Thread: A Fine Way to Start One's Day

Early this afternoon (around 1:30) I rolled out of the mound of flannel sheets and comforter that is my bed. I was dressed in my standard "chilly" sleepwear, which consists of flannel pants, but upon putting my feet on the floor, I grabbed my already laid out morning wear, which is a white cotton undershirt and a comfortable sweatshirt. I like to leave the T shirt inside the sweatshirt to make it easier to get on.

I headed across the room to my computer to check my various emails and forums. A read here, a post there, and the morning fog was gone. I was also notified that an order from CigarsInternational had arrived, so I headed out to pick it up. Upon opening the box, I thought "Why not, I'll have a smoke."

I headed out to the porch (second story, so a covered balcony is more accurate) with my Vector torch, plopped down in my chair, and lit up. My buddy and I had each ordered a box of 50 cigarillos made by Shrapnel. A single box is $20 and contains 50 sticks, but ordering two boxes only bumps the price up to $30 per box, so that's roughly $.34 per stick, including shipping. Clearly, we were not looking for top notch, long smoking cigars, but I will say I was presently surprised. They were rather light to smoke, burned evenly, and produced a decent ash.

I headed back inside to put on some tunes and continue my morning. I went with my Stevie Ray Vaughn based playlist on Pandora and pondered what to do about breakfast. I decided to cook up some pancakes, and, with some nice tunes going, headed to the kitchen. As I was mixing up the batter, my mom gave me a call, and we had a nice chat that lasted the duration of my cooking time. I then headed to the dining room, still within earshot of the music, to enjoy the wheat pancakes. I must say, they complimented the lingering taste of the smoke.

Next up, I pulled out my Revitt blade and got to stropping; I was going to have a long hot shower and a shave. I like to strop before showering to keep my face warm and wet without the need of a hot towel. I also let my brush soak in my scuttle while I shower, so they both get a headstart on heating up. The shower was...everything you'd expect of a long, hot shower. And, of course, I had more music as well.

I hoped out of the shower and refilled my scuttle jacket and bowl with hot water as I went to grab my blade. As the mirrors defogged, I built up a nice, Proraso lather and had myself a wonderful shave. I decided to only go with and across the grain because I wasn't in a particularly nitpicky mood. Afterwords, I cleaned and stropped the blade, applied some aftershave balm, and put away me gear.

I now sit here at my computer, still in my towel, ready to get dressed and get on with the day. But I thought I'd share the morning's events, because it seemed to me to qualify as a "fine thing."

Obviously, I do not have the time or the mindset to enjoy a morning like this every day, and I'm sure not all of you do either. But sometimes, just a nice shower and a straight shave alone puts me into a wonderful mood; to me, that is a big part of what straight shaving is all about.

Please do share the events of your fine mornings, afternoons, and evenings as well. One of the best parts about indulging ones self is sharing with others.

Sounds nice!

My morning started with Dad waking me up, which I wasn't too keen on as it was only 7:30 in the morning. I washed up, and fixed breakfast, steak and eggs, with flour gravy and biscuits. After breakfast, I lazed around for a bit, until Dad took Mom to spend the day at my Brother's office. After they had been gone awhile, I washed and dried 3 loads of laundry and decided to have Dad pick up burgers for dinner (Sonic has them half price on Tuesday evenings here). In the middle of housework, I did find time to make a few posts on a few forums and also found time to record a few movies that I had dvr'd and am now contemplating a hot bath, shave and an early bedtime.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Next up, I pulled out my Revitt blade and got to stropping; I was going to have a long hot shower and a shave. I like to strop before showering to keep my face warm and wet without the need of a hot towel. I also let my brush soak in my scuttle while I shower, so they both get a headstart on heating up. The shower was...everything you'd expect of a long, hot shower. And, of course, I had more music as well.

I hoped out of the shower and refilled my scuttle jacket and bowl with hot water as I went to grab my blade. As the mirrors defogged, I built up a nice, Proraso lather and had myself a wonderful shave. I decided to only go with and across the grain because I wasn't in a particularly nitpicky mood. Afterwords, I cleaned and stropped the blade, applied some aftershave balm, and put away me gear.

Sounds like a mightly fine morning!!!
Pays to pamper yourself from time to time...

So today (the day that just ended) I finally celebrated my acceptance and scholarship to grad school. I slept late, as per usual, and then headed out to my local smoke shop. I was searching for a box of Oliva G Maduros, but it turned out they didn't have any. I thought "What the hell?" and went with the O Maduros. The price tag was pretty heafty in my eyes, but I'd decided to get a nice box and I did. No remorse.

I then headed over to my bar, right as they were opening. I've gotten to know all the bartenders, since it's my home away from home, so I ordered up a Guinness and helped her set up. She offered to buy me some drinks, but I said that wouldn't be necessary. I veiw the place as my bar, so I don't mind helping out.

Once some other patrons showed up (I didn't want to leave her all alone), I headed outside with Guinness number two and lit up a smoke. And what a smoke it was. Well worth the price. I sat outside and chatted with some of the other regulars. By the time I'd sipped my way through Guinnesses #2 and #3, I was just wrapping up with the stogie, and it was getting on to 7 PM. I went inside to settle my tab, and true to her word, I found one Guinness and a measly $3.50 total on my tab. That was, of course, augmented by my usual large tip.

I headed home, heated up some leftover chili I'd made the night before, and settled in for some Arrested Development. Man I love vacation.