July 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

My only defense of STL food culture would be to mention St. Louis style ribs and the overwhelming love of BBQ here as well. Pappy's BBQ has been rated in the top 5 BBQ joints in the country and they deserve it. Also, the Hill (historical Italian community) features plenty of literal home recipe places. And, yes, Provel was actually invented by an Italian on the Hill. But, until you've had a St. Louis style pizza (thin crust with Provel) you haven't really had pizza. Take THAT you uppity Chicago Cub loving deep dish pizza freaks!

 

Now I know why I've never heard of Provel

"Although popular in the St. Louis area, Provel is rarely used elsewhere. It is not universally beloved even in St. Louis, where its pronounced tendency to stick to the teeth has made some avoid it."

 

The main pizza joint to use it here is Imo's. They even have their own branded Provel available in the stores. Imo's is a bit of an acquired taste for those outside the area. Well, for some inside the area as well. Cracker crust thin, cut into squares instead of wedges, and loaded with Provel. I love it myself, though you do have to know where to order it from. Not all Imo's Pizzas are equal. They have gotten better at quality across all locations but a few still don't seem to get it.

Criminal history note - Michael Devlin managed the Imo's Pizza in Kirkwood, which is a suburb of STL. He had worked there since High School. He is, of course and if you followed the link, the kidnapper of Shawn Hornbeck who was taken in 2002 and not found until 2007 when he kidnapped another boy, Ben Ownby. He was discovered a week after taking Ownby and Hornbeck was in his apartment when the police arrived. They were quite surprised. The Kirkwood City Hall and P.D. is right across the street from the Imo's and the cops ate their often. Talk about hiding in plain view.

 

I wasn't dogging it, just ProVel. I have walked the Hill, lots of good options for Italian!

 

Oh I know what you were after. Provel is one of the local love/jokes/abominations. Just depends on your personal opinion and taste. Some say if you can taste at all you should avoid it.

 

I am just cutting up. Actually don't mind ProVel. I just like writing that word. It's so right, and so wrong, all at once.

 

All I know about The Hill is when Joe Garagiola, who was from there, made the Hall of Fame, a local grocer told him. "Gioi, you da firsta boy, what come froma Da Hill, with a name enda a e i o, getta name ina da paper, and no killa somebody."

 

Tuesday focus shave

Up today is a Vorpel, a customised Gold Dollar. Everything clicked today, outstanding shave. No irritation, no blood and BBS.

Irritation A+ Closeness A Smoothness A Sharpness A

 

Nice looking razor. I like that simple look. And that brush.....awesome.

 

So I happened to catch an episode of Bizarre Foods America and there's the Provel!

 

I love how Wikipedia describes it.
Provel/proʊˈvɛl/ is a white processed cheese particularly popular in St. Louis cuisine,[1] that is a combination of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses, and tastes nothing like any of them.[2][3][4]

 

Sharp star/ Evans combo lasted 5 shaves. Next up is the tech.

I'm catching up on the route 66 but on multiple snooze button mornings I've been cheating and using barbasol Pacific something or another. Good enough and stupid fast.

I've been caught by the Pokemon Go phenomena. I blame peer pressure and hours of time waiting for a ride after work.

 

Well I finally bit the bullet and ordered a Chimera from PRC. I see that with the move to their new facilities the lead time on razors is down to 3-4 weeks instead of several months.

 

Thank you

 

I look forward to the pics and reading about your shaves. Glad to hear the wait time is getting shorter.

 

And that is a very accurate description. I was actually surprised when I found out it had cheddar and swiss in it.

 

I look forward to hearing your reports!

 

SOTD
7/18/16

Pre: shower, Nivea Face wash
Razor: Gillette Fat Boy (3)
Blade: Sharp star (3)
Brush: TGN Finest
Soap: Haslinger Sandlewood
Post: cold water rinse, alum, witch hazel, Nivea sensitive Aftershave, Veg

I just took my time tonight and whipped up some of Haslinger's soap after mt prep. and enjoyed the slickness of the soap. First pass was WTG and I got good reduction with the blade on it's third day of use. Second pass was really good too XTG, and I knew I was on my way. Third pass was ATG and I guess I got a little lazy, no nicks or weepers just didn't get it done to my usual standards and just missed the baby. I could have gone back for a fourth pass but but was feeling a little warmth on my neck so I didn't. I'll save it for tomorrow and sneak up on that baby and shake hands. I rinsed off my face with cold water and applied the alum, sure enough I felt a little tingle on my neck in about two spots. I grabbed the witch hazel and splashed that on but it didn't really do anything. I waited for that to dry and put on my Nivea aftershave and sat down for a bit till that dried. Finally here comes the Veg and got that life affirming tingle we all know and love from it. Well that's all the news that is news, back to you Mr. and Mrs. America and here's hoping everyone had a great shave today!

 

Whew, yea I just checked! Don't scare me like that!!! ROFL

 

H/t @RyX