now, before you say anything, yes – I know. my ‘just for men’ trials started out badly. but I was so damn happy I had little grey hairs growing back in my beard [nothin still on the neck, but hey], I decided to celebrate by growing one out again.

‘my beard is fantastic’ I re-read in my diary entries from Nepal.

I wanted to be able to write that again.

but it looked funny [see above].

so I decided to dye that little part to make it all work.

which ended up being a big ole’ black spot on my chin.

so I dyed the other side.

which, with my gorgeous deep-brown eyes, made me look dice.

so then I gave in and did the whole beard.

which, with my greying sideburns, made me look like an 8-year old hobo on Halloween.

so I did the whole thing.

and now just look like a dick who dyes his beard.

but at least this dick can have a beard again.

small victories.