HBM Update # 11

So it has been two years with a handle bar mustache. It has actually been a great experience and I am looking forward to continuing the ride.

So currently, it is paired with a full beard and is long enough that it still stands out. I can also get it to blend in by skipping the wax and grooming. Speaking of grooming, I got a nice sandalwood comb for care of the 'stache (and beard). It is relaxing to spend some time just combing through the facial hair, and the smell of the wood is great.

So Happy Birthday HBM!

2015- A Retrospective: What A Year It Was...

I though I would put together a quick review of the things that went down in 2015. If you are looking for something positive looks elsewhere, I am pointing out the decline of society (with pictures no less)...in no particular order.

Some worked hard to save the Stars and Bars, perseving "history".

Violations by national spokesman.

Paris Attack

Baltimore

Waco Biker Gangs

Trump Muslim Ban Proposal

TV Reporter shot on live television, but there is still not a gun problem in America.

Sportsmanship at its finest.

Corruption at the highest level.

Well that is my list, let me know which is the top for 2015, or maybe I missed a few, so feel free to add in the comments section. And here is to a more civil 2016...

Necessary Weapons?

As the sad anniversary of the senseless violence carried out at Sandy Hook and the many incidents that have happened since (and before), is upon us. I thought I would compose a piece about whether we need assault style weapons and weapons with high capacity magazines. I spent some time in the military and was taught the basics and some advanced tactics in preparation for defending the country.

I remember the first time I held and used an M-16 semi-automatic rifle. The weapon is designed specifically for killing human beings and nothing else. That was the first thing my instructor told us and re-iterated over and over while on the range. The first shooting of that rifle drove home the power and purpose of the weapon and what the intent was of its manufacturing.

Many hours were spent on the range, training with the weapon until we were all proficient, some more then others. I did not earn my marksmanship ribbon with the M-16, but would later obtain it on the pistol range (probably more beneficial as I would later have to carry a pistol for any and all off base assignments). The time spent training was not firing at paper targets at a paced off distance, but at pop-up human targets at various distances, angles and timing. It was honing a skill to take down others when called upon.

Part of our training included knowing what our weapons were able to do the human body. How the bullet would enter, and  twist and turn in the body inflicting as much damage as possible. The weapon is design to disrupt the human body; flesh, bones, and organs.

If the right to own a gun is to ensure our safety? Shouldn't everyone go through an intense training and have an understanding of how to use the weapon? It just makes sense...How do we safeguard this? Tighter control, training, and insurance, that is how.

If the point of owning a gun is to preserve the legal means to end a disagreement with deadly force then we are done as a civil society....

Hidden Talent?

So I have blended and now made public my first pipe tobacco. To some that is not much, but I am happy with it.

It is a blend that uses whisky and coffee to create a subtle sweet Irish coffee aromatic pipe mixture. It is medium in strength with a good burn leaving a fine dark powdery ash.

I have named it for my grandfather, who was a pipe smoker, although I do not remember what he smoked in his pipe. He was of Irish decent, so I think it is fitting.

I am not sure I am any kind of a master blender in the pipe world, but with my understanding and willingness to experiment and try different combinations, I can concoct a palatable smoke. Along with my science/engineering background and enjoyment of pipe smoking, it is a joy to do this 'hobby'.

This is not my first success, but this one the one I wanted to sell.

Now what should I do next....

To Shave or not to Shave...

The last day of No Shave November has arrived. It is decision time for those that have participated. Do you shave or keep the face? Are you a man or a mouse?

For me it is a no brainer, I keep going, it is the manly thing to do. We will worry about it come warmer times in the early spring. Besides it will keep the HBM company.

Of course I will keep it groomed and professional looking. Thankfully today's fashion accepts well groomed facial hair, just look at the many ads for men and the rising number of products designed for proper grooming with waxes, balms and oils.

I even saw our local mall Santa with a great HBM and beard, and I got to exchange pleasantries about our great facial hair choices. Rock on Santa!

BTW, speaking of the upcoming holidays, here is a gift idea for anyone looking to surprise me...

Best to all....

No Shave November/HBM Update

Well we are a little over halfway through the month of no shaving for men's health awareness. Things are going quite well and the full beard is progressing in nicely, but I will confess that I have been shaping it as I work in a couple of professional environments and need to appease the masses with a kept stylish look.

The HBM is getting the extension it needs without looking odd going through another transition, it is muted by the rest of the facial hair growth.

I am thinking of keeping the beard through the long winter nights. It is kind of a winter tradition now, although we did take a break when the HBM adventure began almost two years ago now, but I can now do both so....

Keep growing it gentlemen and ladies learn to embrace the fuzz face...

Obsolescence

As technology advances and we expect more and more to be part of everything we have around us as standard, we are kicking ourselves in the shin and most of us are not even aware of it. Everything these days is made with built in obsolescence. Simple machines like can openers and toasters to more complex ones like televisions and automobiles. Which brings me to my rant for the day.

I was in my car the other day and it started to emit a sound like I had gravel inside of the engine. I revved the engine and it would change sound frequency and almost disappear. There was no loss of power or hesitation in running, just the gravel noise. My first thought, and I am no mechanic, was the water pump was going. It was parked and then taken to the garage today. I was close in the proximity of the part that was failing, but it was not the water pump, it was the A/C compressor.

It is November, what do I need A/C for right now, can we bypass it? Not really...

Back in the day, you could get shorter belts and bypass the compressor, as A/C was an option and was added if the buyer wanted it. Now try and find a vehicle that does not come with A/C. So a bypass is not an option, we must replace the compressor. Why would it be simple and repairable....

They are not cheap, and the sub frame must be removed to get to it (lots of labor= more money). Thankfully I have a great group of mechanics and we found a good used one in working order, saving me abut 60% on the total cost. This will allow me to have A/C, and a car, for the winter.

I was told by the garage that this is an American thing, that if the car was built for other markets around the world, A/C is still an option, so a bypass would have been doable. But we are Americans and just not that smart.

Of course most never have deal with this because as a country as we don't drive vehicles long enough to have 'durable' parts fail, we just send them to the junk yard as being obsolete. 

High Praise, I Guess...

So this past Spring, with the urging of some and the permission of others, I help found a pipe club. Of course it had to have a snooty name, so it was christened, "The Hartford Reading Society".

The 'Society provides a civilized haven from the hum-drum work-a-day world. Of course there is not much in the way of reading beyond the occasional tin of tobacco and/or the back of a bottle. We would not want to tax the brain too much.

We have monthly meetings with themes, and an electronic newsletter, which is written by our fearless leader, Ox.  Recently Ox wrote an excerpt laced with praise for yours truly and it is below...

Mascot and all.

 As I recline here in the leather bound splendor of the Tobacco Shop, I reflect back on an excellent gathering of The Hartford Reading Society.

Maestro Herb presided over a Columbus Day cruise around the world of tobacco. His three mixtures: Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria, were specially blended for the occasion. They kept the assembled members musing as to the formulae and proportions whilst "Herb of The Inscrutable Grin" watched in silence as we discussed the merits and probable ingredients of each. 

He finally could stand no more and put us out of our collective misery, with a knowing smile he divulged the aromatic secrets which lurked in the three mixtures: Dutch Cut, Virginia and Black Cavendish each formed the base of a mixture married with a special proprietary tobacco which, for highly sensitive matters of State, shall remain nameless. Suffice to say that no South American villagers were harmed in the production of this tobacco!

 We were all most suitably impressed with Herbs handiwork, no doubt he is the foremost Pipe Tobacco blender in Southern New England and we are indeed fortunate to have him as one of our founding members as well as our cordial representative from the Tobacco Shop.

 Until the next meeting of The Hartford Reading Society, my friends, stay on the green side of the grass! 

Thank you Ox for your kind words and encouragement, they are much appreciated...

CFL Danger

So I almost started the day with an electrical fire.

Alarm went off, turned on the bedside lamp and it started to flicker. I turned on the room light just in time for the lamp to flutter one more time and see a wisp of smoke rise. I reached to check the bulb tightness and was almost burned by the heat of the base.

It was quickly unplugged and taken outside (my apologies to the neighborhood as I was in just my boxers). 

Turns out that when Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) go bad they will arc, causing them to heat rapidly, and emit a puff of smoke. 

The local hardware store had a replacement (needed the GU-24 prong base, not the traditional screw in base = more money). They had a receptacle to take the spent bulb, as it contains enough mercury to taint an entire water well and drinking supply from that well. Also the purchase of CFL and LED bulbs are sales tax free, so I saved a little in that area.

So be careful out there kids, and dispose of the empties properly.

No Shave November, Movember or Noshember?

As the month of November approaches, males are faced with whether to participate in a month long endeavor for raising awareness of men's health issues. That is right kids, it is No Shave November. Or is it Movember? Or Noshember?

Most are now calling it Movember, but I personally do not like that. Movember sounds like you should be shaving, or mowing, for the month (who would want to do that?). I know the people at us.movember.com claim it is a portmanteau of mustache and November, but it is weak in my opinion. A better portmanteau is Noshember, a combination of No, Shave, and November. It is used by the folks at no-shave.org. Check either of them out and get involved.

Now the new found tradition of No Shave November started in the southern hemisphere in the countries of New Zealand and Australia circa 2007. Both laying claim as being first, but I am not getting into that fight. Another source says it dates back to the Viet Nam war era and the US Air Force with Mustache March, where the members of the USAF would not shave (breaking regulation) in honor of Robin Olds, a triple ace pilot that went against the establishment with a well groomed waxed handlebar mustache- many thought it made him bulletproof. Olds passed away in 2007 (interesting coincidence?).

But how do I participate? I have had some kind of facial for the past 25+ years. Full beards, goatees, soul patches, and now a handlebar mustache. So not shaving for a month is not really a challenge for me. Actually the daily grooming of my HBM is just as costly as shaving regularly, so there is not a savings for donation.  I guess I will figure it out and do what I can.

In the mean time here is some facts about why having facial hair is cool...

So get involved or support someone who is involved...

My Business Acumen

I am a good salesman, I work part-time in retail and can move product and my customers are satisfied with what I sell them. At the end of the day the register is sated and the business continues to operate.

I recently entered into the online e-commerce world of eBay.  This should be an easy way to make a little extra ( little being the keyword), or so I thought. I placed three items for sale and today sold my first item. It sold for the lowest bid, but at least it sold, it is a start.

The item that I sold, my daughter used once and did not like the feel. We paid $35 for that item new. I sold it for $9. Wait it gets better.... Shipping cost me $3.25 and the bag to mail it in cost me $4, wait we are not done, my daughter used up all the shipping tape for some craft project so I also had to purchase a roll of that at $1.50. That totals $8.75, with a net profit of 25 cents. I am well on my way to being a 1%er. (Please ignore the fact the original cost of the item was $35 and it was only used once.)

While some of this is exaggerated-I did receive shipping cost from the buyer and I did get 5 bags for that $4, and who knows how long that roll of tape will last (especially if I can hide it from the daughter's craft works). It sure feels like I only made 25 cents on the whole exchange. I still have two items currently for sale, so maybe a little larger profit margin on those items is coming.

I just need to up my game.

HBM Update 7 (officially)

It has been a while since I did an 'Official' Handle Bar Mustache (HBM) update. I have included small tidbits pertaining to it in various other posts, but I have been remiss in doing stand alone progressive reports. My apologies to those that check in just for these writings.

It has now been over a year and a half since its inception and it continues to be a part of me. I recently reported that I am tempting to widen the 'stache to gain a bigger look. This is going slow but is getting there. I also just trimmed the chin hair, more to even the growth then to shorten the length, although it came out shorter then I wanted it.

I did go to the local Scottish fest (2 actually), and it is great mingling with others that grow and groom great facial hair. It is a chance to talk and share the nuances of maintaining whiskers. It is great getting complements from those that appreciate the 'stache, it is even better to get positives from those that also have great furred faces.

So I leave you with this quote...

"It is not the mustache you carry, but how you carry the mustache...actually it is the mustache."

Pumpkin Appropriate

With pumpkin season upon us, I thought I would voice my opinion where and how pumpkins should be used and not used. So here is a list:

1. In a pie. This is where it is most important, it is delicious. One of the best parts of a fall feast. Also one of the best pies that can be made IMHO.
   
2. On a porch/step/stoop as a decoration. Carved, painted, or just sitting there.
3. Smashed in a road. While not nice, it is a time honored tradition for many a vandal. Maybe buy extra and smash one in the road and keave someone else's alone.
    
4. In a patch.
5. Being flung/hurled/catapulted/chucked/cannoned in a competition. Thank you Discovery Channel. The science, the engineering, the fun.
   
6. At the fair. Huge pumpkins are amazing.
   
7. Muffins/donuts. Okay, so they can be delicious in other baked goods.
8. Soups. This is s stretch, but I have had some pumpkin soups that are good, but you do have to over ride the sweetness with a drizzle of hot sauce. Once again IMHO.

Please keep them out of coffee, ale, soda, wine, creamers, potato chips, Oreos, jello, cream cheese, breathe mints, hummus, yogurt, gum, and lastly peanut butter.

Brain Drops (aka Random Mutterings)

Time once again for some random thoughts (thinkings) to be shared, so sit back, relax and enjoy...

• Just when you think you know a person and truly like them, you find out they are a closet bigot. I respected this guy and his mind, then you discover he has this theory that the US is secretly run (and ruined) by Zionists.
• Pre-mature holiday decorations, as a protest I have randomly started to wear holiday ties to work to see if anyone will notice. A kind of social experiment...
• Avo has released a new cigar called the Syncro, a fantastic smoke and plays perfectly to my palate. To me it literally taste like a bowl of dry raisin bran.
• Life is good.
• People still care more about Benghazi and the "cover up", then they do about saving innocent lives here in the US.
• I need to motivate myself to motivate myself.

Carry on with your day...

Pace Yourself it is a Marathon

I recently saw a post on a friend's Facebook page worried about Black Lives Matter disrupting a marathon. meh. It may not be the political ring that BLM wants to throw their hat into, but I sure would like to see the 3Ks, 5Ks, 10Ks, half and full marathons moved away from businesses and commercial areas, politically or not.

It is disruptive to business in the area that are trying to make money, and can not conduct regular business due to road closures and parking bans.

I know the participants of these races will say they bring business to towns and cities, but they really don't. Besides my first hand knowledge, I have talked to other business owners and they see no up tick in the registers. Some have even reported less in registers including restaurants.

What? I know what you are thinking they are on the road and need places to dine and shop, but consider this...runners come into town with their special diets and eating less pre-race and few stay afterwards as they are drained and just want to go home. This does not fill the registers of eateries, just the tables. Runners are also known to not run big bar tabs, which make money for these businesses. Unless you are a specialty shop catering to apparel and needs of runners, your business will not see any benefit from the race.

The athletes simply take up space and time, not allowing a more valuable customer to use a business, on top of blocking roads and taking away parking spaces.

So move these races out of the town and city centers, into the rural less congested areas, creating less of a strain on business.

Random Mutterings Vol. 9, Chapter 24

I have been busy this month, seems as if I don't have a moment to myself, and it looks like no break in the action for a while...come on October.

• The Pope is visiting and it seems that the uber-bible-thumbing-gun-toting-psuedo-patriots on the conservative side have their panties in a twist. Didn't the bible state that Jesus threw the money changers out? (I think that is one of the passages we are supposed to ignore.) 
• The 'stache is going great, trying to extend it on the sides, so going through a little change and grooming practices. Wider and longer here we come...
• There are too many dogmatic people in my life, and they just don't get it, seem to care, care to change, or are willing to learn. Maybe I am just more aware of it because of the obviousness of the first bullet in this post.
  
• In the sports world, some decisions have been lately that just blow my mind (see Tom Brady and Patriots, and recent red card of Gibriel for a confrontation with Diego Costa). At least the FA had the sense to review tape and suspend Costa for his punk actions (3 games, hear that Mr. Brady?). The NHL is doing the right thing in the handling of the charges against Kane and waiting to see the outcome of the allegations and system (which has turned into a cluster___).

Well that is all for now.

Apple v. Android: A Cage Match

I have been a fan and have used Apple products since their introduction in the mid 80s. They are a well design and built product. I like their operating system, ease of use and durability. I have had several desktops, laptops, iPods, and an iPad, but I have never been impressed with the iPhone.

Now I was late to jump on the "smart phone" bandwagon. I didn't need it, I had a laptop and an iPad, so why did I need a mobile device to do anything but make phone calls, and send and receive texts (and the camera is a nice extra). The cell service industry finally forced me into a smart phone as they have used their oligarchy control of the industry and phased out basic cell phones. {FYI: I use less than .25 gigs of data service a month}

I did my research when I had to make the jump, and I am not going to go into the battle of which is better, you can google that and decide for yourselves. I went with an Android phone based solely on price and availability with my cell service provider.

Since using an Android phone and an Apple computer, there has been a couple times that they have been connected. I have found that the Apple laptop can read just about everything on the Android phone and can even back-up files. The Android does not like to take anything from the Apple laptop (pictures, documents, calendars) and constantly gives me messages to this fact.

Which now brings me to the cage match I witnessed last night. I forgot to bring a charger for the phone (house sitting), but found a cable that would connect between the phone and the laptop. Phew, or so I thunk. Connected them and went to sleep. Woke this morning to find my cell phone completely dead. Not a single spark in the battery. I guess my Apple laptop tried to kill the Android phone by using it as a back-up power source. Well played Apple....

The Android phone is on life support and slowly recovering from its near death experience, and I have learned a lesson.

I am Calling BS...

Aesop's Fables have always been a favorite of mine, but the other day I saw something that got me wondering and now I am calling bull$#!+ on one of the fables.

That fable is the story of the Fox and the Grapes.

You know the one. A hungry fox trying to get grapes to feed himself and quench his thirst. Finally giving up and being spiteful saying they were probably sour anyways. Great lesson.

Then I read an article that grapes are poisonous to dogs. Are not dogs and foxes both in the Canidae family? So wouldn't grapes also be toxic to foxes? Why does the fox want grapes if he knows they are toxic? And they have not survived this long in nature without knowing what is good for them and what is not. Aesop is trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

I know I am going to leave some of you with the taste of sour grapes exposing this impossibility in traditional folklore, but it is better to know the truth and be hurt then to live the lie.

Well I know I will be able to sleep tonight....

More Casual Thoughts...

As the summer crumbles to a halt, more things come to mind. Here are some...

• As we head into Labor Day Weekend, just remember that stores are set up for the Christmas assault starting on Tuesday. So grab a pumpkin spice latte and start shopping. Maybe Ugg boots and Lulu Lemon are having a sale.

  

  Does this get rid of pumpkin spice?

• Hoping that the Donald will run as a third party candidate, splitting the GOP vote, and ensuring a continued economic resurgence and recovery.
• My daughter has a charmed life as the past two weekends she has been dined (by me) at two of the finest seafood restaurants in CT. It may continue this weekend with fresh tuna caught in the local waters. Poor child...
• Back in the classroom, I had a student that was off task and distracting the rest of the students, I sent them on an errand to another teacher looking for left handed pencils. Got the class back on track and gave the student a chance to walk and gather their composure. Maybe using this technique again.

Enough for now, stayed informed and tune in next time.

Casual Thoughts

Sorry I have not posted anything in over a month, but while I haven't been busy, the time just seems to fly by....

• The HBM is still going and just made another batch of homemade wax. Also the chin hair is getting long (and gray).
• The kids are back to school, the oldest starts his senior year in college and the younger one is in fourth grade. Where has the time gone?
• This summer has been cooler weather wise then it has in the past, the winter prediction is lots of snow and cold temperatures. Of course the idiots will continue to deny climate change.
• Speaking of idiots, have you seen the presidential race...

Hopefully more is to come...

Bad Day for the USA

So the semis for the Gold Cup were played out yesterday.

The first game featured the US v. Jamaica for a spot in the finals. The USMNT certainly out played the Jamaicans, but were out matched on the scoring losing 2-1 and failing to make to finals. It is what makes soccer (futbol) so great and frustrating at the same time. That you can possess the ball for the majority of the game and still lose because you can not finish and put the ball in the back of the net. And then one little lapse and you are down 2 nil. We have seen this is the past with the USMNT, and it is not surprising, but always a disappointment.

The second semi was a complete circus and also an embarrassment to the US (which I will get to momentarily).

Mexico came into the game on a controversial win over Costa Rica and that seemed to follow them into this game versus Panama. Right from the start this was not a well managed match by the referee. A red card ejection at the 25th minute had Panama playing a man down for the rest of the game. The half ended with a 0-0 tie and Panama holding on.

Out of the half, you could see that Panama was stepping up and playing even with Mexico without a man. At the 57th minute, Panama scores and is up with a little over half an hour left to play. Panama played well and were keeping pace with Mexico. Mexico could just not finish a scoring opportunity. Things started to get chippy and the yellows were flying on both sides of the ball. In the closing minute of the game with Panama still up 1 nil, an inadvertent (which means there should be no penalty called) hand ball was whistled in the box for a possible game tying PK. This erupted into a bench clearing, pushing and shoving, finger pointing, crowd throwing debris onto the field, 11 minute stoppage of the game. I have never seen anything like it, especially at this level. The official had totally blown the call and was giving Mexico new life in game they were about to lose.

After getting things sorted out, Mexico took the PK and tied the game. The game finished a few minutes later and extra time was started. During the first 15 of extra, another PK was awarded to Mexico (fair call as this was a foul, but it would not have been called if the other was called correctly). Mexico scores going up 2-1, but still has 20 minutes left in extras. At this point the game is a farce and officiating has lost all control, it is with luck that no one was seriously injured. The game ends and Panama charges the referee, wrong on Panama's part, but at the same time understandable as they were just cheated out of a possible victory and a chance at a championship.

So how is this bad for the USA? The referee was American Mark Geiger, a veteran FIFA official with World Cup experience. But tonight it seemed that he had no understanding of the game and absolutely no management skills, showing the rest of the world that the US is still a long way off of being a main contributor in the world game. His display was infantile, similar to the way the USMNT played earlier in the evening.

Finally tally 1 red and 10 yellows, with fines and penalties sure to come....

A Pain in the Ass (Literally)

My wallet is worn out, I don't know why I never have any money it, I guess just routine use of carrying around government issued IDs and for collecting and distributing business cards and of course the pictures of my beautiful children (mostly one because the older one is in college and school pictures have stopped). Maybe it is worn out because as fast as I put money into it, it gets taken out.

So I went out and found a new wallet. I think it is easier (except for the financing) to buy a car. You have to find one that has enough pockets for all your needs, then do you want a bifold or a trifold, maybe a flat card holder with a money clip attached. Color and material, along with supple or rigid build. Plastic picture holder (will be ripped and not hold anything within six months), clear ID pocket holder (not sure why they even make this as an option, everyone will just make you take it out of the holder because no one can read through the clear plastic), single or divided bill compartment (like I carry enough money to have to section it into different divisions), and maybe a secret compartment or two.

Once the choices are made and the new wallet with the closest matching criteria is found and purchased, you spent some time moving the "essentials" into new spots, because they never convert directly, and then deciding what to keep and what not as this is an excellent time to clean out and condense. Once this is finished, now comes the pain in the ass. It will take weeks maybe months for this new money carrier to fit properly against your butt. You will not be able to sit comfortable, no ease of putting into or taking out of the pocket, it will chaff when you walk, and when it is out of your pocket, you will not know where anything is and when set down you don't recognize it.

I hope I found a good one and it fits my needs, and the break in period is minimal...

I got this one.

My First Hand Carved Pipe

When I was a teenager I started to try and carve my own pipe. I never finished it and it was tossed into a box and that box was never totally cleaned out and some how has survived in my possession this entire time. A few months ago, I rediscovered the box and its contents and the pipe I started many many years ago. Was this an omen that I would end up working part-time in the industry?

After some fiddling, adjusting,final finishing, and borrowing parts from another pipe, I got to use that pipe for the first time today. It needs to be broken as is with all "new" pipes, but it is not bad (I am assuming, and hoping, it will get better and sweeter as the cake is developed). The heat transfer to the hand is currently minimal and the weight and fit feel good. The draw is a little hot, but I think that will wan over time once again as it is seasoned. I did leave room for a filter application.

I would say it smokes as well as any corn cob and it has a rustic primitive look. This is no Dunhill or Nordig (although it is a free hand carve). See pictures below...

Left side view

Right side view

Top view

Bottom view 

Front view

Looking forward to more time and pleasure with this, now if I could only find someone to take me on as an apprentice and teach me the refinement of the craft...

Really eBay?

eBay has a feedback system were they would like you (almost demand you) to leave your experiences about the transactions carried out through their website. But the the system is "rigged".

You see if a seller has a 95% or better of positive feedbacks, you can not leave a neutral or negative rating. Why? There is no explanation that I see in the FAQ section.

I recently had a transaction that I was not totally satisfied with, while I was not unsatisfied, it was just a neutral experience. I was not allowed to leave them a rating I believe they deserved, because they have a history of positive and satisfied customers. So I was only allowed to leave more positive feedback. How will the retailer every improve or adjust a small discrepancy?

Everyone has an off day, this may have been that day for this seller. But no one will every know it including them, because it was not allowed by eBay. Part of this is the society we have built, in that everyone is a winner, everyone gets a prize, don't be critical you may hurt someone's feelings. Also that customer service no longer exists. No longer is the customer always right...

I guess I could contact eBay with this concern, but I believe I will get some contrived pat answer and nothing would change.

On a positive note, I have received all favorable ratings and have a 100% positive rating, so I guess no one will be able to say anything bad about me.

Lost in a Parking Lot

So listening to the radio, the DJ asked if you have ever forgot where you parked your car?

I have to confess this has happened to me, but there was a reason, so I am not embarrassed about it. When we adopted my daughter, I could not stay the entire time in Viet Nam, so I came back early. It is 30 hours of travel from Hanoi to Hartford with connections. By the time I got to Hartford I was tired and stressed. I recovered my luggage and went to long term parking to take the 45 minute drive home and get some well deserved sleep. I thought I knew where I had left the car, but upon arriving at the spot, my vehicle was not there. The hunt had begun. The search soon extended to over an hour until I resorted to the use of the remote key in hope of hearing a chirp. Another agonizing 30 minutes and I was successful, thanks to modern technology.

Then there was the time I went to Yankee Stadium and parked in a lot that had valet service. After a win by the visiting Mariners, I went to a local watering hole to celebrate. Several hours later I returned to the lot to find it empty. As a slight bit of panic set in, I found an NYPD officer and asked about the lot, and if needed, filing a missing (possibly stolen) car report. He said that all the cars that are left there late are moved over to the stadium parking garage, ten minutes later I was reunited with the car and we were on the way.

Of course there was the recent hijinx I blogged about. http://the-bush-wacker.blogspot.com/2015/05/college-hijinks-at-50.html

What I Want for Father's Day and HBM update

About a year after having a HBM (handle bar mustache), I found that drinking hot liquids loosened the wax used to maintain the shape. After googling I came across a mug with a 'stache guard. There were numerous things out there.

A couple of weeks ago I was at a meeting at my daughter's school, the Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy, when a print on the wall caught my eye. It was part of a patent that the gentleman whom the school is named after, had designed and owned. I stared in awe...

It was fabulous, the item I seek and would love as a Father's Day gift was designed and patented right here in my town and my daughter's school was named in his honor. The solution to all my troubles was solved 137 years ago.

The cure to a droopy 'stache.

Now to actually find....or get one as a Father's Day gift.

Random Mutterings, Vo.l 2, Issue 317

Just another edition of what is rattling around in my head...

• Went to my godson's confirmation and was in an actually hall of worship, no lightning strikes or fire and brimstone, no one was smoted (smited?).  While I am a spiritual person, I just don't belief in or see the need for religion, but then again I don't see the need for political parties either.
• My HBM is still going, approaching 18 months of upper lip fashion. People are starting to come to me for advice.
• The Triple Crown has been accomplished once again in horse racing. Everyone is amazed that it has been done and the first time since 1978, but when you stop and think about the numbers, it is not that big of a deal. There have been 32 times that a horse (and owner/trainer/jockey) has been able to win the Triple Crown and it has been accomplished 12 times. That is over 33% and that is a good size percentage in my opinion.
  
• Life is good no matter what.

That is all...

My Fan Epiphany

With the Chicago Blackhawks winning the Western Conference and heading to the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals, it occurred to me that I support teams with Native American tie-ins. Not those with a racist or controversial name like the Redskins or have a demeaning logo like Chief Wahoo.

I have been a Blackhawks fan since the Chris Chelios days. The Blackhawks got their name from a World War I Infantry Division that in turn was named after a Sauk leader, Black Hawk, a prominent figure in Illinois history. We also have named military equipment with the same moniker.

I am also Kansas City Chiefs fan and have been since the early 80s. I like the smash mouth style of defense they have a tradition of playing, now if they could only develop some consistent offense. The Chiefs were named in honor of Harold Roe Bartle who brought the team from Dallas to KC. Bartel earned his nickname as founder of a Boy Scout Honor Society in which he was "Chief" Lone Bear. The word chief is a name of respect.

The last team is my beloved Mariners, I know what you are thinking...what does "Mariners" have to do with the indigenous people of the Americas... The Mariners play out of Seattle, a city named after Chief Seattle, a respected leader in the Duwamish tribe and started the ecological movement and respect of the land. The Mariners have never used to my knowledge anything to disrespect Native Americans. (BTW, I have been a Mariners fan since the Bosox blew it in '86 and Seattle drafted Junior.)

So there are my teams and their affiliation with the natives of this land.

Palindrome=emordnilap

It is frustrating that palindrome is not palindrome backwards.

Emordnilap is palindrome backwards.

Emordnilap is a word.

An emordnilap is any word that when spelled backwards, produces another word.

Examples

• desserts and stressed
• drawer and reward
• gateman and nametag
• time and emit
• laced and decal
• regal and lager

So emordnilap palindrome is an emordnilap palindrome.

A Vintage Smoke

Sometime last fall, the shop got a hold of some Old English Curve Cut Pipe Tobacco. There is an entire box of it, still wrapped in the original wax paper packaging. There were a half dozen more tins with the box. Not much was known of the find, age, if it was still smokeable, what its make up is...

This spring the Hartford Reading Society was established and I was looking for something interesting to bring to the table. I thought it would be interesting to bring a vintage pipe tobacco. (I was not the only one thinking this, but that is another story) Why not see if the find of Old English Curve Cut Pipe Tobacco was savable.

I nervously opened a tin, I noticed the 1926 (series 125) tax stamp adhered to the foil packaging inside. Quickly doing the math in my head, I got that the tobacco is around 89 years old or older, answering one of the questions. Next the prying and peeling of the foil off the plug cut, a very dry light brown tobacco was revealed. I touched the thin block of pressed leaves and they easily crumbled off the wad. It was very dry and I wondered if the blend could be reconditioned and smoked.

I got the plug collected into a small zip lock bag and shook it gentle, watching it erode into a rubbed state that is preferred for pipe smoking. Some spring water was used and spritzed into the bag in an attempt to revive the tobacco to a condition that is needed to smoke.

Reconditioned tobacco on the left, state of tobacco upon opening on the right.

After a few days of letting the leaves acclimatize to a proper humidity and let the tobacco breathe, it was time to try a small pinch. I packed about half a bowlful, struck a match and hoped for the best...it was a harsh smoke. At least it would be an interesting story to share, but I needed to know more about what I had, so I headed for the interwebz.

Old English Curve Cut Pipe Tobacco was produced by the American Tobacco Company and the blend was patented May 30th, 1899, along with the packaging. I found a few of people that were selling the tins on various auction sites and the tins were going for $20-40 a piece and the conditions were listed as good with some scratches and small dents. (There are 30 tins with tobacco in them that are in mint condition, what are those worth?) I also saw some old advertising of the pipe tobacco including an ad in the New London Day, it even had a picture of the CT State Capital in the corner.

(Sorry for the clipped version of the ad, it is from 1917 by the way) 

 

The night of the meeting arrived and I brought the tobacco to share with the other members of the society, it may not be a good smoke but it would generate conversations, besides who else is smoking an 89 year old pipe tobacco...I think that is a small number.

Well I guess the extra week of sitting had changed the tobacco, because it was a lot mellower and even enjoyable. So the question of whether it could be reconditioned and smoked is yes. It has a nice earthy taste, with hints of grasses and hays. It also has a blue tint to the smoke which is often associated with Cuban tobaccos, and this is pre-embargo. Dunhill used to add Havana leaf to their blends, so it is possible that this blend contains Cuban origin leaf.

So some of the questions were answered and another set has been established.