Well here's my final update. My beard reached one year and the contest has ended. I won. My final competitor trimmed his beard to a short and professional
length a few weeks back which made me the winner of our baddest beard contest. As all of our beards were pretty badass it just came down to who could keep
growing theirs the longest. Fortunately, I seem to be the most stubborn. I decided to keep my beard for those few extra weeks after the news that I'd won
just so that I could say I had a yearlong beard. Since I'd kept it trimmed the first few months (until I was challenged) and continued to shave a neckline
for a few months after, it is not a true representation of what one year of unfettered growth would look like, but it's close enough for me. My beard
reached almost 8.5 inches at its longest (when pulled straight) and completely hid my neck.
And now my beard is gone. I shaved it to fulfill a promise made to my girlfriend (that I'd shave after I won) and to live life as a beardless man for a while to experience the contrast before I grow it back . . . and I will grow it back. The next one will be permanent. I've come to realize that I prefer myself bearded so this period of shaving is temporary. It's amazing how different life is without the big beard. Once again I just blend in with everyone else, whereas the big beard commanded attention. People have very strong reactions to beards . . . and the bigger the beard the stronger the reaction. Some people were terrified of me, others were drawn to me. I could write a whole book on how wearing a beard changes peoples perceptions of a man. But enough of my blabbing . . . here are my final update pictures, plus a couple post-beard pics.
And now my beard is gone. I shaved it to fulfill a promise made to my girlfriend (that I'd shave after I won) and to live life as a beardless man for a while to experience the contrast before I grow it back . . . and I will grow it back. The next one will be permanent. I've come to realize that I prefer myself bearded so this period of shaving is temporary. It's amazing how different life is without the big beard. Once again I just blend in with everyone else, whereas the big beard commanded attention. People have very strong reactions to beards . . . and the bigger the beard the stronger the reaction. Some people were terrified of me, others were drawn to me. I could write a whole book on how wearing a beard changes peoples perceptions of a man. But enough of my blabbing . . . here are my final update pictures, plus a couple post-beard pics.
