Keep checking boys!

A bit off topic as far as the whole Movember thing is concerned but really worthwhile mentioning all the same. Back to the original blog subject. Way back at the start of the year I mentioned that my primary reason for starting the blog was to talk about my experience of testicular cancer. One of the things I talked about was the importance of self-examination.

Interesting then to hear today John Hartson (former Arsenal, Celtic and Wales footballer) talk of his experiences. In particular how he thought that he coud have avoided chemotherapy, surgery and a life threatening illness if only he had paid more attention. In his case it wasn't a lack of self examination, more it was a failure to act once he found something. I am sure this is something that a lot of guys are afraid of, particularly with our macho images but it is a necessary evil. So the message is two-fold here. Get examining and don't stick your head in the sand!

All the best boys and see the whole interview here.

Cheers,

Col.

Mo Progress - Week 4

Seem to have missed a week somewhere? Maybe my whiskers just take it easy every third week? Who knows but here we are in week 4. Nearing the end of my month of celebacy for Movember (yep, it would appear that her indoors is not a fan of the old facial fluff).

The top lip growth is pretty thick by now. I am also growing strangely used to it..? although I have developed an awful habit though of licking my top lip (or should that be caressing?) with my tongue. Very unsightly I am sure. In homage to the great rugby victory of last weekend (and in particular the mighty Beattie) I have extended downwards a little these last few days. I think it adds a certain je ne sais quoi?? Non??

Some good donations from work today. Thanks guys to anyone who has taken the time to do the 'Movember Quiz' and donate. For anyone who has not donated yet....this might be your last chance. Please take a minute and put a couple of quid in the pot!

https://www.movember.com/uk/donate/your-details/member_id/227365/

All the best,

Col.

New 'tache hero

I am just fresh from watching the highlights of the Scotland v Australia rugby international from yesterday (work unfortunately getting in the way of proper Saturday fare for the millionth time! oh to be a dentist...) All I can say is...what a brilliant performance! So great to see a Scottish team so full of energy for the fight and such raw commitment from the boys. Awesome. Truly awesome. Hopefully this will kick start Andy Robinson's reign as coach and prove to be the first of many great victories.

Plus. A bonus. The game has triggered a new 'tache hero. Step forward the mighty Johnny Beattie. Great performance and a 'tache to match.

There were quite a few mo's on the field, on both sides. The Aussies have been ardent supporters of the Prostate Cancer cause. Good on 'em but looks like our boys were beating them at their own game in more ways than one...

Now to just grow some downward extenstions over the next week...

Cheers,

Col.

Moustache Wax

Since the beginning of Movember and all this chat of moustaches, I haven't been able to get the term 'Moustache Wax' out of my head. I have no idea what the aforementioned product does (I presume it is a styling product?), or who would be likely to use it (I have had no cause to resort to it as yet).

The reason the term is kicking about in my head is that it is mentioned in one of my all time favourite films - Point Break. Picture the scene, ageing cop Angelo Pappas is explaining to new kid on the block Johnny Utah (Keanu Reaves) his theory on the bank robbers - the Ex Presidents. He mentions moustache (or mustache) wax. Unfortunately, couldn't find the clip but here is the script:

GRAINY BLACK & WHITE VIDEO WITH TIME CODE

Ex-Presidents charge into bank, raise shotguns.

Image STOPS, then FAST-FORWARDS to the end.

WE ARE IN--

INT. FEDERAL BUILDING - BULLPEN - NIGHT

Dark, lit by the TV at the far end of the bullpen. PAPPAS and UTAH sit in front of the flickering Sony in the big empty room. Angelo punches a button on the VCR.

ON THE SCREEN--
LBJ turns his back to the fish-eye lens, drops trousers and moons the camera. Thank you.
Angelo FREEZES on LBJ'S butt.

PAPPAS
I'm tellin' ya, kid, it's in our face. Lookit the tan on this guy.
The young agent looks forward.
Stares at the white inscribed butt bracketed by deep bronze tan lines.

UTAH
Oh well he must be a surfer.

PAPPAS
Shutup, you might learn somethin' you're not careful... So last year Nixon scuffs a counter going over.
There was a soil sample. Non-specific mud traces of asphalt,oils, blah, blah... sand and...carnuba wax. So I became a wax expert. There's 80 some uses for this stuff, something like five hundred products.

He tosses Utah a ream of computer printout. Utah scans lists of brand names.

UTAH
Candle wax. Car wax. Mustache wax?
Could be anything. Guy's waxing his mustache at the beach. Gets sand in it. Wipes it off with a shoe. Shoe scuffs the counter.

PAPPAS
The lab made three possible matches, this was one of 'em.
Pappas opens his desk drawer, takes something out and throws it to Johnny. A pastel blue hockey puck wrapped in cellophane. A block of "Mr. Zog's Sex Wax".

UTAH
(reading)
Sex wax? You're not into kinky shit, are you Angelo?

PAPPAS
Surfers use it on their boards. They rub sand into it for traction.

UTAH
Thanks for the tip. I needed this knowledge.

Pappas shoves a thick file folder toward Utah.

PAPPAS

Now lookit the dates on the robberies. This is strictly a summer job for these guys.

Johnny leafs through it.

UTAH
... Four months. June to October. Mmmm...same the year before.

PAPPAS
Another month and we don't see 'em again 'til next summer.

Utah stares at Angelo as it dawns. Grins suddenly.

UTAH
They're traveling the rest of the year on the money, going where the waves are...

Pappas starts to smile. Suddenly, he jumps up onto his desk, gets down in a speed-crouch, arms extended.

PAPPAS
(to one and all)
The Ex-Presidents rip off banks to finance their endless summer!

I love that move. Like I said, don't have the exact clip but here are a couple of others, just for fun.





Cheers,

Col.

Famous Mo's of our time - Part 5

I have been thinking of a 'tache hero to adopt. Much as I wish it had, my growth has not turned me into Magnum, or even Burt Reynolds for that matter. I figured I need to downsize my expectations. Thankfully 'team boy' Si-man-Chu has come up with the goods...

I am now going for the full on...Garthe Knight! Evil twin brother of the one and only Knight Rider, Michael Knight (played so famously by 'the Hoff'). Awesome!

If (very likely) I can't pull that off, I am going for this as the fall back...

...Kevin Kline in 'A Fish Called Wanda'! Who can forget the goldfish eating incident???

Cheers,

Col.

Mo' Progress - Week 2

In some ways, it has been a slow week. On the plus side, some sponsorship, which is great, less itching, which is really great. On the down side, getting a bit prickly now and (being a sensitive soul) I am also getting dry lips, which is not ideal. My kids are starting to look at me a bit funny (even more so than normal) and I can tell my daughter is on the verge of refusing to give me a kiss. I fancy my wife may soon join her in this too! (I guess less action is inevitable considering the state of the Movember mans my top lip?) Still all in the name of a good cause...

I have gone for some triangulation of the tickler. Thought it might be a bit more...'sexy'? However, I fear it is just lending a little more 'Kevin Kleine in a Fish Called Wanda' to it all...?

Hey, ho keep smiling. Judgement day is the 15th and nearly half way through now!

Cheers,

Col.

PS turning the flash off does make the growth look more impressive!

Famous Mo's of our time - Part 4

What an error! Can't believe the Mo chat has gone on this long without mention of one of the all time Mo-sporting legends...

Check this...



Burt Reynolds, legend, 'tache sporting, fast car driving, legend. Nice.

And just to prove that the car racing, 'tache sporting legendness wasn't a flash in the pan...



Cheers,

Col.