Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
The riveting diary of a man on a mission.
Part V.
Day #29
Beard Law #15 - Never let your beard get rained on.
Day #30
As I looked into the bathroom mirror, my beard reminded me of how phenomenal the last 30 days of facial hair growing were. With beard trimmer and razor blade in hand, my 30 days of beard growth was gone in a matter of minutes. For those of you who are sad to see my beard go, do not fret — FACIAL HAIR ALWAYS GROWS BACK. A big thank you to my beard supporters at Swarthmore and beyond. Without your encouragement, my beard would not have thrived as much as it did.
As I am very thankful and glad to see that you were strong enough to endure the month of No Shave November, I am slightly upset that you did not join your fellow participants at the communal Shave Off.
I totally would have gone to the Shave Off, but I have 8 AM chemistry lab on Thursdays and needed to get to bed early to avoid sleep deprivation (I was in bed by 10 PM on Wednesday night). I’m sad I disappointed you, but I hope you can understand my reasoning. On a funny note, my nickname freshman year was Grandpa Krainock because I went to bed so early every night.
I am sad to see the beard go too, Andrew. My face seems much more exposed now and I miss the facial hair blanket that kept me warm on chilly Philly nights. As my roommate put it, my face “looks like it had a baby”. So yes, I guess I do appear younger, like a newborn.
No one has ever told me that, but I will take it as a compliment, especially since Neville had the skills to kill Voldemort’s snake and last Horcrux, Nagini, with the sword of Gryffindor!
Arman Hanifpour '27 argues that we should be more less quick to reflexively condemn the idea of regime change, whether it comes to something as mundane as the Swarthmore Dining Hall or as consequential as war in the Middle East.
In this edition of Swat Says, students share their opinions on changes happening around campus and discuss under what circumstances they would share their most vulnerable thoughts.
Jacob Velarde '27 highlights the often overlooked history of progressive politics in Texas and argues that this legacy of economic populism presents the way forward for Southern Democrats.
Lily Zavin '29 shares her experieces with political organizing over the summer and emphasizes the importance of remaining hopeful, continuing to fight for an inclusive democracy, and pursuing a politics grounded in community engagement.
Maria Victoria Almarza '28 argues that Swarthmore must reckon with the emergence of generative AI, the continued tolerance of which undermines Swarthmore's commitment to environmental and social justice.
As I am very thankful and glad to see that you were strong enough to endure the month of No Shave November, I am slightly upset that you did not join your fellow participants at the communal Shave Off.
I totally would have gone to the Shave Off, but I have 8 AM chemistry lab on Thursdays and needed to get to bed early to avoid sleep deprivation (I was in bed by 10 PM on Wednesday night). I’m sad I disappointed you, but I hope you can understand my reasoning. On a funny note, my nickname freshman year was Grandpa Krainock because I went to bed so early every night.
Haha, sad to see it go, Kyle. How do you feel now that you’re clean-shaven? Younger? Fresher? Colder around the jowls?
I am sad to see the beard go too, Andrew. My face seems much more exposed now and I miss the facial hair blanket that kept me warm on chilly Philly nights. As my roommate put it, my face “looks like it had a baby”. So yes, I guess I do appear younger, like a newborn.
Has anyone told you that you look like Neville Longbottom from HP7? Pretty cool..
No one has ever told me that, but I will take it as a compliment, especially since Neville had the skills to kill Voldemort’s snake and last Horcrux, Nagini, with the sword of Gryffindor!