El Presidente

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About El Presidente

  • Birthday 02/12/1965

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    http://www.friendsofhabanos.com
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  • Location
    The Throne
  • Interests
    Slow horses, irrational women, fly fishing, wine, friends and family.

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  1. There are strategic games being played in terms of supply to different regions. Supply was on the increase in final quarter 2024. First quarter 2025 looks solid. Ater that, who knows. The Cuba dramas of 3rd and 4th quarters 2024 will likely be felt at some stage.
  2. Todd Bowles is gone I suspect. Bucs offer Liam Coen top job.
  3. She's safe for the time being. We don't have a dog yet.
  4. What's up for the weekend? Back to work Monday so I will be prepping this weekend. I quite enjoy the personal 2 day annual prep weekend where you allign your corporate and personal compass for the year. Of course, no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy This weekend prep is normally accompanied by generous amounts of cigars and Negroni/Champagne. Very Churchillian. What's up for the weekend?
  5. ...Always brings a smile to my face.
  6. Time to upgrade my laptop warhorse that is showing the first signs of struggle. Currently rocking the below. It has been very good. I travel extensively so I need it to be light, 13-14 inch, tough (able to handle hundreds of cigar and Negroni spills), fast. No gaming. This is my primary work tool. No Mac's please. I am no expert. For those that are, your recommendations are most appreciated. ASUS ExpertBook B9 B9403 14" 2.8K OLED Core 7 32GB RAM 1TB Laptop ASUS ExpertBook B9 B9403 Star Black Laptop, Intel Core 7-120U,32GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD, 14inch WQXGA+ 90Hz OLED, Integrated Graphics, WiFi 6E, BT 5.3, FHD IR Webcam, 63Wh Batt, 0.99kg, Win11 Pro, Backlit Keyboard with Copilot, 3yrs ASUS Onsite Warranty
  7. ...well, "Black and Gold".
  8. This was a FOH deck discussion You purchase a lamp at a roadside dollar store on a weekend country drive. I don't know why you are purchasing a lamp...work with me here Blow and behold it turns out to be a magical lamp and out comes a genie who grants you one wish. Yes, cost of living pressures has reduced the traditional three wishes to one. Blame covid and quantative easing. Good news.....no limits...you can have whatever you wish. HOWEVER, YOU HAVE TO PERMANENTLY GIVE UP ONE OF THE POLL OPTIONS. Which do you give up?
  9. ....they will be back to shells before the end of the year .... "A customer reported that when paying for a purchase, the change at the checkout should be given in USD, but since there are no coins, what actually happens is that "they make up the total amount with cookies or candies." The recent opening of a market in Havana that only accepts cash in dollars or cards linked to foreign currency accounts has stirred significant indignation among the population. The establishment is located at 3rd and 70, in the Playa municipality, across from the old one that operates in freely convertible currency (MLC). However, unlike that one, it is very well stocked with both national and foreign products. Inside, there are foods, personal hygiene and cleaning items, household supplies, and appliances; however, the limited payment options deny most users the chance to access these products. "It’s a complete lack of respect. First, at the MLC, they didn’t accept USD, only euros, and now it’s USD—their store doesn’t accept euros. The one across the street, which is MLC, is completely empty while the new one accepting USD is stocked to the ceiling. Damn, how long is this going to last? Where are they trying to take us?" said a resident of Havana "The MLC is the dollar deposited on a card that is already in the bank, and you only have a card with a number. Now, does that dollar of yours, deposited in the bank to buy from that store, have no value? What can we call that? Therefore, the humbler and more in need the people are, forcing emigrated family members to send currency for so many simple necessities, poverty simply becomes a profitable business! Inflation and the loss of value of the national currency that affects workers and retirees only worsens that poverty. The more poverty there is, the more profit!" a man remarked. The supermarket is part of the Gran Muthu Habana Hotel, which opened in 2023 and is managed by the MGM Muthu Hotels chain and the Gaviota group, controlled by the military leadership of the regime. Payments can be made in cash in dollars, with the Fincimex Classic card, or with a new special card from GAESA's financial division that can be reloaded from abroad. "I am increasingly surprised; just when you think things can't get any worse, this government finds a way to show you that they can. It is a disrespect to the average Cuban, to those who work for themselves and are paid in a currency that isn’t theirs," a mother commented. "They are putting the Cuban who left to support the country, it’s that simple," stated a resident in West Palm Beach. https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/2025-01-03-u1-e43231-s27061-nid294828-crece-indignacion-cubanos-tras-apertura-supermercado
  10. No issues on Espys that I smoked in 2024. Winston I had a few that were below par in terms of tight draw. 1 in 8 or thereabouts. R&J much the same as the Winston. These were all 23/24 cigars as I smoke them to assess a baseline tasting.
  11. For the record, we are not associated with that "adult inflatables" store.
  12. Great stuff! The lizards pair Cohiba Espléndidos with Veuve Clicquot La Grand Dame 2015 & Hine Cigar Reserve XO Cognac. The lizards ring in the New Year with Clicquot and its long history, they review the best and worst cigars and pairings of the year and Gizmo faces another accountability hour with a wild listener gift. PLUS: Cohiba BHK58/BHK59 Rumors and Facts for Habanos Festival XXV, Bam’s Refined Palette, Podcast Origin Stories & Listener Email
  13. One round to go but this comp looks like a one man race unless there is an imminent collapse by Noid. The comp is played through the playoffs but Tunka/Chang and co will need everything to go their way from here on in. Some great games this last round 18. bring it on

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