Newbie from SoCal (SouthBay - Palos Verdes Peninsula)

[mrreindeer]

Hi there - I've spent the week checking out all that Club Stogie has to offer and I'm really digging it. I've made a few early posts and hope to be a good addition to the group; I thought I'd post myself here now as it seems to be the thing to do.

I'm 35, married and an L.A. native and live in Rancho Palos Verdes (near an AWESOME cigar shop called Huckleberry's). I would say I've only recently gotten into relatively serious cigardom in the past 4 months or so, going from 1 or 2 cigars a year (if that) to 1 or 2 a week. I'm not entirely thrilled I've taken so much of a liking to 'smoking' (because, after all, it's so 'wrong' here in California) but there's just something I really like about the whole ritual of it....I'm looking to post shortly on the thread 'why do you smoke', which I think is a damn good question to have answered here and I've enjoyed reading the plethora of responses that have already been posted.

The 1 to 2 cigars a year were given to me by friends or clients and how could I pass up these gifts so I would light up and I found myself enjoying the smoke but not feeling as if this was something I wanted to get into seriously.

Then, earlier this year, I felt like I should have some cigars on hand to return the favor to my friends and clients so I received a free humidor with a $100 purchase at this shop over in San Pedro and started stocking up (slowly).

And then when the weekends came, I felt the desire to light up one here and there with my wife, as we watched the sunset, chatted and had a glass of wine or a cocktail. I began to really look forward to those times and really appreciated having the time to ourselves wherein we were able share a new hobby together.

Now, I've certainly gotten more serious about cigars than my lovely wife (thank God she digs it too, though!) but she understands and appreciates my newest passion (other than for her!). While I go for the premium cigars (nothing too crazy), my wife really enjoys the flavor infused sticks like the 'Juicy Lucy' or Acid's 'Blondie'. They're actually quite delicious but I'll stick with the regular 'ol cigars.

I'm very excited to be a part of something new and I relish the opportunity to spend a good hour doing nothing other than sitting, relaxing and smoking a good cigar. It's different, you know, than being in some bar, standing amid a crowd, sipping on a drink, barely being able to hear the conversation you're supposed to be engaged in. Here in California (and well, this country, for the most part), of course, we're forced to smoke outside, which is a nice thing. I certainly don't mind being outside on a beautiful day, enjoying a nice cigar. Just as long as there's no wind to steal my beautiful smoke plumes.

Anyway, I just wanted to take the opportunity to say hello to you all good people and tell you how much I'm looking forward to learning more, meeting new people who have this common interest and chatting about all sorts of good stuff.

Oh, if anyone could tell me, before I forget, what the heck does B&M stand for? I know it's a cigar store, but B&M? And what's a CC? I'm sure I'll have more questions and I'm sure the answers are somewhere here on this site but I just haven't found them yet. Many thanks!

[Full_Metal_Humidor]

Welcome to CS

[MNSmoker]

Welcome to the Jungle! That was a nice intro. B&M stands for "Brick and Mortar" and CC stands for "Cuban Cigar." I hope you enjoy your time here.

[dannysguitar]

Welcome! Get ready to buy a bigger humidor. Im in pasadena if you ever want to chill shoot me a PM!

[poker]

Welcome to Club Stogie from the ghetto below you (Gardena )

[mrreindeer]

Hey, thanks fellas! And will do, Danny. I'm off to get some good Mexican grub & I think I'll just have to settle with smoking my THIRD cigar this weekend, heaven forbid....

[mikeyj23]

Welcome to the Club! I think MNSmoker addressed your current questions, but if there are others check out some of the stickies - like in the "Questions - Cigars" forum there are stickies entitled "What do all the acronyms mean?", "MANY ANSWERS HERE (quick threads index)" and "What Does That Mean?"

Hopefully those preempt some questions, but if you still have some don't be afraid to ask!

[bvilchez]

Welcome aboard. Hopefully when I get back next year we can herf back I California. I reside in Downey when I'm there.

[dunng]

Welcome to the Jungle!

[stevefrench]

Hello and welcome to Club Stogie. Nice intro.

[lightning9191]

Welcome to the Jungle and nice intro!

[Cozy]

Welcome to CS from the real ghetto closer to you (Inglewood) Wish I had sunsets to watch instead of all the planes. I think I will try that B&M you mentioned, LMK if you have time to meet up. Now get you a large cabinet and enjoy the slope. Don't let them point you in the wrong direction, the slope is fun.............until your statement comes

[gorob23]

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

I'm not entirely thrilled I've taken so much of a liking to 'smoking' (because, after all, it's so 'wrong' here in California)

No it's not! "It's fine "up on the Hill" and down here at MB welcome

Originally Posted by poker

Welcome to Club Stogie from the ghetto below you (Gardena )

yea but you drive a car that's worth more than the house and the elevator

Rob

[poker]

awww BS

[icehog3]

Welcome to the Jungle!