Vapor cigarettes (also called vapor cigs, electronic cigarettes or e-cigs) are electronic smoking devices that look, feel and act much like a regular tobacco cigarette.  While they are relatively new in the cigarette industry, they are quickly rising in popularity because of their convenience (you can smoke them anywhere), their taste, their cleanliness, and also for their use as a smoking cessation device.

Vapor cigarettes are nicotine delivery devices that are comprised of a battery and a nicotine cartridge (sometimes a cartomizer) that screw together.  To use an electronic vapor cigarette, the user inhales through the mouthpiece, which activates the lithium battery and prompts the release of nicotine vapor from the cartridge.  This vapor is then inhaled much like you would inhale a regular cigarette.  To give it an even more realistic look, the other end of the vapor cigarette has an LED light indicator that glows and gives the appearance of a lit cigarette.

As mentioned previously, you can smoke vapor cigarettes anywhere.  Just like the name says, they emit a vapor, rather than nasty cigarette smoke.  There is no odor from vapor cigarettes, and since there is no tar, tobacco and other carcinogens like you would find in regular tobacco cigarettes, there is no risk of second-hand smoke.  You can literally smoke them anywhere, even where tobacco cigarettes are not allowed – restaurants, bars, etc.  I’ve heard people even use theirs on airplanes.  Since there is no flame needed, and no burning, there is no ash produced and there is no mess from vapor cigarettes.

Vapor cigarette cartridges come in a wide variety to satisfy every customer’s needs, whether it be their nicotine content or their flavoring.  You can buy high nicotine content cartridges if you are a heavy smoker and crave nicotine, or cartridges with little or no nicotine if you simply are e-smoking for the taste.  There is something to satisfy everybody’s tastes, with traditional tobacco flavors available (and menthol), as well as an assortment of fruity flavors and others like mocha, vanilla, peppermint…just about anything you could imagine, there’s a brand out there that makes that flavor.

Vapor cigarettes have also become popular as a means to quit smoking traditional cigarettes.  With vapor cigarettes the user still gets their nicotine fix, without the other harmful chemicals.  And with the different degrees of nicotine in the cartridges, a smoker can wean themselves off of their habit by starting with higher nicotine content cartridges and stepping down to lower nicotine content, until they no longer have cravings for nicotine at all.

It’s easy to see why vapor cigarettes have started showing up in South Beach clubs.  That they are cleaner and healthier and can be smoked anywhere is reason enough for many smokers to give up their old pack of cigarettes for good.  If you’re looking to begin smoking vapor cigarettes, take a look at my main page for my rankings and reviews of the best brands out there.  Happy vaping!

The event was so-so.  A lot of good old school guys made it more fun though.  Rowdy Roddy Piper showed up, as did Dusty Rhodes, Golddust, Hit Man Bret Hart, Jerry the King Lawler, and more.  I felt since it was in Miami that Rey Mysterio should have had a bigger role, he was only out briefly and did not wrestle.  The ending was certainly the best part.  The ring was ransacked by a group of new wrestlers apparently just signed by the WWE.  They tore apart the whole ring and every piece of equipment in the vicinity.  Sitting in the front row, my four year old son was freaked out when one of the unknown men came and grabbed not only the man who rings the bell, but the ring announcer as well as some of the other WWE staff that aren’t involved in the show other than for tech work and camera direction. Many were visibly shaken up after getting tossed, thrown, and stomped for more than 10 minutes.  Even Jerry the King Lawler was favoring his right arm as the show wrapped up, he was visually hurting.  The ring announcer (his name escapes me) had his fancy suit coat ripped right off him and he was hurt as well.  He was aided out by medical staff and appeared to have head injuries.

Best of all, this is REAL.  I can report this because I was there.  I was there with my son, hanging out with two high schoolers with a great “U Can’t SEE ME” sign, a play on the “U” as well as John Cena, when all of this pandemonium broke loose.  Not only did we stay well after the event and listen in, but a fan sitting in front of me actually rang the bell in the ring when the people running it became involved in the show.  Talk about being part of the action!

What I didn’t like were all the constant A-team plugs.  The plot surrounding their promo was slow and boring.  They could have got a younger actor that the crowd would have related to better, Brad Cooper, involved.  He’s a great up and coming (well, actually after the Hangover I don’t think up-and coming is the term, he’s arrived is more like it) actor who people can relate with.  Rampage Jackson has yet to go mainstream in most people’s homes as many people don’t watch UFC like they do movies.

Here were the top chants during WWE Raw in Miami, Florida.

“Re-sign Wade.”

“Rocky, Rocky, Rocky.”

“Let’s Go Heat, Let’s Go Heat!”

There were many more, and overall the experience was great.  It wasn’t the normal show that continued story lines, it was a “viewers choice” show, where viewers elected what types of matches would go off and who would fight who.  I read on another blog that the crowd was at 85% capacity.  That’s not true as there was not an empty seat in the arena.  I will agree with that blogger that many fans were young and left early.  I enjoyed the event, but have to say my front row experience with the ending that took place was the main reason for enjoying it.  The rest of the matches that went off tonight were average at best.

Terry Bender reports weekly at the Miami Blog, Miami’s #1 Internet news source

Jersey Shore, the popular television show based on the lives of various wannabe’s in New Jersey, is looking to spend it’s spring season in Miami’s South Beach.  However, many of the South Beach elite clubs aren’t enthusiastic for their potential arrival.

South Beach’s Mynt Lounge rejected an inquiry from a Jersey Shore location scout,citing the show’s treatment of women and Italian Americans, owner Romain Zago said.

“Miami Beach takes pride in the years it took to establish an upscale tourist attraction, and bringing this show to town would lessen that image,” Zago wrote in a statement Wednesday. “Any club or establishment that participates can and should be held liable for such mischievous behavior.”

The statement added: “Shame on whoever agreesto such [a] display in our city.”

Wow.  Heavy statement from a heavy club owner.  Kudos for rejecting to cave into the program’s objectives and keeping Miami’s A-List persona happy.  I don’t blame Zago for making such a statement, and the staff at Miami blog feels this is the right move by one of South Beach’s hottest clubs.

Who needs attention-seeking guido’s running around, causing trouble, and lipping off?  Seriously, there are enough attention seekers in the area, let alone wannabe’s, we don’t need any more!

Some Italian-American groups are not happy with the show’s focusing on the casts references to “guidos” and “guidettes.”

Whether they choose Miami or not remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain, the show certainly has a following.

In a story broke by the almighty Miami Herald, South Florida is getting pushed by many backers to bring resort style casino gaming to the area.  With the success of the Hollywood Hard Rock Casino, as well as the amount of jobs it would bring to the area, the thought of bringing more FULL casinos to the area makes perfect sense.

Here is an excerpt from the Herald’s story….

“TALLAHASSEE — Ellyn Bogdanoff has given up. Once one of the most ardent opponents of gambling expansion in the Florida House, the Fort Lauderdale legislator is now ready to open the doors to full-fledged casinos because, she says, Florida “is losing the battle” to the Seminole Tribe.

Backed by one of Las Vegas’ largest gambling magnates, Bogdanoff wants to allow casinos at five to seven “destination resorts” throughout the state through the Florida Gaming Equalization Act.”

It’s apparent that the success of the Seminole Tribe is angering people who looked for lawful gaming in South Florida for many years prior to the Seminole’s operations in Hollywood.  It’s easy to point out all of the benefits that a casino brings to South Florida.

1.  More jobs for our local population

2. Increased tourism

3.  Having a Las Vegas style option, thus keeping Florida residents closer to home with a solid gaming option.

4.  Influx of new businesses and investors to the surrounding areas.

To us, this makes perfect sense.  Florida is ripe for expansion and the obvious success of the current gaming destinations point to a similar success when this actually happens.  Who would not want to visit a Florida Casino?

This past Thursday, we took a Miami Blog trip to Dolphin Mall’s newest restaurant – Buffalo Wild Wings.  While Terry is a long time BW’3’s fan, as it’s called by enthusiasts, the rest of us had never been to the popular wing and beer chain.  Let me say something, it’s VERY impressive.  First off, they have a great piece of real estate in Dolphin Mall, the first storefront when you walk in, right past the Texas de Brazil in the main entrance.  They boast several dozen, if not over 100, plasma televisions, all playing a variety of sports.

One thing that makes Buffalo Wild Wings unique is the NTN “buzztime” trivia that everyone has so much playing.  We tested our trivia knowledge and showed the bar what’s up once and for all – nobody knows more about old school sports players, tv shows, and other useless garbage than our own Terry Bender, or T-Bends as we know him.

BW3’s offers a variety of bar food options, plus their own signature wings in several flavors.  Garlic Parmesan is the best, according to Miami Blog.

If you haven’t tried the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Dolphin Mall, we urge you to do so.  It’s a great place for sports, fun, and trivia!

Star Island resident and hip hop entertainment mogul P. Diddy is in Miami this week, mostly for his good pal R. Kelly’s concert.  R. Kelly is by FAR the best R & B singer, with hit songs such as “I’m a Flirt,” “Slow Wind,” and “Bump N Grind.”

Diddy hosted a black tie party at Mansion last Friday.  He then attended R. Kelly’s concert Saturday night at the James L. Knight Center. The concert was part of Kelly’s Ladies Make Some Noise tour.

The Miami Herald reported that later in the evening, R. Kelly hosted an album launch party at Karu & Y, the upscale lounge near overtown, Miami.

Other Miami area notes….

Art Basel is coming up admist a struggling economy – how will it go is anyone’s guess….

The Dolphins lost control in the second half to lose to Buffalo on the road yesterday, dropping them to 5-6.

The Miami Hurricanes improved to 9-3, and have a shot at a ten win season with a bowl win!  Jacory Harris led Miami along with Leonard Hankerson in a victory over up and coming rival South Florida.

Don’t know what to do on Labor Day in Miami?  Well, I can think of plenty of things to do.  For one, get wrecked.  Drink some patron, drink a wet willies drink……fuck it, just hit the Clevelander and sip on as many Mojitos as you can afford.  Your in Miami, the 305, get wrecked.

I don’t know where I am going with this article, but it’s raining cats and dogs and the sun is not out, yet I’m dripping from humidity.  It’s about 30 to four and I am counting down the hours to the Canes game tomorrow night.

Think I can drink straight through?

So I’m wrapping up my vacation in Costa Rica and I have to report on one place that just really is a true gong show. The Hotel Del Rey is a place where mostly male travelers can find female companionship at any hour of the day. Women from all over Latin America fight for business in this bar of mostly expatriates. It’s in the center of San Jose, a smoggy, dingy city with a high crime rate and many brothels. Last night at the Hotel I witnessed a few things.

• Serious negotiations between male travelers and female entrepreneurs.
• Many jagr bombs!
• A customer actually threw a bottle of water on the bartender, was asked to leave by security, then was allowed to stay after “settling” for 10,000 colones.  (About $18).
• Lots of silicon!
• Lots of dudes with gray hair who were in serious need of a wrinkle cream.

I’m going to miss Costa Rica, it’s a zany place with some superb women.  I will most certainly come back and visit.

The Sportsmen’s Lodge in Costa Rica is a hotel like none other.  On assignment to vacation in the land of “pura vida,” I stumbled into this establishment without knowing much about it.  Well, turns out I stumbled into a pretty good joint by my accounts.  The Sportsmens Lodge is a place where people go to hang out, relax, and enjoy themselves in a setting with plenty of sports on television, as well as be in the company of entrepreneurial women from all across Latin America.

The Sportsmen’s crowd consists of mainly expatriates that either live in the Central Valley of Costa Rica or who are on vacation.  Most importantly, the beer is cold, the atmosphere is laid back, and they have the country’s only Golden Tee Golf video game.  Here is a highlight I personally witnessed at the bar last night.

Back from a hiatus, you don’t have to hear about beauty shit today!

I’m a big bar scene guy, and Miami is a playground when it comes to gettin my drink on!  I’m not too into the lounge and club stuff, if I wanted to pay more than $10 for a drink to hang out with a bunch of Eurotrash, I’d go to Europe.  Sure, there are some nice women in the high end hotels, and the ambiance is nice, but I’m Terry Bender, and I like to get WASTED!

That said, here is a short list of my favorite haunts in the Miami area, in no particular order.

• Clevelander.  This place is classic.  Ocean drive, sports bar, open air, and bikini contests.  What is there not to like?
• Wet Willies.  Slushy drinks of high octane.  Get a call-a-colada if you don’t want to look like a tourist.
• Monty’s. Located in the Miami Beach Marina, this place fills up on Friday nights for happy hour.  Raw bar adds value when in season.
• Ale House.  There are a bunch of Ale Houses.  The best one is probably the North Miami Beach Ale House, as it’s near Solid Gold, of course.
• Tootsies Cabaret.  Fuck it.  It’s not a bar, but it has a HUGE bar in it.  I love the joint.
• Deweys. This place is a local shithole, but your sure to get the best bang for your buck there.
• Tobacco Road. The oldest bar in Miami.  It still rocks.

I will add some more bars later, and give some full reviews, but for now, I’m having a mojito.