I don’t know what’s worse, that I was giddy with excitement at the sight of this lionfish, while at the Shark Reef in Vegas, because it reminded me of Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo…

Or the fact that I even knew that this was the fish from Deuce Bigalow…

It’s been one of those days.

I was barfed on by my toddler in a packed restaurant today. I believe that needs no further explanation, though might be a funny post once I’ve had more sleep and feel less like a bag of smashed assholes.

When I started college, I started smoking regularly. I had tried it while in high school, but once I moved on my own and didn’t fear the wrath of my mother as much, I began smoking everyday. I think it was the mix of all my friends doing it, as well as it being something to pass the time that kept me smoking. Maybe I was a social smoker more then anything. Once I started working at this company I am with now, I found that no one smoked. I was the only one; wanting to make a good impression, I didn’t smoke around any coworkers for months. It was then I realized that I really didn’t crave the cigarettes as much as I thought I did. Quitting came quite easy to me.

I still am not sure what the appeal of it is. It smells, it’s bad for your health and um, CANCER!

I am even more stumped since Vegas. Walking into a wall of cigarette and cigar smoke when entering casinos was not my idea of a great time. Weaving through their blinking lights and loudly singing machines with my scarf over my nose and mouth must have made people wonder what the hell I was doing there in the first place.

Not attractive.

[I'm talking about the smoke, not my scarf laden face.]

Mike on the other hand has yet to fight the addiction and quit. When I was pregnant with Carter he promised up and down that he would quit when the baby came. He was doing great on cutting back and trying really hard to nix the habit.

The night I went into labour he smoked a pack of cigarettes.

Last January he tried again and failed, then when he got his wisdom teeth puled out, then when he got the flu…

I’ve tried guilting him, getting angry, ignoring it, but nothing works. I know, I know… he has to quit when he’s good and ready. It has to be in his own time or else he will never quit.

When is a better time though? After the second child has arrived? After the doctor tells him again that our child’s ear infections and chronic cough could be a result of the second hand smoke residue from his father? (Mike doesn’t smoke around Carter or in the car that Carter travels in. But yes, it’s on his clothes, skin, hair, etc.)

As of right now, Mike’s quit smoking cigarettes and moved on to smaller cigars. Not gangsta style huge stogies, but small cigarette like ones. I dunno what they’re called and I don’t really care because well, he’s still smoking three years after he swore up and down that he would quit. Bitter much? Yes, yes I am actually.
Since he’s contracted this cold disease from me, he hasn’t smoked anything. I just hope that he’s sick long enough to get through the initial cravings and have it out of his system before he’s able to inhale without coughing up a lung.

How wonderful a wife am I that I hope my husband is on his death bed (as he so lovely describes this cold) long enough that it will help deter his cravings for nicotine?

That’s love people. Love I tell you.

This whole bitchfest entry makes me think about the people that say ex-smokers have no right to complain about smoking like a non-smoker does.

I don’t agree.

Our opinions as reformed / born-again non-smokers is just as meaningful as those who have never picked up a cigarette. I have every right to hate the smell and all around disgusting-ness as anyone else. I know what it’s like to want to light up, to have a smoke after sex, after eating and while drinking. I know how hard it can be to fight the need when you can’t get away to go outside and have that coveted butt or when all you can think about is just lighting up.

That doesn’t mean that I’ve relinquished my right to fresh air in a bar, casino, or car. I doesn’t mean that I should suffer through ingesting second hand smoke while eating just because I used to smoke. And it doesn’t mean that I should have more sympathy for those that do smoke and are trying to quit. I’ve been there. I’ve been through it and I know how hard it can be, but using addiction as an excuse can only get you so far in my books.

So here’s to Mike and his umpteenth attempt at quitting. I’ve kept my mouth shut and plan to do so the entire time - this time.

May it stick this time.

Otherwise I can’t be held accountable for what may happen to him.

I could use one of these right now.

I never understood the appeal of an oxygen bar. Then again, I don’t know much about them at all.

Proponents claim this practice is not only safe, but enhances health and well-being, including strengthening the immune system, and enhancing concentration. It has been alleged to alieviate hangovers and help with migraines, but no formal studies have yet confirmed any of these claims. Individual flavored scents (aromas) add to the experience.

I wanted to try one but was unsure if I was allowed with being pregnant and all. No one with me would do it either. They scare easy with this hippy stuff.

You tried one?

By the way, I’ve been Flickring Vegas photos like a mad woman. Still have about 300 more!

Recovering for Vegas is taking more out of me then I ever thought it would. Sure, I have this cold that I picked up somewhere along the way, and sure I’m 5 months pregnant, but hell. I feel like I haven’t slept in weeks.

I found that I was a little more upset then I thought I would be about not being able to drink and party it up on New Years like everyone else. I mean, you go to Vegas for New Years for one thing, right? I feel like it was wasted in a way. I know, it sound ridiculous doesn’t it? There is so much more to the city and I really didn’t want to spend my days with shitty hangovers not being able to enjoy what there is to offer. So, maybe it actually worked out for the better.

For those that think there is nothing to Las Vegas but hookers, partying, drinking and filth (which is what a friend said when she told me she would never ever go to Vegas). You’re wrong. So utterly and completely wrong. I’ve never seen a cleaner city; I was truly shocked at how clean it was - even the day after nearly 400, 000 people filled the streets to celebrate New Years Eve. I find Toronto to be a far dirtier city than Vegas.

Though most of the casinos are new and appear to be of old design and architecture, they truly are amazing. There is a sense of fantasy and wonderment when standing in front of New York New York and can see Paris down the street.

Nothing can compare to the fountains at Bellagio which are timed to music like Luck Be A Lady Tonight by Frank Sinatra (not my video, but it was my favourite song played).

Or the first time you see the Grand Canyon. Pictures do not even do it justice.

Cost is not a factor when putting on a show; even something that appears to be lame - like I thought about a volcano made out of water at The Mirage - has an ambiance of mystery and magic.

Gondola rides through mock Grand Canal in The Venetian with your very own singing gondolier. Only a trip to Vince could top this.

I can’t even tell you how wonderful it was to see. This isn’t even a quarter of the pictures I’ve taken from the trip. I have so many to share, which I will upload to Flickr sometime this week and input into posts sometime or another.

And completely off topic: Mike’s contracted the cold I have and is a complete wimp about it. I have shown no remorse whatsoever to the whimpering and whining after the treatment I received while I was plagued with morning sickness. I said straight to his face that I had no sympathy for him and don’t want to hear about it. After the initial shock wore off, I think he’s finally understood how evil he really was to me.