So, after my dad died back in September of 2001, I suddenly had an acute realization of how fleeting one lifetime really is. An event like that really puts things in perspective. So, something that I had thought about for many years - but never had the balls to do - I did. I shaved stripes into my beard. I figured, hey, life is too short to be boring. Life is too short to look the same. Life is too short to blend in to the stagnant pool of mediocrity that is mankind. I appreciate the appeal of a gathering like Burning Man now, in other words.
Anyhow, back in the day, when I initially had the thought that stripes could look cool in a beard, I was far more self conscious and way too concerned about "getting looks" from people. And I was convinced I would need to preview a Photoshop'd picture of myself with a stripy beard first before taking the plunge. Of course, with stripes in my beard now, I do "get looks", but I just don't care as much. In fact, I get a good number of what I would regard as approving looks - even the occasional comment like "cool beard, man", or some cute chick who says "I really like it when guys get original with their facial hair".
Not surprisingly, since I stripy-fied my beard back in early 2002, I've been seeing more and more beard design activity going on. Nothing quite as cool as mine, though (mwa ha ha ha). I'd like to think that my striking facial hair concept has inspired one or more of the gotta-look-trendy guys out there. And, being that San Francisco is so much of a tourist destination, I'd like to think that I'm seeding the idea of original beard designs in the minds of visiting young people who see me strolling down Market Street. Perhaps they will return to Germany, France, Italy, England, Norway, or wherever the hell they come from, and shock the locals with an outrageous and thoroughly unacceptable beard concept.
PS: Oh, and please forgive the less than stellar pics of me. I know I look all too serious, and my hair is somewhat discombobulated. There are, in fact, times when I smile uncontrollably and my hair is willing to cooperate.
There she is! In all her hybrid glory, and complete with shameless self promotion. Got her back in late 2000. I was one of the few. Before driving a hybrid was Hollywood chic. Before Leonardo di Caprio. Before Cameron Diaz. Before Billy Joel. Before David Duchovny. Before Bill Maher. And before the rest of the Hollywood-come-lately crowd, just stuggling to catch up with my cool. This puppy was in my sights and in my dreams years before it was even released in limited numbers in the US. Back in the day when brave citizens of Japan were being used as the guinea pigs to test this new technology.
I was on the Toyota dealer's waiting list as soon as I caught news of its imminent release in the States. And I must have been one of the first few hundreds of Prius drivers, feeling all smug and environmentally righteous and all that (that ruled!). Since then, of course, many more wise people have been inspired to make the switch to a sensible vehicle.
They're no longer so incredibly unique on the roads, but it still gives me pleasure to see them. I feel vindicated in my choice to be an early adopter. I feel like - along with all the other hybrid drivers and the brilliant people who made the technology possible - that I was part of lighting a fire. Shaking things up, and getting the doubting masses to see that fuel efficient and environmentally resposible vehicles are not only viable but essential.