The trophy above is the one I get to keep. I will also get my name engraved on the club's trophy (shown here on the SPC web site) and will get to display it in my home for a year. This is the second trophy I have won in my entire life. Oddly enough that first trophy was also won in a male dominated challenge (NCO Academy). I was one of 4 females in a class of 27. Thank goodness pipe boys take losing to a girl much better than Army boys do. I don't have to sleep with one eye open.
I first competed in last year's slow smoke. I practiced and practiced beforehand. I didn't embarrass myself. I think I came in right in the middle of the pack but nowhere near the top. This year I didn't practice at all. I was participating to support the club and hang out with friends. Maybe that was the key? I didn't have a hope in heck of winning so I wasn't the least bit nervous. As we were smoking I heard names called which meant that person was out of the competition. Pretty soon it was down to 4 of us. At that point I thought there was I chance I might get the bottle of scotch this year. Then they announced there were just 2 competitors still smoking, Alex and I. Hurray! That meant I'd get the scotch. Then Alex was out and I just kept smoking. Instead of scotch I get $250 towards my trip to Chicago, in May, where I will compete against pipe smokers from all over the states (and the world).
Look at the lovely Pendelton 49er jacket my friend Lennea gave me. I think I will wear it to the pipe club meeting next month.
Wednesday was a great day all around. A trophy and a new-to-me vintage jacket. Life is good.
4 comments:
Congrats on your award, I didn't know there were prizes for smoking :)
Lynne
Pipe smoking is totally different than cigarette smoking. Unfortunately cigarettes have given any type of tobacco smoking a "bad name". You do not inhale pipe smoke. It is about experiencing the nuances of the tobacco flavors. It is also a skill that is honed over time. There is a learning curve. Most of all it is a relaxing ritual. It takes approx. one hour to enjoy a pipe. You are forced to slow down and relax. It is not addicting like cigarettes, either. I only smoke 3 or 4 bowls per week.
I used to smoke cigarettes but stopped many years ago. It's funny but the thing I miss most was how it used to make me feel less stressed. Your pipe sounds like a nice way to relax.
Lynne
I, too, am an ex-cigarette smoker. Growing up in the 60's & 70's with cigarette smoking parents, you might as well have been smoking since birth. I began smoking my own ciggies at age 12. I remember my mom saying, "If you're going to smoke I'd rather you did it in front of us." So I pulled out my pack and lit up. I quit cold turkey back in 1984 and have not touched a cigarette since. I've been a pipe (and occasional cigar) smoker for about 5 years. Neither one are inhaled. They are not addictive like cigarettes. I can go for days without one. I do love the relaxing ritual, though.
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