25 Years -- it was a good run

The last time I was completely clean shaven was sometime in July of 1986.  We were in Naples, Italy, and I was going up for a meritorious Corporal board, and while trimming the 'stache, I slipped.  And decided to shave it off.

That was the last time -- and since then, I've had at least a 'stache, and since May of '88, I've head a beard or goatee as well.

A few weeks back, I was driving back from a visit to one of the villages, and I thought -- "I wonder what I look like without a beard..."  By the time I got back to camp, I decided to shave off the beard and get rid of the pony tail.  On August 7th, 2011, I got rid of it all.  And a few hours later, I decided that I'd give it one week before growing it back.

And I will be. 

I also decided that I would keep a diary of the process of regrowing the beard -- so, tomorrow, Aug 14th, will be the last day I shave completely.  Once a week, I'll post a picture of the progress of the regrowth, along with reflections of growing a beard.

*****

It's been interesting, though, listening to the reactions from my friends.  Many of my friends at camp didn't recognize me -- others could.  I even had one of my lifeguards introduce himself to me.  Other guards didn't recognize me at all until I started talking.  My parents asked my sister, Robin, "why did he do it????"  She had not idea -- no one really did.  But, that's what makes it fun.  Doing the random, silly things.

Besides, it's hair.  It grows back.

 August 4, 2011 -- And I think this is the picture I want at my funeral -- it really captures who I am.

August 10, 2011 -- yeah, it's really me...