A GOOD GAME OF HANDBALL

I heard many times on RMRS that men should consider getting a manicure. I don’t know why this time that suggestion stayed with me. Perhaps it reminded me of my late wife getting her manicure; my daughter and nieces plotting to get theirs. I knew the time had come for me to enter a zone of discomfort. I checked out some websites, but none mentioned men’s manicures, so I called one and asked. I think the lady who answered the phone was surprised I even asked. I later found out just about all these salons do men’s manicures. They just don’t always mention it on their websites. The lady on the phone said come on by, so I went. When I got there the lady asked me what I wanted, and I said a men’s manicure. She smiled and told me to sit. She could tell I was nervous. To my amazement she rolls out this cart packed with all sorts of tools, sanding files, towels, bottles of who knows what, etc. She asked me how long I wanted my nails. I never thought about that and told her to do whatever she thought. She got to work. Clipping, sanding, polishing, buffing etc. She had this strange tool removing skin that I don’t where that skin came from. After some time had passed, I thought it was over but to my astonishment she started wrapping my arm in hot towels. After a few minutes she removed the towels and then applied some cream on my arms and proceeded to give me a hand and arm massage! Wow! After it was all over, I left so so relaxed and my nails looked nice. I never thought a manicure would become a part of me but now it’s a part of the rediscovered me.

A friend of mine suggested I attend an upcoming dance. I haven’t been to a dance since the passing of my wife. It felt odd to even think about that, but I decided to do it for myself. No particular expectations. This was an occasion when the elements of style came together for me at the right time. My denim, my shirt, all a nice clean fit. All topped with a great fragrance. The dance was freestyle. As the night picked up, I found myself as part of a trio with a lady and another guy. We danced, we separated, we migrated back together. There were times I danced alone; times I found myself dancing with several women. And a time when I was doing a side-to-side shuffle with this tall guy who put his arm on my shoulder while he held a drink with his other hand. It was all fun. I couldn’t stop dancing! I didn’t want to stop dancing! It was like I was having a catharsis! I danced for two and a half hours non-stop. Something I haven’t done since I was in my 20’s. The next day was peaceful. I was stiff, which was something that didn’t happen in my 20’s. I reflected that elevating my style isn’t just about how I look but is intertwined with my health. I couldn’t have done this without my health. I know there are predispositions, genetics, etc. that can make maintaining my health a challenge, but I’ll continue to put in the effort. Style and health are important to me and I want to be ready for the next adventure that comes along as I go through my journey of self-rediscovery.

Good evening gentlemen, This past week I spoke on how much we spent on our cellular and media devices. One thing I did this week was to monitor and minimize my digital usage. For the first time in years I wrote more by hand, spent more time reading, sent out more handwritten notes, messages, and letters. And to my surprised I have remembered more and been more productive and detailed in all my actions. I became more focused on things and I even felt better. So I want to challenge all of you gentlemen this coming week to monitor and limit the amount of time you spend using digital equipment. Just for this week and see how you fair. Instead of watching television or get on social media read a book, magazine. Do some activity that you have not done in a while. Avoid checking your phone for text or messages as much as possible. Now I know some of us because of work have to, I get it, so do I but I am talking about extra and unnecessary usage. When your home avoid scrolling and trolling. Find out if you’re truly addicted to digital and social media. Will you accept the challenge? Let me know at the end of the week how you did and how you felt.

Some say hanging your ties can stretch them out, while others swear by it. Then there are those who roll them to avoid any risk. What’s your tie storage preference—team hang or team roll?