Nice post Vin. I hope to be added to your list one day. :-)
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You, sir, are ON the list -- what we need to do is cross your name off it! :-)
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A great post!

Initially just thinking about attending a Herf could seem intimidating to a new guy. But after reading the post seems as if everyones accepted, finds their way, and is welcomed into the family.
Still nervous about attending my first one but look forward to it as well.
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I know when I look at the pics it looks like a great time. Hopefully when I get home I can go to a stateside herf. :-)
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Great post brother... I know I am not missing next years Ybor event!!
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They certainly do. Whether it's smoking around another or many other cigar enthusiasts. For me, it adds to the experience. Some of my most cherished cigar smoking experiences have been around other BOTLs. Smoking solo pales in comparison.
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My first large (more than one other) HERF was with the MASSHOLES. The kindness and generosity that was bestowed upon me by those men and women is a memory that will last a lifetime. Truly a day that I will never forget.

My personal Holy Grail of HERFS is the SHACK. I know of no other event that puts so many people that I would like to meet and say thank you to in one place at one time. One day the planets will align and I will be in attendance. One day.

HERF when you can with one or many it makes no difference.

Nice post Vin.
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Nice post Vin!

I agree I had more fun meeting and hanging out with everyone than any other part of the trip.
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Great post Vin and I share many of the same thoughts as you.

I had never been to a herf before, period. So I was a little nervous beforehand. Not in the sense of meeting new people, I love to meet new folks, but in the sense of embarassing myself with such little knowledge of this hobby of ours.

The cigars that are premium to me are afterthoughts to others, I'm not a "habanophile" and know jack-diddly about cuban cigars. I don't have boxes laying around to just dole out to everyone like pieces of gum. So, in that sense I was intimidated as well. I'm sure no one came away from meeting me saying that guy bombed the hell out of me with all these great cigars and I want on his buddy list for sure.

But you know what? I'm not out to impress anyone, I'm out to meet people and live my life. I enjoy a good cigar but I enjoy a good person much more. That I accomplished--thanks to all of you in attendance at this event. I walked away from Russ's house knowing that this herf was the first of many more that I will attend, and that the people that I met and friendships that I started were the reason I was there in the first place. Everything else really doesn't matter.

:-)
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Herfs are a great way to put faces on the folks you see here everyday. Its true, its not about the cigars. Its about the people.

I can still remember the SoCal I Herf. It was one of the first real big gatherings I attended. It was a blend of folks from 2 major places. ICG & ASC. There was probably 100 folks in all, and like someone mentioned earlier, I was pretty uneasy at first seeing what these guys brought not only to smoke, but to also pass out to everyone. I felt seriously under gunned. One of the old time ASC folks (Mig) told me not to worry about what cigars others had brought. He told me just have fun, work the room and talk to folks I never met. Following his suggestion gave me something very special. It gave me the beginnings of many friendships that still exist to this day. That was almost 10 years ago.

So my suggestion to those new to herfs or have never attended one before, would be to not worry what other folks have. It dosent matter if their smokes are older or better than yours. It dosent matter if they bring their cigars in a ziplock bag or a custom painted Zero Haiburton. It dosent matter if you brought only 6 cigars and many others brought 200. Your religious, professional, or racial background makes absolutely no difference. It makes no difference if you are a millionaire or just making ends meet. None of this matters.

The one thing that really matters is that you are there. Because if that happens, chances are you'll find others there that you'll bond with over great conversation, good cigars, and it just may be the beginning of some close friendships that will wear on through the years, no matter how far apart you may be.

The only thing that must happen is you need to show up. Everything else will fall into place from there.
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Great post, brother. Brought a needed smile to my face at the end of the week.

Jason
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[quote=massphatness;79357]
Then there were the guys I was a little intimated by … in Tampa, SailChaser fell into this category. I don’t know why, but I was always hesitant to really interact with him in any significant way prior to the Tampa herf. Call it what you will. Intimated by his reputation, knowledge, etc. I don’t know, but I was a little nervous about meeting the guy. Turns out, I’m a big stupid head for thinking that way. Chris was one of the friendliest down to earth guys you could hope to meet. It was a true pleasure to get to know him and his wife (Hi again, SailKat!) better.
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Vin , Thanks for the Kind words, The only thing I try and do is pass on what I have learned from others and try to be the best BOTL I can. It also has a lot to do with having a very special partner in Kat

Friendships last a life time

When you have a bunch of people that gather in one place to share a bond friendships naturally occur. There is not one person that attended the Herf that I did not gain a larger respect for them and what the do. For me it is not about how many, what you have, what your getting it is about YOU at herfs and the only thing that you can share then is you. I am so fortunate to have a partner (SAILKAT)that enjoys my passion for this hobby and allows me to experience and the ability to travel and gain new friends.
To everyone involved in the Ybor Herf I also want to thank for taking my mind off a few issues that I have been dealing with, for that I am Grateful
Look forward to see you all on the board and at future Herfs:-):-)
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Only been to one herf myself. A small one we had in Jacksonville not too long ago. I really enjoyed meeting the guys. I was going to attend the herf at Vin's in October, but a death in the family caused the plans to change. I can say truly that I so look forward to meeting up with the massholes, because of the support and well wishes they sent our way in our time of need was something that is hard to explain. I mean I haven't even met any of them face to face yet they took time to email call or pm and let us know they were thinking about us. Vin, Al, Bao, Greg, and all the others just know that someday we will hopefully be able to share a cigar, and just fellowship one with another. There was also a lot of yall that aren't massholes, sent messages our way as well, and hopefully we will all be able to meet as well.

Thanks brothers.
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Nice post...
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Why Herf?

Because I don't like throwing up in my own backyard!!!:-)
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Great thread fellas...I too was intimidated by some of the same reasons, but the below posts have eased my mind. Thanks guys!

I need to herf more!



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Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat post Vin. And it was truly my pleasure to meet you as well as the many others who attended this Epic Ybor Herf from across the country. I was in awe. Still am.

Trying to describe the friendships cemented in a herf is simlar to rekindling friendships with high school mates. It feels like you've always known them, now you are just getting the pleasure of seeing them again.

As I planned this event and we hopped from location to location, to location, I can tell you the feedback was nothing less than impressive. My family was impressed with ALL who attended and would welcome us back anytime.

It truly is an experience not to be missed.
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Great post Vin - I was going to add something brilliant but nothing comes to mind other than great cigars, great food, great drink, and above all great people....
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Great addendum to Vin's post Mr.Kimura!
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