Movember
November seems to be a popular month for causes and organisations. There’s NaNoWriMo, which always seemed slightly crazy to me. I mean, cool, write a novel, but why try to do it in one month? Won’t that result in a piece of work which is rushed and seriously sub-par? There’s also NaBloPoMo. which is slightly better, but still seems like a way to force substandard content out…
The greatest incarnation of November is undoubtedly Movember. Across multiple countries, men unite under a single cause, returning to the seventies by growing (or, rather, trying to grow) a nice, thick moustache in support of Prostate Cancer Awareness, and general man-ness.
I wasn’t planning on taking part. While a keen observer, and supporter of the cause (the world needs more facial hair, and less prostate cancer) I had already cultivated a rather stunning beard / goatee which had taken a good amount of time - I didn’t relish the idea of shaving a good part of it off, or even starting afresh for a month.
But then everything changed. Or should I say, my mind got changed for me.
Drinking at Nick’s on Saturday night, Jordan announced that he would donate $50 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation if I shave off my entire beard then and there. Intoxicated, I’m intrigued by the idea. But I want more.
I do the rounds of the guests, demanding sponsorship from everyone. Those who refuse get yelled at for supporting the growth of Prostate Cancer. Fascist bastards. A good proportion do actually pledge money. After a good 20 minutes of loud bargaining, I’ve reached nearly $200. A modest sum, for a good cause. Nick lends me a razor (And some some scissors, a razor wouldn’t do much to begin with.)
Wanting the most enjoyment for their money, the most vocal punters demand that I shave in stages, to fully show off the possibilities open for Movember.
“Just shave straight down the middle…”
“Now leave just two patches here and shace the connecting bits off”
“Alright, now a pornostache…”
I feel like a quinea pig.
Of course, I wasn’t allowed to keep a Mo. Despite it being Movember, for their money the guys wanted the shock and awe factor. They wanted me looking like I did a good five years ago. It all had to come off. I haven’t shaven everything off like this in two years at least.
I’m still finding it a little weird. Everyone else gets used to it pretty fast, I still just catch my reflection somewhere and get a shock.
I did Movember in reverse, I guess you could say. Going into November with facial hair, I gathered my sponsors to get rid of it. $200 for Prostate Cancer Awareness. I’m actually quite proud.
You know, I still have a good ten days… I might see just ho much of a Mo I can grow in that time. Try and compete with those who’ve had 19 days head start…
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18 Responses to “Movember”
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Adey Ben, 2 months without a post is terrible. Get moving!!!!!
yojoe What about Missile Pops?
Shannon OMG. Check it out… http://mudhead.uottawa.ca/~pet e/beard.html
Ben A singular beer won’t quite cut it. But you’re on the right track…
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I remember my mum cutting my hair and she cut it too short. Everytime I looked in the mirror, I was shocked and annoying at how short my hair was.
But looking good there, lookin’ good for sure.
Love the porn-stache and the grin to go with it. I’ve got to applaud the effort of raising $200 for charity, even if you were drunk. Bravo!
Yeah… Grow it back.
Well done for raising all that money and stuff though.
hehe I think I like better without - just adding my 2c. Its prob cos Ive known you since you were 13 and you didnt have facial hair then
You look intoxicated and glazed in some of the pics, surprised you didnt cut yourself
Wendy - I keep catching my reflection in the coffee machine at work, and getting a shock. Cheers for the complimetns though
Jayne - Yeah, that’s my favourite pic too - although I do love the first pic. Think crazed biker.
Shan - Pff. We’ll see.
Adey - Chur. You seem to be in the minority though. Am kinda enjoying the change, I’ll admit. Might keep it for a couple of weeks or so - at least till the end of november. For the guys who sponsored me, they deserve it.
Oh god. There’ll be stubble. :s
You look seriously like an Australian with that beard although full respect for the porno moustache.. you just need a pair of 1970’s sunglasses to go with it.
Great blog… I’ll be back.
Paul, I think I have the very sunnies. I would also like to point out that I look very Kiwi. Not Australian. Clear? Don’t make me go and get my swandri.
Cheers for the compliments though
Swandri plus Split Enz and Ardijah CD’s oh and maybe a VHS copy of “Goodbye Pork Pie”… then maybe I might be convinced. Otherwise you can pick up your Aussie passport in any Weetbix packet.
Split Enz… saw them in concert many years back. In the form of EnzSo. Saw Crowded House just the other week. Ardijah? Pass. Goodbye Pork Pie? Rubbish.
Weetbix? dude…. “Kiwi kids… are Weetbix kids…”
Case in point.
Ben do you love your watties tomato sauce? If yes = kiwi, if no = aussie. Point made
hahaha the transtasman debate rages on…also, I agree with shannon. Bring back the mo. I’m thinking a good chopper reid ought to do it. or at least hulk hogan.
Quiet now Kat!
If he does it I’ll have to kick your butt. I could do it, probably…
So Shannon, do I take that to mean you’re growing to prefer the clean shaven stubbly me?
If you grow a Hulk Hogan I’ll be most unimpressed…
But, on the upside, if you grow a hulk hogan, I will buy you a beer. Cause that truly is the epitome of manhood-the hulkstache. also, shan, you probably could. if we got you a box to stand on =p
A singular beer won’t quite cut it. But you’re on the right track…
I wouldn’t need a box… I’m only as tall as I think I am. The power of self belief!