Beards and more beards

[Dale Seago]

But much like the 'wife vs. kilt' issue that pops up from time to time, I'm dismayed and confounded by some of y'all giving control of your facial hair to somebody else.

Well. . .I got my right hip replaced 10 weeks ago, and spent the 13 calendar days before returning to the office with my African Grey Parrot at my girlfriend's place. To my surprise she said, "You know, since you don't have to go to work for a while you don't need to shave. . ."

I took the hint.

This is me pre-surgery back in December, in Japan for martial-arts training (I'm an instructor): https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...&id=1199617140 (You can't see the kilt in the photo, but I'm wearing one; this was at my grandmaster's birthday party.)

And post-surgery, at my girlfriend's March 5, the day before returning to work: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...&id=1199617140

Now grown as much as I'm going to let it: April 17, my lass treating me to a birthday dinner at a Brazilian churrascaria: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...&id=1199617140

And a week later (last Saturday), outside the Jewish synagogue where I work: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?p...&id=1199617140

The last one, BTW, was also my first day wearing the first of two new kilts just received from/made by Matt Newsome. This one is in Douglas Weathered.

Reactions at work to the goatee from everyone who's mentioned it -- Temple staff, congregants, other visitors -- have ranged from very positive to wildly enthusiastic. I think I'm going to keep it.

I don't (yet) wear the kilt during working hours, but enough people have seen me wearing one to realize I don't wear bifurcated garments much unless I'm at work or doing my martial-arts thing. This morning one of the rabbis walked by me, and she made a point of commenting positively on my kilted photos on Facebook. . .