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Hello Hairy People,
Photos will come sometime eventually this month; but for now, just thought I'd flap my mouth in a breeze a bit by at least sharing a written update...
The first day of summer, Y2K marks the anniversary of my impulsively-made (and deeply regretted) last time I ever had my hair cut short. Most of you know this story already, because I've shared it many different times in many different posts & replies here; so rather than repeat myself with the gory details, let's just say that every year I pass that date ( June 21, 2000 being the exact date of that fateful haircut), I celebrate yet another year of being a longhair - WOOHOO and YIPEE!!
The good news about that haircut experience is that it made me value what I had more -- and better still, it made me make a COMMITMENT to myself to never again do such a foolish impulse-driven decision like that ever again.
While it's true that none of us can ever "guarantee" ourselves that we will always always be a longhair for life (for example, there are many things beyond our control, like: an unfortunate debilitating illness of some kind; a bunch of crazed Nazis attacking us and shaving our heads against our will; an F4 tornado taking our hair away but leaving us alive but bald in some small town in Kansas... and other similar unexpected disasters beyond our human control), we CAN at least control our own actions and decisions re. our best self-interest -- and re. my own hair on my own head, I choose to be a longhair for life, as much as humanly possible and practical.
Well, I can at least claim to have a total of over 13 years of uninterrupted hair-farming success (plus I can also add in the factor that I had long hair for 9 years prior to my infamous Y2K haircut).
So hey, as the saying goes, "Onward & Downward!"
(Or in my case, since I think I've reach my own maximum length, AKA terminal length, "Onward & Onward!"
- Ken in San Francisco
PS - I don't mean to brag, but I think I'm the one who first started the saying here, "Onward & Downward"... anyone who disagrees with me over this statement, well, then prepare yourself to duke it out with me online about that! (LOL)
Hi Ken,
What can I say other than great commentary on your hair history!LOL.I certainly well remember your Y2K experience and thankfully that's distant history now:) Seems ever so long ago.Well just live for today and every day thereafter as life is short and you want to make everyday as pleasant as possible.As for your "Onward & Downward" phrase maybe you better get your patent on that before its too late ;) Cheers my friend
Mârk
Hey Mark,
Thanks for the fun reply -- and yes, I'm working on getting that patent right now, even as we speak (LOL)!
Looking forward to your visit in Sept. I told Scott in my reply to him way down the page now that we should have a group get-together again when you come out West, picking some spot outdoors to take an easy hike and also take hair photos. That was a fun day w/ Bill & Larry up in Point Reyes (wasn't that just last year -- or the year before?); but maybe we could choose some place closer this time... I'll put my thinking cap on, hopefully coming up with a good idea for that!
Later, 'gator!
- Ken
Hi Ken,
It's always nice to hear such strong conviction. It's a testament to your longhair identity and encourages others to follow through and stay true to themselves.
I can relate to your feelings about that fateful 2000 haircut. Sometimes I'm resentful that I didn't start my journey until I was well into my 30s. I do wonder what kind of hair I could have had if I had started in my teens and kept going through my 20s. But, on the plus side, it makes me appreciate things more now.
I'm also encouraged that you continue to gain length albeit slowly. I'm wondering where terminal is on me and may make an all-out attempt to see. Looking forward to your pictures!
Jason
Thanks so much for your kind reply, Jason! I can certainly relate to your comments, especially wondering what life would have been like if I had been able to start growing sooner (I didn't experience my first ponytail until my 40th birthday, for example).
For me, the "Search & Destroy" method of chasing after individual split ends has given me the few extra inches of seeing what my terminal length is like. I might eventually decide to trim the lowest hairs to get a more attractive "hem line" at the bottom; but I'm still hanging in there in the hopes of eeking out yet one more inch or 2 (hair-pig that I am - LOL)....
Thanks again Jason, always great to communicate with you!!
- Ken
Well Ken,
It's been 13 years since the Y2K bug bit you, and caused all of your hair growth systems to reset to time zero :)
Hopefully the bug fixes are good this time and hair growth will continue :)
Onward and Downward! (or Onward)
- Oren
Thanks, Oren, always a pleasure to hear from you!!
I like your wording, "reset to time zero" -- yes, that's exactly what the experience felt like at the time, although at least when I went through the infamous "awkward stages" the 2nd time around I kew what I was in for, racing through it ASAP instead of trimming every few months (as I did the first time - LOL).
It's all a learning experience, isn't it? A wonderful hairy journey, I'm so grateful I broke out of my upbringing of the traditional male short haircut mold my father wished I had maintained, and went for broke instead!
"Onward & Onward!"
Long Lox 4ever,
Ken
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That is great, Ken. Never give up, never give in. Long hair forever.
Scott
I can understand that. I've looked in the mirror a few times and thought to myself, "Maybe I should cut it". I banish the though quickly, but that doesn't change the fact that it was there. Still, at least you got back on the horse!
By the way, I think you'll find that I coined the phrase "Onward & Downward" during my brief stint as a time-traveler. So there!
LOL, now that's reply I didn't see coming... and since I never argue with an experienced time-traveller, you win (LOL)!!
Hi Ken,
Cheers and congrats as always to you, and thank you for always being a true longhair at heart, and for being there to inspire all of us in our own long hair journeys. Similar to you, I had a "relapse" back in late 1999, and went through a "short haired episode", and for me, that lasted until early 2004. I also realized back then that short hair was not for me, and as I approach my 60th birthday next month, also realize that I plan to have long hair for the rest of my life.
Of course, I am looking forward to your update photos!
Take care, and keep it growing!
David
Thank you so much, David, always great to hear from you!!
Turning 60 next month, eh? Well, that means I must be at least a few weeks older than you (I turn 60 late THIS month)...
OMG, does that mean I'm no longer in my late late VERY late 20's anymore? And to think that all this time I thought I was happily just floating along on an Egyptian river boat cruise on De Nile! (LOL)
In any case, thanks again for the kind words -- and happy upcoming birthday to you!!!!
- Ken
Hi Ken,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your written update! Very interesting and I hope you never cut your beautiful hair again! We need your inspirational posts here and whenever possible, nice update pics. I do look forward to your photo updates!
I won't be duking it out with you about that statement! I would lose!
Hope you have a great 4th of July my friend and stay safe!
Ted
Good to hear from you as always - here's to many more years of enjoyment and encouragement.