Monday, August 13, 2007

A New, Old Way to Enjoy Your Cigar


One of the things that I enjoy (besides Cigars) is the period of the 1920's, 30's and 40's. I wear 3 piece suits, bowties, and vintage fedoras on a daily basis. In watching a period movie I saw a gentleman smoking a cigar with a Meerschaum cigar holder.

Back in the day, most women in society would use a cigarette holder so that the tobacco did not stain their gloves. If you have ever seen pictures of Walter O'Malley , owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who was never without a cigar, he always used a white Meerschaum cigar holder.

I wanted to try a cigar holder to see if it enhances the cigar's flavours so I checked on the web and found a few. Once I got them, I grabbed my favourite familiar cigar and lite it up.

The very first noticeable thing is the temperature of the smoke. Because of the added length and porosity of the Meerschaum holder the smoke is noticeably cooler. Also, because there is no physical contact with the cigar wrapper or tobacco, your tongue does not get over exposed with the flavours from contact. The flavours that you taste are ONLY from the nicely cooled smoke.

Cigar holders are also available in Briar. Both the Meerschaum and Briar are similar in construction and design as pipes. And as with pipes there is maintenance that is involved in owning and using cigar holders. They have to be cleaned periodically with pipe cleaners and alcohol to remove build up.

There are draw backs to using cigar holders and one of them is that for the different ring guage cigars that you smoke, you have to own a different size holder for each ring. Another is that inserting the cigar into the holder takes some finesse and patients because you want to get it inserted tight enough to hold it so that it doesn't fall out but not so tight that you tear the wrapper while inserting it. And finally, it is another thing to carry around.

So, give one a try and see if it works for you. Two places that I found online to buy them is www.tobacco-barn.com and www.theladysmokes.com .

Smok'em if you Got'em

Chas

The Bourne Ultimatum


I went to see the new Bourne movie this weekend and it is a roller coaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat trying to catch your breath for 2 hours. For those of you who are fans of the Bourne series you will find that this latest installment is true to the first 2. This final chapter helps Jason Bourne find his true identity and helps him find the mastermind behind his brain washing. One of the great things about this series is that even if you have never seen any of the movies, each one is self contained enough to enjoy on it's own.

Enjoy the Show.

Chas

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Blockbuster Online Rates and Service Changes


Blockbuster.com has just announced that they would be changing their service plans. The changes will be 2 fold, the first being the current rate will be increased and the second being that limited exchanges at the store will be imposed. Currently the plan that the majority of subscribers have is 3 movies at a time with each envelope being a free rental at the retail locations, you know the "never be without a movie" campaign. Well now is seems that in order to "never be without a movie" will cost you extra. So you get 3 movies at a time with a maximum of 3 exchanges at the store, that is a big change...for more money to boot! Netflix subscriptions are going to be going up.

Chas