Smokers In Stereo

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Big News » The Indiana House has passed a bill that would require the whole state to observe daylight savings time. As it stands now, half the state doesn't know what time it is in the other half for half of the year. Yeah, that made as much sense as those 77 counties who don't change their clocks with the rest of the world.

Now, today's story...

I told you eventually I'd get around to talking about my fascination with smokers. Today seems like a pretty good day for it.

My production class group has been having trouble getting together all at the same time to meet up outside of class. One time, a couple weeks ago, we had all made plans to meet, but only Brandi, Mike and I showed. I should point out that I spent most of that meeting inhaling toxins courtesy of Brandi's death sticks. I mean her no offense, but I hate smoking with a passion.

So today we set up another meeting, and at first, only Brandi and Ramon had shown up. So, sitting outside the library, the three of us decided to get started with some ideas, a little brainstorming session. Well naturally it turned into the smoking corner when Ramon whipped out a pack of lung killers. At which point Brandi asked for one.

Well how lucky am I? Because I got to sit right in between them. Smokers in stereo. It was a barely living, barely breathing nightmare as I longed for all that fresh air just beyond me.

This nonsense went on for quite some time. Eventually I worked my way out of the situation by suggesting that we all go inside the computer lab to look up some information online. 'Cause you can't smoke in the library. Clever, huh? Well, I don't care. It worked.

Looking at this from a broader perspective, it boggles my mind. How can anyone, especially my age, still smoke? You're in college, so clearly you went to high school. Did they not show you the pictures of the black lungs?

To some extent I can understand an older person smoking. They started early before they knew all the dangers (although come on, inhaling smoke directly into your lungs, really). But if you're 20, you know how stupid you are. You must.

I don't know. Maybe it isn't my place to say what people should or shouldn't do to their bodies. But I think when it comes to the health of others, there should be a common decency, right? If you want to take a gun and shoot yourself in the face, by all means, do it. But don't take that same gun and start waving it around with your finger clamped down on the trigger. And it seems a lot like that's what you nuts are doing.

Here in Tampa, you aren't allowed to smoke in restaurants anymore. Add that to airplanes, gas stations, most office buildings, and a whole host of other places that will soon be added to the list.

You all can kill yourselves if you want. But you won't kill us. We'll breathe fresh air until the day we die — which will be long after the day you die.

With that, I'll step off my metaphorical soap box and leave you alone. So long as you keep that thing far away from me.

Crazy People: By the way, if you wanna read the quotes of some seriously brain-challenged people, read that story I linked to from the St. Pete Times. One guy actually blamed the United States military for his smoking habit. Unreal. Comment if you'd like. I wouldn't mind hearing some opinions.