This pic isn't very "revealing" of my current hair length, because the ends are out of sight, behind my back; but it's the most recent pic of me that I have in my iphoto library (thanks to Bill, Larry, or Mark -- whichever one of you took this pic that day we hiked the GG Bridge on Oct. 1st).
The interesting thing about "terminal length" is that I swear, prior to just last week, I had every reason to believe my hair wasn't growing any more...
Apologies if it might sound a bit too graphic, but recently while taking a shower and shampooing, the ends of my hair were tickling the top of my butt! And I do mean: this was more noticeably so than I remember back in September, just one month ago.
Weird, huh?
No, I will NOT post a photo of me showing you my naked butt (I can hear the sighs of relief and a multitude of "thank you"s, even as I type this - LOL); but eventually over the next couple of months or so, I'll try to get someone to take a pic of me from behind (no pun intended- LOL), yet still fully clothed...
When I grew my hair to waist-length back in the late '90s (before my infamous Y2K haircut), I kept trimming the ends every 6 moths or so, going to a professional salon to have that done regularly by a stylist. But nowadays, the only trimming I do is to use the "Search & Destroy" method of chasing after individual split hairs whenever I see them; plus do oiling of my hair ends as a preventative help to ward split ends off in the first place.
No longer going to a professional stylist to trim off an inch or more every year has given me the added length; but also oiling the lower half of my mane and trimming only S&D split hair ends has helped me maintain very healthy-looking hair, without frizz, dryness, or tangles...
Hey, my terminal length may never reach the floor; but actually I'm quite happy for being an old geezer!
- Ken
Ah Ken, it seemed almost like yesterday we were at the Golden Gate Bridge taking our hike and of course the day before at Fort Point which by now should be back open:)I have to say you have great hair for a man of your youth!When I frequent my gym it saddens me seeing all the older men sporting the ravages of MPB and believe me its a lot of them.That's why when I see the younger guys with buzzed heads it baffles me as to why they would want to foist that look upon themselves especially since you can tell they are capable of growing out a full head of hair.
Anyway not of my concern but it's great that we make up for it as well as others who support our cause:) Thanks for posting that memorable pic as I soooo miss the west coast my friend.Cheers
Mârk
The West Coast misses you, too, Mark! Yes, it seems like it was only yesterday that we were hiking that day -- and what a great day it was!!
Visiting Fort Point the day before was also very memorable, in fact, I want to go back!
Later,
Ken
Sounds familiar...you start ignoring it, and the next thing you know it is longer! Been there, done that!
Ping me sometime and we can both get some pictures taken!
Yes, just like that old saying, "a watched pot never boils" (or something like that), watching hair growth happen is pointless; but then one day you notice something different, something new.... and it's true: your hair HAS grown a bit!
That would be great to take some pics sometime in the future -- who better to take some good hair pics than another longhair!
- Ken
It appears, Ken, that you have beautiful hair. That scenery is breathtaking too - what a gorgeous day you guys had for your hike.
Mind if I ask you a couple questions? Is your hair thinning at all on top or anywhere up there? Do you know if there are any contributing factors to slowing up or improving speed of hair growth or condition of hair?
I realized that after growing my hair for 10 months that it is about the same length that it was when I was in college way back when - so from here on in, it's new territory for me - and I look forward to just letting it grow - although I still know I focus way too much on each half inch of growth I achieve - you guys with the long hair that you just live with and let grow are real inspirations to me -
Fitz
My hairline in front has changed over the years, receding a bit (it used to go straight across my forehead when I was younger), and also it's a bit thinner all over than what I remember from my youth; but otherwise, no other thinning on top or in back... I'm lucky (and grateful!), because I have a lot of dance friends my age who have decided to shave their heads due to severe MPB.
Do you know if there are any contributing factors to slowing up or improving speed of hair growth or condition of hair?
No, unfortunately I don't know of any other way to speed up hair growth other than patience!
Well Fitz, truth be told, I've had my moments when I've focussed way too much on my own hair growth as well; so sometimes it's a matter of a little self-discipline to turn one's attention away from obsessing like that. "Easier said than done", thank goodness we all lead busy lives to help us get our minds off ourselves at times like this! Hair grows onward & downward, regardless of whether we're asleep or awake, focussing on it or focussing on other things -- so we might as well focus on the multitude of other things we have happening in our lives, and just let our hair take care of itself (LOL)!
- Ken
Hi Ken,
I enjoyed reading your thoughts about terminal length. I've experienced something very similar. I really thought I couldn't get past a certain length at least with any kind of decent looking ends but apparently I was wrong.
What a cool feeling that must have been when you first realized that you had reached new lengths! I've been noticing it on the back of my chair at work that my braid tassel is reaching new lows to the point that I have to keep it in front of me now.
It really shows what patience and taking as much care as possible of our ends can do. What kind of texture is your hair? I know that with my fine hair, the only way I've been able to achieve this is through the use of oils.
I'm looking forward to photos showing your new length! Perhaps you could use the timer function on your camera to take some yourself.
Thanks for the comments, Jason! Re. my hair texture, I guess it's about "average" -- in all honesty, I probably don't really know, because it's rare that I get a chance to touch someone else's hair in order to get a comparison (LOL, not trying to be silly here, just that my guesstimate is based more on sight, comparing my hair to others looks "average").
Oiling to me also has been such a wonderful benefit, improving my hair in so many ways that it's a wonder to me that more people don't do that -- improving my hair's texture being one of them! After applying olive oil to the lower half of my mane, combing it through and massaging it into the ends, it softens and moisturizes to such an amazing degree that it makes my hair feel like I have MORE hair (if that makes any sense - LOL), the results being so soft & smooth and "silky"... Without the oil, it's OK, -- and occasionally I take a break from oiling -- but in the long run, my hair is better with it.
That's cool about you noticing on the back of your chair your braid tassel is hitting lower. Watching one's hair growth is certainly a painfully slowly moving event, a real "yawner"; but when we do notice little things like this, it's exciting, and even fun to celebrate the progress!
Somewhere in this messy apartment I have a tripod that I bought for my camera years ago. But the question is: where the heck did I put it? (LOL)
Thanks again for your reply, Jason, always great to hear from you!!
- Ken
Hi Ken,
Cheers to you for attaining even more length than you thought yourself capable of earlier. I totally agree with Jason about using the self timer of your camera to show your current length.
I have been suspecting for some time now that I am at terminal length for my hair, a few inches above waist length. However, I will admit, that after a very nice summer and early fall(and too much time spent golfing), my hair has not received the TLC that it should, and I also hope to try Jason's Ojon treatment as well.
Here's hoping for even more length!
David
Thanks, David! Ahhh, golfing...
Occasionally I've gone golfing with my friend Christopher, we used to go up North of here by 2 hours to the golf course in the town of Ukiah -- and what a beautiful golf course! Unfortunately, however, I'm totally USELESS as a golf player -- so bad, in fact, that I simply offered to drive the little cart around to help Chris and his friend Alan while they played (LOL); but I certainly respect a good golf player, and can definitely see the attraction, especially just being outdoors in some of these beautiful settings.
Anyway, back to hair...
I will try to get a pic of the back of my hair taken soon. I don't even know where in the heck my self-timer is on my camera; but I assume I do indeed have one, just have to look! (LOL)
I hope you, too, will soon take some pics of how your hair is coming along -- I think you have an AMAZING mane!!!
Take Care -- and keep it growing!
- Ken
Hi Ken,
Very interesting post! I love the pic of you with the G.G. Bridge in the background! Just lovely! I am definitely happy to hear of the tickling issue! Hopefully you can get your hair to grow even longer my friend! Just keep doing what you're doing, but try not to pay to much attention to your hair length. Your hair looks wonderful as it is I must say! Nice to hear you have no tangling issues etc.!
No comment, however, on the naked pics and what not! LOL! On ward and downward!
Ted
Thank you for the nice words of encouragement, Ted! I might need to clarify one thing, though: I do occasionally get some tangles. At belt-length, it's hard not to. But the combination of factors of braiding or bunning it during most days, regularly oiling the ends and lower half of my mane, regular brushing (whenever the hair is dry only), and trimming any split ends I find whenever using the "Search & Destroy" approach to hunting them down (LOL, i almost sound like George Bush going after the "Axis of Evil" terrorists, don't I?)... it all helps to prevent tangles and other problems.
I hope that clarifies what I meant in my earlier comments. .... And thanks again for your reply!!
- Ken
Hey Ken! :-)
How I used to think the same, and right up to the last ditch effort, my long hair was indeed growing longer.
No way and not at all weird. I can well remember the same. Also, when getting in the car wisking it all away so that I wouldn't be sitting on it. LOL
I always did that too finally and it really worked great and is the best way to go for many of us. Sometimes "do it yourself" can be the best of all.
You an Old Geezer? Not at all and you don't look a day over 40 at the most. Your long hair is looking great, and that is a wonderful photo of you Ken. Good thing I drove over here tonight on my 3 wheel bike and saw your posting. Take care Ken and I hope all has been well with you. :-)
Justin~
ps: Sorry to see the Chemtrail activity in the sky in the background. :-(
"Chemtrail activity in the sky in the background?"
I guess I'm a bit clueless about it -- I thought they were just ordinary clouds in the sky! (Hey, there's a reason blonde jokes are so popular, right? - LOL!!)
Regardless, thank you so much for your kind comments about my hair, they're always much appreciated, Justin!
- Ken
My pleasure Ken and it was just so nice seeing you this way with that really great long hair! :-) As far as what I see in your sky, most people are indeed clueless. It has been going on for years. I guess people just don't look up and if at a glance, this gets by them. I have done several videos about this and though very short,they are unpopular which I fully expected. It is all over You Tube and has been for years, so everyone cannot be making up what they video all over the world. It is effecting my health in not such a good way. Well, for whatever it is worth, here is a one minute video. Again, great photo Ken and wishing you a terrific week! :-)
All the best-
Justin~
http://youtu.be/5bvhHnYGgxg
WOW, I just looked at not only your video but also several other YouTube vids on the same topic. I had lost faith in the US government so long ago; but now here is yet one more example of how they are messing around with human health, safety, and Earth's environment and future well-being... I am just disgusted beyond words. Thanks for alerting me to this tragedy, it is important that Americans (and others all over the world) not be kept in the dark about this!
Off to work now....
- Ken
Nice mane and nice area! Can't wait for mine to reach your length. :)
Hi Mark,
I'm typing on my boss's computer at work, so apologies for the delay in my reply...
Thanks so much for the kind words! And one of these days you definitely should visit the SF Bay Area!
- Ken
Ken,
Your not-quite-terminal length picture looks great! You have been an inspiration to me, before and currently, as I grow my own hair.
Thanks,
Chris
Thank you, Chris, I'm honored (and flattered!) to hear that I've helped inspire you to grow your own hair long... It's a heck of a lot of fun, isn't it? Who ever thought that hair-farming could be such rewarding "work!" (LOL)
- Ken