Mustache May

While the Mountain Dew Challenge - Part Deux remains my top priority, there's another challenge about to begin that I have decided to take part in.

Mustache May was concocted by a couple senior guys here at NMC - Eby and Griggs. Those guys are always coming up with some crazy event or slogan or joke and Mustache May is just the latest.

You can get a full explanation of this challenge at Derry's Blog sometime today, but here's the basics: Beginning May 1 all participants must start growing a mustache and not shave until June 1. A mustache is defined as facial hair that has a disconnect below the mouth, so that may lead to some very interesting mustaches. Also, participants are allowed to grow a full beard until May 14, but then must trim it down to a mustace for the rest of the month.

So, I've decided to join the movement, but with great trepidation. The thought of growing a mustache takes me back to some dark days. You see, the last time I set out to grow just a mustache, this is what it looked like:

Some of you are shocked by that picture. Some of you are thinking I looked pretty awesome. Some of you just laughed. I understand all of those reactions. Just keep in mind that it was spring of 1994 and I was 17 years old.

This challenge also gives me some anxiety because my facial hair isn't all that impressive, as you can read about here and see another picture here.

I will not be mastered by my fear, however. I will conquer it and grow a mustache to be proud of!

Mustache May - Day 1

In an effort to show just what an incredible feat growing a mustache is for me, I'm going to take a picture of myself each day of Mustache May to track my facial hair's progress. I'm guessing somewhere around day 25 you'll be able to start seeing the mustache.

Mustache May is Almost Done!

This is most likely the last picture you'll see of my mustache. Tomorrow is the last day of the month and I've promised my daughter I would shave it off for her birthday party, which is also tomorrow. So, take a good look, but don't look too long or you might get a little nauseous.

You can see the full progression in the slide show on the right side of the page - if you like that sort of thing.

I've learned a few lessons from Mustache May:

1. I don't like growing a mustache - not only does it look creepy, it's itchy.

2. Before I commit to a month-long challenge that involves my personal appearance, I should probably consult my wife.

3. When you commit to something, you stick with it, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

4. Don't take yourself too seriously.

Looking Forward to May

I can't believe it is almost May and yet I'm so excited for May because there's a lot of awesome stuff happening in May. Then, in June, we're going on vacation and I'm thrilled about that too!

I've already told you about the Mountain Dew Challenge - Part Deux and Mustache May, but here's a list of some of the other great stuff coming up in May, by date:

1 - First Softball game of the season.
1 - Mustache growing begins
3 - First Serve Saturday at Prairie Camp. I'll be taking pictures of this event (hopefully on the new camera I ordered for the church!)
3 - Tyrus Graverson's birthday party
4 - Volunteer Appreciation Night (another event I'll be photographing)
6 - Derry and Janelle's 8th anniversary
11- Mother's Day (and I've got a great surprise for my wife)
25 - Derry preaches with a mustache
27 - My 8th anniversary
30 - Hanah's birthday
31 - Last day of mustache growing

Mustache May Special Guest

While not an official participant in Mustache May, Biz decided to do a mustache cameo. I'm so proud of him! This is how I'm hoping my mustache looks - except mine is not nearly as dark as his, so that could be tricky. I only wish I would have thought of growing the sideburns!!

Mustache May Day 14

Here is the last day of chin hair. Tomorrow I have to switch to mustache mode and keep it that way the rest of the month - so get ready for some creepiness!

On a side note, some who originally committed to participating in Mustache May have not exactly stayed committed (Jeff, Rodney, Griggs).

It's very disappointing. Yet, it is a good chance for those of us who have not wavered (Derry, Marty and me - possibly others) to be an example of how to "let your yes be yes and your no be no."

Mustache May Day 9 - Post No. 200

I was trying really hard to make post No. 200 something very profound - worthy of commemorating this milestone. Then I realized there probably couldn't be a much better way to commemorate this occasion than sharing my mustache journey with you. After all, it's quite a significant time in my life.

As you can see, the stache is filling in nicely. If my hair were darker, you could actually see it!

If you come back to my blog after seeing these pictures of me day after day, I promise to seriously try to write about much more meaningful topics. Please don't dump me because of Mustache May! Embrace the movement - it will be over soon!

Mustache May Days 10-12

Right now, it's more of a goatee, but I'm just trying to let the handlebars grow out. Thursday is the day when I'll have to trim down to mustache mode and keep it that way until May 31.

By the way, this thing is starting to get itchy. I don't understand how some guys have beards and keep them!

Mustache May Day 16

I thought the new 'stache might make me look tough. But ...


I just look confused, hungry and a little annoyed.

Oh well.

Coming later today: Mustache May slideshow!

Mustache May Day 8

Today was the second trim-down of the month. Everything but the mustache and the patch are gone again. Fear not, however, I will be letting the handlebars grow from here on out so I can look like Joe Theisman!

I tried to crack a little smile today, but when your nose appears to be getting bigger every day it's hard to be truly happy!

In an unrelated note, this is my 199th post! I'm trying to think of something really great for post No. 200. Stay tuned!

Mustache May Inspiration

Derry offered up a few examples of mustaches here, and below you'll see three fairly famous mustaches that you could try to emulate if you join Mustache May!

Mustache May - Day 3

I'm actually quite impressed with how well my facial hair is responding to the challenge of Mustache May - which is pretty pathetic, if you think about it!

Mustache May Day 6

Not much to report, except that I'm rather enjoying this!




Some of you are probably saying, "Is he really growing a mustache? I can't see it."

That's totally understandable, and expected. Just to show you that I really am making an effort to grow hair between my nose and mouth, here's a closeup.

That's kind of creepy, huh?

No More Mustache Picture Posts

After a critique from my wife, I've decided to stop using posts for pictures of my mustache progress. From now on, you'll be able to see the progress in the slideshow on the right side of the page. Enjoy.

Mustache May - Day 4

I trimmed everything but the mustache and the soul patch today, although you probably can't tell they're still there. I'm kind of giving those two areas a head start because they grow the slowest. Now I'll let everything grow out for a while then trim it down to the final shape - which should be pretty interesting!

Mustache May Day 15

Well, here it is. The moment you've all been waiting for ... or dreading.

Right now I'm torn between, "Check out the stache!" and, "Is this thing really on my face?"

Hey, at least I'm not alone in this thanks to Derry! Stay strong brother!


Just in case you're feeling the need to point out the gaps on either side between the mustache and the handlebars, rest assured my wife has beaten you to it.

Mustache May - Day 2

I've got an all-day meeting today, so I had to take this picture first thing this morning. So there is only about a 15-hour span between the Day 1 picture and this one.

Mustache May Day 7

Mustache May - Day 5

Mustache May Day 19

Didn't take photos over the weekend, so here's the progress (or lack thereof).