You know how they say that your sense of smell can conjure up memories buried deep inside that haven't surfaced for awhile? Well, there is a certain type of cigarette smoke that can instantly transport me to Disneyland whenever I smell it. I'm not much of a cigarette smoke connoisseur, so I haven't ever figured out which brand of cigarettes creates the right smoke, but I do know that not all cigarette smoke does it. Yesterday I was on my way into Costco and a man smoking outside the front entrance was smoking that one Disneyland brand. I suppose I could have approached him and asked him what type of cigarettes he smokes, but I'm not sure why that information would really be helpful to me. I mean, if I want to remember Disneyland, rather than buying the right cigarettes and finding someone to smoke them for me, I can pull out pictures. I don't even like smelling other people's smoke anyway.
I do think that I am a non-smoking smoker. You know how there are alcoholics out there who don't drink, but they are still alcoholics? Well, I think I am a smoker, I just never smoke. I've never even had a desire to smoke--I think it's a disgusting habit. However, I've been known to have disgusting habits, and I think that I have somewhat of an addictive streak in me. I just seem to think that I'd be a nervous smoker, reaching for a ciggie each time the stress level got too high. If things had been different, if I had a different life, I could be going on the patch trying to kick the habit right about now. Good thing I never started!
I did have a friend named Sue who used to smoke snack foods. We'd be chatting over lunch or in her living room, and she would pick up a celery stick or pretzel twig, rest it comfortably between her fingers and "smoke". She said she studies smokers very carefully and has picked up their mannerisms. She redirects her "smoke" over her shoulder, away from whomever she is talking to, she does the compulsive flicking thing with her thumb, and she ALWAYS uses something for an ashtray. Ususally the bowl of dip. Her smoking style absolutely fascinates me. I've tried to pull off the snack smoking deal, but I just don't have the finesse Sue has. If I can't smoke a carrot stick can you imagine me with a cigarette? I'd look quite the fool.
4 comments:
You are a wee bit strange. But then again, you have strange friends, too.
Don't sweat it Mich. I have a weird Disneyland memory too. Whenever I get Cafe Rio salad, I sniff the bag til I am sick. It smells just like the smoke in Pirates of the Carrabean ride. I have found a few other bags with the same smell. Although it can be nauseating, it is worth the memory trip.
I don't think that's wierd at all. I'm a drunk who doesn't drink. I never have tried it because I just know that I would really like it and and I would drink a-lot! I've even thought at the end of a long day, "Man, I need a beer!" Which is strange because I've never had one! Don't call my bishop or anything, okay- unless you think he'd release me from scouts- then go ahead.
We have talked about this addictive personality before. I know I would be walking around with a coffee mug in my hand all day long. I have a neighbor who did that for years until her sister died of breast cancer and her doctor told her to lay off the java because it causes such problems. Now she is no longer super mom and has gained a ton of weight. Let me see now, Coffee vs a weight problem. Too bad the word of wisdom put a stop to that one. For some reason walking around with a mug of Diet Coke just does'nt do it.
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