Back in the Briar Saddle

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It's been ages since I did more than pop on here for a quick lurk, so I figure I'm well overdue for a proper update. Long story very short, the last couple of years have been chaotic as hell, involving several cross-country moves, a divorce, and ongoing health issues that have left me without a sense of smell. This last factor especially led to my largely abandoning the briar, as I found without a working snout my sense of taste was sufficently muted to take much of the enjoyment out of the past time...hence my absence from these friendly fields.

But there's been plenty of good as well as ill over the same span, and as far as this crazy existence of ours is concerned it could *always* be worse! I'm now living in Seattle, which has its many charms (even if its draconian smoking ordinances have further dampened my ability to enjoy the occasional pipe), and as the weather has been so hospitable I've found myself enjoying the briar again, even without my sense of smell. One of these days I'll make it down to Fife for the monthly Seattle Pipe Smoker's Club.

So that's where I've been, and where I'm going is to broaden my horizons when it comes to blends--one consequence of my compromised olfactory bulb is that the naked ginnies, VaPers, and subtle Syrian lat blends I used to love now fall mostly flat, so I'm hunting out pipe weed with a strong enough taste that I can still get something out of it. I'm still leery of American Aromatics--which are stronger of smell than taste anyway in my experience--but I was very pleasantly surprised by a tin of Gawith and Hoggarth's Rum Flake that I took a chance on. I got more out of it than just about anything else I tried over the last couple years, so expect I'll be turning my attentions toward Lakeland, which I never warmed to before (aside from Fire Dance, which I need to revisit)...

Maybe I'd better pose this elsewhere on the boards, but does anyone have a blend or three they would recommend as being especially tasty? When I say strong tasting I don't necessarily mean strong in terms of nic or topping, either, though such blends are fine, too.

And any fellow Washingtonians ever make it down for the SPC meet-ups?
 
Good to see you back!
As far as strong taste, I would recommend stuff with ky dark fired tobacco in it. Stuff like jack knife plug. Cumberland is good too. C&D Blockade Runner had a strong distinct flavor.
 
Hey there Jesse, good to see (read) you again. I've wondered about you over the years as you were once a regular poster here.

While not good to hear of your downside it's still good to see you've landed on your feet and are alive and well in the Emerald city.

I'm a member of the SPC, but the meetings are not conducive with my work schedule. Pity, that. Yet they are a very alive brotherhood and great bunch of peeps. Several of us here attend, including Eric Furgeson. Check out his BoB coffee mug offer on the trading forum -

http://brothersofbriar.forumotion.com/t34501-proud-to-announce-the-release-of-brothers-of-briar-mugs-upda

Anywhoo good to see you back into the fold, and hope your taste issues are soon resolved.

8)



Cheer,

RR
 
The Seattle club is always well represented at Chicago. Great bunch! I am sure they will offer some recommendations.
 
Thanks, fellahs, it's good to be back! Time sure is slippery, I can hardly believe it's been so long...Will try to make it to next week's SPC meeting and report back, glad to hear it's such a good crew. And Carlos, it was actually a recent trip to Chicago that pulled me back in--walked past by Iwan Ries and ended up spending at least an hour hanging out!

And sometime when life calms down we'll have to meet up at the Snoqualmie casino or some such pipe-friendly spot, Rande. Annoying as the health stuff has been the cure is almost as bad--I'm on medication that messes with my liver so I've had to avoid all alcohol, too, which is especially hellish for a home brewer and whisky fan like me...but later this summer I may get the all clear to again enjoy in moderation, in which case I'm long overdue to visit your neck of the woods!
 
GrampaGrossbart":qmqmu5zw said:
Thanks, fellahs, it's good to be back! Time sure is slippery, I can hardly believe it's been so long...Will try to make it to next week's SPC meeting and report back, glad to hear it's such a good crew. And Carlos, it was actually a recent trip to Chicago that pulled me back in--walked past by Iwan Ries and ended up spending at least an hour hanging out!

And sometime when life calms down we'll have to meet up at the Snoqualmie casino or some such pipe-friendly spot, Rande. Annoying as the health stuff has been the cure is almost as bad--I'm on medication that messes with my liver so I've had to avoid all alcohol, too, which is especially hellish for a home brewer and whisky fan like me...but later this summer I may get the all clear to again enjoy in moderation, in which case I'm long overdue to visit your neck of the woods!
I'm up for that Jesse. It's nearby for me. Just lmk.

;)



Cheers,

RR
 
Brewdude":m0qxi1dq said:
GrampaGrossbart":m0qxi1dq said:
Thanks, fellahs, it's good to be back! Time sure is slippery, I can hardly believe it's been so long...Will try to make it to next week's SPC meeting and report back, glad to hear it's such a good crew. And Carlos, it was actually a recent trip to Chicago that pulled me back in--walked past by Iwan Ries and ended up spending at least an hour hanging out!

And sometime when life calms down we'll have to meet up at the Snoqualmie casino or some such pipe-friendly spot, Rande. Annoying as the health stuff has been the cure is almost as bad--I'm on medication that messes with my liver so I've had to avoid all alcohol, too, which is especially hellish for a home brewer and whisky fan like me...but later this summer I may get the all clear to again enjoy in moderation, in which case I'm long overdue to visit your neck of the woods!
I'm up for that Jesse. It's nearby for me. Just lmk.

;)



Cheers,

RR
Will do, brother! Guessing it'll be mid-July before I have the all clear and downtime, but the way summer flies by here in the PNW I'm guessing that'll be here before I know it...
 
I'm in Fremont, but will probably be moving over the summer. Plan on staying in town wherever I end up, at least for now...And yeah, I'm super jealous of you, I'd love to live up there! I grew up on Twin Peaks so that area is weirdly familiar whenever I visit.
 
GrampaGrossbart":6id1tr8s said:
I'm in Fremont, but will probably be moving over the summer. Plan on staying in town wherever I end up, at least for now...And yeah, I'm super jealous of you, I'd love to live up there! I grew up on Twin Peaks so that area is weirdly familiar whenever I visit.
Fremont you say? I'm pretty familiar with that area. Fremont brewing is a way great brewery. And the old guard of Hales are no slouch either! Also, I frequent Dusty Strings for the acoustic side of musical things . So I get down there semi-regularly. Helluva expensive area to live tho, and parking is a bitch!

Still, if one likes a lot of activity/action/hotspots there are worse places to be in the greater Seattle area. Pubs/alehouses/cafes/restaurants/music/art/name it. Pity that there isn't one single solitary place to smoke, except one's own house or yard!

Beware about being jealous about my area tho, as appearances are sometimes deceiving. Property values are escalating here just as fast as central King County, and moderate income folks are being squeezed by those making 6 figures (and that ain't me).

Forget about buying or renting out here otherwise. This area is undergoing rapid development, and has been since the opening of Snoqualmie Ridge just after I moved here in '98. And it's only going to get worse!

Yes, it is beautiful - provided the weather isn't a negative factor which it can often be depending on what time of year we're talking about. So figure in damaging windstorms to start with which can leave one without power for extended periods depending on where you live. I've gone without power for 6 days in '06. Some were without power for 2-3 weeks! And a few years later it was 3 days. Plus many more with shorter outtages!   :!:

Then, remember that the Snoqualmie River floods regularly, including and especially when there is a Pineapple Express in Nov/Dec. That always creates a bit of excitement. Been through several 50-yr floods since I've lived here. And we're overdue for a 100 year flood event. And the brewery is within a stone's throw of the Snoqualmie River.

Not to mention that we're in seismic zone 4 which is the highest category, and we experience quakes on a semi-regular basis. I've been through at least 5 that I can remember since I've lived in WA state (from '90). Most were relatively mild shakers at around 4-points. But the big shaker of '01 measured 6.8 or 7.2 depending on what report you read.

That one got my attention, yet as it turned out did not do the kind of damage one would expect as it was a deep quake. And while it did do significant damage from a $$ basis, no lives were lost.

And then we hear regularly that the epic quake of 9 points is due/overdue. And this is based on prior data from similar large events recorded in the soil long ago. And if/when this happens we can all grab our ankles and kiss our ass bye-bye....

Have I painted enough of a dire prospect yet Jesse? If not feel free to plant down your roots. Me, I just live here (for now).  ;)


Cheers,

RR
 
Brewdude":jmcoj3xb said:
GrampaGrossbart":jmcoj3xb said:
I'm in Fremont, but will probably be moving over the summer. Plan on staying in town wherever I end up, at least for now...And yeah, I'm super jealous of you, I'd love to live up there! I grew up on Twin Peaks so that area is weirdly familiar whenever I visit.
Fremont you say? I'm pretty familiar with that area. Fremont brewing is a way great brewery. And the old guard of Hales are no slouch either! Also, I frequent Dusty Strings for the acoustic side of musical things . So I get down there semi-regularly. Helluva expensive area to live tho, and parking is a bitch!

Still, if one likes a lot of activity/action/hotspots there are worse places to be in the greater Seattle area. Pubs/alehouses/cafes/restaurants/music/art/name it. Pity that there isn't one single solitary place to smoke, except one's own house or yard!

Beware about being jealous about my area tho, as appearances are sometimes deceiving. Property values are escalating here just as fast as central King County, and moderate income folks are being squeezed by those making 6 figures (and that ain't me).

Forget about buying or renting out here otherwise. This area is undergoing rapid development, and has been since the opening of Snoqualmie Ridge just after I moved here in '98. And it's only going to get worse!

Yes, it is beautiful - provided the weather isn't a negative factor which it can often be depending on what time of year we're talking about. So figure in damaging windstorms to start with which can leave one without power for extended periods depending on where you live. I've gone without power for 6 days in '06. Some were without power for 2-3 weeks! And a few years later it was 3 days. Plus many more with shorter outtages!   :!:

Then, remember that the Snoqualmie River floods regularly, including and especially when there is a Pineapple Express in Nov/Dec. That always creates a bit of excitement. Been through several 50-yr floods since I've lived here. And we're overdue for a 100 year flood event. And the brewery is within a stone's throw of the Snoqualmie River.

Not to mention that we're in seismic zone 4 which is the highest category, and we experience quakes on a semi-regular basis. I've been through at least 5 that I can remember since I've lived in WA state (from '90). Most were relatively mild shakers at around 4-points. But the big shaker of '01 measured 6.8 or 7.2 depending on what report you read.

That one got my attention, yet as it turned out did not do the kind of damage one would expect as it was a deep quake. And while it did do significant damage from a $$ basis, no lives were lost.

And then we hear regularly that the epic quake of 9 points is due/overdue. And this is based on prior data from similar large events recorded in the soil long ago. And if/when this happens we can all grab our ankles and kiss our ass bye-bye....

Have I painted enough of a dire prospect yet Jesse? If not feel free to plant down your roots. Me, I just live here (for now).  ;)


Cheers,

RR
Actually super close to Fremont Brewing, and yeah, it is both a great area but also stupid expensive. Lease is up soon and will likely be shuffling somewhere a little more affordable. And maybe even somewhere I can have the occasional pipe in peace! That's the one downside, like you say--nowhere and I mean nowhere to puff, and since my current apartment complex has a strict policy in all the common areas and even the roof I've been S.O.L. Even if circumstances hadn't turned me into a very seldom patron of the pipe I wouldn't be able to enjoy it more often :/

Bummer to hear about normal folks feeling the pinch in your neck of the woods, too--guess that's happening all over. And even down here in the city the Washington weather comes by its reputation honestly! These summers are the best as far as I'm concerned, but that first winter out here got to me more than I expected--I blame the lack of a woodstove or fireplace to counteract the gloom.

Back in Florida we had our fair share of wind, flooding, and outages, too--I got out just before one that took out power for some of my friends for two frickin weeks. And then when I was living a few blocks from the Boulder Creek we got hit with a hundred year flood--which they said was the result of a thousand year rain! That was a crazy time--a few people died and the property damage was unbelievable across the region. Got out unscraped from it myself, thankfully, but it has made me leery of living right up on waterways, tempting though it is...

As for earthquakes, that'll be a new one on me but I'm not in any hurry! I don't scare easy, though, and if it's not one damn thing it'll be another...like a volcano! Good thing we've got plenty of those, too.
 
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