The website is run as a labor of love by Wallingford’s own Jon Baker who, along with the site’s co-founder Robin Lee, began pioneering this new field of pogonology in early 2009. Since then, Jon has seen the underside of almost every style of beard imaginable– from ‘Abe’ to ‘ZZ Top,’ if you will.
Jon’s travels recently took him to Trondheim, Norway, for the biennial World Beard and Moustache Championships. Much to the BFB boys’ dismay, there was no “below” category, though they vow to right this “great injustice” and to “continue to push forward for this very underappreciated side of the face.”
Read on for more on beardsfrombelow.org, straight from the man himself. Then get out your cameras, look up, and show Trondheim how it’s really done–Wallingford style. You can send your pictures in to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on the site.
What is Beards from Below?
Beardsfrombelow.org is an adventure if facial hair perspective! We are here to raise up the underappreciated side of your face for the world to see.
Do you have any beard grooming tips for people before they look up?
Some people fluff, some people scatter. It’s all about the look you are going for in the moment. Beards from below are amazingly versatile! But we definitely recommend raw-eggs for body and just a splash of whiskey for shine.
What is a key insight you’ve gained in your years of viewing beards from below?
It is sometimes surprising how many people will look up, no questions asked, when someone comes up to them on the street and asks for a picture of their beard from below. It gives hope to the whole human race of our open mindedness and understanding. Excluding the people that say, “I want to punch you in the face.”
What are your feelings on moustaches?
At first I was a little put-off by moustaches, because, well, this is beards from below we are talking about. But after seeing a few from below? Hil-ar-ious! To cool to discriminate.
What are the best places to find models for the site?
Bluegrass festivals, dark corners, the World Beard and Moustache Championships.
How do you rate the beards in Wallingford, on average?
There is a decent mix of beards in Wallingford, leaning slightly toward the short-scruffy college-aged hipsters.
Where are the best beards in Wallingford?
Check the Wednesday farmers market!
The Huffington Post recently recommended beardsfrombelow.org as a good site to waste time on. Your thoughts on that?
Huffington Post validated the fact that beardsfrombelow.org really is a good site to waste time on. But we knew that all along. Though I have to disagree with their statement that facial hair is just a hipster fad, and suspect mine will keep growing regardless.
You also run leftoverbags.org. Tell us about that.
Leftoverbags.com! This is the Ultimate Experience! It’s what IT’S ALL ABOUT. Do you have a drawer or cupboard at home dedicated to plastic bags? That’s what leftoverbags.com is about. And QFC better clean up their act or we’ll be all over their ass!
So there you have it — a window into the mind of another Wallingford denizen. Make sure you say ‘hi’ the next time you see Jon wandering about the hood. You’ll recognize him from the photo up top.
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