NO MORE SMOKING IN CHICAGO BARS!!!

As of today, smoking in any bar (e.g., The Anvil) or bar and restaurant combo (e.g., Gino's North), is illegal. So as I type, I'm lighting up a ciggie (my first, and possibly last, of the day) in protest . . . and in celebration. Yes, admittedly, my feelings are mixed on this one. Has Big Brother gone too far? Perhaps. But I also consider the health benefits, not only for others, but for myself. Methinks I'll hobble over to one or both of my neighborhood establishments this evening, just out of curiosity. I just wanna see how everyone is handling this. Anvil, most certainly, is a smoker's bar. More patrons smoke than don't. I think Gino's is about 50/50. Part of my habit stems from the fact that all my best buddies smoke . . . and I usually meet up with them at one of these two haunts. The Anvil has a shabby excuse for a rear, outdoor patio. Not heated, mind you. And it IS January in Chicago. I also consider the number of my friends who have been wanting to quit . . . and the almost equal number who swear they're not going to. Will I quit altogether? Not sure yet. I now smoke about 4 packs a week. Gee, that's gonna be quite a savings, from a monetary standpoint, if I do. That alcohol-nicotine connection is one strong addiction! But every time I see a very young person smoking, I wanna smack them silly. Do they really know what they're getting themselves into? And ciggies make for some evil bad breath. Furthermore, not only do our lungs suffer, but so do our gums and teeth. So perhaps it IS best to celebrate . . . the end of an era. Gunga and I, and a few rebellious friends, continued smoking at Gino's last night . . . past midnight. Nevertheless, I have to admit, I'm gonna miss it . . . at least, for awhile . . .

My husband who lives in the TV has quit before . . . but I think he started up again. Time will tell . . .