Another relaxing day at The Tobacco Hut with the gang found me smoking some G.L. Pease Maltese Falcon in a Ben Wade poker. I'm down to the final few bits of tobacco in this tin and it had gotten a little dry, so it wasn't the best smoke I've had. Another reason could be that I don't think I had thoroughly cleaned the pipe after the last time I smoked it, which is never a good idea. I'm usually religious about cleaning my pipes, but for some reason, I didn't. And yesterday I paid the price. So in fairness to Greg's fine tobacco, the fault may have lain with me.
For most of the afternoon the group consisted of Lou, Joe K, Peter G, and myself. Peter and I discussed what his website should look like and some other ideas about his new business. Joe still seems pleased with his iMac, so he probably won't be gifting that to me anytime soon. Joe and Val and Paula and I went to dinner last weekend at Rusty Bellies in Tarpon Springs, and had an outstanding meal and a great time. So to Lou, if you're reading this, I heartily recommend it. So does Peter!
Oh, and this was a shocker, while we were at dinner last week, Joe stripped off his shirt and did a little show on the deck of the restaurant for everyone. I caught a quick photo with my camera phone for everybody to enjoy...scroll to the bottom to see why we got kicked out of Rusty Bellies!
We tried to come up with some more ideas for James K's homecoming. Joe's son is breezing into town for a limited engagement and is eager for us to embrace him like New York City did for Captain Sully after landing his plane on the Hudson. By the way, for everyone planning to attend James' wild homecoming bash (both of you), the date is actually Saturday, May 9, 11am-1pm, at the Hut. The flyer in last week's post had the incorrect date.
Zoning laws prevent us from erecting a circus tent in the parking lot, and good taste prevents us from hiring the kind of "entertainment" that James would probably want. So, we've hired an out of work ventriliquist. Hope that'll do, James!
Steve B came in toward the end of the afternoon and brought a newcomer in with him, Brian. Nothing too exciting or controversial was discussed and we steered clear of politics. Maybe this was in deference to Brian's first visit. Subsequent visits will reveal our true nature!
Everyone had a good laugh about Lou's picture from last week's post. Peter wanted to know which Greek gentleman in Tarpon Springs Lou had stolen the giant cross from and Lou insisted that his Speedo was red, not black. Of course, it was a black and white photo, so I'm not sure how Lou knew it wasn't his Speedo.
New Jersey Ed came in and sat down and smoked a cigar with us (not to be confused with Ed B). I don't know New Jersey Ed's last name, so he's stuck with that moniker for now. NJ Ed was a pipe smoker for a long time but has since switched to cigars and it seems a little strange to see him smoking one. I get the same reaction when I'm smoking the occasional cigar at the shop, since I'm almost exclusively a pipe smoker.
Five o'clock arrived before we knew it, the smoke cleared, and the door was locked. Until next Saturday...
Cheers!
- Bob
Today saw Joe K, Peter G, Ed B, Steve B, and myself all enjoying Lou's good cheer. As the S-CHIP tax date draws near, Lou's blood pressure notches a little bit higher as he explains for the umpteenth time to a customer why the price of their cigars and tobacco is going up.
James K, Joe's son, is certainly expecting a big party when he arrives in May. Apparently he called Joe requesting the Hawaiian Tropic Girls be present at The Tobacco Hut. And he stressed that he wanted the real thing, not - in his words - "Bob in a bikini or Lou in his Speedo." Well, James, I'm not sure what the appearance fee is for the Hawaiian Tropic Girls, but something tells me we're going to have to scale back a bit. Maybe we can only afford one of them. Probably the only thing we can truly afford is pictured below. Sorry James.
We definitely need some women in the shop (Sue Ann, are you listening?), because for a few minutes the discussion turned to erectile dysfunction. A couple weeks ago it was proctology, now E.D....enough!
I loaded up my Ser Jacopo with some Maltese Falcon and had a delightful smoke over the course of the afternoon. The weather was warm and breezy and the day probably should have been spent working around the yard, but this was far more enjoyable.
A lot of the discussion centered around how New Port Richey has changed over the years, especially with Steve, Ed, and Lou present, all having grown up here or spent a long time in the area. Not all the changes have been for the good, but for the most part, the city is still a nice place to live, especially with a great little cigar shop to hang out at like the Hut.
Toward the end of the day we saw Lou in all his glory as an older couple came in to inquire about some sort of tobacco purchase - I wasn't clear what - and then started ranting about the price increase. After Lou patiently (and I use that term loosely) explained that the increase is due to a federally-mandated tax, they finally left after about ten minutes without buying anything and Lou could barely contain himself. But we finally got him calmed down. There may have been some reference made to the woman resembling Sea Biscuit, but I can't be sure.
There will be no report from me next Saturday as I'll be in Venice for the weekend. Venice, Florida, not Venice, Italy, I'm afraid. But it will still be nice to get away for a few days. I'm hoping that smoking is allowed on the grounds of the B&B we're staying at, so I can enjoy at least a cigar while I'm there.
See you in two weeks!
- Bob
P.S. James, we took up a collection for your party's entertainment, and this is all we could afford:
Wow! Today saw a lot of people at The Tobacco Hut, a lot of cigars being enjoyed, and a lot of passionate debate. I was the first to arrive and I began my afternoon by loading up an Ascorti I haven't smoked in a while with some G.L. Pease Maltese Falcon, a deliciously smooth English blend, rich in Latakia.
Joe arrived soon after and I am pleased to report that he is loving his iMac. Although I'm secretly wishing he'll hate it and just want to give it to me, but I think like most users he'll become a permanent member of the Mac family.
Lou did admit to me that I was right about the satellite/cell phone controversy from last week. I know it killed him to do it, and I'm still not a hundred percent sure he believes it, but it was fun to debate the issue.
Ed B. arrived but only had time to drink a soda or two. In discussing a recent raid at a local crack house where the suspect opened fire on deputies, who immediately returned fire, killing the suspect, Ed introduced us to a technical police term: DRT. The newspaper had reported that the suspected was transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead at the emergency room, but Ed had the inside track and said the suspect was actually DRT - "Dead Right There", meaning essentially dead where he dropped. Gotta love the gallows humor of law enforcement!
Peter arrived and before long Barry showed up. Peter was eager to ask Barry about A-Rod's admission of juicing earlier in his career, and an animated discussion broke out about which team's roster, the Red Sox or Yankees, contained more players who used steroids. I don't think the argument was truly settled, but it was certainly a lively debate.
Joe didn't really participate as he's not much of a baseball follower, but I know he enjoyed the show. Joe is a passionate follower of politics and current events, and it didn't take long for him to take a few friendly jabs at the token liberal in the room - me, your humble narrator.
Paul came in and grabbed a chair and a cigar and jumped into the fray, but not before he and I talked a little about the online cigar discussion board he and Scott (who hasn't been seen in a few weeks, but is excused since he usually works on Saturdays) introduced me to, Cigar Asylum. It's a lively forum that I just joined and am looking forward to participating more in.
Steve arrived a short time later and the discussion soon turned toward the events of the day, including unemployment, the state of the economy, global warming, overpopulation, energy resources, etc. Paul, Peter, Steve, Barry, Lou, and I all had an engaging discussion on the issues, each firmly entrenched in our respective camps. Of course, your humble narrator did find himself fending off some verbal blows from around the room.
I look forward to recovering quickly from my wounds (maybe through the use of steroids) and returning next week for another round.
Cheers!
- Bob
Saturday at the Tobacco Hut found me smoking Maltese Falcon in an Ascorti Pepino. The combination was especially nice; I'm fairly new to Greg Pease's blend (still working on my first tin) and it is a bit drier now than when I first opened it. The smoke was cool and flavorful and I had no problems keeping it lit.
The day was a little strange, although certainly not for the same reasons as last Saturday, but will get to that in a bit. The eternally cheerful Joe K arrived shortly after I did, and we promptly began talking tech, probably to Lou's dismay. Joe gave us each a business card that his wife Val had printed up for him - he does a lot of computer work (repairs, training, etc.) for friends and neighbors and they always ask if he has a card, so now he does. It's a fine looking card and I wouldn't change a thing on it - well maybe just a little (inside joke for Joe & Val)!
Peter arrived and was greeted, as usual, with a Cheers-like "Peter!", a la Norm. He announced a new business venture and the four of us brainstormed a bit offering names, logo ideas, slogans, etc. I offered to work on his marketing materials and graphics (or, as Joe says, "fancy stuff"), and I started last night, sending Peter four logo ideas.
Barry came in a short while later and we ended up having a most interesting, and different conversation. As I alluded to above, it was almost strange because the topic between Barry, Peter, Lou and myself (Joe had left by that point to take a nap. He claimed he was going to Home Depot, but we know better. He's retired - we're all jealous) was something that rarely gets discussed at the Hut: religion. And, moreover, it was quite civil.
Speaking of Barry, a few weeks ago he sent Peter a picture of himself with Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Mike Alstott. Peter immediately called Barry out for two-timing on his beloved Dallas Cowboys by wearing a Bucs jersey. The rub was that Barry sent the picture to Peter from his wife's cellphone, and that's where Peter responded. Barry's wife got the text and, of course, had no idea what was going on. The picture appears below, for all the world to see.
Barry recounted another story, this time about meeting New York Yankees great Derek Jeter. He and his wife were in Macaroni Grill in Tampa when Derek Jeter walked in with a group of a dozen or so other people. Barry could hardly contain himself but when his wife urged him to approach Derek and ask for an autograph, Barry begged off, saying he didn't want to interrupt the man's dinner. When Derek's party was leaving, Derek headed off to use the men's room...and since Barry wasn't doing anything about meeting his favorite player, Lori sprang into action. She followed Derek Jeter into the men's room and explained that her husband's favorite sport was baseball, his favorite team was the Yankees, and he was his favorite player, and could he please have his picture taken with Barry. Derek, more than a little surprised, said he would if he could be allowed to finish peeing. The result is seen here, taken just inside the restaurant, not the men's room.
Cheers!
- Bob
