So again, my apologies for the extended absence. While I was away though, I learned some very important smoking lessons. Sadly, some of them appear to have been somewhat costly.
1. I suck at smoking a pipe. Seriously, after two+ years, my technique is still garbage. I smoke like an ox. All heavy and constant.
2. Cigars make for a nice occasional alternative. Now granted, I already knew this, but for Father's Day I got a ten pack sampler from CI, along with one of those 5 cigar, indestructible travel humidors and a cutter. Made for some rather nice evenings. Pipe technique, even mine, translates well to cigars. Nice and slow.
3. I am in love with Missouri Meerschaum. I have a tendency to, in the words of Jason Aldean, "Break everything I touch." So, those durable cobs are my idea of a perfect pipe. Don't get me wrong, briar is beautiful, but I prefer rugged and affordable. For more info on this, see item #1.
4. I wrecked more than one nice briar. As my technique slowly improves, and my attention to detail with it, I realized that one of my Stanwells, my Hilson and my Rattray's, all had specific spots that seemed to get hotter than the rest. After further investigation, and some cake scraping, I found the infamous charred briar patches. In all 3 pipes. Now, granted they are all small spots, and pipe mud will save them indefinitely, but it still makes me a bit sore. When I first realized this, I considered putting my pipes down for good. Then, I got to thinking, and decided that I must just be destined to be a cob smoker. Again, all of this correlates to items 1 and 3.
5. Tobacco, in it's many forms, is truly a blessing. Despite the wrecked pipes, occasional roasted tongue, accidental nasty blend choices, etc, there is a great relaxing hobby here. I have mentioned before that even my shrink commented on my improved anxiety since I got heavy back into the pipes. She also mentioned that the simple acts of choosing, drying, aging, etc all help to move me away from the instant gratification mindset that plagues our world these days. Lately my evening smoke break has been my wind down hour. I always bring my headphones out, and have made a conscious choice never to listen to angry music during that one smoke. It helps, in mountains.
Anyhow, just thought I would share. I imagine there are many of you in similar boats. I'm eyeing up pipes for the long drive from WA to AR, and I think the General should do nicely...
1. I suck at smoking a pipe. Seriously, after two+ years, my technique is still garbage. I smoke like an ox. All heavy and constant.
2. Cigars make for a nice occasional alternative. Now granted, I already knew this, but for Father's Day I got a ten pack sampler from CI, along with one of those 5 cigar, indestructible travel humidors and a cutter. Made for some rather nice evenings. Pipe technique, even mine, translates well to cigars. Nice and slow.
3. I am in love with Missouri Meerschaum. I have a tendency to, in the words of Jason Aldean, "Break everything I touch." So, those durable cobs are my idea of a perfect pipe. Don't get me wrong, briar is beautiful, but I prefer rugged and affordable. For more info on this, see item #1.
4. I wrecked more than one nice briar. As my technique slowly improves, and my attention to detail with it, I realized that one of my Stanwells, my Hilson and my Rattray's, all had specific spots that seemed to get hotter than the rest. After further investigation, and some cake scraping, I found the infamous charred briar patches. In all 3 pipes. Now, granted they are all small spots, and pipe mud will save them indefinitely, but it still makes me a bit sore. When I first realized this, I considered putting my pipes down for good. Then, I got to thinking, and decided that I must just be destined to be a cob smoker. Again, all of this correlates to items 1 and 3.
5. Tobacco, in it's many forms, is truly a blessing. Despite the wrecked pipes, occasional roasted tongue, accidental nasty blend choices, etc, there is a great relaxing hobby here. I have mentioned before that even my shrink commented on my improved anxiety since I got heavy back into the pipes. She also mentioned that the simple acts of choosing, drying, aging, etc all help to move me away from the instant gratification mindset that plagues our world these days. Lately my evening smoke break has been my wind down hour. I always bring my headphones out, and have made a conscious choice never to listen to angry music during that one smoke. It helps, in mountains.
Anyhow, just thought I would share. I imagine there are many of you in similar boats. I'm eyeing up pipes for the long drive from WA to AR, and I think the General should do nicely...
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