(no subject)

We played some cards this afternoon at Texpresso. On their back patio there are two signs. One says "No Smoking." the other says "Smoking permitted in designated areas." There are a handful of ashtrays scattered on the tables. While we are sitting outside, one of the coffee guys comes out to give a beverage to a table two away from us. He starts ranting about how he's "so glad someone sat as far from the door as possible instead of moving an ashtray and sitting right by the door and costing them $500 in a fine." It was rather loud, and I have the feeling that it was directed at us. We didn't move any damn ashtrays, and if he wanted us to move simply letting us know the Smoke Free Nazis* had made that table off limits would have sufficed. It irritated me. Clearly, as I'm still thinking about it six hours later.

This smoking ban is such utter bullshit. Instead of spending time hassling me for my adult choice, why can't the Smoke Free Nazis go after parents who plop their 2 year old down in the smoking section of a restaraunt? Build your own damned smoke free bars, clubs and restaurants instead of taking mine away. I used to make an effort to be polite around non-smokers, but this business has made me angry.

* = Before someone jumps all over me for using that big bad word Nazi, I would like to point out that the Nazi government mounted a massive and harsh campaign against smoking. While no group in America (YET) can rival the Nazis for sheer evil and genocidal ingenuity, the vitrol pushed my way by the smoke free camp lends itself well to jack booted imagery. If you are still offended, I invite you to deal with it on your own.

I took a long nap this afternoon that was unintended. It's been getting colder all day, and the wind rattles everything around. At least it was good for airing out the apartment.