So this just happened 😳
Far_North_64
Posts: 925 ✭✭✭✭✭
Wow, what a morning. When in for prep for my cancer treatment is morning. Short version, it didn't go well. Headed back to the hotel I'm staying at and grabbed a cigar to smoke in the little gazebo they have in back. I grabbed my go to favorite, Acid Kuba Kuba and headed to the gazebo. I get there and there is a guy on his phone there already. I make sure the breeze won't take to smoke in his direction and go to light up. I forgot my lighter in the room and then I heard the guys say on the phone..."there's a guy right in front of me with a Kuba." He hangs up and comes over to me and asks if I like the Kubas. I explain it's my go to stick and how I do sometimes catch flack for it. He shows me the pendent hanging from a chain around his neck...it's the symbol for Acid cigars. Then he pulls up his sleeve and shows me his tattoo..it is the Drew Estate logo!! He says he was a partner (not a founder) of Drew Estates when they started in the late 90's. Turns out i was smoking ( well attempting to but forgot my lighter) my Kuba in front of Rick Ardito, who had a hand in starting the Acid brand!! A big name in the cigar world. I was floored especially since I just had a bad experience in the treatment center only minutes before and was not in a good place to say the least.
Rick asks if I need a light and after I said yes he said he would be right back and heads back into the hotel. He comes back out to the gazebo and hands me a box....it's a brand new Bugatti Vulcan lighter. He says it's a gift! Totally floored again. This thing is a piece of art as well as engineered to the nth degree. Among other things they use their own little butane pods that fit in the lighter itself. https://www.cigarsinternational.com/mobile/p/bugatti-vulcan-dual-torch-lighter/2023303/.
As @JGruvey can attest during Secret Santa last year the only thing I asked for by name was a Bugatti lighter. As Jimmy found out they were scarce at that time although he gave me a great lighter that I use all the time.
This experience change what would have been another terrible day down here into one I will remember as long as I live. I will continue to enjoy my Kubas but now it will be with a wonderful memory associated with them.
Comments
Sorry about the C treatment, but great story about the lighter.
I know, You're a big dog and I'm on the list.
Let's eat, GrandMa. / Let's eat GrandMa. -- Punctuation saves lives
It'll be fine once the swelling goes down.
You know Who works in mysterious ways.
What a way to turn around the day. Those lighters are interesting, instead of refilling them you just install a small canister and the burners are replaceable too if they get too gunked up to work well.
If you want to bomb me send it to Tony @0patience
If you are a newbie I got Dem nachos....
MRI is my quiet time, fell asleep on the last one. I know a lot of people have trouble with them.
That's your department brother.
Trapped in the People's Communist Republic of Massachusetts.
That's awesome!
Now all you need is a tattoo of the Bugatti and you'd be styling.
I'm just thinking about how that conversation would have not gone the same way if I were there. That was really nice of Rick and I'm hoping you have a speedy recovery @Far_North_64
@VegasFrank nope, I hate pro basketball! I might steal a few signs while here though 😁
Sorry about the cancer, I can feel your pain, I have two more chemo sessions to go.
You said it all thinking of your not being there and missing a day maker. Hang in there and you will be there for many more great days.