9/20/2006

Waking Up Before the Crack of Dawn


I am frequently asked by fellow infidels my reasons for getting up before the crack of dawn, which in my case is around 5:00 a.m. "Many reasons" I respond. I need to if I am going to make it to work early enough is usually one answer. Another reason, when work is not an issue, is because I want to be where I need to be to catch the best light of the day....the early morning golden hour, which is when photographers have the most amazing light to work with... Another reason is that I don't like to miss sunrises on the start of my morning commute especially as the days grow smaller. But perhaps the answer I would like to give, I am prevented from giving, which brings me to my point.

I am currently reading Franklin & Winston by Jon Meacham which recounts the relationship and friendship of FDR and Churchill before and during WWII. I'm at the chapter in the book which describes their conference at Casablanca in early 1943. After FDR left on his plane back to the US, Churchill's aide noted that Winston was up really early. When Churchill was asked why he would always get up so early to start his day, his response was, "To get an extra cigar in." Vintage Winston. But alas, unlike in Churchill's day, I cannot enjoy that extra cigar. I'm lucky if I can enjoy one at all. Thanks to so called liberal do gooders who must treat adults like 5 year olds and who insist on taking away individual rights to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of a good cigar. The ACLU crowd cries loud over idiotic dolts in Gitmo, but don't raise a pinky over these moronic laws inhibiting my right to smoke when and where I wish, like my own office. Like in a bar.

British Journalist, Martyn Harris once noted in the Daily Telegraph: "Pull out a Montecristo at a dinner party and the political liberal turns into the nicotine facist." How true. Winston would not recognize Britain or America today. Heck, you can't watch Tom and Jerry cartoons if they are found smoking a cigar. Groucho and George Burns would have to smoke outside while those anti-smoking fascists enjoy sipping Chardoney with their spouts and organic tofu.

As Mark Twain once noted, "Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man's enjoyment of his cigar." Well Mark, in Today's world, other than Las Vegas, Nevada, the ony oasis of sanity in the world, a man's enjoyment of cigars is constantly interupted by the government and by folks who haven't got anything better to do with their lives.

However, before the liberals take away more of my rights (i.e., the right to consume scotch and other libations), I will take some extra time this afternoon to go the pub and smoke a cigar. For thankfully, the Republican Controlled Legislature in Florida carved out a loophole to the farcockteh anti smoking constitutional amendment the people voted after being bombarded with ads of 12 year olds in bars coughing their lungs out due to cigarette smoke. If the bar doesn't serve a large percentage of grub, you can puff away in glee. So I will be there this afternoon, while it is still legal.

Ciao Infidels

17 comments:

Pete Moss said...

At the risk of reading like a chauvinist. I apologize profusely in advance.

."A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke."

Walt Kelly, 1971

Oy! enjoy that cigar man, you only live once.

Michael Pancier Photography said...

Actually, the author of that quote Pete was Rudyard Kipling from his poem, "The Betrothed."

Anonymous said...

OH the Light in that first photo is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photo but Michael, I am one that believes smoking in restaurants and many other public venues should not be permitted. Maybe it's my alergy to the smoke but it also goes to a healthy work environment. Enjoy your cigar (I do love the scent of a pipe) but not at the expense of my enjoying my meal.

Michael Pancier Photography said...

Bonnie, my philosophy is that it should be the choice of the establishment. I had no problem with designated areas. Those are illegal here in Florida. Restaurants and Bars don't have a choice anymore. My big stink is really with bars. A restaurant that has a seperate bar totally apart from the dining room is still prohibited in Florida from allowing smoking at the bar. I always say, let the marketplace decide. I hate cigarettes too. But don't take my cigar away...

Anonymous said...

Are you saying that it's okay to smoke at a bar just because that's the way it's always been but people such as myself, avoid bars and restaurants that have a bar too close to the dining area, because of the smoke? Who is right? I've decided to look at it as a job safety issue. That way, you take out the personal beliefs about smoking (and I grew up around a smoker).

BTW, it's spreading that no smoking and if it's a Cigar bar or smoking bar, go for it. ;) And in the privacy of your own home.. have at it. Even if I should be a guest, that's your right. And I won't complain.... much. ;)

Michael Pancier Photography said...

All places can make their establishments smoke free if that's their choice or if the public wants it.

BUt for example, there were places here that had amazing ventilation systems and a seperate cigar area where the folks in the smoke free area wouldn't even tell there was cigar smoking going on. A compromise. But that is not enough under the law here.

There was another place I used to go to that had a seperate room where one could lounge and smoke cigars and drink scotch while watching big screen. That's banned too. These folks go overboard. Actually most folks are left with no choice but to smoke at home, but soon that will be illegal. In Cali, they can't even smoke on a public open air beach. What these folks ultimately want is prohibition of all tobacco products. Then fatty foods. Then booze. Then Tom & Jerry. Dogs and Cats will be forced to sleep together. It's the end of the world as we know it.

Anonymous said...

But I feel fine.... it's that fine scotch.

There has to be comprimises but like I said, I'm looking at it as the right for a bartender/waitress/waiter to work in a safe environment and second hand smoke creates an unsafe environment.

PS. Long live Red Robin, voluntarily smoke-free.

Anonymous said...

If it is the Republicans who control the Governorship, and BOTH the Florida State House and Congress, How my dear friend is it a liberal attack against Cigar smoke? Was it not a Republican Government that passed the anti-smoking laws? Is it not a Republican Governor who signed the law? Please enlighten us all how this is a problem made by a liberal? Craw.

Michael Pancier Photography said...

No Craw. The law was passed by a vote amending the constitution. The legis had no choice but to enact the law and likewise the Governor had no choice but to sign it as they were ordered in the Constitutional Amendment. The groups sponsering the legislation were libs. Nuff Said. The republicans tried to water it down as much as possible.

Michael Pancier Photography said...

Here's an interesting article on second hand smoke. While it is nasty, there is no proof that it causes health issues. it only makes you reek....

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,26109,00.html

Anonymous said...

Long live Starbucks... voluntarily smoke-free. Long live Taco Bell... voluntarily smoke free.....

Interesting article but tell that to Dana Reeve (former lounge singer) or the cocktail waitress with lung cancer. I'm just asking you to remember the tobacco industry standing up there swearing that their product was safe.

I don't like cigarette smoke nor do I like it when others inflict that smoke on me. I have rights, too. So, if you don't want it to be a health issue, it's personal. ;)

Pete Moss said...

Voluntary is good. Let the market decide. Once the government starts sticking their noses in it. We end-up with more laws and more taxes. And more laws no matter how well intended or benign chip away at our free will, even if ever so sightly that we don't even notice or care. Next thing you know like Mike says you've got the pleasure police telling you what to do in every stage of life. Taken to an extreme, we got the Taliban. I think most sensible businesses, if they want to stay in business, will go smoke free. Cigar smoking will be relegated to specialty or niche retailers that cater to that particular customer.

Here's an example of extreme. Almost every time I'm at the airport trying to take photos of Airplanes. Invariably some cop will either tell me to leave or question me, like if taking photos of airplanes was a crime. This is the sort of thing that bothers me. I could tell him to get lost, but I'd probably be arrested. All in the name of SECURITY. And while he's harrasing me, or some old lady on a wheel chair, the real terrorists are probably getting on airplanes.

Laws definitely have their place in society but too many laws is bad too. Is gridlock in congress a good thing? Sometimes I think yes.

Michael Pancier Photography said...

The most sensible law is allowing designated areas and allowing cigars especially in places where they have those awesome air extractor/filters. A smart business would want to cater to both elements.

The restaurants/bars in NYC and California lost a lost of money and many have gone out of business. Most folks will now set up their own bars at home and won't spend money elseware. Thus, people will be out work.

I would never smoke a cigar at a starbucks bonnie. Cigars can only be pared with fine spirits ;-)

Anonymous said...

How can you say that Starbucks is not a fine spirit? ;) Now it's really personal!! Unless, of course, you mean nonalcoholic... then I can let you off the hook.

:)

Michael Pancier Photography said...

a spirit means contains "ethanol."

What are you putting in your lattes Bonnie?

If Starbucks started offering their coffees with a shot of whiskey or bourbon, they would not be able to handle the business. No one would ever leave.
;-)

Anonymous said...

Teehee, I do make my own.... :) And Starbucks would be highly popular!