I tried my first bowl of pipe tobacco back in 1989, but I didn't become a serious pipe smoker until 1997 or so. These days I gravitate towards Burley-forward blends and good English/Balkan mixtures. I never review a blend until I've smoked at least 100 grams of it. I've worked as a Firefighter and Paramedic, Sheriff's Deputy, Medical Laser Safety Officer, Outward Bound juvenile offender teacher/counselor, and journalist.