Retrospective 2019 - My Pipe World

[madox07]

I am sitting at my desk, puffing away at some flake and thinking that another year has passed. This year I have done a lot, a lot of fatigue gathered up, stress, anger due to lack of time, sacrifice. Some was worth it, some was just another wild goose chase that one does not manage to see except in hindsight. One thing was always there for me, to heal, to reduce tension, to comfort fatigue - the pipe. This year, without realizing it, the pipe changed me - becoming more and more like a lifestyle. Thus I am concluding:

1. I have become more of a pipe smoker, and not a pipe collector. I haven't bought a pipe since August, and just a few days before Christmas I resisted purchasing a new pipe that was on sale in my local b&m. I have come to realize that the pleasure in pipe smoking comes from smoking in itself, and not from collecting the pipe. I am not saying that I won't buy a pipe ever again, but I am saying that I have enough for my personal pleasure and that I am content with what I have.

2. I am a Virginia smoker - although in the past I have prided myself as an English blend man, thinking back on this day, whenever i didn't overthink smoking I found myself reaching out for the tobacco shelf instinctively grabbing a Virginia (be that virginia based, or va/per or va/bur) more often than anything else. I must admit I do like Virginia, and I also must admit that I underestimated Burley.

3. I am starting to prefer the pipe to any other form of tobacco consumption. While over the year I did often indulge in cigarette smoke, for example, especially when having a drink with friends, during the later months of this year I did prefer a good bowl over 5-10 fags. Last night I was playing chess with my godson in the kitchen, a place where smoking is allowed in our house, and while he was smoking fags I just didn't feel the need for it to accompany my beer. I lit a pipe and was so content with it ...

What have you learned in terms of pipes this year?

 

[gervais]

Everything I have learned so far in terms of pipes has been a negative experience (except when I'm alone with my pipe). It seems everyone in my life has a problem with tobacco. Everyone I work and live with complain about the smell of it on me, and give me a hard time. It's driving me nuts, and wish I could just enjoy my little Zen hobby without the snark remarks of everyone around me. When did people become so horribly offended by the smell of tobacco? It makes me angry, lol. I don't go complaining to anyone about the smell of their cologne or smell of the food they are eating, or anything of the sort. But, I am a "nice guy", and it's not in my nature to tell people to f*** off, and not care what everyone thinks of me, because I kinda do. Ah well, I'm not giving it up. I'll just be frowned upon in the eyes of my loved ones and peers. Whatever

 

[gamzultovah]

I am sitting at my desk, puffing away at some flake and thinking that another year has passed. This year I have done a lot, a lot of fatigue gathered up, stress, anger due to lack of time, sacrifice. Some was worth it, some was just another wild goose chase that one does not manage to see except in hindsight. One thing was always there for me, to heal, to reduce tension, to comfort fatigue - the pipe. This year, without realizing it, the pipe changed me - becoming more and more like a lifestyle. Thus I am concluding:

1. I have become more of a pipe smoker, and not a pipe collector. I haven't bought a pipe since August, and just a few days before Christmas I resisted purchasing a new pipe that was on sale in my local b&m. I have come to realize that the pleasure in pipe smoking comes from smoking in itself, and not from collecting the pipe. I am not saying that I won't buy a pipe ever again, but I am saying that I have enough for my personal pleasure and that I am content with what I have.

2. I am a Virginia smoker - although in the past I have prided myself as an English blend man, thinking back on this day, whenever i didn't overthink smoking I found myself reaching out for the tobacco shelf instinctively grabbing a Virginia (be that virginia based, or va/per or va/bur) more often than anything else. I must admit I do like Virginia, and I also must admit that I underestimated Burley.

3. I am starting to prefer the pipe to any other form of tobacco consumption. While over the year I did often indulge in cigarette smoke, for example, especially when having a drink with friends, during the later months of this year I did prefer a good bowl over 5-10 fags. Last night I was playing chess with my godson in the kitchen, a place where smoking is allowed in our house, and while he was smoking fags I just didn't feel the need for it to accompany my beer. I lit a pipe and was so content with it ...

What have you learned in terms of pipes this year?

+1 on everything that you wrote with the exception of cigarettes. I’ve alway only wanted to smoke pipes, and at 40 years old, I embarked on a journey filled with few highs and many disheartening lows, in order to attain the sated state that you now feel. For a long while my pipe collection was the only thing that gave me satisfaction... that and a few simple Cavendish and/or English blends that I learned to smoke well, and only on the off weekend. Now that I am older and have come to the realization that life is not a perpetual race, I have come to learn (with the help of this site and the good people who post here) the gentle, patient art of pipe smoking. Virginias are now becoming my friend, my Cavendish and English blends sit mostly untouched, and as for my pipe collection, I am starting to catalog the ones I no longer need for future sale. As the old saying goes: “The Life is Short and the Art So Long To Learn.”

Thanks for posting your thoughts.

 

[seanv]

Everything I have learned so far in terms of pipes has been a negative experience (except when I'm alone with my pipe). It seems everyone in my life has a problem with tobacco. Everyone I work and live with complain about the smell of it on me, and give me a hard time. It's driving me nuts, and wish I could just enjoy my little Zen hobby without the snark remarks of everyone around me. When did people become so horribly offended by the smell of tobacco? It makes me angry, lol. I don't go complaining to anyone about the smell of their cologne or smell of the food they are eating, or anything of the sort. But, I am a "nice guy", and it's not in my nature to tell people to f*** off, and not care what everyone thinks of me, because I kinda do. Ah well, I'm not giving it up. I'll just be frowned upon in the eyes of my loved ones and peers. Whatever

I understand that exactly. Years of anti smoking media has done its job. My wife doesn’t like that I smoke pipes or cigars but she is beginning to come around to a level of tolerance. Stay with it if you choose but don’t let it cause major stress in your life, it’s not worth that.

 

[bullet08]

i wonder what people would do if everyone gang up on coffee drinkers.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

Everything I have learned so far in terms of pipes has been a negative experience (except when I'm alone with my pipe). It seems everyone in my life has a problem with tobacco. Everyone I work and live with complain about the smell of it on me, and give me a hard time. It's driving me nuts, and wish I could just enjoy my little Zen hobby without the snark remarks of everyone around me. When did people become so horribly offended by the smell of tobacco? It makes me angry, lol. I don't go complaining to anyone about the smell of their cologne or smell of the food they are eating, or anything of the sort. But, I am a "nice guy", and it's not in my nature to tell people to f*** off, and not care what everyone thinks of me, because I kinda do. Ah well, I'm not giving it up. I'll just be frowned upon in the eyes of my loved ones and peers. Whatever

Sometimes I wish we could revert back to the 50's or some other time when smoking was socially accepted. I live alone on my own farm so I don't get a lot of flack over my pipe and cigar smoking but I do get the occasional eye roll from a family member when my smoking is mentioned. It seems that a lot of people have been brainwashed into thinking that even a faint whisp of tobacco smoke is going to give them cancer and cause them to fall down and die immediately. I argue that the Big Mac and large fries that you just ate is going to cause more long term damage than my last bowl of tobacco. Or what about the preservatives in food that gives it a shelf life of 50 years? Or folks living in cities breathing in all the air laced with auto exhaust? Or the folks that think it is fine to guzzle down 5 martinis a night but God forbid you don't expose me to tobacco smoke. Forgive me for my rant but I'm tired of being demonized for enjoying tobacco. There are lots of worse things one can be doing than smoking a pipe.

Now.......back to Madox's original post, well done sir. Very nice points.

 

[trouttimes]

When people complain about my smoking, I tell them people on 5 continents have tried to kill me and haven't succeeded yet. I don't know think a pipe is going to win. God don't want me and the devil has a restraining order.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Sometimes I wish we could revert back to the 50's or some other time when smoking was socially accepted.

No complaints where I live. There are still restaurants, clubs, and bars where smoking is permitted and I only get positive comments when out and about with my pipe. I even smoke at work.

 

[Mr.Mike]

No complaints where I live. There are still restaurants, clubs, and bars where smoking is permitted and I only get positive comments when out and about with my pipe. I even smoke at work.

Great Scott!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Great Scott!

That's what I'm thinking when I read about others being criticized or not being able to smoke when and where they want to.

 

[danimalia]

Big year for me too. After not really smoking too many pipes since 2016 ir so, I picked it up again. Partly out of necessitybas I was burning through my stock if cigars, but also because I really remembered what I liked about it. In July, I finally ditched the cigarettes.

I have also disovered that I'm more of a Virginia and Burley man. My previous run had been all about Latakia. While I still love a good Lat blend, I prefer it in moderate amounts, and I probable smoke 4-5 bowls of virginia or burley based blends for each bowl of Latakia.

 

[mso489]

I like madox's original post for its reflective self knowledge. I'd have to work on a response.

 

[Chasing Embers]

What have you learned in terms of pipes this year?

There is such a thing as too much.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Pipes and tobacco are love/hate for me. I love everything about it. But I am inherently paranoid about health issues. Part of why I only smoke 1 or 2 bowls a week. That and with a baby in the house there just isn’t time.

But I sure love the few bowls I do have. It is one of life’s finer pleasures and most relaxing activities. If there are things I’ve learned it’s this:

1. I have purchased a ridiculous amount of tobacco for the rate at which I smoke. I have also purchased a ridiculous amount of pipes.

2. I like Pots, Dublins, Billiards, Tomatoes, and Princes. And generally, straight or only slightly bent pipes.

3. I like all kinds of tobacco to varying degrees but english/balkans and VA and Va/Pers get the most love.

4. I like pipe smoking considerably and Wish I could smoke every day and indoors.

5. Drying time, charring lights, and cadence make a world of difference. My natural cadence is fast.

6. Expensive pipes are not necessary to the smoking experience, but they are quite nice and a lot of fun.

7. The pipe smoking community is made up of generally fine people.

 

[gamzultovah]

That's what I'm thinking when I read about others being criticized or not being able to smoke when and where they want to.

The place of my birth, NYC now has a ban on smoking in Public Parks! It's a major fine if they catch you doing so, from what I'm told. The only park that you can legally smoke in in NYC is Paley Park...and I'm shocked that they allow that. Thank goodness I moved below the Mason-Dixon many years ago.

A (Legal) Cigar Smoker Sanctuary: Samuel Paley Park - Fine Tobacco NYC - https://finetobacconyc.com/2011/05/30/a-legal-cigar-smoker-sanctuary-samuel-paley-park/

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

When people complain about my smoking, I tell them people on 5 continents have tried to kill me and haven't succeeded yet. I don't know think a pipe is going to win. God don't want me and the devil has a restraining order.

They say most accidents happen within 5 minutes of your house though. LOL Just Kidding. I like your post and wish you many years of enjoyable pipe smoking ahead of you.

 

[SpookedPiper]

Everything I have learned so far in terms of pipes has been a negative experience (except when I'm alone with my pipe). It seems everyone in my life has a problem with tobacco. Everyone I work and live with complain about the smell of it on me, and give me a hard time. It's driving me nuts, and wish I could just enjoy my little Zen hobby without the snark remarks of everyone around me. When did people become so horribly offended by the smell of tobacco? It makes me angry, lol. I don't go complaining to anyone about the smell of their cologne or smell of the food they are eating, or anything of the sort. But, I am a "nice guy", and it's not in my nature to tell people to f*** off, and not care what everyone thinks of me, because I kinda do. Ah well, I'm not giving it up. I'll just be frowned upon in the eyes of my loved ones and peers. Whatever

Just know, you're not alone in the struggle!

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Everything I have learned so far in terms of pipes has been a negative experience (except when I'm alone with my pipe). It seems everyone in my life has a problem with tobacco. Everyone I work and live with complain about the smell of it on me, and give me a hard time. It's driving me nuts, and wish I could just enjoy my little Zen hobby without the snark remarks of everyone around me. When did people become so horribly offended by the smell of tobacco? It makes me angry, lol. I don't go complaining to anyone about the smell of their cologne or smell of the food they are eating, or anything of the sort. But, I am a "nice guy", and it's not in my nature to tell people to f*** off, and not care what everyone thinks of me, because I kinda do. Ah well, I'm not giving it up. I'll just be frowned upon in the eyes of my loved ones and peers. Whatever

I must have a significantly different "air" about me. Pretty much nobody says anything to me about my pipe smoking and I smoke 4 to 6 bowls per day every day. Along with an occasional cigar. Perhaps you need to develop a few retorts. "Your fat arse should bother you more than my smoke smell." "I have yet to call you out for being a moron, why do you think you have the right to mention my pipe smoke smell." Or perhaps my favorite response to unsolicited opinions "You have clearly mistaken me for someone who gives a f&$% what you think." I find it disgusting that people feel they have the right to critique me for smoking when they most often have so many flaws that are open to comment.

I am blessed to have a man cave I can go to which also serves as my office. 2019 has been a great pipe smoking year for me. I have added some great pipes and now have a cellar that will last me until I'm 100 years old. A number of my favorite people in the world are pipe and cigar smokers. If I could be guaranteed it would survive over the long haul, I'd open a small pipe and cigar shop with a killer smoking lounge just so I could hang out with fellow pipe & cigar smokers every single day. I'd be content if I could just break even on the deal.

 

[danimalia]

I must have a significantly different "air" about me. Pretty much nobody says anything to me about my pipe smoking and I smoke 4 to 6 bowls per day every day. Along with an occasional cigar. Perhaps you need to develop a few retorts. "Your fat arse should bother you more than my smoke smell." "I have yet to call you out for being a moron, why do you think you have the right to mention my pipe smoke smell." Or perhaps my favorite response to unsolicited opinions "You have clearly mistaken me for someone who gives a f&$% what you think." I find it disgusting that people feel they have the right to critique me for smoking when they most often have so many flaws that are open to comment.

I am blessed to have a man cave I can go to which also serves as my office. 2019 has been a great pipe smoking year for me. I have added some great pipes and now have a cellar that will last me until I'm 100 years old. A number of my favorite people in the world are pipe and cigar smokers. If I could be guaranteed it would survive over the long haul, I'd open a small pipe and cigar shop with a killer smoking lounge just so I could hang out with fellow pipe & cigar smokers every single day. I'd be content if I could just break even on the deal.

This is kind of my take. Part of living in a society is putting up with each other. I figure I have way too many problems of my own to worry about other folks' smoking, drinking, drug habits, how loud they listen to their music, chouce in clothes or hairstyles, etc. So it's kind if insane that some people are so quick to worry about the choices of others. Maybe their lives are perfect and they don't have anything else to focus on? Seems doubtful.

That said, i rarely have any trouble or negative comments despite living in the bay area.

 

[adui]

I had not intended to reply to this, but after reading so many responses that are similar to my journey I thought I should chime in.
For me the journey really began when I was a little boy and my dad had a pipe. I picked up the habit, though I didn't smoke at all up to that point, in the mid 90's. Then put it down.

This year, around June, I was at a friends and one was offered. I took them up on it, and remembered why I had one in the 90's. So after clearing it with my wife I got a pipe, and started the journey again. It has been a mostly pleasant journey, I've had the opportunity to try several blends I wouldn't have touched those years ago, and found that I like the English blends as much or more than the flavored Aero's I smoked long ago.

When my doctor asked if I smoked and I said the pipe on occasion, she was less worried about that than the amount I was drinking. Her somewhat guarded response to my apologetic tone when I told her about the pipe, "Everyone needs a hobby I guess".

My one hang up, what I smell like after a good bowl, or worse after attending the pipe club meeting. But after the last meeting and me heading strait to a non smoker friends house for our Saturday get together no time to go home and change clothes. They only acknowledged it after I said something. I realized at that moment that for me, and the group of adults I hang with, its no big deal. So I now enjoy my pipe without any worry of anything.