Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

Forgive me Source-Code for I have sinned. For years I was a dedicated PC-gamer. I though ill of gaming consoles, considering them consumer-toys rather than entertainment systems. Who needs overpriced and oversized gaming consoles that can play Movie-DVDs and even BluRayDisks when most good games are released for PCs as well and they look and play better on them, right? Well, the Nintendo Wii is a different breed.

Gaming on the Wii is an experience one has to live at least once - but preferably whenever he or she feels blue. Sure, it may not sport the cutting-edge graphical capabilities of a SONY PS3 or the game titles selection of the Xbox. Nevertheless, most Wii games take full advantage of the console's capabilities and the exclusive games selection include the unsurpassable The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, the absorbing Metroid Prime Trilogy, the mesmerizing Okami and the soothing Endless Ocean: Blue World.

Not to mention the capabilities of Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort when coupled with a Wii Balance Board!

If you can still find one, I would advise buying the (Limited edition) black one. I keep mine in our TV room and the black blends perfectly with my other home entertainment electronics. In any case, do not miss the revolution.

There is simply no other console that offers so much fun. Both SONY and Microsoft have technologically excellent gaming consoles - but Nintendo is the only one that always keeps in mind that gaming is supposed to be fun.

Luxurious, Bordering On Decadent

As far as shaving soaps go, I find this Crabtree & Evelyn Sienna Soap to be the best. Once I tried it, I never changed neither brand nor scent. Using a Silvertip Badger Brush, this soap produces a thick lather that will both protect and discretely scent your skin with a Renaissance floral essence that will not clash with most after-shave lotions.

The wooden bowl is well built, sturdy and heavy enough for the shaving brush not to cause any wobbling; what is more, you only need to buy it once - original Sienna Refill Soap is available at half the price.

If you already have your own shaving soap bowl, keep in mind that the contained 100g soap is 8.5cm (3.3") in diameter. Of course you can always microwave it to fit ;-)

The Hattori Hanzos Of Shaving

Shaving with a traditional Double Edge safety razor is an art neglected by most. There is something atavistic in putting raw blade to your face every morning. And when it comes to making blades, the Japanese are still unsurpassed.

Shopping around you will probably hear that these Platinum Coated Feather Blades are extremely sharp. Yes they are. They are the sharpest. By far. And that is a very good thing.

When shaving with a Double Edge Razor one is supposed to let the weight of the razor do most of the work. Thus, the sharpest the blade the less pressure it will take to achieve that close shave - and the less chance of getting nicked.

It depends on one's bristles but I do not feel the need to change the blade more often than every second week or so. This is a single package of 10 blades. I bought the 3-pack. Thus, these 30 blades will probably last me well over 6 months. Now, compare that to the cost of shaving with those flashy and over-hyped Gillettes.

It does have an adjustment curve (especially when one comes from those supermarket multi-bladed contraptions) and it will require both a good shaving soap such as the Crabtree & Evelyn Sienna and a top Double Blade safety razor such as the Feather (see below); however, the end result is well worth it. And in no time you will be shaving as fast as before only deeper and more satisfying.

Treat yourself to the best.

A True Wakizashi!

Some months ago I was informed about the unparalleled quality of the Feather Blades. So it was only natural to seek out the appropriate Feather Double Edge Safety Razor to yield them.

Outside Japan there are only two models of Feather safety razors, this Popular one and the much more expensive All-Stainless Steel one. I decided to start with this one and move up in the near future if I was satisfied. And was I ever!

The design is streamlined simplicity. On top of a sturdy plastic-covered handle sits a stainless steel head that opens with a twist to receive the double edge blade. The mechanism is precise and works with clockwork perfection both dry and wet.

The touching edge guarding the blade's cutting edge is also plastic - a design detail that I was apprehensive of at first. However, once I tried it I appreciated how much more aware I was of the blade's cutting edge and how easier it is to control it.

A quality product at a very fair price.