I can imagine. Just from the short experience I've had with wetshaving like this I can definitely say good prep is imperative for a pleasing experience. I can't to get my first straight and strop now. I also want to order a Castles Forbes cream sampler, and they're aftershave sampler as well, but those will have to wait; they're $42 and $48 respectively. I also want to try MWF, another $50. I figure if I go straight to the best, or what is considered among the best rather, and they work well for me i'll be less tempted to try everything out there and end up purchasing hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of soaps, creams, brushes(want to get a Heinrich L. Thater), colognes(if I really like one of the CF AS smells I may get the matching cologne for example), etc. Here's to hoping that works...

My point is, I know how easily obsessed I can become with a hobby I really like, it's happened before. Heck my gf already says I'm obsessed with this whole shaving business. I did express my intent at figuring it out as best I could before outright buying a bunch of stuff and try to avoid that by researching and getting the best I can that I think I will enjoy and will last me, thus save a lot of money and time.

Anyway, to get back on topic, I'm very eager for my next shave, as in I'm fighting with myself because I know I should let my face rest for at least one more day or so, but I really want to shave again and try the XTG and ATG passes again. And I want to see if using the soap again changes anything. I'm also gonna try doing a wet towel treatment with lather after getting out of the shower. Either that or lather up and let it sit for a couple of minutes before starting the shave; I just think I should let the lather really work its magic a little more before starting the first stroke.