Matt R
That's #1 Member to you. :)
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2001
- Messages
- 5,988
Let’s get the BS out of the way. Name, rank and badge number, etc., etc.
Floyd T. here. Yea, I’m the test dummy for Matt’s attempt as an interviewer. So, I’ll do my best at workin’ with what I’ve got. Yea, I’m an 18 year veteran of a 51 man police department. I currently hold the rank of Sergeant. That means I run a shift of 8 – 10 men. I’m also the range master and teach firearms training. I’ve done undercover drug work and loved that part of my job. The rest is boring so let’s move on!
What is your favorite cigar to smoke? Or do you just dabble in a lot of different areas, like you do with the boys at the station?
I have a few. Diplomatico #2, Opus #2 and if I’m in a hurry, Work Of Art Maddies are great. I’d say they rank in that order. While the taste profiles are quite different, they are my favorites! Uh, I’ll just ignore the “…boys at the station…” remark!
As far as the forums go, why did you get involved and what have you gotten out of it, personally?
When I became a member in 2001, there were a bunch of great guys on the board. I was rather new to cigar smokin’ and a few kind souls took me under their wings. “Jeff” from up East and “Big Worm” from here in Kentucky, just to name two. I talked with them, via PM and phone, and figured out how everything was working. Then, after a short time, I started a pass (Beggars Can’t Be Choosers Pass) offering a few items I had, in exchange for various cigars I didn’t have access to. The pass went very well and I wound up making friends through the ordeal. Every time I walk onto my porch, I’m reminded of the friendships I’ve established. “VERN” gifted me a marble name plaque to hang on my house.
I’ve gotten to “know” a few folks on the board by virtue of hangin’ around and listening to what they’ve got to say. I have learned quite a bit about the cigar world from some of the people who have called this home. I have also gotten to share some really nice sticks with a few people I’d normally not have the opportunity to meet in my life. Some may see this as just a “forum” where “it’s just the ‘net”. I see it as an extension of a group of friends around the nation, that I can visit and immediately sit down, light up and share some time with.
As cigar smokers, we are sometimes presented with a lot of things that go against what we may believe in other areas of life, i.e. dealing with a communist country. What are your personal feelings toward this and does it effect the way you view other areas of life?
This is an interesting question. I wish I were more educated on the embargo and all of the ins and outs of it. I’m not, so I’ll leave it at that. If you make a decision to smoke a Cuban made cigar, you have to understand part of your money is goin’ back to Castro. If you’re good with that, then smoke ‘em. If you feel you are aiding an evil communist leader, then obviously you shouldn’t buy/smoke Cuban cigars.
A bit closer to home is the recent smokin’ ban “fad”. I see that as a “communist” type regulation. They’ve decided to regulate/legislate an area of our lives that should be a personal decision. If you like to smoke, enjoy it and go where business owners allow smoking. If you don’t, no one says you have to go there or remain working there. We should be allowed to make our own decisions w/o the aid of “The Man”! This, in my opinion, is the first of many rights we’ll lose if this is allowed to continue.
I know you personally and consider you a friend, but a lot of the other guys here may not know what you do for a living. Can you give us a short background and how cigar smoking fits into that profession? Also, what kind of tie in to the “Brotherhood of the Leaf” do you see in your own brotherhood at the workplace?
As I stated earlier, I’m an 18-year veteran of a 51 man police department. I’ve managed to have a great career so far and look forward to drawing a pension in the next five months. (talk about smokin’ a few “great” smokes on that day!!!) Anyway, since I am in a police car, I get to smoke a cigar just about any time I want. (not so sure this is good or bad) I’ve also run into a few other officers who enjoy cigars and that has led to new friendships. It allows us to talk about something other than “shop” type issues and helps us take a break from the worlds problems.
It seems we are going through the same problems in police work as we are in the BOTL(and at CP). You have the guys that have been through the rough times and have fought the battle for better working conditions, pay etc. Then, about six or seven years ago(in police work), the younger guys came along and they expected everything without earning it. They expected the best car, most money, least amount of work etc. and wanted it immediately. They have forgotten manners and how to talk to people. They have forgotten the golden rule of “Treating people the way you want to be treated”. I believe it is a generational thing and I have ZERO patience for it. The glimmer of hope is, there are a few of the younger folks that do understand “it”. And they will prosper. Next topic before I get into trouble. ;^)
OK, here’s a doozy. How often are you getting laid these days? With all the bad stuff that seems to be happening, we often need to find something to lift us up and make us feel like humans again. I’m sure that you’ll agree with me that sex is that one thing that can do that, unless of course you into some crazy dress-up thing where you both pretend to be dogs or something. Anyway, don’t beat around the bush….. unless of course your answer is not very often, then get beating around that bush and skip this question until you can answer truthfully.
So many ways to go with this one! LMAO!!! So how exactly does one “dress up like a dog” Hmmmm! Matt has some ‘splainin’ to do!! I’ll say this much, I am married and have been for five years. Marriage w/o sex is not a marriage and I’d not be in it. So, I plan on being married for a long time to come. Heck, I’m just hopin’ Michelle doesn’t ever question why she’s still with me! I can’t figure that question out!! LOL!! Sorry, that is one part of my life I don’t talk about with anyone! Move along, nothin’ to see here!!!
Back to cigars. Do you have a favorite beverage to pair with a smoke?
Bourbon(when I’m not in my cruiser.) Usually Woodford Reserve, Bookers or Makers Mark. I’m not a big beer fan so I can’t tell ya what goes good with what. I do enjoy some of the discussions I’ve read in the “Saloon” at CP. I’ve tried a few recommendations and they’ve worked out fair.
Any other hobbies that you care to discuss?
I enjoy golfing, skydiving(hence the handle), and hunting with Michelle. I don’t have much time for anything else. In the course of raising money for the local Special Olympics, I made 80 jumps in twelve hours, raising $8000 for the local chapter. What an experience. Up to 2500 feet and then out the door. Land, and then back into the plane for another. I was sore the next day but it was well worth it.
The whole Cubans vs. other countries, does that matter to you or do you just smoke what you like and not worry about where it came from.
A guy at LOL II gave me a Monte 4 and said it was his favorite. Well, it may have been HIS favorite but definitely NOT mine. I go with taste. If I enjoy the taste and aroma, I’ll smoke it. If it’s not what I’m lookin’ for, I’ll never smoke it again. There are some mighty fine smokes out there that aren’t Cubans; you oughta try ‘em sometime!!! ROFLMAO!!!!
Bands on or bands off, since I know that’s a burning question in the cigar community.
Hell, I just figured out you’re not supposed to smoke with the cedar on! Truly, the band is inconsequential. I don’t have cigar envy. I can afford what I can afford and you can the same. If I see you’re smokin’ a Davi from way back, it doesn’t affect me one way or the other. I would hope if I were smokin’ a Padron 6000, you wouldn’t look down on me because that’s all I have or can afford. If you need a band to show off so everyone knows what you’re smokin’, I believe you’re smokin’ for the wrong reason. Hey, if nothin’ else, w/o the band, it gives ya a topic to break the ice with. Usually, if it comes with a band, I’ll burn it till it gets to the band and then remove it.
Onto the storage issue. What do you use as storage for your cigars and do you buy to age or buy to smoke or a combination?
I have two 160 quart coolers I use. I’ve had excellent luck with them holdin’ the temp and humi levels. I have a nice humidor but don’t have the patience to fool with it. I couldn’t get the humidity to level out and stay where I wanted it, so it just sits there.
I do buy some to age(special sticks) and some to burn right away. Some I age accidentally. Once they get on the bottom of the cooler, I forget about ‘em until I get down there for a pass or to get ready to go to a herf. Then it’s like Christmas at the orphanage!!! ;^)
Describe the best cigar you have had the opportunity to smoke and the event(s) surrounding it.
The best smoke to date was in 2003 at your LOL III herf. It was a Davidoff gifted to me by Devin. In fact, Kenny(Allofus123), myself, Devin and another brother(forgot his name) were all sittin’ at the same table, sharin’ a nice bottle, sharin’ smokes, sharin’ BS and watchin’ the auction take place. The atmosphere, coupled with the generosity of all the people there, made that the best smoke I’ve had to date. THAT is what it’s all about!!!
Have you ever shot anyone in the ass when you were aiming for their foot?
My attorney has advised me to not answer that question at this time!! LMAO!!!! Next question, please!!!
One final question and we’ll be done. This is a serious one and one that you should think about before answering. If you had to choose between a lifetime supply of the cigars you described above and the opportunity to smoke them in what you consider the perfect environment and the chance to have any kind of sex with your biggest fantasy person (could be Leebo, could be J-Lo or could be your lovely wife, she is very lovely by the way and Floyd turned down my request for a visual aid), what you pick? And, don’t say your nose.
Without hesitation, I’d take the smokes!!!!! They’ll last a lifetime. What you’d build, friendship-wise, over a lifetime of cigars would be far greater than the 4 – 5 hours of sex you’d get with your “fantasy” woman. (huh, huh, that’s right, I’m takin’ vitamins!!!! LMAO!!!!) Besides, when I returned from the “sex”, Michelle would be waitin’ with her shotgun and all my stuff would be burnin’ on the front lawn. Then what would I have? No money, no cigars, no clothes, no wife and buckshot in my @$$. Nah, gimme the cigars!!!
Thanks Floyd. Anything you want to ask me or anything thing that you would like to present to the rest of CP, feel free to add.
CP is the first cigar forum I joined. I consider a number of the guys here as friends, even though I’ve only met a few of them in person. I’m thankful to Rod for such a great place to hang out. If you’re still readin’ this, remember, this ain’t “JUST” the net. If ya ain’t here to contribute something useful, informative or genuine, maybe you shouldn’t post. Quite possibly, there’s another forum that would love to have ya. If ya don’t understand what I’m sayin’, you may be the one I’m talkin’ to! Let’s get CigarPass back to where it was.
