A passion

Cigars and everything related to cigars has become quite a hobby for me. As i sat on the toilet bowl today (i get some profound thoughts while there, don't you?), i wondered why.

Is it just about the cigars? The smoke itself, the different tastes, the near infinite combinations and depth of the hobby, from the various cutters, lighters, ashtrays, cigar brands, the myriad of tobacco blends, the joy of a perfect burn, the clear white ash, the spiciness on the lips, the creamy texture of well aged tobacco - its this, and so much more. After just a few months of exploration i've learned so much about it, yet i also realize there is still so much to learn and experience.

But i think what makes the experience even more compelling is the people and friends i've met and made these past months. Smoking a cigar is not just about smoking tobacco - its really a social activity, i've come to realize. During our regular cigar meetings, we don't just talk about the hobby, but we talk about so much more - our families, our dreams, our backgrounds, our wants and desires. The comaraderie was born from our common passion, but is sustained by the bonds of friendship that have been created. In just 4 short months, i've made friends with people half way around the world (thanks Dario for the cigars you sent me), i've met Malaysians living abroad who share the passion (thanks Ian for your unwavering support), and i've cemented relationships with older, wiser individuals who are very generous in their offer of guidance and mentoring (thanks Nur for your wisdom). There are many others (up to 36 at last count) - as evidenced by the rapidly growing Cigars Community of Malaysia. Each are important to me.

I understand that cigar smoking is probably not the best thing for my health. But, just like everything else in this world, its about cost vs benefit, its about the balance between the negative and the positive. And, right now at least, the positive is something i treasure deeply: friendship.