Random Brain Activity
Aren't you in for a treat...
28 Jan
2010
Minimal Mac on the iPad
This is one of a few Apple websites that gets it when it comes to the new release of Apple's iPad. Forward, streamlined thinking for a product. Quality over quantity, even in the face of available features. Give it a read.
21 Jan
2010
The Jameson Red Label Cigar Review
As always, cross-posted on The Cigar Spy.
It's a great down-the-middle medium bodied cigar, perfect for a morning smoke with the coffee or something for the evening. The price is very fair for this cigar and I think it's something that both new smokers and seasoned pros can enjoy. I'll be buying some of these in the near future.
Target Name:
Jameson Red Label
Target Vitals:
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Aged Dominican
Vitola: Corona (5 x 44)
Strength: Medium Bodied
Average Price: $25.00 per pack of five; $96.00 per box of 20
Vitola: Corona (5 x 44)
Strength: Medium Bodied
Average Price: $25.00 per pack of five; $96.00 per box of 20
Background Info:
Striving for the highest quality, Jameson Cigar Co.'s sole strategy is to bring their love and appreciation of cigars and coffee right to the consumer through their product lines.
Mission Debrief:
A few weeks ago, a communication came through the wire: Brad Mayo of Jameson Cigars was inquiring about any interested parties wanting to give a tasting to their private-label coffee line. Being that I am never one to pass up a great chance to try test or beta products, I replied back to the message, informing him that I was also interested in their cigars, as no local B&M's carry their product. Not only did send along the coffee (which I will be reviewing here very soon), a couple of cigars found their way into the shipment as well.
The look-over on the Jameson Red Label their commitment to quality. No imperfections were found on the wrapper and the cigar felt properly rolled throughout its length. The wrapper had a slight feel of oil to it, which I am a fan of. I also detected a slightly sweet aroma to the cigar.
Using a cutter and butane lighter for this cigar, I was welcomed with a quick hit of dull spice right at the onset. The spice did not stick around for more than a few minutes, followed by hints of wood. The cigar smoked straight up medium bodied, balanced perfectly. Nothing harsh to the taste, just pleasant. I didn't feel the finish to be any longer than normal for a cigar of this strength. If anything, it was a bit on the shorter side.
A great draw for this cigar with my cutter. Open and effortless. It also left a sturdy, gray ash. I never felt like I had to be near the ashtray at all times. The thick smoke from the cigar was also a nice touch. It's always a bit disappointing for me to smoke a cigar and end up with puny, thin smoke.
Final Analysis:
It's a great down-the-middle medium bodied cigar, perfect for a morning smoke with the coffee or something for the evening. The price is very fair for this cigar and I think it's something that both new smokers and seasoned pros can enjoy. I'll be buying some of these in the near future.
Next Time:
For the next review, I will not actually be reviewing cigars. It will be their private-label coffee. And I may bring in an assistant or two, depending on time constraints. Stay tuned.
20 Jan
2010
The Pickup
Got a call this morning from my best friend. After waiting three and a half months, the time had finally come: his brand new 2010 Camaro 1SS had finally arrived. Certainly a beautiful piece of machinery. Can't wait to actually ride in it. And hopefully one day soon, he'll allow me the pleasure of a test drive.
19 Jan
2010
Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, January 8th, 1789
"It is to me a new and consolatory proof that wherever the people are well-informed they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights."
14 Jan
2010
Old Computers = Ineffective Government
This is according to the White House Budget Director...
Yeah, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure that the government didn't have computers in the 1940's during WWII and amazingly enough, we won.
Very similar to a musician blaming his/her problems (lack of technique, knowledge of instrument or music, etc.) on their instrument.
You can summarize this in one word: Stupid.
13 Jan
2010
The Cigar Spy CAO La Traviata Contest
I'm hosting a contest on The Cigar Spy. Basically, it's giving people a chance to guess the date in which our first child decides to join the rest of us. Give it a look if you are interested in the possibility of winning 10 CAO La Traviatas. Most of March is already gone!
5 Jan
2010
Anthony Mangieri on Pizza
Now, I'm not quite as fanatical as he is; however, I can completely understand where he is coming from in terms of the various pizzas he offers in his restaurant. I much prefer less ingredients on a pizza; it's the quality and preparation of what ingredients you do use to make a pizza great. And when you start adding numerous toppings, it does get difficult to control. I'm working on this very thing right now with my pizzas. Still, it's hard to not appreciate someone digging down and saying "This is what it takes to make my pizza (or whatever a person can offer to the world) great and I am not deviating from that."
Jon Siddle's Posterous
What you have stumbled upon is the random brain activity that takes the form of a guy who does IT/computer work during the day and is a freelance trombonist in the evenings.
You may not understand the brevity of what you could be getting into in reading this blog. Do you really want to listen to the ramblings of someone who has to deal with people's computer/printer/internet problems all day? And everyone knows what they say about trombone players...
You may find the random thoughts venture toward cigar reviews, writing, music, anything and everything Apple, productivity (or the lack thereof), South Park...the list could go on. You've been warned...
You can also find me on Twitter - http://tinyurl.com/6h26gx and on Facebook - http://tinyurl.com/6qrory
