Sunday, October 25, 2015

Mailbag Monday for 10.26.15

It's a lazy Sunday morning of Pancakes and thermal long johns. I'd better get cracking. Someone grab me my robe and coffee. I need a secretary. Inquire within.

A note before we delve -- I've noticed no small amount of repeated questions. Don't forget that to yer left, there's a (Ir)regular Features header, which you might uses to peruse previous queries and their answers.
- Management
"What's your favorite cigar smoking setting?"

This is somewhat of a thought provoking question. Lemme sip my coffee. I still do not have coffee. This is unforgivable. I am far too widely read to have to brew my own joe. I digress with a pffft.

It never is lost on me that I've come quite far in my short time as 'leafwriter.' I spend much of my tobacco time with cigars given to me which I cannot otherwise afford and notations in my lap and/or screen in front of me. It smacks, at times, of the vast differences between review and enjoyment. Please, please, please do NOT take this as a complaint. As I am pleased as both Punch and Judy for these unforeseen blessings.

To answer your question, though: alone but for Ruby Vondella and the brief and pleasant nods of passersby -- I am sitting on a park bench, listening to baseball on the radio. It's a tad overcast and might rain later. There's a chill in the air that can't penetrate my cardigan. I am smoking a cheap stogie I have smoked a million times before.

Thanks for that question.
"I get green on medium+ cigars and above. What can I do?"

Smoke only medium and lower strength cigars, is advice which readily springs to mind. There's plenty of offerings which fit that bill well, and in complex, nuanced fashions. I'm a dainty dandy meself, as far as tolerance is concerned (as well as fashion and every other possible meaning of the fine word 'dandy') -- so I won't harass ya sir, by asking if your hubby is even OK with you smoking. 

If you do get in over yer head and go green, a half teaspoon of sugar will set ya right. A pip of a Hershey's bar will, too. I use a sip of milk, or a small scoop of peanut butter. If you find yourself testing waters, and speaking of gurgitation, eat first. I almost always smoke post-meal. Hope this helps, ma'am.
"How many cigars do most people smoke in a day?"

This strikes me as less of a question per se, and more of a wellness self-check. Do you really care how many cigars Joe Schmoe smokes any given day? If so, why? I'm sure you're more concerned with rationalising your new hobby's effect on yer health. I think a better question would be "How many cigars can I smoke in a day without getting cancer?" Now there's a question I'll take on...

Seeing as life, like cancer, is a terminal disease -- our tickets are all pre-punched. That said, we can with the help of our big brains, weigh what to lesser creations seem like odd notions. Notions such as pros and further notions such as cons. We can also ease off as needed and back on as cleared -- in regards to us listening to our bodies.

As for myself, I smoke 10-15 a day and take mega doses of Vitamin C and Cod Liver Oil in order to offset. It's also nice to not have to worry about Scurvy and Rickets. 

Have fun, sir. 
"I'm looking for a cigar to give my boyfriend as a birthday gift. Any recommendations."

Impossible question to answer. The only way I could possibly tell you to go, is a box of what he smokes daily. That might or might not work from your end. I'd redirect you to the knick-knack bric-brac section for some cigar related advertising of the vintage or antique kind. If you are secure in your knowledge of the guy's style, I'd think of a cutter or ashtray you KNOW will catch his fancy. Don't buy him a humidor unless he's brand new to cigars, does not already have one, and has mentioned the one he would like. All while nudging you and winking. Even then, humis are too big of an aesthetic deal to safely gift. Stay small tools and/or related etc. 

I suppose if you're heckbent on sticks, a sampler might be of interest. Dicey proposition, though. Stay medium-profiled. Ask yer local tobacconist, as they adore dealing with inquiries of that ilk.
"I've been dabbling in nasal snuff. I understand it's a healthier alternative. Thoughts?

Thought as to the "healthier alternative?" I imagine there is some truth to it since the tobacco is unheated, thus releasing less of the bad stuffs. I have seen the studies, or lack thereof, and I imagine them to be limited in findings due to a lack of regular snuff takers. I would say that a healthier alternative to all forms of tobacco would be a brisk walk. All that stated, I should admit to not being a health-care professional, regardless of my quite Jewish surname.

As to the stuff itself, I happen to now have a sampling of it coming my way from the U.K., and will share my findings here when they are found. I must say that the romantic in me finds no small appeal in its Victorian gentlemanly heyday and ragamuffin charm. But I've always been drawn bad, to paraphrase Jessica Rabbit. 
Well, gentlepersons, another Mailbag Monday is in the -- well -- bag. Thanks for reading, and have a great week. Questions which pop up along the way can be sent to: LINK.

Might I too direct ya to Cigars City? I'm not only not a client, but I'm also a commission-based only representative.