I've decided that in order to send a little good luck to both the St. Louis Blues and the Springfield Jr. Blues, both of whom still have an outside chance of making it to their respective leagues' playoffs, that I might as well beat the rush and start growing a playoff beard.  In fact, I decided on New Years' Day to start growing one.  Since I rarely wear a beard, it takes forever for the facial hair to grow out.  Yes, it's presumptuous.  It's silly.  "Mind-bogglingly optimistic" would also be a correct turn of phrase considering the situations of both teams.

However, I am a fan, and fans often do mind-bogglingly optimistic things to support their teams in hopes of positively affecting the team's morale and therefore their playing ability.  So I guess this is more of a get-into-the-playoffs beard than anything.  Regardless, it's not coming off until the Blues' and Jr. Blues' playoff hopes are ended.  I am constantly reminded how much I hate beards, too.  This damn thing itches way too much.  I've also gotten weird looks when I explain the playoff beard tradition and everyone thinks it's for football.

Seriously, this thing's gonna look awful by the time April rolls around.  I don't care, though.  If chaos theory tries to explain that a butterfly's wings can cause a hurricane, maybe it can also explain how growing a beard will help the Blues do well in the playoffs.

Win the Stanley Cup, guys.  This beard is fucking annoying me.