Proud New Member of the Dollar Shave Club

I use my razors for way, way, way too long.

My current one has probably been in use for around 3-6 months. Shameful, I know.

Granted, it still does a sufficient job, but I'm a grown man and my face deserves better.

Especially when I want to trim into a 'stache, like for Movember or Cinco de Mustache.

Plus, summer is upon us and I'm looking to do some triathlon training and maybe a race or two this year.

Which, yes, means leg shaving. Don't judge.

On the suggestion and referral of my buddy Scott, I joined the Dollar Shave Club today.

You probably remember their awesome commercial from a while back:

I went with the $6/month, 4-blade option. But they also have $1/mo, 2-blade and $9/mo, 6-blade options.

And you can do every-other-month if you aren't too hairy. Figure I'll start monthly, though I'll probably end up switching to the every-other-month plan.

Each option comes with 4 cartridges, so that's plenty to get through a month or two, right?

Ladies, how does that price compare to what you pay? Would this work for you, or just for guys?

If y'all want in on this, you can CLICK HERE (full disclosure: I'll get a $5 referral credit, thanks!).

Happy shaving!

My Little Rascal-ly Amigo

I'm behind on my blogposts, and some of you may not even know I tore my Achilles tendon.

Well, before I'd been to the doctor to find that out, I just thought I'd majorly sprained my ankle.

And during that pre-knowledge-of-torn-Achilles time, I realized a life-long dream when Nick and I stopped by Walmart to get some keys made for the office:

I rode around the store on an Amigo.

Yep, that's a motorized shopping cart I'm rocking.
Not quite as sleek or sexy as the Rascal I'd hoped for, but an acceptable substitute.

I do have to admit something, though.

After riding the Amigo for a few minutes, I felt awkward.
The cart is ridiculously slow, and even with my hurt foot I didn't feel right or like I fit the profile of a person who would normally be driving one around a store.

So when we stopped to look at sunglasses, I ditched it and walked the rest of our time in Walmart.

Oh well, it's still something to check off my bucket list.

Have you ever ridden one of those bad boys? What was your experience?

Which Vacuum Should I Buy? Dyson vs Shark

I have a new apartment.

That means a bunch of stuff was needed to fill it up and make the space livable/enjoyable.
I've bought a couch, bed, some furniture, kitchen stuff, etc.

To keep the space clean, I will need a vacuum.

So in making that decision, I need the interweb's help:

Should I buy a Dyson or a Shark?

The Dyson is... well... a Dyson. But it costs $400.
The Shark uses similar technology and only costs $150, but doesn't have the same reputation.

So what does everyone think?

Update: Today on Woot!, there was a deal for a refurbished Dyson DC25 for only $250.

So I bought one.

Thanks for all your input!

The Return of Four-Eyes Aaron

Remember how I got contacts just a few weeks ago?

Well I love them and being able to see so clearly again.

However, the eyes get a little tired of wearing contacts, especially on long days.

So Emily and I met up at LensCrafters last night in Pentagon City Mall, and she helped me pick out some new frames. I knew she'd protect me from too-nerdy or grandma-y ones. The girl's got style.

Turns out the first pair Emily picked up were the winners.

What do you think? Which pair would you have recommended?
I promise I won't be offended if you like a different pair than what I chose.

Like Having New Eyes

I had Lasik vision surgery almost ten years ago, and it was miraculous.
Waking up the next morning and being able to see without any corrective lenses filled my soul with joy.
Sports, swimming, and just generally living without contacts or glasses are much simpler.

But even prior to surgery, they'd warned me that my eyes would slowly decline as I age.
Finally, I reached the point that I decided I needed to take action.

A quick visit to the LensCrafters in Fashion Place Mall, and I had contacts again.

Oh, how grand it is to be able to see clearly!

I Got A(nother) Nikon Camera

Remember a few months ago when I bought a Nikon camera? [post here]

One apparently wasn't enough.

As a late Christmas present to myself, I decided to take the leap and play with the big(ger) boys.
Which means a Digital SLR camera.

So this Nikon D3100 is my newest baby.

If you have tips for me, I'd love to hear them.
Or if you want to go out and do some shooting together, I'd love that, too.

For now, I'll be studying online guides for beginning photographers and learning through experience.

What James Bond Wants for Christmas

If money were no object, I'd want one, too.

Imagine the pilot (Yves Rossy) in a black tuxedo. Perfect, right?

Now imagine yourself strapped into that baby.

Oh yes, that'd be sweet.

Merry Christmas, 007.

An Expensive 48 Hours

Are you usually pretty good about saving, and then you'll just go on a quick spending spree?
I guess that's my style, and it's been an expensive last 48 hours.

Here's the rundown, in order of purchase.

100 die cut felt Movember mustaches - Etsy: $20

1 round-trip ticket to Utah for Christmas - kayak.com: $695
2 Nutcracker tickets - Kennedy Center: $240

1 Deco TV stand - Craigslist: $70
2 fancy massages - Groupon: $105

That's a grand total of $1,130, or almost $24 per hour.

Ouch.

Looks like my dinners will be based on tuna fish and Top Ramen for the next couple weeks.

The Holstee Manifesto

I had never heard of the Holstee Manifesto until my friend Bree posted this video on her Facebook page.

From what I can tell, Holstee is a super-hipster company that sells some interesting stuff, but what I'm really interested in is their inspirational message in this video.

We all need to live life, be creative, and do more with the valuable time we've been given.

Here's the Holstee Manifesto in one graphic.

To the degree that you currently can, I hope you join me in heeding its charge and spirit.

So what is your passion, friend?

I Got a Nikon Camera, I Love to Take a Photograph

You may not have noticed, but I couldn't take very many pictures over the past couple months.
The faded red (some called it pink, much to my chagrin) Olympus Stylus died back in July, and I'd just been using my camera phone since then.

Well, no longer! The friend historian is back in the game!

I went to Target a couple weeks back, picked up this Nikon Coolpix, and I've resumed my documentarian ways with a vengeance.

Aaaaah, it feels good to be whole again.

PS: Thanks to Paul Simon for inspiring this blogpost's title.

The Most Amazing Shoes You've Ever Seen [Gun Hoofs]

Not since the Air Jordan 1's have I seen amazing shoes like the ones I saw today. Full credit goes to my friend Sarah B for bringing these to my attention [her tumblr is fantastic].

Do you ever need to climb a mountainside and then shoot a wild animal?
Then these are the shoes for you (and for Bear Grylls, too)!

They are called Gun Hoofs, and they're made by Iris Schieferstein. Amazing, aren't they?

Not satisfied with a goat hoof and golden pistols? Try on some snake heels with black pistols.

I really hope Sarah B gets a pair, because I'd love to see them in real life.

I've Got the Need-New-Shoes Blues

One of my pairs of black work/church shoes have reached their demise.

Sad, because I've had them for years. In fact, I think I bought them when I moved to DC four years ago.

Wow, has it already been four years?!?

Anyway...
I could put up with the heels being worn down, even past the rubber part.

The one on the right is trying to speak

But it's mid-October; winter is right around the corner.
And tonight rain was drizzling down.
Which is fine... except I could feel my right foot getting wet.

This picture shows why, and it's pretty much unacceptable for DC winter footwear.

Worn right through the ball of the foot.

At a minimum, my shoes need to keep my socks dry.

Where do you think I should go to get a new pair or two of work/church shoes?

I'm thinking I might have a quick date with DSW or Nordstrom Rack in the near future...