My first post into the world of blogging. Hello Grand World! I am now a part of you. Humbly I am yours for the reading.
It feels much like growing my first facial hair. Suddenly it was out there - published on my face for world to see for the very first time. Liberating in disproportion to it's stature. Life will go on almost without change, yet expanded.
How this all started: A couple of months ago my girlfriend gave me some very positive feedback when I failed to shave. Looking back on it I see how skillfully she manipulated me. Good boy, come here...that's a good boy... you're so cuuute yes you are ..with your scruffy little beard. Positive reinforcement is always your best training tool.
So naturally I stopped shaving. Why haven't I ever grown out a beard? Because I would look like a killer I always thought. Or worse a community college student. And then something happened. Each day I went out without shaving I felt a surge of manliness as I walked out of my house in the morning. That's right, I don't care what anyone thinks... I'm not shaving because this is who I am. Take it or leave it. I don't need to please anyone but me.
To you men who haven't tried it: Free the beard and free the soul! Actually it was more like a new style of suit or a motorcycle. You catch yourself thinking "Who is that cool guy in the mirror?" Or "I'm the biker dude I just saw cruising in the reflection of that building." In reality it was probably like the nerd who buys himself a really cool sweater and walks around thinking he's the envy of the office.
Two highlights: Seeing what color my facial hair is. It's got a red tinge but definitely black. And looking at it wet. Sexy beast were the words that came to mind.
I shaved it off a couple weeks ago, a better man for the experience. Probably like a woman having a baby. Glad to have the gender affirming experience, but feeling no need to be permanently pregnant. Besides, it wasn't a real beard. I can only grow a mustache, soul patch and a goatee. I didn't grow the mustache, so I didn't know what to call it. I dislike having to call it facial hair. That sounds like something that needs laser treatment. Soul Patch and goatee is too long. If I can call it chin patch I'll grow it again.
