The story behind the 'stache

What started out as novelty has slowly morphed into a trend, conversation piece and maybe even a trademark. But then as most know anything out of the ordinary seems to be trademark for me.

The timing this year was impeccable. Milk had just come out, the economy was tanking, and there were write-ups everywhere about the resurgence of facial hair. It wasn't that much of a stretch for me though because I grow a beard every winter. It's part of a hibernation process that my friend Jason coined when we were in college.

On a drunken stupor one winter evening I decided to shave only my chin and leave the rest of the beard as it was. I liked it. I felt more different than I already did and usually do. About two months later on another drunken stupor I decided to shave the rest of the beard and shape it into a Fu Manchu - an inspiration derived from my leather/levi pals Mark and his partner Phil. It was a little harder to pull off I think in that it really brought to mind something I so completely am not.

But as another few months passed and whatever issues I was having with my work and personal life oscillated, I started to wonder if the person looking back at me in the mirror was in fact me. Maybe I could be something/someone else. Coming from a performance background getting into character was always such an interesting prospect but here I find myself thinking well who the hell am I to begin with?! I'd been so many things... .

Much as I say I'll get rid of it I haven't and don't know that I will any time soon because oddly right now it's become a physical representation of how I feel. How unsure I am of who I am, who everyone thinks I am and what the universe wants of me. And as much fun as it is and as many laughs or kudos I get it's really part of a self-discovery. Trying on different things to find out what fits me. Though if it's any indication, I've never felt more identifiable before. No kidding, right.