My poor roommate - he beat me home and was inadvertantly hit by a series of destructive bombs. The poor guy never had a chance to protect himself.

Where to start? Well, first, I got a few shipments that I was actually expecting - a 5er of La Perlas, a 5er of Punch Roths, a box of La Escepcion Limited Editions, a small Otter Box and a new digital hygrometer (courtesy of CBid, as my other one was defective). A good day on its own right there.

But....

Andy/andytv hooked me up with some Cu-Avana Maddys (if you consult my chart...ha...you will see this is one of my go-to mild smokes). He also threw in an IT Tubo Maddy that I've never tried. Thanks, my man - a fine and much appreciated gesture. I've sent you an email. I hope to have some sticks out to you by week's end, as I know you've been looking for something a bit more complex. I'd love to introduce you to some sticks I've enjoyed.

And, Craig/Bucky...well, this is amazing. He and I bet on the Pack/Vikings game, and we all know how that turned out. Our bet was that the loser would send the winner "something". He definitely sent me something.

Two boxes.

First, I go for the tube. He had told me there was a "funny" shaped box, so I didn't know what to expect. Inside was "The Selection" print, which I'm sure a lot of you have seen on CI/CBid. Nice one! It will look very nice in the cigar lounge I hope to have one day. Also inside the tube were several packages of oyster crackers - a joke I'm thinking.

The second box was fairly large. I opened it cautiously, not knowing what to expect. First thing I see, an Otter Box - bigger than the one I just purchased, but the same size I was outbid on last week. F-yeah! Wait...what's inside? A selection of fantasmic sticks, including my first Gurkha Cent. XX, a dozen or so premium/super tasty sticks, and, of course, a Nestor. Ahhhh. But, there's more in the box. What's this? A black, CI logo hat. Awesome. And this? A bottle of merlot (gotta love Trader Joes'!). Shame on you, Craig...you know you're not supposed to ship alcohol to Minnesota 😉. But the kicker...a water cooler, wrapped in electrical tape with the enticing words "Open Me" written on it. I followed orders. With two snips, I cut the tape, unraveled it from the cooler (hey, now I have a water jug!) and unscrewed the top. Clam chowder, folks...or, as Craig labled it, Clam Chowda. A nice ode to New England, a place I truly miss. The oyster crackers were the perfect foreshadow.

Wow. What can I say other than thank you a million times over. This was such a top-notch move on your part - and I can only assume, from what I've experienced with you, that you had as much fun putting it together as I had opening it (except for that Packers loss hanging over your head while you did) - and that's what its all about.

Andy, Craig, CBid...thanks.

Ryan.

Craig and andy....well done...I have been hit by Craig....he does really well

Very nice guys....very nice indeed

Dave

I hope you enjoy the winnings. I’ve got a print of my own I’m saving for my (sometime) lounge too.

The Otterbox: I’ve been watching the bids on these for a while and pick up one here and there at dirt cheap prices (gee you think? It’s C Bid after all). As for the smokes, ya just can’t send an empty otterbox right?

The wine was a last minute addition. It's known around here as "Two Buck Chuck” found at Trader Joes like you said. I've never heard of it until my neighbor and their friend (a wine snob) had a neighborhood blind wine tasting. She says it’s as good as a bottle 5x it’s price. I’d have to agree but then again wine is like cigars. One person’s vinegar is another’s vintage, you decide for yourself. They say reds don’t go with seafood but I’ll never turn down a Merlot.

The chowda, you can have it. I’m not a seafood fan, it all tastes like fish to me - yuck (midwestern boy here). My wife on the other hand is a New Englander like yourself… not to toss her under the bus but I also picked up some lobsta bisque along with the chowda at the local seafood restaurant. When I brought the goods home, it was either me or the bisque - the bisque didn’t survive. Sorry dude but she’s pregnant there is no way I gonna try to fight her off to save the quart of bisque for you. It was just enough to occupy her so I could chuck the chowda into the freezer in prep for shipping otherwise that wouldn’t have made it either.

Enjoy the package, it was a fair win and GB didn't deserve to even get that far. However, the record books will still say Green Bay, NFC North Champs. Just trying to find a silver lining.

Bucky: again....you're all class.

I'm assuming I should eat the chowder soon?

$2 Buck Chuck (named that because its $2 at Trader Joes' in California - only a bit more outside of it) is a very good wine for the price. People buy cases of it at a time...for about as much a some people pay for a few bottles.

By the way, folks...I had a "Its a Boy" cigar in my package, with a note that read: "Smoke on March 16".

Just a hint as to when we should all bomb the $hit out of Craig.

Ryan.

So two buck chuck is known in other parts huh? Guess I should get out more. Trader Joe’s is rather new out here. There’s only a couple in the area and of those only one sells alcohol.

I bought the chowda on Thurs of last week from the market. The market is part of a larger seafood restaurant (Worcester’s version of the Boston chain known as Legal Seafood). Their stuff is made daily and sold warm in the restaurant or cold in the take out market. I froze it immediately when I got home and sent it out on Sat in the cooler. It hope it arrived to you still somewhat frozen or at least cold (it’s been bitter cold here for the past few days).

If it’s still frozen, it’ll keep for some time in the freezer. If it’s thawed but still cold, it’ll keep for a few days in the fridge. If it arrived warm and smells like rotten fish, serve it to your ex-girlfriend.

The “It’s a boy” is a AF Brevias (SP?). A cheap mixed filler Fuente. Got a box of them, them for dirt cheap guess

where? Just something to hand out sometime around March 16th if all goes well.

(damn cropped post)

Sorry to say it arrived in liquid form. I'll open it and take a whiff soon.

They serve Legal Seafoods chowder at the inaguaration balls.

I guess this is as strange as my trade for fresh caught Alaskan fish.

When I lived in Maryland I ate all the NE style clam chowder and blue crabs humanly possible.

Legal Seafoods has the best clam chowda I have ever tasted. I get it every time I visit my sister in Boston.
John L