A Muse-ing Beards.

Muses can take many forms, such as people, places – pretty much anything can give you inspiration. Some people retreat to a mountain, some people simply stick on their favourite tunes. Other people even try to capture that stream of consciousness by closing their eyes and invoking the spirit of some monkeygod of the future.

But currently for me, I find my inspiration in the beard. I’ve been growing one for at least the last 3 months and it gives me all the focused energy I could ever need. Sitting and stroking it while contemplating the wrongs of the world, I can sculpt it into any beardy shape I wish to make me laugh, cry (especially when it gets caught in the comb…) or impress my friends. …and they are indeed impressed.

My view on beards is that they are one of the last bastions of manhood; the last facet of being a man that cannot be tainted by socio-cosmetic trends. I’m not comparing the growing of a beard to the birth of your child, but I have a special bond with my face. I also have an affinity with my beard - I’d like it to stick around. While I’m lucky enough to be able to grow a full bodied masterpiece, I’m also lucky to have a woman in my life who likes facial hair.

Now listen. Many women don’t like the idea of beards on men for many reasons. Maybe they remind them of their father, so it becomes creepy and not attractive to look for in a partner. Perhaps they have only met those people who leave food in them – something that is more of an occupational hazard rather than a choice. I too can no longer eat soup without at least seven napkins.

...Or maybe they have just never touched one. A beard that is. Ahem.

When people (mostly women I will point out) touch my beard (and that’s not a euphemism) they are normally shocked that the bristles aren’t razor sharp and don’t give you a rash just from touching beard hair. I think in a small way I changed their lives. For the better.

It strikes me that facial hair in general seems to be winning favour with the masses lately. It is in that sentiment that I don’t worry about global warming – if it makes our climate colder, then more people will want to have beards!

And that is where I leave you for another one of my lunchtime rantings. At least this time I can speak from personal experiences and hopefully you are living this one with me. I’ll try my best to get a picture of the ‘hairy monster’ on this blog so you can see the reason why my friends are so fond of my facial fungus. :)

ALL HAIL THE BEARD.

Til next time,

Snare

Pleasure and Pain

Well, well.

What a difference a day makes.

Sometimes I believe in certain modes of thought that allow us to have faith in what is going on around us. I’m not talking religion, but those simple phrases that help us understand that there may be a reason to the chaos. The one theory that has struck me lately is pleasure and pain. Simply for all the good things that happen, balance is necessary to be corrected and thus bring some “pain” needs to be brought to the table.

I say this as two events have come to my attention that although seemingly unlinked, give this idea some validity.

Yesterday I found out that a good YouTube friend of mine (mynameischrisyeah) had been in what sounds like a very serious car accident. My best wishes still go out to him and hope he has a full recovery. If I get the time tonight I’ll do a video in his ‘digital’ honour as the unfortunate crash has left his subscribers with nothing to watch for some time. The guy is a legend, and if his comedic mind is prevented from being exposed to the masses before he gets his chance, then that would be a tragic and unforgiveable twist of fate.

I also received the new album from Them Crooked Vultures. This supergroup, consisting of Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme is almost the perfect line up… and it doesn’t disappoint. On reflection, these two events are not comparable, but life is never that straightforward. It’s a real pleasure to listen to a new album that makes you feel like you’ve found a gem, buried beneath the truck load of shit that passes for music at the moment. It’s hopefully going to set me up nicely for when I see them live in December – I really am looking forward to seeing Mr Grohl live again! (a personal drumming GOD of mine.)

As my usual forté is randomness, the other quick bit of news I have is that my beard is finally maturing. Beards are funny things and there is a point when suddenly, people start noticing your facial hair and realise that you are not just doing it for a joke. I was in my local Tesco the other day and the checkout guy just mentioned “nice beard mate” …and made my day. :)

I have friends that admire the beard, almost like it is another person in the group, which is strange but reassuring that it has been accepted into the circle of trust so easily. Women love it. This year really has been a year of beards and facial hair. I almost completely forgot to mention that the current month of November has been taken over by moustaches. “Movember” makes me as a bearded fellow, feel that little bit more socially acceptable.

Gone are the days where the beard represented the evil side of society. The murderers, rapists, tramps and all other unkempt types have been simply segregated and the amount of ‘beard love’ has been rising all year. I ****ing love it.

Well I hope you still enjoy reading my witterings, but please spread the word if you fancy helping me out and tell people about my blog, which I still intend to keep updated as much as possible.

Til’ next time,

Snare.

Firstly, I am so, so , so sorry for not posting anything at all of late. I sometimes feel like a broken record and it's becoming a habit that is getting harder and harder to break out of. Work hasn't been exceptionally busy, and my free time has had the modicum of sensibility lately. I need to work out how to get things off the ground here.

I'm doing my best to write a quick lunchtime blog here to satisfy your thirst for anything 'Snare' related. I'm also disappointed in myself for not posting any vids on the ol' Y'Tube but my viewing figures haven't suffered... Weird :S

I was hoping to have some news; some interesting facts about which I could regale you with my adventures. Sadly not.

Instead I can tell you about my recent viewing habits on YouTube. I've been watching alot about the Illuminati conspiracy and 2012 - the end of the fucking world... On reflection I think this depressing viewing history of late probably has some weight behind why I haven't been 'digitally awake' and only lucidly dreaming while I wander through the myriad of online entertainment. I need focus. I need direction.

...And thats where all 6 of you come in...LOL

I would like comments from you regarding the future of "snarevandamm" as an online entity. What is my appeal? What am I good at? what could you do with seeing less of?

These questions will help me mold my digital future and hopefully give me the strength and drive to continue making an impact on this world... (sounds more honorable that way...LOL)

Please feel free to comment on this post, or email me directly at snarevandamm@yahoo.co.uk

Take care my faithful and expectant followers.
I'll be back soon...

'Til next time,
Snare