I had a late start today. We saw The Shins play last night at The Warfield. I love The Shins. They’re so poppy and fun. What a great show. It was a sold out show. The tickets we had turned out to be on the floor. So we could see them. And I could dance.

And I hate to admit to this but I’m going to, I am really loving this smoke free thing California has. And there are several reasons for this. The first one is obvious, it’s really an awesome feeling coming home from a bar or a show and not smelling like an ashtray. I am really very fond of this. Though, out of habit, I still sniff my pants and t-shirt every time I remove them, wondering if I need to quarantine them from all the other clothing until they are properly hosed down. But since moving here, there isn’t even a hint of smoke on my clothing. And there’s something really great about that.

The second reason I am enjoying California’s smoke free environment is that I don’t crave cigarettes when they’re not around. It has been very hard for me, quitting smoking. The first few months, years ago, weren’t so bad. But then a year hit and we moved to DC and I began to fail miserably. And Toby and I would fight. Toby and I don’t fight, but introduce cigarettes into our relationship, and we’re screaming at one another. You might ask, as I have, why would I continue to do something that not only causes us to fight but will actually kill me as well? I have no idea. That’s the power of “addiction” for you. Anyway, when it’s not around, I don’t think about it. So its absence helps me to not crave it. This is a good thing for me.

Anyway, ain’t got much to say today. I need to clean our apartment tonight before Keith and Marjorie arrive tomorrow. I hope Marjorie has some new stories to tell.