Smokers will still go to bars...

July 1st a smoking ban hits the state of Colorado. Specifically-

“A law approved by the Legislature in March bans smoking in most public places but exempts casinos, cigar bars, the Denver International Airport smoking lounge and private workplaces with three or fewer employees.”

A lot of bar owners are up in the air and upset about this measure saying that it’s going to hurt their business. I beg to differ. I don’t go to certain pubs because of the smoke. I don’t like it. Now that they will be smoke free I will be going. A lot of people who don’t like smoky bars will now be able to go out and get a pint without having to deal with smoke in their faces. Also, the people who smoke at a bar are not there because they want to smoke. They are there because they want to drink. They can still grab a cigarette outside like they already have to at work, but they will still go and grab a beer after work or on the weekends.
In addition to this argument there are a LOT of other cities in the country that already have this ban that remarkably still have bars that are making money and successful. In fact it’s now up to 13 states that ban smoking and that doesn’t count the various cities in other states that have banned it.
This ban is awesome. I love it. I can now go out and enjoy my food, beer and company of friends without being infested with the odor of smoke. I can go out dancing and not feel sick for days because of my allergy to smoke. I can take my kids to restaurants and not have our meal ruined because someone has lit up at the table next to ours. Smokers are still allowed to smoke. Business owners will get the same business and potentially more. It’s all good.

Work to live, not the other way around

We live in a nation of over-achievers and it seems the only achievement that leads to is being miserable. Working not only our 40 hours a week, but then overtime both at work, at home and often even on vacation. What kind of madness is this? Is it any wonder that people are angry and rude in our society? The longer and harder I work only to have mistakes chastised and berated make me seriously doubt the choice to work extra to get ahead. I don’t feel like I’m ahead. I feel like I’m out all those extra hours I could have been having fun and enjoying my life. I work with a guy that “gets by” on his 40 hours a week. He doesn’t make a lot more than he did when he started, but he seems to be happy and he still has a job making enough money to support the rest of his life that he actually allows time for. I think he might have the right idea. Work to live not live to work. I seem to have let that get lost somewhere in my desire to make more money and get an office. I got the office and the money, but I seem to have lost the enjoyment and little bits of the “live” part.
I realize I’m rambling. It’s 3 a.m. and I’m awake stressing over work. Yep, I think I may have lost the point somewhere, but am on the verge of finding it once again.

one of my favorites

When I have been asked to name my top favs for music there are a few that always spring to mind. David Sylvian, Beastie Boys, Bob Marley, and always, always Sade. I put "Lovers Rock" on this morning and I'm on my third repeat of it. Her voice and the content of her songs always make me smile, bring a tear, make me want to sing, make me dance, and always make me remember the feel of being in love and of having my heart broken. She's just about how life feels a lot of the time. It's good.



I want to cook you a soup that warms your soul
But nothing would change,
nothing would change at all
It's just a day that brings it all about
Just another day and nothing's any good

The DJ's playing the same song
I have so much to doI have to carry on
I wonder if this grief will ever let me go
I feel like I am the king of sorrow,
yeahThe king of sorrow

~from the King of Sorrow by Sade