Williamos

Sound like the makings of a book Ken. By all means organise it for the Forum, but I'd suggest you set your sights wider. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like them both a lot. JL1 gives me straw and honeycomb, strong but very smooth. One of those cigars that seems to fly under the radar. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BBF is just a marvellous cigar. Never had an aged one as they are just wonderful fresh. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The demographics of poker machine distribution in the states that have them beggars belief. They are a tax on the poor, and against those who think they can beat the odds so heavily stacked against them. At least at the racetrack they give you a bloody go! I've known a couple of people who got hopelessly addicted to the one armed bandits and lost the lot. Absolute mongrels of things. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If anyone is interested, here's the wrap up. I gave the speech and it went great. I wrote it down, edited it and got it short and sweet and to the point. Earlier in the day I practiced it with a friend and from that knew the bits I would get emotional in (I had to touch on the death of a friend). That helped a lot. I was as toey as a Roman sandal all day. When the time came, the I was introduced to the podium, I stepped up in what felt like slow motion. I didn't plan this but out of my mouth came "Public speaking features very prominently in my nightmares. So here we all are and I'm awake." It was completely unintended but got a big laugh. I felt the audience was with me from that point. I stayed on script but ad libbed when I had the point in mind and was on a roll. Thanks for all the advice FOH. It was very helpful. (ps. The film got a 5 minute standing ovation - the length of the credits - which was just wonderful for all involved. The evening ended up at Siglo in Melbourne.)

I like that idea, starting off with how the advice from FOH took the edge off my fear of giving this speech! Thanks all for some lovely ideas. I'm going to keep it simple and mainly thank the appropriate people, bookending with a simple anecdote. Things are complicated somewhat by the very recent death of the subject of the film. I do need to convey the right sense of gravitas. Here's a link to the gig at hand: http://miff.com.au/program/film/miff-closing-night-gala-the-documentary-of-dr-g-yunupingus-life Thanks again FOH. I'll let you know how I go. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Any sage advice on this greatly appreciated. I have to give a 4-5 minute speech in front of 1,000 people and I've never done this before. The thought of it fills me with mild terror but it has to be done. The context is the world premiere of a feature-length documentary film I've made at a film festival in Melbourne. I have to introduce the film. The content of what I'm going to say isn't the problem, it's the...fear of public speaking, Glossophobia it's called and I got a bad case of it right here. Any advice most appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Always wanted to try a Cohiba Esplendido but haven't gotten around to it yet. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Largely depends on mood with me too. Cigars and champagne are very good together. I'm kicking back right now with a RASS and a Guinness and they're going together like peas and carrots! Red wine isn't the best pairing, though I happily combine the two often. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That takes serious stones as anyone who has been bitten by one will testify. Well worth the effort though. A feed of chilli mud crabs is one of the most memorable meals. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How not to dispatch a washed up whale Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In the interests of scientific research, I've already smoked that stogie I'm afraid. I can tell you this - that tiny triangle was covering a tiny nick or hole in the wrapper just before the edge and the end of quite a lumpy vein. By the way, the cigar was just amazing. BBF fresh are just lovely in my opinion. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here's a zoomed in look Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

First cigar out of a lovely new 25 Bolivar Belicosos EIP MAR 17. Here's an innovative means of dealing with the current wrapper shortage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've always had a love-hate relationship with handwriting. At primary school I remember teachers barking orthodox pen grip into me which felt so unnatural in the hand and correspondingly my handwriting was "chook's foot" as my father called it. Then at secondary school I could hold the pen comfortably for me - imagine a crab holding an icy pole stick - and my handwriting flourished. Like one's signature, handwriting is idiosyncratic and very personal. Receiving a handwritten letter was always very special. I still write freehand a lot to get thoughts out of my head before transferring to a word processor. I use Scrivener, an incredible piece of software. My handwriting certainly has deteriorated. I look at this as an inevitable consequence of technological change. It's hard to lament too much when, say, I have 300 pages of notes in Scrivener and I do a "search for word" and instantaneously there they all are. That would have taken hours scouring through a notebook. Having said that, I remember fondly my father's signature, that beautiful, confident flourish. Every time he wrote a check he'd say "Wood comes from trees, paper comes from wood, but money doesn't grow on trees, though I wish that it would." Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk