While taking to Stephen
about getting a banner listing for one of our sites on CigarLife, I happened
to mention that I've smoked an "occasional cigar" for about 25 years. Well!
You'd have thought that I'd said that I had two heads and three arms. Stephen
asked me to write something. I said, "Okay, how about 150 words?" He said:
"Try 750." ULP!
I tossed and turned on this for over a week. I'm not even close to an aficionado.
So, it wouldn't do for me to try to fool THIS audience. So, I thought I'd
just tell about how I got started and why I continued (to smoke occasionally).
You know, I was only interested in asking Stephen if I could get a nice
banner listing for one of our sites on his cool cigar site. (See http://www.jutenhoops.com)
I'd heard about the CigarLife from one of the numerous forums I'm on --
not even sure that I recall which. Then, I happened to mention that I've
smoked an "occasional cigar" for about 25 years. Well! You'd have thought
that I'd said that I had two heads and three arms. Stephen asked me to
write something. I said, "Okay, how about 150 words?" He said: "Try 750."
ULP!
I had a very good friend, a teacher of mine, actually, who introduced
me to CIGARS back in the early Spring of 1972. This was still the heyday
of the "flower-power" children, etc. I can say with certainty that I was
a Hippie. I REALLY should write about THOSE times! Anyway....
He showed me how to pick a good one, how to hold it, and how to savor and
taste a great cigar. He always said that one should smoke the cigar down
to the very end because that's where all of the flavor would accumulate.
And that's what I've always done. (I also, secretly, inhale -- who doesn't?)
Now, everyone has their own way to pick, hold, and smoke. And you're all
pretty much REAL aficionados. So, I don't need to go into that here. What
I've found enjoyable about this critter is that it is very calming. I've
never been one for fads. Many women are now finding cigars a great new
fashion statement. And, after a year a two, we may gain 1-2% of these as
converts. But if there are any more, I'd be surprised. Cigar smoking is
not for the faint of heart. It's not for someone who wants to impress anyone
-- because if you don't smoke, you'll probably complain about "the smell."
How anyone could honestly say that a good cigar "smells" is beyond me.
Cigars have an aroma much more like incense and which is CERTAINLY PREFERABLE
to c---------s. You get my drift.
Teacher always said that the mark of a good cigar was how long the ash
would stay on -- the longer the ash tip, the better the wrap, the better
the quality of cigar. And, he said, "Never smoke anything smaller than
a Panatela." Well, of course, I've not held to that rule.
Cigars are the symbol of the Intellectual. Pipes are smoked by "domestics".
That is, traditionally, a man who smoked a pipe was a husband with 2.5
kids, etc. Well, I'm nothing if not an intellectual! Just ask me anything;
I'll give you an opinion. I hope that the world is changing and I'm the
cutting edge.
The best time for me to smoke is at dusk. I live in the desert where the
air cools down in the evening and you just want to sit outside and watch
the glorious sunset. And, of course, have an easy draw. Smokes are reminiscent
somehow of our primitive days around the fire. Since it's difficult to
have those fires in today's hustle-bustle, a good smoke seems to answer
that call. That's why it's so comforting and soothing to smoke a smooth,
full-bodied cigar. I may have taken to smoking because my grandmother used
to drive a mule team in Territorial Arizona. But, that's another story,
too.... (I do mention this at my own web site located at http://www.sitesys.com/virginia.html)
Because I've had to indulge so long in my occasional passion by myself,
I've tended to be a "Loner." In fact, almost none of my friends know that
I "do it." Now, however, since Demi has made it more acceptable, I don't
mind admitting that I do. In fact, several of my "manly" men clients to
whom I've confided have actually taken on a new respect for me. It's incredible!
We share a cigar in the office from time-to-time. It is the oddest thing.
But, my guess? The world is changing, after all.
Virginia Ikeda can be contacted at (nia@sitesys.com).
