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According to my parents, my flick into existence happened at the Princess motel in Poughkeepsie, NY.Probably better than being a red light special........just saying
My mom graduated college Magna cum Baby.
According to my parents, my flick into existence happened at the Princess motel in Poughkeepsie, NY.Probably better than being a red light special........just saying
Umm...alluding to, although you might have been eluding the red light section to begin withThat is what I was eluding to........
Pre-Shave | BigAlVista's Shave Butter, PAA cube and Grooming Dept. Mojito Preshave |
Soap/Cream | SV Manna DI Sicilia |
Brush | SV 2-band |
Scuttle | Pereira |
Razor | LA Faulx + |
Blade | Kai Captain Titan - Mild |
1st Pass Effectiveness | DFS |
2nd Pass Effectiveness | BBS- |
Final Effectiveness | BBS, Required minimal buffing. |
Quality | Given a bit of a rough shave yesterday, this was a good, clean shave. No red spots or weepers |
Comfort | Smooth to buttery smooth. |
Post Shave Irritation | Not bad. Skin is a bit bumpy still from yesterday. |
Overall Efficiency | Excellent. DFS with one pass. |
Razer, Blade and Cream Observations | Great razor, brush, blade, soap, creams and cologne combination. |
Consistency with prior shave - Same setup | Haven't used this Razor and blade in a few weeks, but, based on my notes, it's very similar to the prior shave |
Post Shave. | Thayers, AofS Bourbon balm |
Cologne/Fragrance | SV Felce |
Overall Shave Experience | Excellent shave. I want to say "elegant" |
Comments | I think I'll stick with this razor and blade until the blade is done. |
Today, I'm feeling like the Roman Legion, ready to conquer the world!
Pre-Shave | BigAlVista's Shave Butter, PAA cube and Grooming Dept. Mojito Pre-shave |
Soap/Cream | PdP 63 |
Brush | RV Ukrainian Bog Oak with D01 3-band |
Scuttle | Pereira |
Razor | LA Faulx + |
Blade | Kai Captain Titan - Mild |
1st Pass Effectiveness | DFS |
2nd Pass Effectiveness | BBS |
Final Effectiveness | BBS, Required minimal buffing. |
Quality | Good clean shave |
Comfort | Smooth to buttery smooth. |
Post Shave Irritation | Negligible |
Overall Efficiency | Excellent. DFS with one pass. |
Razor, Blade and Cream Observations | Great razor, brush, blade, soap, creams and cologne combination. |
Consistency with prior shave - Same setup | Haven't used this Razor and blade in a few weeks, but, based on my notes, it's very similar to the prior shave |
Post Shave. | Thayers, AofS Bourbon balm |
Cologne/Fragrance | SV Felce |
Overall Shave Experience | Excellent shave. |
Comments | Really enjoying the La Faulx and the new Brush. Thanks @Rudy Vey |
Nope, you are 100% correct to feel like you're not being treated properly. Honestly at my age if someone showed up to do work on my HVAC and couldn't speak English I would simply send him on his way and not use the company again. If you receive a "CSI" request from the car manufacturer, fill it out honestly...the service industry gets away with anything they can because most people just shrug and figure "Whattya gonna do?". It's worldwide. Now if you do get great service...guess what? You go back to those people/company. Yet so many companies etc don't care because they figure there's always the next guy.Do people just not care about the services they perform? Has it always been that way or am I being selective with my memory? I almost wish everyone had a formal, Uber-like review that went with them from job to job. Is the guy fixing my gas furnace a 4.5 star HVAC mechanic or a struggling 1-star that is reading a manual as they work? I don’t want a review of the contractor’s firm, but the contractor themself. Should the HVAC contractor be required to speak English, or is it OK for him to speak to you in Russian, supported by Google Translate?
It seems that way, our Pharmacy software vendor at one time was the cream of the crop, slowly they have gone down hill, moving Tech Support to India, and highly encouraging the use of a chat to obtain service. What was once an easy, quick experience is now hit or miss. They seem not to care when we bring it up to the US based tech support. We are about to change to their primary competition.Do people just not care about the services they perform? Has it always been that way or am I being selective with my memory?
Excellent! Sometimes that's the ONLY way to wake them up.We are about to change to their primary competition.
Fixed it for you.Excellent!SometimesThe great majority of the time that's the ONLY way to wake them up.
They were bought out by some wing of Blackrock Holdings, that's when it started to go south. Deep pockets did not help them become better.Excellent! Sometimes that's the ONLY way to wake them up.
Great advise everyone. Normally, that's what I do (vote with both my pen and my wallet)...However, much of the problematic work is being done through Sears Home Warranty (Cinch Home Services), where I don't get a say in the (low cost) provider they supply. I really need to take this up with them, or find a better whole home warrantee company.They were bought out by some wing of Blackrock Holdings, that's when it started to go south. Deep pockets did not help them become better.
As to the dealership, they have made good on everything...
Pre-Shave | BigAlVista's Shave Butter, PAA cube and Grooming Dept. Mojito Pre-shave |
Soap/Cream | A&E St. Barts |
Brush | AofS nickel handle withShaveMac D01 3-band |
Scuttle | Pereira |
Razor | Razorock Superslant 2++ |
Blade | Wizamet (3) |
1st Pass Effectiveness | DFS |
2nd Pass Effectiveness | BBS-- |
Final Effectiveness | BBS-, Required some buffing. |
Quality | Good clean shave |
Comfort | Smooth. |
Post Shave Irritation | Negligible |
Overall Efficiency | Good, but this razor can use a sharper blade. Maybe a 7’oclock Black for the next one? |
Razor, Blade and Cream Observations | Good razor, brush, blade, soap, creams and cologne combination. Excellent new knot on the AofS handle |
Consistency with prior shave - Same setup | Similar to the prior shave, but a bit less efficient |
Post Shave. | Thayers, AofS Bourbon balm |
Cologne/Fragrance | Channel Allure |
Overall Shave Experience | Excellent shave. |
Comments | Thanks for the great repair job on this sentimental value brush, Rudy |
Pre-Shave | BigAlVista's Shave Butter, PAA cube and Grooming Dept. Mojito Pre-shave |
Soap/Cream | AofS Bourbon |
Brush | AP Shave Co. With G5A knot |
Scuttle | Pereira |
Razor | Razorock Superslant 2++ |
Blade | Gillette 7o’clock Black |
1st Pass Effectiveness | DFS |
2nd Pass Effectiveness | BBS-- |
Final Effectiveness | BBS. |
Quality | Good clean shave |
Comfort | Smooth enough but the blade was a bit rougher than the Wizamet. |
Post Shave Irritation | Done irritation. More than I would have liked. |
Overall Efficiency | Good enough, but not great |
Razor, Blade and Cream Observations | Was a bit surprised that the 7’oclock Black was not much more efficient than the Wizamet blade. Need to try a couple of more shaves with this blade, but it may not be the right one for this razor head. |
Consistency with prior shave - Same setup | First shave with this blade |
Post Shave. | Thayers, AofS Bourbon balm |
Cologne/Fragrance | SV 70th |
Overall Shave Experience | Good shave. |
Comments |
Sounds exactly the same as my wife Mark.April 14, 2024 - Day 36 – The Joy of a Lazy Saturday – 2 Perspectives
It fascinates me how much differently men think than women. This can be obvious just from an analysis of how we plan the same shared day:
Her plan for the day:
1) Get up
2) Make the bed
3) Shower and shampoo with some “purple” shampoo for blonds
4) Brush teeth with a particular Crest product recommended by her dentist friend that lives in Warsaw
5) Clean the kitchen
6) Have me make us breakfast
7) Clean the kitchen again
8) Vacuum the house
9) Have me drive us to Shoprite
10) Buy: 1% and 2% milk, lettuce, string beans, Boars Head Swiss, Boars Head Ham, papaya, sour dough bread, sirloin that is on sale, yogurt, granola, napkins, paper towel, Lavazza coffee (if it’s on sale), avocados, onions, majol dates, eggs, and two donuts for my younger son
11) Have me drive home
12) Clean the freezer
13) Unpack
14) Have me make us some Assam Mangalam tea
15) Clean the kitchen
16) Cut my hair
17) Clean the kitchen
18) Have me reheat leftover pizza (mushroom and pepperoni from Dantes in New Canaan) for lunch
19) Set the table and eat
20) Clean the kitchen
21) Watch season 3 episode 6 of “Murder in Sweden” on the PBS Masterpiece network
22) Fix my hair
23) Clean the kitchen
24) Go for a 2 mile walk with me. Must maintain a pace of better than 20 minutes/mile
25) Shower and do makeup
26) Have me pack up my older son’s new Santa Fe with the table and chairs we bought them as a housewarming gift (my son left the car with us)
27) Have me drive my son's SUV to my son's new house and have me help him assemble the table. She’ll take her car so we can get home later
28) Take the kids and my older son’s Fiancée to some fancy restaurant in Greenwich
29) Come home
30) Clean the kitchen
31) Get ready for bed
32) Tell my other son and I not to mess the kitchen
33) Go to sleep by 9pm
My plan for the day:
1) Get up
2) Wash with whatever products are closest to my outreached arm
3) Shave (ser below)
4) Eat something
5) Keep my wife company
6) Chill for a bit
7) Eat something else
8) Do a bit of writing
9) Walk
10) Chill for a bit
11) Play chauffeur
12) Help my kid
13) Pay the dinner bill
14) Play chauffeur again
15) Chill
16) Go to bed
It's amazing how 1 chromosome can make such a difference. My day revolves around relaxing; hers revolves around chores. It’s good that I married my wife. Without her, I’d probably be sitting on an old cot, watching reruns of Babylon 5 and sucking on chicken bones.
Today's shave of the day:
View attachment 1828863
Pre-Shave
BigAlVista's Shave Butter, PAA cube and Grooming Dept. Mojito Pre-shave Soap/Cream
AofS Bourbon Brush
AP Shave Co. With G5A knot Scuttle
Pereira Razor
Razorock Superslant 2++ Blade
Gillette 7o’clock Black 1st Pass Effectiveness
DFS 2nd Pass Effectiveness
BBS-- Final Effectiveness
BBS. Quality
Good clean shave Comfort
Smooth enough but the blade was a bit rougher than the Wizamet. Post Shave Irritation
Done irritation. More than I would have liked. Overall Efficiency
Good enough, but not great Razor, Blade and Cream Observations
Was a bit surprised that the 7’oclock Black was not much more efficient than the Wizamet blade. Need to try a couple of more shaves with this blade, but it may not be the right one for this razor head. Consistency with prior shave - Same setup
First shave with this blade Post Shave.
Thayers, AofS Bourbon balm Cologne/Fragrance
SV 70th Overall Shave Experience
Good shave. Comments
I get the feeling that you and I are not alone...Sounds exactly the same as my wife Mark.
Pre-Shave | BigAlVista's Shave Butter, PAA cube and Grooming Dept. Mojito Pre-shave |
Soap/Cream | D. R. Harris Arlington |
Brush | Barbermatic with Boti knot |
Scuttle | Pereira |
Razor | Razorock Superslant 2++ |
Blade | Gillette 7o’clock Black |
1st Pass Effectiveness | DFS |
2nd Pass Effectiveness | BBS-- |
Final Effectiveness | BBS- |
Quality | Expecting red spots later today |
Comfort | Still rough. Thinking the 2++ plate may be a bit aggressive |
Post Shave Irritation | Too much irritation. I would not be surprised if bumps come up on my face later. |
Overall Efficiency | The efficiency is not commensurate with the irritation. |
Razor, Blade and Cream Observations | Not great all around. Blade is too aggressive for this aggressive late. The D. R. Harris soap is lovely, but not slick enough, nor cushiony enough for this razor/blade combo. |
Consistency with prior shave - Same setup | Similar to prior shave with this blade |
Post Shave. | Thayers, AofS Bourbon balm |
Cologne/Fragrance | Burberry Brit |
Overall Shave Experience | Not great. |
Comments | Not loving the 2++ plate so far having tried several shaves with two different blades |
I enjoyed your writing about your parents..... I'm sure our kids will be going through similar things as we age. Just a few years ago now, we were discussing our 50th anniversary....Our son said... Dad, do you think you'll actually make it to your 50th? I had let my weight get out of control and had to use a cane to get around.Day 38 – Role Reversal
I consider myself lucky at 61. Of all my friends, I am one of a small few that still has both his parents alive and reasonably well. My mom is 81 and my dad is 88.
My parents have always had a joie de vivre and have spent much of their life balancing between what they needed to do and what they wanted. They were always socially active. They would see friends for dinner at least once per week, sometimes twice. My mom loved to entertain and her copy of Julia Child’s Mastery of French Cooking, Volume 1, is held together with tape and rubber bands from years of heavy use. Her dinner parties were legendary. One time she had a mentalist come to the house. Another time, she had a hypnotist. One time she had a costume party. There were multiple surprise parties. Though many of these events happened in the ‘70’s I do not remember there ever being a large bowl where the guests would toss their keys. Thank God.
They loved spending summers together, and the 8-weeks each year when my sister and I went away to sleep away camp was an opportunity for them to be kids themselves. They played tennis and golf together, went to the beach together, and my dad would do his absolute best imitation of Captain Bligh with my mother as reluctant crew on his 20ft. Corinthian Sailstar moored in Mamaroneck harbor.
I had mixed feelings about summer camp. Some summers were great, others not so much. In the summer coming into my ninth year, I was having a miserable time. When my parents came up for visiting day, I cried like a baby when it was time for them to leave. I remember the lump in my throat when they got into my dad’s Mercury Cougar XR-7 and pulled away.
Like most people, as they got older, they had their share of health issues. My mom is a survivor of breast cancer, and my dad has been a frequent flyer at Columbia Presbyterian’s Cardiology department, battles diabetes and high blood pressure, and has successfully dealt with a problematic meningioma. If it weren’t for my mom’s tenacious spirit and her unyielding drive to find and take advantage of the best hospitals and doctors money can buy, I wonder if either of them would still be with us. I would add that, as someone that recently had surgery, my mother is one of the best patient advocates and hospitalists around. She is not a doctor but knows more about infirmities and treatments than the average resident.
While my mom has done what she could to connect her friends to the right medical practitioners and facilities, time marches on. When my folks go for a meal at their club, my father is often the only man at the table, and the widows spend most of the time discussing their illnesses. This is not the active life that was at the center of my parents' existence for most of their married lives.
My dad has become easy going and quietly fatalistic in his elder years. He accepts that he can no longer play golf, go SCUBA diving, nor throw a ball around. As long as he has his wife and his kids, and a nice bottle of Malbec, he’s happy enough. Much to the chagrin of everyone who loves him and those he shares the road with, he let’s his youthful spirit free behind the wheel of his car. I wonder if the automobile will claim him before something more directly related to his health.
My folks live about 40 minutes away. It’s too far to see them every day, but we try to get together weekly. Yesterday, I got into my brand spanking new Ioniq6 (that now has all requisite keys and 4 new, undamaged wheels) and drove down to see them. My dad isn’t walking well, so he had me take his handicap rear-view mirror placard so we could park close to the clubhouse, where we would have lunch.
When I was a kid, my parents were friendly with almost everyone at their club and were at the center of everything. Now, not so much. When we walked in, the staff greeted us warmly, but the dining room was filled with unknown 40 to 60-year-olds, and their unruly, kids. A few tables away, one of my dad’s few remaining friends was celebrating his 92nd birthday with his family and we congratulated him. I went to high school with his daughter, who used to hang out with the older boys and smoked cigarettes by the school parking lot. She’s now a corporate attorney responsible for managing a pension fund. Her son had moved to Israel to study Talmud but had come home to celebrate his grandfather’s birthday. With the attack from Iran this past week, he may be staying here a while.
The three of us had a lovely lunch and talked about the usual topics: Health, Healthcare, getting old, my recovery, weddings, funerals, my kids, my sister's family, and problems with home technology. We also shared a piece of cake, courtesy of my dad’s 92-year-old friend, Gordon. It was a lovely lunch, despite some of the depressing conversation topics. We must have been at that table for two hours. We got back in the car, and I took them home.
We continued our chat for a bit, and I finally said I should get going. My mom had a sad look on her face: “Could you stay a bit longer?”
She said she needed me to put on my Geek Squad uniform. Usually, it’s my dad that wants a tech consult, but not this time. My mom wanted a lesson on how to scan a document and attach it to an email. We spent an hour working on it together. We discussed file managers, the difference between a JPEG and a PDF, how to initiate the import from the scanner and how to do so from the computer. I had my mom carefully write everything down and then I watched her as she practiced, using the written instructions as a guide. She seemed to get it (note that I got a phone call later that night where she told me it wasn’t working anymore. C’est la vie). As I put my jacket on to leave, I looked into her eyes, and I saw a reflection of myself as that 8-year-old watching his parents leave my summer camp. “Are you OK, Mom”?
“I’m lonely, honey”.
I gave her a big hug and we had a laugh about sleep away camp visiting day and role reversals. That seemed to make her feel better.
I told her to come visit during the week, but she said that she was afraid of getting in the car with my father driving, but that my father would not let her drive him anywhere. It looks like I will be coming back to visit them again later this week.
Today’s SOTD:
Pre-Shave
BigAlVista's Shave Butter, PAA cube and Grooming Dept. Mojito Pre-shave Soap/Cream
D. R. Harris Arlington Brush
Barbermatic with Boti knot Scuttle
Pereira Razor
Razorock Superslant 2++ Blade
Gillette 7o’clock Black 1st Pass Effectiveness
DFS 2nd Pass Effectiveness
BBS-- Final Effectiveness
BBS- Quality
Expecting red spots later today Comfort
Still rough. Thinking the 2++ plate may be a bit aggressive Post Shave Irritation
Too much irritation. I would not be surprised if bumps come up on my face later. Overall Efficiency
The efficiency is not commensurate with the irritation. Razor, Blade and Cream Observations
Not great all around. Blade is too aggressive for this aggressive late. The D. R. Harris soap is lovely, but not slick enough, nor cushiony enough for this razor/blade combo. Consistency with prior shave - Same setup
Similar to prior shave with this blade Post Shave.
Thayers, AofS Bourbon balm Cologne/Fragrance
Burberry Brit Overall Shave Experience
Not great. Comments
Not loving the 2++ plate so far having tried several shaves with two different blades
I'm "only" 70. I started delivering food last year in August. The thing that shocked me the most is how my driving skills had diminished....I'm sure staying mostly housebound for almost 2 years during Covid was a contributing factor, but there is no doubt, age is the biggest culprit.Very poignant and nicely written... thanx for sharing. My mother and my wife's father are both in their 90's and they both still drive, which I personally do not agree with. However as far as my mom is concerned, my brother tends got take her where she needs to go...most of the time.