What are You Smoking (WAYS)- a Must Read?

[mso489]

Are you a regular reader and contributor to the "What Are You Smoking?" thread, or do you only sometimes visit it, or do you usually skip it entirely? First, a tip of the hat to jiminks who initiated and maintains the thread, renewing it each month as a new thread.

I find it a must read on an almost daily basis. I think it is for several reasons. First, it is a way to get to know Forums as a group, a little of personalities, habits, surroundings through the photos, and the pipe porn they provide.

It is also a glimpse of trends among the membership. For example, today (April 22, 2023) there seems to be a strong tilt toward MM cobs, which are always popular but are really a presence today.

It is also an amazing insight into the vast variety of blends and occasional single-leaf that we smoke. Some rotations are fairly settled, but most are remarkably various.

You can stop and savor on a daily basis, "liking" posts selectively or generally, or just run through the thread now and then picking up the vibes. Either way, WAYS is informative, insightful, and revelatory. It's like people watching with more focus.

Four stars, highly recommended. Have you discovered WAYS?

 

[AcesAndEights]

I pop in to that thread every once in a while. I only ever post in it sometimes. Usually when I’m enjoying a more memorable smoke, like a new blend, new pipe, fun/interesting circumstances or setting. I still think my most “liked” post to date was my post about smoking while camping and a moose walked through camp like I wasn’t there. He must have liked the room note! Lol.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Only when I occasionally post there.

 

[AJL67]

Only when I occasionally post there.

This.

I smoke a lot of bowls every day, sometimes the same pipe but several bowls of a couple different blends, I just post once in awhile to keep active in the thread or if I'm smoking a new pipe or something special in tobacco. I will glance it now and then though just to see some wonderful pipes.

 

[mso489]

Since I'm a moderate smoker, I often post my blends or single leaf smokes and the pipe I'm smoking them in. Not invariably, but sometimes it adds to the pleasure. When I post, I usually scan around and see what others are doing.

 

[hawky454]

I agree, it’s a great thread but unless you have a lot of time on your hands, it’s very hard to keep up with, the thread grows rapidly. I used to be a regular poster there but given my circumstances, I can’t post as much as I used to. I do wade through it from time to time and it often inspires me to revisit a blend I haven’t smoked in awhile.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I looked in there pretty regularly until around 3 weeks ago - I now have a vacation from the pipes for a few months and I thought I'd keep up and look in, but normally I'd look into that sub forum when I was enjoying a pipe, lol, and I just haven't. Been taking in this or that in general on here lately and always interesting, and I do miss seeing what many folks are up to, so I'll try to do "better"!

 

[Kobold]

I check it out a lot because I’ve been sick for the past month and I’m living vicariously through those that post there.

 

[Wet Dottle]

It is a very popular thread, but I don't read it. I'm sure it's a fun one for those who post there.

 

[mso489]

Yes, the posts move very fast. When I post three days in a row, I'm always pages behind when I get back to it.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I check out the WAYS thread whether or not I’ve been smoking a pipe myself. It’s a nice way to see a bunch of different (and same) pipes and a variety of tobacco blends to potentially explore. It occurs to me that there have been pipes I’ve written about in WAYS that might serve more people if I posted them in the corresponding brand threads dedicated to pipes.

 

[sablebrush52]

Once in a while, when @JimInks recommends that I check out a particularly interesting pipe, I'll look at the thread. Otherwise, I'm not interested in what other people are smoking. My cellar is done, I'm not buying more tobacco, and I like what I have.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Yes, the posts move very fast. When I post three days in a row, I'm always pages behind when I get back to it.

I don't know if I've ever seen a forum thread as active as the WAYS thread. With all the other forums I participate in, you get the occasional whopper of a thread, but they tend to peter out (or get locked) after a while. WAYS is evergreen.

 

[mso489]

I don't read WAYS for recommendations on pipes or tobaccos, more for just the human passing scene. Sometimes, the more remote and unlikely a pipe or blend might be from what I'd want, the more interesting to me it is. I'm not looking to lead or follow, more just to behold. We are an unlikely species, and this is a context in which to marvel at our variety.

 

[augiebd]

I enjoy the thread. I don’t smoke often but have been posting lately. I keep up as I have the time to. There is an element of connection with the people who post and learning about the possibilities of pipes and blends.

 

[coming to_falling too]

I used to post and keep up with it quite regularly. Now, I've kinda hit a wall where I don't look at or post in WAYS, except only occasionally.

I do like seeing all the nice pipes and good tobacco, though.

 

[kg.legat0]

My participation waxes and wanes - I am here reading that thread and other threads on the forum almost every day, but don't always post my smokes...I do enjoy seeing what others are smoking - over time I've noticed that some members seem to share my tastes, so I keep an eye out to see what blends I may be missing.

 

[Zamora]

I don't peruse regularly but it's always rewarding when I do. Good way to see what other people's tastes are and to share your own. The thread is probably the easiest place to see members show off their pipes, sometimes if I don't have much time I might just look at the pictures without reading what blend was smoked.

 

[bobpnm]

I love WAYS! I especially appreciate the pipe pics. I like the glimpses into everyone’s daily smoking. Thanks to everyone who shares!

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

I wasn't a fan of WAYS at first, but liked the concept. It has since grown on me and has become enjoyable to peruse.

To me, WAYS is like people watching on the stoop. At times you just enjoy the scenery and observe the patterns, but can briefly catch up with others or have a quick chat before moving on with your day.