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.