Greetings old friends!

nutcracker · 12-14-2022, 07:34 PM

I am remiss, and a crappy friend. I have excuses. You don’t want to hear them.

But thank you for your patience and good wishes, especially IceHog and Mark for nudging me to stop in. Mark caught me lurking on a pipe forum- and said “hey!, I know that guy!

So here’s what’s gone down in the old nutcracker suite:

1.) Covid caused massive destruction in my work environment and sent Canadian Healthcare into a tailspin that will take years to recover from. I’m now working my poor little tochas off trying to catch up on wait lists.

It then caused worldwide economic turmoil, aggravated by antivax &$#@&$ blockading the border and then some megalomaniac twat thousands of miles away invading a neighbouring country. The net effect was a dumpster fire in my retirement portfolio and the joyous prospect of being sentenced to several years more hard labour before I can retire.

2.) I stepped down as chairman of my group and signed over to a younger bloke.

3.) Both my sons got married, bought houses and all that jazz.

4.) I spent a sabbatical in Spain and walked the Camino de Santiago (Northern Route)

5.)Went on a diet, got fit and lost 43 lbs.

6.) Turned 60 and smoked a boatload of great cigars, including some aged beauties the generous AdamJoshua sent me some years ago.

7.) Bought some nice pipes, sold a few crappy ones

8.) Been back in the arena with a crowd of people, watching the Jets actually win a few games.

So aside from worldwide economic disaster, disease and pestilence, I personally am disgustingly well. Happy Christmas to all of you, I look forward to travelling down south again and hopefully meeting up with some of you.

P.S - the “secret Santa” nutcracker Johnathan sent be is out in its place of pride amongst the Christmas goodies.

Happy a Christmas all! Blessings to you and yours. Enjoy your smokes in good health!

Nutcracker.

The Poet · 12-14-2022, 08:10 PM

Welcome back, Neil. Hope the good times outweighed the bad, eh?

RevSmoke · 12-14-2022, 08:21 PM

Welcome back!

God's blessings for a wonderful Christmas.

Chainsaw13 · 12-14-2022, 09:51 PM

Welcome back!

markem · 12-14-2022, 09:57 PM

Great to see you here, Neil. Vacationing with Back Coral and his Mom in Palm Springs, at the moment.

See ya at the other place!

Black Coral · 12-14-2022, 10:07 PM

Welcome back Neil!!! Glad your back at what a couple years of Covid and congrats on the kids

Porch Dweller · 12-14-2022, 11:01 PM

Always great to hear from you, Neil!

G G · 12-15-2022, 05:09 AM

Welcome back!!!!

nutcracker · 12-15-2022, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markem

Great to see you here, Neil. Vacationing with Back Coral and his Mom in Palm Springs, at the moment.

See ya at the other place!

Fantastic. She was always Santa and dropped off the nutcracker years ago. Hi to Johnathan!

longknocker · 12-15-2022, 07:02 AM

Welcome Back, Neil!

icehog3 · 12-15-2022, 09:34 AM

So glad to hear from you Neil! Congrats on the good things like the new daughters in law, the weight loss, the trip to Spain and the resurging Jets. Hope the portfolio makes a rebound, and hope to see you around these parts more often!

Old Sailor · 12-15-2022, 02:13 PM

Welcome back, Neil!!

SNKBYT · 12-15-2022, 03:48 PM

welcome home, seems a few of us have been MIA for awhile and making the rounds again

AdamJoshua · 12-16-2022, 07:42 PM

Welcome back and glad things are ... well things! Congrats on the sons getting married and all of the above.

That's funny i was just looking for those particular cigars the other day!

Don't be a stranger, or any stranger than you already are!

Axeman · 12-30-2022, 08:15 PM

Welcome back!
And I love seeing the names in this thread.

12-14-2022, 07:34 PM	#1
nutcracker Shameless epicurian Join Date: Apr 2014 First Name: Neil Location: Winnipeg, Canada - Home of the Jets! Posts: 1,631 Trading: (26)	Greetings old friends! I am remiss, and a crappy friend. I have excuses. You don’t want to hear them. But thank you for your patience and good wishes, especially IceHog and Mark for nudging me to stop in. Mark caught me lurking on a pipe forum- and said “hey!, I know that guy! So here’s what’s gone down in the old nutcracker suite: 1.) Covid caused massive destruction in my work environment and sent Canadian Healthcare into a tailspin that will take years to recover from. I’m now working my poor little tochas off trying to catch up on wait lists. It then caused worldwide economic turmoil, aggravated by antivax &$#@&$ blockading the border and then some megalomaniac twat thousands of miles away invading a neighbouring country. The net effect was a dumpster fire in my retirement portfolio and the joyous prospect of being sentenced to several years more hard labour before I can retire. 2.) I stepped down as chairman of my group and signed over to a younger bloke. 3.) Both my sons got married, bought houses and all that jazz. 4.) I spent a sabbatical in Spain and walked the Camino de Santiago (Northern Route) 5.)Went on a diet, got fit and lost 43 lbs. 6.) Turned 60 and smoked a boatload of great cigars, including some aged beauties the generous AdamJoshua sent me some years ago. 7.) Bought some nice pipes, sold a few crappy ones 8.) Been back in the arena with a crowd of people, watching the Jets actually win a few games. So aside from worldwide economic disaster, disease and pestilence, I personally am disgustingly well. Happy Christmas to all of you, I look forward to travelling down south again and hopefully meeting up with some of you. P.S - the “secret Santa” nutcracker Johnathan sent be is out in its place of pride amongst the Christmas goodies. Happy a Christmas all! Blessings to you and yours. Enjoy your smokes in good health! Nutcracker. __________________ "Well I ain't often right but I've never been wrong.... Jerry Garcia (R.I.P.)

12-14-2022, 08:10 PM	#2
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: Greetings old friends! Welcome back, Neil. Hope the good times outweighed the bad, eh? __________________ Ninety percent of everything is crap - Theodore Sturgeon.

12-14-2022, 08:21 PM	#3
RevSmoke Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Todd Location: Northcentral woods of Wisconsin Posts: 6,849 Trading: (51)	Re: Greetings old friends! Welcome back! God's blessings for a wonderful Christmas. __________________ Todd__ "Smoke what you like, and enjoy it!"

12-14-2022, 09:51 PM	#4
Chainsaw13 Møøse bites can be nasty Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Bob Location: The Enchanted Mitten Posts: 7,180 Trading: (96)	Re: Greetings old friends! Welcome back! __________________ My neighbor came by my house this morning at 2AM, pounding on the door. Good thing I was still up playing the drums.

12-14-2022, 09:57 PM	#5
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,622 Trading: (47)	Re: Greetings old friends! Great to see you here, Neil. Vacationing with Back Coral and his Mom in Palm Springs, at the moment. See ya at the other place! __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx

12-14-2022, 10:07 PM	#6
Black Coral Have My Own Room Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: John Location: Midland Texas Posts: 2,259 Trading: (11)	Re: Greetings old friends! Welcome back Neil!!! Glad your back at what a couple years of Covid and congrats on the kids

12-14-2022, 11:01 PM	#7
Porch Dweller Life is for living Join Date: Oct 2012 First Name: James Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast Posts: 8,401 Trading: (24)	Re: Greetings old friends! Always great to hear from you, Neil! __________________ A 1911 in the hand is faster than 911 on the phone

12-15-2022, 05:09 AM	#8
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,726 Trading: (10)	Re: Greetings old friends! Welcome back!!!!

12-15-2022, 07:02 AM	#10
longknocker Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 11,162 Trading: (82)	Re: Greetings old friends! Welcome Back, Neil!

12-15-2022, 09:34 AM	#11
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,304 Trading: (60)	Re: Greetings old friends! So glad to hear from you Neil! Congrats on the good things like the new daughters in law, the weight loss, the trip to Spain and the resurging Jets. Hope the portfolio makes a rebound, and hope to see you around these parts more often! __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

12-15-2022, 02:13 PM	#12
Old Sailor Black Ops - S.O.B. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Side Porta!! Kingsville, Ont., Canada Posts: 4,201 Trading: (22)	Re: Greetings old friends! Welcome back, Neil!! __________________ Canadian Armed Forces 1976! Canadian Coast Guard, retired in 2012 after 32 years!!

12-15-2022, 03:48 PM	#13
SNKBYT PATRIOT and VETERAN Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Alex Location: SWEET HOME ALABAMA Posts: 3,289 Trading: (30)	Re: Greetings old friends! welcome home, seems a few of us have been MIA for awhile and making the rounds again __________________ "IF YOU WANT TO TAKE MY FREEDOM, MAKE DAMN SURE THAT YOU'RE AS PASSSIONATE ABOUT TAKING IT AS I AM ABOUT KEEPING IT"

12-16-2022, 07:42 PM	#14
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Greetings old friends! Welcome back and glad things are ... well things! Congrats on the sons getting married and all of the above. That's funny i was just looking for those particular cigars the other day! Don't be a stranger, or any stranger than you already are!

12-30-2022, 08:15 PM	#15
Axeman Still Watching My Back Join Date: Apr 2021 First Name: Lance Location: Mountains, Bay Area, CA Posts: 85 Trading: (0)	Re: Greetings old friends! Welcome back! And I love seeing the names in this thread.