Me Day
I had a pretty stressful week the week before last. I decided to take a me day. I reaggravated an old rowing injury, and had a sore back, so I decided to pop a few muscle relaxers and advil, and start my day at NMTI right down the road from me in Falls Church City. NMTI is a massage school that offers massages from current students for $35 an hour. Its a great deal, and the worst massage I’ve ever had there was still good. More often than not, the massage is excellent. Its very easy to schedule your massage online.
After the massage, I stopped in palm beach tan to get some color.
After tanning, I swung by my parents house for a soak. I poured a little Talisker Storm, and put some jazz on my portable speakers.
After the hot tub, I quickly got into the sauna to dry off and stay warm (notice the snow on the ground).
In the evening, I took the metro in DC to meet a friend at Old Ebbit Grill for the orca platter (half off during happy hour). We also got a bottle of rose bubbly. A couple at the next table asked what we were celebrating (assuming we were together).
We ended the evening at Shelly’s Back Room. Had some nice cigars, and a few glasses of Blanton’s (only 9 bucks a glass, about the cheapest place to have Blantons out).
What a great day. I’m not sure how I’ll be able to top it.
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Valentine’s Day
VDay is only a week away. If you haven’t already, its time to make some reservations, and buy a gift. I recommend an etsy shop with Appalachian inspired jewelry, run by a Virginia Tech grad:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/12POLE
I’d imagine the ladies already have things handled, but just in case, for a last minute gift hit the ABC store and grab a bottle of Elmer T Lee (bourbon), or Laphroaig (scotch). I, personally, always like more brown sauce, ammo, cigars, etc. If you hit the cigar store, but don’t know what to buy, my first recommendation is to ask his buddies what he likes, but my second is something by Arturo Fuente. If the shopkeeper has anything in the Hemingway line, you’re golden.
Y’all have a good one.
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PTSD
I occasionally wake up from nightmares, in which I believe I’ve forgotten that an assignment is due. Its been almost two years since I got my last degree, but the fear persists. As I come out of the hypnagogic state, at least I get to realize that I don’t have to worry about school anymore. I remembered that I my student subscription the The Economist still works today, and took a look. I found an interesting article about cigarette companies:
some highlights:
“In Europe 7% of smokers had tried “vaping” by 2012 but only 1% kept it up.” I really thought ecigs would catch on, and based on commercials and seeing them in stores, I thought they had.
“This month health officials in China, home to more smokers than any other country, called for a ban on smoking in public places.” (As far as I know, its still only a potential ban) The night before the smoking ban went into affect in VA, my wife, a buddy of mine, and I went to a cigar friendly restaurant in McLean and had some PG cigars. Maybe one day I’ll try to convince my grandkids that the Virginia smoking ban was as big a deal as the last drink before prohibition.
Admittedly, this is already a pretty scattered post, but I’ll go ahead and switch gears again. I remember getting to read Harvard Business Journal articles for school. There were plenty of reading assignments I didn’t enjoy, but the HBJ articles were usually pretty good. I found one of my favorites (though its a bit dated now), so I figured I’d share:
http://group4jbsswiftco.wikispaces.com/file/view/910405-PDF-ENG.pdf
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Ol’ Reliable
When I first got into cigars, I found the jet lighters I bought to be very unreliable. Once I learned that one needs to purge the lighter of all fuel when it runs out, and before refilling, my lighters became slightly more reliable. The only lighter I’ve had that has lasted more than say 20 refills, is a cheap ($3 I think) Ronson from Wallyworld. If you don’t like Walmart, say because they kill small town America, ebay has them, and I bet some mom and pops might as well. Another interesting fact is that Ronson was the preferred brand of my favorite protagonist, James Bond.
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BVVA first cigar review!!!
I’ve been fighting a cold for the last few days, and since one wants what one can’t have, I’ve been craving a cigar. Since I can’t enjoy one, I’ll reminisce about a favorite while I wait for my health to return.
Several years ago I started really getting into cigars. My accommodations at the time included a hot tub and portable tv, so I spent a lot of time relaxing with a stogie. About that time I found the Cabaiguan fan, and immediately became a fan. The Cabaiguan brand is still one of my favorites. I have a Cabaiguan guapos that I’ll probably light up as soon as I’m feeling better.
I’ve tried the just about all the cigars in the Cabaiguan range, but the Robustos Extra is the standout. I find it to be creamy, a little bit spicy, and very enjoyable overall. The strength is not overpowering for me, and I’m not one for particularly strong cigars.
I’ll admit that I’m no expert. That said, I’m not alone in my affinity for Cabaiguan. I’ve linked to a thread on a cigar site I found which a member has distributed cigars for blind taste tests. The testers, with seemingly far more experience/knowledge than I, unanimously guess that the Cabaiguan is from Cuba.
If a straight review is more your style, check out these reviews from one of my favorite cigar review sites:
http://www.stogieguys.com/2009/04/04152009-stogie-reviews-cabaiguan-robusto-extras.html
http://www.stogieguys.com/2011/12/12192011-cigar-review-cabaiguan-guapos.html
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2014 Catch Up
Although this blog was started in late January, I’d like to capture the whole year. I’ll start with xmas, which was technically 2013. I got an early xmas prezzie from my wife, the Weber Smokey Mountain. My first time out, I just tried a single rack of ribs with a dry rub. It was awesome, and I highly recommend the WSM.
Shortly thereafter, a fraternity brother hosted a KC BBQ rules rib off. My team won, but I can’t really take much of the credit. We had a tried and true competition smoker on our team who made most of the decisions.
For xmas, we started with our (for the last two years) tradition of vodka, champagne, caviar, blinis, and creme fraiche. Then we opened presents. My wife got a Beretta Explor A400 in 20 gauge. I got a champagne saber, inscribed with a quote from Napoleon, reiterated (but paraphrased) by Winston Churchill. Then for dinner we had our traditional steak (a slightly older tradition), which was phenomenal.
For New Years, we went to Montreal. It was about a 9 hour drive, but it flew by talking to close friends in the car. We stayed on Square Phillips at an awesome hotel that was walking distance to just about everything.
We went to Casa Del Habano in Montreal twice. Once because we jumped the gun because we were so excited, and then again for my buddy’s 29th bday. I enjoyed a Hoyo Epicure #2, and a Monte #4. We also had some great Cuban rum. Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros was our favorite.
We also did some sightseeing. The museum of fine arts was particularly good. My two favorite works were Moonlight by Henri-Joseph Harpignies (1889) (Clair de lune by Debussy was played deliberately in the room), and Boys Club by Jules de Balincourt (2011).
We also enjoyed visiting the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.
We ate at schwartz’s.
Visited the house of jazz:
For my friend’s birthday, we ate at Le Club Chasse et Peche on the recommendation of Tony Bourdain. Then on New Years, we dined at Chez Queux, right on Place Jacques Cartier, where the festivities go down.
NYE in Montreal:
When it was time to drive back, it was a little chilly and a bit of a snow storm rolled in.
We also celebrated my wife’s birthday this month. First by going to Russia House during restaurant week (everything was great, I’d go back for the vodka sampler), followed by a Caps game.
Then we headed to West By God for a hunt, a movie in an old timey theater, and some relaxing with friends. For her birthday dinner, we smoked a pork butt and had us some pulled pork.
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