The Brotherhood
I’ve just recently become a member of The Brotherhood of the Briar. It sounds fancy, but what it really means is that I’ve taken up pipe smoking.
During the summer months, you’ll find me at any number of BBQ’s puffing away at a cigar. Now I don’t smoke cigars on a regular. I don’t even like them all that much. I do it (did it) for the social aspect of it. A bunch of friends at a pool, or hanging out around a fire, drinking, laughing, having a great time; a cigar seems fitting. A couple of weeks ago, a good friend of mine threw a BBQ/pool party at his folk’s house.
On a whim, we decided to forego the cigars and try smoking tobacco pipes. I fell in love.
My initial surprise was at how cool the smoke was. With cigars, the smoke is hot, strong and harsh. But with pipes, the smoke is cool, smooth, and smelled great (we had partaken of a vanilla aromatic tobacco). I was sold. The very next day, I was online researching and learning any and everything having to do about pipes; the history, anatomy, different shapes, makes and models, how to properly pack and light a pipe. You name it, I read it. The day after that, I bought a brand new pipe at a local tobacco shop. The pipes we had at the BBQ were cheap $5 pipes that would have broken after 5 smokes, and I needed an upgrade if were going to do this right. And here she is:
Molina Smooth 400 Series #S404
Isn’t she pretty? Reminded me of Sherlock Holmes.
I smoked my pipe maybe 3 times since my first introduction into pipe smoking, but I enjoy it more and more. And it’s not the actual smoking that I like. I technically don’t even like smoking, as far as cigarettes are concerned, anyway (they leave the cigarette smoker smelling stale and nasty in general). It’s the ritual of pipe smoking. The technique of packing and lighting the tobacco just right, the slow rhythmic pulls of sweet smoke, the Zen-like mindset you find yourself in after a couple of minutes. Pipe smoking is very relaxing. It forces you to slow down, take your time and enjoy all that is around you (if you smoke too quickly, as one might with a cigar or cigarette, you end up with a harsh, bitter smoke and possibly a broken pipe. Just an FYI). There’s also a long history and tradition that comes with pipe smoking. Fellow pipe smokers are more than happy to share tips and tricks, favorite pipes and tobaccos, and even their life stories of you let them. Pipes, when well taken care if, can become family heirlooms that can be passed down from generation to generation. J.R.R. Tolkien was a huge pipe smoker and even included it in The Lord of the Rings books.
Well that’s it for now. I’ll keep you updated on my adventures with my pipe. Now if you’ll excuse me. I’m going to smoke my pipe and then hit the sack. I’ve got work in the morning.
ps. If you’re wondering what Briar is, it’s the traditional material that most tobacco pipes are made of. Briar wood is wood from the root of Erica arborea. It’s ideal for pipe making because it’s extremely hard and heat resistant.
pss. Oh, and if you’re wondering what Riz thinks, she actually likes the smell of tobacco smoke. She even agreed to let me smoke in my man cave after we’re married and have our own place!
![I went to a swanky engagement party in New York recently. It took place in a loft 31 floors up in a building off 8th Ave. Great view. Good times.
My fiancé and I probably won’t have an engagement party. Planning a wedding is tough enough without having to throw an extra party in the mix.
If we do throw one, however, it’ll probably be Halloween themed (Halloween being our [my] favorite holiday). A Masquerade Ball perhaps?](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lo83asfp1I1qjrzz9o1_r1_1280.png)
