Celebrate endings - for they precede new beginnings

I have not done a proper post in almost three months so it is about time I update you all, whether you like it or not. A lot has changed in my life in that space of time, most notably, I am no longer in the Security Business.

David Weinbaum said "The Secret To A Rich Life Is To Have More Beginnings Than Endings"

After working the doors for thirteen years or so I have quit and moved on. The last four off those I spent were in the The Church Cafe,Bar and Restaurant (Nightclub,Tourist Attraction,Juice Bar,Summer BBQ....and so on). From my first night on the 12th February 2009 to my last on the 9th February 2013, I worked there with pride. I would be lying if I said I enjoyed every night (Who does??) but the people I met and the friendships I forged over the years made it all worthwhile. What I will miss most is the fun and slagging with Hollywood standing beside me on the door as well as the strangely varied and obscure conversation we normally would have. When we were standing outside battling the rain, wind or snow it made the night pass by a lot quicker. Thank you Dave!!

So on to the new venture. My friend owns a restaurant in the city center and on the run up to Christmas I helped him out during the day, serving tables. I loved it. It had been years since I waited tables and before long I was back in the swing of it. In January he offered me a trial position as a manager and in February he offered me the position full time. I took it. Longer hours and harder work but I am indoors and the time flies...and the weight is dropping off.

I may no longer be a Doorman but I am now a Godfather. My godchild was christened two weeks ago and I am not one for kids but I love little Byrne Jr as if he was my own. He doesn't do much at the moment (He's a baby!!!) but I cant wait until he is old enough for me to fill him full of ice-cream, skittles and coke and send him back to his parents. I wonder how often I will be on child minding duty!! Fun times!!!

Now to the Cigars. My collection has grown substantially.

The Mrs got me some lovely sticks for my Birthday and a few more for Valentines. She also got me a set of Cufflinks made from a Pre-Embargo RyJ Cigar band and a nice leather travel humidor.

I also received a few goodies in the post:
I won a competition that was run by Cigar_G and Jose Blanco and was sent 2 x Joya's, 2 x MUWAT and a Liga Privada.
After tuning into Cigar Chat one night, Paul Stulac generously promised all the viewers one Cigar. When I received my package I had been given three.
Finally I ordered a box of Partagas Culebras. They come in a box of nine, 3x3 in separate coffin boxes. I have been wanting to get my hands on some and they seem to be very hard to find. Now I have them.

I now have a very impressive display of Cigars but that is all it is at the moment. With the new job but more importantly the weather I have not had many opportunities to smoke anything. I did manage to sneak a few in over the past few months but not as many as I wanted. Roll on the summer!!

BIG NEWS ALERT: Cigar Aficionado Magazine published one of my tweets. I will confess that I am not an avid reader. Too much advertising and not enough Cuban content for my liking but I do realise that for so many people it is the Cigar bible. Getting a mention in the publication is kind of a big deal so I will take that. Maybe they will read my blogs and publish some thing else.....or give me a job. I could do Savanos job!!

Which brings me to the 15th Annual Festival del Habano. There are so many festival I would love to go to. IPCPR, Cigarnival, CigarFest and so on but this is the Holy Grail. Some year I will get there. Maybe for my 40th (*Drops hint to the Mrs*) This year the focus was on Montecristo, Partagas and the relaunch of the Vegueros Brand.

There were three new Edition Limitada's released:

Romeo y Julieta Romeo De Luxe EL 2013
Hoyo De Monterrey Gran Epicure El 2013
Punch Serie D'Oro No.2 El 2013

Four new regular production cigars:

Montecristo Double Edmundo
Montecristo Petit No.2
H. Upmann Connossieur A
Bolivar Libertadores (Only available in a LCDH store)

One New Gran Reserva:

Partagas Lusitanias Gran Reserva

The Vegueros brand was also relaunced and include:
Tapados
Mananitas
Entretiempos

I dont know much about the Veguros brand but if Habanos SA included them as a headliner in the Festival they must be worth checking out. The Gran Reserva will be the one everybody want but for me its the Montecristo Petit No.2. I love the normal No.2 so hopefully this will be as good although their was rumours of a new blend.

Finally all future Montecristo's will now be sporting a new band and it looks great.

So that's it from me for now. Hopefully it wont be as long before my next post. Enjoy the Pics.

Hollywood and I on my last night

Bday Cigars

Valentines Present

Bday Present - Leather Travel Humidor

Cigars from Cigar G and Jose Blanco

Cigars from Cigar Chat and Paul Stulac

Partagas Culebras Box

Three Coffins

Partagas Culebras- The Cigar(s)

Trinidad Fundadores

House blend from La Maraleja Restaurant in Cuba - Delish

H.Upmann Petit Corona

Cohiba Maduro 5 Secrectos

Man O War Side Project Little Devil

Cigar Aficionado Magazine