So, like many, I do not have the option of not shaving. My job does not afford me the option of coming into work with scruff, and I can't really get away with skipping mornings. If I do, by lunch-time it is brutally obvious that I didn't shave. As such, I keep an electric razor in my car in the event that I run out of time in the morning to shave normally. This contingency is rarely used and is, indeed, a contingency option, as executing on this will inevitably result in discomfort.

If you haven't yet figured out where this story is going, one morning, not too long ago, I did find myself short on time and, on my commute in to work, I observed my day's growth in the rear-view-mirror and sighed. I dug through the center console, found my electric shaver, gritted my teeth, and began the grizzly work of making myself at least halfway presentable while joining the hundreds of others on the road driving and doing something else (eating breakfast, talking on the phone, drinking coffee, putting on makeup, etc). Well, by lunchtime, sure enough, my jawline was burning and I couldn't even touch my neck. By the time I was driving home, the angry red, swollen bumps were beginning to appear. The next morning, now with plenty of time for my shave routine, I stood with my brush in one hand, looked at myself in the mirror and nearly openly wept at the task before me. Even with only one pass, the lather was coming away more pink than white. It was butchery in the first degree.

This continued for about three or four days before salvation came by way of some saved up vacation time. A solid 2 weeks off. I warned SWMBO that I would not be shaving for a couple of days while I let my abused face heal. After nearly four days of growth and care, I took an especially hot shower, stropped up my trusty Columbia 5/8, lathered gratuitously, turned on some music and had my first enjoyable shave in about a week.

In the end, take heed and learn from my fail (LFMF)!