The Cigar Life

Thursday, April 25, 2024 What a whirlwind week. My union held a strike vote today for our e ducational a ssistants. It was very successful. I can't believe how quickly things moved this past week.  The Arturo Fuente started and finished well but was a little harsh for my taste mid-smoke. Overall I enjoyed it though, especially so after a particularly grueling day of school.  Notes on the preceding week: On Monday night the bargaining team for the  EA chapter of my union were in contract mediation with our district and a mediator. I also went to a strike vote training for how to run a strike vote at my school site. As co-steward of my site and leader of the contract team at my school, this would take a lot last minute organizing. Union members would not be allowed to vote during duty hours. We'd need to vote before or after the school day or during our duty free lunches so asking members to give up their lunch to staff the voting room would take some [huge understatement]...

Sunday, April 7, 2024 Church this morning. Afternoon cigar in the garage due to rain.  Lots of cigars over my spring break.  Over the course of my 10 days off I lit up 8 of 'em. 

Saturday, April 6, 2024 Lunch with Noel. Lit up a nice Oliva this afternoon.  Another really pleasant day.  Smooth cigar. 

Friday, April 5, 2024 Lit up just before 3 pm.  A bit warmer than it's been this past week and feeling like spring. Which made it nice to sit outside.  I'm gonna miss not having to work.  It's been a nice spring break. Got some mini-projects done.                        And appreciated getting some much needed rest. 

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 Late this morning I stepped out to the back stoop to light up a cigar.     Shortly after doing so the next door neighbor let out her obnoxiously hyper Cockapoo, Marcia. She'll bark at you incessantly and it doesn't matter how well she knows you.     I walked around to the side of the house so Marcia couldn't see me. However it was incredibly windy and the side of the house was like a wind tunnel. The wind made my cigar burn unevenly and it was nearly impossible to relight it to even-it out. The wind kept stealing the flame from the lighter. After many attempts I finally got the cigar lit again. Between Marcia and the wind this was a less than optimal cigar smoking experience. 

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 Pre-made On the Rocks brand Old Fashioned with my Romeo y Julieta cigar today.  Lit up in the garage around 4:30.  Rather raw outside for temps in the 40s.  I love pairing cigars with alcohol. A cigar with an Old Fashioned cocktail is one of my favorite combinations. A cigar with bourbon straight-up is quite nice but the addition of sugar or syrup in an Old Fashioned gives the drink notes of caramel and sweetness which goes well with the smoky, rich, and bold flavors of the cigar.  Music provided today by Buddy DeFranco via Apple Music. 

Monday, April 1, 2024 Third cigar in only 4 days of break! I'm really starting to relax which feels great.  Lunch earlier with Dale at The Howe. I had the Maple Old Fashioned. Wish I coulda had it with this afternoon's cigar. They woulda gone well together.  

Sunday, March 31, 2024 Gloomy Easter Sunday but not too cold outside.  Lit up a little Romeo y Julieta.

Saturday, March 30, 2024 Lunch with Noel at Frost's. Stopped by Stogies On Grand in St. Paul afterward to pick up some cigars for the week.  I'm all set. And then some.

Friday, March 29, 2024 Started Spring Break with an Oliva cigar this afternoon.  It's been a grueling year. I'm looking forward to taking some time and really relaxing.