One thing that I won't miss about Vegas. Actually, there isn't anything I'll miss about Vegas. But one things I really won't miss is the smoke. These people smoke like, well, not like fish, because fish don't smoke, but something that smoke a lot, a real fucking lot. I've had no end of problems with my breathing and my allergies since the moment I got off the plane. And my allergies have been great lately.
I wish more states put in smoking bans like California. In California you can go to bars and restaurants and not come out smelling like a tobacco factory.
Anywho, I was just interviewed by some Japanese magazine. Cool.
Posted by jherr at March 22, 2006 10:08 AMWere you in Vegas this past weekend? 'Cause I was too, and I was SOOO happy to get back home. I still sound like Kathleen Turner!
The only reason I went was to hang out with my Dad and brother. I would never go there with any less incentive than that. Ugh.
This coming from a woman who lives in L.A., which is not the clear skies capitol of the world. ;-) Though I admit that I would rather spend time in the smog than time in close quarters with people who seem to have relentless multi-pack addictions.
I came in Sunday night and I'm in the airport right now getting ready to leave. They have FREE WiFi. Nice!
Did you guys see any shows?
Posted by: jherr at March 22, 2006 04:26 PMYes, I would much rather deal with smog than old smoke. I wish I had known you were there. I was there Saturday through Tuesday morning. We did see Ave. Q. I thought it was very funny.
Posted by: bsaz at March 22, 2006 05:28 PMWe agree! I hate smelling like smoke, too, but I think just today they killed a bill to ban it in public places in Tennessee. :(
I remember when I was working at Burdines in Dadeland Mall and you couldn't smoke in the store, but there was a walkway through the middle of the store that connected two parts of the mall and people could smoke through there. Yuk.
Posted by: Jacqueline at March 22, 2006 07:06 PMAbout banning smoking: There was such a business lobby against it because they reckoned that nobody would go to bars anymore. Turns out just the opposite.
About meeting up: Oh well, it would have been good. We had some great Ethiopian food on Tuesday night. You would have loved it.
About Ave. Q: What was all the fuzz about?
Posted by: jherr at March 22, 2006 07:24 PMI don't know that I could have gotten my Dad's girlfriend to try something that exotic. She can be a little... mmmm ...pedestrian at times. Her loss. (Yes, I know I am a snob. Sue me.)
Ave. Q was silly, vulgar, and funny. And yet, oddly sweet. I got two main things out of it: 1) Helping others is good. 2)The internet is for porn. We laughed and laughed and laughed!
On the smoking tip, they just passed a ban on smoking in public places OUTSIDE in Calabases, CA north of LA.
I am honestly conflicted about it. On one hand, no smoking in bars offends my sense of personal freedom. It's not like you are there to do something GOOD for you. On the other hand, as a non-smoker, it's nice to not have to smell that horrid smell all the time.
That's pretty aggressive. But I have to say, given my recent experience, smoke is really bad for people. I think we all get a tolerance for it when it's around. But the ban has been on in California for a long time and it's so much better here. I can go literal weeks, maybe even months, and never smell smoke.
When I was in Vegas I was getting nose bleeds and chest congestion after just a day of exposure. Now I'm back and though I had a rough night last night, I'm back to normal. I'm serious, I had a really hard time breathing in some of those casinos. I tried to play some poker and frankly, I just couldn't hang in there because of the air quality. Apparently there are some casinos in Vegas that specifically have a no smoking policy, but it certainly isn't any of the big ones.
The people I worry most about are the staff of these places; the waiters, waitresses, dealers, hosts, etc. Those people have to make a living and they are forced into a very unhealthy work environment.
Anyway, I'm all about the personal freedoms. But someone else's smoking in my proximity is like them hitting me in the face.
Posted by: jherr at March 23, 2006 11:24 AMWhen we were living in Miami (in the same apt complex as you & Lori), I was working in Children's Theater. I was singing every morning and I took a job cocktailing at a bar at night. I had to quit the cocktailing job because of the smoke. As a non-smoker I was probably smoking seven packs a night secondhand. As a result of that, I was coughing constantly. I had to choose between the $$$ of cocktailing and performing in theater. It was not a tough choice. But as a kid, with only myself to consider, I had the freedom to just quit a job that wasn't working out for me.
I guess my point is that the people who are working in casinos are choosing to work there. Bless their hearts.
Posted by: Jacqueline at March 23, 2006 12:14 PMAs you say, you were young. Clearly people with families and mortage debt can't change lucrative jobs so easily. There are reasons why we have OSHA and laws against sexual harrasment. There are certain things you shouldn't have to put with to support your family.
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