@Gato, @Avocadoshake, @baldbandit- thanks so much for the comments. I still have the beard and the interview went very well. Must have been the bearded wishes!

@Tienchyu - connectors were late arrivals for me. I see pics of my "beards" when I was in my twenties and they looked exactly like yours...except your soul patch is stronger. Your beard looks great and I am very partial to the stache. Keep at it!