We are now 51 days into the new year, and I find myself getting accustomed to smoking outside. When I leave for the bar, I just have to remember to grab my heavy coat to put on over my long sleeve shirt and hoodie when I step outside. It has definitely made me cut way back on my smoking. Before the 1st of the year, I didn’t dare walk into a bar with less than 18 cigarettes. Now, I might smoke 6 all night. I’m sure this will change when the weather turns warmer, but it’s nice for now.

Now, a la TV Guide, my Cheers and Jeers for restaurants and smokers.

CHEERS to Buffalo Wild Wings in Peoria for putting heaters and a cover on their patio. It makes smoking a far less miserable experience.

JEERS to Buffalo Wild Wings in East Peoria for turning on the Delay of Game penalty on the Golden Tee machine. Trying to rotate smoke breaks so no one gets penalized is a giant pain in the ass.

CHEERS to TnT’s for the smoking lounge in the parking lot. Troy, in his uncanny foresight and cleverness, bought a PODS trailer, carpeted it, put a bar in it, hung a plasma TV, installed a smoke eater, bought some space heaters, and decorated the walls, and voila! A comfy place to smoke for all of the TnT’s faithful. There’s no alcohol allowed out the door, and there are no employees, so it’s perfectly legal.
tnt-smoke-lounge.JPG

JEERS to the Illinois Legislature. While I am becoming accustomed to smoking outside, it takes nothing away from the fact that people’s rights are being taken away.

CHEERS to the guy who sent a letter to the PJS calling the Civic Center out. Unmuffled, un-emission controlled monster trucks belching smoke into a closed arena is fine, but don’t you dare smoke in the entryways!