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.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Interesting news + Cigar questions
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.
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.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Santa Fe Dead, and HELP!!!!
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!!!!
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!!!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Quick Story about my boy...
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!
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!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Why cigars?
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!
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!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Don Pepin Garica, Jeffery Deaver
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Long time no post
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!
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!
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