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Congrats!

Genuine question here, can someone elaborate on the "China is complicit" part?

It's really tough, I feel for him... Married, two kids, a mortgage and a dog, I'm right there too, and although I have to face big challenges in my field also, AI isn't one. Very much agreed on the customer service point, although in many fields I'm afraid it won't suffice given many loyal customers are sacrificing service to save money, at least that's what I see and hear about in France... Dark times ahead for tech people, I hope he finds a way to turn a threat into an opportunity.

杀猪盘 (Pig Butchering Scams) are brutal in China. Lots of these scams target citizens with billions and billions of RMB drained. Tons of ruined lives and a major blemish on China as it's often Chinese nationals targeting innocent Chinese in the mainland. 诈骗 was one of the top public complaints in China. While the US/China geopolitical questions being asked exist, I think Occam's razor is probably reality. Ugly Chinese guy doing ugly things to citizens. Let's get the bastid. In '23 this movie came out : 孤注一掷 (No More Bets) - I shared it in another thread, but it's essentially about taking down a 'Chen Zhi' esque bad guy in SE Asia. The films mostly solid, albeit China is in there 'Rambo' movie phase where it's all about China being the hero and taking down the bad guys. The extradition and arrest basically played this movie out for citizens to cheer about in real life. It also serves as warning to anyone else that China can get you anywhere you hide. The precedent it sets is important. Deterrence theatre to grow fear and force compliance. They got their trophy.

Bucket list for '26.

As much as I admire Pacino's and De Niro's performances, Don Corleone will always be Brando so I went with Part 1 but don't make me choose. The Godfather is just one big masterpiece as it was said supra 👍.

Congratulations!

I wouldn't do it via Miami. Bands don't have any flavor. I personally would keep a low profile these days.

Congrats!

Iconic. Miss the restaurant. If only these were the originals. #PatternRecognition

It's hard to say without knowing the industry, but being an analyst in an AI world has got to be tough. Senior Mgmt/exec thinks it gets the job done, but there's zero context or understanding in what the data truely represents. I can't say what to do, but I can tell you my story. I wasn't too dissimilar in my early 30s with my first born and the mortgage. I was an Sr. operations analyst with an accounting background when our company was acquired by what was essentially The Borg. I asked to be laid-off while our industry was in a hole and haven't been happier - I found a role in the same industr, but a different perspective. It was a big gamble and a large step back. My belt got tightened significantly when I moved from a Sr Analyst at an O&G producer to an mid-level one at a midstream co., but now I had a customer focus, and those customer relationships made a massive difference as I got closer to the company's cash register (more security) and took care of the customers - their satisfaction made our department and company look good. Years later, those relationships remain, and I know one of them would help me out if I ever need it. Looking back, it was a decent step back in compensation for me, but it was only a few years in the end. It did take the wife some convincing, and the lean years were not easy on the household finances. Heck, even relocating to a less desirable city was on the table at one point. I truely wish this person good luck, gainful employment, and true happiness. Cheers! - I just realized all 3 responses so far are geared towards working closely with customers. Might be something to it 🤔 🤷‍♂️

From the HW from the Consensus 2025 list, I've enjoyed the Placentia Alma Del Cielo (Boreal), Avowed Cigars The Vow 11.25 (from KBF), AG Cigars (Un Nuevo Reino, I haven't had the 109 yet), HVC La Rosa (Originales), Bandelero Premium (Ironicos), the Aladino 85 Aniversario Reserva Robusto and the Perdomo Legacy Shade (Robusto). I believe there some fantastic NW/NC offerings are out there. Kelner Boutique Factory is killing it right now with Avowed Cigars, Stoic Cigars, Principle Cigars, the Felipe Gregario (Maximar 25th Anniversary) LE, Kelner 80th Anniversary LE...whew! Complex, flavorful and satisfying cigars. Apples and oranges. I'll always adobe my Habanos, but variety is the spice of life!

I don't remember ever watching Part 2 without having immediately watched Part 1.

Tough choice, but there is no Godfather II without the Godfather. It's really that simple.

Godfather 2 just because I love seeing Michael’s character develop into the Don and also seeing Vito's back story. Super hard to choose though.

@NYGuido 👍🎆

Any way that you can gently, gradually absorb some of the moisture. The key word is gradual. Don’t bury it in desiccant, for instance. 😄 I have two or three old desktop humidors that I outgrew years ago, and they are basically dry cedar. One of them I use as a drybox. If I want to smoke something right away, I’ll usually grab an NC and go. For CC, I usually pick out a stick I know I’m going to want in a couple days, cut it, and put it in the drybox for a couple days. I feel like clipping it first is a good move, and that maybe more moisture from the head can get drawn out that way, but it may make no difference.

Finally a morning warm enough for a smoke! Sig1? Sig2? idk

Halfwheel today posted The Consensus 2025. https://halfwheel.com/the-consensus-2025/460719/ It’s for sure much more comprehensive in scope than the Halfwheel list…

It is a challenge to get ahead of the AI transformation currently underway. I can't tell you how many cigar deck discussions I have had with accountants/lawyers/data analysts - pseudo be it government or private. From what I can see real time, this is happening everywhere. Starting again (my businesses) in this age of AI, has me thinking long and hard. I have few answers bar trying to be exceptional in the customer experience. However, I am not in that data/white collar game. This is one of the tougher emails I have received.

Can you please, for the sake of Mets fans everywhere, be their NY beat writer? Please? This analysis and team love surpass what we get here on a daily basis. You managed to lower my blood pressure about this. LFGM! And, just maybe, bring back Candelita?

First cigar of 2026 Sig 1

I, like John considering them both a combined film. That said I picked 2 just because of Michael's story arch. But they are both epic.The scene with Solozzo is so dark. Tough call. I could pick either one.

I like a firm draw. Maybe the tight ones can be allocated to the Robert Ford Fund!!

Congrats & enjoy those smokes, @NYGuido