On April 6, 2004, in an ambush firefight in Ramadi, Iraq, JT Wroblewski, Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps, lost his life while attempting to save the lives of his troops he served with. JT, the 25 year-old son of John and Shawn, was the first Marine from the state of New Jersey to make the ultimate sacrifice during the Iraq war.

I have written about JT over the past several years in my Memorial Day Blog. His parents live one street over from me, in the house JT grew up in, here in northwestern New Jersey. While the neighbors are opening their pools, attending parades, planting flowers, and getting the ribs and burgers ready for the grill, my neighbor John experiences this day with a heavy heart, as does anyone who lost a family member to the hideous reality of war.

Today is the day that we in the United States have dedicated to every man and woman of our nation who has given up the ultimate sacrifice. For years I’ve always wondered how a somber day like today became associated with swimming pools, hotdogs and hamburgers. But one day I came to realize that the reason our brave soldiers go to war is so we, Joe Everyday Citizens CAN enjoy a life of freedom to do and live as we please. Our men and women who continue to fight in the sand and that oppressive heat grew up on back yard barbecues and family gatherings, and now THEY have made the conscious choice to defend the country that has given them the freedom so many of us take for granted. They are well aware of the daily risks they take and of the daunting reality that they too may become a casualty, one who is forever remembered on this last day of May. But that doesn’t stop a single one of them from serving all of us back here on Main Street, USA.

I grew up as a young boy during the Vietnam War, and remember the nightly news reports speaking of the casualties as just facts and figures. Troops were being sent home in body bags and the anti-war sentiment was mounting. I was a pre-teen, but I still have vivid memories of the events of the day. My dad was in the Korean War and his uncles fought in World War 2.

But I felt that I just had to mention that the people of today’s armed forces are all volunteers. Not a one of them has been forced to defend our land, and to me, that takes a certain kind of guts and heart. Now don’t think for even a second that I am minimizing the so many who were drafted and fought – those men answered the call and with bravery gave what was asked of them – some WAY beyond what was asked. But I have a special place in my heart for today’s soldier who knows quite well of the inherent dangers of roadside explosives and the suicide bombers who believe they are sent to heaven for taking the lives of anyone unfortunate enough to be in their path. Today’s enlisted men are fighting an enemy that has no fear of death and believes he’ll be rewarded with a bounty of giggling virgins. That’s a very dangerous enemy, one our country has never fought the likes of before. To volunteer for that kind of duty is a type of bravery and dedication I will never know.

So with a huge open heart I say thank you to everyone serving in our military, and to everyone who has served in the past. No, I really mean it – this is not just some kind of heartfelt bullshit one writes in a Memorial Day piece. I thank you all so much for keeping it possible for my wife and kids to enjoy our home and family gatherings for years to come. I hear so many of you say it’s just your job, but you can’t fool us. My job has me relegated to sucking on tobacco sticks and writing about it. Your job, is making sure that I can continue to do so, and from the very depths of my soul, you have my eternal gratitude.

So, today I will grill my three racks of baby backs, light up several of my best cigars, imbibe a whole lot… and feel safe. I simply cannot even begin to thank the men and women of the United States military enough. I know I speak for ALL the readers of this Blog that we support you all and wish you a safe tour and a happy ride home. And to JT, rest peacefully, buddy.

Humbly Yours,

Tommy Z.

JR CIGARS BLOG With the Zman

As you know, I generally like to keep things happy and light-hearted on this happening little bloggy I create for your reading pleasure. Cigars are what we all have in common, and sometimes I yak about my favorite stogies and sometimes it’s about the trials and tribulations we all go through in life. But today, I’m particularly dismayed at what’s going on in the Gulf of Mexico as an ecological disaster of catastrophic proportions looms in the Cajun seas.

Unless you just crawled out from under a rock the size of Rosie O’donnell’s lunch box, British Petroleum has an oil-rig in the waters south of the Louisiana coastline and it won’t stop spewing thick, black toxic crude oil into the water … for 35 days. That’s right, thirty-five days have gone by since the disaster began and BP has done jack-shit to stop it. Oh, yeah they’ve tried, blah, blah, blah, meanwhile the slick is growing by the mile and finally the coastline is in massive danger – and after that, the Florida and Texas coastlines and all sea life and water fowl in general.

How the living hell does something like this actually happen. And maybe a better question is: Why can’t they stop it?

Louisiana Governor, Bobby Jindal is in Defcon 5 freak mode, and who can blame the guy. He’s ordering sandbag walls to be built along the entire coast of his state and I think if he meets up with any BP executives, there’s gonna be a good old Cajun ass-kickin’ the likes of the world has never seen.

I listened to an exec from BP on several morning shows today and when asked what his confidence is that they will have this under control, on a one thru ten scale, his answer was a six or a seven. Holy oil covered pelicans – that is NOT the answer the world wanted/needed to hear. If this slick spreads as predicted, a great number of industries will be decimated to the tune of billions of dollars. Fishing, shrimping, vacation and tourism will be the harrowing victims of this gaping sludge monster. And who knows how long the poisons effects will wreak havoc on an ecosystem spanning a possible thousands of miles wide.

Another thing Governor Jindal is pissed at is: Where the hell is help from President Obama? We’re talking 35 days man. What the hell is talking so damned long to act? Our government needs to be way up British Petroleum’s bum and taking heads along the way. How could more than a month go by without any type of reasonable solution?

Now people are asking why there wasn’t some sort of emergency disaster plan put in place in case a meltdown like this were to ever occur? BP isn’t giving any answers and the worst-case scenario is that they don’t have any to give.

Like I said, this isn’t my usual type of piece here on the blog, but the trickle down effect of this event will effect all of us greatly and sometimes you just have to shake your noggin in massive disbelief at the grotesque and careless stupidity that resides in this world we cohabitate in.

Okay  we’re all terribly pissed off and the ramifications are staggering. If there isn’t anything you can directly do to help, I say light up your favorite cigar, try to relax and thank your maker for everything you have. I still say that it’s a damned good world we live in – when others don’t f@#k it up for us.

Peace, out.

Tommy Z.

JR CIGARS BLOG with the Zman

You know, I bitched like a mutha during the winter and early spring about all the hell weather we were having during the end of winter/early spring. But now it’s finally what I refer to as CIGAR SMOKING WEATHER.

But I can’t get over how weird the weather really is where I live in here the north east. Two Sundays ago my it was 90 degrees at my son’s baseball game at 12-noon. Less than a week later we had frost on the grass in the morning. That’s about a 60 degree swing in a matter of days. Jesus, that’s like the movie The Day after Yesterday. People who planted flowers got hosed. I almost planted several times but the wife was right and said to wait. I always thought it was nice that we experience all four seasons, but as one grows older, the winter really gets on your nerves and sucks more and more. I definitely understand the snowbird mentality… late spring, summer, and early fall in the north and winter in the south. I would definitely like to do that one day – hopefully before I’m walking around in orange Crocs and Depends hanging from my ass, 24/7.

We have people from very different climates all over North America who read this blog. Cotty Gee and my pal, Larry Winget are in Arizona where it’s brutal during the day but I hear often very nice at night. Roadlizard is from Houston where hot and humid is the deal. I visited there one September and you could cut the air with a hatchet. My pal Bubba is from Orlando area, but originally lived in Virginia, then New Jersey by me. That’s some different weather patterns. Darren from Detroit is from… duh. Cold winters and definitely a snowbird candidate. Lucie is from Quebec and she says the hottest it ever gets is in the 80’s for a few weeks. Wow, I couldn’t hack that at all. Can anyone guess where Hawaiian Brian is from? I can’t imagine that weather all year long. Your first Christmas under palm trees in a flowered shirt must be weird. Of course I have several of my Jersey brothers here who can certainly attest to the weirdness in the Jersey air.

But make no mistake, mid-May is supreme cigar smoking weather and I am taking full advantage of this wondrous time. I am lighting up like a demon and even sneaking a robusto during lunch. I’m just joensing like a psycho and craving the taste of premium aged tobacco in a most intense way! I generally smoke one per day in the nice weather, and several a day on the weekends. I think it’s my way of rebelling for hardly smoking at all during the winter time.

Now yesterday I smelled cigar smoke wafting throughout my neighborhood only to find out that my buddies across the street were toking Monte Cubans and NOBODY FRIGGIN TELLS ME?!!! My one neighbor, Joe is Cuban and gets boxes of Habanos from his buddies… but does he tell the Zman… his neighbor who writes about cigars for a god damned living?  NOOOOOOO! WHAT the HELL, MAN!!! I’m like the village cigatophile and I don’t get a courtesy call? Come on, I cry foul! Yeah, I’m a damned baby about that stuff. I mean, if you’re smoking in my vicinity, I expect a phone call and an invite. I’m a real territorial weirdo when it comes to that and I pout like a friggin tard if I get left out of a local evening herf.

So tell me about the weather by you and what you’ve been smoking. I’ve been indulging in Frank Llaenza 1961’s and savoring them like the premium handrolled sticks that they are! Really Enjoying Drew’s Liga Privada #9’s and T-5s’s. Steve Saka did a hell of a job with those two. I’m devouring those puppies like candy. Of course I’m pounding JR Ultimate Maduros in between. Gotta have some balance in your life, right?

So enjoy this mid-spring weather and toke your long-filler happy stick of choice. But if you’re within 500 miles and I don’t get a courtesy call, you’ll be hearing about it in next week’s blog!

Take care til next week my smoking buddies,

Tommy Z.

JR CIGARS BLOG with the ZMAN

What in the name of God could be manlier than smoking your favorite cigars at the race track, eating all you can force-in-your-face barbecue, sucking down ice-cold brewzers, while hanging out with hot chicks and Harley Davidsons? I think you know the answer.

Meadowlands Madness (Smokin BBQ 2) makes its triumphant return to the Meadowlands Racetrack, here in lovely Sopranosville in northern New Jersey. This a one hell of an event, and I know because I attended the first one a couple of years ago and have been hoping for another one ever since.

Now I know a lot of you guys aren’t in this area, but the event is absolutely worth the trip. First of all, the Meadowlands Complex is less than five miles from mid town Manhattan in New York City so there’s plenty to do! And, the event itself is top-shelf and any self respecting REAL guy will never want to leave! First off, you walk through the gate and you get a goody bag with cigars and other cool swag that is definitely worth more than the price you pay for admission! Now I know they’re not here this time, but at the first event, the CAO Flavorette girls greeted us and that was sweeter than any cigar I smoked that night – which was probably in the ten range! We get our very own private area with tents, tables, chairs, and an up close view of the track. And this is great because NOBODY can give us any crap about the smell of our prized premium smokes! I remember that they had like 50 feet long row of outdoor grills brimming with charred chicken, burgers, doggies, along with tater salad, baked beans (don’t get near me) and all kinds of major-league goodies.

The Harleys are on display from local dealers and one look has you grunting like Tim Allen in his old stand-up routine. Panheads, shovelheads, V-Twins, you name it – the hogs will be out in full force and the incredibly wicked hot models with their huge , um, smiles, will be there to answer all your questions – even though you won’t hear a word they say.

Of course there’s horse racing, and the Meadowlands gets some of the best trotters and pacers in the world to compete, including many a high stakes race. I’ve visited that track many, many times and it’s always a great experience, especially on a nice summer day!

Okay, all of this is great stuff… right? It’s planned for June 24, the day that I go away on my family vacation. I am presently at war with the wife and kids to push our holiday retreat back one day, but I am meeting more resistance than the Germans at the Russian front! I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

All in all, I give this manly event a TEN Torpedo rating, and SO worth checking out. I mean you spend the entire evening amongst your fellow Brothers of the Leaf, while testosterone oozes from every bodily pore. You will smoke handrolled premiums til your head explodes and I guarantee your wife will hate how you smell when you come home – if you decide to, that is. What else is new, right?

So join the JR gang for an evening of happiness and horseplay. God knows I’m trying to follow my own advice!

Later my bruthas,

Tommy Z.

JR Cigars Blog With the Zman

MEADOWLANDS MADNESS SMOKIN BBQ 2

THURSDAY- JUNE 24, 2010

Only $149 !… Event Starts at 6:00pm … Gates Open at 5:00pm

Rain or Shine

(10% discount for groups of 10 or more when purchased at same time)

Must be 21 or older to attend.  Photo ID required

What are you waiting for? Call  1-888-442-8262 to order tickets

.Check out…meadowlandsmadness.com for more  information

Say fella… How does it feel to be an expert on $17,000 fountain pens? Hey, any poor slob can buy a BIC, right? (Or is it write?) How big is your collection of fine precision Swiss made watches? Have you ridden with Phil Mickelson on his private jet lately? Were the braised quail eggs for lunch on that private island off Key West to your liking? Is that now your third or fourth Italian sports car? How was your poker game with Phil Ivey in Monte Carlo? That private guide tour of the trout streams in Scotland was dandy, wasn’t it? I mean, how grand is a belt of LouisXlll, after dinner at the club? Just how many humidors do you have stacked with three decade aged Cuban cigars? And when is your tee time with Ernie Ells?

The good people over at Cigar Aficionado seemed to think that because you smoke cigars, then you must be one who dabbles with the upper crust of society. Racing boats… silk suits from the Orient… the vacation house in the Alps… yada, yada, yada.

Can Somebody please pass the god damned Grey Poupon…. anybody?

I happen to be a very longtime reader of CA – and yeah, I also happen to be a feature writer for Cigar Magazine. When the premium cigar market started to see the effects of higher taxes and blatant smoke Nazism, The good people at that other publication repositioned their magazine into a who’s who for the rich and famous. The font for the word “Cigar” on their cover got knocked down a about 500 point sizes, and stories about Marvin’s play dates with world renowned golfers graced every new issue.

Now I still say that “Aficionado” is a fine magazine – nice layout and top notch writing… really. But, while I’m tuning up my lunar space module and having my collection of wooden Russian eggs appraised at Sothebys, I’d like to read all about cigars if the title of my mag has the word “Cigar” in it. Capeesh? I want a Cigar Magazine that’s a dedicated Cigar Magazine and you KNOW that you do, too.

I started writing for CM in the Spring Issue of 2005 and that first article was entitled, The Cuban Mystique. The premise was: Are Cuban Cigars as great as the world populace claims, or is it the lore and years of mystique behind them that makes them so lauded. The article was well received and I was now a fancy shmancy scribe for a REAL honest to goodness Cigar Magazine. I’ve gotten to meet and interview some cool people and have traveled to destinations that I’ll never forget – including the now defunct Villazon factory in Cofradia, Honduras. (Plus I’ve had two cover articles: Frank Vincent in Winter 2006 and last months on Brown’s Cigar Store.) I get to work with a fantastic editor and art director (Nicole and Denise take a bow) and I get to hang around the office sometimes, where the boss man tosses me a bundle of something from Central America, and says, “Hey Zman, try these and write abut them!” I love writing for this mag and I couldn’t have imagined five years that I’d still be pounding away and talking to so many great peeps.

Wow, now THIS is a major coincidence… I swear – but the brandiest newest edition of Cigar Magazine has just hit the stands! The timing is uncanny! The Summer 2010 masterpiece is looking sharp, and of course yours truly has an article on page 73 where I interviewed four different holy men (Priest, Reverends and a Pastor) about the spiritual nature behind smoking cigars and the benefits it actually brings to your life. The article is a very different concept than you’ll normally read, and none of the four holy smokers drive a Lamborghini or own a villa in a place they can’t pronounce. There are also terrific reads from my buddies Steve Nathan, Miranda Osborn (The Maduro Mistress) Frankie Seltzer and other cool stuff like the Art of the Cigar column, featuring old time cigar art of poker and gaming. And even a gaggle of premium smokes are reviewed by independent dudes (in fact, a bunch of you guys have had your reviews featured.) And I promise you from the bottom of my chinny chin chin that the cigar in our reviews will NEVER have hints of marzipan, Ethiopian roasted guava, balsa wood, or Brazilian parrot scats. It’s f@#king tobacco people.

Okay, some of you might accuse me of being a homer and and bashing the competition. Well, that’s a load of  Ethiopian roasted guava if I ever heard it. CA would have to be a 100% Cigar infused magazine in order to be our competition. All we write about is our love for the leaf and the people who make the industry so phenomenal – and that is it. Hey, like I said, I still read CA and when I finally own my very own Australian Rules football team and purchase that Beluga Whale farm, I’ll let you all know… I promise – but in the mean time, I invite you to join me and my pals at Cigar Magazine… the other white meat.

Rock on and enjoy the week,

Tommy Z.

JR CIGARS Blog with the Zman