From: ????????????????
Subject: Re: P.D.

Dear Steve, I have been reading the issues of the Digest that you send,
faithfully, for however long I have been subscribing and really enjoy the
forum.  I too have refrained from sending in a bio, as it *is* listed as a
Pipes digest, but, since there are many other subscribers I can identify
with, here goes.: My name is J. Mark Craib; I am 26 years of age; I work
*many* jobs, but for the most part, I am in a Human Services career.  I work
with multiply handicapped kids in a school setting, although I am sometimes
more of a bouncer than a Paraeducator.  Beyond this, I also tend bar, work as
a Counselor at a runaway shelter, and plow snow in the winter.  As I live in
Rochester NY, this can sometimes be a full time job as well.  (I'm almost
done...)  Now in my "spare" time, I volunteer as a Paramedic, Firefighter,
and keep busy with my local Masonic Lodge.  Now after all this, you may ask
where I get the time to enjoy myself, or worse yet that "R" word, relax ??
The answer is, whenever I can.  There are quiet times on the ambulance, when
one of my partners and I can enjoy a good smoke, or with my pipe, one of the
convieniences is it holds up in my pocket better than a 1/2 smoked A.F.
Hemmingway.  The Fire Dept. allows smoking in the truck bays only, but I can
make do, put my feet up, and enjoy a smoke without too much
interruption-usually.  There are only 1 or 2 cigar friendly establishments
around me.  The bar I work in does NOT like me to smoke cigars, but it's OK
if the "patrons" do, because " there's nothing we can do about it ".  ( This
was said to me by one of the managers, who smokes ciggaretts - even while he
is tending bar !! )  I really hate double standards !!  I am also working mr
way through college (slowly, but still going...)  I have found that I really
enjoy both my cigars, and my pipe.  There are times when I prefer one over
the other, for whatever reason... but my knowledge base is very limited when
it comes to pipeing.  Personally, I have always preferred pipe and cigar
"smell" over cigaretts (however you spell that damn word).  I would love to
hear more about both pipes and cigars, as there is no *real* club or league
around me.  There is a smoker usually once every 2-3 months, and has ha
dattendance from k65 to 175 people.  These are predominantly cigar smokers,
but as of late, there have been both Pipes, and women in attendance.  The
women that are there, are avidly smoking cigars.  
Well I have said more than enough, but one of my most pleasurable moments, is
when I have Jimmy Buffett on the radio, and a Cohiba Siglo V in my hand and
the stars above me.  
" If we couldn't laugh, we'd all go insane "
--------Buffett, James (Poet Extrordinaire) 

Thanks for the Digest, it's a nice touch of sanity in an otherwise unsane
world.  

Happy Smoking, and as for second hand smoke, I guess if I can't get it first
hand..........

J. Mark


~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U ~\U