CigarFox

Perhaps the movies are to blame. All those scenes where the powerful businessman or politician says to the ingenuous hero, “May I offer you a cigar,” then-without missing a beat-brandishes a gold-embossed cigar case. A case with no humidity controls. A case that is not a humidor.

Whatever the reason, many casual cigar smokers-and even fairly committed lovers of premium cigars-don’t realize how important it is to store your cigars in a humidor.

In fact, if you’re like many smokers, you’re asking yourself what a humidor is, and why you should use one. A humidor is, basically, a box that’s designed to maintain your cigars at a certain level of humidity (near seventy percent) and a proper temperature (seventy degrees or below) when you’re not, you know, smoking them.

Why exactly is that near-seventy-percent humidity figure so important? To answer this question, we have to remember what a cigar is-a set of cut, dried, cured, fermented, rolled-together leaves. When the cigar maker picked these leaves, allowed them to dry, and cured them, etc., it put those leaves on a process that ends in the death of the leaves, and the death of their flavor. In the open air, these leaves can easily dry out completely, and the cigar loses its taste. In a too-humid environment, on the other hand, they get moldy. Basically, the moment you purchase a cigar, you are in a war with the elements; your job is to keep the cigar’s flavor alive, while the elements (air, bacteria, etc.) want your cigar to be spoiled.

Humidity is your ally in that battle. The tobacco plant has evolved to thrive in an environment near seventy percent humidity-the condition in which you’ll most often find it in nature-and if you can replicate that humidity, your cigars are in good shape. The best humidors use Spanish cedar or Honduran mahogany to trap that moisture, and they have a hygrometer-a device that controls and allows you to monitor moisture levels.

Now that you know why you need one, here are some tips on the care and feeding of humidors. First of all, new humidors need to be “seasoned.” When you buy your humidor, before using it, wipe the interior wood with a moist cloth, then leave a small, closed container of water inside the humidor for 12 hours. After those twelve hours are up, check to see how much of the closed vial of water the humidor has “drank.” If it’s nearly empty, then repeat the process for another twenty-four hours. Repeat this process until the water stops evaporating; now the humidor is ready for your cigars!

You’ll also need to fill the hygrometer (the device controls humidity levels). Use distilled water-or a humidifying solution (the humidor should come with instructions regarding this choice). Let the excess water drip from the hygrometer into a sink, and wipe off the outside of the device. Put it in the humidor. Another option should you choose not to use a hygrometer, is a new product that many veteran keepers of the stick have turned to: Bóveda Packs. Bóveda Packs are an amazing invention. Each pack is rated for a certain humidity level, either 72%, 69% or 65%.

Simply place the correct number of Bóveda packets inside your humidor to maintain a precise relative humidity. Each Bóveda packet consists of a specially prepared saturated solution of pure water and natural salt. This saturated solution is contained within a water-vapor permeable reverse osmosis membrane. Within a closed desktop humidor Bóveda maintains a predetermined level of (RH) by releasing or absorbing purified water-vapor-as needed-through the membrane. Boveda Packs are only to be used once, they are not refillable. They become very stiff when the contents are spent. These amazing packs last around 2 months in an average humidor.

Another recommendation: don’t keep your humidor near any home appliances that tend to affect home humidity, or any places in the home where these appliances tend to be stored. These might include heaters, air conditioners, vents, fans, and windows. Keep it away, also, from sustained direct sunlight; pay attention to the way that sunlight exposure changes throughout the seasons, too, because some “safe places” in your home might be less safe during the summer, when the sun’s rays creep further in and stay longer.

And lastly, know what to do if, in spite of all your preparations, your cigars suffer an attack of tobacco beetles. This irritating species preys on tobacco and, in some cases, can bore through a humidor. First of all, remember not to let the temperature in your humidor go too high-tobacco beetles flourish at temperatures over 75 degrees. (So a tobacco-beetle infestation means you haven’t monitored that humidor carefully enough!) Take out the cigars that have been infested and keep them in your freezer for 48 hours. Refrigerate them for another day after that. Now they should be safely returnable to the humidor-which, in the meantime, should be thoroughly cleaned, checked for structural integrity, and if necessary, replaced. Spanish-cedar humidors, by the way, are slightly better for keeping these nasty beetles out in the first place.

About the Author:

CigarFox
provides you the opportunity to build your own sampler of the finest cigars that include cigar brands like Montecristo, Romeo & Julieta, H Upmann, Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, Gurkha and many more. Choose from more than 1200 different cigars! Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Humidors to the Rescue: A Necessity For Every Cigar Smoker

Zippo Lighter Trick (self proclaimed insanely cool)

CLASSICAL BODY STEEL STRING BUBINGA ROSEWOOD

I am almost certain we have all been asked at sometime, what we do for a living, whether it’s down the pub after a few beers with your mates, or basically anytime you meet someone new, it has to be in the all time top three questions on the all time top ten list of questions to ask someone you havent met before. Of course if I had a pound for every time the gleeful ‘got any cheap holidays’ response to my ‘I am a Travel Agent’ answer to the top three question of all time, from the last 22 years, I would probably have my own island next to Richard’s Bransons with a cocktail in one hand and a fat Cuban cigar in the other! Of course all this is in hindsight and here I am 22 years on still answering gratis the infernal cheap holiday question, with the usual of course I can – despite the fact I am still waiting for someone to ask me for a price for the most expensive holiday in the world.

This year, cheap holidays under the current reccession, depression or what ever you want to call it, have become a buzz word for those seeking to chase a bit of guaranteed sunshine away from these cloudy shores, because lets be frank, it doesnt matter if its 120 degrees in the shade this summer here on old blighty, who wants to stay here and frolic in Margate’s mirky waters, when you can frolic in the azure seas of the mediterranean and beyond for 7 days for probably less as a weekend on any of the British coasts? To be honest, a cheap holiday is easy to find if you know where to go what to look for. Do a bit of homework on the subject, it’s all very well saying I am happy going to Lloret Del Mar for ninety nine quid ‘coz it’s a cheap holiday, but have you thought how much it would cost you on the ground once there, I mean is it comparable to you paying one hundred and ninety nine quid to go to a Euro-less zone like Turkey where once you are on the ground your spending money is a third less? What i am saying is there is much more to the cheap holiday question that meets the eye, for sure cheap holidays should be about the total holiday cost, dont be taken in by gimicks such as free child, places, at the end of the day just make sure there are no hidden extras. It’s so easy to build your own package with cheap flights and cheap accommodation but you need to make sure you are properly covered in the event that any part of your booked elements are changed, this is easily done with the launch of the Supplier Failure Insurance. And despite the Euro not been the best it’s been against the pound, there are still some great destinations within the Euro Zone that can still be cost effective even once on the ground, the Greek islands are still a firm favourite with British travellers, with lovely little apartments and B&B’s, eating is still relatively cheap and nutritious with a gyro (this is a delicious wrap with slices of meat and tzatziki and salad) costing about €1.80 that will definitely fill up any hunger pangs you may have during the day and in the evening a pork or lamb shish kebab with a nice Greek salad will be no more than €4.00 per person, and as for wine and beer as long as you stay local it will always be cheap, and going out in the night within reason doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg either. Same goes for the destinations of Egypt & Turkey, these to countries are still the best cheap holiday destinations this year.

About the Author:

Casper da Silva is a seasoned travel writer for HolidayClick with over 20 years experience in researching holiday destinations. Holidayclick are specialists in Cheap Holidays

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – No euro means turkey is the cheap holiday destination of 2009

February 2009 – Mark’s Cigar Box

So the “rag trade” has been revolutionized without being asked, without knowing. It has come totally by surprise. I can hardly imagine a trade more concerned than ours. The big difference is that before we maybe did not dare even manifest, afraid of judgement even if we had an opinion, any opinion now it’s different, the time is right to become assertive. I mean expression-wise. It’s hardly a topic elsewhere. In fact the gay barometer usually speaks for culture and sophistication and disposable income in any international urban context. So are we heading for that? Arguably yes. It means the times are patting Fashion on the shoulder and not only saying “unite” a week ago (One Fashion Week, finally) but also “express yourself” now that the general refuge of love seems to be accepted, which was what many were hoping for. Of course some fundamentalists did put moral barriers to this, but it already is a general norm in the world, preceded by the anti baby pill in the early sixties, the hippies and the sexual revolution of free love a bit later and AIDS much later that much for the fundamentalists who may consider the legalisation of homosexuality as a moral catastrophe. I can not remember more hurdles crossed in such a short time in a long time, bringing in a new outlook to all in Fashion and Beauty, Decoration and Interiors, Expression of the Times the list is long and the freedom of choice, not only for the designers but also for the consumers it brings with it is going to change the country and its cultural expression. I think the ‘Indian Wave’ is just about starting now. So maybe we will finally understand that the race is about creativity leading to business, a race in which each and everyone is competing with themselves and what they thought was the norm. we shall see what happens with a changed norm.

It’s a boutique where you will get the best from the world of Alberta Ferretti, Stella McCartney, Moschino, Marc Jacobs, DVF, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Lanvin. Fashion botique Kitsch recently celebrated their Spring-Summer 2009 menswear collection with a party over single malts and hors’doeuvres hosted by Mr Diljeet Titus, Priya Sachdev and Charu Sachdev. ‘The gentleman’s club’ at Emporio Mall in the capital was hosted on July 4th. Kitsch has welcomed the new season with colour and style bringing alive the most wonderful wardrobe in town by incorporating the must haves this season. Get the look which would kill without killing the bank balance. Be it Marc Jacobs’s ‘casual and cool look’, Jean Paul Gaultier’s ‘hot and sexy look’, Moschino’s ‘fun and flirty look’ or Lanvin’s ‘confident and suave look’- these spring summer designers showcased trends which are here to stay.

The Lanvin happy bag will add delight to your life. Check out the chic textured ties, the funky loafers and the new improved 48 hour bag with a special compartment four shoes. Moschino dresses are perfectly suited for evening cocktails, straight after work. “The evening was for the stylish men who appreciate the luxuries of life in every sphere. We have accumulated the best from every sphere here to bring out that lavish feel. You can see malt appreciation from Whyte and Mackay, Dalmore and Jura by USL Spirits, exclusive cigars at the cigar lounge by Chingari and an introduction of luxury private jets by Bjets” said Charu. “I know the Sachdev family from very long. So when Priya and Charu invited me for this; there was no reason to say no- after all, it’s a gentleman’s party!” said Mr Diljeet Titus, who has been known for his long standing association with the vintage car boards. You would know it if you were there since party witnessed one of his red Mercedes vintage cars on display. Delhi’s most fashionable made their presence felt. Seen having a great evening was Ameeta Seth, Tanisha Mohan, AD Singh, Sujata Assomull, Jaydeep Sippy and many more.

About the Author:

For more information for Fashion Week Models Photo and beauty related product, fashion tips for Fashion Week Coverage and fashion deals online you can visit stylekandy.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Spring Summer Designers Showcased Trends

Guus Hiddink dancing with cigar (2009 FA Cup Final)

The Pink Spiders- Hollywood Fix w/ lyrics

Spanish Cedar is widely known as the material of choice in humidor construction. But is it the best material for humidors, or absolutely necessary?

Well, let’s discuss it a bit.

Spanish Cedar is actually not cedar at all. It comes from the Mahogany family. It is a very nice, salmony red tight-grained wood with a very spicy aroma when smelled. In fact, if you sand or plane it down, the dust can really irritate your nasal passages, and can leave you sneezing and coughing more-so than other woods. Spanish Cedar is a wood that is commonly found all over Central America and is used in building materials, and for wood siding.

Hundreds of years ago, tobacco curing barns were constructed or lined with this common wood, probably because it was easy to get a hold of, and at the time wasn’t intended on for imparting any flavours or nuances to the tobacco.

However, inadvertently these flavours may have been naturally and subtly imparted into the tobacco, encouraging some of the woody flavour sometimes associated with certain tobaccos.

Being a wood that naturally grows in the humid conditions of Central America, the wood is naturally mold resistant, and in fact also resistant to the dreaded tobacco beetle. Something in the scent makes these beetles go away. Maybe it makes them sneeze, just like humans.

Furthermore, the cedar has a natural tendency to absorb, and desorb moisture, which can be very beneficial in helping supply humidity back into your humidor if the humidor is frequently opened or closed.

So it wasn’t by accident that early humidor creators, like Davidoff, decided to use Spanish Cedar for the lining of the inside of their humidors.

Today, modern technology, electronics and plastics have made a way to treat cigars without the requirement of Spanish Cedar. Modified silica gel beads, crystals and electronics now do a fine job of supplying humidity back into the humidor. Plastics do a great job of sealing the humidor, and the necessity on Spanish Cedar is far less than it was in the past.

Now, this is not to say that any old wood will suffice to line the inside of your humidor. Try making a humidor from aromatic cedar, or some other wood and you will soon find your cigars will taste like your grandmother’s closet.

I personally still love to make humidors using genuine Spanish Cedar, simply because of the tradition, appearance and natural characteristics that make it a perfect wood for lining my creations at Vanderburgh Humidors. There is something about opening a fine handcrafted humidor, and being greeted by the scent of well aged cigars, and spicy Spanish cedar lining. It looks great, it has great characteristics, and I will most likely always use it whether it is required or not.

Eddie DeJong
President
Vanderburgh Humidors

Artistic, handcrafted cigar humidors made from noble materials such as Solid Exotic Wood, Leather, Stone and Glass.
Handcrafted in Canada

Humidor Sneaker Boutique Fall Sale

Cigars were brought along during our first road trip through the American West. Our travel buddies were cigar smokers who, inspired by Clint Eastwood in “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” brought cigarillos along during our sojourn across the Mohave Desert. At night we camped out, and the cigars were companion accessories to the setting of cold nights out around the fire with the endless sky lit by a melee of diamond stars and surrounded by crisp, dry air delicately scented by the aroma of premium cigar smoke.

The American West has a great tradition of cigar consumption in the old saloons and on cattle drives. From the turn of the 19th century when cattle and railroad barons played poker and spun deals in St. Louis and San Francisco, to the turn of the 20th century when industrial giants like Henry Ford, J.P. Getty and Andrew Carnegie found themselves influencing the century that would see two world wars. The cigar was a companion in smoke-filled rooms and at secret poker tables. There was always a cigar-smoking gambler or two on stage coaches heading west, and after that aboard club cars on transcontinental trains from New York to Chicago to California. Cigars do indeed have a travel history in the American West.

“Cigar store Indians,” originally designed as plaques and statues representing Native Americans, became the symbol of tobacco and tobacco advertising during the early 19th and 20th centuries. These statues and plaques were most often used in stores, hotels and outside restaurants and bars to signal (often illiterate customers) the availability of tobacco, or that smoking was permitted inside the establishment. The complete, life-sized figures of “American Indians” were generally used by tobacco-shop owners, with smaller plaques used in general stores.

Images of Native Americans became connected with the sale of tobacco after American Indians introduced the plant to the Europeans who explored and settled in the Americas. Cigar store Indian statues first appeared in Europe, once tobacco was available there. The wooden carvings were based on images created by artists who matched descriptions, rather than first-hand viewings of actual Native Americans. The figures, which most often ended up looking like Europeans in Native American dress, were clothed in fringed buckskins, were draped in blankets and wore feathered headdresses. They did not actually resemble the members of any particular tribe. The sculptors carved chiefs, braves, princesses and maidens, sometimes with papooses. Most of the figures grasped tobacco or cigars in their hands or displayed leaves on their clothing. There were several artists in the United States who specialized in carving ship figureheads, architectural details and portrait busts, then turned to creating figures of American Indians full-time as demand increased. Names of note in this genre of carving are John Cromwell, Thomas Brooks, the Skillin family, and Samuel Robb, who operated studios in Northeastern cities and put out product catalogues.

Modern times have called for the image of the cigar store Indian to all but disappear, but the Native American will always be remembered as the source of our fine tobacco. When the occasion calls for a fine cigar, enjoy one–especially if you’re under western skies.

About the Author:

For access to the best Fine Cigars and Cigar accessories available check out the great deals available only on the authors website – http://www.davidoffmadison.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Western Travel, Cigars and Native American Images

Avoid Taco Night in Here

Which to you think is worse smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol and why?

It seems like more laws are being made about smoking then drinking. My opinion is smoking cigarettes is the lesser of the two evils because you can smoke a whole pack of cigarettes and still drive your car. however, drinking tampers with you ability to drive and you are risking everyone’s you come in contact with. Agree or disagree.

I totally agree that it seems like more laws are being made about smoking than drinking. And maybe it’s because we’re used to laws being in place regarding drinking (public intoxication, drinking in public, etc…). However, we are also seeing promotion of drinking alcohol being good for you, yet we know that abusive drinking causes health problems, not to mention the immediate affects on our ability to function (drunk).

Smoking a pack of cigarettes, unlike alcohol, doesn’t impair our senses to where we cause auto accidents, start fights, abuse our spouse and children, and the list could go on and on.

My brother died of lung cancer – never smoked and was rarely around someone who did.

A local attorney died of throat cancer (normally associated with tobacco use)- was not a tobacco user.

A local physicians assistant had tongue/jaw cancer (normally associated with tobacco use) – not a tobacco user.

We are persuaded to believe that tobacco smoke causes cancer. Could the actual causes be more related to the environment? Maybe it’s the diesel truck, the microwave oven, the chlorine in the water, the factory in the neighboring town. We wouldn’t want to admit that or we can’t do anything about that, so we’ll blame it on the smoker, because, well, we don’t like to smell that smoke anyway. A little intolerant of others – I think.

I don’t really think cigarettes or alcohol, either one, are bad for you. Moderation is the key. Too much of them will cause health problems. Too much food will too. Too much water will too. So do we regulate how and when we eat and drink water – I don’t think so…lol! We back off the laws and regulations and let people make their own choices.

Oh, and for those of you who don’t want your children to be exposed to cigarette smoke, then you better make them wear a respirator because the fumes they inhale from the traffic on the street is far worse than the “smoker” walking pass you.

Don’t worry – be happy!

Lit – My own worst enemy – with Lyrics

MNF.wmv

Lets face it, some things just get better with age. Things like fine wine, Cuban cigars, and yes, even women!

Meeting a woman whos older than you can actually be quite a good way to meet a fantastic partner. Usually, older women are much more experienced, not only in relationships, but also in the bedroom.

So meeting older women can actually teach you a ting or two – not only about relationships, but also about what youre really looking for in a partner.

So the real question is:

Are you interested in dating a woman whos older than you are?

Do you find older women more attractive than their younger counterparts?

Well, my friend, you are not alone!

Older women are much more mature and experienced in the ways of love. They have usually had a lot of practice dealing with men, and know their way around the bedroom.

They can also be MUCH easier to deal with than younger women, who can tend to be a little high maintenance.

If you are a man in your mid-to-late 20s whos mostly been with women in their late teens and early 20s, dating a woman in her 40s can be a real treat for you!

They tend to be more mature and less selfish sexually, and in just about every other way than the women you are used to dating. And if you are not looking for anything serious, the chances are higher that they are not either, if they are just past child-bearing age.

In that way, they kind of like a lot of women in their mid-20s and younger, who dont feel compelled to start a family in the way that single women who have hit 28 or 29 do. By the time a single woman reaches that age range, shes more likely to feel that now iss the time to act if shes ever going to have children.

Thats because shes not getting any younger, and she feels less attractive than she was when she was in her early 20s. In her mind, its only going to get harder to find a great man she can settle down with.

(By the way, a lot of women at this stage make a mistake that a lot of men make their entire lives: they get desperate. Some women actually repel men because of their desire to get into a serious relationship sooner than the man is comfortable with. And a lot of women at this stage will settle for a man who they are not compatible with, but who will end up fulfilling their need to have a family.)

So how can you start meeting older women?

You are not so likely to find them at trendy nightclubs, but you can find them just about everywhere else you can find attractive women: while you are out shopping, at coffee houses, local bars, or in bookstores. You can also meet them through school, volunteer activities or through friends.

But bar none, the BEST place to meet older women is online dating sites.

Sites like Match and E-Harmony have a bevy of older women just looking for some guy to come along and sweep them off their feet.

Some of them have kids, most of them are divorced, but one thing they all have in common is that they are probably looking to have a good time!

Also, more and more over 30 women are heading towards social networking sites like MySpace as a way to meet new people. Just by doing a quick search for your target age range in your local area on MySpace will yield a number of potential older women you can meet.

But there are problems with dating older women. You may not be as mature as she is, which can be a problem for both of you. And the age difference can become rather awkward should you decide to get married: If there is a 15-year age difference between you, then she will be 50 when you are 35!

But thats not to say that you shouldnt meet and date an older woman. It can be a great experience for you, if you are aware of the potential issues that can arise in the relationship.

About the Author:

Do you want to discover the proven way to seduce women in 3 1/2 days by only changing your attitude? Get my FREE report on seduce women below.

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Discover How To Meet And Attract Older Women

women & cigars vol.2