Those who show up get to make the decisions

[Puffy69]

I knew what you meant Bro. Sometimes brothers take bombing someone for selfish reasons when posted..Its a generous statement but sometimes can be for selfish reasons. An OxiMoron, if you will..You learn these things as you mature in your brotherdom.. Ive learned to keep things to myself..I dont want your best friends to be jealous that you sent me some good cigars and not them..LoL

[freakygar]

Originally Posted by poker

Im sure all will be fine Al. I said that after seeing it in action at numerous boards over the years, not just here. To be sadly honest, I've even partaken in the "top this" bombing game in the past (with the actual intention of "top this"). My quote was never intentionally directed at anyone but was more of a broad blanket type statement. My most humble appologies if it offended anyone.

No offence taken at all.

[TripleF]

Dave and Kelly -
There's something to be said when you read philosophical writings by great leaders and think, "Wow, wish I coulda hung with him or her back when they wrote those reasonings and simplifications."

Well, after reading your thoughts, it's a pleasure to hang with ya!!


Thanks for taking the time to write!!

[Cigarin-Martin]

If you are reading this from the "outside", one question, WHY??
You've read the thread, don't be shy, come on in, just say hi!

[Commander Quan]

All the changes I have seen have been positive IMO. I don't post everyday or even every week but I do read the boards multiple times each day and the information that has accumulated since I joined is amazing. I remember as a newbie smoker being disappointed for 2 or 3 days at a time because there hadn't been any new cigar reviews posted and I didn't know what 2 cigars I was going to buy that week to smoke. Yes sir times have changed, I can understand the comfort of a Cheers type atmosphere, where everybody knows each other, but small tends to get stagnant, and closed minded. I would rather have a large community, I like the way we are.

[ggainey]

Thanks for the thoughtful post. I have been here for not quite a year. I lurked for a while and then registered. It took me a while until I thought I knew enough to post, and lately I have been more active. Participated in a couple of trades and got bombed a couple of times, and even sent a couple of bombs myself. IMHO I really enjoy smoking cigars, but Club Stogie makes it far more fun than just smoking cigars.

[joed]

We have a poster on the wall at work - "the only one that really enjoys a change is a wet baby"

To my way of thinking - it is what it is - change is living. We have a living community. Change will happen

I certainly agree with Dave - the folks that have bailed because they resist change - have forfieted their opportunity to influence any future change.

Thanks Dave

[gorob23]

Originally Posted by poker

My most humble appologies if it offended anyone.

Buddy you never have. I knew the 1st time I was at the Patio that it was a good place to be ok now stop this or I'm gonna get all weepy eyed

Rob

[massphatness]

I'm still a newb here, if not by definition, then by comparison. The past six months have found me more and more involved with this site. It has become a part of my everyday living, and I am consistently amazed by the knowledge and friends I have found here. The insight and the wisdom have been of significant value, to be sure, but it's those friendships that have developed over my short time here that really hooked me on CS. I have come to know a group of people so caring and selfless that were we to take this same spirit of comraderie out into the "real" world, planet earth couldn't help but to be a better place.

Are there a$$hats here? Of course. They're everywhere, but I choose not to participate in the a$$hatness and fuel the cycle. Does cigar snobbery exist here? Of course. There will always be those who have an overwhelming need to make themselves feel "better than" and do so at the expense of others. However, my experience has been you reap what you sow at Club Stogie. Thoughtful, respectful posts are almost universally met with thoughtful, respectful replies even when the views are diametrically opposed. Bomb, PIF, Support the Troops -- and do it for the right reason -- and you will have the respect of this board. Do it for your own greater glory, and don't be surprised if the reactions are less than enthusiastic.

I don't know the old CS, but I know I like the CS I'm involved with every day. The CS where I can pick up the phone and talk to any number of guys around the country, and just shoot the breeze. The CS where I get together with new friends over a good cigar or five. Where those same guys are welcome in my home and I in theirs. The CS where people become such friends that the gifts often extend beyond cigars and beyond ourselves to our families.

The common bond is the simple cigar. But to say this forum is simply about cigars is to miss the point entirely.

[SHOE]

Very good thread. I love the post, Dave.

It is more than a cigar. I want many of you to know, especially the FOGs, that this place and what you've done to preserve it is appreciated. Respect abounds. Hopefully one day (and I'm working on it), I'll have earned the same amount of respect. This place doesn't control my life but is a very nice part of it and I thank many of you. The friendships are plentiful and some of you I wouldn't even know if you walked in my house and sat down - but if you did, you would be welcome and the smokes come from my vert best stash. That's special right there - really special.

Thanks! Let's keep the good times rollin'!

[freakygar]

Originally Posted by massphatness

I'm still a newb here, if not by definition, then by comparison. The past six months have found me more and more involved with this site. It has become a part of my everyday living, and I am consistently amazed by the knowledge and friends I have found here. The insight and the wisdom have been of significant value, to be sure, but it's those friendships that have developed over my short time here that really hooked me on CS. I have come to know a group of people so caring and selfless that were we to take this same spirit of comraderie out into the "real" world, planet earth couldn't help but to be a better place.

Are there a$$hats here? Of course. They're everywhere, but I choose not to participate in the a$$hatness and fuel the cycle. Does cigar snobbery exist here? Of course. There will always be those who have an overwhelming need to make themselves feel "better than" and do so at the expense of others. However, my experience has been you reap what you sow at Club Stogie. Thoughtful, respectful posts are almost universally met with thoughtful, respectful replies even when the views are diametrically opposed. Bomb, PIF, Support the Troops -- and do it for the right reason -- and you will have the respect of this board. Do it for your own greater glory, and don't be surprised if the reactions are less than enthusiastic.

I don't know the old CS, but I know I like the CS I'm involved with every day. The CS where I can pick up the phone and talk to any number of guys around the country, and just shoot the breeze. The CS where I get together with new friends over a good cigar or five. Where those same guys are welcome in my home and I in theirs. The CS where people become such friends that the gifts often extend beyond cigars and beyond ourselves to our families.

The common bond is the simple cigar. But to say this forum is simply about cigars is to miss the point entirely.

[SIZE=4]What he said! [/SIZE]

[pnoon]

I dug up part of another nugget of The Wisdom of Da Klugs.

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

Take the time to get together with fellow members whenever you have the opportunity. Online is cool. Face to face rocks.

I have been so fortunate to have become close friends with many CS members. The online community was only the beginning. Meeting folks and herfing is where it's at. That is why you will see me and many others travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to get together.

[SmokinAFuente]

Originally Posted by pnoon

I dug up part of another nugget of The Wisdom of Da Klugs.



I have been so fortunate to have become close friends with many CS members. The online community was only the beginning. Meeting folks and herfing is where it's at. That is why you will see me and many others travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to get together.

I've meet more good people at Herfs than I have anywhere else in life.
I've been a member of one cigar board or another for going on 10 years. The one thing about change I've seen is that cigar boards, like pond water, will get stagnant and stink if there is no change. I know it's not always easy, but change sure can be fun.

[Molarman777]

I stumbled upon this site while looking for some 'knockout smokes" for the hunting camp. I joined looked around then went off on my way to hunt and smoke the good ones. I forgot about this site(sorry) until I needed more info on a few new smokes so I started to read, no lurk, in this site. I saw a thread about supporting troops (I can never pass on the troops) so I sent a few cigars to a super nice guy but the name of Shilala/Scott so he could send them to the troops. Scott is a great guy and answered a lot of questions that I had/have about this and that, so thanks Scott for setting the hook and keeping me coming back.

I am totally blown away by peoples generosity here at CS but have to agree that for me it is not about recognition for bombs but a way of saying thank you for helping out a poor old noob.

Great posts and I tip my ash to CS and all the people that make this site great!

Molar

[Major Captain Silly]

Originally Posted by poker

Im one of those old guys who remember fondly back in the day what Club Stogie was. What it was, was new. It was a fresh new place with a great layout. It didnt have the mob mentality that other boards exhibit. It didnt have any "cliques" of the "in-crowd" and "out-crowd" and those in the in-crowd belittled those that were in the out-crowd as many have seen on other boards. It was neat to be involved with (at the time) a small but tight group of folks where everyone knew everyone by first name & knew them on a personal level. It was back in the days of JSL, MattR, seagarsmoker, Drillr, Filly, Brandon, flipflop, sgoslin, rkt, and many many others. Many of the old guard of CS have moved on in life, some to other boards, a few have stopped or slowed their smoking, and a couple friends I know have passed on.

It was a time of simplicity where if there was a boxpass, all members became involved.

It was a time when bombing someone was never done to show off (because it was never posted in public), but rather to show gratitude for their friendship and give thanks for all they have given.

It was a time when if you were the lucky recipient of one of these bombs, there would always be a note saying not to send anything back but rather send something special to the next member down the road that impressed you.

Theres a reason I think fondly of the old times in the humble beginnings of CS and these are just a few examples.

I admit, I am one who didnt take change very smoothly. Change to me was scary in a way. I resisted and kicked a bit but then something clicked and I remembered...

I remembered I was new too once.
I remembered what pds and rjs and others did for me here when I was new.
I remembered what Bob Curtis and Tharos of the ICG days did for me before I got here.
I remembered what Mig and others at ASC did for me before ICG.
I remembered asking a bunch of questions that many have answered many times before but still took the time to answer for me.
I remembered the 2 Havana cigars I had in my massive 22 cigar collection that I thought were the Holy Grail of cigars and could probably never ever be replaced if I lit them.
I remembered I used to use a Zippo or book matches until someone told me to use butane.
I remember thinking "I dont know shit" just when I thought I knew something about cigars.

With all things, things change. Many initially resist change like I did. Many welcome it. As Club Stogie evolves, it changes. It changes due to our diverse member base. It changes as Dave mentioned by those who activly participate. Club Stogie changes as we change. As I have come to learn, change is not a bad thing. Today, although a part of me will always be "old school", I have come to a point to know & accept that changes promote new life here and I have come to welcome it.

"Change is inevitable . . .
adapting to change is unavoidable,
it's how you do it that sets you together or apart."

William Ngwako Maphoto

Thank you for this post. I remember Harvey Green and Steve Herman from ASC. They were both instrumental in my indoctrination into this hobby. Both have since passed on. I still have a Punch Punch that Harvey sent me in a care package many years ago. I may smoke it one day but for now I just take it out and use it to remind me of my "good old days".

MCS