Cigars: Not only for the rich and powerful.

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There's something special about new experiences in life. I not only find myself continually craving them but physically needing them. My daily outreach for adventure, education, and life has lead me down some wonderful roads and along the way I've grown to somewhat resent a scheduled routine. I know it's necessary but it almost seems poisonous to my passion for life, so I decided to spice things up and try something new.
It wasn't easy choosing from my "To Do" list, I have over 50 on it, but I finally settled on the wonderful world of cigars. Bet you didn't see that coming. I'm not usually the one endorsing cigarettes or tobacco, but the attractive pull of trying something new is irresistible. Time to explore a new world. 
Some Terms to know before moving on:
Glossary of Terms:1. Bouquet: The smell, or nose of a fine cigar. A badly stored cigars can lose its bouquet.2. Catador: A professional cigar taster who determines a cigar's qualities of taste, texture and aroma.3. Draw: The flow of smoke from a cigar.4. Hygrometer: A device that indicates the humidity (percentage of moisture in the air; used to monitor humidor conditions.5. Tunneling: The unwelcome phenomenon of having your cigar burn unevenly. To prevent it, rotate your cigar now and then
I enlisted my co-worker Justin Venneri, a cigar enthusiast. Justin brought me to Barclay Rex in Midtown Manhattan for a cigars 101 lesson. Premium handmade cigars are usually imported from Cuba, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. Most cigars are named and classified according to their shape and size and many names for various cigars exist. You categorize cigars by how they are made and each cigar is considered to have three parts (a head, body and foot).
Steps for Beginner Smokes:1. Choose a mild cigar to start2. Inspect cigar (make sure no dents or rips exist)3. Protect and Smoke
Prepping the Cigar:The head of the cigar is the closed end, this is the side that we cut. Inspect the cigar to determine how far down the length of the cigar the cap goes (usually 1/4" - 3/8; sometimes less). Where the cap stops is your cutting limit, If you cut beneath this, or even too close, your cigar will start to unravel.
Lighting Your Cigar:Everyone seems to have their own method and opinion on how best to light a cigar. Ultimately, you'll have to find your own, but to help, here's the way I did it.
Using a lighter, heat the foot by slowly rolling the cigar above the flame. Once heated, place the cigar in your mouth and draw, while continuing to slowly roll the cigar above the flame. Smokers then need to examine the glowing foot to make sure the burn is even. Wait a minute or so for the burn to establish, then sit back, relax, and enjoy! Note, if your cigar goes out simply knock the ash off, gently blow through the cigar to rid of old smoke, and relight.
Stay Tuned! - Pictures and my list/reviews of cigars to come.