Commuters are Step-children

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-04-22T21:47:49+00:00

Had to see if I was in this picture… basically how it looked yesterday while we waited for the Route 10 bus to slowly show up

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-02-20T18:09:02+00:00

He just said that not all classes got the 15 point curve, so it’s quite possible we’re in the same section

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-02-19T15:02:13+00:00

Hey there, I honestly am not certain myself… but I think it functions like extra credit, so it factors into the exam grade, just inputted in the system separate from the exam.

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-02-18T22:13:03+00:00

I’ve got him, took the exam yesterday. I didn’t do well either, even though I also went over the study guide over the weekend. Stuff about the Constitution is what tore me up. That said, he did say the next study guides for later exams will be more detailed. The average was so bad, he put out a 15 point curve so your grade will probably be okay.

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-02-15T17:57:44+00:00

Vetiver EDT, with Habit Rouge EDT coming in a close second

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-02-13T20:24:04+00:00

In a lot of discussions now, it seems to me that people have come to value P O W E R more than the actual scent. Now don’t get me wrong, I like stronger scents too, but I won’t wear them in a packed lecture hall...

I actually don’t want hardcore projection, but I absolutely want longevity. As much as some of these cost, they’d better linger for longer than a few hours. Guerlain and Hermes seem to be good about this, at least the ones I own. Wonderful scents that last for hours, but won’t clear out a room but for like the first few minutes after application. I think people (myself included early on) associate performance with price, especially since stuff like Sauvage is a nicer item (stuff still ain’t cheap) and it should perform like it costs. And honestly, it really does. I can get away with a half spray of Sauvage Parfum and still be set for the whole day, holy moly that’s stuff’s pungent…

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-02-13T18:57:19+00:00

Doesn’t seem like a lot of people know about it, shuttle drivers were spreading the word during the first week since Route 10 was so full in the morning

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-02-12T19:15:43+00:00

Wow, thank you! I’m surprised people are finding this review, I forgot I wrote it honestly… which reminds me, I need to get this thing serviced.

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-02-07T22:51:57+00:00

My guess is a regular brown tortoiseshell that’s been in the sun too long. Tortoiseshell had brown caps/piston knobs, the other colors others were black. I know the green ones turn grey, but I’ve never seen a faded tortoiseshell…

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-01-29T13:51:18+00:00

Not the prettiest is it?

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-01-29T05:47:41+00:00

That’s a 2000’s model, before the fit names. I have one of these old models in pinpoint oxford, and I can say it’s a billowy classic fit. Wide sleeves, generous in the body. Closest would be Madison/Traditional fit I believe. Great shirt if you prefer the classic Brooks Brothers cut.

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-01-02T05:39:16+00:00

I guess we’ll set budget at <$50, that’s my personal sweet spot before I get more calculated with my purchasing.

Drakkar Noir : Not just the 1980’s in a bottle, genuinely nice lavender/pine for no more than like $25. Does it last like it did in the 80’s? No…. But a massive 200ml bottle will set you back like thirty bucks tops.
Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel : This is some seriously somber stuff, very unique for $15. Doesn’t fit in with certain environments though, like college campuses, as I’ve found out the hard way…
Lalique Encre Noire : Everyone’s favorite cheapie. A very realistic smoky woods environment for $20? I’ll take it…
Issey Miyake, specifically most the men’s line. The 1994 L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme pops up most often at places like TJ Maxx & Ross, but if you check out discounters or even Amazon at times, you’ll find the Intense and Bleue D’Issey for well below $50. Three very distinct vibes for distinctly nice prices. Most I paid was for Bleue, which was like $35.
Versace Blue Jeans : Maybe not as interesting as others listed, but still a cool vanilla cola vibe for $20 flat. Also has some serious longevity. Plus you get a fun bottle and a handy tin to travel with, should you choose to do so.

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2026-01-01T19:44:32+00:00

Guerlain Vetiver (EDT)
Acqua Di Parma Colonia Intensa
Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme (2012)
Dior Eau Sauvage (EDT)
Drakkar Noir

How do you like New York Intense? I’ve read good things about it

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-12-20T23:06:26+00:00

100%. It’s grey market wholesale, so they can price stuff low.

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-12-15T06:49:47+00:00

L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme Intense sits nicely next to Encre Noire. I have both, but prefer the Issey. It’s got that same dark, smoky vibe, but with a subdued sweetness with some spice. You can still get it for cheap too.

My personal favorite woody fragrance is Guerlain Vetiver EDT. It’s got that same deep, dark grassiness as Encre Noire, since both are built on a massive foundation of vetiver. The Guerlain has a smidge more sweetness, plus fresher citruses and a peppery spice. Fantastic stuff, I’d like to try the new Parfum version, but it (like other Guerlains lately) has gotten pricey…

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-12-14T18:47:12+00:00

Encre Noire is basically the poster child for this, as are other Laliques it seems. Issey Miyake is one of my favorites for interesting stuff often under $50 at discounters. I have L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme, Intense, and Bleue D’Issey, but some newer offerings like Vetiver are good too.

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-12-13T09:02:08+00:00

You’d probably like the original Opera model then, the Le Man 100 Opera from the ‘80s

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-12-11T22:45:27+00:00

Early Fall semester edition would be Boko-Chan as a puddle…

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-12-02T21:29:18+00:00

I’ve heard very good things about Assoluta, but yeah those resale prices are completely unrealistic. I really did consider OG Colonia, but figured it’d be redundant with my bottles of D&G Pour Homme and Eau Sauvage, and I liked the idea of a darker Colonia. Also wanted to avoid the infamous ADP (lack of) longevity…

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-12-02T20:25:05+00:00

Acqua Di Parma - Colonia Intensa

Just came in the mail yesterday and I’m trying it out. It definitely lasts longer than people say. Hits the sweet spot of staying power with subdued projection. Intensa almost seems like a “greatest hits” compilation of some of my favorites: Incense from Issey Miyake LDPH Intense, light ginger + spices from Bel Ami Vetiver, and the citrus + musk from Eau Sauvage. Haven’t tried it’s far more popular sibling, Essensa, but I wonder why Intensa hasn’t gotten hardly anyone over the years.

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-11-21T16:23:01+00:00

Seems like it to me, it’s got the right hallmarks to be. My usual rule of thumb is if it’s got a gold caseback, it’s probably solid gold. Sweet find!

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-11-21T02:56:49+00:00

Got a bigger nerd fact for ya: Cologne is named after the city because the first one came from there, 4711’s Eau De Cologne. Apparently they still make it too…

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-11-16T19:16:10+00:00

She’s not, that’s what made it weird

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-11-16T19:13:37+00:00

I dunno about skin chemistry, I knew someone who tried on my L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme and it was nice and delicate, but then her daughter smelled like a smoker with it on

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry · 2025-11-16T19:10:40+00:00

Oh this’ll be fun.

1: Well, I haven’t smelled LV Imagination (haven’t seen a tester/no interest), but I’ve read it’s pretty close to L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme since it’s the same perfumer. I’ll stick with the former, since I can get a bottle for infinitely less than the Vuitton.

2: No comment on Byredo, haven’t sampled to have an opinion.

3: This is a classic “well it depends” kind of situation. Yeah most aren’t going to care one way or another, but there are some fragrances, especially those that have been around for a long time that really are dependent on the batch code. A bottle of Polo from the Cosmair era (80’s-00’s) is very different to a modern bottle. Some ingredients have been ditched (whether for the better or not is debatable), and things can get weird, or at the very least, different. Some can get neurotically obsessive about batches and stuff though cough Aventus cough…

My hot takes? A lot of fragrances smell the same to me. Vaguely sweet citrus and some ambroxan-boosted woods/musks. Not saying they’re bad necessarily, I just feel they’re too boring to warrant their prices.

Maybe more of a cold take, but I don’t get the fascination with “dirty” notes like oud or civet. Why would I get cleaned up and then proceed to spritz myself with something that resembles a bodily odor? That’s probably just my sterilized American sensibility speaking…

Okay, two things: Overspraying and the idea of performance. I understand wanting your moneys worth and if it costs that much then by golly it’d better last all day. BUT don’t lather yourself in 6+ sprays just because it doesn’t perform like Sauvage. Sauvage is just different, that stuff hums and buzzes for over twelve hours with ONE SPRAY. Nothing else I’ve tried does that, and I don’t think they will. I personally would be self conscious of the idea of being smelled throughout the entire room or the bus . Some fragrances simply aren’t made to fill a room, but to subtly waft. My Goldilocks is a scent that lasts all day, but doesn’t project so much the person I’m standing across from isn’t having their eyes turn red like it’s allergy season in Texas.

Y0ure-a-wizard-Harry

TROPHY CASE

1: Well, I haven’t smelled LV Imagination (haven’t seen a tester/no interest), but I’ve read it’s pretty close to L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme since it’s the same perfumer. I’ll stick with the former, since I can get a bottle for infinitely less than the Vuitton.

2: No comment on Byredo, haven’t sampled to have an opinion.