If you have to do something...

[Smattayu]

Thankfully the idea of smashing hundreds of dollars has stayed my hand...so far...

It’s only a matter of time. That’s why I only buy cheap alarm clocks. Easily replaceable.

 

[GearNoir]

Shave #86 (459 Open Blade Shaves) of 2021:

Gear: Blackland Vector, Proline blade, SV/TSC Il Re Tasso d’Oro brush, SV 70th soap, homemade witch hazel/aloe mix, SV 70th AS, and Guerlain Vetiver to finish!

Another day off and a nice, no alarm sleep in. Got some good rest despite looking all gross and baggy eyed when I woke up. Definitely needed it though!

Great late morning shave with a high class setup. Vector was buttery smooth the first too passes, a little breath-stealing the ATG pass but no harm done and an excellent finish.

Chill morning...chill day for the most part really. A few chores to bust out. I have my Apple Store appointment soon, so I may just walk away with a nice piece of new tech. My minor phone upgrade is on the way too, though coming by mail. The middle son is excited to finally get a phone like his big brother. Family photos by a good friend later this afternoon.

Hope you all are having just a great a Saturday so far!

 

[HMan]

Good shave, and good luck at the Apple store, you'll need it!

Have you made up your mind on what you want yet?

 

[GearNoir]

Good shave, and good luck at the Apple store, you'll need it!

Have you made up your mind on what you want yet?

Thanks! It’s crazy how involved buying computers and phones has gotten. The paperwork and time sink seems to be the equivalent of buying a car now.

Today’s visit will hopefully solidify my decision but I think I’m going to finally try the iPad/KB/Pencil combo. The current iPad build should be supported for another 4 years or so and hopefully the iPad OS continues to make strides during that time.

 

[HMan]

You be happy, it's a really hard choice. There's something very cool about the pencil, and as you'd mentioned before, the portability.

I'm also hoping the iPadOS starts to make the overall experience more macOS like. That's the only thing holding it back for me.

What size are you looking at Chris?

 

[Smattayu]

Crazy kids and your crazy new tech.

My new IPhone is out for delivery.

 

[GearNoir]

You be happy, it's a really hard choice. There's something very cool about the pencil, and as you'd mentioned before, the portability.

I'm also hoping the iPadOS starts to make the overall experience more macOS like. That's the only thing holding it back for me.

What size are you looking at Chris?

The larger 12.9 w/ 256 GB drive.

Crazy kids and your crazy new tech.

My new IPhone is out for delivery.

I don’t think you’ll be dissatisfied! The XS is a great phone.

 

[Smattayu]

The larger 12.9 w/ 256 GB drive.

I don’t think you’ll be dissatisfied! The XS is a great phone.

It's actually the XR. The XS's baby brother lol. About the same in every aspect, except for the display, which is still more than good enough for me, and it has a single camera, though all reviews I've read still rate it very highly. My dad, who is more of a tech junkie than I will ever be, has one and he loves it. Says it, among other things, it has the best battery life of any other IPhone.

 

[GearNoir]

Apple Store visit sealed the deal! In and out in less than 20 minutes. The iPad is super snappy and responsive. The pencil tool is amazing as is the ability to use gestures with the pencil, keyboard, and directly on screen! Going through the droll task of setting all my apps up now.

Now to go folio/screen protector shopping...

 

[Smattayu]

Going through the droll task of setting all my apps up now.

Yeah, did the same with the new phone today lol. 15 "Someone signed into your account with a new device" emails and texts later, I'm happy to put that part mostly behind me lol. I appreciate the extra security in this day and age, but I dislike the necessity of it at the same time.

 

[HMan]

Digital security, can’t live with it, can’t live without it!

 

[SteveChuckFrank]

All caught up Chris. Some pretty snazzy shaves the last few days!

Congrats on the new iPad, now I want one...haha! My iPad is basically a paperweight at this point. It’s gotta be close to 10 years old.

 

[GearNoir]

All caught up Chris. Some pretty snazzy shaves the last few days!

Congrats on the new iPad, now I want one...haha! My iPad is basically a paperweight at this point. It’s gotta be close to 10 years old.

Thanks Steve! That’s a pretty ripe age for any piece of hardware!

 

[GearNoir]

Shave #87 (459 Open Blade Shaves) of 2021:

Gear: Parker Adjustable injector, Tactonic blade, Graydog Art Deco synth brush, Clown Puke tub soap, homemade witch hazel/aloe mix, LNHC Barber Shoppe post shave elixir, and ADP Colonia Intensia to finish!

Got some sleep last night but woke up a lot before the alarm. Such is my life leading up to important/major days.

Pretty good shave this morning to freshen up. I did get a little to zippy with the Parker and it gave me a love tap to remind me to respect even the most mild of razors. I deserved that

Off to do my one-off preaching gig in a few. I’m a bundle of nerves!

Have a blessed Sunday all!

 

[Maryland998]

Just pretend you are in your shave den Chris. The nerves melt away. Like a new blade takes away the lather and stubble. Though in your case it may be peach fuzz.

 

[GearNoir]

Just pretend you are in your shave den Chris. The nerves melt away. Like a new blade takes away the lather and stubble. Though in your case it may be peach fuzz.

Lol thanks...I think

Seemed to go fine. They asked me to schedule another one, so that’s a positive sign!

 

[GearNoir]

If anyone wants to catch up on a service today or just hear a scripture message (the message starts at 23:30):

Spoiler

 

[GearNoir]

Shave #88 (459 Open Blade Shaves) of 2021:

Gear: Schick M Adjustable injector, Schick Twin blade, RR Big Bruce synth brush, Proraso Red soap, homemade witch hazel/aloe mix, Proraso Red AS, and Trumper’s Sandalwood cologne to finish!

Did not get a good night’s rest. I got my second COVID shot yesterday afternoon and I got pretty achy/sore into the evening and this morning. Thankfully that’s the sum of the effects so far; still not feeling 100% though. May take a half day at least.

Got up and going anyway. Today starts the faux 3017 of Proraso Red and likely its accompanying splash for the most part. Great scent...maybe average performance for a drug store soap - definitely not Stirling artisan level.

Have a great Monday all!

 

[Fightingillini22]

Congrats on the new iPad Chris! That's my fear of going back into an Apple Store or Best Buy - playing with the tech always gets me excited and I'm afraid I'll try and rationalize my upgrade of my iPad Mini 4, which in no way needs to be replaced! Not so great about the achy feelings from the second Covid shot, but glad you were able to get them! We just secured appointments for our first round in 3 weeks and we're very excited.

Been a while since I used Proraso, at one time I had both tubs of Green and Red as well as a tube of Blue in the den but was never blow away by performance. Scents were always great though.

 

[GearNoir]

Congrats on the new iPad Chris! That's my fear of going back into an Apple Store or Best Buy - playing with the tech always gets me excited and I'm afraid I'll try and rationalize my upgrade of my iPad Mini 4, which in no way needs to be replaced! Not so great about the achy feelings from the second Covid shot, but glad you were able to get them! We just secured appointments for our first round in 3 weeks and we're very excited.

Been a while since I used Proraso, at one time I had both tubs of Green and Red as well as a tube of Blue in the den but was never blow away by performance. Scents were always great though.

Thanks Ryan! I had to seriously control myself not to go crazy with accessories and extra bits of gear...the Apple AirPods for instance were pretty tempting. Still, I took the slightly cheaper route for a couple things, like a close-fitting protective carry case, and got them off Amazon. Still undecided if I’m going to put a screen protector on...the screen is so rich and vibrant!

Definitely glad the missus and I were about to get the shots also. The pain is only temporary but hopefully the benefits will be quite long lasting!