I guess I need to buy my 5th cooler, for more box storage. Or a very large desktop, to get all those singles out of cooler #4 and make more room for boxes.
Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)

I know this will get me jumpd on but oh well. Has anyone ever considered how much money they have tied up in cigars? Lets face it, collecting cigars is not like collecting most anything else. It is not like they will appreciate enough to make the venture worthing while financially. Some have enough that they will never be able to smoke them all. I remember one post of just the top shelf of someone humidor and it had over three thousand dollars whorth of gars. If spending money on cigars is your thing then hey whatever, but what else could be done with the money that we spend on cigars that eventually will just go up in smoke or be thrown away after our demise?

What about the amount of time spent on shopping, talking and smoking the little buggers?

Furthermore, with the tightening restrictions on purchasing cigars, the mounting evidence of health problems, and as mentioned above the rising costs I have to ask the question that must have crossed others minds, Why smoke em? Is there a better alternative to achieve the same feeling? Could something more meaningful be done with our time and money?

Lance

Sorry homebrew to post this on your thread. Your humi is beautful. I'm not picking on you or singling you out. May your good furtune continue.

Lance

Isfire, Is this not a cigar forum? Cigars are why we are all here. Sure there are other things I can do with my time and money but this is one of the things I choose to do.

***Threadjack off*** Homebrew - Take them to the next OKC Herf!! Everyone wished you could have made it!

Mike

Nice collection Homebrew!

How's your other libations doin'?

LsFire,
I have had many expensive hobbies over the years. Drag Boats, Restoring classic motorcycles, hobby class dirt track racing, motorcross racing, Illegal motorcycle road racing, gun collecting, etc. Oh and I can't forget my cocaine habit, five years of living hell. Each of these hobbies have cost me a good many $$$$$, and most of them put my health at risk as well.
As for cigars, I am sure that I have more cigars than I will ever smoke, and I continue to buy more. Why????
Because I enjoy sitting down and relaxing with a well aged cigar, and a refreshing beverage, and reflect on how well my life treats me. I suffer from cyclical depression, meaning that I from time to time sink into clinical depression. You may notice that there are periods of time, when I don't post, return emails, or phone calls. I generally hole up, and have zero contact with my friends. There is medication out there for this, but it fogs my mind, and I refuse to take it. Many times I have been pulled out of this depression, by friends phone calls, emails, or sometimes recieveing a box in the mail. Since I have started this hobby, I find that the episodes, are not as frequent, are shorter in duration, and much less severe than they have been in the past. This is all due to a brotherhood that exists around the enjoyment of fine cigars. Yes I will collect, smoke, gift, and recieve cigars for as long as I am above ground. After I leave this earth, I have left instruction to have my cigars auctioned off, and donate the proceeds to the local animal shelter.
I believe in my case, the health benefits outweigh the health costs. It all depends on the person, their health, and whether or not they believe in moderation. I smoke between 3-4 cigars most days, in a well ventalated area. Some days I smoke none. On work days, usually a pc on the way to work, and a robusto or Belicoso in the evening after work. I find that the evening cigar helps me to unwind, and keeps me from, what I call "squirrelcaging", and allows me to get a good night sleep. "Squirrelcaging", is when your mind will not shut down, and allow you to sleep.
I guess enough of my rant.
Hey Redneck, I would love to make it to an OKC herf. I saw the pictures. Were you guys at the taproom down in Bricktown???? Last time I was there, I was smoking an 858S.G., and had a great time talking cigars, and homebrew, with the beertender. If I can make it to the next one, I'll bring, as many of them as I can fit in my new singlesticks cooler, I just made this morning. LOL
Have a great day.
Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)

lsfire - what's your point?

Homebrew, we didn't make it to Tapwerks. Everyone at Makers was so nice to us and we had all the fine leather loungers around the famous fireplace.

Makers didn't have the beer selection Tapwerks has but they did have Chimay on tap which was damned tasty.

Hope to see you at the next herf, wherever it may be.

Mike

Jeez ... what a threadjack ... Nice Smokes', Homebrew.

LOL@bassdude. I think ls is jealous.

Dave, I see years of enjoyment in that cooler. Very nice "overloaded" collection!

What Mike said. We had a look out for ya Homie.


Maybe we can get you to pose on the now famous fireplace next time.LOL

I know alot of said we would love to herf with ya my friend.

You're right lsfire, I quit, see ya guys. I'm going to stamp collecting!!

Thanks,
Burky

Damn Brew, you can always send some of that overstock to California!!!! LOL

Charlie

Homie, nice cooler - that box on top looks soooo good, I keep smacking my hand on the computer screen trying to grab it . . . .

ls- I've participated in far more expensive hobbies - I raced snowmobile snowcross for 5 years . . . . race fuel cost me 5-7 dollars a gallon, and would usually take 10 gallons for the weekend . . . . travel to race varied on distance, but usually about 100 bucks for gas for the truck . . . . race entry - 50 dollars per class, 3-4 classes per weekend, for about 2 minutes of racing . . . . blow a belt? 100 bucks . . . . hotel rooms - 100 bucks Plus per night . . . . plus spare parts, safety gear . . . . it ain't cheap . . . .

. . . and what do I have to show for that now? Thousands of dollars of credit card debt . . . and nothing else . . but, you know what? I enjoyed it, and am glad I did it . . . .

. . . the same can be said for any hobby, that's why they're hobbies . . . . . and some will be spending more on their hobbies than others will . . . . . For some, cigar smoking is more than a hobby, as it provides physical relaxation, social entertainment and even a interest in the technical aspects of growing and producing such products . . . . .

What a concise and well thoughtout explanation for your hobby.
I suspect that more than a few brothers could identify.

Thanks for sharing, Homebrew.

Actually I'll concede every point Isfire made. Intellectually, logically, and reasonably he's right on, IMO, in every area he addresses. That said, this "cigar thing" is NOT logical, reasonable or intellectually justifiable. That is the strange attraction (obsession?) of it, and I wouldn't try to defend it, explain it, or justify it to anyone. I just know that I love it, it's relatively harmless (to anyone except myself), and, unless, for some presently unforseeable reason, I become convinced that it's detrimential to others and I am responsible for that negative impact, I intend to pursue it just as I currently am.

With that out of the way, great picture homebrew, and you're making me envious. If you get really overwhelmed you know where you can unload enough of your stash to relieve any unnecessary stress/pressure you might be feeling.....:}

I will agree with Isfire on one point...I have been a collector all my life. The one thing that bugs me about this new hobby is that all of my collection will eventually go up in flames. There are few things in the world that give me as much satisfaction as a good cigar, namely going to concerts and eating in nice restuarants. I spend way more money on these than I ever do on cigars, and even though I am still working my way towards a career and don't have that much money to throw around, I am building up life experiences.

My parents have never done anything with their life....ever. My father has never spent more than thirty dollars on a meal or even been out of the state more than a few times. I have traveled around the world, seen almost every band I have ever wanted to see, eaten at some of the finest restaurants on the west coast (namely the bay area) and have smoked some of the finest cigars in the world. I have very little in my bank account, but I can tell you stories from now until next week and still have you entertained. Could MY time and money be spent better? Not really

**** Lukin,
We need to herf, I'll bet we have similar stories. LOL
Have a great one.
Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)

spectacular box! (drool).
Lsfire has a point, but i think that one of the pleasures and risks in lving in this wonderful land is that we can invest or divest our time, talent, dollars, lives, etc. in about anything our heart desires.
boats, cars, racing, golf, girls, etc.,etc., etc., (in yule brenner's 'the king and i' voice). in the end,they don't matter, except in the relationships we build around them.
two items i've borrowed from other sources:
1) from the children's book,"the little prince"
- only that which is invisible is essential -
2) from the ambassador, from the then newly liberated Poland at a celebratory dinner at the Polish embassy, sitting down to an artery-slamming, vodka doused, cigar and cigarette evening of dining, dancing and partying:
" we notice that you americans are very health concsious- a nice trait, but as you can see by our gathering here tonight, we prefer life over health."
as i sit here smoking a rocky patel, anad drinking a martini after a busy workday...