NOVEMBER 2 - SCHOOL REUNION

Well, tonight I went to a school reunion type-thingy in central London - the first time I've travelled away from the Richmond/Twickenham area since dyeing...

I was really actually quite nervous about doing so, as at least round here I have some posters up, and I'm reasonably well known round here. But I have to say it was OK - people didn't seem to bat an eyelid. On the train to Waterloo I bumped into an old friend from university who I hadn't seen for years, who didn't recognise me at all until I spoke to her!

And at the reunion, I was really pleased by the reaction I got. Yes, there were lots of people who came over just to have a look, and to satisfy their curiosity, but there were also a whole bunch of people who asked what it's all about, and gave me their encouragements. I'm so glad that so many people believe in what I'm doing. Many thanks to those who expressed an interest in donating and asking for details of this blog!

I'd also like to thank all the people who have been coming into the Real Ale shop & leaving donations, and everyone who have left donations at the Old Anchor. I haven't been back to the Rifleman to check for progress quite yet.

In general, people's responses here in Twickenham have been great - lots of smiles and thumbs up, cars honking horns, and people saying "I love your hair", or "What's it for... good luck!" The occassional group of school kids have given me a bit of sarcasm, but when I've told them its for charity, then they've been OK. Old women have tutted, or crossed the street to get away (!) but they've got blue or pink rinse hair anyway, so that's frankly hypocritical... One guy leaned out of his car window and shouted "Freako!" to me, but he's obviously a nob, and not a contender for the Nobel Prize for Wit and Intelligence. (I am!)

However, I've discovered something quite disturbing about the whole situation: namely, the state of my moustache... The moustache was the most difficult area to bleach and dye, because it's right between the nose & the mouth (that's where you USUALLY find them anyway), and we didn't want either bleach or dye in either of 'em. And as the tips of my moustache hairs sometimes end up being dipped into the top of my pint, or brushed as I wipe my mouth after eating, the dye is fading fast!

By the end of the week, I could have a pink beard and hair, but a blond 'tache!

Quel catastophe!

I'll try to get a photo up soon - there's no one awake to take one at the mo!

Another thing that I've noticed is that after having the bleach in my hair for almost one-and-a-half hours on Monday, I had some inevitable dandruff this afternoon (it seems to have gone now). But it wasn't ordinary dandruff - the scurf was pink!

Good night, beard-fans!