Introductions--getting to know you...

[MarshalArtist]

First of all, yes I know that martial arts is spelled the way I just spelled it.  My name is Marshal and I am an artist. Just plain Marshal was taken...
I am new here but not really new to the shaved head look.  I was lucky in many ways because, while I have MPB it was slow to progress.  I had much more time to come to this point than many of you had.  My foray into shaving my head occurred when I went to graduate school in Atlanta, GA. (I am originally from the Northeast.)  I moved there in August and about melted into a puddle before I could begin school. I had a lot of hair and it was very thick. The good thing about places in the deep South are that indoors are usually air conditioned.  So much so, that I had to bring a sweat shirt with me to classes or I would freeze inside even while it was almost 100 F outside.
At the end of my first year I went back north to a professional meeting.  This would have been about the end of May.  While I was up North, I began contemplating spending an entire Summer in Atlanta in the heat.  Even with air conditioning I was certain to melt and they would only find a puddle where I used to be. I decided the only way I was going to survive was to shave off all my hair and try to stay as cool as possible. So I landed back in Atlanta, dropped my luggage off at home and walked to the local barber shop and said, "Shave it all off."  He was reluctant to comply but I finally won him over.
I must admit, I had some trepidation myself.  I was: not sure what it would look like, not sure if I had the head for it, not sure, not sure, etc.  I think it helped that my degree is in psychotherapy so I talked myself down out of that quickly and reminded myself that hair grows.  If I didn't think it was a good decision, I could admit my mistake and move on.  (Easier said than done.) 
It turned out my concerns were unfounded.  I had a perfectly good head, I looked like myself minus hair on my head, and I was cool and did not die from heat stroke.  Most people who met me never knew I had looked any other way.  That realization helped a lot. I also realized I liked not having all that thick hair to style and manage. So I kept it that way for most of that following school year.  I grew some out to visit family for Christmas as it was cold where they lived.
I did not keep my head bald after I finished my program.  I went back north and wanted a bit of insulation, but I will say that I never went back to the thick style I had.  It was a burden I didn't need.  Now that nature has begun to make her wishes known again--she is persistent--I am shaving once more.  This time, I think I will continue to do so. 
I love all the wonderfully encouraging posts on this site. I am glad to be in your company. I hope I can help as much I am helped.

[Timmer]

Welcome to SBG.  I'm sure your experience will help a lot of the folks still thinking about it or new to the bald look.

The only regrets I've had were that I waited so long to shave it the first time, and any time I've let it grow out to "see how it looks." 

[slymyke]

Welcome, Marshal.   Good to have you with us.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome aboard!

[Cave Dweller]

Welcome, Marshal.

Of all the stories I have read so far as to why a guy shaved everything off, yours is the only one I can recall with comfort being the initial basis for the decision. Thanks for giving a new perspective.

Glad to have you with us.

[stasiu]

Welcome to SBG !  Baldingly well written story !

[MarshalArtist]

Thank you all for your responses. I am amazed that there are not more who liked the idea of not being overheated.  Of course the ease of maintaining no hair is also a big draw.

[wpruitt]

Welcome Marshall.  Which grad school in Atlanta ?

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome Marshal. Nice intro and excellent response in the Gay Christian thread.

[xnewyawka]

Welcome Marshal, good to have you join us.

[waine]

Welcome Marshal!

[marshd1000]

Marshal, it is good to see someone with almost my same name on this site.  I am actually Marshall but go by Marsh here.  Anyway, good to have you here and post a pic when you can!

[Baldstu]

Welcome Marshall

[Marshal S.]

Hi, I've been here a few weeks. . . almost a month. . .how time flies.  Thank you again for your words of welcome.