April 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

The perfect Arko prep set. Ok, so the hat usually comes off.

 

Sounds very good. It's my opinion tha razors don't matter, and most DE blades are just fine. Shaving is technique driven with regard to outcome. Since you have a year of practice, it will be interesting to see how much blade changes will affect your outcomes. Good luck!

 

But when the hat stays on, the wrestling stops and the fighting begins.

Don't get it twisted people, though he looks like Cartel "community diplomat", he's actually the Czar.

 

Heisenberg was a good friend. 'Nuff said.

 

I think I'm about to commit some serious treason up in here, both because I'm about to be serious for a minute and because I'm pondering something many will will find insane. I think this group might just be crazy enough to give me some insight into some recent goings-on. Hang on. This may be lengthy.

I haven't been around much of late, and that is partially on purpose. Not because I don't like you (I do) but because I've been going through a bit of a life change, and sometimes you have to back off and listen to yourself apart from outside voices. I've struggled with contentment as long as I can remember. I'm the type who loves some adventure and thrives on some amount of variation to keep me from getting bored or feeling stuck. When I take on a hobby I have a tendency to go a bit crazy and want to experience as much as I can. True to form, I did this when I took up wet shaving. Over a couple of years I have picked up an obscene amount of gear. And I've enjoyed it. The thrill of the hunt, the anticipation of new finds, finding new scents to enjoy and new razors to try have kept me busy for a while now. This year I decided on a no-buy. I've maintained it for four months now, and it got easier and easier as it went along, partly because I added a side hobby: fragrances. Aftershaves led me to explore new scents and I got into colognes, which led to another path of exploration and thrill seeking. The only thing I didn't go crazy with was pipes. Got one, stuck to it, and learned something which I haven't been able to replicate in other pursuits. I've simply been replacing one pursuit with another.

And I'm bored. Again. Last week my daughter had a minor vehicle accident which led us to an ER visit (she's fine: sore for a couple of days but now putting in 16 hour days working at the Masters golf tournament). That ER visit led to a long conversation with our nurse, which I feel was a bit of a divine appointment. It was a profound conversation, and he shared a traumatic incident that changed his life and focus in profound ways. He spoke of realizing that he was free wheeling through life, throwing a lot of noodles on the wall as it were and seeing what stuck, as opposed to operating with intentionality and focus. One analogy really stuck with me. I'm working on clearing some of my back yard, which is full of old pine trees. He asked me how I chop down a tree. It seems obvious. You asses where you want it to go and you strike at one point until it falls. Then you look at the next tree and assess again, because it may need to fall differently. My goal is to to clear them all, but I have to do it one at a time until I reach my goal. This requires focus and discipline, two areas that I have realized I am severely lacking. I've felt a strong need this past week to simplify. To purge. To pursue discipline. To realize that my true joy may be found not in variety, but in truly experiencing things on deeper levels. I like the stuff I have. But I am so all over the place that I don't take time to really experience it or enjoy it. So I am trying to take the idea of a rule and apply it to other areas of my life. Experiencing relationships deeply. Appreciating what I have deeply. And I realize that in order to do so I must remove some of the chaff and make room for this.

As it applies here? I'm going to be thinking things down. Quite a bit. I'm going to be selling off some things, piffing some things, and learning to be content. I'm going to be attempting to really engage in relationship as opposed to seeking approval in new purchases and pursuits. I need some input as to the best ways to go about it. Feel free to engage through PM if you want. I'm not trying to advertise. I'm seeking advice from people that I believe can add value to what I'm attempting to do.

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Teach the skills. All razors are the same, as you've recently realized.

I love everything about your post.

Be you, and be good at it. You only get one try.

 

First of all, thank you for being willing to share that. It once again reinforces my belief that this crazy little shaving thread has become something bigger than anyone could ever have imagined. Yes, we talk shaving here. Yes, we have fun here, but we have also formed a community that defies every expectation for an online "social" type site. I applaud your desire to get back to the basics, as it were. To simplify and focus on what's really important. As far as applying the Rule to other areas of life? I'm intrigued, supportive and interested to see where that leads you.

I also think you have found the true essence of Technique Trumps Tools. It doesn't require 343 different razors to improve a shave. And in all areas of life, we tend to look for new things, new ideas, new thrills, new something to try and keep us happy and find success. Maybe what we really need is just better "technique" in dealing with our loved ones, our jobs, and life in general.

I think you're onto something that could really create a deep satisfaction and real growth in you, in your family, and in all your relationships!

 

About that money I owe, you will have it this afternoon.

 

This is a pretty solid summation of where I am at. I am looking at applying this idea to all areas of life, not just shaving.


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I'll recall Ivan.

 

Beautiful picture!

Great vintage feel to your picture!

Excellent shot, Dan!

Little rays of Arko sunshine!

Super picture, Rick!

 

@SharptoothC have you ever heard of Earl Nightingale? He has a great audio tape called the greatest secret. Worth a listen, see if you find that it helps your focus!



Best of luck narrowing things down in this age of information and distraction. Your quest is a noble one!

 

Great shave.


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Wonderful photo and lineup


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Love the 400 Rick.


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Great post.


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https://shavelounge.co.uk/product/razorock-400-plissoft-synthetic-shaving-brush-silver-aluminium/
https://shavelounge.co.uk/product/razorock-400-noir-plissoft-synthetic-shaving-brush/

What's the general consensus on these brushes? I'll be looking to upgrade my current brush this next month. I have seen a few people use plissofts and PaulH Films on YouTube has used it and raved about it!

 

Micromatic Day 133

Gem Micromatic
Gem Stainless
Semogue BC Mistura
Arko Stick
Superior 70 Bay rum

Only needed 1 pass this morning. Enjoy your day...

 

April 4, 2018
Wolfman OC
Feather
DK7 with Druida Manchurian
Crabtree & Evelyn West Indian Lime
Folsom & Co Capri

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Another excellent shave this morning. The C&E cream is very easy to lather and slick. However, the AOS cream might be the better of the two. I will see if this opinion holds true for the remainder of the month. Loaded a fresh Feather and went with a traditional 3 pass shave followed by touchups on my jawline and neck. As expected, my lower right neck proved to be my nemesis keeping the baby just out of reach. A splash of F&C Capri and I am ready for the day. I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

 

Thanks Jim!

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