I went bald and all it took was $1,122

kevinmarshall — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:53:42 +0000

TA DAAAAAA

The last time I had this little hair on my head, I was crapping in my drawers and crying every time I got hungry. Okay, other than having hair, not much has changed since then.

I did the deed Sunday at the St. Baldricks event in Albany, where I met up with my good friend Emily, who showed up to give me some moral support. I chatted with a few passerbys and listened to not only one but two cover bands perform versions of Cee-Lo Green‘s “F*** You.” Except they both did it as “Forget You,” which is a crime against art. Listen, I don’t expect you to do “F*** You” at a ‘family’ event. I’m saying either do “F*** You” or don’t do it at all. Don’t cater to the censored, neutered tripe that goes on the airwaves.

After verbalizing that rant nigh verbatim to Emily, it was time to do the thing. And I did.

It feels…odd. It’s been almost 48 hours, but I still get slightly disoriented when I pass by a mirror. My hair’s also fairly thick, so I’m noticing a difference in terms of how my head feels in the open air, as if there is a consistent draft that’s brushing the sides of my skull; a sensation similar to the one you get from applying Vick’s Vapor Rub.

Got myself a hat, because I'll never remember to apply sunscreen.

It’s not really having an impact emotionally. I always had a lot of hair, but I never had a particular affinity for it. I’d considered going bald in the past, but always worried about the shape of my skull and a birthmark my mother told me about. As it turns out, the mark is on the back of my head and it’s barely noticeable. My friend Maeve is convinced that it’ll glow red if I get angry, but I’ve been having a relatively good week thus far, so that hypothesis remains untested.

As for the shape of my skull, it acually doesn’t look too bad. There’s a point at the apex that I wish was smoother, but I am as my genes made me. My brother’s got a good skull and is bald, so I should have known better.

Thanks again to all of you that donated. You ended up raising over $1,100 for childhood cancer research, which is a new record for this space. Congratulations!

If you had meant to contribute but never got around to it, it’s not too late! Click here to give.

More pictures after the jump.

3:48pm. Giving one last fixin'.

Getting ready...

Mid-shear

Almost there....

TA DAAAAAA

Next day: I look like a soccer hooligan.

Today: watching it grow back.

My brother Jack is on the right, his wife Jill (yes, Jack and Jill) on the left. I definitely see a resemblance now.

St. Baldricks tomorrow 4/10 at Savannah’s

kevinmarshall — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 21:57:27 +0000

Hey everyone! What’re you doing Sunday afternoon?

If you answered with anything other than “going to support childhood cancer research, have fun, win prizes and see Kevin Marshall get his head shaved,” then you are a total jerk.

Tomorrow’s the big day. Thanks to the contribution of readers like you, we’ve been able to raise a grand total of $1,097 (and counting) for childhood cancer research through St. Baldrick’s. Click here to read my reasons for doing it.

Hello generosity, goodbye hair.

I’m writing this at the Daily Grind in downtown Albany, getting a cup of coffee and having dinner with a lovely lady before I have to sequester myself in my home for the next two weeks until my hair grows back.

So take one last look, because this will be my final picture with hair…my “before,” if you will:

Because it’s gonna be GONE, baby.

So join us tomorrow, Sunday April 10th, for an afternoon of fun and celebration, and give a little if you haven’t already.

KEVIN MARSHALL LOSES HIS HEAD…OF HAIR
for ST. BALDRICK’S

Sunday, April 10th 2011
Savannah’s The Dublin Underground (1 South Pearl Street, corner of South Pearl & State Streets)
Donate here: http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/KevinMarshall

Kevin Marshall's America » Cancer research

I went bald and all it took was $1,122

St. Baldricks tomorrow 4/10 at Savannah’s