I'll try to get a current photo. The length is now between the last photo and the one with the curled handlebars. I think it is more of my sweet spot for length. I purposely let it grow untrimmed in the last photo because I just wanted to see how long it would grow. What you do not see in the photo is how uneven and stringy the ends were, because I had the last 2 inches of them pinned up.
I did the circle beard for years, but not because it was my first choice. I always wanted a full beard, but my cheeks did not corporate. I was in my mid 40's before the hair there started to really kick in and get thick enough for a full beard. So now I am making up for lost time. I think not being able to grow a full beard for so many years makes me appreciate it now.
Shaving my head put the icing on the cake.