The Satisfaction Of An Empty Tin
ghostsofpompeii
Master
Just recently after posting my picture of this years Christmas haul I couldn't help but look at that mega-stash and question the sanity of having so much tobacco on hand. Receiving nearly 30 new tins coupled with all the other Mason jars of bulk tobacco and a mountain of additional tins got me seriously considering just how much tobacco I consume in a week, month, or year for that matter. And keeping that figure in mind - how long will I have to live before I find myself truly tobacco-less. And the reality is ... probably another 30 years. And considering I'm 67 - that means ... I have enough tobacco to last me the rest of my life. So today when I finished off a tin of Barbados Plantation I felt a sort of exhilaration. I imagine it's the same feeling as winning a marathon race or losing that 30 pounds you've been striving for. A sense of accomplishment. Which is actually pretty strange. Usually when you run out of something you're sad or in a state of panic - depending upon the extent of your addiction. But I was almost gleeful because I managed to make a miniscule dent in the size of my cellar.
I just finished watching a YouTube pipe presenter showing off his tobacco cellar and although he was much younger than myself, his stash probably rivaled the warehouse of Pipes & Cigars or SmokingPipes. It was well beyond ridiculous, and unless he smokes 10 bowls a day, his stash should outlive him and the next generation of his rightful heirs.
Here's a question I'd like to present to the many enthusiasts like myself with a well stocked cellar. "Do you feel the same sense of accomplishment once you've finished off a tin or Mason jar ... or do you immediate set about replacing the empty tin even though you have several dozen on the shelf as a back-up?" If the answer is you'd set about ordering a new tin - then might I suggest a little experiment. Remove everything from your cellar, and any other tins and Mason jars you have scattered throughout the house and place the entire stash in a pile in the center of a room - or on the kitchen table (if it fits). Then ask yourself ... "How long will it take to smoke all this?"
Although I've been smoking for approximately 50 years, I transitioned from a pipe smoker to a hobbyist and pipe enthusiast at the absolute wrong time, when the FDA Deeming Regulations were a looming threat that dangled over the community like a black cloud. I was just experiencing the seemingly endless choices available to me from on-line tobacco retailers when word of the Deeming Regulations was making the rounds on the forums - and it appeared all that might come to an end. So besides buying a variety of new blends to try ... I went into panic mode buying up anything that tickled my fancy - and as much as my wallet would allow, fearful that I'd soon be deprived of this newfound pleasure. Never once gaging just how much tobacco I was actually using in a month's time. And so before you knew it I had amassed more tobacco then I could possibly smoke in a decade.
But it's too late now, the damage is done and I'll continue to pluck away at my stash, one bowl at a time. And each time I finish a tin I'll feel the same elation that I did today. And before you ask ... my answer is - "no ... I won't be replacing the empty tin".
Comments
I'll admit, there are a lot of situations in life that leave me anxiety ridden, but the size of my cellar doesn't wind me up that bad. The reason, is that whether I smoke it all up, or whether I don't live long enough to crack another tin, it is an investment. Tobacco is as cheap right now, as it ever will be, and what I buy today will increase in value down the road.
Plus, I like the thought of leaving items in my will, which can be easily converted into cash money on ebay. Conversely, if I leave someone my belly button lint collection, even though I have been diligently working on filling that mason jar for the last 30 years, it still won't equal the windfall of my pipe and tobacco collection.
***EDIT***
Just wanted to add something to support my comment for those that may have taken a little offense to collecting so much tobacco. The frequency in which you smoke obviously has an effect on how much tobacco you have on hand. So, for my case, since I only smoke a few bowls a week, having limited supply makes sense. If you smoke 4+ bowls a day, your cellar will be much larger of course.
As for the grape jelly baccy?
Sounds intriguing, my only concern would be whether or not it is Bitey?
So, to answer the question regarding satisfaction of an empty tin as posed by @ghostsofpompeii, the answer is; it depends on what the tobacco is and how enjoyable it was.
If it's a blend I enjoyed then I feel a little sad because it's gone.
(Snoop's been my buddy since 1972 when I turned 2)