The rights to smoke, as it turned out.

I'm a little ashamed of myself. It has come to my attention that I took absolutely no pictures of Magnus when he was smoking. He quit a month and a half after we got married, which was planned long before he even moved. He thought that a change in routine would be the perfect time to break his habit, but we didn't want to add to his stress levels with the move, as well as before and after the wedding. We were married Nov. 18th (the date that would have been my grandparents 50th anniversary, had my grandmother lived to see it--not really on purpose, but it was neat anyway.) So. He decided he would quit smoking on January 1st. In retrospect, he probably shouldn't have been chain-smoking the week prior to that date, but it all ended well. What completely shocked me was the attitude my family had about it. His family was rather grateful that he stopped smoking. My family made me out to be an evil control freak, reminding me with disturbing frequency that if I love him I shouldn't try to change him. *boggle* It really wasn't my decision, and while I was happy that he quit, I certainly didn't force him to do so! In any case, he quit smoking and by now, it's hard to remember what it was like when he did smoke. I spent part of the afternoon doing a layout inspired by his mood swings during that hideously long first week. Turned out okay, will share later. I want to "proofread" it tomorrow.

The smoking issue has become a huge deal around here lately. The entire city of Lexington is becoming smoke-free, apparently one of few cities making it completely smoke-free in public places. Sure, that's something to talk about anywhere, but the key issue here is that it's in the center of the bluegrass--ie, surrounded by tobacco farms. Tobacco is a major industry in Kentucky, so the nicest (and second-largest) city in Kentucky becoming smoke-free is sort of a big deal. (Sorry, guys, Louisville still sucks.) :) The local Wendy's has also become a smoke-free establishment. This has caused my argumentative great-uncle to actually boycott the place. It's worth noting that he doesn't smoke. :)

I recognize that prohibiting smoking is a controversial issue, particularly with smokers, but I actually find the whole concept of people being allowed to smoke in public buildings completely ludicrous. (Gee, wonder who I'll offend with this one?) Both of my parents smoked. Dad quit when I was seven or eight and my mom quit just last year. Until Magnus quit, I've lived with a smoker all my life. I really didn't notice it all that much.. until the last year or so. I've become extremely sensitive to cigarette smoke lately. I have a hard time even being around someone who smokes for a short period of time. Coincidentally, I'm sure, I've also been sick much less than I used to be. I used to have a nagging cough that started in December and lasted until April. Gone now. I had constant ear infections as a child. I'm not trying to be self-pitying or anything, because, like I said, I didn't really notice it until I no longer lived with a smoker. I'm just saying that since smoke affects other people than the smoker, it should be done outside of places where other people are forced to endure the stench. Sure, smokers have rights, but those rights should end where someone else's right to a healthy life begin. Breathing isn't optional, and I resent being treated like it is--cash crop or no cash crop. Masturbation is legal, too, but you don't see people other than PeeWee Herman whipping it out in public, now do you--and that's not something that endangers anyone's health. (Peace of mind, perhaps..) My absolute favorite is the rednecks who walk into the store smoking. This one guy actually came in with a cigarette and talked about how great the place smells. Moron. Anyway, bored with this subject now, moving right along.

Anyway. I missed work again today due to illness and it being my normal day off. I felt worse than yesterday, but it's still been a strange sort of sickness. I feel like I didn't get as sick as I was supposed to, which happened just a month or two ago. I've been achey and extremely tired and somewhat distant and fuzzy, but my sneezing rather went away and my throat didn't stay sore long. It's a very strange thing. I guess I'll have to go back to work tomorrow unless I'm feeling much worse. Bah. The parents claim that they've instituted a new employee policy that says two days of missed work during the week means automatically working on Saturdays. Haha. :) Sick or not, I enjoyed the time spent at home immensely. I didn't do a single bit of work, really, which suited me nicely. I wish I'd done laundry, though. :) I took a nap this afternoon, which almost proves that there's something indeed wrong. I never voluntarily nap in the middle of the day. Magnus makes me sometimes, but that doesn't count. He's evil and insiduous and he covers my ears, and I can't be held accountable for what I do under the inflence of ear-covering.

Now that I've made myself sound completely crazy, I suppose it's time for bed. Night night!