No More Beardy McBeardface

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
No More Beard

On Thursday, March 5th, the night before my 29th birthday (for those of you keeping track), I shaved my winter beard. There had been a couple of really nice warm days that week, and with a little bit of wishful thinking, I decided it was time to get myself ready for spring. I have to say, my beard was really a utilitarian success! Never before has there been a winter when my face was kept so warm.

The next week, I had dinner at my parents’ house with my grandmother again. She was delighted that I was back to my default clean-shaven look. Beaming, she repeated things like, “It’s so much better this way!” and, “That beard was terrible!”

Now, judging from the photo above, it’s time for me to get a haircut. Yowza. What’s going on up there?

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My Grandmother is Not a Fan of My Beard

Sunday, March 1st, 2009

We took my grandmother out to dinner for her 85th birthday yesterday. I mentioned earlier that she told me repeatedly throughout the day she wasn’t a fan of my winter beard, but I think it’s better when you get it firsthand.

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Reactions to My Beard

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

My dad’s photography opening was a huge success last night! I saw a lot of family and family friends I haven’t seen in years. None of them have ever seen me with a beard before, and I got a wide variety of reactions.

  • Everybody (after doing a double-take): “Oh my god! I almost didn’t recognize Gavin!”
  • Male relatives and friends: “It looks good! You should keep growing it.”
  • Males my father’s age: “I remember when I could grow a dark beard. Now it would be all white!”
  • Female relatives and friends: “Interesting! So, are you going to keep it?”
  • My mom (to a friend): “I’m going to buy him a gift certificate to a barber shop.”

Today, we’re taking my grandmother out to dinner for her 85th birthday. She’s had my favorite reaction by far.

  • My grandmother (repeatedly today): “Wow!” and “That beard!” and “I will never get used to that beard!” and “I don’t like that beard!”

I started the beard on New Year’s Day, and the plan was to keep it through February and then go back to my clean-shaven look at the beginning of March, just in time for my birthday. But now part of me wants to keep it, just to collect more reactions.

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