As a basic health nut who eats right, am not overweight, don't drink fructose soda's, gets plenty of exercise, and stays active almost the entire time I'm awake, smoking would almost go against my better judgement and everything I'm about.

But I do it anyway. I can quit anytime as I have for years at a time and can stop on a dime, but now I am trying to convince myself it's just another healthy activity.

But tomorrow's another day, so I may just quit. Everyone stops smoking for good eventually.

Castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.

I never smoked as a teen, but it was the 70s so I hung out with a lot of people that did. I would surf and run instead. It wasn't until the 80s and I was sometimes doing that weekend warrior thing, hanging out with friends and doing the other self destructive things of the time. But come Monday it was put all that away and get back to business.

In the 90s I took a job where everybody was puffing butts, so I joined in but quit shortly after my daughter was born. It wasn't until about 5 years ago, I found my self deep in this pinball hobby and with hanging around some others that did I took it up again. I mean a lot of older games have depictions of smoking on them, and some even have butt holders. Plus I love to get my Jack and Coke buzz on and it seems to go well with that.

Spring of this year, an old surf buddy came to stay with me. He still surfs, skateboards, snowboards, and helped me knock out quite a bit of work on my house when he was here. Including some much needed work to my roof.

This is Ron. He is almost 60 years old and smokes a pack of Pall Mall reds a day. So perhaps it is mind over matter?
Ron (resized).jpg

For him, it might be more like rocket fuel.

Mom is 97 as has spent her whole life being anti as any. She has had several body parts removed however, and lately has been losing her memory. She is in a senior facility where she fights them every step of the way. 1:00 AM last night I get a call she is trying to escape the place.

My old man dropped dead of a heart attack still with his wits about him and doing what he loved till the very end. Tough choices as to which way I'd rather go out.

Someone recently told me if you smoke weed, it counteracts a lot of the bad things you get from smoking cigs. That seems like a logical analysis to me at this point.

Statistics also say it's better to lead an active life and stay fit, than be fat and or sedentary, no matter what you consume.

It's all about balance.