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Hi Hairy People,
This pic was taken in the late fall of '07. You can see that the natural "V"-shape of my mane in back more or less comes to a point just around my belt-line (where the longest hairs actually touch my belt).
Fast-forward to this year, early fall of '09...
Just when I think my hair has actually grown an inch or 2 longer, along comes a lot of shedding, and then my hair seems to go back to the length it was a year or 2 ago.... WAAAAAA!!!
("OK, get a grip, Ken, --- it's only HAIR!")
I think I need to come up w/ a new "Serenity Prayer" for those of us who are hair-aholics who might still be in denial that we may never get to see butt-length or knee-length after all [sniff sniff, wiping crocodile tears away from big Bambi-doe eyes...)....
PS - No, Kevin, I am NOT peeing in this pic (even though it looks like it - LOL)!!
For those of us who are having to face the depressing realization that our hair may have indeed reached its maximum length humanly possible, here is...
THE TERMINAL LENGTH SERENITY PRAYER:
"Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the fact that, due to age and other factors, I might have reached my genetically-determined terminal length; courage to keep trying to continue growing my hair to knee-length, anyway; and the wisdom to continue using beneficial oils or any other trick in the book that will fool me into staying in denial for as long as possible!"
- Ken
I wish my terminal was as glorious as yours.
Bruce
Hi Ken,
At first I thought "gee he must drink a lot of water', or like those commercials on television about us old guys having to go all the time. LOL
Anyway coming from one who has reached terminal trust me you get used to it. Think of it as mother natures way of keeping your hair trimmed.
(GASP) I said the "T" word.....(puts hand over mouth)
Kevin
Although Mother Nature is a bit more generous with length than those lovely scissors.
Ken;
Your hair always looks great with good length, condition and colour. Be happy !!
...I may have a terminal length that is also the awkward stage length. I have come across early photos that look longer than what I have now. (sigh...no prayer can cure...)
Walter
What are you worried about?
You got great lenth and nice hair!
There's no need to dispair when you practicly have the dream in your hands! Just grab it! I envy you.
Your friend
Birdman
Hi Ken,
That's a fantastic photo of your hair even if its two years old!lol.I feel for you on the terminal length/shedding thing as I have the same problem myself so at least I know its not an east coast/west coast thing.I figured living on the east coast was the cause of my shedding woes but I guess all share the wealth in that department.But Ken no matter what you have an awesome mane so you gotta be pleased with that.Also the "Serenity Prayer " was quite touching.I think we need to put you up on the pulpit my friend:)Hope to see you in a few weeks!Cheers
Mark
Greetings friend Ken. That's a great photo there. Great location for a pic and with nice effect the sun makes on the mane, you should be proud of a great head of hair.
Hi Ken,
You know you have a beautiful mane and I've always said that. You just never about genetics that for sure so it might having a rest for a couple of years.
As Kevin so rightly says you don't have to worry about those silly trimmers and as we know it's the BEST place for advice with us with longhair :-)
Cheers,
John.B
Many thanks for all the kind words of encouragement from all who replied, below (John B, Charley, Mark Hairball, Birdman, WWTail, Kevin, and Chris C), --- as well as anyone who might reply in the future during the next few days (I'll be away from my computer for a few days, though). I much appreciate it!
As an unlicensed therapist and fake doctor, "Dr. Ken" needs to take his own advise by saying the Terminal Length Serenity Prayer 3X every day, getting into my favorite non-Yoga position on the couch to drone out several monotone "olmmmmm's", and then follow that w/ a big bowl of chocolate ice cream before retiring every evening. I'm sure that will do the trick! Thank goodness there's a fake doctor in the house, as that way I can even call myself in the morning to check up on how I'm doing!
All kidding aside, although I may continue for several years to stay in complete denial that I will probably never get to achieve knee-length, I much appreciate the fact that so many of you think my hair looks good, anyway, --- THANKS!
- Ken
Terminal or not Ken, an amazing mane!
I hope you weren't relieving yourself on someone's sandcastle :-)
~ Dave
What are you sighing for? My terminal length is about half that.
Yes, I know that I don't have much of a "leg" to stand on (especially considering what some people thought I was doing in that pic - LOL); but, it's really "all relative". I know a local guy whose terminal length doesn't even make it to his shoulders. And yet, in completely absurd contrast, whenever someone posts a pic of Danny Cecati (from the Australian metal band Eyefear), with his mega-thick & full floor-length hair, it makes me think that his hair genetics must be partly from Mars!!!
Being a self-described "hair-aholic", it's kind of like people who collect vintage cars or antique furniture: a "little" is never enough! Hence my sigh... (Sigh...)....
- Ken
Hi Ken,
It can be frustrating when we want to keep seeing more length but I guess there can be a certain satisfaction too in just knowing that we grew to maximum. To have hairs that reach your belt is a huge accomplishment and likely an above average terminal length.
I notice that my growth rate isn't nearly what is was when I was first growing out. It's still getting longer but I suspect I may at least reaching the early stages of terminal length.
Nice pic BTW!
Jason
Hi Ken,
Please try not to feel discouraged, and remember that you have a mane, and length, to be proud of! (Love your poem, btw). I sometimes get discoraged about my very slow growth rate as well, and would be happy to achieve your length some day! (my hair is still SLOWLY growing.
Take care,
David
Hi Hairy Ken,
I sympathize with you greatly on desiring knee-lenght hair. You have to accept that 98% of people will never be able to grow hair to that lenght and that waist-lenght according to Bill is most people's limit. You have grown successfully to belt-lenght which is a great achievement in itself and
On the big plus side Ken you do still have a very beautiful, healthy shiny luxuriant head of hair at a length that most other 56 year old long hair men would be envious of - if I could get just 2/3rds of your length I would be ecstatic and I'm much younger.
Of course you could play around with the photoshop and grow some hair on the picture to knee length so you could at least see what the fantasy would look like. And please do take a fun picture of yourself standing beside the Red Bridge with some Flowers in Your Hair!
Always a pleasure to read your wonderful posts and if you have indeed achieved your final length then you have fully graduated as long hair at the end of a long and fascinating journey!
Kind regards,
Duncan
Maybe not peeing, but holding onto what's precious to you!
lol
I wouldn't worry about terminal. You say you've had a bit of shedding. That's only normal, especially at this time of year in the NH. You've probably got an inch or two left in you, so I wouldn't hang out the black bunting yet.
Besides, you've got stunning hair, regardless of whether or not it's going to grow any longer. It's in amazing condition and really suits you, so just enjoy it. I certainly love seeing your updates and like seeing a bloke who respects his hair and has fun with it. That scorpion plait was awesome. I wish my other half was as keen on hair as Even is. You're one lucky boy in many ways, good-looking, great hair with someone to love who loves you and your hair. On top of all that, you come across as a really nice guy - one of those we'd call beannaichte at home.
All the best from another Ken
Urban Cowboy,
I'm not sure if you have hit terminal length or not. Even if you have, I wouldn't fret, you have gorgeous hair. It is a great length, great color, and it looks as though you have great texture. Don't cry those crocodile tears too long.
Angel KMF
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Hi Ken, it seems that my hair has been about the same for at least 3 years. It just reaches my knees.
You can defeat some of the shedding losses by taking MSM and biotin. These nutrients can extend the active growing cycle. MSM is good for the joints too.
Terminal length for most males without male pattern baldness is between 2 and 2 1/2 feet. You are in that range. Mine is over 3 feet, but I am unusual.
Scott