another meltdown

Jeff and Karen,I apologize for including pictures with my posts. Somehow I missed your request not to do so. Maybe, it was in with the stuff from Jill that was (appropriately) deleted. None the less, it's my responsibility to know the rules here and somehow I missed it.In our emails to one another, you told me my views and posts were welcome and appreciated. Somehow, someone forgot tell Dave. The name of your board is deceiving. If posts only supporting and promoting long hair are acceptable here, shouldn't the name be "The Long Hair Talk Message Board". If that's what it is, I think it would alleviate a lot of confusion to come right out and say so, Like Frank Does. I would appreciate your input. Thank you.

Dearest Brian, Dave et al,Everyone is welcome on this Hair Talk board. They are welcome as long as they talk about hair in an appropriate manner.I strongly believe in freedom of personal choice. I also believe that everyone should respect everyone else's right to their opinions.So if Brian likes short hair, that is OK with me as long as he does not try to force anyone to "convert" to his belief. And if Dave loves long hair, that is great too.When I get AskKaren questions about the pros of growing long hair, I always preface my responses with the comment that while I love my long hair and feel is it the best choice for me, everyone needs to have whatever type of hair that works best for them. Long, mediume, short, spiked, straight, curled or whatever. I just don't want anyone to try to force me or anyone else to change my mind.I have always encouraged everyone to wear their hair whatever length and whatever style is right for them. One of the reasons I used to get annoyed with George Michael was because he had so many "rules" about what was the "right" way to have long hair. Phooey. Some of his rules did not work for me (no bangs or fringes or anything but one length hair).When I was a sophomore in high school I had a very short "boy cut" and I loved it at the time. It was easy to take care of and I enjoyed the freedom to just "wash and wear" my hair. What I didn't know at the time was that long hair can be just as easy to "wash and wear". In some ways, my long hair is much easier to care for than when it was short and needed to be cut every 4 weeks.I decided to grow my hair when I first encountered the Playboy playmate photos of Debra Jo Fondren. I was in awe of her beautiful hair. I wanted hair like hers and was converted because I loved how her hair looked and not because anyone convinced me or tried to pressure me to grow my hair long.As my hair started to grow I loved how soft it felt on my neck and shoulders. I enjoyed wearing it up and in braids and playing with it. I also loved the way the various men in my life would touch it or brush it or braid it for me. I discovered that my hair and scalp were very sensitive and that I got little tingles up and down my spine from having my hair brushed.I had several "hair disasters" as I tried to go to Debra Jo Fondren lengths. I lost several inches of hair and became obsessed with finding the best way to grow the healthiest hair possible.For the past 10 years I have read every hair and beauty book and article I could get my hands on to try and find the secrets to growing HEALTHY SHINY HAIR.This web site was originally started to help promote videos on long hair styling. The original video distributor decided to leave the Internet and Jeff and I decided to keep the web site but open it up to the primary goal of promoting healthy hair and not limiting the site to any particular hair length.Yes...both Jeff and I have a preference for long hair because we have both spent years growing our hair. But the goal of this web site is "healthy hair" first and foremost.I have probably sent 25 private and personal emails to men and women from the AskKaren forum with information on medium to short hair care and styles.I never judge what is right for anyone in terms of their hair. I just enjoy discussing hair care.While I do admire beautiful long hair, I admire anyone who spends the time or energy to care for their hair and make it the best it can be...long, medium or short.Thank you all for caring enough to contribute to this subject. Please keep coming back and sharing and know that Jeff and I appreciate each and every one of you who take the time to post on Hair Talk and we respect everyone's opinions.Karen (The real one) :-)> Brian,> You views are welcome here. This forum is> correctly named Hair Talk. What we're trying to> avoid here is mindless chatter advocating any> particular hair length. The primary focus of this> forum is how to maintain healthy hair. This forum> is not for furthering personal agendas. If a women> decides that short hair is right for her, then> thats great. But, we all know that no one can> make a women do what she doesn't want to do, so> why spend so much energy trying to convince her> to do otherwise. The point is that there are people> out that attach all kinds of symbology to hair> and hair styles. While that could be an interesting> topic in itself, its not the topic of this forum.>> Karen & I are not perfect, however we> try to keep this forum focused. Hopefully our> own biases don't show too much.> Jeff.

Brian,I accept your statement that you were not aware of Karen's request to not post in-line pictures. I think she had requested that links to pictures be given, instead. Since I am interested in what everyone has to say, I read every post to the board. I should realize that other people may not do the same, and so may not see every post from Karen or Jeff.I accept that your prefer short hair. However, you had made the same *specific* point more than once... and I started to sense pushiness. Maybe I was a little too sensitive, but it was hard to avoid feeling that way given the other "activity" on the Board at the time.No hard feelings, K?Dave

Brian,I'm really, really, really sorry to belabor this issue and I'm sure we'd all like to put it behind us...I should have re-read your post (with the picture of Alyssa Milano).What really set me off was how you ended your post. You said "Ya get my drift?" and I interpreted your manner as insulting. Perhaps this (should?) go without saying, but it may be safe to assume that if nobody asks for clarification on what you have said that the readers have gotten your "drift."Just a friendly suggestion for your consideration.Dave