Aug 31, 2021 – Austere August. Day 31.
- Prep: Hot Shower
- Brush: Zenith - B16 24mm Boar
- Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb Gen 2
- Blade: GEM PTFE (31)
- Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Sheep
- Post Shave: Zingari Man – Unscented - Aftershave Balm
- Music: Jack's Mannequin - Swim
We did it. The final day of Austere August is upon us. This month dragged on for me and I'm so ready to use a different soap and splash. I've said before, I could use the MMOC daily and not mind it, and the Zenith is broken in and a brush I enjoy using... And using the same GEM blade all month hasn't been bad... But... Using unscented soap and aftershave every day has been a brutal, soul-crushing experience that I wouldn’t recommend anyone do. The silver lining is that me doing this all month means that u/rocketk455 will be donating an additional $10 to the JED Foundation. So while I would hesitate calling myself a hero for completing this torturous challenge, I wouldn’t stop anyone that bestowed that title upon me either.
Earlier in the month, I featured a song by Andrew McMahon for my #sidetracked music and today’s selection is from his band before he went off on his own, Jack's Mannequin. The song "Swim" is one he wrote about his own battle with cancer. I'm sure all of us have been impacted by cancer in some way, shape or form. Whether it be family member, friend, or yourself that got that awful diagnosis it fucking sucks. But my guy, Andrew, sings about how he had to keep going, no matter how difficult it may seem, and there are people who count on you to pull through. I'm comfortable enough with my masculinity to admit this song has brought me to tears on more than one occasion and I'm not the least bit ashamed of it. Knowing too many people who have lost their battle with cancer, this song hits me right in the heart and brings me right into thinking of those loved ones. So why include this song to close out Austere August? Because while Andrew wrote this song about his cancer treatment, the theme is to never give up. No matter what, no matter how hard it is, you've got to swim. And while I’m aware using the same shaving equipment for 31 days may NOT be on the same level as battling a cancer diagnosis, it can be a daunting task. And I think Austere August can be a difficult grind for a lot of us. Limiting this group to using the same equipment every day for a month is a tall order, but we did it. We did not give up. We swam.
Tags: #unscented #rawhoggin #GEMsOfWisdom
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