Let the Beard Build

November 24, 2014 5 Comments

In the rare chance friends and family may be interested, I’ve decided to give a (very) brief update about my beard length and the trials and tribulations I’ve encountered taking it this far.

First of all, having a beard is awesome. There’s no way around it. Who wouldn’t want to wear a badge of evolutionary superiority on their FACE!? That said, much like the hair on top of your head, there are good days and bad days.

I’ve discovered some simple tricks to help avoid bad days, but they still happen every once in awhile. Rushing from hostel to train to bus to hostel doesn’t always allow for primping time, and, the beard is my face’s first line of defense, continually hammered by the elements. I’ve learned proper proactive treatment can keep those wiry bastards in line.

Here’s the length when we started the journey. I sincerely apologize for the close-ups of my wiry facial hair. This is your last chance to navigate away.

beard-before

Here’s where we are now.

beard-after2

See the difference? It’s coming in nicely. I’ll do a couple more updates down the road, but only if this post doesn’t totally turn everyone off from reading about our travels again. How will I know if you stop reading? I watch the analytics. I’ll know.

Brit has been in great support of my beard-growing initiative, offering compliments or giving a loving tug now and then. Her support means more than she knows.

Lastly, allow me to give a quick plug for the general awareness of men’s health. If you’re not aware, millions of men all over the world are growing facial hair to help start the conversation about how to prevent common men’s health issues. For more information about the Movember movement, check out the site and please get involved.

5 Comments

  • Reply Professor 5 Cents November 25, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    Bold move on the beard update! If you’re not worrying about awkward digital silence…[silence]

    you’re not really trying.

    As you know, Nephew and Niece-in-love, I have long dabbled in the beard. For a while I grew it out all year and then shaved it on Halloween. For what is the real costume? My friend Robbie once said a shaved face is a mask, but then again Robbie chose to live in his car for a good spell, sleeping in what looked an awful lot like a coffin…but then again Robbie came thisssssssss close to inventing the ipod about ten years earlier when we were college housemates. It was a black box with digital recording capabilities. We called it the Larry 5000. I think we thought of it as an awesome new phone message machine that could store seemingly unlimited outgoing messages. For you youngesters out there, I’ll explain later what a phone message machine is. Actually, I won’t.

    Long live the beard! I am late to the awesome blog, just getting caught up now. Each story unfurls like a well trained curl of the collective beard. We miss you and love hearing your stories!

    • Reply the Beard November 25, 2014 at 6:20 pm

      Haha! We’re so thankful you’re part of our readership. Thanks for being brave enough to write the first comment on the beard update. To be honest, I’ve always admired your beard. To be really honest (and in the least creepy sense possible), I keep secret mental notes on all beards I consider admirable. I’m accessing the notes on your beard now… all positive. Thanks for the encouragement and hope the family is doing well! Love to all.

  • Reply Mom November 28, 2014 at 5:24 am

    And, how does my baby girl feel about the beard?

    • Reply the Beard November 29, 2014 at 5:06 pm

      I thought she liked it, but maybe her silence says it all… I’m pretty sure her opinion of the beard fluctuates day-to-day.

  • Reply megan December 12, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    just…YES.

  • Leave a Reply