No Thank You

When my wife became pregnant, I decided not to announce it to the entire office. It's nobodys business. I'm not a big fan of sharing personal information with my co-workers. I've only told a handful of people I work with-those who needed to know (my boss) and few who I have a personal relationship with. I like to keep a low profile. I believe in controlling your personal information. It's up to me to decide what and who I tell when I feel like telling them. It goes both ways-I don't want to know everybody elses personal business either. What am I supposed to do with that info?

Really, I hardly know most of my co-workers. Some of them I never talk to other than the occasional "hi" as I walk past them in the hall. I'm around them 40 hours a week about 50 weeks a year, but that doesn't automatically make them my friends. Just because we work together doesn't mean we have anything in common, have anything to talk about other than work or lead even remotely similar lifestyles. We're strangers forced to be together because of our jobs. There are some co-workers I get to know better than others, but I'm not hanging out with them socially.

I despise the forced socializing with co-workers. The group lunches, the holiday parties, the anniversaries, the happy hours, the baby and wedding showers, etc. Why would I want to spend my free time with strangers? I spend my free time with my family, my friends and myself. Forty hours a week is enough. Don't expect me to get a drink with you after work and talk shop. No thank you. Before I got into management, I declined all forced work social invitations. I've got better things to do with my time. When I became a manager, I felt it was my responsibility to represent the company and set a good example for those who work for me. So I reluctantly accept the forced social invitations. I change the topic of conversation from work to movies or music or sports-something to take my mind off of the fact I'm never going to get those couple of hours of my life back.

So if you don't know anything about me, don't take it personal-I don't tell anyone.

"Beards...They Grow On You"

The title of this post is my new motto. Lots of "beards are back" in the news of late. MSNBC looks at the current full-grown trend (pun intended) in this article. My favorite quote in the article epitomizes why I'm a 'beardsman'-

“For some it’s a trend, but for others it’s a way of life and simply self-expression,” [Paul Roof, assistant professor of sociology at Charleston Southern University in South Carolina] says. “At the heart of the revival, I think, is the ‘reclaiming of masculinity.’ Beards are a direct backlash against metrosexuality and the feminization of modern man. But beards are also the only accessory route that men have — the only way men can change their looks.”

Be sure to check out the video featuring MSNBC's Willie Geist with Beard Team USA member Matt Saccoman who is organizing the New York City Beard and Moustache Championships in Brooklyn on March 14. I've also submitted this post pic to the MSNBC "Return of a Hairy Trend" First Person gallery. I'll keep you posted when it gets posted.

Fellow hirsute pogonologist and blogger furface posted a comment to this very blog regarding the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships. Furface is member of the Alaska Beard and Moustache Club and host of this years competition. He's also created a blog where he encourages beardsmen and wannabeardees to "lay some smack about the event".

I've added a whole host of new beard links in the links section.

Check out the cool WBMC logo: