My Mistake

You may have noticed that I am no fan of former President Jimmy Carter but today I came to understand I was wrong. These pictures explain it all...listen to the man.

Franklin's 13 Virtues

Interestingly enough, Benjamin Franklin, celebrated statesman, inventor and the only non-president on US currency was oft maligned for being morally bankrupt. He did layout his "13 Virtues" which he tracked on a DAILY basis to hold himself accountable. He developed this in his twenties and was still adhering to it in his late 70s. Thought they were worth looking at.

Franklin's 13 Virtues:

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.
2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.
6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
11. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Pretty decent rules to live by.

Humidor Construction

Due to the escalating volume of my cigar collection, I found it necessary to increase my storage capacity. Now, that sounds as simple as just going and buying another humidor but given the price ($400-$4000) and my curiosity, I decided to build my own.

This is the before picture:

It is a microwave cart from my parents old furniture store.

Spanish Cedar has to be used on the inside of a humidor because of it's ability to handle moisture and not swell up as well as it's complimentary aromatic qualities. I purchased this online (Rocklers.com) and began lining the inside of the cabinet in order to make the case.

After much sealing and admittedly, quite a bit of cursing, I finally got it airtight.

I then went and bought moulding from Lowe's and with some help from Matthew, cut it to fit and installed it.

Finally, I added glass to the doors and new hinges and drawer pulls, stained it and here is the finished product:

After 4 days the humidity is holding steady and I have been able to put most of my cigar collection in it. I will be adding a shelf later on down the line.

I have already decided to build another one.

Avery For President 2024- This Buds for You!

So as a Presidential Candidate and a free market fan, how does one balance the need for free market solutions and the desire to have our national brands and treasures protected? The government has in the past, prohibited the sale of companies that were considered vital to our National defense or interests. I hereby declare Budweiser to be in that category. I was watching the movie "The Delta Force" yesterday and when our commandos rescue the hostages from Lebanon and they take off, what do they celebrate with? BUDWEISERS!

In their own way Budweiser has contributed to the population boom, to the happiness of ugly people, to the socialization of America, to the pocket books of Dentists from fights... I can go on and on. In addition to this, Miller is the single largest backer of liberal organizations in the industry. Can we sell them instead?

McCain and Obama, step up! Remember Hillary was the one slugging back shots with the commoners on the campaign trail, this could be her opening!

Unless you want to drink Le Budweiser, Le Michelob Lite etc. Write your Congressman or woman and get on board with Avery Campaign.

WHO WANTS TO SEE THE CLYDESDALES WITH BERETS ON? Or worse, replaced by Poodles?

UPDATE 5:07 PM

My legal counsel has informed me that the Miller company was sold several years ago. SO, can we sell Sam Adams instead? I mean what has he done since the Revolutionary War? Make beer? India Pale Ale is also made here. That's ridiculous anyway.

Golf, the other four letter word

For those of you who have played the game of golf, you know that it can be rewarding, frustrating and darn right miserable at times. Those of you who have played with me know that I have one objective when I play and that is to get even with the small, round ball.

Lately I have been driving the ball incredibly poorly and have even had ridiculous thoughts of taking the rest of the year off. Luckily for me, I found the solution...my new driver. Please take a look. I am trying to get a distributorship for Mississippi if anyone wants to purchase one. It is only 3 easy payments of $19.95.

GOOOH, a revolution in the making?

I was put on to a site called GOOOH.com by a friend. It stands for Get Out of Our House. The purpose is to propose a localized, not traditional movement to remove traditional incumbent politicians in the 2010 elections. You may participate, choose candidates or set yourself out as a candidate by taking their questionnaires and signing a pact that includes things like a pledge to vote for term limits, a pledge not to spend a ton of cash to win a race and a pledge not to take a bunch of cash from donors.
Check it out, I found it pretty interesting.

http://www.goooh.com/

Ambitions of a Fidel Castro Want to Be

Andrew and I have teamed together to form our first of hopefully many ventures. The first project is Dos Hombres International. We have started a line of cigars called Vida aimed at the smoker who doesn't want to spend hours researching a cigar, or is to embarrassed to ask the guys at the shop and just wants a reasonably priced, quality cigar.

I will keep you updated as we have our official launch and the website is up and running.