My First Guitar Video

Completely of the topic of pipes, I have recorded a short clip of me playing guitar a little while ago, and I wanted to share it on this site as well.  I am used to playing infront of an audience not a camera, so this was a new experience.  It's short and funky - a little too fast, I know - and I hope to make more of these soon.  Cheers!

Enough to Make Any Man Happy

I had a wonderful evening over the weekend.  It all began with the purchase of a new hat from our fine local retailer, Targét.  As I returned home I stopped at the local store and procured a pint of my favorite ale, Fuller's ESB.  Once home I was in such a good humor that I decided to smoke my favorite pipe as well, my best calabash.  I filled it full of Stonehaven, donned my cap, grabbed my pint, and stepped outside for this picture.

It then occurred to me that I had one shot of Jack Daniel's left in the bar.  This led me to remember that I had recently acquired a JD's "double bubble" shot glass too.

"Well," I thought, "I haven't had a boilermaker since high school, and this certainly is the night to indulge."  So I measured out my dosage, and snapped this picture in the process.

The hat was doffed, the glass was tilted, the beer was drank, and the pipe was smoked, and the night was well enjoyed.  Strange how these simple, age-old pleasures are still enough to make any man happy.

So here's to you, and hoping you have a great night soon too, whatever your pleasures may be!

~TMP

Why You Should Smoke a Pipe

(originally posted by The Mad Professor on CigarGeeks forum on 10-3-2011, modified for audience)

Picking up pipe smoking is cheap and easy, and quite rewarding. Like most endeavors, mastering it takes practice and time, but it's a lot of fun along the way. Don't be discouraged if you read how complicated some advanced smokers can make it, that's how they keep their hobby fun - you should start simple. So….

Why should you smoke a pipe? 
• First, it is WAY cheaper per smoke than cigars (or even cigarettes)
• You can start smoking a pipe for $10 to $20
• Storing pipe tobacco is easy and doesn't need to be humidified (just mason jars)
• Many pipes are works of art too
• You can mix your own blends
• Some pipe blends (Virginias) age very well, similar to cigars but easier
• There are nearly as many types of pipe tobacco as there are cigars or beer to chose from - therefore something for everyone
• You can relight a pipe long after it went out without affecting the flavor of the tobacco (some smokers will take 2 days to finish a bowl!)
• Therefore, you can set your pipe down if you need to cut your smoke short (unlike a cigar or cigarette)

Also, less serious but still true...
• Most women love the aroma of aromatic tobaccos
• Your wife might let you smoke indoors
• A pipe rack looks really impressive on your desk (or in your living room)
• It's a good excuse to always have Everclear on hand (used for cleaning)
• Your kids will love making crafts with your pipe cleaners
• And lastly, pipe smokers are kind and wise... so if your a dumb a%#hole then it will help with your character


There are a few reasons against it too:
PAD and TAD (Pipe Acquisition Disorder/Tobacco Aqc. Dis.) can be ridiculous. Look at an old pipe smokers cellar/collection!
Pipes can cost a lot, and you get what you pay for (within reason) with a new pipe. (Start with estate pipes, don't buy new!)
And maybe one or two more, but you can think of them yourself… I'm trying to get you to smoke a pipe, not quit!

More to come...Next post: How to Start Pipe Smoking!
~TMP