BOTSCAST

Pipe Pondering: International Pipe Smoking Day

February 20, 2012 / bahumutx / 2 comments

Matthew "The Trombone"

I am writing this article the night of International Pipe Smoking Day(IPSD) and want to take a minute to reflect on the day and pipe smoking.

I woke up this morning excited that this was IPSD. I usually don’t get excited for “holidays” or days that are a day of something but IPSD is different. I really love pipe smoking, it is a part of who I am and what defines me. So, having a day to celebrate this wonderful hobby and passion is great! I wasn’t able to start smoking my pipes until after work but I sure did think about it most of the day. Twitter was full of IPSD conversation and that was fun to join in on.

Part of the title of this great day is International and pipe smoking is truly international and has led me to friendships with Pipe Smokers from all over the world. What a great day to celebrate those friendships and chat with those pipe smokers.

It was really great to read about all the IPSD activities and meet ups that are going on today and over this past weekend. I am really glad to see people embracing this day and it seems like every year more and more people embrace IPSD. This just means that this day will be around for a long time to come and I think that is great.

IPSD to me is a day to celebrate the pipe, celebrate those you have met through pipe smoking and take a minute to reflect with a pipe in hand and enjoy our passion. We are all truly lucky to have pipe smoking and now I raise my pipe that we will have many more International Pipe Smoking Days to celebrate. I already can’t wait for February 20th of 2013!

Visit www.ipsd.eu for more information on International Pipe Smoking Day and read about how it all got started.

What is International Pipe Smoking day to you? How did you celebrate?

Category: Podcasts / Tags: International Pipe Smoking Day, IPSD, pipe smoking

Where it all Stems From

February 18, 2012 / Ryan / 14 comments

Here’s an informative piece about pipe stem materials. As a pipe smoker three years deep into the hobby, this is one of those topics that took me awhile to figure out, as unimportant as it may be. This is my attempt at saving the new pipe smoker from many, many sleepless nights, premature hair loss, sexual disfunction, and overall general malaise. Here is a breakdown of common and uncommon stem materials, and how you can identify them.

Some ebonite/vulcanite stems, in various degrees of neglect

Ebonite- Ebonite is rubber, hardened through a process of heating the material for a long period of time with sulfur. It is always black. I believe it to be the most common material used in stem making. Ebonite is the ONLY choice for pipe elitists, purists, and douches. Ebonite was actually invented By Chuck Goodyear in 1843. Ebonite is actually a brand name that has kind of just become an all encompassing term for all stems made of Vulcanite, or hard rubber. To compare this to another product, and also offer some clarity, I give you this equation: Ebonite is to Vulcanite, as Kleenex is to tissues. A-HA! The downfall of ebonite stems is that they oxidize, or turn brownish green. This is caused by saliva and air getting all over it, and sunlight will do it too. You’ve really got to take care of these stems and maintain them often with a good coat of olive oil. That’s what I use, but you can substitute with carnauba wax, or a variety of commercially available products.

Vulcanite- Do I really need to go there?? You get it.

Some acrylic/lucite stems

Acrylic- Acrylic, in short form is just simply a plastic. The long winded answer is that it is asynthetic plastic material containing at least one derivative of acrylic acid. There’s an even longer answer, but who really cares anyway? Acrylic stems come in a rainbow of colors (including black), and combinations, and swirls of color. What I like about Acrylic is that it is maintenance free and will not oxidize. Also it’s just so damn purdy.

How do I tell the difference between Acrylic and Ebonite? First test is the sight test. Look at it. If it is any other color than black, it is most likely acrylic. Acrylic does come in black though, so further tests may be needed. Tap it lightly against a table, or better yet, bite down on it. Now I am not too eloquent, so I’m not sure how to articulate this thought, but to me, the difference between the feel and sound of acrylic vs. ebonite, is like dropping both a silver quarter, and a newer quarter on a hard surface, just don’t take value into consideration. The acrylic feels harder than the ebonite, and would be the silver quarter. The Ebonite, whereas it IS in fact very hard, does have the slightest give to it. It’s slightly more comfy on the teeth. Ebonite would be the newer quarter, dropping on a hard surface with more of a dull thud, than the sharp “ping” of the acrylic, or “silver quarter”. I feel like I made that twice as hard to understand, with my stupid quarter analogy…Typical pipe smoker trait.

Lucite- AHHH-HAAA!!!! Here we go again! Lucite is to Acrylic, as Ebonite is to Vulcanite, as Kleenex is to tissues!! You love these, and so do I! (Non-douche answer: Lucite is a brand name of Acrylic; kinda like “Nike” is a brand name of shoes. Dammit there I went again).

A bakelite stem on a fine handcrafted pipe. Many more available at www.ejhpipes.com

Bakelite- Bakelite is pretty rare and very awesome stuff, and actually created on accident. It is similar to acrylic in the sense that it is a hard plastic, and comes in many colors. You may not ever own a pipe with a Bakelite stem, or even a Bakelite shank extension, but you’ll see them out there if you look around. A pipe carver who uses quite a bit of bakelite, as well as some other cool vintage materials, is Eric Heberling. Eric supplied me with the photo to the right, and has many pipes available for purchase, and also does commision work. Check out www.ejhpipes.com and also find him on facebook under ejhpipes. Much like Lucite, and Ebonite; Bakelite is a brand name. The coolest thing about Bakelite is that it is the worlds first ever synthetic plastic. It was originally used for electric components because of it’s non-conductiveness..or is it non-conduciveness? Anyway, Bakelite was actually made with formaldehyde. It’s called Bakelite after it’s creator: Leo Baekland..And it’s just a tad easier to say and write then polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride. Bakelite has actually become very valuable, because people are collecting it. Bakelite was used in a million different things and has achieved “Retro/Vintage” status, so you know the hipsters are adorning their flannel shirts, and blazers with the corduroy elbow patches with all the Bakelite shit they can. There is a cool test you can perform on Bakelite to see if it is actually Bakelite; spray 409 on a Q-tip, and rub the material with it.True Bakelite will leave a yellow mark, which you need to wash off. I think Bakelite is super awesome, and I could honestly go on about it for another page, but I’ll leave you with just one more Bakelite fun-fact: Once Bakelite is molded and cast, it could not be melted. Because of this durability, in 1943 Bakelite was considered as a replacement for copper, in the production of pennies by the U.S. Mint, as copper was being used for producing war type stuff.

Some pipes have wooden stems, and I think you’re probably able to identify a wood stem. Are there other materials used for stems? Sure there is! Here’s the thing though, I don’t know enough about them to write anything. If I forgot anything, or you have something to add, please feel free to comment below. I am by no means an expert on the subject, but I did sleep at a “Holiday Inn Express” last night. Only there wasn’t much sleeping going on…if you know what I mean……..Yes, the bed was uncomfortable. Plus, I don’t sleep well when I’m away from home.

Category: Leaf Litter / Tags: acrylic pipe stem, bakelite, ebonite pipe stem, lucite, lucite pipe stem, pipe smoking, stems

My old friend death.

February 16, 2012 / TristownDynamite / 7 comments

I haven’t smoked a pipe in two weeks and it’s driving me nuts. It’s not a matter of not wanting to, but I simply do not have the time. I’ve been running around like crazy and not sleeping well at night. To top it all off there has been some things that have come up that are of great concern and the stress has began to affect my weak stomach. I am the type of person that deals with all issues through the guts. Three times this week I thought I shit my pants while driving. I hadn’t. Sometimes it gets to be too much, but you march on and hope that no one notices how thin you’ve gotten, or the length of time you’ve been wearing the same light blue Wranglers. You do it because you have to, and find solace where it makes itself known. Unfortunately, I tend to find comfort in the familiar form of a filtered friend.

Cigarettes are the devils fingers, slowly nudging you in a specific direction. They do nothing, but take with merciless abandon and I am completely helpless against their siren song. . Whenever I attempt to quit, and get to the last few in a pack, I become struck with a sudden terror. This is not nerves. This is fear. I have no idea what it is centered around or what my mind thinks will happen, but it is very much there. It is a presence that cannot be shaken off. An ever constricting garment that matches everything I own. A stale smell paces the house as gray ash occasionally rests itself upon my bedsheets. Cigarettes have completely taken over my life. It’s come down to being pushed around by twenty bullies without an ounce of virtue between them. This is how smokable tobacco gets a bad rep. Pipes and cigars won’t give you the night sweats, nor will they wake you from your slumber for a quickie. A stand needs to be made, but it never seems to be the right time or place. My schedule is based around my fear of bullies.

I read an article from NPR about how marijuana is better for your lungs than cigarettes. It amazes me that people still throw up eyewash of this caliber. Anytime anyone needs to show that something isn’t the most awful thing around, they put it up against cigarettes. “Bullets, they’re better for your heart than cigarettes”. Cigarettes are the worst thing on the planet…well, maybe Walmart is the worst thing on the planet, but cigarettes are the Walmart of the tobacco world. I remember seeing a doctor give a lecture about five years ago and he claimed the initial high off one drag lasts around 15 seconds and that if you watched, people tended to develop a pattern with drag rate. Meaning that a group of individuals smoking would all take drags with roughly the same amount of time in between. A group of animals trained by addiction and fed by affliction.

Knowing the content of this site I worry that there will be a certain amount of backlash, but at the same time believe that this is not an uncommon issue. For years cigarettes have burdened tobacco enthusiasts and used them for their personal gain. Whether it be on the street level or with tax loopholes. Cigarettes have done all they can to succeed and could careless about the people in their wake.

Category: Thursdays Pipe Bomb / Tags: cigarette addiction, cigarettes, pipe smoking

Road Doggin’

February 11, 2012 / Ryan / 4 comments

I always envy the people who have a good sized commute to work. Sounds pretty stupid I know. My morning commute is about 7 minutes, and that’s with stopping at Cumbys for my morning 5^th cup. Cumberland Farms serves up the greatest gas station coffee in existence, and every size is $1.05 after Uncky Sam takes his “sip”. For all you readers not residing in the Northeast, you need to be jealous right now, or just move here. The only real thing I’m missing with my Cumby’s coffee is that morning smoke. To me, there is just nothing better than that first smoke of the day, paired with a cup of coffee (doesn’t even have to be good coffee). This is why I almost wish I had a commute. The company I work for has 2 other offices in the state, both an hour or so away from my home in opposite directions. Every time overtime is available at these locations, I jump on the opportunity. Not just for the overtime pay, but so I can get that morning commute smoke on. This justification sounds ridiculous to anyone who doesn’t enjoy a pipe or a good cigar, but this is normal thinking for me, and the fact that I get paid for my travel time, sweetens up that Cavendish even more. I thought I would share my travel kits, or “bug out bags” (yes, I am now hooked on “Doomsday Preppers) with you guys, and see if we can get a nice little running comment stream going, with what you guys keep in yours. We all have them. I’ve seen guys with those leather zip-up pipe cases. They hold anywhere from one, to seven pipes. They usually have many compartments for the tools of the trade, and a few ounces of that brown gold. Some guys pre-pack their pipes before a trip: fully loaded and ready to light. My wife’s cousin drives an oil truck, and smokes those little Arturo Fuente Breva Royal cigars during his long shifts. I bought him one of those Herf-A-Dors to keep in the truck. Not sure if he uses it, but I know he smokes in there all day long. Some people just keep all the essentials right in the car all the time. I’m sure cigar smokers bring the cigars inside, and pipe guys bring the tobacco back indoors, but all the accoutrements stay mobile. For me, I have never had a commercially produced travel bag for my pipes, or an actual herf-a-dor, or Otter Box, or any kind of commercially available travel humidor. What I do have though, works well, and both were very inexpensive.

First up is my pipe travel kit. I think 4 years ago my mother gave me this bag for a trip I took. Sunglasses came in it. It is the perfect size for my trusty Zippo, a pipe nail, my travel pack of pipe cleaners, a good amount of tobacco, and as many as 3 pipes. I’m not really into the skulls all over stuff usually, as I think it can get pretty tacky, but I like this particular design, it is kind of low-key. What really won me over about this bag, is that it’s made of a heavy canvas type material. Quality.

When I go on trips I also pack cigars with me. As I mentioned before, I don’t have a commercially produced travel humidor.. I kind of grabbed this on the fly one day, in an emergency, and have just never upgraded because it works so well. I’ve even traveled on a plane with it. This is just a plastic Tupperware container. I spent a few extra bucks and got one with a real decent seal system. I think it was like $4. I also chuck my cutter, a cheap torch lighter, and a punch in here. I don’t shake the shit out of it, the cigars won’t be damaged by all the other shit I cram in with them..RELAX! Please note: On an airplane, you will have your torch lighter confiscated, do not bring it with you. Anywhere you travel, you will be able to find one of these Ronson Jet-light lighters for $1.99. I’ve had mine a year now, and it still rocks like Keith Richards.. And looks just as weathered.

The business portion of my travel system, is the humidity delivery device. For me, there is only one choice: The Boveda Humidipak. All other humidity regulating systems out there are inferior to this product. This is the only one that really regulates the humidity to the specified percentage. The competitors are just wet sponges and will over humidify the cigars closest to them, while under humidifying the ones farther away. The Boveda pak is stated to last up to four months, but it’s a total lie. They must just have to under-estimate their figure so nobody can complain if they find that it didn’t last long.. I’ll tell you the honest truth here. I have had this pack in this travel case for about 8 months. Now, when the pack gets crispy and hard it is no good anymore. This one is still soft, supple and full of life. I know exactly what cigars I have in here, and I hardly ever open it. Obviously if I was always breaking this seal, the pak would have worn out by now. The beauty of this system too, unlike all others, is that it takes moisture away from the cigars when they are too humid, and puts it back into them when they are too dry, so you don’t have to open it up to let them breathe every so often. This actually is a better humidor, than my cedar lined, real deal humidor! Boveda humidipacks this size are like $4 a piece, You can find out where to get them here http://bovedainc.com/about-boveda/store-locator/ , or even better, sometimes you get them for free when you order cigars online from really great places like http://www.havacigarshop.com/default.asp (that’s how I’ve gotten some of mine. And no: I’m not a paid endorser (Open to the idea though.. Hit me up Boveda!)

Category: Leaf Litter / Tags: boveda humidipak, cigar smoking, pipe smoking, tobacco pouch, travel humidor, travel pipe bag

Mic Check 1, 2

February 9, 2012 / TristownDynamite / 4 comments

This article was a reader request. I am grateful to every individual that supports my work, reads my column and watches my videos. I apologize that it’s not so much about pipe smoking, but I hope you will enjoy it anyway.

As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, my girlfriend is heavily involved in the comedy scene. She’s very talented and I believe that she has the potential for greatness. When she started doing stand up I’d go and watch her perform as often as I could and while doing so an old desire was awakened. I have always wanted to be in entertainment. For a long time I considered comedy, but when it came down to it I was just too scarred to get on stage. Then I saw Some Girl perform and it all came rushing back. I started writing jokes for her, but she wouldn’t do them because they were not hers. She told me that if I wanted the jokes performed I’d have to do them myself. For months I’d been sending her jokes I wrote and ideas I had, but it was all for nothing if I didn’t try. I had to conquer that fear. Even if I only did it once and bombed, at least I wasn’t all talk. I needed to take the chance. So last Sunday, while Some Girl was on vacation I went to an open mic.

I was the first one there and thought that no one would show do to it being Super Bowl Sunday, but soon there was five of us and the sign up list began to go around. I signed up on the 11^th slot. By the time it was my turn there must have been a couple dozen people there, but I had to do it. I got up there and just started ripping through my set. It was centered around my father and how he runs with a gang of senior citizens at the Goodwill. Thirty seconds into it I began to hear laughter. I’m not sure if it was for or at me, but it gave me courage. I began to feel more comfortable and got through the five minutes allotted to me. At the end of my set I thanked everyone and said that it was my first mic. People began to cheer loudly and scream “why didn’t you say something”? I didn’t say anything at first because I wanted to see if I could get laughs and not just have people be nice. I needed to go full tilt. When I left the stage several people came up and said I did a good set. I went out to smoke and began to shake. I haven’t felt that good in years.

I felt so good I knew I needed to try again, so I went to another mic on Monday. I went in and signed the list at number five. The only people in there were the other four performers. As I was signing someone else came in and walked up to me “is this the list”? I told them “yes”, handed over the pen and watched as they signed Tim Meadows. I looked up and there he was. I said hello and shook his hand. He said “hi, I’m Tim”. That night I performed five minutes on how YouTube is a bunch of tiny communities that coexist and make videos on topics they love. And how within in these communities of individuals that love making videos on specific subjects are sub-communities of individuals that love to jerk off to them. A lot of it was based around one of my early articles. I can’t say for sure, but I think I got some genuine laughs from him. When he got on stage he pointed at me and said “When I got here I felt like I had walked into a bear bar”.

At both open mics I had people come up and tell me I did a good job, but I wouldn’t call myself a comedian of any sort. At this point I don’t even know if I’m actually funny. All that matters right now is that I took that initial step. I tried something I’ve been talking about for years and it turns out that I really like it. I’m going to do more mics this week and I hope they go well, but I just don’t know until I try. What I’m really nervous about is Some Girl seeing me perform. It’s so much harder when someone you care about is judging you. Especially if you turn out to not be very good.

Every time any one of us writes an article or posts a video or even comments on a subject, we put ourselves out there to be judged. To be viewed and taken at face value with the potential for backlash and disapproval and yet we all continue. We keep doing it and moving forward and encouraging each other to be better, stronger people. This community has given me the strength to take steps I never would have normally. It has taught me that I have validity and my opinion matters. I think when Ryan started Botscast he was a fan of my videos and as far as I know, had no idea that I wrote. I was sent a message asking if I could send something in, anything at all. I wrote an article and sent it off and was offered a weekly column. I take Botscast seriously because of what I feel I owe it. This sight has motivated me to work steady and keep going at something that I’m passionate about. The people I’ve met through YouTube and Botscast has been a point of growth in my life that I am very thankful for. My life outside of the community has only been enriched by what I’ve found here.

Category: Thursdays Pipe Bomb / Tags: community, conquering fears, pipe smoking

A WILD CONTRIBUTOR HAS APPEARED!

February 8, 2012 / Tmoney / One comment

Hi everybody, I’m Tmoney and will be posting to this blog occasionally thanks to Ryan, who has invited me to be a contributor after he read a tobacco review of mine, which can be viewed here, @ tobaccoreviews.com

Now most of you, after you read the following review will have either got a good laugh, or you will roll your eyes and want to have me banned from tobaccoreviews, but let me, in my defense explain my reasoning for such a review.

1. Self Entertainment. - I become bored, and reviews like that give me a nice place to laugh at others and myself. The reviews have become a way to laugh and have a good time, late at night with friends.

2. SSDD – I have become tired of reviews on TobaccoReviews. Simply because there is often an air of arrogance amongst certain reviewers. And I began to notice how over passionately people reviewed these tobaccos. Now, I love the pipe, I love tobacco, but the way some people seriously review the tobaccos out there, you would think that they were describing beautiful women or that they didn’t have a life outside of their pipes or that they were very repressed at least.

All in all I decided to put up some satirical posts, and see if anybody noticed. I get the occasional hate mail/post and occasionally people who understand that the reviews are not meant to be serious, and can read them and have a good chuckle.

Every now and then I will post these reviews up here on Botscast, for other like-minded pipe smokers to enjoy and maybe the occasional story.

See you soon,

Tmoney

P.S. Ryan, thanks for bringing me on board with this, it seriously means a lot that you would extend an offer like this to somebody that you’ve never met. I appreciate it and I look forward to our bloging friendship.

Category: Tmoney / Tags: pipe smoking, reviews, Tmoney, tobacco reviews

Pipe Pondering: The Morning Pipe

February 7, 2012 / bahumutx / 7 comments

Picture this: You just woke up, groggy and ready for the first pipe of the day. You head to the coffee pot and pour the first cup of the day and then you think about what you are going to smoke. What are you going to smoke? What do you enjoy for the first pipe of the day?

There are many options: An aromatic, a light English, a Virginia, a strong English, a burley, etc….

Mark Tinskey 2011 Christmas Pipe

What are you reaching for in the morning. Personally, I enjoy a stronger blend to kick off the day. Two of my favorites are Riverboat Gambler( incidentally, it is also my all day blend) and Royal Yacht. Another good blend, which is an English, is Early Morning Pipe. All of these blends provide a good to strong nicotine kick which I enjoy in the morning. Gets me ready for the day.

Now and again I do enjoy a nice aromatic in the morning with a cup of coffee. One that comes to mind is No Bite DeLite from Boswells. It goes great with a cup of coffee.

What is your favorite blend? Do you enjoy a strong blend in the morning or a blend with less strength? Let us know!

Also, if you have any topics you would like me to write about in the future, please include what you would like to see in your comments. I will do my best to write about what you would like to see. Thanks for reading! You bring me back week after week!

Category: The Tuesday Tamp N' Puff / Tags: morning coffee and pipe, morning pipe, pipe smoking

In memory of a friend

February 2, 2012 / TristownDynamite / 5 comments

Over the weekend a friend passed very suddenly and the shock of it all has yet to set in. Though we were not as close as some, I find it difficult to deal with the loss or to even wrap my mind around what exactly has happened. All that is certain is that a beautiful 27 year old has left us well before she was expected to. There is a closeness that is somehow hindering me from registering the situation. Perhaps it’s that she is roughly my sisters age or that she had a way about her made me feel as though I’d see her again. Maybe it’s because our last conversation was little more than small talk in the space between two doors as we passed each other. Whatever the reason, I have been waiting for the grip to tighten around me, but as of yet, am loosely held. There is concern for those that knew her well. I know they must be hurting, but I don’t know what to say, so I have not called. I will give my condolences in person. The funeral service is on the same day of this articles publication and I would like to use this medium to share a memory of my friend.

I met her at a Buffalo Wild Wings. We were with a group and I didn’t know who she was. In fact, I only ended up talking to her because I had gone out for a cigarette and upon my return she was sitting in my seat. She said hello and made a joke and after about ten minutes that was that. Soon after I began to see her more regularly and we would talk on Facebook and seemed to get along very well, so I sent her a message asking her out to coffee. She sent back with an answer of no, but the way in which she said it made me realize how lucky I was to know her. It was the nicest rejection I had ever received and the first time that I did not feel awkward around a young lady after the fact. It was like it never happened. Not the usual, pretend I didn’t say anything and go your separate ways never happened, but the kind that just gets a wink every now and then and the conversations roll on. That’s the kind of person she was. You never felt out of place or uncomfortable. She always had time to say hello. She always had time for a friend. There are probably more interesting stories I could tell about her, but this is the one that I remember most. It is what solidified my opinion about her. This is the story that means the most to me.

When people reflect about those that have passed on, they contribute sentimental snippets, to add to the playbill of their life. Little pieces here and there that fit together to make up the puzzle of a person. It’s as if we cover ourselves in soft memories to shield the blow of the harsh reality. A persons spirit lives on in the stories told by the ones that loved them and it’s the details that make the stories worth telling. I haven’t raised a glass in almost five years, but on Thursday I will raise a pipe to a friend that has gone away.

(A regular contributor to this site has recently lost someone close to them. Their name is being withheld in an effort to respect their privacy, but I would like to dedicate this article to them. My thoughts are with you and your family.)

Category: Thursdays Pipe Bomb / Tags: friendship

Cigars are stronger than politics

February 1, 2012 / Bo / 10 comments

Before I moved to California ( wow over 14 years ago) I lived in Lexington, Massachusetts for 15 years, 1982- 1997. My next door neighbor was at face value, 360 degrees opposite of me. He was from a working class suburb of Boston, a Marine vet of over 20 years and worked in the prison system guarding the guys that you and I did not want to know about. He saw and did things in his work and military , that you read about in magazines.
I was a college grad with a masters degree, grew up in New York , never in the service, then working with at risk youth, trying to keep them out of jail. Our politics were as different as our backgrounds but we always agreed on one thing. We both loved cigars.
Just about every night after work, I would get a call from my buddy, or I called him, and we would head down to our adjoining yards for a cigar. We spoke of worldly things, we spoke about sports, we spoke about what we liked and disliked, sometimes we even shared the same viewpoint.
Most of the time, however, we spoke about what cigar we were smoking at the time. Did we like the burn, the ash, the flavor.? How much did it cost and was it a good bang for the buck value. We had our ritual in all types of weather. When it was sunny , it was heaven. When it snowed, we were still out there. When it got really cold, we took out a space heater, wrapped our bodies in layers, froze our asses off but still smoked cigars. Our wives tolerated this behavior cause at least they knew where we were and could see the smoke drifting towards the sky. The space heater we used was a relic , provided little or no heat . It was the illusion that kept us warm.
Standing out in below freezing temperature , smoking a cigar , us against the elements. It was truly joyous.
We loved it but somehow we knew there had to be a better way. My neighbor had a pool, used about 2 months a year, which had a ramshackle building next to it. It was used mostly for storage and in the winter , the mice and squirrels made it their home. We took the cue from the critters and turned it into our smoke cave. We furnished it with old furniture , tables and chairs , and sometimes a working coke machine, and best of all , a police scanner. There was still no heat but at least we would not get snowed upon when we smoked. We took the space heater that we had and brought it inside the building. We could have set the place on fire with it or snuffed ourselves out from the fumes. It was part of the allure of the adventure. We ” upgraded” the place once in awhile by adding a piece of furniture or wall hanging.
We still had our discussions, cars, what crooked counselor was on the take, why the Boston Red Sox were never going to win a world series. We tried insulating the room but the building was so old and in such bad shape, the insulation just created a large fire hazard.
When the weather got warmer, we brought our cigars back outside but added a small refrigerator to the room and stocked it with ice cream and food. We had this ritual for years, trying out new cigars, or going back to old favorites. As life would have it, Los Angeles was going to be my new home. The cigar cave was going to be a memory instead of reality.
Yet, cigar friends remain cigar friends. I speak to my old neighbor regularly, we still speak of cigars and what we are doing new and how our families are. I get back to Boston every year and make it a point to see my old cigar buddy. We always do a cigar exchange, but I do miss that room and the police scanner.

Category: Bo / Tags: cigars, friendship, old friends, politics

Pipe Pondering: Bent or Straight?

January 31, 2012 / bahumutx / 10 comments

Bent and Straight Pipes

The age old question: Do you prefer a bent pipe or a straight pipe?

Erik Nording Oom Paul

There isn’t a whole lot to write about this topic. You either enjoy a bent pipe, a straight pipe or both. I personally prefer a straight pipe. I tend to clench my pipes and drool into them a bit. I find with the straight pipe that I can easily get a pipe cleaner in to sop up the nasty juice and continue on with my smoke. I also find a straight pipe easier to clench.

Now I didn’t start off this way. My first pipes were bent pipes and I loved them and still do.

Who knows…. I might switch back to buying more bent pipes. Another great thing about this hobby is that we can switch between bent and straight pipes as much as we want.