Thursday, August 23, 2007

SOAP BOX

I have searched all over the internet for a picture of a soap box in the meaning I want to use it in:

Wikipedia says: A soapbox is a raised platform on which one stands to make an impromptu speech, often about a political subject. It is also used to express concerns or to release frustration.

I've been wanting to do this for a while, and actually open it up for anyone to use. We all need to rant on our soapbox now and then. So if you read this and love to google. Find me a picture of someone standing on a soap box ranting, that I can use. This will become a re-occuring topic on my blog and welcome eveyone else to use it if they wish:

Today: CIGARETTES

I smoked two cigarettes today. Between 7:55 and 8:10 I smoked two cigarettes. I don't do this often--as you see--I think it's a fowl habit and is also not condoned by my religion--for good reasons. My brothers smoke and I am relentless in my pursuit of them to quit. I also used to travel around to middle and high schools teaching kids the adverse effects and countless reasons not to start.

So why did I smoke two cigarettes today? Well I never purchased a pack--and I never held either between my fingers--I never even saw them with my eyes. I did smell them though, and inhale the smoke into my lungs HORRID----RETCHED-----FOUL things.

I was driving Red to school to day at approximately 7:55, with the windows up and my air conditioning on. Then I smelled it while stopped at the stop light. Here it came . . . I knew it . . . someone was smoking a cigarette in a car in front of me. However they weren't polite enough to keep their windows up and drop the ashes in the ash tray. They have to dangle it out the window. And into my air vents it came. HORRID---RETCHED---FOUL thing. I smoked it. In fact, the guy next to me smoked it and the guy behind me probably got a bit of it too. All four of us got hits off of one cigarette. My 3 kids smoked it too, until I raced around the car, rolled down my windows and aired it out.

Then I dropped Red off. And as I was stopped at the stop light. 8:10. sure enough---HORRID-----RETECHED----FOUL cigarette came wafting into my car. Yes, my windows were rolled up and the air on. So I had to wait until I could pass the smoker, roll down my windows, make us all sweat because it's 100++++ frickin degrees outside, just to quit smoking a cigarette I never chose to smoke.

I know a smoker may be reading this and have some sort of rebuttal, but I know and love many smokers. And they, truly, have nothing to say. I'm right HORRID----RETCHED-----FOUL. And I shouldn't have to smoke their cigarettes. I don't make them eat the french fries I am enjoying in my car, because my windows are up and any smell or remnants of the fry I let stay inside my car, or somewhere on my shirt.

THINK ABOUT IT

Wow--I feel a bit better now.


p.s. I called to get a tetnus shot and the Doctor's office said they were too busy. TOO BUSY FOR A SHOT TO SAVE MY LIFE. I would have to wait until tomorrow. And as I have already put it off and WebMD says to get it within 48 hours. I'm just going to risk it. The receptioinist suggested I go to urgent care or the er. I was going to suggest that she pay for it.

4 comments:

Crazymamaof6 said...

wow! i am with you on the lame people smoking and leaving it wafting into my car too. and what i detest is people walking out of a public place and lighting up just outside the door, so everyone coming in or out has to breath that crap in. including my kids, and they don't have the decency to stand down wind from prego people or babies! and they do it at the park, right next to ya, not far away form the playground but right on the next bench!

onehm said...

I agree with everything you said...whole heartedly. But I have to say that I really was panicking for a moment reading the first line:
I smoked two cigarettes today.
I know you better than that, and yet, I had to read on to know what the heck was going on!!

Jamie said...

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Micah and Jen said...

Right there with you girl! We were at the rodeo and the lady in front of us smoked a whole pack--I was PISSED! here I am with no choice but to smoke along with her and my sweet little baby is coughing--I almost said something, but didn't but so wish I would have. There really should be laws about smoking in public, because I don't want their nasty smoke being inhaled in mine or my kids lungs. Love the soap box idea--way to be a thinker--you could start your own talk radio show--I would call in everyday! :) Oh, as for the tetnus shot--ya, you need it within 48 hours or not at all, so you are probably just fine and dandy, but maybe you should get one for future nails in the foot! Ha ha!