Tidbits about Authors

[Lisey Landon]

@mustangclaire: I think that is because we get so used to the restrictions and rules in our countries, we take them with us when we go abroad. I know I did, it took a long time to get used to not being ashamed of smoking.
And, as it is illegal to drink in public in Norway, my friend who was visiting, almost panicked when I took her outside to smoke (it was a concert, so no smoking inside), and took my glass of wine with me. She was like "NO NO NO, we can't do that! They won't let us back in! It's illegal!" I calmly explained to her that no, it is not illegal, and no one will keep us out. She was still scared when we walked out, kind of looking at the security guards from the corner of her eye. Hahaha.

 

[Mr Nobody]

Sometimes I'd have to answer the door and lie about my parents not being home . . .

When I was older, that too. (It fell to me since I was the eldest.)
I could always tell when it was going to happen, too, 'cos my dad would conveniently be out and my mom would disappear to my grandparents' place. I got verbals so many times from frustrated callers that, in the end, it was easier to switch back to hiding - which of course meant keeping noise to a minimum, regardless. Good job I've always been quiet by nature.

 

[MadamMack]

I quit when the price for a pack of ciggies hit $5. At that time I smoked a little less than a pack a day- it really does add up to a crazy amount to pay to someone to slowly kill you. I don't care if someone smokes, but within the last year or so I have noticed that I can smell it on people who do smoke and I don't like it. It's been 5 years now and I really do feel better physically. I wish I could get my sister to quit.

That's how I was able to really stop. I joined a site call quitnet.com and I put in my totals of how much I was paying for cigs. I was paying a lot of damn money. A lot! Something so small had a major control over me . . .I used to get up out of bed to go get a pack of cigs. I thought I couldn't take a crap without a cig --thought I couldn't face a problem without a cig. But, when I saw the thousands of bucks I was spending yearly on cigs. Smuck that noise!

I can smell it a mile away . . .

This past holiday I had friends over and only one smoked and I allowed him to do it in my home. It lingered for days and days . . .I finally had to Febreeze everything. I went Febreeze crazy and then I had to open the windows to get the scent out.

I guess I've become even more sensitive to second-hand smoke.

When I was a kid I don't even remember smelling cig smoke in our home even though it was always there --I don't even think I noticed. How could I? My lungs grew used to the environment.

 

[MadamMack]

Interesting point you raise Lisey. Here in the UK smoking is deemed unacceptable ANYWHERE. They phased out "smoking rooms" here years ago. Now, you are not even allowed to smoke on the premises. When we went to Portugal last year on holiday, I expected to still see a lot of locals smoking etc, like in Greece. However, hardly anyone "foreign" seemed to be smoking (us Brits, Irish etc) as I really do believe the idea of smoking around non smokers has now become socially unacceptable. And I can honestly see I didn't see the Portugese smoking like billy-o either. I really did think because you "could" smoke openly over there, foreigners (ie us holiday makers) would be chuffing like steam trains, but they didn't. I no longer smoke cigarettes (use e-cigs) and was interested to see. Sorry for the ramble!!

It's not thought to be as 'cool' as it used to be.

 

[MadamMack]

When I was older, that too. (It fell to me since I was the eldest.)
I could always tell when it was going to happen, too, 'cos my dad would conveniently be out and my mom would disappear to my grandparents' place. I got verbals so many times from frustrated callers that, in the end, it was easier to switch back to hiding - which of course meant keeping noise to a minimum, regardless. Good job I've always been quiet by nature.

Me too . . .I'm really an introvert and I don't care for loud people. I'm quiet and don't care much for attention but I can be very social if I want. I've been called snooty and stuck-up and standoffish. I don't care. While everybody's talkin' I'm listening . . .you learn a lot of sh!t just by listening.

 

[MadamMack]

@mustangclaire: I think that is because we get so used to the restrictions and rules in our countries, we take them with us when we go abroad. I know I did, it took a long time to get used to not being ashamed of smoking.
And, as it is illegal to drink in public in Norway, my friend who was visiting, almost panicked when I took her outside to smoke (it was a concert, so no smoking inside), and took my glass of wine with me. She was like "NO NO NO, we can't do that! They won't let us back in! It's illegal!" I calmly explained to her that no, it is not illegal, and no one will keep us out. She was still scared when we walked out, kind of looking at the security guards from the corner of her eye. Hahaha.

You should never be ashamed of anything you want to do . . .to thyself be true.

 

[Mr Nobody]

Me too . . .I'm really an introvert and I don't care for loud people. I'm quiet and don't care much for attention but I can be very social if I want. I've been called snooty and stuck-up and standoffish. I don't care. While everybody's talkin' I'm listening . . .you learn a lot of sh!t just by listening.

I could have written that too.
My mom used to make excuses for me a lot - "He's shy", etc - and I had no choice but to let them go for a long time. Eventually, though, I started correcting her, saying "I'm not really shy. I'm just figuring you out". Mom stopped trying to speak for me in the end.

You should never be ashamed of anything you want to do . . .to thyself be true.

Ooh...I can think of a few things people should be ashamed of wanting to do (paedophilia, necrophilia, bestiality). But legal and/or acceptable stuff? By all means carry on!

 

[Dana Jean]

Are there harmful chemicals in discarded cigarette butts? | Toxics | What you can do | David Suzuki Foundation

 

[MadamMack]

I could have written that too.
My mom used to make excuses for me a lot - "He's shy", etc - and I had no choice but to let them go for a long time. Eventually, though, I started correcting her, saying "I'm not really shy. I'm just figuring you out". Mom stopped trying to speak for me in the end.


Ooh...I can think of a few things people should be ashamed of wanting to do (paedophilia, necrophilia, bestiality). But legal and/or acceptable stuff? By all means carry on!

Ha, that sounds just like me . . .was told something was wrong with me by my mom. I won't say what I told her but it shut her up, fast.

I agree with that!

 

[MadamMack]

Are there harmful chemicals in discarded cigarette butts? | Toxics | What you can do | David Suzuki Foundation

That's horrible. I remember reading about a baby that OD'd on cig butts . . .chewed on them.

I also remember that there was a company that produced cig butts that would sprout seeds --to grow grass, I think?

 

[Lisey Landon]

You should never be ashamed of anything you want to do . . .to thyself be true.

Ooh...I can think of a few things people should be ashamed of wanting to do (paedophilia, necrophilia, bestiality). But legal and/or acceptable stuff? By all means carry on!

That is the main reason why I feel more relaxed in Germany. Personal freedom is still valued very high here, and though the laws are almost the same here, I don't feel that people judge others choices like they do in Scandinavia where I grew up.

 

[Neesy]

The rationale for smoking bans posits that smoking is optional, whereas breathing is not.

Okay - yes, we have exhaust fumes, we have strong perfume odours etc. but I really believe that breathing IS more important than smoking.

Maybe because when I grew up my Mom was the heavy smoker and my Dad could not stand it.

Remember when smoking was allowed on planes? Can you imagine that happening today?

Nicotine is very addictive and yes, I am all for freedom of choice but really - why spend 12 dollars for a pack of smokes?

Andy smoked for 35 years or so before I met him. He also drank quite a bit. He ended up with oral cancer and lost half his tongue. Yikes!

I did smoke many years ago when it was popular. These days kids grow up seeing it as socially repugnant so that is a good thing.

Let's not have a brand new crop of nicotine addicts thinking it is okay to pollute their lungs and everyone else's around them.

Whew - now was that an anti-smoking tirade or what?

Sorry - I can love smokers (my Mom was one and my husband is still one) but I disagree with making it publicly acceptable again. Up here where I live you have to stand outside and freeze your arse off if you really need a cigarette that badly. (and today it is minus 45 Celsius with the wind chill).

When I was in Scotland in 2005 and smoking was allowed indoors a little old lady sat a few seats down from me in a hall. She actually politely said "Do you mind if I smoke?"

I am embarrassed to admit I just got up and moved away from her.

 

[HollyGolightly]

The rationale for smoking bans posits that smoking is optional, whereas breathing is not.

Okay - yes, we have exhaust fumes, we have strong perfume odours etc. but I really believe that breathing IS more important than smoking.

Maybe because when I grew up my Mom was the heavy smoker and my Dad could not stand it.

Remember when smoking was allowed on planes? Can you imagine that happening today?

Nicotine is very addictive and yes, I am all for freedom of choice but really - why spend 12 dollars for a pack of smokes?

Andy smoked for 35 years or so before I met him. He also drank quite a bit. He ended up with oral cancer and lost half his tongue. Yikes!

I did smoke many years ago when it was popular. These days kids grow up seeing it as socially repugnant so that is a good thing.

Let's not have a brand new crop of nicotine addicts thinking it is okay to pollute their lungs and everyone else's around them.

Whew - now was that an anti-smoking tirade or what?

Sorry - I can love smokers (my Mom was one and my husband is still one) but I disagree with making it publicly acceptable again. Up here where I live you have to stand outside and freeze your arse off if you really need a cigarette that badly. (and today it is minus 45 Celsius with the wind chill).

When I was in Scotland in 2005 and smoking was allowed indoors a little old lady sat a few seats down from me in a hall. She actually politely said "Do you mind if I smoke?"

I am embarrassed to admit I just got up and moved away from her.

Wow - Poor Andy - certainly true that's it's a good thing for this generation to see it as unacceptable - but they'll likely find other vices.
OH - and the strong perfume odors - ugh, oh my aching head. I dearly love the women I work with, but there's one who just bathes in perfume. She's elderly and I know she can't smell it but it makes me so nauseous and gives me the worst headache. I know she thinks I'm terrible when I shut my office door - but I just can't deal with it.

 

[mustangclaire]

Wow - Poor Andy - certainly true that's it's a good thing for this generation to see it as unacceptable - but they'll likely find other vices.
OH - and the strong perfume odors - ugh, oh my aching head. I dearly love the women I work with, but there's one who just bathes in perfume. She's elderly and I know she can't smell it but it makes me so nauseous and gives me the worst headache. I know she thinks I'm terrible when I shut my office door - but I just can't deal with it.

That's exactly why I never use perfume, can't stand having a smell follow me around all day. Perfume is one thing hubs has learnt NEVER to get me... yuck!! Don't mind a dab of aftershave mind you!!

 

[HollyGolightly]

That's exactly why I never use perfume, can't stand having a smell follow me around all day. Perfume is one thing hubs has learnt NEVER to get me... yuck!! Don't mind a dab of aftershave mind you!!

Me too! I never wear it, I'd always worry that it was overwhelming someone.

 

[Lisey Landon]

I am sorry to read about your Andy, @Neesy, I am glad he is ok now!

I love perfume. But many people use a perfume that may smell good in the bottle, but gets awful on their skin. Before buying perfume, always test on your skin, and for at least an hour and a half. That way, you will know if it goes with your skin/ph. What smells lovely on one person, can stink on another...
My fiancé use an aftershave that I used to hate. I never met anyone else who can use that brand before I met him. On him, it is just mmmmmmmmmmm....*swoon*
And of course, at work it is necessary to respect allergies or other discomfort that perfumes can create for your colleagues.

 

[fushingfeef]

Smoking in movies does NOT give it an automatic R. But it doesn't help, either. A lot depends on context and consequences. Read more here...
Does Smoking Cigarettes in Movies Constitute an r Rating for the Film by Zack Mandell | Entertainment Scene 360

 

[Neesy]

Sorry if I offended any smokers. I realize that if people want to smoke, then that is their decision to make.

I just get a big emotional, thinking of all the people who got hooked by just wanting to be like all the other people, back when it was popular, then they just got "hooked" and find it so hard to quit.

I think nicotine patches, gum, smoking cessation programs should be free for everyone who really has a hard time quitting and wants to quit.

I found out one of my favourite actors (John Cusack) is a smoker!

To tell the truth, when Andy comes in from smoking outside, it is not bugging me as much. I cannot make anyone else quit so I just have to learn to be more tolerant.

 

[Shasta]

It's a good movie but they didn't really show all the true sides of Disney or her. Disney smoked a lot and she was believed to be a lesbian. They didn't show Disney smoking because it would have caused the movie to be rated R.

Smoking would cause a movie to be rated "R" but you can say "sh*t" on TV? The world makes no sense.

 

[Shasta]

Smoking in movies does NOT give it an automatic R. But it doesn't help, either. A lot depends on context and consequences. Read more here...
Does Smoking Cigarettes in Movies Constitute an r Rating for the Film by Zack Mandell | Entertainment Scene 360

I really should have read this before posting my last post.....