20220804 - Austere August Day 4 MMOC Challenge

Brush: Omega 011842

Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb

Blade: GEM PTFE

Lather: Stirling Soap Company - Sheep

Post: Stirling Soap Company - Coniferous toner

Post: DR Harris - Windsor aftershave milk

GEMSOFWISDOM

I guess my wisdom today is non GEM related, instead it's praise for Stirlings mutton tallow base.

Definitely deserves a seat at the top table, a 5 - 6 second lather in the tub has produced a brilliant slick lather which had resulted in some fantastic smooth shaves.

Stoic quote of the day-

He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.

Socrates

Aug. 4, 2022 - Austere August 4th

• Prep: Cool shower
• Brush: Semogue 610 Boar
• Razor: MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap

• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Zingari Man Cooling Recovery Splash

#GEMSofWisdom This blade is smoothing out nicely and another BBS shave of goodness.

#RawHoggin I'll say it again today- Face lathering sucks. And this is coming from a guy who face lathered for years while shaving in the shower. I only started bowl lathering a year ago and it was then that I realized that all my years of face lathering didn't teach me to build an awesome lather. Plus, I find whipping up a lather in a bowl at the crack of ass to be quite the meditative experience. Face lathering...not so meditative. Meanwhile, the brush continues to break in better- https://imgur.com/a/JazxB2l

#Sidetracked So many options today, but I decided to go with one of my favorite songs- "The Rat" from the Walkmen. The Walkmen weren't exactly known for songs that really 'rocked', and this is definitely one of their punchier numbers, but this band knew how to write songs that could evoke an emotional response. I remember hearing this song when the album, Bows and Arrows, came out and being instantly floored by it. There was something about the song that caused an intense reaction that made me well up a bit. I'm not a 'welling up' kinda guy, but damn if this song didn't want to make me reach for a tissue. And this isn't a mellow dirge for sure. To this day, this song still evokes a response from me when I hear it. The lead singer, Hamilton Leithauser, has issued some fantastic solo records over the last several years and I've had the opportunity to see him live. But as good as his solo albums are and as good as many of the Walkmen records were, no song in those catalogs will ever surpass "The Rat"- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWR1h-5EzUo Enjoy this one u/Teufelskraft (should we be tagging you in every post??) and the rest of the gang.

Have a great day all!

August 4, 2022

• Brush: Zenith 506U XSE
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM SS PTFE (38)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Sheep
• Post Shave: Lucky Tiger
• Post Shave: Olay Complete
• Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - unscented skin salve

Day 4 with this razor and everything is going fine. The brush has 25 consecutive shaves on it and is pretty well broken in at this point. Definitely one of the easiest boars I have ever broken in. So yeah, things are going well.

Back to work today after being off for almost 2 weeks with COVID. It gave me a glimpse at retirement. I am not quite ready yet.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug 4, 2022 - AA: MA-RH-MM - Almond Leather - Day 4

• Prep: Warm Water Wash
• Prep: Klar - Activated Charcoal - Face Soap
• Brush: Zenith Cobalt Blue 28mm Boar Knot (505BC SE)
• Razor: GEM Open Comb Micromatic (2nd Gen.)
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (4)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Almond Leather - Aftershave

Great shave this morning!

#RawHoggin
Four days in, the brush feels like something I would use on a regular basis. I'm hoping it will still get softer with more use, but it worked up a really fine lather this morning without feeling too scritchy. I'm still working on loading the correct amount of soap without needing to go back to the tub, but incremental progress is still progress.

#GEMsOfWisdom
The shave with the MMOC just clicked: the angle felt right, the pressure was mostly correct, and the strokes used during each pass are getting more efficient. I would say it was a near BBS shave with some minor irritation around the neck that I've come to expect. However, at least the irritation was not visibly red even though it could still be felt. I'll continue working on the correct pressure in the trouble areas, and try to keep this level of efficiency consistent.

#MammothMafia
Almond Leather is still making these shaves incredibly enjoyable. We'll see if that holds true towards the end of the month.

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft
The Mountain Goats released the song This Year in 2005, and it has since become a sort of personal anthem for when life starts to get rough. The Mountain Goats have many great songs across an impressive discography, and they put on great live shows with such incredible energy.

An added bonus, the song Love, Love, Love from the same album, The Sunset Tree, is wonderfully haunting.

Rating: 3.5/5

Austere August Day 4

Brush: Rubberset 400-3 w/ Unbleached Zenith 24mm knot set to a 56mm loft 4th use

Razor: Gem MMOC, gen 2

Blade: PTFE (4)

Lather: NO Monoi de Tahiti

Post: NO Monoi de Tahiti Splash

I am liking this soap a little more each day. Maybe it's because the raw unbleached pig ass stench is slowly fading (very slightly) every day. The NO splash is top shelf stuff and is helping my face handle daily MMOC use and a new unbleached boar knot really well.

So far the gen 2 MMOC is running just as smooth as I remember gen 1 being. We'll see if my opinion of gen 1 being better changes by the end of the month.

On a side note, I am blown away by the number of people who have decided to take part in the Raw Hoggin' Challenge. There were 61 people who started with us on day one!

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

Aug. 4, 2022 - Austerest shave number four

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Omega Pro 48 Boar brush 28mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Hygge - Aftershave

So, I DQ’d myself yesterday from the Raw Hoggin’ challenge as I left lather in my brush and like a putz, decided to tell you all about it. Take note, cheaters. I will still break in this pig stink knot, just now with no pressure or performance anxiety. You will still hear all about it, don’t worry. And you’re welcome. Thankfully this month is full of side contests so hope still abounds.

Todays shave was better than yesterdays. I think I like the MMOC more when I don’t have to use it, but choose to do so. After the 4th shave the blade is settling in nicely. Also took the opportunity to shave my head. That's where this big boar brush shines, and that's what I had in mind for it when spending the $13. Overall my face and head feel great, a fine shave!

I always knew that raw hoggin’ just wasn’t for me and that I should always wear a condom. I think I’m also maybe dyslexic. So 1 less hashtag now. Welp.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#MammothMafia

Aug. 4, 2022 - HogGEMStag Day 4

• Brush: RazoRock 506CK / 26mm boar
• Razor: GEM OCMM (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Zingari - Rescue Potion - Serum
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Gonna be short and sweet today. I have to finish packing and getting our camper ready for a weekend camping trip.

#RawHoggin

The brush might be feeling like it's getting softer? It's hard to tell at the beginning. At least today I didn't notice the foul pig ass odor as much. Things are looking up!

#GEMsofWisdom

Shaving with the OCMM is basically easy mode now. It will all boil down to a battle of attrition against the blade itself. I'm holding out hope that this blade was not made on a Friday at 4:30pm and that the fine bladesmiths over at Personna put the utmost care and attention into honing its edge.

On the Stag front I had kind of an weird interaction with my neighbor this morning. Right as I finished splashing my splash and spraying my EdP, the doorbell rings. He was bringing me an Amazon package that was mistakenly delivered to his house. I was trying to keep my distance to avoid the awkward "What is that smell?" LOL. I should just own it and be a proud Stagolyte I suppose. Such is the quest into Knighthood.

Brush album

Stag spray

August 4, 2022: Cuatro, but not Schick

• Prep: warm splash of water
• Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia Tuxedo 24 mm
• Razor: GEM OCMM (gen 2)
• Blade: GEM Stainless (5)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

A lovely shave this morning, I'm getting pretty comfortable with the open comb and the GEM.

Saw a couple of canary finches this morning, they're taking petals from my flowers to make nests and it brought a smile to my face. I hope you all find what you need today!

Daily spritzing

. #GEMsOfWisdom

August 4, 2022 - Austere August Ultra-Nightmare Mode

Brush pics for RawHoggin challenge

• Brush: Zenith B10
• Razor: Gem MMOC Gen 2 Ex-Watson
• Blade: Personna PTFE (4)
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Washington's Blend - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Executive Man - Balm

I prepped for Austere August by using a CVS “Blade” single edge blade– purportedly a GEM carbon steel. I used it for 17 shaves with no problems, so hopefully this blade will do as well. I’ve been flipping the blade every other shave to “face strop” it, which seems to be enough, but I may lay off and see if it’s still okay. I’m too much of a wimp to palm strop the blade.

On a hunch, I didn’t add as much water today, and I had a better shave. I had enough lather from the initial load to get through two passes (although not much left in the second pass). The brush is very soft at this point, but is still not producing as much lather as I’d like.

My theory I tested was this: I am used to synthetics (I have no badgers and previously had no boars that I kept). I can add as much water as I want to a synthetic and it will go right into the lather. With this boar, I have been soaking it prior to shaving and my suspicion is that the lather was absorbing water from the boar bristles between my two passes. So a very well-hyrdated first pass led to a very runny, watery second pass.

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 4, 2022 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' MMOC Ultra Nightmare Mode

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - B37 - Gray Chubby #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen2 #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (4)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Margaritas in the Arctic - Soap
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Glacial Margaritas in the Arctic - Aftershave

Day 4 was an excellent shave. Unlike yesterday, the brush felt noticeably softer and I'm getting more efficient and building lather with it. Muscle memory is also helping make the GEM more enjoyable and a bit easier to use and I think the top half of my face is becoming almost routine for the WTG and XTG passes. Today, I mustered up the courage to do a 3 passer which added some new challenges. The chin area is still a challenge as well as two spots around my neck. Overall, excellent, 3 pass shave.

The Brush: The brush seems to definitely be getting softer and painting the lather is very soft. Splaying and scrubbing still provides scratch and I'm wondering how much this is actually going to change with usage. I am really enjoying the brush and am happy that I decided to participate in this challenge.

Same as yesterday, I've got the loading dialed in and had enough for 3 good passes. Going into the puck without shaking out any of the water from my 4 minute soak seems to be the way to go and helping the lather get a good hydration head-start.

The hog stench is also still very present and doesn't seem to be waning yet. I'm guessing the absence of a cologne dry-down of MITA isn't helping mask the smell. #RawHoggin

Brush Picture Pre-shave: Side Top

Brush Picture Post-shave: Side Top

The Razor For shave number 4 with the GEM, I'm finding that muscle memory is helping maintain the angle through the shave. No matter what angle I seem to use around my chin, I get a lot of blade feel which might be making me extra cautious and not getting the best shave around that area.

The top half of my head is becoming routine and my cheek and side burn area is getting a nice, close, smooth shave every time. Pass 1 and 2 went pretty well but left my neck feeling pretty "patchy". I decided to do a light third pass and while not perfect, ended up ok, I did end up getting a small nick on my chin, but nothing major. #GEMsOfWisdom

Days since last blood: 0

The Soap and Aftershave Nothing new to report about Stirling other than absolutely loving the base more than ever.

Day 2 Puck Picture

Aug. 4, 2022

• Prep: Exercise and shower
• Brush: Semogue 1438
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM blue star

• Lather: Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Soap

• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Aftershave

Good shave today as I was very gentle no change in brush feel or blade feel. Honestly it was a positive experience all around things worked out well. #RawHoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

https://i.imgur.com/mdksY3e.jpg

Aug. 4, 2022

• Brush: Grey Chubby - Zenith B37
• Razor: Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE Coated Stainless Steel (4)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Z - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Z - Aftershave

The MMOC continues to MMOC, the boar continues to reek, the Mammoth soap and aftershave continue to smell of nothing but their core ingredients, and face-lathering continues to be the worst bullshit ever introduced to shaving.

The grey mug I mentioned yesterday that I have on the side there (not for lathering, not only because it doesn't provide the space for it but also because the boar contest disallows it) used to have something printed on the side for Lac Qui Parle, MN, a place that I have never gone to, even though I also have a T-shirt for the place. Talking Lake, Lake that Speaks, I guess it's a place that's big on duck/geese hunting? I have no idea, and I have no idea about or interest in hunting. But at some point the printing on the mug just completely wiped off, leaving me with a plain grey mug, which I honestly prefer. Shame it's not a darker shade to better match the brush handle, though.

I woke up this morning with a song inexplicably stuck in my head, which happens with remarkable frequency. One such song that has been the culprit on a number of occasions has been the George of the Jungle theme, I shit you not.

This morning it was actually The New Pornographers - Miss Teen Wordpower, which, having typed that, I realize could be a worrying combination of words if you're not familiar with the group. But in light of that, I figured this is as good a time as any to jump into the #sidetracked contest from /u/Teufelskraft

But that is not the song I wish to share for the purpose of the contest. This song does bring me back to my undergrad days, and it reminds me of someone who was with a study abroad group I was in (a trip I recently talked a bit about) because she mentioned that movie Little Miss Sunshine a number of times and that title is similar to the title of the song. Also, she was big into words, which is always cool.

I'm also a big fan of something in Miss Teen Wordpower song that I'm not sure how to describe: A kind of tonal downshift a the end of the lines "Nobody knows the wreck of the soul like you do" and "Miss Teen Wordpower" I don't know. It's fun to sing to, too, but maybe I drop an extra octave or something to exaggerate it.

But no, that's not the song I wanted to share for this, which is another from The New Pornographers that shares that same kind of downshift thing, and I happen to like this song a fair bit better: Sing Me Spanish Techno. I am indeed guilty, on occasion, of listening too long to that one song.

#GEMSofWisdom
#RawHoggin
#unscented
#MammothMafia

**Aug. 4, 2022 - Austere August #4 PigScented

• Prep: Cold water
• Brush: Ever-Ready 200 - Zenith 27mm unbleached boar knot
• Razor: GEM MICROMATIC OPEN COMB 2nd gen
• Blade: PERSONNA GEM Stainless Steel (4)
• Lather: Declaration Grooming - Unscented - Soap
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
• Fragrance: Eau du Pig

RawHoggin

The hog resists being tamed, not too much change in four days. I'm getting anxious. Today it made a nice lather. In an hour, I have to go to get a haircut. I had a shower with my August unscented shower soap and it rid of the pig scent(Why I didn't do this before is a mystery).

PigEvolution 1 2

GEMsOfWisdom

Fast shave worst than yesterday, resulting in various nicks on the neck.

.#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

Slift - Lion, Tigers and Bears

.#unscented

.#RawHoggin

.#GEMsOfWisdom

A Mammoth Micromatic Raw Hoggin’ August

Brush Progress

• Brush: Zenith B26 #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM MMOC #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM (4)
• Lather: House if Mammoth - Hygge in Tusk
• Post Shave: Hygge Splash & Balm
• Fragrance: Hygge EDP #MammothMafia

If ever there was an ultra nightmare…

The single blade is the scariest part of the month.

I sauntered into the bathroom yesterday afternoon. We just had cleaners come through…took a deep breath and between noticing the distinct cintronella stench of cleaning liquid, and appreciating that our tiles are actually white I noticed something a little out of place.

I’ve been opening, removing the blade and keeping razor and blade separate after my shaves to keep things squeaky clean all month. Looks like the cleaner has displaced my things and now the blade is resting awkwardly on top of the razor. Has the blade edge been compromised? Well I dunno, the only way to know is to shave.

Well, in most other scenarios this blade would be binned, but not this month. Not on day….4!? Pathetic.

So I carefully stropped the blade on my arm, lathered up, and got to work. Best lather yet, face feel getting there, smell not overwhelming now, Hygge has taken over 60% of the smell.

WTG was very smooth and confirmed cutting hair (phew). ATG was a bit tuggier than I would have expected.

All in all solid result for Day 4. Damn, long way to go…

Day 1 Prep Video

RawHoggin Unboxing Pics

MammothMafia

Aug. 3, 2022 - Austere August Day 4

• Prep: Hot Shower, Stirling Soap Facial Soap
• Brush: Zenith 508A SE 28mm
• Razor: GEM Micromatic OC Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Restore - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Restore - Balm

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Grey Vetiver

The good thing about Austere August is that I don't have to think about what gear and software I am using. The bad thing about Austere August is that I don't get to pick what gear and software I am using. It is monotonous and boring. But on the bright side of things; Tusk is fantastic, MMOC is top tier and breaking in a boar is satisfying. Hold the line gents, hold the line.

Mandatory Tagging:

#GEMsOfWisdom

#Rawhoggin

#MammothMafia

August 4, 2022

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gold Gen2
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (4)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
• Post Shave: Thayers - Lemon - Toner
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum  

2 passes. Face lather. Good shave.

• Challenges: #GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag
• Brush Top (before use)
• Fragrance Video
• Blade Edge (before use)
• Blade Orientation (black dots - odd days, red dots - even days)

The edge photo is much better today. I figured out a way to use the microscope to allow for much better magnification. I'm tagging u/sgrdddy because he and I talked about this scope, and I want to point to the better results that I'm now able to get. This photo shows structural detail of the grind marks on what I would call the primary bevel (the bevel used to actually form the edge). I looked at both sides of the blade with the microscope using the this new configuration, and this photo is typical of what I found. As you might expect, after only four, 2-pass shaves, there's no noticeable wear, and I can report that, while shaving, the blade feels the same to me as on its first use.

I continue to enjoy Midnight Stag. The scent on my skin does not have a strong motor oil accord, or gasoline accord, I get more of the leather, oakmoss and other components. Either that, or I'm just so accustomed to motor oil and gasoline that I don't notice.

I'd say there's no change in the brush. It's working for me. I can build a very rich first pass, and a thin straight-razor-friendly lather from the brush on the second pass. The feel isn't unpleasant when splayed or with painting strokes, but let's just say that it can't compete with my Wald badger brush, and I'll be astounded if it ever does.

You know, I have two MMOC's; both Gen 2. I bought the second one because I liked the first one so much I thought it must be an anomaly. Nope. MMOC's just suit my shaving technique well. I'm getting very comfortable, close shaves from both razors. I'm only using the gold one for AA since it looks cooler in the SOTD photos.

Aug. 4, 2022 - Austere August Day 4

• Prep: House of Mammoth Almond Leather Bath Soap
• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Mire 26mm Zenith Unbleached Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

🐗Raw Hoggin' Progress🤮:
•Unused
•Shave 1
•Shave 2
•Shave 3
•Shave 4

Thoughts for the day:
So I realized this morning, I could never in good conscience sell this brush now, at least not with this knot. The idea of someone getting to enjoy the knot without having to endure this onslaught of booty juice is fucking unfathomable. Earn yo' stripes, I guess... Just wish it smelled better than a festival port-o-john. 😩😩😩

In other news, there is no other news. Shave was fine. No complaints.

Mandatory Taggage:

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA - Day 4

• Prep: Hot shower
• Brush: Zenith Boar - Short & Scrubby
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Blade (4)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Ferox - Soap
• After: Fine Accoutrements - L'Orange Noir - Aftershave
• Post: Nivea - Sensitive Post Shave Balm - Aftershave

2 pass face shave is still good. The brush didn't shed any hair today but it has slight more splay. Hope the brush stops eating the lather soon. Not sure if the aftershave has menthol but sometimes i feel it. Finished with balm. No complaints today.

Pic of brush post 4 shaves. https://imgur.com/doJLAfa

Tags: #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 2022 - "Face Lathering, I Don't Get the Appeal" and Other Thoughts

• Brush: Zenith B36 "Copper Scrubby!" 28x50mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM (4)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Lime - Soap
• Post Shave: Porter's Lotion, WSP - Neroli - Balm
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Just Right for a Tuesday - Eau de Parfum
• Passes: WTG, XTG
• Coffee: Ethiopia, Sidama, Oromia - v: Ethiopia Heirloom - p: Natural
• Music: The Long Winters - When I Pretend to Fall
• August 2022 SOTD Photo Album: https://imgur.com/a/7shDpdl

#GEMsOfWisdom / #RawHoggin

I don't like face lathering. There, I said it. Feels good to get that off my chest.

Everybody argues the merits of face lathering and I definitely see the appeal, especially when traveling. There's a strong argument for less gear on the countertop, adequate time hydrating the stubble, and plenty of pre-shave exfoliation. All that being said, I just don't enjoy it as much. I get demonstrably better results starting my lather in a bowl, I don't sling lather all over my bathroom, and I have a place to catch extra lather and falling lather as I work it into my stubble. Combine all that with a super-scrubby boar knot that's just starting to split and feather, and I'm already missing my usual Precision Loading™ routine.

Also, what is going on with my soap consumption?

As usual, I weighed my soap an hour or so after this morning's shave, but I'm confused by the result. How did I only use one gram yesterday but eat up more than three grams today? I loaded for about a minute today, versus forty seconds, but with the same soaking wet brush as yesterday.

Here's what I'm thinking.

I generally use a different soap every day, and scoop (versus tub loading), so I'm used to working from a dry soap puck. That's different than Austere August; now I'm using the same tub of soap everyday and I'm introducing water directly into the tub. The top of this Lime tub is starting to hold some moisture, making it much easier to load soap, at the same time the boar knot is breaking in (making it easier yet to pick up soap). By that logic, I will need to spend less and less time loading throughout the month, with a steeper decrease at the start (when most of the bristles split). We'll see if this holds true.

⁂

#sidetracked u/Teufelskraft

I promised I'd get to some fun stuff. Today, I present for your enjoyment two upbeat tunes, both released in the aughts and linked by variations on some of my favorite slang.

Let's start with a delightful 2006 single from revival girl group The Pipettes. I think this is from the remixed 2007 release of We Are the Pipettes, which has a bit of filler, but generally mined the early 1960s girl group sound with just the right balance of riot-grrrl-meets-Spice-Girls wink and reverence. The A-sides are where it really shines, the best of those being "Pull Shapes." That title is British slang for dancing, and that's exactly what this track will make you do. It's pure, uncut joy, manufactured in a lab, slapped onto vinyl, and delivered straight to you ears.

YouTube: The Pipettes - "Pull Shapes"

Next, we have a song that throws "Shapes" instead of pulling them.

This is one of my favorite tracks from The Long Winters' 2003 release When I Pretend to Fall. I recall songwriter and vocalist John Roderick explaining that he got the expression "throwing shapes" from old hair metal promo photos, where a flamboyant front-man would pose with their guitar, body contorted into weird angles, axe jutting out all showy and phallic. They were arranging themselves into shapes and throwing them at the camera. Anyway, a search engine will tell you "throwing shapes" is, again, British slang for dancing. Let's say both are true and chalk it up to vernacular differences across the pond. I'll also call your attention to this song's twangy guitar melody. I'm no musicologist, and my command of theory is nonexistent, but I'm pretty sure that riff skitters along at a different time signature than the rest of the propulsive composition—at least after the first few bars. That little flourish reads as tangled more than it does showy, elevating a good song to a great one, making "Shapes" one of my favorite in the short-but-terrific Long Winters catalogue.

(If I had to choose—today, right this moment, knowing I'd forget about a gem—I'd say "The Commander Thinks Aloud" is Roderick's crowning achievement, while "Carparts" and "Mimi" are my favorites. "New Girl" and "Pushover" would be in there as well. When I Pretend to Fall is good start to finish, if you prefer to listen to a full album.)

Bandcamp: The Long Winters - "Shapes"

August 4th

• Brush: Zenith Boar - 505NK 27mm
• Razor: GEM - MMOC
• Blade: Gem PTFE (4)
• Lather - Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Splash
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag Edp

#GEMsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #SubstantialStag

Edp video

Morning shave today so not too much growth so the MMOC still just plowing away.

Noticed a little funk smell coming from the brush I thought today but it's hard to tell under all that stag.

Its getting nice and hot over in the UK again so the scent is really projecting and lingers in the beard forever.

SOTD Aug 04, 2022

• Brush: APShaveCo 24mm Tuxedo

• Razor: GEM MMOC - 1st Gen

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (4)

• Lather: Ariana and Evans - Peach & Cognac

• Post Shave: MacDuff’s Soap Co. - Viticulture - Splash

Quick 2 pass shave today but a good one. MMOC even better today, getting smoother. It’s a hot one in VA today so spending most of the day inside.

EDIT. Crap, forgot the tag.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Aug. 4, 2022 - Day Four

• Prep: Warm shower w/ B&M Diamond Bath Bar
• Brush: Copper Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap

• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave

Good shave today overall.

#RawHoggin

Loaded not quite as much as I did yesterday and it came up a little short. I got to three passes but the last one was awful thin and the first wasn't hydrated enough. The brush has been causing zero irritation to date, and very little stinkyness either. I am happy overall, I think just need to dial in the load and initial lather a bit more, but understand that it still might be a moving target with how new this brush is.

#GEMsOfWisdom

Today was my first true three pass shave, pretty normal results so far. Not a lot of irritation, one small nick in the fold between my bottom lip and chin. I guess one "gem" that I picked up on was not until I really looked at the razor today I didn't notice that the corners of the blade are protected by little guards that cover that portion of the blade. So that explains a bit why I was having little luck using my normal pattern of buffing with that part of a DE razor around my nose and corners of my mouth. Once I see that, and adjusting a little bit more inward on the blade I was able to touch up those areas a bit better.

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA Day 4

• Brush: ShaveForge 28mm Boar, 3d Printed Handle #RawHoggin
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb #GEMsOfWisdom
• Blade: GEM Stainless (4)

• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Soap

• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette

Day 4 of AA.

Brush status: Brush continues softening. I'm still not looking forward to it each day, but it is less of a torture device at this point.. The control brush is clearly on the right- the black (test) brush is definitely much more open than the control. The control brush continues to smell like barnyard with no real change; on the test brush the Swime(R) remains, but is fading more to lime.

Soap status: At the start of today's shave my tin weighed 44g. After the shave it was down to 41g, for a three-day use of 13g, and three straight days of a 3g shave. Also, this stuff smells great. My wife's reaction when I walked into her office area, "man, you smell good." She's not sick of it yet, despite my concern in this area.

Razor status: This was my best shave of August so far. No weepers or nicks, clean BBS shave on 3 passes. Only a little irritation above my lip. I think I need to skip the ATG pass over my lip - I just can't seem to do that without really making my skin angry. Also I'm noting some razor burn in my Adam's apple area, which is unusual for me. I may only give my neck two passes this weekend to let it heal up a bit.

Cumulative Stats: * Shaves: 4/31 * Passes: 14 * Weepers: 2 * Nicks: 1 * Soap grams used: 13

Aug 4, 2021 – Austere August. Day 4.

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
• Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
• Post, Post Shave: Zingari Man – Rescue Potion
• Music: Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness – Fire Escape

Day 4 and I'm getting into a good groove with the MMOC and building a lather with this new boar brush. No nicks or cuts again for the 2nd day in a row. I'm sure it's a combination of creating a better lather and also making sure I'm using the correct angle and pressure for the MMOC. I continued to use Rescue Potion today and will for the next couple of days as my face adjusts to this new equipment (and the new equipment gets broken in).

The brush still smells like a farm animal, but I think it may be getting better. Or I'm getting used to it. Honestly not sure which. Overloading the brush with soap and building a face lather has become a nice change of pace for me. I'm typically a scuttle guy, and I do love the warm lather from the scuttle, but creating the lather on my face is becoming fun for me. Never would I expect to describe anything shaving as "fun", but "fun" is all relative, I suppose.

My #sidetracked music selection for today is Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. I've been a fan of his music for over twenty years now. Andrew was the front man for the pop-punk, piano rock band Something Corporate, and then moved on to create a softer, more emotional driven sound with the band Jack's Mannequin, and now he's been doing his own thing for the last 7 or 8 years. While his biggest hit has been a song he wrote about his daughter, "Cecilia and the Satellite", my selection today is "Fire Escape". Music can have such an impact on our mental state and well-being. A sad song can amplify a sad mood, an upbeat song can get us going, and few things can unlock memories like music can. And this song makes me happy. The “woah-woah-woah-woaaahs” and the optimistic sounds this music brings in will ALWAYS put me in a good place. I'm a big fan of Andrew's music, don't be surprised if I include some other songs in my future SOTDs.

Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom

2022-08-04 - Austere August - Raw Hoggin' Mammoth MMOC

Prep: Warm Shower
Brush: Semogue Torga - C5
Razor: GEM MMOC version 2
Blade: GEM Stainless (4)
Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap
Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave
Fragrance: Issey Miyake -L'eau d'Issey pour Homme

https://imgur.com/a/aQWGOy0

Another nice shave. 4 shaves on the Torga - C5 and it feels very good. The other hardware and software is performing as expected. l have no problem working with this stuff for the rest of the month.

Have a good evening everone.

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

#MammothMafia

Finding Serenity in RawHogginy on the road to the GEMtury Pt. 4

• Prep: Klar Activated Charcoal facial soap
• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with unbleached 26 mm Zenith knot set at 56 mm loft (4)
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic (open comb, first generation)
• Blade: Personna - GEM PTFE (73)
• Soaking Mug: Seaforth! - Scotch Heather - shaving mug
• Bath Soap: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - bath soap
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Ice Lime - Soap
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime - Eau de Toilette

I've reached a #RawHoggin milestone today, and my beautiful, but still stinky brush hasn't shed a single bristle (that I noticed). After shedding dozens of bristles during the first couple shaves and still a decent amount yesterday, this sudden drop-off was remarkable to me.

As far as #GEMsOfWisdom go, I had my unusually early first pang of regrets today regarding my choice of Austere Hogust setup when I learned that u/Merikus is rolling with the Rolls Imperial Model N° 2 this time around. For a moment there, I wished I had chosen something more exciting than the MMOC. Then I started to shave, and it was like coming home (Actually, I did come home from vacation today, so maybe that contributed?). This gem of a GEM is so comfortable, and in combination with Sea Ice Lime, it's impossible not to have a good shave. The Rubberset with the tight ferrule that keeps the knot from blooming continues to be a pleasure to use. I realise again that I really like using firm knots in painting strokes. This has me hyped for the sub-exclusive custom monster boar group buy that is rumoured to be in the works.

August 4th, 2022: Keep on Keepin' On

• Prep: warm shower with Stag bath bar

• Brush: Vintage Rubberset 400-3 with 24mm unbleached Zenith knot

• Razor: MMOC

• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post-Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Post-Shave: Chiseled Face - Natural - Balm

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - EdP

Live shave on discord with /u/semaj3000, /u/eldrormr, and /u/joboozerum. Had a great time chatting with the lads and stinking up my bathroom with Stag goodness. Boar knot is still breaking in nicely, stag is still smelly, and this PTFE blade was still fucking harsh. Hopefully tomorrow is the turning point 🙏🤞

Stag sprays of the day! (sound horrible in this one)

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin (new side challenge, tag /u/semaj3000 everyday because he likes the attention)

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug 04, 2022 - Getting Sidetracked while searching for the Wisdom of a Mammoth

• Prep: Hot shower and CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

• Brush: Maggard Green Handle 2 Band Badger 24mm

• Razor: GEM - MMOC

• Blade: Personna GEM Stainless (4)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Sonder EdP

Every day tags: #MammothMafia #GEMsofWisdom

Aug. 4, 2022

• Prep: Splash of cold water
• Brush: Zenith B16 24mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM Stainless PTFE (4)

• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Fougère Angelique - Soap

• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Fougère Angelique - Aftershave

I'm finally starting to get better from being sick, and my sense of smell is returning too. It never went away completely but was definitely muted for a while. It's great to be able to smell how complex and good Fougere Angelique is. My technique must be improving (or my blade is getting smoother), because I'm noticing a lot less alum burn after my shave. I am kind of wishing that I had gone with a 26mm knot, although this one is quite nice. I'm really looking forward to seeing what it's like after a full month of break-in. #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA Day 04

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: AP400B XL Handle (AP ShaveCo) - 28mm Maggard Boar Knot
• Razor: GEM MMOC - Gen 1
• Blade: GEM PTFE (73)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

Perfect three pass shave this morning. I had one tip break and fall off this morning. Reminded me that I actually haven't noticed any shedding from this brush since day one. Any smell is completely gone and the tips are breaking in nicely. I was on the fence about this brush or a new Zenith. I couldn't be happier with my decision though and have been nothing but impressed with this brush so far. I still haven't gotten the hang of face lathering with this beast though so the journey continues.

The MMOC and PTFE blade continue to impress. BBS with zero complaints each day so far.

Hope Thursday has treated everyone well!

Stag Spray 04 #GEMsofWisdom #SubstantialStag #RawHoggin

August 4th, 2022

Prep: Warm water

Razor: Gem MMOC

Blade: Gem Blue Star (4)

Brush: Omega Model 13564 23mm boar

Soap: LA Shaving Soap Co. Black Void

Post: Noble Otter Bare

Comfort: 7.5/10

Smoothness: 8/10

10 second load.

2 pass shave XTG/ATG.

Consistent with yesterday, not much change but was in a bit of a rush. Nothing to complain about so far, though still early.

#GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

RawHoggin

Edit: corrected date

Aug 4, 2022 Trickhole Stag + MMOC + RawHog

• Prep: Warm Shower
• Brush: Dogwood Unbleached Boar
• Razor: MMOC MM24
• Blade: GEM (5)
• Lather: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag
• Post Shave:Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag Balm
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face Grooming Midnight Stag

Stagging it up

#GEMsOfWisdom

#RawHoggin

Cheers

August 4th, 2022 - Taming the Beast

• Prep: Warm water and extra patience

• Brush: Zenith B36 “Copper Scrubby!”

• Razor: GEM (is truly outrageous) MMOC Gen 2

• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (quattro)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Alive

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Splash

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Alive Balm

#MammothMafia

#RawHoggin Are those split ends I see? Pre shave and Post Shave Soggy Hog

#GEMsOfWisdom

While the hog is not tamed yet, the GEM has started to settle down. I went with as light a grip as I could and still hold onto the blade. Followed the GEM instructions to hold the cap to the face, and had a smoother shave tonight. No blood for the MMOC tonight! Post shave the splash was just tingly and not stingy. 2 passes and a slight touch up on the sideburn area gave my smoothest shave this month. Not bbs, but it is a decent shave.

I used a slightly less amount of soap loading tonight, and didn’t shake out as much water. Finally got a nicely hydrated lather. Great slickness and had a bit left over after my passes. Might scoop a little less tomorrow. I am still forcing the brush to splay on my face. Just painting the brush on the face wasn’t making much lather. I was just dripping wet soap down my front. I am not a fan of face lathering. I bet the brush already could whip up a heck of a lather in the bowl without too much work. Hopefully mushing up my face with the brush will accelerate the break in period. So far what I like most is the handle I chose. I love how warm the handle gets after a 5 minute soak in the cup of hot water.

With the blade finally starting to smooth out, it is looking like there is a good chance the blade will cruise along to 31 shaves. Still will keep flipping it. Odd days get the GEM side of the blade up.

Aug. 4, 2022 - RawHoggin & Taming the MMOC

• Brush: Zenith B37
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: PTFE (4)

• Lather: Strike Gold Shave - Kennedy

• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Stirling Blu - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Zingari - Unscented - Balm

RawHoggin

GemsOfWisdom

This brush is still doing great. It uses up a ton of soap and feels great, but I can tell there are still 4-5 stubborn bristles that don’t want to break in. I’m still scooping an absurd amount of soap, and nearly finishing the whole bowl in one go. Even after it’s broken in, I expect it to still eat the lather considering it’s a chubby 28mm. Which I’m fine with.

The MMOC felt smoother today. I flipped the blade, but I think the two are unrelated.

August 4 2022

• Brush: Zenith B28
• Razor: GEM MMOC (Gen 1)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (7)
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Mood Indigo

Austere August advances apace.

#MammothMafia

#GEMSofWisdom

Aug. 4, 2022 - Austere August Ultra Nightmare RawHoggin Stagpocalypse

• Prep: Midnight Stag liquid soap and bar soap
• Brush: Semogue 1250
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

What a fucking day. I shaved this mornin but am just now posting. I’ll spray some random number tomorrow. 16 or some shit. I dunno. Grandmother is safely in the nursing home for rehab and work was the worst it’s been in a couple of years. I know I was just off for Covid but I need a vacation. So close to just hanging it up and learning how to drive a truck or somethin. They make WAY more than I do anyway.

Another nice shave today. The brush continually gets better and I’m getting faster each day at dialing in the soap correctly. Quick plush and a tub of balm followed by a bit of beard care sealed the deal. Yesterday wasn’t a big upvote day for me, so only 11 sprays today.

Edit: it was brought to my attention that I failed to showcase my brush and I’d like to remedy that here.

SubstantialStag

GEMsOfWisdom

RawHoggin

Aug. 4, 2022

• Prep: Shower
• Brush: AP Shave Co 24MM SYNBAD
• Razor: GEM - Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: GEM - PTFE (4)

• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Bare Siero - Soap

• Post Shave: Thayers - Unscented - Toner

2 pass shave with a 30 second load. Long day, late shave, but glad to be home.

GEMsOfWisdom

unscented

Aug. 4, 2022

• Brush: Maggard 28mm Boar
• Razor: GEM MMOC
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Balm

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

So glad tomorrow is Friday. What a work week. Good shave today. GEM blade is starting to feel more comfortable as the new harshness wears off. Boar brush been good to go since the start. No real changes in feel. Still loading the crap out of the soap, thinking I'll have plenty, and needing to reload or having very little left for last pass. Will keep working on it.

Boar Break In Album

Stag spray

#RawHoggin

#SubstantialStag

#GemsOfWisdom

#UNCHALLENGE

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA 4

• Prep: Cold water splash
• Brush: Semogue 1305 Pure Bristle 22mm
• Razor: GEM MMOC Gen 2
• Blade: GEM PTFE (10)

• Lather: House of Mammoth- Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Balm

• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Seville - Eau de Toilette

Sneaking in another late night shave. Didn’t really have time to soak the brush today, and to nobody’s surprise it’s still a little scratchy.

Progress pic. SOTD in title.

Spoiler alert, I still sort of suck with the MMOC. Hit 10 shaves on this blade though. I did try a little ATG on my cheeks on my 2nd pass. The head geometry on the razor does lend itself a bit well in a way to ATG passes. Between the shape and weight, it weirdly lines itself pretty close to what I think should be the correct angle (again, still sort of experimenting and figuring it out overall). #GemsOfWisdom #RawHoggin #MammothMafia

Day 4 of Austere August! Love me THE STAG!

• Prep: Water on Face
• Brush: Zenith 2004/B SE

• Razor: Filarmonica Sub Cero 14

• Lather: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag

• Post Shave: Osma block
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag Splash
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag Balm
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face Midnight Stag EdP

​

Not a bad photo

So today was my birthday and it was super hectic, I had to leave from one end of the country to the other end(small country) have an oil change and other stuff, then celebrate with my parents and after that I could shave.

To summarize, boar is getting even softer and the ends are splitting. Stag is amazing and I love the smell. I'm still having trouble with the lather but am getting better I know now WHO the culprit is(water). Yesterday while taking pictures I managed to sing the cutting edge of the straight but it was very soft so the dent is on an microscopic level. After yesterday and today I can confirm that it is still performing well and that I will be able to finish this month. The biggest problem is finding time to make a post here, because my summers are hectic, I have 2 months of paid leave and I'm all over the place/country sooo it's hard😂

• #RawHoggin
• GEMsOfWisdom
• #SubstantialStag
• #sidetracked very different. from previously shared music 😅

Apparently I posted my SOTD in the wrong post.

Aug. 4, 2022 - Go Fourth and shave!

• Prep: Outdoor shower
• Brush: Zenith B33 Copper Boar Brush
• Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
• Blade: Persona GEM PTFE Coated (4)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Aftershave

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Balm

• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - 福 (Fu Dao) - Eau de Parfum

Sometimes life turns you upside down and you have to turn it back upright. I’ll finish this post later.

After work I showered in the outdoor shower and followed it up with an indoor shave. I was scheduled for the early shift , just 3 days before my final day at work. I am starting a “new job” the 15th and I have to move across the country for a couple months.

Anyways I did not get to shave this morning so I shaved after work. The outdoor shower was great to cool down, but even fully on cold it was warm.

The brush lost 2 hairs today. House of Mammoth has always worked great for me! Everything in the picture was upside down and I just rotated it.

u/EldrormR and u/Semaj3000 I beg of ye, forgiveth thine own short comings and alloweth thy mercy to prevent thine DQ.

Thank you u/JoboozeRum!

#rawhoggin #mammothmafia #GEMSofWisdom

Like u/imblasted, I was told that I posted my SOTD in the wrong thread on this date. Below is the original contents of that post for the bots. u/EldrormR and u/Semaj3000 have been messaged and now pinged. Thanks u/JoboozeRum for the heads up and your diligence in Mammoth challenge tracking. You're a lifesaver.

Edit: tagging for pings.

---

Aug. 4, 2022 - AA Day 4 - The best is yet to come?

• Prep: Hot Shower
• Brush: Zenith B34
• Razor: MMOC (Gen 2)
• Blade: GEM PTFE (4)

• Lather: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Soap

• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Sonder - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Witch Hazel, Osma Alum

So tonight I heeded some advice given after my terrible experience the last 3 days and, well, the shave was a bit better. I only had 1 nick (well, 2, but in the same spot) and to be fair, it was a slice on a pimple, so, had that stupid bump not been there it would have been a nick free shave. I had been trying to hold the razor pretty flat to my skin, but after someone else mentioned the importance of holding it really flat, I overexaggerated just how flat it was and it went a lot better. I also took some more advice and didn't go for a BBS and still ended up with a pretty darn good shave - with the grain and across the grain, and then I buffed just a bit on my chin area so I won't get any complaints from my wife. My neck - where I typically have the worst time - is the most rough still, but, it looks clean shaven and nobody is going to feel that part of my neck anyway. So - thanks for all the tips and tricks and advice!

The Zenith continues to open up and again whipped up an excellent lather. I am very excited to see this brush at the end of the month, I have a feeling it's going to end up as one of my favorites. If it's already this good, I can only imagine how great it will be when it's fully opened and splays even better. Very excited. I'm glad I went with this handle, too - it's super comfortable to use. I'm finding more and more that I prefer larger handles to smaller.

Sonder, again, was excellent. I got more green tonight than I have the last few days and, again, as I sit here the cooling of the synthetic cooling agent is doing wonders for post shave feel. While the shave was green, I get a nice touch of sandalwood in the post shave. It's such a simple and elegant scent. Big fan.

And now for the sonder thought of the day. Today at work (church) it was the funeral of a long time member and well known woman in our church family. Our senior pastor shared an encouraging message and some family members shared stories and then I was privileged to conclude the service with a prayer and benediction. But - her widower caught wind during planning that I had a really funny story of how I met her (Barb) and I got to share that, too, which was really fun. I know funerals aren't typically "fun," and this one had moments of grieving, too, but by and large it was a beautiful celebration of the life she lived and the faith she clung to so tightly. I left encouraged and grateful for such a solid service. And then, as I went about the rest of my day, I thought a bit about her husband, who is still alive. That service was every bit as beautiful for him - I watched him laugh and cry throughout. But tonight, he's home. His wife of 30-40 years has been gone for a week and her funeral has been held. And while I come home to my family, he's adjusting to a new normal, without her. In spite of all the "preparation" time he had due to her battle with cancer, she's still gone. Death of those close to you is always sobering and puts life into such perspective. My wife, or myself, or my kids, could get some terrible disease diagnosed in the next few weeks and everything could change. It happened to this family. And yet, I too often hold onto petty arguments rather than overlooking mistakes and celebrating the wife and life I've been blessed with. So, as I consider Barb's widower, tonight I will choose to drop any irritation I have with my wife over silly things and choose closeness and unity rather than division and separation. Life is too short. And then, tomorrow, on my day off, I'll do everything I can to enjoy it with my family. I'll put my phone down - leave it in the other room, even - and be present. Soaking in the little mundane moments that we've got together and trying to better count even the difficulties of having a family as the privilege that they are. I know that if something happened to any of my family I would be devastated and would do anything to have them vying for my attention again. So, instead of pushing it off, I'll work on enjoying it for the limited time I know I'll have it. Barb and her husband had a long, fulfilling marriage full of ups and downs and I'm willing to bet that as her husband lies alone in that bed tonight, he'd give just about anything to have a few more minutes with her. So - ladies and gents - love the people close to you well. Let the small stuff go and love deeply. I've yet to hear from a spouse who was left behind that they regret loving and not getting enough back, but I have heard about regrets around "the stupid fights and arguments."

Anyway. Heavier sonder post, today. But, it's what's been on my mind and what I thought about while I shaved tonight. Maybe tomorrow will be lighter - who knows.

Have a good night.

#mammothmafia

#RawHoggin

#GEMsOfWisdom