I shaved my beard today. It's odd to look in the mirror. I feel like I'm looking at someone else. It's very odd. I wonder how people at work are going to react.

I've been thinking about shaving it for some time now. I've had it for about half a year, which is by far the longest I've ever kept one. I liked the way it covered up the imperfections in my face, and drew attention away from my slowly balding forehead. But it was just starting to feel like too much, and I was beginning to wonder what my face even looked like anymore.

The real decisive point came when one of the ladies at work said that she thought I was about her age. This was a bit of a shock, because she has four kids, and presumably took her time about it. I think the oldest is sixteen... So when you start getting mistaken for a decade older than you are, it's time to shave.

That said, it will take me longer to get ready for work in the morning. Maybe a goatee...