Just Wanted to Say Thanks

[Jonathan Drew]

Friends,

My last meaningful post was in the BLOG section on July 17th, 2011 ...

My goal was to Blog each day of the 2011 IPCPR, but I just couldn't live up to the challenge. Even worse, I had missed a good two weeks of reading all the BOTL forum posts as I tried to catch up on my business and personal life.

About a week ago, I started to catch up on all of the posts, and even went back to the BLOG section and started to scribe some thoughts about IPCPR - but I had to stop. For some reason I got all emotional and just couldn't write what I was feeling.

Since then, flew to Atlantic City for the Food Network Festival, then to Seattle for a wonderful event with our friends at Li'l Brown Smoke Shop. Got into Miami at 2AM last night and just couldn't sleep. Played Kanye Wests' "Graduation" album on my Ipod over and over ... and realized just WTF had hit me:

I have been attending IPCPR (RTDA) since 1996 and have made some wonderful friends, even a few mentors. Each year we gather for a few days to buy & sell some goods, shake some hands, thank some customers, and learn more about our businesses - but there is also something else going on as well. IPCPR is a time to spend with our industry friends, mentors, and protojeaz (sp) who we didn't get to see for the past 51 weeks, or 6 months, or whatever time ... yes, then it hit me ... we have lost too many truly remarkable people in the last two years who we just didn't get to chill with at IPCPR, smoke a stick with, laugh about some funny story with, complain about some tobacco that wasn't right with, bitch about some Numbnuts stealing our innovations with, or just sit back together, smiling while we watched the pretty ladies walk by.

So, in their honor, let me say that we love ya & miss ya.

Sal Fontana;
Paul Hernandez;
Gary Artz;
Nick Perdomo Sr.;
Pedro Martin;
Niels Brielino (sp) from Brazil Fumex;
Juan Clemente; and
Others.

Peace to all of you, BOTL. Much respect.
JD

 

[Jonathan Drew]

Word Up.
JD

 

[Valverdes]

Right on man!

 

[Treinenwj]

Great post. Well, except the Kanye West part...

 

[AlohaStyle]

Yep, I hear ya JD, great post. I love that a lot of you guys in the business are down to earth and will hang with us regular folk, and I also love the fact that a lot of you are true friends despite being competitors in the cigar business. Your facebook stuff is frickin' hilarious!?! LOL

I saw that you went to Smokey Joe's on Friday night while in Seattle... I was sorry to miss you as that is my regular B&M but I wasn't there that night. You are coming to the Cigar Expo in Seattle in a couple weeks right? If so, I will definitely make a point to say hi so be on the look out for AlohaStyle!

 

[Jonathan Drew]

AlohaStyle ... sadly, I will not be attending the Expo festival, but Selim Hanono from DE will be there. He usually has some good stuff with him, so let him know you are from BOTL and enjoy, my friend. I am sad to miss it, as I have heard from many people that it is going to be a great event.

Best,
JD

 

[Zedman05]

Thanks for the meaningful words.
As I am newer to the cigar world, I don't have the emotional connections that many have had over the years, but it is always nice to hear from someone who is a big part of the industry.
I am not speaking for anyone else, but I love the fact that a lot of you guys are cool shit. Like I said earlier, I haven't been around for that long, but when I did get my chance, I went down to Nicaragua on one of the cigar trips and was utterly impressed at the fact that all of you "owners/operators" were so humble. I appreciated every moment I was down there, and cannot recommend your trips enough. I am looking to go back again in January, but might not have the change for it again as other "vacations" with the wife are probably planned already :dunno: I was hoping to get to the DE factory, but unfortunately we did not have that one on the list.
Thanks for everything so far, and keep up the fight...trust me you don't want to end up like us here in the Socialist Republic of Canada!

 

[smelvis]

Nice words, I was talking to a friend of ours yesterday and he say's your a great guy. I wish I had went and met you being in Seattle. Well next time and this post shows he was right. Take care bro and my Prayers are with them.

Dave

 

[blessednxs65]

JD,

Thanks for being genuine. Thanks for all you do to take this industry to a whole 'nother level.


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- Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jsnake]

Amen JD

 

[La Chupacabra]

Thanks for the meaningful words.
As I am newer to the cigar world, I don't have the emotional connections that many have had over the years, but it is always nice to hear from someone who is a big part of the industry.
I am not speaking for anyone else, but I love the fact that a lot of you guys are cool shit. Like I said earlier, I haven't been around for that long, but when I did get my chance, I went down to Nicaragua on one of the cigar trips and was utterly impressed at the fact that all of you "owners/operators" were so humble. I appreciated every moment I was down there, and cannot recommend your trips enough. I am looking to go back again in January, but might not have the change for it again as other "vacations" with the wife are probably planned already :dunno: I was hoping to get to the DE factory, but unfortunately we did not have that one on the list.
Thanks for everything so far, and keep up the fight...trust me you don't want to end up like us here in the Socialist Republic of Canada!

There is nothing wrong with Socialism my friend !
I am a die-hard socialist from Northern Ireland!

 

[The EVP]

Great words JD! Take a little breather and rest for a while.

 

[Zedman05]

There is nothing wrong with Socialism my friend !
I am a die-hard socialist from Northern Ireland!

Other than the fact that we can't do anything fun/cool without being taxed to death on it/laws be made to crush it/having to worry it will be illegal soon. I am just tired of not being allowed to do things that we as adults should have a right to.

 

[Jonathan Drew]

Friends.

Arrived in Nicaragua a couple of hours ago. Did some errands, then caught Captain America at the Galleria Mall with Fatboy Jessi. If ya watch any of my Gelato eatin FB foolishness, thats the same mall here in Managua. LOL.

Anyway, have dinner with Alejandro Cuenca tonight in 12 minutes, and I'm really looking forward to it. It was great to see Huber join the BOTL, as he is a swell dude and he made a great decision with EPC.

Best,
JD

 

[wilfredsimpson]

Great post. Apart from the moments of quiet contemplation while enjoying a smoke by yourself, having a cigar with a brother is what this hobby is all about. Makes it tough when they aren't there to enjoy those moments in life anymore.

Keep doing what your doing, JD. You're a stand-up guy.

 

[ciggy]

Way to reflect and give thanks. Just show's your still one of the class acts JD.

 

[jerseyjay]

JD,
Nothing like personal and spontaneous reflection. Greatly appreciated. Sorry I couldn't make the AC party. Watching Mario's recap, looks like I missed another good one. Keep up the good work, brother !

 

[CAJoe]

Was great seeing you at the IPCPR JD. Hope you recovered ok. Thanks for stopping by and keeping us informed.

 

[keinreis]

If ya watch any of my Gelato eatin FB foolishness, thats the same mall here in Managua. LOL.

You could have your own reality show with the crazy gut busting videos you post on there.

 

[CigarSaint]

I leave for Seattle in a few days and was looking for a place to smoke so.... Little Brown Smoke Shack it is.