20 months, lurking and still growing [PIC]

• 20 months, lurking and still growing [PIC]
  

  

  Donald_Lee

  
  

  Hi All!

  First let me tell you that you have all been an inspiration to me. Your updates and advice have kept me on track with my hairy journey. Even those who have had to cut their hair have helped. The regret that has often been expressed has made me think twice before giving in to my awkward stage impatient frustrations. The two week rule has been a hairsaver! I've learned so much about hair care from you other curly guys. My hair has never been as healthy. So a big Thank You to all the great people here!

  I have reached the 20th month anniversary of my last buzz/shave. It has been frustrating. My curly hair grows rather slowly and looks shorter than it is. The frizz and bushiness have been a constant nuisance, but thanks largely to this community I have persevered to this point. I haven't posted much, though I lurk often.

  The weight of my hair is starting to make it less hard to control. I can put my hair in a combo of half tail and pony tail and gather just about all of the hair. A woman friend did a french braid for me that was pretty cool but I was uncomfortable with the style. When I put on a T-shirt the hair is caught under the collar. These are milestones I have waited for eagerly.

  After months of obsessive measuring and constant looking in the mirror I've decided to just let it grow and enjoy the progress. Sometimes I see my image reflected in a store window and am surprised at how long it is getting. My hair seems to have reached 10" in length, which is on target for 1/2" a month growth.

  I have given myself a goal of June 2010, three years growth, at that point I will have reached the status of a longhair and senior citizen at 65. We'll see how that feels. I expect it will be very satisfying and a bit sexy. I noticed Validus has set the same goal, it's good to have a partner on this journey.

  I've hesitated to post a picture because the ones I've taken are not very flattering and don't make me look young and thin, but hell it's about hair, and I'm not young and thin...LOL! This pic was taken a month ago, holding the camera myself in the bad lighting of the bathroom. I plan to get some good shots for my two year anniversary on June 1,'09.

  Thanks for listening. Keep growing,
  Don

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  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing (another pic) [PIC]
    

    

    Donald_Lee

    
    

    Here's another pic from June 2008. It shows better the color and texture of my hair.

    Cheers!
    Don

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  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    MarkS

    
    

    looks great Donald! having long hair makes you look way younger than having it bald in my view! long hair def suits you my friend congrads on a great mane! :)

    reply close reply form
    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Thanks so much Mark for your supportive message. You and the other people on this board have gotten me here, I know I wouldn't have made it this far without your motivation.

      Take care,
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    George

    
    

    I remember reading through the archives a few months ago, and seeing a pic of your hair at 6 months of growth. It has really gotten long since then, and it looks great! Plus, it's amazing that you've still got thick hair like that in your 60s.

    reply close reply form
    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Thanks George. I appreciate your support. I am truly blessed to have the hair I do and am grateful, all those years of buzzes and head shaves, What a waste! No, it's not a thing I regret, but boy am I having fun with my hair farming. I am in haircut recovery and it seems to be having a ripple effect on the rest of my life.

      Cheers!
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    DavidN

    
    

    Hi Don,

    It is great to see you posting again, and you are blessed with a fabulous and thick head of hair for a guy just shy of his 65th birthday. I know that growing long curly hair can be frustrating, since the progress seems slow, but the rewards are well worth it. (One guy with curly hair who persevered is Shawn (Mr. Crow), and his progress is evidence of how great long curly hair can look)

    Be sure to keep it growing!
    David

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    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      donald_Lee

      
      

      Thanks David, I appreciate your support. Yes, Mr. Crow is one of several men here who inspire me. Hey, I'm blessed with great hair; it's now or never, not with only my hair. Being free of a stressful job and in control of my time. I hope to do many things I have only dreamed of. Hair growth is a symbol for me. I am starting to see a different man look back at me in the mirror.

      take care,
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    clayton

    
    

    My friend, Your hair is fan-freakin-tastic. The two week rule has been a life saver to all who visit this board. As your hair gets longer you will start to implement the "2 month rule" and then move on to the "6 month rule".

    It is so easy to cut it off but so hard to grow it back.

    Keep up whatever routine you have developed because it is working like a champ.

    Peace
    clayton

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    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Hi Clayton,

      I think I'm past the 'cave and shave' danger. The awkward stage is diminishing and I can see more length will solve the wildness. For me now it is the 3 year rule! Once I can gather it all into a ponytail I can just tie it back and ignore it until it gets to the point of hanging down and flowing. I do, however, want to let it blow in the wind as much as I can.

      peace my friend,
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    nuttidave

    
    

    Hey there Donald, your hair is looking damn cool, the added length has really added something to your look, and it suits you very well indeed.

    Cheers Dave

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    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Hey Dave. Thanks for your support. I hope to end up with hair like yours, you are an inspiration.

      Cheers,
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    Duncan Roy

    
    

    Hi Don,

    Keep up the good work with your hair farming. It's amazing how curls can hid the length - your on track to a great thick mane of silvery curls there! Who knows you could play the part of Santa at Xmas 2010.

    Best,
    Duncan

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    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Hi Don,

      Thanks for your message, Yes I could be Santa and I have a belly too! hohoho

      I'm enjoying hair farming and the support of the people on this board, like you, are the greatest fertilizer!

      Best,
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    ChrisG

    
    

    Hey Don,

    I like this picture despite any misgivings you have, you have a good look with the hair. The waviness gives it personality that mine seriously lacks LOL

    Keep up the fine progress and post more often, it's strangely addicting :)

    reply close reply form
    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Thanks Chris, good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well. Yes my hair has personality and a life of it's own. It's great to see it grow and change. I know another 6 inches will make a huge difference in taming it. Thanks for your message.

      Take care,
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    Max L

    
    

    Hey Don, you are making great progress. Congrats on your achievement thus far...well done.

    Cheers,

    Max

    Hi All!

    First let me tell you that you have all been an inspiration to me. Your updates and advice have kept me on track with my hairy journey. Even those who have had to cut their hair have helped. The regret that has often been expressed has made me think twice before giving in to my awkward stage impatient frustrations. The two week rule has been a hairsaver! I've learned so much about hair care from you other curly guys. My hair has never been as healthy. So a big Thank You to all the great people here!

    I have reached the 20th month anniversary of my last buzz/shave. It has been frustrating. My curly hair grows rather slowly and looks shorter than it is. The frizz and bushiness have been a constant nuisance, but thanks largely to this community I have persevered to this point. I haven't posted much, though I lurk often.

    The weight of my hair is starting to make it less hard to control. I can put my hair in a combo of half tail and pony tail and gather just about all of the hair. A woman friend did a french braid for me that was pretty cool but I was uncomfortable with the style. When I put on a T-shirt the hair is caught under the collar. These are milestones I have waited for eagerly.

    After months of obsessive measuring and constant looking in the mirror I've decided to just let it grow and enjoy the progress. Sometimes I see my image reflected in a store window and am surprised at how long it is getting. My hair seems to have reached 10" in length, which is on target for 1/2" a month growth.

    I have given myself a goal of June 2010, three years growth, at that point I will have reached the status of a longhair and senior citizen at 65. We'll see how that feels. I expect it will be very satisfying and a bit sexy. I noticed Validus has set the same goal, it's good to have a partner on this journey.

    I've hesitated to post a picture because the ones I've taken are not very flattering and don't make me look young and thin, but hell it's about hair, and I'm not young and thin...LOL! This pic was taken a month ago, holding the camera myself in the bad lighting of the bathroom. I plan to get some good shots for my two year anniversary on June 1,'09.

    Thanks for listening. Keep growing,
    Don

    reply close reply form
    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Hi Max, Thanks so much for your reply. It means a lot to hear from guys like you that have made the journey.

      Cheers,
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    Kevin C

    
    

    Hi Donald it's great to see your still growing it and that we have helped. Indeed reading all the regret posts of having cut it off does give one pause after all it takes time to grow and no time to snip snip.

    As for flattering pics well join the club. I know of one person who uses photos that are decades old as they are not young and thin anymore. LOL (no one on this board) Myself I don't care, a few more pounds a few more gray hairs, oh well.

    Take care

    Kevin

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    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Thanks Kevin, your support is much appreciated for me and your moderation of the board. I'm going to hang in there until I get to the 3 year goal. If I decide I don't want longhair it can only come after I have succeeded. I'm also motivated to get in better shape diet and exercise are part of that June, 2010 goal too. I can get younger but I can keep moving and growing!

      Take care,

      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    Hairball

    
    

    Hi Don,

    That's great that you want to have longhair at this point in your life:)Its never too late to be a longhair in my opinion.The pic you posted looks fine as I know we tend to be extra hard on ourselves when it comes to self portraits.LOL.I know I am!Anyway I'm rooting for you and hope you stick with the journey.Cheers

    Mark

    reply close reply form
    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Thanks Mark, you have been an inspiration to me and I enjoy your posts very much.

      Cheers!
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    Big George

    
    

    If young and thin were a requirement I would never have joined in the first place!

    Good to see you again. You are making great progress. The three year mark is a good goal to reach and evaluate; I passed that point in December, and am still going.

    Nice to see another "Old Fart" success story!

    reply close reply form
    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Thanks, good to hear from you George. Funny about the old fart thing, the voice inside my head that I use to speak to myself is still 25. Long hair is a fun thing to do just because I can. And for personal reasons a small triumph for a man that was buzzed for most of his life. Hummmmm.....next it may be a tattoo.

      take care my friend,
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    Bill

    
    

    Looks great, Don! If only my mane could be so thick!

    Two other graying old longhair coots (myself and Rick G) got together this past weekend in San Jose. If you'd like to meet up with us the next time it happens, drop me a line.

    Bill

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    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Hey Bill great to hear from you and thanks for your support. YES! I'd love to see you guys in SJ. Let me know, I'll be there for sure!

      Cheers!
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    Absalom

    
    

    Hi All!

    First let me tell you that you have all been an inspiration to me. Your updates and advice have kept me on track with my hairy journey. Even those who have had to cut their hair have helped. The regret that has often been expressed has made me think twice before giving in to my awkward stage impatient frustrations. The two week rule has been a hairsaver! I've learned so much about hair care from you other curly guys. My hair has never been as healthy. So a big Thank You to all the great people here!

    I have reached the 20th month anniversary of my last buzz/shave. It has been frustrating. My curly hair grows rather slowly and looks shorter than it is. The frizz and bushiness have been a constant nuisance, but thanks largely to this community I have persevered to this point. I haven't posted much, though I lurk often.

    The weight of my hair is starting to make it less hard to control. I can put my hair in a combo of half tail and pony tail and gather just about all of the hair. A woman friend did a french braid for me that was pretty cool but I was uncomfortable with the style. When I put on a T-shirt the hair is caught under the collar. These are milestones I have waited for eagerly.

    After months of obsessive measuring and constant looking in the mirror I've decided to just let it grow and enjoy the progress. Sometimes I see my image reflected in a store window and am surprised at how long it is getting. My hair seems to have reached 10" in length, which is on target for 1/2" a month growth.

    I have given myself a goal of June 2010, three years growth, at that point I will have reached the status of a longhair and senior citizen at 65. We'll see how that feels. I expect it will be very satisfying and a bit sexy. I noticed Validus has set the same goal, it's good to have a partner on this journey.

    I've hesitated to post a picture because the ones I've taken are not very flattering and don't make me look young and thin, but hell it's about hair, and I'm not young and thin...LOL! This pic was taken a month ago, holding the camera myself in the bad lighting of the bathroom. I plan to get some good shots for my two year anniversary on June 1,'09.

    Thanks for listening. Keep growing,
    Don

    -------------------------------------------------

    Your hair is coming along very well, Donald. I am pleased that MLHH has been so helpful to you in growing it out. That is one of the main reasons we are here, to help guys in growing out their hair. Looking good, keep it growing.

    Scott

    reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    Validus

    
    

    Hello Don,

    Thanks for the incredible update... your hair is looking awesome.

    No trims for me before June, 2010... it's cool to have somebody else on here with the same calendar goal. Should be some good, extra motivation!

    Take care,

    --Val

    reply close reply form
    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Hi Val,

      Thanks for your support and the compliment. We can Motivate each other on our goal of June, 2010.

      let's shake on it!
      Don

      reply close reply form
  • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
    

    

    Just Carol

    
    

    You need a new avatar. There is a definite noticeable difference in length. Learn to embrace the curls, they will actually be easier to manage with length, as weight and gravity pull on them. Do you condition your ends with a leave-in conditioner or treatment? That usually helps with unruly curls. If your hair tends to be dry, jojoba, EVOO (extra virgil olive oil), or coconut oil on the ends might help.

    reply close reply form
    • Re: 20 months, lurking and still growing
      

      

      Donald_Lee

      
      

      Thanks Carol, I will get a new avatar as soon as I get a photo that will 'read' well in a small size. (and make me look 30! LOL I'm going to get a professional portrait done for my 2 yr anniv.

      I rarely use shampoo and only wash with conditioner. I am using a coconut oil conditioner and a leave in. I use Brylcreem (yes really!) at the moment, applied when my hair is damp. I Comb my hair with a wide tooth comb only when it is wet and let it dry and curl naturally. I never comb it when it is dry as that creates the frizz. If I need to 'restyle' I use a spray bottle to dampen, then comb and let it dry again.

      Thanks for your support.
      Don

      reply close reply form