Over $6000 raised. Final set of emails sent out. Nothing left but the crying, and the cutting.
With four days to go, there isn’t much left to do. As I contemplate what is to come, and I mark a raft of (very fine) essays from my students on the Cold War, the haircut now seems a bit anti-climactic. It’s because of the sense that people have given their money, so the cut is expected; I have accepted their money, so I expect to have to cut my hair.
Long gone are the emails from people wondering if this is some sort of a publicity stunt or gag. When people ask me about it now, they query my inspiration; it’s 90% philanthropy and 10% this-is-the-marathon-I-run-before-truning-40.
Doing something good is always a nice thing; the fact that it causes the demons that inhabit my soul great pain – well, that’s a bonus. The ‘marathon’ thing; well, I have done a lot in my first 38 years, and this seemed like a cool thing to do, rather than spending 6 months developing shin splints so I can limp around but have a good story of 4 hours wasted one rainy Sunday afternoon in May. I have seen enough doctors in recent years.
I have also enjoyed hearing from people I’d lost contact with some time ago. The tight connection may not be there anymore, but it’s still refreshing to hear from them, and have them validate the sentiment under which I am conducting this exercise.
Dreading the haircut? No; I’m looking forward to it.
With four days to go, there isn’t much left to do. As I contemplate what is to come, and I mark a raft of (very fine) essays from my students on the Cold War, the haircut now seems a bit anti-climactic. It’s because of the sense that people have given their money, so the cut is expected; I have accepted their money, so I expect to have to cut my hair.
Long gone are the emails from people wondering if this is some sort of a publicity stunt or gag. When people ask me about it now, they query my inspiration; it’s 90% philanthropy and 10% this-is-the-marathon-I-run-before-truning-40.
Doing something good is always a nice thing; the fact that it causes the demons that inhabit my soul great pain – well, that’s a bonus. The ‘marathon’ thing; well, I have done a lot in my first 38 years, and this seemed like a cool thing to do, rather than spending 6 months developing shin splints so I can limp around but have a good story of 4 hours wasted one rainy Sunday afternoon in May. I have seen enough doctors in recent years.I have also enjoyed hearing from people I’d lost contact with some time ago. The tight connection may not be there anymore, but it’s still refreshing to hear from them, and have them validate the sentiment under which I am conducting this exercise.
Dreading the haircut? No; I’m looking forward to it.
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