I took down BOTH my Sothern Virginia Hookah Tribe Groups (on Yahoo and Myspace) - lack of emembership and local interest. There are local hookah smokers, but for some reason they tend to hide... I have a good reason to understand why some do.. (bad people, shame on you), but still.
*sigh*
By the way, the 1st contest, "Design-a-Hookah", on Hookah Pro is over. The voting on the entries has begun and I've started on the 2nd contest - Hookah Pop Quiz... but I don't think there are gonna be many entries. I suck :P
11/10/07
Mouj Al Bahr Triple White Apple Review
Mouj Al Bahr Triple White Apple
Shisha Cut: fine cut, drippy/sticky, dark brown/black in color.
Hookah Type: 22" Egyptian
Duration: 1hr 15min
Bowl: clay
Foil / Screen: foil
Coal / Amount: 2 33m golden QL
Smoke: thick
Buzz: none
Smell / Flavor: You can tell it's an apple from smelling it; tart, slightly sweet, with a undertone of something floral and spicy. I do believe it's supposed to be anise (which I hate
). Taste is exactly how it smells; mild apple with some sweetness, a faint floral touch and a spicy undertone. Remarkably mild.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skPDHfghqBA
Rating (1 to 10): 7.5
Considering my dislike of anise, I'm a hard one to please with most apples. This version is nice, although mild in taste and having some anise in it, the taste was more apple than everything else. It produced good smoke, no buzz and the price was good. I found it at HC for 2.95 for 50g. If you want to experiment with some apples, try this one.
Shisha Cut: fine cut, drippy/sticky, dark brown/black in color.
Hookah Type: 22" Egyptian
Duration: 1hr 15min
Bowl: clay
Foil / Screen: foil
Coal / Amount: 2 33m golden QL
Smoke: thick
Buzz: none
Smell / Flavor: You can tell it's an apple from smelling it; tart, slightly sweet, with a undertone of something floral and spicy. I do believe it's supposed to be anise (which I hate
). Taste is exactly how it smells; mild apple with some sweetness, a faint floral touch and a spicy undertone. Remarkably mild.Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skPDHfghqBA
Rating (1 to 10): 7.5
Considering my dislike of anise, I'm a hard one to please with most apples. This version is nice, although mild in taste and having some anise in it, the taste was more apple than everything else. It produced good smoke, no buzz and the price was good. I found it at HC for 2.95 for 50g. If you want to experiment with some apples, try this one.
11/9/07
Al Fakher Grape Review
Al Fakher Grape
Shisha Cut: Medium cut, dark red in color, drippy
Hookah Type: 22" Egyptian
Duration: 2 Hours
Bowl: Deep Clay Egyptian
Foil / Screen: Aluminum Foil
Coal / Amount: (2) 2" Dynimight Coals, heated then broken in half - with windcover on/off
Smoke: med to thick
Buzz: mild
Smell / Flavor: Smelled like a cross bwt Grape Jelly and Grape Bubble Yum. Taste: basicly the same. Very sweet, tastie and mellow. Not a realistic grape, but very good never the less.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pePSzNH3wWw
Rating (1 to 10): 9.5/10
I've had a few bad Grape smokes, but this was the first time smoking AF Grape, and I'm sad I waited so long. A great taste, wonderful long smoke, forgiving with the heat and an excellant staple! Another great flavor from Al Fakher.
Mixes very well with Mint, SB X on the Beach and Marlette. I want to try it with some lemon and maybe a few other flavors.
Shisha Cut: Medium cut, dark red in color, drippy
Hookah Type: 22" Egyptian
Duration: 2 Hours
Bowl: Deep Clay Egyptian
Foil / Screen: Aluminum Foil
Coal / Amount: (2) 2" Dynimight Coals, heated then broken in half - with windcover on/off
Smoke: med to thick
Buzz: mild
Smell / Flavor: Smelled like a cross bwt Grape Jelly and Grape Bubble Yum. Taste: basicly the same. Very sweet, tastie and mellow. Not a realistic grape, but very good never the less.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pePSzNH3wWw
Rating (1 to 10): 9.5/10
I've had a few bad Grape smokes, but this was the first time smoking AF Grape, and I'm sad I waited so long. A great taste, wonderful long smoke, forgiving with the heat and an excellant staple! Another great flavor from Al Fakher.
Mixes very well with Mint, SB X on the Beach and Marlette. I want to try it with some lemon and maybe a few other flavors.
------------------------------------------------------------
Update: There seems to be alot of production issues with bad batches of Al Fakher Grape. Most seem to stem from Aug, Sept, and Oct production lots, but even then it seems to be hit-or-miss. I've gotten several Aug batches that were fine. I received a Sept batch that wasn't. It smelt like it was rotten.
Many people have temp given up purchasing AF Grape until the "Rotten" batches are fixed, as no-one Official from Al Fakher has stepped up and explained what is going on.
11/8/07
Al Waha Afternine
Al Waha Afternine
Shisha Cut: course, stemy, dark brown in color, drippy.
Hookah Type: 27” syrain
Duration: bwt 45 & 2hours (avg time: 1hr 20min)
Bowl: standard Egyptian clay
Foil / Screen: foil
Coal / Amount: (2) exoticas – 1” & 1.25”
Smoke: thick
Buzz: mild to heavy, depending on smoking habits (typicall sleepy AW buzz)
Smell / Flavor: Smell is a chocolate mint mix, similar to a Thin Mint cookie. Taste, basically a realistic chocolate mint flavor, just like smoking a Thin Mint cookie, without the sweetness. Kind of reminds me of the Andes candys, but heavier on the mint than the chocolate.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQgG7vRSG6I
Rating (1 to 10): 9/9.5
One of the best Chocolate Mints I’ve smoked. Very realistic to the real thing, not overly sweet. I love the sleepy mellow buzz it always gives. I often use this as a Dessert Shisha.
Have noticed that people tend to love this flavor or hate, there are very few who go for the middle ground.
Shisha Cut: course, stemy, dark brown in color, drippy.
Hookah Type: 27” syrain
Duration: bwt 45 & 2hours (avg time: 1hr 20min)
Bowl: standard Egyptian clay
Foil / Screen: foil
Coal / Amount: (2) exoticas – 1” & 1.25”
Smoke: thick
Buzz: mild to heavy, depending on smoking habits (typicall sleepy AW buzz)
Smell / Flavor: Smell is a chocolate mint mix, similar to a Thin Mint cookie. Taste, basically a realistic chocolate mint flavor, just like smoking a Thin Mint cookie, without the sweetness. Kind of reminds me of the Andes candys, but heavier on the mint than the chocolate.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQgG7vRSG6I
Rating (1 to 10): 9/9.5
One of the best Chocolate Mints I’ve smoked. Very realistic to the real thing, not overly sweet. I love the sleepy mellow buzz it always gives. I often use this as a Dessert Shisha.
Have noticed that people tend to love this flavor or hate, there are very few who go for the middle ground.
Al Sultan Peach Review
Al Sultan Peach
Shisha Cut: med to course, some stems. Bright med red. Drippy.
Hookah Type: 22” Egyptian
Duration: 45 to just over an hour
Bowl: Egyptian clay
Foil / Screen: heavy duty foil
Coal / Amount: (2) 1.5” Exoticas
Smoke: med to heavy
Buzz: mild to heavy (depending on smoking method)
Smell / Flavor: Smell was a simple Peach – more realistic than sweet or candy-like. Did have an undertone of a chemical smell. Taste = a simple generic peach. Nothing fancy, slightly sweet. Stronger than Rommans, but not anywhere close to Pharaoh’s or Starbuzz.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ByQ_HIk4Lk
Rating (1 to 10): 7 (although I think after finishing that last bowl, drop it to a 6)
A very simple generic peach. Mostly realistic, slightly sweet. Nothing to write home about. For the price, you can get other Peach’s (Layalina or Al Waha) that have more kick, but in all, it’s decent brand. If you can find it cheap, try it, otherwise it’s safe to pass over.
Shisha Cut: med to course, some stems. Bright med red. Drippy.
Hookah Type: 22” Egyptian
Duration: 45 to just over an hour
Bowl: Egyptian clay
Foil / Screen: heavy duty foil
Coal / Amount: (2) 1.5” Exoticas
Smoke: med to heavy
Buzz: mild to heavy (depending on smoking method)
Smell / Flavor: Smell was a simple Peach – more realistic than sweet or candy-like. Did have an undertone of a chemical smell. Taste = a simple generic peach. Nothing fancy, slightly sweet. Stronger than Rommans, but not anywhere close to Pharaoh’s or Starbuzz.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ByQ_HIk4Lk
Rating (1 to 10): 7 (although I think after finishing that last bowl, drop it to a 6)
A very simple generic peach. Mostly realistic, slightly sweet. Nothing to write home about. For the price, you can get other Peach’s (Layalina or Al Waha) that have more kick, but in all, it’s decent brand. If you can find it cheap, try it, otherwise it’s safe to pass over.
Al Ajamy Esk Apple Review
Al Ajamy Esk Apple
Shisha Cut: med to fine, some stems, light brown
Shisha Cut: med to fine, some stems, light brown
in color, drippy
Hookah Type: 22" Egyptian
Duration: 1hr 15min
Bowl: standard Egyptian clay
Foil / Screen: foil
Coal / Amount: 2" exotica
Smoke: thick
Buzz: mild
Smell / Flavor: Smell was that of a Sweet Apple crossed with Rose. Taste was pretty good, faint undertone of rose (non-soapy) with strong sweet apple taste. No anise flavoring.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQgG7vRSG6I
Rating (1 to 10): 8
With 3 people hitting this, it still lasted over a hour and NEVER got burnt! Great taste, considering I was worried about the smell - I picked up a Rose, with apple undertone. They (other 2 smokers) smelt apple w/ rose undertone.
I'm pleasantly surprised with this flavor, not quite as good as Al Fakher Esk Apple, but very close. The only downside I see to regularly purchasing this brand/flavor - it's the same price as Al Fakher, which is more commonly found. But, since this flavor in this brand was decent, I may be willing to purchase other flavors for experimenting.
Hookah Type: 22" Egyptian
Duration: 1hr 15min
Bowl: standard Egyptian clay
Foil / Screen: foil
Coal / Amount: 2" exotica
Smoke: thick
Buzz: mild
Smell / Flavor: Smell was that of a Sweet Apple crossed with Rose. Taste was pretty good, faint undertone of rose (non-soapy) with strong sweet apple taste. No anise flavoring.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQgG7vRSG6I
Rating (1 to 10): 8
With 3 people hitting this, it still lasted over a hour and NEVER got burnt! Great taste, considering I was worried about the smell - I picked up a Rose, with apple undertone. They (other 2 smokers) smelt apple w/ rose undertone.
I'm pleasantly surprised with this flavor, not quite as good as Al Fakher Esk Apple, but very close. The only downside I see to regularly purchasing this brand/flavor - it's the same price as Al Fakher, which is more commonly found. But, since this flavor in this brand was decent, I may be willing to purchase other flavors for experimenting.
11/7/07
More on Video Games... (and less on Hookah)
I know, WTF? Has she gone off her rocker? Naw... if one is sick, one can't smoke Hookah. So I haven't been smoking a great deal of anything. Yeah...
But what I have tried to do is play more VIDEO GAMES :)
So, what have I been playing? Well, if you have seen my Xbox Live Gamer Tag, you shall see that I have been working at:
Bioshock (demo & rental)
Beautful Katamari
Tetris Splash
Viva Pinata
Not much, but slowly getting more & more time to play things. Oh, and get this - FINALLY got a second wireless controller! How...
Well, I finally realized I NEVER play my PSP as a video game system, I've basiclly downgraded it to a MP3 player and wireless surf point. Oh yes, a $250 piece of equipment, reduced to checking my email in my living room. So I figured - TRADE IT IN @ COOL STUFF.... along with my old Fatie DS (and the games I had for the PSP). An hour later, I'm the happy owner of a new (well slightly used) DS Lite (in pink mind you), Super Mario World (new version for DS) and a slightly used Wireless 360 controller. No money changed hands - equal trade.
So now I have my new DS Lite, I got a nice hardcase (LiteHouse in White, which comes with a USB/Car charger, metal stylus, and holds 4 games - both DS & Adv) on sale at Circuit City - even if I did have to travel to Chesapeake to get it. Yeah!
So... what new games do I want DS wise?
My Sims (for DS, not Wii), Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (of course silly), Pokemon Pearl, Catz (don't ask) and some Horror game we saw at GameStop. Plus I also want to get the Opera Browser that is out for it - Amazon.com sells it for 29.99 (w/ free shipping) which is a great price. Reviews are mixed, but I basiclly want to do simply surfing with it - nothing complexe, but want more than my Cell Phone can do (it refuses to touch Ebay).
Still working on a Wii - still a NO SHOW in town. I'm NOT buying it for 100-200$ more than list price, unless it's a bundle deal w/ EVERYTHING i want - not what they have leftover. Blarg! Why make a console, that is cheaper than all the others, but not easily availble to the market!
The PS3 dropped down in price again. The 20GB version is discontiuned, the 60 & 80GB versions are the same price: 499.99 (although rumor has it that some places are carring them for 399.99). I feel bad for Sony - but it's kinda their own fault. You should make a GAME console more $$ than a low end PC. It's not good sense! I don't care WHAT it can do, it's less than a PC, even with the BluRay drive. Plus - considering the price of the game, 2nd controller, memory cards &/or Memory sticks w/ adapter, HD cable and so on.... I can get me a HELL of a nice PC for ALOT less. Blarg...
Speaking of the 360, not so it's left out... The HD drive, I've seen it in places for as low as 149.95 now, the new HHD (120GB) is still bwt 179.99-149.99. They (Microsoft) have released a new set of controllers (Pink & Blue) with a silcon skin, in addition to the line of Black accessories. They also have a "keypad" thing to type out messages, but I'm not sure WHY it's there? The 360 has Voice Chat, so what's up w/ a keyboard? I wonder if you can use it to type stuff in.... but it's tiny, so it wouldn't be much eaasier than using the controller.
Oh well, enough of my mindless rambles. Back to work they scream....
But what I have tried to do is play more VIDEO GAMES :)
So, what have I been playing? Well, if you have seen my Xbox Live Gamer Tag, you shall see that I have been working at:
Bioshock (demo & rental)
Beautful Katamari
Tetris Splash
Viva Pinata
Not much, but slowly getting more & more time to play things. Oh, and get this - FINALLY got a second wireless controller! How...
Well, I finally realized I NEVER play my PSP as a video game system, I've basiclly downgraded it to a MP3 player and wireless surf point. Oh yes, a $250 piece of equipment, reduced to checking my email in my living room. So I figured - TRADE IT IN @ COOL STUFF.... along with my old Fatie DS (and the games I had for the PSP). An hour later, I'm the happy owner of a new (well slightly used) DS Lite (in pink mind you), Super Mario World (new version for DS) and a slightly used Wireless 360 controller. No money changed hands - equal trade.
So now I have my new DS Lite, I got a nice hardcase (LiteHouse in White, which comes with a USB/Car charger, metal stylus, and holds 4 games - both DS & Adv) on sale at Circuit City - even if I did have to travel to Chesapeake to get it. Yeah!
So... what new games do I want DS wise?
My Sims (for DS, not Wii), Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (of course silly), Pokemon Pearl, Catz (don't ask) and some Horror game we saw at GameStop. Plus I also want to get the Opera Browser that is out for it - Amazon.com sells it for 29.99 (w/ free shipping) which is a great price. Reviews are mixed, but I basiclly want to do simply surfing with it - nothing complexe, but want more than my Cell Phone can do (it refuses to touch Ebay).
Still working on a Wii - still a NO SHOW in town. I'm NOT buying it for 100-200$ more than list price, unless it's a bundle deal w/ EVERYTHING i want - not what they have leftover. Blarg! Why make a console, that is cheaper than all the others, but not easily availble to the market!
The PS3 dropped down in price again. The 20GB version is discontiuned, the 60 & 80GB versions are the same price: 499.99 (although rumor has it that some places are carring them for 399.99). I feel bad for Sony - but it's kinda their own fault. You should make a GAME console more $$ than a low end PC. It's not good sense! I don't care WHAT it can do, it's less than a PC, even with the BluRay drive. Plus - considering the price of the game, 2nd controller, memory cards &/or Memory sticks w/ adapter, HD cable and so on.... I can get me a HELL of a nice PC for ALOT less. Blarg...
Speaking of the 360, not so it's left out... The HD drive, I've seen it in places for as low as 149.95 now, the new HHD (120GB) is still bwt 179.99-149.99. They (Microsoft) have released a new set of controllers (Pink & Blue) with a silcon skin, in addition to the line of Black accessories. They also have a "keypad" thing to type out messages, but I'm not sure WHY it's there? The 360 has Voice Chat, so what's up w/ a keyboard? I wonder if you can use it to type stuff in.... but it's tiny, so it wouldn't be much eaasier than using the controller.
Oh well, enough of my mindless rambles. Back to work they scream....
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