ponytail out in public without feeling self-concious (once so far to each of my schools, even, and several times around the community)...I still need a bit of strong gel - my fly-aways curl up to the front of my head and really stick out!
* I can pull my hair to reach the corners of my mouth;
* I notice that I am often one of (or even THE) longest haired man in a room (especially amongst teachers);
* I understand how my sisters left so much hair on the bathroom floor when we were growing up -- I leave more than my wife, daughter and dog combined!
Thanks for all the support here without which I wouldn't have made it to last Christmas.
I look forward to my continued lurking and occasionally posting until the [Northern Hemisphere's] summer (and hopefully much before) when I will again have some more free time.
Thanks to you all!
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
Here's what I looked like starting out (End of April 2006):
Here's me at 6 months (mid October 2006):
And then with some EXPLOSIVE growth, it seems, here are a few of me at ONE YEAR!
(end of April 2007):
Front
Side
Back
Black and White (I'd like to make this my avatar...I'll email Oren):
Hoping all these photobucket IMG tags worked...
Ciao!
Hi Shawn,
Congratulations on reaching one year, a hearty tip of the hat to you. Your manlocks are looking mighty impressive indeed, what a fantastic mass of shiny curls you are growing! Your growth rate HAS picked up, curly hair takes SO much patience to grow. I can only imagine where you will be in another year.
I also wanted to extend my best to your lovely family, your daughter is adorable and has a smile that could melt anyone's heart.
Keep those manlocks growing,
David
You have certainly been a supporter of mine from the get go and I really appreciate it, Dave. I must say, I think the facial hair is really suiting you and I am very happy to have you as a moderator.
Thanks for all your great comments, especially about Holly. She is a real treat to have around. (I love it when I pick her up and she reaches around my head and holds onto a handful of hair or my tail. She is a real supporter, too. Maybe you can meet her on your tour?)
Thanks again, Dave.
Shawn
¡Hola Señor Cuervo!
I’m sure glad you made it a year, now the next year will be more fun. I think your hair is looking great and so shiny. Tight curls like you have with all the thickness there looks especially fantastic when grown at least past the shoulders. Like I said in an earlier update you made, I have high expectations that I think you’ll easily meet in the hair department as far as the awesomeness level goes. That’s good too that you can tie it back to some extent.
And, I wouldn’t worry too much. I imagine your wife will come around soon enough. Maybe you, your relatives who like long hair and your daughter can keep chipping away until she grows to love your hair. If your daughter is going on about “How cool daddy’s hair is” and so on, your wife may start warming up to it. Probably, to some extent, you have transformed so much in appearance that she might be worried you’re not the same you, and yet you are with just longer hair. I suppose she might have fallen for the short-haired Mr. Crow originally and wonders what’s going on. Best of luck with that.
You sound very busy these days, and good to know that you don’t mind it. Summer will be here soon enough, even in the frozen Northland…
Bragi
I like the versatility, especially as the warm weather approaches and I'd like to roll the window down in the car without the 70s making a come-back.
Perhaps it is frightening for her to hear that I am only now growing the hair, but have long wanted to. Perhaps she feels there was a side to me shhe didn't know? Either way, I am confident that time will remedy this situation. Thanks for your kind words of reassurance on the matter.
Thanks again, Bragi.
Shawn
Hi Shawn:
Wow! you've mad some realy great progress there. Itching closer and closer to longhairdom. I like the stache and facial hair thing you've got going on too. A cool combo with the hair and all. Keep it up.
Vince
Well thanks, Vince. I look forward to curls on my shoulders. Maybe by 2010 - the year we make contact?
Shawn
My mySpace Account
Impressive... Great to see you make the big anniversary, Shawn! Your hair looks wonderful and those curls will be outrageously cool in another year's time. =D Keep it up!
-James
I am excited to see what the future holds...
You'll be onto your one year in a couple weeks, no? Your hair is looking good and you are looking very comfortable with it.
Thanks for your comments, James.
Shawn
Congrats on making a year!
Thanks!
My mySpace Account
Congratulations and great growth Shawn.
You have come a loooong way and it definately suits you.
Best regards, Dave
Thanks, Dave. I have long been a fan of your high-character hair, great shape hair.
Your comments are appreciated.
Shawn
Shawn,
Your hair looks absolutely superb. Such volume and thickness, such luscious curls. ‘Round and ‘round your locks will go; where they’ll stop, only you know.
I hope your wife comes around to your long hair eventually, but perhaps just seeing you day in and day out as you are will help. Until then, continue to take support from those whose opinions are less important. Family can always be the hardest.
Oh, and do your best to survive until summer. That sounds like a nasty schedule. ;-)
Keep it growing!
Mouse
Thanks, Mouse. I really appreciate your comments.
Well at least she is the only real stickler. Even my mother in law isn't harsh, though she does prefer it pulled back to hanging wild.
I will.
Thanks again!
Shawn
Congrats, Shawn!
The first year was the worst for me, but the second year of growth is awesome. I'm not even all the way through my second year, and I'm loving it .Keep up the great progress :-)
That is great news! my 7 - 12 months were way better than my 1 to 6. I'll bet the sdecond year matches the feeling. Thanks for the encouragement, I think your hair just ROCKS!
Shawn
My mySpace Account
Looking good Shawn! My wife is exactly the same. I agree with you, it is disheartening not to have the one you love support you in your new look, but it'll grow on her as it grows on you.
Good luck and keep on growin'
Bruce
That's what we keep saying, at least. I am sure you're right. Married 8 years already, and if a hairstyle is a breaking point after this long, then maybe the issue isn't hair after all. I am sure she'll stick out my having long hair just as I'll stick out her not liking it.
Thanks,
Shawn
That's what we keep saying, at least. I am sure you're right. Married 8 years already, and if a hairstyle is a breaking point after this long, then maybe the issue isn't hair after all. I am sure she'll stick out my having long hair just as I'll stick out her not liking it.
Thanks,
Shawn
I know my wife married me when I was a shorthair, but I like to think she married an adventurer.
Bruce
Wonderful progress for the 1st year. Looks absoultely terrific, and if I were you I would be very proud of the accomplishment thus far. Bravo!
Thanks, Justin. I am proud of the iron will I've had to grow despite nags. The curls are fun and bouncy. A lot of fun for running, jogging, jumping...
Shawn
Hey Shawn,
Great to see you back. What tremendous progress! Your curls are going to look even more amazing as they continue to lengthen.
Jason
Thanks, Jason. Your many braid pics were amazing (as are your hair pics, in general). I hope to find more time to hang out here, but, alas, I know what my schedule looks like until June.
Shawn
My mySpace Account
Hi, Shawn
Outstanding progress. Those CURLS are looking wonderful. I can't wait to see how your hair is going to look by this christmas!
I look forward to wearing a homegrown toque, myself. Thanks, Chris!
Shawn
Certainly an explosion of sorts! How do you brush your hair? Comb or brush?
~Cedric
Ah..
A veritable grab-bag of techniques are used, depending on the look, but, generally speaking, I always style from wet, add some leave-in coonditioner and then, using either a wide pic or my fingers, slick it all back. Once done, I begin a slight mid part at the crown gowing towards the front (though not going quite all the way to the forehead) and I aim the curling up portion of the hair off the sides of my head with a few pic strokes or my fingers.
Then I shake my head like a wet dog a couple times and it gets a more natual look. Then I pat it or tease it with my fingers a bit to get an even shape.
While in writing it seem s arduous, it is really only about a minute long process.
I hope that helps,
Shawn
Mr Crow
You have such great curls they suit you very well & you can tell the difference by each picture you posted, I myself think the longer it gets the more body it has with the mass of curls you have grown, just keep it growing its very Impressive the more length it gets !
Axel
Thanks, Axel. It is getting more body, to be sure, and, while it makes styling a bbit more challenging, it also will mean full-looking manlocks in due time.
Thans for your comments.
Shawn
HI Mr Crow, really good update photos mate.
Keep on growing your mane, even though im only at six months, my wife and daughter are slowing coming round to the fact that i dont look so bad with longer hair, and im in it for the long haul. The fact is people dont like change.Long hair suits you dude, all the best , Jonny H uk
Thanks, Jonny H.
People all sem to appreciate one's abilty to commit to something, even if they don't agree with the types of commitment. I think Long hair will look good on you. Keep on growing.
Shawn
First off, a big CONGRATS to you!! A year is most definitely a major landmark in growth. And secondly, I think that black & white pic you've chosen for your new avatar is just hands-down CLASSY!!!!! Looks a lot like the high-end photography I had done for my graduation from high school pic (only I simply HATE my high school pic, for various reasons, --- my short hair at the time being one of them - lol)....
Anyway, your hair is growing along very nicely, and I think the curls are cool as hell, --- keep it growin'!
- Ken in San Francisco
PS - Don't worry about being absent from the board from time to time, --- it happens to me, too, as well as a lot of others around here... It just means you have a life outside of the internet (lol)!!
Ah, thanks, Ken. I appreciate it.
Yessir! With pleasure.
That I do.
Thanks, again.
Shawn
Congratulations on your first year....and you sure have a great look to you.....the upcoming year should be even better.
Wow ! You are busy for a young fella' Good for you !!
Enjoy Life to the fullest !!
WWT
Thanks, I am hoping so. My hair behaves well-enough when styled, but by the end of the day, I am a frizzy mess-- this is what my wife sees! (no wonder she is less than thrilled). I am hoping the extra weight willl help to hold it down and make it behave more as it grows.
I've been busy since I was allowed to set my own schedule half my life ago in high school. I can sleep when I'm dead. (though I am staritng to understand that if I don't get enough sleep now, that might be sooner than later.)
I shall try. Thanks for the comments. (Working with elementary students all day, I am usually thought of as being old, as odd as that may sound. I prefer to b ethought of as a young Fella, anytime.)
Shawn (Mr.Crow)
My mySpace Account
Aloha!
One year, huh? That's quite a milestone, though for curly-hairs, it's often more a marker of patience than length. Nevertheless, you're sporting some impressive length for the period of time. "Impressive" is too bland a word, though; your curls are well-defined, fuzzy-looking (I get that all the time too, and it's always said with a genuine-seeming smile, so I take it as a compliment), and very healthy, it would seem. Wonderful work; you've certainly done better than me at the same point in time. I wish I'd had some of my own advice back then. :P
I hope your wife will get acclimated to your curls in time; remember that, regardless of how much easier things may seem hair-wise, you're still waist-deep in the mossy, alligator-infested swamp of the awkward stage. I'd say I'm still wading through that swamp myself. Once you've reached the shining forest on the other side, your locks flowing past your shoulders, she might be more likely to come around, as things won't be as awkward anymore. My mom and many of my female friends came to accept my hair not only through getting used to seeing it, but getting used to seeing it neat and manageable, even if my tresses are flying in the crazy Floridian wind.
By the way, does your daughter still like your hair?
Man, so many people are updating now. I've been an avid lurker recently because of papers and exams, but that's when everyone wants to update. :P
Keep it growing, man.
Peace
You speak the truth, there, FA, though the growth in the second half of the year seems be more than in the first half.
. I wish I'd had some of my own advice back then. :P
Your advice has been very helpful. You've been my curly-haired mentor. Thanks!
That is my feeling, too. I am definately in an akward, unpredictable stage; some days I love me hair, other days I wonder what possesed me to aspire to looking like Krusty he clown. I just need to hold the vision of what I will look like with flowing, curly Manlocks™.
She is my fan club leader. We have hair care mornings on Saturdays sometimes, each using a new leave in conditioner or oil treatment. She'll also wear bandanas or dorags with me. She is great to have around.
I know what lurking is. These past months have seen me doign much the same, though for differeing, already stated, reasons.
I will, thanks again for your support and advice.
-Shawn