Beards
In spite of my commitment to style, and even though I am one good-looking bearded dude, I decided it is finally time to say good-bye to the mass of growth on my face.
I have accomplished a lot these past few months and I have achieved more then most men ever dream of. I am proud of what I have done. But like all great things, it is time to move on.
You can see from the different photos below that my beard was indeed a fine example of what a beard can be. A man should not be limited to a clean-shaven face – raw skin is for hands, or elbows – or maybe why some men go bald. But the face – the face is a place of growth and male expression.
Figure 3 is the “horned” look. Notice how the beard neatly parts down the middle, allowing room for the skin underneath to breath.
In figure 4 we find the “wild” beard. Not a traditional look, and clearly only a style appropriate for a humid (or possibly very electric) day.
My decision to trim my beard down to size was one I did not take lightly. Ultimately it was rooted in practicality – in my unending love for my beard I couldn’t keep my hands off of it.
I would pull and tug, contorting my face into new and strange shapes. True, I still looked good even with the extra strain, but my face was starting to hurt and I was causing concern amongst the people around me – so I opted for change.
The transformation was painless, although it did leave emotional scars. Now all that is left is a pile of fluff.
But alas, I can always grow it again.
September 8th, 2008
Beards are big news and a lot of people are asking me about them. I wonder, with so much talk about Obama and the DNC this week, maybe a good test of a candidate’s presidential-ness should be whether or not he can grow a beard.
I searched the web and it turns out I am not the only one thinking about presidential beards. Check out this photo-shopped rendering of a bearded McCain:
I don’t know if it is an accurate representation of what McCain would actually look like with a beard, but you have to admit – he does look good. If McCain with a beard even vaguely resembles this picture, then he needs to grow one – and fast – I think it would do wonders for him in the polls.
Here is a legitimate photo of a bearded Al Gore:
No one really cares about Gore any more, but I bet if he had his beard in 2000 he would be president today.
I couldn’t find much about Obama and beards, and it makes me wonder – can Obama even grow one? I have never seen a photo of a bearded Obama.
Have you?
If word got out that Obama couldn’t grow a beard, it would ruin his candidacy – maybe this is why he is always so careful to be perfectly clean-shaven every time he appears in public.
What are you trying to hide Obama?
I mentioned in an earlier post that Obama does look great in a kipa, and I stand by that – he has style. But if he can’t grow a beard then what good does all that style do him? Not much.
Here is a picture of Obama with a cigarette:
Very cool. Perhaps smoking is a way to offset his beard problem.
I don’t smoke, but I have a beard. Maybe if I started smoking I could run for president.
I couldn’t find a cigarette, so here is a photo of me (with beard) and a pen:
Do I look presidential?
August 27th, 2008
In the interest of education, rabbinical awareness, and as a result of massive public inquiry, I have prepared this short exposé.
People don’t often talk about beards – particularly in relation to style – and it is therefore my hope that I can do my part to shed light and offer guidance.
Consider figure one:
Notice how the beard and hat naturally complement each other – the hat adding height and the beard, length. The hat and beard combination is a standard look found in most communities around the Jewish world. As in contrast to figure two:
Figure two is a striking look indeed! Typical amongst Jewish desert dwellers, the beard adds a rugged, harder edge.
In figure three we find a look more common amongst Jewish educators in the Diaspora. The beard and sunglasses create a natural balance that enables the educator to “blend in” with the general population.
Finally in figure four we find a more personal, contemplative look. The beard is neatly tucked away to allow for meditation and quiet introspection.
Far from being a nuisance, the beard enables the Jewish man to take on myriad looks, conform to new trends and fashion, and to express his uniqueness and individuality.
August 24th, 2008
Beards are in (as noted by the New York Times and mentioned in a previous post) and my beard is no exception.
I am no newcomer to the world of beards – I quit shaving in late 1993 and I have never looked back – and now I am experimenting with a long beard. (This is a second attempt, the last time I grew it long was about 13 years ago.)
A few myths to dispel about beards:
- They are not hot
- They do not itch (more about itching below)
- If you clean them, nothing grows in them
Itchy beards:
Yes, when you first grow your beard it itches. It itches for about five weeks and then during the sixth week it feels like you have something on your face. But then it is over and it just feels like “face” (most men wimp out in the first five weeks – hence the myth). If you can make it through the itch – for the rest of your life you can enjoy the itch-free benefits of being bearded. No more shaving, no more irritated skin, no more wasted time, no more bleeding – just a wonderful beard.
It looks great right? I cannot guarantee that my long beard will last the summer, but for now I am enjoying it and my family and friends are amazed by its mass.
More beard news:
- According to this site – beards are the way you can identify the Jews in Egyptian hieroglyphics
- Beards.org is a site dedicated to growing beards – see link below
July 28th, 2008
