Shaving Blog Feedback

Caution: I have received a fair amount of response on the previous blog earlier in the week regarding shaving and grooming. Most of the reader response has been outstanding with many explaining it has not only increased their pleasure of shaving, but has improved their relationships with their spouses. However, one reader responded that "that shaving both ways across the grain has cut my face to shreds and I had to rush out to Body Works to buy me some face cream to cover up the cuts and blotches". I saw him later in the week myself and, my god, he looked awful. Memo to Readers: MAKE SURE YOUR RAZOR IS SHARP AND THE WATER IS HOT BEFORE DOING THIS! C'mon, fellas....

Crossing the Rubicon

Did you know that the Roman Republic did not really become an "Empire" until Julius Caesar decided to cross the Rubicon River in Northern Italy? Hence, the famous quote used widely today, "....once you cross the Rubicon there is no turning back". I heard this quote this past week, and I decided to do some research on it.

Here is a good one from Suetonius in the late first century AD describing Caesar's dilemma upon reaching the River Rubicon: "Then, catching up with his cohorts at the river Rubicon, the point at which his province ended, he paused for a moment, and understanding what a huge thing he was planning, he turned and spoke to the men with him. "Even now we could turn back; but once we cross that tiny bridge, then everything will depend on armed force". On 17 January 49 BC, news reached Rome that Caesar had crossed the Rubicon...less than six years later, Caesar landed on the shores of Great Britain not too far from the White Dover cliffs...and the rest is history. The Roman Empire in various forms would last for more than a thousand more years.

In 1991, archaelogists finally pinpointed the original remains of the River Rubicon after having changed courses and disappeared many times during the last 2,000 years - it is almost precisely 200 miles north of the center of modern day Rome!!

Top Ten Cowards??

The response to the "Turtleneck" posting was overwhelming and copies of the article are going out on Wednesday so expect a few days for the snail mail. We had 236 requests as of an hour ago.

Hey, someone wrote in to suggest that we do a Top Ten Cowards List. At first, I thought this was a bad idea, but the more I think about it - why the hell not? Just think, Barry Bonds would finally get his name on one of our lists!! And what about the newly elected U.S. Congress for the 'No-Support" non binding resolution for our troops in Iraq now being voted on!!...I'll give it 45 days and post the list - based on your feedback!

A Turtleneck is the most flattering thing a man can wear...

I opened up my email this morning only to find a fellow blogger referencing yesterday's shaving blog reminding me of a 1996 GQ article (Tom Cruise is on the cover) with an article titled, "My Father's Fashion Tips". The article was written by Tom Junod, a GQ writer and editor. He writes about how his father (man on far right in the photo) taught him not only how to dress, but how to be a man. It is a hilarious article - I have heard others refer to this article and I was lucky enough to find an old copy and re-read the article once again. Some excerpts: "For decades he's tried to share them with me; his principles, his rules, his secrets - the canon by which he's lived his life". Another one: My father, holding in one hand a drink and a cigarette. He has a fresh burn, and is wearing a suit of midnight blue with a silver tie and a handkerchief in the pocket. He has French cuffs, and he's showing plenty of them. It is 1962; he is 43 years old, and, by God, he is glowing." I loved this one: "A lot of people thought my dad looked like Sean Connery, and told him so. He never liked the comparison, however, because one night he had seen Connery on Johnny Carson and he crossed his legs, and he was wearing ankle socks. And if there's anything I can't stand, it's ankle socks!"

Here are his dad's Five Rules of Style:
1) The Turtleneck is the most flattering thing a man can wear;
2) There is nothing like a fresh burn;
3) Always wear white to the face;
4) Make sure to wear plenty of cuff;
5) The better you look, the more money you make

I swear, I am not making this stuff up! Email me and I will send you a hard copy of the article.

Man's Man of NFL Referees

One more response to another blogger who has suggested that somehow an NFL referee be considered in the Top Man's Men of Sports. Upon further review, I have to admit that this is one impressive dude. The guy is not only one of the NFL's most respected referees, but is a well known trial lawyer and benches presses >350 pounds!! See related link below for a very interesting recent article about Big Ed...

Sheep, Sheepdogs, and Wolves

A recent blog reader suggested an article reprinted based on a speech given by LTC (Ret) Dave Grossman. This is a one of the best articles I have read about our heroes serving in the military and law enforcement in a long time...see attached link. Maybe someone ought to send this to our Congressmen in WDC.

Cleanliness is next to Manliness

In today's WSJ "Tricks of the Trade" column, John Allan Meing, Chief Groomer at Saks and Barneys in New York was profiled. If you have ever seen this guy in person, you will agree that he is absolutely the most handsome guy in the world - he just glistens. Mr. Meing discusses his personal-care regimen. I found his discussion surrounding shaving at night pretty interesting: "Mr. Meing shaves at night rather than in the morning. He gets the water hot to prep his face (the hot water opens up the pores) and then lathers on the cream, and shaves his face with the direction of the hairs. Then he lathers up again and shaves a second time - this time against the grain. "It's like cutting grass, " he says. "If you want a close cut on grass, you've got to go against the way the grass grows." He uses a Gillette Mach 3 blade. "Three blades is enough. I tried five blades and didn't see a real benefit from it." Mr Meing says he finds night a relaxing time to shave, often after his four kids are in bed. His wife will typically sit in the bathroom as he shaves, sipping a glass of wine. He'll have a glass of scotch nearby. He says they talk and consider that a good way to wind down." Are you kiddin' me? Courtesy of the WSJ.

What about the Marlboro Man??

An old college buddy of mine emailed me several times since the last posting and he had an interesting observation: "Heck, there are so many great Man's Men (or is it Men's Men) that you really should develop a list that has different genres...such as Top Ten Sports Men's Men, Top Ten Hollywood Men's Men, or how about Top Ten Unheard of Men's Men?" Okay, how about this one: The Top Ten Fictional Men's Men - and guess who would be #1??? None other than ---------------Marlboro Man, that's right, the freakin' Marlboro Man!! More on these magical genres in the days to come - thanks Cowboy - you're one of kind!!

Criteria for Man's Man Short List

We will be developing a short list of 20 Man's Man finalists by 31 March. Your suggestions are welcome. The criteria for your nominations are as follows:

1. Must be famous
2. Must have overcome adversity in his life
3. Must have greatly affected the course of history
4. Must be have some significant flaws/vices - particular to the male gender
5. Must have demonstrated backbone and strong beliefs
6. Must have not acted in a politically correct manner
7. Must be someone who would have your back in a crowded smoky bar
8. Must possess superb leadership skills
9. Must be charismatic and fun to be around
10. Must have been 'counted out' at some point in his life.

A Man's Man

About a year ago, while sitting around a smoky table in Dubai drinking highballs and blowing smoke rings with some international expat friends of mine, we all got to talking about where the hell have all the "men" gone in the world. What started out as a glib conversation turned into many letters crossing the pond during the next year or so and many very long phone conversations. I am not sure why, but ideas seemed to pour out of everyone from: what exactly is a "man's man", to "how does one know one when one sees one", to where do we find them, to, finally, "who are some examples of these people". Hemingway immediately popped into our heads as the quintessential "man's man" and then there, of course, was John Wayne. But the real question became, "who would be considered to be the top 15 or so "Man's Man" since the beginning of recorded history. Aaaah! This what we will do during the next few months - stay tuned....