Year of the Beard

Whoa! We’re Half Way There! July 1, 2009

Today is July 1st. The 182nd day of the year. So I guess technically we’re not half way through the year, if you’re counting days (stupid February has to be all short and different). But if you go strictly by month count, I have made it successfully through six months of beard growing and I have another six months to go.

Great news, right? Yeah! I wish I could celebrate a little more but I am a bit under the weather. I actually had to call off work this morning which I don’t really like to do. I know that’s hard to believe, but it’s true. I’ve worked six months and only taken 2 personal days. I’m a maniac. A bearded maniac.

So what’s in store for the next sixth months? Well, I’m glad you asked. Let’s break it down, shall we?

- Another mega blow out fundraiser will happen near the end of the year. Looking to raise even more money than last time.

- Guest “beard-tending” is tentatively scheduled August 28th at a bar downtown. I think I know which bar but I’m going to finalize that soon, so I don’t want to say anything until I do.

- The Cleveland Decathlon has 10 events but I have to set it up with our venue. Possibly in September but I’m going to lean towards October on that one.

- Finally, there will be a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT this weekend on the site. Probably on July 4th (America’s birthday). Be sure to check back then to see what it is. Some people already know but most do not, so keep an eye out.

Another important note. Let’s not forget what Year of the Beard is all about… CHARITY! There hasn’t been much as far as donations lately, and the Domestic Violence Center could really use the help. I know times are tough, believe me, things aren’t all cash money for me. But times are probably tougher for the victims of domestic violence. So if you have anything to donate, anything at all, head over to my Facebook page (friend me if you haven’t!) and donate to the Center. If all my Facebook friends donated $1 today, that’d be awesome. Let’s try that!

And because it only makes sense, here is what my beard looks like, 6 months after a razor touched my face:

Wednesday Isn’t Just Comic Book Day June 24, 2009

I was visiting my friend who was bartending today, and a very friendly drunk person named Josh introduced himself to me. This is how that went:

Josh: You look Amish.

Me: Oh good, that’s what I was going for.

Josh: Do you build furniture?

Me: Yes. But not very well.

Josh: Do you drive a horse and buggy?

Me: Oh heavens no.

The rest of Josh’s questions were nowhere even close to PG-13, but I’ll give you a hint: They were generally on the theme of me and the female half of the species.

Year of the Beard takes a break at work June 22, 2009

What an awesome day.

Beard Poster and a Wedding June 21, 2009

I’ll start with the wedding.

My good buddy Adam got married last night. I’ve known Adam since high school, when I didn’t have a beard. He was in my second band, called [the electronic adventure].  That band was pretty awful but we did do a pretty good cover of “I think we’re alone now” (Tiffany’s version). That band broke up when high school ended and then I started a new band with Adam called Karate for Kids. Can’t say that band was much better but we did stick together for about 4 and half years and we did two tours. The band was a lot of fun and the second tour, which lasted six weeks, was one of the best times of my life and I am glad I got to spend it with Adam. He is a great guy and I’m really happy for him.

I was a little nervous about going to his wedding with an unruly, untrimmed beard, but I figured he would appreciate that cause so it wouldn’t really matter. Also, no one would really care, because it’s Adam’s wedding. And no one did, so it was all fine.

So that’s that.

In other news, Jon (year of the beard co-hort) sent me a link to this cool poster. I like it.

Fact June 10, 2009

It’s no coincidence that the word “beard” is just “bear” with a “d” attached to the end.

That’s a fact.

And in bear news, watch this video, in its entirety. It’s awesome: http://www.fox8.com/search/wjw-blackbear-1007,0,3269543.worldnowvideo

Black Books Beard June 9, 2009

I got this email from a friend:

funny beard part at 2:06…

Black Books

edit: Well there was a funny beard part but YouTube hates life so they took the video down.

The Year Of The Beard 5K! June 6, 2009

I have a feeling people are looking at me and thinking “Look at this guy, he’s just letting himself go. He’s given up on life. Not grooming. Probably not eating well. Doesn’t take care of himself.”

Hey now, that’s just not true. I’ve actually been eating very well lately. I try to get in a few fruits every day. I eat a salad every day. Sure this all resulted from me going to the doctor because of stomach spasms I was having and he said “Get your act together, son” but hey, I’m doing it, right?

But in a further attempt to make sure I keep my life together, I went for a run this morning! 3 whole miles! Well actually I ran for about two miles, walked about half a mile, then ran the last half mile. I’m pretty proud of that, though. I haven’t run in a few months. I was going to the YMCA when I lived in Lakewood, but that sort of fizzled out even before I had to move out of my place. Something about running on the treadmill with all those people kind of freaked me out. We had also been doing the elliptical machine, which was in a smaller, private room (with a TV), but that wasn’t really for me. It would make my feet numb. I don’t understand why but that’s what happened.

So I woke up and went for a run. It felt good. I feel good. Still I think people probably look at me and go “Why does that runner have a beard?” And I’m nervous that if I keep this up throughout the summer I’m going to get real hot. But that’s life. That’s Year of the Beard.

So if you see me running through Seven Hills (or wherever I end up moving), give me a wave!

See you at Dillinger Four tonight!

Mr. Year of the Beard Goes to Washington June 2, 2009

Recently I took a trip to Washington DC. Oddly enough they let me on the plane with no problems. I know, I couldn’t believe it either.

So I had this massive plan to film an epic story called “Mr. Year of the Beard Goes to Washington.” I was going to film it with my very nice camcorder, but I ran into a little problem. I got about halfway to DC proper from my buddy Patrick’s place in Virginia when I realized the battery on my camcorder was dead. Nothing. Not even like thirty seconds. Just nothing. So we had to double back and I picked up my still digital camera (5.0 megapixels), which has a limited capability to take some of them ‘moving pictures.’ I filmed a less massive, not so epic movie. Also called it Mr. Year of the Beard Goes to Washington.

So now I present to you Year of the Beard in the nation’s capital.

Mr. Year of the Beard Goes to Washington from MyFriendCleveland on Vimeo.

New Movie Coming Soon May 27, 2009

Although I’m still on the hunt for a permanent location for myself, I do have the internet set up at my temporary location, and that means I can beard blog just a little bit more.

What I’m more excited about, however, is the work I’m going to be doing soon. A little underground film project about the vacation my beard took recently.

Also, I had a really weird dream the other night where I shaved, but for some reason in my mind (in the dream), Year of the Beard was still going on. People were all looking at me like I was crazy, and saying “Andy, why did you shave? What about Year of the Beard?” And I kept responding “What about it? It’s still going on. I still have a beard.” But I clearly didn’t. I’m not sure what the dream meant. Regardless, don’t worry, the beard is not going anywhere.

I’ll keep you updated.

The World Beard and Mustache Championships… May 26, 2009

…were held last weekend. For Memorial Day. Not sure if there’s any sort of connection there but it happened, so…

Anyways, the USA(! USA! USA!) took top honors. I highly recommend checking out their site for the full results. Also, if you happen to be a not-for-profit web designer you might want to offer your services to the WBMC online. Site’s straight out of 2001. I was expecting to see some animated .gifs.

I’d say more but honestly the Cavs are on so I’m a little busy.