The Morning Ritual

Perhaps one of my favorite items I’ve stolen from my father is his old shaving brush. Standing at about four inches tall, the handle is a faded half cream/crimson color pair stacked on top of each other. Bypassing the convention of a bowl from which to draw the shaving cream from, I usually just make a half sphere with my left hand and use this as my well. Since this action too was lifted from my father, the act of shaving becomes more ceremonial and less of a forced necessity. After this it’s always a good idea to look in the mirror and make sure you’re the same face you were when you went to bed. Check those cheekbones, how the contacts feel, and the nicks and scars that are too subtle for most people to even notice. If you check yourself critically, the bathroom mirror is the most honest friend you’ll ever have. Presentation is everything.

The time it takes to set up a gathering is without measure. For it’s not just the logistics of things, but how those logistics will interact with your guests. Your strengths will suit some while others will find them abhorrent or even useless. The food could arrive late, the music may not play, and the plates may not be as spotless as they should be. Regardless of all this, you are charged as both retainer and entertainer.

And as such, you should be well equipped to handle your duties as host come what may. My purpose in creating this site is not just an experiment in narcissism and validation, but a place where I am able to reflect and write down my education gathered by simply being an observer in our (male) American social practice. The rules will be arbitrary, the entries short, but perhaps after a year I’ll look back at this and feel it was a good start to finding a method to express myself. I think that’s why most blogs start. People just looking for a way to express themselves. Hosts looking for a party to throw.