BS: National Beard Registry

Subject: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 04 Dec 02 - 07:12 PM

All right all you fellow bearded folkies! Here's your chance to do something really new, totally original, potentially HUGE, and just subversive enough to appeal to your folkie sensibilities.

My friend and pickin' buddy Jerry has put together a website called "The National Beard Registry". The idea is to celebrate beardedness by collecting photos of and a little data about beards and the people who wear them. As of this posting (12/04/02) the site is brand new so you will have the added benefit of being a "founding member" if you act quickly. In fact, it's so new that my own registration isn't yet active and Jerry's doesn't yet have a photo. The only photos that are on it so far are some folks whose pics Jerry took at the Fall LEAF Festival in Black Mountain, NC.

All you need to register online is a name and a jpg. There are a handful of the usual questions, and if you're uncomfortable with any of them just tell lies. In case you have trouble navigating the web-page (like I did the first time I visited it) the doves are links. Here's a link to the site: National Beard Registry.

Also, in case anyone is put off by the term "national", here's a quote from webmaster Jerry:

The National Beard Registry is based in America but the word National in its name applies to any nation. International boundaries are only in our minds. Conformity is an international malaise. Beards are beautiful on every continent.

That's all ya need to know. Hope to see your picture there soon.

And for you cleanshaven guys out there, this should provide you with a compelling reason to throw that razor in the trash can.

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: khandu
Date: 04 Dec 02 - 07:20 PM

I have always dreamed of registering my beard nationally! Now, I can fulfill my dream!

k

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Mr Happy
Date: 04 Dec 02 - 07:34 PM

is it men only?

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 04 Dec 02 - 07:43 PM

Mr. H - Hell no! If a woman's got a beard she can by God register! We ain't sexist! It's not out fault that only a small handful of women will have the necessary qualification. Probably won't get a lot of Eskimos either, will we?

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Mr Happy
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 03:46 AM

r animals allowed?

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 08:49 AM

Thanks Bruce. I just signed on -- Tom

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Snuffy
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 09:00 AM

And here's me thinking it was a new Homeland Security measure - like, all them terrorist guys have beards, don't they?

What can we track to cut terrorism? Guns? Hey, no, this is a free country. Beards? YESSSSSSS!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 10:51 AM

Just checked the BR and found my name listed (#18) but the pic isn't up yet.
Now, where are the rest of you? There are two Floridians named Jerry and Ray, also with no pics. Are any of you them?
Don't leave me to be the only Mudcatter in this lineup -- Tom

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Naemanson
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 11:33 AM

I registered but haven't sent a picture yet. You ain't alone, Tom.

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 11:39 AM

Does my ex-beard count? I've always had a moustache (with an "O"--they're all Britsh whiskers!), but I grew the chin-spinach to play the Jewish guy in the panto "Alladin".

Steve, semi-hirsute

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: songs2play
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 11:50 AM

I got a beard, but wear glasses as well.
Is there a National Beard Register for people with poor eyesight ?

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 12:29 PM

Somebody tell Bill/Sables about this thread!

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: bill\sables
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 12:38 PM

I've just seen this and am thinking about regestering. My beard at the moment is about 15 inches long. I was growing it for the mudcat nearly nude calendar but I need about another 20 inches to cover everything. Still I could always get a job as Santa because the bugger is very white these days.
Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Noreen
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 12:53 PM

Is the site for self-registration only? Otherwise I'd submit a pic of the brand new Archbishop of Canterbury who has a splendid beard!

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 01:29 PM

35 inches to cover everything, Bill ?

That sounded like an exaggeration , so I just took a tape measure to check out my own requirements, and to my surprise I find that I would actually have to grow my beard 37" long.

Of course, I have a very long upper body ....

Murray

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 02:22 PM

don't see an email address anywhere to send a photo, how to?

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 02:28 PM

Just click on the "bird" after "...send it." or send to:

[e-mail]

I fear that Mudcat may be overwhelming the site though. There are only three "new" name with no pics, and mine is the last. I got on the list less than fifteen minutes after registering and sending my pic, but no newer names are appearing.

Bruce, check with Jerry to see if all's well -- Tom

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 03:48 PM

weird...it decided to give me registration #1...of the guy in N.Carolina..something didn't work right..I entered MY data, and it said I was him...

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 05:33 PM

I'll email friend/webmaster Jerry and have him look at the comments in this thread. You guys are sorta the beta-testers for the site so I would expect a few glitches. Thanks to all who have registered so far.

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 05:36 PM

The system seems to be straightening itself out. There are no more faceless beards, but rather real people. I am assuming that #27 is our BWL. I'm #18, but where are those on between?

I'll keep checking from time to time to see who shows up -- Tom

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 05:50 PM

For a short while Bruce was #27 and a faceless #28 as well.. Now corrected.

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 06:01 PM

Thank you to all who have registered on The National Beard Registry! Some questions have arisen. Here are some matching answers.

Yes, women can register, must have beard though.

email address for beard registry is located under one of the doves on a page where the email is referenced. In keeping with our parent site 'blissisnow.org' the site is about discovery and sometimes chaos. But all is revealed in time. The site intentionally does not conform to the internet's over-used commercial interface. We invented our own.

Yse, we were somewhat overwhelmed initially. Now, I have some pictures but no info. I will contact all who have sent email and get it straight. Check back now and then to see if I fixed your registration. By tomorrow I should have it all worked out.

Yes, it is a personal registration, preferably a current picture. But you can send in interesting beards to be on our famous beards page.

I must leave now. Back soon with more info.

Peace and Love Everyone

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: reggie miles
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 06:46 PM

Jerry, I have a suggestion for the NBR's theme song. How about Arthur Godfrey's The Man With The Weird Beard. I've been singing this little treasure as part of a bearded trilogy of songs along with one called The Bearded Lady, (Hey, fair is fair after all. Both sides of this very hairy subject need representation.) and Who Said I Was A Bum. That last one is Lazy Larry's version. A hobo among hoboes, outstanding in his field of hobodom. I think that's where he wrote it too....while he was out standing in his field I mean. I belive he lived somewhere down near Hoboken but don't quote me on that. Anyhoot, it isn't specifically about beards, rather more about the early pioneers of such, hoboes that is, but it does have a great line or two in it that refers to beards.

"I haven't shaved in most a year. I really am afraid. Because I fear my wild beard would break a razor blade."

"The other day, while on my way, a cop gave me a chase. I thought I heard him holler,"Take that matress off your face!"

Well worth including if only for those lines but fortunately for me the whole rest of the song is a hoot too. If you'd care for a submission I'd be glad to send one to you for your approval.

Unfortunately my beard has never decided to sprout from my chin with any vigor, but I have, of late, found that my ears seem to be sprouting nicely. I will send an ear beard photo as soon as they have matured sufficiently.

By the way, I think Hagrid, from the Harry Potter movies should be voted in as honorary member for his selfless promotion of beards world wide.

Ear beardily yours, Reg

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Banjer
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 07:05 PM

I'm the Florida Ray....I received an e-mail informing me I was number 17. I also sent a picture which I assume will be cropped and posted.

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: nickp
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 05:13 AM

Hmm, although I'm bearded it's a bit too short for competition...

Anyway, what I really wanted to add is an irrelevant observation in that I'm almost certain that Ed the potter (taken at LEAF - fogotten the pic no. might have been #2) was one of the original members of the great Green Grass Cloggers.

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 06:27 AM

I have decided not to register my beard. The current UK government is already showing it's hostility to the Folk Scene with it's PEL regulations. Just thing what harm would be done if beards had to be licensed as well - even two beards in a bar could be restrictive !
I'm sure that a case could be made on the grounds of public health, safety, decency, taste etc.

Mind you there are some beards that should be registered on the grounds of planning permission etc - they would include performers like Johnny Collins and a friend of ours Morris Winkle.

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: reggie miles
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 09:05 AM

By the way I forgot to mention that a certain gentleman, from Austrailia I believe, has sort of beat you to the punch on this idea in general. He was in the U.S. on holiday a few years ago shooting photos of bearded gents, my partner at the time among them, for some kind of similar sort of silly beard club. We met him in the Seattle at the Pike Place Market while we were busking there.

Hey do false beards count in this? If so then you'd have a fine crop of candidates with the up and coming season full of Santa look a likes. I myself have a fake beard that I wear during performances at times while I play my bearded trilogy. It's not exactly as real looking as a men's hair piece meant to cover the upper regions. It's more like those worn by all those fake Santas. Hey, I just had another thought, not easily done believe me! How about hair club for the less than adequately bearded. You know like the one for those with less on top. You could develop some cure all tonic. Call it Uncle Harry's Miracle Hair Restorer And Elixer or something like that. I think the possibilities here could be endless.

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: curmudgeon
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 11:11 AM

Just checked the BR and found Naemanson there. Wher are the rest of you?

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 11:29 AM

Thank you again for the great dialog and support. The National Beard Registry site is being quickly reinvented with your suggestions. I am still registering folks as I write this but did want to respond and say a word about fear.

Registering one's beard or not registering is of course a personal choice. As is growing one in the first place. If one is afraid of registering, it follows that one should also be afraid of growing one for self-same reasons. By registering you are creating solidarity for the right to be whatever you want to be and to grow whatever you want to grow. If we give in to fear, they've won. We might as well all shave now.

So, thanks again and keep registering. The process has become smoother and soon we will have file-up capability, so you can post your own picture and update your own information on-line.

More soon - Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: KarlMarx
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 01:23 PM

Thanks for the site. I registered, but now I have to have someone take a picture of me. Yeek . . . ! Just the other day, someone told me that I look like Fidel Castro. Maybe you should have an adjunct to your site: Fidel Castro Look-a-likes. I don't smoke, but I can always get a cigar to chomp on - Cuban, of course. To hell with the embargo - more Yanqui Imperialism, anyway!
Does registering at your site allow the user to get frequent updates, along with technical support . . . ?

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Jeri
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 01:54 PM

Hello Goj. (Jeez, they'll let anyone in here!)
I don't think you look like Castro. Unless something's happened recently, your beard is too well-behaved.

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 01:58 PM

I think I want a beard. I could grow it long and braid it, shape it, have a pencil thin mustache, and or sideburns that weave around my face in any design of my choosing. So where do I sign up for those male growth hormone shots?
Rustic Rebel (feeling slighted)

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: KarlMarx
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 07:56 AM

Hey, Jeri! But you ain't seen the beard in a couple of months! Truthfully, though, I think people were more reacting to my anti-Bush diatribes (I've been practicing them in Spanish), than the notion that I'm a Fidel-clone, or knock-off. But hey, there are far worse things to be. As the White Wing Republicans demonstrate, Satan does not have facial hair. The Vandyke beard that the King of Hell has been portrayed with over the years is a misrepresentation; on the contrary, Satan is clean-shaven, and comes from Crawford, Texas . . .

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: curmudgeon
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 06:52 PM

I see your name, but not yet your picture.

Mudcatters -- Please advise as to your official number if your Mudcat or real name does not conform to those on the registry.

Thanks -- Tom

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: KarlMarx
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 07:14 PM

Hey, Curmudgeon! The picture's coming, but I worry about breaking my expensive camera, when I attempt to take my mug shot . . .

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 07:18 PM

As others have suspected, Bee-dubya-ell is #27. Jerry took that photo at an outdoor art show a couple of weeks ago and it has transformed my usually attractive visage into that of a singularly ugly motherfucker. I am really much purtier than that. Even my Mudcat Member Photo (which was taken by Jerry's wife at the Fla. Folk Festival) is better. I guess it's a male domination thing. Men naturally photograph other men at their ugliest to minimize the competition for women. I'm gonna have to break down and buy a digital camera now so I can fix that little problem.

Jerry is still tweaking the website. You can now leave fields blank if you don't want to share the information with everyone in cyberspace. He's working on speeding up the jpg posting, but I wouldn't look for the picture being up until about 24 hours after registering any time in the near future. The boy does have to work for a living and the NBR is just for fun.

In the manner of Daddy Bush (King George I) and Dubya, Jerry and I are now referring to each other as 15 and 27.

Keep those registrations coming.

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 12:30 PM

After a couple of problems I am now #44. That was the only Emailable pic I could find at the time.
JohnB

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 03:52 PM

Just popped over there to see whether I could add my phys to the list but was unable to get past the cover and first display of mugs. I certainly believe that I should be shown in all my immodest glory, too.

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: curmudgeon
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 03:57 PM

The site is not the most navigable. On the Home page, go to the bottom and click on the bird after "...beard on line."

Good luck -- Tom

Subject: RE: BS: National Beard Registry
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 09 Dec 02 - 04:19 PM

Got it, thanks. #75. Picture to follow.