They claimed that you should try to shave right after you get out of the shower, and if you have not done that then let the shaving cream sit on your face for about 3 to 5 minutes BEFORE you then shave it off. They claim that you should run hot water in your sink at a medium pace, and shave in long downward strokes on the sides of your face, holding the razor sideways in the stream of hot water after.

I had a shaving epiphany a few years ago. After years of shaving, I read an article (in Details of all places) about proper shaving methods. I'm sure it is something every shaving person should have always known, but somehow I missed it. One should first shave "with the grain" of facial hair, then go in the other direction for super-smoothness. Pretty elementary, but once I started doing it that way, I felt like a smarter man.

My barber is always impressed with my thin-line beard grooming, also. It's not that difficult, obviously, but his comments make me wonder about generational differences in attitude about facial hair. The difference in men who came of age when the clean-shaven look was mandatory, versus those who were growing up in the late sixties and seventies. I saw an old video with Michael McDonald (Doobie Bros.) last night. I am convinced that if he shaved, he could ennunciate much more clearly.

Beard Poem by George Carlin

Here's my beard.
Ain't it wierd?
Don't be sceered,
Just a beard.

Hair Poem by George Carlin

I'm aware some stare at my hair.
In fact, to be fair,
Some really despair of my hair.
But I don't care,
Cause they're not aware,
Nor are they devonaire.
In fact, they're just square.

They see hair down to there,
Say, "Beware" and go off on a tear!
I say, "No fair!"
A head that's bare is really nowhere.
So be like a bear, be fair with your hair!
Show it you care.
Wear it to there.
Or to there.
Or to there, if you dare!

My wife bought some hair at a fair, to use as a spare.
Did I care?
Au contraire!
Spare hair is fair!
In fact, hair can be rare.
Fred Astair got no hair,
Nor does a chair,
Nor nor a chocolate eclair,
And where is the hair on a pear?
Nowhere, mon frere!