thank you, civic

Remember how I said it wouldn't be long before I'm cursing the snow? Yeah, well, today happened. Fortunately, my little Civic handles the snowy roads quite nicely with its front wheel drive and anti-lock brakes.

Thunderchicken, you hold a special place in my heart by virtue of being my first car, but you were a fickle mistress, and a clumsy broad on the ice. But let's not speak ill of the dearly departed.

On the drive to work today, some guy thought it would be a grand idea to drive 10-15 mph on roads that could easily handle 20-25. Ironically, this created more of a traffic hazard as the cars strung up behind me. Then he ran an orange light (i.e. it had just turned red) because he believed he didn't have time to stop. He didn't even try to brake; he just plowed right through the red light. Since he was only going 15 at the time, he easily could've stopped, but oh well. At least then I didn't have to follow him anymore.

In tooth news, I'll make a dentistry mojo deposit for those who need it. I had a dentist appointment this morning, and I haven't had any cavities in over a year, ever since I started rinsing with Listerine Advance before bed every night. Coincidence? I still need to get my wisdom teeth pulled eventually, which I'm not looking forward to and keep putting off...

Today is also the day Ohio's statewide smoking ban goes into effect. I feel like I should go bowling to celebrate and see what it's like to bowl without drinking an ashtray, but since my gig for tonight was canceled, I think I'll take this opportunity to stay home and get some work done.

Speaking of staying home, here's a prize gem from yesterday's Chronicle-Telegram:

For Grafton resident [D.R.], the idea to ban smoking is OK in a hospital, courthouse, mall or place of employment because smokers expect it. But adding bars and restaurants to the list is going too far.

"I'm 59 years old and I don't need anyone telling me what to do," she said. "I'm not going to stop smoking, regardless."

[R.] stopped flying when airports and airplanes went smoke-free, stopped visiting the Windsor Casino in Canada when it did the same and is prepared to stay away from local bars and restaurants.

"Maybe if this starts ruining businesses and bars, maybe the government will put an end to this nonsense," she said.

Short of writing every lawmaker and legislator in Ohio, [R.] is at a loss for what she should do next. What she won't do, however, is stop smoking.

While I commend her for not attempting to smoke in non-smoking areas under the guise of civil disobedience as some people do, she's essentially putting herself under voluntary house arrest because she can't be bothered to smoke outside buildings. Great. If that were liquor instead of cigarettes, she'd be called an alcoholic.