So, after I'd opened the package from Mark and tossed the cd in the player, I noticed a steady ticking beat that was off-tempo of the Jazz that was now playing. I looked down at the spot where the boys are trained hide anything that comes in the mail that looks like cigars (or midget porn) so's the wife won't see it and noticed another box from the rain forest known as Washington. I reached down with what I had left of hands, thanks to Mark, and noticed not only the ticking, but the sounds of fifes, and drums, and bugles...
I opened the box From Neil, aka Shukpaw, to find a note that read:
"While enjoying your CAO America Anthem, remember all the sacrifices that soldiers from all 57 states have made to make you free. Men like Paul Revere who warned the British that we were preparing for them to attack, in an attempt to catch them in a gotcha moment and strike fear in their hearts. Remember all the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in Pearl Harbor on December 9th, 1941.
Any issues with the above three statements should be directed to President Obama, Sarah Palin, and President Reagan, respectively.
Trust me, I wouldn't want anyone quoting everything I say, and I did okay in History."
Neil, you are indeed a class act and often offer a much needed dose of sobriety and levelheadedness around Cigar Geeks. I greatly appreciate the cigars, but I appreciate your friendship more. I really mean that. Here's a little "Inside the Biz" info: Neil had invited me to be a part of his "This Pass is the Bomb, 4th of July Edition" pass, but I felt I didn't have enough sticks that qualified to participate. I think the deleted PM from him read something like "I thought you were sitting on a bunch of ISOMs. Don't worry, I'll take care of you when the pass is done." So here's what was in the package today: a 5 Vegas Series A Apostle, a 5 Vegas Gold Churchill, an Indian Tabac Classic Chief, and you'll have to pardon my ignorance on the next two, a Gran Habanos Churchill (not sure which GH) and an unlabeled Churchill/Toro. The pièce de résistance, of course, was the CAO America Anthem.
Thank you, Neil, thank you!