Sunday, August 22, 2010

Saturday at the Hut - 8/21/10

Saturday was a fun day at The Tobacco Hut - we had a good crowd of regulars and a potential new regular. In attendance were Joe K, Peter G, Adrian, Scott R, Paul V, and a new guy, Derek (who is also a new pipe smoker!). Lou was there, of course, and I brought along a special guest, my son Ryan who is down visiting from Ohio for a couple weeks (he's on the left in the photo, spelling out the first "O" in "Ohio", as in Ohio State).

It was brought up that last week I failed to post a blog and when I blamed it on not having time to write it, Ryan - my son, my flesh and blood - chortled loudly and said it was more likely that I was merely lazy! Everyone had a good laugh at my expense, and despite my protestations, I could convince nobody of my innocence. So, laziness it is. And in that spirit, I have written all I can manage for this week. I now turn it over to a guest blogger, my son Ryan. Take it away...

Guest Blog #1 - All I Needed to Know in Life, I Learned at the Tobacco Hut

This past Saturday was not my first time at the Tobacco Hut, however I'd never seen it that crowded. I walked in with my dad and was greeted by Paul, Scott, Derek, and Lou. However, over the course of the next few hours, the crowd grew to nine, myself included. Now, the first rule of the Tobacco Hut is simple, and I've known it for years: Don't sit in the king's throne. But as I sat there, at first only listening to the stories and jokes, I quickly picked up on a few other things.

Rule #2 - Nothing is Sacred
No one is immune from ridicule and jokes and, furthermore, there is no topic that can't be touched. At soon as Peter walked in, the stereotype of Greek homosexuality was brought up and the gay jokes started. I learned that my dad is the token liberal of the group and, apart from that, his personal choices, from Mac Computers to Mountain Dew are criticized. Even potential customers are not immune from the comments. A woman shopping for her husband blurted out that he was old and unwittingly gave the guys fodder for a half hour of jokes.

Rule #3 - Don't Breathe Too Deeply
The eight men sitting around huffing and puffing on cigars and pipes in an already smoky shop were quickly able to get a good haze going. After a short time my eyes were watering and my throat burned. For some reason, everyone else seemed immune to the smoke. It must be the years of smoking. And, while I can appreciate the love for smoking, my time in the Hut has further convinced me that I'm not cut out for it.

Rule #4 - Don't Take Things Too Seriously
For a bunch of seemingly crude older men, the regulars at the Hut are genuinely kind people (though they may never admit it). The digs at each other are all good-natured and the serious debates are done with a joking manner so it never gets too heavy or insulting. Everyone was interested in my college career (and my apparent new quarterback position). I was surprised when Joe asked how my Aunt Julie was, after a recent trip to the hospital (though it was later decided by Peter that she just needed to loosen her bra).

Rule #5 - Don't Be Afraid to Join in the Fun
At first I was afraid that if I made many comments, that I would not be as funny as I meant to be or they would think that I was being stupid. However, I realized that if I just jump in and make a few jokes, especially ones at my old man's expense (sorry, Dad), that I'd fit right in. Derek was also quick to learn this and, though, he told Lou he'd never be back, I think he had a pretty good time.

Rule #6 - It's Okay If You Don't Know Sports
If you don't know much about sports, never fear, Peter, Adrian, and Paul will not hesitate to fill you in. I think that between the three of them, they must know most everything you can know about any sport. And, while I'm no sports expert, I think the general consensus is that my dad needs to find a new football team besides the Browns.

Corollary to Rule #6 - Don't Get Peter Started on Boston
Derek was told that, though he was from Massachusetts as well, he should not talk to Peter about it. And, sure enough, as soon as Peter was called a "Mass-hole," he didn't stop talking about the Red Sox, the Patriots, places to vacation, eat, and live, and how amazing Massachusetts is.

Rule #7 - Don't Shop at Wal-Mart and at Sam's Club, Only Buy Paper and Cigarettes
Lou would never forgive you if you supported the Walton family.

However, out of all the things I learned while at the Hut yesterday the most important was this:

Rule #8 - Never, and I Mean Never, Under Any Circumstance, Ask Joe for His ID

Thanks, guys, for welcoming me into your circle. And, you're welcome for getting Dad to actually post a blog this week. Adios!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Saturday at the Hut - 8/7/10

I walked into The Tobacco Hut today and the first thing I saw was a gleaming white Dunhill My Mixture tobacco jar atop one of the humidors. An example of one of these highly collectible jars is shown at left. I wasn't sure where Lou got it, but I was hoping it was for sale, but alas it was for display only. Then Lou pointed out a half dozen Peterson System estate pipes for sale and a whole bunch of pipe racks and ashtrays. Lou hit the mother lode! Apparently he was approached by an agent of a pipe shop owner in Vermont who was closing his shop and he purchased a couple dozen estate pipes from him and a ton of pipe furniture.

He's in the process of cleaning up and sanitizing the pipes and has put some out for sale. Lou is only asking $45 apiece for them, which is an excellent bargain as new System pipes typically run anywhere from $95-110. Naturally, I selected one from the rack and was soon smoking it. Wow, what a cool dry smoke it is. The reservoir that traps the moisture in a System pipe really did its job and brought out the flavors of Lou's new tobacco blend very nicely.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention some more changes at the Hut. Lou has introduced a Virginia-based English blend of tobacco and he let me try a bowl of it in the Peterson. We talked about how the amount of Latakia in it should be tweaked ever so slightly and he has given me the honor of coming up with a name for his new blend. Since it's an English blend, he wants some sort of reference to the British Isles, and below is a list of possibilities for him, in alphabetical order, with the reasoning behind the names:

  • Baker Street (Sherlock Holmes' address)
  • Castledown (Castles are an obvious English feature)
  • Celtic Dream (More Irish than English, but I like how the two words flow together)
  • Falconer (Although originating in the Middle East, the sport of falconry was widely popular among the royalty throughout England's history)
  • Foghorn (Maybe not British per se, but certainly nautical and England has a long maritime tradition)
  • Mallory's Summit (Early Mt. Everest mountaineer George Mallory was an avid pipe smoker, and died on the north slope in 1924)
  • Norman Conquest (Well, technically the Normans were from France when they invaded England in 1066, but it's a pivotal point in England's history)
  • Parliament (The British governing body is an appropriate name I think)
  • Sweedlepipe (A character from a Charles Dickens novel, Martin Chuzzlewit. I don't know if he smokes a pipe in the book, but I love the name)
  • Wessex (Named for the Kingdom of Wessex in southern England, from ca. 600-1015 CE.)
Hopefully Lou likes one of these names and uses it for his new tobacco. Hope I helped Lou!

In attendance today were Joe K, Peter G, Steve B, and Darryl G. We were hoping to see Adrian but he must have spent the $12 that he lost last weekend and later recovered!

Lou was very gracious and at 1:00 changed the TV to the Rays-Blue Jays game. Unfortunately, the Rays took a beating, ultimately losing the game 17-11. Even with the loss, it was better than watching golf. Darryl might have disagreed with me, but I know Joe was on my side. Joe (and others) are anxiously awaiting football season, which starts in a couple weeks.

Click to enlarge
Last week I didn't get a chance to write the blog, but I have to make a remark or two about my choice of wardrobe then. I ordered a very special T-shirt for myself just for Joe's pleasure. I know how much Joe is a fan of National Public Radio, and I'm sure he donates a sizable amount of his discretionary income to the worthy cause, so I was quite puzzled when he wasn't enthusiastic about the shirt I wore just for him. In case you can't make out what the says, it reads: "NPR - Radio For Your World". Can't figure out why Joe didn't ask me to order him one after he saw it.

I think Scott R and Paul V will be at the Hut next Saturday, so I'm looking forward to seeing them. My son Ryan comes down for a two week visit next Monday, so we'll fit a Tobacco Hut visit in to the schedule, probably that first Saturday he's here, Aug. 21.

Cheers!

 - Bob