Phil L., known as "Phil The Lurker" on the discussion forums, announced his candidacy for Hair Consultant in the upcoming mid-April election. The single, unemployed former restaurant owner has been a personal friend of Steve "Colorado Guy" Garufi since 2001, and stated his case why he should be elected the top encourager and coach to help Steve reach his long hair goals.

"I will be the only male ever with longer hair ever to do his." stated Phil, who touted the semi-long hair he has himself (right photo), "Look at the list of past Hair Consultants. A lot of the women didn't even have long hair ... That's a joke!"

"I also want people to know I've been on this site longer than anyone except for maybe Tote." he added. Phil found this web site in September 2001 after the Colorado Springs Gazette plugged it. He gained the nickname "Phil The Lurker" for his daily habit of reading through forum postings but rarely posting messages.

Phil gave little specifics as to how he would actually help Steve with long hair issues, and considering he is running against "Florida Pete" Harrison, a very popular and friendly forum regular on the forums, his candidacy is consider a long shot.

(Adjacent photo: Phil and his 1955 Chevy Truck in Manitou Springs, Colorado.)

This is Phil's first attempt at running for public office, and it remains to be seen how Phil will handle the negative attacks and mean-spiritedness that have characterizes recent elections. To make matters more difficult, Phil has yet to gain a major endorsement since announcing his candidacy and has the mere support of Amy in Kansas (known as "Little Amos") on the forums.

"That's not impressive." contended Steve, "I've seen Amy crush on men on the forums before, and my hunch is that's probably motivating her support for Phil."

Phil's Presence On This Web Site

If being photographed on this web site means much, at least Phil has that over his opponent.

In 2003, his 1955 Chevy Truck (which he foolishly sold) was photographed, he wisely confronted Steve about his awful wardrobe and hiked with Steve to the Devil's Head Lookout Tower in Douglas County. More recently, Phil drove to Cottonwood Pass with Steve last summer and attended the barbeque at the 2006 Colorado Guy Festival.

The position of Hair Consultant was created in October 1998 so that one person could be a coach, advice-giver and encourager for Steve in growing his long, naturally curly hair as long as possible. Since then, the position has changed with the times and now includes the Hair Consultant being a "public figure" on this web site. There have been 16 Hair Consultants in the history of Steve's hair.

This year, the Hair Consultant election will be held on April 12-15, 2006, and all are encouraged to vote. Visit the 2007 Hair Consultant election page for more details about all of the candidates.

(Right photo: Phil converses with Scott at the 2006 Colorado Guy Festival.)