Holiday Madness

Why I don't care for the holidays...mass insanity!

[@Ragamuffinpiper]

I never stop coming back to enjoy these videos. Such a treasure. You are missed. 🤠

[@pipephilosophy]

Agreed. I’m right with you buddy

[@ozarkpipertony8396]

John was and is still giving back to us in his sharing and legacy. It is an honor to watch his videos during these times. Like coming together with a friend who makes sense in a chaotic world.

[@NWPipeSmoker]

Losing your favorite pipe - cold chills! Holidays ... yep. I tend to check out. Enjoyable talk, as always. -Tom

[@backcountrypipe]

I still watch buddy.

[@cliffhiggins730]

I still watch our old friend, too, Mark.🙂🙏

[@RockyMountainPiper]

Man, can I identify with this monologue and John's thoughts.

[@MadameM.]

Merry Christmas, Matches! I hope you find some peace and quiet this holiday season! Go out with your pipe/tobacco, and find a quiet place to rejuvenate and get away from it all. Best regards as always, looking forward to "The Phil Story!" and next year's videos!

[@piper3927]

Always a pleasure to watch your videos.Look forward to seeing you in 2015.All the best to you and yours for Xmas & new year. I love the snow but here in the UK it's becoming very scarce, 47 now but still love sledding.Love Xmas time and all the commotion that comes with it but hey, each to their own. Your top ten tobacco list would be great to see. Take care, all the best.

[@thebigo77creeker]

Still thinking about you Matches every Holiday brother! R.I.P.

[@BobbyGinto]

You sure can spin a yarn, John! Looking forward to any and all videos you decide to make! Have a great holiday, and an even better 2015!

[@Matches860]

LOL, my thanks to you Bobby! Happy Holidays!

[@Warhawk1952]

Awesome as always. I hope all of us appreciate the fact that your weekly of bi-monthly video's take one hell of a commitment and I appreciate that! The other day I picked up a Savinelli Smooth Clarks Favorite and that same Sav Roma Lucite 677. Both are awesome, they go well with my three Bing's Favorites! As a 59 year old, I miss that part of Christmas where my son's had so much excitement and anrticipation. I do miss that, but NOT the insanity that goes on around today. Look at it this way guys, we are NOW the perfect dad's or grandpa's; they'll ask, what do we get dad and that answer will be easy, tobacco or another pipe. Very 1940's! :) Thanks again, as always, a class act! Kindest Regards, Dan from snow free California. Of course California drivers can't drive in rain!!

[@Matches860]

Thank you Dan, but I get way more out of the video's than anyone else...it's a great stress reliever. Bing's Favorite! Great pipes, I have two, a smooth & rusticated. Glad to have a 59 yr. old on my side, I'm planning a special "Turning 60" video in February LOL. Best to you Buddy!

[@manicheanwarrior8589]

Fantastic! The post office is classic no matter where you live. For me Marietta Georgia was the crazy post office location. You could see why people went "postal". People shoving each other. It was like the crazies that blow the horn at red lights thinking that it will speed up traffic. Here in Tucson the weather guys go nuts if any rain is predicted. Noah could be sailing through town picking up lizards. Well happy holidays anyway. See you in fifteen (good lord willin' and the creek don't rise).

[@Matches860]

I left a few more things out...someones house always burns down two days before Christmas, an entire family killed in a car accident, every year a mass shooting, and a Salvation Army donation bucket gets stolen. See ya' in '15 my friend!

[@rdesjean]

Hello John! Always thrilled to see a new video from you. I'm one of the (until now) silent majority that faithfully watch your channel. The wife and I absolutely love your videos! Hey, I've finally ordered some Haunted Bookshop, it arrives this Friday, can't wait to see what all the hubbub is about! I'm in So. New Hampshire, my wife and I are heading to L.J. Peretti one day next week on your recommendation. Never knew it existed till your video! Anyway, have a great holiday, looking forward to much more from you next year! Regards, Roland

[@Matches860]

Wow! I envy you going to Peretti's, but I'll get there next year for sure. Haunted Bookshop has been a regular for me since 2006 despite a few attempts to find something better. I'll be interested to hear your take on it. Thanks to you and your wife for supporting my channel Roland, it is most appreciated! Happy Holidays to you both!

[@petertschantz7601]

one of my favorite's of John videos. Stumbled across it, smoking a bowl of Northwoods. RIP brother, wish I'd known ye

[@cigarnews6152]

Matches, you are spot on and say it like it is. As for the snow, that is why I live in Houston. Can smoke my pipe in comfort all winter outdoors. Happy Holidays and avoid those annoying people! Jeff

[@bunezuela1]

Matches I closed my eyes smoking my pipe and listening to you and you had me rolling! That is about how I feel about Christmas as well. Everything now days is hyped up from football games to the weather report. Anyway I enjoyed the video and I hope you have a great Christmas yourself take care my friend.

[@Matches860]

You got it! Us pipers are looking for tranquility...all the hype rubs us the wrong way. Best Wishes Man!

[@joeyank2451]

Yes to much Hype Indeed

[@dagnerperformance]

Sorry to hear about your old Friday pipe. I feel you on the holidays. People just get ridiculously nasty. They need to pick there smile up and put it back on there face.

[@Matches860]

Very well said, and that's one thing I've tried to do again this year. Happy Holidays!

[@NCFlightOps]

Totally agree! I dread the Holidays as well, Peoples behavior totally gets nasty as a whole due to the commercialization of the event. Everyone hurrying around buying gifts out of a feeling of obligation, rather than because they want to. I tell all of my family, don't buy me a thing! I don't need anything. Most of the gifts that I give my friends and family are items I make. Handmade gifts (to me) are the best!

[@Matches860]

You hit it Scot! It's almost like a disease each year.My other pet peeve line..."We need this done before the holidays."Screw that LOL.

[@wavecreatures]

Great to see you as ever John. My warmest seasonal regards to you and yours. Phil

[@Matches860]

Always a pleasure to have you join me Phil! Wishing you and your family a fantastic holiday season and great New Year!

[@mariamarino447]

Thank God for KZbin I like watching them too always enjoy listening to him

[@mark7216]

I've quit going to the Stores till after the Holidays, people are crazy this time of yr. Happy Holidays................Alex

[@Matches860]

I normally go early morning before all the wack-o's get out of bed LOL.

[@dominiksapper5807]

One of the best videos ever👍❤!

[@kernicusrax]

Good to see you again. Much of what you say resonates with me but I'm a person who avoids shopping all year round! Luckily my work tends to close down between Christmas and New Year so I treat it as a relaxing break. This year my wife will be working Christmas day so we'll treat it as a normal day. Anyways, hope you can make the best of the break and get out and about with pipe and or camera. Peace and tranquility to you and yours.

[@backcountrypipe]

Great to see a new video. I am sure we will be talking but Merry Christmas. Funny how the holidays can bring out the best in some and worse in others. I hear you about the weather thing, we live in Canada and the media makes a few cm sound like a blizzard. Gets the woman all frazzled. LOL Regards Mark

[@glenm5034]

Thanks for another good quality video. It's a sad time for many who lost family members who did so much work celebrating holiday traditions. Got to order some of that Northwoods from Boswell's.

[@Matches860]

Yet another point well taken Glen. We forget that the holidays are not so joyous for those who have lost family or experienced other tragedies. Northwoods is magical!

[@Baldpipesmoker]

Great video John. Loved the little chat. Like I always say. It takes all kinds. Have a merry Christmas brother to you and yours

[@jefflowry4896]

I grew up in the Midwest. When I was on my own and had an apartment the erather did not look great. So I turn on the radio. The guy was talking for over an hour about taking cover in my area due to an F-4 tornado. The threat never got closer than 150 miles away ...

[@csparksb56]

This may be my favorite ramble of yours. I can just feel the frustration boiling over. I wish I grew up in the 50's or 60's. It seemed like the holidays meant more back then. Can anyone unwrap a Lexus this holiday season? I know I cannot. Madness is certainly the perfect definition for this time of year. What kind of work do you do? I am sure you covered it before along the way but I have never come across it in any videos I watched of yours and I have watched a lot. Do you ever pair your smoking with a favorite drink? Thanks again. I was waiting for another video from you Matches. Love em. Hope you have a relaxing and uneventful holiday season. Avoid the madness. Stay warm.

[@Matches860]

I often wonder if those '60's Christmases were great because I was so young and naive, or if there was less insanity during the season...who knows? I am a facility manager in a retirement community and many of our residents are widows/widowers,never married, or lost some or all of their children.Needless to say, the holidays are no fun for them.I pretty much only drink coffee or ginger ale...there's a fun fact. Beginning Christmas eve, I'm off from work till after New Years so I should be ok.

[@richardwallace4509]

Great story matches I'm with you all the way how people go over the top regards richard.

[@Matches860]

Thanks for watching Richard, I do feel better now!

[@SLVshadow]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts/story... I'm glad I'm not the only one who is kind of a humbug. Please really piss me off, especially around the Holidays.

[@Matches860]

***** If you throw bad weather into the mix, it's even worse. Thankfully, I took a few days off during the holidays this year, it also seemed to lessen the insanity somewhat.

[@bringeroflightphenox4300]

Hey there Matches! I'm a new subscriber, and wanted to tell that I really enjoy your videos. Great job, my friend. Also, I completely agree with you about the holidays. People seem to get nasty for no reason at all. I hate it. And it's the same way here in Maryland with the snow. It snows every year, but for some reason everyone acts like they've never seen the stuff. Anyway, thanks for the great videos.

[@Matches860]

Thanks so much for the sub Ziggy! I'm about to go out into the crowds to get my shopping done for another year!

[@prolefeed1628]

Merry Christmas John. Smoked my Friday Savinelli with you while I watched. Cheers!

[@scottphillips7524]

Hang in there Brother, and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@Matches860]

Same to you Scott, and thanks for watching!

[@ICHIBANDIPPER]

Hey John, I too find this time of year pressing, consoling myself in some tobacco and thoughts. Hope it all goes well. Best wishes, Ross.

[@Matches860]

Yeah, me too Ross. I just got a package of new baccy for the holidays so that will help. My best to you!

[@oniichanrikku]

I always go shopping on November since I know December is the craziest month where people fight for an exclusive present, risking to get wounded as well, so I avoid that. Merry Christmas!

[@briangleason5597]

Matches 860. I also am frustrated around holidays. To many people. I get lost in a crowd. Sorry about you loosing you're. Favorite Pipe. What are the components for making North Woods. I would like to try and make it. Excellent video.

[@Matches860]

Hmmm, don't know off the top of my head but I think what makes it unique is the sweetened black Cavendish which plays very nicely with the latakia.

[@gastondeveaux3783]

Yeah the holidays have gotten kind of bananas 🍌 , but MAN ! That Savinelli just keep getting more gorgeous.

[@gclagrange]

Yes it is sad that Christmas, which is supposed to be a celebration of the birth of Jesus, has become so commercialized. As for myself, I love this time of year, but not what people have made of it. I love when the Christmas music starts being played and sad the day it ends. As for snow, I'm still running around down here in south Louisiana in shorts.

[@sinchi558]

Great video. Happy New Year. Greetings from Ecuador.

[@Matches860]

Thanks for watching sinchi558! Made it through Christmas, New Years should be easier! Happy 2015 from Connecticut, USA!

[@geoffryfeinberg1349]

Miss you still John. May God bless you and keep you.

[@challengerdart3731]

Great vid Matches. Thanks.

[@bostonbriars7310]

Hey buddy, I hope you are well. Here in Boston the insane behavior over snow seems to have been a result of the great blizzard of '78. The last thing I want in the house during a snow storm is bread and milk and those are the first to go when the snow alert is sent out by the freeking media. All the best to you my friend.

[@Matches860]

I was in college in northern Maine in 1978...we got all of 2 inches LOL. Perhaps I'm getting too old for the nonsense of uncalled for panic.BTW, I don't do xmas parties anymore, and probably couldn't repeat most of the happenings from the ones I went to. Take Care Buddy!

[@annataylor2488]

Yay Friday Savinelli!! I was starting to think to myself "Who's pipe do I have to puff to get a Friday video around here"? John, what is the shape # of that fine pipe, I would like to get one myself.

[@Matches860]

LOL, nothing like an out of control fan. The Friday Savinelli shape is a #673 which is my favorite shape.

[@dottlewarden8134]

I still haven't figured out why it is a cringe at the approach of the holiday season. It would make sense if I had had some terrible experience to blame it on, but that's just not the case. I quess my best explanation would be the sense of scheduled joy, or mandatory joy, rather than just being able to feel how I feel as I can during the rest of the year.

[@pauldannatt1132]

This man was an inspiration to me as a new pipe smoker. Wish I could have got to know him better and conversed with him more 😪

[@Drhumbolt]

Happy holidays matches

[@Matches860]

You too Doc! Hope all is well!

[@ciscor76]

Love the vids brother! Hope to see more of them!

[@Matches860]

Thanks my friend! More coming for sure!

[@twinstar818]

Hope you try to have some time for yourself and get to relax a little. I work in retail and I have done it for years, but have learned to separate what goes on around me and what happens at home, which is peace and quiet and family. Even if it's just on 1 day since we don't get time off! :)

[@Matches860]

For sure, Christmas eve and day are usually quite pleasant in the house. I will be taking xmas to New Years off this year which hopefully will reduce some of the nastiness of the season!

[@Bazerkly]

"I always want to go to sleep on Thanksgiving and wake up on New Years Day" 🤨

[@nobissc]

I miss u so much Sir. 😢

[@RichardT2112]

Too many people enjoy the stupid hustle and bustle of the season - do what I do, get everything ready in November and sick back and enjoy watching people loose their minds :) If this is the last time you're on until Christmas - wishing you and yours the very best of a peaceful and quiet holiday! Merry Christmas!

[@Matches860]

Happy Holidays to you Richard! Someone remind me to do the shopping earlier next year. I will be going this coming Friday not long after sun up...most of the idiots should still be in bed LOL.

[@RichardT2112]

So true! :) have fun and Goodluck .. If we don't hear from you by Saturday I will send in the SWAT team ;)

[@RockForMusic]

You left out Rhode Island we are in the snow belt and people all over react during the holidays.

[@Matches860]

I thought folks in Rhody had more going for them LOL. I just watched a Canadian friends video after he went to the mall...it's nuts in Canada too!

[@danielshore667]

merry x-mas bro you take care im my worst enemy when it comes to driving myself insane from stupid coversations at the post office good to see ya

[@stevieb5487]

That is a wonderful Savinelli. What is the model exactly? Its just because I want to purchase one myself.

[@Matches860]

This is the #673 in the Rossi series. I really like it!

[@stevieb5487]

Matches860 Hi there, I finally bought myself a Savinelli, it's not identical to yours but as close as I could get. It's a Roma, similar shape with a lucite stem. I always watch your channel on a Friday afternoon so waited all week until Friday to break it in with you and as you say 'it is a great smoker'. Thanks for the pointer ;) Steve!

[@Matches860]

I've smoked a few of the Savinelli line, and while prices may vary, the quality of the smoke is very consistent. I'm sure you'll understand why they are my favorite brand.

[@stevieb5487]

Matches860 Also this is the first 'balsa filter' pipe I have had and I don't normally favour standard filters as they tend to cause damp smoke after a while but I'm quite impressed with how the balsa keeps the smoke a bit dryer than the standard filter! Very impressed!

[@Matches860]

Stevie B Enjoy it!

[@mr.whales3600]

Miss you John

[@TinFoilHatPipeDude]

Im with you. I dislike the holidays more every year. It´s all about eating too much, exchanging stupid stuff no one really wants anyway. Im not even religious so there´s not much left for me! But I like spending some time with my parents and my brothers. That´s enough for me. Take care! Emil

[@Matches860]

Yes, there are those things also which individually don't bother me, but taken as a whole piss me off. We would all do much better spending a week doing good deeds for others and doing away with all the running around for what is usually a let down when it's over.

[@Tyrant369]

what are your guys' take on Pipe, mouth cancer, filter and doing it as a 18 year old? I'd love to try one but im not sure if it'd be a wise decision.

[@Matches860]

There's a risk of a few cancers in pipe smoking. Cancer, as you know can begin at any age and for seemingly unknown reasons. Smoking of any sort, filters or not, has to be a personal decision.

[@IPlayGtr]

Hey John, I want to make one more run into LJP's and pick up some 432 and 333 but I dread the crazy crowds. Did you know they don't let you smoke in the commons any more? Nuts. Try to stay focussed, this too shall pass. All the best to you, Jorge.

[@Matches860]

I didn't know that, but I'm not surprised. I remember a bum once hitting me up for a smoke on the common back in the '80's. Hoping to stay sane again this year, thanks for the encouragement! Happy Holidays!

[@MrJmcn123]

Good to see you bud. I share the same feelings regarding the holidays. At any rate this too shall pass. All the best to you and yours throughout the holiday madness. Take care John.

[@Matches860]

Hi Jason! Hope all is well with you my friend. Here's to a joyous Holiday Season! Be well!

[@KevinTwiner]

Hate to hear ya lost a pipe. I do know it’s been a couple of years. But hey just letting you know I feel your pain. The other part of this . I say if you cannot find a good or positive person you just be One. Enjoyed

[@Matches860]

Staying positive can be a challenge, but as a rule, I am a pretty positive individual.

[@MrDavidMoriarty]

Nothing like the holidays for making you dislike shopping! Great talk, John. Btw, what Savinelli is that? I'm really wanting one now. -David

[@kwarnisplayer]

So...what's your tobacco blend consist of? :-)

[@grapesodapopinski571]

I could tell right when you started to get aggravated during this video. You started freight training harder than normal. Lol.

[@Matches860]

LOL, thankfully my last two "holiday seasons" have been better as I'm learning to deal with 60% of the insanity!

[@lina3535]

So what happened to the Friday Savinelli Mark 1? did you do a video on that?

[@Matches860]

I think I did a video after about a week. I had on several layers of winter clothes and when I put it into my inner coat pocket I must have missed the pocket. I had been many places that day and lost track of when I had seen it last.

[@henrycems]

Matches my friend I agree with you. It seems that the human race devolves around the Holidays all over the place. Do the people panic when they say it will snow and go buy up all the bread and milk like they do down here in Georgia? Like bread and milk will save you in a snow storm LOL. Take care and Merry Christmas my friend catch you latter.

[@Matches860]

LOL, yes...panic buying, especially when the first flakes fall. And for some reason, people report the roads to always be terrible! I've been driving 40 years, and I can probably count on one hand the times the roads were really bad...bunch of crying whimps! Merry Christmas, that is all!

[@kwarnisplayer]

Which Savinelli shape number is that pipe? 645 KS?

[@Matches860]

#673 , which I have found to be the most comfortable & functional shape. I believe I have three 673's.

[@PaulBielicki]

I'm surprised to hear of people getting so anxious about snow in the north. It's not as though you are around my neck of the woods. People go insane here. And as for the holidays, it's as though people become the exact opposite of what they want to be during the holidays. I suspect it's the commercialization of it all. The really nutty people are the ones in the stores or at the post office trying to get all of their presents sent at the last minute. Maybe if folks were focused more on others and not on what they were going to buy for others, they wouldn't get so worked up.

[@Matches860]

The media plays a part in both events I think...the shopping day count down as well as getting overly dramatic about the weather. The whole week of Christmas to New Years needs to go LOL.

[@PaulBielicki]

Matches860 My wife just said that maybe that is the reason she never feels ready for Christmas until mid-January. That seems to be when people start to settle down again.

[@Matches860]

Paul Bielicki Very true!

[@angusgreeneyeslefay9485]

you loosed it ??? how...imean is not that small..sorry what a loss

[@Matches860]

You had to be there LOL.

[@daleschmidt7157]

The Holidays have gotten all messed up, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. IMO, it seems every year more and more people hate what Our Country stands for as well as its History plus they are hating God and His Son Jesus more and more. They love the money all the shoppers spend. I think it is sad....very sad.

[@pastorfuzz367]

I can see why 'going postal' is a well known phrase. Chill out friend.

[@Matches860]

LOL, a couple days ago the computers at the P.O. froze for a few minutes...the workers were sweating bullets and the waiting customers began growling. Yep, it's a dangerous place.

[@Bromptoncruiser]

Yep people are gettimg like that here too, i really like that pipe

[@Matches860]

This Roma has eased the pain of losing the original Savinelli. Smokes all day on Fridays and stays dry...I love it!

[@Bromptoncruiser]

Matches860 Is friday your smoking day?

[@Matches860]

Oh no, but I do tend to puff more on my days off.

[@Bromptoncruiser]

I only have about 1 bowl per week as the health stuff scares me too much lol

[@Matches860]

BeardManAlex Nothing wrong with that at all.

[@matthewgabbard6415]

Damn Dude, that's my birthday. I feel like I was born uner a bad sign now. You can stop speaking to me if you want. I will totally understand

[@Matches860]

LOL, nope, this is all my own opinion on the holidays.

[@timkalar1946]

Matches860 z what kind of tobacco that you like and what kind of pipes do you have to take on trips and vacations I love to take a vacation and just to relax and to just take it easy what kind of books do you like to read

[@gratefulpipeandcigar3239]

Huh. Matches was a curmudgeon. Go figure.

[@vapemyvape1801]

Wish I could ask you some questions man miss your vids and stories you have helped me a lot with life things anyway I hope your in heaven smoking a never ending bowl my friend you are missed 😊❤