Out of the Smoke

I knew it would eventually happen.

Lately, I've been seeing those commercials for the smokeless cigarettes all over the airwaves. You know the ones:

“It's water vapor.”

“Now I can smoke anywhere.”

“This is a free country, isn't it?”

Well, recently, at a restaurant (a non-smoking restaurant I should add) a customer “lit up” his smokeless cigarette. When the waitress went over to as him to put it out or go outside to smoke, he went off on her that it was not a real cigarette and he could smoke it wherever he wanted. The waitress informed him that he still could not use it in the restaurant.

The man started yelling at the waitress and making a spectacle of himself. The manager came over to try and settle the situation. He calmly explained to the man that even though it was a “smokeless cigarette”, he couldn't allow him to use it in the restaurant since it would give the impression to people who smoke real cigarettes that they could light up as well.

Of course, the man wasn't accepting that and continued to make a scene. Finally, the frazzled manager asked the man to leave. The angry man threatened to call the police and have them come to the restaurant and force them to allow him to smoke his smokeless cigarette.

What did he expect the police to do? They are there to enforce the laws and ordinances on the books. They could no more force the restaurant to allow him to use his smokeless cigarette than they could force them to serve a different type of food.

Finally, the man and his group left the restaurant. As he walked out, he proclaimed loudly that he was going to sue the restaurant and put them out of business.

This is a case of a smoker who only thinks of himself and no one else. He can't see the reasoning behind the restaurant's policy. If he did, he would realize that most people who smoke aren't going to change their habit and switch to the smokeless cigarettes (besides, the tobacco companies would be fighting it tooth and nail). Also, the mentality of most smokers seems to be that if one person lights up somewhere then they all can regardless of the rules. (I've actually seen this happen before)

Many smokers believe they have a legal right to smoke. I don't remember anywhere in the Constitution of the United States or any law books I've read seeing a legal right to smoke. Of course, they will say it's a first amendment right of free speech. Really? Smoking is free speech? Wow!

I applaud the stand the manager took at the restaurant that evening. In fact, I even told him so before I left. I only hope that as this continues to happen, more business owners will stand up and enforce their no smoking policy as vigorously.

A Moment of Remembrance

Let us take a moment and remember all those who died on 9/11/2001 - the people in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and those on the planes as well as the heroic members of the New York Fire and Police Departments.

Let us also remember and honor those of our troops who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last several years. No matter your politics, I think we all will agree they served well.

I'd also like to take a moment to remember those who lost someone on 9/11 as well as in Iraq and Afghanistan. My those you loved live on in your hearts and minds forever.

An Apology

Last week, Congressman Joe Barton (R)Texas apologized during a Congressional hearing to British Petroleum for the way the Obama Administration subjected them to what he calls "a shakedown":

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Ultimately, after being pulled into a meeting with the GOP leadership, Congressman Barton released a statement rescinding his apology.

However, you can never un-ring the bell. Mr. Barton shows his blatant hypocrisy and lack of compassion to the people of the gulf coast. He is one of (if not the largest) supporters of the oil industry. He receives more in contributions from the oil industry than anyone else in the House of Representative.

You can bet that if the oil was coming onto the shores of Texas, his attitude would be completely different. He would be demanding money (from the government or BP) to get the mess cleaned up.

So, I apologize to everyone; especially the people along the gulf coast whose lives have been turned upside down and have lost their livelihoods. I apologize for the type of politicians we elect and send to represent us in the Congress. As a life-long Texan, I am so horrified and ashamed that we as citizens could send a moron like this to Washington.

Book Review - With Caution

Attention: This book is a male-male love story and contains homoerotic sex acts that may be offensive to some readers.

With Caution by J.L. Langley

Once again J. L. Langley has brought her talent in creating fun and interesting characters in this latest installment of her highly addictive werewolf series (With / Without).

This time we follow the story of Jake and Remi where it picks up shortly after the conclusion of Without Reservations. 

If you haven’t read it, you should.  (Do it now!!  I’ll wait for you.). 

In Without Reservations, Remi was changed into a wolf after being viciously attacked by Keaton’s ex-lover outside Chay’s house.  It took both Remi and Jake Romero to change him and save his life.  Jake also realized that Remi is his mate.

Jake and the others decided not to tell Remi about Jake being his mate.  He had enough to deal with having been turned to a wolf.  Besides, Remi was somewhat homophobic and they did not know how he would react.  So, Jake decided to give him some time before revealing that little fact.  It turns out Remi becomes more than a little attracted to Jake.

We also meet Remi’s younger brother Sterling in this story and learn more about Remi’s past.  It seems his father, Dirk (the Sheriff on the reservation), had been abusive to him when he was younger and was still that way to his mom and Sterling.  Remi does everything he can to protect Sterling. Dirk also treats Remi like trash and will not allow him to be near Sterling or his mother (even though Sterling frequently sneaks over to Remi’s to see him).

Remi was haunted by an experience from his youth.  He and his best friend Billy were attacked when they were boys.  Billy was killed and Remi almost died from his injuries.  Everyone thought that some pervert had attacked them.   At least that’s what Dirk’s investigation found.  However, as the story progresses, we find that things are not what they appear.

When Dirk begins to threaten Sterling, Remi turns to Jake for help.  As private investigators, Jake and his partner, Rhys, start digging around in Dirk’s past to find some dirt on him.  Dirk finds out and threatens them all including Sterling.  During this time, Remi ‘s feelings toward Jakeincrease.  Jake finally reveals to him that they are mates.

Sterling calls Remi and tells him that Dirk got angry and started beating him and his mom.  He managed to get away, but was seriously injured.  Rhys finds him only to discover he is his mate.  Sterling is changed into a wolf to save his life.  Since he is under age, it is decided to keep the fact that Rhys is his mate a secret.

Now, Remi, Jake & Rhys must race against time to stop Dirk from hurting anyone else and to reveal the truth about Remi’s past, who Billy’s killer really was and why the boys were attacked.

I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.  It has to be about Rhys and Sterling.  I’m sure the author will give us a fun story dealing with their relationship and how they deal with the age difference.

Book Review - Lost States: True Stories of Texlahoma, Transylvania and Other States That Never Made It

Lost States: True Stories of Texlahoma, Transylvania and Other States That Never Made It by Michael J. Trinklein

This is another book that I won in a contest from GoodReads First Reads.  It’s actually one I might have picked up at the bookstore anyway because I’m always interested in offbeat historical information.

First off, the book was extremely entertaining.  If I hadn’t had so many interruptions, I probably would have read it in one sitting.  It’s really a fast read.  The stories are concise (1 page in length) and the maps give added context.  Add to that, the author throws in some humor to make it even more enjoyable.

Another neat thing about the book is that the cover unfolds into a map of the Lost States.  Great idea!

While reading it, I realized I had learned a few things about my own state that were never taught in Texas history class.  I knew Texas could slice itself up into four or five states if it wanted (that was a provision in the treaty with the U.S. when Texas joined), but I had never heard about any instances where it had been tried.  Although, knowing the knuckleheads in the Texas legislature, I’m surprised they haven’t tried doing it recently.

As with any book, there are some errors.  One was listing President Buchanan when it should have been President Polk (page 68) and there were a few typos.  All in all, it wasn’t any worse than some novels I’ve read lately.  Doesn’t anyone proofread anymore?

If you’re a historical trivia buff like I am, this is a book on the same par as Weird History 101.  It is a thoroughly enjoyable read and I would recommend it to all my friends.

Book Review - Doctor Who: Martha in the Middle

Doctor Who: Martha in the Mirror, by Justin Richards

This is the first of the modern-day Doctor Who novels I’ve had an opportunity to read.  I have to say that the author captured the characters of Tennant’s Doctor Who and Martha in the best way.

The Doctor and Martha arrive at Extremist where the Doctor informed Martha they would be attending the best theme park in the cosmos.  Unfortunately, it seems, they arrived a little earlier in time than planned.  The Doctor quickly meets Janna, a troubled young orphan girl who plays a major role in the story.

They become entangled in peace talks between the Zarugians and the Anthiums as well as murder, mystery and intrigue “Doctor style”.

The story is centered on the Mortal Mirror and its secrets which the Doctor and Martha discover.  Soon after their arrival, the Doctor discovers a diary made of glass in a hiding spot behind as stone that is being replaced by the maintenance robots, Bill and Bot.  He later learns how to read it and discovers some of the history behind the mirror.

After Martha gets trapped in the mirror and the Doctor rescues her, they get a better understanding of its purpose and what it holds.  Using that information, as well as what they learn from Janna and the Man in the Mirror, the Doctor is able to prevent war and put the treaty negotiations back on track.

All in all, a fun read.  I’m looking forward to reading more in the series.

Book Review - Without Reservations

Attention: This book is a male-male love story and contains homoerotic sex acts that may be offensive to some readers.

I discovered J.L Langley when I read her short story With Love in the anthology Hearts From the Ashes. This is the second story in her With/Without series.

Chayton Winston is a Native American who happens to be a wolf. He’s always dreamed of a fair-haired, fair-skinned mate. He’s always played straight and dated several women. Imagine his surprise when he finally discovers his mate and learns it’s a he.

Keaton Reynolds is a professor of Ancient Civilizations at NMSU and also a wolf. He has recently moved to the area to start a new life away from his family and ex-lover.

While hunting one evening, Keaton is shot (presumably by poachers). The local game warden finds him and takes him to Chayton who is the local veterinarian. It’s while Chay is treating Keaton, he discovers he is his mate.

Keaton wakes up to suddenly find himself with a mate. Of course, Chay isn’t sure what to do about the situation. Keaton suggests they just act as though they are not mates and get on with their lives. However, Chay is determined to make it work.

Together the two work to make their relationship stronger and battle the prejudices against homosexuals (as well as Chay’s mother’s hatred of white people). Eventually, the two fall into a comfortable life together and deal with other’s feelings toward them. They also must deal with some issues from Keyton’s past as someone is trying to kill him.

During the course of the story, we meet Chay’s parents. His father, Joe, realizes that Chay and Keayton are mates. His mother was not impressed with Keyton (she met him before finding out they are mates). In fact, she was downright rude to him. Joe shows them both that he has no problems with the relationship and welcomes Keyton as a part of the family. Eventually, Chay’s mother comes around and deals with it.

Jacob Romero is a local Private Investigator hired by Joe to watch over and protect Keyton. He is also a wolf and a part of their pack.

Remington Lassiter is one of Chay’s best friends, but he is a major jerk (and homophobic). He and Chay have a major falling out when Remi discovers Chay and Keyton having sex. Later in the story, Remi is attacked by the assailant who is after Keyton and almost killed. He is changed into a wolf by Chay and Jacob (who we discover is Remi’s mate, but Remi doesn’t know yet).

By the end of the story, Keyton is reunited with his family, the identity of the attacker is revealed and Chay and Keyton begin a new chapter of their lives together.

The author weaves a tale of paranormal / gay romance / erotica in a way that is fun to read and keeps you interested until the end. This is one of those books you find hard to put down.