Pure Steam Stone Review

Here at Smokin Js we get a lot of new products.  Some of them don't last at the store very long, but most of them become very popular with our customers and our employees.  I have a good feeling about this product I am about to share with you.  This one is for the hookah lovers, old and new.  Get ready for something that tastes wonderful, has no tobacco, no tar, and no nicotine what so ever!  Pure Steam Stones are the name of this new shisha.  They are these little white stones that have been infused with rich flavors and a wonderful aroma.  Instead of actually burning tobacco to get that thick smoke, you are vaporizing the stones.  You use these stones like regular shisha tobacco ... you mix up your product very well, then place it in your bowl with your coal on top of the product, and your coal heats the stones, which steams the flavoring and the glycerin into a vapor like smoke (steam).  Now when I heard the description of this before I got to try it, I was worried there wasn't going to be the thick clouds of smoke, which is what I enjoy the most out of smoking hookah.  But be surprised my friends!  This glycerin based product gives you plenty of smoke clouds to enjoy with your friends, with a burning time that I was more than satisfied with.  I experienced about an hour in a half to two wonderful hours per bowl of Pure Steam Stones.  Another thing that I really noticed and liked was that when I left my bowl for five minutes I didn't come back to a harsh smoke like I do with regular shisha tobacco, it was just as smooth as it was when I left it.  These steam stones are wonderful by themselves, but like any other person who experiments with their flavors, the Pure Steam Stones are also great mixers.  I tried mixing it with my regular shisha tobacco; I put the tobacco product on the bottom of the bowl where it was not touching the coal and I put the steam stones on the top.  I found this very pleasant to smoke.  I got to enjoy that head buzz I like, but with a smoother and thick smoke without burning my shisha at all.  The Pure Steam Stones just heated up the tobacco as if it were actually vaporizing it.  To all my hookah connoisseurs out there, next time you stop by any one of our Smokin Js locations, take home one of our many flavors of steam stones and enjoy them for yourself.

I hope this review helps and finds you in good spirits and health,

Kat

PURE Glass Settles Court Case

Years ago PURE brand water pipes were created in California.   The manufacturer was on the cutting edge of water pipe design and function.  Success breeds imitation.  Soon after the rise in popularity of PURE brand water pipes, a foreign importer started counterfeiting the brand and water pipe designs.  The original PURE Glass company took the foreign importer to court over the trademark dispute.  After years in court, the original PURE Glass manufacturer has settled to end the costly battle.   Unfortunately, the original PURE Glass has sold the brand name to the foreign importer.  As of the January 1st, 2012 the PURE brand is no longer manufactured and owned by Americans.
At Smokin Js we only carry American made hand blown glass products. Therefore we will no longer be selling the PURE brand.   All of our PURE brand water pipes currently in stock are made by the original Pure Glass manufacturer.   We are having a clearance sale on all our PURE Glass water pipes.  The sale prices are significantly discounted and already built into the price available in our stores and on our web store.  We have limited styles available at our physical stores.  Our final stock of original PURE Glass water pipes can be found in our "special offers" section of our web site.  The good news is that the original PURE manufacturers created a new brand name a year ago (Amsterdam Design Studios), and we currently carry and will continue to expand this line of quality hand blown glass water pipes.

Employee Picks

Katie - I'ts the begining of the year and everyone has new goals and resolutions. Thoughts pondering through your head as to what you know you aren't going to do again, but not quite sure as to how to change this year. I know I think to much about these type of things.  I'm always trying to improve the old Katie into a new edition, but still staying true to myself. It's a difficult task, and sometimes when you ask other's opinion, they don't quite have the answer. Honestly, the only way to live life is to trust your heart and your insticts. However, there are a few things that I like to use to send me in the right direction.  Right before the new year I was introduced to Tarot cards. I've heard about them, but not quite sure how they worked or how it would benefit me by trying them. My friend brought her deck over when we were all hanging out and I jumped at the chance to see what the cards had to say. Surprisingly, I was pleased and reassured with the reading.

Tarot Decks aren't meant to be a fortune teller, but rather guide you to your own answers. Some psychiatrist such as Carl Jung believed they work by synchronicity.  Synchronicity by definition is the simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernable causal connections. Tarot cards help guide you to your own answers.

To start the reading, I lit some of our awesome Nag Champa Votive candles I bought from Smokin Js to set the mood, dimmed the lights and lit some Natural Satya incense. Having a calm, quiet comfortable environment is always best when doing a reading so the person recieving the reading can concentrate on what they are trying to get out of it. I was given the deck to hold, to feel energies, to put my own hopes and desires into what it might tell me. Often, People can ask a general open ended question to guide the reading with the answers they might be looking for. I had no idea what I expected to hear, but I was at the point of accepting everything that has happened for what it is, and just wanted to feel where I was in the world & how others were affecting me.

I shuffled the cards and felt how heavy they were, it was a different feeling than holding a normal deck of cards.  I could feel the powerful effects it had to offer. I love feeling oras and this deck was goregous, bursting with eye-catching art and positive energy. I shuffled it until it felt like it was in the right order then I spread them out in a rainbow "U" shape for her to digest. She felt over the cards, and one by one picked the ones I felt were calling to me the strongest without me even saying a word or looking down. It was like a crazy conspiracy but at the same time, I knew she knew the deck well and was pleased with every card she picked up - like it was destined. She proceeded to lay out the cards in order in one of the most common spreads called "The Celtic Cross". There are many types of spreads, some focusing on aiming at certain questions or types of readings. She drew 10 cards and placed them down one by one in the cross. Each position has a meaning for that card, and she read them one by one, according to her Tarot Card meaning book she had on hand. It was energizing and comforting to be reassured by what I knew my heart was truely telling me.

I can't wait for my next reading and what I have still yet to learn about my life.  For someone who thinks too much, it definitely helped soothe my burnt wired ends tingling up in my brain. I'm crossing my fingers for someone to find a deck that makes them think of me. I've heard from many people your not suppose to buy your own deck, and that doing so gives altered readings or bad luck; but they make great gifts, and I've happily bought one of our beautiful decks we have at Smokin Js for a good friend for Christmas. She was in love with the art and the thought. Whatever the future holds, I feel it getting brighter. It may be just another year, but treat every teardrop as a waterfall, soak up the sun and don't worry about a thing. Cause every little thing, is gonna be alright. ;)

Peace, Love and Butterflykisses

King George - I'd be lying if I didn't say that I LOVE THE SMOKIN JS NECKLACE PIPES!!  You too can sport my favorite counter-culture fashion wear.  Each necklace pipe comes complete with a colorful hemp necklace.  The whole product is American made, **cough cough**, by me, King George!  That's right, I make the hemp necklace and the hand blown glass pipe attached :)  The necklace pipe is perfect for shows, concerts, raves, and judging events.  It's completely covert in the fact that it tucks right into the t-shirt, but don't leave it loaded ;)  If you want your own custom necklace pipe just order it at SmokinJs.com and mention what color or colors hemp you would like the necklace to be made from in the comments section at checkout.  I will make it happen!

Jeff - My favorite product at Smokin Js is the super sick Reverse Shower Head Sherlock Bubbler.  Shower head percolators are new in the industry and you won't find one at a better price at only $149.99.  As with all Smokin Js pipes it is American made.  It's a natural perc so no skinny downstem means it won't get clogged or have limited air flow.  This piece allows draws ristriction free ;)  The shower head also makes a super cool effect with the smoke that's hard to take your eyes off of.  I've smoked out of every piece available and this bubby is too good to be true, especially for the price.

Lucy - My favorite item at Smokin Js is the Absinthe Brew Kit.  I bought it for a white elephant gift party.  Half the people were fighting over it for the alcohol fact and the other just for the novelty.  It's a great way to bring family and friends together to do something creative and fun; whether it be for a party or a rainy day.  It's a three day process, which is awesome because it will make a Tuesday or Wednesday look that much better while you wait for the weekend.  The effects are different depending upon which alcohol you use and the process ... that means you gotta buy more than one lol ;)  I didn't see any little green devils, but I did find it an amazing experience that I want to try again :)

Tmo - My favorite product at Smokin Js is the 4 stage 2.25" Grindhouse Grinder.  It has the best bang for the buck out of all the grinders on the market.  You get the grinder, micron screen, and collection tray.  It's made from aircraft grade aluminum.  The teeth pattern shreds as good or better than any grinder I've experienced.  The thread spacing and pitch where the pieces screw back together are perfectly smooth and won't be hard to start, even with the build-up that occurs from years of use :)  To top it off, this HIGH quality American made grinder comes with rounded edges in the collection tray, and a triangle shaped scraper.  When you want all the pollen, you get it with zero loss!

Alex - I absolutely love the Smokin Js 4" Sandblasted Pipes.  The sand blasting accentuates the unique hand blown fume and rake pattern that each pipe comes with.  This pipe is an American made winner!  To start off, the sand blasting gives it a unique look.  Also, I consider the sand blasting to be slip resistant to help minimize careless accidents.  In terms of function, these pipes comes with a large extended carberator.  The blower creates a great draw with the shape, size and carb design.  We always have new colors and patterns coming through the store.  You can request a color in the comments section at checkout and we will be sure to make it happen :)

Kat - My favorite item at Smokin Js is something I haven't seen anywhere else ... our Hookah Bowl Converter Pieces!  I still do not own a single water pipe, and I wouldn't use it much anyways.  I'm always on the go and hand pipes work perfect for me.  However, the little glass on glass hookah bowl converter piece turns my hookah into an herb water pipe with awesome whip attachments :)  The small converter piece turns your hookah into a cleverly disguised water pipe, which is very convenient for myself.  Using my hookah as an herb water pipe makes me feel different and unique when I bring my friends over.  This utensil gives a whole different outlook on smokin it up with my friends :)

Heady Bubbler New Year Give-a-Way

WE HAVE A WINNER !!

On January 3rd 2012, Brad of Vancouver, Wa was selected in our New Year $420 Custom Bubbler Give-A-Way.

We will be giving away free product every month to a randomly selected member of the Smokin Js email mailing list.  Selected winners will be emailed, and they must respond within 72 hours before another winner will be selected.  See the link below to join the mailing list or visit SmokinJs.com

We have an amazing FREE offer for you! 

To celebrate the Grand Opening of SmokinJs.com we are giving away a $420 custom heady natural percolating (stemless) hand blown glass bubbler!  This inside out frit bubbler water pipe has eight reversals, a custom stand built in, and a stemless natural perc water chamber.  It stands 7" long and 8" HIGH.  It is a true one-of-a-kind hand blown glass bubbler that is made in the Pacific Northwest and comes with a $420 price tag at Smokin Js ... so you know it's well over a $500 piece anywhere else ;)

HOW DO YOU WIN?  It's so easy.  All you have to do is sign up for our email mailing list.  On December 31st, 2011 we will randomly select an email address from our email mailing list.  We will email the lucky winner.  Once the winner is confirmed we will ship this sick bubbler to them .... FREE FREE FREE ... no shipping ... no hidden charges ... FRE FREE FREE

Click the "sign up" button below to join our mailing list!  You only have to join once.  You can also join the mailing list through our Facebook Page or at SmokinJs.com

	Sign Up for Our Raffle
	» JOIN NOW

But wait! There's more!  We will be giving away new product from SmokinJs.com every month to our email mailing list as a year long promotion for our web site.  We don't want to be the coolest, just the best;)


Details:  An email address will be randomly selected from our email mailing list at 5pm on December 31st.  We will email the winner.  They will have 72 hours to respond to the email.  If there is no response, we will select another email address and they will have 72 hours to respond, and so on until a winner is confirmed.  Once a winner is confirmed we will mail the bubbler to them via UPS Ground Adult Signature Required.  You must be 21 years of age to claim the prize.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

For Email Newsletters you can trust

Oh! Herbal Pleasure Pills Review

At Smokin Js, we have been selling alternative herbal products for 14 years.  Over the years there have been a lot of products that just didn't hit the spot.  About 10 months ago we started selling a product called Oh! Herbal Pleasure.  At first I was skeptical because the packaging seemed like yet another boner pill.  However, the feedback has been amazingly consistent and positive.  Maybe the packaging is so lame because picturing the beat of music, the dance of lights, the buz of speakers, the smell of a flower, the touch of your first lover, the feel of trimmed grass under your bare foot, and the Webster's definition of ecstacy would be too hard to pull off on a point of sale package!  But all of that has been the consistent feedback we have received.

Tmo from Smokin Js:  I took my Oh! Herbal Pleasure pills saturday after i got off.  Aafter about an hour, I was in euphoria heaven.  My head was buzzin, my body feeling hella cool, and everything seems different, but pleasently so.   As a first time using Oh! it was so much fun to "observe", how everything seems so much different inna "better way".  It seemed so lovey-huggy and easy to get distracted all in one.  No cotton mouth, nothin' speedy, no after effects, and I went to sleep and woke up normal.   It's like "good golly miss molly" inna pill.  Amazing this shit works as well as it does.  I would put party experience in there too, I like Oh! better than anything else I've tried for parties with wild music, lazer lights, and atmospheric effects.  It's that effective and free from after day headaches, dehydration, and having nasty stuff in your system feeling ...  "no brain oatmeal!" 

King George from Smokin Js:  It was fukenamazing for about 4-5 hours, and it won't leave you feeling all Seratonin depleted the next day!!  If you saw me @ Moondreams and Lazerbeams, then you know what's up!!!  Have fun all you Smokin J'ers!!!  See you @ Freaknight!!!

Oh! Herbal Pleasure is only $14.99 for two pills.

Jeff here. One thing I'm into when I'm not working hard for Smokin Js is riding my motorcycle.

I currently ride my '07 Honda CBR 600rr, but I am looking to upgrade within the next few months.

I ride my Honda once or twice a week all year long. Yes, including the winter. Ice on the roads, chill in the air, and my dumb @ss will ride. I am very active in a sports bike club called the High Side Riders. The bike club keeps the wheels turning, the mileage wracked up, and the entertainment flowing. Never a dull moment that's for sure.

The High Side Riders puts on all kinds of events: Poker run across town, bikini bike washes, races on and off the track, cross country road trips, and stunt shows. If you can think of it on two wheels, we probably do it on two wheels. Last year a group of High Side Riders covered almost 1000 miles in a little less than 3 days. We hit the 101 at Long Beach, Washington and traveled all the way down to the tip of California. One of the most memorable stops along the way was the Red Wood National Forest. Once we reached our goal we ripped up I5 all the way home.

This year on Sept 15th we headed to Idaho. 387 miles there, a few around town, and then another 387 miles back. It took us between 6-7 hours of ride time one-way. I Don't care who you are, after 7 straight hours of riding you're ready to get off! My neck, back, and ass were sore, but it is a freedom not many people will get to experience. While in Post Falls, Idaho, the guys and I were lead to the coolest bar I’ve ever been to. Cruisers, "Home of Mini Sturgis", is a bar catered to bikers. There is no parking in front of the bar, only in back. As you pull up to the bar, there is a huge bay door that automatically opens. We followed the traffic paint on the road and the arrows lead us right through the bay door. At this bar, It’s considered bad manners NOT to ride your bike right through the middle of the bar. Follow the road in, and out you go to the other side where the waitresses is ready to take your order. The coolness didn’t stop there! A Black lab was the mascot of the bar. He could do the coolest tricks ever. When he did a trick for you, you were expected to tip him a dollar bill. You reach the dollar out to him and he politely takes it from you, and then goes around to the bar and "Pays" the bartender for a dog biscuit. If you don’t tip him after a trick, he will sit next to you and bark until you do; essentially notifying everyone around you that you’re a cheap ass and didn’t tip the dog. lol. At Cruisers they thought of everything. Instead of graffiti on the walls, they encourage you to make your mark with knives, or permanent markers on there "Visitors fence". So we did. We let them know that the High Side Riders were there and we all signed the fence. Definitely a place worth going to if you’re ever near Post Falls.

People always ask me what my favorite piece is to ride with. I love glass, but I refuse to ride with glass because if I go down, I don't want to pull that out my skin!  I turn to my favorite riding piece, the Monkey Pipe. It's so convenient for riders and is one of the only pieces you can still use while having a full faced helmet on. The tiny pipe is perfect to hide as well because it disappears into your jacket. The Monkey Pipe closes up nice and neat also so scooby snacks and half scorched bowls don't get all over in your pocket. Every rider should have one of these in your saddle bag, tank bag, vest, jacket or poncho.

Smokin Js is biker friendly. Wear your cuts or colors, come on down, and spark up a conversation.

If you love to ride and want to have a great time with a fun group of guys, then come on down and talk to me about the High Side Riders. I work at the Vancouver Smokin Js location during the week, but most Fridays I visit the Centralia Smokin Js also. I normally go by Jeff at work, but MANY in the motorcycle community know me as BullsEye. We are currently working on www.highsideriders.com. We have a Facebook page, show your support and click the like button. We will be posting events and other pictures as time goes on.







Tmo Stands for Inspiration

Hey Now!, my name is Mike (Tmo if you simply have too many Mikes in your life). I am the newest addition to Smokin Js. I've been a long time customer and now I'm on the other side of the counter. It's a huge privilege to work at Smokin Js. The store opened in 1997, the same year I graduated from high school. I was a prime candidate to be a customer for a smoke shop! However, the ARMY started for me that same year, so all my plans for fun went up in smoke;)

I put four years in the service and saw the world in so many different ways. The travel was exciting, and so was deployment. I got out of the ARMY and went to work and school full time. I eventually worked in the solar industry for a decade. I was on top of my goals and personal expectations. By 2009, I was living life to the fullest: Quads, snowboarding, motorcycles, long range shooting, and finding extreme things to put my body & soul to the test.

"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans." I heard that from my grandpa when I was too young to understand what it meant, but I idolized him so I said it all the time. As much as I said it, I should have spent more time applying it's many meanings to my life. In January of 2010, I was heading on my way to work and noticed that my face was feeling unusual on the right side, and by that night my right arm was feeling the same. I'm not big on doctors so I ignored it, along with a few other symptoms that were weird, but not too alarming; and the symptoms didn't slow me down enough that I had any concern for myself. By March, I could not control my movements. My muscles were going crazy. My eyes, voice, breathing, and ability to walk, were so embarrassing, I rarely left the house.

I had gone through every blood, urine, and scan testing the medical field had to offer. I even had a lumbar puncture done while I was on a five day hospital stay. Many neurologists looked at me with confusion, sympathy, and sometimes disbelief. I couldn't hold a tool in my hand anymore when I finally succumbed to the mysterious monster in me that I had no control over. I was in denial that I was losing my life and had no answers for it. I had swept my symptoms under the rug until I literally couldn't hold on to anything.

In April of that same year, my boss asked me to talk to my doctor about a physical limitations review and a statement saying I could safely continue my work. That never happened. I was on disability just a few short days later. Disability insurance agencies are a nightmare. Social Security is another tough benefit to pick up with all the steps and processes that are involved. That being said, I was out of work for over a year and a half. I had bills to pay and life changes to deal with. I sold all my guns, guitars, skateboard, snowboard, etc. I was still struggling with money, life, and doctors appointments.

That summer finally brought relief for me. OHSU has a great neurology department that took all of my records, tests, and findings. They spent time with me as a "research" patient. I was put through what I felt like was hell, doing a bunch of different movements, and trying repeat things they would do. It seemed like I couldn't do anything they asked me to. I was still having emotional episodes when I would try things that my symptoms would stop me from doing. I was unable to write, use my hands, or even walk, without major shaking, jerking, muscle spasms, and/or contractions. I couldn't even keep a normal looking facial expression, let alone hold my head straight.

After my first appointment at OHSU, they prescribed a Parkinson's Disease medication. It has been very successful for many people with movement disorders like this. Within two days, I knew that the meds were working. It was a sweet and sour feeling finding out what was wrong with me. In one sense I was getting better, but on the other hand, I found out that I have Parkinson's Disease. After all the tests and brain scans, I found out by seeing if a pill would help by random chance. So that was it, I had Parkinson's and I knew it before any doctor did for sure.

So I was looking at early retirement when a little bit of self motivation, and the thought of rotting away in my house, started to make me think of work solutions. The disability company and the great state of Washington were unable to find an educated and experienced person like me a job, "due to my illness". After coming into Smokin Js for some of my usual smoking staples, I couldn't help but think, "This would be my dream job." I submitted my resume. After the usual hiring process, I was welcomed into the Smokin Js family.

So you maybe wondering what the fu@k this blog is actually about. Well I think there's a few different things you could take from this. Maybe this is like one of those lame songs that the band says "it's up to the fans to come up with their own meaning". I can say that opportunities will arise if you make them for yourself. I can also point out that Smokin Js history is so long rooted in this area, that when I graduated from high school, they were a cool place to flex that 18th birthday muscle, and now that I'm in my 30's they are a salvation of employment for me. I'm a bigger fan now than when I came here 14 years ago. Smokin Js means so much to so many people, we try to show that back to you every way we can. Hell I came back out of a sure fire retirement, because I want to be here for you. The last thing I can mention that I learned from my illness, I later read in a Reader's Digest article with Michael J. Fox and noticed he had said the EXACT same thing that it took Parkinson's to teach me. "Acceptance and Gratitude are what I have learned from my illness." I think everyone should learn to accept their current situation, and accept others differences and similarities. Embrace one's uniqueness. Be gracious to everyone all the time. You're never better than anyone else. You aren't entitled to live a life better than anyone else, because in the end it really wont be a choice. When life gives you lemons, make something better than lemon-aid damn it! Never give in.

Tmo