I never got around to posting my day 2 report from the RTDA. In it's stead, here's some pictures from the CAO show on Monday night. I think a great time was had by all, despite the weather closing in and moving folks inside. This involved a few logistic problems, not the least of which was funneling people down a narrow hallway and trapping them before the destination was ready, but for those who toughed it out, there were rewards.

The CAO party introducing the new Vision series of cigars was held outdoors Monday night at the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel's pool.

In addition to the dancers that were mingling with the crowd and doing their thing around the pool, CAO also had some "signature" girls show up. From left there was the BraTalia girl, The Soprano's girl and the new Vision girl; each attired (sort of) in theme with the cigar of the same name.

When the weather outside turned too dangerous due to approaching thunderstorms (that provided some welcome relief from the heat and a spectacular light show), the party moved inside. Here's a shot overlooking the dance floor...

Or course, what CAO party would be complete without the Flavourettes. Here's Chad with them...

David strikes a pose with the "girls"

Jeff's a long way from the Midwest right now<G>.

Ron looks a little uncomfortable. Not sure why, they all seemed nice enough.

And leave it to Peter to really get into the spirit of things!

And thanks to CAO for all the pictures!

Looking to learn more about the Dominican Republic beyond the great cigars that come off it's shores each year? Then check out this podcast that they hope will change people's opinion and to move towards the top of popular destination lists.

On this site you can get a better sense of the beauty and vitality the Dominican Republic has to offer with downloads as well as podcasts for those on the go.

Ok, so I know this isn't aviation related but thought I would post about it just to continue testing it.

I d/led and installed a beta copy of Windows Live Writer and WOW! This is a blog editor from Microsoft that works with a number of sources (Live Spaces of cource but more importantly it supports the metaweblog API so I can use it to maintain this site.

Some times using a dedicated client like this is easier than using the web-based admin interface. So far so good. If you want to check it out yourself, go here to check it out!

If the weblog tool I was using supported posting images, it would have handled that automatically but since it doesn't, I was able to set up a distinct FTP profile for each blog I edit upload images using that info! Wooohooo... Finally all the pieces fall together. This was something that I had been looking for previously in blog writing tools. And of course, it has spell check and other such goodies!

to read this blog, are you seeing images like this?

For some strange reason, I'm not seeing them with my copy of IE but see them show up fine with FireFox. I haven't tried from my home computer yet but was wondering if any of you readers could let me know if you are having problems seeing them as well.

What really freaks me out is that if you go to the RTDA store [view- RTDA Show 2006 - Day 1], then you'll see the last image on the page but not the others. Very weird.

Much as I like this skin, I may end up having to choose another one if I can't figure out this problem.

Time to start thinking about posting again. Recently read an intriguing treatise about whether or not to keep cellophane wrappers on your cigars on the CigarCyclopedia website.  While I thought previously I had been firmly encamped on the "remove it as soon as you put it in your humidor" side of the fence; now I'm not so sure.

I don't know if I agree with their stance on using them to prevent the spread of tobacco beetles since this SHOULDN'T be an issue if you keep your humidor cool enough, however I can see using them to keep make the cigars easier to stick in a pocket later without a pocket humidor.

I think I'm going to continue to keep them OUT of the cellophane but will most likely keep any flavored cigars I have in the plastic to prevent them from polluting my good cigars.

How about you?