Rich
The Living Force
Yesterday I started something I have never done before and in all honesty don't really think it will go anywhere. There are two things bugging me at the moment.
In the town I currently live there is a relatively old department store on the high street. It sells a wide range of indoor furnishings, appliances, gadgets, toys, cookware and that type of thing. On the 3rd or 4th floor there is a coffee-shop and eatery that adjoins a balcony. The balcony has a fantastic view of the surrounding hills. fields and the odd crane. A couple of images are here but don't give a good picture of the vista: martells.co.uk/clouds-coffee-shop
A month or two ago I fancied a coffee and a nice view. So I found the waiter there and bought a coffee which I took onto the balcony where I found a comfy chair where I sat. I started enjoying the drink and lit a roll-up to accompany it. Comfy chair, nice view, coffee and cigarette. What more could you ask for? But, ater a couple of minutes I was interrupted by a staff member who asked me to put out my cigarette because I was in a no smoking area. I did but didn't really understand what the problem was: It was outside and as far as I could tell wouldn't bother anyone. I finished my drink and then left sporting a grumpy face.
I am aware of the anti-smoking killjoys and legislation that has slowly crept into society which (for me) has been quite tolerable until that day I just described. I shall call it "No smoking on balcony day". I suppose it reaches a point when a line of sanity is crossed where one feels impelled to do something about it.
I looked on the web for the legislation that had been passed that had resulted in this. I found that the UK Health Act 2006 was in the naughty bin. I searched to find out who the MP is for this area and found a Tory chap called Nicholas Soames. I know little about him except by looking at theyworkforyou.com we see he
Yes, I imagine he gets a few such requests of various descriptions and may occasionally send a reply of "thanks for your request, the next opportunity I have to ask my comrades is in a few years time and I'll be more than willing to present your request and will see how I get on. Thank you for being a wonderful person. I love you, please vote Tory, we're awesome! :).
I don't know. I think I'll be lucky to receive any acknowledgement back considering it would go against what he has previously supported.
My other issue is the packaging on ciggarettes and tobacco which has pictures of people dying and slogans such as "Smokers are expletives" or "smokers burn in hell" or that type of emotional-laden nonsense that simply isn't true!
So I am not expecting anything to come of my opening serve in this "Tennis match" but I'm enjoying the fact that I've made a start. I am reminded of the quote, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread" but why not?
In the town I currently live there is a relatively old department store on the high street. It sells a wide range of indoor furnishings, appliances, gadgets, toys, cookware and that type of thing. On the 3rd or 4th floor there is a coffee-shop and eatery that adjoins a balcony. The balcony has a fantastic view of the surrounding hills. fields and the odd crane. A couple of images are here but don't give a good picture of the vista: martells.co.uk/clouds-coffee-shop
A month or two ago I fancied a coffee and a nice view. So I found the waiter there and bought a coffee which I took onto the balcony where I found a comfy chair where I sat. I started enjoying the drink and lit a roll-up to accompany it. Comfy chair, nice view, coffee and cigarette. What more could you ask for? But, ater a couple of minutes I was interrupted by a staff member who asked me to put out my cigarette because I was in a no smoking area. I did but didn't really understand what the problem was: It was outside and as far as I could tell wouldn't bother anyone. I finished my drink and then left sporting a grumpy face.
I am aware of the anti-smoking killjoys and legislation that has slowly crept into society which (for me) has been quite tolerable until that day I just described. I shall call it "No smoking on balcony day". I suppose it reaches a point when a line of sanity is crossed where one feels impelled to do something about it.
I looked on the web for the legislation that had been passed that had resulted in this. I found that the UK Health Act 2006 was in the naughty bin. I searched to find out who the MP is for this area and found a Tory chap called Nicholas Soames. I know little about him except by looking at theyworkforyou.com we see he
- Generally voted against smoking bans Show votes 1 vote for, 6 votes against, 5 absences, between 2002–2015
- Consistently voted against the hunting ban Show votes 0 votes for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2002–2004
Yes, I imagine he gets a few such requests of various descriptions and may occasionally send a reply of "thanks for your request, the next opportunity I have to ask my comrades is in a few years time and I'll be more than willing to present your request and will see how I get on. Thank you for being a wonderful person. I love you, please vote Tory, we're awesome! :).
I don't know. I think I'll be lucky to receive any acknowledgement back considering it would go against what he has previously supported.
My other issue is the packaging on ciggarettes and tobacco which has pictures of people dying and slogans such as "Smokers are expletives" or "smokers burn in hell" or that type of emotional-laden nonsense that simply isn't true!
So I am not expecting anything to come of my opening serve in this "Tennis match" but I'm enjoying the fact that I've made a start. I am reminded of the quote, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread" but why not?