The Stars Aligned Tonight

[Jt100]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9) - Bob

Im a new pipe smoker (2 months) coming from a couple years of cigars and cigarettes 25 years ago in college. Tonight I “got it”. Plum Pudding dried for an hour in a Peterson 999. A cool 33 degrees on a moonlit night, sitting on the porch with an IPA by my side. Everything was perfect. Such an enjoyable hour. The tobacco was singing. I‘ve forced a quite a few bowls and blends, but was frustrated more often than not. My palate wasn’t “getting it”. Tonight was Nirvana. I finally “got it”. The blend was perfect, the atmosphere was perfect, the pipe was cool and dry. Nice. Looking forward to more like this. Also, been watching a lot of Matches860 vids (RIP). We could all learn a lot from him. He seems to have also “gotten it”. Not only in smoking pipes, though. Stop and smell the roses. Life is way too short.

 

[wordheavy]

The rewards grow with trial and patience. It takes time, but moments like that will definitely increase.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Good! Quite the moment when it all clicks. Plum pudding was an early favorite for me as well (and still is!). Keep at it and it will happen more often!

 

[mikethompson]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who uses that term! When the stars align it is a beautiful thing.

 

[Rebub24]

Awesome! It is quite the experience when things just line up and it clicks!

 

[ebnash]

I've been smoking a pipe for a couple years, on and off, and finally had my magic pipe moment last week. A tiny bowl that last for 2 hours and and just kept giving and giving. Nirvana, for sure!

 

[Jwebb90]

Those moments are always something special. Like you, I always enjoyed watching Matches videos. I always found them to be relaxing.

 

[mso489]

Sometimes it is so.

 

[trouttimes]

Savor it when it happens. It will come and go. Hopefully it happens more often than not.

 

[cigrmaster]

Try to remember everything you did to create that moment and then try and duplicate it.

 

[anotherbob]

I remember my first perfect bowl. It was transformative.

 

[Sonorisis]

I love it when a plan comes together.

 

[chopper]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9) - Bob

Plum Pudding dried for an hour in a Peterson 999.

That's exactly how I prepare Plum Pudding and Mississippi River; break it up, pack and allow it to dry in the bowl until it's ready to smoke.
When I allowed either to dry before packing, a lot of it turned to dust.

Glad that the stars aligned for you; which basically means that you got the packing, moisture level and technique all just right.

Now you'll find those moments more often until it all becomes 2nd nature.
It took me a little while before I learnt how to pack a bowl just right, learning the differences between different cuts, kakes and flake.
Now it's something I do without giving it much thought.