Ft. Worth
I took this picture a little bit ago while I was watching sound check. Pretty exciting eh?
We’re in Ft. Worth tonight at a place called Billy Bob’s Texas, which claims to be the ‘World’s Largest Honky Tonk’. I’m not sure what that means, but I guess I’m about to find out. Next door to this place is a rodeo arena and there’s something going on in there right now. I’ve thought about heading in there to see what’s going on, but there’s something about being that out of place that I’m not too fond of.
It’s been a pretty mellow day today. And at the same time, a pretty mellow weekend all together. I had dinner with Thad Beaty yesterday and he’s got some really cool stuff going on. I’m excited that he lives in Nashville and even when we aren’t touring we can hang out and think junk up. That should be really fun.
I’m ready to be home and exited about some time off. This will be the last run for about 3 weeks so it will be nice to get off the road and get some things organized at home. We’ve got some more announcements with SkörInc coming up soon so be looking for that.
Sorry this is such a dull post, but while we’re here and while that picture is up there let’s throw this out. What are your thoughts on smoking? I mean we all know it’s bad for you, we all know the effects it may have, but there are plenty of people that still smoke. So what’s the deal? Let’s hear it. This should be fun.
My aunt smoked a lot, for many years. This ultimately led to her getting lung cancer, which, unfortunately was not detected until too late and took her life in May 2001. Because of that, and the fact that I’m allergic to second-hand smoke, I don’t care for smoking all that much.
Smokers know the risks associated with smoking, but they do it because it’s a physical and psychological addiction.
I am so glad you are going to have so much “down” time. For traveling that is! I know you would like to string some days in a row together at home. Not just for Kristin & the boys, but for your other job! I think Randy misses you when you’re gone. And I’m not so sure he should be left alone for long periods. Don’t know why I think that.
Smoking is a huge topic. Amarillo has tried twice to ban it in public places. Twice it has failed. Both times by a small margin. My eyes burn & I start sneezing & wheezing if I’m around it too long. I grew up with both parents & all their friends who smoked. I cleaned up after parties. Boo. I still remember all these years later how nasty they were burning & how nasty they were to clean out of ashtrays & the bottom of glasses that had held mixed drinks. The aroma. The mess. Yuck.
It is a nasty addiction. It’s not just a habit for most. The chemicals are to numerous to list. If cigarettes had to have ingredients listed, the package would have to be the size of a carton. The manufacturers don’t want you to know. So many are carcinogens. Proven carcinogens. So, why are they still allowed to make them? It’s beyond me. I don’t know anyone who smokes any more.
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There have been numerous times where we’ve gone into a restaurant/bar for dinner, and had to leave because of the smoke. I’m super sensitive to it, and the other day I was following a guy in a car who was smoking with his window down. Just the smell on the air was giving me a headache. It’s bad stuff. The fact that some people choose to do this even though they know it will kill them, seems so wrong. Kind of like slow suicide.
My brother tried to quit for years, and has finally stopped.
I think it’s nasty, expensive and it makes the people who smoke reek big time! Most of my in-laws smoke and I hated family gatherings because of it. One of them even decided to pick up the habit at age 40. So lame! Glad I moved far away so I don’t have to be around it.
I don’t smoke… never cared to even try it. I also don’t get offended or anything when people around me smoke. There’s actually only been a few times where I’ve been overwhelmed by the smoke around me.
I don’t like when smokers make up excuses or justify smoking though. I mean, if you’re gonna smoke, smoke. At least be a man (or woman) about it and own up to it. I once watched something with Denis Miller where he said something along the lines of “you can sit at a table in a restaurant smoking while some obese guy is at the same table stuffing his face and everyone will look at you and tell you that you’re killing yourself.” His theory was that it was no different. My theory is, that’s true, but no one’s ever died of second-hand eating that I’m aware of.
I also don’t understand why it’s always smokers who need rides to places. I don’t let them smoke in my vehicle, yet even after I drop them off, the smell sticks around a while.
The last time I saw my grandmother she was pucking in a bucket. The last three years of her life were very painful. She died two and half years ago from lung cancer. She never smoked, but she had people around her most of her life that did smoke. I don’t know if second hand smoke caused her lung cancer, but why would anyone want to risk doing that to someone else. I don’t get smoking, I think it is very selfish when people smoke near other people.
I have no problem with people smoking. I understand and agree that smoking in most public areas should not be allowed. But on the other end, I know not to go around people that are smoking if I don’t want to be around smoke.
As well there are several different ways to smoke… cigars, cigarettes, cloves, pipes, etc. Not all are created equal.
P.s there is nothing more relaxing than a good cigar, a couple friends, and good conversation.
Brody: This is a good topic…It is not that I have such a strong opinion, but I have developed a very clear opinion. Many have given the most obvious reason which is lung cancer, so I will share from a different angle. I am a big supporter of personal rights so when smoking ban laws gained momentum I could empathize with smokers and their wish to be able to light up…somewhere. However, as smoking has slowly been made illegal in most public places I must admit that freedom from second hand smoke is a beautiful thing.
I can’t believe where we have come in the last 20 years with smoking laws. Twenty years ago non-smoking areas in restaurants were just taking off…and today I don’t even want to smell smoke from a distance while I am eating. I joined my current employer just over twenty years ago and co-workers smoked freely. I remember being in meetings with my boss in a closed office and he was a chain smoker. Prior to my current job I worked for a Japanese car manufacturer and there were many Japanese managers at the plant. It was a new plant so there was a no-smoking policy at the work areas (cubicles). To accommodate the nearly 100% of Japanese management that smoked, they created a smoking room. Early smoking laws permitted companies to designate smoking areas, as opposed to an all-out ban like today. In fact, one company president of a supplier bragged that his company identified the President’s office as a designated smoking area so he could light up freely. Back to this flippin’ smoking room…my boss would ask me to accompany him into the designated smoking room, I affectionately titled ‘The Crack Den’, while he smoked and we discussed issues. You could not believe the thickness of the smoke in that room! That would not happen today.
My family and I were walking from a recent Detroit Tigers game back to our car (We park in the cheap lots so the walk is a few minutes) and there was a woman smoking ahead of us during the walk. We were in the open air but I must admit the smoke still was bothersome. My kids pinched their noses and tried to walk ‘around’ the smoke. Our tollerence levels are changing over time.
What a pleasure it is to be free of smoke today. Smokers should be able to smoke and even be free of the oppressive taxation that has taken place, but I must say that they can enjoy their habit free from my airspace.
One of my favorite quotes ever is, “Having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a pool.”
I have never been able to understand the appeal of cigarettes: the stale chemical smell just doesn’t seem enjoyable to me. I really enjoy a nice cigar though and grew up around my dad and grandpa smoking stogies on summer evenings.
So… I’m kind of a hypocrite. If I’m near someone smoking a cheap cigarette I scowl and move away, but if I smell pipe or cigar tobacco I run and dance in the smoke. Ok… Not really.
I’ve been to Billy Bob’s and not because I was on tour with an artist that played. It’s questionable I know. and I’m from friggin’ Massachuetts!
I stayed at a hotel in AL last year and it smelled like smoke. I had forgotten other states were allowed to smoke inside buildings. Then a waitress asked the age-old line, “Smoking or non-smoking?” And I didn’t know what to say.