Beards

Well, this is the second attempt in my life to grow a beard. It's going much better than the first attempt two years ago. A man's facial hair may develop throughout his 20s. I'm 25, and I still don't have what you could call a full beard.

After week one, I was at a Frida Kahlo.

After week two, I described myself as somewhere between a Frida Kahlo and an Orlando Bloom.

I'm at week three. Still not quite Orlando Bloom, which is probably the very best I can hope for. Definitely cannot grow a ZZ Top.

I would not normally attempt such a stunt, but I think it would be really good for the part of Laertes. Even a rougeish thing on my upper lip and my chin. By the way, my mustache and goatee do not attach to create a ring beard.

I have not left it completely un-tampered. I can't stand neck beard, so I started shaving that. Also, I have to pluck out the high stragglers on my cheek bones. And not every hair grows at the same rate, so I have to use scissors to keep them at a uniform length. Who knew growing a beard could be so much more work than shaving it off? It itches, too, like nobody's business.

Last night I dreamed I was kissing a gorgeous woman, but she had to stop because I was scratching up her face. It'll be a lonely couple of months until the show's over. Well, not really, because I'm with a cast and company I love.