Hello from Seattle

Greg,

Good decision to join the ranks of the overeducated. I was in private practice for 18 years before coming back to do back-to-back radiology/rad onc residencies. Be glad you did it your way - let me tell you, your gray matter functions better when you are young than when you are in your 40's (voice of experience talking here).

Enjoy your first SR shave - I just had mine tonight and it was awesome! I know how you feel, waiting for things to arrive. While you're waiting, be sure to go through the Wiki and watch all the videos you can. It really helps!

Let me know how your first shave goes.

Greg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by csudvm2003

Nice to meet you, Greg!

I'm a 2003 CSU grad, and then decided to join the ranks of the way overeducated and went to the University of Washington for a PhD in microbiology. Now that that's over I'm still in Seattle at a non-profit studying innate immunity to herpes and pox viruses. I love it!

And I think I'll enjoy straights just as much. I received my first razor from Cedrick Smythe just yesterday, which is a little bit of torture because I'm still waiting for my strop and soap to make it here. Hopefully Monday. Good luck with your first shaves, let me know how they go!

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Superbleu - Thanks, I had a feeling that most shave related items would be overpriced in Seattle...much like everything else here. At least it's not San Francisco prices though. Wider variety on the internet too, from my admittedly limited searching.

Dave - Definitely a big coffee fan here too. I finally broke down and bought a home espresso machine though, so I'm giving a lot less money to Starbucks now. And I'm now tempted to learn how to roast my own green coffee. One thing at a time though, so it's taking a back seat to shaving.

Greg - Thanks! I've been obsessively watching all the videos, etc. The fiancee is getting tired of all my straight razor talk, but is being amazingly understanding about the newest obsession. Any tips to share from your first shave? Glad to hear yours went well!

Greg,

Check out my posts under my thread: Straight Razor Place Forums » Welcome Center » Beginners » Finally, I've Joined the Ranks! I pass along some tips I picked up from seasoned straight shavers who've helped me. My personal advice, again thanks to Obie, is pick out some relaxing music (classical or jazz), enjoy the whole process from beginning to end, and don't forget to breathe (good advice for most life-situations).

My wife is exactly like your fiancée - definitely supportive, but I've got to watch how much I talk about it. Actually, this morning my wife concluded that the shave was palpably closer. My 6 year old daughter loved it - last night before the shave she rubbed her cheek on my cheek and said "ouch, that's scratchy". This morning she kept rubbing my cheek and saying how smooth it was.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by csudvm2003

Superbleu - Thanks, I had a feeling that most shave related items would be overpriced in Seattle...much like everything else here. At least it's not San Francisco prices though. Wider variety on the internet too, from my admittedly limited searching.

Dave - Definitely a big coffee fan here too. I finally broke down and bought a home espresso machine though, so I'm giving a lot less money to Starbucks now. And I'm now tempted to learn how to roast my own green coffee. One thing at a time though, so it's taking a back seat to shaving.

Greg - Thanks! I've been obsessively watching all the videos, etc. The fiancee is getting tired of all my straight razor talk, but is being amazingly understanding about the newest obsession. Any tips to share from your first shave? Glad to hear yours went well!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by csudvm2003

Superbleu - Thanks, I had a feeling that most shave related items would be overpriced in Seattle...much like everything else here. At least it's not San Francisco prices though. Wider variety on the internet too, from my admittedly limited searching.

Dave - Definitely a big coffee fan here too. I finally broke down and bought a home espresso machine though, so I'm giving a lot less money to Starbucks now. And I'm now tempted to learn how to roast my own green coffee. One thing at a time though, so it's taking a back seat to shaving.

Greg - Thanks! I've been obsessively watching all the videos, etc. The fiancee is getting tired of all my straight razor talk, but is being amazingly understanding about the newest obsession. Any tips to share from your first shave? Glad to hear yours went well!

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You should check out Bauhaus Coffee on Pine and Melrose and Freemont Coffee Roasters - those are my two faves at the moment. I checked out Stumptown and Cafe Vivace a few weeks back but I was really disappointed. Maybe my expectations were too high, but they should be with the reputation those places have. Roasting at home is something I would like to do too at some point.

Cheers,

Dave

Greg,

Did the strop & soap arrive?

Greg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by csudvm2003

Nice to meet you, Greg!

I'm a 2003 CSU grad, and then decided to join the ranks of the way overeducated and went to the University of Washington for a PhD in microbiology. Now that that's over I'm still in Seattle at a non-profit studying innate immunity to herpes and pox viruses. I love it!

And I think I'll enjoy straights just as much. I received my first razor from Cedrick Smythe just yesterday, which is a little bit of torture because I'm still waiting for my strop and soap to make it here. Hopefully Monday. Good luck with your first shaves, let me know how they go!

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Greg - The final pieces arrived last night...in a box too big for my mailbox. So I just picked it up this morning and looked everything over. The Wee Scot badger brush is a bit more wee than I'd anticipated (teach me to look at the product descriptions more closely) but still looks functional, and everything's beautiful. It'll be hard not to get "sick" at lunch and head home for a shave. Self-control, self-control, self-control!

Dave - I've heard very good things about Bauhaus and keep meaning to go over there. I'll make an extra effort this weekend. I have to admit I've been avoiding Stumptown for the exact reason you mentioned, and I've been less than impressed with Vivace. Those two just seem to forget that at the end of the day it is still just coffee. If you're looking for a supply of green beans, I've been intrigued by this place: Green Coffee Beans - Burman Coffee Traders although I don't have any way of knowing how good the product actually is.

I'll keep you all updated on shave #1 tonight.

Greg,

You sound as sick as h**l to me. I think you should get home ASAP. First, you're probably contageous and need to leave for the safety of your co-workers. Secondly, in your compromised state, being around all those pathogens at work can't be good. Thirdly, any man's health & well being can be easily restored by a warm shower and a good shave.

Enjoy your first shave my friend.

Greg

I do sorta feel a tickle in my throat...probably needs to be scratched by a badger. Science will just have to wait today, I have some shaving to do!

I agree - nothing but a badger will even begin to touch that.

I want all the details when you have come down off of the endorphine high after your first shave. Just remember to take your time -there is no reason to hurry. It's all about you and no one else. Take a nice warm shower, put on some good soothing music, and forget about the rest of the world for a while.

Greg