I deployed to Afghanistan in 2019 and promptly got to spreading the gospel of pipes to anyone who would listen. One of those who did was a buddy of mine from Greenville. He instantly took a shine to our fine hobby and promptly called his folks back home to tell them all about it. His dad, making note of the enthusiasm, dropped in to Boda Pipes to check out what all the fuss was about. I'm a little foggy on the details of what happened next, but we in our lonely outpost in the Hindu Kush received a sizeable box bursting at the seems with 1 oz. bulk samplers, MM corncobs, pipe tools, matches, pipe cleaners, etc., all completely gratis. Stunning.
That year was pretty rough. The high spot? Boda Box. I promised myself that I was going to visit when I got home. Which I fully intended to do, right up until the world shutdown.
Fast forward to last month, and there's me in Greenville to, unfortunately, attend a funeral. Though that was a horrible experience, it was greatly mitigated by my visit to Boda.
I never got the chance to visit the shop after we redeployed, and had frankly forgotten to even call or send a thank you note, which made for a nice excuse to hit pause on grief and engage in some retail therapy. As one can imagine, I blew my annual pipe budget - which I already exceeded in April - several times over. It was glorious.
Though I cannot for the life of me remember his name, Boda's pipe guy is awesome. If Americana music had an avatar, he's it. Younger dude, tall, long hair, bearded, interesting hat, rad tats, super friendly, and above all, incredibly knowledgeable about and devoted to the hobby. He helped bring a moment of joy to me in a mournful time, and I will be forever grateful.
Boda, may you live forever. I owe you a debt of gratitude twice over.
That year was pretty rough. The high spot? Boda Box. I promised myself that I was going to visit when I got home. Which I fully intended to do, right up until the world shutdown.
Fast forward to last month, and there's me in Greenville to, unfortunately, attend a funeral. Though that was a horrible experience, it was greatly mitigated by my visit to Boda.
I never got the chance to visit the shop after we redeployed, and had frankly forgotten to even call or send a thank you note, which made for a nice excuse to hit pause on grief and engage in some retail therapy. As one can imagine, I blew my annual pipe budget - which I already exceeded in April - several times over. It was glorious.
Though I cannot for the life of me remember his name, Boda's pipe guy is awesome. If Americana music had an avatar, he's it. Younger dude, tall, long hair, bearded, interesting hat, rad tats, super friendly, and above all, incredibly knowledgeable about and devoted to the hobby. He helped bring a moment of joy to me in a mournful time, and I will be forever grateful.
Boda, may you live forever. I owe you a debt of gratitude twice over.
