Oct 16
I bought a new pipe from the Thomas Hinds Tobacconist in Yorkville. I usually avoid Yorkville because it’s full of rich people and I usually avoid Thomas Hinds because it’s no exception. I was once treated rather shoddily there because I was dressed rather shoddily –it being 30 below zero and me being out of …
Sep 28
In 1946, Marcel Duchamp carved a pipe for fellow surrealist Enrico Donati, engraved it with the words “Marcel a Enrico” and gave it to his friend. Though it’s difficult to judge a pipe without smoking it, I like this weird looking contraption. At first glance, it appears clunky –and it is– but a closer examination …
Sep 27
Smoking bans promote innovation. It might be the one decent thing they do. A pub in England now sells electronic cigarettes. These are reputed to deliver sweet, life-affirming nicotine with every puff. They produce a cloud of water vapor that harms no one — not even the smoker. Of course, the puritan contingent will …
May 17
I knew it was going to happen. The people who brought us the smoking bans are now changing focus. “To what and who?” you might ask. “Isn’t obvious?” I would reply. “To your vices and you.” The WHO has developed a global strategy for “The War on Drink.” And it’s based on their war on …
Mar 06
Ontario is moving to ban smoking in cars if there’s children present. Like most government ideas, the invasive arrogance is only matched by the plain old goofiness. The smoking rates are at the lowest ever and people can smoke in less places than ever. But the asthma rates in the children are at their highest. …
Dec 23
Today I gave my first –probably last– hearty and sincere “Merry Christmas” of the season to a couple who are close to my heart. So close, they’re right in my lungs. And I don’t even know their names. I don’t even want to know. I like our relationship just how it is. Professional, courteous, friendly …
Dec 06
Early last month a Florida company banned people from smoking, not just at work, but also in their private lives. Health was the given reason. By the end of the month, the WHO had listed the night shift as being a possible carcinogen. It is also a little known fact that being exposed to light …
Sep 19
My dear friend, Daryl Banks, just returned from Turkey. It was his first time out of Canada. Before he left I, being a good and sage friend, gave him some much needed words of wisdom. “Here’s a hundred dollars,” I said. “Buy me some meerschaum pipes. I want an eagle claw holding an egg.” Daryl …
Jul 09
The good Reverend Anthony Carr walked into a police station in England and said he wanted to report a crime. When the cop asked what crime he would like to report, he pulled out his pipe, lit it and said: “This.” “Will you please put that out” the officer said. “This is a no smoking …
Jul 08
I like this new pipe-rack. It’s shaped like a pipe and it holds pipes. Does that make it some sort of fractal? I don’t know. But I do know that it only cost seven bucks at the local Value Village. For some reason there’s not a big demand for pipe-racks. I always wonder about the …
