Let me start by wishing all of you who are fathers or have taken the role of a father, Happy Father's Day. As much as we adore and honor mothers, real fathers deserve as much credit. Being a parent has to be the toughest job in the world, being a good parent is even tougher, being a good father is off the charts. Too long fathers have been primarily known as the "bread winners" and moms are the ones who hold down the fort, raise the kids etc. Unfortunately, many dads wear all of those hats, and don't get much praise for it. I've often heard things like "well they are your kids and you're supposed to provide for them", or, you're a man, so I don't expect you to be the love giver in the family" and things like that. And very rarely do you see media telling the story of single dads who do an outstanding job of being a parent. Truth be told, many dads do all of those things, and do it with a smile.
Before, some of you go off the deep end, I'm not taking anything away from mothers, after all without them we wouldn't be here and the job most mothers do are unparallelled. I'm just saying lets give fathers some love too. I have two children (now 33 year old daughter and 28 year old son) and you won't find a prouder father in the universe. I never imagined what it would be like to be a dad and even today I think about the roller coaster ride it has been, but I wouldn't trade a day of it. Especially now that I have grand kids, I realize how important my role has been. A true father will be there no matter what. First bike ride, first boyfriend, graduation. absolutely positively boring dance recitals, truly not so competitive little league sports etc. There were times I had the worse day at work and was looking forward to getting home, firing up a cigar and just relaxing, but when I walked through the door, it was "dad I have a science project", or "dad I want to do my cheers for you" and I gladly accepted my role and did what was needed. Actually as I reflect back on some of those times, it makes my cigar or pipe moments even better, because I know I did the best I could and I get to really enjoy my cigars and pipes now.
What I mean is, if I were not a good father, I would be spending time raising my grand kids (because son or daughter) wouldn't be prepared to raise them. Or maybe I would be worried about where I went wrong and why my kid was in jail or not doing well in life. So those cigar and pipe moments are really good now. My father wasn't always there (military obligations and later divorce), but my grandfathers were and I thank God daily for blessing me with both of them, may they forever rest in peace. I think that's why my cigar and pipe game is so strong, I watched them reward themselves after a hard day at work and then coming home to make sure the "ship was in shape". Not before, but after all was calm in the house, they lit up and relaxed until the next shift. As an adult I didn't have the moments to sit and enjoy a smoke with them as often as I would have liked, but I do believe they are looking down and enjoying those moments with me every time I fire one up.
Now I could take the "political correct" route and not talk about their influences on me and one of their habits I picked up, but I won't, I will speak my mind and the truth. As it is, my dad and grandfathers all warned me of the health risks of smoking,l drinking, chasing wild women etc., but they also prepared me to know, my choices in life are my choices and I have to live with the good and bad of those decisions. Armed with that knowledge, I think I've done pretty well for myself and my family. A successful military career, a sound citizen and a pretty good dad. I think of my son and what kind of lessons he's teaching my 8 year old grandson and 5 year old granddaughter. Have I prepared him enough to get them to be sound citizens? I still have a few years to find that out, but from how well they do in school and how people compliment the little ones, I think I prepared my son and daughter well.
So on this Father's Day, I honor all of the hardworking, dedicated. loving, strong and caring dads (and those that have taken that role). Nobody ever said it would be easy, and the the parenting handbook has 2 billion chapters that may apply and may not, but I salute each of you and wish you God's blessings, and sincerely hope you are as proud to be a father as I am. On this Father's Day when your kids to wish you a good day, reming them how much you love them, and tell them it truly is a "Happy Father's Day" everyday. Now with that being said, I think its time for a Don "Pepin" Garcia "My Father" cigar.
CLP (Clip, light and puff), long ashes and deep bowls.
Greg
(___G____________}}}}}~~~
Discussions about the world of premium cigars, accessories, libations and everything cigars.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
"Cigarmanship", Let's talk about it.
So exactly what is "cigarmanship", you ask, well its a word that's been coined to talk about all aspects of the cigar and pipe world. Its a state of mind, its an attitude, its about the whole "smoke" experience. From smoking etiquette, to the way we talk about cigars and pipes, the way we share our cigars and pipe tobacco, etc.
First let us talk about the etiquette part. Yes, there is a certain etiquette in the cigar/pipe circle. My number one pet peeve is when a freeloader (for the lack of a better term), are asking for cigars or tobacco to fill there pipe bowl. For the most part, one should never "beg" for a smoke. This isn't cigarettes we're talking about here. What you'll find is most of us who partake in this enjoyment are pretty quick to share what we thing are good smokes. We do it because we want to know what anothers opinion is about certain cigars and pipe tobacco. So just relax, and wait to see if you'll be blessed with a good stick or bowl of tobacco, don't go asking "hey can I get one of those or some of that". Its just flat out wrong, no matter how one may try to justify it. To be a part of this smoking phenomenon is quite costly and I don't by my cigars to just give to you because you ask. Cigarmanship in this aspect mean, "if somebody blesses you, be thankful and enjoy, it not, move on. Also, it is not necessary to give one something back if they give you something. I'm not saying you can't do it, but don't feel obligated. Now on the other hand if one gives you say 3, 4, 5 and on cigars or bowls, as a token of appreciated it would be nice to return the favor.
Next, Cigarmanship means, bring your own damn tools! Butane cost money, I don't want you're nasty spit on my cutter (most folks put a cigar in their mouth before cutting), and my tamper is MY tamper. I don't want to be inconvenienced waiting for you to finish using my tools, so I can use my tamper to enjoy my bowl. You can find really great tools at very decent prices, enough so you can have two of everything. Why two of everything, a good rule of thumb is to keep tools on you and maybe a set in your vehicle. I personally carry a Max Benjamin Mini Cigar Bar bag, so I have ample tools, butane, matches, tampers etc just about all the time. I also keep a small Crown Royal bag (Crown Black bag just because I like those better than the purple bags) in my car with lighters (cigar and pipe), cigar cutter, tamper, reaming tool and pipe cleaners in it. You never know when you may stop and have a smoke and it you have your "emergency bag" with you, you'll be okay. That's Cigarmanship at its finest.
On to this part of Cigarmanship, when engaged in conversation or debate always be respectful. It's okay to have varying opinions on all topics, but you're not God, so your opinion is just that, YOUR opinion, and regardless of how many facts you've gathered, not everybody is going to agree with you. It truly is okay to agree to disagree, without being disagreeable. Cigars and pipes are meant to be enjoyed and everything that comes along with that, should be enjoyed. Make your point, listen to counterpoints and leave it at that. We all love a good debate, but shouldn't expect to win every debate we participate in (by the way, what do you win if you argue your point and always have to have the last word?). Be respectful of your group, and use appropriate language and stop being a prick. Because you cuss, doesn't get your point across. And in today's smoking environment, women are a huge part of it, and should be respected to the fullest. Some of you may have been raised amongst the wolves, but this is a cigar lounge/store, not your damn pack. "Cigarmanship"
My last topic for Cigarmanship (in this blog) is who really gives a rat's ass how much you spent for that pipe or cigar, unless its super bargain. I know you wanna to be "baller extraordinaire), but if you spent $50 for a cigar, that's your business and when you say that out loud, unless that cigar or $3000 pipe is very rare, I don't CARE. Now if you know where to find super deals on cigars, tobacco, pipes, accessories etc., please do share that. Times are difficult and even millionaires are looking for bargains. In other words, stop your damn bragging. For every $50 cigar out there, there's 5 $10 sticks that are just as good, or a $30 pipe that will smoke rings (pun intended) around your $3000, "10,000 year old briar, hand made by virgins from Greece pipe. YOUR taste is your taste and price should really make that much of a difference. That fastest way to become "that guy or lady" is to start dropping how much you paid or something. "I spent $400 on this box of cigars, but I drove here in a 1976 Pinto", STFU will ya!.
So we've only scratched the surface of "Cigarmanship" and will continue this conversation at another time, but now tell me, what's your definition of Cigarmanship and how does it add to the enjoyment of the cigar game. I'm waiting to hear from you, so "what 'cha got to say".
Until next time
Long ashes and deep bowls
Greg C
(___G_________]]]]~~~
First let us talk about the etiquette part. Yes, there is a certain etiquette in the cigar/pipe circle. My number one pet peeve is when a freeloader (for the lack of a better term), are asking for cigars or tobacco to fill there pipe bowl. For the most part, one should never "beg" for a smoke. This isn't cigarettes we're talking about here. What you'll find is most of us who partake in this enjoyment are pretty quick to share what we thing are good smokes. We do it because we want to know what anothers opinion is about certain cigars and pipe tobacco. So just relax, and wait to see if you'll be blessed with a good stick or bowl of tobacco, don't go asking "hey can I get one of those or some of that". Its just flat out wrong, no matter how one may try to justify it. To be a part of this smoking phenomenon is quite costly and I don't by my cigars to just give to you because you ask. Cigarmanship in this aspect mean, "if somebody blesses you, be thankful and enjoy, it not, move on. Also, it is not necessary to give one something back if they give you something. I'm not saying you can't do it, but don't feel obligated. Now on the other hand if one gives you say 3, 4, 5 and on cigars or bowls, as a token of appreciated it would be nice to return the favor.
Next, Cigarmanship means, bring your own damn tools! Butane cost money, I don't want you're nasty spit on my cutter (most folks put a cigar in their mouth before cutting), and my tamper is MY tamper. I don't want to be inconvenienced waiting for you to finish using my tools, so I can use my tamper to enjoy my bowl. You can find really great tools at very decent prices, enough so you can have two of everything. Why two of everything, a good rule of thumb is to keep tools on you and maybe a set in your vehicle. I personally carry a Max Benjamin Mini Cigar Bar bag, so I have ample tools, butane, matches, tampers etc just about all the time. I also keep a small Crown Royal bag (Crown Black bag just because I like those better than the purple bags) in my car with lighters (cigar and pipe), cigar cutter, tamper, reaming tool and pipe cleaners in it. You never know when you may stop and have a smoke and it you have your "emergency bag" with you, you'll be okay. That's Cigarmanship at its finest.
On to this part of Cigarmanship, when engaged in conversation or debate always be respectful. It's okay to have varying opinions on all topics, but you're not God, so your opinion is just that, YOUR opinion, and regardless of how many facts you've gathered, not everybody is going to agree with you. It truly is okay to agree to disagree, without being disagreeable. Cigars and pipes are meant to be enjoyed and everything that comes along with that, should be enjoyed. Make your point, listen to counterpoints and leave it at that. We all love a good debate, but shouldn't expect to win every debate we participate in (by the way, what do you win if you argue your point and always have to have the last word?). Be respectful of your group, and use appropriate language and stop being a prick. Because you cuss, doesn't get your point across. And in today's smoking environment, women are a huge part of it, and should be respected to the fullest. Some of you may have been raised amongst the wolves, but this is a cigar lounge/store, not your damn pack. "Cigarmanship"
My last topic for Cigarmanship (in this blog) is who really gives a rat's ass how much you spent for that pipe or cigar, unless its super bargain. I know you wanna to be "baller extraordinaire), but if you spent $50 for a cigar, that's your business and when you say that out loud, unless that cigar or $3000 pipe is very rare, I don't CARE. Now if you know where to find super deals on cigars, tobacco, pipes, accessories etc., please do share that. Times are difficult and even millionaires are looking for bargains. In other words, stop your damn bragging. For every $50 cigar out there, there's 5 $10 sticks that are just as good, or a $30 pipe that will smoke rings (pun intended) around your $3000, "10,000 year old briar, hand made by virgins from Greece pipe. YOUR taste is your taste and price should really make that much of a difference. That fastest way to become "that guy or lady" is to start dropping how much you paid or something. "I spent $400 on this box of cigars, but I drove here in a 1976 Pinto", STFU will ya!.
So we've only scratched the surface of "Cigarmanship" and will continue this conversation at another time, but now tell me, what's your definition of Cigarmanship and how does it add to the enjoyment of the cigar game. I'm waiting to hear from you, so "what 'cha got to say".
Until next time
Long ashes and deep bowls
Greg C
(___G_________]]]]~~~
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