The Beard Is Dead -- Long Live Kissing My Wife!

Can you hear that? It's "taps" playing, in the background, mourning the loss of my beautiful beard.

Honestly, I'm relieved. Sure, it looked pretty cool. I earned major "dude points," and I got free drinks whenever I went into a bar. (Two of the three I just listed are legit, and one of them is mostly pretend.)

Ultimately, my wife is the one who had to kiss me, and her vote was to put the beard down -- in a humane fashion, of course.

As you can see from the montage above, the facial hair was removed, one really stupid hilarious patch at a time.

It's gone, and my face is back to being an itch free zone, but it was fun while it lasted.

What made it particularly fun was seeing how you guys got behind the idea and the goal of raising $1000 for Charity Water in the Bearded Bloggers campaign.

Not only did we raise $1000, we went over and above by raising a whopping $1021. In fact, because we were so successful, the campaign will be left open until the end of December. So, if you feel like piling on got the already awesome total, go right ahead.

I'm proud of you guys, and it makes me feel really good that my little site was able to help do something super noble and admirable.

Thank you, guys.

So, what's going on in your world on this Monday? Feel free to borrow my comment section. Leave a link to a blog post you just wrote, a cause you'd like us to help promote, a picture you think is hilarious. Anything.

Share with the community!

Friday Funhouse PLUS 24 Hours Left in the Bearded Bloggers Campaign!

Today is the final day in the Bearded Bloggers campaign to raise money for Charity Water. The initial goal was to raise $1000 to help people living in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia and to do it by the end of the month.

At the time this post is being written, our current total is $910. We're so freaking close! I can't be content unless we hit the mark. I know we can do it. We have to!

Please CLICK HERE to make a small donation or, if you can afford it, make a BIG one! The goal was $1000, but how awesome would it be if we went over??

At any rate, I greatly appreciate those of you who have donated, and those of you have shared the mission with friends and family. 

On to the shenanigans:

T-minus Two Days until the Beard Bites the Dust!

This month marks the longest amount of time I've ever grown out a beard, without any kind of shaving or razor trimming.

There have been moments where I've felt fond of it. I've gotten a lot of compliments -- mainly from dudes who were impressed by the manliness of my face sweater.

But, my wife is super ready for me to bid the beard farewell. She hates it, mostly because of the itchiness. I won't lie, this month, I have received far fewer kisses.

It sucks, but it's for a good cause.

That cause, in case you forgot, was to bring awareness to the fact that the "Bearded Bloggers" are trying to raise $1000 for Charity Water by the end of the month.

Today is the 29th. Tomorrow is the 30th. That means we have essentially two more days to get this thing done.

At the time this post was being written, we've raised $840, leaving us a mere $160 away from our end goal. I'm so happy that we've done as well as we have, and that 42 people in the Tigray region of Ethiopia have received clean water because of the funds we've raised.

But we said we'd raise $1000, and we're not there yet. I'd give the remaining $160 myself if I had it. I don't, and you might not either, but you might have $10, and we can really use it.

Please -- give what you can. Share this post and this goal with as many friends and family members as you can. We're so close, guys! Help us cross the finish line.

GIVE HERE!!!

The Importance of Making an Impact

Day in and day out, most Americans go through their daily lives without making any kind of significant impact.

Think about it. Think about what you do every day. It's the same routine. You get up at the same time. You take your shower the same way. You take your coffee the same way. You drive the same route. You sit in the same seat. You do the same -- thing -- over -- and -- over -- and -- over --

AND OVER.

And when you clock out at 5, you'll get back in the car, make that same drive, have the same "How was your day?" conversation, eat a similar meal, wind down the same way you did yesterday, then you'll go to bed, sleep it off, wake up and do it all over again.

RINSE AND REPEAT.

I might be overstating things. You may have a very honorable and fulfilling profession, and this might not apply to you at all.

But for the majority of Americans, it's spot on.

Change all of that today. Do something real that will leave a lasting mark. For every $20 we receive, we are able to provide clean water for one person in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.

We've already raised $760. Our goal is to raise $1000 by the end of the month, and there's only a few days left to do that.

Would you help?

CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN IMPACT TODAY!

Bearded Bloggers Update: Week 4

It's coming down to the wire, people!

On November 1st, I came to you with a vision and a plea. That vision was to raise $1000 for Charity: Water by the end of the month. 

So far, we've raised $750, which is fantastic, but it wasn't the goal.

The goal is $1000, and I believe, wholeheartedly, that it is a goal we can still reach.

When I was coaching basketball, I always felt that it was important that I explained to my players WHY we did what we did, as opposed to just demanding their blind obedience.

Likewise, I think it's important that I explain WHY we're doing what we're doing, and why this is such a big deal.

Almost a billion people, around the world, live their daily lives without clean drinking water. Small children are waking up and bathing in disease infested waters, all while we camp overnight so we can buy massive TVs and computers.

Don't get me wrong. Massive TVs are awesome. But there's a huge crisis, and we're ignoring it.

Please take 3 minutes to watch this video:



I'm asking all of you to please consider giving $1, $5 or even $10. If you can give more, give more. Give as you feel led, but give something.

The rest of the week, I'm going to be solely focused on bringing you updates on the project. I'm excited about being able to post the good news, when we finally reach the mark.

I cannot do this without you! Please give. Please share this post on Twitter and on Facebook. Whatever you do, please don't just read this, then move on and do nothing. You're better than that.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 

Bearded Bloggers Update: Week 3

Three weeks and counting, people.

That's how long it's been since a razor hath touched my face. No, I haven't taken a Nazarite vow. I'm involved with a group of awesome gents called the "Bearded Bloggers," and we're raising money for Charity Water, a foundation that helps provide clean drinking water to developing nations.

Our goal was to raise $1000 by the end of the November. It seemed ambitious, but we've already passed the halfway mark, raising $565, as of today (Nov. 19, 2012).

It would be really awesome if we could get to $600 by the end of the day. If you all give $1, we can do that and then some.

Just click HERE to make a tiny donation. Every little bit helps, and you can do it anonymously, if you so choose.

Do it now!

Bearded Bloggers Update: Week 2

That's me. Two weeks into "No Shave November." It itches. I'm not to the embarrassing "getting crap stuck in my beard" phase yet, but we're getting close.

I can feel it.

I probably would have shaved it by now, but every time my shaving hand (is that a real thing?) gets itchy, I remind myself that this is for a good cause.

If you're new here, or you forgot, that good cause is Charity Water, a foundation that raises money to provide clean drinking water for people in developing countries.

Our goal is to raise $1000 by the end of November. It's looking good. At the times this post is being written, we've raised $565, so we're more than 50-percent of the way there (hooray, math!).

Here's the danger.

Because we've done so well, so fast, we run the risk of getting complacent. It's been four days since anyone has given a dime to the campaign. That's too long.

So, I need you guys to help in the following ways:

1) Give a few dollars. Seriously. Give five bucks. You won't even miss it, and every little bit helps.

2) Share this with as many friends as possible. At the bottom of all of my posts are SHARE buttons. Share it on Twitter and on Facebook. Email this link to friends who you think might give a couple bucks.

If we could get this knocked out BEFORE the end of the month, I'd be super excited. Why should we settle for $1000? We can do more if we put our minds to it.

So far, a few of you have really gotten behind this, but I'm humbly asking the rest of you to do your part. Help me do this. Just give a few bucks and get your friends to do the same.

GIVE BY CLICKING HERE!

Bearded Blogger Update: Week 1

That's a picture of yours truly, after successfully avoiding razors of all shapes and sizes for a total of six days. It's no "Beard of the Month," but I think it's okay for a little less than a week.

I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but I'm not in a great mood.

Here's why.

First off, I've been sick for about three days now, and it flat out sucks. I've been congested, tired and achy, and probably a little bit of a baby.

Because of my bout with "The Bubonic," Kim took Aidan to her parents' house, so that I could rest, they could be away from my germs, and so that she could get help with the little guy, since I have been pretty much useless.

I hate it. I miss them. I'm ready to be healthy again and with my family. I'm bummed about it, but that's not the only thing souring my current disposition.

On Thursday, we announced the beginning of our "Bearded Bloggers: No Shave November for Charity Water" campaign. Hence, why I'm growing out my facial follicles.

I encouraged you guys to give a buck or two. Every bit helps. Our goal was and is to raise $1000 by the end of November. It's totally doable. I believe that.

So far, one reader has donated. Stephen Uchacz ponied up the dough and gave $10 of his own, hard earned money. I appreciate that. Stephen rocks.

As of 3:06 p.m. ET on Sat., Nov. 3, 2012, we've earned $105, overall. Outside the $10 that Stephen gave, $20 of that came from one of the "Bearded Bloggers'" moms, and $30 came from of the actual "Bearded Bloggers," themselves.

That's just not getting it done.

So, I'm asking again (and will continue to ask) you to give a buck or two. If you sheepish about putting your name next to your donation, that's fine. There is an option for Anonymous Gifts. Use that. But give something.

I just gave $5, and I'm currently broke as a joke. It took me two minutes. When I was done, I got a confirmation email that informed me 100% of my $5 will be going towards providing clean water for third world country citizens. It also let me know that they will keep me updated and let me know exactly where my $5 went, so I can actually find out what good I helped perform.

I'm not asking you to go crazy. Just give $5. You were going to spend that on coffee or a value meal anyway. You'll still be able to pay your bills. You'll barely miss it.

Do it TODAY by clicking HERE!

Help the Bearded Bloggers Raise Money for Charity Water!

I don't always get involved in raising money for charities, but when I do, it's for a really, really good cause -- and it involves me growing a super sick beard.

Let me back up a tick.

This month, I'm involved with a group of bloggers who are helping to raise money for Charity Water, which is an awesome foundation helping to bring clean, usable water to places around the world where it can be difficult to come by.

I could explain it to you myself, but this short video can do a much better job:

To bring awareness to the cause, I will be doing away with razors for the entire month of November. Sure, me not shaving isn't going to buy water for third world countries, but the goal is to bring awareness and to encourage action.

Along with me, the following gentlemen complete the cast of "Bearded Bloggers:"

Caleb McNary
Knox McCoy
Joseph Craven
Tyler Tarver
Chad Jones
Matt Wade
Jared Hollier

The whole project was Caleb McNary's idea, who figured, hey -- it's "No Shave November. We're all gonna grow sweet beards anyway, right? So, we might as well do it for a good cause."

And the rest is pretty much history.

So, here's where you come in.

Our goal is to raise $1000 for Charity Water, among our collective readers, friends and family. I think we can do that and then some. I'm not asking you to go nuts. Just give $10. If you feel led, give more. But don't leave it at that. Please encourage everyone you know to help out.

It's really a great cause, and I'd be proud of my readers if they all got behind it.

I will check in, each Saturday, with an updated picture of my super sweet beard, as well as with news on how the project is going.

I think it'll be fun, and I look forward to having you along for the ride.

To get started, you can either click HERE, or on the banner in my right sidebar, which will take you right to our Charity Water giving page. If you have a blog, and you'd like to join in, feel free to copy and paste the graphic and link it to our giving page!

If you donate tweets to the cause, please sure to use the following hashtags: #beardedbloggers and #noshavember. Also, feel free to share pics of your own beard with us, if you decide to get in on the fun yourself!

Thanks in advance for your generosity!