Chaz Lanski

Selected Internet Cigargroup Postings by Chaz Lanski Presented in chronological order. The last two postings are from Kim using Chaz's account. Everything is presented as written, typo's and all.....

With the wife busy with our neice's slumber party last weekend, I decided to take a trek up to Montreal. I visited three shops: Davidoff, Blatter and Blatter, and one by Davidoff's (I didn't get the name). While Davidoff had a great selection, I was a little uncomfortable about being followed around the store. I made the bulk of my purchase at Blatter and Blatter. Their selection was solid and they were very nice. Before I left, the gentleman at the counter opened a private humidor and gave me a complimentary Bolivar Immensa.

The ride home provided one of my best "cigar momments". Most great cigar momments are with friends, but... It was about 7am, a light misty rain, and driving through the fog in the Aderondacks, smoking a Saint Luis Rey, with Springsteen on the CD player signing Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land". I will always remender that fog, those mountains, that song, and that cigar.

Chaz

What a wild ride my wife and I have been on the past few days. Sunday evening, two weeks past her due date, we checked in to Somerset Medical Center. By 6pm the next night her doctor said we were left with no choice but to go with a C section. Kim was upset, but after a week of contractions and 10 hours of induced labor we were making no progress. The anesthesiologist asked me for my thoughts and I told him that in an hour I wanted to be smoking a good cigar and passing out lousey ones. We talked and he was really into his cigars. I looked in my bag, I had only one cuban (it was mine to smoke after the delivery). "Doc", I said, "I've got a Hoyo Epicure #2 for you in my bag, but I don't wan't to see the slightest amount of pain in my wife's face when they do the C". Well the doc was a man of his word, the delivery was very difficult. My wife was already opened when they let me into the room. At one point I could tell she was starting to cry and the doc changed pain medicine and unloaded two full syringes into the epidural. Thank God, because it took over 14 minutes of cutting and moving thing that really shouldn't be moved. It was a very tough delivery. We soon saw why as the doctors pulled out our baby and announced that we had a son. He was 11 1/2 pounds and 23 inches long and probably could not have been delivered any other way.

Carson Edward Lanski was born on November 10th, a little over 48 hours ago. I had planned to mark the occasion with a special smoke, perhaps the Cohiba Siglo V in my humidor. Truth be told, I have been to busy. My one cigar was an El rey del Mundo Flor de la Vonda that had been forgotten out for a week before I found it and rehumidified it this week. Despite this the cigar was perfect.... my son is perfect, my wife is perfect, and my life is perfect...now if I could only stop crying long enough to thank God for all he has given us....

Chaz

I started the new year with an Opus X Robusto and a Dunhill given to me by my boss. Saturday morning I had a well aged Bahia Trinidad robusto that should have been an inch longer because it was so good I couldn't put it down.

Last night I smoked a cigar that had been in my humidor since early March. A Cohiba robusto, one of three I purchased in Montreal. I smoked the first on the ride home and wasn't thrilled, so I put the other two away for a future date, a special occasion. Last night's special occasion was that the stars must have fallen into alignment. After some bitter cold here in Jersey, the evening was rather warm; my wife came home from the video store with nothing; and, my 7 week old son was soundly asleep (much rarer than a warm night in January!).

I poured a Jack Daniels for me and a glass of Chardonay for my wife and we went back on the porch. We talked and listed to the music that flowed through the baby monitor. That cigar got better with every puff and I smoked it to the nub. At one point I noted to my wife that this may have been our first time alone talking together since the baby was born. By the last puff it had gotten rather cold and we had to go in but it was a special night and (to me) part of what cigar smoking is all about.

Chaz

Saturday morning I loaded up the wife and son in the Pathfinder and we headed up to the Poconos. I don't ski, and I hate the cold, but one of my friends wives set it up and we all got condos and brought the kids. A long ride goes fast with an El rey de Florez Robusto and a Bahia Trinidad Elegante for the trip.

Well the place was kind of fun. It was like a bunny ski resort. The four families shared 2 condos and the kids loved it. They range from 5 years old through 15 weeks (my son). After dinner we all went tubing and even my friend's three year old tried it (as long as someone held her). With the kids exhaused, the wives put them to bed and went off by themselves. Of course, I was the only one who brought cigars! It didn't matter, I brought enough for everybody (I've known these guys almost 20 years, I knew they'd bring nothing <g>). We smoked and talked until about 4am, when even the rush from my LGC maduro churchill could keep me awake no longer.

The next morning I headed we headed home. Sunday night was so nice, I went on the back porch and lit up a Cohiba Siglo V that was gifted to me by my secretary from her honeymoon. It gave me time to reflect on a wonderful weekend. These guys have been my best friends since junior high school. Our wives have become good friends, and now our kids are growing up together. The weekend reminded me why I turn down better paying jobs that would force me to move far away -there is no price that can be put on a weekend like this. 20 years ago we snuck our first beers together, now we smoke cigars and discuss tips for adding cereal to my son's diet. 20 years later, it's just as special, reminding me that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Chaz P.S. Oh yeah, that Siglo V was fantastic!

After a pretty hot day, we had a nice cool evening here in Jersey. Why waste it. My wife grabbed a book and our six month old and headed to the back porch. I grabbed an RyJ exhibition #4, and a glass of Jack Daniels Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey (a donation to the JSCC from Vic Holinko which I was fortunate enough to win). For those who like Jack, this single barrel is a must try. Not like Gentleman Jack, this has the full Jack Daniels flavor, but the refinement of an aged single barrel. Sort of like if Jack Daniels came home as his usual self, showered, and put on a tuxedo. The cigar was good too, although I've had much better ex #4's, this was kind of an earthy one dimentional smoke until the last inch, when it started to kick (obviously not as well aged as the Jack).

Of course, the real fun was just getting to spend some time with my wife and son together. We've been so busy lately, one of us is always with Carson, but we never get to play with the little guy together. He spent most of the hour trying to crawl (he only goes backwards so far) and cracking himself up looking at the birds. Finally, the cigar finished, I jumped from my seat and spent the rest of the night biting his tummy until he was wiped out from laughing.

It's going to be a great summer.

Chaz

Anyone who knows me knows the last two months have been pretty trying. I lost my job in a merger (where I thought I was on the winning team). Since my wife doesn't work, this was extra stressful (for her too, she couldn't wait to get me out of the house!).

What a difference a few weeks make. Today was my first father's day. Last Thursday I picked up a new BMW (actually, a 1995 525i, but new to me!), and tomorrow I start my new job. I celebrated tonight with a glass of port and a pre-Castro H. Upmann petite corona (thanks to the brothers Goldstone). The cigar was well constructed and burned perfectly. It was on the mild side, with a woodsy flavor and a hint of cedar. I thought it might take me back to the simpler times when President Kennedy enjoyed this cigar; but, instead it had me focus on how fortunate the last few months have proven to be.

Here's to new beginings...

Sadly, I am writing you all to tell you that Chaz passed away on October 8, 1998. I didn't know how else to let all his friends in this group know except by doing this. Chaz has mentioned many of you from his many crawls, but unfortunately I didn't know how to get in contact personally. His services are being held on sunday, October 11th between the hours of 2-4 and 7-9pm at Higgins funeral home in Watchung. (908) 756-0017. For those of you who were his friends and would like more information please feel free to respond to this posting. I would love to hear from you --Kim Lanski

I just came home for the third time since Chaz died to get some documents. But before I attempted that, I jumped into his big leather chair and tried to tackle this internet thing I heard so much about! I knew my first attempt worked because his brother printed all the responses that were sent before sunday. I felt a need to read about my husband and also to read my husband's own words. Well what I found is beyond any words. I can barely type through my tears for the college fund for Carson. I was aware of it , but did not realize the magnitude. You are truly a brotherhood ( a few sisters,too!)

I feel so empty inside from mine and Carson's loss, but I am thankful for the time I shared with chaz. I met him when I was 22 and just out of college. He was already diagnosed with Hodgkins disease, so we were just friends. Our friendship turned into a love that one could only dream of. Two years later we were married in November of 1994. We decided two years later to take a risk and try to conceive. Thankfully, we did because Carson is the result of our love. Due to the fact that Chaz faced death when he was 27 he had such an appreciation of life. He was never afraid to die and felt everyday was a blessing.

On sunday, October 4th we went to the hospital due to shortness of breath he was experiencing. He went to his family doctor on Friday, but not all of the tests were back yet. It turned out he had a blood clot in his lungs that originated from a clot behind his knee. (Please walk around every hour or so on long car rides to improve circulation) He was predisposed to clots due to the cancer, but that was the least of our concerns. He was improving and on Wednesday night I left him feeling good about the doctors recommendation to continue blood thinners and to not do the "clot buster" The next morning he joked with the technician who drew his blood and was in good spirits. 30 minutes later his heart rate dropped and he passed away immediately. They conclude the blood clot broke loose and went to his heart. I still can't believe I'm not taking him home, but everytime i look at Carson I see Chaz and I realize he is with us.

I wanted to thank you for the plant, the fund and for the three angels who represented you all. I also thank the ones who hugged their children extra hard after hearing of Chaz's passing. Chaz enjoyed life and his family to the fullest. He would not have any regrets! thank you for reading our story.