Where have you been? we hear you cry. Or rather read you cry, thanks for the mail folks. The simple answer is drinking. Lots. Oh, and some stuff about having jobs and the suchlike. And what an eventful few weeks it's been. The war in Iraq is over, which is why no-one's getting shot over there, and they all dance round with bunches of flowers singing nursery rhymes. Robin Cook was awarded the "Beard Wearer of the Year" award, which I think is a resounding endorsement for everything we've been striving for. Or something.

Some people will no doubt be wondering "why are you bothering carrying on now that the war's 'over' ?" (my commas). Well have a look at the news folks, how much peace do you see? Exactly.

Anyhow, we're back, and back for good. Check back over the weekend for a more fullsome and illustrated account of what we've been up to.

Peace.

Back by dope demand. Did you miss us?

A landmark event at beard towers. Guy has purchased a beard-trimmer. No more poxy razors for him. For those of you interested in that all important beard-grooming item, you can see it, and quite possibly buy yourself one, here.

Boz update - After protracted negotiations the ban on the latest effort from Boz has been lifted. Incidently, Boz is Alex's brother. Can you spot the bearded family resemblance?

can you see his Brain up there?

Some beard links have been brought to my attention by well-wishers, and some of them are just plain odd. You can see one mans obsession with collecting his old beard clippings here, while there is a humorous site full of beard-related quizzes and stuff here. However, the motherload comes in the form of a scientists experiment to guage cats reactions to different kinds of beard, which can be found here.

Keep them coming, we love these.

Beards on tour - After Guy's beard toured Madrid last week, it was my turn to take the beard out for a trip. Nothing quite so exotic, but I found it essential for the beard to make an appearance at the incomparable b3ta bash. It was superb, with many fine beards to be admired, and plenty of good will even from the clean-shaven.

discussing beards and peace with b3tans

Despite a stuntmans tumble down the stairs at the venue the weekend went superbly well, hitch-hiking notwithstanding. For more details of the beards misadventures over the weekend photo's can be seen here and a more fullsome account of events can be found in the distaste weblog.

A special mention must go to Zog. Firstly, because I'm leeching these pics from his webspace, and secondly because he has the finest beard I have ever seen.

He is also a thoroughly smashing chap, and you can see his work here.

International Beards - Our friend Alex is on tour in Canada and the U.S with his band Roller. They're great, and if you're in that part of the world you should check them out. It's taken us a while to get the beard for peace message over to him there, but now he's up to speed, he's jumped straight on the ever-growing bandwagon.

Alex writes:

"Here in the home of the war, I thought it important to make a stand. However, playing in places like Texas, it's important that it be a subtle stand, so a beard is perfect! It's early days yet, but bear with me

We'll certainly bear with you Alex. You can read his excellent and very funny weblog about the minutae of the touring lifestyle here.

Fool for peace - Beards for peace regular Boz has made a second beard for peace attempt. Unfortunately, his picture cannot be displayed at the moment for reasons of national security, but here are his word of wisom - 'i accidently grew it through neglect, but once again dignity calls and i will be riding of it tomorrow' peace and respect boz. BOZ FOR PEACE!

Goatee for peace - This magnificent gentleman is my younger brother Duncan, or Killer to his friends. Duncan has experimented with facial hair throughout his life and is therefore an instant honorary member of the beards for peace family. It is debatable whether he should set up his own faction "Goatees for Peace" but due to the frequent changes to his facial hair, we can not guarantee he will still have a goatee tomorrow. He also has impressive lamb chops and i think the second picture, with chin jutting out in a shock and awe style, is outstanding. Killer, we salute your military hair offensive!

Nice chops

Peace is near

Some sad news has reached us at beard towers. You all remember Boz don't you, he was our first guest beard. Well here is his progress so far;

Boz attemprs to join his beard with his chest-wig

"What's bad news about that?" I hear you cry. Wait until you see what Boz writes:

"Here's a picture of my beard so far. Unfortunately I am now going to have to shave it off. F**k the war. I'm fighting a different war. It's a war on the streets. A fashion war. And this beard is a tool of the enemy."

Having walked the tough streets of Leicester myself, I can only sympathise and offer our comiserations. A minutes silence please for Boz, the first casualty of our war.

Here at beard central, we recieve many fascinating e-mails on an almost monthly basis. Today we recieved this little gem;

Dear Beards for Peace,
I have been following your mission over the last couple of weeks, and I applaud your efforts. However, while all this guff about strange American religions and photoshopped adverts is all very well, where the hell are the beards!?

Good point, well made I feel. So well made that we finally put some batteries in the digital camera. So, some 12 days in, here is the progress so far.

Guy takes a moment to contemplate the horrors of war

Good coverage eh?

No, I don't know what I think I look like either.

Now how stylish is that?

So there you go. Mystery over. Once you've stopped gawping at us (oi! I said stop!) why not play a game involving beards. It is wonderful, and made by rob, who has so far ignored my requests to link to it, so I'm doing it anyway. So there. (Hi Rob!)

Don't forget to check back soon for our next guest beard, and more importantly, don't forget to mail us.

More strangeness. On one of my regular trawls around the interweb I came across Blissisnow. These guys seem to be just your common, all-garden, pseudo Buddist nutcases. Nothing to make them stand out there you might say, but you'd be wrong, for as part of their no-mark sub-philospophical ramblings they have unwittingly created a work of genius. The National Beard Registry is a place where men may take pride in throwing off the shackles of socieites conventions by growing a beard. For those of you who never open the links, shame on you, and this is what they have to say on the subject;

"The National Beard Registry has been established to encourage men in all walks of life, from every continent, to resist conformity, corporate culture, and androgeny by embracing the beautiful, unique and utterly personal habit of growing a full beard.

Today, wearing a full beard is often looked down upon and discouraged. Men with full beards are now accused of being un-patriotic, whatever that is. How silly we have become!

All beards are beautiful and worthy of registration. But the majestic and magnificent full and aged beard is the ultimate quest of The National Beard Registry. Like a fingerprint, a year or more of full growth on a man's face produces a one-of-a-kind appearance that defies trend, pop culture, and media driven conformity. It is a very natural and beautiful symbol of individualism, and honors the self-expressed manhood within each man."

Indeed..........

Aside from that, they also have a gallery of famously hairy intellectuals and writers, from Confucious and Zeus, through to Jim Morrison. So what the hell I wonder, is this man doing in there?

Isn't that Uncle Jessie off The Dukes of Hazard?

These people seem to think Uncle Jessie is worthy of inclusion in the same catagory as Karl Marx and Jesus. I'm sure Bo and Luke would be very proud.