Your article sounds a lot like me back when smoking was banned in restaurants and stores and public buildings in Ontario.
Back then I was somewhat offended that restaurant owners could not open an establishment that catered specifically to smokers. I was not a smoker, but I felt at the time that instead of smoking and non-smoking sections in a building, a store owner should decide whether the entire place was smoking or non-smoking. I figured he shouldn't try to have it both ways. I assumed that the general move to non-smoking in society would eventually encourage restaurants to move toward non-smoking voluntarily, with perhaps a few bars dedicated to smokers.
Having enjoyed a nearly smoke-free existence now for over 7 years, I must admit, it was a really good move. The government took a stand for non-smokers against second hand smoke. They took a full measure, instead of a half-measure that I thought was more appropriate at the time, and I'm grateful they did.
It is still possible to smoke in Ontario, but you have to pay high taxes (13.975 cents in tax per cigarrette), and avoid harming non-smokers by usually smoking outside.
I find that surprisingly few books are ones that I want to keep to re-read over and over and over.
There are lots that are interesting, but easily ignored.
There are others that are have some very useful points. For these, it often suffices to take notes on these high points, record the title and author, and then give the book away. It is easier to go back later and reference those special comments this way, when I have my own notes. And it is easier to share those insights with others. And it takes up less space, while sharing the book.
If I am diligent in recording my notes as I read the book, at the end, it is easy to let the book go. I'm not always that diligent though.
And then there are books that are almost completely insightful, or completely entertaining. Where taking notes would be useless, because I'd just have to copy the whole book. :-) Those are the ones I tend to keep so far.
I also find that there is so much new stuff coming at me, and often it comes at the exact time I need it, that hanging onto old books just weighs me down.
Thanks for writing! I finished the transcription for your post. your letter caught my eye, and I couldn't help but wonder why your a "rat" because your standing up for your fellow prisoners? just doesn't make sense to me?... I guess everyone is not born with common sense. ;-) I hope you find peace and clarity. there is a lot more I could question about but I would end up writing a story as well...
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Your article sounds a lot like me back when smoking was banned in restaurants and stores and public buildings in Ontario.
Back then I was somewhat offended that restaurant owners could not open an establishment that catered specifically to smokers. I was not a smoker, but I felt at the time that instead of smoking and non-smoking sections in a building, a store owner should decide whether the entire place was smoking or non-smoking. I figured he shouldn't try to have it both ways. I assumed that the general move to non-smoking in society would eventually encourage restaurants to move toward non-smoking voluntarily, with perhaps a few bars dedicated to smokers.
Having enjoyed a nearly smoke-free existence now for over 7 years, I must admit, it was a really good move. The government took a stand for non-smokers against second hand smoke. They took a full measure, instead of a half-measure that I thought was more appropriate at the time, and I'm grateful they did.
It is still possible to smoke in Ontario, but you have to pay high taxes (13.975 cents in tax per cigarrette), and avoid harming non-smokers by usually smoking outside.
- Chris
I find that surprisingly few books are ones that I want to keep to re-read over and over and over.
There are lots that are interesting, but easily ignored.
There are others that are have some very useful points. For these, it often suffices to take notes on these high points, record the title and author, and then give the book away. It is easier to go back later and reference those special comments this way, when I have my own notes. And it is easier to share those insights with others. And it takes up less space, while sharing the book.
If I am diligent in recording my notes as I read the book, at the end, it is easy to let the book go. I'm not always that diligent though.
And then there are books that are almost completely insightful, or completely entertaining. Where taking notes would be useless, because I'd just have to copy the whole book. :-) Those are the ones I tend to keep so far.
I also find that there is so much new stuff coming at me, and often it comes at the exact time I need it, that hanging onto old books just weighs me down.
- Chris