In light of some recent activities that left me feeling pretty stupid, and like an ass, I feel it's necessary to confess some of my "cigar sins".
Cigar knowledge: After almost a year and a half smoking cigars and being a member here, my knowledge has increased from none to next-to-none. I feel like I really haven't learned or retained nearly as much as I should have by now. If someone were to show me pictures of 100 cigars, I'd probably be able to identify 3-5 of them (being generous). Worse, if someone listed 100 cigars and asked me to describe what they look like, I'd maybe get 1-2 right. Forget about accurate length/RG.
Does this affect your ability to enjoy cigars or the hobby in general?
Treinenwj said:
Pricing: If I haven't bought a particular cigar before, or in some cases just happen to remember seeing a listed price, I have absolutely no idea how much they cost. Using that list of 100 cigars, I would maybe again get a reasonably correct price range on 3-5 of them. Right now, many of the cigars I have in my humi are the result of being bombed, or buying them from another BOTL. The others I've had in there for long enough that I don't remember what I paid.
Does this affect your ability to enjoy cigars or the hobby in general?
(personally, it helps me when I don't think about how many dollars I'm turning into ash while smoking...)
Treinenwj said:
Posting: As you read above, I don't have much to contribute to this site. I stay here because, honestly, I've had a real hard time making new friends since I moved back to WI, and only barely know 2 other people who smoke cigars. So, I spend a lot of my free time on BOTL. And without knowing jack about cigars, most of my posts are nonsense, or about the general discussion topics. I'm not really sure where I'm going to go from here. Maybe I should take a break from BOTL, or just try to sit in the background and keep my thoughts to myself.
Nonsense. Ask questions, provide information when you can, provide your well thought out opinions when you feel they might help and in general enjoy the Brotherhood of conversing with like-minded individuals. That's what this is all about. Some on here are just learning about cigars, and some have learned as much as they care to. Once again:
Does this affect your ability to enjoy cigars or the hobby in general?
I found some time ago that the more time I spent discussing cigars, which ones were coming out, which ones were smoking great and keeping up on all the new releases and special releases did one thing for me: put me in debt. I have little self control on these things. I still enjoy being aorund here, I still have great friends I've made and continue to make here. That's why I, personally, hang out and post in the general areas more. The last thing anyone should feel here at BOTL is that they need to keep their yap shut because they are new. I think I can speak for more than myself when I say this place has always prided itself on being open and welcoming to both noobs, FOGs and everyone in between.
Trienenwj said:
Brotherhood: I've noticed more and more threads lately where people are airing grievances (sorta like this one) and I find that troubling. Not that people are voicing concerns, but that there seems to be more and more concerns to be voiced. Sometimes I let these things that really shouldn't even be on my radar affect me to the point I get angry at the offenders. That's just not healthy.
There's a song I should be quoting, but I can't think of it. Cycles baby, it's all about cycles. These things come up, they get aired out, and they go away. The community has grown and continues to do so, that brings in more people of different view points and who are new to the hobby and the Brotherhood. This too shall pass.
Trienenwj said:
Finally, and not the least in my mind: I've only smoked 3 cigars since Thanksgiving; and 2 of them were a bit disappointing. Mostly, it's been because of the weather, sometimes just too busy. Either way, it just plain sucks.
Now that does suck. Best not to force it. If you don't have the time, skip the smoke, or try to find a smaller one so you can enjoy it without feeling rushed. On the plus side, the weather, she is changing. You'll be complaining about sunburn and sweat in no time, hang in there!
