Hello from Phoenix, AZ

[desrtrat68]

Hi Everyone,

I'm Dan...software engineer by day, international man of mystery by night, and honey do list destroyer on weekends. I'm a complete noob to pipe smoking. Haven't smoked one bowl yet, but the stuff is on the way. I'm trying to soak up as much info as I can at this point so I can give myself the greatest chance at success. After reading some posts and viewing some videos I may have jumped the gun with some of the tobaccos I ordered, but at least it was just small amounts.

I smoked cigarettes for about 25 years, then switched to vaping about 10 years ago. I'm at a point now where I just don't want to be putting things in my lungs anymore but still want the relaxing aspects of smoking. I'm not a big cigar fan so I figured I'd give pipes a shot. My biggest concern at this point is that I'm not sure that I'm qualified to smoke a pipe. I'm unable to grow an epic beard which seems to be a requirement from what i've seen on the youtube videos I've been watching.

Generally, I'm a lurker in forums, but will contribute if I feel I have something to say. I guess I've just always believed it's better to remain silent and be thought a fool, then to open my mouth and remove all doubt ( note the first sentence of post above). Looking forward to e-meeting you all. I've already been lurking here for a bit and figured I'd take the plunge and jump in.

 

[musicman]

Welcome from just down the 10 in Tucson! BTW, Ye Olde Pipe and Tobacco Shoppe is an excellent B and M store if you haven't discovered it yet. Great selection of pipes and tobacco, and much better than anything we've got down here in Pima County.

 

[desrtrat68]

Welcome from just down the 10 in Tucson! BTW, Ye Olde Pipe and Tobacco Shoppe is an excellent B and M store if you haven't discovered it yet. Great selection of pipes and tobacco, and much better than anything we've got down here in Pima County.

Thanks Musicman! My son lives in Tucson going to UofA (as an ASU grad myself...it took me a while to get over that) I've been curious about Ye Olde Pipe and Tobacco Shoppe, but haven't had a chance to get in there yet. Thanks for the recommendation! I'd much rather buy things in person from a local shop than online if I can.

 

[musicman]

Thanks Musicman! My son lives in Tucson going to UofA (as an ASU grad myself...it took me a while to get over that) I've been curious about Ye Olde Pipe and Tobacco Shoppe, but haven't had a chance to get in there yet. Thanks for the recommendation! I'd much rather buy things in person from a local shop than online if I can.

Go Wildcats! lol. I'm here in Tucson finishing a doctorate at the U of A, but I don't necessarily identify as a wildcat, at least when it comes to sports. Grew up in OR and did both my earlier degrees in MN, so I root for the Ducks and Gophers more than anyone else. My best friend in the program is a born and bred Phoenician who did his undergrad at ASU though. He wanted to wear an ASU doctoral gown to our graduation ceremony! I talked him out of it.

 

[desrtrat68]

Go Wildcats! lol. I'm here in Tucson finishing a doctorate at the U of A, but I don't necessarily identify as a wildcat, at least when it comes to sports. Grew up in OR and did both my earlier degrees in MN, so I root for the Ducks and Gophers more than anyone else. My best friend in the program is a born and bred Phoenician who did his undergrad at ASU though. He wanted to wear an ASU doctoral gown to our graduation ceremony! I talked him out of it.

LOL! Nice! My son stopped me from wearing my ASU shirt to his new student orientation...Grew up in Oregon huh? Seahawks fan by any chance? GO HAWKS!

 

[brian64]

My biggest concern at this point is that I'm not sure that I'm qualified to smoke a pipe. I'm unable to grow an epic beard which seems to be a requirement from what i've seen on the youtube videos I've been watching.

Just hang around here a while. We'll provide you with so many other concerns you won't be worried about the beard anymore.

 

[desrtrat68]

Just hang around here a while. We'll provide you with so many other concerns you won't be worried about the beard anymore.

haha...well that's comforting! What am I getting myself into....

 

[Sonorisis]

Welcome to the forums!!!

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Be warmly welcome and best greets to the great State of AZ from Finland-EU

 

[Tommy Boy]

Welcome from S.W Michigan. Beards are not required yet but the site rules might change. Its a great forum and even " stupid questions" will get answers. We were all new to this hobby at one time.

 

[desrtrat68]

Welcome to the forums!!!

Thanks Sonorisis!

 

[desrtrat68]

Be warmly welcome and best greets to the great State of AZ from Finland-EU

Much appreciated! Thank you Paulie66scandinavian. Wow, Finland! It's on my list of places I'd like to see. Very cool.

 

[desrtrat68]

Welcome from S.W Michigan. Beards are not required yet but the site rules might change. Its a great forum and even " stupid questions" will get answers. We were all new to this hobby at one time.

Thank you Tommy Boy! This is a good, because I have a talent for asking "stupid questions" well...at least that's what my wife tells me.

 

[brian64]

haha...well that's comforting! What am I getting myself into....

There is endless minutiae to all things pipes and pipe tobacco. And it is all poured over here on a daily basis to remind you of everything you must learn, prioritize, memorize, avoid, and fret over...and sometimes panic over.

There are certain ongoing feuds, such as cob vs briar, Peterson quality control, Dunhill brand value, etc., that you may find yourself embroiled in.

You will soon self-diagnose with PAD and TAD (pipe and tobacco acquisition disorders) and be hemorrhaging money as a primary symptom.

There are certain unobtainium blends you simply must try in this lifetime but will likely never find in stock.

You will be reminded that the great tobacco apocalypse is imminent for a number of reasons, and must stock up before the hammer drops.

This is all just the tip of the iceberg, but all in all, it's a tranquil, relaxing "hobby".

 

[daveinlax]

Hi from Southwestern WI and Green Valley AZ. Ye Olde is one of the better pipe shops in the country and they host a Pipe Club on Thursday evenings in normal times. The AZ Pipe Club meets on the Second Saturday of the month at Big Sticks Cigar Lounge in the Mesa/Tempe area.
?

 

[desrtrat68]

There is endless minutiae to all things pipes and pipe tobacco. And it is all poured over here on a daily basis to remind you of everything you must learn, prioritize, memorize, avoid, and fret over...and sometimes panic over.

There are certain ongoing feuds, such as cob vs briar, Peterson quality control, Dunhill brand value, etc., that you may find yourself embroiled in.

You will soon self-diagnose with PAD and TAD (pipe and tobacco acquisition disorders) and be hemorrhaging money as a primary symptom.

There are certain unobtainium blends you simply must try in this lifetime but will likely never find in stock.

You will be reminded that the great tobacco apocalypse is imminent for a number of reasons, and must stock up before the hammer drops.

This is all just the tip of the iceberg, but all in all, it's a tranquil, relaxing "hobby".

Sadly...just what I'm looking for! There's definately a wealth of knowledge in this place. I've enjoyed soaking it all up.

 

[desrtrat68]

Hi from Southwestern WI and Green Valley AZ. Ye Olde is one of the better pipe shops in the country and they host a Pipe Club on Thursday evenings in normal times. The AZ Pipe Club meets on the Second Saturday of the month at Big Sticks Cigar Lounge in the Mesa/Tempe area.
?

Hello daveinlax! You and Musicman have convinced me to stop by Ye Olde sooner, rather than later. Planning to stop by on my way home from work tonight. I drive right past it. I suppose I'll wait to see how the pipe smoking goes before considering joining a club, but it's great to know they're out there!

 

[hauntedmyst]

Hi Dan. Welcome to the forum from Chicago!

 

[Parsimonious Piper]

Welcome. I’m back in the South (NC) after almost 20 years in Phoenix. I like your handle—for years my online gaming screen name was DesertRat68. You’ll get a lot of advice from great folks here.

 

[desrtrat68]

Hi Dan. Welcome to the forum from Chicago!

Thank you hauntedmyst! I must say I like your posts....do you really look like Shrek? haha