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It recently dawned on me that my senior year of high school took place in 1996 - a whole decade ago. For most people, the shocking realization might involve the 10-year high school reunion looming on the horizon. But I was more concerned with another milestone. See, it was in 1996 that I grew in my goatee for the first (and only) time.
I sported my new facial hair proudly during that summer of '96. Why? Because I could. I was a man, with the ability to grow hair out of my face! What a talent! I'll admit, my early goatee was pretty weak. A blonde mustache that was hard to see. It didn't connect to my chin hair either. And the goatee seemed to grow under my chin, more than on it.
No comments on that wave of hair on top of my head please. We can rip that to shreds in a future entry.
Confident to be a big man on campus - rather than the typical babyfaced freshman - I kept the natural chin strap in place. And I quickly became known for my "cheesy goatee." That nickname didn't discourage me though. Oh no. If sporting my goatee made people laugh or remember me, I was glad to keep it growing. And once it became my trademark (and I created this site with the familiar title) I knew I was stuck with this style.
With age comes more hair (not always in places you'd like), but for me it did mean a thicker goatee. Eventually the mustache made friends with the chin hair, resulting in a style known as the "Van Dyke." Over the years this goatee has seen its share of variations. It's been grown a few inches long. It's been stubble short. It's been engulfed by a full beard on a few occasions. And the most recent development is the inclusion of grey hairs.
But one thing remains constant. My chin has not seen the light of day in 10 years. That's quite a long time. Let's put this into perspective:
- The longest space mission lasted 1 year.
- Elvis Presley was in the army for 2 years.
- MySpace has been part of the web for 3 years.
- Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were married 4 years.
- A gerbil has a lifespan of about 5 years.
- World War II lasted 6 years.
- The Temple of Solomon was built in 7 years.
- Three's Company was on the air for 8 years.
- King Tut ruled Egypt for 9 years.
- Ryan has had a goatee for 10 years.
Impressive, right? Well anyway, happy birthday to my goatee. It's been a good 10 years, and I'm looking forward to another 10. Let's just hope goatees remain reasonably in fashion. I don't want to be like that weird old man down the street who is still walking around with mutton chops.
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| BWG said: | July 17, 2006, 10:41 AM |
| Liz said: | July 17, 2006, 12:17 PM |
Happy Birthday to you Goatee. I would get it a gift, but what do you get a goatee?
| amy said: | July 17, 2006, 12:52 PM |
this entry is brilliant. i loved it!
| Jeff Wilson said: | July 17, 2006, 01:53 PM |
I know you said no comments about the hair on your head but I have to say it's not that bad. It's very shiny and flowing. Much better than the monstrosity I had on my head 10 years ago. Good job on not shaving in ten years. Goatee for life!
| Flynn Taggart said: | July 18, 2006, 01:02 AM |
Very stylish. It's incredible how much you've changed in 10 years. I can only hope that my goatee has the same fullness when I hit the end of my first decade... Only 8 years to go.
| Daniel said: | July 18, 2006, 06:07 PM |
I think you're look better now! :)
Just don't loose your hair like me!!! LOL!
Congratz to your goatee!!
| Henry said: | July 18, 2006, 07:43 PM |
Ack! Gray hairs!!
Heh-heh. That's what prompted my latest rendition of chin hair! 4 years and counting....
Don't sweat the few on your chin; you'll really be freaked out by the ones on your head in the next 10 years!
| Shalini said: | July 18, 2006, 11:27 PM |
Hey Ryn, it's been a wild ride for that goatee. A certain Surviving Grady blog post came to mind from a while back, you probably aren't even a Sox fan, living in Yankee territory and all. But I thought it was the funniest post I've ever read and I don't know why I didn't bring it up with you sooner! So here.
| andrew said: | August 06, 2006, 05:49 PM |
cool dude,
i have also had a goate for 10 years, didnt start growing one till i was 23, and i just turned 33, though i was sprouting a mustache when i was in the 7th grade....heheheh
| Green Steve said: | September 12, 2006, 07:11 PM |
Happy birthday Ryn's goatee!
You (I'm talking to the goatee now) inspired me while I was at Uni growing my own goatee way back in 1998 to keep it, and it's still with me now. Although there have been what I like to call goatee-holidays during which my goatee and I part, thereby freaking everyone out and causing people to say "Steve you look so much younger" but I'm not a vain person. I allow my goatee friend to come on back and feel better for again knowing how it feels to be like the goateeless for a short time.
| Green Steve said: | September 12, 2006, 07:17 PM |
Can I point out that during said goatee-holidays I only shave it once, the goatee comes straight back, and if anyone is thinking of taking a goatee holiday... Beware: Goatee's block the sun and your chin may be pale, don't be a fool, only take goatee-holidays in the winter.
| shave it said: | October 27, 2006, 10:48 AM |
shave it. 10 years is too long.
| Old Goat said: | November 02, 2006, 12:10 AM |
Hey, your eyes got bigger as your goatee grew in. I wonder if growing a goatee will help my ol' eyes?
Getting older isn't so bad.
| mike said: | November 06, 2006, 01:56 PM |
i'd like to celebrate 36 years of having eyebrows! I remember growing my first eyebrows when I was 2, they weren't much to speak of, but...
| Bryan said: | November 16, 2006, 06:52 AM |
Your story sounds identical to mine. I have a goatee that's 'filled in' just about so completely now that there is literally almost no visible skin between my bottom lip and my chin. My goat hasn't been trimmed since '95 or '96 and I've had a beard or two between then and now. I'm even contemplating growing another beard starting next week, but probably only for winter.
| Mark said: | December 18, 2006, 09:59 PM |
Hi Ryan, Great job on the goatee! I think it has gotten better over the past ten years! don't give up even if others don't like it! check out this web site about beards! www.beards.org its got a lot of neat pics and info. And your hair has improved wonderfuly too, check out www.haircutsformen.org lots of info but don't let the site discourage you about facial hair, they seam to be a more clean shaven site!
Good thing you had that fur during our winter walk through Manhattan, because I remember you didn't wear a hat to keep the rest of your head warm.
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