Mar 23, 2006
Beards are so 2005
NYT on the phenomenon of the beard:
On city streets, too, trends in scruff have reached new levels of unruliness, a backlash, some beard enthusiasts say, against the heightened grooming expectations that were unleashed with the rise of metrosexuality as a cultural trend. Men both straight and gay, it appears, want to feel rough and manly.
Since shaving my beard of 2 years last September, I can safely say, beards are so 2005. The ironic mustache however, is making a comeback.
As anyone that knows me, or has at least seen me knows that I have horrendous scars on my face from acne. I blame the The United Methodist Children’s home I grew up in for the damage. I say this because it wasn’t until the Children’s Home infirmary nurse saw my face and said “oh my God, we have to get you to a dermatologist!” That was two years too late. I once had a small child exclaim to me going up to the thirty-third floor of the Sears Tower “what’s wrong with your face?” Feeling really embarrassed I said “nothing, what’s wrong with your face?”
My point to this diatribe is that, I try to shave as little as possible as it murders my face. I stopped using conventional razors a long time ago and switched to an electric. Better, but not by much. So I look like an unshaven convict most of the time, what do I care? As now I’m thirty-six, I would rather not shave and save the agony of both my skin and the inquiries of “what’s wrong with your face.
I was always envious of my friends like Alex and Chad who could grow the cool five a clock shadow beard, as the beard I grow looks misshapen and quite frankly, creepy. I’ve always taken much joy from Pat’s “Devil may care” attitude on his facial hair and pretty much do the same.
Hey! I care a lot, you wouldn’t believe what my goatee maintentence bill is. In fact, it’s so much I can’t afford to subscribe to the NYT ‘fashion and style’ section…..
You seem in a reflective mood lately Corbett. When do want to do your interview for the10000things?
If I don’t shave, I seem to look like a 15 year old Taliban “soldier”. All neck beard baby!
As I am on a “punk rock” arena tour in Canada I’ve noticed alot of beards as well as handlebar “ironic” staches. The dudes also wear girls jeans and bullet belts. I wouldn’t be caught dead sporting any of these fashions. I’m personally not down with facial hair for myself, I have what I consider a “non-connector” hair line thing. Yo Corbett- what happened to the Stipe style derm-abrasion action?
Scott Rowe wears girl jeans, and I have to play in a band with him.
Hey! Leave RoRo alone, he’s the hottest one. No seriously, is that lump up front for real, or is he just in charge of stashing the girl’s pipe?