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Here's my update for mid May - 7 1/2 months. Freshly washed:
My ears are totally covered. My wife keeps wanting to ponytail my hair (since she has lost hope of my getting it cut), but the sides are still too short! I thought women knew more about hair than that (she has hers above her shoulders).
I told her that in about six months, I should be able to ponytail everything except the top hairs and front bang. We'll see.
Anthony
You would be better to adjust to a centre part.
I agree with you. The only thing is to get the two halves of the front bang long enough to hold behind my ears until such time as they go through the ponytail.
The other thing is that my wife hates centre partings and "awkward stage" hair and is impatient for it to get longer. In time, she will accept a centre parting as the only way when it gets longer. She really would like me to go to the barber, have it butchered, be done with it and have me conform to her image of a city gent in his 50's - how boring! I just refuse and just allow her a couple of negotiable points - for the time being. She is one of those women who have to feel in control and that everything is her idea.
As soon as my front bangs will hold behind my ears and just about everything else goes through a ponytail, then I'll just go for the centre parting and take the flak.
An alternative is a very high side parting, but my front bang isn't thick enough for it.
Anthony
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Just a little experiment with my parting at my present length, I'll put it to a vote. Which do you prefer?
Very high left part:
Centre part:
Anthony
I prefer
Try combing it straight back, too, and see where it falls. You've got great hair that should begin to fall nicely. Don't force it and see what you get. But, if you have to select a part, the high left part look much better than the low side part, and would be my preference on you, Anthony.
Fitz
NO! Negotiations are absolutely verboten, even to keep the peace. Completely incompatible with growing hair long.
Actually, I would favour corporal punishment - English style - but to give her credit, I met her from the train this evening with my hair parted in the middle. She didn't even notice it. The moods change like political parties in England, so I just muddle along.
I've been uncompromising enough to keep the scissors away and her pontifications about "equalising trims" for someone in his awkward stage. I am thankful to people on this forum to have given me more knowledge about hair from their experience than her!
So far, I have not been too uncompromising about the parting because the front "fringe" hair isn't yet long enough to tuck back behind my ears (about 1 inch away yet plus the amount needed to keep the hair on the ear). It's the most frustrating part.
Rest assured, I don't negotiate about the essential. Even if I get to the stage of hair half-way down my back in 2 or 3 years, and want to trim a little to let the other layers "catch up" a little, I don't think I'll be able to trust her, and will have to find a lady hairdresser specialised in long hair. But that would be a long, long way away.
I am clear in my own mind. My present target is half way down my back.
Anthony
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Nice job Anthony, you are getting there! :)
I too, remembe switching from the side part I liked so well, to the center part, as soon as the hairs on in the middle of the top of my forehead could reach the ears and stay (mostly) tucked behind them.
Never looked back, and now that I am re-growing it again, I look forward to that point, as it marks a tiny little milestone in most of our hair journeys (especially us guys with wavy hair).
Keep up the good work, and good job for standing your ground when taking flack from the wife!
Looking good Anthony! I wish my hair grew that fast.. I think it would look good whichever way you parted it... it is so full..
I am sure your wife will learn that THIS is who you are...
Thanks for posting.... The Spaf Man.
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Looking good Anthony, now you are probably at the point where your growth rate seems to stop stick with it and you will look awesome.
P.S your grayish-white hair color is fantastic
-Christian
It seems to be more subtle now. For my own way of thinking about it, I have various reference points. My ears are totally covered. My hair tickles my shoulders when I tip my head back. When combing, I have truly to comb the ends first and then further towards the root. I feel the tangles that have to be combed out progressively to avoid breaking the hair. It takes longer to dry after washing (I don't normally use a hair dryer).
I'm not a "modern" sort of person, but have learned to see tiny details, like the first buds of spring that become beautiful green leaves and flowers. So it is with my hair. I am capable of being surprised and brought to a feeling of wonder.
Self esteem doesn't come to me easily, but this journey with my hair has brought me this essential gift. One day at a time...
Anthony
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Hi Anthony,
Thanks for posting these very nice update photos! Your hair is coming along well and I love the color! I am happy to hear your wife has lost hope of you getting your hair cut! Don't worry you will have enough length before you know it! Please keep it growing and I look forward to your next update! Please be well my friend!
Ted
Many thanks, Ted, for the kind words. I still remember you in my prayers, and hope you get a real new kidney very soon to get you off the machine.
I also hope to get some work as a building joiner to supplement my income. Here in France, there are plenty of longhairs on building sites. I'm an outdoor guy.
Yes, I think I might more or less "make it for the end of the year", even if there will still be shorter layers that need a couple of years to get to the ponytail.
Day by day, and I'm enjoying the ride.
Anthony
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