TRF Weekend Warning: Beardless Bard

Look at my picture. This is not the bard you'll be looking for this weekend.

I've decided to conduct a science experiment this weekend. So I shaved off the goatee. It's just me and my smooth face.

So what's the experiment? I'm curious to see the response of people who don't know me with regards to beard or beardless.

We've all heard the stories. People discriminate against people with beards. In the business world, having a beard means your "hiding something." In the busking world, they say, clean cut people do better than scraggily people. Whatever the case, I'm interested in seeing how true this will be at TRF.

I have already noticed a difference though, as I think about it. People who once would rapidly turn their eyes away while walking around campus, we'll maintain the gaze and respond to my smile.

Now, how much of that is just from me paying attention? Or feeling more open? Who knows? Obviously, I'm not a master of the scientific method.

Any case, instead of looking for a bard resembling the one on the cover of Soul of a Harper, look for some more like the beardless bard you saw at Excalibur in the spring. I plan to try it out this weekend, but it'll be back in time for Halloween. Gotta look extra scary after all...