TV Free

Here's how it happened: the cable company was running that “if you steal cable, you are the worst person in the world” commercials and, having just paid another cable bill, I was doubly insulted.  This happened to coincide with “National Turn Off Your TV Week” so that's what we did. 

It was painful, but after I got out of the habit of watching, something weird happened when I turned it back on... it seemed noisy and empty.

I knew that unrewarding feeling would disappear, and I would eventually be lulled back into a tv stupor, so instead, I called the cable company and cut the cord. Yep.

At first, it was amazingly difficult. I felt lonely. Undirected. The house seemed too quiet. But oh, how nice to have an extra 50 bucks a month. That's 600 a year. Since we had poor reception without the cable, we quit watching local tv too.

Saving the amount we were spending on cable was a big incentive to make the switch. But by doing this, we actually ended up saving even more. Without our daily exposure to television commercials, we no longer have a list of things we should get, and are getting by with what we have just fine. 

By the way,  we haven't completely disconnected... we can watch shows online. There are some commercials, but not so many, and at the moment, many of those are for causes rather than stuff, so I am good with that. So we still watch, just not nearly as much. 

Safety Razor

You know those iconic, flat razor blades? The kind that make you think of suicide and punk rock and a different era? Turns out they are great for shaving.

Really. I've always suspected that the multiple blade thing was just marketing. Maybe because after the two blade system came out (with the illustrated cartoon of a very thick hair being pulled out and a second blade cutting it) it seemed odd. Or maybe because the follow up Saturday Night Live “Triple Blade” commercial, mocking the idea made me suspect that it wasn't all good.
In any case, now that they're up to 5 blades, they can charge 5 times for each one. (This came out in The Onion a couple of years before the 5 blade razor was actually released. Can't WAIT for the 7 blade, oh just imagine how close that shave will be!)

Since I like sharp blades, but go through them like candy,(apparently blessed with steel wool hairs) the cost really added up. So I did some research and found an old razor on eBay. They were made to last back then, so if you find an old one, just clean it up and it will probably be good to go.

You can also still buy them new, you just have to order them from another country, since they are widely available, just not in the U.S. (Hmmm, suspicious, no?)

On the bottom of the handle, there is a knob that unscrews and two panels open to gracefully hold the single blade. Mine opens like two butterfly wings. Some have a top that comes off, and you insert the blade, reinsert the top and twist the bottom. Some are even adjustable, but that is too fancy for my shaving needs.

Blades for this thing are super cheap, but they are not all alike. Some rust, some are not as sharp. After some research, I found a stainless steel brand with a good sharpness ranking, and bought a case (Wilkinson). I think it works out to about 25 cents a blade. They last longer than the twin and triple blades I was using, are easier to clean, and you can flip them over to extend their use even more.

I read an article about “wet shaving” and these razors are apparently making a comeback. Men are discovering badger bristle brushes, scented shaving soaps and these lovely safety razors, and turning shaving into a whole experience. Maybe I'll give that a shot. Sounds fun. Here is a lovely article with more details about the whys and hows called “How To Shave Like Your Grandpa”.

Oh, and how could I forget the brilliant, step-by-step video for building up a good lather for shaving. I stumbled upon this whole series of safety razor shaving tips posted by Mantic59. Very helpful and inspiring.