BRAVO!

I am very proud of you, Pedro, for embarking on this manly mustached quest. I am sure your efforts will be awarded with flavor-savor of epic proportions. I will post my own update, so that you don't think you are alone in this month of facial hair glory.

Graduation Photo Day

Yeah, that's right! Today we are taking our very-important graduation photo for the Masters in China Studies program at Zhejiang University. It is delightful to know that this stache will illustrate my academic success in China.

Still growing...

Recently I found some very interesting facts about facial hair. You should know that:

1. Razors and blades are a $1.1 billion industry.
2. As our good friend Amit can confirm, policemen in India are sometimes paid a bonus if they grow their very own mustache, showing off their virility and power.
3. Mustache hair grows faster than any other body hair, and it sprouts more in spring and summer than in autumn and winter.
4. The average human male has about five million follicles—roughly three times as many as the gorilla, but still less than the chimpanzee.
5. Mustaches mop up well. They are capable of absorbing 20% of their own weight in liquid.
6. There is something out there called the American Mustache Institute.

So how can someone say that mustaches are not gentlemanly and sophisticate? If you wasted your time reading through this post, please waste some more by sharing your thoughts with us.

There comes Pedro...

Sometimes it can be challenging to operate with complete confidence when you are certain that you’ll perform poorly. And I had a tendency to be a pessimist about my facial-hair capabilities.
...
But that was then!!! Things have changed now! I come to announce that, as my puberty comes to an end, in 2013 my facial hair will grow vigorously. This will be an amazing Movember!

On that note, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to my friends who, though once have laughed at my thin mustache, are now confident that I can do better. Your support means a lot to this poor Brazilian child. Please do know that the progress is slow, but progress it is. As someone once said, “I’m a slow walker, but I never walk back!”

Beard Beginnings

As we anxiously await Pedro's first post, I will follow up with a few additional FAQ's.

What if I have to look presentable at work?
There is nothing more grizzled than an unkempt beard, but as we want all of the participants to keep their jobs, I think it's fair to tweak the rules. I would suggest shaving the neard (neck beard) and those stray hairs that may make an unwanted appearance. This way, it will look like you are trying to grow a beard, instead of being lazy.

What if I can't grow a good beard?
The purpose of No Shave November is not who can grow the best beard. Instead, it should be a celebration of all types of beards, from ZZ-Top glory, to the Tom Selleck stache, and even the Orlando Bloom wisp. So wear it proudly!

But my face starts to itch! What do I do?!
Suck it up. This will likely happen in the first week or two. After that you're in the clear.

How do I contribute to this amazing blog?
Simply leave a comment on Pedro's post (when he finally posts...) with your own photo of how your beard is progressing.


Finally, here is my first week of beard growth. Your move Pedro.

Last year

 Men (and Sumiko) of IR/PS

Taylor Roberts and Amit Sharma at a soiree in a ritzy part of San Diego

For a little extra impetus, above are a couple of photos from last year. Interesting to note, Pedro Pereira is MIA (he's actually an MPIA...never mind). Nonetheless, Pedro has shown Movember passion before. For instance:

Here is Pedro with Jeff Darling, being musical.

So we begin

Whether this is successful depends entirely on Pedro's motivation, discipline and, to some extent, genetics.

The idea is pretty simple. You clean your razors and put them away, not to be disturbed - like Green Day in September - for a month. As a journal of your achievements, you post a photo of your face, once a day. Inspired by your diligence, other Movemberines share their progress as well. Pretty simple.

It's entirely up to Pedro and his face now. I've set this blog up and I'll even get you started with a photo. It's all you now. Let's see if you walk (and grow) the talk.

 Amit, Day 3