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Hi Hairy People,
For those who don't know my hair history:
On June 21st, back in 2000, I impulsively cut off my waist-length hair to short (yes, feel free to tease me that it must have been a REALLY "bad hair day" - LOL)....
Although the first day after cutting, it briefly felt kind of "fun" (like I was wearing some sort of new & different "costume"), after I fully realized what I had done, I deeply (and I do mean, DEEEEEPLY) regretted the decision to go back to a short haircut.
In just a few days, I am celebrating that devastating Y2K event as my official 15-year COMMITMENT TO LONG HAIR anniversary!
Starting with this recent pic, taken by Bill & Larry a month or so ago when they visited my deer fenced rose garden where I work, I'll share my favorite hair pics from the past few years... Let the hair-spamming begin!!
- Ken in San Francisco
PS - This pearly white rose, one of my all-time favorites, is an old French Tea rose dating back to 1850, called "Climbing Sombreuil" -- and it smells just like green apples!
Thanks to Mark (AKA "Hairball") for taking this pic, this is my all-time favorite photo of my hair from behind...
(And here's a little-known secret for others of you with silver-greying hair: photographs taken very late in the afternoon or very early in the morning, when the angle of the sun is very low in the sky, and the color is very orangey-golden, will discover that your hair will magically look a lot more blonde or reddish in that pic.... Cool, huh? And no damaging dyes, either!
- Ken
Here's another view of my length from behind, thanks again to Bill & Larry again for taking this pic (back in December or November of 2013, I think -- the previous pic with the GG Bridge in the background that was taken by Mark Hairball was from a year or 2 earlier... my hair length stays basically about the same in all of these pics, because I reached terminal length several years ago).
Many thanks to Larry for taking this nice pic of the 3 of us (although I seem to be eternally pregnant-looking in every pic of myself). I believe this photo was taken in Sept. of 2013; but correct me if I'm wrong, guys (I forgot to take notes before re-sizing this pic).
By the way: I'm selling that beautiful bridge in the background... any and all offers to write me a check (whatever you can afford, just make it a VERY GENEROUS check!) will be gladly accepted by me!
- Ken
The 5 of us (we consider Larry an honorary longhair) had a Meet-up in Sept of 2011 (I think that's when this pic was taken -- again, I should have taken notes before resizing this pic!), going to Point Reyes National Seashore, hiking the Earthquake trail along the San Andreas fault (BTW, for anyone planning on seeing that new disaster film called SAN ANDREAS, we were sorely disappointed that Hollywood didn't call us as back-up extras to do violent head-banging and whipping our hair about)... It was a fun day, AND we survived without the ground moving under our feet!
... Same autumn day a few years ago; same park (Point Reyes National Seashore); along the same San Andreas Fault's "earthquake trail"... Too bad this guy in the green shirt must have never seen a big tree like this before, he's acting pretty strange around it...
(BTW, my beard in this pic is much darker than my hair, due to me coloring it at the time; but trust me, my hair is still 100% pure "virgin" - LOL!)
Settle down, boy, settle down... it ain't THAT exciting!
In Dec. of last year Jason, his wife Amanda, and their young son came out to the West Coast to visit some relatives of theirs. Bill & Larry and myself had the joy and privilege of finally meeting him face-to-face (after many years of being Moderators on MLHH together and only knowing him online). Here we are at a Gyros restaurant in town -- it was great meeting up with you Jason, what a great day we had!!
After having lunch with Jason, Bill, & Larry, we hiked up to Kite Hill Park -- the place where Bill took my hair pics for my website in Feb. of '04 (just click on my avatar to see what I'm talking about...)....
The tree photographed at the bottom of my Hair Page (where I'm hanging from a branch), now more than 10 years later, blew down during a storm and died a few years ago. Here I am climbing around on what's left of it, with Jason, Bill, and Larry probably wondering what the heck I'm trying to accomplish there.
Hi Ken,
I loved reading through your thread as it seemed like a trip down memory lane, at least the pictures where I was present during my trips out west :) I have to say the pic above makes me so jealous seeing that deep blue California sky compared to where I'm at...LOL. Of course I did notice your hair and fabulous rose garden too ;) He he.
It's really fun to gaze back at old pictures to see how we all looked at different moments of our lives.Hopefully its for the better or at the very least the same ;) With that said I look forward to seeing you and the guys this coming fall.Of course you were very fortunate to have met Jason since I have yet to meet him in real life.
Hope all is well with you and also thank you for the e mail and phone message the other day.Maybe I can catch up with you over the weekend in between your work shifts.Keep the faith my friend! Cheers
Mârk
Hey Mark,
Thanks so much for the kind words!! Yes, it's fun to look back on so many of those pics, they do bring back great memories.
When you're back out West here this coming fall, let's figure out a fun day trip to go on (heck, we can even take MORE hair pics - LOL)!!
I'm working a double cooking shift this Sat; but Sun. afternoon might be a good window of opportunity for us to catch up over the phone...
Later, 'gator!
- Ken
Thanks to Trolleypup for taking this pic of me in Golden Gate Park's Dahlia garden -- or was it Mark (Hairball) who took this pic?? Both of you were with me that day, right? (I just can't remember who to give the credit to for taking this shot!)
In any case, if you're looking for vibrant summer flower color to wear in your long hair, plant yourself a Dahlia garden!
I know I'm coming across a bit self-centered by spamming everyone with all of these hair pics; but hey, after 15 years of successfully staying away from scissors, I think I've rather earned it!!!
- Ken
Ken,
Congratulations on your 15 year milestone. Your hair is looking great! Thanks for posting your update pictures. It has been about 13 years since I quit going to the beauty shop because it blew up!
peace,
jonalbear
Thanks, jonalbear! And you're looking great and wonderfully hairy yourself -- so glad that beauty shop blew up!!! (sounds like I have a "barbershop terrorist" mentality - LOL)
Long Lox 4ever,
Ken
Hi Ken,
I enjoyed your reminiscing about the last 15 years and the great photos of your journey in that time. I must say, your hair continues to look superb and that latest photo really shows it off.
I'm so happy that I was able to meet up with you, Bill and Larry while visiting SF last December. I'm not sure if my brother-in-law and his family will be staying there long term, but I'll definitely let you know if my family will be visiting again.
Best,
Jason
Thanks, Jason. Yes, deciding to stay somewhere long term can be one of those happy accidents that often wasn't part of the "original plan"... Such is my case, anyway -- I moved to California from IL in 1977, thinking to myself I'd only stay out here a few years (hahaha). Well, other than briefly living in NYC from '84 - '87 (which I never really cared for or "felt at home"), I basically became a Californian after I left the Chicago area. But you just never know. Over time, I'm sure your brother-in-law will make whatever decision works best for him and his family.
Thanks again for the nice reply!!
- Ken
Happy Anniversary Ken;
...and Thanks for sharing over the years....You are an inspiration to longhairs of all lengths !!
Walter
Thank you so much for the kind words, Walter! And that pretty much sums up "the long and the short of it!" (LOL)
Nice to see you back here, I miss your wonderful presence when you're not around as much (as you have recently been away -- my guess, anyway)!
- Ken
Hi Ken,
I will admit that I have been a little bit quiet lately, but after seeing your "anniversary post", which is a special one, I just had to swing on by and celebrate your occasion, and dedication after that incident from the year 2K right along with you.
I know that myself, and a whole bunch of people right here at the MLHH, cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for this community, whether to inspire them on, offer a few words of kindness, or offer always very useful advice.
Bravo, and cheers as always to you, Ken, and thank you for sharing.
David
You always have such kind words to say, I really appreciate it! Quick question: might you be in the mood to grace us with an update yourself soon? No pressure, but I'd definitely enjoy seeing what your hair looks like nowadays!
Thanks again, David!
Well, real hair and real roses - what could be better? We have two rose bowers with the Macartney Rose (pink); Jude the Obscure (yellow) and two Crimson Glory, (deep red). All of them are very heavily scented as roses should be.
So, congratulations n your choices, and enjoy growing! My 21st commitment anniversary comes up in 11 days, so I know the happiness and yes, pride, that comes with it. Well done!
I've heard of the Macartney rose, but have never seen it face-to-nose (LOL) -- and Crimson Glory is an old rambler, is it not? I have grown jude the Obscure though. In fact, I've grown it twice!! Back in the '90s I planted one in a large pot on my deck; then in 2008, planted another one on the hillside within the deer fenced garden that I maintain at work... But to make a long story short, the first spring blooms would ball and not open because of cool weather that spring; so i got impatient and "shovel-pruned" it. My good friend and former landscaping boss that moved to Scotland chewed me out about that (and I deeply regretted it, too) -- it's one of his trop favorites!
Thanks for the kind comments, Mr. bte -- and a big CONGRATS on your 21st hair commitment anniversary to you, too!!
- Ken
Thank you1
Yes, Crimson Glory is a very old rambler/climber. Prone to mildew, but to quote Hessayon, the scent is second to none.
Glad you like Jude as much as we do - the lemon scent is fantastic. Ours took at least two years to start so we nearly gave up too!
Congrats Ken. You're a true longhair!
BTW, great pic. I could smell the roses coming out out of my computer! Smells great!
A.D.
Now that's a computer skill I have not yet learned how to do... Wouldn't that be awesome if we could smell the roses that way!!
Thanks so much for the nice comments, A.D. The interesting thing to me is that even when I think back to my shorthaired days when I was young, ON THE INSIDE, I honestly believe I was very much a "longhair at heart" even then.
Take Care,
Ken
I feel your pain. I did the same thing and i into my 2nd year back so feeling better. It was mind numbing for awhile. Never again.,,, Onslow