Wednesday, December 18, 2019

My Bearded Journey...

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                                                                    Beards...


                   Most on my Facebook and Instagram accounts know all about my latest journey on the bearded path and how I have accepted a challenge to grow it until six months have passed, that being March 25th of next year. The only other time I have grown a beard was way back in 2013 in November, growing for a few months and then shaving it, only to grow it again. I never seemed to get past sixty days of growth and I would shave it off, usually because I thought I looked horrible with it or...too old!


                   After that experiment , I knew it would be awhile before I growing a beard as I KNEW it was going to come in a lot whiter than before. Did I want to look older and be seen as an "old man" or was that just my own insecurities of being a middle aged male in America? :-) Was it due to a lifetime of being told by my religious upbringing that beards were bad and we as men should not grow them as we would look "worldly" or "dirty? There is a LOT of that which made it's way to my brain and manner of thinking, unfortunately. So when I had the chance to try this out, to grow the natural whiskers that God gave me..I did.  Not just the moustache, which I had been growing since my mid teens but a REAL BEARD! I never could understand why, religions especially, forbid the beard but were always OK with a moustache or sideburns. After reading this delightful book...


     Then a lot more became clear and with continued reading and research. Highly recommended!


So, after my experiment with the beard in 2013-2014, growing it for a total of ten weeks, I shaved it off. There were a few reasons I did this, mostly that as a runner and marathoner it was an uncomfortable addition to my face. Here is what I looked like with no facial hair at all in November of 2018.


So I shaved it and didn't consider growing it back until I was past the age of fifty. Then, this year, I decided I'd start one on Sept 25th. Various phases of this beard did as before, from itching to a scruffiness look to fleeting moments of indecision as to whether to continue. But, this time was different. After six weeks, I noticed a change and feeling that was NOT there back in 2013. I was now part of a community, a circle, a kinship of other men that was special.
Ok, sure...it sounds a bit corny and possibly laughable to some . But, we ALL belong to some type of social, religious, cultural or ethnological group and tribe. Now, I was a member of the bearded community and this was more special than I ever anticipated.
                   


It was then I felt a part of something other than a hobby or interest...it was a PART of me! This hit me at week six most especially and made me more determined than ever to see this six month beard grown and to accept, even thrive during this journey. How would I feel, what would I feel and how did it change me, if it would at all? On to what I looked like before the beard . This is what my moustache and small chin whiskers looked like a month before.


In a way, I did have head start. The chin whiskers were there but not a full beard by any means. Admittedly, I did like the look and the upkeep was super simple. My hair was a lot more upkeep but I truly didn't and don't mind the whole shaving/facial/self care aspect of being a man. That actually is a beautiful and positive aspect for sure.





But I wanted more! The thousands of years of human beards before me simply called out and wanted to be heard! I knew it would change my appearance drastically and people would certainly talk, smile or laugh. I simply didn't care! Accept this challenge, I told myself, and let's give it till march 25th.




By week six, I was definitely feeling the itchiness of the newly grown hairs and the scruff that had now appeared. Still, I was getting some nice comments and continued to read, research and dive into beard culture and life. Yes this such a thing and it is HUGE ! More on that later. Here is my mug at week six...



As seen, the pointing aspect is certainly a Van Dyke style and I liked this! But the sides had not really grown much and they had yet to show themselves. Yet I felt I was already part of this tribe of beards and with that came different feelings regarding my own psyche and internal wrestling. How far did one need to grow a beard to be a "part" of this community and did it really matter? Onward to week number ten and eleven and it has now filled out a LOT more!





       <<<<<<<Week Ten



      Week Eleven>>>>>>>





Now the beard was finally at a point where things had changed a lot. My looks had dramatically changed and yes, I certainly looked older than my 53 years. This was one of the aspects i did not want to deal with in years past, especially as a runner and athlete. I wanted to stay youthful in appearance and manner, to be viewed as still younger, virile and not as an old geezer. What a horrid viewpoint indeed! My thinking had and has changed in so many ways, though. I have now embraced this beard and consider it a major part of me, how I am seen by the world and myself. This took some getting used to and required a lot of social exposure and meditation. Today marks twelve weeks, three months since the beard was started and this is the most current photo shows it gaining some depth and fullness.



My round face is quite the base for this whiskery forest and on this three month date, feels great!
I started upkeep and conditioning this foliage with beard oils but now am leaning towards balms instead. Also, I have been blending my moustache into the beard instead of waxing the ends to keep the curl. That will get there eventually and when it is a bit longer, i will add occasional curls to that.





Half way through this adventure of hirsuteness and there are so many aspects to it, where do I start.Well...here I go with that.




1: Having had a handlebar moustache on and off for many years, I knew about and competed in competitions in various places, winning some even. I never saw myself having a beard due to the above noted reasons and that I probably would never grow one. After leaving the religious nonsense behind (all due respect to my religious friends), I now had the ability to do so, to grow naturally what was forbidden.That was the first positive aspect of this place and time. Nobody I had to answer for but ME!

2:  As I had the genes and ability to grown such a beard, it was within my own arena to do this and therefore nothing health wise could keep me from trying!

3: Community. I was now part of a community of bearded men (and a few women) who shared the ability and desire to grow and let things go naturally. This social community is HUGE and worldwide, of course. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the regular Web all contained groups and pages dedicated to beards and growing, to the history of and to maintaining the beard. This made it so much fun on a daily basis. I have also made a lot of new friends and chat pals, even a few penpals!
This is a most valuable part of growing , in my opinion. That constant social interaction and positive motivation does wonders for us all, no matter what group we are in! These are vital!

4: Partners, spouses, lovers et al. having the positive admonition and feedback from our loved ones, whether platonic or not, is HUGE! Hearing that the beard looks great, is sexy or attractive, or knowing that it does not detract...that is of immense importance. Not that everyone has to like it, not at all. There will never be a time where 100% will be happy or pleased, and there will always be a critic or someone who does not like it. Fair enough. It is accepting that and not letting it affect us, or make us cut it, shave it.

5: Spirituality.  Yes, there certainly is a spiritual aspect to growing a beard. Whether it is due to letting nature take it's course or whether the beard plays a role in pious outlooks, our own spirituality can be affected and this was what happened to me as well. Not sure how to describe this but I know that the beard makes me feel whole, that I'm not shearing away something given to me as a gift and that my beard can be a positive reflection of my own spiritual direction. being a Buddhist, this is not normally an issue but we all make our own paths within the spiritual realm and this beard has added to my own journey.

6: Transformation. Sure, physically I am the same man I was a decade ago when I started on a new path of life and understanding, knowledge and evolution. But knowing that the beard has changed my appearance and made me a lot more incognito has proven to be a positive and special thing. Walking past people I knew for twenty or thirty years and not getting any reaction nor hint at whom I was...very enlightening in some ways . For many, this might seem sad in some ways. but letting go of that past and moving on has been of great value to me and this look makes it a lot easier to do so.
As the beard grows and my face retreats a bit more into the furry forest, it will be interesting to note how my feelings change and what aspects affect me.



   Well, there you have it. I have wanted to post about this but figured the three month mark would be a good starting point and one where I could ascertain my own feelings in a better way. Thank you for reading this post and undertaking my adventure with me! I most especially thank my sweethearts and  friends/family in their positive attitude and constant reinforcement while I grow, both in follicles and in an evolutionary way . I'm not only growing, but learning about myself daily and becoming the man I had once hoped I'd be. Took many years to get here but I'm loving the outlook and future ahead!

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Monday, November 4, 2019

Extrovert to introvert?

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                     The last six months have been amazing for me and while there have been few negative events and experiences, some have made an impact. The summer was great and when I posted last here, my goal was to step back considerably from social media and the trappings of Facebook and other online activities. I can honestly say that I feel this to be a success as now it is rare that I post daily . Perhaps a few a week, and it feels like huge pressures and weights have been lifted! Admittedly, doing this has also apparently made some cease following my posts and leave. I feel a wee bit sad about that but know that is how it goes. Out of sight, out of mind is truly apropos when it comes to Facebook and other instant gratification vehicles. And that is ok as there is no changing it!

                   Facebook can be deadly and a disease, if you think about it. But I do agree that in smaller doses, it has delightful uses and can be fun. The fact that I will post this blog there testifies that there are some positives about it. Still, weening oneself off of the daily, hourly and minute by minute excess can and has done wonders for me!!


   Reducing my intake of Facebook by almost 75% has been seriously positive and enriching!! It has forced me to realize how much time I spent there and wasted on continual browsing, "liking" and  posting.

Now...I spend that time with classical music, shooting photographs and creating art, interacting with my partners and friends! I spend more time reading, researching genealogy and the family trees, more time meditating.

       Life is less pressured!!



                  Which is a grand segue into how much I have changed in the last six months. I used to be the worlds most extroverted extrovert! Always on the go and being with people, around others and thriving when socially interacting with others. When I WASN'T  doing that and forced to be alone, I was depressed and moody. I needed that input, that interaction and time with those who were part of my circle. As the summer progressed though, I started to change. My time alone was starting to become more and more valuable to me. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought of myself as introverted , to actually enjoy and relish my alone time . Yet...it has happened!! I have become much more of an Ambivert!!










As I age I am increasingly becoming a LOT more introverted and enjoying my time by myself. This is still bizarre for me as I sit in silence or read a book while listening to music. I used to always feel I needed to be DOING SOMETHING!! But, I don't!!









   As this path opens up to me and my time alone takes on a different form, there are many aspects to this I relish. At least for now. Will I swing back the other direction? Possibly, when the opportunities present themselves. But as of right now, that is not something I look forward to as I embrace the time I have alone.



                                              I welcome this new part of my life!!


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Monday, October 7, 2019

New directions, new focus...

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                                                   Life is always changing and evolving , taking us on new paths and journeys. Mine is constantly changing in one way or another , just like everyone else. As summer was winding down, my focus has changed in what I do and how I live. I was aghast at how much time I was spending on Facebook and other social media outlets. This was primarily Facebook, though, and the spread of negativity as well as drama just had to stop interfering with my life and positive attitude.

                                                   So many groups I was a part of just didn't fit any longer. They had become dull, boring and served no purpose. So, after careful consideration, I have left most of those groups on Facebook and in general, online. Doing so gave me such freedom, instantly ! A weight was lifted off my shoulders and more room given for the things that truly make me happy, like my relationships , my photography and art and music, this blog and my others. Also, my spirituality has suffered over the last few years and THAT is going to change as well.


                                                         
                                                         



Therefore, my posts on Facebook and time spent there will be even more minimal after today. There will be exceptions, of course, such as those for my photography and Dragon Digital. Instagram will be the place for more of my posts without the pressure to conform to Facebook rules, or be inundated with ads and drama.

                                                                   To the new road ahead!!




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Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Classical music lives!!

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                                     What a long yet amazing summer we had!! So many adventures and experiences that made those warm months even more tolerable. Fortunately, the heat index was cooler than usual and a LOT better than 2018 when we had over 30 days of 90 degree temps! This made the months fly by a lot smoother and autumn so much closer.And...here it is!!


                                           Granted, this is a photo I found online and certainly from New England. Hoping to shoot some of our own Washington State and it's beauty, this season! Which leads me to the next bit of news...



Newly published works from Sea Wright Publishing!
There will be ten new photos to grace the covers of some 2020 planners!

Here is hoping they sell well and more exposure of my photos gains ground! Money is certainly not flowing in and I never expected it to. But that my art and photography are being seen, being appreciated...THAT is rewarding!

https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3ASeumas+D%C3%B2mhnal+Ross&s=relevancerank&text=Seumas+D%C3%B2mhnal+Ross&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1

http://seawrightpublishing.com/







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                Something that not many people know about me, is my love and passion for classical music. The last few years have been so busy and distracting that my listening and research habits in this area have really fallen. Today, on a sad note indeed, one of my all time favourite vocalists passed away. This notice along with listening to her sing Mahler and Strauss again, brought things into focus for me. Jessye Norman was incredible as both an artist, vocalist and human soul.







The Strauss recording was outstanding and opened up my ears to Richard Strauss! Somehow over the years, I lost the CD and regret that. Will have to find it again!





The Mahler and Schumann CD's are still in my collection and listened to now and then. Norman will be sorely missed a great deal!





                                                     Classical music has been a HUGE passion of mine since I was fifteen, when I was introduced to Mozart and the masters. This world was incredible and made me investigate the history and works of hundreds of composers. It changed me forever and I have been an amateur musicologist ever since, collecting over 6000 CD's and a LOT of musical scores. This led to season tickets for the Oregon Symphony for many years and also attending concerts in cities around the globe, from Portland to New York, London, Budapest,Vienna and Paris as well as smaller venues. I have been very fortunate to also meet so many of my idols in this genre, such as Itzahk Perlman, Peter Serkin, Joshua Bell, Nadja Salerno Sonnenberg, James Depriest, Lou Harrison and many others.


                                                      My favourite composers number so many, but certainly at the top is Gustav Mahler. A close second is Rachmaninov followed by Haydn, Piston, Schuman, Creston, Hovhaness, JS Bach, Scriabin and so many I would be typing for an hour. Finding birds of a feather and friends who share my love of classical has been difficult , that is those who are more than just casual listeners. Hoping to find more to share this with soon and jump back into classical world, which has changed much in the last five years since I left. If you are reading this and love classical, want to explore more and discuss, share or exchange musical thoughts, please contact me!!

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Tuesday, May 21, 2019

I'm published on Amazon; Update: new DNA mapping

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                              The year 2019 has been a VERY busy one as well as an adventure! I can truly say that so far, it has been among the best ever in my life!! So many new people, new vistas, opportunities and goals! This blog post will start with the incredible news of my work being published! Yes, a publisher who enjoyed my photos work has decided to offer me a contract to print
photos on the covers of contemplative journals ! These are for offer on Amazon and now number twenty different options. Here are a few of the offerings by cover:















I'm indebted to Sea Wright Publishing for their efforts in getting my work out there and bringing these to press!!
As the year moves on, I'm hoping to add another ten to this total and really hope they take off in sales!!


 These journals make great gifts and are available at the link below:


https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&text=Seumas+D%C3%B2mhnal+Ross&search-alias=books&field-author=Seumas+D%C3%B2mhnal+Ross&sort=relevancerank











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                                                                 DNA update!!


As many know, I have posted my DNA and family tree results here many times. Ancestry and 23 and Me are continually revising their data and detailing the numbers as to accuracy. This new update is MUCH better and closely aligns with my family tree. Here is the new map of my heritage:



Seeing that they finally got the numbers correct for the Great Britain aspect makes me happy, as it lines up with my genealogy and the family tree. Most of my heritage is from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. Within the realm of Great Britain, I would estimate that is breaks down like this:

               Scotland--65%
               Ireland----15%
               England--15%
               Wales-----10%

                                       So, that is the update Ancestry just shared with me!

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Sunday, February 10, 2019

2019: New goals, new start and fresh ways of living!

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                         Well, it has been a few months since the last post, almost three to be more accurate.
So much has happened in those scant days and that is why a post is necessary. To begin with...

                                                                        We moved!!

Ok, ok...not a real distant move nor into a house, etc. Really, after twenty five years in the same apartment (yes, you read that correctly), we simply moved to a different apartment with a wonderful upgrade in so many ways. We now live in an apartment that faces the south, with copious amounts of sunshine and a fine view. Also, new fixtures, more space and a truly different aspect on life and living spaces. We threw out and donated a LOT of things and are living a much more minimalist style of life now.  This will give us a heightened sense of time and space, allowing us to grow. That includes a garden on the back deck, which I cannot wait to tackle!


   







    Something like these here...







Either way, I will have an herb and vegetable garden somehow, albeit a smaller one than I would like.
And that is just fine!! What will be interesting is the heat this summer as we are facing the sun and the south. I'm not one for heat at all and without air conditioning, will be a challenge. But, we have a good flow system between our front door screen and the back sliding door. Cannot wait!!


Life has taken some interesting turns, in both relationships as well as goals. While our jobs are all the same as before ( and going well, thank you!), the goals for 2019 have taken a different turn. I had wanted to concentrate on my shakuhachi and music as well as to lighten the load in material possessions. The latter we have done, eliminating a LOT of things in the move. But I have decided on a different path in my interests, this being photography. Sure, I have my same business, Dragon Digital Photography, but have added a new machine to the stable of Nikon cameras I own, this being a D750. What a beautiful addition and one that gives me a real flexibility that the D7100 couldn't in it's DX format where as the D750 is FX full frame.. Granted, it will still get a LOT of use as well as the D750. Here is a shot of my current camera collection, from 1987 till now.



            As of now, I'm entered in two contests and submitted works to a journal as well. Hoping that my photos will be published in either place and am striving to shoot a lot more this year. Therefore, my shakuhachi practice will be secondary to my art and photography. The plan is to shoot nature, landscapes, abstract, contemplative, B/W nudes, boudoir and portraits. Looking for models right now with a few expressing interest. It looks to me like 2019 will be a beautiful year as I journey with my sweeties, my cameras and good health!! I'm contemplating on a new blog for photography only and am mulling this over for the next week. Till then, I'm usually on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

                                                             Follow me there as well!

https://www.facebook.com/dragondigitalphotography


https://twitter.com/dragondigital99


https://www.instagram.com/seumasdomhnal

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