My Beard: Does it Stay or Go?

>> Thursday, November 11, 2010

So I started getting lazy about 3 weeks ago: I stopped shaving. Then, when I decided to shave, I just shaved my neck.

Yep, it was becoming a beard. And Pharmie didn't really approve.

Here's how it looked last night at 7:00 pm, after I got done teaching class:






Awkward self-shot shifty-eyed profile photo


Close-up of the goods

And if you've forgotten what I look like without a beard, here's a reminder:



I have an indoor tri this weekend, and I'm NOT really worried about it slowing me down - the tri is totally for fun, so I figured I could be bearded for it. Afterall, my chest hair will be slowing me down SOOO much, that I shouldn't be concern about this little patch on my face.

Anyway....

I want your input. DOES IT STAY, OR DOES IT GO?

I created a poll for you to vote. You can choose 1 or 2 answers before hitting "Cast Your Vote" below. So read these through, pick 1 or 2, and cast your vote:

So far, I've gotten some mixed reactions from people who have seen it in person:

• "That looks nice." Generic (and probably fake) compliment.
• "Oh! A beard!" I can't tell which way you're going with that statement.
• "I like your beard." Straight up Ke$ha reference.
• "It makes you look older!" That's only OK to say to 8th graders.
• "It makes you look skinner!" Yeah. Nice. Because I WANT to look gaunt.

Anyway, I may or may not follow the advice of the most popular answer, but I WILL take it into consideration for sure. So please vote above! (Poll open through Saturday evening.)

Thanks everyone!

41 comments:

Benjamin 5:25 AM, November 11, 2010  

It has to stay, but no more "I shaved my neck" BS. All in, I say.

Lindsay 6:05 AM, November 11, 2010  

you look like bob from biggest loser.

i am not a facial hair girl so... i'm on pharmie's side.

Jumper 2.0 6:27 AM, November 11, 2010  

If you decide to shave it off, keep the stache for the rest of the month. After all, it is Movemeber!

http://us.movember.com/about/

Anonymous,  6:38 AM, November 11, 2010  

It is no shave november!

Kevin 6:41 AM, November 11, 2010  

That picture of you at the piano is classic. You look like Ralphie Parker from "A Christmas Story!!"

Kevin
http://halftriing.blogspot.com/

R_Clackett 6:54 AM, November 11, 2010  

I Think you should shave it all except for the 'mo! It would be for a great cause - prostate cancer awareness/research.

It is movemberber after all.....

Cap'n Tan Lines 7:48 AM, November 11, 2010  

Beards mean having 1 less thing to do in the morning (shaving). That means you can get more sleep. More sleep = good.

Oh, and your poll results currently add up to over 130%. What the heck?

Steve Stenzel 7:52 AM, November 11, 2010  

Pharmie mentioned that I forgot the option of "shave everything but the mustache." Yeah. That'd look GREAT!

And Cap'n Tan Lines, the poll will end up showing more than 100% because you can vote for more than 1. So if the first person votes for 2 different options, the results will show 2 options that both have 100% of the vote.

Unknown 8:20 AM, November 11, 2010  

My BF has a beard up until Halloween so he could "keep his Halloween options open" and then shaved it after. I didn't like it until he shaved it off, then I missed it. Keep it!

Jamie 8:22 AM, November 11, 2010  

I started growing a beard in grad school because the winters in Syracuse were so cold. Sam hated it at first, but grew to love it. Now she doesn't want me to shave it off ever (as long as I keep it trimmed and don't spike her face).

I think you still need to do a little more trimming around the chin/neck and next to your ears so you don't look so homeless, but I definitely vote to keep it. Buy a good beard trimmer too. They are only like $20.

With all the outdoor running you'll be doing this winter, I vote to at least keep it until the spring. It'll keep you a LOT warmer.

tim 8:22 AM, November 11, 2010  

I think you should slowly shave it off in stages:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/a-a-ron/sets/72157614554727855/

Sara 9:12 AM, November 11, 2010  

where is the poll to get rid of that shirt? Hee, hee :)

Keith 9:19 AM, November 11, 2010  

You need to remember women have no judgement when it comes to beards. They can't grow one so their not wanting you to grow one is just jealousy and envy expressed as disapproval. The rule for shaving is it's ok to trim the edges for neatness, and keep overall length under control, but it's gotta go when it develops a mind of it's own and goes multicoloured, or develops bald spots. And keep the mo' regardless!

Unknown 9:39 AM, November 11, 2010  

You do realise that it's MOvember right? Which does mean NOT to shave for the ENTIRE month of November. Albeit you started a little early but you must keep it until Dec 1.

Kristen 9:51 AM, November 11, 2010  

The shirt is a nice addition to the beard.

bethtrue 9:53 AM, November 11, 2010  

I just have to comment on your teeth - wow you have perfect teeth. What's up with that? Please tell me you had braces when you were younger, or that your dad's a dentist?

B. Kramer 10:00 AM, November 11, 2010  

As a committed bearded weirdo, I endorse your beard. Once it really comes in, it'll look good. Art teachers are supposed to have beards. Luckily, my lady likes the beard so I don't have to worry about that. Cheers!

Melissa 10:27 AM, November 11, 2010  

As a wife of a lazy shaver, I am 100% on Pharmie's side! Sorry Steve. If it's scratchy and stabs her face while you are "having relations" it's got to go. I don't know, maybe you have soft-baby-like hair on your face and if so, then I'd like to recast my vote, but probably not the case.

I say, keep it for MOvember, and then have some fun shaving it off in different styles and take lots of pics.

kj 11:03 AM, November 11, 2010  

It looks nice from the front but kinda patchy from the side, so shave it off. please. :) BUT yes you do have NICE teeth!!

Ironman By Thirty 11:25 AM, November 11, 2010  

Keep it!

It looks very professorial. Do you have the matching tweed jacket with elbow patches???

As a plus, you won't have to wear a scarf or anything during your cold winter workouts.

Although if Pharmie doesn't like it, you probably won't be getting any...

Anonymous,  11:39 AM, November 11, 2010  

A little to close to flesh beard...

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSPSho8bQUgPxo7qFEITH5ot-ptF_1if2ENVtp3BI_IPYL1O8o&t=1&usg=__ZYfLvM3Ay7k6PaSgAvX6mBeSE0c=

gene 12:10 PM, November 11, 2010  

keep the stache, for Movember. btw, i like the 'before' picture. at first glance i thought you were wearing the same shirt....

TRI714 12:25 PM, November 11, 2010  

Actualy looks good on you. But beards are for ZZ TOPS and hipster duffus's like "Q" on the move. And that dudes been wearing womens bra's since he was like 4. SOOOO take that for whats it's worth.

Cap'n Tan Lines 12:32 PM, November 11, 2010  

"And Cap'n Tan Lines, the poll will end up showing more than 100% because you can vote for more than 1. So if the first person votes for 2 different options, the results will show 2 options that both have 100% of the vote."

*slaps forehead* Duh! My bad.

I'll also echo some other comments. My wife didn't like mine at first. After a couple years I surprised her by shaving it off and she almost cried I didn't look like 'me' anymore.

Kim 1:51 PM, November 11, 2010  

i told the head trader at my office today that he owes me a mustache ride. dont shave - i think pharmie wants a ride!

Anonymous,  7:38 PM, November 11, 2010  

I'm really not a facial hair fan in general, but really Movember is the most appropriate time to have it. Keep it only for the month- enjoy a little extra gravitas for the meantime.

Jennifer Harrison 8:10 PM, November 11, 2010  

Maybe you should have a poll about that damn shirt....TOSS it or KEEP it??? good god.

Scott Cannon 9:21 PM, November 11, 2010  

If Pharmie doesn't like it than it must go. If you do keep it, then you must keep it all. Goatees are only for "whimpy" men who can't grow a full beard. No offense to all those men with goatees, but some of us simply have more hair than others and it must be a source of pride.

CoachLiz 9:47 PM, November 11, 2010  

I'm with Sara and Jennifer. That shirt is hideous! The combination of the shirt and the facial hair is just begging for a photo listing on "Awkward Family Photos". It is like a bad recollection from my childhood in the 70's and watching Bob Ross paint "happy clouds" on PBS.

And Kim....you actually told the head trader he owed you a mustache ride??!!?? OMG GIRL!!! How in the hell did we not meet up in Cozumel last year??? We would have had way too much fun.

SixTwoThree 12:38 AM, November 12, 2010  

I'm with Pharmie! That would be the ultimate form of birth control if my guy grew a beard. Compromise and shave it on Thanksgiving, if she can stand it that long! Poor, poor Pharmie. Steve in a beard? Oh no!

SixTwoThree 12:38 AM, November 12, 2010  

I'm with Pharmie! That would be the ultimate form of birth control if my guy grew a beard. Compromise and shave it on Thanksgiving, if she can stand it that long! Poor, poor Pharmie. Steve in a beard? Oh no!

Dwayne 12:21 PM, November 12, 2010  

You look like a young Amby Burfoot. Maybe try a goatee or soul patch instead?

Jennifer 3:27 PM, November 12, 2010  

Keep it! It's awesome. I like the keep it til spring idea. You'll look like a hipster rock star. Are your piano boy shoes velcro? Dude.

FinnyKnits 3:33 PM, November 12, 2010  

You really DID become a Giants bandwagoner! But that's no excuse for the beard. It's ugly on Brian Wilson and well...

Meanwhile, my hysterical husband grew a beard a month after we got married. When I told him to shave that sh*t off, he then told me that HA HA HA he also quit his job.

That first month was a long one.

Regina 3:47 PM, November 12, 2010  

First, you have fantastic teeth! Just sayin'.

I am anti facial hair as a rule, but you live in a very cold part of the country. I saw if it keeps you warm in the winter (I don't know about these things), then keep it. Otherwise....ask Pharmie! She has to suck face with you; what's her preference?

Motumbo,  4:06 PM, November 13, 2010  

Man, as someone that writes blog posts on toe nails and blisters, the prospect of having a full grown beard is just too enticing, I guess. Consider the nasty and gross possibilities of skin conditions? The results of food left overs? It is just too much to contemplate.

For this reason, and this reason alone, get rid of the thing. Now.

Martin 6:19 AM, November 14, 2010  

The beard is aging you so so much, but it looks okay. For a change I guess! I miss your posts with pictures of Matt in it! Hahaha.

Bearcub 3:19 PM, November 14, 2010  

Hi Steve, a little bit late to the party but anyway... The beard should go...why? You're in danger of being mistaken for a 'bear' and I don't mean polar...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_(gay_culture)
Whilst some of us might quite like you to join us, I'm not sure it's really your scene... :0)

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