Gary’s Gems – Whatever Gets You Through November Issue

Do you find November depressing? Since March, every month in 2020 could claim that description. The drabness of November is our payment for the lights and nostalgia for December. (You know how I feel about Christmas, right?). November is Kansas. December is Oz.

I can get much too introspective in November. One way I try to avoid this is to get outside myself and involve get involved with community organizations such as those that offer support for homeless street kids, abandoned animals, and food-insecure families.

We held our (virtual) fall CAM-X (Canadian Call Management Association) convention last month. i24 Call Management Solutions has been a member for a couple of generations of Blairs. It’s a tradition to raise funds for breast cancer at each convention – “Shave to Save”. Catchy, right?

As a long-time Board Director, I was part of the planning committee for our 2013 convention in Bermuda. At one meeting when we were discussing arrangements for the silent auction, I posed the question, “Who wouldn’t shave their hair for a good cause? After all, it’ll grow back.”

Nothing locks you into a commitment like volunteering a fundraising suggestion at a Board meeting. And that was how I put my head on the block in Bermuda.

“You’ll look great,” they said. “You’ll look like Kojack.’ they said.  Hmmm, I was cynical.

What do you think? Kojack or Dr. Evil?

In addition to me, my good friend, Bill Tucker from Halifax (who wore a moustache since high school), Mike Shantz from Sudbury, and Gerald Brosseau from Fort Meyers, FL agreed to sacrifice our manly manes for charity.  Mike and I had begun fundraising efforts prior to heading to the conference so we already had raised over $20,000 even before landing in Bermuda.

So there we were, four brave souls ready to go bald for a good cause. Our domes were to be buzzed and buffed. Those who bid the highest got the first opportunity to clearcut a path through for others to follow. One after the other, these amateur barbers mowed until we were standing on a carpet of head-mulch.

(Eureka!) We had decided that our fundraising goal for the event was $50,000. So, I proposed to shave my beard – only if we were falling short of our goal, and making this sacrifice would put us over $50k. Money began rolling to the tune of over $77,000.00. I left the silent auction with a big hairy smile on my face.

Think men aren’t obsessed with their beards? (Not speaking of myself, of course.) Watch this eye-opener – or closer depending on your tastes.

Speaking of beards, the Movember organization is a charity that raises funds for Men’s health issues such as suicide prevention, prostate, and testicular cancer. My “Gems editor”, Ray Hiltz has participated in Movember for many years. Last year he grew his annual beard as usual but when it came to shaving it off on Dec 1st there arose a thunderous roar of disapproval in the office. Whether it was his Ghost and Mrs. Muir look or Santa nostalgia, it seemed no one wanted to see his chin again.

So this November, inspired by what I did at the CAM-X conference, Ray, instead of growing a beard, is offering to shave his beard only if his fundraising goal of $500 is not reached.

We’ve become almost as attached to Ray’s beard as his face is so it would be a shame to see it go. But, he is leaving it in others’ hands (or digital wallets.).

If he can raise $500,00 or more, it stays. If he comes short, so does his beard – very, very short.

Enjoy your November.

Here are a few November-inspired quotes to reflect on.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”All the men in my family were born bearded, and most of the women. – W. C. Fields” quote=”All the men in my family were born bearded, and most of the women. – W. C. Fields” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”He who sacrifices his beard for a woman deserves neither. – Author Unknown ” quote=”He who sacrifices his beard for a woman deserves neither. – Author Unknown ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”A decent mustache can intimidate a man, while a great mustache can frighten an army. – Anya Wylde, Penelope” quote=”A decent mustache can intimidate a man, while a great mustache can frighten an army. – Anya Wylde, Penelope” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Grey hair shows age; a beard shows maturity; a mustache shows impudence. – Yoruba Proverb” quote=”Grey hair shows age; a beard shows maturity; a mustache shows impudence. – Yoruba Proverb” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”What BEARD comes from: Being Exceptional Among Regular Dudes. – Author Unknown ” quote=”What BEARD comes from: Being Exceptional Among Regular Dudes. -Author Unknown ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Your character tells the world you are a real man. Your beard is mostly the exclamation point. – Beardaholic.com” quote=”Your character tells the world you are a real man. Your beard is mostly the exclamation point. – Beardaholic.com” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”The scruffier your beard, the sharper you need to dress. – Ashton Kutcher” quote=”The scruffier your beard, the sharper you need to dress. – Ashton Kutcher” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Every director I’ve ever admired has a beard. – Peter Horton ” quote=”Every director I’ve ever admired has a beard. – Peter Horton ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”The beard Isn’t novel, it’s natural. But, your continued efforts to maintain a boyish look by shaving your face is truly a peculiar habit. Author Unknown” quote=”The beard Isn’t novel, it’s natural. But, your continued efforts to maintain a boyish look by shaving your face is truly a peculiar habit. Author Unknown” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”You call It facial hair. I call It awesomeness escaping through my face. Author Unknown” quote=”You call It facial hair. I call It awesomeness escaping through my face. Author Unknown” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Beards are an acquired taste. Don’t like them? Acquire some taste. Beardaholid.com” quote=”Beards are an acquired taste. Don’t like them? Acquire some taste. Beardaholid.com” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Kindness can pluck the hairs of a lion’s mustache. – Sudan” quote=”Kindness can pluck the hairs of a lion’s mustache. – Sudan” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”In November, the trees are standing all sticks and bones. Without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers. They know it is time to be still. – Cynthia Rylant ” quote=”In November, the trees are standing all sticks and bones. Without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers. They know it is time to be still. – Cynthia Rylant ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=” Ladies if your man has a beard, raise your hand. If he doesn’t, raise your standards. Author Unknown ” quote=” Ladies if your man has a beard, raise your hand. If he doesn’t, raise your standards. Author Unknown ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”The moment you accept responsibility for EVERYTHING in your life is the moment you gain the power to change ANYTHING in your life. – Hal Elrod” quote=”The moment you accept responsibility for EVERYTHING in your life is the moment you gain the power to change ANYTHING in your life. – Hal Elrod” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=” The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.’- Elbert Hubbard ” quote=” The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.’- Elbert Hubbard ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Every director I’ve ever admired has a beard. – Peter Horton” quote=”Every director I’ve ever admired has a beard. – Peter Horton” theme=”style2″]