The Mo thing I'll miss most

Perhaps the nerve endings around the hair follicles stimulate neurological activity.

Or maybe stroking things with your finger tips gets you thinking.

Whatever the physiological explanation, my Mo helps me think! Problem solving has never been so swift. Pondering my next move has never been so fruitful.

So it will be with a tear in my eye that I defy you all. The vote says "No!" but my common sense and self-respect says "Mow!"

Thank you to all who sponsored me.

My Mo - I saw it in a shop window!

Nearly there!

Four days to go and I think I went through the pain barrier today.

Walking past a shop window on the way into work, I glanced inside but caught a reflection of a moustached fellow looking back. Not someone with a strange upper lip infection but someone with a bona fide Mo!

However, by the time I reached the office the feeling of pride had faded, leaving me to seek inspiration in a mug of coffee, as you can see. Which worked actually.

Meanwhile, Barnardo's ad campaign broke this week. It is not unfair to say that working for marketing teams in brands such as this is what really drives me. Coffee provides caffeine but this stuff injects rocket fuel...

What do you think? It's a powerful ad. Attention (yes) > Interest (yes) > Desire (ish - not sure what I'm supposed to do) > Conviction (yes - Barnardo's seems to be in the zone) >>> but as ever, the challenge for fundraisers will be to convert this brand campaign into Action.

Three weeks and three reactions

Movember marches on, and the MoBro's Mo grows long.



Some quite like it.

Most ridicule it.

But my wife says it is, "singularly unattractive", and insists I walk along the pavement two yards ahead of her.

Should I shave it though? When you've sponsored me, please vote!

How classical music defines a person

At my local train station they play classical music very loud whenever young people are on the platforms. I think it's meant to be a deterrent, to get rid of them. In fact, the target audience seems to hang around longer, perhaps enjoying the free Baroque tunes.

As the Mo creeps onward, I am frequently struck by how it alters my appearance and others' perception of me. There is still a look of suspicion in many eyes, but as I walked onto the platform today with my jacket, pullover, shirt and Mo two people stepped out of the way deferentially.

I could almost hear the classical music being switched on for my benefit, and thought how different it would have been if I had been wearing a hoodie. I thought of Barnardo's Chief Exec Martin Narey's words, "we must end this discrimination against young people". As he says, no other minority is demonised in the way children and young people are in Britain today.

My Mo twitches uncomfortably as I watch this Barnardo's teaser ad, ahead of their new advertising campaign beginning 24 November, calling for a change in attitude...

Half way and getting serious

Don't worry. This won't be a millimetre-a-day chronicle of the Mo.

But we're two weeks into Movember, and the reaction from clients is getting more serious. I've just been told I look 'European', and yesterday someone called me 'disturbing'.

Think I'll use the phone as much as possible in the next two weeks.

Pity gives way to wariness

I suppose one can see why my fellow passengers are a little suspicious.

I'm clearly not a fashion student or member of a band - in which case the Mo could be seen as a conscious statement. But nor do I look completely out of touch with contemporary design.

As I sit on the train, working on my MacBook and listening to my iPhone, I've begun to notice the look of pity changing.

People are now wary. "He must know how odd he looks," they think, "yet he remains completely serious."

And wariness seems to be a licence to stare...

Train journeys are the worst

Every morning and evening for the past ten days I have been an object worthy of public inspection. And it's getting worse.

Some people quickly look away when I look up. Others blush. Others stare more intently. For some, there is a strange look of pity - "isn't that terrible," they think, "such a prominent skin infection."

Today I forgot the mo and started to think to myself, "I didn't think I looked any different this morning; huh, maybe this shirt looks particularly good." It was only when I noticed that look of pity that I suddenly remembered the growth.

So please, for pity's sake, visit my Movember page and sponsor me!

Why bother?

If you are able to sponsor me in this ludicrous venture, your gift would be put to good use!

Donations are made directly to The Prostate Cancer Charity, who will use the funds as follows:

1. Research on a range of subjects from new drug treatments to studies exploring the practical support for carers of men affected by prostate cancer.
2. A dedicated lobbyist to work with government and other policy leaders for improved access to prostate cancer treatments.
3. Infrastructure investment to ensure resources are available to drive TPCC forward.
4. Funding of a specialist nurse and awareness raising activities within the African Caribbean community who are at greater risk of prostate cancer.
5. Recruitment of men with prostate cancer to provide voluntary peer to peer support, and to raise awareness.
6. Additional specialist nurses for the TPCC Helpline which provides information and support to callers affected by prostate cancer.

So thank you in advance for your help.

Movember - time for new growth in my life

New growth = blogging at last.

New growth = a MO!!!

To sponsor me, please go to my Movember page.

Thanks!