Psychedelic Opher
There are some people who think that I really went around looking like this in 1974. They are right. This is a photograph.
Opher’s Art – Psychedelic Opher circa 1974
58 thoughts on “Opher’s Art – Psychedelic Opher circa 1974”
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I love long hair and beards, Jonathan my eldest is growing one agin, but I prefer his goatee. Perhaps I am rude but when my Ocado delivery men come, sometimes they have long hair and I remember back in the summer I had my shopping delivered on a Sunday, the Ocado chap came and he had long hair tied back and a beard, we got talking (I like to talk, as you have noticed Opher).I told him his hair looked great and he undid the band and his hair fell way down his back, I said how fantastic it looked and he was so delighted. I then asked if by chance he had a Harley Davidson (got a thing about them of late) he said he actually did and was off to park near the Sea front and watch the motorbikes, by all accounts there was some show or something that day. I said his family must love his hair and he told me he was on his own – damn it why do we have to get old!!
I know – you just get going and you have to start winding down. I could do with another lifetime or two!
I could do with one where I could have really lived.
All we have is the moment! We have to maximise it! Make the world more beauitiful.
One of the top 3 saddest days of my life was having to get all my hair cut off for work purposes when I was 19. But I made a sneaky compromise and kept a woven stringy bit from the nape of my neck that was hidden under the collar. Well, for a while at least, until I got “collared” for it.
When I bowled out of my hotel career aged 50, I went to live in Cyprus and had another shot at growing it, but it’s far too hot there and I was miserable with it. So when I came back to UK in Jan `14, I got it cut real short all over so that it would then grow overall in an even proportion. Now it’s looking the length of Opher’s pic. I’m one of these lucky guys who still has his hair, at least 3/4’s of it as we men can’t help but lose a bit at the temples. I can’t be doing with beards or moustaches though, as they make me feel very dirty.
The secret of healthy hair is to wash with shampoo only every 3rd day and just rinse lightly with tepid water on all the others. Never scrub dry with a towel, just pad it lightly with one and let it dry naturally.
So many men have lost their hair through the stupid practice of not cooling their head down after a hot shower, so the hair follicles are wide open when they exit the shower, then they roughly dry with a towel – the hair just falls out.
Sorry Anna, but I’m unable to give any tips on make-up etc!
I had to cut my waist length hair to the shoulder-length in the painting in order to go into teaching. That was a wrench. I don’t like compromise but I’m glad I made that decision. It gave me a great career in teaching.
Hair was a statement. Now it’s a fashion .
Andrew lovely to hear from you and thank you for your understanding re Saturday. I do not wear makeup, I used to when I was two years at the Pru decided to be brave and put on some eyeliner and mascara much to my mother’s dismay. I stopped wearing both when my Sons were born first the eyeliner and then the mascara took too much time and since then just plain rose face wash every morning. I never used to but I really love men with long hair now, suddenly women seem to be growing their hair, I used to have very long fair hair but cut it many years ago much to my late husband’s annoyance. Men seem to like women with long hair, something to do with their mothers my late husband’s mother had Greek blood her Father coming from Salonika, David said his mother had that jet black blueish hair that was so long. Men I think look great with long hair especially when it is clean, but I must admit Andrew I do like some beards etc but agree (there you are we can agree) I hate them when they are dirty no need for that. Have a battle with my eldest Son, Jonathan, at the moment a full beard does not suit him but when he has his goatee now that looks good.
Lovely talking to you Andrew, lets hope we do it again. Take care on this foggy day, what is it like where you are,
Hi Anna, yes I much prefer ladies with their natural “face”, all that gunk that some slap on themselves doesn’t do much for me.
All the young guys are going for the full beard look, suits some, some not so. It’s that short crop haircut with the “ice-cream lick” that makes them all look like Tin-Tin, that makes me laugh.
Foggy here, too, but blinding sunshine inside.
Most fashion is amusing.
Look at some fashion today, especially M&s for women they seem to have fifties and sixties look. Last year they had Bardot look and I bought a Bardot top wore it no more than twice, you needed the sex appeal mine long gone, if in fact I ever had it, my late husband never seemed to think I did, oh well.
The Bardot look never suited me!
Besides she turned out to be a fascist didn’t she?
I so hate that haircut you refer to, I could not think what it reminded me of and you are right Tin-Tin, that takes me back. Girls/women with all that muck on their faces they look as though they need a JCB to get it all off.
I blame it on Beckham! People are sheep!
Opher, that name Beckham makes me sick what do people see in them. Nobody it seems is an individual now. I used to be I loved being different well as long as I did not get into trouble and there was no fear of that.
It always seemed to get me into trouble!
Yes, but you were a rebel and you had/have a passion for life, besides by the sound of it you had fantastic parents. Mine, well as long as I never brought trouble to their door as they continually told me, too gutless to defy them and besides I went in fear of my mother’s bamboo cane which I still have faint scars on my back, pointed out to me by a Consultant, I never knew they were there until he asked.
I took a few risks and was lucky – hitching around – around a lot of interesting people. But I was never daft. I got on well with people and had a great time.
My parents were superb. They gave me room and wings and love. What more could you ask for?
Opher,really I was not aware of that, never saw any of her films, did you.
I must confess to seeing a couple. She was an alluring lady. Not good for my hormone ridden bloodstream and blood pressure!
I bet you went home happy. She was rather beautiful and she still loves animals.
She was indeed very beautiful and I suspect being that sexy is a mixed blessing. She does love animals but I heard she was a fascist supporter. Such a shame.
How wonderful that you could travel around as you did, seeing so much meeting so many different people what an experience and you obviously passed on many memories to your own children and students. Did you hitch around America, if you did what part. Sixties and all that was going on what a time you had
I hitched round France when I was fourteen for the whole summer. We had a great time.
I went to the USA for three months in 1971 with my girlfriend (now wife). We worked in Boston for two months and then hitched and greyhounded over to San Fran and LA. Came back through Texas. Had us some fine times. Met some great people. What an experience.
Good for you how wonderful. I have been to New York and New England and another time I went to Vancouver and over to Oregon only for the day/evening. Never went to San Francisco but I so want to, have it in my mind to go there next year (or the year after), on my own, first time ever on my own so not too sure. Been to Paris for a week, Boys took me on my birthday to Versailles and lunch in the gardens, best birthday I have ever had. Been to Berlin. Ireland lost count. If it is not too rude of me may I ask if you married in the States.
No – that’s not rude. Ask away. If I don’t want to say I won’t.
We got married three times in a week in England. Once in a buddhist temple in Richmond, once in a registry office and once in a wood – we wanted a maypole but had to make do with trees, friends and sharing (food, drink and performance). That last one was magical May 1st!
God that is so beautiful, to be married in a Buddhist Temple (Richmond I love), I got married in a Registry office but married in a wood, you will not believe this Opher but I so often dream had it all been different how I would have loved to have been married in a wood in California (for some reason) you know my feelings about trees, don’t laugh but whenever I go to Kew I always hug a Tree making sure nobody sees me, I hug my trees in my garden I just so love trees, now I really do envy you and your dear wife it has brought tears to my eyes, I had better stop.
It was special. We invited all our friends. Everyone brought food and drink to share and something to perform – a song, dance, poem, mime. The sun shone (it had snowed the week before), The music played. we cavorted around and had a great time. All it cost was a few baguettes, some cheese and butter. Everything fell into place.
I am going to stop talking to you, you just amaze me and make me feel so envious it was all out there you and your wife did it all, oh god I could really kick myself any wonder I hate myself for letting life slip by. Seriously I so enjoy talking to you it is an experience I would not miss.
There’s loads of things I wished I’d done. It’s always the things you didn’t do, the road not taken, that rankles. You have to look on the bright side – all the things that went well, worked out and are good.
There’s that old Irish saying – ‘Well if I was going there I wouldn’t start from here!’ I love it. But when all is said and done – here is where we are. It’s deciding what to do from here that is hard. We can’t go back – unfortunately.
Did you check out those old sixties photos?
I bet you had some times too! We just went for it. It was great. If you look on my site there’s a set of photos from the sixties from that time.
No I did not, I must be the first person who has gone to New York and never seen not even a glimpse of The Statue of Liberty, I had my sister stuck to me in USA/Canada and it was bloody awful. When I started at the Pru I was taken from home to Liverpool street and back again, until I put a stop to it and the row that took! I have had so much fun with my Sons in Ireland, France and Berlin and of course here at home. This is why I would like to go to San Francisco before my back gives out completely or the heart stops, who is to say what is ahead.
Who indeed. Make merry while you can. Book a flight tomorrow!!
If only it were that easy, I will do all I can to go, well in my mind anyway. If I don’t do it I shall regret it I know that. Amazon just emailed me Opher, all books to be delivered today, can’t wait, especially “Ginny”.
That poor postman! He’ll be glad to get rid of that lot – particularly the one that burns!
You can’t go to New York quite yet until you’ve read them!
Opher, you have me interested why can’t I go to New York until I have read them, you must still be remembered there.
Well in In Search of Captain Beefheart, which is a biographical tale of my life with Rock Music, I have a section on New York with stories and pictures. Besides, you won’t want to carry them all around with you – apart from the fact that you’d probably get arrested at customs!
Let us know what you think about the books when they arrive and you have chance to have a look at them.
Worry ye not Anna, I’ve been to NYC 4 times and never made the ferry to the statue. On my first visit it was closed for repairs anyway. There’s so much else to see anyway.
You’d love San Fran, very clean, great food, not expensive. However, I did notice rather a lot of men in funny little leather shorts with moustaches….
Sit in the cafes, walk round Greenwich village, central park. Go up the skyscrapers and talk to the people. I loved it. But it was better in 1971. Wish I’d been there in 1962/3!
Not me in the shorts and moustache? No I’m usually in jeans with a beard! (Now white I’m afraid!)
Andrew lovely to hear from you, I was a bit concerned that it would be so expensive in San Fran. Not too sure about the leather shorts but moustaches ok, do you think I would be safe on my own, never been anywhere on my own so this would be a big thing for me. I am in touch with an American travel agent inasmuch as they email from time to time saying they would plan it all for me as I would love to see the coastline, I don’t drive which will not help. Keep in touch, enjoy the day, still misty here or fog.
No, there was a very noticeable lady in your presence! If you’ve got it, flaunt it! The beard, I mean, not the lady…ok, I’ll get my coat….
If I had it I’d flaunt it!
You have it.
I’ve had it!
Hi Anna, I think I would be correct in saying that San Fran is not at all a dangerous city – except for the earthquake threat. I would avoid the Pan Handle area, but I’m sure the travel agent would have you well away from it.
There’s some seriously good hotels and the shops are wow factor.
Tons of self standing excellent restaurants and very easy to get around on the tram trolleys.
You’d also have to see a bit of the Big Sur, that’s the coast road that goes all the way down to Los Angeles. But don’t go there. Maybe stop about half-way, maybe spent a night in Monterey and I would have to recommend the beautiful small town of Carmel. Clint Eastwood used to be the mayor. It’s all small bungalow houses with tidy gardens and white picket fences, just like the movies. You could eat off the pavements, it’s that clean a place.
The other towns around the halfway point are :-
Santa Monica is pleasant, Santa Barbara is very nice, but Santa Cruz is rough and scruffy and the home to many Hell’s Angels – so no go.
Worry not, as these agents have it all off pat when it comes to all inclusive single lady holidays. That’s what they do well, and you’d find yourself fitting in comfortably with all the other ladies in exactly the same position. But you’ll have to specify that to the agent at the first instance – that you need a single lady package and they most likely will be able to offer a much more interesting package than what I’ve just described. In fact that’s a definite.
Of course, if you only want to be in San Fran, then it’s really easy, as all you need is a central location in a decent hotel. You’ll just have to decide what package you’d prefer, be it Breakfast & Dinner, or whatever suits you. I’d imagine you’d be out and about at lunchtime anyway.
I lived in Los Angeles for a year and went to San Francisco along that beautiful coast road. Just went back two years ago and drove along it again – real nostalgia.
Andrew summed it up well. San Francisco is a great city to visit. The cable cars, fisherman’s wharf. It’s very safe and has a nice feel to it. The Park is great and the Bridge. That coast road is divine and Pfieffer State Beach. I loved it. I could live in SF.
Just go for it.
Both of you have made it sound gorgeous and I am delighted that you say I would feel safe there, that was a big worry for me. Also I am too trusting that’s a problem.
You’d find the cab drivers great. Hotels will usually sort you a good one. They’re very helpful.
Thanks Andrew, I will keep this info you have give me. I would not want to share with anyone as I am a Loner, my other problem being which I suppose I would have to tell the travel agent is I have severe curvature of the spine, so in pain all the time and Osteoarthritis does not help, I use a walking stick that’s all. I certainly did want to see Monterey and Carmel, why do you say no to the Big Sur? Have looked at hotels in Monterey. There is a certain street in San Fran I so want to see, are cabs safe for say women on their own. Present time money going on Auctions in the states, at some stage I am going to have to stop, well to be honest my youngest Son has paid the majority, it’s all for my collection that I plan to leave if not all, most to a University out there.
Breakfast/lunch I do not do, if I can grab just enough to cover medication I have to take with food, that would be fine with me, dinner yes if that could be arranged at the hotel that is all I need. Morning alarm essential I never hear my alarms, I have so many alarm clocks you would not believe, I have “Meniere’s” so am partially deaf in one ear, lovely gift from my so called sister – walked away from an argument with her so many years ago, never heard her coming up behind me until I felt this tremendous thud on the top of my head, looked up and saw her fist raising, saw stars literally, my late husband caught me just in time as I fainted, I was on the stairs. I talk too much, sorry Andrew.
Thanks again for all the info, you make it sound very very tempting.
Actually Anna, it was Los Angeles that I said no to, not Big Sur. LA’s just too sprawled and about 40 miles from one end to the other and I didn’t think it would suit you very well.
Andrew, sorry about that I obviously did not read it right, LA I would not be interested in and it would be a waste of money thanks Andrew.
Relax Anna, San Fran is one of the top tourist destinations for Americans, too.
I’ve just reminded myself that I’ve got a photo of me sitting in a cell in Alcatraz, one of the three cells of the men that escaped. The hole in the wall was still there. Heck of a depressing place though. You’ll see the island from the Wharf. So if you like Clam chowder soup, that’s where to go.
The Wharf, that is, not Alcatraz!
Andrew, some might think I would belong in Alcatraz. You make it sound so very exciting, I am going to have to start saving really hard.
All you’ll need is a pick-axe, hack-saw and dinghy. Enjoy!
Opher, sounds so exciting.
Alcatraz is worth a visit. You can even fly round it in a helicopter!
Andrew, thanks for that.