I knew hitting my 60’s was never going to be a cake walk, but here I am, and I’m angry as hell. After a party at my house, the following day I’m downloading those pictures on to the computer. While editing them I noticed this one picture of this guy in the back yard, with a perfect circle of missing hair on the back of his head, it made me smile as it looked just like Friar Tuck, from Robin Hood. “Who invited a monk to our party?” I wondered. With that I moved on. Then I found another picture of the guy and damn if he wasn’t wearing my cloths and looked just like me.
I’m out of my chair like scalding hot water had be poured on my shorts, shouting “Mahal, as I dashed to find a hand mirror and a large mirror to see if it was true, or had a mischievous imp, photo shopped that picture. Alas, it was in fact true, the hair was missing.
Thoughts were racing through my head; “Why had not my barber pointed this out to me, was he an evil man, moving the mirror around to hide my monk spot?” My wife, friends, children, granddaughter, and family members, had this become a grand conspiracy by them all, to let me go out in the world with no knowledge that this was taking place behind my very own head?
A plan, my stars! I need a plan, this very same condition happened to my brothers back when they were in their thirties, are the gods punishing me, for all the evil things I said to them? Is this the grand fickle finger of fate, waiting until now to poke me in the eye with this tragedy?
Now to the question that looms over my head, my remaining brothers, Richard, Stephen, and baby brother Daniel, Do I tell them? Should I allow them the opportunity to pay me back, for the years of torment I’ve put them through? There are measures I can take to hide it from them, albeit I’ll not go as far as Donald Trump!
Hats are an answer, and I do own many of them, but they must be removed, while in the house, or while eating out. I wear my hair combed straight back, could I grow it longer, and cover my Friar Tuck? Should I join Hair Club for Men? The solution is out there, it just eludes me.
Okay, after a beer or was it two? I found my solution. Here is my plan, after long hours of mulling over my situation. I will do nothing. I will wear my “Monk Spot” as a badge of Honor, as countless thousands of men have done before me. For these maladies that plague us as we advance in age, “Are not caused by the miles we’ve traveled, but only by the stops we’ve made along the way!” I have fond memories of those stops.
I really have no problem poking fun at myself, albeit I was quite vain when younger, but like a bad suit one grows out of it. So when I start to shrink and my wife and daughters are taller than me, I promise to look at it as a natural progression of life, and the indignities’ it will throw at me.
But if the subject of my monk spot ever comes up, I’ll blame it all on the hot tropical sun, I’ve been under, both in Puerto Rico, and here in the Philippines. I wonder if I can sell that excuse to anyone. Hey, maybe my hair is Out Of Stock!
I’m not just a member of Hair Club for Men; I’m one of their suckers. But now I understand those dumb “Members Only” jackets, and all the years I wondered what they were members of?
Bill Bernard
Well, you cant have both hair and brains after 50, its one or the other.
Hudson
I must be a genius 🙂
Paul Thompson
Hudson;
I’ve never doubted that for a second!
Paul Thompson
Bill;
That just isn’t right! Who makes up these rules? (lol)
Papa Duck
Paul T.
Remember bald is beautiful! Thats what i say when i look in the mirror and see my receding hairline. Your asawa will enjoy rubbing your bald spot. Look at it this way in a few years when your hair is almost gone you can save a few pesos by not needing a haircut hahaha.
Paul Thompson
Papa Duck;
I’m resigned to the fact that is on the way out, I’ll just send my barber on search and destroy missions from now on, he still has to feed his kids. (lol)
Dennis Glass
Well Paul, look at it this way: with maturity comes changes. Some people’s hair turns gray. Sadly, mine just turned loose.
Paul Thompson
Dennis;
Loose or out I guess I don’t really care anymore, I was shocked because I didn’t know what was going on back there. Also with a lot of thought I’ve decided to give maturity a pass.
Steve Maust
Paul,
Welcome to the Club! I joined many years ago! I have a few extra cans of “spray on hair” that never got used if you would like me to send them to you!
Paul Thompson
Steve;
I think I’ll just back out of rooms from now on. Spray on hair, that’s wild, I’ve never heard of that.
Steve Maust
Paul,
http://www.onlyhairloss.com/glh/
Here is the link. But I just saw on there your out of luck! It is in stock but they can not ship overseas! Guess you will just have to enjoy a few more San Miggy’s while reading about how full a head of hair you could have! LOL!!!
Paul Thompson
Steve;
I could live with a coconut tree growing out of my head as long as my hand is wrapped around a cold San Magoo! (LOL)
chasdv
Hi Paul,
I have a Monk spot too,but when it gets real bad,i will go for the old crew cut,lol.
Looks like you came up with the right solution,to grow old Gracefully,lol.
Regards,
Chas.
Paul Thompson
Chas;
We’d look good wearing those robes, but I’m gonna’ grow old and lookin’ good doing it. (lol) I don’t believe that for a second!
Hudson
Hey Paul,
You are lucky its so small of a monk spot. I have to keep whatever hair I have left short just so I can avoid looking like Bozo the clown. I wear hats alot also, but when I go to a resturant, the secret is out in the open for the whole world to see.
I get funny looks, and not just in the philippines 🙂
Paul Thompson
Hudson;
Life is somewhat unfair, first time it was the Navy that took my hair away, now it’s age. I might grow a long beard and just comb it up.
Hudson
What’s with all this hair comming out of my ears? Is that where the hair on top of my head went?
Paul Thompson
Hudson;
What the heck it it with that ear hair? Or nose hair also. Ten years ago I bought that little electric clipper and use it twice a week. But the question is; “Where was that hair when I was forty?”
Tom Ramberg
That hair waits until you are older to sprout. I think its because the ladies do not admire a nice plush carpet of nose or ear hair on a young man but they obviously go wild for it on a old guy. I think that is why my son and I saw so many cute girls with their geriatric friends at the Mall of Asia yesterday. Another mystery of the universe solved!
Paul Thompson
Tom;
Thank you for that, and now we know! I’ll throw away my nose/ear hair clipper and just let it grow, but of course my hearing will suffer!
Roselyn
Hi Paul T: Handsome young Prince William of Britain just got married and he is balding. He is considered a sexy man. He is not yet 30. So Paul, losing one’s hair is not a problem. It is considered the “in look”. You’re in style!
Paul Thompson
Roselyn;
That’s so true about William, but then he’s also the future King of Great Britain. My wife and daughters, and my granddaughter still think I’m a pogi guy, so that’s good enought for me.
I thank you for pointing out how stylish I’m becoming. You’ve very kind! My hair had a good 60 year run, I can’t ask for more than that. (lol)
Roselyn
Hi Paul T: Aren’t you addressed as “Sir Paul” in the Philippines? You’re royalty!
Paul Thompson
Roselyn;
Sir Paul of the Knights of San Miguel. The Duke of Dinalupihan, member of the Royal Order of the Nap (Kipping in U.K. English). But I try not to brag about it! (lol)
Papa Duck
Paul T.
You truly are Bataans Royalty hahaha. Take Care.
Paul Thompson
Papa Duck;
Just a Royal flush!
Roselyn
Hi Paul T: Now, you can design your royal coat of arms with all your titles! Ha, ha, ha.. I love your chosen titles.
Paul Thompson
Roselyn;
My Coat of Arms will be a great project to work on, thanks for the idea! I will work a Jeepney into it somehow.
Roselyn
Hi Paul T: I look foward to seeing your royal coat of arms!
Paul Thompson
I’ll post it on the sign that says “Entering Dinalupijan”
B Michels
Senior:
In your article green side up we talked about your coat of arms also, so don’t forget your Mango tree. The only problem I see about having a friar tuck is that it is one more place you have to put sps 70 sun block on!
Paul Thompson
Mike;
The mango tree with me sleeping under it is a great idea. Hats before sun block!
Dave LaBarr
Hi Paul,
Hair today; gone tomorrow.
Like Seinfeld, you wrote a great article about nothing. You have a gift for writing; keep up the good work.
Dave L.
Paul Thompson
Dave;
An article on nothing, only a man with a full head of hair could say that! (lol) But thank’s for the kind words. It’s fun to write for LiP!
Pita Mike
I’ll be there in August with a can of “Silly String” to cover your Friar Tuck!
Cheaper than Hair Club 4 Men!!!
Paul Thompson
Mike;
Now I know I’m blessed, I think that’ll look good on me.
Don
Keep on drinking SMs until you develop a big gut, then can shave your head and fit in with all the other guys. At least that seems to be the common style in Manila. Shaved heads dont cut it when your skinny.
Don
Paul Thompson
Don;
That does seem to be the look, Since I still can wear the same size pants as when I retired from the Navy in 1986 (Waist size 32) That won’t work for me, but I will follow your advice on the SMB’s! (lol)
Jim
Hi Paul – Is it true what they say about it wearing away from rubbing against the headboard?
Regards/
Jim.
Paul Thompson
Jim;
Very funny! I was going to say U-turns under the sheets, but yours is better! (LOL)
Lenny
30 years of long hair (shoulders) and full full beard..Then one day I shaved..Shortened up….Why??… Hell.. I don’t know.. Couldn’t grow it back …alot of gray and missing spots heheheh…So. I went the shaved look and really like it… I think, if you can bring yourself to rid of that mustache, and do a #2 shave haircut (the # represents the cut) You look great, even makes you feel younger with out the San Miquel…I have only had two good friends over the age of 25 ( my wife is 28)…..to this day, Just a young brain trapped in a older mans body… but I still am 165 pounds 6 ft, 34 waist and exercise regulary… It’s all in how you think and do… Bring on the brew lets party ……
Paul Thompson
Lenny;
I so much want to feel younger, but for some reason my wife is totally against that idea. I had a great run with my hair, and when I really needed it, it served me well, except those few “Bad Hair Days.” I will agree, that if the Friar Tuck, starts moving toward the front, all is gone and I have a full set of barber equipment. But the Mustache is there to stay, it has filtered too much beer and has been places where some men fear to go. I’m also 165 pounds and a 32 waist. but you are taller. Stay healthy my friend, and may this carnival ride never end!
Ron
Paul you have a long way to look like me. Yule Brenner is more me than you. Ron
Paul Thompson
Ron;
I’ve seen your profile picture on Face Book, and the Kojac look does look good on you. As I told Lenny above, it the time comes I’ll go that way also!
Bob New York
Hi Paul,
You are not the only one, the same thing is happening to me. I found out the same way as you have, in photographs, especially those taken on my visits to The Philippines ! It does not appear when looking into a mirror so at least it is something I don’t have to look at every day. I don’t feel too concerned about it as I take it as part of an accumilation of years.
You have to be careful about age, it sneaks up on you while you are sleeping !
Nice article Paul but I really don’t need any reminders, LOL !
Paul Thompson
Bob;
I know that I’m joining some august ranks. There I was going through life willy nilly, until that fateful picture turned up. Since no one seemed as if they would ever tell me, I might have made it off this mortal core without ever knowing. Fat chance of that, anyone of my brothers would have gleefully pointed it out to me.
BTW Bob, my bladder is my best reminded that I’m not the kid I once was. (lol)
I’m just reporting on Life in the Philippines, the good, the bad and the hair loss.
Biz Doc
hi paul,
did you know that pinoys have a theory on hair loss that competes with genetics?
pinoys today believe that the secret to NOT losing hair is to NOT have hot-water showers ” )
OFWs coming back with shiny pates don’t blame genetics, they all say it’s due to all the hot-water showers they enjoyed outside the country hehe
cheers,
Papa Duck
Biz,
Interesting theory hmmmm. Have a nice day.
Biz Doc
hi papa duck,
jim’s got another one that involves beds’ headboards hehe ” )
cheers,
Papa Duck
Biz
Tend to believe the headboard theory more hahaha. Take care
Paul Thompson
Biz Doc;
Owing to the fact that all three of my wife’s brothers were bald by age 30, and none had ever taken a hot shower, or had been off the Island of Luzon, we might have to rethink that theory. (lol)
Biz Doc
hi paul,
headboard it is hehe! ” )
cheers,
Paul Thompson
Biz Doc;
Headboard works for me! (lol)
chris
Hi paul well i am only 52 and i have the same problem ,a mate of mine at work chinese guy has a card hanging over his workbench and it reads
,bald heads are buetifull god put hair on the rest of them
so dont feel to bad
chris
Paul Thompson
Chris;
Thank your Chinese Mate for me, those are words I’m going to start living by!
Jim Hannah
You could convert to Judaism?
Paul Thompson
Jim;
I think that would jack the Pope’s jaws! Anyway, I don’t think that Frier Tuck did? (lol)
Ricardo Sumilang
Paul, in your first picture up there with what looks like a nipa hut in the background, you’re a dead ringer for Peter Fonda of the Easy Rider movie fame. Did Pinays swarm around you for autographs – and perhaps marriage proposals? LOL I’ll bet that photo was taken around 1976. 🙂
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
1976 I was on the USS Kalamazoo AOR-6 out of Mayport Florida, and my Captain frowned on my hair being that long. That was in Puerto Rico around 1988 about 2 years after I retired from the Navy. Both Puerto Rican and tourest girl’s seemed to befriend me quite often. The picture that’s titled Hair in my 40’s was taken here in the Philippines around 1995. Sam Elliot was the actor I most was mistaken for, but I never had his voice. Ah fleeting youth! Those were the days my friend….
Ricardo Sumilang
“Those were the days my friend….”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KODZtjOIPg
Indeed, Paul, those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end. During most of my 3-year hitch in the U.S. Army as a grunt in Germany, I, too, wore my hair a bit longer than was acceptable. I even earned the nickname, “Hollywood”. LOL I knew that my company commander was letting it slide because I really was one of the top soldiers in the company in every category, except for the longish hair. Then, when I got really short, about 2 months prior to my rotation back to the New World and eventual discharge, I stopped getting a haircut. About 2 weeks before I was due to say goodbye to Germany, a spit-shine, gung-ho sergeant major from battalion HQ and I crossed paths one morning while on my way to the motor pool. He was a Filipino “mug”, known for stopping a trooper on the street for the slightest infraction, like not having a pocket buttoned, or belt buckle off the gig line. He chewed me out on the spot for my long hair that day and threatened me with Article 15 (a nonjudicial punishment) if I didn’t get a haircut within 24 hours. With just two weeks to go, of course, I didn’t get a haircut. I never crossed paths with him again until the very last day when he saw me, duffle bag on my shoulder, on my way out of the Aschaffenburg Kaserne for the last time to a waiting taxi outside the gate. The look on his face was priceless!
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
All sailors/troopers have that one rule they push, a good leader will let it slide if the trooper is one of the good one’s. The sidewalk cop, you ran into was the other type of leader. The one that was never good for retention, he’s the one to drive out the good guys.
I’ll never forget young Timmy, who just returned for leave and was standing at morning muster. I noticed 60 to 70 hairs sprouting from his chin. At dismissal I told Timmy to go shave. “But Senior Chief” Timmy protested; “The Navy said we can grow beards.” I replied that’s true Timmy, but who is senior, God or the US Navy? He of course said it was God. I told him; “When God gives you the ability, the Navy will give it’s permission.” He shaved, and returned with a grin. You never have to chew anyone out! Logic always wins.
Ricardo Sumilang
LOL, Paul. You mentioned “retention”. In fact, top sergeant did offer to make me an E5 (buck sergeant) plus bonus money (can’t remember now for how much) if I re-upped for another three. You know what? I really did consider the offer, and would have stayed for another 14 years until retirement if I stayed for another three years, the logic being if I had already spent 6 years, I might as well go all the way. It would be a shame to let those 6 years go down the drain, right? But I valued my independence (AND HAIR) so much and couldn’t stand being told what to do 24 hours a day. The one thing I would have stayed another three years for in the Army would have been a guarantee that I would spend all those 3 years in Germany. Those schoene frauleins to me back in those days, were the Pinays to you guys today. LOL
Papa Duck
Ricardo,
HAHAHA. I to thought about re-upping after 4 years in the Marines 1982. But then i thought about the Thursday night field days in the barracks, being a Sgt, i had to supervise and then they wanted to send me to school to be a recruiter, i said adios and went back to Ohio. Now if they let me stay on a ship in the mediteranean like i did on 2 prior cruises, i may have considered. But really i just got tired of the same routine day in and day out. Be safe brother
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
I smile when I think of some of the things people asked for to re-enlist. One guy said he’d ship-over (re-enlist) if he could never have to ride ships again. I gave him the phone number to the Air Force Recruiter.
Ricardo Sumilang
Then they’d ask for the Moon!
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
Some of the military did get the moon! The service never lies!
Hudson
That must have been Admiral Zumwalt’s Navy. Things have changed since then.
Paul Thompson
Hudson;
Bud Zumwalt’s sure did shake up the old geezers in the Navy, I was just a young Turk and we loved the guy. The new Navy is why I retired with 22 vice the full 30. Plus you work for half pay the last ten years. Sit home with a check every month for half my pay, or go to work for the other half? I stayed home and made more money!
Ricardo Sumilang
As I reall, wasn’t Zumwalt a pretty liberal CNO, allowing longish hair among other things?
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
He made a lot of positive changes that affected in a good way, the lives of the enlisted men. Longer hair is the only one, that is ever remembered. The Officers hated him, especially the “ring knockers” from the Naval Academy.
maynard
Hey dont feel to bad,i shaved all mine off for two years now,my asawa says it looks cool and so now i look like Mr.Clean except for the no earring.I still get an occasional smile from the ladies so i cant be to bad yet lol.Yule Brenner was cool back in the day to. 🙂
Paul Thompson
Maynard;
So far shave the head is the most popular answer. I’ll think that over.
Ricardo Sumilang
Paul, someone somewhere in the thread said a shaved head don’t cut it with skinny people. I agree, shaved head looks better on guys weighing at least 200lbs. LOL
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
I wonder why that is?
Ricardo Sumilang
Beats me, Paul. I kind of think that the shaved head looks much larger than it is, and if you put that large head on a skinny guy, it’s out of proportion. Want the address for the company that sells the laser comb? It could be your last hurrah, that is, if you want to banish Friar Tuck. LOL
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
I’m just going to let nature run it’s course, aging is part of life, and if the other parts were any clue to life, then I’m in for another wild ride. Perple who say if I could go back and change this or that are fools, everything that ever happened is why we are who we are today.
Rich321 (Rich Bowen)
Hey Paul,
The solution, my dear friend, is very simple: shaved your head!!! Then people will, as a minimum, have to wonder just how much hair would really be there, were it not shaved. I’ve been pretty much bald since I was about 30 (like that was in a previous life). First noticed it missing when I returned from a tour of duty in Vietnam. As I recall, first realization was not traumatic at all. I’m too lazy to shave mine in recent years so now I just tell the barber to get it as short as he can without drawing blood.
Remember that dude, years ago on TV, that tried to sell some sort of spray that you were suppose to spray your bald spot with and make it match the dark hair around the spot? Maybe you need to find a spray can of that stuff. However, if I remember, it would not work on blonde hair — only suppose to work with dark hair.
Take care,
–Rich–
Ricardo Sumilang
“First noticed it missing when I returned from a tour of duty in Vietnam.”
Agent Orange did you in, Rich, courtesy of Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. Hahahaha Did you apply for disability compensation for the loss of your hair?
Rich321 (Rich Bowen)
Ricardo,
Yes on the Agent Orange theory. I did apply for those benefits from the VA years ago and lost interest when the first correspondence came back to me that showed VA actually had one digit wrong on my Social Security number (on a re-issued DD form 214 — the original was lost in a VA warehouse fire or something…). I was financially secure at that time and decided the hassle of straightening out forms was not worth the benefits. Now that I’m retired, with more time on my hands, I may take a new look at the issue.
Ricardo Sumilang
It’s worth looking into, Rich, not for the loss of hair, of course. But if you have other ailments today that can be traced back as a result of exposure to AO, you may be entitled to some kind of compensation. I didn’t serve in Vietnam, but my brother-in- law did, and he was exposed to AO. Like you, he didn’t have the time to go through the bureaucratic hassle when he was financially secure – he owned a restaurant after retirement from the Army. Now that he’s completely retired, he finally got around to filing for benefits. Last time I saw him in Hawaii a couple of years ago, he told me his VA comp could be as much as $1700 a month, not exactly chopped liver. I, myself, receive a service-connected disability comp rated at 15% for partial loss of hearing in the right ear as a result of machine-gun trainfire during basic and AIT. If not mistaken, though, the awarding of VA benefits are prioritized now, with Iraq and Afghan vets receiving first priority. Better hurry before the Republicans shut down the door. LOL
Paul Thompson
Rich & Ricardo;
For years I thought Agent Orange was a partner of James Bond.
Mars Z.
Ha Ha, my name is Orange, Agent Orange, Tequila Sunrise please–stirred not shaken!
Mars
Paul Thompson
Hey Agent Orange;
When you’re in Florida it would be easy to go under cover. But if someone called you Minute Maid I think there’d be a fight!
Paul Thompson
Rich;
Someone commented above about that hair spray, or spray paint. Shaved head would be the way to go before I’d paint my hair. BTW, my hair is no longer blond, that’s well earned pure gray now! I’ll see what it looks like next year before and drastic shaving takes place. (lol)
Ricardo Sumilang
Don’t do it Paul, honest. Mayang would not approve of it. I just know. LOL
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
I think you’re right!
Papa Duck
Paul,
Just let nature take its course i think is the best thing. As long is Mayang is happy, thats all that matters.
Paul Thompson
Papa Duck;
You’re probably right about that.
Eric Berberich
A blessed life takes a toal 0n you one way or another. My dad started hie friar tuck spot at 70 , I’m 44 so I hope I have a ways to go,how ever I do have a good spare tire started. You hold up that SMB and I will toast you with my MGD.Next time your granddaughter invades your man cave give her a big hug and remeber you earned that tuck spot the hard way . I bet you wouldn’t have it anyother way . Paul great article looking forward to the next one
Paul Thompson
Eric;
Getting the Friar Tuck in my 60’s is really not that bad, I’ve been out of the game for many years now. I’m just thankful the hair lasted as long as it did. As for my granddaughter, she owns me and she knows it. When I get a hug from her, all is right with the world.
Ricardo Sumilang
Sixty and you say you’ve been out of the game for many years now, Paul? That ain’t old in my book. Forget Rogaine, they don’t work after a certain aige. I’ve used Propecia (finasteride, a prescription) for 10 years before I stopped using it a couple of years ago because it was getting expensive. A month’s supply (30 pills) of Propecia back when I first started using it was $35; when I stopped using it a couple of years ago, it was $85. Propecia is effective in stopping hair loss, but it doesn’t grow hair. There is a laser comb in the market that’s supposed to help re-grow hair. The cost: $495. The other alternative is Bosley. Bosley charges $5 for each follicular hair transplant. You’re looking at anywhere from 7 to 10 grand, MINIMUM, to get back in on the game, Paul. LOL
Papa Duck
Ricardo,
With those prices bald is looking better all the time. Take care!
Ricardo Sumilang
Hahaha, you’re on the money, Papa Duck. Unless you’re Donald Trump, you best let nature take its course. Say, what’s that on top of his head anyway? It looks to me like a pile of honey wheat sprayed in place! LOL
Papa Duck
Ric,
You could be right hahaha!
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
Looking at those prices and thinking. “Wow; That’s a lot of beer!” By being out of the game I meant that my skirt chasing days are over. I asked Mayang if I still could, and she said no. I wonder if that was permission or ability she said no too?
Ricardo Sumilang
I think Mayang said no to skirt-chasing, but did she say you can’t have roaming eyes, which reminds me, btw, that those sunglasses you have on in your avatar are perfect eyewear for letting your eyeballs stray to your heart’s content and undetected by Mayang during those frequent trips to the shopping mall in San Fernando, Pampanga. Hala sige ka… Hahahaha
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
Now that you outed me on the sunglasses trick, what do I do now? (lol)
Ricardo Sumilang
Hey, Paul. Fear not for there is another trick. Without your sunglasses, you only have mirrors at the mall to help you scan the landscape without being obvious. Surely, there are plenty of mirrors at the San Fernando mall? If Mayang asks you why you’re standing in front of the mirror, tell her you’re plucking the hair growing out of your ear. Hahahaha
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
I’ll guess that might work, but she’s pretty sure I look. She’s only worried about the day I don’t.
Ricardo Sumilang
Hahaha, I like Mayang’s take on your wandering eyes – just as long as you keep your hands in your pocket, right? LOL
Paul Thompson
Ricardo;
Hands and other things!
Neal in RI
Paul
I tried the Shaved head once in the Marine Corps and was told if I did it again I could get NJP for doing it. It was ok to have a high and tight or a flat top, just another quirk with the Corps I could never figure out.
At 48 my spot it bigger than yours so stop your bitchin and just get a crew cut to minimize the contrast of hair/no hair. LOL
Sox in 1st place, Bruins in the Stanley Cup, Life is good.
Paul Thompson
Neal;
Sometimes the military confuses me also, at one time I could wear a full beard, but let my mustache drop below the bottom lip was a violation of the rules. I tried to explain that it was a beard but was still growing, that was a no go.
Papa Duck
Neil,
I think the only time you cane shave your head in the Corps, was when you first went into boot camp.
Paul Thompson
Papa Duck;
But in boot camp they leave the fuzz, it’s never to just skin.
Papa Duck
Paul,
Yea i remember that clearly!
Neal in RI
Papa Duck
Ah yes you gotta love them Parris Island haircuts.
Paul Thompson
The Navy copied them just for us too.
Neal in RI
Paul
I have some sweet Pics of my Father when he was in the USN he was sporting a crewcut and was on the deck of the ship in a boxing ring.
Paul Thompson
Neal
I wish I had more pictures like that, of my dad and me when younger, but then I also had an Ex-wife, she made sure I didn’t.
Papa Duck
Neil, Paul
Too Bad i didn’t go to Parris Island for Boot Camp. I went to MCRD San Diego in 1977. I was what was called a “Hollywood Marine”. I was there with Gomer Pyle lol.
Neal in RI
P Duck (with that name you could be a rapper)
From what I am told hollywood marines had one thing us Parris Island guys didn’t.
Mount Mother Fuc_ _ _
Papa Duck
Neil
Your right about that. Doing bends and thrusts on Mount Mother F_____
with a 50 lb pack on was a Mother F______. Take care
Ricardo Sumilang
In the Army, we didn’t have the Mount Suribachi. We had the Alaskan women, as in, while marching:
“I don’t know but I’ve been told
Alaskan ….. is mighty cold.
One two, one two, three four,
Left, right, left…
Paul Thompson
Gentlemen;
One of the blessing of the Navy was, yes we marched in bootcamp, albeit not that well, and then, never again. Wait the Navy SeaBee’s still march, but they look like attack turtles coming down the road.
Daniel Thompson
.
I read your article. You may lament your hair loss ,( Oh Waaaaa! )
but you still have more hair than Steve and I combined!!! lol.
Paul Thompson
Dan;
I noticed our brother Richard has a bit of a combover also!
Daniel Thompson
And that’s just on your upper lip.
Paul Thompson
Dan;
Maybe I should comb the stach up and cover the bald spot?
Papa Duck
Paul
I would pay to see that!
Paul Thompson
Papa Duck;
I’ll send you an invoice! (lol)
Peter
Paul, maybe you remember the old Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson song:
If it wasn’t for you women I’d have my curly locks today
But I’ve been hugged, kissed and petted
Till all my hair was rubbed away
Paul Thompson
Peter;
I can’t say I know the song, but from the short part you wrote, I must agree!
B Michels
Senior:
Ever think about getting a tatoo of a goat on the fringe of you friar tuck chewing away. Or better yet a yard boy puching a lawn mower cutting away at the edges. heck you’d be I style.
Paul Thompson
Mike;
Very funny! Charlie Tuna (LIP reader) sent me a picture of the yard boy tatoo you mentioned and I LMAO
Larry Saum
Hi Paul;
I’d like to share a SMB with you in Subic sometime in late July or August this year. We could compare bald spots and share some sea stories. lend me your e-mail address at [email protected] so we can coordinate a time and place.
Paul Thompson
Larry;
E-mail is on the way as I type this!
Mark G.
You still have more hair than me Paul…
Paul Thompson
Mark;
I’ll be telling that to someone soon.