Spring-has-sproooiiig-ed! – AND – once again, we find ourselves in that, these days, all too short comfort zone when “a cool morning” means a fresh breeze, sitting outside with the morning coffee in t-shirt and shorts; and generally really freakin’ enjoying the start of the day. No more having to face the bone chillin’ drizzle while I guzzle coffee and draw those last few puffs before heading up to the studio…
This morning also marked the arrival of “those other people”; the ones I haven’t seen for months [feels like 18 months this year]. Those folks who give you that look of indignation as they walk by me on their way to get their morning fix of mocca-java-supreme-double-double-hoo-ha; The ones who formed the constituency to kick me out of doors, first from the restaurants, then from the coffee shops then from the bars in the first place.
NO, this is NOT yet another diatribe on indoor smoking bans; After years and years and years now, I’ve come full circle. I actually enjoy being forced out of doors. It’s a bit grim some winter days, but really, I have found our winters aren’t really that tough. I’ve come to appreciate those moments either alone in my own thoughts after escaping from dull drunken conversations; or moments with other smokers. There’s a whole world of compatriot “suckers-in-arms” going on out here folks… This is OUR world; and we’ve made the best of it.
No, this is definitely not another tired diatribe; you’ve won, you own the inside. Me, I drink less, and spend less of my drinking money at the bars [sorry, Mike, Ralph and Helen, I hope your non-smoking customers are topping up those college-funds...]. Like my non-smoking friends, I suffer less from ‘itchy-eye’; and my cloths ALSO wreak, OK, just a little less than they did in the days of “the fog”.
Yes, you won; AND this is me thanking you. Thanking you for saving me from myself. Thanking you for introducing me to my “out door” friends; thanking you for the few extra dollars I now have to spend on better ingredients for the dinners I now cook for my smoking dinner guest as we share our cheaper drinks in the pleasant surrounding of my own kitchen table…
Its a beautiful morning this morning. Us smokers have made it through, eh, a not-so-tough winter; but an excruciatingly long period of April-drizzle. I’d like to say hello and offer a warm welcome back to our non-smoking friends as they come outside… AND no, I will not apologize for the occasional errant puff that lands in your face, as try as I might, I do not control the direction of the breezes… AND, I will NOT tolerate, NOR will I even acknowledge one single glare of yours. YOU asked for it, you got it… I’m outside, just as you had wished for for decades.
Welcome back outdoors! Welcome to my world!
HEY, THROW that damned water bottle in the trash! – I wouldn’t have tossed and stomped a butt out on YOUR living room floor!… …EVER!
