How did that happen?

I can't believe it.

I just can't believe it.

No one who knew me in school would believe it either. I think even my mom is a little shocked. I, the daredevil, the crazy one, the one who once rode a skateboard down the middle of main street during what passes as a rush hour here, the one who later got hit by a car riding that same skateboard, the one who joined the Army, the one who hikes off the trail to get lost ON PURPOSE. *whew* Ok, I will stop there. What is it that I can't believe you ask?

I'm thirty years old today.

Insert Standard Back Porch Post Here

Cigar: Flor de Juan Lopez

First of all...Blech. I will most definately NOT be purchasing another one of these. Mild to the point of no flavor during the first part of the burn, one or two draws in the middle where it sort of resembles a cigar, then harsh, hot smoke toward the end. If it weren't the last thing in my small humidor that needs to be re-seasoned, I probably wouldn't smoke it at all. Instead I would save it for that ONE guy at my next cookout. You know the one.

"Hey, whatcha smokin?"

"Dominican Cohiba Lonsdale, been aging it in the humidor for about 3 months now, getting the flavor and intesity just right for tonight."

"Oh, I ain't never smoked one of them before, but I do like me some Swishers every now and then, you ever had one?"

Yeah buddy, I've had one. In High School. Because someone's old man smoked them. And they were free (to us anyway). I didn't like them then. They taste like someone shit in a tobacco leaf, dried it out, put four more of the same in a pack, and mis-labeled them cigars.

Now, I am not saying this is as bad as a Swisher, Philly, or Edward. Because they aren't. But if you know "That Guy" will be at your next party, and don't want to waste a Cohiba, Monte, Patel, or Perdomo.........

Thanks, I needed that

Cigar: Patel Decades
Drink: Pilsner Urquell

Ahhhhhhh

The often talked about, rarely seen, always welcome 2 cigar day. Been a rough week. Between the 1-yr old, the 1-wk old and going back to work after a week off, I am ready for the weekend.

Oh. Wait.

Have to finish a deck that has taken wa-a-a-a-a-a-y too long to build, make sure that my wife can get caught up on her sleep, get the car aligned, clean the home office, tend to the garden, reload for the .308 .45 and .223, wash the truck and the other car............

Is it Monday yet?

About the cigar:

Yet another Patel. This one is a box-pressed maduro. This "special edition" was blended by Rocky to celebrate 10 years in business.

I normally try to stay away from such "special" or "gimmick" cigars, and stick to a regular offering. In this case, I am glad I made an exception. Well constructed, with a dark, oily wrapper, this cigar is very mild for the maduro types. Not saying that it isn't a full-bodied smoke, but it doesn't even come close to the Ghurkas, Perdomos, or H2H house blends that make up my normal smoking selections. I recommend this one to someone who would like to try a maduro, but doesn't normally smoke the strong stuff.

New Box

Cigar: Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro Robusto

I have been smoking a lot of the Perdomo cigars lately and decided to go ahead and buy a box of these. Excellent smoke, if a little short lived (45 min). Real nice presentation in the box, although they come in cello.

Ahh....the great cellophane controversy. To remove or not to remove, that is the poorly worded, overused question. I always remove the cellophane from cigars that are going into my humidor. I like the fact that they continue to age, The mix of flavors, especially in my small box that sees a lot of variety, makes for interesting smoking.

The downside is that with the cellophane gone, the cigars are more susceptible to the enviroment. Closely monitoring and controlling temperature and humidity becomes even more of a necessary evil than before.

In the end, it is really up to you if you want to remove your wrapper and let your sticks breathe. If you are going to, I highly recommend that you get a couple of the Aurtro Fuente humidity packs and toss them in with your cigars. I have found these to be the best way to maintain a constant humidity. They are set at 69% and control both ways, up and down.

Bleh

Cigar: None
Drink: None

So here I sit at work. Bored to tears. One service call that I ran and completed before lunch. I have read all my favorite blogs at least twice and am trying to resist the urge to check them once again for updates.

I really wish I could leave early today, but no such luck.

I wonder if StumbleUpon will work from the office......

Ah'll Be Bahck

I'm not ignoring this thing, I promise. Just busy right now.

Dreading the Morrow

Cigar: The Edge by Patel
Drink: Stella Artois

Well, after a week of "paternity" leave, I have to return to work tomorrow. Actually tonight, since I promised I would work during the past week, and really haven't. But I only have about 2 hrs. worth of product that has to be turned out before I show up, so I shouldn't have to much of an issue there.

Mom and baby are doing fine, though I can tell that neither like the house restriction that the doctor put on them. Big Brother is still not too sure what to think about the new little noise maker that is in the house, though the concern he shows when it cries is heart-warming and encouraging.

I don't know if anyone is reading this thing yet other than me, but if you are, drop a line or two in comments to let me know what you think. The cigar reviews are pretty amatuerish, but written as I sit on my back deck, smoking the cigar I am writing about. This gives on-the-spot, as it is happening credence to the review. YMMV.

About the cigar;

The Edge is Rocky Patel's "low-end" offering. Mild with a distinctive wood flavoring, this cigar lends itself very well to everyday smoking. My last trip to the tobacconist saw me leave with 4 of these sticks, and I am currently on my second one of the bunch. I have to say that smoking them while enjoying a premium beer such as Stella is one of my life's little luxuries. The robustness of the beer offset by the mild cigar makes for a very relaxing, hour-long, $8 vacation. As with other Patel offerings, the 1st third of the burn can speed up on you causing a run or canoe if you draw too aggresively or frequently. The mildness of this particular cigar versus the 90's or 92's make this more a concern as you tend to try to draw more out of each puff. Paying more attention to your smoking habits and allowing the cigar to burn itself will alleviate this issue and enhance the smoke.

Pachibel just wont leave me alone

Neither cigar, gun, nor youngin related, just funny as hell....enjoy.

Wootie Woot Woot

Cigar: Halfway to Habana House Blend
Drink: Stella Artois

Thank you Pres. Bush!!!

I had hit a rough spot a few weeks back and had to take one of my rifles to local secured, high interest loan shop. But thanks to the stimulus package check, I was able to go get it out today. Now I see a range trip in my near future.

About the cigar:

Halfway to Habana is a tobacconist located in Greenville, SC where I work. Pauolo, the proprietor is one of the nicest, most knowledgable people I have met. I use his shop almost exclusively for my cigar and cigar accessory purchases.

His house blend cigar is a maduro-wrapped robusto. It provides a very relaxing, even smoking experience. Stout enough to let you know you are smoking it, but not so overpowering that it can't be used for your everyday cigar.

Being a house cigar, these are also very reasonable in price. If you are having a get-together or celebrating a special event where you would like to give out cigars, you could do a lot worse than picking up a box of these.

4th of July Relax-a-bration

Cigar:Illusione CG:4
Drink: Mojito

I am the MAN!!!

I got them all to go down for a nap, the 1yr old, the newborn, and the wife!!! Now I just have to come up with something constructive to do during the downtime. I know, I will sit in my chair and watch the badly needed storm roll in.

So many other people are blogging about the 4th and its true meaning, I am almost hesitant to throw my hat into the ring, but for lack of better words, this is what it means to me.

Doing something that I can enjoy and appreciate, knowing that my family is safe and secure in the house I am leaning against. Not having to worry about if tonight is the night an attack takes someone I love from me. Knowing that if I work hard, my kids will have a better life to start from than I did. Knowing my wife is not going to be taken from our bed and raped and tortured by government officials. Knowing that I am not going to be taken from our bed and raped and tortured by government officials. Knowing that my sons will not be forced into government service, but are free to make that decision for themselves when the time comes.

Knowing that should any of the above standards change, I have the means to participate in correcting them.

This is what a day of independance means to me. And I thank each and every Veteran, from Washington's Army, to Petraeus's, all the men and women serving at home and abroad, and, most of all, every single mother, father, wife, husband, brother, sister, and child who has gotten a knock on the door that changed their lives forever.

Thank you.

About the cigar:

Definately something different than what I usually smoke. Robust, but not overpowering. Very....earthy. Loose ash. I would say that this is a good "activity" cigar. One you would smoke while at the range (driving or shooting), fishing, boating, or some other activity where you may not be able to fully enjoy a more "nuanced" smoke. Very straight-forward and easy. I will be adding a couple more singles of these to the small humidor, but not buying a whole box.

Pre-4th Relaxing

Cigar: Rocky Patel Vintage 1990
Drink: Beam and Coke

Sitting on the back deck laughing at my wife who is having her first drink in almost 9 months, listening to the neighbors target shooting off of their back porch, and enjoying a fine cigar.

I think I am ready to film a commercial for the good life.

About the cigar. If you have not had one of these, you really need to try one. Regardless of the controversy as to whether there really is any tobacco left from the "Great Surge" of the early nineties, this really is a good smoke at a reasonable price. The only issue that I have ever had out of one of them (and one that seems to be common to all Patel cigars) is during the first third of the burn, a small run or canoe will develop. This is easily remedied by taking fuller, deeper draws less frequently, and does not detract from the experience much at all.