Tag Archives: cigarette

26

May. ’18

Smoking Rules

There have been fights and arguments over smoking for many years. Whether it is someone’s right to tell, not ask a person(s), not to smoke, where to smoke, when to smoke and/or how bad smoke is to their body, or, on the other hand, a person(s) have a right to affect their body and smoke I believe is the smoker’s business. This argument goes both ways, have many variables and cross many lines, clear and hidden. I will only touch on it lightly.

Imperial Plaza have been going through this for a few years and, I hate to say this, will see no end to the controversy. Brookdale, who leased Imperial Plaza in the past, was to give clear guidance and areas in which to smoke to the residents last year. They never did proceed in the actions (I am guessing) because they knew for a long time they were leaving and they would let the new administration handle the volatile situation. Now the new guidelines are in effect with many people ready to carry the fight to full war.

I see both sides, I know that both sides have fanatics, I can agree with some of what both sides want. I used to be a supervisor, mediating many disagreements, seeing what both sides want while trying to prevent total war between the parties. Because of the smoking bans, cigarette companies have moved from states that put undue pressure on them, their source of money and extra taxes on them. However, the populace should look at, feel for and understand the smokers that are caught in the middle of it all.

First and foremost, like the non-smoker, smokers have rights also. The way things are set in the USA, smokers don’t have any rights except to be able to buy cigarettes when they reach a certain age. Then they are greatly taxed for buying the legal weed and layered with many legal issues in order to smoke the legal weed. They are told the over taxation goes toward the over burdened medical system in order to care for the health problems that smoking brings upon the human body. Okay, then don’t allow the nonsmoker benefit from the program, let that money take care the smoker.

Then, the smoker is put out in the rain, cold, boiling hot sun, humid air and placed yards away from everyone. If a nonsmoker happen to come near, smell the smoker and complain, the smoker is moved even further or told not to smoke, even though the nonsmoker could have walked around or gone in a different direction. To me, the smoker do not have rights.

Somerby have done just that. They have banned smoking in many areas and to be able to smoke the resident have a long walk to get to the area, if the resident is not lucky enough to live in the nearest building. I am a cigar smoker and I have a few days left before I am completely moved to another community. I will not have to do the things residents here does. I am one of the lucky ones. Maybe these rules/laws will effect me a few years from now but at this time I will not be under the strict laws that have come about.

The nonsmokers do not have to go out into the rain, sun, wind, cold, snow, etc. to do what they have a right to do under the laws that were passed by our elected officials. The smoker, as far as I see, does not have the same rights and they are not only over taxed (and the nonsmoker benefit from that) but shunned worst than our pets. I see both sides and feel for both sides. All I have to say is I am moving at the right time and I am sure more will do the same, I have heard rumors. Neither side want to bend (give a little) but in order to have peace and tranquility the sides must.

After I wrote the part about peace and tranquility an incident happened that shows that there are people that do not want peace. Three or four people were sitting around smoking and talking, enjoying the afternoon. A person that live two buildings away came over to confront the smokers, called the police to the Imperial Plaza property but refused to lodge a formal complaint. True, they were illegally smoking, however, they were not in her area of domicile nor were they bothering other people. All I can say now is GOOD LUCK people at Imperial Plaza. My wife and I are out of here!

 

 

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18

Aug. ’17

Think Of Others

I know that I have and others have matured and lived with the sense of being courteous and respectful to others as well as having a sense of cleanliness. Exactly what I mean, pacifically, as an example, are the elevators here. When I first moved here I could not bring my two dogs. As it was, one would have been too big anyway. The other would have been of the right size but I was a little too early coming to Imperial Plaza. My dogs would have been fine on the elevators but there are some people here that have problems.

Dog urine (sometimes it covers almost the entire floor area), dog feces (sometimes in the stairways) and other things, sometimes is left on the floors of the elevators and other places. Some people do not take the animals outside enough times or in a timely basis to ensure the animal does not do it’s business before it get outside. Then (it could be the same people), when the weather is bad, the people nor the animal want to go out into the weather. Therefore, the stairwells, parking garage and a few inches past the garage entrance get used.

It would not be a problem if the responsible adult would clean behind their animal but that is seldom done. I am hesitant to walk across the lawns, where I know some people walk their dogs, because a few times I have almost stepped in something. But, the elevators are another matter because we all have to use them, it’s difficult to not step in something, it stinks and I don’t want to clean-up behind a dog that I do not own.

There is still the problem of throwing cigarette butts on the ground. We have a beautiful, trash free area and then there are some people that do not care or believe others will pick it up for them. I smoke cigars and I put my butt where it is suppose to be placed although the all tobacco cigar will deteriorate in the weather. I do not do throw it anywhere because it takes time for the weather to remove the cigar and it looks bad before then. Why can’t others do the same?

Lastly, the dumpsters are still a problem. Not only is furniture (when people move out) left around the dumpster but there are cardboard boxes (not broken down) and garbage bags (not thrown into the dumpster) and just a total disregard to cleanliness. It just seem as if things are left anywhere with the thought that someone will move it and put it where it belong. Am I being overly critical?

I have no answers for any of these situations and, believe me, there is a lot more. I realize these people are elderly and many can not do a lot of things but there seem to be no consideration for anyone else. If the person can not do the proper thing for the animal (good or BAD weather) then why have the animal? The reason can not be because they love the animal or because they have had it for “x” number of years and it is a part of the family. If the animal can not be cared for properly because of your age or condition, then it should not be expected that others will do it for you. It should be remembered that the animal suffers also and can and will get the same diseases you and I will get.

I am frustrated and angry that this have come about. As I have said, I have no solution but maybe someone else have one, short of banning animals and smoking. If so, let me know and maybe I can carry it forward.

By the way, I am staying out of politics this week and will let the chips fall where they may. A lot have happened and a lot will. It’s not over yet. Have a good weekend!

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09

Jun. ’17

Then There Were Three

Wow, and I thought there was only one. I have taken a lot of pictures of the hawks and have even taken many pictures of the chick in the nest. For days I have taken pictures of the chick alone and being fed. Then, a few days ago, as I was taking a few more pictures of the chick in the nest, I noticed two other birds. At first I thought mama and papa had joined the chick until I zoomed-in. Then I saw three chicks. Can’t mistake the adult birds and the chicks because the chicks still have the ruffled down on them. Pretty, to say the least. On my Facebook page I have posted a few pictures for all to see. If you want to see the pictures I have posted this month and last month, go to the page and you’ll see many pictures of the adult birds and of the chick(s). Now there are three, getting large, chicks. I don’t see how two adult hawks and three medium sized chicks can fit in the nest. Oh well, Mother Nature can do things we thought was impossible.

I have mentioned before about the proposed smoking ban at Imperial Plaza; well, nothing have publicly come out but the rumors are everywhere. Some places where people normally smoke have changed to other places but, still, there isn’t anything official. I say that to say this; there is a group of people that get together and smoke outside the main entrance of their building. They can be found there all day and into the late evening. One day, since the purported change, they have moved to the bench where I take pictures of the hawks. I don’t mind because I went there when they left but I wasn’t happy about them being there since it’s their bench also. Why, you are asking? Well, there is a stand-up ashtray beside the bench but these people rather drop their cigarette butts onto the ground when they could use the ashtray . There are a few of us that use that bench and this have never happened before. I hope they get their act together before there is a complete ban.

Thinking about fake news (?false news?), I have been taking pictures of the birds and squirrels around Imperial Plaza for quite awhile. Couple that with many new faces moving into Imperial Plaza. The other day, as I was passing through the Dogwood lobby area, where a few residents usually sit talking to each other, a resident that have resided here for a few years called me over and asked about the hawks and squirrels. I was introduced to the three or four new residents that was sitting there. When the conversation came around to the white squirrel at the main gate and the one behind the Boxwood building, a new resident corrected me by saying there is only one. She told me the one by the main gate is solid white and the one behind Boxwood have an off colored back which make it not solid white. I didn’t say anything. I pulled out my phone, bought-up my photos and showed the resident the white squirrel playing behind Boxwood (it’ll let a human get with-in three or four yards of it). The resident saw that it was white but said the photo does not show the back because the back is not white. I still did not say anything. I then showed a profile picture of the squirrel and one of the rear end. The resident looked startled and sat back into the seat. All smiles and grins left the resident’s face. A new resident and already knowing everything, more than the people that have been here much longer. Beware of things that are told to you without any proof or what you assume is fact without proof.

I’m posting a little early because I’ll be gone for the weekend but I want to say to all, have a safe and happy summer. Wherever you are, keep your eyes and ears open to everything around you. The world is much different than when I grew-up (in my day a person did not have to be always watchful), so be on your toes. See ya!!! 

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29

Apr. ’17

My Chain Is Being Rattled

Imperial Plaza is a wonderful place but it seem to always start a controversy of some kind, all of the time. I don’t know why the place want to step in it because of one or two complaints, sooth the ruffled feathers and go on with life. Take care of the one small situation and go on with life without antagonizing the larger group. But no, the powers that be want to try to satisfy the one or two and rile the multitude. There are more important things to do than cause an uprising.

What am I talking about…at last month’s town hall meeting the director said smoking areas and regulations were to be changed. Nothing was said at this month’s town hall meeting but the grapevine is humming loudly and I have been approached by people wanting to know what I thought about it. I could not satisfactorily answer them because I don’t exactly know what is planned. But, I will give some of my thoughts here in this blog.

I am a smoker, I smoke cigars along with two others (that I am aware of), the rest smoke cigarettes. Us cigar smokers normally smoke in areas away from most people. I normally sit on a bench, out in the open, minding my own business. Occasionally someone will pass and comment but I say nothing. I’m outside on a bench, under a tree. What is the problem? Who am I hurting?

I see one area for cigarette smokers by one of the buildings that is next to someone’s window (this used to be an administrative office). That should change and I understand that but why mess with everyone else? Let me say it another way. Federal, state and local law say I can’t smoke inside. I can’t fight that. Us smokers have been moved outside, into the weather. Okay, at first there was a little fight and grumbling but over the years, people have settled into the groove left for us.

But, we have rights also. As long as it’s legal and as long as it’s sold by a legal operation, then it is not only legal but my right to participate in the activity if I so choose. I do not demand that someone chewing gum I don’t want to smell go out in the cold or rain or heat, etc. and chew their gum. Why should I? Am I being told that my rights are stripped from me because I smoke? Are the gum chewer’s rights stripped because they chew gum?

I can hardly wait to see what the new rule will be because I want to see where this smoking area will be or will I have to be off the property in order to smoke. That was never said before I signed a contract and it is not in my contract. I have five friends who are lawyers and I wonder what they have to say. I must ask them about my chances of winning if I brought litigation. I’ll just wait and see.

I remember, when I first moved to Imperial Plaza, pets were not allowed. Now they are and, although I was professionally a dog handler/trainer, I do not like having pets here. I have three reasons for saying this and it applies to about seventy five percent of the dog and cat owners. First, the dogs do not get enough exercise (jumping, running, playing, stretching those muscles, etc.). Second, some people don’t pickup after their animals, especially if the weather is bad outside. Third, quite a few people can hardly walk and they try to walk the animal out into the grass without falling, etc. Then, add to the slowness, the lack of exercise because the animal is on a leash and can only move as fast as the person at the other end of the leash.

I’ve stepped in dog feces and have seen it along the sides of building, in the stairwell and smelled it in the hallways and laundry rooms. Yet, concentration is on smokers. Maybe I have to move again. I’ve heard rumors of that also but never considered it until now. I like this place and I don’t mind paying for the convenience and comfort this place bring. However, a war is brewing and, unfortunately, I may be either right in front of it or in the middle. All I ever wanted was to live in peace but that seem to be a false hope. Oh well, if I must I must.

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