As any man who has had facial hair for a while can attest, you grow quite attached (literally and figuratively). As I’m sure many of you have seen, I shaved off my ultra-masculine Grizzly Adams beard, first paring it down to a reasonable goatee, and ultimately shearing my entire face. Personally, I miss my old growth and lament my current punishment of a daily shaving routine.
I’ve never been a big fan of shaving which was always a problem because facial hair was banned without exception in the student body of my high school. If you came to class with a five o’clock shadow, you could be certain of a trip to the office where you would encounter a reprimanding and brutal punishment in the form of forced shaving with a dull, disposable Bic razor. I never personally suffered this ignominy, but the possibility was widely known.
In vengeful rebellion, upon graduation I started growing facial hair. I wasn’t so much going for any specific look; rather, I just relished being able to get away with an unkempt exterior. I, of course, had to deal with the constant chiding of my dad who would say “clever” things such as, “Steve, did your razor break?” or “Steve, you look like the business end of a great ape!” Ok, maybe not that last one, but definitely the first. After growing tired of the novelty of meager facial hair, I set about the task of growing an honest-to-goodness beard…a beard that served me well (except for with the ladies and people who have class) and stayed with me for quite a while.
So I shaved and I’m still not really sure what to think of it all. As far as public opinion, I think the general line is drawn with guys in favor of the facial hair and girls either in favor of the clean-shaven look or just indifferent. Personally, I don’t think I can go wrong with shootin’ to please the ladies, but you know…handsomeness can be a curse. I mean how will I afford to replace all the shirts that girls keep ripping off of me as they scramble to get a piece of the newly unveiled “El Guapo” version of Steve? I do have another problem with shaving, which is a medical problem. Allow me to explain:
I apparently have the most sensitive skin in the world and when I shaved my beard off, I got wicked razor burn. Somehow it got infected and resulted in the abnormal swelling of my lymph nodes…I now have a freakish nodule protruding from the right side of my neck. I thought I was growing another person (reproduction by the asexual budding method…like a sponge) that would soon emerge from my neck, kill me, assume my identity, and then give me a bad name by telling people that he likes Abba…wait, I like Abba.
Well ladies, I hope you’re happy. Now, thanks to shaving, I’m on antibiotics, I have a freakish protrusion on my neck, I have constant facial irritation, and, lastly, I can’t keep myself in shirts. I ask you, how did Superman do it?
You neglected to mention the appalling amount of times you shaved in a row (bad idea) when you shaved your beard off, and then the amount of times you shaved in the following few days.
At least the doctors know what that lump is on your neck, mine is still a mystery!
The Grizzly Adams beard was out of control and I’m sure was infested with fleas tics and an abundance of other such unwanted creatures. Now the goatee was civilized and nicely trimmed (by myself I might add). I don’t know who you are trying to fool here babyface, but you know as well as I do that you are one rough fellow so bring back the goat man!
I wish I had a goat man. We could tie him up at the apartment and enslave him to do our bidding.
I want a goatman too.
steve, why do these things always happen to you?
Steve, just keep following the directions on the can: lather cream on face, shave with razor, gently pat dry, and head to my place for all you can eat celery. Repeat as necessary.
I don’t know what hurts more…shaving or eating a lot of celery.