DC is NEXT!!!

Originally posted by brennser:

I think you mean you can't afford to live the American lifestyle in Ireland.

well strictly speaking I can afford to live anywhere, what with the old trust fund… :p

I know we've talked offline about this mankie but I'm not really talking about the american lifestyle (to be honest I'm not even sure if I'm living that right now)

I was just chatting with someone from Donegal this morning and we are both here 10 years and were saying how literally everythings more expensive in Ireland, cars, houses, gas, clothes, CDs, DVDs, eating out, cigarettes, drink, even newspapers - you name it - on top of that people make less and are taxed more

I honestly don't know how my friends who live in Dublin do it

But they do, and go on holiday twice a year as well. (because they get more than 1-2 weeks per year) Personal debt is much higher in the US than over there too, so it's not like they borrow on the never never for all this stuff. I think people live within their means and make it work…I took quite a paycut for this job and haven't missed it really, other than cutting out impulse purchases for fancy watches and all that crap, which isn't important when all said and done.

As for living the American lifestyle….I did, then didn't, then REALLY didn't, then did and now comfortable. I'd say the only difference is three words, "I'll take it", unless you are at the stage I was at during my "REALLY didn't" phase.

I know I'm rambling on but I know what I mean!!! For example…I'd like to switch to digital photography but have a ton of lenses for my Nikon SLR so want a digital camera to fit those… the D100, or the replacement coming out soon D70 I think…anyway it's about $1,000 and in my last job I'd just go buy the damn thing, but now I'll just put the cash aside for a couple of months…what's the big deal? (I don't use credit cards btw.)

I don't have the time or desire to read the entire thread, but the smoking ban has been in effect for nearly ten years in the entire state of California, and yes, the bars took an initial hit for the first few months, but nearly all have overcome. The bars and clubs are as crowded as they ever were and most owners and their employees are making money hand over fist.

The live music scene is fantastic in LA and SF without smoking in the clubs and the music scene in the suburbs of SF and LA are doing just fine as well so it's not a Big City vs. Suburb thing either. The fact is smoking bothers nonsmokers and the people have spoken, the legislature listened and took action despite the big money tobacco lobby. And frankly, I much prefer the ban. I don't smoke, but have many friends that do, and they've gotten used to it. Some of them are even still friends with an outspoken nonsmoker, especially after I tell them the horror stories of my times in hospitals due to numerous lung ailments.

"A bill has been introduced in the Maryland Legislature to permit dogs in Maryland restaurants â?? at the restaurant owner's discretion â?? but there has been little support for the measure. Letters to the editor of The Baltimore Sun are overwhelmingly against it."
- USA Today

Hmmm, so they outlaw smoking because smokers are in the minority, but will allow restaurants to *decide* about dogs in eating establishments, to appease the minority?

Yuck. Hopefully the citizens of Maryland (and Maryland alone) will decide and prevail! ;)

I remember being in a restaurant in Venice a few years ago, and an old guy came in with a dog, and I thought it was pretty cool, even though I'm allerigic to animal fur. I guess my animal allergy doesn't bother me nearly as much as cigarette smoke does.

In Virginia, not only can you smoke in restaurants, you can also carry a concealed weapon in the restaurant.

I *heart* Virginia.

And, again, in case you didn't read the whole thread…
supporters of a ban on smoking in DC bars can donate, volunteer, or get involved with Smoke Free DC

Originally posted by vansmack:
I don't have the time or desire to read the entire thread, but the smoking ban has been in effect for nearly ten years in the entire state of California, and yes, the bars took an initial hit for the first few months, but nearly all have overcome. The bars and clubs are as crowded as they ever were and most owners and their employees are making money hand over fist.

The live music scene is fantastic in LA and SF without smoking in the clubs and the music scene in the suburbs of SF and LA are doing just fine as well so it's not a Big City vs. Suburb thing either. The fact is smoking bothers nonsmokers and the people have spoken, the legislature listened and took action despite the big money tobacco lobby. And frankly, I much prefer the ban. I don't smoke, but have many friends that do, and they've gotten used to it. Some of them are even still friends with an outspoken nonsmoker, especially after I tell them the horror stories of my times in hospitals due to numerous lung ailments.

Originally posted by chimblysweep:
And, again, in case you didn't read the whole thread…
supporters of a ban on smoking in DC bars can donate, volunteer, or get involved with Smoke Free DC

Thanks for the heads up.

I've left that smoke infested city and have since moved to smoke free SF, CA (But the smoking ban really had nothing to do with it).

Good luck with passing the ban though.