new thread
Hello, All.
I got a leather hair accessory at a festival this summer. I actually have the confidence to wear it out these days (I even wore it to teach at school yesterday). While It is alright, I look forward to the day when the hair not in the half tail flows easily over my shoulders. That Is the look I am really going for, I think.
I'm sharing a couple pics for those who are interested.
Shawn (Mr. Crow)
PS. A Lot of great updates (Tristan, Banana for a couple) and a lot of folks entering their akward and pre-akward stages. I ghive my whole-hearted (if not very long-winded support and admiration.)
Hi Mr. Crow,
This is a cool style and glad you wore it to school. You know that the longer your hair gets, the more envious I get! All in good fun though. Glad to see you posting and hope the school year is going well.
Bragi
Thanks. It is a more risky style and gets more attention than a pony does.
Go on, you flatter me! (No really...go on. ;) )
Glad to see you posting and hope the school year is going well.
It has been a great start and I am now in long-term planning mode (as the initial routines and logistical work is mostly completed).
I appreciate the reply.
Shawn
That style is absolutely fantastic for you! I mean, honestly, it just looks so COOL!
I'm a little envious though. My bangs don't fit into a halftail yet (unless it's REALLY high) and I haven't been able to make the leather hairpieces I picked up at the MN Ren Fair really stay in. Is there some kind of trick to using those that I might be overlooking? They just always feel so loose when I put one in. Alas...I know the solution is probably just a good dose of patience. :-)
Mouse
Ah, Thanks, Mouse! I really appreciate that.
I think it is becasue my hair is so think (and curly) that, once I put the half tail in, the bulge is bigger than the 'C' of the folded, leather accessory. The stick (pin?) holds the tension more than it adheres to any strand of hair - like a spring-loaded trap. (Imagine a mouse trap without the spring: the metal arm that is moves to trigger the trap would be held against the release....well, my hair is the spring. Thankfully I haven't yet caought any mice (though did get a response from at least one 'Mouse'.)
They just always feel so loose when I put one in. Alas...I know the solution is probably just a good dose of patience. :-)
Maybe try it over a mini-half-tail bun to replicate the thick curliness I have?
Best of luck. Post any successes.
Shawn
Hey Shawn, that style looks really, really good on you! Kudos for wearing it to work, especially as a teacher. Keep them curls a growin'! =)
-James
Thanks, James. My, your recent 16 month update was really nice, too. What a fun journey!
I have to say, I had an easier time wearing this style on a Music teacher day (as opposed to my Kindergarten teacher day). Not for any rebuttal from stufents - the JK/SK are the least likely to respond/notice/care anyway. Just the parents might have misgivings of handing their kid over to the vintage (and slightly musty) leather-clad, curly-haired, half-tail wearing big-smile-wearing man. (At least this early in the year...as they get to know me, I think they'll consider it part of my eccentric and enthusiastic personality.)
Thanks for the comment.
Shawn
Hey Shawn: I really like that look. Your curls are looking great and will be better and better as they get longer and longer. Glad you are feeling confident wearing it the way you want; esp. at school. I've got a braid in this weekend but haven't worn it to school. Maybe the time will come. Take er' easy Crow'ster; Bruce'ster
Thansk!
I think so, too, though I am still curious as to what they will really look like.. sometimes they go ingto ringlets nicely, other times, they go poofy. Time will tell.
I've a great and supportive staff at my school and even if they didn't like it, they wouldn't say anything rude to me. It is nice to be in that environment.
Maybe the time will come. Make sure to let us know how (and if) it goes.
You too, Bruce'ster. Thanks for the reply.
Shawn
Hi Shawn,
It is wonderful to hear from you again. Your curls are looking fabulous, they are shiny and healthy, and that leather accessory is very cool!
My best to you, Holly, and all your family,
David
Thanks, David. I have been trying to follow the advice from here as well as feeling it out as far s what my hair needs. I appreciate you comments.
Holly and the Mrs. are well and my wife has come to accept that I will be growing my hair and have no plans for cutting. She doesn't like it and I get eye-rolls when I wear it in new styles, but I have come to accept that she doesn't have to like my hair. It isn't going to be the end of our marriage, or anything, just one of those things we agree to disagree on.
The support her (and especially from you) is always appreciated.
Shawn
(Your Avatar is really, really cool, btw)
Wow! I really dig that look, man! In fact, I might have to try that sometime. The curls are amazing. Keep up the fantastic progress, man! :)
Well, Brandon, thank you very much. The leather piece cost me $8. Not bad for all the wear I get out of it. I think I'll be geting some of those really cool ponytail rings that Mouse linked to a while ago, too. I'll let you know how that goes.
Thanks for the reply.
Shawn
Thanks for the pics and encouragment. I guess I'll need to work on my confidence, instead of breathing, eating and seeing nothing but hair on a windy day. ;)
Banana
Your hair looks great! What else can I say? The great thing about this forum is that it helps us to feel like our hopes for how are hair looks are more accurate than our fears leading to increased confidence. Your hair is great now and will just get better longer.
Thanks for the reply, Banana.
Shawn
PS Don't forget to breath or eat just because you want confidence. ;)
Very distinctive. How did the students react to your style and to the leather accessory?
Looks great and the hair is very healthy and shiny too.
It does stand out, doesn't it?
The students were mixed: one -"Wow your hair looks Cool!" (Gr. 2) to "You like a girl!" (Gr 2, also.). The latter is used as a 'teachable moment' where I say -patientely and non-confrontationally) that to taunt me by comparing me to girls is disrespectful not only to me, but also to girls - most of whom wouldn't want my moustache. I ask them if it is bad to be a girl and remind them beofre they answere that their mother's a girl. (That usually gets them to start listening.) I then go on to explain that they say that because I am combing my hair the way one can comb it only when they have long enough hair and suggest taht they think it looks girl-ish only becuase most of the people they see with long hair happen to be girls. It is a long-hair style more than a boy or a girl style. Then we drop it and move on. I find this effective.
The older students don't say anything (to my face) outright, though they attempt to gauge my confidence by sarcastically saying "nice hair". I act as Naive as possible and heartily thank them saying that I, too, like the style. It isn't so much that they really deteste it as, I think, they are wary of standing out from the crowd...odd since they all claim to be so individualistic yet they attack like frenzied sharks at anyone who dares be different. I would NOT want to be a 13 year old again, where conformity and individuality lead you to a social guillotine.
Very kind of you. Thanks for your support.
Shawn
Oh, that looks good! And bravo for you for wearing it to school. How are the kidlets in your class? And has the school and the parents of your students been accepting of your longhair journey?
Carol
No body has mentioned any concern about my hair that I know of. The kidlets (JK and SK students (usually 4 and 5 year olds) are beginning nicely. Rotary music has different rewards and challenges. Both roles allow for more 'zany'/eccentric behaviour and dress than, say, a Principal so I am still under the radar. I wonder if that will change over the course of the year though? THanks for the comment, Carol.
Shawn
Shawn,
Your style is fantastic, no question. The leather definitely works for you.
I have a few relatives in the education field and I know it can be full of challenges and new experiences. I wish you nothing but the best of luck in your future endeavors!
Peace,
Ryan
Thanks! I really like it (the style and the leather). Incidentally, I picked up the leather coat for an amazing $7 at a thrift shop. It does smell a bit like it's been in Mr. Dress Up's tickle trunk for too long, though. ANy ideas on how to remove a slight musty smell from leather?
It can be full of both, but as far I can foresee, it is the career I plan on staying with; I love it!
Thanks for teh encouragement. I love your hair, btw.
Hi Shawn, that style looks very neat and professional. There should be no complaints. Your hair is lookin' mighty fine these days and will be fantastic down your back!
Take care,
Bruce
I really appreciate the comment. As unconventional as the style may be for men at my school (I have longer hair than any man at the school and it is longer than a couple of the females, too), it certainly isn't unkept or dirty-looking.
Thanks for the support, Bruce. I am really looking forward to my half-tail holding a collection of curls that extend to the bottom of my shoulder blades. That should take about two more years, I think.
Thanks again,
Shawn
Hey Shawn
Thanks so much for the support. Your hair looks great that way! - very professional! I'm glad you wore it that way to school; I hope the support you receive from your associates is good as well. Keep up the great work and have a great year.
Be Blessed..
Tristan
I think the year is going great and I have great staff. Time to update your avatar, I think Tristan, as you are looking so much more like a longhair these days.
I am. Same to you.
Thanks!
Shawn
Hey thats cool Shawn, goes nicely with that leather coat too!
I love the look. Picked up a cool leather braclet this weekend at another fair. It has a worked floral design remminiscent of the late 60s/early 70s. My wife can only roll her eyes and ,utter "who are you? Who is this person I married?" Makes me laugh. She will like it or not, but I am liking it a great deal. We are great in most aspects of our relationship, though my hair growth is beyond her ability to influence. (And she has come to accept that.)
I appreciate your suppport, Dave and, as I posted above, your update is awesome.
Shawn
Hi Shawn
That looks good and goes with the jacket I like it.
Looks like your getting close to your growth goal it
shouldn't be long now
Kevin
Thanks, Kevin. I like it too. (Now if I can just get the vintage smell out of the vintage coat...)
I guess about another year and a half to two years. Almost halfway there! (Though I may wish to change my goal as I get longer and longer hair).
Thanks for the support!
Shawn
Looking good, Mr. Crow, looking good!
Well thank you very much!
Shawn
Hi Shawn,
You can get the coolest things from festivals can't you? Great stuff, looks very cool mate.
Neil
Thanks Neil. Picked up some more cool leather goods yesterday at another fair: a bracelet and a belt, both the colour of the coat with mildly floral markings in the leather. Very nice and ujnconventional without being too girly.
Thanks for the support. Your long curls are certainly awesome.
Shawn
Hi Shawn, thats the best i have ever seen your hair looking, its a cool look dude, and with more length it will look even better. Hope your Kids at school are not driving you nuts, all the best Jonny H
That is a fantastic compliment: makes me want to wear it out like that more often. Thanks!
Some are, most aren't. I'm off today and tomorrow froma fever. Nothing big, but I don't want to infect any of the kids or to be expected to perform at my best when I am less than.
Thanks for the support, Jonny.
-Shawn
You sure weren't kidding about the curly!! Man that is a great pic of the back. I haven't seem curls like that since Fallen Angels' curls. You guys have amazing hair. Keep on rockin Shawn!
Thanks, Chris. It really does curl up tightly as it dries after a shower. While it masks the actual length, I really like the texture and fullness the curls add. Thanks for your support.
Shawn