Welcome back. It is easy to get caught up in the fray. There is a lot of talk about the subtleties of this blend and that, and whether the new version of something is the same as it was 20 years ago, and about expensive hand crafted pipes and . . . And you have to worry if you don't smoke every bowl to "fine, white ash" and when you need more than two matches for a bowl you've somehow failed and, damn, my pipe is gurgling again.
But, all you need is a couple of pipes (because most would agree that some rest between smokes, for the pipes, not you, is important), and couple of blends, some pipe cleaners, a czech tool and some fire. And a place to relax. So what if you use a couple of extra matches to re-light? So what if you need to use a pipe cleaner because you get a bit of gurgle? And, it matters naught that you can't tell the difference between smyrna and izmir when you do a blind taste test. It's not a contest.
In time, your packing will improve, and you'll use fewer matches. And your pipe will gurgle less so you'll go through fewer pipe cleaners. Over time, if you try different blends, you'll start to notice subtle differences. Or, maybe you'll be one of those one or two blend guys. That's OK too.
The pipe is for relaxing -- it is not a chore. As long as the fire stays in the bowl, and the bowl is not too hot to touch, it is all ok. You'll get better at it. And while it may not be a contest, we are all winners in the end: sitting in a favorite spot, nice bowl of tobacco, slowing down and appreciating life -- what more can one ask? Relax and enjoy.