For DU: A promise kept.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

On January 20th 2009, my hair and I looked something like this :



For 3-4 years I had grown it out, in silent yet visible protest of the crimes of BushCo. It became a conversation piece, and a reason to argue needlessly, all wrapped up in one uncombale package. From going Highland (pronouced hee-lind for those that dinnae kin) as rebellion, to becoming Impeachment Hair, to simply something that would only go once he went.

And so came the election, and with it my date on Inaguration Day in a barber's chair of my choosing. 6pm came and by 6:30 I looked like this:



I got grief for growing it, and grief for cutting it :rofl:

None of it mattered. I promised to raise a flag of protest and anger for any and all to see, and to engage anyone who would talk WITH me about it. For the sake of my country, and for my dear friends here at DU, who kept the anger informed.

I have kept my promise and shed my flag. Now when people ask where the hair went, I tell them of Highlands and the Underground. And of promises. And of Hope.

To tomorrow DU :fistbump:

Much love.

[malaise]

1. Sound reasoning

Now I'm going to give you grief for cutting it. :rofl: :hi: :grouphug:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

23. Yay! Bonus grief!

:rofl:

hi malaise :loveya: :)

[malaise]

25. Good to see you

with or without your hair. :rofl:

[maddezmom]

2. You look mahvelous!

Great pics and even better story! :fistbump:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

24. Thank you maddezmom

It's been a real journey, and DU is to thank for a HUGH part in it. ;)

:hi: :hug:

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. No friggin' way I am cutting my hair!

I am 56 and I have hair to grow. That counts for something, after the last eight years. If the fact I have a long ponytail gets up some anal-retentive's nose, they can get a 24 foot extension ladder, run it all the way out and climb up and kiss my salty ass, yeah yeah! ;-)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

27. Let that flag fly!!!

And let the annoyed be just that :D

:hi: :hug:

[GinaMaria]

4. Love the haircut

and the big smile that goes with it!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

29. Heh. thank you

:blush:

[GinaMaria]

72. You waited a long time to smile that big and bright!!!! eom

[auntAgonist]

5. either way

Handsome!!

A promise kept is an honourable thing indeed.

:hug:

Good to put a face to a wonderful DUer (and friend too)


:applause: :toast: :applause:


aA
kesha

[SalmonChantedEvening]

30. aA!!

:hug: :loveya:

Happy to have you as a friend as well :loveya:

Stop :hide:

;)

[OneGrassRoot]

6. K&R. What a great story....

I wasn't aware of this rebellion of yours. :)

You look as though the weight of the world is off your shoulders in the second pic, and we know it wasn't the hair; the weight of the last eight years being visibly removed, if only symbolically, is a beautiful thing.

You look great!!

Bravo!!!

:toast:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

31. The weight has left me weary but hopeful.

Thank you OGR, it was a weight I carried gladly, and one I shed proudly as well.

:hug: :loveya:

[pleah]

7. :)

:yourock:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

32. :)

:hug: :)

[babylonsister]

8. You are gorgeous either way in my book!

:hug: I like it! And summer's coming.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

33. Aww sis... geez

:blush:

And I know where my neck is again! :rofl:

:hug: :loveya: :*

[Fly by night]

9. OMG!! Willie Nelson cut his hair!! This is HUGH!!11!!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

34. BAHA

Wish I had Willie's stash.

:rofl: :)

[tnlefty]

50. Ha! I wish you did, too. Hell, I wish that I could have it!!

You're great with and without the hair. :hug: :hug:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

51. hey tnlefty :):):)

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

One tenth of it would do me :rofl:

See you in a bit :bounce:

[monmouth]

10. Ah, you handsome devil you...LOL....n/t

[SalmonChantedEvening]

35. h-a-n-d spells grue!

:rofl:

[Old and In the Way]

11. Since 2004 I word a simple black shoelace, wrapped twice, on my wrist.

When questioned, I'd tell people that it was a visible reminder to me of the 2 stolen elections. I was happy to cut it off on the day Obama was inaugurated.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

37. A wonderful idea my friend :)

You know how this feels as well as anyone. :)

:hug:

[annabanana]

12. Well HEY there!

Looking good my friend :bounce:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

38. Anna!!

Hiya hiya :hug: :hug: :hug:

Thank you :)

[Sydnie]

13. SCE ... I love both looks!

You are so special and so loved!

And, it's not just men that get greif about long hair when you get a bit past 30. I get greif for my hair from those women who think once you hit forty your hair should not be past your chin. My hair has always been long and it will be long on the day I leave this earth too!

Glad to see that smiling face again too!

:hug: :hug: :hug: :loveya: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

39. Sydnie!!

I LOVED your Obama piece hun!! :yourock:

I would've left it long had that been the plan, but it was a finite thing.

There is so much to do and see in the years ahead. And there is nowhere else I'd do or see them besides here at DU, with wonderful friends like you.

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

The Muse is still sleeping somewhere on the beaches of Southern France. Who can blame her, she's had a busy 8 years too. ;)

[yellerpup]

14. You look great both ways

but the fact that you keep promises--now that's really attractive!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

40. The judge thought it was nice too.

:rofl:

Thank you yellerpup :hug: :)

[cal04]

15. long hair or short hair, We Love YOU!!!

:hug: :loveya: :hi:
either way you look great!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

41. Aww cal04 I love you too :)

You're one of the finest DUers I know, and a dear friend.

Bless your heart :hug: :loveya:

[hlthe2b]

16. You look free now without the hair weighting you down...

I like the symbolism and the new look. ;)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

42. Thank you hlthe2b

It was weird for a few days, reaching for an absent pony tail. lolol.

:hi: :hug: :blush:

[lamp_shade]

17. Willie Nelson!!!

[BlooInBloo]

20. Turned into Dennis Hopper!

:P

[lamp_shade]

22. Handsome dude. 'Cept now the graying temples are visible. Tsk.

:wow:
:hi:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

26. That's Mighty Blond. TYVM

Who am I kidding

:rofl:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

44. Ali McGraw!!

[sellitman]

18. Some of us just wish we had hair to cut.

Like me.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

45. .

:hug: sup cousin :)

[liberalmuse]

19. Led Zepplin RULES!

I never thought I'd see the day Robert Plant cut his hair. Awesome!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

28. Does anyone remember laughter?

:D

:hi: :hug:

[Vincardog]

21. The last time I made that change I sent the hair to Locks of Love.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

46. Did the same here :)

:fistbump:

[Booster]

49. That's what I was waiting to read. Now that you've done

that I say I like you better with short hair. You feel better and did a good deed to boot.:toast:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

52. Thank you Booster :)

:hi: :hug: :toast:

I'll be keeping it this way for a while. I missed going to the barber. ;)

[Heathen57]

113. I did as well.

They got a good amount. I cut it and sent it in for a good friend who died of cancer.

Before: v=0

and after: v=0

[PufPuf23]

36. Cool !!

Love your screenname and posts too.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

48. Thank you PufPuf23

:hi: :hug:

[hootinholler]

43. I'm torn about mine

I mean now everyone is used to it. I started letting mine grow after Iraq. I'm thinking I won't cut it until someone is held responsible fr war crimes.

Nemo Me Impune Lacessit!

-Hoot

[SalmonChantedEvening]

47. Then I insist you keep it :)

Until it pleases you otherwise.

:hi: hootinholler :pals: :loveya:

[hootinholler]

67. LOL, maybe I can get in guinness for the worlds longest flat top

Which is what I was sporting before.

:hug:

Damn you and your clever witty screen name! I get this mental image of a cartoon salmon singing the word evening in Gregorian style. The only other DU'er who can give you a run for the title best screen name EVAH is HughMoran, but that's an inside joke. :rofl:

-Hoot

[hippywife]

53. My other half grew his out for the same reason.

In protest. And swore not to cut until Bush was driven out of office. He never was. Hubband looks so hawt with the long hair, he's keepin' it.


:hi:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

57. My regards to him please

:hi: hippywife :hug:

[hippywife]

61. Will do, sweetie.

Check you PM's in a moment. :hug:

[JohnnyLib2]

54. Like the haircut, like the story, like the look of relief from Bushco!

:toast: :thumbsup: :applause:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

59. Buy that man a drink barkeep :)

Thanks JohnnyLib2 :hug: :)

[Wiley50]

55. Yer Nose was crooked in the first photo....and as Red as W. C. Field's Nose

You sure looked like you had had a good alcohol buzz on

[SalmonChantedEvening]

56. Dereza dishtink pozbillity I wazz drinking. ing.

:P

[Ghost in the Machine]

58. I hope you donated the hair to Locks of Love....

I'm still growing mine....



Yep... I'm just a dirty ol' hippie...


Peace,

Ghost

[SalmonChantedEvening]

60. Ghost!

I sure did.

Ya look grand Holmes :hi: :pals:

:fistbump:

[tyedyeto]

76. I donated 16 inches to Locks of Love a year ago

Great feeling to know that a cancer patient would be on the receiving end of my long tresses.

[Stinky The Clown]

62. Hey fishbreath ........

We love you. You know that, right?

We do.

Really!

:hug:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

63. Loveya right back Clownpants :)

I do indeed :hug: :loveya:

[stevedeshazer]

64. Funny. I grew a beard.

Started it last June when I endorsed Obama. Cut it off the day after the election.

Like you, I got shit for cutting it off and for growing it in the first place.

Wish I had pics, but take my word for it I can relate to your story.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

65. Hi steve!!

Your word never fails my friend :)

My buddy TG calls me a hippy freak. He still has his hair halfway down his back.

Whatta guy :D

:hi: :pals:

[stevedeshazer]

66. Likewise. Rock on, Freak!

:toast:

:smoke:

[Blue-Jay]

68. An Eagles fan? GTFO!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

70. LMAO

Blue Jay! :hug: :)

[Blue-Jay]

73. Laugh all you want.

I'm declaring a fatwa against you, SalmonRushdieChantedEvening. Fans of the Eagles will not be tolerated!

(aside from that, nice haircut. looks good)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

79. True Story.

The first time I used this screen name was in IRC chat, only as Salman instead Salmon. The lady who ran the channel couldn't stop laughing. She's amazingly intelligent puter whiz who helps run an ISP. When I joined DU, I used it as Salmon in her honor.

Just don't hate me for being a Phillies fan. They're part of my extended family. Dick Allen considers my late uncle to be a 2nd father.

Gotta sleep. Peace :)

[Dappleganger]

69. Hey there, hottie!

You look mahvelous!!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

71. Oh now

:blush: Stoppit.

Kinda. ;)

Hi Dappleganger, belated Welcome to DU! :hug: :toast:

[Dappleganger]

85. Thanks!!

[conscious evolution]

74. I grew mine for the same reason

Keeping mine though.I kinda like it long.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

77. Coolness :)

Let that flag fly :)

:hi: :pals: :patriot:

[unkachuck]

75. K&R....and a super-big thumbs-up!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

78. Thank you unkachuck :)

:pals: :)

[Oilwellian]

80. ROFL...after all these years of being on DU...

I never knew you were a long-haired Highlander dude.

My hubster is a wannabe long-haired Highlander dude but he can't get past the "I haven't had a haircut in 6 months and my hair looks like shit" stage. He gives up and has it cut. Perhaps when he retires he can finally have his ponytail. :D

By the way, you look fabulous with or without the hair.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

82. Oh aye ;)

That's how it was with me and several attempts to grow it out. Best thing to do is trim the ends every other week or so, it helps the hair grow faster.

Oilwellian :hi: :hug: :loveya:

My best to the hubster. :)

[BrklynLiberal]

81. You look fantastic!!!!

:thumbsup: :yourock:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

83. I feel better than I have in a long time

Washing it no longer takes a team of Veterinarians. :silly:

Hi BL :loveya: :hug:

[BrklynLiberal]

84. LOL

:hi:

[grantcart]

86. I just got back from the barbers to read this great thread

[SalmonChantedEvening]

99. Bet you're looking sharp grantcart

:hi: :hug: :)

[JuniperLea]

87. I cut half my hair off...

For no reason at all! I should have made it matter:)

I went out for drinks with an old friend (known her over 20 years now) and she said, this is the first time I've ever seen you without hair way past your ass! LOL!

[shadowknows69]

91. You had hair below your ass and we never got to date?

My life feels so unfulfilled right now. B-)

[JuniperLea]

93. LOL!

That's the story of my life... I went to my 25th HS reunion, only to have half the guys I had crushes on tell me how much they liked me and yet none of them ever asked me out!

:rofl:

That's ok... I'm old now... no time for regrets:)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

100. OMG JUniper

Useless without photos applies here.

Long long hair on a lady. Oh my. :loveya:

[shadowknows69]

117. My wife has fairly long hair and I love it

But THAT long is one particular fantasy accomplishment I've sadly not been able to obtain, and I've obtained a fair few in my day. Heh. :evilgrin:

[pipi_k]

88. How much more fun would it have been

if you had dyed it blue?


:7



Mine was blue for a while. I still occasionally dye it blue.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

101. For people with ridiculed tipped harpoons? It woulda been like Christmas morning.

:rofl:

I do blue shirts, sweats, jeans, and T's.

Bluehairs live in Cape May N.J. and drive Ford Granadas. ;)

Hi pipi_k :pals: :)

[Blue_In_AK]

89. Oh, my gosh, Salmon, I did the same!

Except I haven't cut mine yet -- I can't afford to. :blush:

Mine was past my shoulders to begin with, so now it's down to my butt -- I have to keep it braided so it doesn't get in the way.

A good idea to take a photo though before the scissors get to it.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

102. Blue_in_AK! Wanna see!!! plz plz pzl ;)

:hug: :loveya: :hug:

I will grovel if need be. ;)

[Blue_In_AK]

108. Oh, well, okay, then ...

I'll have to figure out a way to take a self-portrait without the flash in the mirror phenomenon, but for you -- anything. :rofl:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

111. Woohoo!

:bounce :pace: :bounce:

;)

[Blue_In_AK]

114. This was harder than I thought it would be

but here you go... Pretty good hair for an old woman, huh. ;)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

115. I see nobody old in that pic

And your hair is gorgeous :loveya:

Mama Looshen. And Oh My.

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[shadowknows69]

90. I almost cut my hair

"Thought about it just the other day.
It's been getting kind of long.
You could even say it was in my way.
But I didn't and I wonder why.
Felt like letting my freak flag fly."
-CSN&Y

I still have a comparable coif to your "before" picture SCE. You didn't put a kid up for adoption in '69 by any chance did you? Never mind.
:hippie:

Actually I've been wanting to do the same but just haven't gotten myself to the barber yet. I want to donate mine to "locks for love" as well so I have to check into that.

[Blue_In_AK]

98. That's what I'm going to do.

They'll get a full foot of hair, at least -- and I'll probably lose a couple of pounds. Easier than dieting. haha

[SalmonChantedEvening]

103. In 1969 I wasn't even clear on how adoption worked.

I was eleven. :rofl:

The right time will come shadow.

:hug: :pals: :loveya:

Long Strange Trip indeed.

[shadowknows69]

116. Ouch, sorry to overestimate your age my friend

I knew you weren't actually old enough, but hey, if I ask enough people...

[SalmonChantedEvening]

118. Never a fret my friend

Never a fret. :)

[Kajsa]

92. SCE, I love it!

looking good, guy!
:)

I use to love ONLY long hair,
back in " the day".

Now, mine is short and I love the
way your new style looks.

Good move, SCE!

:) :loveya: :hug:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

104. Aww thank you Kajsa!

heh :blush:

I had to get it done, and see it through. The relief of IB being back on the pigfarm and losing the hair is a joyous but measured one, because of the mess left in Decider Boy's wake.

DU has been there all along.

:hug: :loveya:

[mimitabby]

94. nice hair cut!

I need one too. :)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

105. Hi mimitabby and thank you :)

:hi: :loveya: :hug:

Not too short k ;)

[classof56]

95. Lang may your lum reek!

A Scottish friend taught me that. Hope it means what she said it does!

You are awesome, BTW, in looks, heart and soul. Good on ya!

To tomorrow indeed!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

106. Ach and you, such a bonnie lass :)

But should lum mean feat, mission accomplished! bahahahaha

You're a wonder classof56, I'm proud to know you and call you my friend. :hug: :loveya:

To many tomorrows :toast:

[classof56]

123. Why, thank you, SCE--you're a wonder yourself!

I have long enjoyed your posts! Wish I knew some other Scottish phrases, but my Scottish friend has moved away and is busy getting a book (set in Scotland in the 1400s) ready for publication, so I'm reluctant to disturb her Muse right about now for tech support. Just know I'm proud to be called your friend in any language, as you are now mine!

Thank you too for saying I'm a bonnie lass--I know what that means and am flattered to be so described!

Last year I visited a shop on the Oregon Coast which features all things Scottish, and was interested to learn our US Constitution is based on a Scottish document. Impressive!

I note you're a drummer. We got my 11-year-old grandson a drum set for Christmas, and I'm predicting a new Buddy Rich in our future. Or maybe Gene Krupa (without the drugs of course!). Or perhaps Louis Bellson--sorry to lose him. Saw him perform with Duke Ellington's band a long time ago. Wow!

Blessings for today and all our many tomorrows!



:pals:

[lizziegrace]

96. I love it!

And to have it cut on inauguration day was a perfect time.

You look good. :hug:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

109. Oh now Tish

This is just like you speaking french. :loveya:

Thank you m'dear.

:hi: :*

He should've gone years ago. Think of the $$ the country would have saved.

And the combs that would still be unbroken.

:silly:

[cwydro]

97. How cool!

And now I get to see the lolcat cat!.

Fantastic!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

110. hiya cwydro!! have you stop screaming yet?

:rofl:

Very kind of you hun. :hug: :loveya:

[webDude]

107. Don't trust anyone over 30. Er, 50,...60?(haha)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

112. That's the freeeper motto for IQ.

Hi webDude! :D

[Generic Other]

119. All this time I thought you were a woman!!

I guess I only saw you from behind!!

:)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

121. LMAO

When I was a young vandal, that's all the cops ever saw too ;)

:hi: :hug: :loveya:

[Tsiyu]

120. Handsome either way

Now you have "change you can believe in" right on top of your pretty head!

Thanks for sharing your "transformation." :)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

122. Thank you Tsiyu

For being way too kind, and for being part of why I love DU so. :)

:hug: :loveya:

[Kurovski]

124. Well I'll be hornswaggled.

I had a feeling that your true identy was Skwisgaar Skwigelf.


http://wiki.adultswim.com/xwiki/bin/Metalocalypse/Skwisgaar+Skwigelf

[SalmonChantedEvening]

125. By the swords of my Fathers!!

Or something Nordic and Heroic. Or Theroic.

Sampo means flavor.