I have to go cool myself off

It's true, I have an obsession with beards. I've had it for a while - at least longer than a few months.

Yea, yea, I know, it's a hipster thing now, just like faux-hawks were about two years ago. Everyone on Bedford Avenue has a beard now. Or at least those who can grow one has it. It varies from the scraggly "I don't feel like shaving today" post-5 o'clock shadow to the fully grown "I am a man's man!" beard.

Despite these recent trends, now documented even by the New York Times, I've taken beards seriously for some time. I have several witnesses who can confirm my disappointment when my friend decided to shave his beard about a year or so ago. Clearly, under pressure from his fiancee, in a state of utter distress, he buckled. Fortunately, my other friends continue growing and grooming their man-beards so I am OK in case you're wondering.

My myspace profile has documented this obsession, too. Under the "General Interests" section, beards have been duly recorded for years.

So let's be honest here, I can't help it if my general interests become a trend in Williamsburg...