Facial Hair On Men

A new scientific study (here) reports that women prefer men with clean-shaven faces over men with beards.  Even the same men.

Is this true?  Do you prefer guys who shave?  If so, why do you think this is true?

Oh, and do you want proof?  When I was a teenage boy, I briefly tried to look older and tougher.  The result?  Worst.  Decision.  Ever.  This was during the period I worked with ex-cons at a toxic factory.  (Story here.)  I can't even recognize myself.

After The Prom

The Prom Project was my favorite experience of last year.  In fact, it was one of the best times of my entire life.  I learned so much preparing for the event and then experiencing it.  Apparently, that learning isn't over.

I just learned something new -- the cost of dry cleaning a prom dress!  Categorized as an "evening gown", there's an entirely different price for these items.  A shockingly high one.

It was my plan from the outset to donate the two dresses after my photoshoot.  I was a little disappointed last year when I discovered that the local charity I want to give the dresses to stops accepting donations after prom season and doesn't start accepting them again until March of this year.  Presumably they don't want to store them over the Winter.  Okay, so I calendared my donations for this month.

To prepare the dresses for donation, I recently brought them in for dry cleaning.  They'd only been worn for the photoshoot and didn't really need any cleaning but I wanted to be extra nice.  Up to now, all items I've had dry cleaned (male and female clothes) have been $10 or less.  I was floored to learn that the cost for cleaning an "evening gown" is $35!  Each!

So, it cost me $70 to give away dresses for free.

Of course, I don't regret that.  The idea of two young girls, who can't afford a prom dress, getting to wear these beauties warms my heart.  They are very pretty dresses (size 14) that were worn only once for a few hours of photography.

Did you know how expensive it is to dry clean an "evening gown"?

Care To Comment?

Comments are the crack of blogging.

We all crave feedback and everyone loves to have their ego stroked.  Comments do that.

Conversely, when we unveil carefully-constructed posts and don't hear back, we wonder if anyone is reading.  You and I know how much work it takes to blog well.  Not receiving acknowledgement of that effort can be dispiriting.

What can we do to encourage readers to comment?  I have two techniques and I welcome you to tell us yours.  Let's pool our ideas.

I've written before that blogging, to me, is conversation.  I prefer interactive communication where readers share their thoughts and experiences.  Your comments teach me valuable lessons and entertain other readers.  My proudest posts are those where there's vibrancy in the comments-section.

Here are my two techniques to stimulate comments.  First, I ask questions, which by their nature invite readers into a discussion.  Second, when I visit other people's blogs, I read them seriously and respond with as much insight and wit as I can muster.  Commenting on other blogs often prompts reciprocal comments on yours.  It's human nature to respond to kindness with kindness.

What ideas do you have to encourage comments?

Arizona

I'm in Tucson for a few days.  I thought I'd be separated from you but they have Internet here!

Second surprise -- nobody has a lawn.  Because it's so hot, front-yards are just rocks.  That's so different from where I live.  Jarring, in fact.  Do you have a lawn?

Here are a few pix I took...



Happy Weekend!

Things I Can't Do

I'm an educated, strong person but there are many things I can't do.  Just can't. 

Here are some of them:

1. I can't spell hors d'oeuvres.  I have to look it up.  Every single time.

2. I can't kill a bug.  My love for animals and all life stops me from squashing them.  When I find an ant or a moth or a leopard in my house, I get a paper cup, scoop up the little critter and then release him into the wild of my backyard.

3. I can't go to topless bars.  They depress me so badly.  My empathy for the women who work there becomes overpowering.  Seeing how rude and crude men behave toward them (e.g., groping; filthy talk) makes me physically sick.

4. I can't watch a movie about a mother dying without sobbing like a baby.  "Bright Lights, Big City" with Michael J. Fox brings me to tears quicker than a light-switch.  Ditto with "Terms Of Endearment."

5. I can't stop trying to do the things I believe in, even when obstacles are insurmountable.  I just can't face reality and give up.  I've been called "dogged", which is true.

What can't you do?

Things I Saw Today

Head West, Young Man...

I don't blog to a schedule; I post only when I have something to say.  Looking at my stats, apparently I'm loquacious 'cause I post two out of every three days.

Due to this frequency, I've learned that my absence is conspicuous.  A month ago, I was tired and uninspired so I didn't post for a week.  I just had nothing good to say, so I said nothing.  I was surprised to receive more than one e-mail asking if I'd died!  I'm not sure how I could have answered those inquiries if I had, in fact, passed away but perhaps my next of kin would be wrapping up affairs like that.

To avoid a repeat of that, I'm announcing that, on Thursday, I'm flying to Arizona for a few days to visit family.  Not a big trip, but I'll not be posting while I'm gone.  Unless... do they have Internet in Arizona?

Have you ever been to AZ?  I hear it's super-hot.  But they say it's a "dry heat", meaning comfortable.  I don't know how 114-degrees can be comfortable.  Your experiences?