As many of you know, I change up the style by the season as long as I still have a little hair left.  I have attached some photos for your amusement.
I always have to keep the back, sides and crown shaved down because my hair is so thin and baby fine that it really looks bad if I let it grow at all.

But for a couple of months in the Winter I let the top grow out a little and comb it over to the side.  My family much prefers it this way.  By the end of February I can't stand it anymore and shave it bald.
Then, by May, I get jealous of guys with great Flattops and I go for the High, Tight and Brutal Horseshoe.  By the end of Burning Man in August I cannot stand the heat and the dirt and I get is shaved again.

I have let it grow long again, as you can see in the photo.  But is that front hairline receding or what?

But on Wednesday I will set out on a new adventure.  I am traveling to rural Thailand where I will retreat in a Buddhist monastery and where I will also be given temporary ordination as a novice monk.  I will live as a monk for about three weeks.  I will eat only in the morning between morning prayer and noon.  I will eat only what food kind people might place into my begging bowl.

The ordination ceremony will include the shaving of my head, beard and eyebrows.   

So, I am about to become Sly again - but this time with a purpose other than my own vanity. 

I don't think that I am going to have any time or opportunity to use the internet except perhaps in airports along the way.  So, I probably won't be checking in with you guys very often between Jan 1 - 20th.

Randy, good luck with the mission, and let us know how it went when you get back! BTW, it's nice to have an option go back and forth between sly...most of us can't do it

Yes, but I really have no "options" when it comes to the sides, back and crown.  There just isn't much there anymore.  And I don't know if I am just fooling myself or not when I grow it out.  Does it look stupid?

I wouldn't mind you guys giving some critical opinion.  I am tuff enuf to take it!

It's hard for me to tell.....looks like normal flattop haircuts to me.....Is the horseshoe in the flattop intentional, or are you really thinning there? Either way, they look like the usual military cuts to me. FWIW, I wore a flattop until I started thinning in the center of it ~age 26.

Hey BBBA,

Good luck on your trip to Thailand. Sounds like it's going to be an amazing journey.

I think the haircuts look great. Keep it up if you like the variety. I think the flattop really looks awesome. I like horseshoe flats. It's hard to find a barber who can cut a good flattop to begin with and even tougher to find someone who can do a 'shoe.  I use to get a mean short flattop and then finish it off myself as a horseshoe. But I understand about the hair texture!

Keep it up. Cuts look awesome.

I don't think any of the styles look bad on you, sir.

I hope your trip is successful.

Good luck on your mission!

Finally arrived at wat Sri boo rang in northern Thailand or the Burmese border.  The first couple of days to try to go easy on you a little bit and allow you to use the Internet etc.  but as a progress things will become much more regimented and I won't be able to entertainments like it or not so I don't often will be able to keep touch with you guys over the next two weeks.  I know this it's going to be hard! just trying to keep up with the chanting tonight was a real challenge.  it will be about a week yet before they shave my head beard and eyebrows

Can't wait to hear all about it , Randy. Good luck!