Aug. 3, 2022 - AA Day 3 - MMOC Bloodbath
Ok look, this MMOC thing is for the birds. If it weren't some stupid inner voice telling me I can't quit because I committed and I ain't no quitter I would quit, right here, right now. Someone, please understand that reference.
Anyway - shaving with the MMOC is horrible. I think the worst part is I have no idea why it's horrible. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong because I don't really know how to use the MMOC. I'm not sure if it's because it's more aggressive than I'm used to, if it's the open comb, if it's totally my technique, or any number of other issues. I'm a proficient shaver with both my Blackbird and Henson. I've used a few other razors and have been fine. The Karve CB, while I didn't like it and never really figured it out, was never this bad. Seriously, I can do my WTG pass and be fine, but beyond that, good luck, because there will be blood. Lots of it. After this afternoon shave, I had a minimum of 6 nicks/cuts/blood spots and running the alum across my neck and shin may as well have been filleting my own face off - it hurt so dang bad. So - if anybody has a tutorial out there, hit me up. If not, then, I guess watch me suffer, because suffering I am.
The brush was again better yesterday than today. I can tell there's some opening up going on in the bristles and it's getting better each day. Admittedly, I didn't pick a knot that anyone said would be super challenging or take a long time to break in; I went with the B34 that gets high praise all around. Partly I chose it because of the butterscotch handle - my 4 year old son is obsessed with the color yellow, and butterscotch is basically yellow, plus the Sonder artwork is yellow, so he's thrilled with my shave gear all month. The challenge with breaking in the brush at this point is that, because of tub loading, it's so hard to know how much soap is in and how much water I need and I it's a dance trying to make sure my lather isn't too dry to start and that it isn't too watered down at the end, but I guess that's the beauty of this month is getting to know the soap even better.
Sonder performed beautifully, as expected, and the cooling of the aftershave as I sit and type this is so very soothing after the acid bath that was the alum. Having only used Sonder the one time prior to buying the set for AA I was a little bit nervous that I'd end up not liking it, but that's not the case at all; it's an excellent masculine scent that I'm happy to wear all month. Thick and rich creamy lathers are the norm with tusk and at least my first 2 passes were no exception today - though the 3rd was a bit thinner than the first 2, but still very good.
I took the advice of u/RiverRatAg14 and am taking my blade out to air dry after every shave. I don't know if it'll matter, but, I'm already straight up not having a good time with the MMOC so maybe this will help. Whatever.
Sonder thought of the day - as I sit here typing this I have 3 kids wanting my attention. One wants to sit on me, another play go fish, and the other, well, she's 6 and happy to watch TV for now, but, rotting brains and all that. So - as I consider the vivid lives my kids are living, I would prefer they remember me as a present dad who played with them a lot (I do), rather than a dad who was always buried in his online shaving competition write ups. So with that, I'l wrap it up and challenge you to go spend some quality time with someone you love. Even if it's just a few minutes. Be present at home or at the coffee shop or at work. Put your phone down and enjoy the moment and really pay attention to the people around you. They'll appreciate it and your relationships will be better for it.
#mammothmafia
#RawHoggin
#GEMsOfWisdom
sotd.djudgement_invitations: [<DjudgementInvitation 154>, <DjudgementInvitation 1987>, <DjudgementInvitation 2574>]