Michael Venske

NOSHAVEMBER

Today is November first and that means it’s the beginning of Beard Month AND the beginning of National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo)!

I’m equally excited for both events as I’m actively participating in both events! Today I shaved for the last time and started writing a novel for the first time. Exciting! I know it’s hard to think about now, but at the end of the month I’ll have written a novel AND have a big unkept beard… YAY!

Also, because November is traditionally associated with Thanksgiving in America, I’d like to write a short post everyday just sharing a bit of my gratitude and thanks. Partially inspired by Amie’s tumblr posts on gratitude you’ll begin to see little posts noting things that I’m thankful for.

TODAY’S GIFT OF GRATITUDE

I cannot think of Beard Month without thinking of my friend Shamus. You see, it was Shamus that first told me about Beard Month in 2004. We were working together at a coffeeshop and he was encouraging me to not shave because I’d have “an awesome beard!”

Over the years I’ve attempted to go the full month without shaving, but auditions or shows or shoots would arise and I’d shave. I really hate shaving, so Beard Month is quite the blessing.

I’m grateful that “Shmee” introduced me to the fine art of being unkept. I’m grateful to think of my friend every time I think of Beard Month. I’m grateful to have that memory of us working together talking about beards…

Michael

MICHAEL VENSKE is an expert mistake-maker whose faith and enthusiasm cause him to leap without looking. One such jump landed him in China where he’s currently teaching kindness, compassion, and the fine art of physical comedy.

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