I'm still here!!!! Sorry for the delay!!!!

Wow it has been a long time since my last posting! So much has changed since last summer...my Redskins tanked with one of their worst seasons in team history. I will just leave it at that hopefully really soon I can drop some good stuff I have learned.

Some things are still the same....me and fine premium cigars are still well! I have made some great contacts that are quite beneficial. I hope I can get into the routine of posting more and dropping some knowledge! I have discovered some things about our society and few of the things that are hidden from us that we should all know. My eyes have been opened! The best analogy is that of the Matrix movie scene where I chose the pill that unplugged me from the system! Stay tuned good people.

To my Redskins fan out there hopefully this offseason will be that offseason that we desire to be the most productive and have the best chance in years of being pulled out of our rut! Go Skins HTTR!!!!!

Washington Redskins Training Camp (Defense)

The temperature was 70 degrees and the weather was drizzly and the grounds were soaked but for an August day in the Summer in the DMV the alternative would be 90 degrees. I will take the rain and make the best of my time. 

The Defense for the Redskins will be a force in 2009 from the Defenive line which appears to be vastly improved with the additions of Haynseworth and the return of Phillip Daniels what was deemed a weakness last season will perform a complete 180 from last season. The line shouldn't have a problem getting pressure and getting sacks on the QB. With this pressure it will allow the LB's to manuveur without dealing with a Offensive lineman which means more tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Also, the Corners and Safeties would be able to jump routes because with the increase of pressure on the edges and center of the line the opposing QB will have to get rid of the ball in a hurry. This defense has the makings of being a special group. As a fan of the team I hope that this will be our season. I just got my new upgraded season tickets and I look forward to rooting them on to what I hope is a Super Bowl season.

How to Store a Cigar

You purchased a box of your favorite cigars now, you will need something to store them in. The box they came in will not do.

Cigars must live in an environment, (warm and very humid); similar to where they were born and the best way to simulate that environment is with a humidor. A humidor will vary sizes from the small wooden boxes to the large wooden cabinets. Before purchasing a wooden humidor perform the “whoosh test” by lifting the lid about three inches, let it drop and listen for a “whoosh” of air escaping which prevents the lid from slamming. A “whoosh” means the humidor is crafted well enough to create a tight seal.

Another option, if for some reason you don’t want to purchase a nice wooden humidor, is to use a plastic container (Rubbermaid or Tupperware); however, plastic containers don’t allow your cigars to “breathe” and a modest amount of air flow is needed to help prevent mold and keeping your stogies fresh. Open the plastic container once a month to check for the proper moisture.

Cigars kept in a Ziploc bag are only good for a couple of weeks before they experience any ill effects.

Along with your humidor (whether it is made of wood or plastic) purchase a humidifier. There are several different types of humidifiers ranging from the cheap florist foam which is enclosed in a vented plastic piece to the built-in which is usually attached by a magnet to the lid of the humidor. Read the Manufacturer’s instructions on the proper way to moisten your humidifier.  Usually you will need to moisten your humidifier by either dunking it into a bowl or use a small squeeze bottle filled with distilled water. 

The other item you will need for your humidor is the hygrometer, which is used to measure the humidor’s humidity levels. The hygrometer is helpful; however, you should perform the “pinch test” (every two weeks) to help make sure your cigars are humidified properly. Based on how your cigars feel, you will be able to determine whether or not to add or remove moisture from your humidor.

A good rule of thumb is the 70/70 Rule, 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21.1 degrees Celsius and 70% humidity.

The problem with having cigars that are too wet will not only make them susceptible to mold but, also be harder to light and keep it lit.

If the cigars are too dry the wrapper will crack, it will burn hot with a harsh taste. With dry cigars the essential oils within the cigar will evaporate leaving you with a bland and tasteless smoke.

If you don’t want you cigars to end up dry and tasteless, before placing any stogies in a humidor you must first stabilize the humidor by following these simple steps.

1. Charge your humidifying device. 
2. Place a calibrated (salt tested) hygrometer in the humidor. 
3. Place a shallow dish of distilled water in the humidor. Some people rub the sides of the    humidor with distilled water, don’t do this, as this will only bring up the grain of the    wood. 
4. Place the humidification device inside the humidor. 
5. Check the humidity every day. When it reaches and stays at 70%, it's time to add your    cigars. It may take a few days to a few weeks to stabilize.

Several reasons why your humidor may take a while to stabilize:

1. You live in a dry area.
2. The humidor’s wood is very dry.
3. The humidor doesn't seal well.

To ensure you don’t have a leaky humidor place it inside a Ziploc bag and if it comes up to humidity in the bag but, not outside the bag then the humidor is leaky.

After your humidor is stabilized, you will only need to add distilled water to the humidifying device before it is completely dried out (check the manufacturer’s instruction sheet).

Now, calibrate your hygrometer:

1. Place the salt in the bottle cap (or other small container). 
2. Dampen the salt with water. Do not put so much that the salt is "sloppy". You want a damp    pile of salt in the bottle cap. 
3. Place both the hygrometer and the bottle cap full of damp salt in the Ziploc bag and seal    it well. (It is important not to let air on or out while the test is going on.) 
4. Let everything sit like this for over 8 hours.

After 8 hours in the damp salt environment, the hygrometer should read
75%. If your hygrometer has a control to adjust it, set it to 75% right after it has been calibrated. Test the hygrometer every 6 months or so to be sure it is accurate.

http://www.tobacco-barn.com/t-art-HowToStore.aspx

BGObession....a New Redskins Fan Site!!!!!

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away (they called it ‘The 60’s’), I became a Washington Redskin’s fan. One day, shortly after Al Gore invented this incredible thing called ‘the Interwebs’, I wandered into a fan forum, something they called a ‘messageboard’, and discovered a whole new culture out there – communities of fans clustered together to discuss, argue, expound, prognosticate, mourn, rib, and generally have fun together.

I found a great messageboard community and became a big part of it. But like a great head of hair, all good things come to an end. Then, one day, while talking to my best friend on the planet (he happens to be a Redskins fan too), it occurred to us – if you want a better mousetrap, why not build it yourself?

So for the past 6 months, we’ve been thinking and experimenting and hammering and nailing and painting and creating in agonizing excruciating detail our own little perfect corner of the burgundy and gold universe. You might even say we’ve become obsessed with it.

This week ‘BGO’ is finally born, and we think it’s going to be a special place for fans of the Washington Redskins.

With a wealth of existing Redskins internet sites available, one might wonder - what makes this place so special? Great question! First, I hear the guys running the joint are super cool. Secondly, we’re shooting for something rarely found in communities on the world wide web – civility, intelligent discourse, and respectful dialogue. It won’t just be a goal of our community, but an expectation of our members. Oh, and as an added bonus, we like to have fun too! Finally, we think you’ll find our site one of the most feature-rich, energetic, and creative sites both visually and content-wise, anywhere. We’re motivated. We’re committed. We’re good-looking and sexy. Hell, lets face it – we’re obsessed with the burgundy and gold.

We’re betting some of you might be too.

So we invite you – walk, don’t run (unless you really feel the urge, in which case watch out for the corners of that coffee table) to your nearest PC or laptop. Sit down and take a deep breath. Everybody still with me? Now, it’s time to log-in ...

www.bgobsession.com

Hope to see you around!

John

Basic Cigar information.

Did you know?

When color of a cigar is mentioned, it refers to its outside wrapper. There are six basic colors of a cigar wrapper. A lighter wrapper usually has a mild taste, while a darker wrapper has a full-bodied flavor and is sweeter. There is no favorite or popular wrapper, as every individual taste is unique. 

CLARO CLARO

A mild and bland wrapper that is greenish in color. Also know as double claro, candela and jade. Slightly sweet, at one time they were quite popular in the United States.

CLARO

Neutral flavor, light and yellowish in color.

COLORADO

Rich in flavor with a subtle aroma. Reddish-brown in color.

MADURO

Strong in flavor, mild aroma. Dark brown color. The wrapper should be silky and oily.

OSCURO

Darkest of the wrappers because it's left on the tobacco plant longer and has a lengthier maturing period. Almost black in color. 

http://www.cigarwoman.com/colorguide.html

Father's Day

Normally this holiday is kinda of in the ho-hum of holiday hierarchy. It kinda of borders on the least revered in the sense that Christmas, Valentines Day, Mother's Day, 4th of  July and Thanksgiving are by far the most popular. Well this year Fathers Day is probably the most important holiday for me. One thing I have been able to do is really cherish my children and the time that I spend with them. Without spilling all of my doings in this world I will say things have changed alot for me in the last 4 months from separating from my wife and dealing with the process of a divorce it has been trying.

So Father's Day is a bigger and more emotional day for me as I transition to being a single father and the reality that I'm not perfect and know matter how hard I try sometimes even that is not good enough. So I will enjoy every minute with the most important people in my lives my son and daughter. As I type this they are sleeping peacefully and I wouldn't have it any other way!

So to all the men out there that are Fathers to their children I raise my glass and I salute you. This holiday is my favorite and hopefully it will be yours also. To those reading this with a father in your life tell him how much you love him.

Phil Jackson Takes Record 10th NBA Crown—Celebrates with a Cigar

I must defer to Cigar Aficionado on this article on Phil Jackson of the LA Lakers. This will be the beginning of my weekly series dedicated to fine Cigars and those who enjoy them.

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Features/CA_Feature_Basic_Template/0,2344,2790,00.html

Posted: Monday, June 15, 2009

By David Savona  

The Lakers won the NBA championship last night, beating the Orlando Magic 99—86. The win gave coach Phil "the Zen Master" Jackson his tenth NBA title as coach, making him the most accomplished man ever to coach in the NBA, and he intended to celebrate with a smoke.

Jackson, who had been tied at nine victories with Red Auerbach, a man who was seldom seen without a cigar in hand, told the media after the game that he would fire up in honor of moving past the Celtics legend. "I'll smoke a cigar tonight in memory of Red," Jackson said. "He was a great guy."

Jackson won his first six titles with the Chicago Bulls, leading a team that included Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. He left the Bulls in 1998, after feuding with Chicago general manager Jerry Krause, and took a year off before returning to coaching with the Los Angeles Lakers. In his first year with Los Angeles, the Lakers won the NBA title. Last night's victory was his fourth with Los Angeles.

As gaudy as Jackson's ten NBA championships are, even more impressive is the fact that teams under his stewardship have won three in a row on three occasions: his Bulls did the "three-peat" twice, and the Lakers did it once.

Auerbach (who died in 2006) and Jackson have both worn the title of cigar aficionado. Auerbach smoked victory cigars on the Celtics bench when his team was comfortably ahead, and was so synonymous with cigars that back in the days when one could still smoke in some restaurants, Boston's Legal Seafood put these words on its menu: "No cigar or pipe smoking, except for Red Auerbach."

Jackson coached in a different era, where puffing in a NBA arena was impossible. In a 1998 interview, he claimed cigars relaxed him in the same way meditation did. "I owe it all to meditation and to cigars," he said. Jackson cut his NBA coaching teeth with the Chicago Bulls, owned by ardent cigar lover Jerry Reinsdorf, who gave cigars to his star Michael Jordan.