Yep, that’s me. Believe it!

If you are keeping up, you’ve already read the why. But the short story is it was to raise funds for support our troops. I’m a patriot, what can I say.

Where did this really start though? The final part of the journey was to the stylist at the Hair Syndicate. You might think it started this past Saturday on Twitter. But to me, it’s something that began a couple of years ago, with a commitment to myself to lead a more fun and interesting life.

In February of 2006 I found out I had some health risks. These risks made me stop in my tracks. It became apparent that I wasn’t going to live forever. With that realization came a second one, I wasn’t making an effort to enjoy my life. It had become just routine.

The turnaround and push in my life is still ongoing over two years later. Since then I’ve taken up photography, become a social media busy body, dined on foods from all over, and made friends with folks from all over.

This year’s New Year’s resolutions amounted to one thing, to have an interesting year. So far it’s been more than I could have hoped for. Here are a few highlights:
- SOBCon08 – weekend conference in Chicago
- Austin trip to meet with social network friends and cohorts
- Jeff Pulver Breakfast in Vancouver, BC

Going bald? That’s just the latest in the list of interesting and sometimes challenging things for me this year. It’s not that last though.

Upcoming is the first interactive festival here in St. Louis. Beyond that, who knows. The year isn’t over yet. There are blog posts to write, online worlds to explore, creatures to see, and food and beverages to try.

My regret is not being more involved in the bevy of great things going on. I’m not just talking about things on my list, but your projects as well. There are books you’ve sent for review, blog posts you’ve asked for, and events you’d like help with. Some of you want help with fund raisers, school activities, and few have business ideas.

This post isn’t about bragging but to demonstrate that few things are isolated events, nor are they the end of a series, and almost all are the result of our ongoing choices and commitments.

Where is your life taking you? Are you ready? Is it challenging you?

I challenge you to get up and do one thing today towards following your dreams. If you don’t have money or time to move on it today, then invest in it by getting your friends onboard. Tell someone today.

Tell me.

(PS. If you are interested, you can see the videos of me getting my bald on over on Flickr.)

Beardless on 12seconds.tv

So how did it come to this, one man losing his beard?  It started with eMail Our Military joining up with Mary Kay for Operation Soldier Care.  Weeks have gone by and the original goal of $500 was passed some time ago.  The parties behind it though, Nancy and eMom, felt they should push for more.

The new goal became $5000 and more funds began rolling in.  Things looked good for a few days as the total approached $2000, but as time draws to a close, the rate of donations has dropped off.  What to do folks wondered?

A bright and shiny idea was hatched to help things along. Rob La Gesse (@Kr8tr on twitter) agreed to shave his head for the cause.  His bravery and soon to be baldness brought in more than $350. What a strong run.  Again those things slacked off.

This is where I come into the picture.  I’m minding my own business on Twitter (@tojosan), when I hear rumblings that the fund raising for our troops has slackened again.  Of course I jumped in to ask.  One thing lead to another and I made a fateful statement.

@Dayngr …  If I thought peeps would put in $300 though, I’d shave my head too.

Oh no, did I really type that?  The next thing I know folks are sending in donations and tweeting about it.

Of course I never guessed even $150 would be raised.  Much the fool, I therefore made the next statement.

I’ll shave my beard for $150 on contributions to Operation Soldier Care

The video above gives you a clue about the results of that little statement.  In a short time that amount was donated, but it would be a long haul till midnight, when my $300 challenge ended.