Absolutely useless facts about you nobody cares about

[ChildOfGod]

Bicycled 105 miles in a day at the Highlands Gran Fondo. The distance really isn't so bad, but the mountains.... 8000 ft of elevation that nearly did me in. I was going so slow up the mountains, especially in the latter 50 miles, that my bike computer often auto-paused as it thought I had stopped. But I kept going.

[GaryInVA]

We are supposed to have 100,000 people in town today for a soccer game at Kyle Field. Mexico against Brazil.

Next weekend the same amount and place for a George Strait concert.

[sweetandsour]

A young man on another forum I sometimes glance through says he's going to try the pipe smoking hobby, so that he can join his wife for evening smokes on their front porch. It's pure speculation on my part, but apparently she enjoys a little of the devils' weed in a small pipe, and he can't join in due to job related drug tests, etc. So, he bought a "Whitluck Beginners Kit", and described it thusly: "It's just a cheap o two piece briar pipe with screens, filters etc in a fancy looking roll. However, for the meager investment I'll find out if I like smoking tobacco pipes or not. I used to enjoy cigars just never have the time to burn a whole one now a days. Figure if I have to snuff the pipe out I'm not out much."

He also stated that he had found a "large bag of cheap tobacco", but It was the "two piece briar pipe", that initially cracked me up. Like he's describing a fishing rod. But I didn't let on, I ignored his brazen innocence and suggested that he order or else locate some 1-Q to start with.

[Del]

A young man on another forum I sometimes glance through says he's going to try the pipe smoking hobby, so that he can join his wife for evening smokes on their front porch. It's pure speculation on my part, but apparently she enjoys a little of the devils' weed in a small pipe, and he can't join in due to job related drug tests, etc. So, he bought a "Whitluck Beginners Kit", and described it thusly: "It's just a cheap o two piece briar pipe with screens, filters etc in a fancy looking roll. However, for the meager investment I'll find out if I like smoking tobacco pipes or not. I used to enjoy cigars just never have the time to burn a whole one now a days. Figure if I have to snuff the pipe out I'm not out much."

He also stated that he had found a "large bag of cheap tobacco", but It was the "two piece briar pipe", that initially cracked me up. Like he's describing a fishing rod. But I didn't let on, I ignored his brazen innocence and suggested that he order or else locate some 1-Q to start with.

Noobs are fun, and we're always glad to welcome another one.

Important advice for noobs:

- DON'T PACK IT TOO TIGHTLY. You shouldn't have to work hard to draw a puff.
- KEEP IT SLOW. Puff leisurely. Too fast, and you'll irritate your tongue. And you won't notice that you are burning your tongue until it's too late. Just take it easy and sip the smoke with slow, easy draws.
- IT'S OKAY TO RELIGHT YOUR PIPE AS OFTEN AS YOU NEED TO. Pipes don't stay lit, especially for beginners. It's fun to flick a lighter, anyway. Don't fret about it.
- YOU DON'T NEED A FILTER. Sure, they love to sell you filters but you are probably better off without it.
- USE THE PIPE CLEANERS. Combustion causes condensation; you aren't doing anything wrong. That bit of moisture gurgles in the stem and tastes nasty if it gets in your mouth. Just swab it out with a pipe cleaner down the stem.

[Hovannes]

A young man on another forum I sometimes glance through says he's going to try the pipe smoking hobby, so that he can join his wife for evening smokes on their front porch. It's pure speculation on my part, but apparently she enjoys a little of the devils' weed in a small pipe, and he can't join in due to job related drug tests, etc. So, he bought a "Whitluck Beginners Kit", and described it thusly: "It's just a cheap o two piece briar pipe with screens, filters etc in a fancy looking roll. However, for the meager investment I'll find out if I like smoking tobacco pipes or not. I used to enjoy cigars just never have the time to burn a whole one now a days. Figure if I have to snuff the pipe out I'm not out much."

He also stated that he had found a "large bag of cheap tobacco", but It was the "two piece briar pipe", that initially cracked me up. Like he's describing a fishing rod. But I didn't let on, I ignored his brazen innocence and suggested that he order or else locate some 1-Q to start with.

Noobs are fun, and we're always glad to welcome another one.

Important advice for noobs:

- DON'T PACK IT TOO TIGHTLY. You shouldn't have to work hard to draw a puff.
- KEEP IT SLOW. Puff leisurely. Too fast, and you'll irritate your tongue. And you won't notice that you are burning your tongue until it's too late. Just take it easy and sip the smoke with slow, easy draws.
- IT'S OKAY TO RELIGHT YOUR PIPE AS OFTEN AS YOU NEED TO. Pipes don't stay lit, especially for beginners. It's fun to flick a lighter, anyway. Don't fret about it.
- YOU DON'T NEED A FILTER. Sure, they love to sell you filters but you are probably better off without it.
- USE THE PIPE CLEANERS. Combustion causes condensation; you aren't doing anything wrong. That bit of moisture gurgles in the stem and tastes nasty if it gets in your mouth. Just swab it out with a pipe cleaner down the stem.

Sounds like a job for a Missouri Meerschaum.

[Del]

Sounds like a job for a Missouri Meerschaum.

He's got a cheap o two piece briar pipe. With screens. He'll be fine.

[Hovannes]

After clearing out my F-I-L's apartment now that he's in assisted living, I realized that I should start divesting some of my own impediments.
The most bulky stuff I have is my rather large library, so today I gave most of my aviation books to the local Civil Air Patrol squadron.
I lost my medical about ten years ago, so....

[Hovannes]

Tomorrow I'm getting commissioned (or re-commissioned) as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion ---whatever they call it these days---at a local hospital.
It should be a good thing.
I hope.
I quit about ten years ago.
I didn't feel worthy.
I can't put into words exactly why I want to go back.

[Hovannes]

Well, the good Father forgot to commission me this Sunday.
In his defense, I am rather forgettable.
We'll try again next Sunday.

[FredS]

I noticed on FB today that two of my very old friends and classmates have recently had birthdays. A black guy and a Mexican guy. Their gray hair and mustaches look so much more dignified than mine. They're old gentlemen, guys who'd be respected OG's in the hood. I'm just old.