Classic Shave

For a guy who can't hardly grow a beard, I love shaving. For Christmas a couple years ago, Annie got me a classic safety razor and brush set. For those who aren't familiar with the safety razor, it uses a double-edge replaceable blade (I use Merkur blades). I think these things were popular in the 1800's, so that's good enough for me. I don't use gel or foam, but rather a shaving cream that is in a paste form and you work into a lather with a good badger hair brush.

True that this is somewhat of a production, but there is nothing really like it. This is something that shouldn't be rushed anyways. To gain the most from the experience, I make sure to devote about 15 or 20 minutes to the ritual. Depending upon, of course, if I've just got out of the shower or not. If not, I will heat up a towel, and place it on my face for about 5 minutes. This opens up the pores and prepares my skin for the shave. Next, I'll fill up the sink with the hottest water that will come out of the tap for rinsing my razor. I make sure to take a good amount of the shaving paste (Currently, Geo F. Trumpers Violet scent shaving cream - intoxicating scent of fresh cut flowers that smells surprisingly masculine) and work it into a thick lather with my brush. Now I am careful to make only "with-the-grain" passes with the razor.

I'll admit that it took me a few times to get the proper angle down without slicing up my face, but with some practice, it's become almost natural. After my first pass, I'll lather back up, and commit probably one of the biggest cardinal sins of shaving; going against the grain. I know that you're not supposed to, and I know it can end up leaving you with funny bumps all over your face, but I've never suffered this adverse reaction, and it's pretty much the only way I've found to get the closest shave. After the shave, I'll rinse with very cold water and dry off. The cold water tightens up my skin. I usually finish off with some Pinaud Clubman aftershave for that great timeless barbershop smell, and a nice burn that I've come to love. Like I said, even at 29 years old, I can't hardly grow a beard, so a good close shave like this will usually last me a day before any real stubble starts to make a reappearance. I don't really shave like this because I need to, but more because of how relaxing it is. It really is a treat, and I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried it. I'm debating learning the straight razor, but the upkeep seems a bit daunting to me. After all, it's become a dying art, and I don't know anyone who can show me how to properly hone and strop a blade. I guess I'll just have to learn by research and trial and error.

To close this post out, I wanted to mention that it's become my next quest to find a barbershop that will offer a hot shave. If anyone has ever had a real barbershop shave, let me know how the experience was, and where I can find someone who will do this for me. Even if I have to go to Reno or Chico for it, I'm going to do this one day. And on that day, I'm going to enjoy a fine Cuban cigar with a glass of scotch. It seems that I've got my perfect day planned already.

The Finer Things In Life

Indulgence in the forbidden has always been a major element of my life. The simple fact that something is taboo will make it more appealing to me. Tell me I shouldn't do something, and I will make it a point to do exactly that. If it's bad for me, then it must be really good.

Cigars are probably my biggest guilty pleasure. About 5 years ago, I decided to take up this new hobby, and I haven't looked back since. It's been one of the most rewarding, relaxing, and expensive hobbies I've found. A close second (expense-wise) would be brewing beer...but that's mostly equipment start up. Cigars have proved to not only be a relaxing pastime, but an added common link in which to connect with my father. We go out in the yard with a six pack of beer and a couple Cubans, and just talk. I can't really think of any finer moments than that.

Anyways, I present my latest acquisition: A box of Cuaba Distinguidos from 2007; The most, in my opinion, underrated cigar on the market. As you can see, these things are big. They usually take about an hour and a half to smoke. I've smoked everything from Fonseca's to Cohiba's. Montecristo, Bolivar, Ramon Allones, La Gloria Cubana, Partagas and on and on and on. I've had the cheapest of the cheap and I've had cigars that go for over $30 a piece, but this remains my favorite. This is actually the third box I've bought of this particular cigar, and I've never bought more than one box of any other. As far as flavor profiles, my pallet is not sophisticated enough to detect all the nuances of a cigar. I know what I like, and I know what I don't like, but I'll be damned if I could tell you which ones are "earthy" or not.

I purchased this particular box in anticipation of yet another few memorable smoking sessions. My brother is coming up this week, so that is a special occasion in and of itself. I hardly even get to see him once a year, so I'm looking forward to smoking a cigar with him and my dad. I've offered up a copule of pictures for you to be jealous over, and I'll be sure to document their demise. Part two will follow.

The Centaur

Reading is something I always loved to do, but was never really that great at. For one, I'm not very fast. Depending on the subject and content, it could take me over a month to finish just one novel. I'm also pretty bad at concentrating, so I usually have to be reading in the most perfect of conditions. Finally, I go through phases where I'll read every night for a few weeks, and then take a break and not pick up a book for 5 or 6 months. In high school, just about the only books I read were Stephen King. I felt that I could usually follow his stories with little trouble, and enjoyed his demented mind. A few years ago I decided to tackle the Dark Tower series, and found I thoroughly enjoyed the change of pace from his usual writing style. The series consists of 7 books, some of which are upwards of six or seven hundred pages, so needless to say, it took me quite a while to finish. I finally finished book seven late last year, and decided to start broadening my horizons. I made a list of all the classic great novels I should be ashamed of not having read before, and got started earlier this year.

First on my list was a book I had owned about the time I started the dark tower series, John Updike's The Centaur. I've since read a few more books that were on my list, which I may cover in another post, but I wanted to talk about this one first.

Making such a transition from the writing styles of Stephen King, to those of John Updike was almost hopeless, at best, for a reader like me. Luckily, the book was interesting enough to grab my attention early on, otherwise I likely would have never finished it. Not only was the writing style so different, but the book touched on a bit of Greek Mythology (surprising, huh?), which turned out a bit tough for me to follow...but only at first. I really had no previous knowledge (well, aside from my Freshman English class) of Greek Mythology, but this turned out not to matter too much. The real story here is of the relationship between father and son. I found the story to be an almost painfully accurate account that I could draw personal experience from my own life, which considering the times, equated to somewhat of a melancholy retrospective. At the end, I won't say I was depressed, or troubled, but left contemplative and enlightened. It served as a sort of closed chapter to me.

I'll have to apologize for not really giving you any insight into the book. I can't really say I would even be able to explain, in any detail, the plot if I wanted to. Not that I do. I personally enjoy going into a book not knowing what to expect. I think what I was hoping to accomplish was to recommend a book that you may never have had the chance to read. I'm certainly glad I did, and it's currently sitting at my all time favorite book I've ever read.

An Explanation

I suppose I should offer up some sort of explanation for deciding to branch off and create my own page. I guess the main reason is because there are just so many posts I have refrained from posting on our shared page. As the description above states, this is a collection of posts that have no other place to "fit in". A small disclaimer - This won't be a warm-fuzzy page. I would suspect that not many people will even see this place, but it makes me feel better to know these toxic misfits will now have a residence. With that said, feel free to make this your last trip to my dark little corner, or pin it to your favorites. One thing is for sure: I've got a lot more on my mind than my previous inactivity may have lead on.

Enjoy