I just got out of bed, and was slightly startled to find myself unshaven. That is of course the normal state in which I get out of bed, but this time it was surprising, because I was sure I could remember having done it already for some reason.
It was, of course, in one of my dreams.
I think that's the most irritating dream I've had in weeks. Shaving's an annoying chore at the best of times, and it seems particularly unfair to have done it already and still have to do it again. Bah!
(I've generally felt in the past that my attitude to growing a beard is much the same as it is to growing my hair long. If I could do it in one day, I would, just to see what it looked like; then I could keep it or shave it off again as I saw fit. But in the absence of miracle hair growth, there's no way I could go through the long process of getting there from here without losing my temper and shaving it off long before it was worthwhile.)
I know what you mean about the growing phase. Growing a beard is quicker than long hair, though, isn't it? A week's holiday somewhere uncivilised should do it, especially if you are too busy to worry.
False beard and a wig, there's the answer.