Happiness is a toasty foot

What is it about a cigar that has caused me to give up 30 smokeless years for an amazing hobby that can also be a little pricey.  

The obvious is how relaxing a smoke is. In a high tension labor position I need that stick to keep me from running a shovel into someone's prized rose bushes.  Feeling the smoke and smelling the aroma just takes me places it's Ike my brief little taste of kickin a mime in Central Park 

Second. The people. Wow the community of cigar smokers is intense. From business men and women to crazy goth/punkl/landscapers like myself. I have met more friends that are accepting of whatever I'm into than any other subculture. As with everything you'll find some pretentious people and it's best to just stay away from them. Don't let anyone make you feel intimidated or inferior in something that is to be enjoyable. There are so many other smokers that can share and teach about what they've experienced. 

Lastly. The hunt

There are so many sticks out there that there's always something new to find. I'm always excited to find something new.  I admit sometimes the band causes me to purchase it and not necessarily the quality. I have made it my goal to find the best affordable cigars , because in this working class, money is tight. 

Be aware that price does not always mean best. Not everyone likes the same smokes.  But that's ok.  We're all in this together. 

#NoOneTastesTapiocaInACigar

A strange post title, especially to start this blog.  However one of the reasons I felt compelled to write a cigar blog is to help guys and gals that might feel intimidated by other "aficionado" blogs. 

When I first got heavy into the finer points of cigar smoking  (I.e. Not gas station cigarillos) I wanted to know all I could in order to not look like a noob. In watching others and reading I started hearing about flavor notes and different aromas coming from the stick. I never tasted anything like that and began wondering what was wrong with me. It didn't help that the guy at my local shop was a pretentious jerk and made me feel my selections and  "taste" were inferior.  I tried to hide my failures. I thought maybe I was using the wrong lighting or puffing techniques. Maybe I just wasn't cut for being able to sit in a lounge with the big boys. 

After a while I spoke with the manager at the store and she agreed with my observation of the employee.(I haven't seen him there since). I also revealed my inferior pallete to her and she said,  "I've never tasted that stuff either. "

I was shocked. Amazed.  Befuddled.  Ok maybe not but she also told of a man who was describing his flavors to another customer, and the customer was in agreement.  She later asked the customer if he really tasted all that and he confessed that he was just agreeing because he didn't want to look stupid. 

Cigar smoking is to be enjoyed and relaxing. When I'm stressing because I ran a skid loader over a hillside, you better believe I'm puffing away on something and I'm not gonna notice it has hints of broasted chicken and grandmas denture cream.  So for 2015 I want to make an effort to bring more comfort to the masses that are taking up this great hobby.  And for this reason I say #NoOneTastesTapiocaInACigar

Happy reading.  Spread the word. 

Peace love and Bones