Driving Miss Ashley - Episode 7

Mo'vember

Ah, its finally here, everyone's favorite time of the year. Or it could just be mine. I am referring to Movember ladies and gentlemen. What is Movember you ask?

During Movember <http://us.movember.com/>  (the month formerly known as November), men across the globe grow mustaches (hence the name) while raising money for men's health issues. Movember  <https://www.facebook.com/MovemberUSA> started in Australia in 2003. It has spread from down under to South Africa and Europe, and five years ago it reached American shores. My reasons for joining the Movember movement are simple: "I have had family members deal with prostate cancer, and friends with depression issues ... there's not a whole lot out there in terms of support for men with charities, it's not talked about that much." In my opinion, men in general aren't good at committing to regular health screenings, in fact, we are pretty terrible at it.

But before you sign up and start growing a 'mo all willy-nilly, there are rules for this sort of thing, as laid out by the nonprofit group.

First and foremost, the registered participant must start November 1 clean shaven.

Second, you need to maintain your mustache: Grooming is key.

There are also rules pertaining to gentlemanly behavior, as well as rules preventing the mustache from touching one's sideburns (as this is a beard) or joining the mustache's handlebars to your chin (as this is a goatee).

The goal is to get your friends to donate money to your Movember cause, which is then donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation <http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5699537/k.BEF4/Home.htm> , LiveStrong <http://www.livestrong.org/>  and other men's health research and awareness programs.

So far Americans have raised $7.5 million for Movember. Worldwide, participants have raised $174 million, which, according to Movember, makes the group the largest nongovernment funder of prostate cancer research in the world. According to the American Cancer Society, one in every six men will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, and one in every 36 will die from the disease. Behind lung cancer, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men.

At the end of the month, parties are held across the globe to celebrate those "who sacrificed their upper lip for the month."

All jokes aside, the American Mustache Institute and Movember hope to raise awareness about an often less thought about issue, men's health.

So, if you happen to see more mustaches in November, don't give that person a funny look. Instead, think about donating to their hairy cause or at least be inspired to get a health screening.



So for those of you that think having a Mo would not be professional, think again! If you are involved in Outside Sales, stop being so self conscious. You should already have a moustache. It would make you seem more legitimate and believable. Not only would people take you more seriously in your line of work, but in your day to day life as well. 
Perhaps you are involved in working in an office setting or behind a cubicle. All the more better, in that case, the people you are dealing with everyday, primarily over the phone, have no idea what you even look like...nor do they care. Why don't you make yourself the topic of conversation around the water cooler?
Married guy, are worried about your wife putting her foot down? I got news for you, a solid month on the couch might do you some good. A small price to pay for having a little extra pep in your step.
Oh, you just started dating someone new? Throw a moustache at her and see how she handles it, I might have just saved you from wasting 6 months of your life by helping you to determine she's not the 'one'. 
So your a single guy, and you're not so sure about going out and trying to meet someone new donning a moustache. I have news for you, this will be the best thing that ever happened to your social life. You will never have more women approaching you with your newly built in conversation piece firmly placed above your yapper. Consequently, all the superficial women will leave you alone because a moustache acts as kryptonite on them. 

So its all up to you! 

If you enjoyed me dropping a little Movember knowledge on you, have enjoyed any of my previous rants, like what I'm doing out here on the road, or would love to get behind the cause, but can't for one reason or another... feel free to throw a buck in my tip jar below! I'll be coming at you with weekly picture updates of my Mo', and for those of you lucky enough to work with me, my Mo' will be in attendance at the company Christmas party second week of December! If you are going to jump on the MoTrain, there are plenty of seats available, so climb aboard, and feel free to join my Movember Team. Consequently Ashley will NOT be partaking in Movember.

http://www.movember.com/m/982220

If you need me ...I'll be in the bus lavatory grooming my Mo'.