Why All The Fuss

[S3cretz]

Anyone else feel like their hookah world is collapsing around them?
Because I do. I remember back in the day (when it was illegal for me to smoke XD) there was really only af and nak.
yeah you can count al sultan and sinbad and that crap even afzal if you want but im not going to.
And there was only like 10 flavours to pick from and there was only 1 or 2 brands of ql's natural coals were utter luxury.
But the thing is It didint really matter! whatever I was was smoking didint matter the hookah I was smoking didnt matter.
Heat management mattered but not to the obsessive level it does today. hole patterns all that jazz was just extra.
When I was smoking a hookah I was happy and I miss that. now I light up a bowl and often replace it with a new one in 2 minutes because im not satisfied with it and then find the next one to be just as meh :/ as the previous one. It still happens every now and then that I really find hookah bliss again. But I miss it. anyone else feel like this?

Thanks for reading my lamentations I know im just being stuck up but I had to vent this somewhere.
-s3cretz

[Hassouni]

Because it was a novelty when you first started. I think it's like that for all of us. This is one reason I only smoke a couple times a week, normally, it prevents it from getting boring

[vendetta_revived]

I just smoke when I am really feeling like it. When I am all like "Fuck yeah I want to smoke now!" and it helps if I only keep flavours in my stash that I know I will smoke and be satisfied! But then i haven't been smoking all that long.

[S3cretz]

[quote name='vendetta_revived' timestamp='1316380506' post='524324']
I just smoke when I am really feeling like it. When I am all like "Fuck yeah I want to smoke now!" and it helps if I only keep flavours in my stash that I know I will smoke and be satisfied! But then i haven't been smoking all that long.
[/quote]
Thats what I miss! Fuck yeah

[TheyCallMeDave]

Huh? I don't agree at all.

From the time I started smoking hookah when I was 15 (sue me) Till now, I always enjoy hookah in my life more that day than I did the last.

I suppose the reasoning behind that is, knowing that I know as much as I know now, with all the brands, flavors, pipes, hoses, etc I've tried, there's still so much more out there to give myself the session I will envy I didn't enjoy the day before.

What you mourn is what I treasure, the never ending growth and expansion hookah will have. Never will I have the right to say I've exhausted all hookah smoking has to offer.

(EDIT): Let me also state that this scenario is comparable to the ongoing issue of "Back in my day" and "things aren't how they used to be with you youngin's". The only difference, is that when things change, bad brands and faulty articals come out, nothing changes for the ones that see hookah as it truly is. This isn't like the smoking scene changing, where everyone has to change with it like the change in kids or the country with age. Hey, if all you want to smoke is Al Fakher and Nakhla, throw in some dokha and tombac, have at it. Nothing is keeping you from staying traditional and away from what you learned to know and love.

A perfect example is Chris (Hassouni). That man is more attached to his traditional female stem pipes than anyone I have ever seen, yet he's surrounded by the modern hookah lifestyle everyday. It's all a matter of sticking to your guns, letting people do as they please, and making the best out of what is (has, is and always will be) still available.

[Tyler]

People care because hookah is an art form. Just like when you drew your first picture as a child, and now when you draw something you know when it is wrong or could be better. Same as hookah, your circles were more deformed squares and now you can trace the sun without a compass. It is the know-how that makes hookah that much better. The capacity for bliss has been elevated and the desire to breach that level is ever growing.

[TheyCallMeDave]

[quote name='Tyler' timestamp='1316383405' post='524330']
People care because hookah is an art form. Just like when you drew your first picture as a child, and now when you draw something you know when it is wrong or could be better. Same as hookah, your circles were more deformed squares and now you can trace the sun without a compass. It is the know-how that makes hookah that much better. The capacity for bliss has been elevated and the desire to breach that level is ever growing.
[/quote]

I suppose I have to piggyback with what Tyler said and conjoined with my previous statement, I agree with Tyler. It seems like what you're saying is that the reason you enjoyed not having complex hole patterns, new coals, a more meticulous prep system, etc is because you enjoyed the simplicity of hookah smoking back in the day. Well I don't know about you, but a meticulous setup with careful watch and concentration is what makes hookah so special for me. I enjoy knowing what I'm doing wrong, and how to improve. Ignorance is bliss, but not in this case, for me anyways.

[Bawhee]

I agree with everyone I still have the same situation as you describe yet Im learning on how to improve my sessions in subtle ways and it just doesnt stop being interesting and enjoyable, who knows though, maybe in a few years ill know exactly what you mean...

[S3cretz]

I think I just might be having a mid hookah crisis.

But let me clarify : I still love hookah with all my heart. I just seems to be becoming too much.
Alot is going on in my life right now so I think its just some kind of tooo much overload. Edited September 18, 2011 by S3cretz

[king_lunchb0x]

if that was what you liked then why not go back to it. Pick up some af or nak and ql's like the good 'ol days. just wing it when it comes to holes rig and heat. Maybe try like Hass, smoke a few less days. But personally for me hookah is now better than ever. Great quality in all aspects from rigs to mu'assel. Which in turns make the session far more enjoyable. When i first started on hookah i couldn't tell one thing from another and picked up some shitty hookah and crap coals. Of course I felt great cause it was new and exciting,but it wasn't near as great as the sessions as I have now. Anyhow by all means smoke how you want, cause I certainly will.

[king_lunchb0x]

[quote name='S3cretz' timestamp='1316384525' post='524336']
I think I just might be having a mid hookah crisis.

But let me clarify : I still love hookah with all my heart. I just seems to be becoming too much.
Alot is going on in my life right now so I think its just some kind of tooo much overload.
[/quote]

hrmm, maybe a short break would do you good. Deal with the other hectic stuff. When you decide to smoke again it might feel like how it used too

[S3cretz]

[quote name='king_lunchb0x' timestamp='1316384942' post='524339']
[quote name='S3cretz' timestamp='1316384525' post='524336']
I think I just might be having a mid hookah crisis.

But let me clarify : I still love hookah with all my heart. I just seems to be becoming too much.
Alot is going on in my life right now so I think its just some kind of tooo much overload.
[/quote]

hrmm, maybe a short break would do you good. Deal with the other hectic stuff. When you decide to smoke again it might feel like how it used too
[/quote]
Im gonna try that. Ill let you know how it turns out

[vendetta_revived]

[quote name='S3cretz' timestamp='1316382070' post='524326']
[quote name='vendetta_revived' timestamp='1316380506' post='524324']
I just smoke when I am really feeling like it. When I am all like "Fuck yeah I want to smoke now!" and it helps if I only keep flavours in my stash that I know I will smoke and be satisfied! But then i haven't been smoking all that long.
[/quote]
Thats what I miss! Fuck yeah
[/quote]

Oh well may be I don't miss it because smoking is not routine for me...I mean I don't look at the clock and go "Oh, time to smoke". I just smoke whenever I feel like. Currently I am smoking two bowls a day on most days, but that's because I feel like it. Somedays I smoke upto 5 bowls and some I don't smoke even one.

I have to agree with everyone though. I didn't have that good sessions when I didn't know of the "fuss" as you say. I found this forum when I wanted to better what I was doing, and certainly, I did better it and now the "not so good" sessions are far and few if any.

[Hassouni]

[quote name='TheyCallMeDave' timestamp='1316383015' post='524328']
A perfect example is Chris (Hassouni). That man is more attached to his traditional female stem pipes than anyone I have ever seen, yet he's surrounded by the modern hookah lifestyle everyday. It's all a matter of sticking to your guns, letting people do as they please, and making the best out of what is (has, is and always will be) still available.
[/quote]

Really you should ask have you ever seen someone with as many female stem pipes as I have? I don't NEED a modern nargile

[HookahLover25]

[quote name='TheyCallMeDave' timestamp='1316383707' post='524332']
[quote name='Tyler' timestamp='1316383405' post='524330']
People care because hookah is an art form. Just like when you drew your first picture as a child, and now when you draw something you know when it is wrong or could be better. Same as hookah, your circles were more deformed squares and now you can trace the sun without a compass. It is the know-how that makes hookah that much better. The capacity for bliss has been elevated and the desire to breach that level is ever growing.
[/quote]

I suppose I have to piggyback with what Tyler said and conjoined with my previous statement, I agree with Tyler. It seems like what you're saying is that the reason you enjoyed not having complex hole patterns, new coals, a more meticulous prep system, etc is because you enjoyed the simplicity of hookah smoking back in the day. Well I don't know about you, but a meticulous setup with careful watch and concentration is what makes hookah so special for me. I enjoy knowing what I'm doing wrong, and how to improve. Ignorance is bliss, but not in this case, for me anyways.
[/quote]

I will also concur and piggyback with Tyler and Dave. I think you might be thinking to much out of hookah, how everything changes well that's life, some of us adapt to it because we are comfortable with the change of brands/hookah style/Tobacco flavors. Some don't and would just stay what it used to be. I mean If you don't want to try other brands of hookah pipes and tobacco. I think you should just use the ones that YOU only like that makes you comfortable. Honestly I feel ya, I'm not dis agreeing with your statement but don't force your self what you don't like just be happy the way things you like.

[Tyler]

Do you know how much crap I get for liking Starbuzz on his forum? But you know what? I enjoy it so who cares what other people think? The only thing not respectable is hookah-hookah Do what you like, who cares what other people think is the best.

[Chreees]

Fuss? I enjoy hookah MORE nowadays since I know my techniques on packing, heat management, bowl to use, hookahs, etc.... I would never go back to my early days. It was mostly me and my buddy thinking we were hot shit using quick lights with H-H out of my Inhale hookah (which I returned after the second smoke and got a Mya QT, but I still used H-H and QLs for a little period of time, and we thought it was good. Thank god for HF).

[dragonflymike]

piggyback tyler, dave, Chreers! Cant agree more!

[Coyote]

When I first started smoking at home we had a nice hookah (can't remember at all what it was but it was a lot nice than the same price POS that I got to replace the one that was STOLEN ) and smoked nakhla peach that we had bought on impulse not knowing anything about it. That was a wonderful experience. I was well adjusted to just throwing some tobacco in the bowl, poking a bunch of holes and then starting to smoke. Then when I realized that no you can't just get any 'ol pipe, with whatever tobacco and cheap QLs and expect a good session. So I'm willing to deal with a little extra fuss to have a better session. Especially since I smoke at least once a day...

I'll admit its annoying sometimes when I come home all amped up, just wanted to chill and smoke and then I have to be patient and pay attention to how I'm packing stuff, not ripping the foil, waiting for coals, waiting for the TC parties to start... but then again patience has never been a strong point and I'm addicted to nicotine. I'm learning... slowly but surely...

[gamebeatter]

i feel like the world is, all the good shops that were around here when i was younger are gone, and all the smoking lounges are like 45 min away.

[ezxen]

[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1316438450' post='524373']
Fuss? I enjoy hookah MORE nowadays since I know my techniques on packing, heat management, bowl to use, hookahs, etc.... I would never go back to my early days. It was mostly me and my buddy thinking we were hot shit using quick lights with H-H out of my Inhale hookah (which I returned after the second smoke and got a Mya QT, but I still used H-H and QLs for a little period of time, and we thought it was good. Thank god for HF).
[/quote]
i agree with you to the fullest . QL and cheap hookahs but you know what wouldn't trade those days for anything. Its like you look back and are amused at yourself.
I remeber trying to blow my first smoke rings ,now its second nature shit packing tangiers drung is no longer a problem even drunk now i can tell if its over,under,not acclimated right or too much heat. everyday just getting a little better

[Epoch]

[quote name='Chreees' timestamp='1316438450' post='524373']
Fuss? I enjoy hookah MORE nowadays since I know my techniques on packing, heat management, bowl to use, hookahs, etc.... I would never go back to my early days. It was mostly [u][b]me and my buddy thinking we were hot shit using quick lights with H-H out of my Inhale hookah[/b][/u] (which I returned after the second smoke and got a Mya QT, but I still used H-H and QLs for a little period of time, and we thought it was good. Thank god for HF).
[/quote]

Jeeze, that's the story of my early days to the T.

Now, I just miss feeling like going to the hookah bar was something special. All my gear at home is better, and it feels like a waste to spend so much on the hookah lounges. I find myself just nitpicking the lounge setup the whole time.

[dizzbizz]

[quote name='Epoch' timestamp='1316470944' post='524425']
Now, I just miss feeling like going to the hookah bar was something special. All my gear at home is better, and it feels like a waste to spend so much on the hookah lounges. I find myself just nitpicking the lounge setup the whole time.
[/quote]
I do the same haha
But to the OP, I agree, I went through a time where I was bored with hookah. I took a couple weeks off from smoking and now I love it again.

[joytron]

Why all the fuss about this thread?