Self employed, I like to work at nothing all day.
I wish.
I'm not a hard core Pipe stuffer, I also have a modest cigar collection, depending on the mood and company a nice robusto and a snifter of Italian brandy in front of an open fire is just as enjoyable as much as a briar stuffed with some latakia and some choice Single malt Irish whisky while reading in my easy chair.
Thanks to my rekindled interest in pipe smoking, not to mention maturity not only have I figured out why I smoke a pipe, it helped with putting cigarettes to bed for good.
Since the wife is a practitioner in mindfulness meditation, she explained that smoking a pipe is very similar to meditation. when we are ready to partake we spend the time to figure our mood, what pipe, what tobacco to stuff and if we are going to complement with a distilled beverage, are we going to sit quietly, stand around have a chat or go for a walk. when we light up, we play with the flavor by puffing hard or gently, roll it around on the tongue or puff it back through the nose to capture the full bouquet and see if we chose the right drink.
this is being in the moment and enjoying it for all its worth, this is being mindful.
and after much research studies have shown that those who smoke a pipe and only pipes do live longer than any other group including non-smokers.
Since my taste is very eclectic and price is not really subject to discussion I tend to find the products packed in pouches tend to be well yuk and biting. so far the only pouch product that has any quality is David's Blend. otherwise I go for tins, haven't been bitten yet there. then there is the custom bulk, on my wish list is to import some 4 noggins, Boswell and check out some of the European flavors from some old world blending houses.