June 15 – The Day of Reckoning

By the end of the day, I will be bald.

Oh, that’s a good thing. At the end of the 45 days I have been promoting this haircut, I’m more than ready to have this mop removed from my head.

The fundraising aspect has been the treasure. That people responded is such ways to my call for support has reminded me that maybe I’m not such a bad guy after all. Granted, there are people who are on board simply to enjoy the spectacle I will be making of myself, but even they appreciate that the cause is greater than the man.

As of midnight Thursday/Friday morning, I have raised $7000. Now, for those of you who started late, that might appear less than my goal of $8000; the fact of the matter is that I have raised my goal twice from the initial starting point of a mere $2000. I consider a 350% surplus over initial projections to be a spectacular success – and, unlike Bre-X, the Cancer Society has already received their money.

The final total will be revealed on Monday, after the cup gets passed around at school and I enter the money into the database. But, whatever we top out at, the process was worth it.

There are so many people to thank. Those who donated, of course, get first and special mention. Each of you will be getting copies of the photos of the shave and my bald head. Everybody who received an email, regardless of donation, is also thanked, because you took the time to read my pleas. There are many people who couldn’t donate because they have already donated to other causes. Some people just didn’t. No matter; that I took some of your time and you didn’t complain – that counts too.

The Vancouver School Board also gets a big hug, because their tolerance of my shag is evidence of their fairness as an employer. A special, big hug goes out to the staff of the Roberts Education Centre, my home for the last 14 years. Many of you have already accepted it; some took seconds.

Chris Parry at Notes From the Nat – you’ve been a good friend. Thanks for all the promo and support. As was Ernie Dragan, whose own shave for the Province’s “Empty Stocking Fund” some years ago gave me the inspiration for my own.

To the brothers of Phi Gamma Delta – I’m proud to be a FIJI. Thanks for turning me on to philanthropy back in university.

Even the Vancouver Canadians get some love, because my stupidity forced me to rely on a depth of character I’d forgotten I had. I actually think I’m a bigger man now.













If you missed out on my fundraiser, Lori Bonang from their front office is running a fundraiser at the Nat June 29 – no haircut, but a donation gets you a free mullet (wig).

Finally, and deservedly, my wife Lisa, whose tolerance in the face of waking up next to 1975 knows no bounds. Oh sure, it’s from one extreme to the other, but bald can get better, while shag never does.

Apparently the turnout at the school today is going to be quite impressive. I hope the hype lives up to the hair.

I will see you all on the other side.

Thanks for everything.

Rob