Yeah, that’s me. Two topics of interest that illustrate my claim.
First, is how I shave. Daily. I have been using a Gillette Atra razor since I started shaving in, I don’t know, roughly in 1979. It uses a pivoting twin blade cartridge that, in later years, was available with a lubricating strip across the top of the cartridge (for whatever good it did). Here’s what the handle looks like:
The one on the left has spent its life in my mobility kit, and then in my travel bag. The one on the right I’ve used for some 25 years.
I realize now that we fell victim to clever marketing in 1979 in buying this razor when the standard double edge safety razor that dad used was just as effective, if not more so, and the blades were very much cheaper. This was Gillette’s genius. As were the standard double edge safety razor blades, for that matter. But, who’s got the time to use a straight razor to shave every day? I have one, mind you, but it needs honing, and I don’t want to spend the money to equip myself to do that job. So, back the the double edge safety razor…
There is a company in Solingen, Germany called Merkur that still manufactures new safety razors. Beautiful things, they are. I bought a Futur, in chrome finish. (Update: I just found out the Futur is made of Zamac, a German acronym for what we in North America call pot metal, or white metal. Couldn’t even use brass…)
It takes a bit more technique than the cartridges require. The result is worth the time to learn how. See Badger and Blade for more than you ever thought possible to know about shaving.
For lather, I long ago ditched the canned stuff (when I bought my straight razor) for lather made with a nice badger hair brush. Here’s mine:
I suppose I should descale it from time to time…
I just got what is reported to be the holy grail of double edge razors, the Pils stainless steel razor, also from Germany. $250. Which sounds ridiculous, and it probably is. But, if it is better than the Futur, I’ll sell the Futur.
Truly a thing of beauty and precision. The proof will be in the shaving, though. That will be another entry.
Next item on the agenda, watches.
When I retired from the US Air Force, I bought an Omega X-33 chronograph to mark the occasion. I’d wanted a Speedmaster for years, and this one seemed a better choice than the mechanical Speedmasters. Here it is, just before I sold it:
What’s to say about an Omega watch? They are stupid expensive, and do nothing better than a decent watch a tenth their price. I’d already had mine repaired once for $400 when the crown collapsed, a failing common to that model. Just before we went on holiday last month, the original bracelet came apart, hence the cheapo leather band (which looks better, I think). This one had an insanely loud alarm, which I will miss. Aside from that, I am glad I replaced it.
With this, the Marathon GSAR:
No easy trick taking pictures of your own wrist, the geometry is off.
This watch is an automatic winding mechanical watch. Waterproof down to 300 meters (at which depth I will be long dead). It has tritium capsules for the hour hand, minute hand, and hour markers, which glow from radioactive decay of H3 tritium, which releases beta particles that excite the phosphor on the inside walls of the capsules. Very cool indeed.
There are no batteries. Just need to have it serviced every few years. I expect one day that very massive steel bracelet will eventually fail, and I will probably replace it with a nylon or leather strap for a fraction of the cost. I kept the rubber strap it came with, of course.
Old fashioned razors. Mechanical watch. They go well with my slide rules and mechanical typewriter.
A true renaissance man (he posts on the internet).
3 Comments
Hey Jesse! Yes, I do still after all these years since SNCOA check out your/your wife’s website and watch the kids grow. It’s so interesting, your civilian life living in another country, I always imagined myself doing that one day but I am still here in the states…. I did retire in Oct 08 and now work at the VA hospital. You and your wife have a way with words on here, I on the other hand could never write anything like you two. Anyway, wanted to say hi and to let you know that I still follow your blog! Hope all is well with all of you! Love your house!
Well, that’s a hell of a surprise, Maggie. I wouldn’t have ever expected to hear from anyone from that class. I used to get spam mails from Brad a lot, but I told him to stop. He had poor email address discipline, and exposed my email address to the hundreds of people he forwarded mail to (use the BCC field, Brad). Every once in a awhile he can’t help himself and sends me one anyway, though it’s been a long time.
What is it you do for the VA, and where are you now? I got an offer for a GS-12 network engineer position at Offutt from a good friend, but he couldn’t afford me. The compensation package from NATO is much better. Besides, I’ve lived longer here than any other place since I’ve been an adult, so this is home for us.
Thanks for the kind remarks. As you see, Karena does most of the posting, mainly for family, as you can expect. I have my own blog at skepdick.eu, where I can say pretty much whatever I want, and do (If I offend you there, fight back. You don’t have to put up with that.)
I am sorry, I can’t dig up the details of your family from my brain. I’ve had no blog of yours to watch. I hope all is well.
I am a patient representative/advocate…listen to complaints all day and try to resolve them. I enjoy it and helping Vets, not all are nice or honest though and it’s hard sometimes to be nice and not tell them what you really feel like/want to tell them. It’s amazing how many of them are homeless, addicts, etc. It’s a GS-9, I am applying for the GS-11 position this week, keeping my fingers crossed! When I first retired I worked for the state for a year exact until I could get on at the VA. My husband works at the VA Regional office as a GS-10, automatic promotion to 11 in about 10 months; he works with disability claims. Our son (21) who has Aspergers Syndome (high functioning autism)is doing great! He graduated with a high school diploma the day after my retirement ceremony (it was a fight throughout high school because they didn’t want to give him a diploma because he was special needs–only wanted to give him a state certificate; of course we fought and fought but it paid off). He has been working at Publix grocery store for nearly a year now as a bagger, not what he wants to do the rest of his life he says. I taught him to drive and sent him to a driving school once he was fairly comfortable with driving, he now drives on his own to work (7 miles from home). He will only drive to work and back unless I am in the car with him; won’t even go a block past his work to McDonald’s his favorite place to eat, instead he will walk to Subway about 3 doors down from his work. He’s been driving for over a year now. I print out a checklist for him before I leave for work if he has to work that day and that keeps him on task/schedule.
I don’t blame you for staying in NATO especially if the compensation/benefits are better. It seems as if you all really enjoy it over there, lots to see and do! If I had the opportunity I would definitely do the same. Your kids would have culture shock if they were moved to the states. It’s so terrible over here, the crime, joblessness, economy, healthcare, everything, it’s a mess. Appears we are going to be a 3rd world country fairly quick if something is not done soon. Don’t get me wrong I love my country but….
You’re right, I don’t have a blog. I wouldn’t know the first thing about starting one nor would I have anything exciting to write about. I do follow a few of them though, have never commented on any of them until last night when I commented on yours. I do have Facebook, it’s a pain most of the time because you only get remarks about people playing the games on there and what their scores are, etc…nothing exciting.
Your boys are getting big, Liam has really gotten tall. I remember when your wife would email you pictures almost daily when we were in class. So neat/fun to follow and watch them grow and I don’t even know them!
Well, better end this, I’m rambling! We’ll keep in touch and maybe I’ll comment a bit more. Take care!
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