The dynamics of razors and blades

How irritating to pay $1.70 for a razor blade that can't cost a quarter to make. When Andrea worked for Gillette she gave us blades, but mine are about gone by now (of course, I have a Norelco to explain why they lasted so long; also, I'm cheap). Flying back from NOLA, I saw in Sky Mall that I could get two "Blade Buddies" for the cost of one -- $26. They looked like little baby skatepark ramps, and claimed to extend blade life indefinitely. Hmmm. So, there must be even a cheaper way. Off to YouTube, where I found several good ideas. I tried this yesterday on a worn-out blade, and it worked just fine: the blade was renewed. So easy.
Some will say that it takes a very small mind to be interested in razor blades. And they would be on the right track. On the other hand, there is an important general principle here, or maybe two. Aside from examining the familiar business model of cheap razor/expensive blades, which (in the case of Gillette) turns out to be, historically, a myth, we should consider how many items in our lives we can renew instead of replace.

Les bon temps

We had a wonderful trip to New Orleans and now are back in gray old Maine, where at least we missed the cold snap. It was 70 or so in NOLA and a joy to be outdoors. Last year we visited the Botanical Gardens and saw them stringing Christmas lights for a big show that started Dec. 1, after we had left. So this year we did make it to Celebration in the Oaks in City Park, and it was spectacular, just magic for kids. And we heard lots of music, and saw a parade (not a very good one, but we did catch beads), and walked and walked and walked. But the best part of New Orleans is always the food, and we did perhaps a little too much along those lines this year. But WOW was it good. Short video is forthcoming.

NOLA

Despite a 2 hour delay at Logan, we made our DFW connection and arrived on time last night. A couple of po'boys later, we passed a peaceful night and awoke to a sunny, warm day. It will be in the low 70s while we are here. Eat your hearts out, Maine, while we dine on crawfish etoufee and shrimp 'n grits.

Serenity

Ah, how peaceful to go to sleep at a reasonable hour and not be concerned about how the Eagles' game is going to come out... because we KNOW. And now that we are assured, barring insanity, that there will be a coach next season, the rest of the Sundays are now liberated, too.
Is there one of those brainwashing camps to purge people of pro football compulsions? If so, what is the menu?

Evening

A beautiful evening, calm on the river, fire in the stove, football on the TV -- what more could one wish, with winter ahead?

Do the Twist

We had the boys today, and here is part of the action. Jonas credits the Bowdoin Day Camp for his tutelage. Not sure where Grandma got those moves.
Dance lesson for all of us!

Stealth?

Bath Iron Works is building a Zumwalt Class DDG1000 "stealth" destroyer. It will be wicked expensive and wicked powerful and fast. The Navy does not want anyone to know much about it. Therefore, BIW does not release any information about the construction of this ship. However, our keen local eyes yesterday spotted the 7-story-high deck house of the ship being pulled up the river on a barge. It was majestic as it was slowly towed up by the Winslow tugs. It came from Mississippi, and just possibly others have seen it, too. I sent the pic to the Times-Record, but I'm sure their security is tight.