OCTOBER 27 - THE BALL STARTS ROLLING

So after a frantic day of emailing yesterday, finally things seem to be happening. Whilst I'm still waiting for responses from all of the newspapers (and most of the radio stations) that I have contacted, Radio Jackie 107.8FM have agreed to interview me at noon today - I'm not sure how long the interview will be, or when it will be broadcast, but we'll see how it goes, hey?

I also had another phone-call from Kick Hair in Twickenham, who are going to dye me on Monday, just to confirm times and colour, and that I'll have to bleach it all first... (Eek.)

I didn't realise that the magenta colour will fade out after about 2 weeks, so I'm going to have to keep topping-up the colour!

I also printed out the first posters yesterday - I've decided it's probably easier to do them myself (especially as the local Post-Office can photocopy in A3). Unfortunately, this means that the posters have to be hand-coloured, which is a pain in the arse, but it means that I can easily make more posters if I run out, without having to bother with a printing company.

The posters were put up in the Rifleman pub, Fourth Cross Road, and in the Old Anchor pub, Richmond Road (both in Twickenham), and the response was really good - not much in the way of donations, but a lot of support. I was surprised by the number of people who came up & asked about my opinions on Depression, and how much people opened up with their own stories & experiences.

It ended up being a very moving evening.

A lot of people have asked why I'm dyeing Magenta. Well, I'm dyeing magenta for two reasons. Firstly, because magenta is the company colour for where I work, www.realale.com , and also of Kick Hair.

I figured that my boss wouldn't object so much to being dyed company colours, than if I was dyed an outlandish shade of blue or green, and also that Kick might be more willing to dye me!

Secondly, I suppose it might be quite cool to look like Animal from the Muppets.

But actually, I'm rather tired of this beard now - I've had it for three months. Three months of looking like a cartoon character - but that's been OK. But because I work in the beer industry, it is a little cliched that I should have a beard (& occassionally wear sandals!), and being at the Twickenham Beer Festival last weekend, surrounded by CAMRA beardos, I have started to feel a little weary of my facial hair. Still - only two months to go, and then I can shave again!

But I have a little magenta beardy adventure to experience first...