From: ?????????????????
Subject: posting from pipes page
Hi Steve:
Been away from the PD for about two years. ISP went out of business,
got divorced, changed jobs, started a dot com concern and have
generally gone crazy. I was delighted to find that the PD has remained
the same with its interesting posts and wealth of info. I have said
this before and say this again, thanks for keeping the PD active,
stimulating and engrossing as ever. During my 'hiatus' I was smoking
cigarettes like a fiend and a bowl or two at very irregular
intervals. And now the bombshell...kicked the cigarette habit! Am
fulltime on pipes and loving it despite inviting some sarcastic
comments from the mass of ignorants that seem to abound this
planet. In this connection, I'd like to recount a recent incident
which I am sure has happened to more than one reader of the
Digest. About twice a week I spend some time at a local bar. They have
reasonably good drinks etc. The company, on some days is quite
stimulating. Having switched to pipes, I took my meerschaum packed
with so!
me fragrant baccy for an evening of campari and soda. I order my
'usual' and light up as usual, awaiting the arrival of my
friends. Having returned from work, I was carrying some journals which
I proceeded to occupy my time with. At this point I must say that
there is a sign at the bar which reads 'Please refrain from smoking
cigars'. Mind you, cigars...nothing about pipes. Moments later,
hearing an unnatural shuffling of feet in my vicinity, I look up from
my papers to find a small delegation of 5 or 6 people surrounding my
table. I happen to know most of them by sight. I was sternly informed
that my pipe was causing them trouble in breathing despite the fact
that I could clearly see a pack of Marlboro Reds sticking out of the
pocket of one of my 'tormentors'. When I pointed out the fact, I was
rudely informed that cigarettes are accepted while pipes are not!
Strangely, a couple of women at an adjacent table seeing the
hullabaloo interjected on my behalf. One of the ladies, b!
efore I could say anything further, informed the 'delegation' that the
smell of my pipe was far more delightful than the 'rank' odour of
cigarettes. Now remember, being an ex-cigarette smoker, I was at a
loss for words. What could I say, save for that if there was indeed a
problem, they should either have asked the bartender to request me put
out the pipe or they should have approached me in a more civil
manner. At this point, the bartender (a good acquaintance)
intervened. He shooed away the 'delgation', profusely apologized and
left me alone with my still smoking pipe. In all fairness, I put out
my smoke and sat wondering how a perfectly relaxing evening was ruined
due to the inability of some individuals to behave with commonly
accepted norms of decorum. Are we really a dying breed? Lastly, would
you or any of the PD readers know of a Dutch tobacco called Clan by
Theodorus Niemever? If yes, any pointers where I may acquire the same?
Thanks and regards,
mana
[There seems to be a lot of this sort of thing going around. See the
Quote of the Week for my attempt at an explanation. -S.]
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Quote of the Week:
"She tossed one to a monk; before he could eat it a larger male not
only stole his peanut but gave him a beating. The little fellow
made no attempt to pursue his tormentor; he pounded his knucks
against the floor and chattered helpless rage. Mike watched solemnly.
"Suddenly the mistreated monkey rushed across the cage, picked a
monkey still smaller, bowled it over and gave it a dubbing worse
than the one he had suffered. The third monk crawled away,
whimpering. The other monkeys paid no attention.
"Mike threw his head back and laughed-and went on laughing,
uncontrollably. He gasped for breath, started to tremble and
sank to the floor, still laughing.
[...]
"'Jill...I grok people!'"
Robert A. Heinlein
_Stranger in a Strange Land_
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