I Martius am! Once first, and now third!
To lead the Year was my appointed place;
A mortal dispossessed me by a word,
And set there Janus with the double face.
–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet (1807–82)
Here we are, March 2021. One year ago, businesses all across our country and the world were closing their doors, as we embarked on a herculean quest to conquer the now-infamous, Covid-19 pandemic. I venture to say, that none of us has been un-affected in some manner by this crisis. For those who have lost loved-ones; suffered with the illness themselves; had their businesses adversely affected, know this: all of us here at TSD are with you, even if only in spirit, and will, to the best of our abilities, continue to lend moral support, until we all have our lives fully restored to normalcy.
What’s the old saying about March? In like a:
Out like a:
The brown buds thicken on the trees,
Unbound, the free streams sing,
As March leads forth across the leas
The wild and windy spring.
–Elizabeth Akers Allen (1832–1911)
In February, the 30DC thread was filled with amazing shaves; gorgeous photographs; tales of Derring-do; and, of course, mucho shenanigans. Our members have explored new avenues in honing, shaving-videos, tried many new products, and there are even some, who are keeping their shave dens from exploding, by Piffing gear or committing to a No Buy 2021. 
Everyone has their own shaving rituals; likes; dislikes and desires, and the terrific thing about this thread, is that they are ALL LEGITIMATE. ALL. I can’t emphasize that enough.
So what shall the theme of March be? It’s the month of March Madness, but it’s too early for MayHem…I wonder 
Let me interject at this point the focus of this thread. From the title, we know that it’s a "Rule/Focus" thread.
What’s the Rule?
Take ONE razor, ONE blade, ONE brush, ONE soap/cream and use them EVERYDAY of the month.
We had a few members successfully stick with this rigorous rule in February, and to them: Kudos. It’s arduous and sometimes pedantic, but it’s ALWAYS a brilliant learning experience.
What’s the Focus?
Vary the gear for each shave, save, for perhaps, one or two elements.
The “Focus”, being much less rigorous, is the perfect way to really get to know a particular product in your den. That shiny, new SE razor, perhaps? How about that soap, which is proving difficult to lather? Or, how about that scritchy, boar knot you just transplanted into a new handle?
It’ll never break-in if you don’t use it…often. So use it for 30 days. Why not?
There are some general rules that must be observed, and for the sake of clarity,
I hereby post them for all to read:
1. New Members always welcome. Start anytime.
2. Old Members always welcome.
3. Respect everyone.
4. Refrain from political conversation.**
** This should include, but not limited to: Covid-19, treatments and/or advice.
Please keep these discussions off of this thread and indeed, off of TSD.
Lastly, what sets this thread apart is the interaction between the members. Every new visitor to this thread should feel welcome and be encouraged to ask questions about shaving. I encourage everyone, when posting their shave, to take one second and share a nuance about that shave that may serve to educate another. At what angle did you hold your razor and why? What’s your pass-routine? Do you strop your straight holding the strop vertically or horizontally? If a particular pre-shave ritual helped you get an irritation-free shave, tell us. If one shaver picks up a tidbit of knowledge, which allows him/her to get a better shave, then this thread is successful.
So back to this month's theme...March is typically the month to sew seeds for the garden, so let's sew the seeds for great shaves and share them with all who enter our thread.
March is upon us, so let’s get shaving!
"To Shave, Share, Support and Educate"©
