What? Moustache March?

I constantly get questions about what Moustache March is, why we do it, etc. Well in the past I wrote a F.A.Q on the website that you can find here. But I thought I would write a little more here to help people understand.

The question I probably get most often is, "how can I get involved?" What a loaded question! One thing that we are trying to do this year is have our site be the spot where you can find all the different groups that are doing activities during the month. I hear all the time about different events happening and am hoping to connect people up to honor the 'stache.

Which brings me to my next thing, honoring the 'stache. That is our most important mission. There are a lot of groups out there that think you need to be clean shaven at the beginning of March, but my problem with that is that I would only have a moustache for the last few days of the month. So I started in October so that I would have a showing that would truly honor all that is the moustache.

The other big dilemma is the Moustache vs. Mustache debate. When we started we didn't even think about it, we went with the moustache spelling because it is more traditional and the World Beard and Moustache Championships spell it that way. There is a great site at www.mustachemarch.com, the only problem is I haven't heard anything from them since 2005 and it seems that they have given up, sad. I do support both spellings because it just makes sense.

So after my rambling here is a summary of what we want you to do to get involved:

• Grow a moustache, duh!
• Go to www.moustachemarch.com look around get motivated and get involved
• Take pictures, make videos, make music and get it online. Send it to us and make it fun. Whether it's you by yourself in front of a mirror or 100 moustaches taking on the white house just do it.
• Network! Get people involved, get involved with events, motivate people, entertain people.
• Go to www.moustachestore.com and buy some stuff!
• While at the store become a lifetime member and show your support.
• Join the mailing list on the site so you know what is going on.

I'm Famous!

I am a little late on getting this news to you but I have just been bogged down with my fortune and fame. I am so bogged down I am just posting what I sent out to all the members of the Moustache March Mailing List. What's that you say? You're not on the mailing list? Well get on it now. Any ways on to the good stuff:

Yesterday I was on the local news for the American Cancer Society event. "Out and About" with Drew Carney did several segments for the 5-7am news. They actually posted most of the video here. You will also notice they used my mermaid picture for the link to the article here.

My true moment of glory, along with my dog's, didn't make the website cut, so I posted a poor video of my TV copy on youtube here.

I am really excited to attend the celebration event tonight with the ACS crew. Should be good times and hopefully I can score some sweet prizes and get my 'stache shaved by a proffessional barber!

Sorry for all the heres here...

Taking in the Arts

For those of you in the know, you will realize this is a picture of me next to a poster from the hottest thing from Broadway, Wicked. Each March I like to take in some theater, last year it was an adaptation of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Several months ago my wife was proactive and secured us some seats for Wicked's limited engagement in Portland. I think all of the shows have since sold out.

Now for those of you that have no clue what I am talking about, Wicked is the story of Oz from the Wicked Witch of the West's perspective. Now this is a musical, but I happen to be fond of the genre, yes I enjoyed Evita. It actually is a pretty fun story and a pretty entertaining show. Makes you take a good look at the perspectives you have in your own life.

So for all of you that think my March is only filled with beer, babes, bars and 'staches, maybe this will show you that there can be, and is more to Moustache March.

Hndlbars Moustache Wax Review

I was contacted in late February about a new Moustache Wax in the game, Hndlebars Moustache Wax. They like what we are doing for the Moustache at MoustacheMarch.com and sent over a sample of their product. I just got to the point this week where I needed some Moustache management and decided to give it a go. It comes in two containers, a classic tin or the chapstick style travel tube.

The instructions included said that it was best to 'warm' the wax first either in your pocket or in some warm water. When I opened the product I realized this is a very good suggestion since it is a pretty firm wax. So I warmed up the tin and gave it a go. So far so good. Due to it's very firm consistency it is ready to go the long haul. It works into the Moustache well and with a good brushing I was ready to go.

I had just trimmed my 'stache and got several comments on how nice it looked, mostly due to the fact that the Hndlbars kept my wild 'stache under control all day. Hndlbars is made on the east coast and definitely has a hard east coast feel to it. The wax that I used last year was a small town west coast wax and was definitely a lot softer.

On their site they have some links to some great handlebar clubs, etc. so it is definitely worth a visit!

They have some good March-madness deals going on in their online store so I suggest you head on over and pick some up!

Check back later in the month when I get a true Handlebar going and can give this wax a true test.

Moustache March Stimulus Package

So it is no secret the economy is not real strong at the moment. In my opinion, it all boils down to everyone being greedy and making poor money decisions. Now I am not exempt from this (see last post), but I am doing my part to help. I am hearing about some "Stimulus Package" that I don't think I will get a penny of. While the government is paying out insane amounts of money to people that make insane amounts of money and have given insane amounts of money to people that couldn't payback those insane amounts of money, I have a plan...

See in the past for Moustache March we have had shirts and said shirts were sometimes $12, sometimes even $15. But desperate times call for desperate measures. So I decided to make sure this year that didn't lack in amazingness, but did lack in cost. Yeah that's right, when is the last time you only had to pay $8 for a new and exciting tshirt? And better yet, when is the last time you could get a new, albeit last year's design, shirt for only $6?

So while we suffer through these tough times, I thought I would do a little something to let you splurge on a tight budget. So head on over to the MoustacheMarch.com official store and pick up a shirt or two and some other reasonably priced good stuff.

Side note, when I was discussing this blog post with my wife she asked why this wasn't a bailout plan for us...well to be honest I didn't think that was the right thing to do...I mean I have made a habit of pooring too much money into Moustache March over the last several years and, if I know anything, now is not a time for change.

Finally March 1st is Here

March 31st, 2008 seems like forever ago. It has been a long year and not necessarily an easy one for most. But that is why I am glad March 1st is finally here. The time when men around the world unite and enjoy all that is Moustache!

On the site, moustachemarch.com, we have a whole new look and new theme for the new year. Our own Mike coined the phrase "When Moustaches are Outlawed, Only Outlaws will have Moustaches," which we decided to develop our year around.

I hope for your own sake that you will join us in this time of global uncertainty and honor something that is certain, the amazingness of Moustaches.

'Stachetastic

So, Sir David Baehler, one of our faithfuls and an uber MacFanBoy like myself pointed out something truly amazing to me. The guys at Sortuva Company (priceless name by the way!) have developed in my opinion the best iPhone/Touch App yet. 'Stachetastic takes any picture and allows you to add over 15 different facial enhancements to it, most of which are sweet moustaches that I could never grow myself.


I decided what better picture to use as an example than my 'single tear' picture from April 1 last year(My wife is lucky I didn't have a better portrait of her on my phone...)

Link to 'Stachetastic in iTunes...

Movember

Well as you know I am pretty big fan of the month of March being dedicated to the Moustache but I just had to share Movember with you all.  I had heard of it before but have a friend participating this year.  I visited the website and was blown away by the involvement.  From what I can tell they have raised millions of dollars for Prostate Cancer Research and have a ton of participants around the world.  It looks like DC Shoes and Playboy are pretty big sponsors.

Their participation and goodwill puts us to shame but I think we kind of win in the whole actually respecting and honoring the Moustache aspect.

Check it out, make a donation to one of our own Kurtis.  

Dad's and Grad's Sale

I decided to do the first ever Dad's and Grad's sale this year on the Moustache March site.  You all have that dad or grad in your life that lives or loves the 'stache and what better way to show them you love them then by getting them a shirt(now $10) or bandana(now $2) from this year's Moustache March store?

There is another reason for the sale.  I have some shirts left and I can only wear so many of them.  Smalls and mediums especially don't seem to jive with my 'svelte' figure.

My wife also told me that I need to sell some more stuff if I want to get a real birthday present.  She did give me an early gift by letting me grow my moustache back for Moustache May.  She is so good to me.  But I am really hoping for a Wii Fit for my birthday so I can wear a medium shirt next year.

Adam Carolla w/ a Moustache

This was a sad week for many of us...Adam Carolla, even utilizing a unicycle and a moustache, could not impress America enough to stay on dancing with the stars. I was impressed by the performance although he does look quite stiff. Check the end of the video for a good view of the 'stache.

Alex Trebek, Sporting the 'Stache Again?

Well this morning a coworker who shares the respect for the moustache told me he caught Jeopardy last night and informed me that Alex Trebek was once again sporting the moustache. I don't watch much any more, it has just gotten too easy. This excited me to no end but then I found this blurb on wikipedia's Alex Trebek entry:

In late 2001, during Jeopardy!'s 18th season, Trebek shaved the mustache that he had worn for over 30 years. He wore a fake mustache for the first half of the April 1, 2008 episode as an April Fools' joke.

A cruel joke indeed. Oh well I guess I will have to cement Will Ferrel's portrayal as my mental image for the time being.

Single Tear

While most of the world is busy playing pranks and telling funny jokes on April 1st, I am in a somber mood. Today my moustache came off. After 3 months of preparation and one month of pure enjoyment my face is bare. This year is even more drastic since I have no facial hair whatsoever and nary a hair on my head. I think this is the first time that my eyebrows have been so lonely in over two years, though I think my new found abundance of nose and ear hair are keeping them company.

So while your coworkers are finding their staplers in strawberry jello and gmail is telling you that you can change the date on your emails, I ask you to take a moment and think of all the moustache marchers out there that today can only look forward to next year.

As I post this blog I once again shed a single tear ...

Handlebar Moustache

I got the privilege to sport a handlebar moustache for the past week.  Now, I have been growing my moustache since early december and still didn't get the length I was looking for.  I think I have convinced my wife that I will need even more growing time next year.

The handlebar did definitely get the most praise of all my different styles.  It is not one you see enough these days and brings fond memories to many.  I got a lot of "monopoly mans" and Rollie Fingers and even Mr. Peanut, who didn't have a 'stache but who knows.

I do think it was an apt way to bring some enthusiasm towards the end of another wonderful Moustache March!

Mohawk and Moustache Experience

Well as promised I will now give you a glimpse into life with a moustache and a mohawk.  I shaved the mohawk on a Saturday afternoon in anticipation of a cheap and saucy party I would be attending later that evening.  

Before the party Mike and I decided to visit the pump room at work to take some sweet pictures.  One of my roles at work is facilities manager so I thought nothing of going in on a Saturday afternoon.  I did forget however that the building locks down at 5 on Saturdays and we set the alarm off.  We would have a lot of explaining to do if the security company would have shown up.

Any ways, on the way to the party I stopped by Arby's to pick my appetizer for the evening...5 for 6.95 mozzarella sticks.  I got some pretty amazing giggle from the workers in the back and the classic "I have to walk to the bathroom" move by one of the employees to get a good look.  They couldn't take their eyes off of me, which happens all the time, but a little more at this time.  Needless to say the people at the party were quite impressed with my dedication but Mike won for "Cheapest" for the second year in a row.

Sunday my wife and I went to the gym and I think people were a little shocked by the still red mohawk on the treadmill.  Afterwards I got many of the same looks as Arby's while visiting Wendy's.

That night I couldn't bring myself to show the mohawk at church but did get a few comments on my 'stache and the hair hangin' out the back of my hat.

Monday at work was an adventure as well.  Most people were pretty supportive except the HR manager, my manager and the VP of the company who I am sure were taking notes of my unprofessionalism in the workplace.

I decided to shave it all off Monday night, which interestingly enough was what my wife liked the least.  She was fully supportive of the mohawk and is tempted to have me keep the 'stache permanently.

Mohawk May...Meet Moustache March

So I am tempted to do a survey but I am pretty sure I don't need to.  As a childhood male, what are the two hair features that are longed after?  If my memory serves me right it would be the moustache and the mohawk.

I can remember a time around 4 or 5 years old when my buddy Jared and I got ahold of some black model paint and for an hour or so became men, by painting moustaches on our face.  Only problem then was his grandma spent what seemed like the same amount of time scrubbing the paint of with steel wool.

I can also remember until the time when i was...oh let's face it, 30, everytime my hair was long enough and would stick up I would fake the mohawk.  

If you are honest with yourself, and male, I think you would have to agree with me that these are two things that males aspire towards.

Obviously I have been able to indulge in the Moustache during March and over the past few years I have justified actually cutting a mohawk with the invention of Mohawk May, although I have to admit I don't have quite as many converts as Moustache March. Now during those times I would take the sides down to a "3" attachment or so and keep it for maybe a day before going back to my standard buzz cut.

This year I combined the two and did a full bald sided mohawk during Moustache March.  Check back in to see how it went for me

Moustaches and Hot Topic

So I am confident enough in myself to let you know that I found myself in Hot Topic over the weekend. While at the mall I usually pop in to see what's on the clearance rack that I absolutely need. I was sporting my Moustache March shirt and of course my moustache.

The first employee I ran into had his hair partially died green and was wearing a kilt(I now realize this was probably his attempt at a St. Patrick's Day outfit...it worked). He proceeded to compliment me on my moustache and how cool it was to have a 'stache and be wearing a moustache shirt.

When I got to the counter to make my purchase the other two employees behind the counter were very impressed by the shirt and my moustache as well. I proceeded to give my quick canned explanation of Moustache March and handed them business cards. They were blown away and I quote, "This is the coolest thing I have ever seen, every one should have a moustache." My heart was warmed, I grabbed my belt, bracelet and chain wallet that I had purchased and left. It is good to see the young and "punk" of America have a respect for all things moustache.

American Mustache Institute

I just figured I should give a shot out to the American Mustache Institute.  These guys are in the trenches year round fighting the good fight for the 'stache.  It is true they don't spell moustache with an "o" but I am willing to forgive them...this time.

It is well worth it to check out their videos of the week.  I have seen James Brown giving a dance lesson in the 70's and guys talking about how a 'stache can help the republicans and/or democrats win the election.

They also got some good press for wanting to move the Super Bowl to Saturday.  They have a pretty convincing argument.  I think it makes sense, nothing like having to go to work the day after consuming an inhuman amount of wings, candy, dips and most likely beer.  Plus for the church going crowd it always creates a dilemma.

Welcome

Welcome to the all new Moustache March Blog.  I, Tank, thought it was time to have a blog where I can pass info, stories, etc. on to our crew.  You will also find guest bloggers from time to time when they have something that they want to say as well.