From: ???????????????????? (Ami A. Silberman)
Subject: me

Hi,
	I'm Ami Silberman, a graduate student in Computer Science at the
University of Illinois.  I've been a pipe smoker for about 6 years.
Currently, I use about three pipes, one is an old Dr. Grabow, which I use
for highly resinated tobaccos, one is a reproduction 19th century English
clay pipe (you can get them for a couple of bucks, they are made from 
copies of the original molds), and a very unusual Meershaum Bulldog which
I bought used.  (Used pipes are often a very good bargain.)  My tastes
in tobaccos run toward the unflavored, although I do appreciate a little
vannilla or almond, especially in cavendish.  I like Black Cavindish straight,
mixed burly and cavendish, and also blends with Latakia.  I usually alternate
or tobaccos, so I am unlikely to have more than one pipeful of the same blend
in any given day. (Currently I'm working on about 10 different bags of
tobacco.)

I occasionally smoke a cigar, and somewhat more often smoke
ciggaretes.  I've tried Davidhoff's (too dry), Royal Dragoons (by
Simon Artz, Cairo, very yummy), various clove types, and several other
Turkish types.  I had a Galois once, and thought it was the French
equivelent to a Camel.  I think I'll go home and review some
tobaccos...

One thing I would like to see in this mailing list is a review of various
comercial blends, as well as house blends.  Most pipe shops carry various semi-
standard blends, i in addition, they are willing to make custom blends.
We can pass on "recipies" in this way.

ami silberman - janitor of lunacy

Did you know that Aleister Crowley used to smoke straight perrouque (I may have
missed the spelling, it's that really pungent fermented stuff.)

[A number of good ideas, Ami! I checked out the Lahaska, PA flea
market for pipes today; alas. I was disappointed. What would you like
to see in the reviews? We can kick the idea around a little more; is
there anyone who'd like to review their favorite blend [or warn us
about one :-9 ? -S.]

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