I’ve acknowledged the fact I’m shaving on December 1st, and killing my friend.  This has been a rough November, a bad November.  I say this, and Thanksgiving is tomorrow/today, but no matter how great the event will be, it will not redeem this month.  Roasted turkey, gravy smothered stuffing and mashed potatoes.  Cranberry sauce.  I’m the most thankful that the earlier Americans hung out with this land’s natives long enough to endorse this national holiday, before ruthlessly, and almost nonchalantly, murdering, stealing, and raping them.  My mother makes the best green beans, she puts chopped almonds in with them, they’re to die for.  I’d murder a complete stranger (over the Internet somewhere else, with an M1A1 Carbine, ofcourse) just to sit down to a full plate of runny, scrumptious, authentic French-Canadian poutine.

But the only person I’m killing on thanksgiving has been my constant companion all month long: my beard.  It’s been a long and strong No Shave November, and it shows.  I’m scruffy, ruffly, and no doubt fluffy.  And throughout everything grey November threw at me, it stuck around.  Instantly a discussion piece and a noble cause I could stand behind, steadfast and resilient.  500 other men stood beside me, throughout the New England area.

But it must go.  It’s about to get much colder, and whiter, and harder.  The time has come for wooling the windows, stoking the fire, and buckling down your bootstraps.  Writing more, forgetting less.  My radiator clangs and bangs to life, fighting with me against the dreadful winter to come.  I have to buy khaki’s, or chino’s, I’m really not sure.  The leisure and thrill of my bicycle must be sacrificed.  Gloves, not mittens, and thick high-rising boots, my aunt works at Beans, she’s get a crazy discount.

You know November has come when you’re better off than you were September, but nowhere ready for the demon days of December.  Hell, Christmas is going to sneak up on me this year, I just know it, but through career choices I might actually have presents for everybody, which will be a big step up from last year.  Good evening, Potential, and see you tomorrow.  And good job with the beards, guys.