Cheery thoughts before flying to America...
Looking at my passport photo, I'm suddenly gripped with a fear that they won't let me into the country, followed by a massive burst of misery at how badly I seem to have decayed over the last five years, followed by a massive sense of my own mortality and of the inevitable and steady decay that I can expect until death. God I'm depressed.
Comments
Please stay on-topic, informative and polite. I reserve the right to remove comments for whatever vague capricious reasons seem reasonable at the time.
I suggest getting a copy of the Autobiography of Malcolm X, The Anarchist Cookbook, The Quaran and putting them in your carry on bag.
→ Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at February 4, 2004 11:30 PM
But, on the plus side, the beard looks cool.
→ Posted by: Buzz Andersen at February 4, 2004 11:31 PM
Beards? They scare me.
I thought beards were for people who wanted to flout their masculinity (or who wanted to hide their double chin...)
Oh well
May the BBC live long and prosper
→ Posted by: Matthew at February 4, 2004 11:35 PM
Shave the beard off dude, you'll loose 5 years in age and people will come up to you and say 'I didn't want to say before but you look a lot better without the beard'. Happened to me, true story.
→ Posted by: Mark Wilkin at February 5, 2004 12:29 AM
If that's all you have to worry about, Tom, then you are one lucky bastard. I say to you: "Pshaw!"
→ Posted by: matt at February 5, 2004 12:57 AM
You look like Tom Jenkinson's evil twin, albeit slightly bored.
→ Posted by: Alex Reynolds at February 5, 2004 2:39 AM
You are so going to get a shave in San Diego, Tom. Even if we have to strap you down and sedate you before the razor comes out.
→ Posted by: nick at February 5, 2004 3:32 AM
Yup, lose the beard (you knew this).
But at least you have the wonderfull camera.
→ Posted by: Aangespoeld at February 5, 2004 7:03 AM
Growing a geography teacher beard isn't a sign of decay - why don't you just shave it off?
→ Posted by: shaky at February 5, 2004 9:04 AM
Have an orange. The smell and taste will not only cheer you up, but they're also good for you! Yay for oranges! They're brill!
→ Posted by: Wild at February 5, 2004 10:04 AM
Well done. I have the same camera as you, assuming you have the 400. I have tried and tried to take my own photo but every attempt yields an image of a stroke victim or a drunk or both. You are clearly cleverer than me.
As for the beard, I used to wear one of similar length and, on the rare occasions I trimmed it very short, would be met with a chorus of appproval, much as described in previous comments. This pissed me off no end because I wore the beard to be me, not a namby, pink-faced comformist like the rest of them, and I hate hate hate being hailed and congratulated for conforming.
But the beard did itch and make me look older and also make me look like a backwoods hick.
Ultimately, I found a way around the issue: each week, I use a beard trimmer without the comb, resulting in something like a 2-day growth that looks really good. As soon as it approaches proper beard length, I trim it.
In this way I am able to remain defiantly nonconformist, exhibit a vague air of ruggedness and cool, but avoid the aforementioned negatives.
→ Posted by: andrew at February 5, 2004 10:09 AM
You oughtn't to worry: a friend of mine took several months out to grow a really big, bushy beard for the specific purpose of having his passport photos taken: just for contrariness' sake - passport done, he shaved the beard off. He travels widely & has never mentioned meeting with any problems because of it.
→ Posted by: misteraitch at February 5, 2004 10:24 AM
Don't worry Tom ... it's just a *veneer* of terrorism. Everyone knows the real you is much more loveable.
→ Posted by: Dave at February 5, 2004 11:41 AM
AAHhhhhh
Make the scary man go away!
→ Posted by: Gordon at February 5, 2004 1:27 PM
sexy. really. wait, really?
→ Posted by: jus at February 5, 2004 2:46 PM
The beard has got to stay. The philosophy of the beard is worth it alone.
→ Posted by: duncan at February 5, 2004 2:53 PM
I actually very much like the beard - ignore these philistines - although you could probably improve it with a big, floppy hat, a long coat and a whimsical grin.
→ Posted by: Ben at February 5, 2004 3:21 PM
from texas : agree with aangespoeld - lose the beard, but the cam's great - not to be too down in the mouth about. you hair looks better now - compared with the plastic helmet in the old photo. too much goo.
→ Posted by: craig at February 5, 2004 5:23 PM
Don't listen to those pogonophobes: a beard is not a fashion statement; shaving is.
→ Posted by: Richard at February 5, 2004 6:38 PM
Keep the beard, shave your bonce!
→ Posted by: awful at February 5, 2004 10:07 PM
MMmmmn. Keep the hair, keep the beard... when you get to the US customs, wear a pair of orange sunset 70's specs and talk in a faux-cuban accent. Call everyone Hombre and laugh too loudly. You'll be fine.
Great site, by the way.
→ Posted by: RobotDan at February 5, 2004 10:23 PM
Tom, I travelled across to Chile some five years ago from Blighty. I got a new passport before leaving, clean shaven, hair cut short and looking damm young. Now, some five years later I am feeling old, looking older, bearded, wondering if the UK will ever let me back in. Enjoy your hols
Laters
Ean
→ Posted by: Ean WS at February 5, 2004 10:55 PM
hehe you might need a shave! One of my co-workers at the airport dyed his hair red and they wouldn't let him air-side, he had to dye it back as best he could to his original colour!
If they don't let you back in, just burst into tears, no one like a scene!
Ian
→ Posted by: Ian at February 5, 2004 11:29 PM
I don't care what you guys say. Tom is uber-sexy and I shall continue to stalk him until he notices I exist, or at least leaves a comment on my blog.
→ Posted by: Laurie at February 5, 2004 11:57 PM
oh don't be depressed, you're a hottie! I think so! (but then I'm a girl, so what do I know...)
→ Posted by: may at February 6, 2004 1:17 AM
I still think having an orange would be best. Its an entire bottle of antidepressants in a handy peelable package.
→ Posted by: Wild at February 6, 2004 11:18 AM
Two words: Richard Stallman.
→ Posted by: Graham at February 6, 2004 2:59 PM
I'll bet it's an IXUS v3, andrew. And, I like the beard..
→ Posted by: sarc at February 6, 2004 5:19 PM
It's an Ixus V2. Thank you very much. Have to say am feeling way way better about everything since I've now got into the country. More importantly I'm beginning to realise how much I've let stress get to me recently and how incredibly relaxing and liberating a couple of decent nights sleep can be! Am feeling sexier already. Expect new pictures shortly in which I look gorgeous.
→ Posted by: Tom Coates at February 6, 2004 5:38 PM
Love it! But then I have hinted at that before... People who shave are hiding something. Their beards!
→ Posted by: Jason at February 6, 2004 8:05 PM
yup... you do indeed look like a shoe bomber. *hug*
x
→ Posted by: ravana at February 6, 2004 9:07 PM
Tom, you are looking scarily like Charles Manson, ever thought of starting a cult? On second thoughts...
→ Posted by: Rob at February 7, 2004 6:54 PM
Tom you look pretty cute with the beard but my God buy yourself some new damn shoes! I swear I feel like strangling puppies every time I hear that squeak!
→ Posted by: filchyboy at February 8, 2004 4:13 AM