Books and Cigars

What I have been up to...

2009-02-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

I have been slow in my updates, so I thought I would fill you in on a couple of new books that I have read, and a couple of great cigars that I have smoked. It has been a busy time as my son has been sick, had a birthday, and gone to a couple of birthday parties.

I have read a couple of good books, the new John Grisham novel "The Associate" it was a good story and I read it in one day. The main complaint that I have read about this book is that it was a let down as a legal thriller. In my mind this is a false statement as this book is a thriller set in a law firm than a legal thriller as there is no court room action. This was a good storyline and a really interesting plot. Good quick read.

I also and currently reading Linda Fairstein's "Lethal Legacy" and so far it is really interesting. The book deals with rare book collectors who are board members at the New York Public Library. Interesting set up, now I cannot wait to read the Payoff.

So, I smoked a 3 year old Padilla Miami 8&11 and boy of boy was it a really great cigar, great flavors and strength, one of the best cigars I have had in a long time. I think that these are great cigars, but the wrapper leaf id very fragile. You really need to be careful with this smoke, but I have to say that if aged properly, I would say this is a great smoke.

Well, hopefully the weather will turn soon and we can all enjoy spring.

Interesting news + Cigar questions

2009-01-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

So as some of you may or may not know, I work as a consultant focusing on implementation of budgeting and forecasting software solutions. Well, we chose to use a tool called Microsoft PerformancePoint Server 2007 as or package of choice. It was a good tool, lots of cool features and it seemed to compete well with the big guys out there (Oracle, SAP, and IBM). So we are just getting our sales team going on this, and we had created some packaged deals that they could sell. We also were getting interested clients on the phone and doing may demos! Life is great for our little group.

Well, yesterday, I am tooling around a PerformancePoint Blog, and what do I see, "PerformancePoint: Dead, Microsoft kills planning product". WHAT! Oh crap, ten months into this job and this is the second time something like this has happened. So the President of the company catches wind of this, and now there are three options, 1) go back to selling old product (IBM Cognos), 2) wait on SAP to release a better priced version of there tool, or 3) just dump the budgeting and planning idea all together.

Well, needless to day option #3 is not something that I would really be looking forward to. With the economy the way it is right now this makes me worried. At least I have other skills that the company sees as valuable, and I have gotten 2 certifications in the 10 months I've been here, one in PerformancePoint, and the other in a dashboarding tool. All in all I think I am safe, but the downside is this is not really what I want to do with my job. Of course I will keep working as there are not many good jobs out there now, and I am currently able to support my family 100%, but it seems I would need to look elsewhere in the future to reach my career goals. But than again maybe not. This was all just a horrible shock to the system yesterday, and I am still trying to wrap my head around it.

In other news, I smoked a Pepin Firecracker the other night (it was cold so the little guy was perfect). It was really great little powerful smoke. The spicy was there and it was a great 30min cigar! I would love to get my hands on more of them, but for a 3 inch cigar, I would have a hard time buying them.

So I have 3 Cigar questions, and feel free to answer them in the comment section.

1) Name the best cigar that no one has ever heard of.
2) what is the best flavor you get from your cigars.
3) what is the best Internet site that is cigar centric.

All in all, things will work out. I have no real control over the situation, so we shall have to just wait and see what happens. I am right now upset at Microsoft, and the situation there, but again, that just makes me mad and solves nothing. Everything will work out in the end, I just need to give it some time. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the future.

Santa Fe Dead, and HELP!!!!

2009-01-22T11:40:00.000-08:00

So I finished Stewart Woods' "Santa Fe Dead" last night and I have to say it was a pretty good book. It was what I would call a straight out thriller as there was no mystery or who done it factor, so it stands on its own for keeping the pages turning. The story line of basic revenge and greed is one that flows through most good thrillers, and this one has it all. The plot line might be a little bit out there (woman who just was found not guilty of murder meets and marries a billionaire in the matter of two days...please) but the story does work and will keep you reading.

One of the things that usually bugs me about Woods is that he seems to throw gratuitous explicit sex scenes into his books. These can get a bit much, and really sometime it feels like I am not reading a novel but rather a porn book or something. This time, Woods lightened up on the hardcore sex and uses the sex to move the story along, rather than spice up the book. This is something that Woods should do in some of his other works. All in all this is a great book for a quick mindless read that is able to transport you into a world of greed and murder.

Now onto the more important subject and I am asking for your help here, so please post a comment if you like.

I have a big dilemma and I don't know what to do. I'm stuck in a cigar smoking rut. I cannot get out. It seems that I can only go to the humidor and reach for Don Pepin cigars, Blue or Cuban Classics. While this is not really a bad thing, I just feel like I am going to get burned out (pun intended) on the Pepin smokes and that would be a bad thing. Why I am in the rut I am in is anybodies guess, but I need to break out of it. HELP.

Do you cigar smokers out there get stuck in a rut with the same cigar over and over again? Am I the only on that this seems to happen to? Is it really a bad thing? HELP!!!! I'm begging you for opinions!!!!

Quick Story about my boy...

2009-01-21T13:49:00.000-08:00

Ok, so this has nothing to do with Books or Cigars, but I thought I would post today about my little almost 3 year old Ben. He is the joy of my life, and I love that little guy more than anything ever, so I wanted to share a quick story about him.

My Dad has had back problems for more than 34 years, so before I was born he was having issues. Well, he had an operation a couple of weeks ago on his back. My wife was telling Benjamin that Papa (my Dad) was in the hospital and having and operation to fix his back because it was hurt. We live in IL and my parents live in RI, so this was not a situation where we would be able to visit the hospital, so talking about it was the best thing. Well, a little while after the talk with my wife, Ben goes up to her and asks, "Did Papa hurt his back because he played cars on the floor with me?" My wife called me and my heart melted, what a little guy to think about that, and to come up with that all on his own, he's so compassionate. Well, we told him that, no it had nothing to do with him and Papa was hurt before when Daddy was a little boy, and I think that appeased him. Still thinking about it makes me love that little guy, just a bit more.

Well, the surgery went well and we talk to Papa on the phone. Now, every time Ben got on the phone with Papa he'd say "will you play cars with me Papa?" But guess what, after the surgery, Ben has not asked that question once, and I think it is because he still thinks that playing with cars caused Papa to need an operation. I hope that Ben doesn't still think that and I think he knows he did nothing wrong, but I still feel for the little guy, he loves his Papa so much.

Well, that's it about me and my son. I was just thinking about him at work and thought I would share.

Going to be finishing up Woods' "Santa Fe Dead" tonight. Good book!

Why cigars?

2009-01-20T11:47:00.000-08:00

This is a question that I have been asked, and ask myself, Why do I smoke cigars? People often think of it as smelly and disgusting, they frown upon you. There are very few places where we can smoke cigars these days other than home or at a cigar store, so it not something that you can do in most social situations. I will be the first to admit that I do smell pretty bad after smoking a cigar at the store or even outside. So why would anyone in there right mind smoke a cigar?

Well, I have been thinking about this, and I can answer the question for me. It might not be the same for everyone out there who enjoys a nice cigar, but for me, I enjoy the peace of spending time with my cigar and my thoughts at the end of the day. Some times I am interested in a nice relaxing smoke, so I might reach for something milder, others I am looking for some excitement in my smoke, so a bold pepper bomb might be in order. Basically it is a way for me to enjoy the flavors and aroma of the cigar and reflect on the current day and what is to come. I often find myself reading a good book while smoking a cigar, and there is nothing that is more relaxing to me that reading a book, smoking an enjoyable cigar, and just being transported to the world of the novel that you are reading.

I often times (99%) smoke cigars on my front porch, and occasionally the neighbors swing by for a chat or something. None of them are cigar smokers so I usually put the cigar down to talk to them, then pick it back up and re-light (if needed). I think that while I am enjoying the cigar, I like to be focusing on the book and the cigar without any distractions, thus I don't smoke when talking to a neighbor. What's funny is that I like to herf with my cigar smoking buddies. I talk all the time here with a cigar in my mouth, and think nothing of it. Why is it different when I am smoking alone vs. with a group?

Well, I think it boils down to the fact that when I go to a herf, I know what to expect, talking and socializing. Really a herf is a gab fest for guys. If there was a show like "The View" for guys it would take place at a herf. I know that an I understand that. I think that my nightly cigar is my time to escape from work, and the day; a time to just unwind and enjoy myself. I think that the cigar represents that unwinding, and I cannot do that if I am talking to the neighbors.

So back the the original question, why do I smoke cigars, I'll tell you the answer...because I enjoy them. No other reason than that, I like them. So I care that I stink afterwards, nope. Do I care what other people think of me because I am smoking a cigar, nope. I have found something that I enjoy, that makes a nice time reading a book more enjoyable, and best of all, I have met a bunch of great guys thanks to cigars.

Now will this cold weather ever end so I can get back to enjoying a nice cigar on the front porch!

Don Pepin Garica, Jeffery Deaver

2009-01-19T08:27:00.000-08:00

Ah what a weekend! My son was in a great mood and I had a blast with him, and my wife and I spent a great time at the mall with him! I went out to a herf on Saturday and spent a nice time smoking some good cigars with some buddies, and to top it all off, my shipment of Don Pepin Garcia Blues arrived in the mail. All around a great weekend.

So why am I so excited about Don Pepin Garica cigars? Well, first, the man makes cigars for the experienced cigar smoker. Now what I mean by that is that there are way to many companies out there that cater to the new smoker by making mild or flavored cigars, and tend to shy away from the bolder spicier smokes. Not Pepin, his cigars start with a nice kick in the pants spice blast that really get the cigar starting on the right foot. Also his cigars are a work of art construction wise, there is the "triple cap" and each leaf look perfect. These are never tight, and always spot on draw wise. So if you are looking for a little bolder cigar, check out a Don Pepin Garcia and you will not be disappointed.

This weekend, I smoked a Pepin Cuban Classic (black label) and a Blue label. These are two of my all time favorite cigars. The black label was an older on and had all of the Great flavors that I love. There is something about this cigar that starts off with pepper and ends with a nice coffee or woodsy flavor that I really love. The new Pepin Black have something that is laking in my opinion. The blue was spot on with a perfect burn, nice reddish brown wrapper, and all of the peppery, spicy goodness that I come to enjoy. These cigars won't know your socks off powerhouse, but the flavors that you get from these beautiful cigars is something that will last forever.

As far as books go, I have sort of been slowing down because of the colder weather and the hard time I'm having getting outside to smoke a cigar. But, that being said, I finished the Jeffery Deaver "The Bodies Left Behind" and I have to say that it was better than I expected after reading some other reviews. This one was a departure from his normal Lincoln Rhyme novels, and mostly takes place in the forest that happens to be behind a grisly crime scene. Brynn McKenzie is the main player in this story and we learn about her past and her current issues with her husband and son while she is trying to save the life of a person she found at the crime scene. The story has many twists and turns, and while it might have been a little long in the chase through the forest, it does end up delivering in the end, and will keep you turning the pages.

I am currently reading Stuart Woods' "Santa Fe Dead" and I have to say that this is a very unrealistic novel from Woods, who although over the top at times, is usually creative enough to come up with plot lines that have a ring of truth to them. I'll let you know what I think when I am finished.

I am looking forward to John Grisham's newest "The Associate" as it seems like he is going to be getting back to his roots with a legal thriller like the ones that made him. Cannot wait!

Well, until next time, check out a Pepin, and pick up a good book.

Long time no post

2009-01-07T12:40:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the no posts, it was the holidays, what can I say.

Well, I would like to talk about two different books that I read in the last couple of weeks, and give one of them a big thumbs up, and another, well, thumbs way down.

Bad news first "Cross Country" by James Patterson is the latest novel (or novella because they are so sort of a read) featuring Alex Cross and family. Alex Cross has gone through so many different iterations during this series it is hard to remember where we are now, but I guess Cross is back in the DC police force as we start with a savage murder that he and his new girlfriend are investigating. (Is it me or does this guy Cross have more ladies than most small towns?) Well without ruining anything, the action moves to Africa where we hear about the struggles of the Africans and more about what is going on there that really anything that has to do with the story. (Cross of course gets a girl there to.) Anyway this book turns out just like you would expect, Cross wins out, and there is more Cross to come.

I think that it is really time for Patterson to hang up the Alex Cross character. The books all seem to lack something that the early ones had, and really it seems like this book was 50% filler about the struggles that are going on in Africa now. THUMBS WAY DOWN...

Next is "Rough Weather" by Robert B. Parker, and is continuing the Spenser series that is loved by many. This Spencer story is actually interesting in that he really does not have a client, as he was at a crime and now is determined to figure out why it was done. Gray Man is once again the main enemy and I have to say this book was unique, fresh, funny, and exciting.

If you are not a fan of Parker or have never read anything from him, give "Rough Weather" a shot. It is really a good read.

Currently I am reading "The Bodies Left Behind" by Jeffery Deaver, author of the Lincoln Ryme books. So far so good, but I read some mixed reviews about this one, so I'll wait an see.

Been cold so not much in the way of cigar smoking these days. Take care!

Tar and cigars...CigarLive's downfall...All time favorite author...

2008-12-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

Last night I ventured out into the 32 degree weather with a Man 'O War corona and decided I would use a punch cut on this little cigar. Well, that worked great, I got a really nice draw and a was really enjoying this cigar. Well, by the last 2 inches, I all of a sudden got this horrible taste in my mouth, harsh, strong and really just flat out gross. When I looked at the punched end of my cigar, I noticed a ton of tar had formed in the little punch opening. It was really gross, and caused me to toss the smoke.

I tend to find that this happens when I punch a smaller ring cigar, and I wonder why? Any ideas? Feel free to leave a comment.

As some of you readers might know, I started on the ride of cigar forums at CigarLive, about a year and a half ago. I really did not know what to expect when I joined because I had never been a member of any Internet forum, and really did not know what to expect. I really was just sort of your typical cigar smoker who really just enjoyed cigars, never really thinking to much about what goes into them, and the wide range of cigars that are out there. I had my favorites and I stuck to them.

Well, then I joined Cigar Live. I really enjoyed learning about the differet blends and what people nliked and did not like. I really enjoyed talking about cigars and learning things about lighters, cutters, and what makes cigars different. I also branched out from my comfort zone and really enjoyed some cigars I would never have tried. But the best thing that happened was meeting the people who live in my area and enjoy cigars. I can say that I consider them to be my friends.

So why in the title of this post do I mention CigarLive's downfall? Well, because the place is gone, replaced by a shell of what it once was. Changes were happening over the last 6 to 8 months and I saw many members leave, but I stuck around because it was still my first home, and I still liked it. Then, a man names Jon Caputo purchased the site, and things changed overnight. I don't think it was what Jon did that changed the site, it was how the membership (including myself) reacted and retreated from CL that did it in. The posts slowed to almost a trickle, the talk was gone, my friends were gone, CigarLive was gone and replaced with Puff.com the stupidest name for a cigar web site I have ever heard.

CigarLive is just a shell of it's former self, and that is sad. It was a fun ride while it lasted, but it's over now, and it will never return to what it was. So CigarLive is not CigarDead in my mind and if you are looking for a forum, I would suggest giving me your e-mail address, or going to Stogiereview.com and joining there forum. It's a better atmosphere with betting information.

I joined an outcast from CL site and am seeing all of the friends I enjoyed talking to on CigarLive. The passion is back and that is what I really enjoy seeing. Hopefully things won't change at outcast!

So as I was reading last night, I was thinking about my favorite books, and authors of all time. I would have to say I have three favorites...Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, and Archer Mayor. The first two you might know, but Mayor writes great little police procedural novels set in Brattelboro VT. They are fantastic little mysteries set in a great out of the way location. Pick up a book by him if you want a great read.

Also, I thought I would fill you all in that I don't buy my novels at a book store, I support my local Library, and every book that I reference in this blog will be taken out of the Palatine Public Library!

Te-Amo International Series and David Baldacci

2008-12-01T07:37:00.000-08:00

As part of an Altadis VIP program, I receive samples of some of there cigars each month to try, and this month was the Te-Amo International Selection with a Nicaraguan and Honduran blend sampler. I have never really been a fan of the Te-Amo cigars, and to be honest with you would normally shy away from them, but seeing as the nice folks at Altadis sent these to me, I figured I would give them a shot.

So I started with the one with the Nicaraguan tobacco in it, and found it to be a nice medium body cigar with flavors of spice and a little pepper thrown in for good measure. The stick burned great (Toro size 6 X 54 I think) and really had some wonderful flavors. The ash held well and really it was a well constructed cigar. This is a cigar that I will go out and buy as it was enjoyable.

The Honduran Selection was the next down, and was really Earthy and heavy like most Honduran tobacco. As I like a spicy cigar this was present, but not at the forefront. The main thing with this cigar was its earthy flavors leather and earth. The blend was pleasant and maybe could do with some aging to make this a cigar that is up there with the others. The burn was pretty good, and the ash was strong and dark, like a lot of Honduran smokes.

All in all I was very surprised with these two cigars. The main think is I think that the price point is really good, so pick some up especially the Nicaraguan blend.

Book

I began reading David Baldacci's Divine Justice a follow up to his acclaimed "Stone Cold" where the Camel Club takes on some more of the dangers facing the USA. This book starts off right where the last left off, and I cannot wait to see where it leads. Baldacci is one of my favorite authors and a review of this book will be up in the next few days.

I just finished a non-fiction book about the office of the Michigan Medical Examiners office. I find these books to be fascinating. True crime is always better than fiction as you always find yourself thinking "I cannot believe that someone actually did this" rather than thinking it is just fiction. If you are interested in this type of thing, check out, Skeletons in the closet : stories from the county morgue by Tobin T. Buhk and Stephen D. Cohle.

Until next time my friends! Happy Smoking.

What do I look for in a cigar???

2008-11-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

So, what do I look for in a cigar you ask? (Well, you didn't ask, I did, but maybe you would like to know.) Well, first think I look for in any cigar that I enjoy is a flavorful experience. Many people who do not smoke cigars might not understand that cigars are not just the same old thing over and over. There are cigars that are peppery and spicy, then there are cigars that are creamy and smooth. Cigars that have an abundance of flavors are what I really go for. There is no use smoking a cigar that has little or no flavor right?

To me it is not really the particular flavor that is important just how it is presented during the cigar experience. I enjoy creamy cigars that really fill your mouth and pallet with the flavors of the tobacco, and I enjoy a "pepper bomb" that explodes into your mouth and does not let go. What I cannot stand is a cigar that dances around the flavors, gives you a hint at the start, then fades away. If you have something good then keep to it!

I also look at how the cigar is constructed and the quality of the wrapper leaf that is used. There is no better sign that a cigar is going to disappoint than seeing a poorly wrapped smoke. If the company who made the cigar cannot get the wrapping right, what is the confidence that I have that the rest of the cigar will be ok? I also tend to go for the darker wrappers as I have found that these wrappers tend to go with the stronger cigars in terms of flavors (not strength of the cigar). Is this a hard and fast rule, no, but it is something that I tend to do.

Next during the smoke, I tend to like a cigar that pumps out the smoke, not one that has a trickle that comes out of the cigar. I also like a cigar that has a nice ash, not one that flakes, but one that stays in its shape. This might just be something that I care about but it really bugs me when an ash flowers.

After all that, I look at the price, that is the last thing I worry about. I tend to find that sometimes cheaper cigars are better cigars. Don't let price dictate the experience.

So what are some of my favorites that fit the above? Well the El Cobre is a great example of a cigar that is so full of flavor. It is a strong cigar in terms of strength, but it is really well made and really flavorful. I also like most of the Don Pepin cigars that are on the market today. He really seems to make a cigar that is flavorful but not overpowering.

But again don't forget some old favorites like the H. Upmann Maduro Reserve, or some new cigars that are out there like the Te-Amo World Collection. I smoked the Nic blend last night and it was flavorful and well made, the ash did flower but overall the smoke was very good. These value cigars can be a great everyday alternative to the more expensive premiums out there today.

Happy smoking!

What was I thinking

2008-11-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

So, what the heck was I thinking starting a blog? Who really cares what the heck I have to say. Well maybe not that many people, but I will say it anyway.

How should I start? I guess I will just tell you about my plans for this space and what I have in store for all of you!

I plan to use this space to tell you what I have been up to reading and smoking cigars. These are my two hobbies. I usually read about two books a week, novels in the mystery thriller area with some nonfiction thrown in from time to time, and smoke about a cigar a day. This is how I unwind after a day of working, and it is just me time to think about the day and sort of let it all go. Some of my favorite authors are currently: Robert B. Parker, Stewart Woods, Vince Flynn, David Baldacci, Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston, and James Rollins. Some of my favorite cigars are: Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic, Don Pepin Garcia Blue, 601's and many many more.

Well check in from time to time to see reviews of books and cigars, and find out a little bit about me and my life.