No Shave November is officially underway, and I am participating for the first time. Why have I never done this before? Keep reading (and probably laughing) and I'll explain.

First let me just say that this is for a great cause. Deaconess Hospital is trying to raise awareness for men's cancers, including prostate and testicular cancer. So if doing this helps make a couple guys more aware of the risks, then it's all worth it. By the way, find out more about No Shave November at Deaconess.com/Noshave.

Now, back to why I have been hesitant to do this in the past. I'm a hairy dude - all over. Growing facial is no problem at all for me. So there is no fear of having a spotty, scraggly beard (unlike some of my buddies). No, my fear is in the fact that I have to start the month completely clean shaven. There is a reason I have had some form of facial hair for the last 20 years. Simply put - it's because I don't like my face! For whatever reason though (peer pressure), this year I decided to bite the bullet and play along.

So last night my family gathered 'round (my son has never seen me clean shaven) and, like an animal at the zoo, watched the beast get groomed. We decided to go in stages...from the beard, to goatee, to fu manchu, to mustache, to babyface. The pictures below document the transformation. Check it out!

Full Beard

Have had this full-time for about 3 years or so.
Have had this full-time for about 3 years or so.
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The Goatee

Rocked this look most of my adult life, until I went full beard.
Rocked this look most of my adult life, until I went full beard.
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The Fu Manchu

My attempt at looking hard. I'm way too big of a weenie to wear a fu manchu all the time.
My attempt at looking hard. I'm way too big of a weenie to wear a fu manchu all the time.
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The "Stache"

"Hey kids, wanna see the inside of my van?" I actually kinda like the stache...kinda.
"Hey kids, wanna see the inside of my van?" I actually kinda like the stache...kinda.
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Babyface Bobby

Wow...just wow. I don't know how guys do this everyday.
Wow...just wow. I don't know how guys do this everyday.
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So now the process of growing my beard back begins. I'm gonna try and document my progress everyday this month, if I can remember. If not everyday, at least a couple time a month. Luckily for me, by this time next week, a decent amount of growth will take place and my beard will start to take shape.

Check out the No Shave November site to see me and other guys that are doing this challenge, and help spread the word to help raise awareness about prostate and testicular cancer.

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