Pieces falling into place... FINALLY!

Piece 1: Stropping
Got my stropping to feel right tonight for first time... Like I was accomplishing something by it. Did 30 passes on webbing and 50 on leather. Did not feel like I had to turn the blade on blade side!

Piece 2: light touch!
i think that I was applying far too much pressure in the other shaves... So had some pulling and some discomfort. But tried a lighter pressure tonight (after reading ad infinitum that it was an important thing) and had much less discomfort! Yay!

Disclosure: I wear a goatee' so I really am not shaving any of the hard areas like chin or mustache area.