My Finest Cigar

It's been a long time since I've been motivated to write, but I was kind thing about something...
I spent many of my days in the Marine Corps around smokers. Many of my friends were smokers. I worked in a welding shop, and when they told us we weren't allowed to smoke indoors, I was outraged as well. We cleaned up our butts and we were around MUCH more noxious fumes.

But despite my many ours in smoke pits and smoke decks and the outdoor smoking areas at clubs cuz we were stationed in California, I never picked up the habit. Sure, I smoked a few occasionally, but I wasn't an inhaler. I faked it basically. You know...to look cool. So yeah. Never became a real "smoker".

I didn't become a serious smoker until I was 24 years old, fresh out of the Marines. And I did it, straight up, to look cool. I thought of cigar smoking as badass as fuck. Lee Marvin. Clint Eastwood. Al Capone. Badasses. So I took up the habit. Immediately.

Over the years I've spent a lot of money on my habit. A lot of time tracking down places that sell my every day smoke. A lot of time explaining that there's no weed in my cigarillos. And I've enjoyed every minute of it. But I'm constantly reminded that I'm a working class guy with a rich man's habit.

I like hanging out with other cigar smokers. But I rarely talk smokes. I'm usually lost in most conversations, because I'm much more casual about my habit. I know a few brands and a few things, but I don't have a lot of knowledge.

I'm more in mind of a different kind of conversation. I've always wanted to tell the story of the Time I decided I Want To Become a Cigar Smoker. And here's my story.

I vaguely recall having my first cigar sometime around 18 with my dad. I remember enjoying it and bonding a bit with my dad. When I was over seas, I was in a position to get a some Cuban Cigars. So I bought a couple, hoping to share them with my father, as another cool bonding moment. We smoked part of them together and I saved mine in the Punch tube for a later date.

That later date became my office because I said "fuck the Rules, light 'em up!!" And a triuphant revolution it was. Cuz I was in charge now.

Anyways, I took my time smoking that 3/4 of a cigar, and my junior Marines would bitch and whine at me. So I said "Fuck you, Lance Corporal," and sent their ass on Working Party. Ha!

But in that time, I fell in love with being the kinda guy that smokes cigars. vI didn't start out right away, for whatever reason, but when I got out and got the location of some smokeshops, I was in like sin.

And that's how I became Cigar Smoker.

I'd like to have more conversations like that.

Thanks for Reading!

-----------------------------------------Evil Jaymz!!