Behold This Swarthy Face
”BEHOLD this swarthy face–these gray eyes,
This beard–the white [redish brown] wool, unclipt upon my neck,”
-Walt Whitman, “Behold This Swarthy Face”
Every November the students of the university I work for hold a month-long event called “No Shave November.” There are many schools that do something of the sort whether it is “No Shave November” or “Janu-hairy” or whatever clever name can be thought of to allow students, and some faculty and staff, the excuse to not shave for a month. This year I decided to participate. I have never done “No Shave November” mainly because my wife does not like it and refuses to get close to me when I have a beard. But seeing as how my wife is pregnant, and when she is pregnant she has a head cold for nine months, and doesn’t get close to me anyway I decided to give it a whirl.
I have realized something this month. I like having a beard, at least for the winter months. I don’t think there is ever going to be any way that I could wear a beard in the summer; if you didn’t read my last post I weigh 332lbs. I produce enough heat as it is. But in the winter it is awesome, some would say manly. I would like to keep my beard but I am a reasonable man. I will let the people decide. Should I go full beard or should I return to the goatee?

