I'm really enjoying your channel, Robert, especially since there's no YTPC nonsense here (ie: no bickering and other stress inducing BS). I fact, even though I smoke a tobacco pipe on my channel (as well as smoking cigars and drinking cocktails), I do not and will not ever consider myself to be a part of the YTPC. I'm not about pipe snobbery at all. My goal, like yours, is to relax in a stress-free, drama-free environment. You have certainly created that here with your channel. Thank you.
Good morning, dear friend. It's 6am on Sunday, October 27th. I just finished watching your film. It's always nice to share a bowl with you like this. Some people have A.I. ChatBot friends, but we have this. Similar, but different. Right? Right. While you were enjoying your Night Cap, I was enjoying Old Toby. Haha! Well, that's what I call Capstan Blue. It was JRR's favorite tobacco, so I assume that's what he based Old Toby off of. I have no proof of that, but it makes sense. I even have an air tight glass jar with the words, "Old Toby" on it, in which I keep the leaf. Yeah, I guess I'm just an old Hobbit at heart. But wait, 60 is young for a hobbit, yes? A-hahaha. But aside from all that, it seems that you had yourself a little Zen moment. Congratulations. Keep going! Things will get better. The Japanese have a word for it. They call it Shikantaza. It means, "just sitting," or, sitting in silence, as you called it. There are many different meditation techniques, like counting one's own breaths, or concentrating on a mantra, etc. But Shikantaza is simply sitting in silence. Yes, the mind will jump around like a monkey in a mango tree, as you experienced, thoughts flying every which way. The key is to just observe the thoughts, but don't grab on to any one of them. Just sit. Just watch. Let the thoughts come and let them go. In time, you'll notice that the speed at which the thoughts are flying around is getting slower. But again, don't worry about that. Just let it happen. Then some day, the thoughts will just stop and you'll achieve Mu-Shin, the state of, "no mind." But don't worry about THAT goal. Just let it happen. It if takes a month, ok. If it takes a year, ok. Even if it takes ten years, it's still ok. The goal isn't the important thing. The practice is what's important. So yes, I congratulate you on putting aside the podcasts and phone and just sitting. And I also congratulate you on your decision for self improvement. Just remember, the weight didn't go on overnight, so it won't come off overnight. Baby steps. You'll get there. I believe in you! Ok, that's my 2-cents, from my cozy little hobbit hole in south central Illinois.
That's cool (Shikantaza). I experimented more with meditation when I was younger, but the whole closing my eyes thing wasn't my favorite. If I'm allowed to sit and just smoke my pipe, it might be doable after all.
@@amanrelaxes That's the beauty of meditation. There's no hard and fast rules. Do what works for YOU! In fact, that's why I created my channel. It's how I relax and meditate. Our channel's are very similar, with the only real exception being that I don't talk at all in my videos.
@@amanrelaxes I was going to comment on your video with your cat, but the comments are turned off. Well, she's beautiful. I have a calico as well. Enjoy your cat and your pipe, my friend.
Your films are so calming. I can't bring myself to call them videos, for they are so much more than that. And the sound... it almost sounded like a vacuum at a car wash where people sweep out their cars before washing them. But I like how it didn't upset your relaxing session. It was almost beneficial, like the white noise of a floor fan running on a warm summer afternoon. And there's that glorious coat again...
Good morning, my dear new friend (sorry, I don't know your name). Congratulations on losing those 12 pounds. And also congratulations on making the decision to want to do better and get back into shape. I won't shame you, but I will tell you a sad story. Years ago, in 2007, my best friend died of a massive heart attack. He was only 44 years old. Yes, he was a big man and struggled with his weight since childhood. Many people don't realize just how dangerous it is to be overweight. People fear cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, but ignore the dangers of obesity. I'm glad you are motivated to shed some pounds and get back into shape. Working long hours isn't healthy either. I struggle with long hours at my job as well, so I know what you're going through there. I am here for you, brother... not to shame you, but to encourage you and cheer you to victory!
Thank you-I really appreciate it. I am ironically working more so that I can (hopefully) liberate myself from my employer to work less, or at least do work that truly belongs to me. I will keep fighting the good fight!
A perfect little film; I enjoyed it very much. Thank you. By the way, I also subscribed, and will return often. A week or so ago, I just launched the ASMR Cigar Lounge channel, but it's not getting much love yet. Haha. Yeah, I read your note that RU-vid won't monetize tobacco channels. That's too bad. But in all honesty, I'm not interested in using RU-vid to generate income. I won't even make a Patrion page either (did I even spell that right? Probably not). I've had a good career and will retire in a couple of years at the age of 62. My motivation for creating my RU-vid channel is simply a hope that it helps people relax in our insane, upside down, high stress, maximum drama society. Your video certainly did that. Very peaceful and relaxing. I don't think pipe or cigar smoking is a bad habit. My grandpa smoked a pipe and cigar all his life. He lived to 94. You're on the right track, my friend. Thanks for being you!
Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it. I myself am not happily retired, and I am fine letting anyone support the channel if they want to. That said, I do no think of this channel as a way to make money by any stretch of the imagination. My goal is still to hang out and relax with the community, and I am glad that seems to be working for you.
@@amanrelaxes It is, indeed. Your channel is the only channel that I'm subscribed to 👍 It just feels like home. I'm not retired yet. I've got a couple more years to go.
No idea if you'll see this, and its okay if you don't. But as a middle-aged man with no friends, I'd like to thank you for your videos. As I sit down and join you each week in my backyard they keep me company and make me feel I'm with a fellow friend in the hobby. My local shop has a house blend of "Old Toby" for Hobbit Day.
I see it . I'm really glad to hear that. It's the intention at the core of the channel that we can virtually hang out and enjoy a bowl as I have done with other pipers on RU-vid over the years.
Evening, I would say the distractions are "screwing up". Our lives today are so heavily packed with tons of information and so so much overload it's easy to not turn it off. You are 100% right the best use of our pipe time is to just shut everything off. The good thing is that you realized that and are going back to your home place, just looking around, listening, wondering, and finding that solitude from the maddness of the world around us. We are so pressured in our current society to constantly do more. Well the "more" you need is "less" so plan for it and long for it as you go through your day. Take Care and God Bless
I agree about the distractions. As far as the doing more-if it's more distraction, then I agree. At this season of life, however, I truly need to do more-but actually doing meaningful work. I'm happy to report that that's been happening for me this past month or so. A man has not been relaxing much. lol. Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
Hey, A Fat Man Relaxes (lol) don’t get down on yourself. Fitness and fat loss can be a lot of peaks and valleys. Keep in mind that muscle weighs much more than fat. So as you start exercising and losing fat, you’re also gaining lean muscle mass. I’m a piper but also a NASM Certified Trainer and Physical Therapy Aide with 10+ years of experience. If you ever want to chat and talk about health and fitness I would love to help.
Very cool! And thanks for the offer. One quick question-and I feel like I might get 10 different answers from 10 different professionals-how much protein is ideal for fat loss? I'm trying to aim for about 1.5 grams per pound of my own weight.
@@amanrelaxes while that is generally a good target for maintaining muscle mass you may want to shoot for 1g per desired weight goal. So, if you want to weigh 200lbs, shoot for 200g of protein. I would also point you to a few MD’s that recommend a keto or carnivore diet. Essentially, you enter a state of ketosis and switch your primary fuel source from carbohydrates to fat, thus burning more fat. Dr Shawn Baker would be the person to start with.
I tend to agree with you-a different pipe can yield a different smoke. My favorite blends tend to be strong and monochromatic, so they don’t vary much pipe-to-pipe, but there are others that definitely do.
I just got a tin of this last week and watched your first video a few days ago. I was wondering if we had gotten different batches or something because I found my experience to be a lot more like the one in this video. I don't have as developed of a pallete as you do but some of the notes you mentioned landed with me too, the BBQ and odd yet pleasant sourness.
Definitely. I’ve been smoking both those blends for many years, so it would be a truly informed (although perhaps biased) review rather than a first impressions video.
So did you smoke the same batch you thought might be moldy, and threw caution to the wind, or did you get a diff tin? 😂 amazing how revisiting a blend in a diff pipe can make a world of difference.
I'm glad it brought you some joy. It looks like you and me might be the only ones in the club though-everyone is being so kind and supportive in the comments. The YTPC is really a great community. But yeah-go shape up!
Go buy 5 1 litre bottles of water and carry them around for 2 hours.. the 12lbs you dropped is a lot more than you think so nothing to be shamed about. The weight loss is only secondary to loving yourself, when you accept that it is a process and not an end goal, you will find peace. You wouldn’t scold a child that is struggling; why scold yourself? Staying accountable; definitely, but scolding is counterproductive. Worth checking what you eat, lots of hidden sugars in many products that add up. Best of luck on the journey ❤
Thank you for the kind words and motivation. I suppose I scold myself because I know I have succeeded at it before and I should know better. But I'll take your advice and be kinder to me
I just bought this as my very first Virginia tobacco (beginner pipe smoker here!) along with a Tolkien themed churchwarden pipe (has the tree emblem engraved on the front!) I will be smocking this specifically in that pipe in honor of the professor himself and possibly as a gateway for my own writings. Thanks for the review!
No shame my friend, 12 lb lose is far better than a 12 lb gain. It's not an easy task espeicially with the stress of most of our jobs and lives today. I used to be a 262lb 6' tall man now I'm 176lb man, but I have unfortunetly been blessed with Diabetes that I have been managing for just 20 years. Here is what I have learned....1. You have to manage the stress of work or it will ruin you, saying no is not a bad thing. I spent 40 years in manufacturing leadership with long hours and a lot of travel, you gotta find your way out of the load and do it every day. 2. I also learned to love better foods, I used to be a donut and Hostess pie junkie, but one day due to my health, I just said no more. It's all about your food choices. Try this, everyday try one new healthy food option. It will make a huge difference. I'm 70 now nd I'm at my healthest I have ever been, took me 6 years and a lot of prayer. Don't give up my friend, just keep at it a little at a time. Take Care and God Bless
Thanks for the motivation and for sharing your story! The stress of work part is really speaking to me. I am actively working to liberate myself from my current job because it's eating away at me. And regarding the unhealthy foods-if I can just not participate in the tradition of eating way too many baked goods during the holidays, that would be a great start I think.
Brother, I am not going to shame you, but I will tell you my story. My wife and I had been together for 27 years and one day when I got home from a business trip ( I traveled a lot on business) She told me that she did not love me any more and left. I was devastated. I weighed 260 lbs. I was over fat. After about a year of grieving, I sat down at my desk one day and told myself, "something has to change" I called a friend of mine in Houston who worked out to get some ideas. Long story short I took his advice, joined a gym. I worked out every day for 2 hours a day, 7 days a week ( my choice) and I loved it! Since I traveled a lot I made sure to stay at a hotel with a gym. I also got this book called Eat to Live. It took about a year but I got down to 198lbs and I looked like a Marine. I did a lot of weight lifting. My point is that it's a mind set. I am in my 60's now and I no longer 198lbs but I am still fit. I apologize for this response being so long but I hope this helps you on your journey.
No fat shaming here. I'm obese and keep losing and gaining the same 10 pounds. I have started again with carnivore this week trying to lose it before Thanksgiving.
No shame, brother. Weight loss takes patience and persistence, and 12lbs is nothing to sneeze at. I'm on a weight loss journey too, and have lost 45lbs since March being pretty damn strict. Just keep up the work, and you'll reach your goals.
🎶Music🎶 is life years ago I played bass in a blues band we toured the whole college circuit in Scotland and ended up going all around England too it was something that was never planned but I did that for 8 years and met many amazing people famous people and others in fact two to this day were absolute idols of mine JJ Cale & Eric Clapton so down to earth no egos just played for the fun and love of it they had no need to do it financially like I did but even money has never been my motivation it's the love of doing it nothing else soothes the soul like what music can do it's inside to the heart is where it really comes from always do music 🎶and 🔊 never stop always keep doing it...
That's an incredible journey, and I totally get what you mean about music being more than just a pursuit-it's soul-deep. Meeting legends like JJ Cale and Clapton must’ve been surreal, There’s something powerful about making music, no matter the reason, as long as it comes from the heart.
I started dropping some weight about a month and a half ago. I’m down 20lbs. I’m a tall thick framed fella so I don’t look my weight but 280lbs was too much. I’m trying to get to 250
