"Smoke 'em if you got 'em"

"Way ahead of you, Al."

Smoking crossed my path a few times today. I'm known (if only by me) to say something sly to any smokers I know when they light up, and sometimes to people I don't. "Oh, there's something I meant to tell you," I'll say in a concerned voice. I'll lean in a little and say, "I heard smoking was bad for you." I usually wink or give a wry smile, so as to, hopefully, avoid getting punched in the face. I typically get a similar reply from most people. "Yeah, I know man, but it's so hard to quit," or something to that affect. Today I got, "Yeah, I'm trying to quit. Really need to with how much they cost." Another exchange I had with another lady went like this:

Waitress: "Do you need a cleaner ashtray?"
Lady friend of mine: "No, I'll just dirty it up anyway."
Me: "Just like your lungs!"

Good times.

I don't mean to dedicate this writing (I really hate the word "blog" and "toaster" is already taken) to the bad habit of inhaling damaging toxins, but it leads to a larger issue that I'm also curious about: Why do we (people) do things that could, or will, directly hurt us?

Smoking is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Other hot contenders are: drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana (or other, harder drugs), driving after drinking or getting stoned, unsafe sex w/ random people, and stuff like the "extreme sports" of skydiving, bungee jumping, etc. I might be pushing it a little to include the extreme sports, but this is my deal, homie. The ironic thing is that I'm writing this and I've done (or do) some of the things listed. I wish that having first hand experience with this sort of thing would provide something deep and insightful, but I really don't think I have an answer.

I guess everyone's case is unique, to an extent. I was two classes away from having a Sociology minor in college, so part of me blames the upbringing and popular culture an individual has been exposed to. Did you grow up in a home where drinking and smoking were the norm? Chances are you do one or both of those now. Were you born on "the wrong side of the tracks" and into a family of drug use and flop houses? Well, there's a strong chance you're comfortable with all that and feel like it's OK. In the same vein, but to certainly a lesser degree of importance, why am I am Auburn fan? Because my dad is and I was brainwashed. Evidence.

But then, with all the information and research available today about the hazardous side effects to these things, why do people who grew up and developed these habits keep them? I guess I've never been addicted to anything, though. Maybe it's as simple as that. While I've heard that cigarettes are bad for you, I also hear that nicotine is a powerful thing. I didn't give it enough time to sink in, I guess. Sure, I've smoked a cigarette before but it just didn't seem that cool to me. Of course, I didn't grow up in a smoking house. My dad used to smoke a pipe and maybe a cigar every now and then, but nothing like the chain smoking of cigarettes that I know goes on in some households.

So what have I done from the list I busted out above? I do fancy an alcoholic drink in social situations. I might have a cigar or two each year in certain company. i.e. if someone brings them. I'd never buy one. I have never smoked marijuana, but I've been around it and had the chance. I think I first saw it being done in high school at someone's house. Maybe you're aware, but I also spent some time at Georgia Tech, where I came in contact with it again. Last year I somehow ended up at a random guy's apartment during Masters week and someone broke out a bong. I left shortly after that. Everyone was always fine with me passing on the grass, though. I guess it was just more for them.

One thing that's more serious that I've done is drive after drinking. I can only think of one time for certain when I really shouldn't have driven and did, but I'm sure there have been others when a ride or a couch would have been better ideas. I do usually do that, really. I have slept on many a couch in my advanced age and slept for a few hours in my truck once because I was too embarrassed to call anyone. Please don't think I'm a menace on wheels. Of course, the crazy person doesn't think he's crazy. So take this paragraph as you will. I do realize it only takes one time for me to hurt myself, or someone else, so I vow not to take the chance, or even put myself in that situation, if it comes up again.

As for bungee jumping and skydiving, I'm not certain I'd be interested in either. But, I'm also a "never say never" guy, so who knows what the future holds. This subject came up on the patio at The Cotton Patch at lunch today, actually. My "brotha from another mother," Gabe, and I agreed that skydiving would come before bungee jumping on the list. Well, I've just gotten back from a 5 minute break to research skydiving...and, I can't believe I'm saying this (well, typing this) it actually doesn't sound that bad. This FAQ provides descriptions of what happens and what it feels like and it's not what I assumed. GAH...I went and rode some upside down roller coaster and freefall-type things at the fair for the first time last year, maybe I need to skydive this year?

So, yeah, this graduated from talking about smoking to me contemplating skydiving. That's how my stream of consciousness writing style rolls.

But, back to close this up, why do people do what they do? No idea, but I'll stick to my original thought that it's unique to everyone, but has a lot to do with sociological impact.