Smoke

Last night we went out to see a show at Broken City. Chris Vail, Chad Van Gaalen and Kara Keith were playing a Christmas benefit show. It looked like it was going to be a good night, but we ended up having to leave before we saw any of them play.

Shawn quit smoking three years ago, but he was a heavy smoker for ten years before that. Being in a smoky room doesn't always bother him, but when it does, it's practically unbearable. Within minutes of arriving, I could tell this was going to be one of the bad nights. Shawn immediately got a glazed-over look, signifying a deep longing for nicotine. Soon he looked ready to beat down some random indie kid and steal their cigarettes. This particular look is the signal that it is now time to go.

I kinda miss Vancouver for this reason alone. The blanket ban on smoking in public spaces seemed excessive when it was first passed, but within weeks I loved it. Going out at night and not coming home drenched in the stench of stale smoke was amazing. In Calgary you can't even have a quick drink without carrying the lingering scent of the bar with you for the rest of the day.

I remember that not everyone in Vancouver was so happy with the smoking ban, and a few bars risked the fines and opened themselves up to the displaced smoking masses. I went to one of these modern-day leper colonies a few times. It was a small, featureless dump on the edge of Chinatown. The tables were filled with grumbling hipsters smoking their evil cigarettes and drinking -wait for it- echinacea infused beer. And trust me, discussion of the irony was not appreciated.

It's going to take a couple years for the smoking ban trend to finally reach Calgary. Until then, I guess I'll just wait and complain. And keep a close eye on Shawn whenever some skinny indie kid lights up too close to him.